Chapter Two: Aftershock

Rai laid in her hospital bed replaying what had happened in the apartment repeatedly. She didn't understand how anyone could have known she was there. The door started to open before a man and woman walked in. The man walked over to her but before he could touch her, she screamed. She kicked and tried to punch him. The two backed away until she calmed down. They looked at each other before they left the room. Rai held her shoulder as she thought about what Lin would say when she saw the apartment. There was a knock at the door but this time it opened partially.

"Rai, it's Councilman Tenzin. Can I come in? We need to talk."

"I'm... I'm hurt. I want Chief Beifong.

"I know but how about we talk."

He slowly opened the door to see her laying on the bed. The first thing he noticed was the burn. He blinked the tears back as he thought about what she went through. She was only a child, and she was attacked. He didn't know how to tell her about Lin. He sat down next to her, gently placing a hand on her hand. She gave him a small smile as she looked behind him. He could tell she was looking for Lin. He didn't even stop to see how Lin was doing. He thought someone should check in on Rai first. He sighed before he gave her a small smile himself. Rai could tell instantly something was wrong. She felt it. She looked at the door again as she started to panic.

"Rai, sweetheart I need you to calm down. Something happened okay but I need you to calm down. Chief Beifong is in the hospital too. She was attacked not far from headquarters. It's going to be okay. I'm here and my sister and mother are on their way. My family will take care of you until Chief Beifong is out of the hospital."

"I... I have to go. She... She's going to be mad when she sees her apartment. I... I'll check on her, but I can't stay. I'm sorry."

Rai started to panic as she thought about what Lin would think of the apartment. Tenzin pushed her back, hoping he could calm her down. She kicked him in the abdomen with both legs, knocking him into a nearby table. She saw the door open two healers barge in. One of the healers yelled for some help but she had jumped off the bed. A third healer came in with a syringe, making Rai back up a bit. As they got closer, she started to frantically look for an exit. She turned to Tenzin as she heard the table move but she soon felt a pinch in her arm. She turned to see one of the healers giving her a warm smile.

"It's going to be okay. You're just going to take a little bit of a nap. Councilman Tenzin can wait with you."

Rai wanted to run but she didn't have the energy. She took one step before she stumbled a bit. She tried to stay awake, but it got harder by the moment. She felt someone grab her as she started to close her eyes. Tenzin pinched the bridge of his nose as he thought about what his mother and sister were going to say when they found out. Rai had been laid on the bed again and Tenzin informed the healers that Katara and Kya would be here in a few hours to take care of her. After the healers left Tenzin turned to Rai, hoping his mother and sister would be here soon. There was a knock at the door before it opened. He didn't turn to see who entered but he figured at this point it was an officer. He heard click of metal on the ground get closer to him before it finally stopped.

"Councilman Tenzin, I need you're stat-" Saikhan was cut off by Tenzin.

"Saikhan, she was scared. I heard it in her voice when she called me. I was too scared to hang up on her. She told me someone was trying to break in. When they finally did, she started to cry on the phone. She tried to stop herself from screaming. I heard them smash the door open. I heard them throw her around. I yelled in the phone, and I heard her scream, most likely after she got burned. I should have just gone over."

Saikhan stood there and watched Tenzin and Rai. He knew Tenzin had given him everything so he would leave the two alone. Saikhan placed a hand on Tenzin's shoulder before he left. Tenzin took a deep breath before he stood. He would get a cup of tea and go check on Lin. He thought the chaotic environment would bother him, but it didn't. His focus was on Lin and Rai. He didn't even get a chance to call Pema and tell her what had happened. He decided that he would get his tea, call Pema and then check on Lin in that order. He walked out the hospital entrance to see Pema standing there with a cup in her hand. He stopped as he gave her a surprised look. She smiled as she held the cup out towards him. He took the cup as he wondered how she knew that he was here.

"Your mother had a White Lotus member contact the island to speak with you, but you weren't home. Apparently, she and Kya will be staying with us until Rai and Lin are okay. I called you at City Hall, but they said you left in a hurry. I figured you were here. I'm sure you don't really know much but let me know how they are when you know."

He smiled at her before he kissed her cheek. He turned and made his way back into the hospital, searching for Lin's room. He found it with two officers standing outside. He opened the door and dropped his cup. He stood there for a few minutes and stared at Lin's unconscious beaten body. Her arm was wrapped as well as her abdomen. Her leg was wrapped and propped up. He also saw a pair of crutches next to the bed. She had stiches and bruises all over her face. He didn't understand how something like this could happen. She was always so careful. There should have been officers that patrolled the area. He soon realized he dropped his cup. He grabbed it before he left the room. He informed a staff member that he dropped his drink, hoping he wasn't creating too much more work. He entered Rai's room but instead of sitting he started to pace. After an hour of pacing, he left the room to see if the doctors heard anything more about his mother's arrival. When they shook their heads, he sighed, and they informed him they could give Rai something for pain. He thanked them as he finally sat down in her room again. He propped his arm on the bed, leaning against his hand. He closed his eyes for a moment thinking he would just rest but he fell asleep. A few hours later there was a small knock on the door before it opened a bit. Katara and Kya walked in to see Tenzin and Rai asleep. Kya chuckled a bit as they got closer. Katara examined the burn, trying not to touch it. She soon woke Tenzin but tried not to disturb Rai. He gave the two Water Tribe women a sleepy smile as he rubbed his eyes. He hugged the two before they all turned to the young girl in the bed.

"Tenzin, what happened? Why are we here for a random girl?" Kya asked.

"She isn't a random girl. Lin took her in three months ago after finding her on the streets. She is determined Rai is a girl from a cold case she has been trying to solve. She got attached after a month. Lin left her at the apartment by herself because I suggested maybe giving her some space. Lin got attacked and is a few rooms down. She talked for the first time since Lin brought her to her apartment today. The second time I heard her speak she was telling me someone was breaking in and how scared she was."

"Did she tell you if anything other than burn hurt?"

"She didn't really get the chance. I told her about Lin, and she panicked. The doctors came in and sedated her bec-"

"Tenzin! How many times have Mom and I told you about the negative effects of sedatives? Impaired reflexes and cognition, chances of not feeling pain, slow speaking, and even memory problems. Someone that was brought to us from the Fire Nation under sedation once confused the accident and what was going on at that point. You claim to be so smart, but you don't think sometimes."

Rai started groan a bit before she opened her eyes. Tenzin reached for her, but Kya informed him he should be cautious. He gently placed his hand on hers and they both smiled. Katara and Kya took that as an opportunity to try and work on the burn. They both nodded before they started to heal the burn. Rai tried to pull her arm up, but it caused her too much pain. Katara soon noticed that Rai was limiting the movement of her right arm. She turned her attention to Rai's arm but found it was her shoulder. She noticed how swollen the back of the shoulder had become. It was swollen to the collarbone. She went to search for a sling for Rai's arm so she wouldn't try and use it after the shoulder was fixed. She called for a doctor to come help her with fixing the shoulder. Before they walked over to Rai, Katara informed the doctor of the plan. The doctor started to pull on her shoulder while Katara tried to push on shoulder blade. Rai started to cry as she clenched the sheets on the bed. The pain was worse was becoming unbearable. She felt a pop then relief. Katara could tell that they were taking a lot out of her. Kya had gotten the front half of the burn and was working on the side. She thought she could clean up the couple cuts Rai had managed to get. She started to one that was above Rai's left eye. She smiled when the young girl pulled away and started to cover the cut. Rai jumped when Kya hit a more sensitive area of her burn.

"Stop that! It hurts."

Rai used her good arm to shove Kya to the ground. Tenzin watched as Rai slowly inched forward on the bed. He told her if she let Kya heal the rest of her burn, he would take her to Lin. She looked at him then Kya before she turned her head towards the wall. She felt the cool water touch her back, making her lean forward a bit. Tenzin placed his hand on her good hand, but she pulled away when the pain started to hurt worse than before. She soon felt nothing but relief. She sighed as she held onto the edge of the bed. She was told she had to take her clothes off for evidence and that an officer had brought a pair her some from the apartment. She stared at the three for a moment before she looked at her arm. With some assistance from Kya and Katara, Rai had her burn wrapped and had changed clothes. She soon opened the door to see Tenzin talking to the doctors. She slowly walked up to him and tugged on his robes. He turned to see her with a small smile. He knew that he told her that he would take her to see Lin, but he didn't know if he wanted her to see that. He sighed before he guided her to Lin's room. He slowly opened the door, and he heard her start to cry. She slowly walked towards Lin and nudge her a bit.

"Chief? Chief, wake up. Please wake up. Mom, just wake up. I'm sorry about the apartment. You can ground me, throw me out, just wake up... please."

"Rai, she isn't going to wake up right now. They said it's going to be some time before she does wake. Lin and I discussed your care if something like this ever happened. She wanted you to stay at the island with my family."

Rai shook her head as the tears continued to run down her cheeks. She turned, grabbing Lin's cables. Tenzin stuck his arm out and asked for the cables. She stared at him before she handed them to him. She pushed him to the side before she started to run. He sighed as Kya and Katara walked up to him. Rai ran outside the hospital and sat on the stairs. She pulled her legs close, crying harder as she thought about Lin's condition. She soon heard a sniffing noise next to her. She soon felt a wet sensation on her ear. She moved her head, wiping her ear. She felt the wet sensation on her neck and heard the sniffing noise again. When she looked up, she found a dog standing next to her. His long black, brown and white fur clearly needed washed. She reached out slowly to have the dog lick her face. She smiled a bit as she started to scratch behind the dog's ear. Rai stood and whistled for the dog to follow her. The two walked into the hospital, slowly making their way to Lin's room. When they opened the door Tenzin turned and looked down at the dog for a bit.

"Look, I found a dog. You think she will let me keep him. He isn't that big."

Tenzin stared at Rai and the dog for a before he gave the two a smile. He looked over at Lin and knew the truth. She would never let Rai have the dog, but the girl had already gone through so much that day. He nodded and said he thinks she would. Kya gave her brother a look as Rai played with the dog. After a few hours Saikhan came to interview Rai but she backed against the door. She didn't want to think about what happened. Tenzin told Saikhan maybe it was best if he came back at a later time. Kya and Katara stayed with her so Tenzin could go get food for everyone. When he returned, he had the same meal that she had when they had gone out only it had the spices removed that she couldn't eat. She placed some on the floor in front of the dog and turned the lid upside down before she dumped some in. The three stared at her knowing what she was doing. She hoped Lin would wake if she put food next to her. She turned and smiled at them before she started to eat. Tenzin tried to get her to try and leave with him, but she wouldn't budge. She laid on the floor with the dog and stared at Lin hoping she would wake. He walked to the desk and called the island to inform Pema that he would be staying at the hospital with Rai and Lin. After his conversation with Pema, he returned to Lin's room to find Rai had fallen asleep. He grabbed a blanket that was on a nearby chair, placing it on the young girl. He sat in the chair next to Lin's bed, occasionally glancing at Rai until he fell asleep. Later in the night Rai began to have nightmares about what she had gone through. She started mumbling as she shoved her face against the dog. She placed her hand on the ground, sending a crack from the floor to the ceiling. Tenzin woke when dust and few pebbles fell on his face. He started to open his eyes a bit as he was hit with more pebbles. He saw the giant crack on the ceiling and wall. He used his airbending to push Lin's bed against the wall before he grabbed Rei and the dog. He shoved the two under the bed and hoped that if anything fell it didn't fall on the side, he placed everyone. Tenzin watched as the first piece fell but Rei slammed her hand on the ground, covering everyone. The two listened to the loud crash of the ceiling falling, making her grab his foot. He didn't need to see her to know she was scared. He soon heard someone yelling his name, making her tighten her grip. He crouched down and touched her arm before he yelled back. She started to crawl out from under the bed. She pulled her bad arm out of the sling. She put her hands up against the earth above them. She stuck her foot on the earth in front of her. She yelled to tell everyone that they needed to exit the room. She gave them a few minutes as she took a deep breath. After taking another deep breath she started to push against the earth slowly. She finally gave it one hard push and watched as the earth went to the other side of the room. She held her shoulder as a few people entered the room.

"Councilman, Rei, are you alright?"

"I don't feel so well. I think I'm going to lay down for a little bit. I think someone should catch me now," Rai said weakly.

Tenzin caught her as she started to fall, noticing the sweat on her forehead. He carried her out of the room and into a different one. He laid her on the bed as Katara and Kya walked in, followed by the dog. After a quick assessment they soon found that Rai was just exhausted. Katara informed Tenzin they were moving Lin now, but Rai should stay where she was to rest. Tenzin stared at Rai for a bit. He didn't know who he was supposed to choose. He knew Rai was strong, but he wondered if she would be okay by herself after what happened. Kya placed her hand on his back, knowing that something was bothering him. She placed Rai's arm back in the sling and checked her shoulder for any new signs of injury. Kya and Katara went to check on Lin while Tenzin sat on a chair next to Rai's bed. He tried to rest again, hoping it would go a bit better that before. Two hours passed before Rai woke. She found herself in a dark room with a little light coming from the door being cracked open. She sat up, slowly placing her feet on the ground. She turned her head when she heard the dog wagging its tail across the floor. She walked over to Tenzin and stood there for a bit before she reached out to tap him, but he jumped before she could touch him.

"You should go stay with her. I'll be okay. I have my dog."

"I'll only do it because you saved my life."

"Uncle Tenzin, what if she... she doesn't make it?"

"Oh Rai, it will be okay. I've seen Lin get herself into some... let's call them situations much worse than this before. She's always pulled through. Before she was alone and now, she has a reason to pull through. Rest and tomorrow we will maybe discuss a new apartment because you guys can't go back there."

She smiled for a moment before she jumped back in the bed. As Tenzin started to close the door he turned and faced Rai who was now sleeping. The next morning Rai felt something touch her arm, making her open her eyes. She saw Katara and Kya standing there examining her arm again. Kya helped her sit up before the two started to look at the spot she was burned. They didn't have to tell her, she already knew that she would most likely scar. She sat there as the healed her wound again, holding the sheets when she was in pain. Not long after she was wrapped back up and put her shirt on Tenzin had walked in with Pema by his side. Katara and Kya stared at Rai as she backed against the wall. The four didn't understand, Pema was harmless. Tenzin wondered why Rai reacted this way towards Pema but not towards his mother or sister when meeting them. He did recall her being rather standoffish when she met him the first time. Lin did tell him she attacked her and other officers the first time she met her. He has seen Rai act different to meeting people. The first time she met the council, Tenzin recalls a similar reaction. Maybe Pema reminds her of someone from her past that caused her pain. He took a step forward and reached for her like he did when she hid in the closet months ago. She slowly started to reach for him but pulled back for a second. He smiled at her, making her take a step forward. She took another step forward until she was directly in front of him. She wrapped her good arm around him as the tears started to run down her face. He stood there for a moment in shock before he gave her a hug. Spirits, Lin you missed some big steps here. He thought to himself.

"I'm scared. I trashed the apartment. She is going to be mad that she has to move. She got hurt and we don't know when she will wake up. She won't want me or the dog. I heard you two talking before. She never wanted kids. I didn't want her to know but it hurt that she sees me as a project or something she is being forced to do."

"You're right she didn't want children, but something changed. I don't know what it is, but something is different. The first night when you hid in the closet, she argued with me that night. That's probably what woke you. We argued about a case. She wants to help you but protect you at the same time. She might get mad about the apartment, but she will get over it. Parents sometimes get when mad their children are put in danger or damage things, but they always forgive them."

"The case she is working on. That is what she is trying to protect me from. The one she stares at everyday."

"That case has driven Lin crazy for years. She has beaten herself up for not finding you." Tenzin informed Rai.

"It was my dad and grandfather. Some guy killed them. They were all I had left."

Tenzin stared at her for a bit. No wonder she didn't talk for three months, especially to the police. He could see the hurt look in her face. The thing Lin was trying to prevent. She smiled at him as she thought it might have helped get the person or people responsible for what happened. She stared at Pema for a moment before the woman took a step towards her. She didn't know the whole story, but she didn't know how she wanted to feel about the woman. She turned her head to avoid looking at Pema.

"Has Pema done something wrong?" Tenzin asked Rai

"Could it just be the two of us? I don't know her, and I think it would be too much if she came along. I want to focus on getting a place for us to stay not your wife."

Pema gave Tenzin a look as he nodded and smiled at Rai. He kissed Pema before he and Rai left to look for a new place for Lin to live. They started with a few apartments near headquarters, but Rai didn't like any of them. She didn't know if it was because they were all two bedrooms. She thought Lin should have a room she could completely trash with files if she wanted to bring it home. She voiced her opinion to Tenzin, and he agreed. The two eventually ended up at a house in a nicer part of town. Rai touched the door lightly before she turned the handle. When she walked in, she knew that this was the house. Lin could leave her files everywhere, the dog would have a place to run, both Lin and Rai would have their own rooms. She turned to Tenzin and nodded, showing her approval. After they had decided that was officially the one Lin would move into, they went to City Hall. Tenzin began to fill out some paperwork as best he could until Lin woke. As the two made their way back to the hospital Rai wondered if Lin would be okay with the house she picked.

One week Later

Rai sat on the floor of Lin's room, staring at her. When Lin moved, she sat up a bit to see if the woman was waking up. She had become restless as she waited for Lin to wake. Tenzin had gone to City Hall to try and catch up on some work. Kya and Katara had gone to the island for a bit to see Jinora and get a little rest. When Rai realized, Lin wasn't going to wake, she stood and whistled for her dog. When the two were leaving Tenzin had started to walk in. She smiled at the airbending master as she walked out of the room. She knew she was adding stress to his plate by refusing to go to the island. She sighed as she thought about how if Lin didn't wake today, she would go to the island tomorrow with Tenzin. In the room Tenzin sat in the chair next to the bed. Lin had put him in some stressful situations, but he didn't know how much more he could take. He was spending little to no time with his wife and daughter. He knew he had to put his foot down with Rai. She had to come to the island, and she would leave when Lin was out of the hospital. He sighed as he started to massage his temples. He knew it would be hard to get Rai out of the hospital, but it wasn't healthy for her to continue to sit in the hospital. He waited for an hour to see if by some miracle Lin would wake, but she didn't. He knew that the best thing for Rai right now was for her to come back to the temple. He looked up when he heard the door open to see Rai entering the room. She knew by the look on his face that she had to go to Air Temple Island tonight. She put her head down as she waited for him. He knew she didn't want to go but she would eventually be okay. Rai and her dog followed Tenzin to Oogi without a sound. As they made their way back to the island Tenzin turned to see Rai pulling her dog closer. When they arrived, Rai sat on Oogi for a while. He knew it would be an adjustment for her, but he thought she could do it. She finally got down and followed him to the temple where a little girl ran up to them.

"Daddy!"

'Hello Jinora."

Jinora used her airbending to propel herself into Tenzin's arms. Rai took a step back, tripping on her feet. He turned when he heard a noise behind him. He saw her sitting on the ground, hearing the occasional sniffle. She stood and walked next to him. She wouldn't look at him. She just wanted to be alone.

"Where will I be stay?"

He carried Jinora to show Rai where she would be staying. When he opened the door, her dog ran in and jumped on the bed. She walked in before she closed the door behind her. She started to silently cry, knowing it wouldn't fix anything. She went to the bed and pulled her knees up. She placed her chin on her knees and started to pet her dog. After some time, there was a small knock, but she didn't respond. She stayed locked in the room the rest of the night. In the morning the phone rang. Tenzin rubbed his eyes before he reached for it.

"This is councilman Tenzin." He paused while he waited for the other person to stay something. "That is wonderful. I will grab Rai and we will be in to see her."

Tenzin got of bed and started to get dressed. He kissed Pema before he made his way to the room that Rai was staying. He knocked on the door and pulled it open. He saw the bed was almost empty. He looked around the room but the only thing he saw was her dog sleeping on the bed. He started to hastily walk down the hall calling out for her, but she never answered. He started to search the rest of the island but still didn't see her. He soon ran into Katara and Kya.

"Have you seen Rai?" Both women shook their heads. "I can't find her anywhere and Lin woke up. I don't know what I'm going to tell her."

"The truth. Rai was attack she is okay but had problems adjusting to the deal you made with Lin, and you went to get her this morning and she wasn't there. Then let her yell at you. The two of you will find Rai."

Tenzin smiled at his sister's advice. He jumped on Oogi and made his way to the hospital. He occasional looked down, hoping he would see Rai somewhere. When he landed Oogi at the hospital he sighed, hoping that Rai was in the room. He took a deep breath as he turned the corner to her room. He was greeted by two officers before he entered the room. When he entered the room, he only saw Lin. He closed the door before he slowly made his way to the chair next to her bed. She gave him a confused look after she looked at the door one more time.

"What, Rai didn't want to come with?"

Tenzin stayed silent as he looked at the ground. He eventually looked back at her.

"Tenzin, where is Rai?"

"Lin, I'm so sorry."

(Author's Note: Sorry for the wait. I hope this chapter was worth it. I will try to have more updates soon. Anyway, yes Rai ran away. Rai does remember the case. Maybe she will help. Hope everyone enjoyed. Thanks for the support.)