Summary: Tensions rise when Korra begins to suspect an ally is working for the Equalists.

It had taken a bit of convincing on Korra's part, but eventually Tenzin caved and made arrangements for Mako and Bolin to live on Air temple island. Immediately after he had agreed, Korra rode over on Naga to the damaged arena, finding the brothers packing up the belongings in their apartment, reminiscing about the good times they had there. However, when she told them the news, they seemed more uncomfortable than relieved.

"Wow, Korra. That sounds really awesome and we'd love to come live you buuuut...", Bolin said while he trailed off and started rubbing the back of his neck.

"Asami already offered to let us live with her and her dad at the Sato estate", Mako finished, sparing his brother from breaking the news. Korra must have appeared disappointed upon hearing this, because Bolin appeared apologetic and about to offer an explanation or an apology, but she tried to play it off before he could.

"Eh, don't worry about it. This way you get to live the life of luxury, right?", Korra said with a tone that she hoped was reassuring. "Plus, now you won't have to deal with the lecture Tenzin planned for you". That got a small smile out of him, with hers becoming more genuine in response.

"Hey, Korra". The realization that Asami was in the room with them had made things more awkward on the Avatar's part. "I was hoping you'd stop by".

"I was about to head back out, actually". Korra didn't have any jealousy towards Mako's girlfriend anymore, but she couldn't help feeling annoyed with her for ruining what she had planned. "I'll see you guys some other time."

"How about tomorrow?", Asami offered. "I'd love for you to come by and visit the estate".

"I don't know...there's a lot of stuff going on right now I need to deal with". That wasn't a lie on Korra's part. Now that she wasn't participating in the pro bending tournament anymore, Tenzin had made the suggestion that she resume trying to learn meditation and airbending. That was in addition to Tarrlok pestering her to rejoin his task force, if only to show off for the city that he was the one that should be leading the charge against Amon instead of Lin.

"Aw, come on Korra!" A high-pitched voice she didn't recognize caused her to look and see that her boyfriend was holding Pabu up to his face in an effort to make her reconsider. "You deserve a little rest and relaxation after all this craziness. We could take a swim in Asami's pool. It'll be fun"! Even the fire ferret was encouraging her, making swimming motions with his paws.

"All right, Pabu". It wasn't the way she had hoped, but at least she'd be able to spend some time with him.

"Great, we'll see you tomorrow", said Asami.

After leaving the apartment and arena, Korra went to the police station to meet with Tenzin and Lin, who were in the middle of interviewing about his account of what happened during the finals the other night.

"Hey, Korra".

It was good that he said something, because she probably wouldn't have even recognized Tahno otherwise. His demeanor was completely different, slumping over on the bench while staring at the ground, bags under his eyes and his normally styled hair a complete mess. It made her wonder how the gang leaders at Amon's rally were handling their fate, while pushing away any thoughts of what Bolin would be like if she and Mako hadn't been quick enough before.

"Listen, I know we're not exactly pals, but I'm sorry about Amon taking your bending."

"Thanks. I've been to the best healers in the city, but whatever Amon did to me, it's permanent. You gotta get him for me, please". Korra gave him a nod, but couldn't help feeling a small panic internally about Amon's ability to take away bending being proven true.

A few seconds later Hiroshi Sato appeared with Tenzin and Lin, the businessman promising to do whatever he could to bring the Equalists to justice. Korra didn't know much about the man apart from the sponsorship of their team or the few interactions with his daughter, but he seemed trustworthy at a glance.

(-)

The next morning after meditation, Korra decided to follow through on her agreement to visit the mansion. After climbing the gigantic estate stairs, she was greeted at the door by who she assumed was one the servants at the mansion. She then got escorted through multiple hallways that eventually led to a room with a large pool that contained Mako and Asami, with Bolin and Pabu jumping off the fountain statue to create a large splash that ended up soaking the other two occupants. Mako explained that they had settled in quickly, although Asami had forgotten to actually ask her dad if they could stay, to which she responded that she smoothed it over and said "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission".

Korra took note of the irony a little bitterly, since that was her usual way of handling things with Tenzin. And the one of the few times she had actually tried to be responsible had led to her being spurned for someone who had used her normal tactics. However, few chirps from Pabu caused her to look and see the fire ferret totally soaked while resting on the completely relaxed Bolin, floating along in the pool without a care in the world. At least he seems like he's enjoying himself.

"So anyway, what do you have planned for us today", Korra asked Asami. "Shopping? Makeovers?"

"Ooh! I vote makeovers!", Bolin suggested as he used one arm to splash a little water in Mako's direction.

"Actually, I had something a little more exciting in mind. Just gotta dry off first", Asami said as she used the ladder to climb.

With that, Bolin pushed himself out of the pool and called over to her. "Korra, this guy is the greatest, check it out!" He then cleared his throat and put on a serious face. "Please, good sir, fetch me my towel", he said with a formal tone.

"Yes, Master Bolin", the butler complied.

"Master Bolin! Ha, I love this guy". As Pabu climbed on his head, Bolin asked to be patted dry, which the butler did with a technique that Korra wondered was more efficient than waterbending.

"Excellent job, but please, don't forget master Pabu".

"Wouldn't dream of it, sir". The poofy mess the fire ferret became on top of Bolin's grinning face was one of the cutest things Korra had ever seen.

"Like I said, he's the greatest", Bolin said as he gave the man a hug strong enough to lift him off of the ground. The butler looked shocked at first at receiving such strong affection, but then gave a small smile and pat on Bolin's arm, probably a signal that he wanted to be put down.

(-)

Asami gave Korra a pleasant surprise when she led the four of them to a racetrack not far from the mansion itself. When they got there, the heiress explained that this was where Sato industries test-drives their new satomobiles. Sometime while watching though, Korra decided to lean her head against Bolin, her temple resting on his shoulder while he responded by taking her hand in his. Taking a look down at their fingers intertwined, she couldn't help but wonder if this had just turned into a double date.

"Pretty cool, huh?", Asami asked with a hint of self-satisfaction.

Korra had to admit it was way better than shopping or a makeover.

"Have you ever been behind the wheel of a satomobile?"

"The only thing I know how to steer is a polar bear dog". Even that gave her some difficulty, remembering all the things and people Naga had run into when they first arrived in Republic city.

"You want me to take you for a spin?" Korra looked up at her with wide eyes and a big grin on her face. "Sure!"

The experience she'd had in the passenger seat was unlike anything she'd thought it would be, from the speed of the wind in her hair, the thrill of overtaking the other driver, and the slight fear when the two satomobiles touched. When they pulled over after winning the race, Korra had to admit that she didn't think they'd make it, with Asami joking that she enjoyed mixing it up.

Korra then decided to apologize to her, admitting that she misjudged her based on her father's wealth. Asami explained it was a common misconception for people to assume she was daddy's helpless little girl, and that she'd actually been taking self defense classes since she was a little girl.

Once the group returned to the mansion, Bolin sped off to the bathroom, claiming it was an emergency. Asami gave Korra directions to a powder room upstairs, first door on the right, as she needed to go as well, but not as much as Bolin apparently had to. While washing her hands, she noticed a powder sponge right next to the sink. As Korra picked it up she wondered if this was how Asami put on makeup. Apparently not, she realized as she emerged from the cloud of powder she had accidentally created in the middle of a coughing fit. Once that subsided, she heard a voice coming from behind a closed door.

"No, I assure you, everything is going exactly as we planned". The voice sounded somewhat familiar to Korra, so she snuck up to get a better idea of what they were saying. "Yes. Luckily, the Cabbage Corp investigation has bought us some more time". At that she peered through the keyhole to see a man on the phone, seated behind a desk. "Trust me, by the end of the week..." (Mr. Sato?) "we'll be ready to strike!"

Korra quickly hurried away from the door, trying to process what she just witnessed. She remembered Lin telling her about the raid on cabbage corp finding plenty of evidence based on an anonymous tip. Did Mr. Sato frame his business rival to throw off suspicion of his own actions? Was he the one actually working with the equalists?

She had to leave. She had to tell Tenzin and the chief. Asami and the others seemed disappointed that she had to go so soon, but Korra made an excuse about having to babysit Tenzin's children, while pretending not to hear Bolin's offer of assistance.

Later that day outside the police station, Lin and Tenzin agreed that what Korra had heard was enough to look into Hiroshi Sato. They also explained that the man had a good motive as well. Apparently twelve years ago a firebender had broken into the Sato estate and killed his wife and the mother of his child.

Korra felt grief and pity for the family for hearing that, remembering how Mako had told her about how he and Bolin lost their parents, and the effect it had on both of them. Her thoughts refocused when Tenzin mentioned the event could have created a hatred for benders that he's secretly harbored all this time, and Korra reminded herself of her duty to protect Republic city from the equalists.

(-)

As Mako and Asami walked away, Korra was stroking Naga's fur, trying not to let her frustration with the situation boil over. It wasn't a total surprise that the search of Future Industries hadn't revealed any criminal activity, considering that Mr. Sato wouldn't have agreed to a factory search if there was a risk of exposing criminal activity. However, his explanation of cabbage corp and being ready to strike hadn't sat well with her, and the slight condescension she felt when the man blamed her "overactive imagination" reminded Korra of Tenzin's theory of secret animosity towards benders.

However, the main source of her anger was her interaction with Mako. When Korra had told him and Asami about her suspicions of Hiroshi, he had seemed angrier about it than the daughter of the man Korra was accusing. After the search of Future Industries was completed by the police ,

Mako and her had a falling out. His decision to stand by Asami and her father wasn't surprising, although it hurt when he told her that continuing the investigation would end their friendship. But when Mako accused her of only doing this out of jealousy of him and Asami, Korra had to resist the temptation to slap him. "Does he really think that little of me?" she thought. "That I'm only thinking about him when I'm with his brother? Even if I was jealous, does he think I'm petty enough to have his girlfriend's dad arrested because he's not dating me"? The frustration in her dwelled when she realized the impact their fight would have on her actual relationship.

"Korra, wait"!

Bolin had been unusually quiet the entire time while they had investigated Mr. Sato, probably to avoid saying something that might put him in a bad position with her or Mako. It would be like him to try and keep everyone happy. But he wasn't going to be able things as they were before.

"Bolin, if you're going try to talk me out of looking into Mr. Sato, don't b-".

"No, I wanted to help you," he interrupted.

She turned around, unable to hide her surprise hearing that. "Wait, what?"

"Look, I saw you and Mako talking. You both looked mad, and I'm guessing since he left with Asami that he thinks Mr. Sato is innocent and you don't".

"Something like that".

"And you're only doing this because you're jealous of Asami, and if you keep this up he doesn't want to be friends anymore, right"?

Impressive. She shouldn't have been that surprised that he knew him so well though. They were particularly close, even for siblings, but that was likely a result of growing up on the street together, which was a bond she didn't want to come between.

"Yeah, pretty much. But Bolin, does Mako know you're doing this"?

"I guess", he shrugged. "I mean, he looked back at me when I wasn't leaving with him and Asami, and gave me that glare of his, so he probably has an idea of what I'm up to".

"Glare"?

"Yeah, you know" he paused to change his appearance, messing up his hair to imitate Mako, squinting his eyes, sticking out his jaw. "The glare".

Korra couldn't stop herself from laughing at his somehow both accurate and terrible impression. She really appreciated that he was always able to cheer her up like that. But she regained her composure once she remembered what the situation was.

"Look Bo, I appreciate you trying to help, but I don't want to get you in trouble with Mako too".

"I know, but we're brothers, and we're stuck with each other no matter what, so don't worry about that. Either way, this is bigger than me and him if Mister Sato is working with the equalists, and it's his problem if he can't see that. Those guys kidnapped me and nearly took my bending, and I owe you for stopping that".

"You don't have to help me because of that. I told you, it wasn't a big deal.", Korra said while looking at the ground

"Yes it is a big deal!" The earnesty in his voice caused her to look back up at him to see an encouraging smile. "You tracked me down, snuck into a rally full of equalists, and created that fog to get me out before Amon could do anything to me".

"Sorry". She ironically felt a little guilt at the compliment, not really thinking how scary the experience must have been for him, considering how terrified she felt in her own face-to-mask encounter with Amon.

"What are you saying sorry for? I just wanted you to give yourself some credit", he kept the smile on his face, while also wrapping an arm around her shoulder. She truly felt lucky in that moment, not just because of his support, but that she had told Bolin what had happened between her and Mako during the tournament earlier. It would have been much more awkward and uncomfortable to try to explain it now, and even worse if he'd found out about it from his brother.

Then Korra felt a small piece of paper being put in her hand. When she took a look at it, she realized that it was a note. After she read it to Bolin, Tenzin and Lin, they all went under the north end of the Silk Road Bridge at midnight, per the instructions that had been written. When they arrived, a warehouse worker told them that the gloves used by the equalists in the arena actually been manufactured by Hiroshi Sato. He also said there was a secret factory underneath the Sato mansion where there was a new weapon being made. Once they processed what the worker had told them they went to return home when Korra was stopped by Bolin.

"So, um, is that offer to live on air temple island still available? Because going back to the mansion now would be...awkward."

"It should be. Tenzin?" The man turned around when he heard his name. "Is it still okay for Bolin to stay with us on the island"?

"Of course, we still have rooms available in the boys dormitory". Then he had a stern look on his face. "But I'll warn you right now young man, any funny business with you and Korra and you'll be sleeping in the sky bison pen instead!"

The warning apparently went right over Bolin's head. "Ooh, you have a sky bison pen? That's so cool! I've never even seen a sky bison before!" He continued to ramble about how much he loved the animal, while Tenzin gave a sigh of exasperation and slight relief, any fears about Bolin's intentions apparently gone. However, he couldn't help giving Korra a flat stare with a raised eyebrow, and she gave the man an angry glare right back, as she felt he was questioning her taste in boys.

Tenzin gave an uncomfortable cough at that, and decided to move on. "Anyway, do you have anything else to bring with you right now?"

"Just Pabu". The fire ferret climbed back onto Bolin's shoulder as if on cue. "All my clothes are at the Sato mansion, but if you need me to I can make this outfit last a few d-"

"That won't be necessary", Tenzin interrupted. "We have air acolyte robes that should be your size to avoid any...hygiene issues." Bolin gave him a sheepish grin at that.

"Anyway, we should get home, it seems like we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Bolin, you should fly back with me on Oogi, since Korra will have to ride Naga through Yue Bay". The boy's giddiness at hearing that caused her to chuckle, while Tenzin smiled with an eye roll and went over to prepare the animal for leaving.

"Well uh, see you in a few minutes, I guess", Bolin said, moving closer with a slight uncertainty in his voice, and all Korra could say in that moment was "Yep".

Then he closed his eyes and leaned in, probably to kiss her on the cheek again, when she acted on an idea that suddenly popped into her head. Putting her hand on his face, Korra changed his movement and her position just slightly enough so that their lips pressed against each other instead. Bolin apparently hadn't noticed that his motion was changed until that moment, the way his eyes snapped open, but instead of backing away, he simply closed them with hers, allowing them to continue for just a few seconds.

When they pulled apart, Korra had a nervous smile on her face, Bolin was wide-eyed with a goofy grin, and they both had a deep red on their cheeks. Breaking eye contact for a brief moment, she noticed that Tenzin was still focused on Oogi, and decided to encourage Bolin to head over there before the man caught on.

Notes: I enjoyed the interaction between Bolin and Asami's butler on the show, so I changed it a little bit so the man's hard work wasn't for nothing. It also bugged me that Bolin wasn't there during the police searching future industries in the episode, so I changed that as well. Next chapter will have more of Bolin's perspective, I swear!