Izumi and Lin have their discussion. A little splash of drunk Kya to help the conversation along.
Later, the attack on Republic City happens, how do they deal with that being so far away?
Just a forewarning, Lin will be battling some depression this pregnancy (which we have already had slivers of, but will continue throughout this pregnancy) - more than the PTSD and anxiety that we covered in her pregnancy with Haru. It will never get too dark, but I just wanted to make note of that just in case. I am trying to be as sensitive to the topic of peripartum/postpartum depression as I can. If I get anything wrong, please let me know and I will do my best to fix it.
Lin pulled the blanket around her shoulders to fight off the chill of the cool summer night breeze. She was seated in a comfortable chair, with Kya and Izumi in matching ones around a firepit in the side garden that had been newly renovated. Her legs were curled up under her as she gazed into the fire in front, listening half-heartedly to the other two's chatter.
"Here, I brought something that will help warm us up." Izumi said before reaching down beside her chair and pulling up a glass bottle with an amber liquid in it. "I know you both can't resist my special Fire Whiskey." She said tauntingly, shaking the bottle at her friends. She then pulled the cork out and took a swig.
"You are the best Zumi." Kya said, taking the offered bottle and taking her own swig. She handed it back to Izumi rather than to Lin.
Izumi took another swig, before offering it to Lin.
"No thank you, Zumi. You and Kya enjoy it."
"Oh come on Linny. Moms get to have some fun too, you know. Nira said she would watch the boys, so let down your hair and join us." Izumi said as she took another swig, and reached up to pull her top knot out, setting her crown in her lap.
"It's not about that Izumi. I really wish I could; spirits know I could use a drink right now." Lin said.
Kya stole the bottle back from the Fire Lord. "Don't worry Zums, I will drink Linny's portion." She said before taking a large gulp, shivering at the spices burning her throat.
Izumi narrowed her eyes at Lin. "So this must be part of what you need to share with me. Don't think I have forgotten, even with the excitement of the day."
"Yes." Lin agreed. She untucked one foot and slammed it on the ground, checking that the three of them were truly alone. She then turned her gaze back to the roaring fire in front of her as she tucked her foot back under her. Why did she feel almost more nervous telling Izumi about this pregnancy than she did with telling Bumi about Haru?
She realized she had gotten caught up in her head again when she heard Izumi's voice. "What is it Lin?"
Lin opened her mouth, but no words would come out. She frowned and took a breath, then tried again. "I… I'm…" But the anxiety of it all made the words catch in her throat.
Kya stood and approached Lin, laying a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay Lin, take a deep breath. Would you like me to tell Izumi?"
"I-" Lin tried again before nodding to Kya, her hands tightening the blanket around herself.
Kya just stayed standing there, a comforting hand still on Lin's shoulder as she turned to meet Izumi's questioning stare. "Well, let's start at the beginning. Lin led a rescue mission with Opal and Bolin to get Su and her boys from where Kuvira was holding them prisoner. Aunt Toph met up with them and they were able to get in and rescue them. She had them in this wooden box suspended in a huge cavern, poor Baatar is scared of heights and-"
"Kya!" Lin hissed.
"Right, sorry, the whiskey is hitting already." Kya said, shaking her head to refocus herself. The two glasses of wine at dinner was probably not helpful to the situation either. "Anyways, long story short, Lin, Su and the Twins ended up fighting with Kuvira and her army. Aunt Toph ended the fight and they all escaped on Opal's bison. That bison's name is very apt, I do have to say." She shuddered a little and made a disgusted face, before realizing she had sidetracked again. She cleared her throat. "So after leaving on Juicy, Lin started feeling unwell and upchucked over the side of the saddle, before fainting. Bolin was so cute, protecting his Mom."
Lin sighed, regretting letting Kya tell the story, but she was still finding words difficult at the moment; so she just continued staring into the fire and trying to block out some of Kya's storytelling.
"Where was I… Oh yeah, so Opal flew quickly right to Air Temple Island, and I came down, guiding Bolin to the healing room. After kicking out everyone but Su, I started checking Linny over, and then Bumi came in. Su brought up that this was similar-ish to what happened 3 years ago, so I checked and low and behold, our favourite couple are super fertile in their old age." Kya snickered, lifting the bottle that was still in her other hand and bringing it back up to her lips.
Lin closed her eyes and clenched her jaw, trying to block out Izumi's shocked gaze.
"Lin… Are you..?" Izumi asked softly.
Lin just gave a sharp nod, still avoiding the older woman's gaze.
"Oh Lin." Izumi said softly as she stood and then placed her hand on Lin's other shoulder.
"I don't need your pity, Izumi." Lin bit out, turning her head away from the Fire Lord.
Izumi frowned. "Pity? I'm not pitying you, I'm just concerned for you. It's obvious you are upset about this."
"Wouldn't you be upset if you were going to be the reason your child dies?" Lin hissed out, trying to remove the two hands from her shoulders.
Kya, though, squeezed the shoulder in her hand tighter, not allowing the younger woman to withdraw. "Lin, we've spoken about this. You are doing fine now, and I will do every-"
"Everything you can. I know. But it still doesn't change the fact that I can't afford to get attached, not when it will be inevitable…" Lin was glad her eyes were still shut tight, as she could feel tears stinging her eyes.
Kya shoved the bottle of the Fire Whiskey into Izumi's free hand and then grabbed Lin's face with both her hands. "Look at me Lin. Look at me." Finally when Lin opened her eyes to peer up at Kya, Kya met her gaze with an intense gaze. "Remember what I said before, we are here to support you. Don't bottle things up, let it out."
The sincerity in Kya's eyes and the quick glance to see the same reflected in Izumi's, caused Lin to lose control of her emotions. She quickly found herself wrapped in the waterbenders arms, with another set of warmer ones wrapping around once Izumi set down the bottle.
Lin hated feeling not in control, but this past week had been a blow to her that affected her more than any physical one ever had. The unknown had never bothered her before, but with her family, friends, and colleagues out risking their lives and the potential of miscarriage - fear gripped her heart and ever since kissing Bumi that last time, she felt like she hadn't had a full breath since.
The exhaustion of the day, from being up so early being sick, to the joy of Haru's new bending, and now this emotional outburst, finally caught up to Lin. She felt herself drifting as her sobs calmed and Izumi's warm hand made comforting circles on her back. Kya seemed to notice her drooping eyelids, and pulled back.
"Alright Linny, let's get you to bed. We're too old to carry you."
"Hmm." Lin hummed, letting them pull her up. Izumi fixed her blanket across her shoulders so that it wouldn't fall off. The two older women then wrapped their arms around her and supported her up to the house - Kya only stumbling slightly in her inebriated state.
They quietly made their way into Lin's shared room with the boys, finding Nira sitting on a chair in the corner reading a book. She quickly got up upon noticing their entry and pulled back the top sheets of the bed so that they could help Lin to lie down. They silently decided to just keep Lin in her clothes from the day as once she had laid her head on the pillow, she was out.
Izumi tucked the sheets up and rubbed her thumb across the small frown that had appeared on Lin's forehead. It disappeared quickly, and Lin snuggled into her pillow, drifting even further off.
The three women made their way quietly out of the room, and decided to go back out to the campfire.
Izumi grabbed the bottle of whiskey and took a couple big gulps. "Nira, you want some?"
"No, thank you. You and Kya enjoy it." Nira said, taking Lin's previous seat.
Kya took the bottle and took another swig. "So Zumi, I can tell you have burning questions." Kya saw Izumi's glance toward Nira. "Oh, don't worry about our favourite acolyte here, she knows."
Izumi nodded, then let out a huge sigh. "She's not handling this too well, is she?"
"Honestly? No. She, well I didn't mention earlier that when I was healing her when we found out she was pregnant… She almost miscarried that night. I was able to reverse the process, but Lin has been blaming herself since. She is convinced that there is no way that the baby will make it to term, but she refuses to even discuss ending it on her terms. Her mood has definitely been up and down over the last week. The events taking place with Kuvira and being separated from the action is not helping any."
"I've seen this before." Nira said softly. "Often we see this more after the woman gives birth, but peripartum depression is just as intense. When I was at the Eastern Air Temple, I helped a woman during her pregnancy. She had had a traumatic experience in her past, and then her pregnancy triggered some of those feelings. We had to watch her closely during her pregnancy as her husband and I were worried she may do something. Luckily, she had a safe delivery and after a few weeks postpartum, she was able to finally connect with her child after getting some help." Nira glanced at the older two women, before continuing. "I think it may be important once we return to the city, that Lin gets in contact with her therapist. She has a history of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, even in her last pregnancy - though that was more from outside influences than the pregnancy itself."
"I can't believe that Lin would ever try to harm her child or herself." Izumi said, a frown marring her face.
Nira held up her hands. "I didn't mean to imply that Lin would, each woman is different. From what Kya has shared, Lin seems to want to do anything that will protect the child to the best of her abilities. I am more worried that she may get caught up in the darkness, and that may cause harm. But we are aware of this, and will be able to step in. She is a strong woman, but even strong women cannot hold the weight of the world forever."
Kya nodded. "It's why I stayed instead of returning to the City. I talked with both Bumi and Tenzin, and we agreed that there were enough waterbending healers in the city to help until the battle is over. My priority is our family right now." Kya stared into the fire, which was starting to dim a little as no new wood pieces had been added. "I have to admit I am slightly nervous that something will go wrong, and I won't be able to save either of them. She…" Kya took another swig of the bottle, before continuing. "She begged me the other morning that if it came between h-her or the baby that I was to - to save the baby." Kya struggles over this bit, tears coming to her eyes. She sniffs. "So, yeah, I know she won't harm the baby, but I am… concerned that she will not handle a miscarriage well." That sentence hung heavily in the air between the three. After a little while, Kya shifted. "But she seems to be taking to the current treatment well, so we'll take it day by day. I am hoping though, that once she starts feeling the heartbeat, that it may offer her some level of comfort."
Izumi leant over and grabbed Kya's hand. "We'll catch her if she falls, but hopefully we can keep her from getting there in the first place. She has always been so strong for us, it is our turn to return the favour."
The next day, Lin spent most of the day either in bed or worshipping the porcelain spirit. The day before had been emotionally and physically taxing on her. The boys had been so sweet though, joining her on the bed for cuddles to help her feel better, and 'helping' Kya or Nira bring light food and tea to her throughout the day.
Thankfully the next morning she was feeling much better, minus the small morning sickness, she was able to go to breakfast with the boys.
Afterwards everyone decided that since it was a nice morning, they would take tea in the garden. Izumi bid them adieu and went off to another meeting on the goings on in Republic City, evacuations had started late yesterday.
As they sat and drank their tea, while watching the boys explore the garden, Toph buried her feet in the earth, sighing at being encompassed by earth instead of on the many wooden floors of the beach house. She was thankful Zuko had added some stone to the floors when he had remodeled it many decades ago; though it still had too much wood flooring, making things a little fuzzy for her.
Toph frowned though as she felt something weird… Almost like there was someone else with them. She released her feet from the ground and then slammed her foot on the ground, which caused all the other adults to look at her in confusion.
"What are you doing Toph?" Zuko asked.
"Shut up Sparky. I feel something weird, but I can't place it. Lin, you try too."
Lin frowned, but slipped her sandal off, and slammed her own foot down. She let out a gasp when she realized what her mother was feeling. There was a faint flutter of a heartbeat inside her. Lin felt the breath leave her lungs, closing her eyes as she concentrated on memorizing the feeling of hearing her child's heartbeat for the first time.
She didn't realize she got caught up in her head until she felt a hand on her knee. She opened her eyes to find Kya's concerned and questioning gaze.
"You okay, Linny?"
Lin gave Kya a smile. "Yes. I'm good."
Toph was still frowning, but had at least ruled out that the faint thrumming was not some type of wildlife around, nor someone approaching. Then, suddenly she remembered why that thrum felt familiar. She turned to Nira who was sitting on Lin's other side on the bench.
"Uh, Kya, I think your little acolyte girlfriend has some news to share."
Nira frowned, confused as to what was going on, while Kya seemed to have put together the pieces of the puzzle. Kya looked down at Lin with a shocked, but happy look on her face, before she realized what Toph had said.
Kya turned to Toph. "What are you talking about?"
"I think your little lady has an announcement to make."
"Excuse me?" Nira asked with confusion.
"Do I need to spell it out for you? Perhaps you didn't know… I guess congratulations are in order, you are expecting."
"Toph, you can't just go around announcing people's pregnancies." Zuko chided her, somewhat scandalized at the bluntness his old friend had used revealing the news.
Nira just stared at Toph in shock, whereas Kya seemed struggling not to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Lin on the other hand paled and her heartbeat sped up, realizing there was no way now that her condition could remain a secret here. And if Toph knew, she may as well include her Uncle in on the knowledge.
"Oh hush Zuko, she must have known it was a possibility." Toph said. She frowned though when she felt Lin's heartbeat speed up. "Lin, are you okay? Your own heart is going a mile a minute."
Lin took a couple deep breaths, ignoring Zuko's concerned look. She then cleared her throat. "Nira… Nira isn't the pregnant one." She said quietly, but she was proud that other than the small stutter over Nira's name, she spoke the rest steadily.
The two elders had shocked expressions on their faces, Lin noted as she quickly glanced at them to gauge their reactions.
They were interrupted before anyone else could speak, by one of the royal staff approaching them.
"I apologize for interrupting, but the Fire Lord has requested your presence in the temporary war room." They said, offering a bow of greeting to them all.
Lin quickly stood, pushing aside what had just taken place, and her thoughts instantly went into Chief mode. "Nira, would you please watch the boys?"
"Of course, Lin."
Lin nodded her thanks to the younger woman and quickly left, leaving the others to scramble to follow her quick pace. She didn't even notice that she had left her one sandal back near the bench.
The doors of the war room, which was usually a secondary dining hall that was larger and only used for functions held on the Island, were slammed open as Lin entered the room quickly.
Izumi was listening in on a radio call, and speaking into the microphone. Lin took one look at Izumi's slightly stunned, but also grim and determined, look on her face and realized with a sinking feeling that this most likely had to do with Republic City.
The others entered the room as Izumi hung up.
"Good luck, General, and be safe." She paused, then softly spoke. "I love you, Iroh." She waited to hear his answer, before hanging up.
Izumi allowed herself one moment to close her eyes and duck her head, before she straightened up and turned to the others.
"She's early, isn't she." Lin stated, not really asking.
Izumi nodded grimly. "Korra and her friends went to see if they could take out the giant cannon before it arrived in the city. But they didn't make it too far past the mountain range behind the city when they saw that Kuvira was not arriving by train as was previously thought. They built a 50 ft tall mecha suit, and attached was the spirit cannon." Izumi approached the large table that had a map of Republic City on it. She braced her hands on the table. "Iroh just radioed to tell us they are expecting the attack to begin any moment now."
Lin ignored the anxiety that squeezed her heart, and settled like a stone in her stomach. She approached the table and examined the map. She used her metalbending to move the metal figures around. "I'm assuming they are coming in from the valley then, if they are not taking the tracks. Luckily the United Forces had already set up their base there. They should be able to hold some of her forces back."
"Yes, Chief Beifong." An Admiral said, approaching her side. "Our concern now, obviously, is stopping the giant mecha suit and destroying the cannon. I have deployed our new planes, they should be arriving in the city soon, but I am not sure they are strong enough to help."
Lin nodded, and started discussing tactics with the Admiral.
"Your Highness, Kuvira has just destroyed two of our ships." One of the operators said, listening through a headset that connected to the radio.
"Get me more information." Izumi demanded.
"Wait, it… it sounds like President Raiko has surrendered. Kuvira will be sending a Baatar to meet with them on Air Temple Island."
Lin ducked her head in some small frustration, hands splayed out on the table in front of her as she leant on them. While on one hand she could understand the President's reluctance to see any more harm come to the City and its people, but on the other hand, they were the last hold out on the mainland. If anyone could defeat Kuvira and her army, it was Korra and the rest. Surrendering now, would only cause more issues later.
"Lin, you need to sit down." Kya said, pushing a chair behind Lin. Before Lin could reply with more than a glare, Kya cut her off. "It's either you sit here, or I put you on bedrest again. Please, take your pick." Kya said, dryly.
Lin huffed, but sat down.
The others all followed suit as they sat around, waiting for more news to come through.
"Apparently this Baatar never showed up. Both sides are confused." The operator said after a little while.
Lin felt a small, one-sided smirk grace her lips. "Korra." Was all she said in explanation to the others. She stood and walked over to a different operator. "Give me the radio, I have a call to make." The young officer moved out of their seat and handed Lin the headset and receiver. She quickly dialled the direct number to the jail in Republic City. It was a lengthy process as she was patched through.
In the meantime the other Operator spoke up again. "Future Industries factory warehouse has been blown up. It is believed the Avatar and her friends were in the building."
Lin ignored the wave of nausea at the thought of them all dead, and pushed it away, she couldn't think of that now. She heard the final click of the patch through and waited for someone to answer.
"Republic City Prison."
"Listen up, this is Special Acting Chief Lin Beifong. I need to speak with Warden Lee. Urgently."
"Yes, Ma'am."
After a few minutes, she could hear shuffling in the background. "This is Warden Lee."
"Lee, it's Lin. Republic City needs our help. I'm sure you are listening over the radio. I'm cashing in on that favour you owe me."
"I'm not exactly sure what you think I can do Lin."
"All you need to do is get Hiroshi Sato to the city. Either try and catch him up with Saikhan, or I'm assuming that help will be needed at the Future Industries tower."
"But you heard the factory was blown up right? With the Avat-"
"I heard Lee, but I have a gut feeling that they managed to escape. There are many earthbenders in the group, I'm sure they could handle some rubble." Lin could only hope her words were true. "Look, Sato, while crazy, has always loved the City. He will want to help. I know for a fact that his daughter is on the front lines, and I know he will want to help. If Republic City has any chances of winning, they need all the geniuses they can get. Can I trust you to make this happen?"
"Aye, Lin. But just so we're clear, this eats up all favours I owe you. We're even now."
"Agreed. Good luck."
They disconnected and Lin gave the operator her seat back. She dropped into her previously vacated chair at the table, running a tired hand across her face.
"Did you just really release that Equalist?" Izumi asked her with a look of disbelief on her face.
"I have known Hiroshi Sato for many years; decades really. He may have had skewed ideals of benders, but I know he loves Republic City. As I said, they are going to need all the geniuses they can get in order to take down that giant mecha. My gut is telling me that is where the platinum domes from Zaofu went." The room was silent for a while as they all processed what Lin said.
"It's going to be a long day. I'm going to quickly check on Nira and the boys. I'll have someone bring tea and lunch." Kya said, standing and leaving the room. But not before giving Lin a pointed look to stay seated, which Lin waved off.
It wasn't for another few hours that they got any other news.
"Your Highness, General Iroh is on the line for you."
Izumi quickly got up and answered the line. "Iroh?... Oh thank spirits. We'll send in reinforcement shortly… Yes, I'll tell them… Okay, stay safe… We'll see you soon." Izumi hung up and turned with a look of triumph in her eyes, though she kept the rest of her face mostly composed.
"Izumi?" Zuko asked, hope clear in his voice.
"They did it. Kuvira surrendered. The Earth Empire has fallen."
The room became alight with cheers and applause from the officers and operators in the room, as well as Kya and the Admiral. Lin smiled as did the two elders.
"I already did tell her she gave metalbenders a bad name. Of course she had to surrender or she'd be toast." Toph said, leaning back in her chair, with her hands behind her back.
"Admiral, make sure the second line of ships are deployed to help in the City. There is a lot of damage from the spirit cannon."
"Yes, Your Highness." He said bowing, before moving off to give orders through the radio to the fleet.
Izumi turned back to the others. "According to Iroh, he doesn't believe that there are any casualties from our side, only some injuries. Healers that had been on Air Temple Island, are already on scene tending to the wounded. The biggest thing is that there is now another spirit portal in the middle of the city."
"When will we head back?" Lin said, sitting up further in her chair.
"Woah, Lin. The city is in shambles. I am planning on waiting for the dust to settle and the next fleet of United Forces and Fire Nation ships to dock and help the clean up process start. We need to wait to hear how safe it is for anyone else to enter the City before we head over."
"But-"
"Lin, Izumi is right. Plus think of the boys. I don't really think they need to see the City practically on fire right now." Lin reluctantly nodded along to what Kya said. Kya continued, "however, I will head out, so that I can go help the healers. Are you okay if I take Mochi, and you tag along with Izumi in a couple days?"
Lin let out a sigh. "Fine. Please make sure they are all okay. But have Bumi call me as soon as he can, I don't care if it is the middle of the night." Lin said, grasping Kya's hand tightly.
"Consider it done, Linny." Kya patted the back of Lin's hand that was grasping hers, before standing and pulling her hand free. "Alright, I better head out so I can make it before sundown."
Lin followed Kya out, but went searching for the boys instead, suddenly needing them close.
She found them in the garden again, throwing a ball back and forth.
"Mama!" "Aunt Lin!" The boys ran up to her upon seeing her, and she dropped to her knees to hug them close. "We missed you all day!" Rohan said, with Haru agreeing "yeah!" Nira slipped off to bid Kya farewell as the three sat on the ground catching up.
"I'm sorry little ones, something came up, but I am here now. Did you have a good day with Nira?"
She listened to them excitedly chatter about helping make snacks and playing outside all day. Lin sat there, contently with Haru in her lap and Rohan tucked into her side. Her hand was splayed out on the ground beside her, feeling the thrum of the little flutter inside her. Just knowing her family was alive and that Kuvira had been apprehended, plus the feeling of the heartbeat of her unborn child for the first time and her two favourite boys snuggled into her, she felt herself relax for the first time in a while.
When Nira returned a while later, she found all three asleep on the grass. She decided to leave them be for a little while longer, and only moved an umbrella over to shade them from the sun.
A/N:
Had to leave the part where Lin releases Hiroshi, cause no one else would think of it.
Also, yes, Toph and Zuko have not had a chance to fully process Lin's revelation.
Can we also appreciate drunk Kya for a second. She gives Ikki a run for her money.
How will Lin handle Mako being hurt? Or Asami dealing with the death of her father?
