Asami's POV

I tried not to gulp down the water from the bottle in my hand as I trailed behind Varrick, trying to keep up. He continued to ramble on about some flying military suits he wanted to sell to the Nations. I shook my head. For a couple of years now the somewhat crazy Southern businessman and I had been partners. At first it had been standard. The President of Republic City wanted us to create a memorial for Korra almost a decade after Amon's defeat. He claimed it was because before there had been no room in the budget but now he was finally giving us the go ahead.

After that we'd started exchanging ideas and we became partners and set up a merger where both of our employees worked. It was usually used as our meeting place. The nano technology my father had started was something the wacky tribesman hadn't seen before and he was very much intrigued by it, mentioning how we always had to find ways to destroy our creations if things didn't go as planned. He jabbered away as his wife, Zhu Li, and I followed him up to the second floor. I stopped, panting harshly and wiping away sweat from my forehead with my sleeve. What was going on? I took another step forward before I felt my chest constrict and I sat down as I tried taking deep breaths.

"As I was saying Miss Sato this could bring a lot of profit from-are you listening?!" Varrick cried before turning around.

I wheezed, black edging my vision and he quickly kneeled down, Zhu Li behind him. "Are you all right?" She asked, concern in her eyes as she started to reach out toward me but paused, unsure of what to do.

"Does she look all right? Do the thing!"

That was the last I remembered before it all went black. When I woke again I was in a white room and looked down to see all sorts of cables attached to my chest. I felt something warm at my side and glanced down, smiling. Victoria was curled up next to me, her head on my chest, fast asleep. I ran my hand through her hair soothingly before the whispers by the door caught my attention. I looked through the blinds to see the family doctor and my Aunt Vesta. I internally chuckled at how short Aunt Vesta was compared to the man.

"Technically it's called Viral Cardio Myopathy," he began. "What it means is that she can suffer from shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness..."

I mentally checked off all the symptoms.

"Do you mean all the time?" My aunt asked.

Good question.

I saw the doctor give her a sad smile and I felt my stomach drop. "I'm afraid so, Vesta," he answered. "You see this virus attacks the heart and damages the muscle. She's going to have to change her lifestyle in order to slow down the deterioration-"

I forced my attention to my daughter as she stirred. Victoria blinked sleepily before she realized I was awake. My little Waterbender threw herself at me, hugging me tightly and I returned the embrace. Her shoulders shook and I rubbed her back, assuring her I was fine, and not to cry. She must have been terrified.

"I was scared," my daughter whimpered.

"I know," I replied before kissing her temple. "But I'm fine. I'll probably be able to go home soon."

Her eyes lit up at this. "Really?"

I chuckled and smiled. "Really."

Once I was discharged and I went back home. Aunt Vesta tried being my nanny but I politely told her that I was fine and did not need a babysitter before reminding her I had Korra. She made an annoyed sound at the mention of my best friend, muttering who knows what under her breath before leaving. I sighed in relief and took the rest of the day off, just watching movies and relaxing with my daughter. The next day I went to visit Korra only to find she was out of town, having gone to supervise a meeting somewhere in the Earth Kingdom but was supposed to be back soon. I asked Mako to take care of Victoria, telling him I had to run an errand before heading to the library.

I spent hours reading over every detail of Viral Cardio-Myopathy. And I knew one thing for certain...there was no getting better.

I was dying.

I sat in the middle of the library, staring blankly at the words in the book in front of me, and I was forcing myself not to cry. My first thought was of my little girl, my little Victoria. I was leaving her all alone... Oh how the mere thought made me ache in the most unbearable way.

My baby...

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath through my nose and exhaled out my mouth, trying to rein in my emotions. All in vain, really. I felt the tears falling from my eyes and quickly wiped them away.

I needed to get home, make the appropriate calls... I needed to hold my baby girl, tell her that things were going to be okay for the time being.

Then, then I needed to call Korra.

Hiroshi's POV

Asami stared at me and I stared back, waiting, neither of us talking, just looking at each other. I had been yet again surprised when I was told I had a visitor. The last time she had come we hadn't exactly ended on the best of terms and it didn't look like things had really changed since then. There was anger in her eyes, so much anger…but there was something else too. Something I hadn't seen in years, not since her mother had died. She seemed so…lost. My head tilted to the side as I studied her a little more. She seemed so tired, her normally combed hair in a messy bun and her skin pale.

"Victoria is almost nine years old," she began. "Top of her class, just like you always wanted for me. She's intelligent, polite. Everything you'd expect of a Sato."

The words weren't said with bitterness, just as a fact. I didn't say anything, letting her continue. There was more she wanted to say. A lot more.

"She's a Waterbender," Asami revealed after a moment. "Korra is teaching her the basics. Her daughter and mine are best friends." My jaw clenched tightly. She let out a humorless chuckle. "History does repeat itself."

Again, I said nothing.

Asami let out an irritated sigh, shaking her head. "All this time wasted, because you let your hatred consume you, and because I couldn't forgive you. What a waste."

"Why are you here, Asami?"

"I'm sick. Dying, actually."

I felt my blood run cold and I shook my head. No. It couldn't…But her eyes confirmed it. She was dying. "How long?" I managed after a moment.

"Few months. Maybe more if I could get a new heart but..." An unconvincing shrug. "It's not looking good, Dad."

"Aren't there any treatments-"

"There are," she answered indifferently. "I'm on the list for a donor but it's unlikely."

"So that's it? You're giving up." Was she not even going to try to fight? She was a Sato! We didn't give up this easily. We wouldn't give up…

"I'm just being realistic. Any treatment outside of getting a new heart would give me a few more months, tops."

"Dammit, 'Sami!" I finally snapped, slamming my hand down on the desk. The guard looked over at me and I managed to control myself. "You can't die! You...you can't just..." I shook my head. "What about Victoria?"

"I've already made plans. She will be taken care of."

"The Bender," I replied somewhat bitterly. Why couldn't she be the one that was sick? My Asami…her daughter…my grandchild. "You can't give up, Asami."

"I'm not," she replied, standing up. "I just want you to prepare yourself. And Dad?" I looked up at her. "I forgive you. For everything. I just hope you can do the same."

And just like that she was gone. She was done. She wasn't fighting. But it wasn't over. It was far from over.

Korra's POV

Asami called to ask when I was coming back to the city and I knew something was wrong. Her voice shook, and wavered. I was on the next flight back to the city. When I returned she told me what was going on, and I was left speechless. I felt like a bucket of ice water had been thrown on me and had seeped into my skin and bones. I felt numb, helpless to stop what was happening. The Avatar was supposed to help people, but I couldn't even help my best friend. Why couldn't I help her?

"So what did Mako say?" she asked.

I managed a smile. "He says a little time away from work will be good for him," I replied. "The kids are excited about spending the summer at the beach house."

My best friend grinned, placing a hand over mine and I swallowed thickly. "I-I might not be able to do much while we're there. I hope you won't mind watching Victoria."

"Of course not," I answered quickly. "You know it's not a big deal, 'Sami." I bit my lip. "Do you need to take any medication? I can write down the times and stuff, make sure you don't miss any."

"I'd like that. Would you mind helping me pack?"

I nodded my head and stood, going out into the hallway closet to get her suitcase. I stopped on my way back, a frame on the wall catching my eye. I smiled, taking the frame off the wall and continuing my way back to the room. Asami looked up from her paperwork, her head tilting to the side when she saw what I was holding. I sat on the bed and smiled, shaking my head.

"I didn't know you still had this."

"Why wouldn't I?" my best friend answered. "It's been one of the best days of my life."

"I had snuck out of practice," I began. "I wanted to hear the Pro Bending match and then you came by, crying because you didn't remember how to get back to the hotel."

"But you got me back," Asami answered. "You were always there when I needed you."

I felt my eyes water and I blinked back the tears. "So, um, what exactly am I packing?" A change of subject was necessary. I couldn't handle the direction we had been heading in.

She laughed and stood, telling me what clothes she wanted as I put them in the suit case. I couldn't help but stare as I did, noticing the sweat that formed only after a few minutes of her moving around on her forehead. She wasn't okay, but I was going to be there. I was going to help her get better. I had to.

Mako's POV

It had been a week since we arrived at the beach house. Korra was constantly running around, making sure Asami had everything she needed and trying to get her to be more proactive. The CEO didn't really move much from her bed, and when she did it was only for short periods of time, usually meal times. Victoria hadn't been like herself since we arrived, choosing to only play with Mya or locking herself up in her room or with her mother most of the time. I usually watched the kids, trying to entertain them while she took her medication or just resting. I knew her illness was hard on my wife as well and she had spent days researching the disease and trying to talk to doctors from all over into seeing her best friend when we got back. Being the Avatar definitely had its perks.

Sammi was currently sitting in Asami's lap, his teddy bear curled up in his arms as his aunt read to him. It was nearly bedtime and we'd practically moved in together he had spent most, if not all, his time with the raven haired woman. Korra and I had tried to explain to him her condition but he was still too little to fully understand but he knew that she was sick. I could still remember his reaction to that, so innocent.

'Teddy makes me feel better. If I give him to aunt 'Sami, will she get better to?'

My wife had nearly broken down in tears. If only it were that simple.

I noticed Victoria come in, Mya tagging closely behind her, both already in their pajamas and ready for bed. The older of the two made a face when she noticed her mother with my son and I raised a brow. Odd.

"Can you read me a story, Momma?" She asked.

"As soon as I'm done with Sammi."

The smaller heiress crossed her arms over her chest, seemingly annoyed. "He's Aunt Korra's kid, why can't she read to him?"

"They're our guests, darling. I'm almost done."

"I told you I didn't want them to come!" the elder Waterbender finally snapped, stomping her foot.

"Victoria!" Asami scolded.

My little Firebener's bottom lip quivered and he began to cry. I immediately went to the engineer's side, picking him up and rocking him, trying to calm him down. She looked at me apologetically and I shook my head, silently letting her know it was fine though it really wasn't.

"You didn't have to be mean to my brother," Mya told the older girl before turning and following me out of the room. She did not seem pleased with her cousin.

Korra held her arms out for Sammi and he went to her, snuggling his face against her neck, gripping her shirt tightly. She looked up at me and I sighed, telling her what had happened. My wife nodded her head and rocked our son in her arms until he stopped crying and slowly fell into a peaceful slumber. I tucked Mya in and Korra gave her a good night kiss before sitting on the bed, our little Firebender still in her arms. I was not very happy about how the night had ended but they were children and sometimes they said things without meaning them. Though my surrogate niece had made it clear we were unwanted. Well except for Mya, those two couldn't really be apart.

"Victoria doesn't want us here," I told her.

My wife sighed and nodded. "I know," she admitted. "But it's understandable."

"Making Sammi cry is understandable?"

"She wants to be with her mom, Mako. Asami...she's-she can get worse and I think to a certain extent Vic understands that."

I sighed and nodded. "Any luck with the doctors you called?"

"I have a few that have been researching this new treatment," Korra began. "I mean it's still experimental but it can give us a little more time. We need more time," she added, almost to herself.

I nodded my head and looked at my son, seeing his calm expression as his mother held him. I smiled at that, kissing his temple before planting a kiss on Korra's forehead. When Sammi wasn't with his aunt he was a momma's boy. They had already so many things in common, favorite foods, games, and a bond with Asami that seemed almost unexplainable. Korra was right. We needed more time. Asami needed more time.

Korra's POV

A couple of days passed since the incident with Sammi and I knew I wasn't the only one that felt like we were walking on eggshells. Asami was...not improving. She stopped coming out of her room all together until I practically dragged her out and onto the porch while the kids played. Sammi was already starting to experiment with his Firebending and Mako was trying to teach him a few moves. I had tried to talk to Vic but she simply ignored me and my best friend's scoldings weren't exactly helping. I saw her go over to my youngest, hands behind her back, gaze lowered, my little boy taking his teddy bear from his father before going to the older girl.

"I'm sorry I was mean to you, Sammi," Vic apologized.

My little boy smiled. "S'okay. Momma said you were 'set cause Aunt 'Sami isn't feelin' good," Sammi replied before his brow furrowed in concentration. "Should I give her my bear?"

Vic managed a smile at her cousin. "Maybe."

The little Firebender ran up the steps and placed his teddy bear on his Aunt's lap, giving her a kiss and telling her how the bear always made him feel better when he was sick. I made a strangled sound in the back of my throat before blinking back the tears, hearing Mya call my name from the shore.

The water was washing up around our ankles as my daughter and I played together. We had extended the invitation to Victoria but she had declined. Not that I was surprised. She didn't seem to want to spend time with me, despite that she seemed to have no problems with Mya.

The heiress was a few yards from us, arms outstretched in an attempt to Bend, to make the water rise. I always found it odd when she Bended, it was like watching a younger Asami.

A little of the water rose in a scraggly strip, some of the liquid dripping back to its source as the raven haired child tried to keep it from falling completely, a fierce look of concentration on her face. It was a simpler form of Waterbending, a routine I had taught her a while back. She had been catching on so well but with Asami's sickness...The girl bit her bottom lip before her look wavered slightly and the water splashed back down, causing Vic to huff in frustration.

It seemed I wasn't the only one to notice her struggle. Mya walked over to her cousin, a small smile on her face. Victoria looked over at the shorter girl before looking down at the ground, shifting the sand with her foot. "I can't seem to get it right," she stated, looking almost ashamed at the admission.

Mya placed a hand on her shoulder. "We can help. Mamma and I are pretty good, you know." There was a soft teasing in her voice, cocky as the words sounded.

Victoria looked up at the smaller brunette before looking over at me. I nodded, a reassuring smile on my face. I knew she wouldn't turn down Mya's help, but I wouldn't be offended if she didn't want mine. I walked over and kneeled down beside them.

"We can help. If you'll let us," I told her. "Besides, we could use the practice, don't want our skills to get rusty, do we Squirt?" The last part was directed toward my mini me, who beamed up at me and nodded.

Victoria looked at me and slowly nodded, managing a smile of her own. I returned the gesture. "Alright then, first we gotta fix your stance."

Asami's POV

I had felt something twist in my gut as I watched Korra and Mya play with my daughter, something ugly that I hadn't felt in years. It was irrational, but I could feel the jealousy eating me from the inside.

I hated this. I hated what this disease was doing, what it was taking from me. I should be the one playing with my daughter, laughing and splashing. I had never hated the fact I couldn't Bend. But as I'd watched them, I'd detested it for the first time in my life.

"Hey."

I didn't need to turn my head to know it was Korra. Her and the kids had retreated into the house sometime ago and I had been sitting on the porch, lost in my thoughts and staring absently at the waves.

"The girls and I thought it'd be fun to go down to the docks and buy some fruit from the vendor. Do you want to come?"

"No."

I heard the boards creek as she shifted her weight. "It's a beautiful day, 'Sami," she tried, and I felt her put a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Maybe if you walked around -"

"I said no!" She jerked her hand back at my tone and I finally turned my head and glared up at her from my seat. "I don't want to move. I'm comfortable right here."

Korra paused looking cautious. "Ok, I understand. But could you at least change clothes? You've been in them - "

"Just leave me the fuck alone!" I snapped. "Spirits!"

Korra's jaw clenched and I saw her eyes harden marginally before they softened again. She sighed, rubbing her hand over her face. "Asami." Her voice was soft, caring but obviously frustrated. She sat down on the ottoman next to my chair. "I know this is hard for you - "

I couldn't hold back anymore. "No you don't! You nothing about what this feels like!" I hated that my voice cracked at my sudden change in volume. I hated that my eyes were tearing up. "I'm the one that's dying! I'm the one that won't live to see my daughter..." I stopped, and swallowed thickly, fighting back the tears. "I won't see her grow up to be a woman. And I hate it. I hate that she wants to spend time with you and that you can teach her to Bend, and I'm just sitting here useless!"

"You told me to play with her."

"I know! I know," I repeated softer. "But you don't know how this feels. You're still among the living!"

Korra stood, and I got a glimpse of her own tears as she quickly turned away, locking her hands behind her neck in an attempt to keep her composure. When she seemed to have that under control she faced me once more. "So are you, 'Sami." Her words were firm as they came out in an even tone. "So I suggest you stop living like you've already died and spend what's left of your time with the people here who love you!"

And just like that she walked back into the house, trying to discreetly rub the tears away as she did. I closed my eyes, letting out a sigh. She was right. I was stuck in this state of self-loathing and I knew it but I just…I couldn't bring myself to do anything. It was just so exhausting…I looked down, smiling at the teddy bear in my hands. Sammi had given it to me earlier, so that I would feel better. When he was two he caught a fever and had to be taken to the hospital. He had been unhappy there, fussy and not wanting to hold still for the doctors. Korra had called me and I had left work early and went to a toy store, picking up the plush. I had given it to the little Firebender, telling him the teddy bear would make him feel better, and it had worked.

Later on in the day I went inside, intending to go to my room when I felt a tiny hand clasp around mine. I was met with bright and warm amber gaze and I smiled at him, letting him lead me to his room before giving me a book as he crawled into the bed.

"Aunt 'Sami...will you read me a story?" Sammi asked.

He smiled at me, that little dimpled smile I loved so much and I couldn't say no. "Sure thing, sweetheart."

I heard running and looked up to see the girls come and huddle next to us. "Don't forget me!" Mya cried.

"Or me!" my daughter added.

I laughed. "A story for three it is."

I opened the book and began to read, looking up when I spotted Korra and Mako. They gave me warm smiles, my best friend leaning against her husband as he wrapped his arms around her. I returned the gesture before returning to the story. Korra was right. I wasn't dead. It wasn't over.