"Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day."-Dalai Lama

Asami's POV

I couldn't help the smile that graced my face when I walked inside headquarters. Today I would finally be giving the team the good news. Iroh and I were ecstatic when we got the confirmation of what we had already suspected for a while. We had been basically living together for almost five months and, well, we had been quite...busy. After I came back from my medical leave he hadn't left my side, not wanting me to withdraw into myself again. Senna had shortly after announced she'd be leaving for the South Pole to be with her husband and though at first I was sad I still called her once in a while to see how things were going.

Earlier I had gone to the cemetery to visit my best friend like I did every day. It seemed unreal that seven months had passed since her death. It still haunted me that I hadn't kept my promise but I had come to terms with that and decided that focusing on putting other people away like that son of a bitch would be a good way to honor her.

I was heading to the conference room when I spotted someone in Korra's office. My eyes narrowed. No one was allowed in there. No one. When I'd come back I had moved some of my things in, giving up my office so no one would have hers. I just couldn't deal with that. It had been her space.

The intruder had short black hair, a sweater and she was going through her stuff. I marched over, opening the door, ready to give them a piece of my mind.

"Hey! What are you doing?" I asked my voice nearly a growl. "You can't be...in..."

I stopped when they turned around, their brow furrowed. I felt as if the wind had been knocked out of me. No...it wasn't possible...

"I'm not allowed in my own office?" Korra asked.

I shook my head. Was I seeing things? "...Korra...? But...you..."

"'Sami?"

I couldn't hold back anymore and I tackled Korra in a hug, tears streaming down my face. She was alive! My best friend was alive. Korra wrapped an arm around me and I squeezed her tighter, afraid she'd disappear. She let out a whimper and I pulled back, muttering an apology as she gently rubbed her side, supporting herself with a crutch under the other arm.

"How...how is it that you're alive?"

She furrowed her brow. "What do you mean?"

I opened my mouth to speak but Mako's voice cut me off. "Meet me in the conference room," he said. He didn't even bat an eye at Korra's appearance.

I nodded my head and looked over at Korra who smiled at me as she slowly limped alongside me. I could tell that walking was a still difficult task but none of it mattered. She was alive.

We walked inside and I spotted her parents as they smiled at Korra, helping her sit down. It was a practiced movement. I looked over at Mako, crossing my arms against my chest. I wanted answers and I wanted them now.

"Seven months ago, I made a decision that affected this team. As you know, Korra had lost a lot of blood after being tortured by Unalaq," he began. "But the doctors were able to stabilize her, and she was airlifted from Republic City to the Southern Water Tribe under covert exfiltration."

Korra's brow furrowed in confusion. My jaw clenched and I could feel my hands turning into fists. So they had lied to her too. Mako looked at me.

"Her identity was strictly need to know. And she stayed there until she was well enough to travel. She was taken to the Fire Nation for therapy, where she has been. All of this was done for her protection."

"You told everyone I was dead!" my best friend bristled before looking over at her parents. "That's why you wouldn't let me make phone calls. Why you kept telling me Asami was on a mission."

"As I said, I take full responsibility for the decision. If you have any issues, they should be directed toward me."

Oh, that did it.

"Any issues?" I asked angrily. "Yeah, I got issues." I walked over to him and slapped him across the face . How dare he! "You. You have some nerve," I continued with a growl. "You let me think for months that she was dead! You knew how much she meant to me, saw how her being gone devastated me! And you said nothing! And you had Tonraq and Senna lie to me too!"

Korra stood between us when I made a move to hit him again. "Stop!" she said. "I know you're mad, I'm mad too. But this isn't going to fix things."

"He lied to me!"

"They lied to me too," Korra added, her eyes flickering towards her parents. "But it doesn't give me the right to hit them. Come on, we have a lot of catching up to do."

"Korra..." Mako began and I nearly slapped him again. He had no right to speak to her.

"I don't want to see you right now," she growled. "You lied to me, again."

He flinched at that and I couldn't help but feel a little satisfied. Good, at least he knew what he did was wrong. My best friend and I made it back to her office and sat down. I couldn't help but ask her to tell me about everything that had happened while she was gone. She had been in a coma for a little over three months and it was some time before she was able to sit up and move on her own. I couldn't help but smile as she continued to tell me about the past seven months.

I placed a hand over hers and gave it a squeeze. She was back and it was all that mattered.

I couldn't help but wonder how she'd take my news...

Korra's POV

I was a little upset at my parents for lying to me. When I had first woken up everything had been blurry and I had tried to move only to realize there were all sorts of cables attached to me, and there was something on my face, more specifically in my mouth that didn't let me talk. Mom had first noticed that I had woken up and she asked me to relax, that I was in the South Pole and that I should rest. I was feeling tired so I did as I was told and it wasn't until a few days later that she told me how long I had been asleep for. Despite that I was as exhausted and it had taken a lot of patience and therapy to get me back on my feet, though I still needed crutches for that.

Asami asked about my haircut and I told her I had woken up with it, realizing now that it had been in an effort to conceal my identity, to keep others from recognizing me. Mom and Dad had done a great job in doing that, both being the ones that gave me the primary physical therapy, which had started halfway through my coma time, trying to see if that would wake me up. I told my best friend how I had tried to call her just a few weeks ago but my mom had caught me and she had taken the phone, telling me she was on a mission, while in reality she had no idea that I had been alive.

All my team members welcomed me back. I had missed them. I had missed my office, my job, my home…though home was where my family was, but I had been missing a piece of my family. We were together again and I couldn't be happier. Asami placed a hand over mine, giving it a squeeze before calling Iroh and asking for everyone's attention.

"There's something Iroh and I had been meaning to tell you, and now that Korra is here we couldn't think of a better time," she began, sharing a look with her boyfriend. "I'm pregnant."

I blinked a few times, observing as everyone congratulated her. A lot had happened while I was gone, apparently.

"Great. Now they'll be two know-it-alls," I teased. Asami slapped my arm, sending me a glare. I chuckled. "Kidding, 'Sami. I'm sure they'll be an adorable know-it-all."

She smiled at me and I tried my best to smother a yawn, already feeling exhausted by the day's events. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked, squatting down to be at my level.

"I'm a little tired," I admitted. "I usually don't walk around in crutches, it's my first time and it sort of exhausted me a little."

"Let's take you to the back then," my best friend answered asking Iroh to help me stand.

I looked over to my parents, seeing them talking to Mako before they looked over to us and Asami told them where she was taking me. It seemed like an eternity until I reached the backroom where there were beds for us to sleep in whenever we couldn't leave. My eye lids drooped as soon as my head made contact with the pillow and soon enough I was asleep, a small smile on my face. Today had been a good day.

Asami's POV

After a full two hour session of answering questions, Korra was as worn out. We had moved to the resting center of the wing where there were a few beds for us to sleep in when we didn't or couldn't go home. I had helped take her there while her parents had a word with our supervisor. I didn't know what they were talking about but I sure as hell hoped that it wasn't about moving Korra again. I wouldn't let that happen, not after we had been apart for so long. Not after I'd thought she was gone.

As soon as Korra laid down on the bed, her eyes drooped and I couldn't help but chuckle. It had been a tiring day for her, having walked around and answered endless questions. I covered her with a spare blanket, watching as she tried to fight sleep before her eyes closed and her chest rose and fell in an even rhythm. Gently, I ran my hand through her now short hair.

"I never thought I'd see her with her hair down," Iroh whispered from a few feet behind me.

I smiled. "It's a good change."

He nodded just as Mako walked in, a flicker of something in his eyes when he saw the younger brunette. I turned away, focusing my attention on her as my boyfriend cleared his throat at the sudden shift in atmosphere.

"I think this is my cue to leave," he said before doing just that.

We stood in silence for a moment as I set Korra's injured leg on a pillow, relieving some of the pressure. Her lips twitched as I brushed the hair away from her face and I couldn't help but smile. I had missed my best friend so much.

"We need to talk," Mako finally said.

I turned to look at him. "No. You need to listen," I answered my voice a growl. "For the past seven months you made me believe that the only family I had left in this world was gone, and you expect me to be okay with it?"

"Everything I did was to protect her," Hotch replied. "The only people that knew were her parents. Lin was involved involuntarily. I needed to protect her in case Una-"

"Stop," I hissed when Korra stirred, her brow furrowing at the mention of that man's name. I placed a hand over hers, letting her know everything was fine and she stilled. "You took away the only family I had left. I thought my best friend, my sister, was dead," I continued.

"It was-"

"Don't give me the bullshit excuse, that it was for her protection," I said, my voice rising. "I should have be informed! I could have kept her safe."

"No, you couldn't," Mako countered. "You'd want to know how she was doing and you'd be off your game here."

"Just because you don't care-"

"I do care about her," he interrupted. He paused, looking at my best friend, that something in his eyes. "I called every week to get an update, to make sure she was okay."

"Yet you denied me that same privilege."

"Asami, I'm-"

"I don't want to hear it," I snapped.

"I lied because I was trying to protect her from Unalaq," Mako repeated. "He's still out there Asami."

"No you lied because that's what you do," I countered. "It isn't the first time you've lied. You didn't tell us Unalaq had escaped until he had already found me which in turn cause her to risk her life. Do you have any idea the pain I felt when I thought she had died in my arms?" He opened his mouth but I cut him off. "Look at the damage he did," I said, looking at Korra.

"I did what was best for her and the team."

I scoffed shaking my head. "No, Mako. You did what was best for you," I said. "And because of your lies, you've made a liar out of me," I added, tearing up. "Because Korra could never find out that Unalaq is still out there, that we haven't caught him after what he did. That's why you had her come back, he found her, didn't he?"

The Firebender lowered his gaze, and I took this as a confirmation and as if he was finally accepting I was right. To me, it was all true. He had lied and he had endangered my little sister's life by doing so. I had almost lost Korra, my only family. But he didn't care about that.

"I'll keep up appearances for Korra's sake," I added after a moment. "I'll still follow your orders because you are our team leader and I'll work with the rest of the team. But privately…you and I are done."

"Asami, I'm,-"

"Leave, I don't want you to wake up Korra."

Tonraq's POV

Korra was tired. She had managed to take a nap at headquarters and we let her rest but my wife wanted to get home and I still needed to buy groceries which Asami had offered to get. My daughter groggily sat up, and we told her we were going home even though I could tell she didn't want to move. Slowly she stood and I walked by her side as we exited the building. As soon as we were in the apartment she lay down on the bed, Naga hopping up after her.

Korra laughed as the animal licked her face, scratching behind her ears. I sat her injured leg up on a pillow, asking her if she was comfortable. "Are you mad at us?" I asked quietly.

"I'm not mad," she answered, but still didn't spare me a glance. "I'm irritated that you didn't tell me the truth, that you told Asami I was dead."

"We wanted to keep you safe," I tried explaining. "It was cruel and perhaps unnecessary but we did it thinking it was best for you."

Korra sighed, before smiling. "I can't wait to go back. I missed being here."

I chuckled, watching her eyes close. I was going to take off her sweater but she was out and I wouldn't wake her up again. I threw the spare blanket over her, making sure she was comfortable before going to the living room to see her best friend had arrived.

"Is Korra awake?" she asked.

I shook my head. "Just fell asleep, she's exhausted. And tomorrow she has therapy, we're going to set up the spare room."

Asami nodded. "Alright, I only wanted to check."

"Perhaps you can come over for lunch tomorrow?" my wife suggested, noticing the ravenette's hesitation to leave. "I'll make your favorite, lasagna."

The raven haired woman smiled and nodded. "I'll come over tomorrow then, good night."

We thanked her for the groceries and Senna asked if I had given Korra her pain meds. I cursed under my breath and she sighed, saying that if she woke up I'd have to get up. I chuckled, kissing the top of her head. We were home and our little girl would be okay.

Toph's POV

Well I was glad this whole mess had finally been cleared up. Mako had called me when they found Agent Morgan and Agent Sato. She was barely alive and they had lost her momentarily on the way to the hospital but had somehow managed to stabilize her. I was surprised by her persistence and asked him what they were going to do about her recovery. Unalaq was still at large and the young woman was vulnerable given her condition so he suggested to have transported to her native country, and I agreed. It had taken a lot of work to keep her hidden and keep up appearances and I knew my daughter wasn't happy about the steps we'd taken.

Now that her cover was blown she had been transported back and although she had been nothing but trouble since she joined our unit, I couldn't help but be a bit glad when I saw her walk in. She was on crutches, barely able to walk but determined and I could see she couldn't wait to be back. But she still had a long way to go until she was fully recovered and I had seen the worry on her parents' faces which is why I decided to visit them just a few days after her arrival, giving them time to settle in.

"Chief Bei Fong, I appreciate you coming," her mother greeted before asking me to sit.

"Of course, Agent Morgan can't be alone given the circumstances," I replied, looking around. "Where is she?"

"She's resting. We had a physical therapy session not too long ago," Mrs. Morgan explained. "I've been trying to get her to walk without her crutches." She paused. "You said there was something you wanted to discuss with me?"

"Yes, I do."

I pulled out a stack of papers, handing it over and watching her read through them, looking up at me. I had given the situation a lot of thought and all though the agent was a valuable asset to the team, her life came first.

"These are retirement papers," the older woman answered, and I saw momentarily a flash of hope in her eyes. This woman had been through a lot in her life, and I knew she didn't want her daughter going back.

"I talked to the bureau and given the circumstances, there is no reason why she should return," I replied with a shrug. "We can offer her a full pension and benefits."

"Are you saying you want Korra to leave the B.A.U.?"

"Well, obviously that's her choice but I am offering a way for her to remain safe and still have benefits."

She nodded, looking thoughtful as she stared at the papers before looking up at me once more. "By when would you want a decision?"

I blinked. "I thought I would be leaving with one. What's the hesitation?" Did she not want her kid to retire out of this dangerous and stressful job? Had I misread the situation?

"It's her decision to make, not mine."

I sighed. Of course. She was right, but I already knew what the kid's answer would be. "I'd like to know by the end of the week."

She whispered a thank you and I stood, leading myself out. Well that had been a complete waste of my time. Hell would freeze over before Agent Morgan retired, especially at twenty-six. She was her father's daughter, a good agent as well. I sighed and looked at my watch. I still had time to get a drink or two before heading back to headquarters.

Senna's POV

I took a deep breath, looking over the papers in my hand. Retirement with full pension and benefits for my daughter's short time in the federal service. It was what I wanted, what my daughter should want after almost losing her life. But I already knew what her answer would be. She had mentioned to her father that she wanted to go back and even made a doctors appointment to get the clear for office work at least since being in the field with crutches was prohibited. But this was a good opportunity, a way out. If she would only consider...

"Mom, who were you talking to?" a tired voice asked.

I quickly hid the papers, turning around to see my daughter standing with her crutches, rubbing her eye sleepily. She had been pushing herself lately, determined to be able to stand without her crutches and maybe even take a few steps when she went to go see the doctor.

"Hey baby, what are you doing up? You should be resting."

She tried to smother a yawn as I walked over to her. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine, go back to bed. Here let me help you, that's it, just take your time, okay."

I helped take her back to bed, telling her to lie down and rest as I reminded her her father would be home soon and that meant having a second round of therapy. She nodded her head, her eyes closing as Naga sat her head on her torso. Once I made sure she was asleep I went back to the living room, getting the papers and setting them on the table as I began to cook. Just an hour later my husband arrived and I greeted him, asking him to sit down before he went to wake Korra, handing him the papers. His brow furrowed as he read through them, looking up at me, silently asking me for an explanation.

"The director, Chief Bei Fong, came by earlier today to offer Korra a way out," I began. "I haven't shown them to her because I wanted to talk to you first." I paused. "I want you to tell her to sign

"What?" Tonraq asked, clearly surprised.

"She'll listen to you." He had to convince her. He had to.

"It isn't our decision to make," my husband told me gently. "If Korra doesn't want to retire then she shouldn't have to."

"She could die, Tonraq." Couldn't he see that? We had almost lost her. I couldn't, wouldn't go through that again.

"There are risks everywhere, Senna. Korra loves her job, who are we to take that away from her?"

"We almost lost her," I reminded him.

"I know, and I understand your concern," he said. "But Korra is an adult now. We don't make choices for her."

I felt tears start to well up in my eyes. He was right, I knew that. But I wanted to protect her, we had failed her twice all ready. I wanted nothing more than to change what had happened to her, to save her. But my husband was right, it wasn't our call. I wiped away the tears as I noticed her hopping over to us and Tonraq stood, helping her sit down, telling her we needed to talk. I took a deep breath before handing over the papers, watching her go over them before she looked up at me.

She didn't need to say anything, her decision was made. And the decision left a giant lump in my throat.

Asami's POV

Ever since Korra had come back I'd been spending my lunch break with her. Today I had brought her favorite pizza and I could see her eyes light up before she grabbed a slice. I had to admit she was looking a lot better. Senna had told me she'd been eating more and though she had lost a lot of weight during her coma time, she had already filled in. My best friend told me about the places she had been in the Fire Nation, how she had met Iroh's mother who was a nice woman, if a little stern. I looked at the time, letting out a sigh as I told her I had to get going. She asked about the case but I bit my lip as Senna raised a brow.

I had been warned not to share details with her, one because it was technically illegal and two because Korra was supposed to be resting. The brunette crossed her arms irritably and I chuckled, telling her I'd Skype with her later. When I was about to the door, however, her mother asked that I come back after work and bring the team with me. I frowned but told her that I would and as soon as the day was over I told everyone to meet at Korra's house. Well, almost everyone, but I wasn't surprised to see him outside the door when I arrived.

Korra's mom answered and asked us all to go to the spare room. I walked inside to see my best friend standing between two rails, arms shaking and sweat trickling down the side of her face, her expression a fierce look of concentration as her dad stood next to her. Senna asked us all to stand on the other side and she blinked, looking over at her mother.

"Korra, I want you to walk over to your friends," she said.

Korra's blue eyes looked from her mother to us and then back. "I've never made it that far," she answered.

I fought the urge to step toward her but nodded when I happened to catch her eye and she did the same before taking her first step. It took her a while to reach halfway, nearly collapsing but managing to catch herself. Slowly she continued until she reached me and I hugged her tightly as all her weight on me. Her father came over, having her lean against him as she panted, tired from the short walk.

The team came forward, telling her how amazing it was that she made so much progress in such short time. I felt someone's hand on my shoulder and I turned to see my best friend's mother, gesturing for me to follow her out the room.

"Is everything alright?" I asked once we were out of ear shot.

She wrung her hands together nervously, taking a quick glance back toward her daughter's room. "Director Bei Fong came here the other day, offering Korra retirement with full benefits." I nodded my head. "This job...it's dangerous, it almost got her killed."

I took a deep breath, knowing where this conversation was going. She looked up at me. "Asami...do you think...could you talk to Korra...ask her to sign the-"

"I won't ask Korra to quit a job she loves."

"But she-"

"I know," I replied. I understood her concern. "But that's why I'm around. I watch her back, she watches mine. It's what we do."

Senna lowered her gaze and I turned to see my best friend walking in with her crutches. "What are you two doing over here?"

"I was telling your mom how I was going to babysit you when you came back to work," I told her in a teasing tone. Technically not a lie.

"I'm not a baby," she grumbled as she tried to fight off a yawn.

"We should get going," Lin said heading to the door. "It's the kid's nap time."

"Hey!"

We all laughed. And after a moment, so did she.

Tenzin's POV

I took a deep breath as I walked into Korra's apartment. The young woman's mother had called me, wanting to speak to me of a matter of importance. It wasn't surprising, seeing as I was her therapist, in charge of her medication and the reason she was able to leave the institution she had been in for almost thirteen years. Unalaq had put up quite the fight in keeping the brunette's mother away, but my expertise in mental health and a few personal favors had won out.

Just a few days ago she had returned from the Fire Nation, bringing her daughter home. I was surprised, as she had come to me months ago telling me her daughter had perished and she'd be returning to the Southern Tribe. But I should have suspected something, seeing as she had given me the news quite calmly and I had referred her to another therapist there. When she called me requesting my presence, however, she had explained what had happened. That they had needed to make everyone think the young agent was gone in order to protect her but that her cover was now blown and they had been forced to return.

She had been in a coma for several months and luckily she had recovered and was resting at home now, though she had to have physical therapy every day. This was why I suspected that Korra had something to do with my patient wanting to see me. My suspicions were confirmed when Senna opened the door and led me to the younger woman's room, where she was resting, seeing that she was comfortable before quietly leaving the door ajar and asking me to sit in the living room.

"You wanted to see me, Senna?" I asked.

"Yes," the mother replied. "I wanted to stop taking my medication."

I straightened. "Why?"

"I just want to hold off for a little while."

"You know what will happen."

Senna nodded her head, lowering her gaze. "Tremors, panic, and…the voices," my patient replied. "But before that, the fog lifts and I have some clarity, concentration and I really need that," she added, glancing towards her daughter's room. "My little girl is in pain and I need to concentrate enough to help her."

I had seen what happened whenever she refused to take her medication in the past. The hallucinations, the rage, the breakdown at the end…But even I had to admit that her improvement had been phenomenal. She wouldn't be alone now, she had her daughter and her husband. All these things considered, and with some trepidation I nodded my head after a moment.

"Alright," I answered. I just hoped I wouldn't regret this.

Senna's POV

I was starting to lose it. Nearly three weeks ago I had asked Tenzin to let me off my meds so I could take care of Korra, and I could feel myself slipping. I had been getting her to walk without holding onto the rails and she had been doing good but my mind was starting to wonder and the next thing I knew I heard a loud thump and heard her yelp. I kneeled down next to her, telling her she was okay, and making sure she hadn't hurt her leg before helping her stand and asking if she could walk with her crutches. She nodded her head quickly and I stood besides her, making sure she didn't fall again and making sure she was comfortable before going to the phone and calling Tenzin, telling him to let himself in as I started back toward my daughter's room.

I went inside, finding her asleep due to the pain killer I'd given her moments before, it had been a while since she had taken one because they made her a bit drowsy. Carefully I inspected the leg, making sure everything was okay before sitting down next to her, running my hand through her short hair.

"Momma."

I looked up at the sound, knowing the voice anywhere but not believing my ears. I examined the room. No one. I shut my eyes. Not now. Please not now.

"Momma?"

I opened my eyes, this time greeted by the sight of a little girl sitting in the armchair in the corner, her big blue eyes curious. I felt my heart constrict as I shook my head.

She's not real. Korra is a grown woman now. It's not real.

"Momma, will you play with me?" I felt the girl grasp my hand, felt her tug. I felt my mind begin to cloud, wanting desperately to believe.

"I can't, baby girl."

The toddler's eyes began to water. "Why not? Did I do something wrong?"

"No. No, no, no. Don't cry, baby," I soothed, kneeling in front of the girl, pushing chocolate locks away from her chubby face. "Please don't cry. It's all right."

Desperation began to grip me, my own memories fogging and my wish coming to life. How I missed holding my little girl, how I regretted not being there to watch her grow. Here she was. My second chance, nuzzling her face into my palm.

"Mom?"

I jumped, looking over my shoulder. A woman sat up on the bed, looking at me in concern. I felt tiny hands tugging at my sleeve. "Momma?"

I pressed my hands against my head, closing my eyes tightly, trying to make sense of it all, to separate the fantasy from the real. I could hear the tiny Korra sob while the woman called my name. I shook my head.

"Make it stop," I whimpered.

"Mom, it's okay, it's just me," someone said.

"Get away from me!" I snapped, pushing the person away. "Don't touch me! Who are you?"

The lean woman grabbed her side, a whimper escaping her lips as she took deep breaths, trying to keep her balance on the crutches. An older man came into the room...and I think...maybe I recognized him…

"Senna!" he called.

I blinked. That was my name. I looked over at the person with crutches. That was Korra; that was my daughter. I looked back to where the toddler had been just moments ago and found my hand caressing nothing but air.

"Spirits, what have I done?" I whispered, turning back and going to my daughter's aid.

"I'm fine, Mom, it's okay," my daughter insisted as I cupped her face in my hands.

"I'm so sorry Korra, I'm so sorry."

"Senna, you can't hold off anymore," Tenzin said gently, placing a hand on my shoulder.

Korra looked up at her therapist. "What do you mean?"

I heard him sigh heavily. "Your mother had me take her off her medication." Korra's eyes widened at the news and she looked down at me and I avoided her gaze, feeling completely ashamed. What had I done?

"Why would you-"

"I couldn't take care of you. The medication made it hard for me to concentrate and I..." I grabbed my daughter's hand. "I wanted to be able to help you get better."

"Mom..."

"I'm sorry," I apologized as tears fell down my face. "I'm so sorry."

Korra wrapped her arms around me and I returned the embrace tightly as I sobbed. All I wanted to do was take care of her. But she had been hurt because the fog had returned to soon. I was unfit to be a mother.

"You don't need to apologize," Korra whispered. "But I want you to get back on your meds," she added, pulling away slightly. "We'll manage. Okay?"

I hugged her to me again. My baby... My wonderful baby girl...

Korra's POV

For the past couple of weeks I had been bored at home, playing chess online with my dad when he had breaks and getting the hang of walking around with crutches. Mom tried to keep me as entertained as she could but I needed to be active, to go back in the field. Just two weeks ago, after my doctor's appointment, Mom had one of her breakdowns. She had been holding off on her meds in order to take care of me and although I appreciated the gesture I knew what being off her medication could do and I had seen a glance of it when I was younger. Her schizophrenia could be bad and she could turn violent, unable to recognize anyone, which is what had happened.

Tenzin had come over at her request and he gave her the pills while I called dad, telling him to come home. She had been fine since then but I could see why she held off, having to take breaks while doing chores, not having as much energy, but we were getting passed it.

I rolled my eyes as I skyped with Asami. I repeated myself, telling her that the unsub had a disorder that impeded him from feeling pain which was why he was able to beat two of the victims to death. I hadn't heard when Mom walked in but quickly logged off only to see her shake her head. Guess I had been caught red handed.

She sat on the bed next to me, careful not to jostle my leg that was propped on pillow before grasping my hand in hers. "You really love your job, don't you," mom finally whispered.

I nodded my head. "I love what I do," I answered. "And I know it's dangerous but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I sleep better every night knowing that there's one less creep on the streets."

My mom looked at me for a long time before letting out a sigh and getting up. I frowned, sitting up straighter against the pillows when she came back in, handing me a letter. "This came for you, three days ago," she told me quietly, avoiding my gaze.

I took the envelope, reading the approval from the doctor's office to go back for desk duty. "You hid this from me?" I asked.

She bit her lip and nodded her head. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "I-I wasn't ready for you to go back."

I sighed, knowing where she was coming from, how hard this past year had been for her and Dad and Asami. "I understand, Ma."

"It's so dangerous and now you're going to go back and I'm going to stay here and worry."

I pulled her into a hug and she returned the gesture. "But not tonight, Momma," I whispered. "Or tomorrow. I'll go back next week, so I can spend more time with you."

Mom pulled back, a smile on her face as she cupped my cheek. "Thank you, baby," she replied hugging me again. It was true I couldn't wait to go back. But I'd be lying if I said I hadn't enjoyed spending time with my mom.

Mako's POV

I took a deep breath as I knocked on the younger agent's apartment door. Ever since she'd gotten back a few weeks ago I had been keeping my distance, knowing she was upset with me but keeping tabs on her through her parents. I knew I had crossed the line but it had been the only way she would have been kept safe until she completely recovered. She was better now and I had assigned a patrol unit to her apartment in case Unalaq tried anything though he seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth...until recently that is.

Korra's mother answered the door and she let me inside, giving me a full update on the younger agent and informing me she'd be back on the job next week. I sighed at that and I could see she wasn't any happier but Korra loved her job, and she was good at it. I asked if she was awake and Tonraq told me she was in her room, resting, but that I could see if she was up.

I knocked on the door, peaking inside to find her asleep, leaning against a pair of pillows. I sighed and went over, seeing the serene expression on her face. It struck me how this was the first time I had ever seen her...calm. I reached out to brush a strand away from her face and she awoke to the disturbance, blinking before recognizing me.

"What are you doing?" She asked sitting up. "Why are you here?"

"Sorry," I apologized. "It looked uncomfortable and I..." I shook my head, seeing the look of disinterest. " I came here to apologize for lying to Asami and having your parents lie to you."

"Mom said she was bad," Korra began. "She wouldn't answer phone calls, barely ate, didn't speak...You threw her into a state that she almost didn't recover from."

"I know." I did. I had seen how much the news had affected her but I was doing what was best for the team, best for her. "But I thought, at the moment, that it was the best solution."

The younger agent said nothing for a moment, just studied me. "If you want me to forgive you then enough with the lies," she replied. "Tell me why I'm here. You would have kept this charade going for Spirits know how long. What changed?"

I closed my eyes and sighed, pulling out my phone and showing her the image that had printed out a few weeks ago, after closing Brian's case. It was a picture of Korra in a wheelchair, her parents next to her. She was circled and I had known who took that picture: Unalaq.

"He found me."

Her voice had a slight waver to it and I almost regretted showing her the picture. But Asami and her were right. The lies had to stop. I nodded. "Yes. That's why I had to bring you back. You were in danger."

"Do you know where he is?"

"We're doing everything we can to find him," I told her. "But for the time being it would be for the best if you don't go to places alone." I paused. "I'm really sorry for lying to you and Asami. She won't talk to me and I deserve that."

"You do," Korra replied. "But I understand why you did all of this, and I wanted to thank you. For giving me a peace of mind for a little bit."

I smiled and she did the same. "Welcome back, Agent Morgan."

"Thank you."

"But just so you know you have to go to three mandatory therapy sessions," I began, causing her to groan.

"Why? Nothing happened to me," she complained.

"Not my call." She muttered something under her breath and I chuckled. "See you Monday, Korra."

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and of unspeakable love." Washington Irving