It had been a week since the CEO of Cabbage Corp had gone missing. None of the CEO's have been found and Asami had been increasingly on edge. Korra reassured her that she wouldn't let anything happen to Asami, yet Asami could not ignore the pit in her stomach. She knew she should be working on her new prototype today, but she just needed a break. She did not want to go to the office. She casually walked down the street in downtown. She knew Korra would freak out if she knew Asami was walking all by herself, considering all that has been happening. However, her destination was in sight. She walked up the flight of stairs to the apartment on the end. She knocked lightly. Amber eyes greeted her, looking a little groggy.
"Asami? What time is it?" She sighed.
"I know it's kind of early, but this is when I go to work and I didn't feel like going to the office today. I didn't just want to go straight home." Asami startled to ramble. Mako let out a light laugh.
"Want to talk about it?" Asami gave him a soft smile.
"If you don't mind." Mako opened the door wider.
"Not at all." He was still dressed in his night shirt and shorts. He put a pot on the stove.
"Jasmine or ginseng?" Asami took a sit at the small table in Mako's kitchen.
"Jasmine please." Mako nodded and added the necessary ingredients.
"I have a feeling this is about the recent disappearances," Mako inquired. Asami let out a big sigh.
"I don't know what to do Mako. Every CEO in Republic City has gone missing and not been heard from since. Who is to say that I am not a target?" Mako poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her.
"Well I would be lying if I said that hasn't crossed my mind. The only problem is we have absolutely no leads. It is really frustrating." Mako took a seat next to Asami.
"What does Korra think?" Asami looked down at her lap.
"She is putting on a tough face, but I know she is really worried. Mako, I am not even worried about me, I am worried about my family. What if they target my children?" Mako gave her a serious look.
"I think we both know that there are too many people in your life that will not let that happen." Asami rolled her eyes.
"I get that. I have heard it from Korra a million times. But these people have been disappearing with no trace of anything! I cannot stand the thought that whoever these people are might decide to target my children or even Korra and just disappear into the night with nobody none the wiser!" Asami's voice continued to grow higher.
"Asami…"
"Am I not allowed to worry? I am incredibly proud of the fact that my wife is the Avatar, but she is also human. She can't be in two different places at once. I just can't shake this awful feeling Mako…" Asami let a tear slip down her cheek. Mako pulled Asami into a comforting hug.
"I think I get it," Mako says quietly. Asami pulls away from their embrace.
"What?" Mako puts his hands on her shoulder.
"Does this all stem from that one day that you thought you lost her?" Asami tensed.
"Is this why you came here instead of talking to Korra?" Asami looked away from Mako.
"I can't lose her Mako, she means everything to me. Hiroshi and Kairi are my world and Korra helped me create it. I don't want her doing some crazy Avatar thing just because she thinks she will be protecting our family." Mako snorted.
"What?" He shook his head.
"We are both talking about Korra right?" Asami crossed her arms.
"Why?"
"Just as Korra is your world, you are hers. You are both stuck in this stubborn cycle of who can protect who best and it is amusing." Asami swatted his arm.
"I don't know if I should be insulted or not." Mako stood up and refilled both of their cups.
"I understand there are some crazy things going on right now, but you both worry way too much. You two are the strongest, bravest women I have ever met. There is no doubt in my mind that whatever may happen, the two of you will protect your children and each other. Plus, as their godfather, I will char anybody who tries to hurt them." Asami couldn't help the smile that stretched across her face.
"How do you do that?"
"Do what?" Asami stood.
"Know exactly what to say." Mako handed her the cup of tea.
"I don't know. I always seemed to say the wrong thing when I dated you two, so maybe I have gained some perspective." Asami rolled her eyes. Mako laughed and took a swig of his tea.
"I am just messing with you. You two are my best friends and I want nothing but happiness for you. Besides, you both need someone to talk to when Korra gets too hot-headed." Asami laughed. She set down her cup.
"Thank you Mako." Mako gave her a light hug.
"Anytime Asami. I was thinking if you two aren't busy, we could take the kids on a picnic in the park. I have the day off." Asami nodded.
"That sounds relaxing. I'll let you get dressed and we can head back to the mansion to pick everybody up."
"Uncle Mako! How come we haven't seen you in forever?" Kairi eagerly jumped into Mako's arms, giving him a tight bear hug.
"I am sorry Firefly I have been very busy at my job." Hiroshi crossed his arms.
"Too busy to come play with us?" Mako ruffled his hair.
"Hey today is my only day off and I wanted to spend it with my favorite niece and nephew." Hiroshi smirked.
"We are your only niece and nephew." Korra walked into the room, sweat glistening on her forehead. She was wearing bindings and her blue pants.
"Mako? What are you doing here?" Mako put Kairi down and walked to Korra to give her a one-armed hug.
"Nice to see you too." Korra lightly punched him.
"It is a pleasant surprise, but really what are you doing here?" Mako leaned down and talked to the kids.
"I thought we could all go on a picnic at the park." The children yelled in excitement.
"Uncle Mako has the best ideas! Can we please go Mama?" Korra looked down at Kairi.
"Yes we can sweetie, Mama just needs to shower first." Asami walked through the door and surprised Korra.
"Asami? What are you doing home so early?" Asami went over to her wife and kissed her.
"I think we all need a relaxing day and the kids are really excited to be with their uncle." The children grabbed Mako's hands.
"Can we feed the koi in the pond? Can we practice our chi stances?" Mako chuckled.
"If it is ok with your mommies, we can head out now and do all that stuff. Then they can meet us there with all kinds of food." The children grew even more excited.
"Best plan ever! Can we do that please Mommy?" Asami smiled warmly at her son.
"Of course sweetie, you guys go have fun and your Mama and I will be right there ok?" The children practically dragged Mako out the door. He turned to wink at the two lovers. Korra turned her attention to Asami.
"What was that all about?" Asami pulled Korra into a tight hug, nuzzling her head into the Avatar's shoulder.
"I went to talk to Mako this morning. I know how worried we both are about this whole situation with the CEO's, but we don't need to change our lives or do anything rash. Let's just enjoy our family." Korra raised an eyebrow.
"You had to go to Mako to realize all this?" Asami hugged Korra closer.
"No, but he helped me to realize that we both are stubborn in our ways. You get all protective in your Avatar way, and I get protective of you too. But we are in this together Korra, and if somebody is trying to hurt our family, it isn't just on your shoulders to protect us. We created this family together and we need to protect it together." Korra kissed the top of Asami's forehead.
"I just couldn't live with myself if something were to happen to you or the kids." Asami looked into her wife's eyes.
"I feel the same way. I don't want you rushing into a battle without me Korra. You swear that you won't let anything happen to me or our kids, but I swear that I will not let anything happen to you. You can protect us, but let me protect you." Korra was dumbfounded. Where was all this coming from? It suddenly dawned on her.
"You still get scared when you think about when Kuvira fired her canon at me?" Asami clutched Korra's arms.
"Of course I do. I thought I had lost you that day. It was an unbearable feeling. There are some bad people out there right now and I don't know if they are after me or my family, but I just don't want you to rush into a battle." Korra smiled, understanding dawning on her.
"I promise I will be careful should anything happen. But like you said, we shouldn't have to change our lives. We just need to be diligent and look out for our family, for each other." Korra could feel Asami smile against her shoulder.
"You know I love you so much, right?" Korra pulled Asami into a deep kiss.
"I never had any doubt in my mind. I love you Asami." The two women headed to the shower, where they would find their own form of relaxation before joining their children and Mako at the park.
Korra and Asami rode on Naga over to Avatar Korra Park. It always gave Korra a weird feeling going to park that was named after her. Her children, however, loved going to the park so she always conceded to them, even though she didn't necessarily like the park. Asami had her chest pressed to Korra's back, enjoying the breeze flowing through her hair.
"It's such a beautiful day out." Korra smirked.
"Come on girl we are missing out on all the fun!" Naga seemed to catch the urgency in her master's voice and increased her speed. The statue of herself came into view and the threesome quickly spotted the tall firebender with their two children.
"Marco?"
"Polo!" The two children were dancing around Mako, his arms desperately trying to catch one of the little hoodlums.
"Marco?"
"Naga!" The polar bear dog gently nuzzled Kairi in the stomach, the little girl giggling and patting Naga's nose. Korra and Asami dismounted the large polar bear dog, a picnic basket hanging from Asami's arm. Korra couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Mako blindly chasing her children.
"Who would have thought that our kids would have turned Mako into a marshmallow?" Asami giggled at Korra and lightly swatter her arm.
"I think it is great that they love him and Bolin so much. They bring out the best in each other." Korra kissed Asami's cheek.
"Ok who is hungry?" The two children eagerly ran to their mother.
"Hey Polo, lunch is here." Mako took the blindfold and threw it at Korra. The five of them sat down near the koi pond with Naga laying down behind Hiroshi and Kairi. The park was full of people and families enjoying the weather before the harsh summer heat hit.
"This is delicious Asami."
"Thank you Mako."
"Hey, how do you know that I didn't make it?"
Mako and Asami glanced at each other and burst out laughing. Korra grumbled and took another aggressive bite out of her sandwich.
"Whatever, at least I have my bending that I can brag about." Kairi tugged at her mom's pants.
"Can I bend too, Mama?" Korra gave her daughter a pat on the head.
"You can do whatever you put your mind to, sweetie." Kairi gave her mom a huge grin and suddenly stood up.
"My name is Kairi and I am the best waterbender ever! You gotta deal with it!" Kairi stood near the pond and pretended to bend the water.
"Definitely your child," Asami muttered to Korra. Kairi's look of concentration turned to frustration when the water wouldn't obey her.
"Mama, I am putting my mind to it but the water won't listen!" Korra patted the spot next to her, tilting her head to signal Kairi over. Kairi plopped down and pouted.
"Not everybody learns how to bend an element at a young age. Some people don't even discover they are benders until they are teenagers. Hiroshi might still be a bender even though he is 11. Don't get discouraged sweetie." Korra played with her daughter's hair.
"Yeah Kairi, Mommy isn't a bender and she is still pretty cool," Hiroshi pointed out. Asami smiled at her son. Kairi still didn't look pleased.
"I still want to be a bender…"
Korra and Asami gave each other a worried look.
"Don't worry Firefly, I am sure you will unlock your bending pretty soon. Who knows, maybe you will turn out to be a firebender like me, or even a strong, earthbender like your Uncle Bolin." Kairi's eyes lit up.
"That would be cool!" Korra mouthed a 'thank you' to Mako and he smiled. They continued to enjoy their meal and the weather outside. Korra was casually leaning against a tree. She was watching her children and her wife feed the turtleducks. She couldn't help the feeling of peace that washed over her. It wasn't until a loud explosion erupted that Korra was snapped from her reverie. She immediately leapt up and scanned the park for her family. Her heart dropped when she no longer saw her family near the turtleduck pond. Korra had to force herself not to panic. She heard a bark to her left and relief washed over her as she saw Asami and her children mounted on top of Naga.
"Asami! Are you guys ok?" Korra looked over her children and wife to scan for any possible injuries.
"We are fine. We heard the explosion and Naga came running towards us."
"I don't see any damage to the park though. Where did the explosion come from?" Korra saw Mako running towards her.
"Korra come on! The police agency has been blown up!" Korra's eyes grew wide.
"Why would they target the police?" Mako tried to catch his breath.
"I don't know, but maybe whoever is behind this is also behind the CEO disappearances. And if that's the case, then they might be targeting Chief Beifong." Korra clenched her fists.
"Mako, will you please go with Asami and make sure my family gets back to the mansion safely?"
"But Korra…"
"No Mako! I need to know that my family will be safe and I don't trust anybody else. I will go to the police headquarters. Call Bolin, we will need all the backup we can get." Mako gave Korra a firm nod.
"Korra wait…" Korra looked at her wife, giving her a look indicating there was no arguing on the matter.
"Just stay close to Mako ok Asami? I will be ok I promise." Asami slid down from Naga and pulled Korra into a tight hug.
"I love you Korra. Be safe."
"I love you too Asami. Keep our family safe. I will be home tonight." The two kissed tenderly. Asami remounted Naga.
"Bye Mama, go kick some bad guy butt!" Kairi pumped her fist in the air. Korra looked at her children.
"Be good for Mommy and Uncle Mako ok?" Hiroshi gave Korra a firm nod and Kairi leapt off Naga and hugged Korra tightly.
"Love you Mama."
"I love you too sweetheart." With that, Naga took off with Korra's family and Mako. Korra took off towards the police agency.
'Lin is going to kill whoever busted up her agency…' Korra thought to herself. She remembered what Mako had said about Lin being a possible target.
'I hope she is ok…"