First part takes place on the day of Varrick's wedding at the end of Season 4. The second half takes place right after Chapter 1 of Turf Wars (basically two days after Korra and Asami return from the Spirit World). You can find the transcripts on the Avatar Wiki page if you do not have access to the comics.


Three weeks later - Lin about 9 weeks along now

"Are you sure Lin?"

"Yes, yes I'm sure. The boys and I will have fun, and they'll probably weasel out a couple extra stories before bed. Enjoy the free night, Pema." Lin said as she tried ushering Pema out the back door.

"I don't mind staying and-"

Lin interrupted before. "We're fine. Now you need to leave with Bumi, or you will miss the wedding. We'll never hear the end of it from Varrick if you don't show. I for one do not want more contact with him than I need to."

Pema held up her hands and let out a soft laugh. "Alright, alright. Rohan be good for your Aunt Lin." She said, pulling the older boy into her arms.

"Yes Mommy." Rohan replied, before pulling out of her arms and running back to where Haru and he had been playing. They were currently building up the city like the others with the wooden blocks Baatar had specially made for Haru's second birthday.

Pema huffed in amusement at her son's distracted goodbye. She glanced at Lin and placed a hand on her arm. "Have a good night, we'll see you in the morning to pick him up."

Lin nodded. "Enjoy the wedding. You'll have enough on your plate keeping Meelo in line. Don't worry about tonight. Plus Bumi will be home at some point tonight."

Pema smiled and patted Lin's arm before leaving to get settled onto Mochi's saddle.

Bumi approached behind Lin and wrapped his arms around her. "Wish you were coming so we could dance. Never got to have our own dance you know." He said, placing a kiss on her neck.

"We'll save that for our proper ceremony and reception with everyone there." She said as she turned in his arms. She placed a kiss on his mouth before pulling back. "Better get going or I won't be letting you go anywhere looking like that." Bumi was dressed in his old United Forces dress uniform.

"I'd much rather stay." He said, leaning forward to capture her lips again. He then reluctantly pulled back, knowing he couldn't stay. "Have fun with the boys. I'll probably not stay too late after dinner. Kinda hard to have fun at a party when my dancing partner isn't there."

"Oh just go. I'll see you when you get back." She said, pushing his chest lightly with her hand.

Bumi grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on her palm. "I'll see you later, love." Bumi then followed Pema outside, as he had already said goodnight to Haru while Pema was talking with Lin.

Lin watched the boys for a moment before heading to the kitchen and getting dinner prepped.

Her evening was filled with the boys' laughter as they played games, had dinner, and got ready for bed. The boys snuggled together on Haru's bed and Lin was suckered into reading them 3 stories.

Thankfully they both drifted off partway through the third one, so Lin tucked them in and kissed their heads. She then quietly left the room after turning off the light.

Lin settled downstairs on the couch after making herself a pot of tea. The radio was playing softly in the background and she curled her feet up to settle down to read a new book she had bought a while ago now. Life with a toddler and a crazy dictator threatening things didn't leave much time to settle down to read; add in the fact she hadn't felt well enough to even consider reading. She managed to make a good dent in her novel and had long since finished the pot of tea before she decided to call it a night.

She went upstairs to their bedroom and got herself ready for bed. As she was changing though, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror which gave her pause. She moved closer and turned to the side. Sure enough, her eyes weren't deceiving her, she had a small bump now. She had noticed over the last few weeks that her hard earned abs after having Haru were gone again. But now, only because she knew her body, could she see the slight swell.

Tears sprung to her eyes as she stared at the smallest swell. With a shaking hand, she cupped the spot and listened to the thrum of the heartbeat through her bare feet on the stone floor. She felt like if she looked away it would disappear.

She didn't realize how long she stood there, before she heard the bedroom door open. She spun around grabbing her robe to hold in front of her, as she was only in her underwear, before realizing it was just Bumi.

"Hey love." Bumi said, closing the door behind him before approaching. He gave her an amused grin. "You checking yourself out in the mirror? The answer to your thoughts is yes, you are the sexiest and most beautiful woman in the world." He waggled his eyebrows at her.

Lin snorted in amusement. "You're a little biased on that front. I'm sure many people wouldn't agree with you." She dropped the robe and stepped closer to him, wrapping her arms around him. "Hey yourself." She placed a chaste kiss on his lips. "How was the wedding?"

"Over the top, but that's to be expected of Varrick. Not sure how he pulled it all together with less than 3 weeks to plan and the City still in shambles." He said, wrapping his own arms around her. "I was ensnared by our nieces for dances with each of them, but all I could think about was dancing with you though." He moved out of her embrace for a moment, quickly shucking his uniform jacket and pants off leaving him in his undershirt and boxers. He also turned and turned on the radio they kept in their bedroom, tuning it to some jazz music, making sure the volume was quiet so as to not wake the boys down the hall.

He held out his hand to her. "Would you do me the honour of gracing me with a dance Mrs. Beifong?"

Lin smiled at his boyish grin and accepted his hand. "Always, Mr. Beifong." She rested her head onto his right shoulder. her left hand was clasped in his and was held up to their chests, while their other hands rested on each other's backs. They didn't dance to the beat, but swayed together, lost in the feeling of holding each other

After a few songs, Bumi broke the silence. "How was your evening with the boys?"

"Good. It was nice to just enjoy the little moments with them tonight. So much has changed in the last few months, and so much is still changing." Her voice cracked a little at the end.

"The world is always changing. But I admit, I wish Haru would stop growing for a little. He's getting so big." Bumi replied.

Lin lifted her head off his shoulder and gave him a bittersweet smile. "Feels like just yesterday he was so tiny and was just content to be held while staring up at us with his wide blue eyes." She shivered slightly, feeling a chill hit her making her realize her state of undress. She remembered then the reason she was not in her pajamas yet. "Love, there is something I want you to feel."

Bumi allowed Lin to move their still clasped hands down. She let go of his hand in order to guide his hand so that his palm rested on the slight swell of her belly.

"Lin." He gasped in wonder, tears springing to his eyes.

"I'm showing earlier than Haru. I… we can't get our hopes up yet, I'm only around 9 weeks, Kya said once I hit 12 weeks the chance for.. Well you know, it drops significantly…"

Bumi caressed the hint of a bump. "I love you so much. No matter what happens, just know you will always have me. You're stuck with me now." He said, leaning forward to place a kiss on the side of her neck where the ribbon of her betrothal necklace sat. Lin tilted her head and captured his lips with hers, putting all her emotions into it hoping he understood what she couldn't say.

After a few moments of them enjoying the quiet, they separated to change into their pajamas.

Lin sighed in relief at laying down on their bed after a long day playing and entertaining toddlers. Bumi got in on his side and spooned up behind her, resting one of his large hands back onto her lower belly. She placed her hand on top of his and let herself drift to sleep. But for a moment she allowed herself to pretend everything was fine, and thought about the baby with hope.


Korra looked to Asami after Tenzin left to go deal with Varrick. "Wanna sit with me for a minute? I'm not ready to get back to the party just yet."

Asami smiled and they sat down side by side on the steps with Naga sleeping near them.

"I don't think I ever really apologized." Korra said softly.

Asami turned her head to look at Korra in surprise. "For what?"

"For being gone all that time. For not coming back sooner." Korra said, looking down in shame.

Asami then turned her whole body to face Korra. "You don't need to apologize for anything." She said firmly, causing Korra to return her gaze. "I'm just so happy you're here now." Asami looked away, emotions flitting across her face. "I don't think I could have handled losing you and my father in the same day." Tears welled up in Asami's eyes.

"I am so sorry for what happened." Korra said, pulling the older girl into a hug.

Asami wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you. I'm just glad I was able to forgive him." She said softly, still in Korra's arms.

Korra pulled back a little after a moment. "I still don't understand how he got to the tower. I mean, he was in prison right?" On seeing Asami's wince, Korra tried to backtrack. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. Just forget I said anythi-"

"I know how he found us." Asami said, a slight bitter tone coming in her voice. "Lin. She called a favour into the prison and they released him as she thought he would help. And now he's no longer here…"

"What?"

Asami wiped another tear from her eyes as her emotions got to her again. Some days, like the day Lin had been missing that morning, she felt like she could almost understand Lin's reasoning and forgive her. Other days, like today, the hurt was too fresh and her anger just under the surface. Despite her assurance to Mako that she would speak with Lin, she has avoided the older woman. Which had been fairly easy, as once they were able to be at their house, Lin had avoided coming to the Island.

"You know what bothers me in all this is that I began to see her as a mother. Bumi and her practically adopted Mako, Bolin, and I… and she supported me in my decision to visit my Dad at the prison… And now, now my father is dead because she decided he should help…"

Korra pulled Asami into another hug. "I'm sorry 'Sami. I wish she showed her face at the wedding so I could tell her what I think." She said, her voice showing her anger.

Asami shook her head. "Nothing you say to her will change the fact he isn't coming back. I'd rather just move on right now." She sniffled, wiping her eyes again as she pulled away from the hug. She offered Korra a small smile, which Korra returned.

"So, what now? Back to the dance floor?" Korra asked after a few minutes of them staring off at the new spirit portal in front of them.

"I'm kind of all danced out. Honestly, after everything that's happened the past few months, I could use a vacation." Asami replied with a small shrug.

Korra lit up and smiled at Asami. "Let's do it! Let's go on a vacation, just the two of us. Anywhere you want."

"Really? Okay... I've always wanted to see what the Spirit World's like." Asami replied in surprise.

Korra just smiled brighter at the older girl. "Sounds perfect."


A week later

Bumi finally convinced Lin to come back to the Island to have breakfast with the family. For the most part, Lin had been avoiding Air Temple Island to give Asami space. She knew the girl wanted to be surrounded by her friends, so she stayed away not wanting to make her uncomfortable in the only space she could get comfort at the moment. Lin only agreed because Korra and Asami had left after Varrick's wedding to have a vacation of some sort.

Lin hoped that the girls finally acknowledged the chemistry between them. She wanted them to be happy, and knew that they could find that happiness in each other.

They arrived to find the dining hall full and right there at a table with Tenzin's kids, Mako, Bolin, and Opal were Korra and Asami. Lin faltered slightly in her steps as she caught Asami's eyes. The younger girl quickly diverted hers, which sent a pang of guilt and pain through Lin. She felt a glare being sent to her by Korra, which she had to admit also stung. Obviously Asami had told her what happened.

Lin kept her face as calm and collected as she could, and turned to sit with Bumi and Haru at the table with Tenzin, Pema, Kya, and Rohan. Her stomach was in knots with the resurfaced guilt, but once the smell of the food hit her she felt even worse. She concentrated on breathing through her mouth instead of her nose.

She offered Pema a strained smile when a cup of ginger tea was placed in front of her. After their return from Ember Island, Lin found out Tenzin had let it slip to his wife about her pregnancy. She decided not to be mad, because she knew if roles were reversed, she may have told Bumi too. Lin was thankful for it now as she took a sip and the ginger tea helped soothe her roiling stomach a little bit, at least enough that she wasn't diving for the bathroom.

She overheard Kya answering Bumi's question of when the girls had returned. Apparently they had returned two nights ago, and last night helped protect the spirit portal from the triads. Also according to Kya and Tenzin, Asami had already jumped into the circus of the plans to rebuild the City.

Once her tea was gone however, the scents of the meal started getting to her, so she excused herself and went outside to get some fresh air.

She rested against the railing of the engawa, her head dropping. Now that she was also away from other's prying eyes, she allowed herself to show the emotions she had held back earlier.

"You of all people shouldn't be sulking around out here, you got all your family members back. But because of you, I know someone who's had to suffer because you decided to play god."

Lin whipped around, coming face to face with an angry Avatar. "Ko-"

"No." Korra interrupted. "Who do you think you are getting to decide who lives and dies? I heard you aren't even Chief anymore, so that gave you even less of a right to release a prisoner from his cell. Now because of you, Asami lost her father."

Lin felt like she couldn't breathe. Here Korra was in front of her, voicing all her inner monologue out in the open. All she could do was stare at Korra with wide eyes, unable to voice a reply, as words caught in her throat.

"What, got nothing to say for yourself? Asami said you had practically adopted her and the guys, and this is how you treat her? What a great mother you are." Korra said, voice dripping with venom.

Lin flinched as if she were physically struck. Tears burning her eyes and threatening to spill.

"Korra! That's enough!" Asami said, pulling Korra back.

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry." Lin said so softly that Asami and Korra almost didn't hear her. But she kept repeating the words, unable to stop them from tumbling from her lips.

Asami wasn't the only one who had come running when they heard Korra's raised voice. Pema, Tenzin, and Kya were behind Korra, and Bumi was approaching Lin.

"What's going on out here?" Pema asked, glancing between how Asami was pulling an irate Korra away from Lin.

"I was just asking our esteemed Chief - oh sorry, retired Chief of Police, just exactly why she felt she had the right to let Hiroshi Sato out. She is the reason-"

Korra was startled from continuing when Bumi got right in her face.

"You have no idea what actually happened Korra. You think it was easy for Lin to learn that Sato was killed? Have you even thought for a moment about what would have happened if Hiroshi hadn't been released? Cause I am pretty sure more people would be dead right now. You may be the Avatar, but you still have a lot to learn about the real world. The world is not black and white. Shit happens. But if it wasn't for Lin, how many more of us standing here right now wouldn't be here? Hiroshi was the tipping point, don't you see? If it wasn't for him helping then do you think you would have been able to figure out how to get through the platinum of the giant mecha?"

Bumi only stopped his rant at Korra due to Kya placing a hand on his chest. "Bumi, let's look after Lin right now. Tenzin and Pema will finish talking with the girls."

Bumi turned to look at Lin, who was still mumbling out the apologies; her body shaking and tears streaming down her face. She had a faraway look in her eyes, showing she was lost in her thoughts. He decided to just pick her up to carry her to their room then see if she would be able to walk. Kya left with him in order to make sure Lin hadn't strained herself.

Korra and Asami watched, both in shock at seeing Lin's state and how Bumi had reacted. They had never seen him so intense, so protective. They both turned to see Tenzin looking disappointed in them, but it was Pema that made them pause. She looked as furious as Bumi had, and it was such an unusual look for the normally docile acolyte.

"You had no right to attack Lin like that. If you were upset, you should have come to one of us or waited to calm down before approaching her to ask her what happened. She's risked her life for you, all of us really," Pema said, sparing a glance at Asami too, before looking back to Korra, "and expected nothing in return. She has at least earned the right to explain herself before being attacked like this. She's going through much more than you know. You owe her an apology Korra, or you will no longer be welcome here. This is her home too, and I will not have you making it so that she is unable to visit."

Pema shook off her husband's hand to her shoulder, Tenzin just wanting to help calm her down, and threw one last pointed look at Korra and then Asami before leaving to go back into the dining hall. Tenzin glanced at the girls, but decided his wife had said it all, so he followed her back into the room.

Mako stepped out as they entered the building, his face showing a look of disappointment.

"You here to yell at me too?" Korra asked, defensively.

Mako shook his head. "I think Bumi and Pema said everything. But I do have a question for you, Asami." She looked up at him, their eyes meeting. "Was our conversation last month a complete lie?"

Asami averted her eyes. "Mako you don't understand."

"Of everyone here, I probably understand the most. You aren't the only one to have seen their parents be killed in front of them. Bo may have been too young to remember, but I saw everything. So I get it, I do." Mako said, his voice still stayed quiet - he obviously had learned some control while on the Police Force. "What I don't understand is why you told me you didn't blame Lin, that you were angry at the situation and Kuvira, but not her. So you were either lying to me or to yourself."

"I don't know what I think." Asami replied quietly.

"I understand, it took me a long time to sort through my own anger at my parents death. But until you figure it out, you shouldn't be having your new girlfriend tearing into a woman who, until recently, you considered a mother figure. Have you not even noticed that she hasn't even been here for a month, until this morning? She was giving you space to be here with everyone to grieve."

They all stood there in silence as the girls took in Mako's words. Both were beginning to feel pretty bad about how they handled things. One thing that stood out to Korra was how Lin had looked at the end.

"So… What is wrong with Beifong? I've never seen her like that, the closest being when we went to Zaofu the first time."

Mako's shoulders dropped. "I really should tell you that you don't deserve to know, but honestly I don't even know what is happening. Ever since she got back from rescuing her sister and her family, something has been wrong. I know that all the 'adults' know what is going on, even Toph seemed to know since coming back from Ember Island with her."

"You don't think she is… you know…" Asami asked hesitantly.

"Dying? No I don't think it is that, but it is serious. I know from visiting the house, she hasn't been feeling well, and has been sleeping a lot. I have seen the looks Kya and Bumi share, they are concerned about her." Mako ran his hand across his face. "I have to get to work. Just promise you'll leave her alone, or if you do, you better be calm and apologize for your behaviour." After giving them both a pointed look, he went back in to collect his temporary patrol partner - his brother. How Saikhan was convinced to let Bolin on the Police Force still boggled Mako's brain, but Bolin seemed to be enjoying it so that was something at least.


A few more days passed before a knock at the door had Lin using her seismic sense to see who was at the door. Since the uptake with the triad activity and the disarray of Republic City, Lin and Bumi had been even more cautious of who was at their door. She thankfully recognized the heartbeat, but it made her tense up in another way.

Cautiously, she opened the door just enough to see the younger woman on the front step.

"Haru is with Bumi on the Island if that is who you are looking for." Lin said.

"I- uh, actually am here to see you. I think we need to talk." Asami replied softly. She held up a bag. "I brought some custard tarts Pema made."

Lin opened the door further and let the girl in. Upon closing it, she saw Asami standing awkwardly in the entry hall behind her. So Lin motioned for her to head into the living room and she went to the kitchen. Thankfully she had just put a kettle of water on for tea so she just grabbed an extra cup and added it to the tray. She then added a couple small plates, forks, and napkins for the tarts.

She allowed herself a moment to clear her mind as she prepped the tea, knowing that the upcoming discussion would be difficult. Before long the tea was steeped and Lin had no choice but to face the younger woman in the living room.

Once there, she set the tray down and poured Asami her cup, before pouring herself one. Asami took care of placing the tarts on the plates. They then handed each other one of their finished products.

After a tense, silent few moments, Asami realized she would need to be the one to talk. "I… I want to apologize, Lin. I have taken time to reflect on what happened, and I realize it isn't your fault my Dad died. He… He could have refused to help, but he didn't. Because of his sacrifice, all of my friends and new family are still here." Asami tucked her hair behind her ear, ducking her head a little. "I also want to apologize for Korra. I didn't think anything of it when I voiced my frustration over the situation at Varrick's wedding reception. All those things she said to you were not right, and I had no idea she was going to say those things."

Lin sat there in shock for a moment, not having expected Asami to have said what she did. She took a sip of tea to try and get her thoughts under control. She then set it down on the table in front of her.

"You don't need to apologize, Asami. I understand to some extent, which is why I gave you space." Lin rubbed her scarred right cheek, not conscious she was doing so. "And while yes, Korra may have acted rashly, I can understand her reasoning too. I know that I can't ask for your forgiveness for what I have done, I just hope you can understand a little and take comfort in the fact that he wanted to help in the end. He loved you despite his flaws."

Asami leant forward, tears in her eyes as she placed one of her hands on Lin's. "I think I forgave you the night you told me, it's just forgiving and forgetting are two different things. But please know that I do forgive you, and I truly understand what happened. If anyone is to blame, it is Kuvira."

Lin sniffed back her own tears that sprung forward. "Please know I never wanted this to happen. I never would want to hurt you, I do consider you my family, even if you may have reconsidered. I will continue to be here in whatever capacity you will allow." She said, turning her hand to better clasp Asami's.

Asami offered her a watery smile. "I'd like to start doing our tea dates again, and we can rebuild a new foundation together."

"I'd like that very much." Lin replied softly, cupping Asami's cheek to wipe away some of the tears that had escaped. Asami soon moved to sit beside Lin on the couch and wrapped her arms around the older woman. Lin pulled the girl closer and placed a kiss on her head. Her feelings of guilt weren't gone, but they had eased. She was just happy to have her arms wrapped around the girl she considered a daughter once again.