A/N: Please Review. Sorry for the wait. One word: Finals.

A Terrible Synergy

Chapter 3

He watched her exit the arena in a flustered heap. He opted to return to his office to deal with more pressing matters but something akin to curiosity tugged at his head. Following her from a distance, he found her leaning against a pillar with her arms folded across her chest. The Avatar looked miserable and for some reason he thought he was the cause of it. The lowing sun soon receded into the background as the darkness settled around him. He could remember that look on her face in the film of dim light. It had to be weeks ago on her processor's island, her pupils small in the ocean of her blue eyes. She was utterly terrified yet she still looked up as if nothing could faze her. That spark, where could that possibly come from? That strength he so desired to crush. He told her that he had a plan, that he was saving her for last.

The Avatar stared blankly out into the dark waters as if she were a lost child in search of something she that couldn't quite imagine. He continued to observe her, and tried to look away but couldn't. She was so young, still practically a child. Even after months of residence in the city, she still needed assistance to navigate because of her lack of knowledge of the boroughs. A part of him wanted to show her the way, but his sharp denial of his feelings repudiated any of those heartwarming sentiments. His personal feelings toward her were a distraction to what he actually wanted, but as he looked across the path to where the Avatar stood he couldn't ignore the uncertainty in mind. Had he been thinking about her this whole time?

Only ten paces away from where she stood, he could just do it now, end it all. She wouldn't suspect a thing if he attacked her at this very moment. Just a simple blow to the base of the neck, she would be unconscious within seconds and her bending would be history, but would it make him feel any better? Didn't he want a stage, an audience to see she her falter and die at his own hands? She'd only become a martyr in the end. He closed his eyes pushing those thoughts away.

A few moments later a tall teenager appeared from the direction of the arena and Noatak's body instinctually took cover behind a near pillar. He was her teammate, Mako. The boy was well known in the city as an outstanding probender and captain of the Fire Ferrets. He had seen them play once during his wanderings of arena. From that singular observation he could suspect that the boy was powerful but no match for his abilities. His thoughts quieted as the firebender's voice picked up in a somewhat urgent tone.

"We need to talk. Look, sometimes you can be so infuriating. But I-"

"Save your breath. You've already made it clear how you feel about me."

"No, I haven't. What I'm trying to say is; as much as you drive me crazy, I also think you're pretty amazing." Noatak's eyes rolled into the back of his skull at the boy's sappy and nauseating confession.

"So you do like me?" Korra answered. His ears perked up at the sound of her voice. Her words were incredibly hopeful and happy as they left her lips. A sudden pain arose in his chest and he felt his fingers ball into tight fists. Slowly, he poked his head from the pillar. He would not let her procure happiness, but in the recess of his mind he knew something else lived. It was new and different but he could not discern what it was. He did not understand its nature.

"Yes, but, I like Asami, too. I don't know, things are complicated. I've been feeling really confused and-"

"Good Evening, Avatar Korra."

The couple both looked at him in an incredulous stare; he had caught them in the prefect moment, both were in each other's grasp, and the couple's motion toward each other's lips stopped abruptly.

"Noatak!" Korra squeaked a little ungracefully unlocking her hands from the firebender, "What are you doing here?" she stated as she awkwardly brushed imaginary dirt her parka, "I mean… aren't all the games over tonight?"

"I was taking a walk. I usually stroll by the arena," he answered walking over to where they were, not even paying the slightest attention to the firebender, "Did I interrupt something?" he inquired with false concern glancing toward the firebender. Dark, short locks framed the boy's face while brunt eyes augmented his brooding appearance. They shone of passion and of pain.

"Oh, no," Korra answered quickly, "We were just talking."

"He's your friend?" Mako asked curiously, his tone and expression were inscrutable to her.

"Acquaintance," the older man swiftly corrected, Korra glanced at him but he did not return the action, he stuck out his hand, "Noatak."

"Mako, nice to meet you," the firebender was only an inch or two shorter than the older man but Mako thought that he made himself present. He gripped the other man's hand in a strong hold to show that he meant business, but Noatak remained unmoved by Mako's blatant actions. He knew the dominance he held over the boy. Mako wasn't the only one with dark, menacing qualities and a mysterious past. The firebender was unable read his expressionless eyes as the taller man stared down at him; he could sense that something wasn't quite right. He looked like he was of Water Tribe descendant but his skin was too light. The man wore a black button down shirt with gray slacks and a matching color blazer that hugged his body nicely; the probender was slightly unsettled and apprehensive about the appearance of this sudden 'acquaintance'.

"Likewise," he pulled his hand away and dropped it in his pocket. He wore nothing that could give away anything about himself or his life. His clothes were simple but disconcerting from their neatness. Mako wore his usual gray top with his sleeves rolled up and his father's red scarf around his neck. There was no doubt that he was out classed here, but he would never admit it.

The Avatar persisted on in maintaining her silence as the inimical tension settled between the two men.

"Mako?" a voice called from behind.

The firebender turned, "Bolin?"

His brother carried flowers in his hands and immediately concealed them behind his back as he joined the growing group of people, "What's going on here?" He kept gazing in the stranger's direction. All Bolin could deduce that he was definite competition against him for Korra's heart and compulsive jealousy arose in his stomach.

"I just was talking to Korra and then her friend, Noatak here, showed up," the brother explained.

The Avatar seemed as if she'd rather be anywhere else in the world. She stared down at her feet attempting to escape the impending conflict.

"Don't worry," the older man placated Bolin, "I can assure you that you haven't missed anything particularly exciting or important," the firebender frowned at him.

Bolin adjusted the flowers behind his back to free his one hand, "Well, it's pleasure to meet you," the earthbender greeted cheerfully. As Noatak returned the brother's handshake, he could sense the firebender's heavy scrutiny and suspension.

"I don't want to bother you any further, so I'll be on my way," he began to walk in the opposite direction, but before he left he bowed respectfully, "It was pleasure to make your acquaintances. I do hope to see you two in the future," he made a strong effort to conceal his smirk. The only time he ever wanted to see them again was at his hands begging for mercy.

"Wait," Korra suddenly spoke up, "What are you doing later? I haven't seen you in weeks." The last time she saw him was about three weeks ago almost in the same place outside the arena.

The Avatar could feel the brothers' private resentment and dislike floating around the air. She was totally oblivious to the brothers' cutting glares.

"I'm not busy now. You could join me on my walk if it's not an inconvenience to you," he suggested over his shoulder. The action reminded her when she first met him.

Bolin by now released the flowers that he had be concealing. The red roses hit the ground in a soundless thump as Mako subconsciously gravitated closer to where Korra stood.

"We have practice in the morning, I think she needs her rest," the firebender abruptly intervened.

"Yeah, Korra definitely hates those morning practices," Bolin chimed in, "two more hours of sleep definitely make a difference with her!"

The Avatar turned towards the brothers, "Guys, what are you talking about, it's only nine," the brothers stared at her with guarded faces, "Oh come on, you can trust Noatak," the brothers remained silent, "Sure, Noatak, if this is your only opening. I'd love to catch up!"

"Korra-" Mako started.

"Don't worry I'll see you guys tonight, alright," the firebender still seemed unconvinced, "Come on, Mako, don't give me that look." Perhaps, he was still upset about their talk from before, so she grabbed his hand and squeezed it reassuringly "We'll finish that talk later, okay?"

"That's not it, Korra," he glanced toward the suited man. The Avatar understood that he was concerned for her safety and admired him greatly for it.

"I'll be fine. You worry too much, city boy," he smirked from her endearment and the tall boy let go of her hand trusting her judgment.

-0-

They walked in silence for a time. He wondered why he did what he just did. It was impulsive and stupid is what it was. Now he was stuck with her again and an itching, aching feeling stirred in his chest. What did he accomplish from this?

"What have you been up too lately?"

"Work."

"Is that all you do?"

"Yes. That's what real people do in this world."

"So, now you're saying that I'm not real?"

"I'm saying that you don't understand the plight of ordinary people."

"I do understand."

He chuckled, "The first time I met you, you believed that all the people in this very city were living in the lap of luxury. If you opened up your eyes you could see that it's the absolute contrary. There's suffering everywhere and most of it could have been avoided."

"That's not necessarily true. What are you even basing your accusations on?"

"People die on the streets from starvation and disease every day, money is stolen from the poor in form of tax money that is the same for the rich, and blocks of the city live in constant fear of gang violence. Do you even know what suffering is? Do you know what it feels like?" he was dangerously close to blowing everything, which was unusual for him; she struck something in him that he thought had died a long time ago.

"Yes, I do," she answered quietly. She didn't know why their conversations always headed toward heavy and loaded subjects, some of which she has never discussed with anyone openly before. Maybe it was because she was so much older than she was. They were so different from the conversations with people her own age, so much deeper.

"Sure you do," he mumbled bitterly biting his tongue to say no more.

"What's that supposed to mean? You don't know what I've been through," she stopped walking. He was really starting to piss her off. Why did he even want her company if he was just going to act this way?

"As far as I'm concerned living in a gated compound isn't all that difficult."

"They took me away from my family. The entire time I was there I only saw my parents twice. I didn't even know that I had a sister, I only heard of her. How do even you know that?" her voice hitched for second, "Maybe if my upbringing was different I would know about these things, but I don't. I'm just trying my best."

Korra's eyes were foggy from the pain she was trying to push away from the brought up memories, but his too where clouded by the scars over his own heart. He turned his head toward his shoes.

"Don't you dare feel sorry for me," she unexpectedly growled, "I don't need your pity. It was necessary for my duty as the Avatar." It was strange how similar she was to him. Everything he ever did was for his duty to the people, but all duty ever was was an abstract concept to justify pain and suffering. Who made it? Did it even exist? At that instant they both realized their agony. There was no use in taking their anger out on each other by exploiting each other's shortcomings. Words he felt he would never speak found their way to his lips, "I'm sorry," oddly enough he really meant them. He didn't know that he wasn't the only one to lose his childhood.

"Told you already, I don't need your goddamn pity!"

"I know," his subconscious cursed him. He was making her human. He was giving her human qualities; she had a story, emotions. No, she was a target, a goal and nothing more. He would end her, he had to.

She didn't respond and they both continued on the path for a while longer.

"Have people made you suffer, Noatak?"

"You don't need to know the answer to that question," Korra managed not to roll her eyes. What a typical answer from him.

"Tenzin told me once that when another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. I sometimes wonder if this is the case for Amon. I think about that story you told about him, all the torments he had to withstand and that forces me to wonder if I am doing this right."

"Doing what right?"

"I… I don't know this whole thing," she threw her arms in the air out of frustration, "I'm so unsure of things now. I just can't find a purpose anymore in Tarrlok's task force. Recently, I've realized that maybe the Equalist don't need punishment but help... because maybe they're suffering too."

He honestly did not know what to say and he always had something prepared to say in retort. He didn't anticipate her statement to be so full of empathy and honest introspection. Perhaps, this was her way in adapting to the city and her situation. They stopped. The moon hung high over their heads as they stood there drinking in every single detail of one another. His mind's discipline slipped as he pondered what her skin would feel like against his.

"The Equalist won't agree with anything. Tarrlok's group will not surrender either. I'm afraid that compromise is not an option," he suddenly spoke, "War is going to come, Korra, I hope you're ready for it."

"How do you know that? Things can change."

"No, no they can't."

Without warning, the Avatar wrapped her arms around his torso pulling him into the warmth of her body. His muscles tensed as his back went rigid by the unanticipated contact.

"What are you doing?"

"Hugging you."

"Why?"

"You need one."

His body relaxed as his shock dissolved into a calm. His strong arms that once ghosted over her shoulders in surprise enveloped them in all their strength while he rested his head upon top hers. He could feel her heart rate slow from its initial rapid pace into a methodic, soothing rhythm. She didn't know why but she liked him; she liked him a lot. Her head was tucked comfortably into his chest. The Avatar felt so comfortable in his embrace. She loved how his arms fit perfectly around the curve of her shoulders.

"Where do you go?"

"Hmmm?" He had lost all train of thought.

"I don't want you to disappear anymore. I want you to stick around."

The Avatar pulled away in order to look him in the eyes, "I don't know if you have anybody that cares about you, but I want to let you know that I do."

Then the wildest thing happened; he kissed her. It was as if he had no control over himself and he solely reacted upon instinct. She melded into it, her hands pressed against his chest while his cupped her mesmeric face. It was if he couldn't restrain himself. She felt so… right.

As fast as it happened it ended. Noatak released his grip from her, slightly stumbling backwards in unfamiliar clumsiness, "I can't... I can't do this," he stammered, eyes wide.

"What do you mean?" She was so confused.

"You don't want to know me, Korra." He wanted to end her, but he could not end her this way. He could sense weakness in his resolve. What struck her the most was how his face was absolutely devoid of any strand of emotion as if he had put a mask over what he truly felt. The kiss was so full of urgent and correct passion. It was a connection she couldn't explain, as if electricity was released through her very essence just from that one heated contact.

"What I am to you isn't real. This can't and will never work," he said those words with so much saddened anger that it hurt his teeth but he could feel that tiniest crack of doubt in his assertion and himself. He lowered his head and vanished into the night leaving her without any attempt at a final good-bye. She didn't understand. He had kissed her. It ripped her heart out how he easily he had shut her affections down. His demeanor never changed, he stayed unaffected and cool-headed as if nothing had happened. As if her feelings meant nothing to him at all. It all was just a game to him.

That night she cried until she couldn't, until exhaustion forced her eyes to close. Her pillowed caught any sound of her heartache.