Dr. Minghua had five people in his office by the time Mako entered his office. It was a long, grueling process, but everyone had to do it once a year on the Republic City Police Force, and they all seemed to decide to knock it out on the first day, and then head on to the bar or something. It wore on Dr. Minghua, who heard the same stories over and over, but at least they got it done. Now if only they would schedule for more sessions, he'd be able to justify his budget to the appropriations committee.

"Mako, please, sit down."

"Doc, is this gonna take long?"

Mako got to 'Long' when Dr. Minghua sighed and said, "No, this won't take long. Now, please. Have you been feeling unusually aggressive?"

"Well, kind of. I mean, I've been under a lot of stress, with what's going on with the Water Tribes, it's no big deal! It hasn't affected my work!"

"Mmm hmm. Have you maintained a healthy relationship with your loved ones?"

"Things have been somewhat strained recently, but for the same reason, Korra's got a lot on her mind and I'm doing my best to be there for her but I've also got my job and Bolin has this crazy ex-girlfriend he's terrified of."

"Have you had any problems dealing with authority?"

"Not really, it's been-"

"Have you been thinking about yourself and your accomplishments in an inordinate fashion or capacity?"

"No, I-"

"What do you think of children?"

"Kids? They're okay, I guess. I've been bringing dumplings to some of the urchins whenever I can afford a little extra. Nobody ever did that for me, so I thought I'd reach out to my roots, take care of the people who don't have anyone to take care of them."

"Mmm hmm. Have you taken any particular interest in any one of these urchins?"

"No, none of them really stick out. They're all just hungry and need someone to talk to and care about them. If nobody else is gonna do it, it might as well be me. I hooked them up with a hobo friend of mine I know, though, someone that'll keep an eye on them."

"Have you conducted any beatings or unnecessary force on any perpetrators?"

"Uh, well, I was kind of worried when I tipped over this one Satomobile during a chace, but they were all fine. I filed a report about that, we chatted, remember?"

"I recall. No other similar incidents?"

"No, sir."

"I am not your superior, Mako, please do not call me 'sir,'" he scribbled more notes, "Have you been acting impulsively?"

"I've had to make some quick decisions lately, but no, I don't think so."

"Have you had any resentment towards any of your coworkers or colleagues?"

"No, I've got along well with everyone. I think some of the older fellas might be jealous that the word 'detective' is getting rolled around my name. I don't want them to be, though, I mean, we're all on the same team here."

"All right, thank you, Mako. That will be all."

Mako blinked, "That's it?"

"That's it."

"I thought there'd be more than that. Bolin's been seeing a shrink-"

"Mental healthcare professional," Dr. Minghua corrected tiredly.

"-And he says it's the best thing since dumplings. He's been all touchy-feely and weird, but he seems pretty happy. Well, except for two days ago, when his girlfriend showed up. His go on for like an hour, how come I only got twenty minutes?"

"Because this isn't a therapy session, this is a psychological evaluation. Which you passed, and the next person is waiting to take."

"So you're seriously just gonna brush me off now that your paperwork is filled out?"

"Because I have work to do, Officer Mako."

"I mean, I expected more than just a few obvious questions. You're not going to delve deeper into my psyche and derive answers to unasked questions or something? Cuz the guys were making me think that this was gonna be much more than a quick questionnaire."

"No, that's all there is, Officer Mako. Now if-"

"I mean, it was so simple! So outright, what if I lied, huh?"

"Did you?"

"No!"

"According to this report, you had a pretty heated argument with Detective Po over procedure. Someone was worried enough about it that they thought to report the incident to me. Would you like to talk about that?" Dr. Minghua crossed his arms. If Mako wanted a session, he would get a session of Mako liked it or not.

"No! Who told you about my argument with Po? There was nothing to it, we just had a disagreement about how to chase down a speeding target. He's not a Bender, he doesn't understand the tools at my disposal!"

"What were the specifics of the argument?"

"Aw, come on, Doc, I have work to do!"

"Please, indulge me."

Maked tsked and sighed, "I used my Firebending to take out a tire on a target. It took out a window, and Po came to my desk when I filed the report. He proceeded to give me a lecture about causing property damage, but I told him that if I ahdn't, they would have caused a lot more damage the longer the chase went on. By taking out the tire and stopping the chase, I saved lives and prevented additional damage. The whole thing was settled in court last week, the Police Department wasn't held liable for the damage, so in the end, I was right."

"But Po didn't think you'd always get so lucky."

"No, but what does he know?"

"A good deal to make Detective, I think."

"Oh, well, yeah, I mean, there's that. All right, let me try that again: Detective Po is a good detective. He knows how to work a crime scene, and I respect him for that, I really do. But he hasn't aged well. He couldn't do what I can do, and I appreciate that, once upon a time, he could. But technology is different, and Bending is different, neither of which he had when he was on the force at my age. I didn't think it was appropriate for him to be lecturing me about a call I made in the middle of a dangerous chase. He doesn't work Traffic or Hazard, and hasn't in twenty years. I want to learn what Po knows when I become detective, but on this, I don't think he has anything to teach me."

"So who on the Force do you look to for advice?"

"Well, there's the Chief. Best police officer I know. Sergeant Yan, he's really showed me the ropes. Lung and Ton. I go to them all the time. They've worked where I've work, and know what I face on the streets. I get advice from them all the time."

"All right."

"I mean, it was just an argument, that's no big deal. It happens all the time."

"People cross lines they don't mean to. Po crossed one with you. Have you been able to smooth things over with the Detective since then?"

"Well, no, not really. I mean, it was only last week that the court declared I wasn't liable. I haven't really spoken to him since the argument, either, so it's been kind of awkward. Do you think I should talk to him? I…Said some things I didn't really mean."

"I think that might be a good idea. There's a bit of scuttlebutt about you two that you should nip before it gets out of hand. It might do well to ease some tempers about you if you were to stick your neck out for Po's pride. Not his ego, just his pride. He's been on the force as long as Chief BeiFong. He deserves a bit of respect."

"And, he's got it. Evne if I haven't exactly shown that to him."

Dr. Minghua nodded, "Excellent, Mako. Unfortunately, that's it for time."

"Oh, uh, okay. I didn't mean to run you that long, Doc."

"It's not a problem at all, Mako, it's all part of the job. In fact, why don't we make this a regular thing? How about weekly sessions? You're under a lot of pressure, Mako, between your police duties, rumors of your promotion, and working with Team Avatar. You could use the time to let off some steam, so to speak."

"Are you sure, Doc? I mean, you've got to be a pretty busy man."

"If you'd like to do that, I will fit you in, Mako, don't worry about me. It's my job to keep the brave men and women of Republic City's finest at their best, and if that means I have to listen to what you had for breakfast, then I will listen to your breakfast stories. I signed up for this job, and I love doing it."

"All right, yeah, okay. Weekly sessions, then."

"I'll see you next week, Send in the next guy." Mako nodded, and Lin BeiFong entered.

"Let's get this over with, Doctor Minghua."

"Oh, but Chief. I just got on a roll. Let's go two for two.'