A/N: I bet you all were losing hope about this one, huh? Well, there have been so many very important changes in my life since chapter six. First of all, I have been in a new relationship with my two partners for almost ten months now. Which is, of course, why I am not working on this as I used to. I am trying so desperately to go back to England to see them again next year for a month (did I mention it's long distance?), and trying to save money is so very, very difficult. However, what happens, happens.

In the last week, I have blown through writing this chapter up with the passion I once had for it, and another HUGE shout out to Oyo for being such an amazing artist to have inspired me to work on this. You're fantastic, hun.

And now, onto the warnings!

WARNING!: This contains... plot? Swearing I think? Meh, not a bad chapter.

With love,
Korrupted.

SHOUT OUTS:

Nina Windia: Thanks for the advice! I took it to heart and really tried to fix that. It felt (and still feels) horribly repetitive using their name over and over again at times to be frank, And I think that's why it's such a common trap. But I hope you still enjoy it, and thank you again for the advice.

Kigo Stories: Pssssst. Here's another chapter, buddy. I think you've waited long enough.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Legend of Korra, nor the characters. The respective rightful owners do. I just borrow their toys and return them a bit more worse for the wear a week later.

And now, without further adieu, because I think you've all waited long enough, here is chapter seven!

Korra's muscles were burning as she, Lin, and Tenzin stepped out from the temple, seeing seven metalbenders waiting for them. One man saluted Lin heartily, his expression stern. "Chief. I got a few men I could trust for this." He stated clearly.

Lin could 'see' the six men and Reisler standing there. "You could all lose your badges for this." She told them, completely dead-pan.

Reisler smirked in reply. "Better to lose them for doing what's right, than keep them for allowing the wrong to go on."

The older bender had to smile at that, her bare feet touching the ground with a certainty that she had lacked several days ago. Her posture was straight, commanding respect. "We are about to meet with workers about the involvement of Future Industries with the Equalists. If this pans out to where they are mixed up in it, we will then do a raid under said pretense. Tenzin was kind enough to write us a letter of council approval to condone this, but Saikhan and Tarrlok do not know."

The blind woman could hear a few standing taller at that last part; Tarrlok and Saikhan seemed to not be favorites at all. "Reisler will take point so I don't get noticed. Any questions?" No one spoke. "Good. Let's move."

Korra lead the way, Lin and Tenzin flanking her silently until the older woman felt a hand on her arm. "Chief." Reisler stated. "Jong needs to hide your scars. It's kind of obvious it's you, to be honest."

Lin could hear the other male stepping up cautiously. "I borrowed my wife's make up." He stated sheepishly. "So, let's make sure no one knows it's you."

She stood stock-still as the make-up was applied, her unseeing eyes staring out ahead of her uncomfortably. She could feel the soft brush applying powder to her face, brow furrowed until the task was finished. Lin partially wondered what she looked like; she had been with her scars so long that the older woman genuinely had no idea what she would be without them. Was she pretty?

It was an absurd musing, but the tough as nails officer found it in her head nonetheless. After Reisler assured her she was done -and looked beautiful, he had noted with awe in his voice- Lin walked back to her place beside Korra. Her bare feet pad along the road, clambering onto the ferry that would take them to the city before she felt the waterbender and Tenzin turn to face her. "Lin." Her ex breathed. "You... You look lovely. I could barely tell it was you."

However, "I don't like it." Korra stated bluntly, the former police chief scowling slightly with insecurity before she went on. "I mean, you look amazing without your scars, but..."

Lin found herself anxiously waiting for the rest, not sure why Korra's opinion mattered to her at all. It was stupid, childish even for her to worry about such frivolous things such as if she looked pretty. She had a city to protect! And still, the metalbender waiting, resisting the urge to stroke at her concealed scars out of nerves.

"I think you look better with them. They just... are you, ya know? It's like you aren't Lin Beifong, and I like Lin Beifong."

Only through decades of being a bitter, closed off woman did Lin manage to hide the relief from her face. "As comforting as that is, Idiot-bender," she slowly snarked, trying to mask her own emotions with her usual prickly shell. "we have a task to complete."

Thankfully, the boat tapped the dock, prompting the group to once again move out. Slowly, they stalked to their destination, the young Avatar walking in the lead until a figure moved in the shadows, a gruff voice greeting them. "Glad to see you came, Avatar Korra."

Korra turned to face the male, noting his coat collar was turned up to hide his jawline as well as his hat pulled low to cover his hair and eyes. Definitely a man who didn't want to be exposed as a mole by his employer. Blue eyes scanned the overly clothed form, narrowing slightly from impatience; this had better be good. "What did you want to tell me?" She inquired, trying not to sound as irritated as she felt. Just when had Lin rubbed off on her so much?

The informant gripped his coat collar conspiratorially, holding it higher as if it was a shield to keep away all who sought to catch him in the act of betrayal. "You were right to suspect Hiroshi Sato. He is working with the Equalists."

The young woman's jaw dropped slightly. "But... Tarrlok looked everywhere. They didn't find anything!" She could see the officer Lin called Reisler nodding slightly in agreement.

The man turned away from them slightly, as if signifying that his time was coming to a close and him being discovered was only a few breaths away. "That's because you only searched the buildings. The factory is under the mansion. Good luck, Avatar." He stated before quickly walking away.

Korra watched him but a few moments longer before turning to face the others with a heavy heart and a set mind. As much as she had hoped that she was wrong about Asami's father, now they had to go back and suffer through a second round of rage from her former fling. It had to be done if she wanted to stop Amon. "Well, let's go, guys." The Avatar stated.

Lin could feel Korra's shoulders sag just a little with the intel, a pang of pity hitting her in the gut. The poor girl would have to face Asami all over again, but this time Lin would be there to ensure that the Avatar would be alright. And maybe damage a few things since she was there, of course. It was in stoic silence that the group made their way to the Sato estate, the uneasy determination hanging heavy between them all.

Reisler firmly knocked on the door, warrant in hand to be brandished at the portly traitor to Republic City. The very moment the door was opened, the slip was shoved into the face of Hiroshi and his butler. "What is the meaning-" He started indignantly, his words cut off to grab at the sheet.

"Hiroshi Sato, we have a warrant to search these premises for Equality propaganda, and weaponry." The officer stated in a very firm tone that left no room for questioning.

"That's absurd! Tarrlok and his task force already searched the buildings!"

"Dad? What's going on?" Asami inquired as she descended the stairs.

Korra felt her stomach drop as Asami walked down the stairs in her sleeping gown, looking every bit as stunning as she had always known. But the moment Mako was at her heels, her heart burned with jealousy; obviously the non-bender had no problem moving on to another. Jaw clenched, Korra stormed off to assist in the searching, leaving no stone unturned.

"Just another raid, dear. Go back to sleep." Hiroshi informed her, but was given the cold shoulder as she swooped past him after the young Avatar. His focus shifted to Reisler. "Search whatever you want, but I am going back to bed. It's late, you know." He snapped, huffing back up the stairs.

Lin listened to the exchange, following Reisler out back and catching Asami and her young pupil arguing.

"Are you really being this childish, Korra? You couldn't drum up proof the first time, so you come back to try again?!"

"We have a lead that Hiroshi is involved. Either understand that I didn't call them this time, or the last, or stay away from me."

Using her Seismic Sense, the metal bender watched as Asami sneered. "Oh, is that so? So why are you here with them now? Get lost taking a walk?"

With a swift scuffing of her heel on the dirt, Lin kicked up mud onto that expensive sounding silk gown, walking on to the warehouse angrily. That brat kept trying to pin the blame on Korra, and it really irked her. Sure, the kid was stubborn and generally a pain, but she would never hurt someone like Asami was suggesting.

"Because a worker from here tipped me off. Happy?"

Lin and Reisler tore open the door, cautiously securing the building as other officers looked around to inspect the interior.

"Clear."

"Clear!"

"All clear!"

However, the older woman stomped her foot on the ground hard, the shock wave painting a very different picture for her. Unseeing eyes glanced down, gauging how far the tunnel below went into the earth. "Here." She stated, rubbing her concealed scars lightly.

Three of the metalbenders tore the hidden door away from the passage, Reisler kneeling to inspect the platform they were greeted with. Asami stared at the sight in open-mouth shock, the disbelieving horror clear on her face.

"This... No, it can't be... Dad would never help those scum... He just wouldn't..."

Korra placed a hand on Asami's shoulder briefly for assurance before looking at the metalbenders. "So, our guy was telling the truth. Okay, we need to go and see where this leads. For all we know it's just a very secure testing location."

Riesler nodded and motioned to his group. "Agreed. Let's move."

"I'm coming with you." Asami pipped up, stepping forward.

However Mako interjected swiftly. "No, you stay put, Asami. I'll go."

Asami shook her head, her expression pleading. "But I have to see this for myself, Mako."

Placing his hand on her shoulder, he spoke a bit more firmly. "Which is why I'm going."

"That doesn't make any sense!"

Korra stepped over quickly and batted Mako away. "Asami, I get why you want to go, but it could be dangerous. Stay here, please. We don't want you hurt."

'I don't want you to get hurt.' Were the unspoken words on the Avatar's lips, too unsure and still aching from their fight to be voiced.

However the resolved seemed to crumble from her once fling, a baleful nod her only reply. With a sad smile, Korra stepped away from Asami and boarded the platform with Mako, Tenzin, and the metalbenders. As it started moving, she tried not to think too much on the confusing myriad of emotions that swirled in her heart for Asami. Could they start again? Did they still love each other? Had Asami broken what they had too much to repair? And the most painful thought of all; did she even want to repair things with Asami?

Lin could sense Korra thinking, placing a hand on her shoulder and inwardly pleased at feeling her once pupil relax. Since when did knowing Korra was alright become so important to her?

The platform halted, Lin stomping the metal to get a look around. "Clear." She stated firmly.

Reisler nodded grimly, looking at the officers, teens, and Tenzin stonily. "Be on guard. There's no telling what we'll find here."

As they moved out, Lin remained close to Korra with her hand still on her shoulder, for both comfort and at times for guidance. It was absurd to think that she was letting the Avatar lead her through a possible enemy base, but there was no reason why she shouldn't trust her. And yet, when Korra told her to duck down to avoid an overhang, she instantly obeyed.

The sounds of footsteps grew softer as they entered a large room, the police looking around. "Chief! We have Equalist propaganda here." Jong informed them.

"And electro gloves here!"

Mako scowled. "Why would Mr. Sato have these things?!" He questioned in dumb shock.

"Because I made them."

Everyone turned to see a giant mecha suit towering over them, Hiroshi's voice booming from the cockpit.

Korra stepped up to place herself between the group and the enemy, ready to attack. "Why would you do this?"

Gears whirred as it stepped closer. "Because benders are dangerous!" He bellowed. "After my wife was killed by one, I had my eyes opened to how deadly you all were."

"But you helped the Pro Benders!" Mako shouted, his confusion mounting.

"Of course I did, you fool! I had to lure you in!" Several footsteps closer. "And to see my daughter with a firebender. It was sickening."

However, Korra blasted several stones at the machine, garnering Hiroshi's attention. "Hey, moron! Guess again who your daughter was seeing!"

"...You? No, Asami isn't... You're lying!" He bellowed, attacking the group.

Instantly the metalbenders tried to take the mecha down, however nothing responded, Lin backing up nervously as she tried to bend the metal again.

"Try all you want. This suit is platinum. Not even the legendary Toph Bei Fong could bend so pure a metal." Hiroshi goaded.

Faster than Korra could prepare, cables shot out at the metalbenders, taking them down and electrocuting them. The sound of Lin grunting fueled her rage, breathing fire at the machine as long as she could, spinning to avoid those damn cables as Tenzin used hard air currents to knock them this way and that, Mako working to free the officers.

"Wait... Lin?" He murmured, the scars slightly visible from the constant movements and sweat.

"Sh-shut up and h-h-help my men, you moron." She half snarled at him.

"Oi!" She heard Reisler grumble. "Mako, help her."

Hiroshi leapt from the mecha as the exhausted Avatar worked to remove the cable with Tenzin's help, armed with two electro gloves. "And now, with Amon's help, the world will be a safer place. Without benders."

"Dad!" A soft voice cried out, drawing the attention of the room.

Asami stood dumbstruck, fully clothed and watching as her father moved in on her fling and her friends. It was with deaf ears did she listen to Hiroshi, staring at Korra, Tenzin, and Mako. How could he have done this to them? To her? How could he lie to her and in the same breath tell her that this was what her mother would have wanted?

She took the glove in a haze, putting it on as she faced her choices, and made her final decision. "Then I'll do what Mom would have wanted." She stated flatly.

"But this isn't it." Asami finished in a near whisper.

Her hand flashed out as she grabbed Hiroshi's arm, downing him. Alarms went off as Equalists started pouring into the room, the group now unsure of how to escape. Even Lin was at a loss as she sensed chi blockers swiftly milling around them, waiting to strike.

Jong tensed and planted himself. "Metalbenders." He told the others. "Hold your ground! Avatar, Councilman, get Lin, Reisler, and the others out of here."

Lin turned to 'look' at him. "Like hell you're staying behind!" She snarled.

"With all due respect," Reisler interrupted. "You don't have a say in this. Let's go." He told her as he half carried the older woman with them.

Lin could hear the armor deflecting so many of the strikes from the blockers, holding her injured side carefully as her friend lead her through the tunnels. It was so very disorienting to hear so much with her seismic sense, and it was all she could do to keep down the food Katara had made for her earlier. That damn cable had really taken a toll on her, as loathe as she was to admit it.

"This way, hurry!" Asami called out, the group following swiftly.

However, they soon found themselves with a mecha at their back, the tunnel up as their salvation right before them. There was no way they could all escape with that damn machine there, ready to drag them to Amon alive.

Lin felt Reisler shift. "I know what you're thinking, Reisler." She growled. "And I order you to stand down."

"Korra." He said, pointedly ignoring his old friend. "Watch over this cranky old hag for me, will you?"

"Damn it, Reisler! You're not doing this!" She demanded as the young Avatar took charge of her now struggling form, her old friend chuckling at her.

"Lin. To hell with your orders. You and the others go. And don't stop until Amon is gone. Come for us when you can."

Lin felt Korra pulling at her, trying to guide her away from Reisler. "Reisler." She started, struggling as much as her aching body would let her. "Liam." She called out as she lost ground to the younger girl.

Reisler planted himself, exhaling as he cleared his mind, facing down his foe as she used her seismic sense again. She fought harder, twisting more and more as the mecha bore down on him. "Liam!"

He stomped on the ground, pulling up a thick sheet of metal behind him to cut him off from the other escapees, his expression one of grim determination.

"LIAM!" She called out, reaching futilely at him as Korra dragged her to the ladder.

"Lin! We have to go." She told the woman firmly, trying to usher her onto the rails.

"You go, I've got to help Reisler!" The blind bender insisted.

"No, you need to climb the ladder." She demanded, irritation growing in her tone.

"You can take this damn ladder and shove it up your-"

Korra's already frayed patience finally snapped. "You know what? I don't have time for this. Heads up above!"

Before Lin could protest, she found herself rather abruptly tossed straight up into the air by a pylon of earth, Korra clambering up the ladder swiftly after her.

Tenzin used a blast of wind to push her into Bolin's arms as they found themselves outside the manor, Asami having alerted him earlier. Once Korra climbed out, they ran as fast as they could for the airship Asami spoke of moments before, reeling from the truth of that night, boarding and departing as quickly as possible.

Lin rounded on Korra, tears welling up in her unseeing eyes. "Why didn't you let me help him?" She raged.

Blue eyes were kind but firm. "We needed you, and he knew you'd be the one who could help them. And you can't help him while you're so injured."

"You had no right to stop me, Idiot-bender!" She jabbed her finger into Korra's sternum painfully hard. "He was my friend!"

Instead of the harsh rebuttal she had been anticipating, Lin found herself pulled into a firm, comforting hug. At first, she pushed against the younger bender, but slowly, surely, she found herself biting back those tears she had been warding off as she relaxed into the embrace.

"You're my friend too, Lin. I need you here. With us." She heard the Avatar whisper.

After several moments to compose herself, the blind woman pulled back, the make-up completely gone from her scars now. Hesitantly, her hands traced Korra's face, reading her sincere expression, the timid curve of a smile on her lips, the compassionate furrow to her eyebrows. It was a comfort to see the girl so open to her, so caring. Strange, but comforting.

Mako stepped up as they moved apart, concerned. "Korra, look. I'm really sorry for... Being an ass." He admitted. "Can we put it behind us?"

Korra smiled and nodded. "Yeah, of course. But, look after Asami, okay? She needs someone now more than ever."

'And it can't be me. Not yet. Not until I know how I feel about her.' She finished silently.

Her friend nodded with a smile. "Of course."

Mako walked over to Asami, resting his hand on her shoulder, and she turned to hold him as she cried. Korra watched on silently while Tenzin watched Lin sit down to rest.

Things really weren't going to be the same now, were they?