Korra's POV

After two weeks of bed rest I was finally allowed to go outside. My normal light blue shirt was too tight to be worn comfortably with the burns on my back so I stuck with my white tank. And as soon as I'd been given the green light I'd went straight to Tenzin, informing him of my new found skill and asking if I could continue with my training. He was enthusiastic in agreeing, but he also insisted in starting from the beginning, not wanting me to strain myself.

As we went over the movements, I couldn't help but feel that something inside me had clicked into place, had been set free. The hole in my chest that had been created by the loss of my Bending...well it wasn't gone. But it was a little less noticeable.

Mako and Asami both attended every practice, but kept their distance from each other. I felt guilty, knowing that I was the reason there was such a rift between them. He blamed her, just like everyone else did, for my injuries. They couldn't understand my tolerance, my willingness to forgive all the things she had said and done to me. The answer was simple, I thought. She was my friend. Friends fought sometimes. But they made up. Plus, accusing someone's father of helping a mass murdering terrorist was a hard pill for anyone to swallow.

I managed to get through the spinning gates one more time before deciding to call it a day. My burns, though mostly healed, still caused some discomfort and pain. Asami walked over and handed me a towel and I smiled gratefully. My team captain came over next, reminding me of my healing session that I'd need to get to. I sighed.

"I need to go to the city to straighten out a few things," Asami began. "I'll come by later."

I nodded, giving her a hug and hiding my wince when she hugged back a little too tight. Ever since the ambushed at her estate, she had been nothing but apologetic.

I hit the showers real quick and then met up with Mako again and we headed over to the medical wing of the main building, where Katara had been holding my healing sessions. That room had basically become my room, due mainly to the fact that I always ended up falling asleep sometime during the session.

"You shouldn't be mad at Asami," I told him as we walked in the door. "I'm not."

"You should be."

"She was angry," I defended. "People say things they don't mean when they're angry."

Mako's jaw tightened. "She accused you of only wanting attention, said you weren't the Avatar anymore. That's a load of crap!" He stopped next to the cot as I hopped up on it, and he pinched the bridge of his nose when I didn't reply, taking deep breaths. "That's not something a friend does," he continued, more calm.

I raised a brow. "You yelled at me when Bo went missing."

"That was different. I wouldn't just abandon you when you needed me. She did."

I was tired of having this argument. "Look, she's my best friend. That's all there is to it."

He didn't press the subject after that. Instead, we talked about practice, how I was looking lighter on my feet. I smiled lightly when he commented on how I was catching on pretty quick. Of course, it helped that I'd had the practice from before to lean back on.

Katara walked in and greeted us before asking me to lie down and I took off my shirt, leaving my back exposed. As soon as I felt the cool water touch my back my whole body relaxed and was off to sleep within moments.

Senna's POV

My daughter was curled up on the cot in the medical wing when I walked in, sound asleep, that Firebending boy sitting in the chair next to her. And once she was asleep, no one could wake her. My husband had offered to carry her back to her room but I'd told him to let her stay. I didn't want to disturb her peace. Of course, she wasn't the only one that looked at peace. Mako had made it his responsibility to help my daughter, make sure she didn't push herself. I still wasn't quite sure what their relationship was. They treated each other like friends but the looks they sent the other's way...

"How is she?" I asked, going over to sit in the other chair by the bed.

"There's still some discomfort," he answered.

I nodded before moving to tuck the blanket tighter around Korra, making sure she was comfortable. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't somewhat upset that Korra had used herself as a human shield to save Asami after the way she'd treated her, as Lin had been sure to mention. The Metalbender had been furious, and had insisted that we didn't let the young mechanic visit Korra. But, as upset as we'd been, I also understood. That was just the kind of person Korra was. Plus, Asami and her had been friends since childhood, and they were bound to bump heads.

"Do you know where Asami is?"

He shook his head.

"I imagine you're upset with her too."

The boy looked up at me. "Aren't you? Korra didn't - doesn't deserve half the things she's done."

"I am," I replied honestly. "But I know Korra. She would've done the same for any one of us. She risked falling with you over that cliff."

"I was proving a point."

"So am I."

He shifted in his seat, sighing and rubbing his hand over his face. "I care about her."

I smiled. "I know. Her father and I appreciate her having a friend like you around."

He nodded, chuckling after a moment. "The first time I met her, she seemed so...ordinary. Like any other teenager. But," he paused. "She is so much more, more than the Avatar too. She's just...amazing."

I was quiet for a moment, studying the elder of the brothers. "Mako," I started. "What are you and Korra exactly?"

He seemed taken aback by the question, unprepared. He looked to consider the answer for a moment, but before he could answer Korra started to stir and I saw the relief wash over him. He'd just been saved from answering the million yuan question.

Korra yawned , stretching her arms above her head before blinking away the sleep and noticing both of us. She smiled.

"How are you feeling?" I asked her, rubbing her back.

"Better each session," she admitted. "Katara said I only have a couple more to go."

"Four," Mako corrected.

Korra rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Thank you, nanny."

I laughed, combing my hand through my little girl's hair as they bickered back and forth. One thing was certain. They weren't just friends.

Asami's POV

I sat alone at Narook's, playing with my food. I had gone to check up on my father's company and by the looks of it, we were going to be bankrupt by the end of the month. Almost every company we had a contract with wanted nothing to do with us after word of his involvement in the Anti-Bending revolution and attack on Korra's life had gotten out. I really couldn't blame them for their decision but now that there was a warrant out for my father, the industry would fall to me and I desperately wanted to save it. It had taken him years to build it up and for it to just go down the drain…I wouldn't stand for it.

There was another reason for my solitude, however. Everyone blamed me for Korra getting hurt in the explosion and I knew they were right. I didn't deserve her forgiveness but she had, something that no one else seemed ready or willing to do. The Chief of Police had flat out threatened me, Mako was ignoring me, and even Korra's parents were unsure around me. What hurt me the most though was my ex boyfriend. We had been together for a while and now he wouldn't even spare me a glance, his attention completely on my best friend.

I mentally cursed myself. I was doing it again. Ever since I had gotten together with Mako, I had become extremely territorial, only wanting him for myself even though I had known Korra liked him, but I had liked him too. I knew that I was being selfish and a part of me hated myself but the other wanted to be selfish. She was the Avatar for crying out loud, she could find someone else. But I knew that wouldn't happen. Korra looked at Mako with such affection, such strong emotion. She loved him.

I was just about to ask for the check when someone sat down in the booth across from me. I sighed in annoyance, knowing he'd probably heard about my father and was here to gloat. I was not in the mood.

"Go away, Tahno."

"Now, princess, that's no way to greet a friend."

I scoffed. "You and I are not friends." He shrugged in reply. "What are you doing here, Tahno?"

His lips quirked up into a slight smirk. "You looked lonely, thought I'd try my best to cheer you up."

"I'm fine, thank you,' I answered, trying to remain civil. I knew Korra didn't like him, and I frankly wasn't that much of a fan either. His just oozed slime.

"I heard about your father," the Waterbender began. I took a deep breath. Here we go. "I'm sorry your name is in the mud with his. You don't deserve that."

I blinked a few times in surprise. "What?" What the hell?

"He made bad choices, you didn't. But it seems like your friends don't see that."

"Korra doesn't hold a grudge against me."

"Oh really?" he asked, his grin growing wider as he leaned forward over the table. "Then where is she now?" He got me there. I was sitting alone in a restaurant feeling miserable while she was back in the island, everyone taking care of her. "You see, but it isn't your fault."

"Why are you really here?" I asked.

"I already told you," Tahno replied with another shrug. I didn't say anything. He grabbed one of my unused napkins and took out a pen and began to write something on it before handing it to me. "If you ever want to talk or hang out, just give me a call. I'll show you a good time." There was the usually Tahno sneaking in at the end there.

Before I could say anything, not that I knew what to say, he got up and walked out. I looked down at the napkin to find seven digits staring back up at me. The Wolfbat's Waterbender had just given me his number. I contemplated just throwing it away but ended up just slipping it into my pocket and paying for my food.

Lin's POV

I sat with the rest of the household on the steps of the quad, watching as Korra and Mako sparred. Ever since the ambush I had doubled the security on the island and in the city, going as far as sleeping here at night to make sure nothing happened to the teen, not that there weren't other people that were willing to protect her. The Bending brothers hadn't left the island since she lost her Bending. Katara and Senna had mentioned the elder of the two would even go as far as staying in her room until she fell asleep before resting himself.

As I watched the match I couldn't help but notice how Korra moved like a natural Airbender. I mean, I had always known she was a prodigy but this was different on so many levels. She had only been training for a few months and it looked like she had been born with the knowledge. The teen moved quickly and efficiently, dodging attacks and using air to avoid or knock back her opponent. I spotted the Sato heiress on the far end of the quad, sitting with the younger of the two brothers. My eyes narrowed. Korra had wanted to spar with her at first, but one look from me and the Nonbender had politely refused. Good.

Not long after the match ended and both teens were spent, leaning against their knees, panting but congratulating each other. I rolled my eyes. Could they make it any more obvious? I was about to call the new Airbender over when the radio crackled, causing me to raise a brow. What in the…?

"Good afternoon, citizens of Republic City."

I watched as Korra froze, her body immediately tensing and the color draining from her face. Her father was by her side in an instance, one arm wrapped around her protectively. The teen looked absolutely terrified. Last time she had encountered the masked man he had left her without her Bending and with a cruel reminder.

"As some of you might've heard, the Avatar has regained her ability to Bend the element of air. However, make no mistake, she is still no match for my abilities." My jaw clenched. "I beat her in a fair fight once, and I can certainly do it again." Fair fight? He'd ambushed her! Him and the scumbag politician. "But to show the city and my followers that I am not without mercy, I am willing to offer Avatar Korra a rematch."

I stood from the steps, ready to go over and smash the radio when he continued. "Meet me at the construction site in the Dragon Flatts district tomorrow at midnight. Come alone."

It was quiet for a moment, and then the music filtered back in. The young Avatar took a deep breath, trying to calm herself but she still looked pale, fresh tears starting to well up in her eyes. I walked over, preparing to tell her what she didn't want to hear.

"You aren't going."

She looked up at me, and she just looked so tired, scared. "I can't run away from him forever," she said. "Benders are dying everyday. It needs to end." I admired her willingness to confront her fears. But her naivety was idiotic.

"You know that it's a set up. As soon as you show up, he'll have a hundred of his Equalists ambush you."

I saw Tonraq's hand tighten on Korra's shoulder. "She won't be going in alone. We'll go with her. We won't let her face him alone, not again." The rest of the crowd nodded; the Bending Brothers, the heiress, her parents and the Masters. All looked ready for some big showdown.

"Dad - "

"We're going to protect you," he cut her off.

I was beginning to get irritated. "Then tell her this is a suicidal idea."

The Firebender was next. "Korra's right. People are dying. With all of us there, at least we can ambush him this time, lower the likelihood of casualties on our part."

I huffed, crossing my arms. I hated this, absolutely hated it. But there would be no changing their minds. It was clear that they would do this with or without my approval. After a moment, I reluctantly nodded my head. "Alright. But we're going to do this my way."

Mako's POV

After talking to Korra over the phone I took the first plane to Republic City. After arriving and taking a taxi, I arrived, seeing the air bison that was in the parking lot. There were Air Acolytes there, caring for Oogi and feeding him hay. At least someone had remembered to watch over the beast. I went in through the automatic sliding doors, asking for my wife and growing frustrated when no one could tell me where she was. She was the Avatar for crying out loud! How could anyone miss her?

Just as I was about to lose my temper I spotted her at the end of the hallway, looking through a glass window. I went to her, wrapping my arm around her waist before peeking inside. I felt my heart drop at the sight and turned to see Korra's lip quiver before she buried her face against my shoulder, gripping my shirt tightly as I held her. I kissed the top of her head, trying to soothe her as much as I could though I knew it was all in vain.

"How are the kids?" she asked me after a while.

She sounded so tired and it wasn't hard to guess she hadn't slept at all these past few days. "They're with Bolin," I told her. "They miss you."

My wife sighed and leaned back against me again. I pulled her away from the window and toward the chairs next to the room, taking off my jacket to cover her up. She tried protesting, knowing I was trying to get her to rest but I persisted, running my hands through her loose hair, rubbing her back and kissing her temple. Before long I felt her body relax against me and I rubbed her arm, coaxing her to sleep. Her breathing evened out and I sighed.

She was going to need all the rest she could get.