Chapter 3: Dedication

"What? How is that possible?" Lin exclaimed.

"The only time people have randomly become benders is when we merged with the spirit world. How can Ru be an airbender? This doesn't make any sense," Korra added.

"I suggest going to the Zhen residence and checking it out," Mako said over the radio.

"We're on it," Lin agreed as the two made their way back into the vehicle. "And we just had a talk with Ru's father. He doesn't seem to be much of a family man."

"Or a respectable man, for that matter," Korra chimed in as they began driving to their destination.

"That explains the suspicion. Probably isn't around often," Mako reasoned.

"I'm assuming the bar is more his home than his actual home," Korra scoffed.

"We'll update you on the situation after," Lin finished the radio conversation.

"Usually there's a sign when a child has bending abilities. It can't be that out of the blue. You can't hide that kind of thing," Lin analyzed out loud.

"Maybe she's just a late bloomer. Are either of her parents benders?"

"I don't believe so."

"Well, I guess we should just wait and see for now."

When they pulled up to the house, they noticed its disarray began outside. The trashcans along the sidewalk were on their sides; garbage strewn across the walkway and on to the road. A window was broken, glass visible on the windowsill. A toaster lay under the window as the source of the vandalism.

"I don't hear anything," Lin commented as they approached the door.

"Yeah. Is anyone even home?"

Lin knocked on the door and leaned toward the broken window. "Republic City Police. Mrs. Zhen?"

"Yes," they heard in a hushed voice. "Come in," the woman said softly. "Ru is sleeping." They entered and turned down the hallway to see the mother sitting on the floor with her daughter sleeping with her head in her lap. "I finally got her to calm down," Mrs. Zhen said with obvious relief.

"What happened here?" Korra asked as she took in the surroundings. The current room had turned over furniture and broken decorations scattered across the room; dirty dishes included. It was as if a natural disaster had swept through this house alone.

"We were sitting down eating. I made her favorite for lunch," she began explaining as she watched her fingers run through Ru's hair. "We finished and then I said she should take a bath. She started shaking violently. Started yelling, 'No! Not the water! Not the water!' All of a sudden the air got thicker and started blowing around the house. I didn't understand where it was coming from. The more she yelled and cried, the harsher the gusts seemed to get. I tried to calm her down, but she wouldn't let me get near her. I started begging her and saying she didn't have to take a bath. Eventually the wind stopped, but she continued to cry. I just held her until she tired herself out." Tears were welling in her eyes. "I don't understand what happened to my little girl."

Korra stared down at the now sleeping girl. "She's afraid of water. Bloodbending is water-based."

"True. Whether it was bloodbending that hurt her, or some waterbending technique, she probably witnessed something no person, let alone a little girl, should ever experience," Lin answered with sympathy drenching her words.

"My Ru," Mrs. Zhen began to cry softly. "What did they do to you?"

"She needs to remain as calm as possible, so continue to soothe her as much as you can. We're going to send a master in airbending," Lin informed.

"He'll try to help Ru with the basics. Breathing methods; forms of calming techniques," Korra explained. She gave a light smile. "Everything is going to be okay, Mrs. Zhen. Ru is safe now. She just needs the love and care that you can give her."

"Thank you," the woman sniffed. "Thank you so much."

Lin nodded as they began to make their exit. "Oh," she said before turning back to the mother. "We talked with your husband at the construction site. He doesn't seem to be in a very good mood."

Her face showed alarm before frowning. "Work has been hard on him lately."

"How long is 'lately' exactly?" Korra questioned.

"Korra," Lin hissed.

"You two deserve better," Korra continued; her gaze strong in the mother's eyes.

"That's enough," Lin hissed again, trying not to wake the child. She pushed Korra toward the door. "We'll be in touch, Mrs. Zhen."

"You crossed a line in there, Avatar."

"I'm sorry, but that guy clearly doesn't care about his family one bit. Not wanting to see his daughter after she's been missing? Drunk on the job? Come on, you can't say that doesn't lead to being a shitty husband and father!"

"Despite whatever it may look like, it is not our place to step in and make assumptions. If something is obviously wrong, as in abuse, then we can do something, but other than that, we can't."

"Well it's obvious he's an ass."

"That I can agree with."

Back at the police station, Mako was sorting through files all over his desk. After explaining the situation, they all took a seat and brainstormed.

"I'm trying to make some connections, but I'm coming up with nothing," Mako huffed in frustration.

"Start listing some victims for me. Fill me in," Korra suggested.

Mako rubbed a temple before taking a deep breath. "Female, age 18, got out of the orphanage two months ago and has been working in the market. Male, age 13, lives with his aunt and older brother. Female, age 24, takes care of her sick grandmother while working at the hospital. Male, age 12, mother and father work for Future Industries. Male, age 20, training for-"

"Hello, my fellow superheroes!" Bolin came bursting into the office.

"We're a little busy, superstar," Mako mocked.

"Aw, well let me try and help out! Opal is with Tenzin helping out that Ru girl. I'm off work today! Please let me help! Please!" He begged on bended knee with his hands clasped together, and his bottom lip protruding.

Mako rolled his eyes. "Fine, but try to stay focused." His little brother jumped in excitement, causing Korra to chuckle in response.

"Opal filled me in on the gossip. Apparently this Zhen guy is bad news, huh?" Bolin asked as he pulled up a chair to Mako's desk.

"Ru is such a sweet little girl. I don't understand how she could have come from that guy," Korra said bitterly.

"Some kids get lucky with good parents. Some don't. Growing up on the streets, Mako and I didn't get either. I guess that could be a good and bad thing. Better to have none than bad, right?" Bolin theorized.

"That's a matter of opinion. They could be bad in the beginning and then redeem themselves," Korra tried to argue.

"Maybe," Bolin replied.

"Think about Asami," Korra suggested.

"Oh! Very true!"

"Let's get back to the disappearances, please?" Lin intruded.

They continued for hours. Nothing odd was sticking out to them. There was no single factor that tied each victim together. But it didn't seem like they were taken at random. Disappearances happened in a set time range, every two days. Ru was returned straight to the police. This criminal was the kind to have a reason. They weren't kidnapping on a whim. It didn't seem to fit the profile. Especially since no one has showed up dead.

"Ugh. This is getting depressing," Korra complained as she sat back in her chair from exhaustion.

"Then maybe I can give you some good news," a voice came from the door. Tenzin stood in the doorway smiling.

"Please and thank you," she responded.

"Ru is doing fine at the moment. She didn't seem to know how to airbend without being afraid or angry. To her, bending is only a defense mechanism for any threat. I tried to get her to show me some of her abilities, but she seemed even afraid of herself."

"That poor girl," Korra replied; her heart weighing down in her chest.

"Jinora tried to show her the beauty in airbending; a kinder side than what Ru has seen. She doesn't understand that it can also be a gift; not just a weapon."

"So what's the plan now?" Lin questioned him.

"Opal and Jinora are going to return every day to help train her. It'll be a tough journey for her, but I believe in time she'll be okay."

Mako slammed his hands against his desk as he rose to his feet. "Who is this bastard? Messing with little kids? How low can you get?"

"We'll find them, detective," Lin reassured confidently. "Tomorrow should be their next kidnap attempt. We almost got them last time. They can't hide forever."

"I hope Ru is going to be okay. It seems like she went through a lot," Bolin commented sadly. "Weird how she would just be allowed to go home after all of that."

Mako nodded. "Yeah, we still don't understand why she would be let go. She's a bender now. Was that a risk to whoever this captor is? Was she too much to handle?"

"I guess that's one way of looking at it," Lin addressed his theory. "Or maybe she was sent home because she was unstable. Criminals like to cause problems. Maybe spreading destruction makes them sleep better at night."

"Chief, are you there?" her radio went off on her desk. She picked up and responded. "I'm here. What's going on?"

"The little girl that was almost abducted yesterday is missing."

"What?" the Chief exclaimed. Everyone in the room stiffened. "How did this happen? There was supposed to be a patrol watching the house at all times!"

"We were patrolling the whole time, Chief. We didn't see anything. Everything was normal, and the next thing we know, the mother came running out screaming for her daughter. She's not there."

"Where could she have gone?"

"We checked the house. A window was open that led into the alley."

Lin pressed her face into the palm of her hand. "I can't believe this."

"Detective, come in!" Mako's radio went off.

"What is it? I'm here," he replied hastily.

"The Zhen girl! She's gone!"

"What? How?" Mako yelled angrily into the radio.

"Someone came out of nowhere. We were sitting in our car watching the house, and then suddenly we couldn't move! It was like something was crawling around in my veins! There was searing pain and then we both fell unconscious. When we came to, we ran into the house and found the mother unconscious on the floor. The girl wasn't there."

"You've got to be kidding me!" Mako slammed his fist down on his desk. "Is Mrs. Zhen still unconscious?"

"Yes, we're with her now."

"Stay with her and see what she remembers when she wakes u- No, bring her to the station when she wakes up."

"Yes, detective."

"Chief!" a female officer came to the doorway.

"What now?" Lin barked.

"The window on the entrance door was smashed. When I went to check it out, I found this on the ground," she answered stepping forward and holding out an envelope.

Lin took the unlabeled envelope and pulled out a folded piece of paper:

I get what I want. Expect another tomorrow. We have a schedule to keep.

P.S. Focus on the whole herd next time; not just a returned sheep. Quite the sheep though, isn't she?

"Ru was a distraction?" Tenzin concluded.

"We were too focused on her!" Lin yelled in frustration.

"They wanted us to see what Ru could do," Mako added hastily.

"Why though? Why show us a tortured little girl that can't control her airbending?" Bolin questioned.

"We're missing something. We don't have enough information yet," Korra said calmly.

"But we can't just keep letting people go missing so we can get more information!" Mako shouted.

Korra frowned. "I'm not saying we do that. I'm saying we still don't know enough. Something isn't making sense. This person can't be able to hide every piece of evidence. They can't have that much control over us. I refuse to believe that."

"We've been researching for hours! We've looked over all the files three times or more!" Mako argued.

"Detective, go get some air," Lin pulled rank and interrupted.

"But Chief-"

"Now," she said firmly. He took a deep breath and walked out.

"He's just frustrated," Bolin tried to explain to Korra.

"I get it. This is all so aggravating. Maybe we just need to step away from this for a bit. Get our heads clear," Korra suggested.

"Good idea. Go get some rest. I'll be here for whenever Mrs. Zhen wakes up. Or if something else suddenly happens," Lin sighed.

"I doubt anything else is going to happen tonight," Bolin commented. "We just got bombarded there. Whoever it is, they sure are dedicated."

Korra frowned at the Chief of Police. "You can't overwork yourself either."

"I'll stay and make sure Lin doesn't lose her mind," Tenzin announced with a sincere smile directed toward the Avatar.

Korra smiled and nodded. "Please let me know if anything happens." As she exited, Bolin came running out to catch up to her.

"Want to head back to the temple together?"

"Uh, I'm not heading to the temple tonight," Korra said hesitantly.

"Oh really? And where might I ask are you going then?"

"It's none of your business."

"Well now I really want know."

"I have a doctor's appointment."

"Are you sick?"

"No… It's a doctor for females…"

"Oh, I see! You have an appointment with Dr. Asami Sato," he grinned.

"What? No!"

"Why can't you just say you're going to Asami's?"

"I-" Korra paused. She didn't know why she didn't just say where she was going. She was asked to move in with Asami this morning. Why was she suddenly hiding things? "I don't know," she answered softly. What was going on in her head?

Bolin tilted his head thoughtfully. "Hey," he said to pull Korra out of her thoughts. "You want to be with her, right?"

Korra's blue eyes widened. "Y-yeah. Of course."

"Then stop thinking so much," Bolin replied with a chuckle. "Unless certain death is standing in the way of being with her, stop worrying about all the little things." He started walking away. "Life's too short, Avatar!" he yelled over his shoulder.

She watched him get farther and farther away before she turned and made her way toward the Sato mansion. The night air was colder; thicker. She breathed in deeply and watched her breath dissipate when she exhaled. Was Bolin right? Was she thinking too much? It seemed like she wasn't thinking about anything at all. She's been focused on the case and hasn't thought much about Asami's moving invitation. She had answered immediately when asked, but now she was second-guessing herself.

Maybe it wasn't such a good idea. What if it didn't work out? What if living together would ruin the relationship? What if Asami realizes she doesn't want to be with her?

The Avatar took another deep breath and watched the warm air leave her mouth yet again. "I'm scared," Korra admitted out loud with a chuckle. "Geez," she added as she ran a hand through her hair. "I'm the Avatar; I've faced death too many times to count and I'm afraid of getting my heart broken." She let out another chuckle.

Then, she found herself in front of the gate to the mansion. "Well," she began as she stared at the massive house. "Zaheer or Vaatu would be less terrifying at this moment." Then, she took a deep breath and made her way inside.

"Ugh! I can't believe these parts aren't going to be ready in time!" Korra heard as she entered the mansion.

"Hello?" she said without hearing a response. She looked in the direction of the voice. A large dining room was empty. She moved to the next room and found a large office. Asami stood leaning over a table with scattered papers all across the surface. Her button-up shirt had its sleeves rolled up. Her blazer rested on the chair behind her. 'Frazzled' would have been an understatement.

"Hey," Korra said sweetly as she stared on the raven haired woman. Asami's eyes left the table and met crystal blues. A sigh a relief left the CEO as a thankful smile came to her lips. Korra made her way over to her.

"Stressful day?" Korra asked kindly.

"No more stressful than yours, I'm assuming," Asami replied with a single chuckle. Korra sighed. "Want to talk about it?"

Korra shook her head. "No, not really. I need a break."

"I could use one too," Asami said, exhaustion evident in her voice. She then smirked. "Anything in mind?"

Korra took a step closer. "Oh, I don't know…" She rested her hands on Asami's hips. Asami's arms instinctively wrapped around her neck. Then, Korra leaned in and placed a tender kiss on Asami's lips.

Asami grinned against Korra's lips. "I've got something in mind." She jumped up and sat on the table; papers flying off the surface from her sudden movement. Asami then gripped onto Korra's shirt and pulled her closer; encouraging a laugh from the standing woman before Asami pulled her into a kiss. When the kiss broke, they leaned their foreheads against each other; eyes closed.

"Welcome home," Asami whispered sweetly. Korra's eyes opened in alarm as she pulled away slightly to get a better look at the woman in front of her. Asami's green eyes shined from the light in the room. Korra searched those emeralds for answers to her many questions. And within a few seconds, as Asami aimed her beautiful smile at her, she couldn't help but smile back. Everything was going to be okay. And with that thought, she dove in for a passionate kiss; pushing Asami back onto the table and climbing on top.

The kissing intensified quickly. Korra was stumbling blindly over buttons as Asami clawed at Korra's shirt. Then, Asami pushed Korra off of her. "Wait!" she yelled as she hopped off of the table.

Korra was out of breath and confused, "Wait? What?"

"I have to get the construction hat!" she said running out of the room.

"What?" Korra yelled. "You actually brought that home?" she exclaimed. A few seconds later, Asami entered the room. The hat was on her head and her pants were now off. Standing in her underwear, her button-up open revealing her bra, she walked slowly toward the Avatar.

Asami smirked as she continued to slowly make her way toward Korra, who was still sprawled on the table. "You're blushing, Avatar."

Korra swallowed the saliva building up in her agape mouth. "I can't believe you brought that home," she managed to push out of her mouth as her eyes ran all over the approaching body. She watched the curves of her body tantalizingly sway. Her green eyes burned into her; the fire spreading throughout the Avatar's body.

Asami raised an eyebrow. "Should I take the hat off then?"

A smirk slowly spread across Korra's lips. "Not yet."