Nietzsche wrote, "Hope is the worst of evils, for it prolongs the torments of man."

Asami's POV

I couldn't help but smile as I entered my house. Iroh and I had finally gotten together a few weeks ago and it was just amazing. He was a little geeky and nerdy as Korra had pointed out. But he definitely had the body of a former military soldier, and I loved it. I loved everything about him. I hadn't been this excited about someone in years. Everything seemed perfect when we were together and somehow we both managed to not make our relationship too obvious during work hours. Break time though…that was a completely different story.

It was still a little awkward around Rossi, given the fact he pretty much caught us both half n*** one day at his grandson's apartment. From what I hear he had been furious, saying there was a reason there were fraternalization rules in place but after my boyfriend talked to him he seemed to calm down and tolerated seeing us together. Korra though…sometimes I wondered why I hadn't kicked her a** yet. She was too much fun with all this, especially now that we were dating. Spirits know I wanted to strangle her at times.

I thought about this as I went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. I frowned when I noticed one of wine bottles was out, a glass next to it. That was odd. I hadn't been home all day and I didn't remember leaving it out. I shrugged and put it away before hearing footsteps. I froze, hand going to the side, mentally cursing when I remembered I had left my gun in my room.

Slowly I turned around, my eyes widening before narrowing. No...

"Hello, Miss Sato."

Korra's POV

It was still a little weird to get up in the morning and find Dad drinking his coffee like he used to when I was little. After we talked I had decided to give him a second chance and it was getting better as each day passed. Mom would still be the one that got up whenever I had nightmares but he would stand by the doorway, giving us space yet still letting me know he was there. Naga at first wouldn't go near him, but she was a bit of a push over after a few treats she was his new best friend.

I greeted them as I went to take a shower before getting dressed and joining him at the table. Mom kissed my cheek and I couldn't help but smile at her as she served me breakfast. Dad put his newspaper down, pulling out the chess game and I grinned as I ate some of my eggs. Ever since I could remember my dad and I had played chess and never once had I been able to beat him, a fact that frustrated me up to this day.

I glared at him as he checkmated me before standing up to leave. Mom chuckled at my annoyance and Dad simply grinned at me. I'd beat him one of these days. My mother handed me my usual lunch bag and after saying goodbye I was out the door. I checked my phone on the way to work, wondering why Asami hadn't texted me yet. Sometimes I'd pick her up on the way but today she didn't even ask. I rolled my eyes. She probably had spent the night at Iroh's, again.

"Good morning," Mako greeted as I went inside the conference room, having to put the food away. I nodded in return. "Do you know where Asami is?"

"Do you know where Iroh is?" I answered.

His lips twitched and I tried to hide my own smile as I took a sip of my coffee. After the incident a few months ago I had decided on either having coffee at my house or at the office, though I did miss that little shop.

"Where's Bei Fong and Rossi?" I asked after a moment.

"They're at the police station sorting an…issue out."

I frowned at the way he said it. Usually he was very detailed with me, upfront about issues the B.A.U. was facing but I could tell he was holding something back. I shrugged and waited for my best friend to arrive, getting out my phone and texting her: Get off him already! And then I pressed send.

"Sorry I'm late," Iroh apologized when he came inside. He sat down and looked around before looking at me. "Where's Asami?"

"I thought she was with you..."

He shook his head. "She went home last night."

I couldn't help the panic that came. I pulled out my phone once again but it went straight to voicemail. I grabbed my jacket and ran out the door, Hotch calling after me, but I didn't listen. I went on my car and drove as fast as I could to her house, using the siren to get cars out of my way.

When I arrived I found the front door open and I immediately took my gun out, quietly pushing the door and waving my gun side to side as I checked the rooms. I went into her bedroom first, seeing nothing out of the ordinary, then to the living room and so on. It wasn't till I got to the kitchen that I felt my heart drop. The table was knocked to the side, broken dishes and chairs tossed everywhere and then there was blood.

I heard someone behind me and I turned around pointing the gun at Hotchner who put his hands up, letting me know it was him. I put my gun away looking at the scene in front of me before looking back at him.

"Someone took Asami."

Mako's POV

There were people walking around the Sato mansion, looking for clues to what had happened. Korra was…hysterical to say the least. She was pacing back and forth, her eyes still on the blood staining the hard good floors. Some of it had already been proven to be Asami's and the other was still in the works. Iroh was almost as bad as the youngest team member, trying to go over surveillance footage within a mile radius to see who could have taken her. I got a text from Bei Fong and I let out a long sigh. My suspicions were confirmed.

"Agent Morgan," I called. She didn't move at first and I thought I might have to tell her the news I'd been shielding from her in front of everyone. After a moment she followed me out and I took a deep. "Agent Morgan there's no easy way for me to say this."

I saw the panic in her eyes and she staggered back a little. "Say what? Is Asami…did you…?"

"There's still no word on Agent Sato," I answered. She let out a deep breath and I couldn't blame her, my wording made her assume the worst. "But I think that what I have to tell you is related to her abduction."

"What is it?"

"Yesterday afternoon when I dismissed you all early," I began. "It was because I had received information about a suspect in one of our cases. Unalaq Morgan." I saw the color drain from her. "He escaped prison, faked an injury and while he was on his way to the hospital killed the paramedics before making his getaway. I placed you under protective custody and your father was informed in case he came after you-"

"Unalaq broke out and you decide to tell me this twenty-four hours after?" Korra asked. She was furious and with good reason. "Do you have any idea what this means? He has her! That b*** has her!"

"We don't know that."

A scoff. "You think this is a coincidence?" she growled. "I know him. He knew your first move was to keep me under surveillance and the only way he'd get to me is through Asami!"

"Every department in the city is on this case right now," I tried assuring her. "We will find him and Agent Sato if she is with him."

"You had no right, none at all to keep me in the dark about that!" Korra shouted pushing me back. "If anything happens to her, it's on your head."

As much as I hated to admit it, she was right. I needed to find Asami and fast.

Korra's POV

I was pissed. Mako had hid important information from me and now Asami was gone. I knew Unalaq, I knew he liked to play. He was going to contact me, he had to. He was going to get me to play his little game and I'd have no choice but do as he said. I couldn't let him hurt Asami, I couldn't. I went to the bathroom, taking out my inhaler and giving it a few puffs as I tried to control my breathing. All of this was stressing me out and I had to remain calm for her. I had to save Asami.

When I came out of the bathroom I saw the guard that had been assigned to me and I growled. Ever since the little scene I'd made at the Sato mansion Mako had decided to have someone accompany me everywhere so that I wouldn't try to find Asami on my own. Instead of babysitting me he should be using this idiot in the search party.

I was sitting in the conference room with Iroh and Hotch. The other tech had everything set up to track the call in case Unalaq decided to contact us. As time passed I started to grow restless. Why wasn't he calling? But a part of me knew why. It was all part of the game, he wanted me to lose my composure from not knowing what was going on. And he was winning.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity my phone rang. I went to answer it but Mako placed his hand over mine, gesturing towards Iroh who started to work on tracking the signal.

"Keep him talking for as long as you can," he instructed me.

I nodded and answered the phone, putting it on speaker. "Hello sweetheart," he greeted. My jaw clenched. "Agent Hotcher, Agent Lynch, and of course the younger Bei Fong and the old legend, Rossi.'

I looked up at Hotch. He didn't know Bei Fong and Zuko weren't here, meaning he didn't know we were out hunting him, that was good, a small leverage.

"Where is she?" I asked getting straight to the point.

"Where is who?" I growled. "Oh, you mean Miss Sato," Unalaq said after a moment. "She's a little tied up at the moment."

"I swear you lay a hand on her and I'll-"

"You'll what?" he mocked. "You are in no position to be making demands. Unless, of course, you want your best friend delivered to you in pieces."

"Unalaq, you are only making things worse for yourself," Mako said joining in the conversation.

"Worse?" A chuckle. "I'm supposed to be on death row. How can it get any worse?"

"If you let Agent Sato go and turn yourself in I can talk to the D.A. and judge about giving you life without possibility of parole. As much as I hate to do it, I can help your cause. If not, things won't end well for you when we find you."

"Find me?" the monster questioned. "You don't know where I am. Young Iroh can tell you that."

I looked up at Iroh who shook his head. He wasn't able to trace the call. I took a deep breath.

"What do you want?"

"You."

I nodded my head. "How do I find you?"

Mako shook his head, taking the phone. "You aren't getting Agent Morgan and you will return Agent Sato you sick son of a bitch, if you even have her."

"You think I don't?" Unalaq asked, and I could see him now, one brow raised, that insufferable smirk on his face. "Why don't you hear for yourself."

There was a shuffling sound before... "Korra, don't listen to him, it's a trap!" Asami.

"Hey, it's okay," I told her. "I'm going to get you out of there."

"You are going to do exactly as I say."

"No, she isn't," Mako answered.

I was about to tell him to shut up when I heard a gun go off and Asami screamed. I felt my blood run cold and I looked up to see Hotch. He'd shot her. He'd actually shot her.

"Now that just grazed her leg, won't do much damage," Unalaq said conversationally and I could still hear Asami breathing heavy in the background. "But a knee cap…not sure she'll recover from that one. Wouldn't you agree Miss Sato?"

There was silence at first but whatever he did to her made her whimper. She actually whimpered. I'd heard enough.

"Where do I find you!"

"Every beginning has a back story," he answered before hanging up.

I turned around to leave when I felt someone grab my arm. I faced him, my eyes blazing. It was his fault Asami was hurt. It was his fault he had taken her in the first place, and he still had the nerve to try and stop me.

"Let me go."

"You aren't going anywhere," Mako replied, his voice harsh. "I'm not putting another agent in danger."

"She's my best friend!"

"He's using her as bait!"

"I don't care!"

He let go but his demeanor didn't change. "You aren't going anywhere," he repeated before looking at my personal guard. "Take Agent Korra back to her office."

I growled before storming off. I went to my office but then an idea came to mind and I decided to go back to the bathroom. Once inside I locked the door, looking up to where the windows were. I tugged on the latch a few times and the screen opened. I grinned at this before climbing up, looking at the two story fall before jumping. I rolled when I hit the ground, lessening the impact before I took off I running, knowing exactly where Unalaq was.

Soon enough I was in my destination and I took a moment to catch my breath before taking out my gun and going inside the pool area. 'Every beginning has a back story' and for me it was that backroom. That's where it all began. It was amazing how no one thought about searching in here.

"Come out you son of a bitch," I called as I opened the door.

I frowned when I didn't see anyone. I turned around, not seeing the hit coming at all. One moment I was out the door and the next I was on the floor, everything went blurry.

Asami's POV

Korra.

My mind wouldn't process anything else. Sure the pain in my leg was unbearable but the worry was overwhelming. She'd come looking for me, I knew she would but she'd do it alone, without backup. After Unalaq broke into my place the night before we had fought and I had tried to get help but he'd overpowered me though I got a couple of good shots at him. Had I'd gotten to my gun, I wouldn't be in this position but now there was nothing I could do about it but wait.

I had to admit that I never thought he'd actually shoot me but then again he had a point to make, he had to lure Korra out, that's who he really wanted. I tried holding back my cries, tried to not let them know in how much pain I was in but he had squeezed my bloody thigh and I couldn't help the whimper that escaped me, and I knew that was the last straw for Korra.

The door to the freezing room opened and I saw him dump a body in front of me. No. He had gotten her. He had gotten her too. Unalaq grabbed the younger woman's hands and tied her up with chains as he had me before hanging her from the ceiling and injecting her with what I could only guess was the same drug he'd use on me. After that was done he came towards me, needle in hand and I tried to refuse it, but another squeeze to my leg made me reconsider and I felt the effects take place, the drowsiness, the blurry vision.

"Well then," I heard him say. "Now that we're all here, let's get started."

Unalaq's POV

This had been all too easy. I knew that as soon as I had the Sato heiress it would only be a matter of time before Korra fell back into my hands. She had stupidly come alone, just as I imagined, and after that it had been a simple feat to knock her out. As I looked at her just laying on the floor of the back room I couldn't help but smirk, memories filling my mind. The couch had always been ideal but she had liked to run so sometimes I'd had to pin her to the floor. That was always fun.

I lifted her up and glanced at the couch. Perhaps I had some time, one round wouldn't hurt and it had been such a long time. But, alas, the other agents weren't stupid and would soon catch on to my little hint as well. I dragged her over to the bookshelf was, pulling a book back to open a secret passageway before dragging her inside. I could see the anguish reflected on the Sato girl's face as I pulled in my niece, tying her up to make sure she didn't escape.

She glared at me as I drugged Korra before going over and doing the same to the older girl. I stood her up and she grunted in pain and I noticed how much her leg was bleeding. I sighed. That wouldn't do. Couldn't have her bleed out before all the fun started. I tied a bandage around it and pulled out a cart with all sorts of…toys I had picked especially for the day. I went over to my niece and chained her legs as well before throwing a bucket of cold water on her, effectively waking her up.

"Hello, my dear Korra," I greeted.

"What…what did you…do to me," she managed to mumble, looking around her surroundings. "'Sami?"

"It's okay, Korra. We're going to be okay."

I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head. "Best not lie to each other, wouldn't want such things to be your last words," I commented. "You both have information that I want but first I want to have some fun." I walked around my prey, feeling her up as she tried struggling, my hands grazing the side of her chest and down her side. "Do you remember the last time I broke something?" I asked.

I received no reply and I thought I'd refresh her memory. I took her right arm and pulled it back, grinning as she yelled in pain before there was a loud pop. By this time she wasn't the only one screaming, the other agent was as well, pleading for me to leave her alone. I watched the shoulder hang out of its socket and I could remember the first time I had done this. She had been nine if I remembered correctly. I sighed after a moment, popping it back to place to earn another scream from her.

"What do you want?" the Sato prisoner asked. She seemed to be more aware of her surroundings than my niece, which would work in my favor.

"Now, now, patience Miss Sato," I said before lowering the younger woman's chains till she fell on her knees.

Korra whimpered at the sudden movement and fell to the side when she hit the floor. I grabbed her by her hair and made her go on her knees, placing a towel over her face and then using a hose to water it down, replicating the scenario as if one where drowning.

"Stop! She has asthma! You're going to kill her!"

"I know," I answered with a chuckle as I repeated the process, enjoying how she squirmed in my hold.

After a moment I removed the cloth and replaced it with a breathing mask, smiling as she took deep breaths of air. I looked up at the heiress before hanging up my niece again.

"Your turn."

For the next couple of hours I tortured them both as slowly as I could, making sure they felt everything. I had to admit that I enjoyed it more with my niece because it brought back so many fond memories. The Sato tech was no fun, trying to hold back her cries and trying to keep from showing how much pain she was in. Korra had always liked to scream, and I couldn't blame her really. I could be really ruthless if I wanted.

The torture session went on for a two hours. Electrocution, Waterboarding, beating, breaking bones…that last one was my favorite and I had accomplished it quickly. There was one though that I hadn't tried and I knew it would be interesting to. I took out a blowtorch, lighting it up, not missing the look of horror on the raven haired woman's face. My niece wasn't looking all that great, panting and barely being able to stay conscious, something that I was about to change.

"This might burn a little," I said as I lifted up the back of her shirt.

I wasn't disappointed.

Mako's POV

I didn't know how he did it, but somehow Unalaq had sent an untraceable photo to my personal email. My jaw had clenched at the image. The sadistic psycho was torturing them. I snapped at Iroh to do his damn job before calling Korra's parents. Leaving people in the dark had all ready cost me two agents, I wouldn't make the same mistake again. After that I began to think about who would know where that son of a b*** was and I came up with three possibilities, two of whom were out of the nation. I asked Rossi to get Unalaq's children down here while I went to personally pick up his wife. I was through with politics. We were going to this my way.

When we returned I spotted the youngest agent's parents, looking torn and I promised them I would find her. And I would. I would get my agents back by whatever means necessary. I took a deep breath as I looked inside the interrogation room, practically glaring at that monster's wife. How anyone could stay with such a thing would always be a complete mystery to me. After a moment, after I made sure I wouldn't completely lose it, I went inside, throwing her the file Korra had made of herself when she came forward about what Unalaq was capable of.

One by one, I took out the pictures and I watched the dark haired woman flinch before looking away, refusing to see what the man she called a husband had done. She still had fresh bruises from their last encounter, not to mention the bite marks around her neck. I paused for a moment looking at her long and hard. She was going to tell me where he was.

"Where is Unalaq hiding?" I asked.

The woman looked up at me. She was in her late fifties, light skin, blue eyes and black hair. She had not aged well and I already knew the reason for that.

"What makes you think I know where he is?"

I flexed my jaw, trying not to lose my patience. "You and your husband," I began my mouth twisting at the last word. "Have always played the happy family. Instead of confronting the fact that he is a very sick man."

"We were getting past it. Until she came back."

My eyes narrowed. She actually blamed Korra for this? What the hell was she on? She had been a little girl for Spirits sake!

"Do you really believe that Korra being out of the picture will take away his sickness?"

She didn't answer. She knew I was right. "Korra has asthma," I continued. That was another thing that was pressuring me to find her. Her parents had informed me of her hidden medical condition. "Do you know that if she is put under a lot of pressure, let's say torture," I snapped, throwing down the photo he'd sent me in front of her. "She could die!"

"This wasn't supposed to happen to my family," Veena answered.

"It didn't just happen," I said, aware that my voice was rising. "You knew what he was doing to her, what kind of hell he put her through and you did nothing to stop it!" I paused for a moment. "You need to tell me where he is."

She shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

I scoffed before lifting the pictures up so she could see them. "Look at her!" I snapped when she refused. The woman closed her eyes, a tear escaping before she finally acknowledged the pictures. "Look at what he did. He scarred her for life, these are scars she has to live with for the rest of her life. This is what your husband did to her."

"Please stop," Veena pleaded.

"All those nights you'd hear Korra scream when he raped her, when he abused her."

She shook her head. "Please, don't."

"Do you have any idea how terrified she must have been?" I asked. "How confused? Wondering why her uncle touched her that way? While you lay awake, protecting an animal who will always be sick and perverted!"

"Don't, please, don't." She was in tears now, but I didn't care. She had to tell me what I needed to know.

"You failed to protect her then and you're doing it again now!" I said. "You still blame her for what he did when she was just a child!"

She covered her mouth, shaking her head, trying to contain the sobs.

"You robbed Korra of her childhood. Are you going to steal the rest of her life from her as well?"

"Enough!" Veena finally yelled.

"Where is he!"

"I was protecting my own child!" she cried. "I will always protect my child."

I straightened She had no intention of telling me where her husband was. She never would. I let out a disgusted noise. She would rather Korra take the abuse than expose her own daughter to that same fate. They were both sick.

"You could have protected them both," I said. "But you decided to let Korra suffer. You two are just alike."

I stood and the door opened, revealing Eska, Korra's cousin. She looked at her mother and shook her head sadly.

"You know where he is."

"Leave, Eska," Veena answered. "This doesn't concern you."

"If you won't tell him, I will," the woman's daughter whispered. "We've caused her enough damage. I won't have her death on my conscience." She looked at me. "The back room at the youth center has a secret room."

"Eska!"

"Pull the third book on the second row and it will open. That's where he used to go when he wanted to be alone. Please…save her."

I nodded my head and immediately told the team to get ready. We're going to get there in time. We had to.

Korra's POV

Pain.

It was the only tangible thing my mind could comprehend. My chest was tight as I tried to breath and my screams, I knew they were mine, echoed inside my skull. I had passed out from the pain at one point only to be woken up with another shock of ice cold water. Asami's voice was distant at best as she begged Unalaq to leave me alone.

I was just so tired.

"I want you to focus, Korra," I managed to lift my head up. "Where is Hiroshi Sato?"

"What…?" My voice was a croak.

"Hiroshi Sato. I know you two know where he is. Give me his location and you just might walk out of this alive."

"Don't tell him anything, Korra," Asami said.

"You know, you've always had a knack for annoying me," Unalaq began, looking at Asami. He was not happy, that much I could tell and alarms were going off in my head. "Perhaps it's time I see what other talents you have."

"No," I groaned, my eyes shutting tightly, trying to think of something else but the pain. I had to buy us some time. Hotch would find us. I knew he would. "Leave her alone…do anything you want to me."

He walked over, lowering himself so that we were eye to eye. I saw him smirk and I already knew what he had in mind. But I needed to keep him away from Asami.

"Anything, my dear Korra?"

I swallowed before nodding my head. "Just…leave her alone…please."

Unalaq grinned before unhooking my shackles and dragging me out the door we had come through earlier, into the room that was between his torture chamber and the bookshelf. He shut the door behind him, but that did nothing to block out Asami's pleas. I couldn't move anyway, everything hurt, so there wasn't much I could do when he started unbuttoning my shirt. His mouth latched onto my neck and, his whole body pinning me against the wall. One hand started to grasp at my skin, my waist, my hips. I whimpered because he was being far from gentle.

I was almost glad for the pain. If he was going to rape me again, at least it would just blend in with the rest of the pain. It would pass quickly at least.

His free hand gripped my chin, making me look into those icy, snakelike eyes. "I'm going to make you mine again, sweetheart," he told me. "What do you think about that, hmm?"

"I don't care what you do to me," I answered through gritted teeth. "I won't give you what you want."

He raised a brow. "Oh, but that won't do."

"Leave her alone Unalaq!" Asami yelled.

He shook his head, seemingly amused. "We're just getting started."

Unalaq pulled out his gun and fired one bullet into my leg, and I screamed as a white hot fire of pain spread through my thigh. Then he applied pressure and I whimpered.

"Where is Hiroshi, Miss Sato?" he asked.

"Don't tell him!" I managed to choke out.

He growled before backing away from me and grabbing me by the hair, stepping on my wounded leg, applying pressure to my knee until I heard it snap. My mouth opened but no sound came out, this new, startling pain ripping the sound from me. Tears leaked from my eyes, and I released a shuddering, muffled sob. I wouldn't tell him where Hiroshi was. I already knew we wouldn't make it out of here, and I wouldn't let him break me again.

Unalaq must have realized this because he dragged me back inside, hanging me from the ceiling again, except this time I was facing my best friend. The animal went over to her, circled her, then leaned forward so that his nose brushed against her neck, something I was all too familiar with. I felt my heart plummet to my stomach. No. He wouldn't...

"I know you won't tell me, sweet Korra," he began, his hands gripping Asami's hips as she tried to maneuver herself away. One of his hands trailed upward, raising the hem of her shirt. "But I also know what line you won't let me cross."

His other hand went south, caressing and rubbing her inner thigh… "I'm okay, Korra, I'm okay," Asami tried reassuring me, though I heard her voice shake, and her eyes were shut tight.

The bastard had the audacity to laugh. "You are a very beautiful woman, Asami," he told her as he peppered kisses against her neck. Just beautiful. He finally looked over at me, his hands moving closer to their intended targets. "I wonder if she'll squirm like you too. "

I struggled against my restraints viciously, trying to stand up properly but my leg, back and arm were killing me.

"Don't touch her, you sick, sadistic son of a bitch!"

"Then no more games," he answered. "Where is Hiroshi Sato?"

"No, Korra! Don't tell him!"

"She's the price you will pay if you don't tell me, now where is he?"

I didn't reply and his fingers started to slip under her bra. I'd seen in enough. "He's being held in the Fire Nation!" He stopped, looking over at me. "Hiroshi Sato is being held at the Boiling Rock."

Unalaq chuckled, finally, thankfully walking over to me and leaving Asami alone. "I knew you'd see it my way." I didn't reply, hating this man with every fiber of my being. "But I'm still a little upset by how you double crossed me," he added, aiming his gun and pressing it against my torso.

I heard a shot and then Asami yelling. My breathing hitched as I looked down, watching the blood seep out of this new wound before I fell to the floor. I could hear someone scream my name, it sounded so far away. For a moment I couldn't feel anything, no pain, nothing. But then it all started to register and I tried to regulate my breathing.

This was it. I was going to die to here.

Asami's POV

He...He shot her. He actually...

He untied her, letting her fall and I watched as she didn't even move, her face blank yet pained. She had been tortured so much these past few hours. I yelled at him as he came over to me, letting me fall as well before he left, chuckling on his way out. That bastard. It hadn't been enough that she had told him what he wanted to know. It hadn't been enough that she had offered herself to him to save me.

I managed to crawl over to the brunette, sitting up against the wall while I pulled her into my lap, using my crumpled and bloody jacket to apply pressure to the wound. She whimpered and I tried soothing her, but the blood was soaking through the fabric. She was bleeding out and fast. I toppled over the cart that monster had brought in, reaching out for the scissors and cutting a piece of my jacket to stop the bleeding on her leg as well which was twisted in an unnatural way. He had broke it.

"Stay with me, Korra," I told her, watching as her eyes drooped. Her face was pale and she was cold and clammy, the temperature of the room not helping at all. "Everything is going to be alright. They're going to find us."

"I…I can't feel…anything," she managed between breaths.

I cursed. She was going into shock. "You need to stay with me, okay, just talk to me."

Her breathing turned ragged and I tried to calm her down. I reached for the oxygen tank only to see that there was nothing left. I threw the mask away in frustration as I held Korra, combing the hair away from her face.

"We're going to make it out of here, Korra," I told her. "I promise. We're going to be okay."

"'Sami…I need…I need you to promise…me…something…"

I shook my head, tears falling freely. I wasn't going to lose her. "Don't talk like that. You're not going to die."

He breathing was labored and she began to wheeze so I sat her up, holding her against me as I tried to get her to relax but nothing seemed to be working, and it frustrated me. I was useless.

"Dammit Korra," I said. "Try to relax, don't let it beat you."

Somehow she managed to get her breathing stabilized and I lay her back down, noticing how my hand was covered in her blood from applying pressure to her torso. Her hand went over mine, giving it a squeeze. She smiled, it was faraway and not all there.

"Promise you'll stay at the B.A.U.," she whispered. "Promise you won't cry...at the funeral."

I shook my head, holding back a sob. "Don't talk like that," I repeated. "We're going to get out of here. I'm going to get you out of here. I promise you that. You need to keep fighting. Can you promise me that?"

She chuckled lowly and I watched as her breathing turn ragged again. I started yelling out into the universe for someone, anyone, to help us, to find us and get us out of there.

I was only half awake due to my own exhaustion when, finally, the door swung open and Hotch and the gang barged in. Help. Good. I managed a half smile and rolled my head to look down at Korra. Her eyes were closed, her head rolled to the side. No. No, no, no! I nudged her shoulder. No response. "Korra..." My voice was hoarse as I tried to shake her harder. Still nothing.

I felt Iroh lift my up in his arms, but my hand was still gripping Korra's and I refused to let go. "No..." But then the paramedics they'd brought down with them forced me to let go, and they laid Korra on the ground, Mako applying pressure to her injuries. Iroh laid me on a stretcher and I struggled, wanting to get back to Korra but my strength had left me.

I blacked out.

Iroh's POV

I sat in the waiting room with Mako, my grandfather, the director, the younger Bei Fong, and my other teammate's parents. It had been hours since Asami and Korra had been brought in. The paramedic that treated my girlfriend assured me that there wasn't too much damage, though there were signs of torture. The younger agent though…she didn't look good. She had received a close contact shot in the abdomen and had been in surgery for a long time. The parents impatiently awaited any news of their daughter, the mother barely able to hold it together as her husband held her.

I sighed and stood up. What was taking so long? Finally someone emerged and everyone stood. He asked if there were any relatives of Asami and I told the doctor I was her boyfriend. The surgeon assured me that she would make a full recovery and that she was asleep. I couldn't help but sigh in relief. Korra's parents stood and asked if there was any news on her. He shook his head, apologizing for not being able to give them information before going back inside.

Hotch stood from his seat, going through the double doors, talking to a nurse before coming back out. It was a few hours later that the same nurse called him back in and I saw him talk to another surgeon. He nodded his head, running a hand through his hair, an antic he had when he felt frustrated or helpless. I saw him close his eyes before he came out and called Korra's parents inside.

I saw Mako explain something to them and then watched as the mother covered her mouth and sobbed onto her husband who let tears fall as well. I felt my heart sank. Hotch placed a comforting hand on the mother's shoulder before coming outside. We all stood and I really hoped he was not going to say what I thought he was. He blinked back the tears before shaking his head.

"She never made it off the table."

I placed my hands behind my neck as I shook my head. My grandfather placed a hand on my shoulder as he blinked away his own tears. I sat down, rubbing my hand over my face.

How was I going to tell Asami?

Asami's POV

I opened my eyes to find myself in a white room. I blinked, moving my head to the side to see a pair of familiar amber eyes. He smiled at me and I did the same, feeling him give my hand a squeeze. I blinked, trying to remember what had happened when it all came in a rush. Korra. Unalaq had tortured us. Shot us both. The last thing I had remembered was her falling asleep in my arms. I tried to sit up, hissing when I jostled my leg. Iroh tried to calm me down but I shook my head. I needed to see Korra. Somehow, I managed to sit up further and I looked over at my boyfriend.

"Where's Korra?" I asked. "Is she okay?"

Iroh lowered his gaze and I frowned. What was going on? Was she still in surgery? He pulled his chair closer to the bed, taking my hand and clasping it between his, giving the back a gentle kiss before looking up at me.

"Korra lost a lot of blood," he began. "She had a lot of injuries. They did what they could but…"

I shook my head. No. Korra was alive. She had to be.

"Where is she?"

"I'm sorry, Asami."

No...no... "No. You're lying."

"Asami..."

"You're lying!" I threw my legs over the side of the bed, and attempted to stand. My leg immediately caved under my weight and I caught myself on the wall. Iroh kneeled down, grabbing me by my shoulders. His amber eyes were morose, tired. "No...she can't be... She's not."

"Asami."

I shook my head, trying to stand again but he held me in place.

"She's gone, Asami."

"No!" It came out as a hysteric cry, and pleading sob, a high pitched, wobbly whine. I went slack, curling up into a ball on my knees till my forehead touched the cold tile. No. No. No... She's not gone. She's not gone. Please, no.

I didn't even notice when Iroh lifted me up and put me back in the bed, careful not to get tangled up in the wires. I didn't notice as his hand rubbed circles on my back as a downpour of tears soaked through my pillow. Iroh's words still reverberated through my skull.

Korra...I'm sorry... I broke my promise...

Mako's POV

I'd left after making arrangements at the hospital with Korra's parents. I couldn't be there anymore. That animal…that monster…he had finally gotten Korra. I could see the pain in the team members' eyes and the sorrow in Iroh's. He would be the one to tell our other tech, the former youngest member's best friend, the news. I could already see it. She would be heartbroken, devastated. Just like I was, because today I had made a decision that would haunt me for a long time.

I went back to headquarters after talking to the director and telling her the news. She informed me that the son of a bitch's wife was still there and my jaw clenched. That woman also had a hand in what happened today, and I was going to make sure she paid for it. I passed Eska, on my way to the interrogation room, noticing the question in her eyes. I met her gaze before shaking my head. Her eyes widened and she shook her head before beginning to sob, her brother wrapping his arms around her.

I went inside the interrogation room and the woman sat up as I pulled the chair back, taking a seat across from her. I would never understand how this woman, this mother, could have allowed all this to happen under her roof. Did she even have a heart?

"Veena Morgan, you are under arrest for obstruction of justice," I began. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?"

She nodded her head and I made a move to stand. "Mr. Hotchner, do you have children?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Is there anything you wouldn't do for them?"

"I wouldn't protect a monster," I replied barely able to keep my voice even.

"I...I told him to stop after he broke her arm. She was nine," Veena revealed quietly. "But he told me to stay out of it. That he could easily go after Eska. So I never brought it up again."

"You know, Mrs. Morgan, sometimes what we don't do... is every bit as powerful as what we do."

"You don't understand."

"I understand that your niece was suffering, and you made no effort to save her."
How could she live with herself? How could she even sleep at night? Did she not hear her scream? Did she just pretend Korra didn't exist?

"You don't know what I did," she answered, her voice wavering slightly.

"I know what you didn't do," I replied. "You didn't call the police. And every day of your life, you're going to ask yourself what would have happened if you'd done something. Because Korra is dead."

Veena covered her mouth, shocked. "I...I just wanted to protect my daughter. What else was I supposed to do?"

"The right thing. Now you have her death on your conscience. I hope you can live with that."

And with that I stood, asking an officer to take her away.

"There are no heroes…in life, the monsters win."-George R.R. Martin.