Disclaimer: I still don't own this lovely show.

A/N: Hello darlings,

Here is the penultimate chapter, a few days late. Hopefully, the fact that it's a much longer piece will make up for it!
My prompts were:

cassandra1447: 'Lin, Tenzin, and home repair (of whatever variety, or remodelling maybe.)'
[I may not have done a very good job with this one, but it was quite hard to fit within the rest of my story; I did my best!]
miss3y: 'I love the idea of Lin getting hurt on duty after the breakup, & Tenzin struggling with whether or not to come (and/or coming!)'

Reviews are as precious to me as honour is to Zuko! Thank you.
Love,
-Wil.

Part IV - Winter

Fifteen years had passed.

The days were Tenzin used to lie awake by Pema's side, fading memories of Lin overflowing in his mind, were over for good. With the passing of time, he had grown to care very deeply for the Air Acolyte, and now, he could no longer picture a life without her by his side. Besides, their ties had grown even tighter with the birth of every child. Jinora, Ikki and Meelo were all slowly turning into wonderful individuals, and he was persuaded little Rohan would soon follow his siblings' path. Although the task was exhausting at best, Tenzin had found himself reveling more than ever in fatherhood; his children remained his strongest beacon even in the darkest of days.

Besides, with three growing airbenders along with a possible fourth, it seemed that Tenzin was more than ever on his way to fulfill his father's dying wish to help restore the former glory of the airbending nation. He'd devoted his entire life to the maintaining of Avatar Aang's legacy, both towards Air Temple Island and Republic City, and although in his most selfish days, he sometimes felt he may have missed a destiny of his own, he believed more than ever in the importance of his duty to the world, whether chosen or thrust upon him.

However if Tenzin, then, truly believed he had his own life under control, Avatar Korra's hectic arrival to Republic City had most definitely decided to prove him wrong.

…

Training Korra to the delicate art of mastering airbending was, at its core, a very demanding challenge. The young woman was stubborn, impatient, and probably one of the less spiritual people he'd ever been given to meet. Yet he knew that, deep down, Korra also held kindness, dedication, bravery, and power beyond what she would ever imagine. He was immensely fond of the young woman, despite the fact that she drove him to the edge every single time he attempted to train her. In a way, she reminded him a lot of what Lin had been in her youth.

Lin was another problem altogether. During the decades they had spent apart, Chief Beifong and Tenzin had found themselves naturally falling into a pattern that seemed to suit them both. As the respective positions in the workings of Republic City forced them to rub shoulders every so often, they seemed to have come to a silent agreement to ignore their mutual past, as well as any feeling of resentment, bitterness or regret they may still have been holding close.

Lin would always be abrasive and sharp when addressing him, but Tenzin knew he could trust her to always be honest, not to mention extraordinarily devoted to any task she was assigned. Tenzin, as for him, would be courteous, charming, patient and compromising with the Chief of police. Their silent arrangement had proven efficient many times in the past, and as long as both parties chose to honour it, Tenzin would have no reason to worry about working with Lin. Their common past was, after all, in the past.

Since Korra had arrived, however, everything had changed. He had rapidly feared that Lin's exasperation with the young bender had been, partially at least, directed towards him. He couldn't help but feel unbearable guilt at that thought, not only towards Korra but also towards Lin, and the probably unbearable pain his actions had caused her in the past. Who could forget the state Air Temple Island had been in after Lin had exerted her wrath upon it?

Besides, since the young woman had figured out the former relation that had intertwined both adults' lives in the past, it seemed that Lin and him had been forced to work alongside one another more often than not. Not that Tenzin minded much, actually. If one thing, fighting Amon and the Equalist party alongside his former lover seemed to have erased the remaining traces bitterness on Lin's part. She was still as opinionated and sharp-tongued as ever towards him, but her actions, on the other hand, had been nothing but caring and selfless.

She seemed utterly dedicated to the protection and safety of his entire family, shielding them from any possible harm, without any attempt to intrude within his family dynamics either. The children all adored her, and even Pema, who had kept holding a little grudge towards Lin since her brief visit of Republic City's prison, had been won over and couldn't stop praising the older woman's recent actions, as well as her unwavering support.

Consequently, Lin's usually shadow-like presence in Tenzin's life had grown increasingly starker in a couple weeks, and Tenzin wasn't sure if the feelings her company stirred within his bosom were for the best. Old memories he'd thought buried forever were slowly resurfacing, reminding the councilman just of the many reasons why he'd loved Lin as deeply as he had.

No matter how hard he strived to ignore it, something within him had begun unraveling, and the mere thought of what may happen utterly terrified him.

…

She had leapt off Oogi.

One minute she was there, sat by his side among his loved ones, safe; the other, she was shooting through the air towards the enemy dirigibles, out of reach and almost out of sight. Tenzin's irrepressible scream lost itself in the wind when he encompassed the meaning of the metalbender's gesture. It was a sacrifice.

She was giving her own life up for his sake, for the safety of Pema and their children without asking for anything in return. It was an act of uttermost abnegation, from a woman who had every right to feel nothing but resentment and bitterness towards him.

Tenzin suddenly felt his chest tighten with terror, and his knuckles grew white from squeezing Oogi's reins too tightly. Meelo's words seemed to be nothing but a distant echo he could barely hear through the increasing roar of his own blood pulsating through his temples.

For a second, he wanted to go after her, and for another second, he almost did. But then his eyes met Pema's green ones, then moved down to the small frame of his son Rohan wrapped into a bundle of orange covers, and he knew his place was by their side. If he chose to leave now, then Lin's sacrifice would have been pointless; he was the only one who could make sure to lead the Sky bison to safety, and at that moment, nothing else mattered.

'Yes. She is,' he answered in a mutter in response to Meelo's words that his mind had somehow managed to register. He watched as the airships' courses began to alter, their altitude dropping more and more every second. He squeezed his eyes shut for a second, refusing to even think about what might happen. Lin's fate was in her own hands now, and there was nothing more he could do about this.

With great efforts, Tenzin finally detached his gaze from the dirigible, and pulled Oogi's reins a little to the side. He knew he would return to Republic City as soon as humanly possible, not only to assist Avatar Korra, but above all to retrieve Lin from Amon's claws; he just hoped he wouldn't be too late.

It couldn't end like this. It wouldn't end like this. There were still so many words left unsaid between the two of them.

…

Tenzin was tossing and turning in the bed, his entire body feverish, agitated. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to erase the images of Lin leaping off Oogi from his mind. Now, in the sheer middle of the night, they were growing distorted, nightmarish even. A million times he fell asleep, and a million times he saw Lin losing her bending to Amon, or being tortured by his men relentlessly, to the brink of death.

Suddenly, Pema jerked to his side, before turning towards his side of the bed, looking up at him with exhausted eyes.

'Tenzin, what is it? Is something wrong with Rohan?'

Tenderly, Tenzin ran his long fingers through his wife's tangled locks, attempting to reassure her as well as he could.

'No, sweetheart. Rohan is alright, do not worry. He's safe and sound, all tucked in in his crib.'

'What's on your mind, then? Your sleep sounded… quite agitated. Are you alright?'

Tenzin replied with a half-hearted smile, squeezing Pema's hand.

'It's because of her, isn't it?' Pema asked after a moment, when Tenzin remained silent. 'You're worried about her?'

'Wouldn't you be?' Tenzin replied before he could stop himself. 'She could very well be dead already!'

'Of course I am,' Pema muttered back, sincere. 'I can't stop thinking about what she did for us- to protect us- and I wish I could return the favour.'

'I just- I can't seem to stop seeing it, whenever I close my eyes.'

'I know, Tenzin. But Lin's made of nothing but strength and bravery- I want to keep hoping she will remain safe and sound.'

'You're right,' Tenzin answered after a pause. 'The only thing we can do now is hope, anyway.'

'Yes. Don't ever lose hope, Tenzin,' Pema added, squeezing her husband's wrists lightly. Suddenly, she bit her lip, as if she were considering something. After a lingering silence, she spoke again.

'Do you want to go back for her?'

'I'm sorry?' Tenzin asked, his eyes widening.

'I said, do you want to go back to Republic City to make sure of Chief Beifong's safety?'

'I can't leave you on your own with the kids,' Tenzin replied hastily. Pema didn't fail to notice how quickly he had been to dodge the question.

'We will be fine, Tenzin. We're much safer here than we ever were back at the Air Temple. And your siblings are going to be here soon enough; I'm sure they won't mind helping out with the children.'

Sitting up in silence, Tenzin turned towards his wife slightly.

'Why are you doing this, Pema? Do you honestly want me to go?'

'I don't think the decision is mine to take, Tenzin. I just don't like seeing you in such a state. Lin has always been a very important part of your life, and I'm aware of that. Besides, I'm worried too. She saved us all.'

'Are you sure you could handle caring for Rohan-'

'Tenzin, sweetheart, please. If you want to go, just do. The only thing I ask of you is that you get back as soon as possible. We'll miss you.'

The surprising resolve in Pema's voice was enough to convince Tenzin that going after Lin was the right thing to do. Pressing a soft kiss to his wife's cheekbone, he leaned back down in the bed, noticeably calmer.

'I'll leave first thing in the morning,' he muttered, watching Pema struggle against sleep. 'And I promise you I will be back as soon as possible; you won't even notice I left.'

'It's alright, my dear. Right now, Lin needs you more than I do. And I understand why you would worry about her. I do, too.'

'Thank you, Pema. Your understanding means a lot to me, I hope you know that.'

Upon these words, he pressed a soft kiss to Pema's hair, before squeezing her hand tightly.

'Don't mention it,' she replied a little sadly. 'I know how much Lin still means to you- and I suppose I'm the reason why you never got some proper closure, so it's the least I can do.'

'What are you saying, Pema?' Tenzin answered quietly, raising his eyebrows at his wife. 'Lin and I is history. I thought you knew that by now. I just want to check up on her, it doesn't mean anything. Believe me.'

'Of course I know that,' Pema replied, wrapping her own arms around herself. 'I shouldn't have phrased it this way.' She paused for a few seconds. 'Now, we really should go back to sleep, Tenzin. The night will be short.'

'Yes- I'm sorry. Goodnight, darling.' He pecked her lips briefly, before she leaned back down, turning away until her back faced him.

'Pema?' Tenzin asked when she wouldn't reply. 'Thank you, again. This truly means a lot.'

'I know. Now you must sleep, sweetheart.'

When Tenzin finally laid back down, Pema was still facing away from him. He briefly wondered whether something he had done or said could have upset her. However, before long, his thoughts flew back to the missing earthbender, and he tried to keep the threatening blurred images overwhelming his nightmares at bay.

He would get to Lin on the next day, and he would find her in time. He had to.

He had already fallen back into a restless sleep when Pema shifted back towards him, running lazy fingers over his bald head. Had he been awake, he would have noticed her eyes had begun to glisten with the ghost of tears.

'Just be careful,' she muttered, nuzzling against his chest and pulling him all against her. 'Or I'm scared your attempts to get closure with Lin may turn into something else entirely.'

Her words lost themselves in the sheets, and he never saw her tears before they faded into the fabric of the pillow.

…

Lin wasn't conscious when Tenzin got to her apartment, back in Republic City. Some of her closest friends had been taking turns at her side for the last few days –Tenzin was actually pleasantly surprised to discover Kya had been one of these very people- keeping a constant watch on her, but nothing had happened yet.

The only things that Tenzin knew for sure were that Lin had been greatly injured, yet she was still breathing. Even unconscious, she remained a fighter at heart: all specialists were positive that, despite the seriousness of her state, she would eventually recover.

The one thing Lin still probably ignored was that she had lost her bending completely, due to Amon's unspeakably cruel actions. Tenzin fully measured just how devastating the news would probably be to the woman in the bed: Lin's entire life had been defined by her bending abilities; somehow, it was as if she'd been suddenly deprived of a limb.

Tenzin deeply feared what Lin might do upon learning of such terrible news, which is why the airbender firmly refused to leave her side when the night came, no matter how tired he felt. Sprawled on a chair by the right side of Lin's bed, he was struggling to stay awake, the woman's hand firmly wrapped in his.

Her fingers, although cold, were not quite lifeless yet, and Tenzin was clinging to them with his entire being, refusing to let her slip away from him ever again. He would never let her go.

Hours passed. All of a sudden, whilst Tenzin had begun to mumble aloud lyrics of an old nursery rhyme Bumi had once taught him, in order to keep himself awake, he felt a brief twitch within the palm of his hand. One second later, Lin's fingers were wrapping tightly around his, almost painfully so. Her eyes were still shut, and she was wincing in pain every so often, her entire figure jerking in the bed.

However, crushing the airbender's hand seemed to have a soothing effect on the woman, so Tenzin gladly relinquished his hand to hers, choosing instead to marvel at the sight of their intertwined fingers. Just like old times.

He only allowed himself to drift to sleep once he managed to make out the feeling of Lin's pulse beneath her skin.

…

'What on earth is doing all this racket?'

Clutching her ribs with one hand and pulling her tangled hair away from her face with the other, Lin limped up to her living room, following the incongruous sounds coming from further within her apartment.

She should probably have been worried, but she was injured and her head was pounding already, so she decided to give the intruder the benefit of the doubt.

'What the Flameo is going on here?' she grunted, rubbing her eyelids as she stepped into the living room. Upon these words, a very bewildered Tenzin pivoted towards her, an indescribable look plastered upon his face.

One second later, he had leapt by Lin's side, wrapping a steady arm around her shoulders to help her stand upright.

'Lin, what on earth are you doing up?,' he cried, alarmed. Lin shook him off promptly, stepping away from him.

'I'm fine, I don't need your help.' She took a deep, ragged breath. 'Now, Councilman Tenzin, will you please do me the honours of explaining exactly what you think you are doing here?'

'Well, I-' Tenzin began, as hesitant as he used to always be with her, especially when she played tough with him. Despite her efforts, Lin felt her anger melt down a little. 'Lin, do you know exactly what happened to you?' he added in a low voice, staring down at the floor.

'I know Amon took my bending away, Tenzin, if that's what worries you so much.'

'You do?'

'Of course. It feels like half my essence has been sucked away from me. I can't feel anything, just- emptiness.'

Once again, Tenzin took a tentative step towards her, reaching out for her shoulder yet settling on awkwardly patting her elbow instead.

'Lin, I'm so sorry-'

'Cut the garbage, Tenzin. I should consider myself lucky, shouldn't I? I'm still alive, and that's what matters.'

Her voice was raspier than usual, and from the way her brow furrowed as she uttered those words, Tenzin knew she was hurt much deeper than she would allow herself to let on.

'What are you doing here, anyway? I told you not to turn back for me. Don't you have a wife and children?'

'They're safe, Lin. Thanks to you.'

'Good. Still, you shouldn't be here, anyway. I'm sure Pema wouldn't appreciate knowing you came to visit me today. Didn't she just have your child, for Spirit's sake?'

Tenzin grabbed both of Lin's wrists gently, keeping her for continuing to circle him threateningly, as she always did when she was angry. Indeed, she couldn't keep herself from limping when she walked, and he was worried she would pace herself to a malaise.

'Lin, listen to me. Pema knows I'm here. Actually, she encouraged me to come to you.'

Lin scoffed, raising a single eyebrow. From the way she glared at him silently, Tenzin realised he had just aggravated the situation.

'She did, didn't she just. Well, that's extremely nice of you both, but I don't need you to babysit me. I don't need anyone here; I don't want anyone here. So be on your way, Councilman.'

'Lin, please be reasonable! You've just been injured badly, you can't handle this entire situation by yourself, it'll only make things worse!'

'Tenzin, how can I put this so you understand me: I don't need anyone to help me; I can carry my own weight- always have. And I certainly don't need you. Now go back to your family, they're the ones you should be around right now.'

'Lin, I understand that you would still be angry at me after all those years, but don't you think-'

'No, Tenzin, you're not listening,' Lin replied in a suddenly defeated tone, 'It's not about you. I just know you shouldn't be there; you don't belong here anymore. Now go, I'll be just fine.'

Overtaken with sudden stubbornness, Tenzin crossed his arms tightly, planting his heels in the ground in front of Lin, refusing to move.

'I'm not going anywhere, Lin. You're injured and you need someone to watch over you, you're just too proud to admit it.'

Mirroring his stance, Lin took a step closer to him, refusing to back down. However, as she did, her head suddenly began to spin, and she stumbled back ungraciously until her back collided into the nearby wall. She groaned, clutching her chest and bending down slightly in order to breathe with more ease.

Pain was shooting from her ribs and spreading throughout the entire body, forcing her to clench her teeth not to wince audibly. Tenzin, however, knew the woman too well to be fooled; in an instant he was by her side, securing her stance by wrapping a steady arm around her waist, using the other to flung Lin's over his broad shoulders.

She wanted to protest, and almost attempted to shake him off her again. However, she was finding it harder and harder to stand up on her own, and the once familiar feeling of Tenzin's arms around her was, even though she would never admit it out loud, comforting. Giving in, she leaned against the airbender, letting him guide her back towards the bedroom.

'You're quite persistent for an airhead, did you know that?'

Tenzin froze for a second at the use of the nickname he hadn't heard in decades. Before he quite realised it himself, he pulled Lin a little bit closer against him.

'And you're still as stubborn as you were all these years ago,' he joked quietly, helping her to slowly sit back upon her bed. For a second, he thought he had heard her snicker.

'I guess the years didn't- didn't really change us, did they?' Lin said lightly, before stopping for a breath mid-sentence, clutching the left side of her chest.

'Easy now, Lin. Why don't you just sit back and rest for a while? I'm not going anywhere.'

'Tenzin, for the millionth time, I'm fine.'

'Oh for Spirits' sake, would you listen to me just this once, Lin?' Tenzin replied, suddenly angry. Surprised at the airbender's unexpected outburst, Lin chose to sit back against the pillow as ordered, although she still glared at Tenzin threateningly, narrowing her eyes at him.

'Fine. Are you satisfied now?'

'Very much.'

'You still didn't answer my question, you know?' Lin then asked, out of the blue, feeling an uncomfortable silence about to settle around them.

'What question?'

'What even was all that babel, earlier on?'

Tenzin suddenly looked very bothered.

'I didn't wake you up, did I?

Lin rolled her eyes at him.

'Just answer the question, Tenzin.'

'Let's say I was, um- sort of redecorating?'

'Redecorating? My place? What the flameo is that even supposed to mean?' Lin barked, her eyes shooting daggers at him.

'Fine, fine! I figured, due to your recent- loss,' Tenzin began under his breath, toying with his own fingers not to look Lin in the eye, 'your apartment may be in need of some- adjustments. Because of all the metal, that is.'

Upon these words, Lin let herself fall flat against the pillows, pressing her hands against her forehead.

'I hadn't thought of that yet,' she said in a sigh, after a few moments.

'Well, um. There really is nothing to worry about: I just moved furniture around a bit so it'd be more- functional, and removed pieces of metal here and there, too; nothing drastic.'

When Lin didn't answer, he continued.

'I also took the liberty of getting you some clothes for whenever you feel well enough. I figured your uniform would not be best.'

'That's very considerate of you, Councilman,' Lin replied with surprising distance. 'Thank you.'

Not quite sure how he should take this sudden change of tone, Tenzin quickly brought up another subject.

'Would you like something to eat, Lin?'

This time, the chief of police had to repress a smile.

'Don't tell me you cooked too!'

'Don't expect anything too fancy. It's just rice.'

'Sounds perfect. And, Tenzin? Thank you. I know I may not always show it, but this means a lot.'

'Don't mention it,' Tenzin replied, before disappearing into the corridor. Once he was out of sight, Lin sighed. What on earth had she gotten herself into, allowing Tenzin to keep her company?

She had to pull herself together.

…

Three days had passed.

Lin's state was improving day after day and, although she was still greatly weakened, she had almost regained complete control over her body. As for the tragic loss of her bending, she attempted to hide how broken it had left her, but Tenzin knew better. Bending had been Lin's everything for so long; it would take weeks, months maybe, before she would be able to truly grieve.

Despite the initially electric tension between the two adults, they seemed to have quickly settled back into once familiar dynamics. They both seemed to revel in one another's company, although there were entirely too proud and to ever say it. They only ever expressed their mutual fondness through little nothings, small gestures, sweet words. It was a game far too dangerous to push any further.

One night, though, everything changed.

Tenzin had been asleep for a few hours already, when he suddenly woke up with a start. It took him a couple minutes to realise that it had all been a cruel nightmare; Lin was safe and sound in the adjacent room, she wasn't stuck under ice back in the North Pole. All was well.

Pressing his bald head against the wall, Tenzin remained utterly still, attempting some breathing exercises to calm his racing heart. When he did, he realised the soft hum he had barely noticed after waking up was actually coming from Lin's room, and sounded distinctively like muffled sobs.

Covering himself with a formerly discarded robe, Tenzin almost ran up to Lin's door, before knocking gently.

'Leave me alone,' Lin's raspy, broken voice said throughout the door. 'I'm alright.'

'You're obviously not,' Tenzin replied. 'And to be frank with you, neither am I. Now can I come in?'

'Fine,' Lin's voice eventually responded.

Lin was sat up on her bed, knees tucked under her chin, and she had wrapped her own arms around her chest, in a meek attempt to provide herself with comfort.

'Are you alright?' Tenzin asked gently, before gesturing towards the empty side of the bed. 'May I?'

'Oh, just sit down already, will you?'

'Lin, are you alright?'

'Do I look alright to you, airhead?' Lin answered sharply, turning tear-filled eyes towards the airbender. Her hair was slightly messed up, and she was shivering, despite the warmth of the air in the room.

'Okay, that was a stupid question.' He cleared his throat and tried again. 'What happened?'

'It's just- since Amon took my bending away, I feel… so empty. Like something major inside me got broken. And it feels cold, especially at night.'

Lin let a couple anger-filled tears roll upon her cheeks, and Tenzin swallowed hard. He hadn't seen her cry since the incident with Su Yin, decades ago. She hadn't even shed a tear when they had split up. He felt utterly helpless, and in an unexpected fit of boldness, he suddenly looked straight at Lin and spoke.

'Would you like me to hold you tonight?'

Lin laughed sharply at Tenzin's suggestion.

'As I said before, I don't need a babysitter, Tenzin.'

'I know that. However, I think I do.'

Lin stared at him for endless, silent seconds, as if she half expected the suggestion to be a complete joke. It wasn't.

'Tenzin, this would be highly inappropriate.'

'I know. I just- I need to know you're alive. Especially tonight.'

Without another word, Lin dropped back down against the mattress, turning away from Tenzin's side, and hid her face under her arm. However, just as the airbender was about to rise and leave, defeated, he felt a hand wrap firmly around his wrist, keeping him down.

'You're still just as insufferable as you were when I first met you,' Lin grumbled, pulling his arm towards her and wrapping it around as chastely as possible around her fabric-covered waist. 'Goodnight.'

'Goodnight, Lin,' Tenzin answered with a half-smile, tightening his arms around the woman ever so slightly.

…

It didn't take them long to start gravitating towards one another.

Half asleep, Lin turned around in Tenzin's embrace, pulling him closer until she could rest her forehead against the airbender's shoulder. When her chapped lips came to brush against his chest, Tenzin's hand traveled just a touch lower, his fingers splayed against her hip, digging in slightly.

A second later, he felt Lin's nails against the skin of his stomach, sending a spike of molten energy throughout his every nerve. His free hand traveled up to Lin's hair almost on its own accord, tangling within the locks he'd missed so desperately. He breathed her scent in, eyes shut, and for a second he was a lifetime away, and she was all that mattered.

Their lips met shortly after, in a desperate and somewhat sloppy fashion, drawing lazy moans from the both of them. They moved slowly, discovering each other anew, moving together with just as much urgency as restraint. The sensation was odd and enchanting, the perfect combination of memories and novelty; they deepened the kiss in silence, clinging to one another tightly, feverishly.

Their mutual awareness of the situation they were in kept them both silent, the only sound between them being the friction of their burning skins, the strokes of hands and those of lips. They were drowning in one another, in this second first love they had once again gotten caught in. Although they had done this before, it felt entirely different this time; sadder, slower, and somehow truer. They were both entranced.

Even afterwards, they refused to let go of one another until the wee hours of the morning. It seemed every last kiss would never be the last, until the moment Tenzin muttered a few, barely audible words in Lin's ear, which broke the spell.

She slipped away from his embrace almost instantly, turning away from him and forcing herself to fall asleep as rapidly as possible. However, when the airbender reached for her hand below the covers, she didn't have the strength to pull back.

…

'You need to go home, Tenzin. This instant.'

'So, you refuse to even acknowledge what happened between us? Didn't it mean anything to you?'

'What happened happened,' Lin replied sharply. 'No need to dwell on it. It was wrong. We just let ourselves be carried away. It won't happen again. Ever.'

'It didn't change anything for you, then, did it?' Tenzin asked sadly, as he moved towards the door.

'It gave us the closure we always lacked, I suppose,' Lin answered, the abrasiveness of her tone melting away as she watched him leave.

Tenzin's shoulders slumped in defeat, and he gave up, regretfully stepping away from her.

'Goodbye, Lin. Take care of yourself.'

'You too, Councilman.'

A/N: Eep, we're almost at the end of this story now; just a very short epilogue left!
(And I promise I do have a happy ending in store for you all.)
Thanks a lot for reading, you're the bees' knees!
-Wil