Author's Note: I'll be honest here, guys. I have no clue how to bridge this story as we near the halfway mark. The climax is already written. After yet another escape, Indri and Kaigo go down to the secret factory underneath Asami's estate, where she had to confront her father's sinister agenda all those years ago. It's supposed to be poignant and heart wrenching, both for Asami and for Kaigo. And their pain brings them closer together, as they reconcile over Yasuko's death and defeat Indri together. Korra restores balance while Asami holds and comforts a dying Kaigo in his hour of atonement.

But what's to gain from the end? All I ever wanted was to tell a nice Korrasami romance, but Firebrand doesn't work. Where's the romance? Sure, here's a little adventure and intrigue, but I could honestly care less about this story.

You know what I do care about? My personal project for 2016: an original story that I've been dying to write for a long time. And as great as fan fiction has been in helping me find my voice and learn how to manage an audience, I think it's time for me to bid the genre adieu. Of course, I'll still frequent this site, but from now on, it'll only be as a reader/reviewer.

I'd hate to leave you all hanging on such a sour note, so for the sake of closure, here's my parting gift: the intended final scene of the story, which could have easily been a Korrasami one-shot tale. Thanks to everyone who's ever read and liked my stories. I hope they brought a little more light and enthusiasm into your world as they did for me when I wrote them.

To an outside observer, there was nothing out of the ordinary when Korra swooped down on her glider, pirouetting herself to land on the elegant porch of the Sato estate on a cool morning. She collapsed her glider back into its staff and laid it to rest on the bronze hook by the door. With a simple knock, Korra waited as the butler answered the door and diligently escorted her inside.

But it was from there that all the signs of disarray came into focus. Korra couldn't help but see the faint yellow-and-green markings on the butler's face. At least the swelling had gone down, but the recent attack had left extensive bruising. She had to fight to ask if the shorter gentleman was doing all right; she knew the answer full well. Much like her father, Asami Sato knew how to keep her family retainers: paid in full on the first of every month, and with all their needs provided, including medical care.

In any case, Korra could see nothing wrong with the way Shenshi was moving down the east wing of the mansion. She offered a short prayer of thanks to the spirits—the beneficial ones, at least—and continued to follow.

They soon arrived on the eastern veranda. Like most of the homes in the exclusive neighborhood, the open-air extension afforded an excellent view of Yue Bay from the left and Downtown Republic City from the right. One small staircase on the far side led to the nearby swimming pool and spa, but the real attraction was dead-center: a set of antique Fire Nation tea tables, complete with post-war chairs and cushions for guests.

Asami sat on one of the cushions, her legs folded up against her chest as she stared out toward the city. A hot cup of tea rested on the table beside her, as steam wafted up with a fresh, spicy scent of jasmine.

"Miss Sato?" Shenshi bowed at the waist with utmost precision. "Avatar Korra has arrived."

"Thank you," Asami replied, lifting a hand to both acknowledge and dismiss her manservant.

That gesture alone put Korra on edge. She knew Asami better than anyone; she ought to, at least, considering how much time together they'd spent over the years. And seeing her act so cold toward her butler was quite the surprise.

But not unexpected, she amended. They'd been through a lot over the past week. Too much.

Korra had promised Asami she'd visit as often as she could. But between the disputes she'd been forced to settle between so many discontented spirits and humans in the United Republic, her duties as Avatar had drawn her far from the capital. And far from the people she loved most in the world.

And now here she was, reunited with her girlfriend. And Korra couldn't think of what to say.

So she didn't bother trying.

Instead, as Asami continued to stare down at the city and ignore her tea, Korra slid up behind her. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around Asami's waist and dropped her head onto the other woman's shoulder. She felt Asami stiffen, at first, but Korra knew that her efforts weren't in vain as her girlfriend reached one hand up to caress her cheek.

Time passed as they sat together in silence. The teacup beside them grew cold. Korra wanted to say so much: I'm sorry about Kaigo, or You know none of it was your fault, right? But none of those words seemed to fit the pain she carried, let alone offer any comfort to what Asami had to have been feeling. She missed the days that they'd shared near Hai-Riyo Peak, during their officially dubbed Great Spirit World Vacation, or that night camping in the meadow, where Asami had kissed her for the first time. Korra had been a total loon, unable to speak or think clearly for hours after that kiss.

But even those awkward, exciting beginnings were preferable to the quiet, tense moment they shared now.

Finally, it was Asami who broke the silence. With her hand still pressed to Korra's cheek, she tilted her head to steal a glance at the Avatar.

"Did I ever...?" Asami's bottom lip trembled. "Um, did I ever thank you for what you did? When we had to reseal the underground factory?"

"I'm pretty sure you did," Korra answered. She grabbed Asami's hand and squeezed it. "Several times, in fact."

She could see the moment in her mind's eye. Asami stood to the right of Lin Beifong, who was overseeing a troop of metalbending police officers as they officially closed up the infamous crime scene. Korra could feel every shift of earth and metal beneath her feet as the police collapsed every chamber and passageway with quick, choreographed gestures. As one, they bent the earth and swallowed up the former Equalist factory, along with every nightmare that place had ever produced.

Asami, meanwhile, had shivered and cried into Korra's chest. For once, she couldn't keep up her appearance as the brave and optimistic inventor. She'd wept and clung onto Korra, who discreetly applied a little waterbending to remove the tear stains from her blouse later that day.

Th-thank you... Asami's shaky voice had cut deep, but Korra bore that pain in silence. She took solace in holding her beloved to her chest and stroking her hair like a mother to her child.

And speaking of mothers—

"Hey," said Korra, back in the present on the veranda. She let go of Asami and moved around the cushion, so they were face-to-face. "Did you want to talk? I know it's the anniversary..."

It was easier to leave that line unfinished, for both their sakes.

Asami sniffled. Her green eyes met Korra's face, searching it for a second.

"I've so much to tell you about her," she whispered. "And about Dad, too. But not here." Her hands slid over Korra's wrists, squeezing them for dear life. That simple act seemed to bring Asami back to life, if only for a moment. "Would you mind coming to the cemetery with me?"

Korra smiled. She didn't hesitate to lean over and kiss Asami on her cheek. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Wiping away tears, Asami responded with a brilliant smile of her own. Perhaps the first real sign of joy she'd given all morning. She then grabbed the teacup and took a hasty sip before setting it back on the table.

Offering a hand, Korra helped Asami to her feet. Her girlfriend spun on her heel and raised her voice. "Shenshi? Are you there?"

"Yes, Miss Sato?" In a whisper of movement, the butler appeared on the veranda from out the shadows of the east wing entrance.

"Please bring the Satomobile around. We'll be leaving shortly."

"Very good, ma'am." He offered the two women an impeccable bow and retreated.

Stretching her arms out, Asami flexed her head left and right, groaning a little as she relieved the discomfort of sitting so long. Korra watched her from the side, admiring everything that her tall and lovely lady had to offer. All those years fighting side-by-side, and yet Asami had done more for Korra when she needed it the most.

Now it was Korra's turn to pay her back. Extending her arm, she graced Asami with a gentle smile. "I'm glad we're doing this."

"Me, too," Asami replied. Leaning into Korra, she sighed and smiled as they took their time leaving the veranda, without an inch of space between them.