Lin sighed.

She leaned into the couch, bare skin brushing against a pillow. A wince crossed her face as she shifted, a low groan slipping into the silent office. Despite the pain, Lin forced herself up and searched for a small jar hidden in the crevices of her desk. Fingers pushed aside some notepads and other references before she felt a glass jar within reach. Pulling it out, she smiled at the victory. Tigerdillo balm.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

"Good, there's still enough." Lin pulled the tank top off, tossing it carelessly across the armrest of the couch as she walked around comfortably, clad in only her bindings and trousers. She laughed inwardly at the thought of a poor soul catching her half-nude in a professional environment and the hell they'd suffer at her hands. The minty aroma instantly relaxed her as she dug a finger into the chilly balm. She massaged it along her elbows and biceps before moving to her shoulder. Reaching back, Lin's slightly limited mobility kept her from targeting a difficult spot nestled between her shoulder blades.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Come in, Tenzin."

"I saw Korra on my—oh!" His gaze suddenly averted to the ground, a deep pink arising against his pale complexion.

Lin raised a brow, fingers still at task digging the chilly balm into the curve between her neck and shoulder. "You've seen me wearing less and nothing at all, Airhead. No need to get all flustered."

Tenzin coughed, training his eyes to meet hers. "I-I'm not."

"Good. I need you to get the spot between my shoulder blades." She extended the jar out for him.

He approached, caution slowing his pace. Glancing at the jar, the edge of his vision caught glimpses of her toned abdomen. He would have broken the stare and obeyed the request, until he noticed a faint but very familiar set of stripes stretching across her skin and dipping below the hem of her trousers. He noticed a few more along the curve of her hips, studying and wondering where they began and ended—

"Tenzin, if you don't want to, then I'll just try and do it myself."

His gaze straightened to meet hers again. "I-I can do it," he asserted, accepting the jar. "Are you comfortable with me…applying it?"

"Are you?" She turned around, revealing her perfectly sculpted muscles, leaving Tenzin hypnotized by the sight of her exposed skin. He moved closer, recognizing the faint fragrance of her.

"I'm fine."

"Mhm."

Tenzin worked in silence, savoring the opportunity to be this close to Lin without an immediate rejection or scornful glare thrown in his direction. A noticeable bruise began to surface on her back, partially hidden beneath her bindings. "Would it be alright if I get this spot under your bindings?"

"Just do it, Tenzin." She sounded more exhausted than disappointed or angry, and Tenzin went with it. Better than her throwing a punch.

Gently, his fingers crept delicately beneath the band. Memories of their younger days flashed in his eyes and he saw it clearly as if he were walking through it once more. Lin sat on her desk as he stood between her legs to gently dab balm across her forehead and for every sign of pain she revealed, he would place a soft kiss against her lips. Once he was done, then she'd wrap her arms around his neck and pull him into a hug, melting into the protection and support he offered. Another memory surfaced when she would come home from more difficult days, and she would nestle in bed with him. Sometimes she would cry into his chest and disclose the heart-wrenching sight that weighed on her mind, and he'd hold her until she fell asleep. Other times, she remained silent—the words failing to describe the emotions spinning in her chest. In those cases, he'd murmur loving words against her skin and plant tiny kisses wherever he could reach until they both fell asleep.

That life with her felt like a lifetime ago, and the simple act of applying herbal balm triggered decades of feelings he thought had subsided over time.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, finalizing the task and setting the jar against the desk.

Lin sighed, not turning around and rolling her shoulders back as the cool-heat began to take effect. "It's been three days and you still ask me the same question every day."

"I'm worried about you, Lin."

"If you're worried about me, go to the spirit world and tell me how to get out of here."

"Korra has been—"

"She went there once and got kicked out. Then she got a call from Wu about some citizens getting spooked by some spirits." Lin turned to face him, reaching for his hand and grasping it lightly. "Can't you meditate and go into the spirit world yourself? You've done it so many times before with the kids. I don't see how it will be an issue here. And you're much more familiar with the spirit world than Korra."

"I…I've never meditated into the spirit world before…"

"What? Yes, you have."

"Only my daughter can enter the spirit world on her own accord…I can't…"

Lin's grip tightened slightly. "But you're an airbending master. There's no one else who would be able to do it besides you."

"Not in this world, Lin! I just wasn't chosen to enter the spirit world in this universe!"

"Fine." She released his hand, turning to face the wall again. Reaching for the jar, she twisted the cap over the balm. "I'm not going to press you over it."

"Lin…I'm trying to figure out how to get you home also. I know this must be extremely hard to be away from your family, but even I'm stumped on what to do. If I could go to the spirit world and find out what you need, I would do it." He almost took a step forward, but didn't move. His hand craved to reach out and pull her into an embrace, but he fought the urge and remained composed.

"I'll see you later, Tenz," she said softly. "Let me know if you find anything."

"Of course…would you like to have tea?"

"No."

"Alright. I'll let you know immediately if I have any new information."

"Thank you, love."

He remained in his spot for a few moments, unable to move at the words. She must have spoken it out of habit and didn't realize what she actually said nor remembered which universe she was in. But hearing it for the first time in years left him paralyzed and speechless. Exhaling deeply, he stood tall as he addressed her.

"Always, Lin," he murmured before slipping out of her office.

She had no idea how she ended up here, yet here she was.

Rather than running into the divine pillar, Lin sat near the mouth of the portal, her back facing the blinding light. Sitting in her office with the smell of tigerdillo balm proved to be more suffocating than relaxing and some fresh air was more tempting than a nap. Three days had passed and she was nowhere closer to getting home to her family. 'Why am I here? What is the point of me being here?' A sliver of sunset peeked out from behind a building and caught her eye. Why does this portal keep kicking her out? If anyone knows how to navigate the workings of the spirit world, it'd be Tenzin! But this one was so unlike her husband, so now what?

"You're different."

"Fuck! What the—where the hell did you come from?!"

A light yellow form with green ears smiled and waved cheerily at her, hovering and standing beside her. "I'm a spirit."

Lin rolled her eyes. "I know that. It was a rhetorical question. You scared the daylights out of me."

"Oh." It sat beside her and the earthbender side glanced at it with disinterest. "You're different."

"Yeah, you don't say."

The spirit scanned her entire body, blinding curiously. "You are in a lot of pain."

"Nah, I'm just peachy."

"You know that I know I can sense your emotions without words."

"Mhm."

"Why are you in pain?"

"Why are you asking?"

"I don't like to see humans in pain," it answered simply, inching closer and stopping when it was met with a glare.

Lin considered the answer before replying, "I'm in my worst nightmare."

"Oh…" the spirit nodded, "what is it?"

"You can look in my head and tell me." Lin's eyes widened in realization and she pointed at it. "No. I did not mean that literally."

"Ahh, that would have been fun." It studied her again. "You miss someone."

"Yes."

"Multiple people, you miss."

Lin sent the spirit a flat look. "Are you trying to read my fortune or something?"

"What does that mean?"

She sighed heavily, shaking her head. "Look, if you're going to be helpful, you could at least tell me why the universe sent me to see a world where the love of my life chose to marry and have a family with the girl who tried to steal him from me. What am I supposed to get out of this? Pain? If it is, then the universe went above and beyond the command to make it happen!" Tears began to fall and Lin wiped them away, chest heaving and breaths shaking. "The portal won't let me go home…"

Was that thing even still there? Oh, well what difference does it make if it or isn't? It's not like anyone truly listened to her here. And it's not like the radish-looking thing could magically solve her problems by teleporting her back to her world.

"What makes you think the lesson is for you?"

"…what?" Lin peered at the spirit, meeting kind eyes.

"Why do you think someone else's lesson is your burden to bear?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The lesson," Spirit answered patiently. "Why do you think this situation is your lesson when it is not?"

"Are you saying…" Hope filled jade eyes, the light of the sun reflecting off the glassy filter, "I'm here because someone else is supposed to learn a lesson from me?"

"…"

Lin's voice grew and she shifted with more energy. "So I'm not here to get punished, I'm here to teach someone something?"

Spirit cocked its head. "You didn't know that?"

"No! If I did, then I wouldn't be diddly-daddlying putting myself under the heat!"

"Are you trying to burn yourself? That must be very hot and painful."

"So if I teach this person their lesson, then I can leave?"

"Why would you need to be here when the lesson is complete?"

Lin straightened in her position. "What am I supposed to teach? Is it a class?"

Spirit shook its head. "No. Just one person."

"What's the lesson?"

"You're not supposed to know."

"What?!" Lin exclaimed. "How am I supposed to teach this person if I don't know what it's about?!"

"If I tell you, then it's like telling you the answers to a test I haven't given yet."

"Yeah, but I'm not the one taking the test."

"The lesson needs to happen organically," Spirit explained.

Lin groaned, leaning back into the vine. "Fine, this better be quick. If you can't tell me what the lesson is, then tell me who am I supposed to teach?"

"..."

"Come on, spill it. Tell me who's the squat I need to teach."

"You know who it is."

"I got two guesses, so a hint would be really helpful."

First contestant is Korra. This is within her line of work and as the Avatar, she would be the one who is required to constantly learn from new challenges and acquire skills from such experiences. Has she ever dealt with another universe Probably not, and lucky Lin to be the very person who'd trigger it.

Second option: Pema.

Why?

Because she stole Tenzin from her.

Perhaps this entire scenario is the universe's way of dishing out karma. She could definitely learn a thing or two from the Chief of Police, Lin Beifong. You don't interfere with a committed relationship and not expect karma to bite you in the ass. You reap what you sow, and perhaps her karma has finally arrived.

"It's the one who holds your heart."

Oogi hummed happily with every soothing brush stroke. He nuzzled his master tenderly and rolled on his back, silently requesting for a new spot to receive attention. Tenzin chuckled and scratched the sky bison.

"Alright, just a little more."

If Tenzin closed his eyes, the soft fur of his companion would be replaced with a warm, soft ivory complexion that his fingertips ghosted over a few hours earlier. The close proximity of her today intensified a fierce feeling stirring within him. It transcended beyond carnal desire and he would know if that was the case. Of course, Lin is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking, and his body still reacted positively to her presence. But this was different.

Tenzin couldn't help but draw comparisons between his Lin and the alternate one. There was a softness to her that she was comfortable expressing to others, whereas Lin in his world struggled to vocalize her emotions. Rather than encountering the guarded aura he and so many others met, this alternate version of Lin had a balanced aura of establishing emotional boundaries and being receptive to sharing her inner thought process. Second, her emotional intelligence left him in awe. Lin would always be intelligent, but the self-awareness of her emotions left him speechless and impressed. In his world, she had a history of burying her traumas and attempting to forget the pain that forged the character he knew today. The confidence of alternate Lin in admitting vulnerability reignited a wave of emotion in him.

Within a short period of time, Lin consumed his thoughts all day long. He could barely get her out of his head and his thoughts were invested in the life they created together. No matter how hard he tried and attempted to busy himself with matters of the Air Nation and family life, he found himself thinking about her through it all. She penetrated through each of his mental barriers. What could have been if they remained…and alternate Lin was a product of that life. An intense yearning pulled in his heart, calling out to her. After so many years apart, he thought his romantic love couldn't grow anymore. He would never stop loving her—she's too significant in his life to not—but it had been decades since he felt this smothering emotion gnawing inside of him. The last time he felt this for her was when he was a teenager…right before he finally gathered the courage to confess his feelings and kiss her.

That fierce, vigorous feelings only calmed into peace when she agreed to be his girlfriend. It never returned for anyone else in his life.

"Tenzin? Dear, did you hear me?"

"Huh?"

Pema smiled. "I said dinner is almost ready."

"Ah, I'm sorry. I was a little preoccupied."

"I understand. Come inside soon. The children are waiting."

"Alright." He waited until Pema returned into the house before telling his sky bison, "I'm happy."

Oogi shuddered and released a deep, low groan in response.

"I am," Tenzin asserted.

"Bleeehhhhh."

Tenzin sighed, gently patting Oogi. He pivoted and slowly made his way into the main house. Just as he approached the door, he froze and his eyes shot down to his feet—both of them were completely encased in stone. In the distance, he caught sight of a woman charging in his direction, eyes glaring daggers into him.

"Lin, what are you doing here?"

She released him once she was within his personal space. "You're the reason I can't go home!"

"What?"

"I can't go home because of you!" she repeated louder.

A few heads peered from the door.

"Hero Lady is back!"

Lin looked at the new presence. "Who?"

A young boy and girl in airbending suits zoomed over to her, bouncing in excitement. "Aunt Lin, are you here to have dinner with us? You look different. Did you do something new? Is it your hair? You look even prettier!"

"Meelo, Ikki," Tenzin said firmly, "go back inside."

"But—"

"No buts." He shook his head at the pouts and added, "No eavesdropping!"

"Ahhhh!"

As their footsteps disappeared inside, Tenzin redirected his attention to Lin. "Sorry, they're…a handful. Now, what's wrong?"

"You!" Lin poked a finger into his chest. "You're what's wrong!"

"You need to be more clear because I have no idea what you're trying to say."

"I'm stuck in this nightmare because of you and I can't leave until you learn a lesson from me."

"If this is about the choices I made, I have no regrets…I do not regret…the life I have."

Lin's glare deepened, head slowly shaking as if she could see right through the meaning of his words. As if she could detect the deception in his words. "I can't believe you're my husband."

"What did you just say?"

"P-Pema! Lin is j-just uh—she's here to explain why she can't go home."

The acolyte crossed her arms, walking closer to the older woman. A firm glare emerged on her features as her own eyes met the earthbender's. "Lin."

"That's Chief Beifong to you," Lin corrected, voice dropping low and dangerous.

"Lin."

"Try again, Pema."

"Repeat what you just said to Tenzin."

The airbender stood between the two women, glancing at both. "Let's sit down and talk this through together. There is an explanation for this."

Pema's gaze remained on Lin. "Of course. I'd like to hear what the Chief of Police said."

"Lin is—"

"I said," Lin leaned slightly closer, "that I can't believe he's my husband."

Slap!

"Pema!"

Lin laughed, tongue in cheek. "So the little acolyte has a bit of spice in her blood, hm?"

"You're wrong."

"Am I?"

"Tenzin is faithful and loyal. He's my soulmate."

Lin smirked. "And you're just living in my shadow."

"Excu—"

"That's enough!" Tenzin interjected, strong gusts of wind revolving around the trio. "Pema, you know we don't instigate acts of aggression as members of the Air Nation. What Lin is saying isn't what it seems."

"I'm sure it isn't, especially if you're taking her side," Pema said bitterly.

"Guess you haven't told her yet, huh, Airhead?" Lin jeered, savoring the rich glare from his wife.

"Pema, this Lin…" he pursed his lips inward, "is not from our world…"

The acolyte raised an unconvinced brow. "Elaborate, sweetie."

"When Lin saved Korra from Kuvira, the spirit portal switched her with another version of LIn…one who is my wife and mother of my children…"

Pema scanned Lin and tilted her head. "Well, she doesn't look any different. How can you be so sure she's from a different world and doesn't have a foggy memory?"

"Glad to think I can steal your husband," Lin remarked coolly.

"How is anyone supposed to believe a claim like that without evidence? You should know that as a police chief," Pema threw back.

Without hesitation, Lin metalbent her collar, revealing the jade and obsidian necklace that had hung around her neck for years. An audible gasp could be heard from behind Pema and the woman's jaw clenched. "What does having a betrothal necklace prove here? You could have kept it for years without committing to marriage."

"I would never wear it, unless I agreed to marriage."

"I still don't—"

"I still have her necklace…" Tenzin revealed, gaze stuck on the accessory that he had personally crafted with his hands. Pema glanced at him and he continued. "I made that for her…and I still have it…"

Pema sighed. "It's still not enough proof, dear."

"You want real proof? Here." Lin reached into her pocket and revealed a small photo, keeping it out of the duo's reach. In black and white, a young Lin and Tenzin beamed as they each cradled a newborn twin in their arms. A girl no older than five years old who closely resembled Lin held onto her mother's waist, while another boy around the same age and resembled Tenzin stood in front of his father.

The color drained from Pema's face as she examined the photo. Tenzin simply stared, mouth agape. He appeared to have a blizzard of statements on the tip of his tongue, but nothing came out. Lin returned the photo into the safety of her pocket and bent the metal over her necklace.

"Is that convincing enough?" She crossed her arms.

"So why aren't you going back to your own world, if that's your life?" Pema inquired, skepticism still weaved in her voice.

Lin gestured to Tenzin. "I'm stuck here because of the Airhead."

"He hasn't done anything wrong. He's always been there for you."

Lin scoffed and raised a brow. "I think the other Lin would beg to differ."

"Okay. Lin, let's go talk in private." Out of instinct, Tenzin gently grasped Lin's wrist and immediately felt heat searing at the back of his neck from his wife and he released his hold on Lin.

"Dear," Pema spoke affectionately, the tone of endearment only magnifying the displeasure and rising anger, "it's almost time for dinner. Perhaps this can wait until after or at a better time."

"It's fine. This is urgent and important. You and the kids start without me." He turned to the earthbender. "Shall we?"

Lin nodded and addressed his wife. "Don't worry. I have more restraint than you do. I know how to read boundaries…and stay in it."

"Lin."

She kept her gaze on Pema, even over her shoulder as she walked with Tenzin to a more secluded and private area. He led her to the meditation pavilion, waiting for her to enter first and following after. She metalbent her boots off and Tenzin removed his shoes. The slight chill beneath their feet left them unfazed as they stood in the center of the pavilion and stared at each other. Tenzin's breath caught in his throat at the fiery hues of the sunset painting a mural across half of Lin's face. Even with an annoyed glare, he could still be stunned by the natural and hard beauty she exuded.

"I'm going to beat your ass."

He sighed. "Respectfully Lin, please do so."

Lin groaned, tilting her head back. "You're absolutely infuriating in this world! Show me some more backbone, Tenzin! You would challenge me at home and try to prove me wrong! I didn't marry a soggy noodle and I thought I could expect the same from you in this world."

"I'll try, how does that sound? Better?"

The woman shook her head, disappointed. "You have so much work to do."

"Such as?"

"Nope, no time for that. Back on the beat, Tenz. What do you want from me?"

"What?" His heart rate spiked. "I don't want anything from you."

"I felt that spike. I can't leave until you learn something from me. So, what do you want?"

Tenzin blinked. "I don't think this is how you're supposed to go about it."

"Why not? I'm saving all of us time by finding out what the lesson plan is so I can go home," Lin argued. "It's called efficiency."

Tenzin rubbed his face, moaning into his palms. "That's not how it works spiritually."

"Well, then go meditate and tell me what you want to know."

"I don't want anything, Lin. I just want to help you get home."

She raised a brow before she narrowed her eyes at him. "You might be able to fool Pema with a line like that, but you forget who you're talking to."

"I'm serious."

"Alright, then I guess there's nothing you want to know from me."

"What?"

Lin threw her hands up. "You don't know what you want, so you have no answer. In that case, I'm going back to the station to make some hot noodles until you figure out exactly what I need to teach you." She turned to walk away, but Tenzin grasped her wrist.

"Wait."

"Well, that was quicker than I thought. So what is it?"

He avoided eye contact, instead peering at their bare feet standing on the pavilion. "Can you sh…..phr?"

She made a face. "What? I can't understand you with that mumbling."

"May I see the photo?" he repeated more clearly.

"Of what?"

His voice softened, "...our children."

"Oh…" All of the annoyance in her expression disappeared and was replaced with understanding. She pulled out the photo and placed it gently into Tenzin's hands. They both sat together, legs crossed over each other's as they stared at the photo. Tears surfaced in his eyes with each passing second and Lin tenderly placed a hand on his wrist. His thumb ghosted over Lin's face and the small children surrounding them. "I have another one."

"Really?" he asked happily, wiping the tears as he waited for her to show him the other treasure.

Lin passed it along to him, explaining, "This one is more recent. It was about a year before Korra came to Republic City."

"Wow…" his voice cracked as the tears fell onto his robe. He beamed at the second photo. "They're all so beautiful."

"I know," Lin giggled, resting her head against his shoulder.

Tenzin compared the pictures side by side. "I always wondered what our children would look like…"

"Well, now you know."

He chuckled, sniffling. "I always knew we would have a daughter who looks exactly like you. There was never a doubt in my mind."

"She also gives me the hardest time," Lin grumbled. "Our girls have your eyes—it's grey. And our boys have green eyes. It's weird how that worked out."

"Tell me about them," he implored softly. The family he never created with Lin left him under a spell that he couldn't break away from and truthfully, perhaps he didn't want to.

"That will take forever, Twinkletoes."

"Please. I want to know."

"Like what? We got married, had four kids, I'm Chief, and you're a councilman."

"You know what I mean, Lin." He stared into her eyes, pleading for her to fill a void he didn't realize was missing. "I want to know about your life…the life of us together and our kids…"

Words failed both of them as emotions were exchanged in their eyes, speaking truths that neither could vocalize. The longer their eyes were locked in a stare, the faster their bodies began to lean closer and closer…their lips were centimeters apart until something shifted in Lin and she pulled away gently. A protesting cry stood ready on his tongue, but Tenzin knew better than to express it considering the openness of their location. Their shoulders touched, but Lin lifted her head off of his shoulder.

"Well," she started, "I suppose you would be curious. I guess I'll just give you the summary of things—"

"No! Tell me everything. Spare no detail."

"Tenzin," she whined, "that'll take forever and I'm a limited edition piece in this world. I'm trying to get my flight back home, you know."

"I know," his fingers grazed her chin, pulling her gently to look at him once more, "but if there's anything I want to learn from you, it's you…us…and what could have been if we made different choices."

Lin searched and studied the look in his eyes, not blinking at all. As a new teardrop began to trickle down his face, that became the final nail. A slow sigh escaped and she removed his hand from her face, instead holding it in her lap. "Alright...where do I begin?"