"Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it." Terry Pratchett.
Korra'a POV
I smiled against Mako's lips as he kissed me. Asami had suggested a double date, to celebrate Halloween and the fact that Hotch and I had made our relationship known to the team. We'd agreed, and despite the fact that it was in a club, I paid the music and the overwhelming crowd no mind. Mako had my full attention as he wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my forehead gently. I sighed in contentment.
I felt someone staring and I turned to glare at my future brother-in-law. "Enough with the make out session!" He had to raise his voice to be heard over the music. Asami sat next to him, an amused grin pulling at her lips.
"You're one to talk," Mako shot back as he pulled me closer to him.
I laughed, giving his cheek a kiss before taking a sip of my drink. I wasn't really into drinking but every once in a while I'd throw a few back, something Mako and I had in common. He had decided not to drink tonight though.
"I need to go to the bathroom," I told him, hating having to leave the little bubble of comfort and ease.
He nodded and gave me a kiss. I smiled and started to deepen the kiss before pulling away and making my way through the masses. I took care of business and I turned on the faucet to wash my hands, registering distantly when the door opened.
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I attempted to turn around but was immediately pressed forward into the wall, someone's much bigger body pressed right up against my back, one hand holding my shoulder while the other covered my mouth. "Shh... sweetheart..."
No... no. No. Please Spirits...
His sigh brushed my ear. "Oh, how I've missed you, my special one." The hand that had been holding my shoulder started tracing down my spine, and I shivered, fear coursing through my veins, pumping blood in my ears. "It's been way too long. I hope you can forgive me for being foolish enough to almost let you go. I should know better. Guns just ruin all the fun." His voice is his own brand of soothing, quiet, not malicious. I remembered that voice. This was worse than his condescending sneer. This voice came before the most brutal of nights.
His hand that had been covering my mouth slides down to my neck, applying pressure there in warning. I'm shaking, and I can't seem to string together a coherent thought.
"I saw you out there with your little boy-toy..." He tsked, and I hear a bit of possessive anger slip through the facade. "You were willing to let him hold you like that?" His hand slips under my shirt, touching my stomach. "It seems our time apart has made you forget exactly who owns this wonderful, warm, delicious body, whose bed you should be occupying, whose name you should be screaming."
I feel sick. I feel like vomiting. Maybe I'll choke on it.
I hear a strange sound, and it takes only a moment for me to realize that I made that pitiful whimper. "Unalaq...please...don't..."
"Shhh," he shushes as he starts to trail kisses against my jaw, behind my ear, and his hand travels down to my pants.
I close my eyes tightly as the memories rush back in full force. I could remember the first time he had groped me. How he had come into my room in the middle of the night and slid into bed behind me and told me to be quiet, to not make a sound.
I feel him unclasp the button of my jeans and I know I need to get out of there. I push him aside, try to reach the door but he slams me into the opposite wall, his fist colliding with my cheek and knocking me to the floor, my head cracking against the tile.
Everything is blurry and I feel him unbutton my shirt before turning me so he could take it off. I jump a little when my back makes contact with the cold floor. His blurred figure pulled off the sweater he was wearing, and I see his bare chest. He stares at me as he unbuckled his belt and I tried to push him off but he holds firm. He pins my arms above me and crashes his mouth on top of mine, his free hand is playing with the strap of my bra before moving down to pull down my pants.
Then, all of a sudden, he's off of me, cursing and growling, pulling his sweater back on and disappearing. My lungs aren't functioning, my mind is whirling. I shut my eyes, trying to calm myself but it's not working. When I open my eyes I'm greeted by a welcomed face.
"Korra."
I try to sit up as realization hits me and finally take stock of my appearence. One strap of my bra is hanging limply, torn off the undergarment, and my underwear is visible. My chest constricts, I can't take in any air. My stomach lurches and I turn away from Asami and vomit right there on the bathroom floor. My friend is calling my name, trying to relax me, but I can't. I can't breathe. All the oxygen is gone.
And suddenly, it all goes dark.
Asami's POV
I hop in after Korra in the ambulance as I call her dad. Korra had been so happy, letting Mako wrap his arms around her, dancing to the music and even kissing Mako more than Iroh and I kissed each other. She had gone to the bathroom but when she started to take long Mako had asked that I go see if everything was okay.
I tried opening the door but found it locked and I frowned. Well this was odd. I knocked and called Korra's name though I doubted she could hear me over the music and the cheering of the crowd. The door opened to reveal a hooded figure. Unalaq. He pushed me aside and I growled, considering going after him when I caught sight of someone on the floor in the bathroom. I rushed to my friend's side as I took in her state of undress.
He had almost gotten her.
Korra opened her mouth but ended up turning her head, her dinner splattering nastily on the bathroom tile. I brushed the hair away from her face as I tried to calm her down. She started to wheeze and then slumped to the floor. Mako rushed inside, asking what had happened.
"Unalaq was here! He's wearing a hoodie! Get him!" I said.
He nodded his head, taking off as Iroh came in. I grabbed Korra's shirt, using it to clean the vomit off her sweaty face as my boyfriend took off his jacket and wrapped her in it as he sat her up so she could breathe, but I could see her lips turning blue. She wasn't breathing.
"Call an ambulance!"
That had been an hour ago. Unalaq unsurprisingly got away though Hotch thought he might have clipped his shoulder. Senna had been hysterical and in all honesty so was I. Korra was in the intensive care unit, a ventilator helping her breathe through the mask on her face. She hadn't responded to the meds but now she was stable and sedated.
"Mr. and Mrs. Morgan?" a doctor called. We all stood and the man sighed.
"How's my daughter? Can we see her?" Senna asked.
"We've been monitoring Agent Morgan after her severe asthma attack," the man began. "She's stable enough for visitors but only family. Try not to agitate her."
Her parents looked to me, their eyes apologetic because I wouldn't be able to see her. I wasn't related to Korra by blood. I nodded my head, letting them know it was fine and I saw Hotch run a frustrated hand trough his hair. Iroh's arms wrapped around me and I hung my head in my hand.
Senna's POV
I had never been a violent person. I'd had schizophrenic breakdowns in the past but normally I didn't wish any harm on anyone. But...I wanted my brother in law to suffer. Every time Korra woke in the middle of the night, every tear she cried, every time I thought back to when she would barely eat...I picture the light fading from his eyes. I would get so mad that I scared myself.
We had brought Korra home from the hospital and had laid her in her own bed. She hadn't said much after that, would hardly cry. She'd shut down. I had broke down in the kitchen.
Why couldn't he have left Korra alone? What had my daughter ever done to deserve this torment? She was just a little girl. She was my little girl.
For the past week Asami had been stopping by whenever work would allow. She'd sit with Korra, wouldn't try to talk, would simply hold my daughter's hand, let her know she was there. When Korra did talk it was quiet and few words. I wondered if this was how their relationship had been in the beginning.
My girls.
"Mamma?"
I looked up from the dishes and over toward the hall. Korra looked tired. "Yes, baby?"
She didn't immediately reply, instead she walked over and wrapped her arms around me, hiding her face in my neck as I returned the gesture fiercely.
"I love you," she said, her voice small, but full of strong conviction. "So much. And I'm sorry. So sorry. I can't- I can't..."
I could feel tears staining the collar of my shirt as one of my hands held her head to me, my own eyes starting to water as I pressed a kiss to her temple. "I love you, my sweet girl. Your father and I love you with all our hearts."
She cried full heartedly.
Korra's POV
It's just sitting there. I don't expect it to jump into my hand and do the deed for me but it still shouldn't be this tempting. I'm sitting at the counter, and it's just there, the black metal holding my gaze. Both my hands are pressed firmly against the counter top, easily within reach of gripping the gun. How would it work, I wonder, what would be the least messy? Biting the bullet had never been such a literal notion to me.
The door opened. I paid it no mind. I felt my body tremble as boots thudded into the kitchen, paused and then urgently came to a stop beside me. There's a hand on my shoulder, and it shakes me. I blink. Once. Twice.
"Korra."
Blink. I felt my mind starting to refocus. Blink. I looked up, greeted by an emerald gaze.
Slowly, cautiously, I saw Asami reach one manicured hand forward and take the gun away. My hand twitches, I think almost in protest but I say nothing. She took it away. She took it away. But what if I need it?
Her hand returned, and this time it took mine and gripped it tightly. A kiss is pressed into my hair, and I felt tears well in my eyes, my chest compressed. I feel like I can't breathe.
"Please, Korra, I'm here. Talk to me, I'm here. I love you, and I need you to talk to me."
"'Sami..."
She waits, patiently sits on the stool next to mine, hand still gripping mine tightly, other hand smoothing down my hair. It's a soothing gesture she's done so many times in the past.
"He's out there Asami," I finally speak, and my own voice sounds foreign to my ears. "And he's already proven he can get to me no matter what I do or where I go. I've spent half my life running from him and where do I end up? Right back where he wants me, scared out of my mind, and asking myself why I even bother trying to outrun him. He's going to get me. It's just a matter of time."
"Korra, he's not -"
"Of course he is!" There's no use denying it, I think to myself, my face pressed into my palm. "I'm so tired, Asami. I'm just so tired."
"Korra..."
"It won't end until one of us dies." I feel her hand tighten until it hurts, and I can feel those grass green eyes watching me. "So why not me, right? I'm the weak one-"
"Don't you dare!" It's loud, and I'll admit, it startles me. But I don't look at her. But I'm not given much of a choice when she grabs my chin and makes me meet her gaze. "Don't you dare." Softer. But still full of conviction, of such brutal honesty and pleading.
Tears start flowing down my cheeks and her arms wrapped around me in an instant. For a moment, I don't give in to the comfort, and my arms stay on the bar. But then I hear Asami telling me that everything is going to be okay, and her voice is thick with the tears she won't cry right now, in front of me. And it hits me that this is the second time Asami has been here, the second time she has pulled my back from the edge of an endless abyss. And then I'm clinging to her and I'm openly sobbing and crying and screaming into her shoulder, my pain, my anguish finding a way out.
She holds me tighter, like that will keep me from falling to pieces, like that will keep me together. "Shhh, you're going to be okay. It's going to be okay."
Maybe, I can't help but think. Maybe it will. Maybe I will.
Asami's POV
I ran my hand soothingly through Korra's hair. Her parents had called me when they'd left to go to see Tenzin, asking that I look after the brunette and it was a good thing that they had. I walked in on Korra sitting on the kitchen counter, a gun between her hands. Her eyes had been staring at the piece of metal, but her gaze was clouded, faraway. I had carefully approached her, taking her gun and putting it aside as I tried to get her to talk. I could feel my heart shatter when I heard her say how tired she was, and I immediately knew what she meant.
Her parents had told me how she was having a hard time sleeping, only managing to shut her eyes for an hour or two, if they were lucky. I took a deep breath as I realized what would have happened had I not shown up, how her parents would have found her, but it wasn't her time.
I lifted the blanket, covering her snugly as my mind went back when we were teenagers. The abuse had started to get worse after we graduated high school. Korra had enrolled in community college so visible bruises were still uncommon but the sexual abuse had gotten worse. Much worse.
I had been on my way to see her when I passed the pier, our favorite place to hang out, and I had smiled, parking my car. I called her name as I approached but she didn't turn. Odd.
That's when she jumped off. I was running before I even comprehended the action, diving into the water after her and grabbing onto the sinking body. I managed to drag her back onto the sand, panting and gasping for air before examining my friend, who was coughing up water and had a laceration at her scalp that was bleeding profusely.
"What the hell where you thinking?" I hollered, unable to restrain myself. "You could have died! Do you have any idea how incredibly stupid that was?"
"Asami?" she asked her gaze finally settling on me.
"What the hell were you thinking?!"
She shook her head before her hand went down and lifted her shirt, revealing horrific blotches of red and purple painted all over her torso. The near her hipbones looked like hand prints. Suddenly I understood. He had done it again. He had... and she had finally had enough. I sat her up, letting her lean on me as I muttered an apology for yelling at her, combing my hand through her wet and sand covered hair, trying to soothe her. Korra grabbed the sleeve of my shirt before letting out the most heartbroken sob I had ever heard.
We stayed this way for a while and after she managed to calm down I helped her stand before taking her to my car and driving her to my place, immediately calling a doctor as I cleaned her up. She groaned as I lifted her arms to change her shirt, one of her hands going to her side and I made a mental note to make sure that was checked out as well. Not long after the doctor arrived and I kept the teen as still as possible as he checked her.
"It's going to require stitches," he said after a while, motioning to her scalp.
"Can you do them here?"
"Yes, but she has a fractured rib. And that didn't come from her falling from the docks."
"Just do what you can, please," I said, ignoring the last statement.
After bandaging her side and the cut he gave her a sedative that would help her sleep and I thanked him, telling him to send me the bill. I went back to Korra's side, watching her as she slept and I reached out, giving her hand a squeeze. There was a knock on the door and I stood, thinking that perhaps the doctor had forgotten something only to be met with the man I despised most in this world.
"Where is she?" the animal asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I know she's here, and she's coming home with me. Now."
"I think you need to leave."
His eyes narrowed and he grabbed me by the shoulders, tossing me aside. I fell to the floor, my head rebounding against the couch but I shook it off. I stood and went to the kitchen, grabbing a knife. I found him in the guest bedroom where Korra was, getting ready to pick her up. I pushed him, standing between them, the knife behind me. He tried approaching me but I swung the blade at his face and he recoiled, cursing. Korra stirred and I could see her trying to open her eyes.
Unalaq glared at me, touching the bleeding cut on his cheek, right below his eye. "You are really starting to annoy me."
My grip on my knife tightened. "I'm only going to say this once, get out of my house. You come near Korra again, and I'll kill you."
"You think I'm scared of you?"
"You should be."
His gaze met mine but I didn't back down. He laughed after a while, shaking his head and turning around to leave. "I always did love playing hide and seek with her."
"Get out!" I yelled.
He laughed again before doing as I said and I followed him from a distance, ready to attack him if he did so much as turn an inch. Once he was out the door and I locked, bolted it and checked it twice then went back to check on Korra.
"'Sami…"
"Shh," I soothed, sitting down on the bed, brushing the hair away from her face. "I'm right here, go back to sleep."
"It…it was him…wasn't it?" she mumbled. She still wasn't all there.
"I'm right here," I repeated, squeezing her hand. "Rest."
She made a noise of discomfort before she stilled, her eyes closing once again and her breathing evening out and she fell asleep. I sighed after a moment, looking at the blade on the nightstand. I meant what I said. If he ever came within ten feet of Korra gain I'd kill him. And no one would find his body.
Korra let out a whimper as she shifted, her brow furrowing. I laid down beside her, throwing my arm over her form like I used to when we were younger. I told her that everything was okay, that I was there and she stilled. I waited till she was asleep again before removing my arm, getting my phone out to see if Iroh had called. He wasn't the only one. I let Iroh know I was going to stay with Korra for a while before calling our supervisor.
"Hotchner," he answered.
"Did you need something?" I asked. "Because you have another computer specialist."
"How's Korra?"
"Why should I give you an update?" I asked. The only reason I tolerated him right now was because he seemed to make Korra happy. And I wouldn't stand in the way of that. She needed a little bit of happiness right now.
"I know what you've been through. I understand that you're angry," Hotch began. "But I hope that you understand that this is not about you or me. This is about Korra."
I took a deep breath. He was right. If there was something we both had in common it was to keep Korra safe from that pervert. And suddenly I was angry again. He had managed to ruin Korra's life for too long.
"She's asleep," I answered, my mind already moving on to other things, working a mile a minute to come up with a course of action. "I'll give you the details later, I don't want her to wake up."
"Thank you."
I hung up the phone, brushing loose strands of hair away from Korra's face.
The time had come that I kept my promise.
Tonraq's POV
I smiled as I watched Henry play on the blanket laid out on the floor. He was six months old and very active. Senna was happy to take care of him, remembering how Korra had been at that age. She was a rambunctious child, getting into everything, even my travel bag once. But as tiny as she had been she had understood things very well, knowing when she did something she wasn't suppose to. I could still remember rocking her in arms, her small frame against my chest as her bottom lip stuck out in a small pout...
The door to my daughter's room opened and she looked around before her attention went to me. These past few days had been hard on her. She didn't eat, didn't sleep, didn't talk... Wouldn't even allow our company at times. Asami had told us about what had almost happened, how she had found her with a gun between her hands and ever since we had been keeping a close watch on her. It hurt us to know she had been tempted to resort to that because of the pain that son of a bitch had caused her. If I ever saw him again...
"Where's Mom?" She asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Asami took her grocery shopping," I answered. "I stayed-"
"To babysit me." She wasn't happy about it, we knew that. But we couldn't lose her. We wouldn't lose her. And she understood our concern, at least.
"Korra..."
She shrugged, looking around. "Where's-" she began before looking down to see Henry had crawled up to her. "Hey, little man." She lifted him up, causing him to giggle. "How have you been?"
I couldn't help but smile as I watched her with the toddler, seeing what looked like the beginnings of a smile. It had been so long since I'd seen her smile. "Do you want something to eat?" I asked as I stood. "I can heat something up for you."
"Not hungry."
"Sweetie, please."
Korra sighed as she grabbed Henry's toy, playing with him. "I'll take an apple, but cut it into small pieces in case he wants some, please."
I nodded my head and did just that, taking her the plate of fruit to her room where she had relocated her and Henry to. She laid him on her lap, grabbing his arms and lifting him towards her, causing him to giggle. I chuckled, handing her the plate and she took a piece giving it to him before she took one for herself.
The rest of time she played with Henry and I watched, how she seemed to be having fun with the baby. Naga joined in soon after, licking his face completely before doing the same to Korra. It was the first time I had seen her relax, so I wasn't surprised that, after I was helped my wife and Asami with the bags, I found her sound asleep, Henry on her chest.
At least now she'd be getting some sleep.
Mako's POV
I knocked on Korra's bedroom door, feeling restless and anxious. It had been a little over a week since the club incident and since then she had refused to see me and ignored all my calls. I had backed off for a bit, giving her time to recover but now I couldn't help but worry. When Senna answered the door she had broken down in tears and told me what she had attempted just a few days go. If it hadn't been for Asami...
They had been keeping tabs on her ever since, but she seemed to be doing better.
She didn't answer when I knocked and I sighed. I hadn't really expected her to. What Unalaq had almost done... The fact he had been able to get to her in a public place...it had destroyed the little bit of happiness we'd had. The peace we had both been working to have for was gone. I took the plush in my arms and set it at the door as I knocked one more time. Still no answer. I made a move to leave but stopped, turning around to lean against the door frame.
"Korra?" I called. "It's me, Mako. I just...I'm worried. I know you probably don't want to see me or want me close but I-I Want you to know that I'm here for you."
Silence.
"Korra, please," I begged. "Talk to me. Tell me to leave I that's what you want, say anything." Still, nothing. "You said you didn't wan to run away from me anymore. Please don't shut me out."
"Mako, son," Tonraq whispered, placing a hand on my shoulder. "She needs time. A wound has opened that she has a hard time closing. Let her come to you."
There wasn't much else I could do.
Toph's POV
I took a deep breath as I watched everyone take a seat. These past few days had been filled with all sorts of news. First Agent Morgan had wanted to dig up a cold case, which I allowed at my daughter's request. Then it turned out that her and Hotchner were going out. What the hell was going on with my team? Half of them were together! Did they not remember the fraternization rule? But whatever, they were doing their jobs and the youngest team member didn't seem as uptight as before. At least her and Agent Hotchner knew how to act like professionals at work.
Earlier this week, both my daughters had decided to pay me a visit, seeing as it was Opal's birthday. I had reluctantly agreed for them to come to my home to have a little dinner for her. Damn kids never left me alone even as adults. I was going to serve myself another drink when my granddaughter took the bottle from me.
"No more, Grandma," she whispered in a pleading tone. "Please, no more."
I studied her for a moment, taking in her big green eyes and the way she looked prepared to keep the glass from my grasp, and yet her voice was soft. It was the Bei Fong in her. I could see it plain as day. With a heavy sigh, I nodded my head, putting the shot glass away and she hugged me. I sighed once more and returned the gesture semi-awkwardly. I knew my kids didn't like that I drank so much but they had never said a word to me, but my granddaughter had stepped forward, telling me to stop and I had to admire her courage.
It was my turn to stand and I took a deep breath. "My name is Toph Bei Fong, and I'm an alcoholic."
Korra's POV
I heard the apartment door shut and I bury my head deeper into the pillow on Asami's lap, as she rubbed gentle circles on my back as I cried. Mako had been trying to get a hold of me these past days but I hadn't responded. I couldn't sleep, I wasn't hungry...I just wanted to be left alone, but after the gun incident I was under the constant supervision of my parents or Asami, who came over at any available moment. I knew I wasn't being fair to Mako, that it wasn't his fault that thing almost raped me again. But I couldn't bring myself to talk to him, even though I missed him.
I wiped away my tears and let out a sigh as I thought about what was going to happen. I was going to break things off though that was far from what I wanted. He had brought so much happiness to my life since we'd been dating. Mako almost made me feel...normal and I loved that, but with what happened the other night...
"You're doing it already, aren't you?"
"Doing what?"
"Thinking about breaking up with him. Telling yourself it isn't going to work. That you have too many issues."
I turned to lie on my back, looking up at her. There was a look of understanding in her eyes, but at the same time a little bit of frustration. She wasn't happy about what I was thinking of doing.
"I do have issues," answered after a while, lowering my gaze. She had known me long enough to know that.
"Look, Korra," Asami began. "It's actually quite simple: either you want a relationship or you don't. And if you don't, accept the fact you might be alone forever."
"How do you an Iroh do it?" I finally asked. She wasn't damaged like I was but they were so different, and yet so similar, like Mako and I.
"It's hard," she admitted, brushing a strand away from my face. "It takes a lot of effort. But work is what makes it work."
"I guess this is the part when you tell me it's gonna be worth it."
"Look, I know you've been through a lot. But you need to ask yourself this: what are you really afraid of?"
I said nothing, my mind was spinning with all kinds of thoughts about what she said. I was scared of a lot of things when I was with him. I was afraid that he'd realize how damaged I really was and he'd leave me. I was scared of the comfort he gave me, of how much I lowered my defenses that had kept me alive while I lived with Unalaq. I was... I was just so scared.
"I need to go," my best friend said after a moment and I sat up so she could stand. "I'll come visit you tomorrow."
She was almost out the door when I called after her. "Wait!" I said as I put on a pair of sneakers. "Can you drop me off at Hotch's house. Please?"
She smiled and nodded her head, letting my parents know she was going to take me out for a bit and I'd be back later. The drive went too fast and soon enough she was parked in front of his home. I swallowed thickly and Asami gave my hand a squeeze before I got out and she drove off. I sighed. She wanted to make sure I wouldn't back out.
I knocked on the door and a few moments he answered the door looking surprised. "Korra. What are you-"
"Just listen to me, please," I said pleadingly. I was going to fix this, I had to. "I will do whatever it takes to be with you."
Mako blinked, his head tilting in curiosity.
"I am in love with you," I admitted. "And I'm scared that you're going to realize how screwed up I am and you won't want to be with me."
He shook his head, his hand reaching out to caress my cheek and I leaned in to the touch. "I'm not going to hurt you," Mako whispered as he pulled me toward him. I nodded my head, letting him wrap his arms around me before kissing the top of my head. "We're going to get through this, okay?"
I nodded against his chest before looking up at him. "Can I come in?" I asked.
He led me inside and I went over to the couch, sitting down, keeping a bit of distance between the two of us. I scooted closer and he took the hint, his arms wrapping around me. I sighed, liking the feeling of comfort that I'd missed. But at the same time there was a crippling fear and I could remember Him being this close, telling me that I would never be free of Him.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Hotch asked after a moment.
"I'm so scared right now," I finally whispered.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he reminded me.
I wrapped my arms around him, pressing my face into his shoulder as I started to cry again. No matter how much I had pushed him away he was still here, he hadn't rejected me like I thought and at some time hoped he would have. Asami was right. It was going to be hard, but I wanted it to work. I was going to make it work.
Hiroshi's POV
I smirked as someone sat down across the table from me, pretending to read my newspaper. This cafe had always been my favorite, to the point that I had bought it a long time ago. I had been craving a cup of black coffee, so I decided to stop by, pleased that it was just as good as I remembered. I continued to read the headlines, not at all surprised: SERIAL KILLER DOYLE BREAKS OUT. News traveled fast it seemed. Finally, after a moment, I folded the paper and set it aside, taking a sip of my coffee as I looked at the person I'd been waiting for. I'd known she'd come.
"I knew you were watching me."
"What's the expression?" I asked, pretending to think about it. "Keep your friends close, your enemies under surveillance?"
"...Hello, Dad..."
I smiled. "Hello, Asami."
"What do you want?"
"You," I answered with a shrug. "Not today. Don't worry about that. But soon."
"I've got a glock leveled at your chest," she replied, gesturing to the purse on the table. "What's to stop me from taking you out right now?"
I chuckled at that. Foolish girl. "You'd never make it back to your car and you know it. I thought I'd taught you never to make a threat you didn't actually plan on following through on," I answered simply, before leaning forward. "Tell me, does Iroh know the truth about you? Or is he too busy taking care of Henry with Rossi to care? Why aren't the great Bei Fongs here with you? Ah yes, they're too busy with their family. Here you are, all alone, while Mako sits at home with his son and Korra. That one does has quite the interesting history, doesn't she?"
Her jaw clenched. "Come near my team and I will end you." Ah. There was an actual threat.
"My quarrel is not with them," I assured. "How long that remains the case depends entirely on you. They're innocent. You are not. But I have to warn you that it doesn't include the youngest Agent. My partner still has unfinished business with her."
"He won't lay a hand on her."
"My associate's told me all about the trouble your little friend has caused him." Her eyes narrowed and I couldn't help but feel a wave of satisfaction. My daughter had always had a soft spot for the younger girl and her family. "Figures she would inherit her father's stubborn nature. Or did Unalaq instill that in her?"
"Shut up." Her hand was curled in to a fist on top of the table, her knuckles turning white.
"Actually it has nothing to do with the father. It has everything to do with the mother," I continued, taking another drink. "It's just like with dogs. If there's something wrong with the bitch then there's something wrong with the pup."
She stood abruptly, pulling out her gun. "Shut up!"
"Oh, I seem to have struck a nerve. You've always been so protective of those mutts. It's amazing what extremes you'll go to for them." I placed the empty mug down. "Even incarcerate your own father."
She didn't put the gun away, and luckily for her it was late at night and not many people passed through here. "I was doing my job."
I smiled and shook my head before standing. "I think you did a little more than that. You took everything from me. My wife, my life, and my freedom." I raised my hand and a car quickly pulled up to the curb, one of my body guards opening the door. So, I'm going to take the only thing that matters to you," I added as I turned to leave. "Your life."
Korra's POV
I smiled against Mako's lips as he kissed me. Spirits, I couldn't believe this. We had come back home after taking a trip to the observatory and we'd sat down on the couch to watch a movie but soon his lips had found mine and...I couldn't really complain. I took off my jacket, suddenly feeling hot before both my arms wrapped around his neck. I felt him place a hand against my waist.
My mind went back to the youth center. I was fifteen and Unalaq had managed to lock me inside his office. His hands were roaming my body as I tried fighting him off but he ripped my shirt, exposing my skin before tugging down my pants, placing a hand against my waist...
I practically ripped myself away from Mako, my breathing uneven as I tried to shake off the memory. He wasn't here. It wasn't him. It was Mako, my boyfriend. It wasn't Unalaq.
"Hey, are you okay?" Mako asked as I grabbed my jacket, making a move to stand. He gently grabbed my wrist.
"What's wrong? Did I do something?"
I shook my head. "It's not you, Mako," I whispered. "It's me. It's always going to be me."
I was about to leave when I heard his call my name and I stopped, hand on the doorknob. "We have an agreement," he reminded me.
I sighed, my hand gripping the cold metal before I turned around and walked back over to sit on the couch. After I made the decision to make things work with him, we both had come up with three basic rules to help our relationship: be patient, to not walk out when upset, and to say when something was bothering us. Sometimes I hated that agreement.
"Talk to me."
"I feel like you're profiling me," I muttered, crossing my arms.
Hotch's lips twitched at the comment. "You know that's not what I'm doing."
I sighed, knowing he was right. "Your hand," I finally answered with a long sigh. "It brought back bad memories. I'm sorry. It just happens."
"You don't need to apologize," he answered gently, holding my hand. "This isn't your fault."
"Then why do I keep doing this? Why is it that every time I want to be closer to you, I remember Him?" I shook my head. "Sometimes I think He's right. I'll never be able to be with someone."
"Korra relationships are more than just sex," he reasoned. "It's okay if you're not ready, yet. "
"But what if I'm never ready?" I asked with a sigh. " Mako...I know how relationships work, about what men-"
"Korra, not every man is like your uncle," he replied, cutting me off. "Not all men just want sex. Yes, the majority, that's all they're after. We've both been around enough creeps in our professional careers to know that. But...I genuinely care about you. And if you say you're not ready then..." Hotch shrugged. "...I'll wait."
He pulled me closer and I sighed, letting him wrap his arms around me. He was definitely keeping his patient part of the agreement. I smiled as he kissed my temple.
"I love you," I whispered, kissing his cheek. I did. No matter what I said or did, I was completely in love with him.
"I love you too," he answered with a kiss.
I smiled and looked up at him, meeting his amber gaze. "We've been dating for almost a year and I still don't get offered a drawer or something?" I teased.
Mako blinked. "You want to spend the night?"
I bit my lip. "Asami suggested sleeping over might help and I want to, uh, give it a shot. See how it goes."
I wasn't one hundred percent sure about doing this, but I wanted some form of normalcy. And maybe sleeping over would make things easier between the two of us, make transitions easier for us later on.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Mako asked, concern yet excitement in his eyes.
I nodded before giving him a kiss. "But no funny business," I joked.
He raised a brow, knowing that underneath my playfulness there was also seriousness. I laughed, nuzzling my head against his shoulder.
"Did you bring any pajamas?" I cursed under my breath. I knew I had forgotten something. He sighed, shaking his head. "Guess I'll lend you some of my clothes."
I nodded my head and he came back later with a grey shirt and some boxer shorts. I went into the bathroom and changed, coming out to see he had done the same and gone to see how Jack was doing. I lay down on the bed and he covered me up, giving my forehead a kiss before going to the other side of the bed and laying down, turning off the lights.
I took a deep breath. Here went nothing.
Mark Twain wrote "Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it."