I stirred awake in my bed, disappointed by the end of my marvellous dream concerning the object of my affections, a certain adorable avatar. Dreams about Korra weren't a new occurrence by any means, but this one was different in that it was less... lustful I suppose was the right word, but no less beautiful.

As I pulled back my covers and stretched out my stiff sleepy muscles I smiled at the recollection of my dream, a smile that faded a bit when I remembered my little realisation last night.

It didn't matter, I decided months ago that I wasn't going to try anything and risk making the life of my favourite avatar any more complicated than it already was, but should I change that policy with my little epiphany late night?

No, I couldn't bear the thought of accidently making her suffer, indirectly or otherwise; besides it wasn't as if she'd ever feel the same way.

Besides I could still be good friends with her, even if I couldn't hold in my arms and whisper how much I care for her in her ear as she slept- okay stop thinking about the dream; I need to keep focused, can't have breakfast with Korra if I go all dreamy eyed at the sight of her. Luckily I'd had plenty of practise at hiding my real feelings about people.

Pulling on a light robe to protect my modesty, I left my own to room to knock on the door across the hall to wake Korra. After knocking as loudly as I could several times, and distinctively remembering my brief stay on air temple island, along with Korra's claim that 'the morning is evil', she was probably refusing to get up. I was about to just walk in and jostle the sleeping avatar awake when I was greeted by a certain surprised maid.

"Asami! You're awake." Arika's wide eye's implied that she was embarrassed about failing to wake me up, it was one of her duties as my maid, but not one I was willing to make a fuss about; though she was supposed to stay formal when there were guests in the house.

"Don't worry, no big deal and I was just about to wake Korra up myself, my Otome." I put a bit emphasis on Arika's formal title as my 'Otome' to subtly remind her of her proper manners whilst the house had visitors and was about to open the door before she stopped me.

"That's the thing Asami, I found this note in the foyer." I was confused at why this would stop me from waking Korra, until I read it.

Asami,

Sorry I couldn't stay for breakfast but I really needed to

be at airbending training this morning, talk to you soon

Korra.

And in an instant I felt crushed, I shouldn't have really, it wasn't as though Korra had stood me up for a date or something, even if it did feel that way. I guess that I must have been giving off some signals to this as I felt Arika trap me in one of her affectionate hugs, which could brighten even the dullest mood and had indeed produced a smile from the compassion and sympathy of the simple act; which I couldn't help but reciprocate.

"I'm sorry Asami, I know how you feel about her-" I swear between her and Lin...

"Arika."

"Asami." I cut her off and felt her stiffen in my arms, feeling instantly guilty at rejecting a friend's offered sympathy and soften myself.

"Please, don't." the brief tension left my friend's body as she understood the unexplained request, I simply didn't want to drag out painful feelings.

"Alright, so breakfast?" she pulled back with a bright and cheerful smile, I couldn't help but laugh as we untangled ourselves, it was amazing how quickly Arika's perky disposition could change the atmosphere.

"Sure, I'll take it in my office; I'm fine, don't worry so much." my maid's expession darkened at my request, it'd meant I'd be working through breakfast; not exactly good for one's health. "I'm just going to take a quick shower and I'll be down in about twenty minutes."

"Alright! I'll have an awesome breakfast ready in no time!" I liked it when Arika got enthused, her cheerful attitude could be pretty damn infectious as evidenced by my growing smile as I watched her race off towards the kitchen; nothing could really keep her down.

After taking a quick shower, enjoying the searing heat of the water as it cascaded over my skin, easing the tension, I got dressed in some casual clothes before heading down to my office. I didn't have any conferences today but I still had to look over some work orders, shipping manifests and delivery schedules for the new contracts with the United Forces. I wasn't altogether happy with having to resort to military contracts to keep the company afloat, but as they say 'Beggars can't be Choosers'.

Even if I did have to call in that favour.

I was just sitting down at my desk when Arika came through the door with a clattering tray full of breakfast food and a steaming pot of tea.

"Thank you Arika." After setting down the tray and giving the expected bow of respect she left to attend to her other duties around the estate.

I started to read the latest reports from the factories manufacturing the new planes, my father may have been unwise is his associations but he was still a brilliant inventor and engineer, not reverse engineering and adapting his designs would just be foolish.

And so the day dragged on, a succession of reports, invoices and letters with the odd phone call to important people I'd have to have meetings with for the company's sake. I was glad to see a letter from one of my dear friends, so good of the commander to find time in such a busy schedule. I'd have tell Arika, after all the three of us had bonded quite a bit during that incident in the desert.

As the morning came to an end with the clock hitting noon I smiled looking forward to a nice lunch before my afternoon workout. I had to stretch a bit after getting out of my chair, whilst I had completed the majority of my paperwork and didn't have any major appointments today, I was still hoping to get a little tinkering done in the workshop this evening. That place had brought back painful memories for a time, but I'd moved on and now made good use of it. I was really hoping to work on the new engine design I'd been playing with.

After a delicious lunch from Arika, that girl really knew her noodles, I got another chunk of paperwork out of the way before heading to the pool to swim some lengths. It really was one of the best ways to keep in shape. Arika was waiting my the pool's side with a towel as I finished up, somewhat out of breath from the exercise as I climbed out of the pool dripping water fell off my body as took the towel from Arika, thanking her and using it to dry my hair.

I dried off, got changed out of my swimsuit and went back to my office to try and finish off the last of the day's paperwork. Just a number of delivery orders to sign off on.

Finally done with all the work for the day, I decided to head out back to the workshop to tinker with the new design.

Several hours later I'd made no progress, I guess it might've had something to do with my thoughts constantly straying to a certain blue eyed water tribe girl. Eventually I admitted defeat and decided to head back to the main house for a late dinner before heading to bed. As I entered the house I was greeted by my perky beyond belief maid.

"Asami, do you want something to eat now?" Arika asked politely, I had turned down an offer of food earlier as I tried to focus my thoughts on the new engine, as opposed to Korra.

"Yes please Arika, that would be great, I just need to wash up quick." and with that I went off to the restroom to wash all the machine oil off my hands, unfortunately the water brought my thoughts back to a certain waterbender. I just couldn't catch a break. I just had to remind myself that she'd never feel the same way, that she'll never feel about me the way I feel about her, that I'll probably have to sit by and watch her meet someone new, get married, settle down and have kids.

And I'll have to watch.

The silence was broken when I heard a small ping as I let out a shuddering breath, tears hitting the surface of the water in the sink. Damn it! I had to pull myself together. I shook my head and grabbed a tissue to blow my nose, as I straighten myself up. I'd accepted that there'd never be anything between me and Korra a long time ago and that I'd have to watch her be with someone else, so why did it hurt so much now? Because of my little epiphany last night? I really couldn't catch a break. I laughed at how pathetic my situation was.

All I could really do was brush myself off and go have dinner, get on with things and endure. After dinner I gave a short goodnight to Arika with a yawn and headed up to my room to get ready for bed. One change of clothes, shower and hair brush later, I got into bed and tried to get to sleep; with little luck. I couldn't help but keep thinking about this painful situation I was stuck in, in love with someone who would never be able to love me back, who was still one of my best friends and whom I would get to watch have a wonderful life with someone else; with the vow that I would never tell her for fear of causing her pain.

So really my only option was to suffer in silence, for her sake, and who knows, maybe I'll get better eventually, maybe I'll stop feeling this way and move on.

I was lying to myself and I knew it, but I needed to in order to endure and not cry myself to sleep.

AN: Sorry once again for the long wait for this chapter, which I admit is mostly filler, which I defend myself by saying that I'd written myself into a connor and was stuck trying to figure out a way to make shipping manifests interesting, not an easy task. Still I have one final chapter planned out that'll bring this story to a close, plus a little something extra before I start putting together the prequel proper.

As always please review and fuel the writing process.