Chapter Twenty-One: Clues
Alessia was humming softly while making coffee since Lin was still asleep. It was dawn. The sun had yet to rise. She was having a hard time sleeping. Normally she would stay asleep while sharing the same bed with Lin. Though, today seemed different. Hopping up to sit on the counter while the coffee was brewing. She had just recently come back from the south with Korra and the team. Things were tense at the moment. Hearing soft footsteps as she smiled.
"You're up early." Lin spoke as Alessia nodded her head.
"Couldn't sleep any longer." She spoke as Lin yawned, moving towards her. She felt Lin lay her head upon her chest while she wrapped her arms around the older lady. Gently rubbing Lin's back.
"The President is having a meeting today to discuss the affairs of the south. I want you there." Lin spoke while pouring two cups of coffee.
"Why me?" Alessia asked while taking the cup of coffee.
"You are the only one I trust and I know that you will tell me the truth." Lin spoke.
"Mako doesn't?" She asked while taking a drink of her coffee.
"He is too involved with Korra." Lin replied. The woman was already in her uniform as Alessia was still wearing the nightwear from last night.
"I'm literally the avatar's sister. I'm more involved than he is." Alessia chuckled. Lin made a face and she apologized quickly.
"I understand that, but. You are also involved with me and I trust you to be honest with me. Unlike Makko, he's already lied to her." Lin spoke. Alessia frowned at this. She would never betray Lin's trust. Not after everything. Korra was also her sister. She felt divided but then again, she also had a job as well. If it meant telling Lin what Korra was up to, so be it. She nodded to Lin who gave her that oh so sweet smile only she got to see. This made Alessia blush with a smile as she felt her heart swell.
"What is it?" Lin chuckled while sliding her arms around Alessia's waist and pulled her off the counter. Alessia set her cup on the counter and held onto Lin.
"That smile. Gets me everytime." Alessia spoke softly and kissed Lin upon her lips.
"I need you to come with me." Korra spoke as Alessia was at work, sitting at her desk working on the files.
"Huh?" Alessia asked while looking up. She did not hear what Korra said.
"I said. Come with me." Korra grabbed her arm.
"I have to tell the chief." Alessia spoke.
"No time!" Korra shouted while dragging a confused Alessia. She managed to grab her ear piece before Korra got her out of the office. Placing it into her ear. It was well hidden since she let half of her hair down today. Once outside, Korra finally told her. "I'm going to get the president to send troops to the south. You know, OUR home." Korra spoke loudly. Making sure Alessia heard this. She frowned at Korra. Her real home was back in Zaofu and now here in the City. The clanking of her armor meant it needed adjusting again soon.
"Oh. Alright, I'll go with you." Alessia spoke. She turned her ear piece on. Hearing a voice in her ear. It was Lin asking her where she went. Korra was a good distance ahead of her.
"Korra dragged me out. Heading to the President's office." Alessia spoke.
"Keep me posted. Keep your piece on. I want to hear everything." Lin spoke.
"Roger Chief." She smirked at this. She knew Lin hated her calling her chief unless it was in front of everyone.
"Hurry up!" Korra shouted. Alessia flung her wrist forward to pull herself up in the air and moved faster. She felt the metal line under her feet as she was zipping down it. Using her arms to pull the metal to keep the motion going. Taking a leap into the air and making a flip. Landing on her feet perfectly. She had learned this move from Lin.
"Show off." Korra crossed her arms. Alessia only chuckled and waved her forward.
"Ah avatar Korra! What do I owe for pleasure?" Raiko asked while shaking her hand.
"Ah Mr. President!" Varrick's voice came. 'Ugh' Alessia thought.
"Varrick! Good to see you. And you Alessia. I assume you're here to spy on me?" Raiko asked. She felt like she was slapped.
"No sir. I'm here to make sure Korra doesn't cause another war." Alessia looked at Korra.
"Hey!" Korra glared at her. Alessia could hear Lin's laugh in her ear.
"Well, I suppose that's fair." Raiko asked while chuckling as well.
"Well, let's get to it." Raiko spoke as he led them into the City Hall. It felt different being inside the building now. There was no council anymore. It felt odd having one person in power. She personally did not like this idea. One alone can be corrupted. Tarrlok was a perfect example of this once he started getting more and more supporters.
"Alright, one moment. Pictures." Raiko spoke while holding Korra's hand. "Alessia, stand here." He spoke.
"Oh, okay." Was all she could say. Apparently it would look good if there was a police officer there to make things look good. She put her hands behind her back and stood tall.
"Now smile." Raiko spoke at Korra. Varrick pushed Korra with a finger and she awkwardly smiled as the cameras went off. All the flashing lights. Alessia kept her composure. Once done, they had all taken a seat. She sat in silence.
"But sir! The north invaded the south. I want you to ask the United Nations to send troops down to help." Korra sighed with frustration.
"I understand your frustration Korra. My answer is no." Raiko spoke.
"Fine!" Korra shouted and stood up and stormed out.
"I suspect you are going to try and reason with her?" Raiko asked Alessia.
"I can try and get her to see the reason. She's very passionate about this." Alessia spoke as she bowed to Raiko.
"I know. She's still young." He added. She raised a brow at him before leaving.
"He is not wrong. Korra is hot tempered as well." Lin spoke.
"I know." Alessia replied.
"Are you done?" Lin asked.
"No. She wants to meet at Mako's place." Alessia sighed.
"Keep it on." Lin ordered. She kept her silence as she followed Korra to Mako's place. Hearing the knock.
"I told the chief I can't come in today." Mako spoke.
"I'm here with Korra." Alessia sighed.
"Then why are you in uniform?" Mako crossed his arms.
"Hey. It's comfortable. Plus, it makes me. Oh never mind you! I'm here on avatar business." Alessia spoke. SHe was going to say the uniform brought comfort to her and it made her feel safe when Lin wasn't around. She sat down next to Mako.
"I can't believe he won't help!" Korra shouted. Alessia jumped at the sudden shout.
"Maybe you shouldn't take the south's side. It won't help for a civil conflict." Mako suggested.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Korra snapped.
"I mean you are the avatar. You're supposed to remain neutral." Mako added.
"Oh boy." Alessia whispered.
"A lover's quarrel again?" Lin sighed. Alessia could see Lin pinching the bridge of her nose.
"How could you take his side?" Korra shouted. "Alessia! Back me up!" Korra rounded on her. Alessia held her hands up.
"Hey. I understand you are mad but you need to think logically." Alessia.
"And whose side are you on?!" Korra shouted. 'What's with her and sides?' Alessia thought.
"Not the south or the north. I'm an earth citizen. Not a water tribe!" Alessia snapped at Korra.
"You were born in the water tribe nation!" Korra shouted.
"You wanna try that again?" Alessia crossed her arms.
"What do you mean?" Korra frowned. Alessia scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"I can hear you rolling those eyes." Lin spoke in her ear.
"I was born here in Republic City." Alessia spoke calmly this time.
"How?" Korra asked.
"Long story and you won't understand half of it." Alessia added. The whole story she had learned. She had to learn it from her soulmate instead of her own mother who kept her whole life a lie.
"You're not helping me!" Korra rounded back on Mako.
"I'm trying to do my job!" Mako shouted back.
"Well excuse me officers. Don't let me get in the way of you writing tickets!" Korra crossed her arms. Alessia felt like Korra slapped her. She had a growl coming from her before sighing.
"Stand down Alessia." Lin's voice spoke. She turned pink as she knew Lin heard her.
"I can't talk to you like this!" Korra slammed the door after she left. Mako shouted back as Alessia was the one pinching the bridge of her nose and sighed.
"I'm going back to work." Alessia spoke before taking her leave as well.
Alessia was huffing a few times.
"What's on your mind?" Lin asked as she was walking down the sidewalk.
"There's so much going on and I can only do so much. Korra expects me to drop everything and support her. I can't do that." Alessia spoke as a little girl was crying.
"Welcome to police life." Lin spoke. "What's going on?"
"Hey there sweetie. What's wrong?" Alessia asked while bending down to the girl.
"Officer! My kitty!" The girl was crying while pointing.
"Here." Alessia spoke as she easily moved her cables to grab the cat and bring it down. Handing it to the little girl.
"Thank you officer!" The girl shouted before running off.
"Come back to the station. The president is arriving soon." Lin ordered.
"Yes ma'am." Alessia spoke.
"Drop the formalities when alone." Lin sighed. Alessia chuckled while dashing back to the station. She turned the earpiece off as she made it back. She knocked on Lin's door.
"Open." She spoke. Alessia let herself inside and closed the door. "Stand there." Lin instructed as Alessia did. She was on the other side of the office. Hands behind her back and stood tall.
"Chief. President Raiko is here." He spoke.
"Let him in." Lin spoke. Lin stood up and stood by her desk as Raiko came into the office. His eyes were on Alessia before turning onto Lin.
"The attack happened right under your nose. Why haven't you arrested the northern who caused it?" He demanded.
"We are working on it sir." Lin replied.
"Well work harder! If we don't get results soon, I will find someone who will." Raiko spoke to Lin. Alessia felt like he threatened Lin. She did not like the feeling she was getting from this. Her stomach turned as something clawed at her side. Her face was red as her nose was scrunched up. She looked to the side to take a deep breath. There was a knock on the door as Mako entered. 'Oh no!' Alessia thought as there was horror on her face as Mako saw her.
"What makes you think a beat rookie cop thinks he can interrupt my meeting with the president?!" Lin shouted. Alessia had face palmed at Mako's stupidity.
"I'm sorry. I found something from the bombing." Mako spoke. Alessia raised a brow at Mako. If he found something, she wanted to know.
"Give it to Lu and Gang! Get out!" Lin shouted at Mako.
"Yes Chief!" Mako spoke and left. Closing the door behind him. She could hear what Mako was saying on the other side of the door. She watched the president leave as Lin sat at her desk. Her head in her hands. Alessia touched the older woman's shoulder.
"I need something. Anything from the bombing." Lin frowned.
"Let me on the case. Let me help." Alessia spoke as she knelt by Lin. Lin's eyes found her mismatched ones before nodding. She took Lin's hand and kissed it before taking her leave.
She saw the president talking to Mako. She went to her desk.
"Both of you. I heard great things about you two. You're proving you're more than just the avatar sister. The chief speaks highly of you both." Raiko spoke.
"Thank you Mr. President." Alessia bowed to him. Then Raiko had asked Mako if Korra would be doing anything that would compromise the city. Alessia raised a brow at Mako. 'Was something going on?' She was confused at this. Why would Raiko ask him such a thing? Would Korra really put the City in danger?
"Let me remind you that you've sworn an oath." Raiko spoke. He was right. They did swear an oath. She was eyeing Mako the whole time.
"No sir." Mako spoke. 'Liar!' Alessia thought. Wait. How could she tell? His heart beat! It was different. She tilted her head. Listening in.
"Wait. There's something you should know." Mako then sighed as he looked down. 'I knew it!' Alessia thought. Raiko then stopped and looked at Mako. Alessia was also looking at him. Apparently Korra went behind Raiko's back and went straight to general Iroh about sending help to the south.
"Oh my spirits." Alessia said as she sat down.
"What?" Mako asked.
"I can't believe her!" She shouted. She stood back up and walked over to Mako.
"How did you find that out?" She asked.
"She told me." Mako sighed.
"Of course she did. Anyways. I believe you." Alessia crossed her arms and tapped her foot.
"What do you mean?" Mako was confused.
"Show me the remote control." Alessia spoke. Mako smiled and grabbed her wrist and led her to another room.
"Here." He spoke while handing it to her. Alessia turned it over in her hand.
"I've seen this before." She spoke. She couldn't place it though.
"Really?! Where?" Mako was shaking her by the shoulders.
"Hold up Mako! I need to place the memory." She spoke as they went back to their desks. Alessia sat down while examining it. Mako handed her the picture too of the suspect.
"Did my boyfriend rat me out to the president?" Korra's voice spoke as she entered. 'Oh no.' Alessia thought. Mako was at his desk. "Why did my boyfriend stab me in the back?" Korra was angry and she slammed her fist on his desk.
"Look if the president asks me a question, it's my duty as an officer to answer honestly." Mako replied.
"You betrayed me and my family!" Korra hit his desk.
"I'm right here too ya know." Alessia spoke while side eyeing her while looking at the controller. The next thing she knew, Korra air bent Mako's desk as it went flying across the room.
"You! Help betrayed our family!" Korra screamed at Alessia as she stood up. Korra kicked her desk as well. Seeing books and papers fly everywhere. Alessia glared at her sister.
"We have a job to do!" Alessia shouted.
"Well I have a job to do too and you're always in the way of getting it done!" Korra rounded onto Mako. Alessia was rubbing her temples. She was getting really annoyed with Korra now.
"Then I guess we don't have time for our relationship if we are putting our jobs first!" Mako spoke.
"What are you saying? Are..are you breaking up with me?" Korra asked in a hurt voice.
"I guess I am." Mako spoke. Alessia felt awkward now. Hearing a door opened as Lin stepped out.
"What the flame-o happened here?" She crossed her arms with a brow raised. Alessia felt awkward still. The room was a mess.
"I broke up with the avatar." Mako explained.
"Hmph. You got off easy. You should have seen Air temple island after Tenzin broke up with me." Lin was smirking at this as her eyes were showing that mischievous look. Alessia's eyes went wide as her heart was pounding. 'Remind me not to get on Lin's bad side!' She thought. There was that sideways smirk as well.
Alessia used her metal bending ability to set the desks back where they belonged. Picking up the mess of papers with a sigh. Mako had left for the day. He had only put in a few hours. Alessia on the other hand. She either lived at work or at home. She had gotten lucky to have the same hours as Lin if she didn't have reports keeping her late after her shift. Today was one of those days. She had finally finished work while taking the picture and remote with her. She told Mako she would try and find answers for him as soon as possible. She made it back to her apartment to change out of her uniform. Putting on simple tight black pants and a dark green shirt. She went to Lin's apartment which was only a few stairs away. She let herself in to find Lin sitting on the couch drinking tea. Alessia set the remote and picture on the table before sitting next to Lin. Taking the older woman's hand into her own and kissing it.
"What are those?" Lin asked while looking at the items.
"Clues to the bombing." Alessia replied.
"I see where Mako is going with it but I am still skeptical about it." Lin finished her tea and set the cup on the table.
"I have to ask. I'm afraid to." Alessia spoke.
"What happened to the island?" Lin smirked. Alessia blushed at that smirk. "It wasn't an island to begin with." Lin added. "You are one hell of a strong woman." Alessia huffed a little at this. Her face was still pink.
"Oh am I? You should have seen me at my peak." Lin spoke while leaning over Alessia. Pushing her down on the couch.
"You are at your peak!" Alessia spoke. She could feel Lin's hands roaming her body. She shivered lightly at the woman's touch.
"So modest." Lin whispered in a growl into her ear and gently bit her neck. Alessia let out a soft moan. She was now at Lin's mercy. Lin was smirking at her before pressing their lips together. Alessia wrapped her legs around Lin's waist and held the woman close. Knowing full well where this was going to lead. Lin was getting a bit rough and Alessia loved this.
"Bed. Now." Alessia said in short breaths. Lin obeyed and picked her up and carried Alessia to her bed. Not breaking the kiss. They were in for a blissful night.