Sorry for the long wait! I'm kind of busy and writing a book of my own. My manager and agent want it to be done soon and I'm almost at the middle of it. It'll probably be published next year 'cause I've already got a publisher. I'm so lucky to have a good agent.

So here's chapter four. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 4: The Grand Ball

Bolin looked at the baby in the crib. "She looks so…squishy looking." He poked her cheek. "What did you guys name her?"

"Lian." Asami answered. They were both taking care of the baby. Asami and Kuzon made arrangements to take turns, but Bolin wanted to help Asami because he was free today and didn't have to practice for probending yet.

"Lian." he mused. " So is she going by your last name or by Kuzon's?"

She shrugged. "He said we're probably not going to have her for long because her parents must be searching for her, so it doesn't really matter. If no one claims her in thirty days, then she'll go to an orphanage and be adopted by someone."

"Do you want to adopt her because you seem really fond of her." said Bolin.

Asami bit her lip. "I'm only eighteen. I could, but I'm kind of too young to be raising a kid."

He picked up Lian and put her on his lap. The little girl looked at him with her big blue eyes. She laughed when Bolin tickled her.

"You're good with kids." complimented Asami.

Bolin smiled. "Thanks. I used to help take care of some of the young kids on the streets for awhile until Mako and I had to move on somewhere else. I like kids. They're cute…most of the time."

Lian held her hands out towards Asami. She took her in her arms and the baby cuddled closer to her.

"How old is she?" asked Bolin.

"I think maybe around a year old or so." she guessed.

Bolin nodded. "That's what I thought."

"So how's Mako?"

"He's fine. Training to be an officer. He's stressed and tired all the time."

Asami nodded sympathetically. "Poor guy. But it's probably going to be worth it."

"Yeah. He's determined." he said. "Have you seen Korra lately?"

"Yep. I saw her yesterday. She's fine. Busy, but fine."

Bolin said, "So, the Avatar grand ball thing is today."

She nodded. "I'm going with Kuzon and Korra is going with Mako. Are you going with anyone?"

He frowned and then looked at Lian. "I'm going with her. Right kiddo?"

They laughed and the baby clapped her hands.

_line break_

Mako looked at the writing test, the pen in his hand shaking. He bit his lip and wrote down the answer. He had been doing that for about two hours, writing answers, bubbling in the circles, answering essay questions. His hand was tired. Mako wiped sweat off his forehead. He was nervous. He didn't want to fail. He wanted to be an officer, to help people like Korra. Mako faced the exam, more determined than ever.

_line break_

"Why was there a baby girl in your van?" Kuzon said with a forced calm.

He was interrogating the thugs he had captured the night before. The thugs were named Fong, a skinny man with wild black hair, and Kong, a big man with a long brown beard. They were new criminals and all he had learned was they had been taking little amounts of yuans or jewels from every household they could sneak into at night.

Fong looked at him with cold amber eyes. "It doesn't matter." he said defiantly.

"If you don't want to end up in prison for ten years then yes, it does matter."

"Fine. We were stealin' from dis poor couple who couldn't take care of their kid." Kong answered gruffly. "They gave us their kid and told us they didn't want 'er so we were planning' ta use 'er as a servant."

Kuzon wrote it down in his notepad. "They were very clear that they didn't want the baby?"

"Yup. Said that she was a burden. They were headin' up to Ba Sing Se. They had the kid way too early. They were eighteen, Cap'n. And they were nobility. Their parents disowned them when they had their kid and took her here 'cause they wanted to get rid of her here for some reason. Since we took the kid off their hands, they can probably have their inheritance now." Fong explained.

He nodded. "Alright. Is there any additional information you would like to give me?"

"Nope." Kong replied, popping the p.

"Very well. Officers, take them away to their cells. It seems like they'll be spending three years in prison." Kuzon ordered.

"Hey Fong." Kong said while the metalbenders put handcuffs on their wrists. "I got us three years instead of ten!"

"Shut up, you oaf!"

_line break_

Tenzin walked through the streets of Republic City. A council meeting had been canceled so he had decided to have some time to himself. Life at Air Temple Island had become stressful because Rohan was waking up frequently in the night and the children were complaining. Pema wasn't much better. She was becoming suspicious of his relationship with Lin. She was also asking questions about Kuzon. Ever since the boy had come into Tenzin's life, he had changed everything. He excited the children and Rohan liked him. Kuzon was friends with Korra, Bolin, and Mako, and the boyfriend of Asami Sato. He was the Police Captain. He was part of Team Avatar. He helped save Republic City and the world. Kuzon Beifong changed everything.

It was about time that Pema would put everything together and realize who Kuzon really was. So Tenzin would have to be extra careful and come up with better lies. He hated lying. It was against his nature and his father had taught him to always be honest.

If you were in my position, what would you do Father? Tenzin wondered.

Of course, he received no answer. He bit his lip. Aang would've never been in this sort of situation. He would've never thought his own son would be stuck in a problem like this.

Tenzin looked at Air Temple Island. He sighed, and went back home.

So alone.

_line break_

Lin went home early because of a headache she had. Normally she would've stayed, but her officers insisted she'd take it easy. They thought she had been through too much during the war and she looked tired when she went to work. Lin put up a good argument until her son offered to take care of things for the rest of the day. They were both going off work early because of the Avatar Grand Ball.

The door opened and she jumped out of surprise. Kuzon was standing there cradling a baby in his arms.

Her jaw dropped. "Is that baby your…Kuzon, I told you you're too young to be having children!"

"She's not my daughter!" he protested. "She's a baby that Asami and I are taking care of. We found her in some criminals' van and she was abandoned and…well, yeah."

"Wahhh!" cried the baby.

Kuzon frantically tried to calm her down. "It's okay little one. Don't cry. I'm here, everything's fine."

Lin looked at him in annoyance. "Why can't Asami take care of her?"

"Because she had to work. I'd leave her with Bolin, but he's busy too." he answered.

The baby fidgeted in his arms and stopped crying.

"Finally." she muttered.

"How did you deal with me when I was young?"

"You didn't cry much. You mostly were too curious for your own good. Once, you almost got kidnapped." replied Lin.

He cocked his head, curious. "Really?"

"Yes. You had me worried. When I found the ones who were about to take you away, I almost killed them. They went to prison after six months in a hospital."

He smiled. "You're a good mother, even if you think otherwise."

Lin rolled her eyes. "You have no idea what you're saying.

Kuzon said, "I do, Mother. You're amazing and loving. I couldn't ask for a better parent. Plus you kick criminals' butts. That's pretty awesome."

"Mmm." Secretly, she was quite flattered and touched.

He held out Lian to her. "Can you hold her? I need to find her bottle."

Lin carefully held the little girl in her arms. Lian lazily looked up at her with her big blue eyes. She remembered when she had originally did not want children, but after that night with Tenzin…she had never been more excited.

Kuzon returned with her bottle. "I need a quick favor."

"What?"

"Uh…you have to take care of Lian for an hour until I get off from work. Bye Mom!"

He made a beeline for the door and ran away while Lin yelled, "I did not agree to this!"

_line break_

"Mako! Do you know where my suit is? I can't find it." Bolin yelled as he rummaged through his closet.

He heard his older brother yell back, "I don't know! I'm still getting ready so you'll have to find it yourself."

He rolled his eyes and sighed. Pabu climbed up his arm to his shoulder and nipped his ear. Bolin looked at his fire ferret. "Not now, Pabu. I have to go find my suit."

Pabu nipped his ear again and jumped to the floor.

"Pabu, I can't play with you right now. Later."

The fire ferret took Bolin's dress shoe and ran off with it.

"Hey! Come back!" Bolin said and followed his pet, who scurried under his bed. He put his arm under the bed and found something there. He grabbed it and pulled it towards him. It was his suit, the one that he had worn at the gala that Tarrlok threw for Korra.

"Oh. That's where I put it." said Bolin. He looked down at Pabu. "Thanks buddy. I should go change right now."

After thirty minutes of putting on his suit and doing his hair, Bolin was ready.

When he came out, Mako was waiting for him outside his door wearing his suit and his scarf.

Mako looked a little impatient. "Finally, little bro." he said. "C'mon, let's go."

"Alright, Mako, alright. We all know why you really want to go to the Grand Ball thing."

His cheeks turned pink. "Whatever. Let's go."

_line break_

Korra looked at her closet and skimmed through the dresses. She and Asami had once gone shopping together so there had to be a good dress to wear. Korra finally settled on a dark blue dress that hugged her body. She zipped up the dress and fixed her hair. Korra kept her armband in its place. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

"Huh. I don't look to bad if I say so myself." she murmured to herself, still smiling.

She put on a silver necklace Mako had given her and deemed herself ready to go.

Korra walked out her bedroom to go with Tenzin and his family to the Grand Ball.

_line break_

Asami drove in her Satomobile to the Grand Ball. She was in a beautiful red dress that fit her slim figure and showed off her curves. Asami was wearing makeup. She was excited to go and hoped that it would be fun.

"I hope Kuzon is taking good care of Lian." she said to herself.

She looked out the window. There was quite a bit of traffic. She didn't realize so many people would be attending.

I hope I get a good parking space. she thought.

_line break_

"Good grief, Kuzon. Couldn't you have taken longer?" Lin said to Kuzon.

He held his hands up in defense. "I had to organize patrols and get some officers to the Grand Ball so they can make sure everyone's safe. Maybe some crazy person would just ruin it. Think about it, that would really suck."

"Point taken. Take the kid. I need to go change into my uniform." she said, thrusting Lian into his arms.

Kuzon blocked her way to her bedroom. "You're off duty, aren't you? Don't you have to wear a dress?"

She paled. "No. I will take charge of the metal benders and everything. You can go in a suit if you'd like."

He smirked. "Alright."

Lin walked to her bedroom and shut the door.

He went to his messy bedroom and put Lian on his bed. Kuzon looked at his closet. Mostly training clothes. Not many formal things.

"Hmm." he muttered. He found a light green dress shirt and a black jacket with green stripes at the wrists. "These could do." Kuzon went to his dresser and found black pants that were suitable for the occasion.

The earthbender quickly dressed and tried to comb his hair. No luck. His spiky hair refused to stay down. Defeated, Kuzon threw his comb on the floor and took the baby girl in his arms.

"We need to find you a dress." he mused. "Luckily, Asami packed some nice things for you to wear in your bag."

He grabbed the bad, which had been resting on his drawer. Kuzon opened it and found a red dress with rhinestones on the border. There was a red hair band with a flower on it, frilly white socks, and bright red shoes. He started to undress Lian and then dressed her into her nice clothes. Unfortunately, the little girl refused to wear the shoes and wouldn't wear them no matter what.

"C'mon Li." Kuzon pleaded. "Wear the shoes."

The little girl pouted and shook her head.

Kuzon sighed. "It's just for one night."

"No." she said stubbornly. The little girl could only say a few words like no, yeah, and cookie as far as Kuzon knew.

"Please?"

Lian looked at Kuzon and shouted, "No idiot!"

He was stunned. "Since when did you learn how to say that?"

"I taught her that." Lin said. She was at his doorway looking down at them.

He rolled his eyes. "Were you talking about Tenzin?"

"Possibly." she said, examining her fingernails. "We should go to the Grand Ball right now. We don't want to be late."

"Right." Kuzon agreed. "Let's roll!"

_line break_

"Korra!" Mako gasped. "You look…"

She looked too beautiful for words. Korra was in a dress that fit her perfectly and she was wearing the necklace he gave her.

She smiled. "You don't look so bad yourself, Mr. Hat Trick."

He grinned and Korra looped her arm through his. "Let's go find Bolin, Kuzon, and Asami." Mako said. "I think Bolin's eating but I don't know where Kuzon and Asami are."

"They might not be here yet." said Korra.

He shrugged. "Then that's more time to ourselves. Wanna dance?"

"Sure, but I have to warn you. I'm not a great dancer."

"It's all in the leading when it comes to a slow song." Mako replied as a slow dance began to play. "Let's go."

Korra beamed. "Okay. Let's dance."

They were now on the dance floor. Mako put a hand on Korra's waist and the other grasped her hand. Her free hand was on his left shoulder.

"This isn't so bad." she said. "When did you learn how to dance?"

"When I went with Asami to the gala that Tarrlok threw for you. She taught me how to, but I think she gave up on me when I accidentally stepped on her foot." Mako admitted.

Korra laughed. "Nice."

Once the slow song ended, he kissed her and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I love you Korra."

"I love you too."

_line break_

Kuzon, Lian, and Lin walked in the Grand Ball. There were a lot of people there, especially rich people. Lian looked wide-eyed at the many people laughing, eating, and dancing. She grabbed Kuzon's jacket tightly with her small fist.

"It's alright, Lian." he soothed, gently rubbing her back. "They're just people. They're not going to hurt you."

"You're good with children." Lin remarked.

"I'm good with her. She's an easy kid." he corrected.

Lin looked at Tenzin. "I'm going to go talk to him."

"Okay then." he said and his mother walked away. He looked through the crowd and spotted Asami.

"Asami!" he called out, waving his hand. She spotted him and he walked to her. "Hi."

"Hi Kuzon. Hi Lian." she said and took the baby girl.

Kuzon smiled. "I'm glad you're here."

"Hey guys!" Bolin said, interrupting their conversation. "There is such good food here! I'm in paradise." He looked at Lian. "Hi little one. Do you mind if I take her?"

"Not at all." Asami replied. Kuzon handed him her bag. "Her milk and some toys are in there, along with some other stuff."

"That's cool." he said, shouldering the bag. "Well, I'm going to eat some more and sit somewhere. I'll see you later."

Kuzon waved. "Bye."

He turned back to Asami. "So you wanna dance?"

She smiled. "I'd love to."

_line break_

Tenzin and Lin were watching their son dance with Asami from a table. They looked happy and in love. It was nice to see Kuzon having fun and laughing.

"Kuzon looks like he's having fun." he said.

Lin nodded. "He always talks about her. He's definitely in love."

Tenzin smiled. "He's a lot like you."

"Sometimes he acts like you. Peaceful, calm. It annoys me."

He laughed and she joined in too. The years had washed away when she laughed. Lin looked beautiful.

"You should laugh more often."

She narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

"You look...happier when you do.

Lin shrugged. "Not much to laugh about."

He changed the subject. "Anything new?"

"Kuzon has a baby."

Tenzin spat out his wine. Partly because he did not like it, and partly because he couldn't believe Lin's news. "What?"

Lin laughed. "Don't worry. He found her in the van of criminals. Her parents abandoned her so he and Asami are taking care of her."

He relaxed. "Good. No son of mine is going to get a girl pregnant at that age."

"What?"

They both turned around and saw a shocked and angry Pema. She was glaring at both of them.

"We need to talk." Pema said to Tenzin, who's eyes showed fear. Lin bit her lip. Now she had found out. It wouldn't be long before she found out about their secret relationship.

"You can talk to both of us." Lin said firmly.

She looked at Lin and nodded. "I'll take you up on that."

_line break_

Mako and Korra walked arm in arm towards Kuzon and Asami, who both looked worried and kept glancing at a table. Korra couldn't see who was there, but she thought she saw Pema with an angry expression talking to…was that Beifong? And Tenzin?

"Guys, have you seen Bolin?" Mako asked.

"Yeah, he's on babysitting duty. He'll be right back." answered Kuzon.

Bolin walked to them with a fussy Lian in his arms. "Here man."

Kuzon took Lian from his arms. She immediately calmed down.

"Thanks."

"No problem, we're Team Avatar; the heroes on babysitting duty."

Asami checked her watch. "Korra, isn't it time for your speech?"

She nodded. "Oh yeah! Gotta go guys!"

"Good luck Korra!" Mako yelled after her.

Everyone gathered near the stage to listen. Team Avatar, Tenzin, and Lin stood behind Korra as she delivered her speech. Lian was in Kuzon's arms, her fist in her mouth.

"It's been an honor being here, serving you all. Amon is gone and now non-benders and benders are living in peace. I will work hard to make sure that peace is not disrupted. I will work with Chief Beifong to help the citizens in Republic City and make it the center of peace in the world."

Lin took Korra's place at the podium. "The Avatar and I are making plans to make the city safer for everyone, benders and non-benders alike. Things are looking well already. Enjoy the ball and let us celebrate the defeat of Amon."

People cheered and the press came to ask questions.

"Avatar Korra, do you think Amon will return?"

"Chief, do you approve of your son's relationship with Ms. Sato?"

"Bolin I love you!" a crazed fan girl squealed.

"Captain, is that your daughter?"

The reporters gasped. "But you're not even married!"

"But-" Kuzon started to protest.

Asami took Lian from Kuzon. "She's our adopted daughter."

"What are you doing?" he whispered.

She shrugged. "They're not listening to us anyway. Besides, you have to admit she is kind of like our daughter."

A couple of ladies made an aww sound.

"Her name is Lian. Lian Beifong." Kuzon announced and wrapped his arm around Asami's waist. Lian cooed and grabbed Asami's dress.

The reporters gasped. Then one asked, "Are you going to get married?"

"When we are older." Kuzon answered, glancing nervously at Lin. "My mother probably does not approve at this age."

"He's not wrong." Lin said seriously and everyone laughed.

They were done asking questions so everyone could start dancing again.

"Really? You already adopted her?" Lin asked, her arms folded across her chest. She was glaring at her son.

Kuzon bit his lip. "Can you give us a minute? We need to talk."

"Of course. Here, I'll take Lian off your hands." Lin said and took the baby away.

Asami faced Kuzon. "So...we've only had a couple of dates and now..."

"Now we're probably getting married and everyone thinks we have a daughter." he finished. "But I really wish you hadn't told them that."

She looked troubled. "I'm sorry but Kuzon...I didn't know what to do. What if something happens to us or-"

He silenced her with a kiss on the lips. She kissed him back and he pulled away gently moments after. "Don't worry. Everything is going to be fine. I promise." He hesitated, then asked, "Do you want to dance?"

Before she answered, a slow song began. Asami smiled at him. "I would love to."

_line break_

Meanwhile, Mako and Korra were eating and talking to each other excitedly, often laughing. Bolin was watching them from the other side of the table. He was stuffed and had no one to talk to. He would've talked to them, but they seemed like they wanted to talk alone.

Kuzon and Asami walked from the dance floor to their table. Lian was on one of the chairs. Lin had given her to Bolin after she had taken her from Kuzon. The little girl looked at everything in amazement, as if this was the greatest thing ever. Bolin wished he was with a girl. He felt so left out.

"Here, Lian." Bolin said as he remembered her bag. He found a cookie covered in red frosting. "Eat it."

She looked curiously at it and took it. She fingered it carefully before eating it. Kuzon and Asami were laughing as Lian ate the cookie messily. There was frosting all over her face.

"She's adorable." Asami said fondly.

"Yeah, she is." agreed Kuzon.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Pema look angrily at his parents.

He grimaced. "That can't be good."

Asami looked and said, "We should go check it out."

"Just what I was thinking. Except only me. I think it's a family matter, " he said and held a finger up to stop her retort. "I know you want to come to, but this really doesn't look good." Kuzon said and asked Bolin, "Can you watch the baby and Asami for awhile? Make sure neither of them follow me."

"Sure."

Kuzon walked towards his parents and Pema.

"He's your son?" they heard Pema yelp.

She figure it out. He folded his arms across his chest. "Yeah, it's freaky but true. Thought you would've figured this out by now."

She scowled at Lin. "I knew it. I knew there was something between you two."

"Pema-" Tenzin started to say but was interrupted.

She whirled around. "Why didn't you tell me Tenzin?"

He gulped. "I didn't know how. I'm so sorry Pema."

"I thought there was something strange about you. I knew that you were nothing but trouble." Pema said to Kuzon.

"Yes, because it was all my idea to be born." he shot back sarcastically.

Lin defended her son. "Don't you ever say that to my son."

"And," he added. "There's another thing."

"What?" Pema asked.

"I'm also an airbender. Hyahh!" Kuzon grinned and punched right in front of her face. She yelped. "Just kidding."

Pema, Lin, and Tenzin shot Kuzon daggers. He bit his lip. "Sorry. Thought it would be funny."

She looked back at her husband and ignored the young earthbender. "You should've told me."

"I know, and I apologize." Tenzin said sincerely.

Pema sighed. "I'm going home and I'm taking the children. We'll talk about this later." She walked away.

Lin looked at Tenzin sadly. "Tenzin, I'm so sorry."

"Yeah, Dad. So am I." Kuzon said genuinely. Tenzin noticed it was the first time he called him dad. "Hope she doesn't kill you later."

His mother punched him in the arm. The young earthbender flinched from the pain.

"How insensitive, Kuzon." Lin scolded.

He shrugged. "Well, I was raised by you."

She shot him a look. "Not the time."

"Well, I'll have to leave early." Tenzin said, sighing sadly. "Bye Lin, Kuzon."

"Good bye."

"See ya."

He left them and Kuzon looked at his mother. "You're never going to get over him, are you?" he asked softly.

Lin was still looking at the door he has used to leave. "Never."

0_0 PEMA FOUND OUT! What will she do to Tenzin? How will this affect her relationship with him? These questions will be answered…eventually. Because I am not sure what will happen in Book 2 or Book 3 so I can't do anything too drastic. I hope you understand 'cause that would really mess up the story. And if you have any ideas for new chapters, feel free to tell me.

Oh yeah, I need a favor. If any of you know Michale Dante DiMartino's email address please give it to me so I can e-mail him about the show. I wonder if Lin will appear in Book 2? Well, thanks for reading and please review!