AN: This was written before the finale. Basically right after episode ten when Lin loses her bending. Because I like to angst.

thanks

Jinora didn't see Lin Beifong again for a very long time after they all escaped Air Temple Island. Pema and the air bender children were evacuated to a secure location in the South Pole with Katara. Tenzin told them he would send for them as soon as the city was safe again.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks into months. They got the occasional letter from her father, but Jinora did not see her home again for quite some time. Things stabilized when General Iroh arrived in Republic City but Amon was still at large. Her father didn't feel safe bringing his children back until Amon was caught.

When he was, several months after his attempt to take over the city, Jinora and the rest of the family were allowed to return to Air Temple Island. She and her brothers and sister were warmly greeted by Tenzin and Korra and the brothers and Asami too.

But Lin Beifong wasn't there.

Jinora inquired of the previous police chief but was met with somber faces and tightened fists. Her father in particular looked rather purple in the face. Pema looked uncertain, like she knew the truth but didn't know how to speak the words.

Korra took her to Lin's memorial. "She wouldn't stop fighting. Even after…" She trailed off, a painful sort of respect leaking through her voice. Jinora couldn't respond; she only tried to control that strange tightening in her throat.

"Do you mind if I have a minute alone?" Korra looked at Jinora like she didn't understand. It's not like Jinora and Lin had ever been close. But she didn't argue.

"Sure. Naga and I will wait for you over there." She pointed where Naga sat lying on the stone.

When she was gone, Jinora knelt before the stone memorial, almost meditating before it. She seemed to form her words carefully, rolling them around her tongue and tasting them uncertainly.

"Um… Hi. My name is Jinora. You probably knew that. Um… We didn't really know each other. My mom stole my dad from you. I wish I could say I was sorry about that but then I wouldn't exist if it hadn't happened. Anyway, I was hoping… I was going to, when we got back to the city… Well, I wanted to say thank you. I know what you did for my family. I wish… I wish you were here so that I could tell you properly," she paused, the words choking in her throat and tears beginning to stream down her face, "could tell you personally that I respect everything you did and I hope to be as brave and selfless as you. I never got to know you but I wish that I could have."

She stood, wiping tears off her cheeks. She'd never known someone who died before. She hoped it wouldn't always be this hard. She feared it would only get harder. "Thank you so much, Lin Beifong."

With that she walked off, retreating towards Korra and Naga in the distance.