Major thank-yous are in order for the Hot and Beautiful haimako, thevillainclub, and noflexgirl254, as well as the equally amazing karkashan, Kay, unanymousdeen, cybercorpsesnake, Lady Elvira, Kechk, and Secret River Fan. If I didn't mention you I'm pretty sure I thanked you personally. :) Bonus shoutout goes to cybercorpsesnake for giving me the intel on how Baatar's conditions of release would likely go down. Onward!


Lin walked into her office, sighing as she took in the sight of the damages. The east wing had been buried in rubble from Kuvira's attack, and her office hadn't been spared. Her men had attempted to straighten things up before her arrival, but little could be done about the sunken wall or the obliterated bookcase. A third of her desk was crushed, but a quick bit of metalbending rendered it serviceable again, and she mentally congratulated herself for thinking to store the filing cabinets underground on the day of Kuvira's invasion. It would take months to repair the damage done to the city, and far more than a weekend to return her office and jail to its proper state. A crisp new folder, neatly labeled with black ink, was waiting for her on her desk, and she reached for the radio as she opened it. "This is Chief Beifong," she said. "Please connect me to the federal judge's office."

"Right away, chief." There was a moment of static as her call was transferred.

"Hello?"

"Saikhan? It's Lin." She thumbed through the file. "Think you can do that favor you owe me?"

"Of course, chief." Saikhan's voice sounded surprised, but there was no hesitation that Lin could discern. "How can I help?"

"I'm going to need you to come over and look at a bail request with me." She tore a scrap of paper, marking a page in Baatar's police report. "The sooner the better."

o0o

"You've got visitors," Lin said, knocking on the bars of Baatar's cell. "How was your first weekend as a convict?"

"Uneventful," he replied with a shrug. "There are only two major regrets that I have, and one of them is that I gelled my hair on the day of the invasion."

Lin kept her face impassive. "Yeah, I'd imagine it would feel pretty slimy and disgusting after a couple of nights.. but you're probably used to that."

Baatar inclined his head. "I probably deserved that."

"Someone's got to show you a bit of tough love, and I can't count on your mother to do it," Lin said. "But that reminds me. She and Baatar Senior are here to visit you, and they've brought your brothers and sister."

He turned his face away. "I'm not ready for visitors."

Lin seized the front of his uniform through the bars. "Listen to me, kid," she said, disgust evident in her tone, "I'm trying to be as fair as possible here. You've put your family through enough grief. The least you can do is at least pretend to appreciate what they're doing for you." She let go of him with a shove, and he stepped back from the bars, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't care if you're ashamed of yourself or if you just find them suffocating, but if you don't act grateful to see your parents and siblings again, I'll shred the release order before you get a chance to sign it."

Baatar frowned. "Release orders already? I haven't even asked for a bail request yet."

Lin brandished the file in front of his face. "The federal judge, Saikhan, was my captain around the time Amon's equalist movement was making headlines. After his short stint as chief of police, he was appointed by Raiko as the federal judge. He owes a lot of his success to me, and he was generous enough to expedite the process for you. We'll go over the conditions of your release soon, but if you don't watch your mouth I'll make sure you spend the time until your trial stuck in here." She tucked the papers into her belt. "And even Su won't be able to convince me otherwise."

Baatar smirked, and confusion flickered over Lin's face. "No wonder you and Mom butted heads."

"Don't change the subject."

Baatar sat down on the cot again, wresting his ankle on the opposite knee. "Thank you, Aunt Lin." He thought he saw her expression soften before she unlocked the cell door, cuffing his hands and leading him to the visiting room. "It's a shame you and Mom didn't reconcile earlier."

"It'll be a bigger shame if you carry a grudge against your family for as long as I did," Lin said, pausing and looking at him intently. He averted his eyes, and followed her through the hallway. A flicker of movement caught his eye as they passed the solitary wooden cells, and he turned quickly. "Keep moving," Lin said sharply. "You have visitors, you haven't been cleared to visit anyone yourself."

"She is in there, then," he said quietly. "I thought I saw her when I was being led to my cell... is she injured?"

"It'll be a while before she's at a hundred percent," Lin said shortly. "She sustained some relatively serious injuries during her fight with Korra, but we had a surgeon in to patch her up. She'll have to take it easy for the next few weeks, but that's not hard to do in solitary." She glanced at Baatar, a small sigh escaping her as she saw that his eyes were still fixed on her cell even as they continued on their way to the visiting room. "Her injuries aren't too severe," she said. "Nothing like what could have happened to you when she fired on the warehouse."

Baatar didn't say anything, at last tearing his eyes away from Kuvira's direction. He wondered if she had heard any of what he had said. There was so much he needed ask her, but perhaps it was for the best that Lin wouldn't allow it; he doubted he'd be able to sound coherent if he spoke with her unrehearsed. The sight of Opal already seated at the visitation table raised his spirits slightly, and he found himself smiling, raising his cuffed hands to wave at her. "It's good to see you again, little sister," he said, sitting down. "I'd give you a hug, but I don't think Aunt Lin is going to take the cuffs off."

"Come on, Lin," Su said, drumming her fingers on the tabletop with irritation. "He's not going to do anything."

"One of us has to follow the law," Lin said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'll give you all a bit of alone time."

For a moment, Baatar debated asking her to stay, but he hesitated too long and Lin was already standing out of earshot, her eyes trained on their table. "Thank you all for visiting me," he said awkwardly. "Should I start by apologizing again, or...?"

Wei and Wing traded looks, and then slapped him one after the other, his head turning from one side to the next and his glasses knocked askew. "That's for not breaking up with Kuvira once she went off the deep end," Wei said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"And that was for building her a giant kickass mecha-suit with a spirit death ray," Wing said, mirroring his brother's pose.

"I deserved that," Baatar said, massaging his jaw. "Careful though. You both haven't been slacking off with the weights, I see..."

"Neither have you," Wing said, punching him in the shoulder. "How much can you bench now?"

"Is it more than 350?" Wei said, punching his other arm. "Because it feels like it, and if it is-"

"-then it means you were a liar when you told us you couldn't move something," Wing finished.

Baatar pinched the bridge of his nose. "If I say yes, will you hit me again?" They both slapped him across the face, this time in tandem. He turned to Lin, swatting them away. "Are you just going to watch? How is this in any way in line with visitation protocol?" he called across the room.

"Sorry," she called back. "I can't hear you."

Baatar growled, turning his attention to Opal. "How is Bolin? I owe him my life."

Opal crossed her arms. "He's fine. Great, actually. How're you feeling?"

"Apart from Wei and Wing assaulting me, I'm fine," he said, rotating his shoulders. "I'm glad that you're both-"

His words were cut short when Opal blasted him in the face with a current of air. "That's for betraying Mom and Dad," she said.

"All right," Baatar said, holding up his hands. "I know I can't change what I did to our family. But if you stop blasting me for a minute-"

Her reply was to shoot another current of air at him, but this time he ducked. He felt a bit more at ease when he saw a smile pricking at the corners of her mouth. "We're listening," she said, her eyes hopeful.

"-I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make up for it," he said. "You have to believe me when I tell you that we only wanted to help our country," Baatar said, turning his attention to his mother. "We let things run too far, and I'm sorry I caused our family so much pain, but we-" He paused, the break in his speech all too palpable- "I only wanted a chance to prove myself. And I couldn't think of a better cause to devote my energy to than reuniting the emp- kingdom."

"And uniting yourself with Kuvira," Wei muttered. Wing bumped knuckles with him again, but they somehow managed to keep their expressions impassive. Opal giggled, and even Huan cracked a smile, but try as he might, Baatar could find no humor in the quip.

"Right," he said softly. "Well, you won't have to worry about that anymore... be happy."

"I can't be happy until you're happy again," Su said, resting her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, sweetie. Time away will make you forget all about Kuvira-"

"You never know what to say, do you?" Baatar said, shrugging her hand off. "I'd appreciate it if no one mentioned her name around me, if I'm perfectly honest."

An awkward silence descended upon them, and for a while it seemed as though the visit had ended. "No apology for throwing me in prison when I didn't bend the knee?" Huan said sullenly.

"I would," Baatar returned, "but you converted my room into an art studio. I think we're even."

"How does that make us even?!"

"You robbed the room of my individuality," Baatar retorted. "Do the math."

"You're in no place to make a joke like that, man," Huan said, unamused.

It still prompted a giggle from Opal, and he felt his face relax as she and twins laughed. "Dad," he said, noticing that his father's face remained serious, "may I talk to you and Mom alone?"

"Go bother your Aunt Lin, kids," Su said, shooing them away. Wei and Wing obliged, each giving Baatar a clap on the back that only hurt a little, and Opal hugged him tightly.

"I'm glad you're back," she whispered.

"I'm glad you're okay," he replied, wishing for the first time that his hands were un-cuffed so he could return her embrace.

Huan nodded stiffly. "I'll consider moving my masterpieces out once you're back home," he said. "I missed you," he added. "I look forward to becoming accustomed to your face again."

"That's... really touching, Huan. Thank you." He waited until all of his siblings were gathered around Lin, and turned back to his parents. "Dad, I'm sorry," he began.

"It's okay, Junior," Baatar Sr. said, reaching out an arm. "We're just glad that you're back with us-"

"No, I'm not finished yet," Baatar said, holding up his hands. "What I said to you back in Zaofu was out of line, but it wasn't untrue. I'm tired of helping with your projects, and I'm tired of being the engineer behind your architectural designs. You never listened to my ideas, and the entire world saw just how incredible they are a few days ago."

His father sighed. "If it had bothered you that much, you could have just told me, son."

"You were always so dismissive. The first time I had free reign over a project was with-" He caught himself before he said her name.

"You never told me how important it was to you," his father replied. "We always knew you were gifted. If you hadn't been trying to level Republic City and take over Zaofu, I would have been the proudest man alive to call you my son." His eyes were soft behind his glasses. "I missed having you in the lab for the past three years, Junior. We can work on more of your patents once all of this is over. I think there's a lot of potential in using those vines for energy, rather than spirit weapons."

He looked at his hands, unable to look his father in the face. "Actually, Varrick is probably patenting that as we speak..."

"It doesn't matter," Baatar Sr. said, patting his shoulder. "We'll work on any of your ideas. I know any one of them will be outstanding. It makes me wish I was dual trained." He paused. "Well, nothing weaponizable. That violates the terms of your release, doesn't it?"

Baatar smiled. "That it would."

"Are you ready to discuss the conditions of release with your aunt, Junior?" Su said, patting his hand. "I'm trying to see if Raiko will pardon you so you can spend the period until your trial at home with everyone-"

"Hold on, Su," his father said. "You're being ridiculous." Baatar's eyes widened with interest, and he waved his siblings over. There was an edge to his father's voice that he rarely heard when he addressed Su, and none of his siblings would want to pass up a chance to observe their parents arguing. Wei and Wing were the first to notice, and they hurried over, tugging Opal with them. Huan appeared content to bore Lin with his loquacious ramblings on the essence of modernist sculpture.

"How am I being ridiculous?" she asked sharply. "I'm trying to do what's best for the family."

"Dear, I know you think you're helping, but think about what's best for our son," Baatar Sr. said. "Do you really think forcing him to come home before he wants to is going to help fix your relationship with him?"

The twins exchanged looks with him. "I bet you Baatar's favorite drink that Mom flips out," Wing said.

"I'm not dumb enough to take that bet," Wei retorted.

"You don't even know what my favorite drink is," Baatar said, frowning.

"Whisky, straight, no chaser."

"He needs time away from the city," Su said, her voice rising. "He needs time with us to see that there's nothing missing in his life anymore-"

"There is something missing, and you're blinder than your mother if you can't see it." their father said, his voice cold. "Keeping him stuck in the lab didn't help me any, and bringing him home when he wants to stay here won't help you. Stop insisting that you know what he needs. I think he's old enough to know by now, and if he doesn't, he can deal with it on his own." Su looked livid, but he continued all the same. "Coddling our sons has only backfired, and if you haven't learned that, then you can't expect Junior to learn from his mistakes either."

"Did he just compare us to you?" Wei whispered to Baatar.

"I always knew Opal was the favorite," Wing muttered.

Su stared at Baatar Sr. for a while, her expression borderline murderous. "Fine." With a sharp gesture, she metalbended the collar of her husband's top over his face, and stormed away to go speak with Lin. The twins burst out laughing, bending it back into its correct place.

"She'll cool down," their father muttered. "She'll come back later and apologize. She always does."

"Kuvira did something similar, once," Baatar said without thinking. "I laughed when she messed up the routine she was choreographing on a slow day in the northern provinces, and suddenly the shoulder plate was over my mouth."

His father regarded him sadly. "Suyin saw a lot of herself in Kuvira. Do you think it would help to talk with her?"

Baatar looked down the length of the room, eyes on the hallway that would lead past her cell. "I don't think I can just yet. Let's discuss the terms of the release. I'll write the check to pay you both back as soon as I'm able.. at the moment, my assets are frozen."

"Worry about that later," Opal said, taking his arm. "Let's get you out of these cuffs, for now."

o0o

The conditions of release were simple. He was to remain in the United Republic and work for the federal government to aid in the rebuilding and expansion of Republic City. "You'll be working for Asami Sato and Varrick Industries," Lin said, "but don't expect a hefty cut of the profits. You'll have access to enough of your money to live acceptably, and of course failure to obey all laws with full compliance will result in your arrest again. And this time, there won't be anything I can do to help get you out."

"I understand," Baatar said, rubbing his wrists as she removed the cuffs and handed him a pen. "No mandatory security?"

"You aren't quite dangerous enough for that," Lin said. "That, and the fact that you're a Beifong lets you off a lot easier than you deserve. Don't screw it up. I'll be watching you like a hawk, since your parents won't be able to after next week."

"How long until the trial?" Baatar said, signing the documents.

"Potentially two years," Lin said. "I know Su is pushing Raiko to hurry up with yours, so the investigations will probably start in a matter of months, maybe even weeks if you're lucky. Don't expect to get off without some jail time either. You'll need a hell of a lawyer to help with your case."

"I'm more than aware," Baatar said, standing and following her down the hall to the waiting cab at the exit. "The sooner I can get back to work the better, though-" He stopped in his tracks, realizing which hallway they were in. He walked down the length of it slowly, ignoring Lin, stopping when he found the correct cell.

He could see Kuvira sitting on her cot, a newspaper in her lap and her hair in a braid. Her back was against the wall and her knees to her chest, but as if she could feel his gaze upon her, she turned to the wooden grid and their eyes locked.

Even in the dim lighting, he could tell that she had barely slept. Dark circles under her eyes gave her a tired, downtrodden appearance, and she sat hunched over, one arm wrapped around her abdomen. Her tank top appeared lumpy in places, leading him to suspect it hid bandages. His own hand went to his cheek, feeling the gauze over the stitched gashes without thinking. Kuvira's face was unmarked by battle wounds, but the brace on her ankle and the way she carefully shifted positions made it apparent that she wasn't fully recovered, even if she didn't need hospital attention. All of her armor was gone, and he wondered if she had willingly given up the ring or if it had been forcibly taken from her. The cell door had seen cleaner days, and he remembered with a curious sense of detachment that he had chosen the gloves with buckles over those without for her twenty-third birthday. For a moment, she looked like she was about to say something, and in the dark he couldn't be sure if her eyes glistened with malice or tears. It was almost frightening how quickly he doubted her expressions, when before the blast he had full confidence in his ability to read her face, even at its most impassive. Everything he had rehearsed in his head since the blast had left him, and he could only stare.

"Your parents are waiting for you!" Lin called from down the hall. "Don't make me come over there."

He looked at her one last time, tearing his eyes away as he hurried down the hall to the waiting cab and the overcast grey sky outside.

o0o

Kuvira's request for a newspaper had gone over well, but when she heard Baatar's voice for the second time that day, the words she read didn't register. She listened, hearing his voice trail off as his footsteps neared, becoming slow and deliberate. He was looking for her, she realized. He wanted to see her, but whether it was to kiss her or to curse her she didn't know. She heard the steps stop at her cell, and she slowly turned, her hand over her bandaged waist, and drank in the sight of him. He was disheveled but visibly unharmed, save for the gauze bandage over his right cheek and jaw. His footsteps had made it seem as though he walked with a slight limp, but as she observed him standing before her he appeared fine, unbent with his shoulders back. She felt his eyes flit over her and wondered if it was sympathy she saw in his gaze. Under different circumstances, he would have been attentive to the point of annoyance, his touch excessively gentle no matter how trivial the injuries. After she had willfully fired at him with what they jokingly had referred to as "her wedding present," that affectionate empathy was probably shattered. Now, as he looked at her appraisingly, his hand went to the bandage over his own injury. She felt words rise in her throat and then halt; suddenly she had no idea what to say.

She remembered the first time he was hurt in a skirmish nearly three years ago, growling in annoyance at the minor cut on his face despite her assurances that it would heal without leaving a mark. "Between you and me," she had said conspiratorially, "I've always been fond of men with a scar here or there. It's like a story waiting to be told." There would be no interesting story once his bandage came off and the stitches were removed, save that of his psychotic ex-fiancée. She felt her eyes welling up, and she blinked the tears back. A flicker of concern or revulsion crossed his face, but a call from Lin Beifong broke the spell and he left, glancing back once before he hurried down the hall, his slightly uneven footsteps growing faint.

Kuvira wasn't sure what she had expected to happen, but she felt wholly unsatisfied. "I should have said something," she muttered to herself, bringing her knees back to her chest. "'I'm so sorry' would have been an appropriate opener..." She kicked the newspaper off the cot, unable to retain anything she read even hours after she saw him. It wasn't until the jail was dark and the guards out of earshot that she allowed herself to cry, her tears silently spilling over as she swallowed her sobs with slow, forced breaths.

A/N: NOOOOO BB GURL HE LOVES YOU STILLLLL. Omg I wanted to just write a Kuvira-centered chapter and I can't because ahhhh the plot must be upheld. Thank you to all the wonderful peeps who favorited, followed, reviewed, and messaged me! Y'all rocked my world. STAY TUNED. Next chapter goes zero to 100 real f*ckin' quick.