Title: New Job
Pairing: Korra & Asami.
Rated: T
Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Korra and its characters. All rights belong to their respectable owners Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino.
Authors Note: Hey guys. So I finally got around to mapping out this story. So far so good still need to make some adjustments but this will be a fun thing to write and hopefully a fun thing for you guys to read. Anyway, enjoy the chapter. Later Gladiators.
Asami was sitting on her bed going over her paper work. She made sure everything was filled out correctly. It had been a few years since she had a job. Even with her credentials she still felt this enormous pressure to succeed. A light knock on the door made her jump slightly. "Yes?" she softly said.
"Mom? I'm finished," Iroh said waiting for an answer. Hearing an 'okay', Iroh walked back into his room. He sat on his now made up bed and looked out his window. He turned and reached under his pillow taking out his fathers medal. Rubbing his thumb across the design on it, Iroh thought about the last time he saw his father.
Iroh walked out of the house and saw his son sitting on the porch. He stepped down and saw the look on his son's face. "Hey hey hey whats this?" he said bending down to his son's view. He could see the tears threatening to fall down his cheeks.
"You're leaving again..." Iroh III mumbled out. His father was on leave for less than two days and already had to go back.
Iroh stood up straight with a heavy sigh, "yeah..." he said taking a seat next to his son. "Have too.." he uttered lowly.
"Why..." the eight year old questioned.
Iroh looked across the street thinking on an appropriate answer to give his son, "Sometimes in life you have to go and do things you don't necessarily wanna do but you have too," he said looking back at his son. He placed a hand on his back and rubbed it softly. "You're too young to understand it now but when you get older you will."
Iroh III shook his head and looked up at his father with a frown. "I understand. You don't want to be here," he said getting up in a huff ready to run off.
"Hey!" Iroh shouted pulling the young boy back by his arm. He grabbed the sides of his son's shoulders and held him in place. "Is that what you think? That I don't want to be here? That I don't want to be with you and your mother?" he asked feeling the pain that was in his son's eyes. "Because I do. More than anything," he said taking deep breaths as he looked back at the spitting image of himself. "I'm always here. Even when I'm not present I am here with you," he said pointing at his son's heart. "Always," he said pulling his son into a tight hug. He could feel his shirt getting wet, hearing sniffles coming from his son. He pulled back to get a good look at his son's face. Wiping the tears from his son's cheeks, Iroh smiled at him, "remember what I said. Róngyùs don't cry," he said pulling him back into another hug wanting to cry himself. He held back with all his might spotting Asami watching from the window with disappointment written all over her face.
Iroh stared at the piece of medal and said, "Róngyùs don't cry," before sliding it back underneath his pillow with a sigh.
Asami placed her papers in a black folder and put it inside of her brown satchel. She came out of her room and up to Iroh's door knocking on it. "We're leaving in 30 minutes okay," she said hearing his muffled 'okay' through the door. She walked into the living room seeing Korra sleeping soundly. She placed her satchel down and came over to her friend. "Korra..." she said lightly shaking her on her shoulders.
Korra was out of it but woke up after feeling light sprinkles of water on her face. "Hmm?" she said cracking opening her eyes.
"Sorry... you wouldn't wake up," Asami said placing the water bottle down. She picked up a paper towel to wipe off her finger tips.
"Better than ice chips down my back," Korra stated recalling the measures Asami use to go too to wake her up.
Asami giggled at the thought of it. "That was one time," she said seeing Korra giving her a look. "Okay a few times," she said with a shrug. Korra looked at her watch seeing it was 6:41am. "Bathrooms free for you to use," she said placing a towel and wash cloth on the arm of the couch. "We're leaving 7 on the dot. So you got 18 minutes soldier," Asami playfully mocked with a smirk on her lips before heading into the small kitchen.
Korra watched her and shook her head with a smirk of her own. "Okay," she said taking the towel and heading into the bathroom. She came out less than ten minutes with the same clothes on. She walked into the living room seeing Iroh waiting on the couch as Asami handed him his lunch box.
"I was about to get you some clothes," Asami said pointing back to her bedroom.
Korra waved it off with her hand. "No its cool. I'll just change over at Bolin's before I head to the train station," she said since her belongings was still at his house.
Asami took note of that and gathered her things together. "So we're already to go?" she asked them both. Iroh gave a nod while Korra gave an ecstatic double thumbs up. She shook her head as she placed her jacket on and grabbed her satchel. "Let's go then," she said gesturing toward the front door. Korra grabbed her brace and followed behind the mother and son duo.
Asami drove to the school in less than 20 minutes. She parked out front and looked over at Iroh. "I'll pick you up around 5:30 okay," she said brushing his hair at the top of his head. "If you need anything you call me okay?"
Iroh looked over at his mom and mustered up a smile on his thin lips. "Okay," he answered before getting out of the car. He looked back at the van with a wave, "bye mom," he said pulling up his book bag with his other hand.
Asami waved back while Korra pulled open the van door from the back. "Later Kiddo," she said with the raise of her chin. Iroh looked at Korra confused before saying goodbye to her as well. Both women watched as he made his way up the stairs, "sweet kid," Korra said closing the door back shut.
"You know you can sit up front with me right?" Asami said looking back at Korra.
"And I don't even have to yell shot gun?" Korra commented. She stayed put for a few seconds before yelling. "Shot gun!"
Asami laughed as Korra made her way to the front and plopping down in the passenger seat. "You are such a child," she said with a giggle.
Korra shrugged her shoulders as she looked over at Asami. "Part of my charm."
"Well add a seat belt to your charm. We're not moving til you do," Asami said waiting.
"Geez! Your such a mom!" Korra said as if she was disgusted but they both laughed it off. She placed on her seat belt and felt the van start to move. "So you excited?"
Asami drove down the road heading toward Opal's house. "Excited for..." she drifted off hoping Korra could fill in the gaps.
"Work," Korra said straighten out her brace.
Asami wasn't sure how to answer, "hard to tell right now," she simply put.
Korra understood and looked out her window rubbing her knee. It was quiet. Not the uncomfortable quiet she had been expecting but a nice quiet. With no pressure but a hint of awkwardness that she could handle.
Asami pulled up to a red light and saw Korra rubbing her knee. It was the same leg with the brace on it. "What happen?" she asked without thinking.
Korra turned to her with a puzzled expression only to realize what she meant. "Oh this," she said pointing down at her knee. "Long story... but to shorten it I had pieces of shrapnel all through my leg.." she said straighten out her leg to be more comfortable.
Asami mouth opened at the news but quickly closed it once the light flashed green. "I'm sorry.." she said offering her sympathies.
"Don't be. Wasn't your fault," Korra said seeing they were close to the house.
"Does it hurt?" Asami curiously asked. She felt like it was a stupid question but had to ask.
Korra looked down at her leg and turned it slightly to get a good look at it. "Ever so often. Specially when I try to break dance," she joked to lighten the conversation.
Asami gave her a knowing look before glancing over at her leg. She could see how secure the brace was. "When did it happen?" she asked looking back at the road.
Korra thought on it and counted the years. "Three years ago. It will be four next year," she said looking back at Asami.
Asami wasn't sure what to say after that so kept quiet. Korra knew it was a conversation killer so kept quiet on the short drive to Bolin's house.
Asami pulled up to the house a few minutes later. She parked and cut the engine off. "You're really leaving this time?"
"Yeah," Korra responded with a nod. She felt her chest going heavy for some reason. That feeling she had all those years ago was starting to build up again.
Uncomfortable silence now started to fill the air until Asami spoke. "Be safe," she said with a smile.
Korra gave another nod with a small smile of her own. "Always," she said before getting out of the car.
Asami got out and met Korra on the side walk. She wrapped her arms around Korra's shoulders and held her in a hug.
Korra embraced her back. She found a sense of comfort being so close to her dear friend. One she'd hate to let go of but knew she had to. After a few seconds she did.
"Goodbye Korra," Asami said walking back around the van.
"Never goodbye!" Korra said loudly getting Asami's attention again. "Always later," she pointed at her friend with a smile.
Asami smiled back as she opened up her door and got into the drivers seat. She placed her seat belt on and looked over at Korra through the passenger side window. "Later," she said before driving down the street.
Korra watched Asami drive away with her heart sinking in the process. "Later."
Walking inside the cyber security building, Asami approached the front desk in a bundle of nerves. "Hi I'm Asami Róngyù. I'm here to see Kuvira Kinzoku."
"Fourth floor," the secretary directed without looking away from her computer screen.
"Thanks..." Asami said heading toward the elevator. The doors opened once she pressed the button. Walking inside, Asami pressed the button to the fourth floor and waited as the doors closed.
Another woman ran toward the elevator with Asami opening it back up. "Thanks," the woman said trying to catch her breath. "I'm Fae Unmei," she said extending her hand to Asami.
Asami took her hand and shook it. "Asami Róngyù."
Fae had a surprised look form on her face at the sound of her name. "Maiden name Sato? Holy Spirits its you," she said with a bright smile. When Asami looked confused, Fae continued, "I was assigned to give you a tour around the place," she mention right as the doors opened.
Both women exited the elevator and lead into an area full of cubicles. The tour took about ten minutes flat. Work space, restrooms, break room, and the boss' office was about it with minor details added.
"And here is your cubical. Orientation will start in 5 minutes so you can get settled til then," Fae said leaving Asami to get comfortable in her cubical.
Asami thanked her and sat down in a chair. She turned around in it and noticed the stack of manuals by her computer. She took her jacket off and placed it behind her chair.
Looking around the office, Asami could see people were already working. She turned her back to the opening of her cubical and took out her phone. She scrolled through her gallery and found a picture of her son when he was five. He looked so happy then with his two front teeth missing. "We'll get through this... I know we will," she said as if to reassure herself.
"I'm sorry I won't be able to take you to the train station this afternoon," Opal said placing a stack of pull ups into a bag.
Korra waved it off with a smile, "its okay I'll catch a cab," she said taking a seat on the couch. "Plus you and Bo have done so much for me already. I appreciate you letting me crash here," she said glancing around the room.
Opal walked over to the playpen and picked up San. "Its no problem. Anytime you're in the city you have a place to stay," she said sniffing the back of his pants. She sat him down and grabbed up Su sniffing her in the same way. "Found the culprit," Opal said as Sulin giggled. "Who made a stinky. My girl made a stinky yes she did," she said walking back to the couch and placing Sulin down.
"Man that's worst than a stink bomb," Korra said watching as Opal changed her baby girl.
Opal snickered with the shake of her head, "oh its much worse when its both of them at the same time," she said putting another pull up on Su.
"Kori!" San shouted from the playpen.
Korra looked over at the playpen spotting San raising his hands up. "Korra," she corrected as if he understood. She got up and walked over to the playpen picking him up. "What do you want little terror?"
San tugged on the side of Korra's jacket, "Kori go bye bye," he said knowing she was leaving.
"Yep Kor-rah! go bye bye. Say Korra," She corrected again.
"Kori." San repeated.
Korra turned to face Opal once she had Sulin dressed, "I think he's doing it on purpose," she said seeing little Su looking at her. "Can you say Korra?" Su giggled and reached for her. "Guess not."
"You gotta give them some time," Opal said coming up to Korra and placing Su in her other arm and grabbing San from her. "And yes he is doing it on purpose," she said placing him down on the couch to wipe the food from the corners of his mouth. "He calls Mako. Mama when he knows its Uncle Mako."
"Uncle Mama!" San shouted with a giggle.
Opal shook her head knowing how her twins can be. "I just hope they don't show off when they see their great grandma," she said putting San's jacket on.
Korra grabbed Su's jacket and started to put it on her. "How is Nana Toph?" she asked knowing her health wasn't in the best condition at the moment.
"Cranky.. throwing fits with the orderlies so normal for the most part," Opal said thinking on it. She knew her mother couldn't come every week since she was all the way in Zaofu. The least she could do was give her mother an update with her own eyes on her grandmother. "But she still has a lot of medical problems she avoided for a long time. Now its catching up to her," she said remembering how independent her Nana was.
"I'm sorry," Korra said picking up Sulin again.
Opal put on her jacket and picked up the bag placing it on her shoulder. "Come on," she said picking San up again and walking to the front door. Korra followed her out the door and helped her put the kids in their car seats.
Opal went back inside of the house and grabbed another bag with their food and placed it in the passenger seat. She came back around the car where Korra was standing. "Here," she said handing her a single key. "You can just place it through the mail slot after you lock up."
Korra held the key in her hand and eyed it before looking back at Opal. "You don't do the whole 'key under the rock thing?'" she asked with a laugh.
"To risky with these two in the house," Opal said walking back around the van to get in the drivers seat.
"Alright," Korra said placing the key in her pocket. "Bye guys! Be good for mom!" she said closing the side door as both said 'bye Kori'.
Opal backed the van out slowly from the drive way and stopped short waving to Korra.
Korra waved back and watched as Opal left with the kids. She walked back inside of the house to finish packing her belongings.
Iroh heard the bell ring and left the classroom with the rest of the students. He got to his locker in less than 2 minutes. He opened it up and placed his earth science book inside and grabbed his four nations history book and placed it inside of his bookbag.
"Hi Iroh," a girl called out.
Looking up from his book bag, Iroh saw his classmate Mya. "H-Hi Mya," he greeted her back.
Mya smiled and stood next to him, "I was wondering if you'd like to sit at my table during lunch.. that's if you want too," she asked a bit nervous herself.
Iroh was surprised by the invite and nodded his head before actually responding. "Sure. Yes that would be great."
"Great! I'll see you then!" she said grabbing his forearm in a light squeeze before letting go and walking down the hall.
He watched as she walked away feeling a small smile creep on his own lips. It disappeared once his locker slammed shut.
"Hey Róngyù. What were you and Mya talking about?" a boy half Iroh's sized ask. Hundan was his name. Bullying was his game. A fifth grader with a bad rep, attitude and breath to match.
Iroh stood there quietly trying to regain his composure after being scared out of his skin. "N-Nothing."
"N-n-n-n shut up!" Hundan said shoving Iroh in the shoulder. The principal was rounding the corner which Hundan caught out of the corner of his eye. "I'll see you later Róngyù," he said shoving Iroh out of his way and into the lockers.
Iroh's back hit the metal pretty hard getting people's attention.
The principal walked up to him not noticing Hundan slipping pass him. "Iroh are you okay?" he asked concerned.
Iroh took deep breaths to calm himself down. "Yes," he lied. He knew if he told the truth about Hundan that he wouldn't leave him alone.
"Are you sure?" the man asked again. He could tell something was off.
Iroh stood up straight and fixed the collar to his jacket. "Yes Principal Gyatso," he said picking up his book bag and walking down the hall to his next class.
Asami was working the phones and going by the manual for the past couple of hours. The job was pretty easy compared to the one she had at her fathers company. Even if it wasn't much of a challenge, she was grateful for the opportunity.
A loud whistle got everyone's attention in the office. Asami looked up from her cubical like everyone else seeing their boss Kuvira who strolled in late. Once they made eye contact, Asami saw Kuvira waving her over to come into her office.
Kuvira walked in and plopped down in her seat. Asami came in a few seconds later. "Close the door. Have a seat," she said turning on her computer. Asami did as she was told and took a seat once the door was closed. "You know despite our history I'm glad you're here," she said looking Asami's way for a brief moment.
Asami wasn't sure if that was true or not and chose not to respond. She took a black folder out of her brown satchel and placed it on Kuvira's desk. "Baatar told me to give these to you," she said sliding the folder over to Kuvira.
Kuvira looked at the folder and took it in her hands. "First name basis," she commented as she opened up the folder. Asami cringed a bit knowing how Kuvira was about Baatar and her very possessive ways. Kuvira looked up from the folder and snickered, "I'm joking! I know you both have that whole prodigy of the family bonding shit going on," she said with a not so friendly smile. It was more creepy than anything as far as Asami was concerned.
"Anyway! I know I've accused you of a lot of things even attacked you last new years but I wanna put that behind us. Start fresh. What do you say?" Kuvira said genuinely.
Asami didn't trust a word that came out of that psychos mouth but agreed. "I'd like that."
"Good so before we start. I'd like to make something clear," Kuvira said as she turned to her computer pulling up Asami's file. "I'd like our relationship to be professional in the office at all times. So no Kuvira this. Kuvira that. Just strictly Kinzoku," she explained skimming Asami's credentials. "Outside? Who gives a flying ferret feces," Kuvira said making eye contact with Asami again. "Call me whatever you want. Hell you deserve it after I threw that wine bottle at you."
"You didn't throw a wine bottle at me," Asami said with concern in her voice.
Kuvira looked at her confused and shrugged her shoulders. "Well I threw it at somebody. Point is we are starting fresh," she said leaning back in her seat. She placed her feet up at the end of her desk and took out her tablet."I know this is all just a trial period for you but I don't want those dipsticks out there to know," she said starting to play angry hawks. "Thinking you're getting special treatment because your friends with the boss," she said with a chuckle. "So again it goes back to being professional. DIE MOTHERFUCKER!" she said making one of her hawks attack a field mouse in the game. "You understand?" Kuvira said pausing the game and looking back up at Asami.
"Yes," Asami said quickly wanting to get out of there.
Kuvira stared at her for a few seconds with a confused expression. "Alright," she said unpausing her game and getting back to it.
Asami sat there for a few minutes hearing screeching and cries from the game Kuvira was playing. "Can I go now?" she asked unsure if their conversation was over.
"Of course!" Kuvira said pausing her game again. She pointed at Asami giving her a certain look, "remember professional not personal."
"Gotcha," Asami said with a nod before standing up and leaving the office. She closed the door and walked back to her cubical. She sat down and took a deep breath after such an awkward encounter.
A guy in the cubical next to her stood up and leaned against the thin wall. "She can be a bit weird at times but you get use to it," he commented.
Asami turned around in her chair and nodded, "yeah I know."
"Lee Chan," he said extending his hand to introduce himself.
"Asami Róngyù," she said taking his hand and shaking it.
Lee let go of her hand and flashed a smile. "You'll do fine here."
Asami squinted her eyes at his assumption. "How do you know?"
"Mmm.. a feeling," he said before sinking back down into his cubical.
Asami chuckled lightly and turned back around to her desk.
Iroh came into the dining hall around noon. He walked around with his lunch box in hand.
"There he is!" Mya said waving Iroh over to her table.
Iroh could see Mya in the distance and smiled. He began to walk up to her table until he saw Hundan standing a few feet away at another table.
Hundan gave Iroh a slit throat gesture with his thumb as a warning not to proceed.
Iroh stopped in his tracks looking from Hundan back to Mya. He wanted to sit next to his friend but knew if he did that would cause trouble. He gulped and walked to an empty table. He sat down with his back toward Mya's table.
Mya watched as Iroh ignored her. She lowered her hand in disappointment as her friends continued to talk.
Iroh opened the box and began to eat his lunch by himself for the millionth time. He could hear Hundan and his friends laughing not too far away. The shame of it all was making him lose his appetite.
Asami saw it was close to 5 o'clock at the bottom of her computer screen. People were already gathering their things from their desk and break room.
Kuvira came out of her office and cleared her throat. "Hey I need everyone's attention!" she said holding her hand in the air. "Looks like we're gonna be here for a few more hours," she said hearing a bunch of groans. "I know I know but you'll all have to sit tight until this Varrick situation is sorted out," she said heading back into her office.
"Varrick?" Asami questioned.
Lee popped up again from his cubical to answer her question. "Yeah one of our biggest clients and tools I've ever met. He runs a game software company and lately its been crashing like crazy," he explained looking around the office to see if anyone was going to sneak off like last time.
Fae's cubical was across from Asami's as she chimed in. "Ever since Miss Moon quit its been happening a lot. Not that I'm complaining. Its more money in our pockets but when you have a tech legend at your side you don't take that for granted," she said fiddling with her phone.
Asami understood the situation but needed to leave soon to pick up her son. "I gotta go," she said getting up and walking to Kuvira's office. She knocked on the door and waited for a response. Getting one, Asami walked inside, "sorry to interrupt like this," she said closing the door behind her.
"What can I do for you?" Kuvira asked glancing from her computer over to Asami.
Asami approached Kuvira's desk with caution. She took a deep breath and said, "I need to leave soon to pick up my son from school."
Kuvira sat back in her chair a bit dumbfounded before speaking. "I don't want you to take this the wrong way but you can't," she said bluntly. "Remember that conversation we had early about special treatment. If I let you go now. Everyone would want to go. Now does that sound fair?" she asked waiting for an answer.
Asami sighed knowing this was a bad idea but had to push on it. "No it does not but I need to pick up my son."
"I get that. I do. Again you can't," Kuvira repeated. "Let me give you an example. An employee... Jones was it?" she tried to recall. "Wanted to leave because his wife was in labor. Labor! Ha!" she laughed. "Can you believe it? Nerve of that guy."
"I understand but I have no one to pick up my son," Asami said not wanting to go over her head to Baatar.
Kuvira rubbed the back of her neck a bit annoyed with how this conversation was going. "If you want this job you have to prove it," she explained. "A lot of those dipsticks out there don't have the same problems you do. They come to work. They stay as late as they can. Some over 12 hours because they take this job seriously. They put in work. You need to do the same. Stay until you're no longer needed. That's it," she said leaving it as that.
Asami was fuming from the inside but nodded in agreement. "Alright," she said ready to exit the office.
"Wait.." Kuvira said holding her hand up. She sat up and grabbed her office phone handing it to Asami. "Go ahead call who you need too so your son won't be stranded. Dial 9 first," she said with a smile.
Asami looked at the phone and back at Kuvira. "I'm good," she said before leaving the office.
Kuvira shrugged her shoulders and said, "suit yourself."
Asami walked back to her cubical and sat down in a huff. She took out her cell phone and dialed Bolin's number. She listen for a few minutes only getting his voicemail. She tried him again but no answer. "Shit.." she said calling Opal's cell phone next. No answer again. She then tried her house phone next.
Korra heard a car honking outside and knew it was her cab. She stood up and grabbed her tactical backpack and duffel bag. She heard the house phone going off and figured it was nothing. She opened up the front door and sat her duffel bag down. She waved to the cabbie and started to pat her pants for the house key.
Before she found it, the voicemail when off. "Hey its Asami. Sorry to call you guys like this but I have no one to pick up Iroh from school."
Korra shot her head over to the machine when she heard Asami's voice.
"My boss won't let me leave and I'm running out of options. When you get this please call me ba-"
"Hello?" Korra said practically diving for the phone trying to answer it.
"Korra?" Asami said surprised she was still there.
Korra stood up and brushed off her pants. "Yeah its me. Everything alright?"
"No my boss is keeping me hostage and I have no one to pick up Iroh," she said turning around in her chair hoping her conversation was private. Asami took a deep breath scared to ask but did, "look I know you're getting ready to leave... but I really need someone to pick him up," she said trying to ask. "Do you think you can?"
Shocked by her question, Korra stood there zoning out a bit. "A..." she said only to hear the cab honk its horn again. "Yeah.. yeah. I'll be there to pick the little guy up," she said gesturing for the cabbie to wait.
Asami sighed in relief, "you are a life saver," she said with a smile. "I will be home as soon as I can. Thank you so much."
"Alright. Your welcome. Later," Korra said before hanging up. "Shiiit," she said walking back toward the door and gathering her things. She closed the front door locking it up and walked up to the cab. She got inside and sat her duffel bag across from her and leaned forward toward the driver. "United Republic Academy please," she said giving directions. She pulled her backpack off and looked at the time on her watch. There was no way she was going to get the kid home and get to the train station in less than 25 minutes.
Iroh was close to the main entrance of the building when his emergency phone went off. He took it out of his pocket and saw a text message from his mother. It read: Sorry Roh wont b able 2 pick u up. Stuck at work. Don't worry Korra will. Wait 4 her in the main office. He sighed in disappointment and walked back toward the main office.
The cab pulled up to the front of the school. Korra paid the guy and got out of the car. Before he could leave, Korra came up to the passengers side. "Hey I'm a just be in and out so can you wait here for a few minutes, five tops?" she asked with the guy giving her a nod in response. "Thanks," she said grabbing her duffel off the ground and slinging her backpack back on her shoulder.
Walking inside of the school, Korra looked around feeling nostalgic. "Whoa..." she said seeing how different the school had become. The colors and atmosphere stayed the same but it had evolved into something completely different. Ms. Jīngshén! Well not that different.
Korra turned around after hearing her name being called. "Principal Gyatso. Hello..." she greeted reluctantly.
"When Mrs. Róngyù called and said you were picking up Iroh, I must admit I thought I miss heard the name given but here you are," he said in an optimistic tone of voice. Principal Tenzin Gyatso. A 6 foot 4 bald walking bore with a good heart and long robes that look like he could soar. "Its good seeing you again," he said placing a heavy hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks..." Korra said wanting out of this conversation. She knew how Principal Gyatso could drag a conversation out. He often put kids to sleep over the morning announcements when she attended school here. She wouldn't be surprised if it still occurred. "Well I got a cab waiting out front for us so..."
Tenzin removed his hand from her shoulder and gave a nod. "Right. Well follow me," he said walking a head of her to lead her to the main office. He looked over his shoulder with a light chuckle. "In case you forgot where it is," he said amused at how many times Korra was sent there during her time as a student.
Korra shook her head with a sigh. "Like I could forget."
It didn't take long for them to get there. Tenzin opened the door allowing Korra to walk in first. She rounded the secretaries desk and saw Iroh sitting in the waiting area. "Hey kid ready to roll?" she said pointing her thumb at the door.
Iroh looked at her with a displeased expression and stood up from his chair.
Korra moved out of his way and followed him through the door. "I got a cab waiting outside for us."
"Ms. Jīngshén," Tenzin said again.
Before the door could close, Korra put her foot back in to stop it. "Yeah?" she asked a bit puzzled.
He pointed at the clipboard on the front desk. "You need to sign out before you go."
Korra would have face palmed herself if her hands weren't full. "Right," she said coming back inside.
"Wait up!" Korra said lightly jogging down the steps. Iroh waited on the curb for her. She came up to him and looked around not spotting the cab. "You gotta be kidding me," she said still looking around. "He was here a minute ago."
"I thought you were leaving?" Iroh said still baffled as to why she was here.
Korra looked down at him and shrugged, "change in plans," she said thinking on how she was gonna get him home. "How about..." she said spotting a bus stop. "We take the bus," she suggested pointing in its direction.
Iroh gave her a questionable look in response before saying. "The bus?"
"Yeah. Come on," she said walking down the end of the street toward the bus stop.
The bus pulled up a few minutes later. Korra let Iroh go out ahead of her. "Find us a seat," she said sitting her duffel bag down. She took out her wallet and paid with a boat load of change she wanted to get rid of.
Iroh found a double seat near the front and sat by the window. Korra picked up her bag and placed it down near the aisle seat next to him. She took off her backpack and sat it on her lap.
"Where are the seat belts?" Iroh asked looking behind him.
"There are none," Korra replied. She chuckled at the look on his face. "First time on the bus huh?"
Iroh frown a bit but it quickly dissolved at her question. "Yeah," he answered sitting back feeling his feet dangle.
Korra smiled with a nod. "You'll get use to it."
After a comfortable silence, Korra looked out the window and back at Iroh. "I know you're pretty bummed out that your mom couldn't pick you up," she said getting his attention. "But she'll make it up to you."
Iroh stared at Korra but didn't respond. Instead, he looked back out the window not recognizing the area. "Do you know where we're going?" he asked seeing they were further downtown than up.
Korra looked out the window again this time actually reading a street sign. "Nope," she said turning around and looking at the other patrons on the bus. "Excuse me," she said asking the woman sitting across from her. "Do you know if this bus is heading toward Dragon Flats Borough?"
The woman shook her head no and said, "its heading downtown near central station. You'll want to take the bus across the street to get to dragon flats," she said pointing on the other side of the street.
"Thanks," Korra said to the woman as the bus started to move again. Korra turned back to Iroh, "so... when the bus stops again we're gonna get off and go across the street and take that one okay?" she said knowing he was already annoyed.
"Sure," Iroh said still looking out the window.
An elderly woman started to walk toward them. Korra spotted her and picked up her duffel bag from the floor. She placed her tactical backpack on her shoulder and grabbed a handle above her head. "You can sit here ma'am," she offered nodding her head to the seat next to Iroh.
Iroh looked at the older woman than back at Korra confused.
The woman was grateful and started to thank Korra until she saw the brace on her leg. "Oh I can't. Your leg," she gestured with her index finger.
"Its as stubborn as I am ma'am so please have a seat," Korra gestured again. The woman thanked her and took a seat right beside Iroh.
Iroh made eye contact with the elderly woman and said hello as she greeted him. He looked to Korra who was pulling her backpack up on her shoulder with one hand while holding on to a handle with the other. Her duffel bag snug between her legs not able to escape.
Korra looked back down at him with a smirk on her lips. He was starting to smile back but looked away and back out the window.
The duo got off at the next stop and headed across the street. Korra saw a guy leaning up against the ad sign listening to music. She came up to him and waved to get his attention. "Excuse me," she said just as he pulled out an ear bud. "Do you know which bus stops at Dragon Flats?"
"Number 15 but it hasn't come yet," He gestured to the road up ahead.
"Thanks," Korra said with a nod. Iroh sat down on a near by bench with Korra sitting next to him. "You hungry?"
Iroh looked to Korra shaking his head no. The thought of food reminded him of eating lunch alone again. He felt bad for not sitting with Mya but had no other choice. Korra could tell something was wrong but wasn't sure how to address it. Before she could ask anything he said, "I just wanna go home," while swaying his feet back and forth.
Korra looked across the street and back at Iroh. "I'll get you there," she said placing a hand on his shoulder. The bus showed up a few minutes later with them getting on to head home.
Finally arriving home, Iroh opened the door with the key his mom gave him this morning.
Korra came inside after him and placed her bags down by the side of the couch. "You need some help with homework or anything?" she asked taking a seat on the couch.
"No," Iroh replied after locking the door. He began to head toward his room but stopped in his tracks. He turned back around to face Korra again. "Thanks... for getting me home."
Korra raised a brow in surprised and showed a small smile. "You're welcome."
Iroh nodded and walked down the hall to his room.
Korra heard the door close a few seconds later and sighed with a smile. "Progress..."
Asami came home 5 hours later. She stayed in the office for almost 15 hours for nothing. She wasn't needed at all. The problem was fixed with in a half an hour but no one informed any of the staff until later. She would quit on the spot if she didn't need this job.
Opening the front door, Asami saw Korra sitting on the couch. "Hey," she greeted with a bag of containers in her hand. "Bought some food in case you both were hungry. How'd it go?"
"We got a little lost on the way over here but we're still in tact so... as good as can get," Korra replied with a tired expression.
Asami walked in the kitchen and placed the bags down on the counter. "How was Iroh?" she asked wondering if he was alright.
Korra thought on it and looked toward the hall, "fine not really hungry," she said looking back at Asami with concern.
"Thank you again for picking him up," Asami said taking off her jacket and placing it on a hook.
"No problem..." Korra said rubbing the back of her neck.
Asami came over to Korra and handed her a container of food, "sorry again for causing you to miss your train," she said sincerely. "I'll pay for your next one."
Korra took the container and opened it up getting a whiff of the food. "Its alright. As many trains as I've missed recently I wonder if I should even get on it," she said picking up a plastic fork and pushing her food around with it.
"Funny you should say that... because there's something I want to ask you," Asami said with a worried look on her face.
Korra looked up at her with a cautious expression. "What is it?"
"Its nothing bad," Asami said taking a seat next to Korra. She looked at her friend with a serious expression and took a deep breath before continuing. "I don't know how my schedule is gonna pan out just yet. After what happen today, I don't want Iroh waiting around for me to pick him up never to show so..." she said scared to go on. "I was thinking and it was just a thought. That maybe... you could?" she said squinting her eye a bit as if to flinch.
Korra plastic fork dropped out of her hand and into the container from what Asami was asking.
The look on Korra's face made Asami start to panic. She knew it was an overbearing thing to ask so she started to talk a lot faster than she should. "I was considering letting him stay at school but its so late in the semester they wouldn't have a place for him. I would have asked Opal but with her nana sick it was just to much to ask so... you're my last hope," she said finally catching her breath. "I know this is a lot on such short notice and I understand if you can't-" she said being cut off by Korra before she could continue.
"I'll do it," Korra replied.
Asami was surprised by such a quick answer. "Are you sure? You don't want to think about it a little longer or anything?"
"Yeah I'm sure," Korra said without hesitation. She knew Asami needed help with everything that was going on. It was too much too soon for either her or her son to process. If Korra could help to ease that just a little she would.
Asami felt a wave of emotions rush over her all at once. She draped her arms over Korra's shoulders and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you... thank you so much," she said in a low tone of voice.
Korra rubbed Asami's back with her free hand and held the container in the other. "You're welcome."
They both pulled away a few seconds later. Asami wiped around her eyes and smiled at Korra. "I'm gonna check on Iroh," she said getting up from the couch.
Korra nodded and started to eat her lo mein. She then thought about the commitment she just made and wonder if it was the right move. "What am I doing?" she asked herself.
Asami knocked on Iroh's door and heard him say 'come in'. She opened the door and stepped inside. "Hey..." she said coming up to the side of his bed. "New book?" she asked pointing to the one in his hand.
"Yeah," Iroh answered putting it down.
Asami took a seat next to him and placed a hand on his knee. "Sorry for not showing up today," she said disappointed in herself. She knew how Iroh felt when she didn't pick him up. It was the same feeling he had when his father never showed up when he was suppose. Reason why she sent a text instead of calling. Hearing the sadness in his voice would have crushed her.
Iroh could see the distant look in his mothers eyes and placed his hand on top of hers. "Its okay. You'll be there tomorrow," he said to cheer her up. He didn't want her to feel bad because she missed one day.
"I'm not sure if I'll be able too..." Asami said ready for a blow up any minute now. "But Korra will."
Iroh removed his hand slowly and pushed himself back against his pillow. "But I want you to be there," he said understanding the situation but not accepting it.
Asami reached for his hand again, "I know," she said feeling him snatch it away. "I know how hard this is. Its hard for me too," she said with tears filling up in her eyes. "But its only temporary until I get things situated."
Iroh looked away from her. He was upset and didn't want to talk anymore but knew he had to give her an answer. "Okay."
Asami knew that was the best response she was going to receive after a long day. She stood up and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Bought you your favorite. Its in the kitchen whenever you're ready to eat," she said before walking toward the door. She stopped at the door and looked back at her son. "Please... give Korra a chance."
Iroh looked up at his mother with a blank stare. "I'll try."
"Thank you," she said before leaving his room.
Korra took her brace off and stretched her leg out when Asami came back into the room. "You told him?" Korra gestured toward the hall.
"Sure did," Asami said sitting back down next to Korra.
"He doesn't like me very much," Korra said with a chuckle.
Asami gave her a look and lightly nudged her arm against hers. "You'll grow on him," she said stealing one of the shrimps from Korra's lo mein.
Korra laughed and shook her head. "Like I did with you?"
Asami smirked and said, "some what," trying to steal another only for Korra to hold it out of her reach.
"Hey hey, you got your own. You know they're stingy with these things," Korra debated with a grin.
"True..." Asami said looking down at the floor. She stayed quiet for a few minutes before speaking again. "Thanks again for doing this..."
Korra noticed the change in tone and cleared her throat. "No problem."
Asami looked back at Korra with a soft expression, "no I mean it. I'm glad you're here," she said with a small smile.
Korra looked at her a bit stunned by her words. "A... yeah. Me too," she said looking away. She cleared her throat and tried to change the subject, "I'm a stop by Bolin's tomorrow see if they'll let me crash there a little longer," she said stuffing her mouth full of noodles.
"Nonsense. You can stay here with us," Asami offered.
"Nah don't want to put you guys out," Korra said chewing her food like a hippo-cow.
Asami placed her hand on Korra's forearm to get her attention. "You're not. Trust me," she said wondering if Korra was having second thoughts. "Is it the couch?" she asked placing her hand on the back of it. She felt around the cushions and began to bounce on it. "Because if it is you can have my bed."
Korra choked when she said bed and patted her chest hard with her fist. "No.." she said still a bit choked up. "No no the couch is fine," she insisted.
"Are you sure?" Asami said not convinced.
"Yeah," she replied feeling her heart beat faster. Korra sat the container down on the coffee table and sat back on the couch. "How was your first day at work?" she asked while wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
Asami really didn't want to go off into a rant about it so she kept it simple. "Despite a few mishaps it was good," she said still containing the urge to rip off Kuvira's face.
Korra spotted how hard Asami was gripping her water bottle and figured not to push any further. "You'll pull through," she said with a smile.
"I hope so... I'm gonna get some rest," Asami said easing her grip. She stood to her feet and walked in the kitchen. Putting Iroh's food away, Asami came back into the living room. "Goodnight Korra."
"Goodnight Asami," Korra said with a nod watching her friend disappear down the hall.