The next day Lin decided to just go ahead and schedule an appointment with the mind healer the police force recommended for their officers struggling with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She had required many of her officers to see the therapist before returning to work, but had never gone herself. However, she could see how concerned she had made both Bumi and Zuko. She refused to become her mother, a cynical woman who didn't care about her children, so she was sucking up her pride for once and making the painful decision to accept help. This was for her child.

She had her first appointment only a few days later on a Thursday morning.

However in the time between, Lin had originally just wanted to stay at her house, avoiding the others since they all apparently knew of her freak out. Bumi let her have a day, before convincing her to go out of the house with Huan to the art gallery. What Lin didn't know was that in agreeing, it meant Bumi leading her to the Island to pick Huan up to head into the city.

Upon arriving at the Island, she was surprised that the adults only gave her a nod of acknowledgement of what happened with supportive smiles, before greeting her as usual and acting like nothing had happened. She knew Bumi had shared that she had decided to go to therapy, but she was still surprised and relieved by their reactions. She had been worried that they, Su especially, would make a big deal about it and she was unsure how she would have handled that.

They extended the offer of visiting the art gallery to the rest of the kids as well, but only Meelo decided to join Huan and herself, though Baatar Sr. also decided to join the three.

It ended up being an enjoyable day. Huan was very patient with Meelo, the two walked ahead of Lin and Baatar as they wandered the gallery. Lin got to know her brother-in-law a little more, realizing he was actually overall a smart man and not just in architecture. She appreciated his quiet nature, which was much like her own.

Meelo surprisingly was very interested in art, so Lin surprised him with a beginners art kit as they left the gift shop. They also stopped at the nearby art supplies store, where Lin helped Huan pick out a range of supplies as he wanted to try watercolour with her. They also picked up a couple easels to keep at the Island.

When they made it back to the island, Baatar took off to meet with Junior, and Lin led the boys to a quiet spot in one of the gardens. They set up their kits and Lin guided them in the basics of watercolour, just as Aang had done for her.


She attended her first appointment with the mind healer on Thursday. Bumi waited by the car outside in case she wasn't up to driving, and to offer support.

The mind healer, Chen, happened to specialize in acupuncture as well, so they had agreed that - after consulting with Katara and Kya - to go ahead and have two appointments per week. The first would be the acupuncture appointment, focusing on smaller areas instead of the full body one she had previously; followed a couple days after with the therapy appointment. Kya had thought it was a good plan, only if Lin agreed to have small checkups after each acupuncture appointment. She didn't want the baby to be stressed by the feelings brought forth from the sometimes intense memories.

Her healer suggested that it would also be good to have a schedule outside of the therapy sessions as she had been used to being so busy before her maternity leave; that having some structure in her days would help the transition to maternity leave go more smoothly.

So Lin spoke with Tenzin and Bumi about helping give the airbenders self defense lessons.

"Lin, you know that airbenders take a vow of nonviolence." Tenzin said, stroking his beard.

"I know. However, now that you have pledged the airbenders to help with the unrest in the earth kingdom, it would be beneficial if they know how to protect themselves. If the news is correct, the bandits are dangerous. We need to make sure they know how to protect themselves."

"I'm with Linny on this Ten. They can't always rely on their airbending, especially as they are all still training."

"Think of Jinora and Opal. What if they were ambushed and were chi blocked. They would have no way of defending themselves." Lin said, using a vice grip on her emotions to not get upset at the sudden images her mind procures for her. One of the downsides of law enforcement is that she has seen many dead bodies, especially young women, who were attacked and left broken. She would not let this happen to the newly formed air nation too, especially her nieces. She shook the thoughts from her head as she saw Tenzin run a hand over his face in defeat.

"Fine. As long as it is made perfectly clear they are to only use this if they are attacked first."

"Duh, that's why it is called self defence. Geez Tenny, and they say you are the smart one." Bumi grinned cheekily at his brother, who just let out an exasperated sigh.

So they arranged in the mornings after the airbenders had their meditation and breakfast, that they would have a few hours of self defense before lunch on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday's. Lin had her sessions on Tuesday and Thursday in the mornings as well, which left most of her afternoons clear.

The day after they planned this, was when Katara was leaving for the South Pole with Korra and her parents.

Lin hugged Katara tightly.

"You take care of yourself Lin. I will try and return close to your due date to help with the delivery, but babies sometimes don't cooperate. Either way, I cannot wait for my new grandbaby."

"I promise I will Auntie. Thank you for all your help."

Katara pulled back and patted Lin's cheek. "I expect radio calls and letters."

Lin smiled and nodded at her. "Of course."

"I love you Lin." She pulled Lin down enough to kiss her forehead, like she did when Lin was small. "And I love this little one." She placed her hand on Lin's little bump.

Lin placed her hand over Katara's and gave a comforting squeeze. "We love you too." She replied before stepping back for everyone else to say their goodbyes.

Lin noticed Asami standing off to the side and decided to go join her. The younger woman had a poorly concealed look of sadness on her face.

"Hey kid, you okay?" Asami startled from her thoughts, and looked up at Lin approaching. Lin came to a stop beside her.

"Oh, uh, hi Lin. Yes, I'm okay." She glanced up at Korra who was already boarded on the ship.

Lin followed her line of sight, then placed a hand on her shoulder. "She is going to get better. With Katara helping, she will be back to giving us trouble soon enough."

Asami attempted a smile at Lin. "It's... just difficult seeing her like this. She has barely spoken in the month since the attack."

"It was pretty traumatic what happened to her. She will need you and the boys more than ever; and yes it will be difficult when she will be so far away. Just write to her; keep her in the loop."

"I will. Bolin already wrote her a letter. It was kind of adorable." She smiled fondly then sighed before looking to the ground. "What if everything changes? Korra and I finally were in a great place now that Mako wasn't getting in the way. I've never really had many friends, especially not girls, that weren't using me for my money or status." Lin gave her shoulder a small squeeze as she could relate to that.

"Look, I know I am not Korra, or even close to your age, but I am here if you want to talk. I understand people trying to take advantage of a woman with wealth and a name in society." Asami looked up to meet Lin's eyes, her own widening in realization that she was talking not only to the Chief of Police of Republic City, but the Beifong Heir.

Lin continued, "I may not be the best one for advice, especially when it comes to relationships or 'girl-talk' in general, I can provide intellectual surrounded by idiots on the daily, I'm sure we could both do with some." Lin smirked at the younger woman, before adding, "I do know a bit about engineering."

Asami's eyes widened in surprise. "You do?"

"Who do you think designed the current uniforms and cables the metalbending officers use?" Lin smirked at her. "My Uncle Sokka, Katara's brother, was always tinkering around with making things. Bumi was sucked in first, and I forced them to include me when I was almost 4."

"I didn't know you designed the uniforms. I would love to see what all went into the design." Asami's green eyes sparkled with excitement for the first time in a month.

"Maybe Monday afternoon you could join me at my house for tea? I have the designs there, as well as some of the previous models and some of Uncle Sokka's sketches."

"That sounds great Lin. Maybe I can run a few ideas I had for the city with you, before I take them to the president?"

Lin nodded, and offered her a small smile.

Bumi made his way over to the two and he grabbed Lin's other hand. The boat begins to depart from the dock and they join the others in waving the four off.

Lin patted Asami's shoulder again. No words were needed.


Lin was in the kitchen making lunch the day after Korra left. It was Saturday, and she had returned to the peace and quiet of her own house that morning. Bumi had stayed as Tenzin had required the new airbenders to attend lessons all day, as they had lost a lot of time over the last few weeks of recovery and the ceremony.

Lin turned on the tap to fill the kettle to make a pot of tea, when she heard a knock at her front door. She turned off the tap and set the kettle on the stove, turning the burner on. She stomped her foot on the marble floors of her kitchen and could recognize the heartbeat, but couldn't pinpoint exactly who it was.

Once she arrived at the door, she opened it to reveal Ikki. Lin frowned. "Ikki, what are you doing here? Are you okay?" Lin motioned for her to come into the house before closing the door behind her. When she turned back around and saw the girl fiddling with her glider, Lin asked "do your parents know you are here?"

Ikki looked down guiltily. "Um, no…" She looked back up at Lin, who had her arms folded across her chest in her classic intimidation stance; however, her face wasn't as stern as when talking with her officers or criminals. It was more a look of concern. "But I had to get out of there. Everything is Jinora this and new airbenders that. Mommy is busy with baby Rohan and Daddy is always with the new airbenders - Aunt Kya and Uncle Bumi too. Korra's in the South Pole with Gran-Gran, Bolin is always with Opal now, Mako is working, and Asami is back at her house. Meelo is driving me crazy…" She broke off from her rant, looking downcast.

"You are feeling a bit misplaced huh?"

Ikki nodded, avoiding Lin's eyes.

"Come." Lin called over her shoulder, already moving back towards her kitchen. She continued to finish up preparing her lunch, adding a little more so that the little girl could eat too.

Ikki left her glider leaning near the front door and followed the older woman through the house. She sat at the dining table and watched her new aunt finishing up food.

"Is jasmine tea okay with you? Or water? I don't have juice." Lin called over her shoulder.

"I don't think we've ever had it at the house. Whenever Mommy or Daddy makes tea they offer oolong or green tea… I like tea though, so could I try some?… please" she added, almost forgetting her manners.

Lin lifted her brow at the girl. "Never… Well your parents have neglected your tea training. Then again your father was never interested much in Uncle Iroh's teachings." Lin beckoned the girl towards where she stood in the kitchen. She took out her teapot and two tea cups, as well as the jar of loose tea.

Ikki came to stand beside her, looking at the beautiful tea set in front of her. It was black with golden flowers embossed onto it. "Are those jasmine flowers?"

"Yes, Uncle Zuko and his Uncle Iroh gifted this to me on my 10th birthday. It was right before Uncle Iroh passed away. Zuko gave all four of us daughters of team avatar flower nicknames." She measured out the tea into the pot. "Izumi is fire lily, Kya is moon lily, Suyin is lotus flower, and I was given jasmine petal." She gently poured the hot water into the pot in a circular motion. "Uncle Iroh had a soft spot for me as I was the most interested in learning about how to prepare tea, and his favourite tea happened to also be jasmine too."

Lin glanced at Ikki and saw that she was listening so intently. "Preparing tea can be a calming and therapeutic moment. Good tea will always make you feel better, and knowing how to prepare it properly can make a bad tea taste decent and a great tea taste extraordinary." She wafted the steam to her face, then gestured for Ikki to do the same.

"Oh, wow, that smells sooo good!"

Lin smiled at the girl's enthusiasm. "How about you put our cups on the table along with the cutlery and I will bring our food and the tea over."

Ikki quickly did as she was told, and Lin quickly dished up the rice, tofu and vegetables she had prepared for lunch into two bowls. She set them on the table before heading back and lifted the metal strainer from the teapot with her bending. She carried that to the table as well and sat down.

"Now, we will eat quickly and then call the island to let your parents know you are here." Ikki's face dropped at this, but she nodded. "I will convince them that you may stay and that your father can drop your uncle off and pick you up later this afternoon. Alright?"

Ikki beamed at Lin. "Thank you so much Aunt Lin! I promise to be good and-"

"If you are staying here, let's have less of the word vomit and more of a quiet conversation. There is no one else here going to take my attention away, so you do not need to speak so quickly or excessively." Lin said cutting the girl off, hoping she didn't sound insensitive. But Ikki continued to smile and nodded.

Lin poured their tea and motioned for the girl to start eating.

"Oh, this tea is the best I have ever had!" Ikki exclaimed, but quietly as she remembered what Lin had said.

Lin snorted. "Of course it is. It's not like you have been exposed to good tea blends. Most of the island ones are mediocre at best." Lin herself took a sip from her own cup. "This is Uncle Iroh's blend of jasmine tea. I have not been able to find another that matches."

"Could you teach me more about tea?" Ikki asked hesitatingly, unsure how the older woman would respond.

Lin contemplated it for a moment. But the look Ikki had on her face when she watched her prepare the tea came to her mind, and she couldn't deny her.

"I will, on the condition that you take it seriously, and no goofing around."

"I will, I promise!" Ikki swore, face brightening.

Lin nodded with a fond smile on her face. "Uncle Iroh will be pleased that another generation will be learning the art of tea. Uncle Zuko will also be proud, we will have to surprise him on his next visit." Lin winked at the little girl.

They finished lunch soon after and Lin got up to call the Island.

"Air Temple Island, Pema speaking."

"Afternoon Pema, it's Lin. I believe you are missing an offspring."

"I-what? But Jinora is with Tenzin and the boys are… oh dear is Ikki alright? How did she get to you? She is with you right?"

"Yes Pema, she is fine. We just finished lunch." Lin looked over her shoulder to see Ikki still in the dining room finishing a moon peach Lin had given to her as a dessert of sorts. "Look Pema, she was just needing some time away from the hustle and bustle of the island. Tell Tenzin to drop Bumi off later and Ikki can go home with him then."

"Are you sure Lin? I can send an acolyte to come get her now-"

"It's alright. She and I will be fine, and will have a nice quiet afternoon."

"Ikki? Quiet? You don't have her restrained and gagged do you?" Came Pema's amused voice.

Lin snorted. "That probably would have happened last year, but I like to think my patience has gotten a little better over the last month."

"All right, don't hesitate to call if you do change your mind."

"I won't. Tell Tenzin not to freak out."

"Right. Wish me luck on that front. Give Ikki my love."

Lin bid her goodbye and hung up.

"Alright kid, let's clean up our dishes, then we can learn about types of teas."


Just before dinner time the two heard Oogi's grunt outside the front door. Lin led Ikki outside.

"Ikki, we will be talking about your escapade when we get home. Now say goodnight to Lin and thank her for having you." Tenzin said as he got off Oogi and approached them, Bumi right behind him.

"Yes, Daddy." Ikki replied, but not in a dramatic way like she normally would have. She turned back to Lin. "Thank you Aunt Lin. I enjoyed learning from you." She bowed in the way she had been taught, but never really followed. Lin returned the bow, but then unexpectedly to the others, opened her arms for Ikki to give her a hug. Ikki quickly hugged her before she changed her mind, as she knew that the Chief was apt to do so at any given moment.

Tenzin was surprised at his daughter's demeanor. He had never seen Ikki this calm and polite. 'Maybe I could convince Lin to take her once in a while.'

He bid Lin and his brother a good night, and followed Ikki onto Oogi's back.

"You seem to have had a good time." He said to her as they fly back to the Island.

Ikki beamed at him. "Aunt Lin showed me how to make tea properly. She said that as long as I promise to continue to want to learn and promise to listen good, that she will continue to teach me everything that Uncle Zuko and Iroh taught her."

"Lin is teaching you about tea?" Tenzin had both of his bushy eyebrows raised high. Never did he think she would teach Ikki, of all his children, the art of tea. Ikki must have shown some promise or she never would have.

"Yup! And I already learned you and Mommy make passable tea. But don't worry. She already showed me a couple ways to help improve on it. Though we may want to get some better tea blends, or at least more options." She said, finishing with a thoughtful look on her face.

Tenzin was too shocked to react to the slight against himself and his wife. He cleared his throat. "Maybe we should ask Lin for some blends that she recommends."

"Maybe she will take me with her to the tea shop!" and there was the excitable Ikki again, but Tenzin couldn't begrudge her excitement.


"Seems like you had a good day with Ikki." Bumi said as they sat down for dinner.

"Hmm. She showed up all melancholy. She was feeling a little lost with everything going on. I think the direct attention made her feel better. Perhaps we can make it a semi-regular occurrence." Lin looked up from a bite she was about to eat and caught him staring. "What?"

"Oh just that you are the most wonderful woman I know."

Lin huffed and rolled her eyes. But she couldn't hide the blush that appeared on her cheeks, so she forced herself to continue eating.

Bumi snickered at her flustered look and continued eating his own dinner.


The next morning dawned, finding the two having a lie in for once. Both were awake as they had gotten used to being up at the crack of dawn, but neither wanted to get out of the bed.

Lin was tracing patterns on his chest as they laid in bed. She noticed that he was starting to gain back some of the muscle definition he had lost since retiring. While she didn't really care what he looked like, as she had always been more attracted to a person's character, she had to admit that she was still human and could appreciate how his muscles were getting redefined.

"Enjoying yourself?" came an amused and sleepy gruff voice.

Lin blushed, but didn't stop nor was she denying him. "You know, it's not fair. You are regaining your muscle tone as I am losing mine."

"At least you aren't losing yours due to old age or anything. I should have realized when I retired that I needed to keep up my daily workouts. My metabolism is also not what it used to be."

"I don't know, this kid is starting to make me feel like all I do is eat. I feel like I will soon turn into a hippo-cow."

"First of all, you are not and will never be that big." He said sincerely, before wickedly gleaming at her. "But if you ever did, you would be the sexiest hippo-cow I have ever seen."

Lin propped herself up to glare at him, but she couldn't hold it for long before they both fell into deep belly laughs; Lin laying back down as her arms turned to jelly as she laughed.

Lin abruptly stopped, and quickly got up from the bed, heading to the bathroom. "Shit, can I not even laugh without having to piss myself?" She mumbled angrily under her breath.

Bumi quietly snorted once she disappeared into the bathroom, making sure she wouldn't hear him. He did not want an angry Lin on his hands today.

Lin came back into the room and climbed back in bed, snuggling back up to Bumi's side.

After some silence, Bumi decided to broach a topic that was weighing on him. "I just want to let you know I am proud and in awe of you."

Lin propped herself up on her elbow, looking down at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I know how hard it is to accept help and go seek it out. It just further shows your strength, and I am proud to call you my partner and mother of my child." He gave her such a sincere look, tears came to her eyes. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I just wante- no, needed to tell you that I acknowledge how difficult this will be, and that I will be here every step of the way, both good and bad."

He raised his right hand to use the back of his index finger to wipe away a stray tear. Lin didn't know what to say, but she leaned slightly into the caress. She looked up when he gently took hold of her hand that was still on his chest. His eyes were now towards the ceiling with a look on his face she had never seen before. Instead of asking, she patiently waited for him to sort through his thoughts.

"I also suffer from PTSD, which should not be a surprise due to being in the Forces. It wasn't till after I lost 20 of my men at once that I was forced into therapy. At first I fought it, as I was being told I needed to complete it before going back to my ship… One night, I was drunk at a bar in the city I was stationed at while recovering, and in walks Iroh. He ended up taking me back to his room and letting me sleep it off. When I woke up it was the first time I had ever felt shame in being drunk. Seeing Zumi's son, who had always looked up to me as his hero looking at me like that, I couldn't bear it. That afternoon, I went myself to the therapist and willingly participated."

Lin moved her hand so she was the one holding his on his chest. She wanted to ask him what had happened, but didn't want to push him, so she laid there trying to offer him the same comfort he always provided her.

"I know you are wanting to know what happened. I appreciate you not asking, but you always can ask. I may not answer right away, but never be hesitant to ask." He paused before continuing. "We were docked in a small village trying to help after it had been reported that people had been going missing. We didn't realize that it was a trap. I had just made commander, and I had my best men with me from my ship. One night, 20 of my men went missing. They had put up enough of a fight that we followed the trail and found them. I'm not going further into detail, but basically we walked into a village of cannibals. There was no saving the ones taken, but I made sure the rest of my team quickly left the village. We were able to arrest everyone a week later, but it still haunts me to this day."

"Bumi, I-" Lin didn't know how to respond to the information that he had just unloaded. She moved to hug him tightly to her, unable to form words.

"It's okay Lin, I wasn't telling you that to make this about me. I just wanted to let you know that I understand where you are right now. You are not alone in this, and I will make sure to remind you of that whenever you need it."

They continued laying there, basking in the comfort of each other for most of the day. Leaving only for food and bathroom breaks. Lin was unused to being so lazy, but she had to admit that just being with Bumi and quietly talking or just enjoying each other's company while lying in bed was nice. She could get used to doing it every once in a while.