A/N: Hello everyone! Sorry for the massive lag. Been watching Naruto and Naruto Shippuden so needless to say I've been busy catching up with Spirits know how many episodes. Anywho, *looks at the number of reviews and shakes head*, need some reviews gals and guys. Let me know your thoughts. Send BG-13 a thanks for her awesome work and don't forget to check out our new story, Hellfire.

It was no secret the military woman hated the bot her best friend used to help build her suit, what with her always threatening the robotic creature. This is why Asami was surprised when after finally getting a day off and away from company meetings, she found her best friend and metallic assistant working together. She could hear them argue as she entered her private workshop and chuckled.

"Hey, Kevin, hand me that screwdriver," the dark skinned woman instructed.

The second prototype was nearly complete but there were still a few things the heiress hadn't quite figured out yet. Since she had taught the Colonel a thing or two about machines, Korra decided to take a look and see if she could find out what the problem was.

"Kevin?" the heiress asked as she reached the pair.

"No, no! You idiot the thing with the handle." The military woman let out an irritated sound before turning to look at her best friend. "Yeah, Kevin."

The ravanette raised a brow. "You named my robot Kevin..."

A shrug. "Well I needed something to call it and R2D2 was taken."

The engineer sighed and shook her head, watching as the Colonel and bot interacted. She couldn't understand why the machine played dumb with the brunette. He knew the tools fairly well, although sometimes he couldn't really tell the difference between a wrench and a clipper.

"Asami, enlighten me, why do you keep that hunk of junk-" She looked at Kevin. "No offense." Back to Asami. "-around when he'd be much more valuable as scraps?"

"He has his uses," Asami answered, placing a hand on the bot. "For instance he seems to entertain you. You did name him after all. Besides, I think he likes you."

Korra sighed in response. "Well maybe he's grown on me a little." The robot made a move to get closer and she raised her hand, causing him to stop. "Don't push it, I still think I'd like you better as scraps."

Kevin made a noise, the robotic arm dropping in sadness before wheeling away. The heiress crossed her arms over her chest, giving her friend a pointed look. The Colonel rolled her eyes.

"Doesn't mean you can't still help me, get your metallic butt back here."

The arm immediately turned, coming back, letting out small noises as the lens zoomed in on the military woman. Asami laughed at the pair. There would be no living with them now.

Korra took a deep breath before raising herself for another pull up. She had spent most of the day conditioning her troops and herself. Her father had asked her to make sure they were battle ready. The Colonel already had a plan for them for the following week pending the General's approval. She hated having to run everything by him but seeing as he had found out about her little slip she had no choice.

The Firebender watched as she trained, noting how she was able to do exercises without breaking a sweat. Even now she was able to keep going as if it were nothing. The military man had started to look into June's claims and after some digging had found what seemed to be an impossible but reasonable explanation.

Legends spoke about how man and Spirit had fused over a thousand years ago, but the human host had been killed in the process. Iroh hadn't been able to get anything out of Rhodes and Asami had been ignoring his calls but if that were true...the Colonel was a weapon. But that wasn't all that worried him. He didn't know how many outbursts she'd had before June and if he could find the legends... anyone else could too.

His thoughts were interrupted when he was knocked back and his ears were left ringing by a sudden explosion. The General cursed, his eyes widening slightly as he watched the neighboring building burn before yelling for the Waterbenders to put the fire out. When a second explosion was heard he called them back, conflicted. He could hear the soldiers inside crying for help but if there was another bomb...

"Colonel, stand back," he ordered when the Water Tribe woman stepped towards the building.

"There are people in there."

"We don't know if there's a third bomb. I will not risk the life of more soldiers."

Her jaw clenched in response and she knelt down, placing the palm of her hand on the ground, eyes closed. After a moment she stood, looking over at the soldiers.

"There's no bomb but the building is unstable," she told the group. "I can hold it up while you get them out, they're mostly on the first and second floor."

"You can't Bend," Iroh answered. "These soldiers are not going in there."

"They're still alive!"

"You can't Bend," he repeated. "I know that this is about your team and you feel like you can save them, but they're not here. They are gone."

The Colonel's eyes narrowed in response. "Don't you dare talk about my team," Korra managed through clenched teeth before looking at the group. "I need you to trust me."

"I trust you," Mako said coming forward. "Anyone else with me?"

Slowly they all followed the military official's lead and the Water Tribe woman took a deep breath before holding her hand out, getting a hold of the crumbling building. Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes ordered the soldiers to get everyone out as quickly and efficiently as possible while the General barked at the Waterbenders to get ready with stretchers and other medical supplies.

The building creaked and Korra's jaw clenched, her arms shaking slightly, her hold wavering. Mako noticed this and asked the remaining soldiers to clear the building. Once everyone was out and a safe distance away he asked the Colonel to let the building drop. The military woman did as she was told, falling to her knees, panting from exhaustion. The Lieutenant Colonel went over to his friend, helping her stand and moving her to a safer place.

Despite being exhausted, the military woman helped the wounded soldiers, trying to make them as comfortable as possible. The General watched as she did, his anger towards her slowly fading. She had disobeyed his orders but despite it all, he was glad for it. Many soldiers were able to receive help because of her.

"Colonel Jordan," Iroh called when the military woman decided to call it a day.

She looked back at him before telling Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes that she'd meet him in his car. He reluctantly nodded his head, taking her bag.

"Did I forget to do something, General?" she asked when he reached her.

"No, I would like to have a word with you."

She scoffed in response. "I have nothing to say to you."

"Colonel-"

"I went through a rough patch, I lost...control, hit that woman. But I am moving on, and you won't let me," Korra began, going toe to toe with him. "You are treating me like I'm a basket case and everyone is watching you and they're believing you."

The General didn't say anything in response. He had to admit that he may have crossed the line with her team but she couldn't Bend before. Her file declared her as a Nonbender. So how had she been able to keep the building up.

"I had a good day today. I saved those soldiers. I did that," she continued. "I am a good soldier and I don't deserve people thinking that I'm anything less than that. So with all due respect, leave me the hell alone."

"How did you learn how to Bend?" Iroh asked when she turned away. "You couldn't before. How can you do it now?"

"I don't owe you any explanations."

"Something happened to you in the South Pole. You're hiding something, I know it." The Colonel didn't answer. "And I will find out. People will start asking questions after today."

"Is that all?" the military woman asked, her back still towards him.

Iroh scoffed lightly before answering. "That's all. For now."

The military woman took a deep breath as she watched the news, slightly sitting up to lean against the headboard. Following the attack on the military base, the General had called an emergency meeting with the head military officials of each nation. The Colonel had taken her father's place though he was present as the Northern Tribe's representative. They all knew that Kuvira was behind the attack though none of them could prove it.

Most of the soldiers had been rescued and were recuperated but we lost soldiers as well. Earlier that day, the military woman and Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes had attended the funeral for the fallen soldiers.

Despite the fact that the Southern Tribe woman had obviously Bended that day, no one had questioned it. She believed it was because of all the commotion though she had heard a pair of soldiers discussing her abilities. For the longest time the dark skinned woman had been trying to keep her abilities a secret but her comrades had needed her that day. She couldn't turn her back on them.

Korra watched as her four legged companion lifted her head up from her spot on the floor, tail wagging. Her best friend had arrived, it seemed. The military woman glanced towards the clock, noting how late it was before the door opened and the engineer walked inside.

"Hey, you," the Colonel greeted. "I almost thought I'd have to take you a change of clothes for in the morning."

Asami scowled slightly before reaching up and pulling a few pins out of her hair, causing her black mane to release from the bun as she slipped off her heels. She climbed onto the bed, slipping under the covers and curling up next to her best friend who was a little surprised. It had been some time since their last sleepover.

"Didn't feel like walking up the steps?" the military woman asked with a teasing grin.

"I don't think I would have made it that far. So when I heard the television I thought I'd just keep you company, if you don't mind."

"By all means."

The engineer managed a laugh in response, her brow furrowing slightly as she watched the footage from the explosion at the base. She knew the funeral had been earlier that day and given what the Water Tribe woman had gone through months earlier, she knew it couldn't have been easy on her.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Korra felt her best friend's gaze and sighed, looking down at her, cyan meeting emerald. "I'm okay," she finally answered.

Both women studied the other. The Colonel could see the bags under the heiress' eyes and the exhaustion, while her friend saw the pain behind the younger woman's bravado.

"You know... They just recently opened up this new turtleduck pond boat deal at the park," the military woman commented after a moment, feeling a change in conversation was necessary.

"Yeah, it's mostly for couples."

The younger woman felt her heart sink, slightly fidgeting in her spot. "You been? You know, with any secret boyfriends?" Her tone was casual, but there was a slight hitch to her voice.

"No. Unfortunately I've always been too busy," Asami answered, covering her mouth as she yawned. "And you don't date so I know you haven't gone," she added looking up at the Colonel, a glint in her eyes.

"I know that look, you wanna check them out, don't you?"

"Maybe someday. But by the looks of my schedule and lack of romantic interest at the moment it's not likely." She didn't even want to think about the meeting the next day. There was so much going on with the business partners and Varrick that the heiress barely had any time to breathe.

"Someday I'm gonna get you away from the business. You can't keep running yourself like this, 'Sami."

A shrug. "Until Dad comes back from his extended business in the Fire Nation I don't have much of a choice."

The military woman didn't say anything, brow furrowed in thought. Her friend did have a point. Going to the turtleduck pond was a far stretch for her but then again, Asami was her best friend. She looked down to ask her when she would have a day off only to see the engineer had fallen asleep. The heiress was curled up against her side, arm under her head, chest rising and falling steadily.

Korra smiled at the sight. She reached over to the control, muting it before wrapping an arm around her friend. Gently she ran her hand through the thick black mane, smiling.

After just a few months of training, the military woman had mastered Firebending, or at least gotten very proficient at it. The Lieutenant Colonel couldn't deny that his comrade was a quick study but still. He had never heard of anyone managing to manipulate fire like Korra. If he hadn't known her for so long, he could almost swear she was born a Firebender.

"You don't want to go?" he asked again slowly, brow raised asking for clarification.

The Colonel sighed and shook her head again. Her Firebending friend was not making her decision easy. She stopped and looked up at him, smirking slightly.

"Seriously, I don't want to go to a bar." Her friend hummed thoughtfully, hiding his hands in his pockets. "But we can buy some food and beers and eat at your place. It's been a while since I've slept over."

Mako raised a brow. "You sure Asami won't mind?"

"She always gets home late, besides she isn't my nanny. She can't tell me what I can and can't do."

Despite her words, the Firebender noticed that they lacked their usual conviction. He hummed in realization before leading the shorter woman to his Satomobile. Not long after they were back at his apartment, opening a beer and serving takeout. Rhodes' place was small, comfortable, and neat. The Colonel always found the place comforting and enjoyed spending time with him. Aside from the heiress, he was her best friend and confidante.

"So are you going to tell me why you didn't want to go to a bar," the Firebender asked, taking a bite out of a dumpling.

Korra took a sip of her beer, using her chopsticks to move the noodles around. "I just didn't feel like it," she finally replied with a shrug.

"C'mon, spit it out already."

The Colonel sighed. "Okay so I haven't been out for a while and the only person I've had contact with-"

"You fell for Asami."

The military woman blinked, head tilting curiously as she watched Mako continue to eat. "How-"

"You've known each other your whole lives. It was only a matter of time." He paused, meeting her blue gaze. "So you're trying to control your one night stand streak to show her you can handle it, aren't you?"

"...I am." A sigh. "I mean I don't even know if she'll be interested in me. She's always dated men."

"Well you dated me."

"You were different."

He put down his chopsticks, placing his hands under his chin. "I've seen the way she looks at you lately," the Firebender revealed. "Maybe you aren't too far off."

Korra bit her lip, swirling the noodles around before taking a bite. For a couple of days she had become aware of the shifting dynamic between her and the heiress. Especially after the night the beautiful ravenette slept in her room. She hadn't been able to sleep that night.

"Hey, ready to call it a night?" Mako asked snapping the military woman out of her thoughts.

She nodded her head, heading over to his room and unbottoming her shirt and pants, leaving her in a dark blue t-shirt and black boxer shorts. With a deep breath she slipped into bed while Lieutenant Colonel shut off the lights before tucking her in. The military woman smiled and turned to face him, whispering a 'thanks'. Despite them not ever having a real romantic relationship the Firebender was always attentive with her.

He smirked in response. "Go to sleep, Korra. You're gonna need it to ask Asami out tomorrow," he teased.

The heiress rubbed her eyes as she came down the stairs, brow furrowing when she caught the smell of eggs cooking and bacon frying. Last night, her friend had not come home and she had felt a moment of disappointment, thinking the Water Tribe native had gone back to her one night stands. She was relieved when she received a message from the younger woman, letting the ravenette know she'd be spending the night with their Firebender friend. Nonetheless, the engineer was still surprised to see the Colonel up so early.

"Morning," Korra greeted with a smile, setting a cup in front of the heiress as she sat down at the bar.

Asami hummed in response taking a sip from the hot beverage, needing her morning caffeine if she was going to deal with the headaches at work.

"What are you doing up?" she asked after a moment. "Whenever you spend the night at Mako's you don't come back until midday. I know he likes to treat you to breakfast."

"Yeah, but I wanted to make you breakfast today."

The engineer raised a brow, noticing how slightly nervous the military woman was and how she wouldn't meet her gaze. What was going on? Calculating green eyes studied the dark skinned woman, trying to find what could possibly have her in such a state. "Is everything alright?" Asami asked when nothing seemed to be amiss.

The Colonel handed her a plate, placing one in front of herself but not sitting down. She bit her lip, thinking about her conversation with the Firebender the night before. When she had left his apartment earlier that morning she had rehearsed in her head how this would go...

"Look, I... I want to ask you out."

Asami titled her head to the side. "What do you mean?"

"I want to ask you if you'll go on a date...with me." She said the words slowly, lacking her usual confidence. The heiress didn't reply right away, studying the tan woman in front if her. She hadn't expected this. Her eyes scanned her oldest friend's face, looking for something to indicate a motive, anything to give away what had brought this on. But, if they were going to do this, she was going to make sure Korra knew exactly what was expected.

"You know what you're asking for right?"

A nod. "Yes."

"I'm not the kind of girl that will sleep with you on the first date, and I do expect to be dated," Asami answered, setting her coffee down and fixing the brunette with a stare she had used many times in conference rooms and meetings. "I'm not a fling. And I will not be treated as such."

"Never." The answer was immediate and Korra didn't flinch under Asami's unwavering gaze.

"Hmm."

The elder woman took another sip of her coffee, savoring the taste. Meanwhile her best friend could feel her heartbeat in her ears, every second that passed dragging by like hours.

"What did you have in mind?" the engineer finally asked, eyes softening ever so slightly.

Korra couldn't stop the smile that graced her face, finally sitting down to eat, relaxing now that the hardest part was over. "Something simple. Nothing over the top. Perhaps Narook's," the Colonel answered, knowing her friend wasn't expecting anything fancy like Quong's and didn't particularly care for it. "And then I have a surprise planned later. Non-sex related, I swear."

Her best friend smiled before her cell phone starting ringing from her handbag, a reminder that she had an hour to get to work. She sighed as she stood. "I have to go, but we'll continue this when I get back."

"I'll wrap this up for you then."

Asami smiled, watching as the younger woman went to look for a container. She was feeling anxious, excited. And if the smile on Korra's face said anything, so was she.