Asami's POV

I smiled as I petted Naga, the large beast's head on my lap as she wagged her tail and I scratched behind her floppy ears. The polar bear dog had been with the two Firebenders until Sammi's Bending got a little out of hand and she decided she was safer with me. It was amazing how the big fluffy white beast could be such a sweetheart. She was very protective of Korra but had taken to being her children and my daughter's nanny whenever we decided to get together. Victoria ran over to me and I noticed Naga's tail wag a little faster, giving her face a lick before my little girl gave her a kiss. She patted her head, our hands making contact and her head tilted to the side.

"We have the same hands," she noted, turning mine over so she could examine the palm, entwining our fingers.

I blinked before looking down, seeing that she was right. She ran off again and I couldn't lift my gaze from my hands. Did my mother and I have the same hands? It had been so long since she died... I stood up and headed into the house, going into my room and digging to a box full of old albums. I had to see. I had to check... There was a knock on the door but I didn't look up to see who it was. I could feel myself panic as I went through the photographs. There had to be one of her hands...there had to. It was this weird compulsion that had taken over. It suddenly seemed like a necessity.

"Asami, what are you doing?" Korra asked as she approached me.

"I'm looking for a picture of my mother," I panted exasperated. Where was it? I knew I had one. I had to have one. "I have to find it. I can't remember her hands."

"Her hands?" she asked as she sat next to me, pulling pictures out of the box

I sighed and shook my head. "I'm so scared, Korra," I whispered. "I'm just so scared."

Korra's hand clasped mine tightly. I was so scared. I didn't want to die. I didn't want this. I pulled away after a moment and we both went back to digging through the boxes.

"Here's one."

I took the picture she was holding and smiled. It was one with my father too. He was on my left, I was in the middle and my mother to my right, her hand on my shoulder. I nodded my head, looking over to my best friend, seeing the tears in her eyes.

"This is it," I answered. "Thank you."

She smiled at me and I sighed, leaning against the pillows, exhausted from my little scavenger hunt. I tapped the spot next to me and my best friend sat down, my hand clasping mine. I sighed before a smile tugged at my lips.

Korra and I had been spending the day together, mostly getting my suitcase ready for when the due date came. She was showing already and I could tell Mako was ecstatic about his baby. My best friend was still wrapping her mind around the idea of being a mother so soon after her loss but I could see her growing more and more attached. Victoria had been kicking me all day and I couldn't really seem to get comfortable. I titled my head when I heard my best friend humming. I had heard this a few times before. She seemed to do it every time she was nervous or just to pass the time.

"What are you humming?" I asked curiously as I rubbed my torso.

"What?" she asked before shaking her head. "Oh, um, it's a lullaby. My mom used to sing it for me all the time."

I sat up a little. "Let me hear it."

Korra blinked. "What?"

"Get your ears checked," I teased causing her to grumble. I laughed. "Let me hear it. The baby has been really kicking today, maybe that will help."

I watched as my best friend bit her lip. "I don't usually sing it out loud..."

"Please? For your niece?"

Korra sighed but relented, sitting next to me as she softly sung the lullaby, placing a hand on my bump. I smiled as I listened, Victoria's kicking slowly coming to a halt. I had to admit I had never pegged Korra as a singer but her voice was soft, soothing, like the lullaby...

"Do you remember when you sang the lullaby to me?" I began. "I was only a few days away from my due date."

A nod. "Yeah, we were at your house and Vic kept kicking you."

"You sang to her to calm her down."

She raised a brow. "If I recall correctly, you asked me to sing it to you. Well you pulled the niece card. Which was totally unfair by the way."

I hummed. "Did I?"

Korra opened her mouth before hearing Mya call out for her. She sighed and stood, smirking at me. "I know everything there is to know about you, Asami," my best friend told me. "And my memory is long. Very long."

I smiled as she walked out, leaning back against the headboard. I was counting on it.

Mako's POV

I let out a long sigh as I dropped my gym bag by the door. After we'd came back from the beach house we'd all but moved into the Sato mansion. Asami was having more and more difficulty breathing and Korra didn't want her to be alone. I thought that us being close to her was a good idea, seeing that we were her family, and family protects their own. I had wanted to take a break from training rookies but my wife wouldn't have it, insisting that I needed something to keep my head clear and she had taking care of the kids and Asami. However, when I arrived it was quiet. Too quiet. I went upstairs, quickly checking on the kids and noticing that Victoria had opted to sleep with Mya once again. I went to Asami's room. She was sound asleep, oxygen mask over her face.

Quietly I started toward our room only to find it empty. I frowned. Where was my wife? Earlier I had called to let her know I would be training the rookies a little bit later and she had seemed a little off. Sammi wasn't hard to take care of, he would play by himself with his cars as long as he wasn't in the room alone. Victoria and Mya though...they were a different story. When the eldest wasn't with her mother she was causing havoc with my daughter, practicing their Bending and driving Korra crazy.

I shook my head when I found my wife, her arms folded on the table, head resting on top of them. There were all sorts of papers scattered around the bar in front of her, no doubt treatments or names of medicines for Asami. Korra had made it her responsibility to find ways to extend the CEO's life expectancy, calling in favors from all over the nations. Gently I shook her shoulder and she sat up, tiredly rubbing her eyes.

She stretched before blinking and looking up at me. I gave her a moment or two to take stock of her surroundings. "I-I, uh, got Asami entered in a experimental drug trial," she explained tiredly. "It's suppose to buy us a year or so for her to find a heart. It's still experimental but they think it can work."

"Korra, you're exhausted," I began gently. "You need to go to bed."

"I need to make sure it's safe. I've been reading the research-"

I didn't let her finish, lifting her up in my arms and heading upstairs. She didn't even fight me, nuzzling her head against my shoulder as I placed her on the bed, taking off her shirt to leave her in her tank before going for her boots. Once those were off I laid her down and covered us both up, wrapping my arms around her. I knew she wanted to help her friend but if she kept this up Asami wouldn't be the only one who needed a doctor. She needed to rest, and I would make sure she did.

Korra's POV

I took a deep breath, leaning against my seat as I watched Asami take shaky breaths. Two nights ago she had passed out and we had immediately taken her to the emergency room. The doctors kept her in the ICU overnight and now she seemed to be doing better. I had told her about the experimental treatment for her disease and at first she seemed willing to give it a try but now she was refusing pretty much everything. She had given up. But I hadn't. I couldn't. I wouldn't give up until I'd found a way to keep her alive. She couldn't die. She wouldn't die.

I had spoken to the doctor earlier while she was asleep, trying to see it he could talk her into the treatment and he agreed to try though he knew what her answer would be. Asami hadn't wanted Victoria or any of the kids at the hospital so Mako stayed at home with them. She said she had watched her mother die and didn't want her daughter to go through that experience. My composure had wavered at the offhanded comment.

"Hello, Miss Sato, how are we doing?" the doctor greeted cheerfully. I knew the guy meant well, but I hated when doctors used the royal we. They weren't experiencing the pain. So why the hell did they always have to say 'we?'

"I want to go home," Asami managed. "I wanted to go home yesterday."

The man sighed. "I'm sorry, Ms. Sato, but that isn't an option now. What is an option is you taking the treatment your friend has spent some time researching."

"Since when isn't going home an option?" my best friend replied, ignoring the last bit. "I'm dying. I want to die at home. It's my decision. It's my damn life."

I'd heard enough.

"That's right. It is your life that's at stake," I agreed. "And it's your life that will end, leaving Victoria an orphan if you continue fighting the doctors. Take the damn treatment already!"

I'll admit I lost it a little but I just...I couldn't just watch her die. She had to fight, damn it!

Asami glared at me but I met her gaze head on. Finally she let out a defeated sigh and turned to look towards the doctor. "How much longer will it give me?"

"About two years, max, he replied. "It's enough to find you a heart."

She seemed to consider it for a moment. "Will I get better?"

"Yes. But it isn't a solution."

Asami sighed and nodded her head. I couldn't help the smile that overtook my face and the doctor assured her he would be back with the treatment and once she was a little more stable she would be allowed to go home as long as she continued to take the medication. I sat on the bed, placing a hand over hers. She was going to fight. She was going to fight to live and I couldn't be happier.

"That's the spirit, 'Sami," I encouraged. "This new treatment is going to get you back on your feet and you'll be able to move around more." She shook her head and I frowned. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Dammit korra, stop it. Just stop it," Asami snapped. "You think I'm feeling sorry for myself?" She let out a humorless chuckle. "Poor, sad, Asami just needs a little perspective."

"You do need a little perspective."

"You have no idea what it's like to lose what I've lost."

My jaw clenched. "I know loss, Asami," I countered. I had lost my Bending when I was a teenager. It was nothing compared to her illness but still. I knew the empty feeling well. "You know that. I have a scar as a reminder."

"It's not the same!" my best friend snapped. "I've been alone, raising my child, fixing my company and I'm stuck in this sick person's body that I don't know, like, or recognize." Asami shook her head, trying to regulate her breathing. She looked up at me, her tired emerald gaze meeting mine. "If you knew what that felt like you would have never asked me to take this treatment that is just dragging out the inevitable. If you knew what it felt like, Korra...you would just let me go."

I shook my head, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall as I stood. "I'm not going to give up on you, 'Sami. And you shouldn't either," I added before leaving.

As soon as I was outside the room I allowed the tears to come as I went to the bathroom. I stood there for a long time, trying to hold back my sobs. What happened to Asami? Why didn't she want to fight? The Asami I knew was a fighter, she never quit, never settled. But that wasn't that person anymore and it hurt me. I wiped away the tears and went outside, meeting the doctor.

"Miss Sato had her first round of treatment and she's looking better already," he informed me with a smile. "If all goes well I can discharge her first thing tomorrow morning."

I managed a smile at that. "What am I supposed to do?" I asked quietly.

I was just so lost...

"Get her to take the meds and that she doesn't push herself too much."

"I know but... What am I supposed to do?"

The doctor took a deep breath. "The damage to her body we can control but the damage to her spirit," he began. "For a woman like Ms. Sato, a CEO, to lie on a bed waiting for something that may not happen...that's not something we could really fully understand." I nodded my head. "And her feelings about it aren't something we should try to control. Give her some space Avatar Korra."

I sighed but nodded my head. Maybe he was right. Maybe I should give Asami some space and let her pull herself up like she had so many times before. But I refused to let her give up. Not while there was still a chance.

Hiroshi's POV

I took a deep breath as the Waterbender sat down across from me. Ever since my daughter had visited me to tell me she was dying I had gone straight to work. There were still some old connections I had, Nonbenders like myself that I'd known for years that were in the medical profession. I had asked them to run tests and had asked Vesta to ask for Asami's tests to see if we were a match. I had lived a long life, I had made mistakes. My daughter hadn't lived her life and she still had a daughter to raise... It was for my granddaughter that I was willing to anything to keep Asami alive. Anything.

"You wanted to see me."

I could tell the Bender was surprised that I had asked her to come, but I needed to make sure she knew I had called her here for business. "I know about Asami's illness," I began. "And I know she isn't getting any better."

The dark skinned woman lowered her gaze. She seemed so tired and I knew she must have been taking care of Asami. I had never liked their friendship, their association, but now seeing her...there was no question that she truly cared about my daughter.

"I've been trying to get her to start a treatment but it's still experimental and she doesn't-"

"I've been doing my own research," I said cutting her off. "And even if those so called experimental treatments were to work they would only give her months."

"I know. But for now-"

"My solution is the only one that can save her," I interrupted once more. "She needs a heart, and I'm going to give her one."

The Avatar's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

I clasped my hands together. "I've lived my life, she hasn't. She deserves to live. To grow old and watch her daughter grow."

"Wait," she said. "Are you saying you want to give Asami your heart? You'd have to..."

"Die?" I asked. "I already know that." I sighed. "I've had tests done and I'm a match. It has to happen soon, she doesn't have much time."

"Asami needs to do the treatment so that she can get stronger," the Bender began. "She won't survive a heart transplant in her condition." A pause. "And she won't take your heart."

"She doesn't have to know."

"Asami isn't stupid. She'll ask questions, she'll want to know where the heart came from."

I nodded. She had a point. I hadn't raised a fool. "Then you'll convince her."

The Avatar blinked. "Me? What makes you think I'll be able to convince her to let her only remaining parent kill himself for her?"

"I don't need to tell you that I've never liked you," I began. "And I know the feeling is mutual. Convince her that this is the only way."

"I'm not making any promises."

"You'll do anything to save her. This is the only way, and you know it."

With that I stood and walked over to my prison guard. She'd convince Asami this was the only way. Or we'd both lose someone we loved.

Asami's POV

I took in a deep breath as I tried to process what I had just heard. My father was going to kill himself so that I could live. Earlier in the day I had been brought to the hospital, the doctors telling me that there was a potential donor, except he had flat-lined on the way to the hospital and the little bit of hope that I had was gone, crushed. My muscle type was rare and the donor list endless. I had been ready to go home when my best friend had blurted out what my dad was planning and I had been left speechless. My dad...he was...he was willing to die so that I could live. The ultimate sacrifice of a parent and I just...I couldn't agree to that.

"No," I told he firmly. "He's not going to do this. I can't let him do this."

"We've done all the testing there needs to be done. You two are a perfect match."

I shook my head. No. I couldn't even believe Korra was helping him. He was the only parent I had left. I couldn't do that. I couldn't.

"I mean he's going to do it anyway," Korra continued. "But it wouldn't be in vain if you had his heart. The man is in prison for life. He wants out."

It was disturbing how casually she was talking about my father committing suicide, and I couldn't help but wonder how we had come to this. The Korra that I knew valued human life. "Korra, listen to me," I said as calmly as I could. "We are not doing this."

"You're not going to die. The doctor has done half a dozen heart transplants. They've all been successful."

She was dead set on having me agree to my father's suicide. But I was also dead set on not allowing it. Did she not see it was wrong on so many levels?

"This isn't about me dying. This is wrong." I emphasized on the last word. She had to see it was.

"You're getting sicker every day," Korra replied almost desperately. "Who knows when you'll get another chance."

"I'll take my chances." It was that simple. There could always be another donor. I was not doing this.

I saw panic begin to settle over the Waterbender's features. She knew she was losing this fight. "It may be too late by then." She took a deep breath, her eyes pleading for me to understand. "He wants to do this. He wants to save you."

"Then it's too late!" I finally snapped. "I'm not going to let my father kill himself!" Why was it so hard for her to understand?

It seemed the Water Tribe woman had enough as well."'Sami! You have to do this."

"No! I'm not going to be responsible for my father's death."

"I don't care what it takes to keep you alive!"

I scoffed and shook my head. "This has gone far enough. I'm going to tell my dad to not do this," I added and started dialing the prison.

"I'm not saying it's right," she started, grabbing my phone. "But your father has lived his life. You have a daughter to think about. A daughter." Her tone was pleading and I flinched. It didn't hurt anyone more than me to think about the possibility of leaving Victoria. But I couldn't do this...

I blinked back the tears, placing a hand over hers. "Korra...I'm going to be alright. You don't have to worry."

She pulled her hand away, shaking her head as she grasped her hair. "What about me?" Korra finally shouted, almost in tears. "What about Victoria? What about us when you die."

"Korra..."

"I get it! I get it!" she continued. "You'll be okay, you'll be fine, but what about us?" I willed away a tear that fell at her anguish. She wanted me to do this so bad but... it was wrong. "So don't do it for yourself, do it for us." Korra was a hiccuping mess as she sat on the bed, begging me to let my father give me his heart. "Please 'Sami, please do this for us. Because if you die..." She shook he head, closing her eyes tightly as she continued to cry. "You have to do this for us. You have to do this or else I'll never be able to forgive you."

"For dying?" I managed to ask.

"No!" she shouted. "For leaving us! For leaving me. Please, please, please do this for us. Please do this. Please. I can't-I can't watch you die. Please."

Korra had always been such a strong woman. Even when we were younger. But she had always worn her heart on her sleeve, and that made her fragile as well. And right now she was crumbling, breaking...

I pulled her to me and she gripped the hospital gown tightly as she sobbed into my shoulder. She sounded so heartbroken and I felt terrible for her having had to beg me so that I could live. A heart was the only option and I was refusing it. It was breaking her. My illness was breaking her and I couldn't allow that. I rubbed her back, soothing her the best I could before I slowly nodded my head.

"Okay. Okay I'll do it," I finally whispered and I prayed that the Spirits would forgive me.

Korra's POV

I couldn't help the smile that graced my face when the doctor had told us the transplant had been a great success. I had been pacing back and forth in the waiting room for over six hours to hear that. Mako had taken the kids to Tenzin's so he could be with me and I was glad. He was the only one keeping me together as we waited to hear the news. I let a few happy tears fall. Asami was going to be okay. She was going to live. That's all I wanted for her. The doctor told me she'd be asleep until the next morning and that I should rest. I shook my head telling him I would be staying until she woke up. My Firebender followed me to her room and I smiled, placing a hand over my best friend's. She was alive. She was going to live. She was going to live a long, very long happy life and I was happy. So happy.

That had been two weeks ago.

Shortly after she woke up we'd brought the kids over and I could see Victoria's face light up at how much better her mother looked. Asami's sickly color was gone, her breathing was normal and her emerald eyes shined bright with new hope and life because she had gotten a second chance. By the end of the week she was allowed home and was so happy. I watched as she read all three kids a story as I stood by the door. I felt an arm wrap around my waist and I looked up to meet a warm amber gaze. I smiled at him and gave him a chaste kiss as I returned my attention to my family. Yes, my family. Because Asami was my sister, blood or no didn't matter and she was alive. She was going to live.

Just a few days after she came home, an invitation to the ProBending charity match arrived. Once a year we would have a ProBending tournament between my old team the Fire Ferrets and the current champion. The winnings would be donated to the charity of our choice. I always attended but with Asami's recent surgery...

"I'm not going," I repeated firmly.

"Korra, I'm fine, really," my best friend insisted.

"You just had surgery." And the match was all the way in the Fire Nation.

"I can ask Pema to help me with Victoria while you're gone," Asami insisted sitting up. "You don't ProBend as much as you used to. Plus it's for a good cause."

"But-"

"No buts. You're going and you're going to have fun."

I let out a long sigh as I sat on the bed next to her. "Are you sure?" I asked.

She nodded placing a hand over mine. "Korra, stop hovering. I'm fine. Go to your match."

"I'll only be gone a week. But I'll call everyday."

Asami laughed and shook her head. "I'll be waiting here for you,."

"You better be."

We shared a laugh. And I thanked the Spirits that everything had turned out okay.

Asami's POV

I tried to stifle my laughter as I hid inside my daughter's room. Korra had been gone for five days and I'd been spending most, if not all, my time playing with Victoria. My best friend hadn't wanted to leave but after everything that had happened, I knew she needed a break. Besides, I was feeling much better. For the most part. Lately I hadn't exactly been feeling like myself but I knew it must've been because of all the rest I'd gotten. Pema was going to be here soon and I knew she'd want me to lie down while she fixed us some food. Then Korra would call and ask her how I was doing. I smiled and shook my head.

"Mom, Pema's here!" I heard Victoria call from what sounded like downstairs.

I grinned. That trick was not going to work on me.

Quietly I moved over to her bed, a abruptly my actions were halted by a stabbing pain. My heart was pounding hard against my chest, almost as if trying to bust out. I placed a hand over it, fingers fisting into the fabric of my shirt, trying to calm myself down but my breathing was become more shallow by the second. I turned to head to the door only to fall.

And everything went dark before I even hit the floor.

Well...there it goes. I just wanted to let ya'll know that the past has now caught up with the present. So yeah. And there's only two chapters after this and I don't think some of you will be prepared for it... I hope you all have enjoyed this story as much as we have, and I like to hear your thoughts. Review and we hope you enjoy the home stretch.

We out! Peace!