Asami stretched and yawned before rolling on her side. She smiled gently as Korra snored softly next to her. She brushed Korra's hair from her face and cupped her cheek before leaning over a placing a kiss on her lips.

Korra stirred and her eyes opened slowly. She moved closer to Asami and burrowed in the other woman's arms.

"Is it morning already?" Korra mumbled.

Asami chuckled. "Probably closer to the afternoon. Day was just beginning to break when we finally fell asleep."

"Spirits, last night was amazing," Korra whispered as she rested her head on Asami's shoulder. "I can't believe I actually get to call you mine."

Asami chuckled and pulled the captain closer. "And I get to call you mine. It's a wonderful feeling."

"Aye," Korra said. "Let's just stay in bed all day."

"We're at sea," Asami scolded gently. "We've already overslept enough as it is. I do believe I have to scrub the galley by myself."

"Why?" Korra asked as she sat up in bed.

Asami grinned. "Your rule, if anyone oversleeps they have to scrub the galley alone."

Korra rolled her eyes. "You're obviously exempt from that."

"I shouldn't get special treatment too much," Asami said as she sat up. She pulled the blanket to her chest. "I don't want to crew to get angry."

Korra rolled her eyes. "They can deal with it."

"Am I your wench, now?" Asami asked with a laugh.

"No, you're my lover, my partner, and my trusted comrade," Korra said matter-of-factly. "With you by my side, I can do anything. I can be the Avatar I'm supposed to be. We can stop your father and help those citizens back on their feet. I love you."

"I love you, too," Asami said softly. "So much. We're an unstoppable force."

"Spirits, life is amazing," Korra said as she stroked Asami's hair.

A knocking at the door caused them both to turn.

"Captain, it's Mako, it's fairly late and we can't find Asami," He said as she pushed open the door slightly.

Korra grabbed part of the blanket and covered herself. Mako's eyes widened when he saw the two of them in bed.

"Can I help you, Mako?" Korra asked impatiently.

"You two…are together…in bed…and naked…" He mumbled.

Asami blushed and glanced away. Korra sighed and rolled her eyes. "Your point?"

"Just…I'm happy for you both. It's about time," He said with a smile. "Just a bit of a shock, but a great one. Anyway, we received a messenger hawk from one of Aya's contacts in the Fire Nation and there is heavy military ground activity."

"Either something big is happening or my father may have caught wind of all of this and they're expecting us," Asami said softly.

"Does your father have sway with the Royal Family?" Mako asked dubiously.

Asami nodded. "Enough to get the Crown Prince to our estate for the purpose of arranging a marriage."

Korra grit her teeth. "We'd need an army to take them down. There are fifty of us, at best."

"Well, there is Captain Kuvira," Mako said slowly.

"Kuvira?" Asami asked.

"Yeah, she leads the Metal Clan," Korra said glumly. "Took it over in a fairly large coup. She overthrew Opal's mother. She'd kill us if aligned with Kuvira and you know that."

"I know," Mako said quietly. "She's just in the area."

"She is?"

"Yeah, we passed close to her flagship this morning," He said. "Anyway, I'll let you two be."

"Please do," Korra said dryly.

Mako nodded and slipped out. Korra sighed and slipped out of bed. She grabbed her clothes and started to dress.

"This is a disaster," Korra said quietly. "I was hoping we'd be able to slide in undetected."

"It doesn't look like that's going to happen," Asami said as she slipped out of bed and began to dress. "What do you think we should do? Why do you think the Fire Nation Military is working with my father?"

"I wish I had answers," Korra said softly. "I just don't know, Asami."

Asami frowned as she saw Korra run a hand through her messy hair. Korra was obviously stressed and at the end of her rope. Asami moved to the captain and slipped her arms around Korra's waist.

Korra sighed and rested her head on Asami's shoulder. Asami held her closer and kissed her temple.

"We'll figure something out," The engineer said reassuringly. "We'll figure it all out."

"You're making me soft," Korra mumbled into Asami's shoulder.

Asami chuckled and pulled back. "Well, I do what I can."

"I need to go bust some heads before I get too soft," Korra said as she pulled out of Asami's arms. "I'll see you out there."

"What am I doing?" Asami asked with a raised eyebrow.

Korra grinned over shoulder. "Grabbing your gear and moving it in here."

"I'm already moving in?"

"Captain's orders."

Korra strolled onto the deck and surveyed the crew. They all seemed hard at work and she grinned to herself. She inhaled the crisp sea air deeply and exhaled peacefully. She had never been so peaceful; today was going to be a good day.

"You're insane!" A voice cried.

The captain sighed, maybe not.

"Opal Please!" Bolin said desperately.

Korra turned to see Opal charging for her. She raised her eyebrows and waited.

"Captain, do not consider this!" She said as she reached Korra. "I've heard whispers of an alliance with Kuvira!"

Korra shook her head. "I've not decided anything about it."

Opal's eyes widened. "No! You can't consider it! You know what she did to my family and me! You were there!"

"I know, Opal," Korra said. "That's why I haven't decided. Yes, it would be prudent, but I am well aware of what she did to you."

"I'm begging you, Korra, please don't do this," Opal said desperately.

Korra took Opal's hands and squeezed gently. "Opal, I know what Kuvira did and what she's capable of, you have my word that I will not betray you."

"Thank you," Opal said as she hugged Korra.

Bolin caught up to them and panted slightly. "Opal, Kuvira was just doing what she thought was right!"

"Bolin, enough, Kuvira's intentions may be worthy, but her methods are inexcusable," Korra said firmly. "That kind of brutality is just wrong."

Bolin straightened up. "What do you mean brutality?"

Opal whirled around to him. "You weren't there, we were. She almost killed my mother."

Bolin's shoulder's dropped. "I'm sorry, Opal. I had no idea."

Korra nodded at them and crossed her arms. "I can't, in all good consciousness, side with Kuvira. However, I do need to know if she has a stake in this fight."

Bolin and Opal glanced at Korra questioning. The captain shook her head.

"Kuvira could be a very powerful ally for those who oppose us. Opal, I'm going to need you to trust me."

"You've never steered me wrong before, Captain," Opal said heavily. "I'm going to trust you."

"Kuvira, we have a message for you," Baatar said as he entered Kuvira's cabin.

The captain turned and arched an eyebrow at her first officer. "From whom?"

"Captain Korra," He said stiffly. "She wants to arrange a meeting."

Kuvira crossed her arms. "Korra? What could she possibly want from me? The last time we saw each other was at Zaofu."

"We also passed fairly close to them this morning. You were in the war room."

"Why was I not informed we were so close to another ship?" Kuvira demanded sternly.

Baatar jumped nervously. "Well, I didn't see it as being necessary since we knew Korra wouldn't have the gall to attack us."

"I am the captain of this ship! You are not!" Kuvira barked. "I demand to be informed when we pass within striking distance of another ship!"

Baatar took a small step back when Kuvira raised a hand. "I understand, Kuvira, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't. Why should I consider meeting with Korra?"

"I know Opal is with her," Baatar said quietly.

Kuvira said heavily and lowered herself into a chair. "She doesn't understand why I did what I did. Su refused to do what needed to be done and I was never going to let my nation bow to Fire Nation nobles."

Baatar pursed his lips and stood straight. Kuvira's eyes flicked up to him, she knew he was biting back a response. He was smart to keep it to himself. Kuvira nodded slowly.

"Send a message back to Captain Korra and tell her that I agree to a meeting," Kuvira said as she crossed her legs and leaned back in the chair. "Tell her to bring Opal as well. She needs to understand."

Asami set her last bundle down in Korra's cabin and glanced around. It was definitely larger than her small room off of the engineering deck.

She knew Korra's order to have her in the Captain's Cabin could ruffle some feather amongst the crew, but Korra had assured her that everything would be taken care of if that were the case.

She turned as the door opened and Korra stepped through. The Avatar smiled softly when she Asami.

"I was hoping you'd be here," Korra said softly. "I could use some advice."

"Advice? From me?"

Korra nodded and sat down on the bed. She smiled as she laid a hand on one of Asami's bundles. "You've always been my confidant."

Asami sat next to Korra and took the captain in her arms. "Talk to me."

"I sent a message to Kuvira to meet with her," Korra said as she rested her head on Asami's shoulder. "Tenzin and I failed to stop her from taking Zaofu."

"Zaofu?"

"A settlement in the Earth Kingdom that was home to the Metal Clan, like The Island is for us," Korra said. "The Metal Clan was one of Tenzin's biggest allies and when we heard that one of Suyin's generals was leading a coup we organized our forces and went to help."

"What happened when you got there?" Asami asked.

"Kuvira had a full army with her. She took over the settlement along with the rest of Suyin's fleet. She drove out the Beifong family."

"Is that how you ended up with Opal?"

"Yeah, Suyin chose to take the rest of the family to a safe location, but Opal demanded to come with us," Korra sighed heavily. "The biggest problem is that Kuvira's First Officer is Opal's oldest brother Baatar."

"He turned on the family?"

"Yes, she took it hard. Kuvira was the closest thing she had to a sister as well."

Asami raised her eyebrows and pulled away from Korra. "We are you risking a meeting with her?"

"I need to know if she's involved with these military movements or your father's forces," Korra said. "Kuvira is a brutal woman and a brilliant tactician. If there is an advantage to be gained, I could see her doing it."

"Then she should remain unaware of my presence," Asami said. "Capturing me and turning me over to my father would be highly beneficial to her."

"He wouldn't even pay a ransom for you."

"But returning me to an environment where I can be controlled and married off to his advantage."

Korra grit her teeth at the thought of Asami being taken from her and her stomach turned at the thought of someone other than her touching Asami.

"That won't happen. I'd sooner die than let someone take you," Korra whispered dangerously.

"But I still think it's a chance we shouldn't take," Asami said soothingly.

"I can protect you," Korra said quietly.

"I know you can, but I don't want you put in any kind of danger," Asami said cupping Korra's face. "Trust me."

"Alright, we'll keep your presence here a secret. We should keep Aya's origin hidden as well," Korra said. "A member of the Fire Nation royal family could be an even bigger asset than you."

"Depending on how Kuvira may be involved with my father," Asami reminded.

Korra grinned slyly. "You just want to be important."

Asami chuckled. "I am important. I have the Captain of one of the most powerful privateer groups at my beck and call, not to mention the Avatar at my disposal."

"You control the most powerful being in history," Korra said in a low voice. "But she has a calm to you as well."

Asami fell back onto the bed and pulled Korra to her. "I'm hers."

Kuvira stepped onto the deck of the ship and glanced around. The Water Tribe influence was easily noticeable. She quickly took note of the mounted defenses and motioned to her guards to stay a few steps behind as Korra approached.

"Kuvira."

"Captain Korra, I hope this meeting goes better than our last," Kuvira said as she put her hands behind her back.

Korra crossed her arms and frowned. "I didn't bring you here to discuss Zaofu. We have business to discuss. Opal is up in the navigation room."

"Then let us go."

"Not with your armed guards," Korra said venomously. "My ships, my rules."

Kuvira nodded slightly and motioned for her guards to stay.

Opal gripped the table as the door to the navigation room opened. She gritted her teeth as Korra held the door and Kuvira entered.

"You," Opal growled.

Kuvira raised her hands. "Opal, please, I'm just here to talk."

Opal rounded the table and shoved Kuvira against a wall. "You betrayed my family! You took Baatar from us! You almost killed my mother! She took you in when you were turned out! She gave you everything!"

Korra grabbed Opal and threw her off of Kuvira. "Opal! Enough! She's here to talk!"

"Korra, you were there! You saw what she did!"

"I know, Opal, but now is not the time for that," Korra said calmly.

Opal sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Kuvira sighed softly and stepped towards Opal.

"I need you to understand why I did what I did, why Baatar joined me," Kuvira said gently. "Our nation needed help and Su refused to help. Someone had to help."

"So, you had to conquer our home, Kuvira?" Opal asked bitterly. "Mom knew that the Earth Kingdom needed to rise up on its own. They didn't need someone else telling them what to do, the people needed to make their own way!"

"But we needed someone to guide it. Su was the best person for the job and she refused," Kuvira said. "Opal, we're family, please."

Opal balled her hands into fists. "No! We were family! You were my sister! I loved you, Kuvira!"

"And I still love you, Opal, and I still love Su," Kuvira said quietly. "But you were the one I loved the most. You're the sister I always wanted when I was alone. No one was prouder than I was when you became an airbender."

"I won't let you turn me like you did Baatar," Opal said through grit teeth.

Kuvira sighed. "I'm not trying to turn you against your family. I just don't want to lose you. I'm willing to do anything to show you that I still want you in my life. You're still my sister."

Opal glanced at Korra. "If you want us to repair this damage, you'll tell us everything you know about Hiroshi Sato and the military movement in the Fire Nation."

Kuvira raised her eyebrows and looked over at Korra, who crossed her arms.

"I know he was behind the attack on The Island," Kuvira looked to Korra. "I'm sorry about Master Tenzin. He was a good man."

"He was a great man," Korra said sternly.

"And a formidable foe. I know Lord Sato's daughter was taken," Kuvira cleared her throat. "By you, Captain Korra. I know we both have the capacity to be brutal women, but I don't think you're capable of cold-blooded murder. Where is Lady Sato?"

"How do know I didn't kill her?"

"Because that's not what my scouts on The Island saw," Kuvira said plainly. "Apparently the two of you are quite the passionate couple."

"If you even make a move towards her, I'll kill you," Korra said dangerously.

Kuvira shook her head. "She is of no interest to me. I've actually been attempting to stay out of Fire Nation squabbles. As long as they don't involve my nation."

"You conquered a city-state and took to the seas to patrol Metal Clan interests?" Korra asked bitterly. "Why?"

"Because Fire Nation influence has been far too overreaching into the Earth Kingdom. If need be, I will drive them back and unite the country myself."

"So, we have a common interest," Opal said.

"It seems we do, yes," Kuvira said.

Opal turned to Korra. "Do you think the increased activity could have been because Kuvira is in the area?"

"I am a known for my vocal and physical resistance from Fire Nation influence," Kuvira said matter-of-factly.

"That very well could be," Korra said.

"Why are you attempting to enter the Fire Nation?" Kuvira asked. "Are you really going after Lord Sato for Tenzin's death while bedding his daughter?"

"Who I bed is none of your business, Kuvira," Korra growled.

"I mean no disrespect, I hear Lady Sato is quite a beautiful woman. In fact, I congratulate you. I just don't understand. You always return your captives, how do you know she's not a double agent?" Kuvira asked.

"Lord Sato refused to pay the ransom for her," Korra admitted. "He said it would be easier for him to have another child than want to part with the gold we were asking. We offered her the choice of staying with us or leaving. She chose to stay. That was months ago."

"I would still be suspicious, but I will not tell you how to run your ship," Kuvira said. "Now, I assume you wanted to see if I were involved in this conflict?"

"Yes," Korra said.

"I can see the advantage of taking Lady Sato to her father, but the Fire Nation will find no friends in me. Firelord Izumi has yet to pull her interests out of the Earth Kingdom," Kuvira said decisively. "However, you cannot possibly imagine to take on Lord Sato alone."

"We just don't have the power. Not even with the benders we have," Opal said.

Kuvira nodded. "I have a decent amount of metal benders. A few of us are even proficient enough to rip the metal off of the hulls of ships. I would be amenable to an alliance with you to stand against the Fire Nation and Lord Sato."

Korra saw Opal tense out of the corner of her eye and she chewed on the inside of her lip.

"What would you want in return?" Korra asked slowly.

Kuvira slowly turned her gaze to Opal. "The chance to set things right."

Korra raised her eyebrows and looked at Opal. The airbender bit her lip and looked down in frantic thought. After a few moments of silence, Opal looked up and nodded slowly.

"Fine, but only because this is a cause that's greater than myself," Opal looked at Korra. "For Tenzin."

Kuvira nodded. "Very well. Captain Korra, you have the full support of the Metal Clan. When you strike, we'll be ready. Opal, after all of this, is said and done, I'd like to talk things out. Just you and I."

"Fine, but let's get the job done first."

"Wait, we have Captain Kuvira's full support?" Mako asked in confusion.

"We do," Korra said with a nod.

Aya rested her hands on the table and looked up at Korra. "Can she be trusted?"

"No," Opal said quickly. "But right now, she's the best we've got."

"We'll just need to be on our guard around her," Mako said crossing his arms.

"What about Aya and I?" Asami asked. "We can't really be involved with anything as long as she's around."

"She's fully aware of your status on the ship," Opal said to Asami. "But Aya never came up in conversation."

"I covered my tracks well when I fled the Fire Nation," Aya said. "What we need to do is find out is just how deep Lord Sato is in with the royal family."

"We can't just walk into the Imperial Palace and ask Firelord Izumi if she supports my father," Asami said incredulously. "I can send something out to Iroh, he might help."

"That wouldn't work," Aya said. "After his capture I'd bet coin that Izumi is monitoring him closely. I don't think we could safely get word to him without being uncovered."

"I assume Lord Zuko wouldn't be much help either," Bolin said.

Aya rubbed her chin and stood straight. "Although, I may be able to get us help, after all."

"What do you mean?" Korra asked.

"I'm a member of the lower house. Members of my family would know family dealings but would be far enough removed from Izumi's gaze," Aya said slowly.

"What are you suggesting, Aya?" Korra asked curiously.

The firebender smiled and pointed to a small island on the main map.

"We go to the Dragon's Isle and speak with my father and grandmother," She said with a grin.

Well, here's another chapter. I know it was fairly dialogue heavy and its kind of short, but some update is better than no update? Haha.

Anyway, shit gets real next chapter and I am super pumped for the next chapter. THIS STORY IS BACK!