A/N: Here you are Chapter 6! Enjoy and please review. Thank you everyone so far who has given their input on this story in a review!

PS. The Second Season is upon us.

A Terrible Synergy

Chapter 6

"He just let you go?" The Airbender spoke incredulously, "And left you with your bending?"

Korra just nodded while she scarfed food down her throat. The pain caused from her hunger ripped through her entire body; the masked man was correct in one respect. The councilmen waited patiently for her to finish eating while the brothers came running in to greet their long lost friend. The Firebender immediately embraced her in a warm and inviting hug, "I was so worried about you. I should have followed you."

The Avatar quickly consoled him, "Mako, none of it was your fault and you couldn't have just left your brother alone," she wrapped her arms around his neck again in order to wash away his lingering guilt.

The Firebender released her from his hold to allow Bolin to hug her, "Korra, you're alright," he pointed out in a breathless statement.

"Yes, I am Bolin and so are you."

"Don't ever do that again," the earthbender chided playfully, "You made us go nuts!"

After the greetings were concluded, Tenzin asked for more information about her release, so the Avatar endeavored to remember what had conspired a few hours earlier. She rubbed her head irritably; her eyes were heavy from the lack of sleep. It was the middle of the night and it was bitterly cold outside. The moon was high in the sky covering everything with an array of starry moonlight. She could feel his touch still on her, his strong eyes still watching her in the back of the van but not for any advantageous reason. She could tell that he was looking at her, really looking at her as if she wasn't a pawn on a board but an animated, breathing human being. She couldn't help but think that she was seeing him too: that reserved man sitting on the curb reading for the simple pleasure of it. Suddenly, she thought about his words and couldn't discern if they implied a cryptic meaning or actually meant what they did. She couldn't distinguish if he cared about her or was acting upon the possibility of gaining an asset by means of manipulation in gaining her trust. But there was no incentive for her release at all unless he actually held feelings for her. His actions baffled her mind beyond belief, or was he trying to show her something instead? If he was doing any of this at all, she couldn't comprehend his twisted message.

"Yeah, they put a blindfold over my eyes, tied my hands, and dumped me off," the Avatar explained, "Nothing special or unusual."

"Why would he just let you go? It's quite arbitrary for the kind of person Amon is. This is unlike anything he has done before," the tall airbender stroked his beard in mounting perplexity, "Frankly, it just doesn't make any sense."

"I know," the waterbender concurred, "His moves are always deliberate. Do you think this means something?"

Tenzin shook his head; his face looked weary and his eyes faint, most likely from the lack of sleep caused from her disappearance, "It's too soon to tell. What matters now is that you're here and unharmed," he paused, "Did you attain any useful information about the whereabouts of his headquarters?" The councilmen knew there were tons located all over the city; the hideouts seemed to incessantly speckle the streets in silence and as one was discovered two more were found and so on.

"No, as far as I could tell it was someplace underground. I bet it's a complex of tunnels."

"Yeah, that's what it sounded like when they kidnapped me. Just like a gigantic tunnel somewhere underneath the streets," Bolin added from across the table, "Maybe sewers." Korra didn't even notice that Mako had been studying her the entire time with restless eyes, and as she glanced toward his direction his eyes remained brazenly where they were. He sat next to his brother.

"I must tell Lin this. Any information on this extremist group could be used to our advantage. Did you uncover anything about Amon?" the Airbender rested his tattooed hand on her forearm, "Did he hurt you all?"

"No, he didn't hurt me," Korra spoke quietly, "I didn't learn anything more about Amon other than what we already know," she lied but it reality it wasn't in the least bit untruthful, but she was keeping things from him. She would never admit who she thought the mask man was. She couldn't bring it to herself to agree with her mind's conclusion. Nonetheless, she felt obligated to protect to him. Perhaps, releasing her is his way of showing her that he could trust her. No, her mind shot down her optimistic sentiment; that is too unrealistic. His only goal is to destroy you.In her mind, he was so gentle and his actions weren't impersonal and detached as if they were calculated and premeditated. They were sincere and tense because she refused to eat. His alleged rancor of her barely showed at all during their brisk encounter and he had treated her fairly like any other person. Tenzin could clearly see the distant look forming in Korra's eyes; he could deduce that she was preoccupied with something sensitive.

Unsure of whether to interrupt her, the Airbender's outlook about her encounter with the equalist leader became more unconvinced, "Korra, is there something that you're not telling us?"

The Avatar instantly looked up to the sound her name, and she banged her hand loudly against the table, "No, I'm just exhausted that's all. I need to go get some sleep," her actual fatigue took attention away from the endless, unanswered questions that surrounded her stay at the equalist compound.

"Of course," Tenzin spoke, "I didn't realize, you must be exhausted. You can take a couple days off to recuperate, that will surely make Jinora happy since she won't have to wake up early tomorrow to drill you in the airbending gates."

Korra stood up, her balance failed for a split second as a result of the dull stiffness in her legs that amounted from sitting in a cell for three days. Stumbling over, Mako wrapped his arm around her waist in support and the Avatar took the help willingly. The Firebender guided her toward her room while Bolin trailed behind them. The Avatar was falling fast asleep in his arms. In Korra's bedroom, Mako gingerly laid her down on her mattress removing her thick, animal skin boots from her feet and pulling her blankets over resting form. The older brother watched until the Avatar closed her eyes making sure that she was breathing when he left with Bolin. If only a night's sleep could fix all the problems in her own head.

-0-

The next day Korra had planned to go visit Asami's mansion with Mako and Bolin. They told her that relaxing by the Sato's indoor pool would clear her head. With much reluctance, the Avatar finally caved into the brothers' ceaseless requests. It's wasn't that she didn't want to go; it's just that she wasn't the best of friends with Asami. She could have remained on the air temple recovering with the airbender kids and Pema always needed an extra hand anyway. Playing with Ikki, Jinora, and Meelo would certainly bring her mind off things and alleviate the now habitually lonesome feeling in that took up residence in cavity of her chest. Nevertheless, against her wishes the Avatar embarked on her walk across the city to the Sato Estate. Her face reveled in the sea spray and wind as the ferry carried her across to Republic City's largest port. The weather today was more promising then the bitter cold of the previous night; the ambient temperature was a bit warmer and the sun's rays were unobstructed as they reached the far stretches of the ground. The bending brothers also insisted that she walk up with them due to her weakened condition, but that only made her angry. She was fine physically so she told them off, intending on walking the streets herself to the Sato Mansion. She had a pretty vague idea of where the large estate was situated in Republic City but that didn't mean she wasn't determined in finding it. She would discover it eventually.

The streets weren't particularly busy but that was no surprise since it was in the middle of the day and many were either at work or at home enjoying a lunch break. She had been walking for a long time now and suddenly she knew what street she was on. Beside her was the café where she first met him. She idly ambled by, no one was sitting outside since it was too cold enjoy a decent meal. She could deal with the weather; it was mild compared to the extremely low temperatures she had to grow up with when she was a kid. She briefly glanced through the large glass window on the front, the glare made it difficult to see the tables in the back, to ascertain that if anyone was inside. No one was there. Without thinking, the Avatar opened the door to the tiny eatery perusing all the delectable desserts that were on display in the glass container in the front counter. A bell was situated on the door, and when opened it summoned the cook from the back room.

"I'm so sorry, but we're closed today," a woman, which appeared from the kitchen, stated, "Did you see our sign?" she was a moderately tall, with sinuous curves and dark green eyes. She seemed to be baking something in the back by the show of flour on her apron.

She hadn't seen it, "Oh, I'm so sorry," Korra apologized, "My head has been a little bit foggy today," she attempted to vindicate herself.

The woman smiled as if she knew exactly what she was struggling with but it was just a small, kind smile nothing to over analyze. As Korra turned to leave, she discovered a man clad in a hooded black overcoat in a back booth; the glare must have forced her to miss him. His back was facing her, his build so familiar. She could see that his head was turned down looking at a dismal cup of coffee that had long grown cold.

"Wait, you're Avatar, aren't you?" the baker asked.

"Yes, I am," she answered meekly. She was attempting to eschew any superfluous comments or inquires about her. Undoubtedly, she loved being the Avatar but today she just wanted to be Korra.

"Wow, well it's an honor to meet you, Avatar," the Baker stuck out her hand in a cordial gesture, "The name's Viola. I'm the owner of this place."

"Nice to meet you, Viola," the Avatar replied. She glanced over to the solitary man again, "You do have a lovely café, but I wasn't aware that you played favorites with your customers," she gestured toward the man; there was no malice in her statement just girlish nosiness.

"Oh," she rubbed the back of her neck, "That man is a special case, he was a good friend of mine," the way she spoke those words sounded as if they were involved once which made anger raise in her, "Anyway, he's a regular and has been coming here ever since I started my café up about thirteen years ago. I knew he was a good guy," the Avatar rolled her eyes, thankfully Viola didn't see it, "and I couldn't have just refused him a cup of coffee and a quiet place to sit… I'll tell you what, you can stay in my shop if promise me you won't wreck anything, and if you need anything just ask. It's on the house; I certainly would love the Avatar to be a regular paying customer here," the amiable woman smiled again, without a doubt one of the happier people in the city but the Avatar couldn't thwart the odious jealously that was unleashed inside her.

"That's very kind of you, Viola," the Avatar replied as agreeably as she could manage. The waterbender hated the fact that she was one of the nicest people she had met and was privately begrudging her over something that happened in the past, but it happened nonetheless.

"Well, I'll be off. Bread doesn't bake itself," she hesitated and leaned over the counter, "Just between you and me, I'm a non-bender and I think you're doing a great job." Korra with great difficulty could not take away that as compliment, so he likes to fuck non-benders? her subconscious back-lashed. With that the baker bid her farewell and disappeared into the back room to continue on with her trade.

A myriad of things of what she could say to him rushed through her head as the waterbender walked slowly to the back of the eatery but all she could agree on was, "It looks like you're a bit lonely today."

"That appears to be the situation doesn't it," he responded softly. He already was aware of her presence in the café. His eyes turned up an evanescent look of weakness but the fleeting emotion was soon exchanged with his usual look of apathy. His face always displayed a mask of cool indifference but she knew that something deeper and more profound lived underneath it, he just refused to let anyone see that side of him, but if she pushed the right way, she knew she could catch a glimpse of it.

"Don't worry about Viola," he allayed her reservations, "That was a long time ago," he could still sense her anger, "Please, leave that alone."

"I didn't know that you were such a lady's man."

"Korra," he beseeched, her name rolled off his tongue in one smooth sound, "If you want the truth, she's not the only woman I slept with."

"That still doesn't make me feel any better," she stated curtly as she stepped closer so that she stood beside him.

"I didn't take you as the jealous type, Avatar."

"How about we drop it like you suggested," Korra yielded yet her hostility stayed fresh in the air, she claimed the seat in front of him, "So Amon let you free too?"

He looked up and smirked at her comment, she hadn't really seen him take pleasure in something openly like that, close to smiling, it was sort of a half gesture, "Yes, yes it looks like he did." He was wearing a hooded black overcoat and a navy cotton undershirt while dark gray slacks and beat-up, leather boots covered the lower half of his body. His dark scarf remained on the table next him. It certainly was a classy, modern outfit.

He did not dismiss her presence nor welcomed it so Avatar continued the conversation, "You should tell him to let you out more often."

This time he didn't laugh. There was a prevalent look of surliness in his countenance, but his callous exterior belied his true feelings. He couldn't expound why she was so riveting to him. Her actions were so spontaneous. One second her demeanor would be refractory, defying any authority that was in a mile's radius, and in an instant her being could shift into an unsettling serenity. He couldn't confess that he largely admired her and found much of her own nature similar to his own when he was younger. He attempted to clear his dry throat as the long pause continued on uncomfortably. His eyes drifted deeper into hers as he fruitlessly played with his coffee cup, "How'd you find me here?"

"I guess by luck," suddenly she felt his hand begin to caress her thigh underneath the table, his fingers moved in slow, tantalizing circles over the fabric of her pant. It was exciting her in ways she couldn't quite explain nor freely admit to. Her brain attempted to impede the sudden longing that welled up inside of her. Heat rushed to her face as his hand gradually inched higher. Her mind fought against it, This is what you do to woman?but her heart was skipping beats just by the simple touch of his hand against her thigh. Suddenly, the lingering anger washed away as desire replaced it. Was he testing her?

"I haven't been honest to you, Korra."

"Oh, really?" she wasn't the least surprised.

"Do you wish to know something about me?"

"And what is that, Noatak?"

"I'm a lot older then you," he hesitantly withdrew his hand from her leg; the Avatar was unhappy when he did this.

"13 years isn't a lot."

"Then add 10 to that."

"So your 40? That doesn't really make a difference, it's the question of if your man enough to do it," she whispered huskily as she inched in closer, Noatak couldn't help but find her quick math skills sexy.

"Is that a challenge?" he questioned smugly, he could have taken her whenever he desired but he had too much self-restraint to care for, "Avatar, I hope you are aware that I was the age of 23 when you were born."

She pulled back leaning into the wooden frame of the booth, her tone even more boastful than his, "Well I got you beat on that one, pretty boy. If I did the math correctly, I was 43 when you were born… oh, wait," she tipped her chin matter-of-factly, "add like a 100 years to that."

"Oh, is that right?" he chuckled, "I guess you win," he ceded simply.

How he just wanted to give up like that- with no thought, no effort. He just wanted to kiss her again, but that wouldn't fix anything rather farther obfuscate the mess he was kind enough to get himself caught in. He craved to ravish her in his affection, to feel her even though that meant giving up everything he believed in. He was uncertain if he could resist her anymore as if she was the cure to his ailing disease, a malady that many foretold no recovery from.

"Korra, I think I've become attached to you," intoned with serious implications.

"You have?" she was made euphoric by his sudden confession but persisted on in keeping her poise, but she couldn't stop a blush from reaching her attractive features, "But wasn't it you who said that you had nothing to do with me?"

"Yes."

"Then what changed your mind?"

"I never changed my mind about you," a sly smirk came to his lips, "I simply made a decision."

"And what is that?"

"I want you, Korra," his eyes were heavy with lust, and she couldn't deny how much she wanted him too even though she knew it was wrong, "How about we make deal?"

"And what is it that you propose?"

"I'll be Noatak, an ordinary man, and you can be Korra, a normal watertribe girl," his voice was deep and enticing, "just two unassuming lovers," he leaned in closer and she could feel his hot breath, "meeting up." Her heart was about to pop out of her chest from the proximity, he was so handsome.

Their noses were merely inches away, "I would love to play make believe with you Noatak," the Avatar admitted, "but this is wrong."

He rolled his shoulders back, the powerful muscles visually deflating in dissatisfaction, "And what's so wrong about, Avatar? It's simply two people that are attracted to each other getting together. Does this go against some principle you have?"

He sounded exactly like Amon, "No… it's just…" she couldn't voice what she was feeling. She wanted to ask him to tell her everything, but she knew he could never do that. She released a breath, "Please, please call me, Korra."

Without warning, he grabbed her hand from across the table, "I apologize, Korra," he whispered, "What do you want me to say?" He asked that question with so much care.

"I don't know, Noatak, but I have to go."

He somberly withdrew his hand and leaned against the wood back of the booth distancing himself from her, "I would implore you to stay but I am not the boss of you."

Now he was acting like an unhappy child. She didn't understand him, "What do you want from me, Noatak? If that's even your name."

"It is," he answered without any meticulous reflection, "It was the name my mother gave me when I born." She was hesitate in starting a tryst with him. He could understand this. She barely knew anything about him, other than fact that they both knew who he really was, but neither of them were going to admit that fact.

"You know what I'd really like?" he spoke boldly, "I'd like to take you out to dinner."

The Avatar remained unconvinced, "I have to go, I'm sorry."

Now he leaned in close. She could hear her heart thudding loudly in her chest, "but if you stay I could show you so many things…" his voice was low and rough as it rumbled through her ears. His eyes were deepest of blues, like the cold waters found dwelling in the deep in the cavernous seas of the world, "I could show you so many things," he repeated, "if you'd allow me to show what I see," he tilted his head even closer now, "A beautiful woman," he breathed as he kissed her, "as deserted as the man in front of her."

All lurking thoughts of indoor pools and previous engagements were pinched from her attention as his lips seized hers in a hungry kiss. She sensed her hands running through his hair, his lingered near her chin. The kiss quickly intensified into a display of pure passion. He slipped his tongue into her agape mouth, and was rewarded with her moan of pleasure, and he, at that moment, thought nothing in the world was able stop him from pleasuring the girl in front him.

They reluctantly broke away from the passionate kiss, her fingers brushed against his cleanly shaven jawline, "It appears that I am holding you up, my apologizes, as you said there are places you need to be." In a split second, he was standing up preparing himself to leave. She was still caught up in the kiss. He wrapped his scarf around his neck, "I suppose we'll continue this game another time."

The Avatar appeared to be left dangling by the thread of this man, who casted shadows over the thoughts in her own head, "This is a game to you?" His volatile nature simply astonished her; first he wanted nothing to do with her to then confess his growing attraction to simply deny it in the end.

"It is… with higher stakes than either of us will ever know. We have to play carefully if we have any chance for victory."

The Avatar was bemused by his words and surprised she had nothing to say in return. She watched him intently as he scoured his pockets for a stray yuan to place underneath the virtually untouched cup of coffee. Looking down at her, he pulled his hood over his head as he uttered his words of goodbye, "I do hope for you to have a splendid time at the Sato Estate," she didn't know how he knew she was going there. Had he been spying on her? He arched down next to her face, "And just for the record I have been playing the game."