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Korra's POV

I had finally gotten the day off from Tarrlok's Task Force. Jason had been excited about the city fair and had been asking me if I would take him. Amon's threat still lingered in the air, but I figured Bei Fong would be guarding the fair heavily. Tenzin and my parents had still been a little nervous about me going but after assuring them that I would be taking Howl with me and I'd be meeting up with Mako they'd been more at ease.

After the argument with my parents, I had distanced myself from them slightly. My mother talked to me and said she was proud of everything I was doing for the little Firebender but she worried it was overwhelming me. I had to admit that it was a lot to take on but…somehow I was managing. I been through worse after all.

I was trying to put Jason's coat on him but he kept fidgeting, too excited for his own good. I had to chuckle at this. He'd told me before that he'd never been to the fair and he'd always wanted. For a four year old, I had to admit he was pretty bright.

"Come on, Korra," he called.

I chuckled before putting on a hat. "Alright," I said. "Let's go."

"Yes!" he cried excitedly.

Howl trailed behind us as we got on the ferry. The boy pointed into the distance when he caught sight of the Ferris wheel, saying he wanted to ride it. We docked, noticing the crowd. He turned around to look at me.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I can't see," he said as we approached the fair. "Everyone's too tall."

I thought for a second before giving the kid a crooked smile. I picked him up and hauled him over my head so he could sit on my shoulders. Jason giggled at this, pointing towards different stands and rides as I walked. I could tell he was happy being up there and being able to actually see everything. He bent down and kissed my cheek. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face.

Ever since the little Firebender came into my life, I found myself doing things that I hadn't done for months, like smiling. Howl Sr's words played in my head. He hadn't wanted to break me. He hadn't wanted me to become the…empty vessel I had been. I thought that perhaps…this boy was healing what he had done and that maybe…just maybe…my former master would've been happy for me.

Howl's POV

I couldn't help but notice that for the first time in months, the young Avatar was actually enjoying herself. I stood close to the girl, keeping an eye out for anyone who would try to hurt her, but at the same time giving her and the boy space. To be honest, I don't think she even remembered I was walking right behind her. All of her attention was on the little tyke.

Korra had changed, done a complete 180 for the child and I was happy for her. I hadn't thought she would have ever given up her alter ego to spend time with another human being but she had. She had never looked like the child type but Speedy, as she called him, had changed her for the better, making her more responsible and shifting her priorities.

I smiled at this. Korra had finally found someone worth fighting for, someone worth her staying in the city. I knew she had plans of leaving as soon as her mission was complete but I had no doubt in my mind that she would reconsider.

I chuckled as Jason gestured towards the photo booth and Korra made a face. The boy urged her over there and, as I knew she would, she ended up going along to please him.

I chuckled. That kid had her wrapped around his finger.

Lin's POV

I was at the fair, directing my Metalbending officers into strategic points to ensure the safety of everyone during the event. Unfortunately I wasn't alone. I had a shadow that followed me through the entire process: Tenzin. The old Airbender had insisted that he be with me, probably making sure I didn't leave any loopholes, though he insisted it was to protect that girl, the Avatar.

"How did the security sweep go?" he asked after an officer reported to me.

"Fine," I answered.

"Have they checked every booth?"

"Yes."

"Are they covering every point of entry?"

"I have the skies, the bay and every single nook and cranny of this place covered," I answered, my annoyance evident. "Now leave me alone and let me do my job," I added, crossing my arms.

"Lin, with so much on the line," the Airbender began. "It would be nice if we could help each other out. At least for one night."

I sighed and turned to look at him. "Like old times?" I asked.

"Like old times," he repeated.

"Fine," I growled. "I'll try to be less abrasive than usual."

He smiled at that. "I would appreciate that."

For the rest of the night we talked very little, mostly about how the security was going, and if anything suspicious was found. It wasnt until later that night that I saw something that caught my attention. The Avatar was carrying a small boy on her shoulders and she actually seemed…happy. It wasnt the facade she put on to annoy me, it was a...sincere happiness.

"What is she doing with that kid?" I asked.

"Hmm?" Tenzin hummed before looking at the girl. "That's Jason, Korra's parents adopted him legally but she has full responsibility of him."

"I never would've pegged her for a kid person," I answered.

"Well Korra seems to have…turned her life around for that boy," he answered some hesitation in his voice. He almost sounded like hr didn't quite believe it himself. "They're inseparable."

"So I see," I answered thoughtfully as I watched the boy and her interact.

"You know, Korra reminds me of you in many ways," Tenzin began. I scowled at this. "You two might get along if you would give her a chance."

I didn't say anything to that. That girl and I would never be on the same page. She was a killer, a murderer that wore a mask to hide her identity. There was nothing she could say or do to make me think otherwise.

People didn't change.

Korra's POV

Jason wanted to take a picture. Personally I'd never liked pictures; I had only taken them when I was too intoxicated or maybe if I was in a good mood. But he insisted that he wanted to have a picture of the both of us and I had agreed. Like I had a choice.

The photographer asked us to get ready and I set him down, expecting him to get on my lap but instead he climbed onto my back, wrapping his little arms around my neck. The man began the countdown and I turned to look at Jason, smiling. A flash was seen and I realized the picture had been taken.

The little Firebender ran over to the photographer and asked for the picture. He took it and showed it to me. I had to admit, he looked adorable with his little dimples. I, on the other hand, hadn't really paid attention, which is why it looked as if I had been caught off guard.

"You aren't looking at the camera," he said as I paid the man.

"Sorry," I apologized, rubbing the back of my neck. "I was a bit distracted."

"I like it though," Jason said with a bright smile.

I chuckled at this, shaking my head as I hauled him over my shoulders. We continued to walk through the fair, getting anything and everything that he wanted. I warned him though that he would not get too many sweets because I didn't want him to get sick. He was fine with this and seemed interested in winning a plush.

"I want a fire ferret!" he said as we approached a booth. It was a ring toss and I bought two sets of rings, one for him and one for me.

I couldn't help but smile at how the little Firebender readied himself, aiming at the bottles before throwing the rings only to miss twice. I did the same, purposefully missing. He threw his last ring and though he was close he didn't quite get it.

Jason frowned at this and I kneeled next to him, giving him my last ring and showing him how to throw. When he threw it, I used a little of my Airbending to lift the ring towards a bottle, earning a prize. The woman in charge of the booth scratched her head, as if wondering how he'd done it but she gave him his plush.

He hugged the stuffed toy before wrapping his arms around my neck as I picked him up, walking around with him. When we approached the ferris wheel he pointed to it and insisted on riding it. I agreed and soon enough we were seated in a car, going up. When we reached the top, they stopped it and we got to see the entire city.

"Look!" Jason cried gesturing to Air Temple Island.

I smiled at that before my attention shifted to Avatar Aang Memorial Island. It seemed that I'd never be able to run away from the title that I was born with though I didn't deserve it. As much as I hated it, I would be remembered as the Avatar in the chain who screwed up, who lost her Bending.

"Korra?" the little Firebender called.

"Hmm?"

"What are you looking at?"

"Avatar Aang Memorial Island," I replied, not prying my attention from the place.

He made a humming sound. "I think you're a great Avatar," he said after a moment.

I turned to look at him, surprised. Why'd he think that? what has I done for him to come to that conclusion. How did Jason have so much faith in me that I couldn't even have in myself.

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"Because you're good," he answered. "You adopted me, and you take care of the other kids. You're a great Avatar."

It was such an innocent and simple answer.

I managed a small smile and he scooted closer to me, hugging the stuffed fire ferret in his grasp as we continued to look around the city.

This kid was something else.