~Chapter 12~

A good man?

Iroh took a labored breath. His chest was still stinging from the recent bandage change. He could sense activity going on outside but he hadn't seen anyone save Amon, a doctor, and a very familiar guard. His whole world had shrunk to two very small rooms, two small and very blurry rooms. Iroh cursed under his breath, he couldn't even read the clock on the wall.

"Something wrong general?"

Iroh turned to face the masked man standing in the doorway. "Oh, nothing just wishing I knew want bloody time it was and about how long I've been your…guest." If waterbending healing was so good, how come it couldn't save your father?

"Only a few days." Amon patted Iroh's head. "But in that time the world has gone to hell and everyone thinks it's because of me."

Iroh looked at Amon. "Well… is it?"

"No, I'm not a killer, not of the innocent." Amon sat down on Iroh's bed. "They bombed so many places, including your office, killed so many good people both bender and non-bender a tragedy really. I just wanted everyone to be equal but people just don't understand. Not like my people do, not like you do." He rested a hand on Iroh's shoulder. "Someone did this to divide to gain power. Can you really go back to them knowing what kind of monsters they are?"

"Why would I work for you?" Iroh glanced over at Amon. "You've caused me so much pain, kidnapped me, and tiered to take bending away from my wife's friend." Iroh sat you. "You give my wife nightmares because she dreams you're coming to get her. You terrify her." Iroh chuckled. "I'm not a monster so why should I work for you?"

"Because I saved your life, and I didn't kill all those people. I've killed no one, not even those officers. That was you general. When and if they ever examine the bodies they'll find they were dead before that grenade detonated in your office." Iroh couldn't see past Amon's mask but he guessed the man was smirking. "Your hands have more blood than mine ever will."

"Maybe in the literal sense but you've caused more collateral damage than I have."

"I never intended for someone to bomb a building and blame me!" Amon's voice was defensive. "I'm not that kind of monster."

"Then what kind of monster are you?" Iroh leaned back. "Why are you doing this Noatak? You're a bender, do you really have that much self loathing?"

Amon was quite for a moment as if trying to decided the best way to respond to Iroh.

"I know it's you, Noatak, you might have my file but there's nothing in there about my dad or how much bending has let me down. I told you all of that, however, while you were teaching me how to be a master of disguise." Iroh sat up. "You know I missed those simpler times, why'd you have to muck up the works?" Iroh shook his head. "And why'd you have to give me this dammed headache?!"

Amon placed a hand on the side of Iroh's head. "I thought that would've gone away by now."

"It didn't and I would really like it too."

Amon pulled his mask off reveling the face of the agent Iroh knew so well. "Here let me try something, close your eyes and relax. I just wanted to knock you out but I might have caused actual damage or at least a pounding headache derived from using water bending to slightly mess with your nervous system."

Iroh closed his eyes. "There is no slightly when dealing with the nervous system also when did you learn how to blood bend?"

Amon looked at Iroh pulling his hands away. "How do you know that? And is that better?"

Iroh shrugged. "I'm pretty good a monitoring my own heart rate and whenever you're trying to keep me from doing things it drops." He rubbed his temples feeling the migraine finally going away and letting him think clearly again. "My heads better now, thanks I guess."

Amon nodded. "Good, now are you in or out?"

Iroh raised an eyebrow. "Am I in or out? I thought you were going to let me stay neutral why extend the invitation again? I could very easily say no."

"But now you know who's running the show."

"But I don't know why. I might deep down despise benders, especially water, and keep a lid on it. I might long for a day when those who forced me into marriage burn or choke on their own blood but you? I don't know your motivations are so I'm still out old friend unless you can give me a reason why. Why do all this?" Iroh picked up the mask and chuckled.

Amon frowned. "What's so funny?"

Iroh held the mask in front of his face. "I could murder you so easily and take your place and so few of your followers would know the difference. Except that L.T. of yours, he'd know I'm not your boyfriend. I guess I'd have to kill him too but I would finally have the power and the freedom I want." Iroh put the mask down and smirked at Amon's face. "But I won't because I don't know your vision but now that I can at least think clearly I can certainly help with it."

Amon looked dubious. "You're joining the cause? Just like that?"

"I have three conditions. First you will never blood bend me again. I am not your puppet, I'll be your queen but not your marionette. Second, you'll get me a pair of glasses so I can see again."

"Fine, I'll get you some glasses you need to see to be helpful and I won't blood bend you unless you betray me, and the third?"

"You do your best to leave my wife out of. I might betray her trust, I'm a spy that's what we do, but I will always protect her and if you take her bending away you will most certainly break her. So don't go near Korra."

Amon bit his lip. "I don't know she's the avatar."

"I'll make my enrollment worth the headaches she'll give you."

Amon looked perplexed. "Can you really?"

"You know my training, I'm worth more than a half-baked avatar." Iroh winced hoping that statement wouldn't come back to haunt him.

Amon frowned. "Looks like your wounds are still very sensitive." He stood up putting his mask on. "I'll be back in a moment with something that will make you feel so much better. Welcome to equalists agent 007."

Iroh smiled to himself once Amon left the room. Aunt Sozza, you've never let me down on how to manipulate a person…to bad your mother wasn't as good with her ' how to talk to girls' advice. The prince frowned. "What have I gotten myself into?"

.o.

Mako looked so small and weak in his hospital bed all Lin wanted to do was scoop him up in her arms and make sure no one could harm him ever again. Instead she just sat by his bedside helping him eat and drink as necessary. She wanted to be frustrated with him but with his arms in casts up to his elbows she had to keep reminding herself the she should be grateful they were able to reattach them. She sighed and looked over finding her eldest awake.

"So how are you doing kid?"

Mako looked down at his hands and watched as each finger moved seemingly of his own design. "Better, still in pain and have some numbness but hey! I can move all ten digits!" He gave her a weary smile. "That's good, right?"

Lin nodded. "Yes, very good."

Mako looked around the room, which was filled with flowers and get, well soon gifts. "Did sleep through visiting hours again?"

"No, that's in a few minutes, and I've managed to get all your friends' words of honor to be here. Even Korra and Asami who both seem to be under a over protective house arrest." Lin smirked. "Apparently Korra's going to sneak out if she has to."

Mako chuckled. "I wouldn't want to stand in her way."

Lin smiled. "Neither would I. Also Sota said he would drop by too."
Mako looked away. "Oh, well he doesn't have to, I mean I'm sure he's needed at the parlor."

Lin frowned. "You two have a big fight or something?"

"Yet something like that. Don't pry mom it's not important, we're just going different places. He's going to become a tattoo artist like he's always wanted and I-I'm not. I've got other things to concentrate on. Like probending and Asami."

"Asami?" Lin raised an eyebrow. "Why would you be concentrating on Asami? Does she have a bad home life or something I should know about?"

Mako rolled his eyes. "No, mom. She's my girlfriend. We've been dating for almost two months now."

Lin shook her head. "You got a girlfriend and you didn't tell me? Did you tell Momma Sozza?"

"No, I haven't seen much of you or her during the season remember?" Mako glanced over at Lin. "Don't give me that look! I can have a girlfriend."

"No one said you couldn't. I had one for years." Lin tilted her head. "Mako why are you making that face? Are you disgusted by something? You know I'm talking about Momma Sozza right."

Mako sighed. "Yeah I know that. It's just my nose really itches."

Lin rolled her eyes and helped her son and scratched his nose. "There. That better?"

Mako nodded gratefully. "Yeah, thanks. It's amazing I've got multiple major injuries but an itchy nose will grab my attention every time." He rested back on the pillow. "It's enough to drive a person mad."

Lin nodded. "That it is. Oh, I have other good news; I've finally gotten it through the head nurses head that Sozza can stay in here with you after visiting hours. Not that I want to abandon you in anyway but-"

"Mom, I get it. I don't think you've left this place once since they brought me here. You need to go home take a shower, do laundry, eat something other than the poison they're serving me."

"I know but I'll probably be only gone for a night. It's a big possibility that Momma Sozza might be called away at a moments notice. She doesn't have a deputy she can trust like I do."

Mako nodded. "Hey I know I don't say this enough to you or Momma Sozza but I love you both and so very thankful for you guys in my life and I'm pretty sure Bolin feels the same."

Lin lightly punched Mako's cheek. "Aw kid don't get mushy on me now. This kind of stuff is what moms do. Nothing special just part of the job."

"I know but you didn't have to take the job. You and Momma Sozza are probably best parents out there and I wouldn't have it anyone way."

Lin hugged Mako and kissed his temple. "Aw kid, either that incident has knocked some gratitude in to you or those are some heavy drugs you're on."

Mako chuckled. "You can't just take a compliment about being the best mom ever can you?"

"I'll try to. Thank you kid, I love you too." Lin looked down trying her best to feel like she deserved the compliment but it felt false to her. If she was really the best mom ever she would've sensed the bomb and kept her boys safe. If she was as good as her mom was she wouldn't be here hoping the doctors reattached her son's arms correctly. She would have bent that metal cable right back from where it came from.

A/N sorry it's so short but I think it covers a lot of stuff. As always comment if you feel compelled. Also this is by no means compulsory but the more detailed your comment or review is the happier I am and the more I can improve the story. Whether that is giving more information or giving a character more text time (like screen time but with text). Thanks for reading and I'll see you all later! :)~ C.C.