DISCLAIMER: I don't own Legend of Korra or anything

CHAPTER 11

At the air temple, one of the airships was approaching. The hatch opened and the lieutenant led the army that will attack. The white lotus guards run in defense. Inside the temple grounds, Lin ordered Tenzin's family to hide inside and stay put. "ahhh!" Pema screamed. " pull it together, Pema! Didn't I just say to stay calm?" Lin said. " mommy, what's wrong?" Ikki asked. "The baby's coming." Pema said, still in pain from the imminent delivery. Lin was taken aback. Of all the time in the world, this isn't the right time to give birth. " oh no!" Jinorra said worried. " not now baby!" Meelo said clearly understood the situation they are in. The air acolytes escorted Pema inside. In front of the temple, the white lotus guards are ready in defense. They attacked the equalists coming. They threw fire, earth and water to stop them. Just then, another airship made a dock, in it is the lieutenant.

Lin waited patiently for the equalists. She will protect the air benders and make sure that the Amon won't get ahold of them. Lin heard their footsteps approaching. The lieutenant was leading. She is really pissed with that guy. Now is her time for revenge. After he electrocuted her and destroyed the arena. The lieutenant drew her electric batons. Lin used her metal cables to capture him, but the lieutenant docked, instead Lin capture two equalists and threw them. Lin used again her cable to throw two equalists coming at her. One of them tried to sneak at her back but failed. Lin sensed it right before the equalist could attack her. Lin's tough and sleepless night training with her mother is really paying off. " the children where are they?" Pema asked despite of pain from her labor. " Don't worry they're in the other room, totally safe." assured the air acolyte. Outside, Lin is still fighting. Now she used her metal cables to get a hold of the lieutenant. The lieutenant was well trained too. He used his batons as leverage and conducted the electricity to the metal cables to deliver enough volts to knock Lin down. Lin couldn't take the volts delivered throughout her body. she wasn't knocked down but enough to make her drop down off guard. " stay away form my daddy's ex-girlfriend!" Jinorra's voice distracted the lieutenant from delivering the final blow on Lin. Jinorra was on her air glider and she blasted wind enough to make the lieutenant sent flying. Jinorra was proud that she did that. Ex- girlfriend? How on earth did they know about that? Lin thought. " Jinorra, you should be out here!" Lin said, still regaining her strength. " get off our island!" Ikki said on her air scooter sending the equalists flying 10 feet in the air. " girls you need to get inside this instant!" Lin ordered them. Before the equalists regain their composures Meelo appeared out of nowhere doing the most unusual way of air bending that even his grandfather would give him his tattoos for that. " taste my fury!" Meelo shouted as he fart bended one of the equalists in the face. As soon as Lin heard Meelo, she shouted "Meelo, be careful!" Meelo didn't seem to hear her. Meelo continued to attack the equalists. Meelo delivered a big air blast on the equalists that his face was almost distorted from the force he is giving. " Never mind." Was all that Lin could say. " take these equalists and lock them all in the temple's basement." Lin ordered the white lotus guards. " nice work kids!" Just then Oogie growled announcing their arrival. The kids ran to welcome their father. " dad!" Lin was glad they came. For the first time, she painted a smile on her face.

Korra couldn't wait to land at the temple, as soon as they landed, they all jumped off Oogie instantly. " oh, thank goodness you're all right." Tenzin said hugging his children. Korra eyed on one person. She looked at Lin. Lin also looked at her. It's like they are having eye conversations. Lin crossed her arm in front of her with smile on her face. Korra was glad too. She was relieved when she saw Lin. She wanted to ran to her right now and plant a deep kiss on her but she also knew that doing it right now, with all that's going is no the right time. She thought that there would be a better time to tell their relationship to them. " we caught the bad guys." Meelo said as he climbed on Tenzin's head. " you let them fight? Do you realize what could've happen?" Tenzin was furious about Lin letting his children fight. " I would've have been toast if it weren't for them. You should be proud. You've taught them well," Lin said. Go on, be with your wife." Lin gestured them to go. All of them went to see how Pema was doing. " Thank you Asami, for you know… " Korra said before Asami could go. Asami turned back " hey, it's all I could do. It's nothing." " still…" Korra said. " hey we're friends, it's nothing. Go on, be with her." Asami pushed Korra close to Lin. " I'll be with them, don't you two be too long gone, or they will suspect." Asami said as she jogged inside, " oh and don't do something sexual like you did last night." Asami said as she laughed on her way inside.

Korra and Lin's eye widened with shock. After all the controlling of their voices, Asami heard it. They were so embarrassed to look at each other. Finally Korra said, " she… heard…" " Yes, I could see that Korra." Lin said as she turned to Korra. " Are you okay?" Lin asked her. " now, I am." Korra said as she pulled Lin in a deep kiss she's been longing for. Lin returned the kiss. " I think we should be going there, they might worry." Lin said. " yeah, I think so." Korra agreed as she wiped off her tears from her eyes. She took Lin's hand and led the way. Lin noticed that they were going the wrong way. " Korra, are you sure this is the way to where they are?" Lin asked. Korra held on to Lin's hand tightly. Lin noticed the way Korra hold her hand also the tears building in her eyes. Lin took the nearest room and pulled Korra inside. Lin closed the door behind them. " Korra, what's wrong?" Lin asked her as she traced Korra's face and pulled her hair behind her ear. Before Korra could speak, she burst in tears and hugged Lin so tight that she didn't want to let go. Lin hugged her back. None of them tried to speak. Minutes later Korra stopped crying. " do you feel better? What do you want?" Lin asked her. " I'm fine. It's just… when I saw the ships coming here, I thought…. Ahh! Even the thought of it makes me crazy." Korra said as she placed her hands on her head and lay down. Lin sat down beside her. She didn't say anything. Minutes passed then Lin spoke. " Korra, do you know why I gave you that bracelet? My mom told me that friendships are so strong that they can even transcend lifetimes. Even uncle Aang told me that. You know uncle Aang once told me that everything is connected. I didn't know the meaning of that until I met you. I became harsh to you at first because I thought you were just some teenager who is too proud of being an avatar. I was wrong. Remember the time when you saw the book for my mother? I made it. It was childish I know. But whenever I read it, it gives me strength to face a new day without her. I missed her so much. I was always alone. Even if Tenzin would invite me to dinners at the temple, I still feel alone. Not until you came. I gave you that bracelet because I want you to feel that I am with you even though I am not with you at all times. I never want you to be alone. I'm sorry if I can't say back the words you said before. I was afraid that you leave me when you realize that you made a mistake. I don't want to succumb into the feelings of emptiness I've felt before." Lin said. There was silence when Lin turned back; Korra surprised her with a kiss. Lin felt a tear run down her face. " If you think I made a mistake in loving you, then you would be the best mistake I ever did. I don't care what other people say. I love you and the thought of losing you will drive me crazy. Now that I know what you feel, I won't let you fall in to that pit of emptiness. Maybe it was a destiny that you would meet me. Like I have said before, you don't have to say it back right away. Don't pressure yourself over it. There will be time for it. I love you and that's all that matters." Korra said as she kissed Lin again. They were about to lie down when they heard a knock on the door. They stopped and Lin opened the door. It was Asami. " I told you that don't take too long. Now go there before you scream yourselves into orgasm." Asami said. " Asami, we're sorry you have to hear it, but please don't point it out too much." Korra said. " okay, but seriously get a hold of yourselves and go there now." Asami said as she walked away. " well, shall we go?" Lin said as she offered a hand to Korra. Korra took it but before Lin could help her up, Korra pulled Lin causing her to fall on top of Korra. " I don't want too. Let's stay here and have some…" before Korra could continue, Lin kissed her deeply. " No, and let's go." Lin said as she pulled them up. " Aww, Liiiiin, please." Korra pleaded with her cute polar bear dog eyes. " Let's go Korra." Lin said as she pulled Korra out of the room. " fine, you better make it up to me after all of these." Korra said as they both headed to were the gang are. " didn't I promise that we will have it after all of these?" Lin said as she opened the door. " you better be." Korra said as they all huddle up to where Pema is lying down with the baby.

Inside there was peace even with the war going on. It gave them hope. " I'm so sorry to interrupt but more airships are coming." Korra said. " everything's not gonna be fine right daddy?" Ikki said. Tenzin looked at his family. He was afraid that Ikki was right. He was afraid for the safety of his family. Outside, Bolin and Asami were waiting they knew that more airships are coming. They others went outside as well. " what do you wanna do Tenzin?" Korra asked. Tenzin cannot believe the decision he will make but it's for his family's safety. " I need to protect my family and get far away from this conflict as possible. If Amon got his hands on my children, I hate to even think of it." Tenzin said. No one argued with him even Lin. He was right. They were the only air benders left. Lin also made a decision that will put her life at risk. " if you are leaving, then I'm coming with you." Lin said. " but…" Tenzin didn't even finish his sentence. " no arguments. You and you're family are the last air benders there's no way in the world I'm letting Amon take your bending away." Lin said. Korra was surprised by her decision and wanted to say something but Lin was right, they are the last air benders and having Lin protecting them would give them a chance to get away from this war. " thank you Lin." Tenzin said then he turned to Korra. " Korra, I want you to leave this island and hide for the time being." "I'm not giving up." Korra said. " I'm not asking you to. I sent a word to the united forces they will be here soon and once my family is safe, I will return. With the reinforcements we could turn the tide in this war." Tenzin said. " what you're saying is… we need to be patient." Korra said with a sigh. She is never patient enough to wait. Tenzin placed a hand on her shoulders and said " you're learning well." Korra smiled from his acknowledgement. They went inside to help Tenzin and his family pack. Lin was with Pema and Rohan when Korra stepped in. " hey… uhh Lin, can I talk to you in private?" Korra said. Lin got up " I'll be back in a minute." Lin told Pema. " no, take your time." Pema said smiling. Lin was confused when Pema smiled. She wondered if she knew about her and Korra. Korra led Lin in a room. " hey, uhh listen…" Korra said as she scratched her head. " Spill it out Korra we don't have the time in the world." Lin said but without irritation. She find the shy look on Korra amusing and beautiful. " Please be careful out there. Please." Korra finally said. Lin closed the gap between them and cupped Korra's face. " I will. You be careful too. I will come back to you. I promise." Lin said then she placed a kiss on her lips. " okay, come back to me. I'll be waiting. I'll beat Amon's ass and put an end to this war." Korra said as she kissed Lin too. " come on, let's go." Lin said as they both walked out of the room.

Korra hugged Tenzin. " stay safe Korra." Tenzin said " you too." " Tenzin if we're leaving we better do it now." Lin said hating to interrupt. Tenzin climbed on. Korra eyed on Lin and mouthed; I love you, stay safe. Lin understood her. She wanted so much to say it back to her but fear crept in too her first, instead she mouthed; I will. Stay safe too. " Oogie, yip yip." Tenzin said. Then they took off. Two airships followed them leaving, one made dock on the island. " go we'll hold them off." Said one of the lotus guards. The team avatar hopped on Naga's back and ran away. The lotus guards were fighting the equalist and they seem to be outnumbered. While running away the lieutenant managed to come out of nowhere and tried to attack the team avatar. " moustache guy!" Bolin called out. Then Naga jumped and swatted him like a bug. " nice one naga!" Korra complimented her. Then they headed to the water. Korra bended the water to keep them breathing under.

" they're gaining on us!" Lin called out to Tenzin. " faster Oogie" Tenzin commanded his bison. Then a rope shot from the air ship. In attempt to capture them, Lin swatted it with her metal cables then she hooked one on it. She stood up and looked at the air bender family. They looked terrified and they understood what Lin is about to do. She wanted to stay with them but if it means to leave them to make sure they are safe she will. " what ever happens to me, don't turn back." Tenzin heard her and shouted " Lin what are you doing?" before Lin could stop she ran towards the ship. She reeled herself in. As she landed on the airship she got into her horse stance. She thought about the first time she saw her mother's face. The first time she saw Aang's, Katara's, Zuko's, Sokka's, Suki's and Iroh's face. The first time she felt earth beneath her feet. The first time she bended the earth. The time she had feelings for Tenzin. The time when he left her, the time her mother died, the time she became the chief of police. " so it's true then, when you feel that death is hovering over you, you see your whole life flashing. But it's not complete. The time when I first met Korra. I wished I gathered up the courage to tell her that; I love her. I love you Korra. Now I don't know what will happen next. I don't even know if you would ever know. I wished I had told you sooner. I love you. She got into her horse stance. She closed her eyes. She felt her mother with her. You've done enough but be sure that you will live. She deserves to know what you truly feel. Let her be your strength to survive this through. Don't ever think you are nothing. You are my daughter and I am so proud of you. I love you, Lin Bei Fong. She felt the metal. She stomped her feet and ripped the metal beneath her. She remembered her mother's story that she once took down an airship before with Suki and Sokka. She successfully stopped the air ship. Now she used a part of the air ship to help her jump to the other one. She landed on the other air ship. She ripped it open but she was caught and electrocuted. She knew it was the end. Before she got unconscious she believed that the air bender family made it safe now that they caught her. " hey look, it's Bei Fong." said one of the equalists. " yeah, think she so tough huh, she's not even a quarter of her mother. She's a failure." " come on, let's take her to Amon, she probably knows where the avatar is." the equalists dragged her inside the ship. The ship turned around. The family saw the whole thing and was worried. " that lady is my hero" Meelo said. " yes she is." Tenzin said.

Korra was staring back at the air temple. They got away. " Korra we should get moving." Mako said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Korra followed. She looked at Asami, she knew that she was pissed off by Mako's action. Korra removed Mako's arm around her. " what's the matter?" Mako asked as he tried to place his arm back at her shoulder. " nothing, but please give me some air to breathe." Korra said nicely and went on. Mako being shallow didn't get what she mean. He asked Asami beside him. " what did I do?" " I don't know." Asami said. " will you talk to her? please? I don't know what to do." Mako said. " no I won't didn't you hear what she just said? She wants space. You're smothering her." Asami said. She was irritated and wanted to punch him. She paced up and caught up to Korra. " hey Bo, is there something wrong with Asami? She treating me real bad." Mako said. " hey I don't know okay." Bolin said. " Korra, are you okay?" Asami asked. " yeah I'm fine. Sorry about that, I didn't mean to.." Korra said. " hey not you're fault. You need space. I know you're worried." Asami said. " Thanks."

" Tell we where the avatar is and I'll let you keep your bending." Amon said. " I won't tell you anything, you monster." Lin said hardly. " very well." Amon walked behind her. Lin knew that this is the time her bending will be taken. The connection to her mother, gone. She wanted to run away and hide but there's nothing she can do. She bravely accepted the fact and closed her eyes as she waited Amon to put his hand on her fore head. The moment Amon placed his thumb on her fore head it's gone. Her bending was gone. She tried to think about the happy moments she had. The moments she was with Korra. But it didn't work. The hardship she'd been through to climb out of the pit of emptiness. The hard work of putting soil in it and patching it all crumbled in a second. She felt the emptiness again. She fell on the ground an was unconscious. " take her to the basement! I have other plans for her." Amon said. " what are your plans?" the lieutenant asked. " she will be an example to the citizens that even the famous Bei Fong would fall. You may beat her to death in front of them. I will give you that privilege. For now lock her." Amon said. " My pleasure." The equalists dragged her to the basement. Lin regained consciousness. The lieutenant was looking at her. Lin tried to get up but the weight of her uniform is keeping her. The lieutenant laughed and kicked her in the gut. Lin didn't screamed in pain, instead she accepted the kicks and punches the lieutenant was giving her. " being tough eh? Without your bending, you are nothing. You're a failure." the lieutenant said. Lin clutched her stomach from pain as she tried to get up. She won't be treated like this. She is a Bei Fong and no one fucks with her. " trying to get up? Well you won't!" one equalist said as he delivered a punch to her gut. They laughed at her. " why don't you just kill me? You already took my bending! What could you possibly want more from me?" Lin said as she spit blood. " we have better plans for you, Bei Fong. Don't get too excited." the lieutenant said as he played with his knife. " well let's see how long will you last with a wound eh?" Lin's eye widened. She tried to dodge the knife coming at her but she wasn't in good shape. Before she could defend herself the lieutenant caught her and stabbed her at the left side of her abdomen. Lin yelled in pain as she tried to put pressure on the wound. "hahahahaha! Think you're so tough." the lieutenant said as they went out and left her alone. They all went back to republic city. Lin was left alone. She tried to calm herself but she knew she is losing a lot of blood. She knew that this is the end. She felt sleepy then she closed her eyes. Don't you dare to die Lin. Don't you dare.

Mother? Huh, I'm sorry I can't. I failed once again

No you didn't wake up. Don't you close your eyes. She needs you.

What?

WAKE UP LITTLE BADGERMOLE!

" Lin? Come on, Lin, wake up… please wake up… Lin, wake up!" Korra said as she shook Lin. Tears were running down her face. Korra's hand was on her wound trying to keep the pressure. Lin's head was rested on Korra's lap. Lin opened her eyes and was surprised in what she saw. " Korra? Korrra? Why are you…?" Lin said weakly. " shh.. don't speak. Just stay with me. stay with me, I got you." Korra said. " Korra, I…"

" Shh… it's okay now."

" Korra, I… I…"

" what? It's okay stay with me now."

"Korra, listen. I… Iove…"

" what?"

" I said, I.. love... you"

" heh.. you do? I love you too. Come on, stay with me."

" I love you… and I will stay with you. Forever."