Chapter 2: The Things You Learn
She was walking down the middle of the road in the dead of night. There was no sign of anyone around. There were no sounds from cars in the distance; no doors slamming or voices carried through the air. Everything was as still as a snapshot while Korra was the only moving portion.
She stopped and turned to stare in every direction. Something was off. It was eerie. Then, in an instant, a gust of wind knocked her to the ground. Her short hair blowing in the wind, she squinted through the burst of air in search of the source. Then, the wind stopped and revealed a figure slowly approaching her.
"How… how is this possible?" Korra breathed out with wide eyes. She felt her jaw begin to tremble.
Amon stood before her, and she began to feel her body tightening. With clenched teeth, she began to resist. "No!" she shouted as she finally broke through his control and threw an air punch at him.
Watching him begin to push himself up from the ground, she again felt her body losing control. But he wasn't doing it. She turned behind her and found Tarrlok glaring. Trying to break free seemed more difficult suddenly. The bloodbending was stronger. That was when she noticed Amon had recovered and was attacking her as well.
Her feet began to leave the street as she levitated into the air. Pain coursed through her veins and screams failed to leave her throat. Amon approached reaching out toward her. She knew what that meant. She'd been here before. How could she stop it this time? Her eyes began to glow. She had to go into the Avatar state. That was her only option.
But it wasn't working. Panic ran through her. What was happening? What was she going to do? And as his hand was inches from her, she woke up.
A strangled yell left her lips as she sat up in bed. Her breathing was heavy and her forehead was matted with sweat. Her tank top clung to her skin slightly.
"Are you okay?" a concerned voice came from beside her as she felt a gentle touch on her forearm.
A weight slowly left her chest. Asami stared caringly back at her. "I had a dream about Amon. And Tarrlok was there too."
"What happened?"
"They double teamed me with bloodbending. I couldn't resist them both. I couldn't even go into the Avatar state."
"You're fine now. It was just a dream," Asami reassured.
Korra buried her face in her hands before rubbing her head with her fingertips. "It felt so real though."
"The disappearances brought this on. You found out he was a bloodbender. It's bringing up stuff from the past."
"Yeah, well I wish it wouldn't."
"We'll catch whoever this is and you aren't helpless. You're the Avatar. That dream was a poor representation of yourself. You're stronger than you think you are apparently. And you aren't easily controlled. Trust me."
Korra turned to her with a hint of a smile across her lips. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're stubborn and you don't like to lose. There's a reason I don't play Pai Sho with you anymore."
"I swear you're cheating! Nobody wins that many times in a row!"
"I do."
"I refuse to believe that!" Korra argued as she slumped back against the headboard, arms crossed over her chest.
"Which is why you're stubborn," Asami added in a matter-of-fact tone, earning her a glare from the corner of the Avatar's eyes. Asami chuckled in response as got out of bed and began picking up her things throughout the room.
"Where are you going?" Korra's mood suddenly altered as she sat straight up again.
"I have to be at the office in a few hours so I think it's about time I went home and unpacked. I need to change my clothes anyway. Sadly, with you helping hunt down a bloodbender and me recovering from Varrick's massacre, vacation is obviously over," she explained with a sigh.
"I told you that was a bad idea."
"I honestly thought Zhu Li was going to keep him in check. I guess she can only do so much, which is still impressive when it comes to him." She continued to fold her clothes and put them in her bag before she pulled on her pants.
Korra sighed heavily at the sight. "I don't want vacation to be over." Asami turned to look at her with a raised brow. She then smiled sweetly, placed a folded shirt into her bag and walked over to the bed; taking a seat in front of her.
"As sad as it is, it's nice to know we're needed," Asami tried to offer a different perspective.
"Yeah… but… now what? With us?" Korra asked hesitantly as she stared down at her lap.
Asami raised an eyebrow again before placing a hand on the Avatar's chin and tilting her head up so their eyes could meet. Asami's tender smile caused Korra's heart to swell. It left her completely breathless. And then, Asami leaned in and captured her lips. Any worry in the young woman's heart and mind washed away. She felt Asami's fingertips tracing up her jaw, down her neck, and ending on her shoulder. Then, she pushed her back down on the bed tenderly. The kisses were deep and slowly growing more and more passionate. A knee placed between the Avatar's legs kept Asami hovering above her. Then, Korra wrapped her arms around Asami's waist to bring her closer; a hand running slowly up the black haired woman's back, under her thin shirt.
"Korra!" Tenzin yelled through the closed door as he knocked.
Asami jerked away slightly in response. Korra quickly replied. "W-what? What is it?"
"Lin just contacted me. She needs you down at the station as soon as possible," Tenzin said through the door.
"Okay. Thanks," Korra answered with a frustrated sigh as Asami smirked on top of her. She leaned down and kissed her forehead before getting up off of the bed.
Korra sat up and hung her legs off of the side of the bed. "So… you didn't answer my question."
Asami chuckled as she ran her hands through her disheveled hair as a makeshift brush. "I think I just did."
"But we have so much going on during the day. And we live in different areas. We're barely ever going to get any alone time."
"I live in a huge mansion, Korra. There's plenty of privacy. Maybe you could stay with me. You know, if you wanted-" Asami suggested in an attempt to sound nonchalant as she pulled on her jacket.
"Are you asking me to move in with you?"
"Uh, well, no? Yes? I don't know. If you don't want to its completely fine-"
"That sounds perfect," Korra interrupted again with a smile plastered across her face.
"Really?" Asami questioned in relief.
"Yeah. I'd love to. Why would I ever say 'no' to living in a mansion?" Asami glared slightly, earning a laugh from Korra. She finally stood up from the bed and walked over to her; seeing that she was about to leave. Then, she cupped her face and kissed her. "I'll see you at home then."
Asami grinned in response before nodding and making her exit. This day was going to feel like eternity.
"What's the news?" Korra asked walking into Lin's office. Mako was already there standing beside a young girl seated in a chair.
"Korra, meet Ru," Lin introduced.
"Uh, hi Ru."
The girl was too meek to really reply. A soft "hi" was heard from her lips.
Lin continued. "Ru was one of the people abducted."
Korra's eyes widened. "How'd you find her?"
"We didn't," Mako answered. "She found us."
"She walked into the station afraid and confused. She doesn't recall where she's been or how she got here. She didn't even know her own name," Lin explained.
"Her mother is on her way now. I'm curious if that might trigger something," Mako added.
"So she just showed up here…" Korra restated.
Lin nodded. "Which means the bloodbender sent her here on purpose. She didn't just stumble in here by accident. That's too convenient for us."
"Is it some kind of message?" Korra tried to understand.
Mako looked down to the girl. "I want you to try to think again, Ru. Try to think of the last thing you remember. Can you do that?"
Ru began to tremble and then quickly pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged them on the chair. "I don't know anything! I swear!"
Mako flinched and stepped away from her. Korra took this opportunity to approach the scared girl. She knelt down in front of her. "Hi, Ru," she started sweetly. "You don't have to be afraid. I know this guy looks scary, but he's a big softy inside. Don't let those eyebrows fool ya," she added with a wink.
"How old are you, Ru?" Korra continued.
"Ten." The girl let go of her legs, hesitantly letting her guard down.
"That's good! You remember how old you are! Do you remember who your mom is?" The ten year old nodded. "What about your dad?" The girl suddenly looked down at her lap. Korra curiously tilted her head to the side.
"Ru!" a yell came from behind. Everyone looked to see a middle aged woman holding her hands over her mouth; tears building in her eyes. She then ran toward them, Ru getting to her feet in response. "Mom!"
They embraced for a moment before the mother began planting kisses all over her daughter's head.
"Should we be expecting her father soon?" Mako commented.
The mother looked up in alarm and then frowned. "He's at the construction site. He said he'll see her later."
Lin frowned in response. "He doesn't want to see his missing daughter?"
"He takes his work very seriously," the woman explained, causing the three investigators to glance at one another in suspicion.
"We would really like to speak to him as well, ma'am. We need to go over some new things. Mr. Zhen could have the missing piece we need to find your son," Mako tried to explain persuasively.
"I'm sure I can answer whatever questions you have," the mother answered as she continued to hold her daughter.
Mako stepped forward. "Well then, can I ask you two to come with me?" The woman nodded and held Ru's hand as they followed.
Lin began to leave. "Let's go."
"Uh, where are we going?" she asked in alarm as she quickened her pace to catch up to the Chief of Police.
"To the construction site. The father sounds suspicious."
Korra let out a disgusted chuckle. "Or maybe he's just a horrible father."
As they got into the Chief's vehicle, Lin let out a sigh and started to drive toward their destination. "I can't believe we have another bloodbender on our hands. Aren't they supposed to be rare?"
"Yeah. Only a select few people have been known to do it. All of which were waterbenders. So I guess we can eliminate potential suspects."
"Not necessarily. They could be working with anyone."
"Great. We really didn't find out anything then. Mako couldn't even tell if it was a guy or a girl."
"We'll take anything we can get," Lin tried to stay optimistic. They pulled up and parked along the street facing the construction site.
As they approached the crowd of workers, Zhu Li was seen holding a clipboard and yelling up at a crane. "This time when I say 'right', I don't mean 'left!' Learn the difference!"
"Looks like you're having a great time, Zhu Li," Korra said, getting the woman's attention.
She groaned in response. "My husband is the worst."
"I wouldn't argue that," Lin agreed crossing her arms.
Zhu Li continued. "He asks me to go over to the park and try to find a good location for part of the new Nuktuk film. So I head down there with a camera and take some shots. Then I hear an explosion in the distance. I see smoke coming from Future Industries' office building. I begin to make my way back to see what happened, and then two minutes later, another explosion happens to the east."
"So the bridge blew up," Korra clarified.
"He hooked up a motor to something on a machinery floor that morning. Apparently I forgot to give him coffee that morning, so he was too sleepy to see the difference between a motor and bomb!"
"He can't even take the blame… So how did he blow up the bridge then?" Korra questioned with a raised brow.
Zhu Li rolled her eyes. "He tends to often have an explosive of some sort on him."
"That sounds safe…" Lin grumbled.
Korra placed her hands on her hips. "So he's off making a mover while you're here cleaning up his mess?"
"He'd only mess it up more," Zhu Li answered with a sigh. "But Asami is the main force behind the reconstruction. I guess she knows how to raise morale." Zhu Li turned and directed their attention to the CEO. Her hair was tied in a ponytail under a construction hat, and she was pointing to blueprints she was holding out to a fellow worker. Korra smirked at the sight.
"Wipe your mouth, Korra. I think you're drooling," Lin mocked from her side.
"Am not!"
"Just go ask her which one of these men is our man." Korra nodded and began to make her way over. "And keep it short!" Lin yelled after her. Korra rolled her eyes as she continued to walk toward Asami.
"Someone's hard at work," Korra smirked as she leaned on the foldout table behind the CEO. When she turned around, the Avatar felt a rush throughout her body.
"What are you doing here?" Asami grinned, stepping closer.
"Oh, ya know, just police business. I love the hat, by the way," she answered tapping up on the rim of the construction hat.
Asami's eyes darkened as her grin turned mischievous. "Oh really? Maybe I'll bring it home for later." Korra's mouth fell ajar and her face began to heat up. "Korra! You're blushing!"
The Avatar ran a hand through her hair to recover from embarrassment. "You just caught me off guard!"
Asami laughed. "I love learning new ways to make you blush. So what's the police business you were talking about?"
"Oh, yeah. Can you tell me who Mr. Zhen is? I was told he's working construction here."
"Yeah, he's a real slacker. Caught him drunk on the job yesterday. He's right over there," she answered pointing to a man leaning against a wall and smoking a cigarette.
"Slacker? His wife said he takes his work seriously."
"From what I've seen and heard, there is no way that's true. He's a real jerk."
"That's weird… Thanks." Korra quickly gave Asami a peck on the cheek before making her way back to Lin.
"See you at home," Asami called after her as she held her hand to her cheek. Korra turned, grinned and waved in her direction.
"What do ya got?" Lin asked at Korra's arrival.
"He's the guy over there smoking. Apparently he's a jerk and doesn't like to work."
"Let's go talk to him." When they walked over, the construction worker began to straighten up. "Mr. Zhen? We'd like to talk to you, if you don't mind."
"I'm on my break," he answered with agitation.
"So then you have some free time for us," Korra inferred, earning her a glare. "You know we found your daughter today?"
His eyebrows rose in surprise. "That's great," he answered before taking a drag.
"Don't you want to see her?" Korra asked in disbelief.
"Korra," Lin warned.
"What? He could at least act more grateful that his little girl is home!"
"Korra!"
The Avatar's nostrils flared as she took a step back and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Mr. Zhen," Lin took over. "I was wondering if you could tell me anything peculiar Ru. Something she does in her spare time? Or something she doesn't do that other children do?"
He let out a disgusted chuckle. "Yeah, she doesn't know how to listen."
Lin frowned. "Anything else?"
"I think she likes bike riding or something. She usually rides down with some kids to the playground in the park… or maybe its scooters. I don't remember. Listen, I got to get back to work. So if you don't mind leaving me alone, that'd be great," he finished as he put out his cigarette and brushed past them.
"We didn't get much out of him," Korra commented.
"No, but we found out he doesn't know anything about his kid." Then, Lin's radio went off. "Chief here. What's up?"
"We just got a call in from Mrs. Zhen. She said Ru is airbending everything in the house."
"And?"
"Ru wasn't an airbender before the kidnapping."
