The weekend arrived, the promise of setting aside time to discuss things a silent reminder as they dressed that morning. Before they could properly talk though, they did have things that needed to be taken care of. After all, they did have a ranch to run, and a schedule to keep for certain chores.
They went about their tasks alone. Kai busy at his own place, while Meelo and Rohan had the scheduled day off. Korra set about getting the cattle ready for the morning milking. Hooking them to the machines and cleaning up after all was complete. Asami took time checking the horses, letting one of the colt's prance and show off in front of her.
Afternoon approached quickly, the morning chores finally complete and the resolution to sit down and talk over a hearty lunch in mind. Asami seasoned a couple steaks while Korra went to the side deck, firing up the grill. Before the grill was even warm enough their plans were broken by the sound of the phone ringing. A hurried conversation and a heavy sigh had Korra turning the grill off and giving Asami a quick kiss and apology as she rushed out the door, heading off to lend Mr. Darcy a hand with his cattle vaccinations. A task much too difficult for a man at his age to try and accomplish alone.
Asami shook her head, a soft smile on her lips as she wrapped the steaks back up and placed them in the fridge for later. She fixed herself a little feast consisting of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and went to dine on the front porch with Naga for company. With Korra gone to help with a task that could very well take the rest of the day, Asami had figured she would have a quiet afternoon and evening home alone.
She selected a book from the collection of her father's she had kept. She lit a couple candles in the bathroom, and filled the tub with warm water, dropping an orange scented bath bomb in. With her face covered in a cleansing mask that Korra teased made her look like an alien from a bad movie, she dropped her robe and stepped towards the tub.
She jumped at the sound of her name being called up the stairs and hurriedly pulled the robe back on. She was puzzled to see Mako standing in the doorway downstairs, his hat in his hands as he wore a sad expression. Immediately her heart jumped to her throat, a flash of Korra coming to her mind.
"No, Korra's fine." Mako answered as soon as she was downstairs. "I do need to ask a favor though."
Asami let out a small sigh of relief. "What can I do?"
Mako looked over his shoulder, Asami catching sight of another officer, then stepped inside and closed the door. "We've had a situation in town." His brow furrowed, and frown deepened. "Do you know Jet and Leigh Mori? Lived over on Walnut and Second street in town?"
Asami nodded, "I wouldn't say know, I've met them in passing and exchanged greetings." Then she concentrated on that one-word Mako had said. "What do you mean lived? Did they move?"
Mako shook his head. "I just came from a call. Jet always hung with the wrong crowd." He took a breath like he was drawing the courage to explain, like it was too much for him to fathom, that something like this could happen in their sleepy little town. "We found Jet and Leigh, they'd been shot. Actually, the kids found them this morning. They were on their way back from a night at grandma's house."
Asami covered her mouth with her hand, pressing her fingers to her lips at the shock. "Oh my God, I can't even imagine. Those poor babies. Are they okay?"
"Considering? Haru's been pretty quiet, and I'm not sure that Mai really understands what's going on." He waved towards the front door. "They're in the car right now."
"Mako!" Asami rushed to the window and peered out, catching sight of the two youngsters in the back of the car.
"I need you and Korra to keep them for a few days." He turned his hat over and over in his hands, a nervous habit he had picked up during his time on the force.
"What? Why?" Asami looked first at him and then back out the window. "Why can't they stay with their grandmother?"
Mako ran a hand through his hair and toed at the hardwood floor. "She's in her nineties Asami, and she's in poor health. It's one thing for the kids to stay one night or two, but they can't live with her."
"Live with? Earlier you made it sound like a couple nights, now it's living with?" She rounded on him, arms crossed over her chest, and hips cocked.
"I don't know how long it'll be. Department of Children's Services can't get anyone out here until Thursday, they're shorthanded or something." He took a step forward and gently took Asami by the shoulders. "They need a place Asami. I'm asking you to please take them until a family member can be found. Don't let them go to foster care, please?"
Asami felt the sting of tears at the emotion in Mako eyes. She knew the story of him and Bolin losing their parents, of living on the streets, and later foster care. The promise of a caring home had proved more damaging than life on the streets. She turned and looked out the window again, catching a reflection of herself in the window pane, green cleansing mask still in place. "Can you let me get cleaned up before leaving them?" She watched as the tension left Mako's shoulders and a small smile flitted across his lips.
"Yeah, I can do that. I'll have them drop their things in the spare room." He nodded his thanks, placed his hat back on his head, and strode out to the car.
Asami stole one final look out the window at the two children before rushing upstairs to clean up. In the back of her mind, she realized that much needed conversation was going to be taking a backseat, for the time being.