Tarrlok sat across from the Avatar. He was early as he wanted to show them, show her how serious he was. Korra , naturally, had arrived just on time. They were seated in a secluded area in the police station. The walls were a muted gray, and the seat a dark jade. It was not the most friendly environment. In fact, it reminded Tarrlok of when he worked in a factory briefly before getting into politics.

"Tar-"

"Talroq, now Avatar Korra." He said quickly, cutting her off before she said his real name aloud.

"What an unappealing name. Good job, it suits you." Mako said snarkily as he and Asami sat next to Korra

"So, you're supposed to meet with your brother and the other guy tonight ? " Korra asked, making sure to keep a stern voice, proving she wasn't the girl he met all those years ago.

He nodded. "Yes, and I gave you guys the location and time you can have an undercover watch us. If you were less recognizable, I would take one of you." Tarrlock had kept tabs from a distance; If one of Korra's inner group had to join him, his best bet was on Mako. He pondered whether people recognized the younger man at all from his Pro Bending days or not . It felt like decades had passed since the fiasco with his brother's equalist attack on the Pro Bending Arena .

Bolin came in, drinking a matcha latte, which Tarrlok wondered where he would have found that in the drab building . The earth-bender had overheard what Tarrlok had said, and being Bolin, he couldn't help but quip , "Maybe we can get Beifong to go with you."

Mako shot him a look, and Tarrlok realized they all knew now about their past, that he no longer had to hide it . It felt a little late, but those feelings never left him and he was glad he didn't have to pretend any longer . He considered the better parts of what they had to be like finding gold in an ocean.

"I wouldn't mind, but I'm sure she's too identifiable." He shook his head as he knew she wouldn't go.

"How are you going to make it up to Lin? Get out of the polar bear doghouse, I suggest-"

"There goes Bolin making pals with the bad guys." Korra made a tsking sound of disapproval towards Bolin.

Tarrlok thought about it deeply suddenly. He had had four years with her, and he knew her well ; she wasn't going to be able to be won over . So, he at the very least, wanted to make peace and do right by her . Whatever happened would happen , but he would die trying to make it right .

Tarrlok went to respond, but Mako spoke up first.

"Enough, Bolin." The firebender said sharply, having had enough of his brother butting in.

Tarrlok t old them once more where he would be meeting up with the third guy. "He works in a nightclub." He kn ew the man Amon was working with; he hoped it would give him some worthy information, or at least some names.

Tarrlok looked up and he instantly fought to keep back a small smile . Lin was there, standing in the corner listening to them . Tarrlok decided not to acknowledge her . She didn't look well to him, and he knew Lin's tells when she was ill . He fought a grimace because he could tell that it was more than just a cold this time . He noticed the small details, like where her makeup mostly covered what looked like bruises. He bit his tongue in anger. H e had a feeling, as much as he hated knowing she sought out danger, that she was like him. Lin needed to know she was seen. The others didn't notice her as he had, but then he was more attuned to her than others . They both just watched silently as Mako explained the plan once more, and reminded Tarrlok that they would be meeting at this restaurant when he was finished . Asami had called the restaurant, Angae, earlier under the guise of another job to g et a reservation .

Lin decided to take care of the paperwork and other menial tasks of her job until it was time to meet at Angae with Mako. She sighed as she added another signed page to the ever-growing pile of completed case notes; i t had been a long 18-hour day.

She was seated in her office, trying her best to keep the place more in order. Besides the one time she gave Yuuki a vacation, she had to prove that she wouldn't crash and burn. She was like sunshine to the Chief. She didn't want to go anywhere in the wake of the events of the world, but Lin knew she had to be there for her daughter back home. Lin felt as though It was the least she could do considering all she did. It cleared the older woman's mind, ensuring everything was to the nines. Besides she had been waiting on a phone call from him.

She wanted something clear, or else she would be moving on, she was a Beifong. The city was her's, she had just allowed others to run it for a little while. Unlike Su, who was closer to the Earth Queen than even Su herself realized, in her opinion, but that wasn't the point. She wanted the reins back; her city needed to heal .

Kya knocked on the door gently, she was so worried at the moment the media was going crazy with Raiko and his 'horrific' beating. Kya wondered how to approach Lin. Parts of her felt so unreachable and lost. Like her mother had been. Nobody knew how to investigate the happenings of the night prior so Kya tried to break the ice with kelp cookies. Lin always loved Katara's cooking.

She frowned wondering what happened to Yuuki, she had a fondness for the young lady especially her daughter Saengdao. She remembers when she met the infant a few years ago and how Lin did all she could to get her out of a violent situation at home.

" She's on vacation, made her use her vacation days." Lin spoke, feeling Kya enter.

" You should follow her lead Lin, you need rest." Kya noticed how pale Lin looked.

" mhm, I need to figure out what's going on, things are getting bad, I have to stop it"Lin frowned, not looking up from pretending to read paperwork.

" you need to count on us more, it's not all on you." Kya said she felt Lin's energy shifting slowly; her aura was like aubergine and steel grey. Lin had to fix it alone, she thought anyway.

"We have to meet up with Tarrlok soon, I need a moment please." Lin said the impish freeness from the gala was long gone.

" Fine, but if you need to talk, please reach out. You don't deserve this. Also I made these cookies."

"Thank you, and I swear I'm in control of this. I'm not helpless" Lins eyes were firey she was embarrassed that everyone was on eggshells.

Kya left feeling a bit discouraged, she needed to get Lin in a more even plain field. Later she lost the battle today, but she knew where Lin lived.

Lin listened while Kyas' footsteps got farther and farther away. She felt her mouth water the smells coming from the bag, smelt like home. She wanted to eat so badly, then she got a call.

"Chief Beifong." Her voice didn't hold the same power it had moments ago.

" Hey, how are you? I was hoping you were in." It was Raiko, his voice was soft.

" Hey, thought-" Lin was awkward but he cut her off.

" I'm sorry about last night. Really."

" I don't remember everything. I'm doing fine, by the way." She wasn't telling the truth, but she didn't remember it all." Lin felt her head hurt.

"I was a Pig, I'm really sorry, I want to talk to person. Maybelikeonadate."

She noticed when it was close to time. Mako had knocked, informing her that Tarrlok had been keeping up his given schedule, and eyes were on him at the first location. He handed her a box. It contained a dress for Angae. Asami, of course, picked a luxurious place.

She felt the high quality fabric and sighed. Mako was already in his clothes.

"I know. It never ends." Mako said, putting the monocle over his that Lin could get any humor from it was to fuzzy was suppose to clean her office before Yuuki came back. Still hadn't gotten to it.

"Whatever happened to meet undercover people in dimly lit bars." Lin wondered out loud.

Mako didn't reply. Not sure how to feel about it he wasn't into the bar scene.

Lin held up the clothes, "at least it's not as bad as when I had to go undercover when I was your age." It was a maroon dress. Lin mostly felt it was a full gown, not just tiny clothes.

"I would like to hear stories about that one day," Mako admitted.

"Maybe one day, kid," Lin said with a tired sigh.

Mako felt a bit of pride. She liked him enough to say maybe not something she did for anyone else.

Lin went to the then stalls to change after she showered. It was in the middle of shifts changing, so there weren't many people when she stepped out. Besides, Lin had a wig and some rosy shades. She headed to her office to get some things and headed out with Mako.

When they got, their Korra was seated. She wore a more modern dress. It was a creamy yellow color. It was heavier on the bottom to give her an illusion of a fuller hip that balanced her shape. She was with Asami, who wore an elaborate blue dress with lighter makeup to match. They had an ongoing conversation in a secluded section when Mako approached his ex-girlfriends. He decided to take Korra's beverage because she didn't handle it well last time, and Asami laughed.

"Bolin had to go to the boy's room, something about a mover role. You should get him." Asami said while Korra gruffed about being able to drink. Mako sighed, thinking of the smell he would have to deal with due to Bolin's new diet.

"Everyone may be here any second," Asami said. Korra laughed and wished Mako luck. Mako sighed, taking the beverage with him, causing Korra to pout. Lin awkwardly sat with the two of them, ignoring them being young kids in love. She ordered a drink puffing out a cloud of smoke. The waiter gave her a look but said nothing as she took another inhale from a cigarette.

"But mako, I have to practice for my role." A familiar whine from a bright-eyed mover star.

"Not right now, bro. I don't know why you decided to do this now." Mako said, holding an empty glass and releasing his nose now that it was safe. Mako was exasperated. Lin didn't judge because Opal loved this dope.

Korra looked over a Tenzin who approached awkwardly in a tuxedo and a top hat, a short wig in place to hide his arrow. Lin taped on the floor stealthy to see what the silence was about. She kept a straight face for a second. She wanted to laugh. The kids began teasing him, and Lin decided she got off easy when her senses told her he was walking with a cane.

"Why a walking stick Asami." Tenzin groveled

"Because you're an old man," Lin didn't bother to look at him.

"Why does she get to look nice!" Tenzin now huffed.

"Women's fashion is just easier. Besides, we had to disguise you guys. You wouldn't want to wear a wig and furs." Asami said, hushed.

"You know, when you said a bar, I imagined something more interesting," Lin said as the waiter returned with a bottle and a glass. He poured the drink, and Lin downed it slower than she would like.

"You ordered a bottle?"

"It will be a long night looking at that ugly mug," gesturing to Tenzin and Tarrlok, who approached apprehensively. He had not been to this place in so long, but he was glad it managed not to be destroyed by Kuvira. When they all turned to witness his slow limping approach, Lin downed her first drink and poured a second. Tarrlok was pale and nervous. Like he just noticed something awful.

"Talroq, good evening," Bolin said friendly remembering his new name

Tarrlok nodded. He looked at everyone's disguises. They had done a decent job. He decided to take a jab at Tenzin for looking like a ringmaster in a circus or a funeral director. Tenzin glared at him with contempt.

"It's more like the character for that new game, with the monocle." Everyone decided to look at Tenzin, and Tarlock laughed

"Good one," He looked over at Lin, who casually drank. He felt his mouth dry.

"Anyways, sir, how was work today?" Bolin asked

"Awful,"

"Good, now spill before I make it worst for you." Lin took another puff from her cigarette

"Shouldn't we be ordering?"

"Nope, you're here for business. Not a meal." Lin said harshly. She noticed a familiar walk in the background, Zolt. She hated that her heart used to skip a beat when remembering him in the past. He didn't recognize them, but he took an interest. Lin focused on Asami, saying, "well, I'm ordering. We can do both."

"hmp, fine." Lin soured. Everyone began looking over the menu, and Lin asked him about the night's events, not wanting to open the menu. Not only did she not want to think about her middle, she couldnt read it to fake it.

"My day was awful because I shuffle around doing low-wage gigs."

"Oh, you poor thing," Lin mocked aggressively. If Tarrlok had listened to her about caring about the people and not the rich pockets, he wouldn't have to be struggling; crime would go down only the awful would have a reason to bother ideally at least she hoped it would be that way.

"Good to see you understand how your anti-bender, anti-poor policies still affect the City." Tenzin looked over at Lin. He was surprised Lin took an interest in that but then again he was avoiding her until a few years ago. He wondered why he never noticed that about her because as he thought he realized it was silly to not think she would be in the know of the city.

Tarrlok sighed. Getting on her good side was next to impossible. He felt envious when the waiter brought out a fruit tart on a tray and an excellent top shelf fire whisky shot, the card was handed to Lin, and she rolled her eyes, closing it and putting it away after pretending to read it for a second. Lin drank the shot, wondering if he pulled the same crap with every dame, or was she made. If she was made, it was nice to know he remembered her favorite.

"Kids, you can have the dessert," Lin muttered. Pushing it to the under thirty group.

"So, what did the note say?" Bolin asked curiously

"It said stuff like that." Lin refused to let anyone know she couldn't read the note.

"They're going to attempt to break out a former terrorist locked away deep in the City's mountains. Asami looked surprised,

"Zaheer," Lin hissed

I don't know. Suruk said something about some red, something. One man is Yuu. The other is Suruk. You guys have the photo of Suruk. He and my brother are running the show. I haven't made out Yuu.

Korra remembers something: "They communicate through the spirit world."

Bolin looks nervous tossing a salad, "so the two scariest groups are joining each other to bring chaos and equality."

"Essentially. Asami sighed

Tenzin pushed some food toward Lin, deciding she might drink too much, the bottle almost empty. Tarrlok had also been putting foods she would like on a plate. He was worried. It was spring. She had a hard time around this time of year. As it gets closer to fall, it will get worst. Lin finished the bottle after ignoring the plates. Everyone ate in silence, making her strategy of lying or impersonating impossible.

Mako pondered the dark avatar part, "Are they taking people bending?"

"To my knowledge, only my brother; the other is still a question mark. The third gives me the air of a tyrant."

"Their target," Korra said

"People in gangs, for now, something about doing the police's jobs better." Mako frowned, the police are spread thin, but the police have been harsh on people who didn't have housing despite the recent Kuvira debacle. He felt angry it wasnt anyones fault Raiko was power hungry.

"Their planning something big, I imagine, since Yue Bay was no pro-bending ring attack," Lin chimed in

"They have their eyes on the President," Tarrlok said

Lin took a sharp inhale, not Raiko.

"We need more eyes on this," Asami said. She felt bad for the Chief. She seemed to like Raiko.

"Their working in nightclubs' places where the vulnerable and feeble are there, even in the encampments," Tarrlok said

"So that dark Avatar and/or turtle theory is probably Yuu, swamp bender. I'll take it." Lin sighed

"Wow, good guess." Tarrlok was genuine.

Lin decided not to say anything back. He was giving good information.

"Oh, maybe we can ask toph if she knows him!" Bolin was too eager to see Lin's mother. Chief didn't like that.

"That is a good idea. Toph could have the wisdom to help us."

"I'm staying here," Lin asserted

"Don't like camping?"Korra asked she soaked up the dread she will have to confront with all this intel.

"We need to watch the City," Lin hissed.

"We need you to come with us. Saikhan and Mako can handle the City and Tar-"

Lin flagged down the waiter, unsure whether she would pay or order another strong shot.

"We need you to go,"

Lin growled. This was too hasty. Unplanned.

"It will only be a day or two." Tenzin tried to reason

"I'll think about it." She ordered what Zolt was having.

The kids decided they wanted to eat and discuss other things. They caught up on their jobs, allowing Tenzin to continue chiming in about his kids and the Air nation. Tarrlok felt uncomfortable. He and Lin didn't fit in outliers but that was why they got involed in the first place , and he saw one of her hands resting on the table while she fiddled around with the food on her plate. He realized she had a real problem it was frustrating and nobody seemed to care.

He put his warm flesh hand over her icicle of a hand, and Lin looked down at it. She glared

Everyone fell silent.

"Don't. Touch. me." Lin barbed a low voice and scared the table.

Tarrlok moved his hand away. Lin didn't excuse herself. She headed for the lady's room.

"Really, why did you even try," Mako said

Tarrlok sighed, feeling defeated. He said nothing. His eyes glimmer sadly.

"Maybe in 30 years, she will forgive you like she did Tenzin," Bolin said innocently. It only crushed Tarrlok.

"Ouch, Bolin, that was harsh," Korra said, surprise

"Wha, oh. I'm sorry." Bolin pouts, not wanting to be mean.

"You know we should get an undercover, someone they would want," Korra said

Lin had returned, "what kind of person would they need." Asami pondered out loud

Lin listened to them try and figure it out. She leaned in, "Zhu Li or Wu are some options. They have power and clean reputations, non-benders." Lin said

"Wu did want a singing career," Mako said

"But he's awful at singing," Tenzin said. Pema had told him all about it.

"I know somebody that can train him." Tarrlok was back to his old self in an instant.

"Who are they a miracle worker," Mako said.

"Someone who got a degree in music," it took everything in Lin not to stab him in his robotic hand or neck. His eyes met Lin's by chancethat was when he noticed her stare it was like she didnt see anything. He spoke just like those council meetings. He had a shit-eating could feel it.

"But I thought, you studied-"

"I think we should hedge our bets on Zhu Li," Lin didn't let Tenzin finish. He forgets you can study more than one thing. Her mom had been blind and not too hip at school, so she had to do one significant thing that applied to be a cop.

"Wu is more personable, though," Asami chimed in.

"He's an idiot," Lin said, finally.

"We should speak to both and work with both," Mako said stubbornly.

"What if we asked Ginger #he can act and sing, we should ask at the charity event." Bolin interrupted.

"No." it was unanimous.

"If the prince is tone-deaf, there's not much I can fix," Lin sighed before adding, "Now, if you excuse me, I have a sister to entertain. If there nothing else," she darkly muttered down the waiter again. She tells Mako she will be getting a security team on Raiko. Bolin woos a little heir apparent concern for felt a knife twist in his chest.

After Lin paid and tipped, the Krew looked at Tarrlok,

"How involved were you two." Tenzin accused. It made Tarrlok smirk.

That was Tarrlok's cue to leave. He had Asami foot his tab.

Before he left, he decided to confessed another secret,

"She had a betrothal necklace. I blew it, though."

He walked off sadly to his dwelling, leaving everyone wondering if they felt bad for him or not.

When Tarrlok steps out, he feels the gust of spring air. Tarrlok spots Lin still in her disguise getting a cigarette lit by Lightning Bolt Zolt despite having a lighter. Tarrlok's eyes narrow. He looks at Lin and her warm color shades as he tried to meet her eye, and Lin whispers something in Zolt's ear before walking in a different direction. He feels tempted to pull her aside. So, he follows, shoulder-checking Zolt as aggressively as he could with his slimmer body.

"Lin," he says, catching up.

"Leave. Me. Alone." Lin doesn't look at him. It's unusual.

"Please, I want to know how to make this right," He asked softly

"You, you can't, not anymore" Lin walked into an alleyway so they could talk privately.

"Why."

Lin sighed heavily, dragging the cigarette. She decided to face this.

"Your, His son." She almost whispered

Tarrlok sighed, "there's nothing I can do-"

"You don't understand. Did your pal Haruk not tell you. It seemed like he liked talking about it."

"He isn't my pal. I wasn't there, but my brother was disturbed. Something about." He felt like someone had dropped a tank on him. It hit him. He halted; his stomach twisted. "Spirits."

"I can't even think of you and not remember now. Think about that, month." Lin discovered he had connected the dots. He felt sick. Lin didn't know she shook a bit. She remembered when she could see his blue eyes so unlike his father. She looked into his eyes for years and never knew he was Yakone's son but she sure if she could see them now that would be all she saw. Her stomach turned thinking about it. Okay it was a painful burnt image she would never see but knew was their.

"I, I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt or do anything to make you relive that day. "There were no words. remembering her reaction when he touched her hand, remorse filling him

. "Every time I have something good, I choose the wrong thing and lose it." Lin closed her eyes, and she felt the same about his words.

"I don't blame you for what your father and his gang did to me. I just don't think it could be the same," Lin said, her eyes still closed.

She remembered how she had failed at ending her life once before, just like him. When Lin was undercover, she had wished it would end there. She pressed the hot cigarette into her leg, but she still didn't feel scars on her body were a map of her pain, a reminder of all the times she had tried to escape it. But the pain never really left her. It just shifted shapes, hiding within her until the next crisis emerged to unleash it once more.

She knew now that there were no truly easy ways out. The darkness that had consumed her for so long was part of her, as inextricable as the blood in her veins. She had learned to live with it, but it could never be vanquished.

"I understand that. I do. I want to do the right thing for you. I still wish you would take better care of yourself."

"I'm a fool." If it weren't so quiet, he wouldn't be able to hear her. She sounded hopeless.

"No, you're something else, something you can't put into words. You are everything to me; when my brother saved me-all I thought was how to make things right. "

Lin rolled her eyes, close to tears. She was in knots.

"You're not a fool," he said gently. "You're the strongest, kindest person I know. I'm here for you, whatever you need."

His words seemed to soothe her nerves. She took a deep breath, her eyes glistening. "Thank you," she whispered. "For seeing me. For loving me. For always being there when I can't see my own way."

"Always," he promised. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I must go, Tarrlok. My sister, we wants me to do this fundraiser thing," She wanted to hold his hand but couldn't do it. She felt cursed.

"I was wondering about that. I hope it makes you happy. I think that's all I want. When this is over, I want you to take a vacation and do things that bring you true joy, with somebody that's everything you need if that is what you want." Lin clenched her jaw. She wasn't sure that would ever come again.

He looked at her. He felt disgusting for blood bending her and how he must have triggered her.

"I wish, I. I wish it had been different. That I had done it all different and just left with you." She admitted she almost choked. She still shook.

Lin left the dark alleyway. She looked back at him. He looked at the floor dejectedly. She sighed

"I loved you too, Tarrlok" her voice was softer than she expected. She decided to leave him to process all that information. Her body felt like she weighed as much as the avatars dog as she made her way to Air Temple Island.