Heyyyy! I got a new update for you guyyys! :)

Anyway, this story I plan to extend into Season 4. But I'm not going to go pass that, since it would end up being too long for me. .

Answers to questions time! (I'm only answering the ones that need to be cleared up for story purposes.)

gayships101: Once Asami gives birth, she loses the ability to deflect bending, due to the fact that it is the baby that has the ability. The only reason Asami has it right now, is because the Avatar State energy in the baby react to anything that could harm it. That includes harming the mother while she's pregnant with the child.

I'm considering it, but i still don't have all the season four events sorted out yet, so we'll have to see if a proposal scene fits in there.

And the baby won't be hurt or anything from Asami moving around or even fighting, since it has that defense mechanism and that it's not necessarily a 'normal' child. (it's still human and all that, but i have certain things directions i want to go to explain how it inherited protection from bending and whatnot.)

Asami's lips were the softest delicacy Korra had ever tasted.

Arms slowly wrapped around the Avatar's neck, and that was all it took for the bender to snap out of her bliss induced shock and kiss back.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and Korra was sure Asami could feel the vibrations of the strong muscle through her own body as they pulled eachother close.

Korra's calloused hands rested themselves on the nonbender's hips, and she moaned lightly against the kiss as Asami gently pushed her back against the bed and straddled her waist.

The pink nightgown the heiress was wearing settled over the Avatar's hands, a soft fluttering of her heart as it burst with love and adoration at the gorgeous woman leaning over her.

Asami's mouth never left her own, and Korra gently ran her tongue along the other's bottom lip as she asked for entry.

A second later the CEO responded, opened her mouth, and Korra eagerly met Asami's tongue halfway.

Korra explored the new territory, her tongue moving from twirling around the engineer's to running along the straight white rows of teeth.

A soft whimper escaped Asami as Korra suddenly flipped their position, pressing the mother of her child into the silky soft sheets and running her lips down the creamy skin of the young woman's neck.

"Korra," Asami bit down on her lip, her self-control rapidly declining. She moved her hands to the Avatar's shoulders and pushed back, "Korra wait."

The Southern Water Tribe native stopped her ministrations, and hurriedly leaned back; the bender looking worriedly at the woman she fell for, "What is it? I didn't hurt you did I?!"

Her hands hovered over Asami's taunt stomach, mindful of the life taking form there.

The CEO smiled and reached up to rest her hand against the other's cheek, her fingers lovingly following the curve of Korra's cheekbone, "No. I'm fine."

"Then what's the matter?" the Avatar asked nervously, moving her hands to nervously wring them together, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No," Asami shook her head in the negative, before sitting up and smiling lightly at the muscular female. "I'm just... I was thinking maybe we could take this slow."

"Slow?" Korra blinked as she tried to comprehend the situation, her mind still in the lustful fog their impromptu makeout session had induced, "You want to take it slow?"

The CEO nodded, chewing on her lip as she looked down, "I don't have a great track record in the romance department when it comes to just jumping into things, and the last few months have been some of the wildest of my life. I just... I don't know, I'd like to take it slow and try and build up the relationship more. Like going on dates, seeing a mover and walks in the park; I'd like to get to know eachother more, to help us connect more personally. Try and be a normal couple, you know?"

Korra smiled and pressed a kiss to Asami's temple, "Okay."

"Okay?" the engineer blinked, "We can take it slow?"

"Of course we can," Korra exhaled softly and splayed a hand over the other's abdomen. "I suppose there's no taking it slow in the baby department, but dates and whatnot isn't a bad idea." She sighed and sheepishly ran a hand through her hair, "Truthfully, I haven't had much luck in the romance department either, and taking it slow isn't going to hurt anyone. Being normal for a change..." She smiled, "Well, it would be nice for once."

Asami laughed and threw her arms around the other's neck, the two of them falling back onto the bed in a flurry of grins and giggles as they tunneled under the sheets and wrapped their arms around eachother. The inventor smiled against the skin of Korra's neck, "That means so much to me. Thanks."

Korra pressed a kiss to Asami's forehead, "Anything for you."

"You're such a charmer, I swear," the heiress ran her hand up and down the toned muscles along the bender's spine. Her fingers massaging any tense knots she came across and helping to relax the muscles strained from the battle that took place earlier that night. "It's a wonder you don't have more people rushing to be yours."

"There's only one person who matters," Korra mumbled, her face buried in the glossy black hair she loves to run her hands through. "There's only one person I'd travel to the ends of the earth to be with."

"Well," Asami chuckles lightly, her voice breaking with the tiredness of sleep. "I'm sure they can say the same."

"I hope so," Korra nuzzles closer, her arms pulling the heiress flush against her as she drifts off into sleep.

Asami holds her close, listening to the pounding of the Avatar's heart as she moves her head to the other's chest. She feels the rise and fall of each breath, and can't help but thank the spirits that Korra is safe in her arms.

She doesn't want to know what would have happened if the kidnappers got away with her.

The bender's strong heartbeat resonates into her ears, the reassurance that Korra's still alive is the most comforting thing she's ever heard.

Asami sighs quietly, and snuggles the covers more securely around herself; Korra is more exposed as she is used to colder weather, but the inventor is very sensitive to the cold.

Within minutes, she's embraced by blissful darkness.

Korra should have known Aiwei would have created a back up plan for his escape.

The barrel bomb ticked down, the resounding explosion leaving no evidence of whatever was in the room behind.

She barely had enough time to bend a spear of air around them to quell the implosion before the fires reached the group of four.

The fires dissipated, and she stopped the rotating air, before growling and moving into the room; the last words the traitor had said to them kept replaying over and over in her mind. Pure rage filled her entire being; she wouldn't stop until this man and his entire criminal group was brought to justice.

"And you think I had something to do with it?" Aiwei glanced over his shoulder at them, his eyes becoming more and more unfeeling by the second.

Korra exchanged hesitant looks with the others, before turning back to the truth-seer, "We're just looking for answers."

"And you think you've found some," his words weren't a question. No, they were a statement.

Aiwei looked once more over his shoulder at the four young adults, before addressing Korra, "You have no idea Avatar, you have absolutely no idea of what's coming for you and that thing growing in your little whores' womb."

Pure hatred spread through her at those words, barely noticing how Asami flinched at those words, and Korra opened her mouth to snarl when a wall of metal suddenly started to rise from the ground.

Mako jumped to his feet and blasted a fireball at the man standing behind the rising wall, but wasn't fast enough as the wall hit the ceiling and covered the truth seer's escape.

Now, looking over the ruins of the secret room, Korra mentally kicked herself at taking so long to bend a hole through the metal wall.

They looked around, the three benders on their toes with Asami safely between them; Mako glanced around carefully, before lowering his hands, "He's gone."

Korra narrowed her eyes, raking her gaze over the destroyed room when she saw a large door shaped hole behind two fallen ceiling support beams, "There!" She turned to Bolin, "Help me clear it out!"

They bent the earth to either side of the room, and walked towards the tunnel entrance slowly, when Su and Lin ran in down the stairs.

The Chief of Police immediately zoned in on the four, "What happened!? We heard an explosion!"

Suyin looked around with confused eyes, her face a picture of pure surprise, "Where's Aiwei?"

"Gone," Korra snapped and turned to the matriarch of the Metal Clan. "You're trusted advisor was the one who betrayed us." She pointed at the tunnel entrance, "This is where Zaheer got in and out of Zaofu!"

"What!?" Suyin gulped and looked down, her eyes showing her distress, "No!"

Lin stepped forward and slammed her foot on the ground, reading the waves moving through the ground and getting a read on the area, "He must have collapsed the tunnel."

The captain of the guard suddenly ran down the stairs, "Is everyone okay!?"

The eldest Beifong turned to the woman and barked out orders, "Aiwei is a fugitive! Have every available guard search the mountain side and find out where this tunnel exits!"

The guard clasped her hands together and bowed, before running back up the stairs.

Asami stood sullenly in the back, and Korra noticed she hadn't had the chance to make sure her new girlfriend was okay, "Asami!"

The nonbender looked up at the call of her name, and smiled slightly at Korra as she walked up to her, "Hey."

"Are you alright?" Korra nervously looked over the pregnant female for any signs of trauma, "You weren't hurt in the explosion, were you?"

Asami shook her head in the negative, "No. Mako shielded me from the flames that got through the air shield, but I'm okay." She pressed a hand to her stomach, "We both are."

"Good," Korra breathed, before blinking as she watched the dim light in the engineer's eyes go darker. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah," Asami took a long breath, and rubbed her arms. "I'm just... I'm thinking about something Aiwei said."

"He doesn't know what he's talking about," Korra pulled the nonbender to her, burying her face into Asami's neck as the Avatar tried to inhale the jasmine scent of the heiress and imprint it in her mind. "All that matters is that everyone's safe. You're safe. The baby's safe. Mako and Bolin; everyone is safe."

"I know," Asami nodded and took note of the smoke filling the area. She covered her mouth with her jacket sleeve, "I shouldn't stay here too long. Smoke inhalation isn't good to put on the doctor's list."

Korra winced and placed her hand on the small of the other's back, leading her out of the room as more guards came to excavate the area, "Let's go."

A few hours later found them waiting once more in Suyin's office; Lin was next to her sister, comforting the younger distraught Beifong as they waited for news on Aiwei's whereabouts.

The Avatar was standing near the other couch, her arms crossed and foot tapping impatiently. Asami and Bolin were sitting silently on the couch next to her, with Mako pacing behind where the Beifong sisters were.

After another ten minutes of tense waiting, the captain of the guard walked to the door, "We searched the entire mountain sides, but couldn't find any sign of him. The tunnel exit was located, but the only clues were a set of tire tracks leading away."

"Very well," Lin waved her away, turning her attention to Su as she sighed sadly.

"I trusted him with my life," the metal bender closed her eyes. "I thought we were family, but it was all a lie."

"It wasn't your fault," Korra said as she punched her hands together. "He deceived everyone."

Mako cupped his chin, his eyebrows scrunching together in thought, "He had an escape plan all thought out!"

"Not to mention this group has more influence than we thought," Lin grumped. "They're way more dangerous than I predicted. If Aiwei was an ally to them, we don't know who else might be involved."

"Which is why we should track him down and make him and the rest of Zaheer and his little gang talk," Korra said. "Until we find Aiwei, I'm putting off the search for airbenders. Naga can track his scent and-"

"No." Lin stood up and immediately dismissed the idea, "Korra we're not hunting these guys. They're too dangerous. I'm taking you all back to Republic City where I can protect you."

"If I wasn't safe here, I won't be safe anywhere!?" Korra argued. "It's my job to bring these guys to justice."

"Don't lecture me about jobs!" Lin snapped, "We're going back to Republic City and that's final!"

Korra bit down on her lip hard enough to draw blood, the truth seer's words echoed in her mind; "You have no idea Avatar, you have absolutely no idea of what's coming for you and that thing growing in your little whores' womb."

The Avatar angrily pointing in Asami's direction. "Aiwei threatened my girlfriend and my unborn child! There's no way I'm just going to let them get away! He's going to be dragged back here and face the consequences of his actions. And so is Zaheer and the other members of his kidnapper group!"

Lin opened her mouth to yell at Korra when Suyin shot up from her seat, "Enough! Korra, listen to Lin. She's right about this."

"But-"

"Look," Su smiled slightly, hoping to resolve some of the tension in the Avatar's frame. "If you're worried about Aiwei getting away, don't be. I promise the Metal Clan will track him down, and him and all the others who are part of this will be brought to justice. In the meantime, I'll have my people ready your airship. You four can leave with Lin first thing in the morning."

Korra growled but looked down in submission, knowing there was no way she could fight both Lin and Suyin on the matter.

After night fell, the four spent most of their time in the single guest house they were sharing for the night, the damage done to Mako and Bolin's during the fight with Zaheer and his allies left theirs unable to be used.

Korra angrily paced back and forth, "This is unbelievable! This guy had the sheer nerve to threaten my pregnant girlfriend, and they just want to let him get away!?"

"Wait..." Bolin raised his hands in the air, a sly grin coming across his face, "Did you just say girlfriend?"

Korra froze mid-step and nervously laughed as she rubbed the back of her head, "Oh... uh... Yeah, we're sort of a couple now."

"And when did this happen?" Mako asked, although he looked a little off-put to hear his two ex-girlfriends were now dating and expecting a baby due to spirity stuff, Korra and Asami could see that he was trying to be a good friend, "I thought you two weren't dating last time I heard."

"Last night," the heiress ran her fingers through her hair, combing out the knots. "After they tried to kidnap Korra; they bunked us in the same guest room in the mansion and we just talked awhile, then we kissed and realized maybe we should date."

"Heh," Korra grinned at the memory, a light blush coloring her face. "Yeah we did."

Bolin sent his sly smirk her direction, and the Avatar shook out of it, "Anyway, we need to focus on the whole crazy criminal problem involving them trying to kidnap me and threatening my unborn child!"

Asami shuffled in her seat, hugging her stomach as she looked down.

Korra realized this was probably one of the major fears she had about having this baby. This little boy or girl was the child of the Avatar; she already had so many enemies who probably drooled over the possibility of causing her pain, the fact that someone was specifically targeting Asami in order to get to her made Korra so angry she felt like she might erupt like a volcano.

If there was one thing you could believe when it came to Korra, it was that she absolutely hated the thought of someone she loved getting hurt. Or worse.

'No,' Korra mentally berated herself. 'She's not going to be hurt, and she's certainly not going to die. I refuse to let that happen.'

A knock at the door dragged their attention over, and they only had a second before the door slid open.

Suyin Beifong stood there, a serious and solemn expression on her face, "Do you really think Naga can track Aiwei's scent?"

Korra blinked before shaking her head and forcing herself to answer, "I know it. She's the best tracker around."

"Good," Su handed her a pair of keys, and Korra felt her eyebrows go up her forehead in confusion before the matriarch continued, "There's a jeep full of supplies and a full tank of gas by the western entrance."

"There is?" Mako ambled over, "Why?"

The youngest daughter of Toph Beifong took a deep breath, "Because, I want you to find Aiwei and bring him to me."

"But you said-"

"I said what Lin wanted to hear," Su interrupted and waved a dismissive hand. "And I've gotten you some time to get a heads up."

"Really?" Korra grinned, "Thank you!"

"It's no matter," the metal bender sighed. "Just get back here safely. I'll keep Lin busy."

The Avatar felt exhilaration rush through her veins, and with a determined look she turned to the rest of Team Avatar, "Let's get this guy."

Then she hugged Su in thanks, the surprised look on the elder woman's face melted into motherly smile and after saying their thanks once more, they were off.

Minutes later, as Asami readied the jeep and the others presented a piece of cloth taken from one of the blanket that survived the explosion at Aiwei's, the inventor felt a hand pull her around, and Korra's unique natural oceanic scent filled her nostrils, "Hey."

"Hey," the bender pressed a kiss to Asami's cheek, before pulling away to look seriously at her girlfriend. "I need you to stay close to one of us. If something happens, and we get separated; try and stay with either Mako, Bolin, or me. If we're... out of commission, I want you to go straight back to Zaofu."

Asami inhaled sharply, "Korra! I can't just abandon you guys."

"I don't care," Korra shook her head. "The baby is more important than us. Mako and Bolin both agreed, we talked about escape plans while Naga catches Aiwei's scent; if something happens and we're not around, go back to Zaofu. Don't risk our child Asami."

A small smile pulled at her lips, and she nodded and pressed their lips together in a tender kiss, then pulled away and climbed into the drivers' seat, "Okay. I promise. No unnecessary dangerous stunts, mama bear."

Korra grinned and shot her a thumbs up, "You know it."

Naga padded over, an urgent whine in her voice; Mako and Bolin followed, "She's got a scent. We need to get moving!"

With that said, Korra leaped up onto the polar bear dogs back, quickly scratching behind the large animal's ear, "Go Naga!"

Then the tracker broke into a run, and Asami turned over the engine as the bending brothers jumped into the jeep behind them, and the hunt was on.

By the time they reached the first small town in the outskirts of the desert, Naga had tired and needed a water break.

Korra looked around, her eyes taking in each and every individual she saw, keeping a watchful eye out for the man in the Zaofu garb, "Aiwei's definitely been through here." She patted her trusted animal companion on the neck, "Good tracking girl."

Asami shut off the engine after driving the car to the side, then the three jumped out of the jeep and walked over to join Korra, "What now?"

"Let's take a look around," Mako scanned the area. "Maybe someone's seen him."

They agreed and moved inside the most welcoming building there.

Inside, it was some kind of a bar; what looked like a gang of bounty hunters crowded around the counter, while more of them were seated at a table near the middle.

They looked around uneasily, when Bolin caught sight of a poster with his face on it, "Oh look! They have a mover poster of me! Must be big NukTuk fans." He straightened up his shirt, "I should probably go over and say hello."

"No!" Mako grabbed his brother's shirt and yanked him back, dragging the three's attention to the firebender, "Those are wanted posters."

"Wanted posters?" Korra knitted her eyebrows together, "From who?"

"The Earth Queen," Mako said. "And there's one for each of us."

The detective leaned closer to the pictures, looking over the details, "Wanted by her majesty the Earth Queen for crimes against the Earth Kingdom. Dead or Alive." He looked back at Korra, "I'm guessing this is because we took her airbenders?"

"They weren't hers to keep!?" Korra exclaimed, "I swear, if I ever see her pinchy little queen face again, I'm GonNA-"

Asami cut her off, looking to the side and taking notice of the bounty hunters suddenly taking interest in them, "Uh guys. I think we should get out of here."

The others all looked over at the audience, before they backed out the door way.

Korra sent a pointed look at the challengers, taking her hands and making the universal 'I got my eyes on you' signal.

Once they were outside, the four converged near the jeep, keeping a watchful eye on passing wanderers as they talked over any news.

"So," Bolin sighed and hung his head. "We're wanted men now?"

"Pretty much," Korra groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Miss Queenie britches is going to get a royal but kicking for this."

"We have other things to worry about right now," Mako reminded and gestured around the area. "No sign of Aiwei. He probably traveled further into the desert. What's the next town?"

"The Misty Palms Oasis," Asami said, remembering coming across the town on the map. "It's a few hours from here, but it's the closest place I can think of. After that there's nothing around but desert."

"Which direction is it?" Korra asked, scratching the polar bear dog's head as Naga butted in between the four and collapsed onto her back, asking for attention before they moved.

"Northwest," the CEO tapped her chin in thought. "If we leave in the next half-hour, we can get there by noon. But it's at least three hours."

"Then let's move," Mako nodded his head and the other three mobilized.

Asami went to jump into the drivers seat when a hand grabbed her arm, and gently stopped her from moving another inch.

She turned just to have a mouth latch onto hers, hands tangling in her hair and a breathless chuckle breezed out of her lungs as Korra pulled away with a stupid grin on her face, "What prompted that?"

The Avatar shrugged, one hand twirling the hair framing her face, "Just because I can."

Mako looked extremely red-faced from where he was sitting, while Bolin cooed like a four year old, "How cute!"

"We need to get moving," Asami pressed a kiss to Korra's cheek. "After we find Aiwei, you can steal all the kisses you want."

"Promise?" Korra raised an expectant eyebrow.

Asami patted the shorter bender on the head, "Promise."

Korra sat on the large rock near the outcroppings where Aiwei's jeep was; she had her chin tucked onto her knee, her eyes narrowed as she gazed over the Misty Palms Oasis.

Asami swept through the fugitive's getaway vehicle, looking over anything that might be of interest.

The sun beat down on her, making the engineer contemplate removing the top part of the jump suit and simply winging it in her pants and tank top, but she managed to tough it out.

She opened the glove department and a light bulb went off in her head; inside was a simple piece of paper with something brief and to the point written on it.

Asami looked back to tell Korra, when she noticed the sullen look upon the Avatar's face, "Are you okay?"

Korra sighed angrily, "I'm just frustrated. What does Zaheer want with me? What's his plan?"

The heiress fingered the paper and held it up for the bender to see, "I don't know. But, I think I found a clue."

Korra spun around and slid off the rock, walking over to her girlfriend to see what it was she came across.

Asami handed her the paper, and Korra read the message off slowly, "Xai Bau's grove. Sundown." A thousand different thoughts streamed through Korra's eyes when she realized the importance of the note, "This must be where and when Aiwei is going to meet Zaheer!"

The inventor turned to grab the map she'd set on the back seat, smiling when she felt Korra come up next to her and press a kiss to her cheek, before turning her attention to the map in Asami's hands. She smoothed it out over the car's hood, and ran her finger over the landmarks, "Xai Bau's grove. Where are you?"

A small blue spirit flew onto the map, and cawed loudly for attention.

Korra and Asami waved them away; the heiress trying to locate the meeting place, "Go away. I'm trying to find something."

They looked over the map with no luck; it was as if the grove simply didn't exist.

After another half-hour of careful observation, Naga lifted her head from where she was resting in the shade, and alerted the two of Mako's arrival.

"We found Aiwei hiding in the inn," the detective said, removing the gross yellow rain slip and goggles from his person.

"That's great!" Korra grinned and turned to the firebender, "We found something too!"

Asami grabbed the note and handed it to the amber-eyed man, "It looks like Zaheer is going to meet Aiwei at sundown in a place called Xai Bau's grove." She turned and picked up the map, a irritated look crossing her eyes, "But I can't find it anywhere on the map."

Korra narrowed her eyes, "Lets go bust Aiwei's door down and finally get some answers! We need to know who these people after me are!"

"No!" Mako killed her plan of action, "As soon as he knows we're on to us, he'll shut down. I say we wait it out until he leaves, then follow him to the grove."

Korra's face set in determination, "And he'll lead us straight to Zaheer."

After the meeting with Bolin's super fans, Korra was feeling a little better. It was a truly hilarious thing she had a good laugh about after they left, even though Bolin bemoaned her that it wasn't funny (it was to her).

But now, trapped in the tiny hotel room, and trying to keep and eye on Aiwei's hideout dampened her spirits just a bit.

Asami was sitting against the wall, one hand on her stomach as she took deep breaths to try and calm her nausea; they'd walked by a food stand selling some type of roasted lizard and the poor thing prompted keeled over and lost her breakfast.

Naga was perched on the bed, Pabu laying on the polar bear dog's saddle. She wagged her tail and smacked Bolin in the face, "Ow! Naga!"

The animal looked up in a 'What?' kind of way, before laying back down.

Impatiently, Bolin began to pace back and forth in the small space not otherwise occupied, while Mako and Korra gazed out the window, keeping an eye out for any movement.

The curtain to Aiwei's room was pulled open, and they caught sight of the metal bender looking around nervously before he slinked back inside, "There he is."

Bolin groaned as time passed, continuing to pace around obnoxiously, "Ugh, I though stakeouts were supposed to be exciting. This is horrible!"

He saw the small drawer in the corner next to Asami and grinned, "Oh! I wonder if they have any snacks in here." He pulled open the drawers and looked eagerly, only to catch sight of a game, "Look they have a pai-sho board! Mako, want to play!?"

"Kind of busy here bro."

Bolin pouted and looked down, when Asami perked up, "I'll play."

"Oh, no offense, but I learned how to play street pai-sho from shady shin," the earthbender tugged on his shirt. "So, I'm pretty good!"

"Oh really?" Asami raised an eyebrow, "I learned how to play from my dad; the diabolical genius?" Her face set in an almost mockingly evil smirk, "I'll destroy you."

"Well," Bolin grinned, "Looks like we got ourselves a pai-showdown."

They set up the board over by Naga and Pabu, the only space big enough for them to sit comfortably.

However, Bolin quickly found out one thing.

Asami Sato was a master at Pai-Sho, and didn't hesitate to brutally defeat him in each and every game.

"Aw, come on!" Bolin swept through the rule book, "That was totally an illegal move!"

"Nuh-uh," Asami protested. "I won that game fair and square."

"Yeah, well we'll see what my friend Mr. Rule Book has to say about that," Bolin smirked and read out the regulations. "The Red Lotus gambit can be used illegally, if the opponent does not have it's elephant-koi piece set in the forward position. However, due to different countries with different cultures, the rules and variations of the game change." He narrowed his eyes, before sighing sadly, "That's no help at all! Korra! As the Avatar, you need to standardize these Pai-Sho rules."

"Okay," Korra raised her eyebrows and shot a snarky glare at the earthbender out the corner of her eyes. "I'll put that on my list after bringing back the Air Nation and taking down the group that tried to kidnap me."

Bolin waved her off, "That's cool, whenever you get to it."

"Assuming Zaheer does show up, and we find him," Mako looked at the Avatar. "What then?"

"Then I make him talk," Korra said, punching her hands together in order to accentuate her point.

"He was locked away for thirteen years Korra," Mako shook his head. "And never broke. I don't think a little bending is going to intimidate this guy."

"You got a better idea?!" Korra retorted.

"Yeah," the detective inclined his head. "We spy on them. If Zaheer and Aiwei don't know they're being watched, they'll talk freely. Then we'll find out who they are, and what they want."

"Hey! That's just like Pai-Sho!" Bolin read from the rule book eagerly, "In order to beat your opponent, you first have to know your opponent."

"Then I guess I know you pretty well," Asami moved her center game piece into the check-mate position. "I win."

"What!?" the green-eyed man groaned, "No! Rematch!"

Sadly for Bolin, by the time they reached their thirtieth rematch, he still hadn't won yet.

The determined player scrunched his eyebrows together as he made the next move, then beamed hugely as he looked up at the pregnant woman, "Haha! Looks like you're on the rocks this time!"

"I can't believe it," Asami blinked. "You might actually win this one."

Bolin grinned, only for his joy to be wiped off the face of the earth as Pabu suddenly jumped down and scattered the game pieces, "NO! PABU, WHY!?"

He slumped down, landing on the NukTuk toy his crazy fans had given him and causing the head to be shot off due to the pressure exerted by his body landing on the sown together gift.

Korra sat up from the box she had used as a chair, staring out the window dangerously, "It's nearly sundown. Why hasn't he left yet?"

"Maybe he snuck out when you weren't looking?" Asami suggested, offering any reason she could think of.

"No," Mako held up a small book. "I just saw him looking out the window fifteen minutes ago, it's in my logbook."

"Ugh," Korra growled and stormed out. "I'm going over there."

"Wait!" the firebender yelped. "You'll blow our element of surprise!"

As usual, the Avatar didn't listen, and they were forced to chase after her as she stomped over to the truth-seer's door; Korra kicked out her foot and blasted it open, "IT'S OVER AIWEI- what?"

Aiwei sat up right on the bed, his back ramrod straight and posture still; his eyes were closed shut, making it seem as if he had simply fallen asleep.

Bolin leaned over the bed, looking for any clue to what was going on, "That's a weird way to sleep."

"He's not sleeping, he's meditating," her eyes went wide and Korra spun to look at her girlfriend, "Asami, those spirits earlier were trying to tell us something. Xai Bau's grove wasn't on the map because it's not in the physical world. It's in the spirit world!" She turned back and jumped onto the bed, automatically going into the meditating position, "I'm going in after him!"

"We'll keep an eye on him in case he wakes up," Mako said before his eyes soften in concern. "And be careful."

Bolin and Asami nodded in agreement, and Korra gave them each a smile before inhaling and relaxing her mind.

She clasped her fists together and focused on the Spirit World, feeling the telltale signs as her spirit left her body and transferred into the other world; suddenly she opened her eyes and looked around, all kinds of odd looking spirits floating in the sky like giant flying whales.

Korra glanced to her right and spotted Aiwei standing underneath a small tree, the man waiting nervously for something to happen.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and she walked forward, feeling ready to give the guy a piece of her mind when she jumped behind a tree as she saw Zaheer flicker into existence before the metal bender.

"What happened back in Zaofu?!" The airbender's voice resonated all the way to Korra, and she watched as he approached Aiwei with a deadly glint in his eye, "You told us we wouldn't have any problems getting the Avatar! Because of you, we've all been compromised."

"No!" Aiwei held up his hands in surrender, "Any evidence was destroyed when my library burned."

Zaheer narrowed his eyes and walked closer to the older man, "Where is your physical body now?"

"At the Misty Palms Inn," Aiwei held up his hand once more. "But there is no need to worry, I assure you I wasn't followed!"

"You left a loose end," Zaheer spoke, his voice low and calm.

"No, I swear! No one knows anything about us!" Aiwei pleaded.

"You don't get it, do you?" the airbender growled. "You are the loose end!"

Korra jumped out of her hiding spot as she watched Zaheer grab the metal bender, her voice dragging their attention over to her before fading from sight.

The master of the four elements cursed and jumped the small river separating where she had been standing and where they once were; she looked around for any sign of them, weary of a possible sneak attack coming her way.

She gasped when she felt a presence behind her, and turned to stare down the rogue airbender as he smirked, "It seems Aiwei was mistaken. He was followed."

Korra immediately went into a fighting stance, "That's right. We knew he would lead us straight to you; which begs the question, what did you do with him?"

"He'll be spending eternity in the fog of lost souls," Zaheer smirked, a stupid idiotic smirk that made Korra want to slap it right off his face. "Which just leaves the two of us."

He went to step forward, but Korra raised one of her hands, "Don't move Zaheer. You're going to give me some answers."

"No need for aggression," he chuckled lowly and sat down. "Neither of us has our bending, and I'm not going anywhere. I'll answer any questions you have, you deserve that much."

Korra dropped her hands in shock, "Really?"

"Yes." Zaheer nodded, "What would you like to know?"

"Okay," Korra looked expectantly at him, "First off, who are you people?! And why do you keep trying to take me!?"

"We are part of a secret society dedicated to restoring balance and true freedom to the world," his face hardened. "We are the Red Lotus."

"Red Lotus?" Korra mentally scratched her head, "You wouldn't happen to be related to the White Lotus, would you?"

"We are what the White Lotus was meant to be, but after the hundred year war the White Lotus lost it's true purpose," Zaheer sighed. "It's members came out of hiding and openly served the Avatar. They became nothing but glorified body guards who served corrupt nations." His face softened at the next part, showing his admiration of the subject, "So a great man named Xai Bau broke away from the White Lotus, and formed his own secret society."

"Yeah that's a great story, but that doesn't explain why you tried to kidnap me while I was a kid!" Korra crossed her arms.

"That was Unalaq's idea."

"Wait," Korra eyes went wide with surprise, what felt like an ice cold wave washed over her, and she felt pure surprise flow through her veins. "My uncle was part of the Red Lotus?!"

"I met your uncle when I was a teenager after we both joined the Red Lotus," Zaheer explained. "We learned about Raava and Vaatu, and how Avatar Wan foolishly severed them; disrupting the natural order."

"Wan didn't destroy balance, he tried to save it!" Korra argued. "He fought to make sure Vaatu didn't send the world into chaos."

"You really think what Wan did was keeping balance?" Zaheer questioned, "Closing the spirit portals and separating humans and spirits? Even you saw the errors of his ways."

Korra felt anger rising in her stomach, "So all along, you and my uncle planned to take me when I was a kid and use me to open the spirit portals and release Vaatu?!"

"Yes," Zaheer said. "And with members of the Red Lotus as your elemental masters, we could have taught you so much more."

"Sounds to me like you simply wanted to brainwash me," Korra scowled.

"No Korra," Zaheer shook his head sadly. "All I wanted was to show you a better path for the world; a better path for the Avatar to take instead of bending to the will of tyrants."

Asami hadn't felt this nauseas in over a week, she didn't think she would throw up, but something was definitely not agreeing with her sensitive stomach.

Watching Korra meditate so peacefully made her heart clench in her chest, she didn't know if the Avatar was okay in the spirit world, or if Zaheer had done something and somehow injured her.

Mako was standing next to the window, keeping a careful look out for anyone unfriendly as Bolin sat in a chair and she leaned against a wall.

Her hands felt clammy, and her stomach kept doing flips. She'd felt fine before, but ever since they reached the inn she'd felt sick and tired; it was as if something was literally sucking the energy out of her.

The firebender's eyes widened and she turned to look quizzingly as he began to speak, "Uh, guys lavabender and water arm lady found us. I don't know how, but they're in the courtyard."

"How?!" Asami asked, more to herself than anyone.

Mako pursed his lips, "I just said I don't know how!"

"Korra," Bolin jumped onto the bed and shook her shoulders. "Korra come on! Wake up!"

Asami gulped and peaked out the window with Mako, before retreating out of view of the two dangerous criminals and turning to the firebender, "What do we do?"

"Get Korra out of here," Mako picked the Avatar up from the bed and set her on Naga's back, the polar bear dog's head lifting to attention at the extra weight. "We can't let either of you get hurt." He smiled lightly and briefly pressed a hand to the nonbender's stomach, "Korra will kill us if something happened to you and the baby, so you two need to get away. Bolin and I will hold them off."

Asami nodded and climbed behind Korra onto the saddle, propping the unconscious Avatar up with her arms and holding the reigns.

Mako and Bolin got into position and pulled open the door, Naga immediately took off, heading as far away from the lava and water bender as she could.

Asami kept eye contact with them, watching as the armless bender sent water spikes their way; she tugged sharply on the reigns and Naga banked right and into an alley, the ice smashing into the wall behind them.

Naga sprinted through the Oasis, running as fast as she could at Asami's urging.

Eventually, when she realized Mako and Bolin were doing a good job of holding the almost abductors up, she let go of the reigns and adjusted Korra's position as she started to slide off the saddle.

The Polar bear dog knew exactly where she was going, heading for their jeep that they had hidden by Aiwei's.

As they exited the small town, Naga began the assent up a large hill; Korra's oldest friend panting with every lunge of her body, the dog's tongue hanging out the side of her mouth.

Asami looked behind her, heart pounding against her ribs, feeling like the muscle could jump out of her chest at any moment.

A sharp jolt in her stomach forced her to look forward, and she only had a second to scream as wall of earth suddenly closed around them in pyramid formation; Naga barked loudly, angry at being disturbed in the middle of her run.

Fear built in her chest, and the pregnant woman could only hope it wasn't the two criminal benders from the inn who had managed to catch her.

"If my uncle was the one who helped you try and kidnap me," Korra raised an eyebrow. "Why wasn't he caught?"

"He wasn't with us that night," Zaheer's eyes sharpened with anger. "And he covered his tracks well afterwards."

"So he betrayed you guys just like he betrayed me," Korra shrugged. "Ironic isn't it?"

"If you say so," the airbender sighed angrily. "He let me and my friends rot in prison for thirteen years, while he went ahead and pursued his own selfish goals." Zaheer shook his head, "Him becoming a dark Avatar was never our mission."

"So if that isn't your mission, what is?" Korra rested her hands on her knees; she had sat down cross-legged on the grass once she was sure he wasn't a threat at the moment, "What's your big game plan?"

"I want what you want," Zaheer explained. "To restore balance to the world, and give freedom to its inhabitants."

"I think your version of balance and freedom are just a bit different than mine," Korra sarcastically said. "And it doesn't excuse the fact that Aiwei threatened me and Asami back in Zaofu, which by the way I haven't got to ask you about yet."

"Asami Sato," the former nonbender cocked his head. "Aiwei told me about her before, about how apparently the child she carries is yours. I was skeptical at first, but then again the power of the Avatar State is a wondrous thing, is it not?"

"What do you plan to do with her?" Korra remembered the night when she had almost been kidnapped, remembered how they told her Zaheer had blasted wind at Asami in an effort to distract them, "Where do you get off attacking a pregnant and defenseless woman!?"

"I didn't have a choice," Zaheer simply responded, watching as Korra became more and more irritated with his words. "We had to get away, and sacrifices must be made on either side to accomplish our goal. However, knowing what I know now, there are several ways I think that child can be useful to our cause."

"You will stay away from them!" Korra snapped. "They're innocent in this! That child has no choice in who its parents are! You will not try and use them against me!"

"I can't make any promises," Zaheer was mocking her, Korra's eyebrow twitched. The stupid man was mocking her. "We have to kidnap you in order to restore the natural balance. Corrupt rulers must be torn down, and freedom for every man and woman must be obtained."

"That sounds more like disorder to me," Korra muttered; her eyes becoming darker by the second. "It's anarchy."

"The natural order," Zaheer gazed unsympathetically at her. "Is disorder. And to reach our goal, your capture is necessary."

"And that brings me to my next question," Korra crossed her arms. "Once you have me, what happens?"

Zaheer smirked, "You'll find out soon enough. The Red Lotus should have you by now. See you in the physical world."

He disappeared and Korra leaped forward to stop him, pure fear racing through her soul at his words.

She clenched her fist and concentrated, ready for a fight as her spirit returned to her body.

Immediately, she noticed the restraints wrapped around her; a muzzle of sorts wrapped around her face, with a bending proof straightjacket holding her arms tightly around her torso.

She pushed forward and tried to break the restraints, growling in pure hatred, "ZAHEER! YOU TRICKED ME! LET ME GO!"

Korra looked around frantically, relief crashing into her when she saw Asami chained up next to her.

The nonbenders' hair was a little out of order, but she looked relatively unharmed.

Even so, fear spread through her lungs like a wildfire, and she desperately tried to reach out for her girlfriend, "Asami! Are you okay!? The baby's okay!?"

"I'm okay," the CEO sounded so defeated, it broke Korra's heart. "We're both okay. I wasn't hurt too bad, just a little shook up."

"The baby's okay?" Korra's voice sounded so desperate and unsure, she wanted nothing more than to pull the heiress in for a hug and never let go. What Zaheer had said shook her to her very soul, what was that man's game plan?

"He's fine," Asami hung her head, and she didn't speak for a few seconds.

Korra bit down on the inside of her cheek, the panic subsiding as reality kicked in, "Where's the rest of the Red Lotus? How did Zaheer catch us?"

"What's the Red Lotus?" Asami asked, looking up in confusion, "And Zaheer didn't catch us, the Earth Queen's forces did."

"Where are we?" Korra furrowed her eyebrows at the new information. So, it wasn't Zaheer who got to them after all.

Then again, she didn't know if the Earth Queen was any better.

"I don't know," Asami sighed and looked at the cell door. "Some outpost in the desert? They're taking us back to Ba Sing Se."

"The Earth Queen's forces snapped out the Avatar before we could," Ghazan said, letting the bound forms of Mako and Bolin fall to the ground in a heap.

Ming-Hua smirked, "But we were thinking we could do something with these two."

Zaheer looked over the two captives, before he came up with a suitable plan, "Load these two into the truck. We're making a trip to Ba Sing Se."

And it's done!

TELL ME WHAT YOU THOUGHT IN A REVIEW! QUESTIONS AND OTHER STUFF, I PROMISE I'LL TRY AND ANSWER THE ONES THAT DON'T SPOIL ANY OF THE STORY! :)

Expect the next update any time after Of Alphas and Omegas is updated!

Until the next time~