Authors note: Many thanks to Toastermarketingboard for editing this chapter!

Asami paced back and forth in her slowly darkening office. She had just gotten off the phone with an enthusiastic Korra, who had decided she and the other three would defend Kuvira in court tomorrow.

"Miss Sato?"

At the sound of her name Asami looked up; she hadn't even heard Kali come in. She had assumed the young woman had already left for the day like everyone else.

"Yes Kali?" the engineer said, trying to control the wavering in her voice.

Her secretary walked closer. "I just wanted to see if everything was alright… You had a lot of visitors today, and now you're here so late… pacing…"

"I uh… got some difficult news today and I'm not sure what I should do."

"Would you like to talk about it?"

Asami thought for a long moment. "Yes, I think I need another person's opinion. What I tell you tonight cannot be repeated to anyone else, understand?"

"Yes, Miss Sato."

"Raiko informed me that they will be executing Kuvira, the trial that starts tomorrow is just for show."

"So she's not getting a real trial… I mean, does she even deserve one? She destroyed our city, she kept people in slave camps and killed your father, to name a few reasons..."

"I know, I know. A big part of me agrees, even feels satisfaction over the thought of her being wiped off the Earth… but in my heart I know what the Earth Kingdom is doing isn't right... Everyone deserves a fair trial..."

"You want the justice system and the people to come to that decision on their own."

"Ideally, yes. I do believe this is an isolated instance of overriding justice, as slippery of a slope as that is… But that's not what's keeping me here pacing all night… It's about Korra… Avatar, Korra."

"I know you're friends with her, but what does she have to do with it?"

"I'm dating her."

Kali's eyes opened so wide they almost bulged. "You're dating the Avatar?"

"Yes, and you also cannot repeat that to anyone."

"You're dating the Avatar? But, she's a she!"

"You should know Kali, I am gay and I will be going public about it very soon in an upcoming campaign."

"I had no idea. You've always been so… Well, I guess you've been so private I never really thought about you dating anyone…" The young woman leaned against her boss's desk. "Wow."

Asami walked over to a large oak cabinet in her office and started rummaging in it. She pulled out two rock glasses and a bottle and brought them over to her desk. Silently she poured them each a drink.

The engineer tilted her head back and took a long swig from her glass. "So Kali, you seeing anyone?"

The woman snorted and took a small sip of her own beverage. "He's nowhere near as interesting as the Avatar."

Asami nodded for her to go on.

"His name is Tran… he just became one of your board members," Kali said shyly, taking another little sip.

"That's wonderful, he seems very nice."

"He is… so what does Avatar Korra have to do with the execution?"

In a quick motion Asami finished her drink and began pouring herself another. "Korra is one of the kindest people I've ever known… She is planning on defending Kuvira's life in the trial and now I know that she will be doing it for nothing. I don't know how deeply losing the trial will affect her, but I do know she will blame herself to some degree.

"I can't just tell her that this trial is a ruse. My noble Avatar will call out the Earth Kingdom, and demand justice. I can see the chain reaction unfolding; Raiko will know I disclosed the secret, because he knows I am a friend of Korra. And that will get him in trouble with the Earth Kingdom. What will the Earth Kingdom do? They are so fragile, and so is the United Republic's relationship with them.

"In all probability, even in a fair trial Kuvira would be sentenced to death. Then I would comfort Korra, knowing she had done the best she could. But I can't unknow what I now know and I don't know if I can keep this secret between us." Asami looked down at her drink. "I love her. I love her so much…"

"What about a third option?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well right now, you're looking at this only two ways, either you tell Avatar Korra or you don't. What about figuring out a scenario where you get the results you want?"

"The results I want?"

"C'mon Miss Sato, you're forgetting yourself in this. I've overheard some serious negotiations you've had. When you don't like a business proposition you wrangle them into one you do want. This should be no different."

"I suppose…"

"You just need to figure out what you want, and then I know you'll find a way to get it."

"Kali, I've never seen this assertive side of you before."

The young woman shrugged, "I guess we both have our secret, Miss Sato."

Asami chuckled to herself, bringing the glass to her lips. "I guess we do," she said and then took a sip.

The Sun had fully set, making the city air crisp on the exposed areas of Asami's skin. She had stayed at her office for about half an hour after Kali left and was now preparing her Satobike for the short ride home.

'The results I want…'

The engineer knew she wanted Korra to be happy, but that was a given. The real question was what she wanted to happen to Kuvira. The compromise between justice for those she wronged and Korra's conscience would be life imprisonment, but how was she going to make that happen?

"I don't think this is something I can do alone…"

At Republic City's airfield, Opal and her mother were dwarfed by the vast bulk of the Zaofu airship moored behind them.

"You take care of yourself, okay Mom? I'll be heading to the Earth Kingdom in a few weeks for airbender duties with my partner Kai, I'll be sure to stop by before heading back to Republic City," Opal said, embracing her mother.

"Wonderful, your partner is welcome to stay with us too."

"Suyin!" Asami called out.

The Beifong matriarch turned around to see Asami dismounting from her Satobike. She tossed her helmet onto the seat and started running towards them.

"Asami, what's going on?" Opal asked.

"Suyin, I know you're trying to fly out tonight, but I must speak with you."

"I knew you were keeping something from me," Suyin said, crossing her arms.

"I… I couldn't discuss it with Ikki there; she knows too much as it is."

"My interest is piqued; let's step into my room on the airship."

The three started walking together when Asami reached out to Opal. "I'm really sorry Opal, but I need to speak with your mother alone."

The airbender was about to protest when her mother gave her a warning look.

The door of Suyin's room on the airship closed and Asami finally felt it was safe to speak.

"...So I came to you because I know you won't just spring into action, that and you also have a complicated relationship with Kuvira," Asami said, folding her arms and leaning against the wall behind her.

Suyin was seated in an arm chair, her eyes cast down on the floor. She wasn't going to admit aloud that she was frustrated with the news the young woman had brought to her. She had come to the personal decision that Kuvira needed to sleep in the bed she made for herself. Baatar Jr. was the priority, and now that his trial was over she needed to go back to Zaofu and clean things up there.

"That is true, she was like a daughter to me… but now… It's too complicated to put into words… I had washed my hands of the situation. My son is safe, that was all I cared about. Now you want me to get involved."

"In good conscience could you walk away now, knowing what I just told you?"

"She killed your father."

"She did."

"She ruined my son's life."

"In many ways she did."

Suyin leaned back in her seat. "Based on what you told me, the only feasible option I can see is for us to capture Kuvira while she is en route to Ba Sing Se and lead them to believe she was killed, so they do not go after her. From there it's fuzzy. I cannot justify letting Kuvira roam free while my son sits in jail for twenty years. I don't see how I could keep her captive myself, and honestly I do not want to. The only fair exchange I could get behind is if her bending is taken away."

"But… only Korra can do that."

"Precisely, she will have to get involved."

"But the point was to not tell Korra about-"

"If you do not want to tell Korra what is going on then you need to leave this whole situation alone. You cannot take action and not tell Korra because you will still be lying to her and could end up making matters worse. She could get caught in the crosshairs of this without a clue as to what is going on."

Asami hung her head.

"You're right."

"I know I'm right. So what's it going to be?"

The engineer took a deep breath. "I'll tell Korra and try to save Kuvira. Will you help?"

"I will, but I call the shots from here on out. We get caught, and we are all in some serious trouble. I'm talking conspiracy and jail time."

"Understood."

"Alright, you get Korra, Bolin and my sister. I need to reschedule this flight for tomorrow. We need to meet at your residence, in roughly an hour."

"I have moved, let me write down my new address."

"So what do you think, fire lilies?" Korra asked, lifting a small red bouquet from the street vendor's cart.

Bolin was eyeing some leather products a cart over from Korra. He looked up at her question. "Red is Asami's signature color, when did you get some spending money?"

The Avatar grinned and fluttered her eyes.

"I thought it was a little strange you wanted to go shopping together." The earthbender slapped down a belt he had picked up. "Fine, since it's for a good cause."

"Thank you! I'll pay you back once I get some money from my parents."

"Don't worry about it. I can't believe there is no money in being the Avatar."

"Not directly; some Avatars are born into money, most had to live off the kindness of others. In more feudal times it was an honor to host and care for the Avatar."

"I'll pay for your flowers, but you're not moving in with me." Bolin passed a few coins to Korra. "You're lucky you're going to be marrying into some serious yuans."

"We're not getting married!" Korra blushed and looked down at the flowers. "It is pretty intimidating how much money Asami has."

Korra paid the vendor and they started walking.

"At least she's pretty chill about it. When I was acting, I met some really snooty rich people."

"Do you think you'll ever go back to it? Maybe find a mover director who's not making propaganda films?" the Avatar said with an elbow nudge.

"I hadn't really thought about it, maybe I should."

"I'd love to see Nuktuk in action again." Korra stopped walking when they reached an intersection. "Asami's place is this way."

"Good luck!"

"Good luck?"

"It felt right, enjoy your evening Avatar," the earthbender said with a dramatic bow.

The two parted ways and Bolin started navigating his way towards the docks. It wasn't long before he heard the roar of a engine. The earthbender looked behind him to see a black figure on a Satobike quickly approaching.

Reflexes took over and he crouched into an earthbending stance. With a quick motion he raised the ground a few feet in front of him. The dark figure screeched to a halt behind the wall. Bolin jumped up onto it and looked down at his company. His hands poised to hock some rocks at a moment's notice.

"Bolin!" Asami cried out, taking off her helmet.

Bolin lowered his hands. "Asami?" The wall he was standing on lowered so he was face-to-face with Asami.

"You need to come to my apartment right away, do you know where Korra is?"

"On her way to see you, what's going on?"

"We can't talk here, hop on," Asami said, passing the helmet to Bolin. He obeyed and mounted the bike.

"You're going to need to hold my waist."

Bolin fidgeted a moment before he let his hands snake around her.

"This stays between us," Bolin whispered.

Asami rolled her eyes, revved the engine and the bike took off. They ended up beating Korra back to the apartment. Asami parked her bike and let Bolin inside. Soon after their arrival, Lin showed up along with Suyin, Wing, Wei and Opal.

The group had settled in Asami's apartment, all claiming a seat in the living room.

"So we having some kind of an intervention for Korra or what?" Lin asked the room.

Bolin snorted. "That'd be funny. Okay guys, if we had to give Korra an intervention, what would it be about?"

"Sleeves," Opal said dryly.

Bolin put his hand to his chin. "Now that you mention it, Korra doesn't ever wear sleeves, does she?"

Asami playfully flipped her hair and looked over at the couple in the love seat. "I don't mind."

The doorbell chimed and everyone turned to Asami. "She's here."

The engineer rushed to the door and opened to find her girlfriend grinning widely with her hands behind her back.

"Korra, I'm-"

The Avatar put her finger to Asami's lips before she could finish and pulled out the bouquet she had hidden.

"Will the lady kindly join me for a walk in the park?"

"She's busy!" someone yelled from inside the apartment.

Korra's face fell and she pushed past Asami to see the apartment full of people. Her face flushed red.

"Asami! What's going on?"

"Suyin and I have an announcement. Come in," Asami said, taking her girlfriend's hand. Korra pouted and followed her in. "Suyin, maybe you could get started while I put these flowers in a vase?"

Suyin nodded and got up from her seat.

Asami brought Korra with her into the kitchen area. Once she knew they were obscured by the wall she turned to Korra.

"I'm sorry about catching you off guard. These are lovely, thank you," the engineer whispered as she gently touched Korra's cheek.

The shorter girl nodded and leaned into the contact. "I love you."

Asami's heart tightened and she finally felt confident that she had made the right decision.

"I love you too." Asami eventually let her hand fall. She quickly grabbed a vase and filled it with water. The flowers were taken care of and the pair joined the group.

"...So the trial is going to happen, but only for show. The Earth Kingdom has already decided to execute Kuvira."

The apartment filled with sounds of surprise.

"What!" Korra shouted. "They can't do that!"

The engineer held her girlfriend's arm, guiding her back into her seat.

"It's a done deal," Suyin replied.

"We have to speak with the Earth Kingdom, at least give her a fair trial," the Avatar insisted.

"Calling out the Earth Kingdom is not an option."

"But-"

"We're going to rescue her Korra, but there is something we need to ask of you," Asami said, hesitantly.

"In exchange for her life, she must give up her bending. A price must be paid, and I think this is one we can all get behind." Suyin looked around the room, confirming everyone agreed. The only one who wasn't making eye contact was Korra.

"Korra?"

Korra bent over in her seat, resting her elbows on her thighs, her eyes cast down to the carpet. "I didn't want it to come to that… Deep down I knew it would… I just…" The Avatar's eyes closed and she could almost feel the touch of Amon's thumb on her forehead.

"This situation is different… This is an exchange… She is a criminal…"

Korra looked up and over to Lin. She could tell the police chief' was trying to hide her own discomfort; her arms and legs were crossed. As if she could feel Korra's eyes, she turned her head and made eye contact. They held it for a moment, and then Lin gave a slight nod.

"Okay, I'll do it," The Avatar whispered. She sat back up when she felt Asami's hand on her back, rubbing slow circles. Her stress eased at the gentle contact.

"Then we all agree. We will attempt to spare Kuvira's life in exchange for her bending." Suyin addressed the room. "What I have come up with so far is the following; Korra, Bolin and Opal, you cannot support Kuvira in trial. Korra, you must publicly announce that you have decided not to defend Kuvira. There shall be no further contact with Kuvira, since you no longer have a reason to speak with her."

Boin leaned over to his girlfriend. "It's going to look so bad to Kuvira after all the fuss we made today."

Opal kept her eyes on the group conversation. "I'm sure she'll understand after we save her ass."

"You're probably right," Bolin whispered, leaning back upright.

Korra raised her hand. "Jinora was also going to defend her, she really should be here at this meeting."

Suyin rubbed her chin for a moment to consider the young airbender. "We can inform Jinora of the situation, but she should continue to support Kuvira, maybe Opal too? Anti-death is an airbender thing, right sweetie?"

"I should go home with the family instead, keep a low profile. I think people could believe I'd refuse to support her," Opal replied.

"I agree, the Beifongs should be united on their stance on Kuvira," Asami added.

"Very well, Opal, you'll come back with the family tomorrow. After the trial finishes Kuvira is going to be transported to Ba Sing Se for the execution. I'm going to assume via airship, since the rails are still in disrepair. This is when we need to act, and raid the the airship. It would best if we could deceive the Earth Kingdom and the United Republic that Kuvira died in the attack. How that attack will play out, I'm still planning, but I know a few things. Lin, Korra and Asami you must be here in Republic City when it happens. Lin and Korra will be called into action to investigate, after you confirm Kuvira's 'death' you'll rendezvous with the team holding Kuvira, take her bending and then we ship her off to the Fire Nation."

Bolin shot his hand up. "We could pretend to be crazy Kuvira supporters and take over the ship."

"We have to be careful what we do doesn't actually kill anyone. This will be pretty pointless if in the process of saving a convicted tyrant we end up killing some innocent people just doing their job," Lin said gruffly.

Suyin nodded. "Good point Lin."

Bolin raised his hand up again. "We can't plot with Kuvira at all? Cos when Varrick and I escaped from her, Varrick had this brilliant plan, that he didn't really clue me in on… But what he did was, he set off his spirit vine thingy to explode and took the train hostage. That got all the soldiers off the train and to separate the cars. We were set adrift on our car with the explosive and when it went off they assumed we blew up too! Fortunately, I saved Varrick and myself from the blast, but they didn't know!"

"It's too risky to have any more contact with her. Besides, I don't trust her," Suyin said, shaking her head.

"What about when we attempt to capture her and ask her to surrender her bending, can we trust her then? If Korra's not there to keep an eye on her, then who else is capable of besting her?" Lin added.

Opal turned to her aunt. "Kuvira didn't look like much of a threat when I got a look at her today. We can even keep her in the locks the Earth Kingdom has on her."

"Never judge a monster by their physical appearance. The Red Lotus were physically confined for thirteen years and they all managed to come out of their cells swinging." The police chief pointed for emphasis. "We have to treat he like she's still very much a threat, until her bending is gone."

Wing, who was sitting between his mother and Wei, rose from his seat. "I have an idea, what if he got help from some Earth Kingdom Kuvira sympathizers? I am sure there are citizens like us who want justice, but don't agree with execution. We find a way to plant them aboard as her escort crew. So when we board to rescue Kuvira, there is no struggle, they pass her over and corroborate the story that she died."

Wei nudged his brother. "That's a good idea."

"Oh!" Bolin raised his right hand, then his left. "My brother is in Ba Sing Se, maybe we could reach out to him? Prince Wu should have some pull in the situation, we just need to find out how he feels."

"Has Mako called you yet?" Opal said as she reached out and lowered her boyfriend's hands down.

Bolin slumped. "No… I'm sure he's just really busy over there. I know Mako will agree that Kuvira shouldn't be executed. And since he's Wu's trusted advisor, I bet he could convince Wu, if needed."

"What if Wu pushed for this to happen? He's still technically the 'Earth King.' Did Raiko tell you who was involved in the decision?" Opal asked, gesturing to Asami.

The engineer shrugged. "He just said the Earth Kingdom."

"I can ask Mako if he knows anything about it, if I can figure out how to get ahold of him…"

Opal looked at her boyfriend and then at her mother. "What if Bolin came with us, and we could drop him off in the Earth Kingdom to find Mako?"

Suyin nodded. "Good idea. It seems like we may need to see what support we have in the Earth Kingdom before we solidify any more plans. We will leave first thing tomorrow morning, and should be in touch around the afternoon Republic City time. Asami?"

The engineer looked over to Suyin and nodded.

"We should only use your phone for communication. I don't want anything tracing back to the Air Temple. Too many people live there, and it's too obvious. Lin, see what you can find out about Kuvira's transportation. I think we all know what we need to do, I will call tomorrow once we land in Zaofu. Let's all get some rest."

The meeting broke and it wasn't long before it was only Korra and Asami in the apartment. Silently they tidied up the room, moving chairs taken from Asami's dining table and sliding them back into place.

Asami looked over at her girlfriend. Korra had remained quiet for most of the conversation. She looked as if her mind was somewhere else.

"Did you still want to go for a walk?"

"No, I'd better go talk to Jinora. She needs to know there has been a change of plans."

"You're right."

"Korra I… before you leave, I want to be honest with you. When Raiko told me about Kuvira, my first impulse was to not tell you and I almost didn't. I'm sorry."

"No, don't be sorry… I don't know what I would have done..." The Avatar said, looking up at her girlfriend one more time before opening the apartment door.

When it shut Asami stared at the door. She didn't feel so confident that she made the right decision anymore.

To be continued...