"You should go home chief. The royal pain is secure and we're all pretty much sitting turtle ducks when it comes to Kuvira. No offense."

Lin turned away from the window and faced Inspector Fong.

"You're right, thanks. That'll be all."

Fong nodded and left the room. He was right, Lin knew that. Besides, with word that Su and her family had been captured there was nothing they could do at this point except be patient. Kuvira was powerful but predictable and Lin knew there was no safer place in the world than Kuvira's custody (how ironic)

She sat at her desk, fidgeted with some files, tapped the desk with a pen and finally switched on the radio. The music was barely audible but it was enough to get Lin to hum along. All but too aware at how such an "unusual act" for her might be perceived if someone was in here with her right now. She had given up trying to argue with people's assumptions. She was a cop after all.

This was the all too familiar calm before the storm, Lin had experienced it enough now to recognize the feeling immediately. A younger version of Lin would've been nervous, maybe even a little brash, but she was tired right now. Too tired to go start a war. There was no denying she was getting older, and unlike normal woman it didn't bother Lin in the slightest. She needed the calm, she wanted the calm and she always did what she wanted and what she needed. She looked down at the doodles she had absent mindedly drawn and deduced maybe now it was time to go home. She walked down the stairs, passed the night duty officers and nodded in thanks at their wishes of a good night.

The air felt nippier than usual, summer would be ending soon. Cadet Li Wen took note of the chief immediately and came with a car ready for her. She would've been more than happy to walk but why not take advantage of this newbie.

"Stop here." She finally said. They had only been driving for about 5 minutes. They hadn't reached her home yet Lin figured a good drink might help her to sleep. Her worries about Su were stronger than she had acknowledged at first. She ordered Li Wen back to the station.

It was late and what's more it was a workday. HanSu's tavern was all but empty. Lin headed straight for the bar where she was greeted by HanSu's back. She was cleaning glasses.

She finally turned around and handed Lin her usual drink. A small inched at the corner of Lin's mouth.

"You look horrible. No new news I'm guessing?" HanSu's voice was deep and scratchy.

"Thanks… and no."

"Hmmph. Well it'll all work out."

Lin had the same kind of faith, the nerves were still unavoidable.

HanSu left to clean off a newly abandoned table. She returned to the counter in front of Lin.

"Ever consider investing in a pet of some sort?" Had it been anyone else Lin would've been offended, would've threatened them violently but HanSu was different. They were the same age and though they had had different lives old age seemed to hit all women the same way. They had bonded from this, despite never having talked outside of the bar

"Too busy, always gone." Lin replied.

"Smart decision to never marry though. Who needs 'em?"

"Yeah"

Lin meant it. There was a reason people were free to love if they wanted to and it was because not everyone wanted to. Lin did love, but she knew it was different from the way others would expect. Lin didn't want kids, or a doting husband, it wasn't her. It hadn't been her mother either. Lin was a person of comfort, everything she did was by her own standards, it didn't matter how unorthodox it would be to others.

Silence fell between the two older women. It didn't bother Lin at all. Lin took the last swig, paid HanSu and made her way for home.

This part of Republic City was always dark for some reason. It was neither a poor or rich side of town it simply was. She guessed the apartment she lived in was nice, it didn't make all that much of a difference to her. She only came to sleep and leave. She collected the mail that had gathered at her door since she'd been gone. Wondering just how long she'd been sleeping at work, she wasn't a workaholic, this was just the way she preferred things. She changed out of her uniform and made some tea; the radio had found its way on again. Lin sat at her table drinking tea with the silence that lived in her house; she gazed out the window which had a landscape view of the working district. The thought of being able to get use to nights like this found its way into her thoughts and rested there. Lin finally obliged sleep and made her way for the couch, she didn't own a bed.

She had slept through the alarm, which, she noticed, was happening more than it used to. She wouldn't of even heard it had it not been for the dream that had jerked her awake. She woke with a new realization, a plan. She knew Opal would want to help and she'd have to find a moment to talk to her about it when she had the chance.

It was obvious they were onto her. It was even more obvious that they were all trying their best to suck up to her as much as possible. Opportunists. It was to be expected though, she didn't blame them, and she even found it kind of amusing. They could at least try to act more natural about it, boneheads. Despite the obvious push she was getting Lin still stood her ground. Everything would always be on her terms and as long as she could still stand she would still do what she had come to love. She was the best, she knew that.

"Good morning Chief Beifong" they all said as she entered the meeting room.

"Let's get to work people." She said.

Mako rushed in late; no doubt he had slept under his desk again. He had been determined to pick up more work other than royal babysitting duty.

"I'm so sorry chief, I was just um…"

"Sit down Mako."

The other detectives laughed and mocked him.

"Joke's on all of you" she thought before turning to address them again.