"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for." – Anonymous

Senna's POV

I smiled as I rubbed my daughter's stomach, feeling my grandchild kick. A couple of months ago she had told us she was having a girl and my husband and I couldn't be happier. I could see the happiness in both her and her husband's eyes but I also saw something else: worry. The last couple of years had been good to my little girl. She had been married and happy but as a child she'd suffered so much.

I knew she was worried that her little girl would be exposed to someone like Unalaq but I had managed to calm her and remind her that the circumstances were different than they were now. I could still see hints of worry but for the most part she was excited to be meeting her baby soon, any day now in fact, which is why she was no longer going to the office.

"Echo's been kicking like crazy today," she said, wincing slightly.

I smiled. "That's a good sign. Means they're doing just fine."

"I know." She paused looking up at me. "Mom? Do you think...do you think I can do this?"

I hummed thoughtfully tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I asked myself the same question a lot when I was pregnant with you. I worried over whether or not Tonraq and I would be able to teach you right from wrong, if we'd somehow mess you up," I answered. "We were a young couple, newly married and unsure. But, a few months in, we decided that we just wanted you to be happy and healthy."

Korra smiled her arms wrapping tightly around me and I returned the embrace.

"And I guess we got our wish. We have a beautiful, strong, compassionate baby girl."

"I'm not really a baby anymore," she answered rubbing her belly. "In fact, I'm having my own."

"You'll always be our baby girl."

She grinned at that and leaned back against the couch. "Mako and I, we were discussing baby names."

"Oh?" Since they'd found out the sex of the baby they had been bickering about names. Perhaps they had finally come to an agreement.

She nodded. "Yeah. And we actually liked the name Rebecca."

"It's a good name."

"And then we got to talking about the middle name," she continued. "I think that was easier to decide for me than the first."

I titled my head to the side curiously. "And what did you decide?"

Her smile widened. "We decided that we wanted our daughter's name to be Rebecca Senna Hotchner."

I swallowed thickly. "...Rebecca...Senna...?"

Her hand covered mine. "Mom?"

"You...you named... But...why..."

"Because you are the most important person in my life," Korra answered without hesitation. "You are strong and full of love. And I want my daughter to have that."

I wrapped my arms around her tightly, blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. I couldn't even describe the happiness I felt. She chuckled and I did the same. Spirits, I couldn't wait to meet my grandchild.

Mako's POV

I checked my phone as I waited for everyone to sit down. The doctor had told us Korra would be going into labor any day now and despite having gone through this once before I was still nervous. Soon I would be meeting my little girl but I knew how painful and disorienting labor could be and I didn't and wouldn't let my wife go through it alone. Her father had told me he'd bring her during his break so that I could see her and that made me relax. Finally Asami came inside with her laptop and we could finally begin.

"Ten year old Sammy Sparks showed up at Republic City Elementary covered in blood," I began. "When the police got to his house they found that his parents Mark and Allison were missing."

"Forensics confirm that one of them has been injured," Iroh added. "And by the looks of it, severely."

"Has there been any demand for ransom?" Rossi asked. I shook my head. "Then why call the BAU?"

"They're hoping we can get through to Sammy."

Howl furrowed her brow. "No one has talked to the witness yet?"

I took a deep breath. "Sammy is autistic," I revealed. "Telling us what happened is not going to be easy for him."

They nodded their heads and I led them over to Lin's office where the ten year old sat. He fidgeted when he saw us come inside and I decided to ask Iroh and Howl to go check out the crime scene before asking Rossi to talk to the school principle and see if he could tell us anything. I shared a look with Asami and she nodded her head sitting on the couch but keeping some distance between her and the boy. She tried placing a hand on his shoulder but he let out a scream and I asked her to back off a little.

This was going to be a lot harder than I thought.

Korra's POV

I frowned as I watched Mako lean against the door frame watching as a little boy drew. Dad had brought me over but my husband was at the office so I'd admit I was happy to be there.

Today I hadn't received a call regarding the current case and I was more than curious. I may be pregnant but my brain worked fine.

I made my way over to him, giving his cheek a kiss and he turned to look at me, smiling and doing the same, placing a hand on my large bump. I chuckled and asked about the child. He sighed but filled me in and I went inside, slowly approaching him.

"Shouldn't you be at home?" Lin asked, sparing me a glance as she worked on paperwork.

"Well since you guys can't work without me I thought I'd help," I answered sitting next to the boy, watching him as he drew what looked like an 'L.' "Hey, Sammy, my name is Korra." I paused. "What are you drawing?"

"That's all he's been drawing," Mako said as he came inside. "Is he trying to tell us something?"

I tilted my head as I studied the picture, coming up with nothing. "Sammy, we're trying to find your mom and dad." He didn't say anything. "Did 'L' take them?"

Sammy stopped writing and lifted up the crayon, drawing the letter in the air, over and over again. I looked up at Hotch and he nodded leaving the room to go to Asami or Iroh's office. Could that be what he was trying to tell us? Or was it something else?

Zuko's POV

I took a deep breath as I got off the phone with Iroh. Based on the examination of the scene it seemed that there was a possibility Sammy's parents knew their abductor. There was no sign of forced entry and whoever it was that took them had to know their routine. Hotch called me to let me know Korra was trying to get through to the boy while I waited for the principle to talk to me. The police department which were working with us wanted to ask her a few questions so I patiently waited outside. Finally she came out and I stood, shaking her hand and identifying myself.

"We don't really have special resources to accommodate children like Sammy," she began when I asked about him. "So he's in class with everyone else."

"Can he comprehend the material?" I asked. Would he be able to understand our questions?

"Not everything. We've done everything we can, looking up alternative teaching methods but there's only so much we can do."

"Is there a specific learning method that you've noticed that works with Sammy?"

She hummed thoughtfully. "Repetition and routine," she finally answered. "His parents kept him on a strict schedule."

"That's how Sammy got here without them. He knew what time to come to school." I thanked her for her time and left, pulling out my cellphone. "Hotch, I just talked to the school principle and she said he was under a strict schedule, my guess our unsub knew that as well."

He asked me to come back to headquarters and I answered I was on my way. Who would do this to Sammy's family?

Asami's POV

I sighed and shook my head as I watched Korra try to play with Sammy. Hotch had asked that I try to see if they had any friends or relatives that had financial strain that would lead them to abduct the Sparks but so far I was coming up blank. Earlier I'd frozen their accounts but the mother , Allison, had managed to make a withdrawal. I tried to see if there were any cameras but we were out of luck. At least we knew she was still alive.

"Anything on the letter 'L?'" Hotch asked.

I sighed an shook my head. "Nothing. I even ran the number fifty in case Sammy had a thing for Roman numerals."

"What about next of kin?"

"The only known relative is Mark's sister, Elizabeth Sparks," I answered. "She lives in the Earth Kingdom and is on her way."

"The 'L' can stand for Liz, or Lizzie."

"Maybe."

"Is there a piano or do you know if Sammy plays an instrument?" Korra asked walking towards us.

"There was a piano at his house," Howl answered. "Why?"

"I think we could get more out of him if he were there."

"You want to take Sammy to the place where his dad was shot," I answered raising a brow. "Not to mention you're pregnant."

"I can help. And you'll all be there." She looked up at Hotch. "Please?"

He sighed and reluctantly nodded his head. I glared at him and he shrugged. "What?"

"She's almost due!"

"She's the only one that's been able to get through to Sammy," Hotch answered. "This may be the only chance Mark has."

I sighed and put away the laptop. No way I was going to let them go alone.

Mako's POV

I watched as both Sammy and my wife sat down in front of the piano. The boy's aunt had arrived earlier and we had her alibi checked just in case she was the 'L' Sammy kept writing. He had started to draw other things but we hadn't figured out what they were yet. Elizabeth met us at the house and she admitted that she hadn't seen her nephew in five years. She and Mark had argued and they hadn't spoken to each other since. I informed her that she was the ten year old's guardian for now and filled her in on the situation.

Korra placed a hand over the key board, playing a few keys and Sammy copied. I blinked. Was she getting through to him?

"Whoa, you've been holding out on me, Sammy," she commented with a chuckle.

"I didn't know you could play," I noted.

"I can't, I never have before," my wife admitted. "But it's essentially all math." I sighed, of course. She focused on the boy again. "Sammy how about you play this note for yes, and this one for no."

My wife played different notes and waited. Asami tilted her head curiously when he hit the 'yes' key as did his aunt and I. He understood.

"Do you remember the man that took your parents?"

He hit the key again several times. He did understand. Sammy then started to okay a song and we watched, waiting to see what would happen next.

"Sammy does this song mean something to you?" my wife asked.

He stopped playing and I thought maybe we wouldn't get anything else out of him when he reached out and placed a hand over Korra's, pressing her fingers against keys. When he showed her the beginning of the tune he started to play again and my wife followed suit.

After a movement he stopped playing and went upstairs. We followed him and he trapped what looked like a flip book, handing it to my wife. She frowned and looked through it before I saw her eyes light up.

"Sammy sees his life in pictures," she said pulling out the drawings. "The circles, it's my belly how he sees it and this is the pattern on your show."

"So what does 'L' mean," I asked.

"It's not an L." She looked over at the boy showing him her watch. "Sammy, it's almost three o'clock, where are you supposed to be."

He looked at the watch, making an 'L' and I couldn't help but smile. That's what he was trying to tell us! He was trying to tell us he had seen whoever took his parents at that time!

"Supposed to be in store," he managed before turning to leave again.

We had just reached the bottom when Korra let out a small hiss between her teeth, her hand going to her stomach. Her eyes widened and I saw liquid run between her legs. She was going into labor.

I asked Asami to stay with Sammy and his aunt, continue the investigation while I took my wife to the hospital. I could see she wasn't happy but did as she was told as I took Korra to the car and called my in laws.

I was finally going to meet my little girl.

Korra's POV

I tried to take a deep breath as pain racked my body. I was well aware that I was more than likely cutting off the circulation in Mako's hand but I just couldn't loosen my grip. He managed to wipe away the sweat from my forehead, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple as he asked me to push again. I clenched my jaw, barely able to silence myself as I pushed again. I took shallow breaths, the tubes under my nose not helping for once.

Just one more push, I heard the doctor say. Just one more. I gripped my husband's hand tighter, if that was even possible, and pushed one last time. A wail broke through the air and I finally allowed myself to slump against the bed, trying to regulate my breathing.

The nurse came to my side, shifting the wailing baby in her arms so I could see her. I managed a smile, letting go of Mako's hand so I could touch my baby. Spirits, she was beautiful.

They told they had to clean her up and then I could see her again, and that I should rest. The last thing I remember was my husband kissing my cheek before my eyes closed.

When I woke up again my entire body ached, and I wasn't sure at first where I was. But then I registered the sterile smell and the white walls. Hospital. And then I remembered. And I immediately jolted up, only to wince when I moved my abdomen suddenly.

My baby.

"Hey."

I looked over and saw Mako standing by the station on the other side of the room.

"We've been waiting for you to wake up," he revealed with this wide smile on his face as he reached down to grab our daughter and carefully cradled her in his arms.

There she was.

Gently, Mako shifted the small bundle of pink cloth into my arms, and I watched as she pursed her lips in sleep, making these odd grunts every once in a while. Now that I was more awake, more coherent, I could see she had my dark chestnut hair slicked against her pale skin.

She was absolutely perfect. So tiny. Still pink. But stunningly perfect.

"She's beautiful," I said, kissing her little forehead softly.

The door opened and my parents, along with the rest of the team came in. Mom and Dad started to gush over my daughter, saying how much she looked like me, aside from her skin color. My best friend also stepped closer, managing a smile which I returned.

I looked down at my baby, my little girl. Jack came closer to the bed and I grinned at him, asking my husband to help him up on the bed so he could look at his little sister better. My stepson smiled and I chuckled looking up at Mako. He grinned at me before giving me a chaste kiss, cooing at our daughter.

Our little Becca.

Asami's POV

The bundle in Korra's arms was truly precious. Aside from Henry, she was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. My best friend and Hotch were completely in love with their daughter. I lowered the blanket to see her a little better. Her skin was a porcelain color but her little patch of hair matched Korra's.

I watched as our supervisor leaned down to share a kiss with her and I looked away before walking out the door. Iroh followed me out and I told him I wanted to buy the baby something and pick up Henry from Lin's house. Opal had offered to take care of him today since she didn't have school.

The kill that night had been more bloody than usual.

I knew I was losing control, my kills more frequent. I kept telling myself that the world was better off without them, that they deserved to die but I knew better. The police and media were starting to see the pattern and I'd seen Saikhan talk to Lin just a week ago. Korra was cleared, seeing as she was always with her baby.

Becca was already a month old and it was amazing how much my best friend had changed in such a short time. The adoration in her eyes was like nothing I had ever seen.I took any opportunity to hold the newest addition, cooing adoringly. She was such a beautiful thing. Korra had mentioned offhandedly once that the color of her skin almost matched mine.

I was out the door soon after.

I'd been coming to grips for the last few months...maybe longer. I loved her. I was..in love with my best friend. It made no sense. We were both married but... I couldn't help it. It was like this virus with no cure. And...I wasn't even sure if I wanted one.

I took a deep breath, walking inside the old abandoned warehouse and passed the two bodyguards posted outside the room. My father looked up from his newspaper, managing a grin and I crossed my arms, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.

"You wanted to see me?" Why did I do this? Why did I keep meeting with this man I wanted nothing to do with? Had I really sunk so low?

"I heard the new Mrs. Hotchner finally delivered a baby girl," my father began casually. "What's her name again? Betty, Samantha-" He paused pretending to think about it, his golden eyes gleaming behind his spectacles. "Ah yes, Rebecca Senna Hotchner. I'd think that after everything you've done she'd at least name the little bastard after you."

"Becca isn't a bastard," I answered, fighting the urge to react anymore than that. "So watch your tongue when referring to her or Korra."

"Coming to the defense of your lover, are you?" I said nothing as I shifted uncomfortably once more. My father's grin sharpened wickedly as he sat up slightly. "So, you finally figured out your feelings for that pest."

"Don't call her that." The way I said it brought a chill down my spine.

"Ah. There it is." He seemed so amused and I tried to think of how he could've figured it out before I had. "I wonder what your husband would think about your little infatuation. Assuming he hasn't already figured it out."

My eyes narrowed. I loved Iroh. I really did. I just... He... I... "You-"

"What do you think she's doing right now? You think her and Mako are in their home, in their bed-"

My fist slammed on the table, teeth grinding. He was taunting me, and succeeding in getting a reaction. I was playing right into his hands, but he wasn't playing fair. Not that he ever did.

"He stole her from you, didn't he?" my father continued, watching me, unconcerned but deeply satisfied. "But of course, she didn't really need that much prompting. The little slut couldn't -"

I didn't register the movement but the next thing I knew I was reaching over the desk, my hands fisting the collar of his shirt. He'd lost a lot of weight in prison, and had managed to keep it off. He was old, almost frail looking. I was certain I could snap him like a twig if I gripped hard enough. "Shut. Up. Don't you dare call her that."

He chuckled, seemingly unperturbed, and it was moments like that when I recalled that he was still one of the most wanted men in the nations, and could easily kill me just as I could him. "What are you going to do, Asami? Kill your own father? What would Korra say?" I didn't reply, letting him go.

I shook my head, backing away and letting him fall back in his chair, unperturbed. "You're spiraling, darling."

And I was terrified.

"The scariest monsters are the ones that lurk within our souls."- Edgar Allen Poe