"So what is this year's rookie team calling themselves?" A newspaper reporter was interviewing the new pro-bending team for the upcoming season.

"We're the Fire Ferrets. I'm the team firebender, Mako." the team captain made the introductions, "Our team waterbender, Hasook and our team earthbender Bolin Beifong."

"And in your opinion, Mako, just how far will your team go this year?"

"We're going all the way." The man seemed unimpressed, a lot of teams said that over the years and most of them didn't even make the finals.

"Now, Mr. Beifong."

"Bolin." he corrected with a laugh, he just turned sixteen that very day and people were already calling him mister.

"Bolin. You are a former Earth Rumble Champion. What caused this career change and do you think your experience will help you in the ring?"

"Well, I've always loved Pro-bending and it's something me and my brother can both compete in. Umm, I don't think my experience will help me much. In the Rumble, a bender has to keep their feet firmly on the ground, but in Pro-bending, everyone has to be light on their toes. So it's going to be a big change." Then he thought about it for a second, "And it's going to be weird for a Beifong to compete without a blindfold." The reporter gave him a courtesy laugh.

"Speaking of which, aren't metalbenders forbidden from playing?"

"I'm not a metalbender." He admitted, the interviewer blinked.

"You're not?"

"Yeah, I know, it's a shock." He rubbed the back of his head nervously, "But I'm a Beifong by name, not by blood so..."

"And he halted his combat training to learn Pro-bending style." Mako came in to save his brother from anymore embarrassment. The man didn't have too many more questions, but out of the few there were, not one of them was for Hasook. This earned the brothers a glare, but what'd they care? They'd been on the wrong side of Lin Beifong's temper and waterbender's glare looked more like a loving gaze in comparison.

Out of all the things she wanted to be doing today, pulling weeds out of the ground with Pema was at the bottom of the list, so why was the Chief of Police on Air Temple Island doing just that...she had no idea. Somehow, the arrowhead always managed to convince her to do things that she despised.

"When I get my hands on that airhead, I'm gonna..."

"I want to thank you for keeping my children occupied." Tenzin had finally come to help, but stopped to speak to an acolyte over at the edge of the garden. What lovely timing, now she could kill him.

"Oh, I'm just glad to have the chance to play with your children, Master Tenzin." The woman beamed. Lin stopped her work to watch the pair. Hmm...a young windless-airhead trying to score points with Tenzin, now where had she seen that before?

"I hope my children didn't give you too much trouble."

"They were perfect little children, Master Tenzin." The acolyte smile sweetly while Lin rolled her eyes. Jinora and Ikki were fighting like porcucats and Meelo bit her hand, perfect children indeed.

"Well, thank you for your assistance." Having seen this act many times before, Tenzin bid her a good day and tried to make the great escape. Only the young woman would have none of that,

"Oh, Master Tenzin!" she called, "There were some things about airbending that I wanted to ask you." That old trick? Couldn't these little floozies come up with something more original?

"What may I help you with?" On the other hand, if it still works...

"Well, I was hoping that you could show me some of the more complicated forms. I've been trying to prefect them and I just can't seem to get it right."

"She is quite the... studious young lady." Pema said beside her. If one were to listen closely, they'd hear just the slightest bit of strain in her voice.

"Airbending forms are about spiral movements." He explained as he displayed his technique.

"That's so impressive. Does airbending keep you cool through the exercise? It' s so hot out and your robes look heavy." Translation: 'Strip, Master Tenzin'.

"What is she talking about? It's still spring." The airbender's wife growled. Lin smirked, this was quickly becoming quality entertainment.

"No, I'm perfectly fine, thank you, Chan-juan." He insisted, so she continued with her strategy.

"So, like this?" Chan-juan stumbled through the steps, attempting to look clumsy.

"You must be balanced." He showed her again.

"I think I should leave the technique to you, Master Tenzin. You make it look far too easy."

"She is flirting with him, and he's spoken for." Dark aura started to radiate from the woman. Did she forget who she was ranting to?

"Happened to me all the time."

"How did you stand it?" Pema begged for the answer to her problem. 'Jail Time. Does that bring up any fond memories for you?', the chief thought to herself.

"I told myself that Tenzin didn't place any stock in youth." the look on the thirty five-year-old woman's face...priceless. Only one thing could make this scene more perfect...

"I simply have had years of practice." The airbending master said humbly.

"You're so modest, Master Tenzin! I think talent must have played a part in there somewhere."

"Well, I'm afraid I really must be going." Tenzin quickly turned a heal and jumped fifteen feet in the air as the woman put a hand on each retreating cheek. Meanwhile, Pema grew fangs and claws.

"Don't you ever touch my husband's behind again you shameless hussy!" the demure little broodmare roared, storming up to the two of them and grabbing the back of Chan-juan's collar.

"I don't know what happened! I swear I would nev-gak!" She never got to finish her sentence as Pema started dragging her towards the ferry. Tenzin stood there flabbergasted...until he heard an all too familiar snicker. With narrowed eyes he followed the sound to find his oldest friend doubled over, shaking with concealed laughter.

"Didn't know she had it in her." Maybe it was wrong, but Lin couldn't help but get a sick sense of enjoyment from all this. It was nice to see Pema on the other side of that situation.

"Lin! You...you made her trip and touch my bottom?!" He shouted. She straightened up and smirked.

"Hey, if you hadn't turned when you did she would've hit your chest. But I think I liked that better."

"So, is this a Beifong tradition?" Bolin asked his mother as he walked with her, Mako and Asami into the tavern.

"You've hit the legal drinking age, time for you to have a drink." Tradition was too strong of a word.

"Hey, Beifong!" A man called her over to the empty stool beside him.

"Hey, Lee. Hiding from the wife?"

"How'd you guess?" the man grinned, taking another sip, "This your boy? Grown up already?"

"It's time for his first drink."

"In that case, it's on me. Yo, Akina," he signaled the barkeep, "four more rounds." He took each little glass and past them out, "Here you are, this will put hair on your chest."

"Then should you really be drinking it, Mom?"

"Very funny, Boy." She tipped her glass back and swallowed it in one gulp. Bolin considered the liquid in his hand and went to tip his glass. Everyone at the bar made way as he attempted to chuck it back like his mother. Spffooo! Not a single veteran drinker had so much as a drop of alcohol spewed on them. He started to hack and cough while everyone around him laughed.

"You should start with sips, Boy." Lin patted his back.

"And tip the barkeep for having to wipe up your mess." Akina chimed in while taking a cloth to the bar.

"Why didn't you say that before?!" he managed to choke out. She just smirked.

"Akina, give the kids something softer." She laid down the money including a big tip for cleaning the bar. The look on the kid's face when that alcohol touched his tongue was well worth it, "You three go find a table." she past them their drinks and sat back down on her stool. "Their tab's on me, Akina."

"You're not going to drink with us?"

"No." her partying days were behind her.

"Feeling old yet, Beifong?" Lee asked after the younger three left.

"How'd you guess?" Was it the fact she was slumped over the bar, or the fact she was ordering herself a softer drink to avoid getting drunk?

"Yeah, mine grew up too quickly. One day, I'm pushing them on the swing, the next, I'm helping them move across town. When's your boy moving out?"

"They said they'll be out tomorrow." She shrugged.

"Really now?"

"Schmucks." Lin chuckled.

"You remember," he stared thoughtfully at the mirror in front of them, "when we were that age and we vowed never to get our kids dead drunk for the hell of it like our parents did to us?"

"Yeah."

"Here's to broken vows." He raised his glass.

"Cheers." She clanked the glasses.

…...

Clank, clank, clank...Bolin and Mako covered their ears as the bombs exploded inside their heads.

"So you boys gonna move out today?"

"Ngngh..." Bolin groaned, Mako just ignored her. Not to worry, she came bearing medicine and booze.

"Get up, boys. I gotta go to work soon." she picked Bolin up from the floor and sat him at his desk, "Drink this." she shoved the bottle into his mouth.

"hy..on' wa dwink no more."

"Hair of the polarbeardog that bit ya, kid." she took it away after a few sips and brought the other glass up to his lips.

"ey, wha's at?"

"Medicine." Medicine/Toph Beifong's kill or cure hangover remedy...same difference. Lin plugged his nose, poured the rancid liquid down his throat, and held his mouth closed. He squirmed and tried to spit it out, "Get it down, Boy." When he finally swallowed and made no more movements to chuck it back up, she pushed him towards the bathroom, "Come on, Mako, you're next." she got him off Bolin's mattress and the fun began again.

When Lin returned that night the boys were in better form, cleaned and awake. She showed them a small mercy by picking up food and now they were at the table eating noddles.

"Mom." he pointed at her, "You. Are. Evil."

"Bolin, you are right." How could she deny it?

"I'm never drinking again." Mako rubbed his temples.

"Yeah, me nether." Bolin agreed.

"Yeah, right."