Author Notes: Thank you TheToasterMarketingBoard for editing this chapter.
Thank you all for you're patience on this next chapter!
The sun started to set, casting long shadows off the furniture of Asami's office. She had spent the day logging everything she could come up with about her experiences in the Spirit World, along with the findings from the morning.
Asami pushed a few wisps of hair that fell from her ponytail out of her face and sighed. She leaned back in her chair, highlighting to herself just how hunched over the desk she had been. She raised her hands over her head, stretching out her back, and turned her head from side to side a few times.
Asami stopped her stretching when she heard a knock at the office door, and called out, "Come in."
Kali peered through the opening of the door. "I finally heard back from President Raiko's office, he can meet with you tomorrow morning, around ten; should I confirm?"
"Yes please," Asami replied, turning back to look at her notes.
The secretary gave a slight bow and closed the door.
"I guess there really isn't any more I can do tonight," Asami muttered to herself, sweeping her hands across her desk, gathering up all of her papers. She picked them up and tapped the stack a few times on the table to even out the papers, then tucked them in her briefcase.
Asami was about ready to leave, and she glanced down at her watch to check the time. Her wrist was bare. She quickly looked around the room, trying to recall when and where she had taken her watch off again. The setting sun came out from behind a cloud, and the face of the watch started to gleam. She rushed over to grab it off her desk, and noticed again the card from Grandma Yin and family.
Asami was startled by the tightening sensation in her stomach. The mansion, it was empty. How long had it been since she was there? The last time she could recall was when she, Korra and Mako dumped Prince Wu off there. It had been hard enough being there while her father was in jail, but now it felt like more of a shrine to her parents than ever.
Asami grabbed her watch and hastily walked out of her office.
"Kali, Bolin didn't happen to drop off keys to the mansion when he came by the office yesterday?"
Kali looked up from her desk, her brow furrowed as she thought. She then nodded and leaned down to dig in one of her drawers.
"Yes, I stuck it in an envelope around here somewhere," Kali replied, her voice muffled by the rummaging. The young woman pulled herself back up and passed the small envelope to Asami.
"You've saved me a trip to my apartment, thank you," Asami said, tucking the envelope in her pocket. She then looked back at Kali, noticing the bags forming under the young woman's eyes. "Why don't you head out too, you've been working late too often these days."
"Thank you, Miss Sato."
"Have a good evening…" Asami said as she left.
It was night by the time Asami made the drive to her family's mansion. The building was dark except for the faint light in her house keeper Hong's quarters.
A small smile tugged on Asami's lips, as she wondered how relieved the older man must be now that Grandma Yin and company were no longer under foot. She decided to walk around to Hong's private entrance to make her presence known. She lightly rapped on the door and it wasn't long before he answered.
"Miss Sato," Hong said, with a slight bow.
"Good evening Hong, mind if I come in?"
Hong sidestepped to make room in the doorway. "Not at all madam."
Hong ushered her over to a small seating area, then he walked over to a side table and switched off the evening news coming from the radio.
"What's the public's opinion like these days?" Asami asked, taking a seat. She watched Hong move into his kitchen and put a kettle on the stove.
"Regarding the state of the city? Not very good I must say. Reports of the damage have made it to all the camps in the outer limits now that Shiro Shinobi is back on the air. Many had taken initiative to come back on their own to assess the damages, rather than wait for a formal invitation to return."
"I was afraid that was going to happen, not that you can blame them; I'd be anxious to see if my home was still standing or not," Asami sighed, leaning back into her chair a bit.
Hong rejoined Asami and took a seat across from her. "I was surprised that Earth Kingdom family was so eager to leave their cushy accommodations here, for Ba Sing Se's lower ring."
"There's no place like home…" Asami offered weakly, shrugging.
Hong nodded. "Do you plan on returning home?"
Asami looked down at her hands, which were resting on her lap. She rubbed her right thumb over the left. "No, not at this time. I'm still not ready."
The kettle began to hiss with steam, and Hong hoisted himself out of his seat. He pulled the kettle from the flames, stopping its cries. He returned shortly after with a small serving tray holding a teapot and two porcelain cups on saucers.
"I heard about your father," Hong started, as he began pouring the steaming green liquid into her cup. "I'm sorry…"
At the mention of her father, Asami felt a swell of emotions rise up into her throat. She cupped a hand over her mouth to silence a sob.
"I worked for him for twelve years… He made a serious mistake, but I know deep down he was a decent man."
Asami could only nod at Hong's words, wiping at the tears as they fell across her cheeks.
Hong got up and pulled a tissue from a box next to his radio. He held it out for Asami, and she slowly accepted it.
"Thank you… I…" Asami murmured, drying her eyes with the tissue. "I haven't really had any time to process it. So much has been going on and... my friends didn't know the man I did, we did… before he lost himself…"
Hong reached for the whole box of tissues, and put it on the table between them. Asami smiled faintly as she reached for another tissue.
"What is the news saying about him?" Asami asked.
Hong was about to sip from his cup, but paused to answer. "That Mr. Sato was enlisted by the Republic City officials to help the defense team modify our weapons during the attack. His death helped make possible the destruction of Kuvira's colossus weapon."
"I'm impressed they know that much…"
"Police Chief Beifong made the statement earlier this week," Hong replied as he sipped at his cup.
Asami sniffed a few times, crumpling the tissues in her hand, before shoving them in her pants pocket. "That was kind of Lin. I doubt anyone would have noticed he hadn't survived if she hadn't said anything."
The two sat in silence for a while. Asami debated sharing more with Wong, but came to the conclusion anything else would be inappropriate given the nature of their relationship.
Asami took a deep breath and sat up in her seat. "I am not sure what I am going to do with the house, but in the meantime will you continue to look after it?"
"Of course Miss Sato."
"I have to be going, thank you for the tea and… for listening," Asami said, rising from her chair.
Hong nodded and smiled. "Anytime Miss Sato."
After leaving her family home, Asami made the drive to the docks, and from there a quick boat ride to Air Temple Island. When she arrived, Korra, Bolin and the airbender family were just sitting down to dinner.
Korra grinned and waved Asami over to the empty space beside her. "I was just about ready to get up and fly over to your office!"
Asami smirked as she moved towards her girlfriend. "I think the chopsticks in your hand say otherwise."
"Right after a few quick bites, I'd have been marching right outta that door," Korra muttered as she chewed through her rice.
Jinora, who was sitting directly across from the pair, leaned in. "So what were you able to find out from your calculations?"
"Still not much, in order to get conclusive data we will need to commit multiple series of tests. Different durations inside, different times of days, different people, different watches."
"So what we did today, but over and over again?" Jinora asked.
Asami nodded. "I have a meeting with Raiko tomorrow at ten, I am going to request he allow us to block off the spirit portal until further notice. I will have my company provide the fencing and security needed, if he won't. Korra, Jinora and Bolin, will you go into the Spirit World tomorrow and see if you can find any stragglers wandering around inside?"
Bolin whooped. "We'll wrangle any varmints we find!"
Asami didn't bother to respond and turned to Tenzin. "Will you join me at the meeting?"
"Of course," Tenzin replied with a slight nod.
"Actually, I'd like to come too," Jinora added.
Korra flinched. "You don't want to go to the Spirit World?"
"I do, but I want the chance to tell President Raiko how important preserving the Spirit World is."
Korra nodded and patted the young girl on the back. "Alright Bolin, I guess it's just you and me."
"We can handle it," Bolin replied with a wink as he cracked at his knuckles.
Meelo rose up from his seat with his right arm flexed. "Since Jinora can't go, take me with you!"
Tenzin, who was sitting next to Meelo, put a hand on his son's head and pushed him back into a seated position. "No."
"C'mon Dad, you haven't let me do anything since Kuvira attacked. You're not properly utilizing all the talent you have at your disposal!" Meelo urged.
"There is a difference between missions where the fate of the world is at stake, and a minor mission in the Spirit World. You should be using this time of peace to focus on your training. When you become an air master we can talk about missions."
"I bet you're going to hold that over me for a long time, just because I want to see some action," Meelo argued, pounding the table with his fist for emphasis.
Tenzin let out a long sigh. "Action isn't the reason you train Meelo. We as airbenders do not seek battle, we only fight if we must."
The dining room door began to slide open, and the room turned to look who it was.
"We're back!" Opal announced, stepping into the room, followed by Mako.
Bolin jumped from his seat, slapping his hands to his face and squealed, "Opal!" He got over the shock and lumbered over to his girlfriend and grabbed her by the waist.
"I've missed you so much!" Bolin cried out as he squeezed her middle.
"Oh Bolin, I wasn't gone that long but… I missed you too," Opal replied, nuzzling her face in the crook of his neck.
After a few moments Bolin released Opal and turned to his brother. "Mako, what brings you back?"
Mako crossed his arms like he was mad, but couldn't help cracking a grin. "What, are you not happy to see me?"
Bolin smiled and grabbed Mako, clutching him to his chest. Mako's arms were still crossed, and they were now crushed between their two bodies.
"Of course I am. This means, finally and truly the gang is back together!" Bolin cried, squeezing Mako a little tighter.
During the two brothers' exchange Korra and Asami had gotten up from their seats to greet the new arrivals.
Korra moved in first to give Mako a hug. "Glad to have you back," she said softly as they embraced.
After parting, Korra moved to hug Opal. Asami stepped up towards Mako, and they locked eyes. Mako felt a slight burning at the corner of his eyes, but was able to fight off the surprising threat of tears. For a moment they just stood in front of each other, before finally both moving in for a hug.
"Hey Korra, we can take Mako and Opal with us to the Spirit World!" Bolin said gleefully.
Tezin cleared his throat. "Opal, I recommend you catch up with Kai first. He has volunteered you and himself to lead our aid mission in the Earth Kingdom."
Opal's shoulders slumped. "We just got back."
"We both agreed that an increase in airbender presence was necessary in the Earth Kingdom territories, especially the ones cut off from Ba Sing Se."
"Can we all talk about this later, with Kai?"
Tenzin nodded. "Yes, we can meet in my study after we're all finished in here."
"Great, cos I want to first get caught up with all of these fools." Opal gestured to Korra, Asami, Bolin and Mako who had started settling back down at the table.
After dinner wrapped up, Tenzin and Opal left to find Kai and bring him with them to Tenzin's study.
Once they all took a seat, Opal looked between the two men. "Is it terrible of me to not want to go?"
Tenzin habitually reached for his beard and glanced at Kai. "No, I wouldn't say that..."
"Is there a reason why?" Kai asked.
Opal splayed out her hands that were resting on the small round table between them. "The thing is, I just finished three years of traveling back and forth from the Earth Kingdom, which wasn't so bad when Bolin was away working for Kuvira. But now he's back, and I don't want to spend that much time apart from him again. Is there someone else that could go, and I can stay and help out with the recovery here?"
"I understand, Opal," Kai offered. "I've been talking to the other benders about the mission, a lot of them are interested in going with me, we should be all set. I just like having my partner around is all."
Opal smiled and held her hand out to the young man. "This isn't forever, you can't go replacing me."
Kai accepted her hand, and gave it a few shakes. "This is just till you're ready to fly with me again."
Tenzin cleared his throat. "I will need to know who these benders are and speak with them before you leave. If they are who I think they are, there isn't going to be a single adult present on this mission. Which is why I wanted you to go, Opal."
"Since when did I become the mature and responsible adult in situations?" Opal asked, looking around. Tenzin's expression was stern. "Alright, so I've never been the rebellious teenager either. Why not send Otaku with them, he's got an answer for everything, even when you don't ask?"
Kai's expression hardened and he shot a look to Opal. She raised an eyebrow and silently asked, "What?"
Kai mouthed back, "Otaku," and bugged his eyes.
Opal sighed and thought for a moment. "Maybe not Otaku, he still might not be ready for the public. What about Jinora?"
"Jinora is needed here," Tenzin replied, cutting in quickly. "She is in the progress of more training."
Opal rested an elbow on the table and her face in her hand. "Whoever Kai's got picked out should be fine. Just send word to Prince Wu and I'm sure he can make accommodations for them, so the kids have a home base to go to if things get rough."
"That is not a bad idea. I wish Mako was still there, I trust him to be more attentive than Wu."
"Believe me, it's better Mako isn't there right now. He makes a way better police officer than politician."
Tenzin gave a slight nod to Opal. "I'll take your word for it," he said, before turning to Kai. "Rally your group to meet with me tomorrow morning. After I approve of your selections we'll have you ship off the following day."
Opal and Kai rose from the floor and bowed. "Thank you, Master Tenzin," they said in unison before leaving. The two walked together down the temple hall from Tenzin's study, and into the cool night. As they got close to where Opal assumed the two would be parting ways, she placed a hand on Kai's shoulder.
"Listen Kai, I want to apologize for not going with you this time."
"You don't have to, I told you, I get it," Kai replied, flashing a reassuring smile.
Opal nodded a few times and let her hand drop. "I'll fly out there sometime to check in on you all. I want to spend more time with Bolin, but we don't have to be sewn together at the hip."
After Tenzin and Opal left the dining room, it wasn't long before the rest of the airbender family dispersed, leaving Mako, Bolin, Korra and Asami alone.
"It feels like it's been forever since we've all been together, just sitting around the table, chewing the fat," Bolin said gleefully, looking around. He then nudged Mako. "So tell us about Ba Sing Se."
Mako grimaced as he thought about his last seventy two hours in the Earth Kingdom. "It's uh… it's intense over there."
"Do you think the rebuilding of their government is going okay?" Korra asked, her voice wavering with concern.
"Yeah, I'd say for the most part. The incident with Kuvira ruffled a few feathers…"
"Did you ever figure out who was behind the rigging of her trial?" Asami swiftly asked.
Mako shook his head. "They never revealed themselves, but I have my suspicions. A lot of people were upset about it for different reasons. What lingers now is some doubt about her truly being dead."
Asami, Korra and Bolin exchanged uncertain glances.
Mako held up a hand and gave it a few ways. "I don't think it should be a problem, they have a lot more to worry about right now with getting everything in order before Wu officially steps down."
"I'm surprised Wu didn't want you to stick around until after that happened," Korra commented, shrugging her shoulders.
"He's really stepped up these past few weeks, I almost don't recognize him."
"Almost is the key word," Opal called out from the doorway. She moved around the room and took the empty seat beside Bolin. "I think his eccentricities are ingrained in his personality, and are far better suited for being a diplomat than a king."
"So he will still have some involvement in governing?" Asami asked.
Opal looked to Mako. "Sounds like it, something to do with maintaining relationships between all the states as they become independent."
"I think it's a good role for him," Mako said, with a faint smile.
"I hate to say this Mako, but I wish you were still over there. I was sad to see you go, but felt some relief knowing you were going to be there to help… I feel like maybe I should go over there."
"But Republic City needs you Korra, and the Spirit World, we don't know what's happening in there," Bolin urged.
"I know, but look what happened last time I wasn't around when the Earth Kingdom didn't have a leader?"
"This is different, you were…" Bolin glanced to Asami. "...In the south."
"You can say it. I was physically and emotionally absent for three years." Korra bowed her head and looked at the table. "I've been assured I don't need to apologize for that period, but Bolin and Opal, I never apologized to you for not writing back. Both your letters and Bolin, your pictures brought me a lot of comfort while I was gone. I felt so ashamed and discouraged that all I could think to write back to you all was that I wasn't well, and was starting to believe I never would be again… so I chose to remain silent." When she was finished Korra looked back up to Bolin. His eyes were glossy and his lip quivering.
"Come here," Bolin whispered, motioning with outstretched hands. "I want a hug."
Korra got up from her seat and moved to Bolin and he pulled her down to the floor with him.
"Apology accepted. I'm just so happy you're back," Bolin cried as he clutched Korra tightly to his chest. He then looked up to the others. "I'm so happy we're all together!"
"Me too," Korra managed to squeak out from Bolin's firm embrace.
"Korra and I agreed to not dwell about the past anymore. What's done is done, and all that matters is we are all here and healthy now," Asami offered the group.
Bolin nodded as he released Korra. The Avatar staggered back to her seat, feeling a bit crumpled. Asami smiled and patted her leg once she was settled.
"Opal and I have a similar agreement," Bolin added, looking to his girlfriend.
There was a brief moment of silence as the couples acknowledged each other. Mako cleared his throat and started to get up from his seat.
"Well, I should get heading back to the apartment…"
Bolin mirrored his brother and then stretched out a hand. "What do you mean, we're all going to the Spirit World tomorrow, you should stay here."
Mako waved him off. "Ah, I got some things I need to check on, just tell me when and where you want to meet me and I'll be there."
"Okay, uh," Bolin looked to Korra, deflated. "Meet at the Spirit Portal around eight?" he said, more as a question.
Korra nodded. "Sounds good to me."
"Actually, I should go home tonight too. I need to stop by my office before going to see Raiko and it will be easier to get there from my apartment," Asami announced, rising as well.
"Okay..." the Avatar murmured, pouting her lip.
Asami lowered her hand to brush Korra's cheek with her fingers. "Thank you."
Mako had left the room during Korra and Asami's exchange, so Asami had to jog a little ways to catch up with him.
"Mako, I'll give you a ride," Asami called out.
Mako paused at the steps down to the dock. "Okay," he replied, starting his descent. Asami followed.
The boat ride back to the city was quiet but quick. The two exited the boat, and walked together up the dock.
"You want to grab a drink, I'm buying?" Asami asked, breaking the silence.
Mako turned his gaze away from the water and to Asami briefly to say, "Okay."
It wasn't until they entered the establishment and sat down at the bar that it dawned on Asami this was the same place they came to together around two years ago, during Bolin's last night in Republic City.
Back then, they were commiserating over the news of Bolin's announcement and unspokenly over Korra. Though he never confided in her about his feelings for Korra, Asami couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt over hiding her own.
Asami watched Mako ordered their beverages, he still remembered her preferred drink. She slid some bills towards Mako, but he pushed them back and paid for the drinks with money from his own pocket.
"You paid last time, and then some," Mako replied to Asami's confused face.
The bartender came back with their drinks, and pushed a glass in front of each of them one by one.
"Let's get a booth this time," Asami murmured as she lifted her glass.
Mako nodded and followed.
The pair found an empty booth in the dimly lit corner. The old wooden seats creaked and groaned as they sat down across from each other.
"How's it feel to be back?" Asami asked, breaking the silence.
Mako let out a little snort. "It was good until Korra told me I shouldn't have done it."
"You know it's not like that."
Mako slumped in his seat a bit, his legs spreading out farther under the table. "Still, not the kind of welcome I was expecting."
Asami looked down at her glass. "What were you expecting?"
"To feel like I was where I belonged again," Mako sighed, taking a swig.
"It's weird, huh?" Asami quietly asked rhetorically, leaning back into her seat. "So why did you come back?" Asami winced at her tone. "So soon."
Mako took another drink. "I messed up, in the way I always do."
"A woman?"
"Yasmine," Mako sighed. "She was the Earth Kingdom employee that got caught up in my mission to pick up Kuvira. I don't know what it is about a dangerous situation that just… stirs up this passion in me… but once the dust settles… I don't know what happens with me, but I suddenly get critical and snippy."
Asami examined Mako's face as he spoke. His gaze was focused on the drink in front of him.
"I'm envious of you, not because you're with Korra, but because you two are able to be with each other, without fighting all the time like she and I did… It was like I couldn't handle her agency. That sounds terrible of me…"
"Mako… I'm sorry I didn't tell you I had feelings for Korra… I-"
"You don't have to apologize, I didn't either."
"I think given our history…" Asami shook her head, changing her train of thought. "I just feel like I've hidden it from you, I've had feelings for her for a long time."
"When we were here, those years ago?"
"That was when I really accepted how I felt, even vowed to move on, find someone I could be with."
"Did you?" Mako asked looking up.
"I did, for a time, but the feelings for Korra never went away."
"She really has a way of getting under your skin…" Mako sighed, looking back down and discovering his glass was empty. "I want you to know, it's okay. It's a little weird for me still, but okay. I think tonight, it was just seeing all of you together, coupled, I felt a little like an outsider. Like I had been gone for years."
"I think we all feel that way at some point. We were loners before meeting Korra, then we kinda went back to that while she was in the South. Now we're a part of this big family again. I still find it overwhelming at times too..."
Mako slowly nodded, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.
"You're still a part of this family," Asami said reaching out and putting a hand over Mako's.
Mako nodded slightly. "I know, I just feel like the weird uncle now, like Bumi or something."
"I think that's a perfect role for you."
"Why don't you buy us another round?" Mako asked, holding out his glass, a genuine smile on his face.
To be continued...