Roman poet Phaedrus wrote, "Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many. The intelligence of a few, perceives what has been carefully hidden."

Korra's POV

It was sometimes hard to believe that I had been in the Bureau for almost eight months. Eight months of having my mom back. Eight months being the happiest I'd been in a long time. There was still the matter of Unalaq beating the crap out of me, but that was...of a different nature all on its own. He'd actually decided to reduce our time together because he'd managed to fracture one of my ribs. But this was all just to give me time to find a way to connect those murders to him. He had to have slipped up somewhere, gotten cocky. I just had to find it.

After months of Mom's incessant cooking and Asami's even more incessant nagging I'd actually started to fill in. My clothes weren't as loose and the work-outs had helped maintain my muscle. I could see the joy in my mother's eyes when she'd notice the improvement, and that I didn't look as tired. I had been sleeping better, mostly only on nights that I slept in Mom's room but I couldn't do that every night. I was an adult, and would have to learn to manage my own fears.

Asami had come over early today and I had kissed my mom goodbye, like usual, before heading down to the coffee shop down the street, our usual pit stop. It had become routine ever since Asami had brought me there the first time, and the coffee was delicious. We talked as we waited, and I couldn't help but frown when I noticed that the usual server had been replaced.

"Where's Eddie?" I asked the cashier.

"He called in sick," she replied. "But don't worry, I'll let Joey know how you like your coffees."

Not long after we were seated in my car, on our way to work, our coffees in hand. I took a sip of mine as Asami and I talked. I rolled my eyes when the conversation started to take a more...uncomfortable turn.

"I'm telling you, I think he likes you," she persisted.

"Not interested. And I don't think he is either."

"When was the last time you actually went on a date with someone?"

I let out a long sigh. I had actually attempted to have a relationship, not even a year ago, with my partner down South. Howl had been my partner and we'd gotten along fairly well since being assigned together. And one day, after a couple years, he'd asked me on a date, and though I was hesitant, I had agreed. It had went well, until the night we'd went back to his apartment, and he'd started kissing me and trying to remove my clothes... It ended there. And I had moved on to be Chief Detective.

"A year ago," I finally answered. "They're all the same, want the same thing," I sighed deeply. "And I don't want to explain what happened to me. They'd ask as soon as they saw the scars."

"Not all men are like that," she countered as she parked the car. "You can't let this dictate your life, Korra."

"Better get inside before the director bites our heads off." And like that, I was done with the conversation.

Asami did drop it, but I knew she'd find another time to bring it up, she always did. She'd even started suggesting that Mako might like me. I'd brushed that off immediately. Big deal, the guy had got me a puppy. It didn't mean he was in love with me. Sure, he was good looking but -

"We have a situation two towns over in Earth Kingdom territory," our team leader began. "A man is holding his wife hostage in their home and has explosives planted at every point of entry. We need all hands on deck for this one."

"About time," Asami commented with a smirk.

I laughed, before I was hit with a wave of dizziness. I shook my head, going for another drink of coffee when I realized I was out. Odd. That was quick. We started to gear up, splitting into teams. My best friend and I would be driving together so I asked her to make a quick pit stop so I could get more coffee. As I was waiting in line, I tried to shake off the sleepiness that seemed to seep into my body. What the hell? I needed that coffee, pronto.

Two cups of coffee and two and a half hours later, we'd finally arrived on scene. There were officers all around, blocking entrances and trying to get the media to back off. I strapped on my bulletproof vest. I stumbled, catching myself on the car as another wave hit me like a freight train. My body felt clammy, and I could feel the sweat dripping down my face.

"Hey, are you okay?" It was Asami.

I nodded, waving her off. "Yeah, it's just a little hot."

That was when Mako walked over. "Korra, you, Asami and I are going to get as close as we can to the front of the house," Hotch began. "Asami, I need you to see if you can mask the bomb signals so Zuko and Lin can get in through the back. He'll be surrounded and hopefully surrender."

We both nodded and followed him into the house next door, making sure Asami was covered while she worked on her laptop. I tugged at the collar of my shirt, wiping the sweat off my brow. That's when I saw it. That's when I froze.

It couldn't be. But there she was.

Lilly.

She was looking at me with those big doe eyes, and I could see all the bleeding lacerations staining her white shirt. The little girl looked so sad, so broken. And suddenly it wasn't her anymore, it was me, in her place, at her age. I was twelve, looking terrified.

I shook my head. I was seeing things. This was fake. It wasn't there.

I felt my breathing turn shallow and labored and I slumped to the floor. All the memories, all the nightmares, came at me all at once, flooding my mind that I could see nothing else. Unalaq beating me, slicing my back, telling me to hold still after he'd thrown me on the bed. I could hear his laughter, feel as he ripped off my shirt and...took off my shorts. Lilly's voice was in my head, asking me why I hadn't saved her. There were thousands of voices, some less distinguishable than others. I saw myself crying, trying to cover myself as he buckled his belt.

This isn't real.

"Korra..."

This isn't real...

"Look at me, Korra."

This isn't...this isn't real...

I'm chanting it like a mantra. If I can just keep my head, if I can just think straight. I can fight this.

But how do you fight something that's in your own mind?

"Korra."

I can feel his hands on me, feel his panting in my ear, can hear his chuckle.

This isn't...this isn't...

"Like mother, like daughter."

…It's real…

Asami's POV

I had finally managed to mask the bomb signals when Korra fell to the floor with a heavy thud. I immediately left my post, running over to her, yelling her name, trying to get her to say something to me but all she did was look up at the ceiling. I shook her but she wasn't responding. Mako came over, trying to get Korra to do something but ending up with the same results as me. He called our other two comrades on the radio, telling them to get inside as he ordered a squadron of police offers to surround the front door.

He lifted Korra up and rushed her over to a nearby ambulance, telling them what'd happened. They quickly looked over my best friend only to wind up not being much help. One of the paramedics told me they'd take her to the hospital to see what the doctors could do and I told Hotch I was going with them. I wasn't going to leave her alone. He nodded his permission and I got into the ambulance, strapping my gun in its holster before holding the brunette's hand. She had to be okay. She would be.

Moments later we arrived at the hospital and they asked me to stay in the waiting room while the doctors tried to figure out what was wrong with her. Not long after the rest of the team arrived, asking how she was doing but I told them what I knew: nothing. It seemed like hours dragged by before a doctor came, letting me know that her vitals were fine and they had coaxed her into sleeping but she still hadn't spoken.

"Can I see her?" I asked.

"You can go in, two at a time. But try not to wake her, we haven't found a cause for her condition."

"I'll go in with you," Mako answered.

I couldn't help the irritated sigh I let out as I followed the doctor into my best friend's room. I didn't want Mako in there with me, especially if Korra came to. She'd be nervous and he'd want to ask what the hell happened. I immediately went over to the bed, placing a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes opened tiredly and for a moment I had regretted waking her up. She blinked at me then turned to look at our team leader before her gaze focused on something else.

"Korra, what are you-"

Without warning she snatched my gun from its holster, pushing me back scrambling to the other side of the bed, to the corner, waving the weapon at Mako and I. I saw his hand go to his own gun but I shook my head. It wouldn't end well if she perceived us as a threat. She moved her hands, the gun pointing straight at me, finger twitching on the trigger when I tried to take a step forward.

"Stay away from me!"

I had never been more scared in my life. My own gun was pointed at me, and by my best friend. Though, something was very, very wrong. She was sweating profusely and she looked terrified, her hands shaking as if the weight of the weapon in them was great. I saw Mako take a step forward and Korra's eyes immediately darted to him.

"I said stay away from me!"
The door opened to reveal the doctor and the medical staff that quickly got out of the way when she aimed at them.

"Korra, it's just us. Snap out of it!"

Both her hand and the butt of the gun were raised to her head as she gripped her hair between her fingers, her body trembling and tears started to slide down her face. "Please... No...no more..."

"Hey, it's me," I tried, making my voice sound soothing as both Mako and I approached her. "It's Asami. Just try to relax."

"I want it to stop," she sobbed. "Please, make it stop."

"It's alright," our team leader added when he reached her and gently took the weapon from her.

The male nurses wasted no time in coming in and trying to control Korra who fought them, tooth and nail, kicking and screaming. Finally, after two other nurses came in, they managed to pin her on the ground injecting her with a sedative. Slowly, she stopped struggling and the doctor ushered all of us out.

I didn't realize I was crying until the door slammed in my face.

Korra's POV

I opened my eyes to find myself in a white room. I blinked, trying to move my hands only to find myself strapped down onto the bed. I began to panic as I tried moving my legs only to get the same result. I heard a chuckle and turned to find my uncle leaning against a chair next to the bed. I felt my heart drop. He stood from his spot and went over to the door, locking it with a deafening click. I startled to struggle against my restraints, trying to get loose because if I didn't…he'd do it again, and I couldn't let it happen.

"I've waited eight years for this," he said as he approached me, unbuckling his belt.

I tried moving away but I couldn't and the next moment he was on the bed hovering over me, his snake like eyes boring into mine. The hospital gown meant nothing, for I could still feel his body heat on my stomach through the flimsy material. My wrists felt like they might break as I continued to pull on my restraints. I had to get out.

"Ah, there's the fight I was looking for."

His mouth quickly attached itself to my neck, sucking and sloppily kissing before his teeth started to nip and bite. I fought back a whimper as he started to lower the shoulder of my gown, his mouth following to rediscover the new expanse of skin. I shook my head, closed my eyes, tried to block it out. But it's too familiar and I know how it ends.

"Are you going to cry for me?" Unalaq taunted as he took a nip at where my shoulder and neck met, still traveling lower. "I can still hear you screaming my name. Come on, sweetheart, beg me."

Finally I couldn't hold back anymore and I started screaming, screaming for help, screaming for mercy...I begged. He chuckled darkly before covering my mouth, leaning forward so that his face is within a hair's breath of mine. I tried to back away.

"I knew you would still squirm."

Next thing I knew he was off me, fixing himself and I'm screaming until the door open to reveal Mako. He looks over at me before looking at my uncle and I turn away, not wanting him to see me like this, wishing I could disappear. Asami runs in and over to me just seconds later, her hand combing through my hair as she glares at Unalaq.

"I'm going to ask you to leave," Mako finally says.

"I'm next of kin, I have a right to-"

"I'll escort you out."

My uncle's jaw clenched and he made a move to leave before taking one last glance at me and I could see that damned smirk I hated so much.

Realization dawns on me then. And I feel dread well up inside me. He had just been toying with me.

Mako's POV

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair as Asami and I waited for the tox screen results. When she had first fallen I had thought she had gotten hit by the man inside the house but when I saw no blood I had started to worry. Then after being brought here she had started to hallucinate, seeing things that weren't there, crying and saying she wanted it to stop. I didn't quite understand that last part but I was starting to get an idea. Somehow I had managed to take the gun away and now she was in her room, alone, and restrained.

My phone rang and I cursed when I saw it was the director. The mission had been a success, Rossi and the younger Bei Fong had managed to disarm the nutjob and rescue the hostage but I hadn't been on scene for that. I answered the phone only to be yelled at. Asami looked up, having heard the screams and I pinched the bridge of my nose, letting the director rant.

"I want all of you back here, now!" she snapped. "You will leave Agent Morgan there and follow protocol. There are other cases that need attending."

"I don't care about protocol," I finally answered. "I don't care if we're working this officially or not. We're not going to touch any new cases until we find out what happened here."

"Agent Hotchner-"

"She saved Lin's life. You at least owe her that."

Toph didn't answer and hung up her phone. I took a deep breath and Asami stood as the doctor walked over to us. I knew I really had no right to be listening in on this but Korra was part of my team, and I cared about my team.

"What's wrong with Korra?" It amazed me how genuinely concerned our tech was.

"There were traces of a toxin in her system," the doctor replied. "We don't know the source. It seems the worst is over for now but she's still unstable."

"Korra's mother has schizophrenia," I began. "Can it be that she's exhibiting symptoms?"

The man shook his head. "Schizophrenia comes in phases, gradually." He paused, looking thoughtful. "Though her current symptoms can be explained by having been drugged with something that triggers hallucinations, making it seem as if she were having a mental breakdown."

"It couldn't have been in the air," I said thoughtfully. "We've all been in the same environment. Maybe something she ate?"

"She hasn't eaten anything today, she just-" The tech stopped, cursing under her breath. "She had coffee. Three cups of coffee. She was feeling dizzy when we were at the station but I thought she was just tried."

"Do you still have those cups? We can run a tox screen as see if that's the source."

"You go get the cups, I'll check up on her."

I could see she wasn't happy about that but didn't say a word. I was walking down the corridor when I heard her scream. I quickened my pace, arriving at the door only to find it locked. I backed away before ramming it with my shoulder but it wouldn't give, and I could hear her screams grow in volume. I stepped back once again before kicking the door, breaking it and finally opening it to find Unalaq Morgan in the room, tucking in his shirt.

I looked over to Korra, seeing that her hospital gown had been lowered at the collar, red markings on her neck and the hem was pulled up. Asami ran in after me and the newest member looked away. My jaw clenched, hands turning to fists as I put together what had been going on before asking her uncle to leave. He refused at first but I gave him no room for argument as I escorted him out.

"I have a right to see my niece," he began as we reached the end of the hall.

"How did you even know she was in the hospital?" I asked.

But I already knew how, suspected it. He had been behind this entire ordeal though I wouldn't be able to prove it.

"She's the niece of a powerful man. It's natural for me to know when she's put in the hospital for a psychotic breakdown."

I stepped forward, going toe to toe with him. "I don't know what kind of game you think you're playing," I began. "But I'm going to tell you to back off."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "I'd mind my own business if I were you."

"Korra is part of my team, she is my business." I let that sink in for a minute. I needed him to know I was not playing any games. "You come after one of us, you come after all of us."

He smirked. "And what is it to plan to do if I don't?"

I'd had it with him. I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, slamming him against the wall seeing his jaw clenched as he tried fighting my hold.

"I saw the markings around her neck," I began, my voice a growl. "I know exactly why you locked that door, what you were doing to her in there and what you probably did when she was a child under your care." I paused, my hold tightening. "You come near her again and you'll know exactly what I'm capable of."

He didn't say anything at first before laughing, shaking his head. "You think I'm afraid of you?"

"I killed a man with my bare hands," I answered. "You should be," I added, slamming him into the wall again before letting him go.

Unalaq fixed his shirt, his eyes glaring at me before he smiled again. He knew exactly how to get under my skin. I watched as he left, glancing over in the direction of Korra's room. As much as I wanted to see if she was okay I knew that with her, the less I asked, the better we got along.

Asami's POV

I had ran in to find Unalaq inside Korra's room. My jaw clenched immediately and I wanted to beat the hell out of him though by the look on Mako's face he wanted to too. Hotch was an exceptional observer and I knew he'd probably figured out the situation. I glanced over to the door, finding it broken and I felt myself tremble with anger. The door had been locked. He had locked the door to give himself time to...

Korra's labored breathing brought my attention back to her and I tried soothing her, rubbing my hand through her hair, rubbing her shoulder, doing the best I could to calm her down. Our team leader asked Unalaq to leave and I glared at him as he made his way out. As soon as he was out of sight, the brunette began to struggle, moving around in her restraints.

"Korra, he's gone. He's gone."

"Get me out of these things!" she yelled. "Get me out!"

I quickly undid her left hand restraint, going to her legs so that she'd be able to undo her other hand. Once she was out of them she threw herself at me, wrapping her arms around me as she began to break down, tears streaming down her face.

"Shhh. It's okay. He's gone," I soothed, rubbing her back, holding her tightly. "I'm here. It's okay. You're gonna be all right. Shhh."

"Don't ever...leave me like that," Korra cried between breaths. "Please... Not again..."

I nodded my head before reaching for the oxygen tank, putting the mask over her face as I asked her to relax, knowing that if she didn't she could have an asthma attack and I didn't have her inhaler on me. Slowly she did and I continued to hold her, gently combing her hair before looking down to see red markings around her neck. Carefully I inspected them before realizing what they were. Bite marks.

My hold on her tightened and I soothed her, asking her to rest. Moments later I felt her body lean against me and I looked down to her eyes closing. I helped her lay on the bed and kept the mask in place as I held her hand, telling her to rest, assuring her I wouldn't leave. Her hand gripped mine tightly and I brushed a lock of hair from her face.

I wouldn't leave her alone again.

Mako's POV

I hadn't lost control like that in two years. Usually I was well collected and very few people had ever managed to get under my skin but the look on that pervert's face had been enough to make me snap. It all made sense now. Korra's change in demeanor whenever he was mentioned, her hate against Lin, her issues with body contact and suspects with a history of child abuse. He had molested her, and if the implications of what I'd just walked in on were anything to go by, he still enjoyed doing it.

As much as I hated to admit it, he was right in one respect. He was next of kin, and since Korra's mom was not considered mentally stable, he could say what could be done to her since she at the moment wasn't still all there. I needed to get her out of here, now.

"Lin, you think you can ask the doctor to discharge Korra?" I asked.

I had seen the way they were talking earlier and he had used her first name which implied they knew each other. She growled at that and I knew she hated when I profiled her but I needed to get Korra out of here.

"I'll see what I can do," she finally said.

A stack of discharge and liability forms later I finally was able to take Korra back to the city. It was late at night already and I knew her mother would be worrying. I took the bag of her clothes to her room, walking in to find her asleep, oxygen mask over her face. I gave it to Asami, letting her know we were taking her home before taking her gun. I wouldn't give her that back just yet.

Moments later both women emerged from the room and I could see the tiredness in Korra's eyes. She was spent and with good reason. The tox screen had come back on the coffee which found traces of the toxin that had been in her body. That had been the source. A nurse walked over, putting an IV bag on her arm, informing us that it would help clean her system.

I asked Zuko and Lin to each take one of their cars and I'd drive the youngest member and her best friend home. The ride there was quiet and I glanced back every so often to see how they were doing. Korra's head was in Asami's lap as she slept as the older woman held the IV bag. I noticed her shudder and I reached for my federal jacket and handed it to the Sato tech. She took it and placed it over her, rubbing her arm soothingly.

Soon enough we were at the younger member's home and I parked my car before going around to open the door. Asami was going to wake her up but I shook my head, gently lifting her into my arms as she held the IV bag before taking her inside the building. Korra stirred her eyes opening halfway before closing once again and I sighed in relief. Her mother opened the door and she immediately went to her, demanding to know what was wrong.

The tech led me to a room and I laid her down before turning to look at her mother explaining that she had to be hospitalized after being infected with a toxin and I assured her Asami would give her more details. The older woman nodded her head before going to her daughter, kissing her temple and covering her.

"I'm going to stay and watch over her," Asami told me as I walked to the door.

"Let me know if anything happens," I said. "And let her know she could take the rest of the week off."

She nodded her head, calling after me when I went out the door. I turned to look at her and she smiled.

"Thank you."

"No need. She's part of our team. And we protect our team."

That was a fact.

Senna's POV

I couldn't help the panic that took over me when my daughter's supervisor walked in with her in arms. I was by her side in an instant, checking to see if she was okay before noticing the IV bag her best friend held. The Sato heiress quickly dismissed my nurse before leading the boy to my room, laying her down. I was quickly next to her, taking off her shoes and covering her with a blanket but not removing the jacket. I brushed the hair away from her face, noticing the black under her eyes. She was exhausted.

My little girl began to stir, her eyes opening before looking at me, managing a small smile. I blinked away the tears as I managed a smile of my own before kissing her forehead and holding her hand.

"Rest, sweetie," I soothed.

"How'd…how'd I get home?"

"Shh. Sleep."

She tried shaking the sleepiness off but her eyes slowly closed and she fell back into slumber. Asami walked over, handing me a cup of tea. I whispered a 'thank you' taking the beverage and taking a sip.

"What happened?"

"She was drugged," Asami answered. "The cups of coffee she had today had a toxin of sorts, made her hallucinate."

"Was she in pain?" I asked, caressing my little girl's cheek. The raven haired woman didn't answer for a moment before shaking her head.

"What else happened?"

She shifted at the question. "Nothing."

"Don't lie to a mother, Asami," I said. "We know…we feel things." I stopped to look at my child. "And I know my Korra is in a lot of pain."

Asami didn't answer, simply told me she'd be in Korra's room and I nodded, focusing my attention on my child. Sometime during the early morning I must have fallen asleep and I quickly sat up to find that my little girl was awake, smiling at me. I did the same before checking her IV bag, noticing it was almost gone and removed the needle, bandaging the puncture.

"Hey, baby," I greeted when I finished.

"Hi, Momma." She looked around the room for a moment before her attention went back to me. "How long was I out for? What time is it?"

"It doesn't matter what time it is. You're not going to work."

"But, Mom-"

"No buts," I said, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. She looked down at the jacket, turning it over to see whose it was and I saw a ghost of a smile appear before she looked up at me again.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She sighed deeply, lowering her gaze. "It felt like it went on for an eternity. My mind wasn't mine anymore," my little girl began. "And after they got it out of my system, all I could think was how strong you'd have to be, to put up with that every day." Korra looked up at me, looking at me as if seeing a whole new person. "Of how strong you are, Mom."

I didn't stop the smile that appeared as I pulled her into a hug, letting her head rest against my shoulder. I prayed to the Spirits every day that Korra would not inherit this illness of mine, that she wouldn't have to go through what I did. Now she knew what it was to be inside a mind as disorganized and unstable and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. I never wanted her to go through that.

"How do you...how do you keep going...?" she asked after a moment.

I kissed my daughter's temple. "I think about what I'd lose if I let it beat me, if I stopped fighting." I smiled, pushing a lock of hair from Korra's face. "Sometimes, the reward is greater than the pain."

She smiled and snuggled closer to me and I saw her eyes close and I kept my arms wrapped around her. Asami walked inside and she smiled at the two of us before sitting down on the bed as well, placing a hand over my daughter's.

"Hey, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

"I have a massive headache," my child admitted.

I sighed, shaking my head making a move to stand when I saw something on her neck. I frowned, reaching for the collar of her shirt only to have her cover it up.

"Korra, what happened?" I asked.

"It's nothing-"

"Stop," Asami said, and I looked over at her. "She has a right to know."

"Stay out of it, 'Sami."

"If you don't tell her, then I will because I can't keep doing this."

"Tell me what?" I asked. What was going on?

"Unalaq showed up at the hospital," her best friend began.

"Stop." Desperate.

"He locked the door and took advantage of her being tied to the bed-"

"I said stop!" my daughter finally snapped.

"What did he do to you?" I asked. My daughter didn't say anything, refusing to look at me. "Korra, let me see."

She was quiet, and for a moment I thought she was going to ignore me when she slowly pulled the shirt over her head. I covered my mouth, tears threatening to fall as I took in the sight. My daughter's body was covered with scars and what looked like old bruises. I reached out to see the red marks, to see that they were bite marks, and there were scars of those too. I turned her around and saw her back was just as bad, even worse than her torso had been.

"What-what did he do to you?" I whispered. She didn't answer and I raised my voice. "Korra, what did he do to you?"

My daughter lowered her gaze, letting a tear escape. "At first he'd just beat me," she said lowly. "I'd come back from school and I'd be his punching bag." She stopped, her eyes closing tightly. "But then he started to touch me and bite me and cut me…and when that wasn't enough he…he…"

She couldn't finish and a part of me didn't want her too. The sobs escaped me as everything began to make sense. Her change in personality…her weight loss…her tiredness…He had made her life a living hell for all those years she was away from me. He had taken her essence away and I couldn't help the guilt that gnawed at me.

I should have been there. I should have protected her. If I had…my little girl…

"I'm so sorry, Mom," she said, looking up at me as tears fell down her face. "I'm so sorry."

"Oh, baby," I answered, holding her tightly to me.

Asami placed a hand on my shoulder and I could also see the pain in her eyes. She had known. All these years she had known what kind of hell my child had gone through. I reached for the jacket, covering her up as I rocked her in my arms, kissing the top of her head as I tried to pull myself together. Right now she needed me and I was going to be here for her. I had to.

"For every good reason there is to lie, there is a better reason to tell the truth." Bo Bennett.