Mako's POV

After my talk with Asami I went home, finding a metalbending officer outside my door. I let out a loud sigh at this, shaking my head as I dug my hands into my pockets wondering what Bei Fong had to say this time. The young officer squared for me, taking of his cap and walking towards me.

"Officer Mako?" he asked.

"Former Officer Mako," I corrected. "To what do I owe the visit?"

"Chief Bei Fong sent me to inform you that your brother, Bolin, was found."

I blinked a few times at this. "What?"

"Bolin, your younger brother was found," the officer repeated. "He's at the hospital."

I shook my head. "No," I answered. "Bo is dead, he isn't coming back."

"The Chief said you'd say that," he replied with a small smile. "So she told me to escort you to the hospital by any means necessary."

"You can tell Bei Fong, that she can-"

"Mako," a voice said cutting me off. I turned around to find Saikhan coming towards me, a small platoon of officers behind me. My eyes narrowed at this. It looked like Bei Fong wasn't kidding. "It is in your best interest to come, believe me, you won't regret it."

I looked at him for a long time before giving him a sharp nod, following him while the other officers stayed behind me, making sure I didn't escape. I rolled my eyes at this and got onto the police car that was waiting outside. We got on and made a ten minute drive to the hospital where I was once again escorted up to the third floor where Bei Fong was waiting.

"You have some nerve," I growled as I made my way towards her.

"Quit your yapping and listen," she barked. I let out a huff at this, crossing my arms in front of my chest. "The Blue Spirit came to my house a few hours ago and dropped off a twenty-one year old male."

"Your point is?" I asked impatiently.

"That the boy is your brother, Bolin," Lin answered. I opened my mouth to speak but she cut me off. "He's been asking for you, Mako," she added her voice a bit softer.

I didn't say anything to this, I didn't think I could. She stepped aside, allowing me access to the room she had been guarding till now. I hesitantly placed a hand on the doorknob taking in a deep breath before opening it. I stepped inside and shut the door, noticing how there was only a single bed at the end of the room, next to a window and there was a boy, about the age Bei Fong had mentioned. He was looking out the window, but turned when he heard me come in.

I froze, feeling the wind getting knocked out of me.

There on the bed, grinning at me with that same goofy smile was my little brother. A numbing sensation came over me and though I knew I was moving, I couldn't feel it. Before I knew it I was next to the bed and Bo threw his arms around me, hugging me tightly. I returned the embrace, feeling my eyes water as I tightened my hold. I just couldn't believe it. My little brother…he was back.

I don't know how long we stood this way, but it felt like such a short time when Bolin pulled away, his smile still intact as he leaned against the pillows. I had so many things to tell him, to ask him, but I didn't even know where to start.

"How-?"

"It's a long story," Bolin replied, lowering his gaze. "And I don't really want to talk about it."

I nodded. "I-I missed you," I whispered.

He smirked at this. "I thought you'd say that you'd brand me if I went out with Korra?" he teased. I sighed at this and sat on the chair next to the bed. "How is, Korra? Is she…okay?"

"She's, um, she's okay," I lied.

"Bei Fong said she just came back a few months ago," Bo said. I nodded. "Did you give her a hard time?" I slowly nodded my head. "It wasn't her fault, you know," my younger brother added. "She tried to protect me."

"I know," I answered. "Where were you?" I asked. "How did the Blue Spirit find you?"

"I was locked up in some room," he answered. "After he stabbed me…another boat picked me up and took me somewhere. I tried to escape but…he took away my Earthbending. After that, I just stayed locked up. I don't even know how the Blue Spirit found me."

I clenched my jaw as he said what they did to him. That bastard. If I ever got my hands on him…

"Tell me about Korra," Bolin said after a moment.

I sighed at this. "She isn't the same Bo," I told him, a small smile on my face. "And it's a good change. She has an adoptive son; his name is Jason, a little Firebender. They're inseparable." I chuckled at the last part before sighing again. "She's hurt," I added. "Your disappearance…your death, I guess…it hit her as hard as it did me."

"Can I see her?" he asked quietly. "I want her to know I'm okay, just like you know I'm okay. I'm still me, but everyone here has changed…even you."

"I know," I answered. "I'm sorry."

"It's a good change on you though," Bo corrected. "I like it," he added with his goofy smile.

I chuckled and messed up his hair, just like I used to when we were kids.

"I'll go call Korra," I said getting up.

"You think you can bring me some dumplings?" he called as I went to the door. "I'm starving!"

I laughed and shook my head. Bolin hadn't changed at all and it was good to see that some things stayed the same.

Tarrlok's POV

I needed to talk to that brat, the poor excuse of an Avatar, and quickly. Since she left my task force, everything had been going downhill. More and more equalists were making an appearance and quite frankly we were outnumbered, by a lot. That maniac of a Blue Spirit was taking care of their share but then there was the rest for my force to take down, and it was not going well. I was on my way to the island when I saw her get off the ferry and quickly made her way deeper into the city.

"Avatar Korra!" I called walking over to where she was.

"I'm busy Tarrlok," she answered, not slowing down.

I growled at this and grabbed her wrist, making her turn towards me. She raised her fist, her eyes threatening, warning me of the consequences if I didn't let go, but I had to talk to her.

"Let. Me. Go," the girl managed to say through her clenched teeth.

"You have to listen to what I have to say," I said barely containing a growl.

"I don't have to do anything," she replied. "I'm not in your task force anymore, remember?"

"It is in your best interest," I insisted.

She looked at me long and hard before pulling her wrist out of my grasp and turning to look at me, arms crossed in front of her chest.

"This better be good."

"The number of Equalists is rising," I began. "When you were in the Task Force more people were willing to join but now, they are declining. More and more of the officers are getting captured and having their bending taken, if they are lucky to escape with their lives."

"Your point is?" the brat asked.

"I need you to come back so that the numbers of the force increase and we can contain these maniacs."

"Not a chance," she answered.

My jaw clenched at this. "I'm the city's only hope," I growled. "You, as an Avatar, have done nothing to help the Bending citizens cope with that lunatic's movement!"

"You've used false allegations before, what reason can you give me to believe you?" the girl snapped.

I didn't say anything to this. Admittedly she had a point, and I suspected that perhaps half of the list I had made up of Equalists suspects may be unfounded. I opened my mouth to speak but a familiar yet strange voice cut me off.

"Tarrlok?"

I turned to find a man, perhaps in his late forties looking at me. His skin was light, and his eyes a light blue. I had seen those eyes before…I froze. No, it couldn't be…

"No-Noatak?" I managed to say.

"Hello, little brother," he answered walking towards me.

"You have a brother?" the Avatar asked, surprised as I was.

"Half brother," Noatak lied smoothly. "We haven't seen each other since we were kids. My, have you grown." He stopped to look at the Water Tribe girl next to me. "And you must be, Avatar Korra. I've heard so much about you."

I saw her eyes narrow at this. "Too bad I can't say the same," she answered before looking at me. "The answer to your question is final. I will never go back to your task force. Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to do."

I growled at this before turning to look at my older brother. It had been a little over twenty years that I've seen him. It all seemed so unreal.

"I know you may have a lot of questions," he said.

I nodded. "Where have you been?" I asked. "Why are you here? How did you find me? How long have you been here?"

"I've been here for quite some time," Noatak admitted. "I have a…business deal that is about to close, but I didn't want to see you until I was sure of it. I want you to be by my side when it does. As to where I have been…that's a story I will not be sharing for some time." He paused for a moment. "Why don't we have dinner together? Catch up a little and you can explain how you became a Councilman."

I nodded and followed him to an awaiting vehicle. I was shocked yet happy of Noatak's arrival but I was no fool. He was hiding something, the question was what?