Chapter Twenty-Three: The Arrest
How dancing made her heart swell and feel full of freedom. Dancing kept her on her toes and in shape. It had been months since she last danced. Here in the field of flowers she was able to dance carefree without any worries.
"Come here Alessia!" She heard a giggle. Her attention was now focused on the shadowy dancer as it leapt across the field a few times before spinning. Alessia watched in awe as she tried to keep up.
"Come on! Hurry up!" It shouted. 'That voice. Where did I hear it from?' She asked herself as she kept following the shadow dancer. Alessia saw the shadow leap across a ledge to the other side over a long dark pit. Alessia took a deep breath and made a dash for it. Taking a leap of faith. She made it to the other side. Her leap was long and strong as her toes kept her balance perfectly.
"Come on!" The voice giggled as she chased it. Laughter had filled the wind. The trees were singing. Alessia felt the shadow grab her hands as she danced with it.
"Who are you?" She asked the shadow.
"You already know!" It laughed as it leaned in. Giving Alessia something before disappearing.
"Wait! I don't know!" She shouted. It didn't do her any good. She sighed and looked around. She was in a new area. The flowers were blue and green. It was a beautiful color combination.
"Choose…" A voice spoke. Alessia turned around and saw nothing. The voice was growing louder and louder as she kept turning around and around. Not finding anything. Then water started rising under her feet. Killing the flowers.
"CHOOSE!" The voice shouted loudly, she jumped.
Alessia jerked awake with cold sweat. Rubbing her temples with a sigh.
"You alright love?" Lin asked as she also sat up. "That dream again?" She asked as Alessia nodded her head lightly. "Tell me about it?" Lin asked while pulling Alessia close in her arms.
"It was a little different this time. The shadow actually spoke to me. It said I knew who they were. Then there was this new field of flowers. Blue and green. Then water started rising, killing the flowers instantly. That voice. It was getting louder and louder. It sounded angry." Alessia tried to explain how it made her feel. Lin was listening carefully while rubbing her back. She leaned against her lover and gave her a couple gentle kisses.
"I am sorry they keep happening. I wish I knew what it meant so I could help you." Lin spoke while getting out of bed to change. Alessia watched Lin go from being bare naked to dressed into her uniform quickly. "Like what you see?" Lin asked with a smirk. Alessia snapped back to her attention and blushed.
"Of course I do!" She was flustered as Lin laughed at her. Alessia rolled her eyes playfully before changing as well. She was wearing the normal uniform and not the armor today.
"Wear the armor." Lin ordered her. Alessia nodded and metal bent the armor on. Sadly, it was time for work.
"Go ahead. I'll fall behind and grab us coffee. I'll get Mako one too." Alessia spoke as Lin pulled her close by the waist. Giving her a deep loving kiss that always left Alessia dazed with a smile. Watching her lover leave before she followed suit. Stopping by a coffee shop as she ordered three coffees. Mako liked his sweet and sugary, as Lin liked hers black with two sugars. Alessia this time got a vanilla flavored coffee. Happy with her choices as she headed towards the station. Mako had just clocked in as did she.
"Good morning Lieutenant." Mako smiled.
"Mako. Good morning. Here you are." Alessia handed him the coffee.
"Oh! Thank you!" Mako smiled and took it to his desk. Alessia knocked on Lin's door.
"Bothering the chief already?" Lu asked as Gang laughed.
"Yes, got her coffee." Alessia smiled. She heard kissing sounds from the two of them. Alessia rolled her eyes as she entered the office and handed Lin her coffee.
"You alright?" Lin asked as Alessia nodded.
"Yes, just those two are so immature." She sighed lightly.
"I know. Thank you for the coffee Lieutenant." The chief spoke as Alessia gave her a bow before heading to her own officer. She had allowed Mako to share the office with her. It helped him concentrate better. Hearing a knock, Officer Song came in.
"Traffic lights at an intersection by Kyoshi bridge." He spoke before leaving. Alessia sighed and grabbed the traffic jacket.
It had been two days since Korra went missing. Alessia was still worried about her sister. They may not get along well but she still cared. She was standing in the middle of the intersection as the lights were. They were being fixed but she kept wondering what was taking so long. She blew her whistle to let several sato-mobiles go take their turns. She was going in a clockwise route in the intersection. It seemed like hours had passed since she started work today. She sighed and waved the next round over before stopping all traffic to let citizens cross the roads safely before resuming the traffic.
"All done!" The electrician shouted.
"Thank you!" She shouted and waved. Waiting for the lights to turn on before she took her leave off of the road. She walked back to the station with a sigh. She hasn't had lunch yet. Shrugging it off before jogging up the stairs back into the station. She made it back to her office and closed the door. The blinds were down and closed. Lin was sitting at her desk eating noodles. Mako wasn't there. Alessia raised a brow before putting the vest away in the closet. She walked over and took a bite from Lin's food.
"Hungry?" Lin asked as she nodded. She was lucky there was a door on the side that linked their offices together so they weren't bothered by the other officers. She took another bite before giving Lin a kiss.
"Mm, I love you." Alessia smiled as did Lin.
"I love you too beautiful." Lin replied. This made Alessia blushed and gave Lin another one.
"Going somewhere?" Lin asked with a raised brow.
"Yeah, I have a lead on the remote that Mako found. For the case." Alessia spoke.
"Earpiece in and keep me updated." Lin ordered.
"Yes chief!" Alessia saluted Lin who gave her an annoyed look before tossing a fortune cookie at her. She caught it and pocketed it.
"You'll get it back at home." Alessia replied before leaving. She ran into Asami not too long after.
"Alessia! Hey! How are you?" Asami asked while giving her a hug.
"I am well as can be! Have you seen Mako?" She asked as Asami shook her head.
"No, we are meeting at Bolin's filming location. Come on." Asami took the lead as they came upon a large building and entered.
"Bolin?" Alessia asked as she saw Bolin hanging upside down from a prop.
"Are you filming?" Asami asked.
"No. It's lunch time." Bolin spoke as Mako entered.
"Oh hey Lieutenant." Mako smiled at her.
"Cut for formalities. Only address that in front of other officers on the clock." Alessia chuckled as Mako nodded his head at this.
"I know who is behind the attacks and theft. It's Varrick." Mako explained.
"He would attack his own ship?" Bolin asked with a confused look. Asami was just as confused.
"You don't believe this do you, Alessia?" Asami asked as Alessia shrugged her shoulders.
"It was a ploy." Mako spoke.
"Makes sense." Lin's voice spoke in her ear. She just loved hearing Lin's voice in her ear. She crossed her arms.
"Hum." She said with a sigh.
"What is it?" Mako asked.
"I just feel like there is more to this than we think." Alessia replied. They needed more evidence. Varrick seemed to want to gain either control or make profit from a war.
"It seemed like you had a busy week. You need to relax." Asami spoke as she placed her hand upon Mako's chest.
"Err." Alessia spoke lightly.
"What is it?" Lin asked. Alessia felt uncomfortable. Bolin was making faces. He was just as confused as she was!
"Wait a minute are you two…You're dating again!" Bolin shouted while pointing at them. Alessia had her face palmed so hard, Lin had heard it.
"Seriously?!" Lin nearly shouted.
"You just left Korra a week ago!" Bolin snapped while pointing at Mako. Alessia groaned at this. This relationship drama was too much for her. She was lucky to have Lin and couldn't be any happier.
"Listen to me. Varrick has detonators that he uses for his exact same one that I found." Mako spoke. Alessia's suspension was correct! Varrick was the culprit!
"No! I am not letting it go!" Mako shouted as he stormed out. Alessia sighed.
"Leave the area." Lin instructed.
"I'm going to get lunch. I haven't eaten yet." She spoke. Waving goodbye to Asami and Bolin.
"Make sure Mako doesn't overwork himself!" Asami shouted after her. She nodded to her friend before leaving. Alessia arrived at a park bench while deep in thought.
"So, you're not getting food?" Lin's voice made her jump. She had almost forgotten Lin was in her ear.
"No. It's just. Mako makes sense. Varrick would make the most profit if the war happens." Alessia spoke. "But, there isn't enough evidence."
"I agree. Many still believe it's the northerners. Now, I am not so sure." Lin spoke. "I just don't want you so hell bent on going after Varrick. It could look bad on us if he is innocent." Lin added. Lin was right.
"We need more evidence." Alessia spoke.
"Oh, Tenzin called. Korra is with him." Lin added.
"That's a relief! Thank you!" Alessia sighed a relief.
"Hey, get me another coffee, would you?" Lin asked as Alessia laughed.
"Alright chief." Alessia spoked as Lin grumbled at her as she laughed again. Heading towards the coffee place.
Alessia had gotten Lin another coffee. She was setting it on her desk as Lu and Gang came in.
"I don't remember you knocking." Lin raised a brow.
"Sorry chief. We received a tip off." Lu spoke as he was smirking.
"Great." Lin spoke while standing up.
"You are gonna want to come as well Lieutenant." Gang added.
"Of course she's coming. What's going on?" Lin asked while crossing her arms.
"We received a tip off about someone stealing Future Industries property." Lu spoke as Alessia's eyes went wide.
"Well spit it out." She spoke as Gang was laughing. She was confused.
"Here is the address." He handed her a piece of paper.
"I'm confused. This is Mako's address." She spoke as Lin snatched the paper.
"Let's go. We have to follow up on it." Lin spoke as she followed Lin as Lu and Gang followed her. They made their way to the chief's cruiser. She took the front seat as Lin drove. She was frowning the whole time on their way there. Seeing the older apartment building as they pulled up. She sighed and got out. Following the others up the stairs.
"You knock." Lu spoke. Alessia knocked on the door.
"Police! Open up!" She shouted on the other side. Mako had opened the door.
"Chief? Lieutenant?" Mako asked as he held the door open for them. 'Rookie mistake.' Alessia thought as she entered his apartment.
"What's going on Chief?" Mako asked.
"Well, we received word that the Triads said you hired them for a job." She began explaining as Alessia was looking through his desk. Then went into the kitchen.
"It's true. I hired them to help me out on an operation. I'm sorry for going behind your back." Mako sighed.
"I know. That's not all. They also said you hired them to steal Future Industries stuff." Lin added.
"That's not true! You're gonna believe the criminals?" Asami spoke. She was angry.
"We have to follow up a lead." Lin added as Alessia came back into the sitting room.
"Look what I found!" Gang spoke. Alessia frowned at the sight. "Cash!" He added. 'There was no way that was Mako's!' Alessia screamed in her head. Gang then pulled out what seemed like some sort of fireworks looking thing.
"What are you doing with explosives, Mako?" Lin asked as her arms were crossed.
"Those aren't mine. I don't know where they came from." Mako spoke. Lin nodded at Alessia. Alessia grabbed her hand cuffs with a frown and stood behind Mako. Taking his hands and placing the cuffs on.
"You're under arrest. Anything you say can be used against you in the court of law." She began.
"I know my rights! That stuff isn't mine!" Mako snapped.
"There must be some mistake!" Asami protested.
"Once a Triple Threat, always a Triple Threat." Lu spoke as Alessia shook her head. She didn't believe this one bit. Yet it was slapping her in the face.
"There is a mistake." Asami spoke weakly.
"Sorry to break it to you sweetie but your boyfriend is a crooked cop." Gang spoke. This had made Alessia angry at the comment he made. "He was using you." He added.
"That's not true! It's all Varrick! He set me up!" Mako shouted as Lin followed Lu out who had Mako. Alessia followed and Gang at the rear. Leaving Asami behind as they took Mako in.
They made it back to the station as Lu pulled Mako out.
"Hey! Careful! He may have broken the law but we are still responsible for him." Alessia snapped at him.
"Yeah yeah whatever." Lu spoke as he dragged Mako to the station. Lin sighed while pinching the bridge of her nose before following. She wasn't sure how this had happened. Maybe Varrick did the planting when Mako was away but how did he even know where Mako lived nor get into his apartment.
"Alessia. You have to believe me!" Mako shouted as he was getting his fingerprints processed before his pictures.
"All I saw was stuff in your apartment that wasn't supposed to be there." Alessia frowned as she crossed her arms and huffed. She walked over to the camera and took Mako's mug shots before processing them. It auto printed his pictures as she placed them into his file and set it aside. She grabbed Mako and took him down stairs. Unlocking a cell door and gently pushing him in. Closing the door as he rested his hands on the tray hole. She un-cuffed him and put her cuffs up.
"You believe me right?" Mako asked as Alessia sighed and looked at him with a frown.
"I can't say anything Mako. Not to you anymore." She spoke.
"Then convince the chief. She listens to you more than anyone else here." He spoke. He sounded hurt and betrayed. She didn't blame him for that."
"Even if I could, she still has to follow everything by the book. Until evidence proves otherwise. There is nothing we can do but I will promise you this." She spoke as she put the keys on her belt once she double checked the cell door locked. "I will keep investigating the case. The chief did put me on it but I cannot give you details." Alessia spoke.
"That's fair. Just prove I'm innocent. You know I am. I can see it in your eyes." Mako spoke with a sigh.
"Goodnight Mako." Alessia spoke as she left to go back upstairs.
"Is the crooked cop locked up?" Lu asked as Gang laughed.
"Mako is in his cell, yes." Alessia spoke as she walked over to Lin's office and went inside. Putting the keys up in the lockbox up on the wall. She handed Lin the key with a frown.
"Go home. I'll be there in a few minutes. My place." Lin spoke as Alessia nodded. She was saddened by Mako's arrest. Knowing full well Asami is not going to let it go.
She had clocked out and left. Picking up dinner on the way back to the apartment. She let herself inside while taking off her coat and shoes. She set the food on the table and left to change her clothes. She took one of Lin's night gowns that was silky and above her knees. Alessia was wondering where she had gotten this. It was too comfortable to even change. She went back to the dining room as Lin was unpacking the food.
"Looks amazing on you." Lin smiled at her as Alessia went over and pulled Lin into a deep kiss before sitting down.
"I hate how today ended." Lin spoke as she broke the silence.
"I think Varrick set him up." Alessia spoke.
"Either way honey. It did not look good for Mako. If Mako is innocent, it will play out in his favor." Lin spoke as she started to eat. Alessia nodded with a frown. Poking at her food.
"Hey." Lin spoke and lifted Alessia's chin to look at her. "It will be alright." She added. Nodding her head lightly as Alessia drank some of her water before eating the fire noodles. They were so good! She was finally getting used to the spiciness of the fire nation noodles.
"These are getting better each time I eat them." She spoke as Lin chuckled.
"I always love them." She spoke as Alessia cleared away the table. Feeling Lin hug her from behind once she finished. She leaned back and closed her eyes. Feeling soft kisses upon her neck. She turned in Lin's arms and looked into her eyes. Leaning in close to give the older woman several kisses before leading her to the bedroom. It seemed like a silent night as she crawled under the covers. Opening the window curtains a slight bit to let the moonlight into the room. Though it wasn't wide enough to have the privacy invaded. She laid down on her back as Lin rested her head upon her chest. Alessia smiled as she gently ran her fingers through Lin's gray hair. Giving her head kisses everyone once in a while. She felt Lin completely relax on top of her, meaning her lover had fallen asleep. It was a stressful day for the chief. Alessia was humming softly before she fell asleep herself.
