A/N: An update already? You bet your sweet ass I am. I had a bit of a block for a few days, plus my super busy work schedule didn't help, but I had an idea that put everything into place. WOOT! So, I'm juuuuuust gonna post this and run away as quickly as possible so people don't come to murder me in the face when they reach the end of this chapter, okay? Okaythanksbye! *dashes away as quickly as possible to hide far away from the possible anger I may face for this one*

WARNING: This chapter contains a bit of romance, hormones, and violence. As well as a plot twist that may or may not enrage people. Have mercy, I beg of you!

With love,
Korrupted.

Shout outs-

TheNabooQueen: I know, right? Lin was so very disciplined, and Korra... Not so much. Gotta love the clash of stubborn personalities.

Kigo Stories: More, you say? Then have more! Take it! *expertly lobs another chapter into your face*

Infinite Nosferatu: Well, then I hope I do not disappoint you.

Disclaimer: I so NOT own ATLA nor do I own LoK. I just love toying with the characters if I get inspired. So they belong to their owners, which is sure as hell not me. This is inspired by the works of BadAssPANTieStalker on DA. CHECK HER STUFF OUT!

'Just a few days, he says.' Korra mentally fumed, doing push-ups in front of her temporary mentor. 'Don't make her angry, he says.'

Sweat rolled down Korra's face, Lin clad in a white tank top and olive pants as she watched the young Avatar training harder than she obviously had ever done in her life. It was two days after Tenzin and his family had left, the tournament was tonight, and Lin had the young Avatar running drills twice. "Lin..." She grunted, finishing what had to have been her millionth push-up. "Can't we just get to meditating?"

"Soon. You have several hundred more push-ups."

Korra had to resist screeching aloud, doing another one. "I s-said I was sorry!"

"'Sorry' doesn't fix my favorite pajamas. Keep going, kid."

Ah yes, the fact that she had 'accidentally' earthbent mud onto the rather expensive looking silk clothing when Lin was walking in to the kitchen. The goal was to have it narrowly miss the woman; it wasn't her fault that Lin had walked directly into it! Korra mentally was admitting that perhaps she hadn't thought her plan all the way through, but the constantly angry woman was always on her nerves. Though they were both able to earthbend, the fabric was forever ruined, and the resulting chase around the Island would have been hilarious to the Avatar had she not been fleeing for her very life. Lin had been doing her best to catch her, and the waterbender was doing her damnedest not to be murdered violently by the older woman, until a metal trip cord was expertly bent around her ankles, knocking her to the ground. And now, her arms were burning from the strain of over five hundred push-ups and there seemed to be no end in sight still. "Lin, I still have that match tonight! If I can't move, then I can't represent your city very well, now can I?" She goaded, striking the proud officer right in her pride.

"FINE! Now, get your ass up so we can meditate. Maybe you'll attain some wisdom before I drop dead from old age." Was the snide remark.

Lin watched her charge all but drop limply to the temple floor, obviously relishing in the end of her torture. If it wasn't for that pro-bending match, the grey-green eyed woman would have forced her to do one thousand before running her around the Island. She could easily pick up where she left off if she lost the match. The irritated metalbender walked to the pagoda and sat, her knuckles touching as she waited for the worn out girl to arrive. They had to meditate, do the airbending kata, and then get ready for their trip into the city for the match.

And she still had to get new sleep clothes too.

Lin finished tugging on her boots, standing and bending her uniform onto her body with the ease of practice. It had been one of the things that saved her men from Amon's chi blockers and their pressure strikes, so there was absolutely no way she was setting foot onto the docks without the protective shell it provided. Running her hands along the metal to check for defects or cracks, Lin found nothing out of the ordinary and nodded in satisfaction that all was well with it before stepping out to see Korra already waiting for her. "Asami is gonna pick me up from the docks and take me there in her Satomobile, so..." The water tribe girl started edging towards the door, saying in a rush, "seeyoulaterLinbye!" And taking off across the water with her bending.

The chief stood dumbly for several moments before rolling her eyes and heading to the shoreline, looking at the confused ferryman. "The idiot decided to go on ahead. Let's go before she gets herself into more trouble." The woman briskly informed him, the ferryman nodding as he launched the craft towards the mainland.

Lin looked out at the lights in the distance, deep in thought. How would the match go? Would the Equalists strike? When would Tenzin hurry up and get his ass back from the South Pole to collect the brat? These and so many more questions whirled around her mind at lightning speeds, her right hand absently rubbing the scars on her cheek in a nervous reflex; it was one she never did in front of people, let alone that windy asshole and his rule breaking pupil. Feeling the boat docking jolted the earthbender out of her thoughts and back to reality, her guard pulled up firmly around her, grey-green eyes inspecting every inch of the area for trouble. "Well, better get moving." She told herself, trudging off towards the stadium.

It took almost ten minutes, but the massive building was finally within a minute of walking time, the policewoman spying the empty vehicle that Asami owned parked next to the sidewalk neatly. As she drew closer, Lin could hear something nearby, on edge for an attack as she shifted her stance and moved closer to a small alcove that lead to the locker rooms from the outside, cautiously peering into the tiny passage before her jaw dropped.

Korra was leaning back against the wall, blushing slightly, panting, and grinning like a fool as another figure quickly hurried into the building through the door and out of sight. Obviously, the Avatar had been doing something, and judging by the disheveled state of her shirt and hair, that 'something' had been rounding second base with possibly one of her teammates. After closing her mouth and pulling on a blank face, Lin stepped through and cleared her throat loudly, watching the coffee skinned young woman jump and somehow go incredibly pale. "Well, I guess that is one way to warm-up for a match." Were her humored words.

"Lin! I... How long were you there?" The blue eyes were wide in... fear? Nerves? She couldn't tell, but what she could tell was that Korra had lipstick smudged on her mouth, and while the young bender never wore any make-up, she knew exactly who did wear that particular shade of red.

"Never mind me, but unless that's a new style of Fire Ferrets warpaint, you might want to get that lipstick off. I do hope that Ms. Sato remembers to fix her make-up, otherwise there may be rumors going around about her."

Korra looked horrified as she began furiously rubbing at her lips with her armband, desperately trying to remove all evidence of her recent activities. "Lin, pl-please. It's not what you thi-"

"Can it." The metalbender swiftly interrupted. "Your shirt's a mess and your hair has seen better days. At least the boys are stupid enough not to ask questions." Her gaze softened marginally. "So... You and Asami?"

"No, I mean... Yes. I mean..." There was a heavy sigh as the young woman slid to the ground, looking at her hands. "It's complicated. She's amazing, and pretty, but we just are... I dunno... Having fun? I'm not ready for a real relationship right now, and she could never date me anyways." Clear blue eyes watered slightly. "Her father would disown her, and she's in such an elite position. Everyone expects her to marry a man of the same standing. I... I'm not that."

For the first time, Lin's expression was void of anything arrogant, not a hint of contempt on her features as she sat next to the conflicted Avatar. "So, you would rather let her keep her good standing than take that next step?" A sullen nod was the only reply. "Your choice, but you might regret it."

The waterbender looked at her in confusion, the woman continuing. "I get it, you both know how you feel about each other to a point, but you shouldn't give up your own chance at happiness just because you think people will look down on it. People look down on everything, and that's never going to change. People are just assholes." She stared wistfully at the wall across from them. "You might get a broken heart out of it, but at least you tried."

"I... I guess you're right." She looked at the police chief, her expression pleading. "Please, don't tell Tenzin? He'll blow a gasket, and I really don't want to hear it. He went off his air scooter enough when he found out I kissed Mako."

"Korra, why the hell would I tell him? Besides, I'm guessing you're bisexual, and I can promise you that you already know at least one other, whether you realize it or not."

"Really?! Like, who?"

'You're looking at her, you idiot.' She mentally scoffed, instead answering aloud, "You'll find out, I'm sure of it. Now, get up. You're representing my city, so if you lose this match, I will personally kick your ass all the way back to the South Pole." Was her vaguely humored threat, the greying woman offering her hand to the girl.

The pro-bender took it and stood, pulling up her cocky attitude as she reached the door, but paused to turn back slightly to her temporary mentor. "Thanks, Lin." She muttered softly, then headed inside.

"Don't mention it." Was the hushed thought to herself before following her charge into the stadium, walking swiftly to take up her sentry position.

"No sign of anything out of the ordinary, Chief." One of her lieutenants informed her calmly, his boss nodding.

"Good, but keep your guards up and your wits about you. Amon might take any opportunity he can to attack." The Beifong woman responded, the man leaving to spread the word as the tournament began.

Lin scanned the arena with severe prejudice, spying Asami sitting in the closer section to the platform and cheering on the Fire Ferrets with much gusto, even blowing a kiss at the team -and a particular Avatar that stealthily winked back- with a wide grin. The metalbender had to hide a smirk when Mako returned the gesture, pitying the poor boy that clearly thought it was for him. She didn't envy Korra in the matter of her confusing whirlpool of worries that came with trying to come to grips with one's sexuality; she had gone through the same thing, but her 'uncle' Sokka had been the one to ease her fears. She did miss him greatly at times, and his rather strange sense of humor, but at least her godmother Katara was still around. Sometimes, she deeply wished her mother was still there to playfully tease them, to scold them, to let her hug her tightly once again. But time had robbed her of that, much like it had taken Sokka, Suki, Ty Lee, and Aang away as well.

Her thoughts were broken into as the match began, carefully watching the young woman as she waterbent against the Wolfbats team swiftly, her airbending improving her evasion technique greatly as she dodged discs of earth at a fevered pace. The opposing team was focused on knocking the Avatar off first to gain the advantage, Lin impressed at her ability to hold her own in spite of being arguably the least experienced member of her team. Her eyes began tracking the agile young woman, trying to keep aware of her surroundings as she watched Korra in action; the display of power, passion, and focus was telling enough of how the brunette had drawn the eye of the heiress to Future Industries. As much as the idiot-bender pissed her off, she was simply awe-inspiring to watch. "C'mon Korra... Watch your left..." She muttered, but before she could catch herself, Lin shouted, "Watch your left!"

The policewoman would never know exactly what it was that gave it away; perhaps it had been the swish of cloth, or maybe the vibrations of the footsteps, it could have been the sound of the electro-glove charging, but she managed to duck to the side and evade what should have been a completely blind-side attack. If she had been talking to someone else, Lin was certain she would have been taken unawares. With a quick flick of her wrist, a coil of metal reached out to bind the assailant's hands to his ribs, shocking himself into unconsciousness before she looked quickly around. "Shit!" She seethed, watching as her men were downed by other Equalists. "Korra!"

Banners unfurled as skylights were broken from above impact, Lin backing up to hide in the shadows as quickly as possible, using a cord of metal to drag the downed Equalist with her. She paid no attention to Amon as she studied the man's outfit, a quick plan forming in her mind.

This could only end in disaster, but she had no choice in the matter. Her city and the Avatar depended on this.

Korra launched herself at the platform Amon stood on, all of her muscles on fire from the jolt that had gone through the water. "RAAAAHHHH!" The waterbender roared, punching fire at the masked man angrily.

The Fire Ferrets had been doing so damn well, too! Where was Asami? Was she safe? She was worried about her fling as chi blockers swarmed at her, earthbending furiously to nullify the gloves that a few of them wore. Weaving her body expertly to evade the jabs of the blockers that would leave her completely defenseless, the young woman continued to combat her foes, gasping as a lone Equalist somehow broke through her defenses. When had that one gotten past her earthen barriers? And yet, the figure lunged passed her to follow the now fleeing burn scarred enemy, the scarf that hid the features below slipping to reveal Lin's determined face, her form void of the typical black and gold armor in place of concealment in the clothes of the Equalists. "H-hey!" She yelled, but was forced to deal with the fight at hand.

Firebending the men into submission, the Avatar used the water below to propel herself to the roof in pursuit of her mentor and her target only to find herself in the midst of chi blockers. Clear blue eyes glanced around nervously, drawing in a slow, steady breath as she sized them up. Hopefully, she would get back to Asami with only a few scrapes.

"After the match, I want to take you with me to the tracks for a... Test drive." The sultry voice teased the edge of her mind, the whisper echoing from their earlier playful session by the locker room.

Korra had to make it back. She still had to take Lin's advice and tell Asami what she really wanted.

Lin was metalbending against the Equalists, shoving the gloved attackers away with earthbending and metal from the dome below their feet. One chi blocker she slammed violently into a glass pane, the thick surface splintering from impact to shatter when he tried to stand, the man dropping comically to his death. As much as she wanted to halt his fall, she couldn't stop fighting lest the Equalists subdue her and take away her bending. She was close to the leader of the anti-bender movement, only fifteen paces behind him as he dashed to the airship. However, out of the corner of her eye, the police chief watched as the young water tribe girl was knocked out and plummeted through the broken glass. Grey-green eyes flicked between the girl falling to her death and the most wanted man of Republic City, torn between which she would pursue. However, there really was no choice, and with a growl of frustration, Lin abandoned Amon to dive after Korra, desperate to catch up to her. Her fingers were close to the mocha toned arm hidden below the pro-bending gear, so close...

As the water rushed closer towards them, the plain clothes officer caught her student by her bicep, a coil unraveling from her around arm to grab hold of a beam, but the thin scavenged cord of metal snapped from the sudden weight, leaving the woman to frantically grab at anything within reach. Her free hand found purchase on one of the Equalist banners, the cloth tearing as their descent slowed greatly towards the arena platform, touching down on it to lower the slowly rousing seventeen year old to the surface. "C'mon kid. That's it, you still have to be a pain in my ass for a while more." She dryly urged, though her tone reflected her worry.

Footsteps padded behind her quickly, Lin whirling around to see a chi blocker strike out at her, a wild block of stone changing the trajectory of the blow. She felt it hit her temple painfully, the world dimming as she metalbent on reflex before she dropped to the platform, unmoving.

-Lin was confused to say the least. All she could see was bright white surrounding her, her clothing her tank top and khakis instead of the clothes she had stolen from the Equalist. Where the hell was she?

"So, you look like utter hell." A voice she would always know scoffed dryly.

The woman whirled around to see her mother looking as she best remembered her; in her late thirties, wearing metalbending police chief armor, and milky green unseeing eyes. The fifty year old stood with her mouth agape, tears filling her eyes. "Mom.." Was her hushed whimper.

Toph opened her arms to her eldest daughter, the many years seemed to be melting away as the scarred officer embraced her. Lin could still smell the spice and loamy aroma that was the unique scent of the first metalbender, holding back tears. This wasn't possible, and yet she could feel the cool armor under her skin, the calloused hands holding her tightly. "Am... Am I dead?"

"Nope, but you got real close. I thought I taught you better than to let anyone catch you off-guard."

"Now what?" The current police woman questioned in a voice laced with sad confusion. "What do I do now?"

Toph pulled back, her blind eyes staring at her child's face as a tender smile lit her lips. "Now, you stop being a lazy ass, wake up, and keep on fighting."

Wake up? Was she not awake? "Is this just a dream? This isn't real?"

Her mother laughed, her hands on Lin's shoulders. "It's a dream, but why does that mean it isn't real? Now, get up and you keep Twinkle-toes in line for me, got it? I'm counting on you, Lin."

The younger Beifong smirked and nodded. "Yes, Chief." Was her reply, finding herself dragged from the light and her mother's touch.

"MOM! I love you!"-

Lin shifted groggily in what felt like a bed, her limbs sore and sluggish as she struggled to move them, her mouth painfully dry as a grating groan escaped her throat. "Lin! Lin, are you okay? Hey, talk to me, please!" A terrified female voice pleaded, the sound slowly reaching through her haze.

"Shut up... Your voice is making me want to puke." Was her strained retort to what could only be Korra's voice, hearing chuckles from off to her left. Did she have cloth around her eyes?

"There's that charming personality we all know and... Love to hate." A male voice that was easily Mako teased, though he sounded anxious. "How are you feeling?

"Like hell frozen over and tossed into a grinder." Lin retorted, clearly too tired to give anything much thought. "How long have I been out?

She could hear shifting feet next to her bed. "Uhhh...two days." Bolin's voice admitted sheepishly.

Her hands clumsily reached up to her face, patting around numbly to indeed feel cloth bandages wrapped around her eyes, fumbling as she unwound them. The earthbender sat up to continue pulling off the material, swaying slightly. "Lin, please, let me help." Korra pleaded as the bed squeaked when she sat down on it.

The temperamental policewoman was too damn exhausted to argue, dropping her hands away as trembling fingers took over her task. Her head was throbbing, her body stiff, but there were things she had to take care of. However, something greatly concerned her. "What happened to the chi blocker who hit me?"

For several seconds, nobody spoke. The silence that filled the room was painfully deafening until Mako spoke up. "He's dead. You killed him in self defense when the metal impaled his heart after he struck you."

A large part of the bender felt completely ill; she had arrested people, roughed them up in the process, sure, but never killed anyone. She had been protecting Korra, and her bending had felt sloppy after the hit to her temple. Had that been why it had punched through her assailant's body instead of simply bound them? As the bandages were tugged away, Lin opened her eyes to glance around the room, grimly wondering what expressions she would find reflected in the faces of the group around her. Pity? Fear? Resentment? Anger? Sadness? Understanding? She dared to hope; it hadn't been her intent to kill, but that had been the result. She had to find out for herself, she had to see what they were feeling.

However, Lin only saw more darkness, her face scrunching up in confusion. "The hell...? I... I can't see."

Korra gasped, the older woman hearing the weight shifting on the bed as the teen leaned closer. "Lin, you're..." The Avatar's voice crackled, the waterbender feeling guilt slam down upon her with a force she had never before known to exist.

If only she had been faster, stronger, more careful, then this wouldn't have happened. It wasn't fair, not when they were just starting to be civil to each other. This was all her fault, and as the Avatar, she had failed to protect even her current mentor. "I'm what, Korra?" The dread was clear in her voice, and she answered in a pain-laced voice, looking into unfocused eyes that weren't responding to lights.

"You're blind."