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Korra's POV

Amon had sent a broadcast, publicly threatening anyone who goes to the fair that was happening in two days. I couldn't help but feel afraid. Jason had wanted to go to that fair. He had been so excited about it but now…now I wasn't sure if we should go. I needed to protect him. I couldn't… wouldn't let anything happen to him.

"Korra?" Jason called when I finally sat down on the bed.

I forced myself to look at him, trying my best to smile. "Yeah?"

"Are you scared?" he asked.

I didn't say anything for a while, trying to gather my thoughts. I wasn't scared. I was terrified. That madman…that monster…he'd made my life a living hell while I was at the Boiling Rock. He had tortured me, humiliated me, did so many things that scarred me for life. I swallowed the lump on my throat.

"No," I lied. "I'm okay."

"I'm scared," the little Firebender admitted.

My expression softened and I pulled him onto the bed with me, wrapping my arm around him, pulling him close. I didn't want him to be scared.

"You shouldn't be," I whispered to him. "I'm right here and I'm going to protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Jason looked at me. "Cross your heart?" he asked.

I stared down at him for a moment before hesitantly drawing an x over my chest. "Cross my heart." I smiled at him. "Everything is going to be okay," I said. "I'm right here."

He smiled back at this and snuggled closer to me. It wasn't long before his breathing evened out and he was fast asleep. I absently ran my hand through his thick black hair, smoothing it out, noticing how peaceful he looked as he slept.

The door opened and I stilled, pretending to be asleep. I didn't want to talk right now.

"Korra?" my mom's voice called. I didn't answer but she sat on the bed, covering us both with a blanket. "Sweetie, I know you don't like talking about…that man," she continued. "And I know you're scared and that's perfectly fine. We're here for you; you aren't alone, not anymore."

I didn't say anything to this, just kept pretending to sleep. I didn't want to talk about how I felt. I wanted to forget, pretend that I wasn't as terrified of Amon as I had been five years ago. She sighed and ran her hand through my hair and I couldn't help but relax at this. It was a familiar and comforting gesture.

My mother leaned forward and gave my temple a soft kiss. "We're right here, sweetie," she reminded me. "We'll always be here."

Tenzin's POV

Amon's broadcast had been a clear threat. The revolutionist was becoming stronger, more dangerous and unpredictable. As soon as it was over I had ordered a council meeting to discuss what we were going to do about the fair. It was an annual event and the citizens of Republic City enjoyed it but…we could not turn a blind eye.

"We must close down the fair," I proposed. "Amon is unpredictable and I fear people may be harmed."

"I have to agree with you, Tenzin," Tarrlok answered, surprising me. "I think that we need to take this man's threat to heart. I don't want innocent Benders to get hurt."

Just as I was going to ask for a vote the doors opened and Korra walked in, her Task Force uniform on. I stood up at this. Korra had her chance to take part in these meetings and she had declined the offer. There was no need for her to be here.

"Korra, this is a private meeting," I said. "You shouldn't be here."

"As a member of the Task Force that was created to protect the citizens of Republic City, I have the right to be heard," she simply answered, continuing toward us. "You can't cancel the fair."

"I know that you wanted to take Jason to the fair but as far as I'm concerned we need to shut it down," I replied firmly.

Korra scoffed at this before looking at the other members. "What about the rest of you?" she asked. "Are you going to back down?"
None of the other members answered and I turned towards her once again.

"The decision is unanimous," I said. "We're shutting the fair down."

"Tarrlok, correct me if I'm wrong but the Task Force I belong to was created to bring Amon down," she said. He clenched his jaw at this. "If this is true, I would expect more of a fight from you."

"Though I am committed to bringing that lunatic to justice," the Northern Water Tribe councilman began. "I will not put innocent lives at stake just so that you can take your little orphan to the fair."

Korra's eyes narrowed dangerously. Tarrlok had hit a raw nerve. She was completely unpredictable when it came to the boy. There wasnt anything she wouldn't do for the boy.

"This isn't about me," the girl countered. "If you close down the fair, you let Amon win."

"I'm sorry," I said. "But our decision has been made. We are shutting down the fair until further notice," I added, ready to close the meeting when metal cables came out of nowhere, knocking the hammer out of my hand. I turned to find Lin standing by the doorway.

"I can't believe I'm saying this," she began. "But I agree with the Avatar."

"You do?" I asked, raising a brow. This was a first.

It was no secret the Chief of Police despised my former pupil. She couldn't even stand being in the same room with her. Korra looked over at the Earthbender, curiosity in her eyes.

"I expected this cut and run response from Tenzin," Lin continued. I huffed at this. "But the rest of you? Come on, show a little more backbone. It's time for the Benders of this city displayed some strength and unity against these Equalists."

"We must prevent the conflict between Benders and Nonbenders from escalating into all out war," I countered. "The counsel is not changing its position-"

"Wait," Tarrlok interrupted. "I want to hear what our esteemed Chief of Police has in mind."

"If you allow the plans for the fair to continue," Lin began. "My Metalbenders and I will provide extra security during the event. There's no better force to deal with the Chi Blockers. Our armor is impervious to their attacks."

"Are you saying that you will personally take responsibility for the safety of the citizens?" Tarrlok asked.

I turned to look at him. He was planning something. I just knew it.

"I guarantee it," the Chief of Police answered.

"Well in that case," he replied. "It is hard to argue with Chief Bei Fong's track record. If she is confident her elite officers can protect the fair then she has my support. I'm changing my vote. Who else is with me?" he asked. Slowly each of the other council members raised their hand. "The fair will continue as planned then. Good luck, Chief Bei Fong."

I shook my head before walking over to the Metalbender. "A word please, Lin," I said. She let out an annoyed sigh but followed me out. "Tarrlok is playing you," I began. "And I don't want to see you getting hurt."

"I know what I'm doing," she snapped. "And the risks that come with it."

"In that case, I'm going to be by your side during the event."

"You don't need to babysit me," Lin growled.

"It's for Korra," I clarified. "I want to make sure Jason and her are safe."

"Do what you want!" she yelled, exasperated. "It's not like I've been able to stop you before!"

I sighed and shook my head. Lin was going to chew me out the entire time I was with her, but I wasn't going to back down. I needed to make sure Korra and the boy were safe.