Title: Hard Labor

Rating: M

Fandom: Legend of Korra

Character Paring: AmonxKorra, former MakoxKorra, MakoxAsami

Author's Notes:

Spring break has begun and I shall be working hard to write as much as I can over the next couple weeks. Stay awesome everyone!

Groaning softly Korra awoke suddenly aware that she wasn't in a familiar bed. The warm pelts around her, the light coming in from the window as she sat up with a start. Breathing heavily she looked around and sighed softly, her hand moving to her chest as a sign of relief. She remembered her plan working perfectly, escaping from the equalists, and talking to Tenzin, Pema, and Katara soon after she arrived in Republic City on Naga. She looked around and rubbed her hands against the pelts, allowing her body and mind to comprehend she was home.

Sighing softly she looked around the room, her eyes not focusing on specifics, processing what to do next. She didn't know if she should get up, if she should rest, if she should tell Tenzin, Katara, and Pema about what happened to her. She didn't know if she should tell them about Amon and their relationship.

Korra was still looking about in a daze when there was a small knock on her door, going unanswered for a moment Pema walked in with a small smile on her face, "Oh you are awake," said softly, concern showing in the older woman's eyes.

Korra smiled weakly at her and nodded, "Yea... I'm sorry I didn't get up at the morning bell." She rubbed her hands together, the sensation giving her a small sense of comfort. She watched as Pema nodded and rested the tray in her hands on Korra's lap. Korra looked down at the small breakfast with a raised brow, "Pema.. I don't need to have breakfast in bed. I can get up and go down to the dining room."

Pema looked down at the young woman and shook her head, "Korra.. Katara said you should probably stay in bed a few days, rest, and then she will see if you have become stronger. She doesn't want you getting hurt."

Korra nodded and rested her back against the headboard, annoyed at Katara's worries but also relieved. Breathing deeply she inspected the food and discovered a small bowl of oatmeal, some basic fruits as well as tea and an herbal drink. Korra looked up at Pema with a raised brow, "I'm not an infant, why are these so plain? I'm not sick… am I?"

Pema shook her head and laughed nervously, "No no…Katara just said to give you a basic breakfast. She will be up here soon with Tenzin to talk about what happened to you."

Korra nodded and groaned as she ate the plain meal quickly, her hunger returning to her as she sat there. Pema smiled as the girl ate and turned to the door, "Just yell if you need anything Korra I'm just downstairs in the kitchen."

Korra nodded enthusiastically as she continued to eat. Drinking Katara's herbs she downed it quickly, the tangy taste causing her to sit back and wonder for a moment. A small knock sounded on the door as she finished most of her breakfast, "come in!" she hollered.

The door slid open gently as Katara's weathered face appeared behind it. Smiling at the young Avatar Katara walked in, "Hello Korra, how are you feeling?" she asked kindly.

Korra shrugged and smiled at the woman who helped raise her, "I'm fine Katara, it is so good to see you."

Katara nodded and hugged the young woman gently before sitting in one of the chairs next to the bed. She leaned back, getting comfortable, and then looked at Korra seriously, "Were you harmed physically while captured by the equalists?"

Korra looked at her shocked and shook her head softly, "No… I had a brief time where I wouldn't eat and I was chained up, but that ended quickly and then I was treated fine."

Katara's face showed relief as she looked at the young woman in front of her, "Tenzin will be up here soon, but I wanted to ask you first. Your health and safety is more important than any information you could have gained."

Korra nodded and smiled at Katara, "I'm fine Katara, really." She leaned forward and gripped Katara's hand firmly, trying to reassure her.

Katara nodded and looked to the door when they both heard a soft cough from the doorway, Tenzin was standing patiently, "May I come in?" he said softly.

Korra nodded and smiled at him, "Of course! Pema said you two wanted to talk to me about my disappearance." She smiled as Tenzin moved to sit next to his mother in a vacant chair.

Tenzin's small smile became somber look as he leaned forward to his young ward, "Korra... what happened? Tarrlok said that you were taken by equalists, we then discovered he took you and then you both disappeared."

Korra's face grew serious as she looked at her teacher; she started to tell them of being captured by Amon, her refusal to eat, and then Amon's ultimatum to her. She excluded Amon and her relations and only said that they were cordial but not friendly to each other, saving her own dignity. She then proceeded to tell them of her escape and actions that lead her back home.

When she finished Katara nodded as her son sighed softly, "We are glad you are all right Korra. We were very worried." He leaned forward and held Korra's hand for a moment, giving her a sense of reassurance.

Then nodding for a moment he smiled at Korra, "Well then, when you get some rest and then back up on your feet, you will have to promise not to go into councilmen's offices late at night alone." He smiled at her weakly and shook his head.

Korra winced at the disappointed tone in his voice. "Ha ha.. yea.." she said softly as she looked to the wall, "I'm sorry Tenzin, I'm really sorry.. I shouldn't have just ran off to Tarrlok." She rubbed the back of her neck and smiled at him weakly, "He just... really hit some of my weak spots and I went out of control, I shouldn't have even gone."

Tenzin smiled down at her, "I know Korra, but sometimes you need to stop being so headstrong and determined, you need to think about the risks first." He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, "rest up Korra, I know everyone is just happy you are home safe and healthy."

Korra nodded and smiled at him until he walked out the room. Sighing softly she looked over at Katara and grinned mischievously, "So Katara… When can I get back to bending practice, out of bed, and eating some seal jerky in the city?"

Katara shook her head and smiled at the anxious young woman, "Korra you need to rest, although your body is fine you have had a lot of stress happen in the last month. You should rest for a couple more days before getting up and going anywhere."

Korra groaned and put her head back against the headboard and wall, "But Katara, I'm just craving seal jerky and you know this is a vegetarian island." She pouted at her mentor and smirked as the older woman chuckled and shook her head.

Katara stood up and smiled at Korra, "I'm sure you will be fine, maybe one of your friends can bring you some if you promise not to disappear again." Katara hugged Korra gently before walking to the door. Opening the door Katara and Korra discovered the shocked and relieved faces of Asami, Mako, and Bolin who had been waiting to see Korra. Smiles on their faces Bolin yelled out "Korra!" as he ran to hug her.