A/N: Whew! This one was a pain to write. I was on the serious struggle bus, but I think I pieced it together well enough. There's quite a bit more plot building in this chapter. Are you all annoyed with me yet? Haha. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 13

It didn't make sense. She knew her father was greedy, his desire for money being his downfall that landed him in jail, but to actually be a part of something that lead to people dying? That was crazy! Even more so was her newfound relationship with Korra. If what Katara was saying rang true, why would the young woman be seeking her affection? None of it made any sense…

"That can't be true…" her voice trailed off, quiet and reserved, the will to fight having left her body entirely. "I just… but… Korra…"

"Unfortunately, it is true. But, there's much more to the story." Katara spoke softly, as if trying to avoid provoking the woman in front of her. "Although, I you need to hear that from Korra, and you can't bring it up to her, either."

That certainly got Asami's attention as she snapped out of her stupor and stared daggers at the old woman. "You drop something like that on me and expect me to play it off like it never happened?!" Her anger was building again, her irritation at the events unfolding quickly become more than she wanted to deal with. "I don't even know what to think now! Korra and I… we –"

"I am certain that Korra's feelings for you are genuine," the woman cut in slightly, noticing where the younger woman's thoughts were going. "I am aware of what's been going on between you two, and I don't think you need to worry about that."

"But… her career ended. How could she –"

"She doesn't know."

Another bomb dropped on her heart shattered her insides into a million pieces. Crimson lips hung agape at the revelation. "You mean…" she whispered.

The woman sighed, doing her best not to show the pain she was feeling at having to share the news. "I mean she doesn't know that it was your father who organized her trial and manufactured the evidence against her. A man named Varrick was the prosecutor, in his stead."

Her head dropped to her hands as the information overwhelmed her. Fingers gripped the edges of her dark silken hair, entangling within the locks only to grab and pull in a stressful gesture. Palms forced back the tears in her eyes, the concept of avoiding ruining her makeup lost to her. After a couple minutes of wrapping her head around it all, she looked up again. "Alright, let me get this straight… Korra was an aspiring doctor and something happened that caused my father to go after her. But, he used Varrick to work the case in court, which, by the sounds of it, he won… I know she was a med student, but what I don't understand is why that would interest my father, and how she wouldn't know my family was involved, seeing as Varrick was one of my father's partners."

"That is correct," Katara began. "The details as to why, and I do apologize, but you'll have to hear those from Korra. As for Varrick, he didn't prosecute under your father's firm's name. Instead, if I recall, he partnered with another lawyer, Zhu Li, under a different firm name."

She remembered when Varrick had left, not understand at the time why that was, seeing as he was her father's pride and joy, as well as one of the youngest people to ever make partner. Realizing that she wasn't going to get the rest of the questions she had answered, Asami moved on to the other elephant in the room. "Okay, so where do I fall into all of this? You said you needed my help."

Silver threads shook slightly as the woman nodded, taking advantage of the change of subject. "We know someone is trying to blame you, but we think the best way to clear that up is for you to take our case and defend the clinic. Not to mention that you're one of the best lawyers in the city. Though, I realize your firm has been trying to recover since your father's scandal came to light, and this may be a way to get it back in the city's good graces."

"Alright, I see how this benefits me," she stated matter-of-factly, "but, I don't see the benefit for you, especially seeing as medical practice suits are not my specialty. I'd be going in blindly."

Katara smiled at this, which, if anything, only made Asami more confused. "I don't believe this will be a difficult matter to clear up. The city received an anonymous tip that we had been giving 'under the counter' treatments to patients, however, there is no proof to that fact, and they are simply working by a rumor until an investigation is complete. They won't find anything to that affect, but investigations are time consuming and often have long waiting periods, which I'm hoping you can help to push along." The woman paused, looking into the emerald eyes of curiosity. "I also think this will be a great learning experience, in that you may eventually help in… other matters."

Not wanting to press any further, as the only thing the now exhausted young woman wanted to do was go home and sleep, she simply decided to agree. "Alright, I'll look into it. But, you do realize there's a lot of unknowns here, which could make this very difficult."

"I understand, dear, and I'll help in anyway I can." The woman's brittle bones popped a few times as she stood, resting a hand on the defeated girl's shoulder. "You're doing a good service for the people, and others will take notice… including Korra."

That wasn't why she was doing it, but she understood the underlying implication. If Korra saw her helping her old mentor, then maybe the blow of what her father did would lesson when the truth came out… if it came out. 'That's silly; of course she's going to find out. Lying isn't the best way to start a relationship.' With that thought, she grimaced at herself. Was she really going to have to lie to the girl already? With a sad sigh escaping, Katara pat her shoulder comfortingly and led them out to speak with the others.

In seeing the two walk out from the back, Kya, who'd been sitting by the door, knocked on it twice, apparently signaling for Bolin and Opal to reenter, as they opened the door and walked in almost immediately. "So? What's the plan?" Kya asked.

"Asami has agreed to help us settle the matter with the city," Katara began. "Hopefully we can clear this up quickly, in the next few days, so that we can let folks back in. In the meantime," her gaze shifted to the smallest woman in the room, "Opal, I need you to work with Tenzin. You know what to do." The girl nodded in agreement. Shifting her attention once more, Katara spoke again. "Kya, I want you to tend elsewhere for the time being. And Bolin," the instructions continued, "I want you to stay with Asami. Whomever is targeting her may take interest even outside of the Slums." Bolin threw a quick thumbs up and a smile at the assignment.

"Wait a second," Asami spoke up at the inclination that she needed a bodyguard. "I can take care of myself just fine, and I can't have Bolin tagging along while I'm at work, or everywhere else, for that matter."

Katara was about to answer until Bolin put up his hand and cut in, his voice coming out soft, calm and reassuring. "I'm not going to get in the way, Asami. I promise. But, if this is what Katara thinks is needed, then I trust her judgment. I don't exactly know what's going on, but I know what I saw and the feeling I got on our way here, and it wasn't good. I can hang around outside during your regular work hours and crash on a couch at your pl–"

"NO!" Her outburst was a little louder than intended. "Sorry… I mean, no, you can't stay there." She sighed for a moment, her eyes avoiding the several pairs that were looking at her intently. "Korra stayed with me last night, and I invited her over again tonight. Between the two of us, I'll be fine. That is," she looked up to Katara, "if I can explain to her what's going on."

Bolin and Opal exchanged a worried look at each other, while Kya looked at her mother questioningly. The old woman closed her eyes and tapped a finger on her chin, her brows furrowed in deep thought as she considered the request. After a long minute, she looked up to the younger girl, who remained impassive as she waited patiently. "I think that would be alright. However, Korra will likely have an… awkward reaction. I need you to promise me that you won't press her about it. Can you do that?"

Asami narrowed her eyes at the request, but begrudgingly agreed. It was apparent that there was definitely something going on, the mystery of it all making her highly irritated, but she had made promises, and Asami always kept her word. "Alright, fine. But, I want to be honest with her about how this all played out, so Bolin," she looked to her friend, "I'm going to explain how you'd brought me here and that you'll be keeping an eye on me." Wincing at the comment and frowning slightly, he nodded in understanding.

"It's settled then," Katara spoke up once more. "When everything is worked out, please have Bolin come find me." The emerald-eyed woman agreed and her and Bolin left to head back to the office so she could get started. On their way, the eccentric friend who'd blindly agreed to watch over her tried to pry information from her about the situation, but there wasn't much to tell. She had no idea who was targeting her, she couldn't tell anyone about what her father did, she didn't know why he did it, the vagueness of many other pieces remained, and now she had to help solve a problem that she had no idea how to fix or how she managed to get involved in the first place. It all started because she wanted a place to relax. 'How did all of this happen…' she kept asking herself, but there was no answer, regardless of how many times the question made its way across her mind.

Everyone around the office had gone home by the time they arrived, and Bolin found the couch in her office to be comfortable enough to fall asleep on, leaving the lawyer to research in peace. Pouring over one book after another, she never once looked up from her focus, determined to find a solution to get around the city's investigation so the clinic could reopen as soon as possible. It wasn't until the sound of shuffling feet startled her from the quiet she was accustomed to did she look up at the clock and realize how late it was.

"Asami, you've been at this for hours. Can we leave yet?"

She jumped out of her chair and gathered her things quickly. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize how late it had gotten!" Realization dawned on her that she was supposed to meet Korra several hours ago. 'SHIT!' "Oh no, Korra…"

"Didn't you say you were supposed to meet her earlier?" Bolin ask apprehensively.

"Yeah, I said I'd meet her for dinner at my place. Ugh… We need to hurry!" Long legs bolted for the garage, Bolin struggling to keep up behind her. When they finally arrived at her apartment building, he got stepped out of the car and moved to walk inside with her. She stopped and turned to him. "I'm fine Bolin, you can head home."

He shook his head in response. "I'd feel better if you'd let me walk up with you and make sure Korra is there. If not I can fill in and sleep on the couch."

She understood his hesitation, remembering the agreement that he'd only leave her side if Korra was around. They made their way to the penthouse, her pausing at the door while she mentally chastised herself for getting distracted. Opening the door, they stepped in quietly, the first thing to catch Asami's attention being the two plates of food and full wine glasses sitting on the kitchen island. Across the room, a small lamp was lit on a side table by the windows, a shadowy figure wrapped in a blanket facing towards the city lights outside.

Turning, she looked to Bolin. "I think I'll be fine; you can go home now. I'll see you in the morning?" Looking towards his friend with a grim face, worry evident in his features, he hesitated, obviously unsure of what to do. She rested a hand on his arm to get his attention. "I'll take care of her, I promise." She did her best to reassure him, which he must have believed as he turned to head out the door, closing it softly behind him.

Asami removed her boots and jacket and left them in the foyer, stopping momentarily to steel herself before heading into what she knew was going to be a wave of disappointment. Treading lightly, she made her way across the room, hovering slowly in an attempt to gauge if the girl was asleep or not.

"I'm awake, you know. You don't have to be so quiet." The voice came out low and flat.

Asami moved around the chair to kneel in front of the woman. "Korra… I'm so sorry. I got caught up and completely lost track of time." Blue eyes remained half open and staring out into the night. "Korra?" she tried again to get some kind of reaction.

The girl pushed the blanket off of her and stood up. She walked around Asami and headed towards the door, picking up her shoes in the hallway and tugging them on.

Jade eyes grew wide at the passive movements, stunned in place by the act of dismissal. "Korra? Where are you going?"

"Home," she stated. "I waited to make sure you were alright, which, you are, so now I'm leaving."

Quickly realizing that there was much more than disappointment in the woman's tone, she stood up and walked back towards the entrance. "Please don't leave." The words came out quiet and pleading. Azure orbs finally looked up to meet jade.

"I don't like feeling toyed with, Asami. I had a bad enough day as it was and I was really looking forward to spending the evening with you when I found your note. But then you didn't show up. What am I supposed to do with that?" Her tone wasn't angry or frustrated, but instead was laced with hurt and… something else that Asami couldn't pinpoint what it was.

Slender arms wrapped around the tanned woman's waist. Her eyes looked away while Asami leaned back to get a good look at her face. "You're supposed to listen to my explanation. I'm sorry – I really didn't intent to ditch you this evening. But, something came up, which I need to talk to you about." The girl's attention made it's way back to the raven-haired woman as eyes focused on each other once again. "I was called to meet someone at a place I think you know – the lower clinic."

Blue eyes widened in shock. "Asami! The Slums are dangerous! You shouldn't go down there alone!"

Dark hair swayed as she shook her head. "I wasn't along, I had Bolin with me." The other woman's expression shifted to confusion. "Kya called me to meet with Katara and they insisted Bolin tag along." Her eyes widened once more, but the expression looked more fearful than that of shock.

Korra pulled the arms around her away from her waist and took a step back. "What?! You spoke to Katara?" Her voice rose an octave whilst asking the question.

Momentarily raising an eyebrow at the sudden change, Asami let it go and pressed on with her story. "Yes. Bolin brought me to the clinic yesterday. Kya left a message this morning for me to come back, at which point they explained that the city closed them down and Katara asked me for legal assistance."

A caramel hand ran through chocolate locks, the woman taking a few steps away, apparently gathering her thoughts. "Why would Bolin take you there?" she asked, looking away at nothing in particular.

"He was trying to convince me to go back to the garage."

She paced a bit more. "But… why take you there to do that?"

"He wanted to introduce me to some people that know you… that knew about me and you. To give me a reminder, I guess."

Her head nodded as she continued to walk in small circles. "What did Katara say?"

Asami sighed at the game of twenty questions. "Just that they needed help."

"But, why you?"

"I don't know, Korra." Her voice began to rise in irritation. "All I know is that the only clinic in the Slums was shut down due to a rumor, they needed legal help, which I can provide, and I have to keep Bolin around because someone is targeting me."

Korra spun around immediately at the last line. "What do you mean someone is targeting you?!"

"I don't know why, but as I drove to the clinic, people kept throwing angry glances my way, a few even making some provoking gestures. When I told Katara, she suggested that people might be targeting me because I'm a well-known lawyer with a father that screwed a lot of people." She lied. "She suggested that Bolin stick with me for a while for protection, until we can get clinic up and running again. She hopes that my help will get whomever may have a grudge against my father will back off when they see the good I'm doing." That was, at least, mostly true.

Eyes darted to the door then back to Asami, again. "Then why did he leave?"

The lawyer took a few steps forward, a smug smile tugging at her lips. Her hands reached up to tanned cheeks, pulling the woman into a seering kiss. She pulled back after a long minute, catching the girl's dreamy gaze. "Because I said you'd protect me."

Strong arms wrapped themselves around the slim woman, tugging her close and stealing another heart-ponding kiss. "I'd do anything for you," she stated brightly through her smile. It didn't last long, though, as a frown appeared and she looked away. "I'm sorry I got frustrated earlier," she started. "I didn't know where you were and I felt stood up, in your own place no less, which is especially embarrassing, and…" Her words drifted off as she closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

With her hands still on the woman's cheeks, Asami pulled her back from wherever that adorable brain drifted off to. "Hey… tell me what's on your mind."

Firm hands rubbed up and down the taller woman's back, one slightly snaking it's way under her shirt. Sad eyes looked into concerned ones. "I feel like we've been dancing around each other for a while, and… I guess, I just don't know what we are. What we're doing. What this is."

Crimson lips smiled softly and she pulled back from the embrace. Pale hands wrapped around tanned ones as se stepped backwards, enticing the adorably vulnerable woman to follow. "Come to bed with me."

Making their way through the bedroom door, eyes remaining locked the entire way, Asami released her grip and moved her hands to the hem of her shirt. She pulled it over her head, tossing it to the side, and moved her hands to the waist of her pants. One step at a time, fingers slowly pulled open the buttons, and her hips swayed side to side as her thumbs tucked between the fabric and her silky skin, pushing the garment down a little at a time. Pants fell over her backside, the feel of the mattress on the back of her knees indicating she made it to her destination. She lowered herself to sit on the soft padding, lifting her legs to pull her pants the rest of the way down and kicking them away. Palming the sheets, she pushed herself back, eyes remaining on their target. "I said, come to bed with me." Her voice was low and sultry, the sound resonating like angels over the silence in the room.

Korra hadn't budged since stepping into the doorway, her eyes fixed entirely on the gorgeous woman stripping for her, mouth hung agape, goosebumps crawling over her skin. The call for her presence brought her back down to earth. "Um – what… what are you doing?"

"Answering your question." The ivory goddess shifted to her hands and knees, crawling her way to the edge of the bad, slowly leaning back to rest on her heels. "Do I have to repeat myself again, or are you just going to stand there and continue to stare?" Gorgeous tanned features regained their composure; the shorter woman striding forward to stand within reach of the beauty perched on her welcoming throne. She lifted away from her resting position, pressing her body against the still clothed form. Her hands clasped behind her back, forcing her chest forward. She leaned into the woman's ear, breathing heavily. "Do you want to take off my bra and see my nipples?" A pause. "Maybe okay with them a little?" The woman nodded frantically at the suggestion. Asami leaned in a little more, running her tongue lightly against the nape of the woman's neck, pulling away only to blow lightly on the same spot. Mocha skin visibly shivered. "Then… Take. It. Off." She whispered again, annunciating each word.

Without a moments hesitation, fingers danced across ivory hips, pulling the two women flush against each other. Dark lips ghosted over a light shoulder as the same fingers grazed lightly up a soft back, occasionally slowing so nails could cast circles before continuing their rise to the clasp that held milky orbs from flowing freely in the night air. Upon undoing the binds, the fingers continued their path upward, smoothing over shoulders to hook under cotton straps. Pulling them away, teeth followed down one arm, enough only to elicit a gasp. She pulled back, looking directly into the woman's eyes as she removed the clothing and threw it aimlessly to the side. "What are we?" she asked.

Pale fingers tucked under the only remaining shirt, pealing it away from its person. Another bra joined the pile accumulating on the floor. A moan could be heard as a pair of pink nipples pressed against brown ones. "What do you want us to be?"

"Together," was the quick response. "In every sense of the word." Korra palmed up the sides of Asami's ribs, thumbs tucking under her breasts. "I want to be with you." She kissed the red lips puckering towards her. "I want to be in you." Kisses continued down her jawline. "I want to be engrossed by you." A tongue fainted towards her sensitive earlobe. "I want you – entirely. Publicly. Privately. Perfectly."

Asami gasped, her skin's sensitivity growing to new levels under the woman's touch. She leaned away, attempting at regain that brilliantly oceanic gaze. The two shared the spark between them, neither wanting to look away from the other. A slender finger brushed across a tanned cheek and over swollen, welcoming lips. "I'm yours – entirely. If you'll have me."

Bright pearly whites shone through the crocked grin that plastered itself across Korra's face. "Oh, I'll definitely have you…"

A/N: I'm such a tease, aren't I? Sorry, not sorry :p. Next chapter = smut! (Obviously.) However, I have a very busy weekend ahead, so it'll be several days before you get it. My bad! Feel free to drop a line - your comments are highly entertaining :).

Did you notice the repeat lines from Chapter 1? I made myself happy with that one.