A/N: Hello everyone! Sorry for the MASSIVE lag. Here is the last chapter for Titanium. We MAY have a epilogue in the future but for now this is it. Send your thanks to BG-13 and enjoy!
Asami took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of her nose as the meeting dragged on. Mako and Bolin had met with Baatar, Kuvira's fiancé, to let them in on her plans. It wasn't surprising that all the military leaders were weary of the information provided given his affiliation but so far everything was proving to be true. The heiress still wondered what would make him betray the Great Uniter. He'd stuck by her side since before the war even began. However, there had been rumors that innocent civilians were forced onto battlefields due to their depleting numbers. Maybe he actually had a conscience.
She blinked, returning attention to the goings on once more as Korra's name was mentioned. The Bender had been doing well the last couple of weeks and the engineer knew she was also sleeping a lot better. Their relationship seemed to be picking up where it left off and they enjoyed their time together. Korra was stressed from what was going on but that was understandable. None of them wanted more people to die.
"You have to send me in," the military woman said.
"You're not ready," Asami answered before anyone could.
The military men and women shared looks and the engineer knew she might have crossed the line. She was only supposed to be observing. "If what Baatar said is true, Colonel Jordan will be needed in the battlefield," the Firelord stated after a moment.
"Sadly, I agree," Iroh added. "She is our trump card."
"Tenzin has given me the green light to resume all my military duties. Including deployment."
"Korra, he also said to know your limits," the heiress reminded her taking hand. "You can get hurt." She turned to look at her father. "She shouldn't have to go."
"Asami, your job is to provide updates on the Sato Suit and any other weaponry being used," Korra replied pulling her hand away from her girlfriend's. "Not to interfere with military strategy."
"The Colonel is right, Asami," Mako agreed, sending the ravenette an empathetic glance.
The heiress stood, slamming her hand on the table. "She can die!"
"We can all die!" Iroh snapped. "Today, tomorrow, a week from now. It's war."
Asami took a deep breath. "Fine, but if she goes, so do I."
It was Korra who stood next, her blue eyes ablaze. "This isn't a negotiation." Her girlfriend opened her mouth to protest when she was cut off. "I'm not discussing this with you, Asami," the Colonel added lowly so only the engineer could hear before turning her attention to the attendees. "Unless her expertise is still needed, she should be excused from this military meeting."
Asami didn't even wait for an answer, grabbing her suitcase and slamming the door on the way out.
The soldier took a deep breath as she finished packing her bag. Asami hadn't spoken to her since the meeting last week, often locking the door to her room and the garage depending on which one she occupied. Korra had expected her to be upset but not to this degree. Though, given that she would be deployed in three hours could definitely have something to do with it. Her father had informed the engineer of his decision and they were more than surprised when the heirless walked away shortly after.
Mako waited for her in the living room having been tasked with making sure the Sato ravenette didn't permanently injure the Colonel. He offered the Bender a small smile before taking her bag and loading it into the car as she tried once more to speak to her girlfriend. She knocked on the metal door only to receive nothing in response.
"Asami," the soldier tried. "I know you're upset but... I'm going into Earth Kingdom territory tomorrow and I just... I want to see you before I go."
Silence.
"I won't be able to talk to you on the phone but I'll write," Korra continued. She leaned against the metal door. "Asami...I don't know when I'm coming back." Or if I'll come back, the darker woman mentally added.
"Korra," the Firebender called. "It's time."
The Colonel sighed and nodded. "I love you, 'Sami."
Inside the garage Asami leaned against the metal door, listening as the car drove away. It hadn't been easy avoiding her girlfriend but she'd needed to perfect and finish her suit, adding the final touches and making sure it was battle ready. Kevin made a small noise as she walked towards it, hand hovering over the soldier's old and now improved arc reactor before stepping inside.
"Madam, are you sure about this?" JARVIS asked.
"If Korra is going to war, so am I," the engineer replied. "Now show me the coordinates for the fort."
Korra grunted as she dropped to the ground, managing to dodge the metal spikes thrown at her. She had to admit that returning to the battlefield had been easier than she expected it to be. Her surviving platoon members from the last time she was in the field welcomed her, something she knew she didn't deserve. A few hours after her arrival at the fort was when the battle began. The Colonel couldn't tell how long they had been fighting but she could feel her muscles begin to protest as she stood, punching flames towards the enemy, moving on when she heard them grunt in pain as they were set ablaze.
The soldier cursed under her breath as she stepped on what she was sure was a mine before wrapping herself in an earth ball only to be flung in the air. She groaned as she sat up, everything was spinning as she attempted to stand only to realize she was surrounded by several enemy mecha tanks. Korra cursed under her breath, closing her eyes and attempting to concentrate. Without warning something landed next to her and she could hear the explosions as whatever it was blew the machines back.
"It was about time," the Bender began before looking up to realize that the Sato suit was not like the others. This one was painted in red and black, with an all too familiar arc reactor glowing in the center where the Future Industries logo sat. The face opened and Korra clenched her jaw. Of all the stupid - "I can't believe you-"
"If you thought I was going to let you fight alone, you must be out of your mind," the heiress answered, stretching out her arm to fire a pulse at the incoming soldiers.
"I must have the most stubborn woman in the planet as a girlfriend," Korra replied as she stood.
"No, I think that's my burden to bear."
The Colonel couldn't help but smirk as she used her Airbending to knock away the weapons of a nearby group. "Does this mean-"
"I'm still mad at you," Asami replied, cutting her off as she raised an enemy tank and swung it around before throwing it towards another tank.
But Korra couldn't help but smile. "Will you marry me?"
The heiress blinked, losing her focus and causing her to be knocked to the side. The shield on her face came back down and she could see red on the screen before she knocked away the robot.
"What?"
"Marry me!" the Bender replied as she blocked a punch before taking a hit to the side.
"I don't think now's the the best time."
"Now may be the only time!"
Asami decided that she was in love with a lunatic. "Yes," the heiress finally replied as she kicked a soldier away. "Fine. Yes. I'll marry you."
Korra laughed as she slammed two soldiers against each other, knocking them out cold. She spotted her Firebending friend fighting a group of robotic suits as she tackled one herself.
"Rhodey!" she called.
"A little busy at the moment," Mako answered as he used his Lightningbending to short circuit the bots.
"I'm getting married!"
The Firebender couldn't help but laugh in disbelief as he pushed his platoon further into battle. "Well it was about damn time," was all he said in response.
It was only a few hours after the ceasefire that the Colonel and heiress were awakened by gunfire and explosions. Korra immediately jolted up, taking a protective stance over the older woman as she did. The ravenette could feel the tension coming off the Bender as she looked around before barking orders to her platoon. She turned to tell her girlfriend something but was cut off when ruby lips crashed into hers, giving a hurried kiss. When the engineer turned to leave the darker woman grabbed her wrist, shaking her head.
"No," she said firmly. "You're not going out there."
"Then neither are you."
Korra clenched her jaw. "Asami. I can't...I can't lose you."
The heiress wrapped her arms around her lover's neck. "I can't lose you either. So we're both going out there."
She let out an irritated sigh in response before she nodded her head and watched as the suit wrapped itself around its creator. It was only minutes later that they joined the fight, trying to win the upper hand. The Colonel elbowed an enemy soldier in the head, pulling her arm back only for something to grab her and throw her across the battlefield.
Korra groaned as she sat up, eyes widening when she saw what she could only describe as a monster robot. It was twice the size of Asami's, covered almost completely in platinum steel... Like the one that had destroyed Asami's warehouse all those months ago. She looked up to see the Great Uniter behind the glass window, a demonic smirk on her face.
"Surprised to see me, Colonel?"
"I was wondering when you'd stop hiding behind your soldiers," the soldier shot back.
The Metalbender chuckled in response. "You're going to wish you stayed home."
Korra's eyes narrowed before closing, opening to reveal pure white and throwing a flaming kick at the machine. It took a swing at her but she managed to roll away, standing up and pulling the earth beneath with her. The heiress's arm jolted back as she fired a blast at a wave of soldiers before her scanner got a reading of something big to the left. Quickly she scanned the area before going towards it, shooting two blasts as the younger woman was swung into her.
"Korra!"
"I'm fine!" the soldier answered, getting on her feet. "You got my back?"
"Always."
The pair took off towards the Earth Kingdom dictator, throwing different attacks toward the machine. They tried different maneuvers and for a moment it seemed to work but then the Colonel was knocked against a boulder, hard. Korra felt her vision blur as she got on her hands and knees, the power that had encompassed her leaving. Meanwhile, the Sato heiress circled around the robot, looking a weak spot before deciding the large cannon arm aiming at her girlfriend should be the first thing to go.
She threw several blasts at the back shoulder, watching as the inner mechanics became exposed before Kuvira grabbed the smaller suit by the leg and tossed her against the boulders as well. The Colonel moved towards the engineer but was cut off by a cannon blast. She grit her teeth, getting behind the colossal armor to see the dent Asami had managed to make. With a deep breath she used her Metalbending to pull the arm further from its socket, leaving it limp.
The Great Uniter growled in response, ejecting to fight the darker woman with the scepter. The thing was emitting a powerful, foul, vile, red aura, almost cloaking the raven haired tyrant. Korra grabbed her head, crumbling to her knees as the older woman approached her. This feeling... She remembered this... Meanwhile, Asami managed to eject herself from her beat up suit as well, running towards the Earthbender who knocked her aside with an earth pillar.
The Earthbender raised the staff. "Now, Colonel, I believe it's time to reunite you with your team."
Kuvira cursed as a shot was fired, knocking the object away towards the edge of the cliff. Both Benders looked back to see Asami, pistol in hand, as she headed toward the edge. The pair fought, punching each other for control until the Earthbender used the power of the demonic spirit against the younger woman, causing her to let go. She chuckled as she stepped back only to lose her step, and drop the weapon. Korra went toward it but Kuvira used her Earthbending to cause her to slip and end up on the edge with her.
The Colonel reached out towards the scepter, trying to ignore the throbbing headache she could feel building the closer she got to it. Her hand wrapped around it, pulling herself up before she felt a sharp pain in her back where Kuvira had pierced her with a metal knife, digging it in as far as it could go. The soldier threw her hand back, Bending flames.
Kuvira's green eyes widened as the flames licked at her skin and she instinctively grasped at the wounds...letting go and falling...down down down to her death.
Korra fell back as well but was caught by the heiress. She added pressure to her wound as she desperately looked around for help.
"Asami...the scepter...it needs...put away..."
"Shh," the heiress soothed. "Helps on the way. Just hang on."
The soldier could only nod, feeling herself drift off.
Asami combed gently through Korra's hair as the younger woman slept. The soldier was pale despite the blood transfusion and there was a tube down her throat connected to the ventilator that was helping her breathe. It had seemed like an eternity before help arrived and the Bender was transported to the medical tent far enough away from the battlefield. A truck transporting the injured was to leave shortly but the Colonel had refused to go, saying there were other soldiers that needed it more than her. The doctors decided on waiting until she lost consciousness before ordering her transfer via another truck.
That had been a few days ago.
Blood loss, along with the amount of energy used from the Spirit inside her, had left the Southern Tribe woman in a coma. The military hospital had done what it could but now all anyone could do was wait. Asami had her fair share of stitches but refused to leave her girlfriend's side. She'd finally managed to dose off when the machines started to beep and the heiress could feel her blood run cold.
"Korra?," she tried, shaking her shoulder. "Kor...Korra!" The engineer quickly went outside, spotting Mako and the brunette's doctor. "I need help!" She went back inside shaking her friend more. "Korra, look at me, open your eyes."
The doctor came in, looking over the military woman's chart. "Ma'am, Colonel Jordan signed a DNR," he revealed. "It means Do Not Resuscitate."
The heiress shook her head. No. This couldn't be happening! Suddenly the younger woman flat lined and she desperately looked over at the man. "What are you waiting for? Do something!"
The Firebender placed a unsure hand on his friend's shoulder. "Asami...she signed a DNR."
"I don't care! Look at her!" the engineer snapped, shrugging his hand off as she started doing CPR.
The Lieutenant Colonel looked over at their friend before grabbing the plastic board. "Screw the DNR. Get back," he ordered as he placed the board under the darker woman.
The doctor stepped forward. "Sir-" He was cut off as Asami's fist connected with his face. She shook the appendage as the doctor fell to the ground, knowing she'd fractured something but couldn't bring herself to care.
Mako quickly used his Lightningbending twice before the monitor started to beep again. Blue eyes opened slowly, groggy and disoriented. "Colonel, can you hear me?"
The heiress quickly went over to the soldier, practically shoving the Firebender aside. "Korra? Hey, it's me," Asami began as she grabbed her hand. "I'm right here."
A group of nurses came inside quickly, helping the doctor get up as he touched his bloody lip. "Get her out of here!" he snapped. "Both of them!"
Gently Mako pulled the heiress away as the nurses checked the younger woman's vitals. She'd have to get ahold of the Southern Chief soon. Something told her the staff wouldn't let her back in there without him.
When Tonraq arrived, he was more than upset to find out his daughter had nearly died again. He was even more furious when he learned about the DNR order and the lack of action by the doctor. The Chief knew he was bound by the wishes of the patient but…this was his little girl. He couldn't lose her again. So after he was through snapping at the doctor he went to visit the Colonel, finding her asleep with a tube still helping her breathe, though based on what he was told, she was in much better shape than before.
He walked into the waiting room to see the heiress pacing back and forth, a cast on her right arm, presumingly from the hit she had given the doctor. Tonraq smiled and shook his head before going over to his daughter's friends. The engineer immediately asked him if she could see the younger woman and he agreed as long as she kept her distance from the doctor, who had already threatened to press charges if she didn't. With a nod she sped through the hallway to the brunette's room just as she slowly and groggily opened her eyes.
"Hi," the emerald eyed woman greeted.
Korra lethargically reached a hand towards the tube in her mouth and Asami nodded her head, calling a nurse inside. Gently the large tube was withdrawn before a mask was put over her face instead. The military woman managed a smile at her fiancé before furrowing her brow when it was not returned.
"You signed a DNR order," Asami stated quietly. "Why?"
Her throat cracked when she tried to speak, clearing it before attempting once more. "I…I signed it eight months ago…"
The heiress blinked in response. "Why didn't you revoke it?"
"...I forgot"
"You forgot that you gave permission for them to let you die?"
The military nodded her head slightly. "I... I hadn't thought about it...until now," she admitted.
Asami sighed before leaning down to kiss her hair. "I love you. So much."
"I…love you too," Korra answered, squeezing the engineer's hand.
"How are you feeling, Korra?" her father asked as he walked inside, the Firebender trailing behind him.
"…Better." Though her drooping eye lids said otherwise.
"You should rest, you'll have plenty of time to talk later."
"Have you heard the good news, Chief?" Mako began with a smirk. "The Colonel is getting married."
Tonraq blinked before looking from his daughter to the heiress. The military woman chuckled slightly before groaning in pain. Asami sighed and scolded her fiancé, telling her to rest and watching as blue eyes slowly closed. The Chief smiled and shook his head, thinking about his wife as the engineer gave his daughter's cheek a kiss. Senna was going to be ecstatic.
The Colonel offered a salute from her wheelchair to her father as he pinned a Purple Heart and a medal on her military suit. Soon after she had been hospitalized Baatar had surrendered and Su Beifong had temporarily stepped in to help bring peace and stability to the Earth Kingdom. Republic City and the other Nations had taken their first unobstructed breath in what seemed months. Restoration efforts were on their way already but the brunette wouldn't take part of it anytime soon.
Much to her annoyance and everyone else's relief, the Colonel would have to have plenty of bed rest before returning to her military duties. Aang had explained that the blade Kuvira had used had traces of Vaatu, the Spirit of chaos, which would delay the healing process. The scepter had been locked away by the Airbender in a sacred land immune to the demonic Spirit's influence.
After the ceremony, both families as well as the Firebender and his younger brother got together at the Sato mansion to celebrate the engagement. Korra sighed as she leaned back against the sofa, watching as the ravenette went to get her a bottle of water. She appreciated the older woman'a attentive nature, but she'd be lying if she said she wasn't annoyed at not being allowed to do anything.
"How are you feeling, Korra?" Hiroshi asked as the darker woman sat up against the mountain of pillows.
"I'm fine," she almost growled, shooting a glare at the heiress direction. "I'm not an invalid."
The older engineer chuckled and shook his head. "You gave us all quite a scare. I don't blame Asami for being so careful about your health. Last I heard you weren't out of the woods yet."
"I'm fine," the military woman repeated. "The wound is just taking a little longer to heal, that's all.
He hummed in response before stepping closer. "She's going to be your responsibility now. You have to take care of her."
Korra managed a small smile at her future father-in-law. "She can take care of herself. But I'll be there for her. Always."
Hiroshi returned the smile, looking over to his daughter as she approached. "Are you cold? Do you need a blanket?" the heiress asked.
"I'm fine!" the shorter woman answered, not trying to hide her annoyance.
"I think the Colonel is looking better," Hiroshi agreed.
"See! Your dad is the only one making sense around here."
"Korra," her mother scolded gently. "Let Asami take care of you since you won't let me do it."
The younger woman grumbled causing everyone to laugh. The heiress kissed the soldier's cheek before whispering something in her ear that caused her to blush. Spirits, now she couldn't wait for them all to leave.
The Colonel had returned to her duties about a month ago which basically entailed getting services for the injured veterans. Her fiancé had come up with the idea of building robotic prosthetics for the soldiers that lost limbs in the war. There were a fair number that qualified for this and the Bender made sure every single soldier was given the option. Other than that, she had started getting everything in order for after her marriage and honeymoon, as she still had some unfinished business in the Earth Kingdom.
"You want me to talk you out of your wedding, or what?" the Lieutenant Colonel asked with a smirk.
"No," the brunette answered with a roll of her eyes. "Wedding will be in two weeks." A wedding. Her wedding.
"Then what did you want to talk to me about?"
The military woman bit her lip, turning to look at her friend. He had been there for her, through a lot of dumb decisions and his loyalty was only rivaled by that of her soon to be wife. Despite how things ended up between them he had been nothing but supportive.
"You've always been there, Rhodey," she began. "For almost as long as I can remember. I know we have a lot of history together and that sometimes we fight and whatnot but I...I just thought it makes us brother and sister or something." She paused giving him a small smile. "I wanted to ask you if you'd be my best man."
"I'd be honored," the Firebender answered. "It's an honor."
"Thank you."
He smiled as they continued walking before looking over at the shorter woman. "You need a bachelor party?"
Korra scoffed. "No."
"Even better."
She shoved him playfully and he chuckled as they left the military base. Despite everything, Mako was happy for the heiress and the Colonel. And if you asked him, it was about damn time.
Korra laughed as Asami whispered something in her ear. The pair danced slowly to the music, lost in their own little world. The ceremony had been emotional, not only for the pair but for their friends and family. The military woman had shed a few tears when she saw the ravenette walk down the aisle. Tonraq couldn't help but smile at his daughter being married to her best friend. Senna hadn't been able to stop crying but her tears had been those of happiness at finally seeing the younger woman settled down. Asami had shed her own tears when she realized her wedding ring was that of her mother's, given to her wife by Hiroshi.
The reception afterwards had been filled with nothing but happiness. Korra held the portrait of her old team in hand as the pair took pictures, wanting to include them. They would always have a special place in her heart. Naga had been running around with Tenzin's children, barking happily while trying to take off her flower collar. Mako had danced with the soldier, teasing her about how much shorter she looked next to the heiress. She had responded by stepping on his toe purposefully, earning a scowl from the Firebender.
Hiroshi smiled as he watched his daughter dance, not missing the look of pure happiness on her face. The Southern Chief and he had talked to the two women about having a child, chuckling when the soldier rubbed her neck sheepishly. Though expanding their family was in their plan, they would rather spend time together for the time being. Senna had sighed in defeat but not without insisting that they shouldn't wait too long.
With some effort the pair managed to escape to the balcony, finally having a moment to themselves. They were happy to have their family and friends with them but it had gotten just the slightest bit overwhelming. Both women couldn't wait until midnight to leave for their honeymoon in the Fire Nation. Korra offered a smile at her wife before taking out papers from her military suit and handing them to the heiress.
"What's this?" the emerald eyed woman asked.
"Open them."
Asami raised a brow but did as she was told, her eyes widening slightly before looking over to her wife. The military woman offered a crooked smile in response. "Are you serious?" she asked. "Is this…is this really going to happen?"
"Mhmm. They are my retirement papers set for after this last tour," Korra revealed. "It's kind of why my dad wants us to have a kid. He wants someone to take over sooner than later."
"You love the military."
"I love you more," the brunette answered. "I want to be with you more. I thought you'd be happy."
"I am," the engineer quickly replied. "But…is this what you really want?" She wanted this, she wanted Korra out of danger, obviously. But she would never make Korra quit because she knew how much it meant to her.
The Colonel smiled and kissed her wife. "Yes. I love you, 'Sami. More than anything in the world."
Asami gave her kiss in response. "I love you too. Always."
"Always," Korra agreed.