[AN] I am SO sorry on how long it took to get this chapter out — I had such a case of writer's block on top of completely nuts schedule due to my new job. Anyway, I spent a couple of hours rethinking the direction of this story (and flipping through some new source material to help guide my thoughts) and I think I've got a better path moving forward.

(And CrackedShot and 'Roar in particular, look forward to your thoughts as always, good or bad...)

:)

I stumble into the kitchen, a restless night's sleep leaving me less than alert, then jerk to a stop at the sight of Ying, her face showing shock. I follow her gaze to see Bolin standing at the stove, his movements a little slow but sure as he stirred some eggs. An unfamiliar device was affixed to his head, one end clearly hooked into a R.A.a.V.A. port just below his ear, the other a flat metal strip connected to a pair of what appeared to be slim googles covering both eyes.

"What—" I begin, uncertain.

Ying turns at the sound of my voice. "Good morning, Colonel," she says quietly.

"How long has he been here?"

Ying shrugged irritably. "I came in ten minutes ago to start breakfast and he shooed me away!"

"And yet he's not dead," Asami murmurs as she joins us. Her hair is pulled back into a pony tail and her eyes are narrowed as she stares at Bolin's new hardware.

"What is that thing anyway? You didn't tell me you were trying something out."

She glances at me and I flinch at her expression. She is not happy about something.

"Raava!"

The hologram flickers into existence near the kitchen door. "Yes, Doctor Sato?"

Asami's face hardens into a scowl. "What is he wearing?" she demands of the AI.

I blink in surprise.

At the sound of her raised voice, Bolin turns around, a faint smile on his face. "I made—" he glances back at the pan. "Breakfast! I made breakfast." He hesitates, then touches his goggles with one hand. He pauses for a moment, then nods his head. "I think—," he looks around then lights up when he spies some bread on the counter. "Toast! We need toast."

At this Ying springs to action. "I help you!" she bellows. "Don't let the eggs burn!" She hurries over to assist Bolin as Asami stalks over to the hologram. "Raava, where in the hell did that hardware come from?"

I have never heard her this pissed and I watch with no small amount of trepidation.

"You have been focused on researching the archives," the AI replies calmly, unruffled in the face of Asami's anger. "After our conversations several weeks ago regarding more aggressive tactics I went ahead and instructed the research facility make me several prototypes. The version I evaluated to have the most likely chance of success is the one he is currently using."

"You can't use experimental hardware on a patient without supervision and extensive review!"

The AI frowns and something in my gut lurches to see it. "Lieutenant Bolin is my patient, Doctor Sato, and I will do what I must to ensure to his well being."

Bolin jumps and turns from where he had been conferring with Ying, his face clearly worried. "Hey Raava, is everything okay?"

The AI's face softens. "Yes, Lieutenant Bolin, everything is operating well with normal paramaters."

Apparently satisfied he turns back to Ying and his breakfast efforts. "We'll be ready to eat in five!"

"Those conversations were around theoretical neurological interactions!" Asami hisses out of the side of her mouth, though clearly more aware of Bolin listening in as she lowers her voice. "Nothing remotely close to ready for an actual human trial."

There's a long pause as Raava's hologram goes very still. Ying is now helping Bolin plate his eggs and my gaze keeps flickering between the two.

"Nothing else was working, Doctor Sato," Raava says finally, her synthesized voice sounding particularly flat. "Based on my observations of your behavior with Colonel Korra as well as many of the memoirs of doctors and scientists, I have learned that sometimes one must make a 'leap of faith'."

I open my mouth then my jaw snaps shut at the look on Asami's face. I can't quite place it, but it leaves me feeling disconcerted as she sits down stiffly at the table to the plate Bolin sets before her.

"The eggs look excellent, thank you Lieutenant." She seems to be going out of her way to avoid meeting my gaze, and I frown. However, Bolin is turning to me, a cup of coffee in his hand, and I give him my full attention.

Bolin beams. "I used to cook for my brother," he hesitates, frowning. I see a soft glow emanate from his goggles, and after a moment he relaxes again. "He liked eggs. And bacon." Then he grins. "But Ying says the Doc has banished bacon from the house because Avatar would eat it all."

"Excuse me," I huff. "I merely was ensuring sufficient protein in my diet."

To my relief Asami bursts out laughing. "You keep telling yourself that, honey."

I cross my arms in mock offense but quietly pleased at a glimpse of the old Bolin peeking through. The rest of our breakfast passes uneventfully.

—

I've managed to coax Asami outside to our patio where we sit on a lounge next to the fire pit. She's staring at the fire with my feet in her lap and she's rubbing my ankle absentmindedly.

"Okay, tell me."

Asami blink and looks over at me blankly. "Hrm?"

"Don't 'hrm' me. Your brain is practically smoking with how hard you're thinking."

Asami glares at me for a moment, then drops her gaze. "I'm… concerned."

"Tell me something I don't know," I reply dryly. "Give."

Asami sighs and runs her hands through her hair, and hesitates. She's saved by the sound of the sliding door being opened followed by approaching footsteps. We look up to see Bolin, shifting nervously on his feet and wringing his hands.

I give him a reassuring smile and wave him down onto the seat next to us. "What's up, Mouse?"

I see his eyes blink behind the clear lenses of his goggles. "Mouse," he mumbles thoughtfully, then he grins in growing recognition. "I'm Little Mouse!"

I chuckle and shove his knee playfully with my foot. "That's right, Bo. You're the Mightiest Mouse."

He grins and leans back, glancing shyly at Asami. "And you're Doc."

She nods, her previously pensive expression now serene as looks at him.

"Raava says you're not a pilot, but you still have a call sign because of Boss."

"Yep," I drawl, placing a proud kiss on her shoulder. "The Ferrets would be roadkill without her."

"That's cool," Bolin replies softly. "That's super cool." His voice fades away, but after a moment I see his goggles flash faintly, his eyes set alight by the brief glow. "I don't—" he pauses. "Please don't be mad at Raava, okay Doc?" He hesitates the blurts. "She didn't say anything, but she's been quieter today, and—" he stops, then ducks his head bashfully. "I just… I just feel better when she's with me, you know?" He shrugs helplessly, but taps the side of the goggles. "Please don't make me take this off."

Asami's expression wars between concerned and compassionate, but she leans forward and takes his hand in hers. "I have some real concerns, Bolin, but not about how much Raava cares about your wellbeing, okay?" I see her swallow hard, then she adds, more softly, "I won't ever take her away from you."

"Yeah?" He perks up. "That's great, Doc, really great!"

"We just—" now it's her turn to pause. "I will feel better if we keep a close on you and your new hardware. Just in case."

"Sure, that's cool," Bolin agrees, nodding his head. "Anything you want."

He jumps up, cheerful and energized. He waves goodnight as he disappears back into the house.

I watch Asami carefully and see the worry return, and she lifts one hand to pitch her nose, her brow furrowed in thought.

"Asami?"

She sighs and shakes her head. "We may have a problem."

Note: I realized I accidentally had named two character's Chen. Apparently I really like that name. So, the first Chen (Korra's adjutant at the base) gets to keep it. The housekeeper is now Ying.