Chain Reaction

Hey guys, sorry about the ultimatum, but I kinda needed to jumpstart you guys. And I think that if I keep writing Chain Reaction, it'll hopefully help me think of other non-angst Makorra. And what is up with all this drama? Come on guys, the producers have to get them together sometime or other or else they know the fans will come for them. *evil laugh* Now- on with the story!

Cue disclaimer: Never owned, never will.

Sweat beaded on my forehead despite the nearly freezing winter air, and my arms ached from the effort of rowing for so long. I was finally thankful for all the callouses I had built up from bending otherwise I was sure that my hands would be bleeding by now.

The glow from the monument's lights reached the rickety rowboat the kind fisherman had lent me. I finally reached the small dock, bumping gently into the other boat that was already tied to a post. I tied a knot, my arms shaking as I heaved myself onto the worn wood. A scrap of blue silk hung off of the edge of the roof, billowing in the light breeze.

I studied the past Avatar's imposing figure for a moment before a humorless laugh trickled from the roof. As soon as the sound had reached my ears, Korra's face popped into my mind, laughing at my attempt to win the spar we had been engaged in. I shook my head, trying to get back to the task at hand.

Small hiccupping sobs reached my ears, and my heart went out to her. I hadn't realized I had moved, but I found myself on the roof in Avatar Aang's looming shadow. The enthralling women had her back to me, her beautiful dress lying in a sea of silk around her.

I took a deep breath, steeling my nerves before I walked toward her quivering frame. Knowing that she would try and slip away again, I steeled my nerves and slipped a hand over her mouth, gripping her wrists tightly in the other. I felt her entire being stiffen, her wide, teary eyes tugging at my heart as she whirled to face me, betrayal and heart break swimming in their oceanic depths.

With tears slowly tracing their way down her cheeks, her hair windblown and wild, and her make up smeared, she looked like a little girl in a woman's body: uncertain and vulnerable. I softened my voice, trying to calm her. "My Lady, please listen to me," I pleaded with her, feeling her back expand as she drew in another trembling breath. "We have a chance, if only you would give me one. If you cannot bear to give me one, I only wish to know one thing: Who are you?" She went very still, and I slowly released my hold on her. As soon as my skin left hers, I could feel her retreat, drawing back into her shell. She refused to meet my gaze, her own downcast and confused.

I tipped her chin up, marveling how soft her skin was, unconsciously drawn to her. A scent that was just pure her tickled my nose, swirling around us as a gust blew off the bay. "My Lady," I breathed, hoping and praying to the Spirits that I could just know her name. "Please."

She squared her shoulders before finally turning to face me, her electric blue eyes full of trepidation. Her inky lashes brushed the tops of her sharp cheekbones, filled with shadows from the monument's lights.

I blinked once, eyes wide with shock as my eyebrows sky rocketed. I sucked in a breath as I recalled her odd, familiar half smile. Korra had done the same thing the first night that we met. I saw the scene play behind my closed lids, barely aware that she had slipped out of my embrace.

*Flashback*

"Nice to meet you, Avatar Korra." I said formally, tipping my head in acknowledgement as I started for the stairs.

She gave me a two finger salute, cocking her head as she suppressed a small smile. "Yeah, been a real pleasure."

As soon as I was out of sight, I growled, dragging a hand over my face. God, I was such an idiot.

*End Flashback*

She sniffled, and the sound brought me slamming back into reality. She had her arms wrapped around her torso, like she was physically holding herself together. That fact alone had me lurching towards her and grabbing her wrist before crushing her to my chest.

Her head snapped up, curls whipping in the wind and eyes flying open. My last rational thought was Agni help me, before I seized her lips with mine. This kiss was better than any I had ever shared with Asami, or any other girl for that matter. Her fingers, which had been clutching at the sleek fabric of my shoulders, scraped gently over my scalp, cutting through the stiff gel. She tasted slightly salty from the tears she had shed, and I ran my hands from her wrists to her face, rubbing over the tiny rivers that remained, slowly moving my mouth over hers.

Korra whined, straining to get closer towards me. I smiled against her earnest lips. She was impatient as ever. As soon as her tongue touched my lips, all thoughts flew out of my head, and I lost all resolve. Grasping at the sheer fabric of her dress, I tried to draw her even closer, with little success. I stroked the small of her back, wondering why on Earth we hadn't done this sooner. Because you're an idiot, a small voice that sounded very much like Bolin's whispered in the back of my mind. I decided to ignore it, much preferring the activity at hand.

I grinned victoriously at my small triumph as she finally slanted her mouth across mine, knees buckling slightly as she sagged against me. Now that her tears were finally gone, she tasted faintly of the champagne she had drunk earlier that evening. I knew she had consumed a glass and a half because I hadn't been able to take my eyes off of her luscious full mouth. Other from the small spike from the alcohol, she was sweet, almost floral, and not at all what I had expected. This girl was constantly surprising me, and sometimes, in the best of ways.

I damned the human need for oxygen when we were finally forced to pull away. Short puffs fogged out in front of us, mingling from our closeness. The clock charmed underneath us, signaling the start of the New Year. "Happy New Year's, Korra." I whispered, pecking her cheek and burying my face in her soft hair.

I frowned as she drew away, eyes fluttering as she struggled to concentrate. "But I t-thought-"

I pulled her back towards me, bringing a hand to cup her chin. I stared straight into her endless and spirited blue eyes, barely resisting the urge to kiss the tip of her nose. "Korra, a new year is the time for a new beginning. Don't you think we should finally start ours?"

Hey guys, sorry it's taking me so long to upload, but seeing as it's 11:30 PM right now, I kinda needed to cut it off her because I am incredibly lazy. I promise that after I finish up this scene in the next chapter, I'll do a little bonus sneak peek sorta thing for chapter five. Reviews are loved, the people who write them even more so.

SNO.