"I look ridiculous," I fretted.

"Don't feel that way for a second- and if Prince Charming even hints at it, you tell me. I have wanted to get some target practice in," my mother informed me, her peridot eyes simmering in affirmation.

"I haven't been out of the house…" I trailed off.

"As much as I dislike the idea of you out on a date, I think this will do you some good. Just don't overdo it, and don't be afraid to hurt his feelings if he starts to act fresh."

"Mum," I groaned, but laughed nonetheless. I fiddled with the intricate plait Su had set my hair into and smile when I caught a whiff of the fire peony nestled at the pinnacle of the braid. My mother had helped me into a pair of long, metal encased boots to give my ankles the necessary support.

"And don't be ashamed if you need to sit down. The healer said-"

"I know what he said, I was there," I interjected tenderly.

"Don't lecture me about jobs- that's Korra's job, and I know you're an adult- but I am still going to look out for you," my mother grumbled, and then pulled me to my feet, "And you make this job difficult enough sometimes…"

"Mum…" I began, nibbling on my bottom lip as I lowered my eyes for a moment, "Were you- Were you this nervous your first date with Tenzin?"

"It was Tenzin's job to be the sensitive one," my mother remarked, and she took on this look. Wistful, and gentle, as she was drawn back into an untold memory of when she was involved with the airbender. She looked…soft- approachable. Her spine straightened and she blinked rapidly to clear her head. "Back by midnight- or I am sending an APB," she warned. She rose to her feet and went towards the kitchen, but she paused in the doorway. "I was nervous," she confessed faintly that I almost did not hear her, "But take that as a good thing."

I felt so childish waiting on the sofa for Iroh to arrive at my home; my mind was too adrift to read, and my body too on edge to sit in reflection. My mother was in the gym- pounding away at the dummy I imagined she envisioned as the prince-general of the Fire Nation. Was I not passed the age of being nervous for a date? Granted, I had not been on one before, but I was an adult. That had to mean that I bypassed all adolescent awkwardness? Clearly, that was not the case.

My heart leapt into my throat when the knock finally sounded against the other side of the door. "Coming," I called out, voice slightly tremulous to my chagrin, and I stiffly rose to my feet. I eyed the cane that waited for me against the narrow table by the door; I thought I had tucked it away to escape my mother's notice, but clearly she anticipated that strategy. I opened the door with a stupid, breathless smile- which only grew larger when Iroh was already grinning himself.

"Hello," he greeted me.

"Good evening," I replied.

"Are you ready to go? I thought we could go for dinner first- if that is agreeable…"

I happily nodded my head and made to close the door behind me when I caught a glimpse of my mother standing in the hallway. Her arms were folded neatly across her chest and she eyed me sternly.

"Kailyn, aren't you forgetting something?"

"Oh, right…" I answered lamely, and took the cane into my hand. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment when Iroh's gaze fell upon the aforementioned. I heard my mother's breath hitch as she prepared to growl a scathing remark at the man, but then Iroh's hand fell over mine.

"What you did for those you care about is nothing to be ashamed of…even the consequences are something to be proud of," he murmured soothingly, and gave the back of my hand a gentle squeeze. "Are you ready?"

"Yes…and thank you…"

"Are you sure you are up to this?" my mother asked for what I was certain was the thirteenth time.

"Not only is this Jinora's special day, but a historic one. I am not going to miss it," I reaffirmed. I fastened the gold bracelet around my wrist, and then carefully fastened a fire peony into the ornate bun at the nape of my neck. "How do I look? Fit for the occasion?" I asked lightly.

"Like you're appealing to a certain Fire Nation prince," my mother grumbled.

"Lin, lighten up! I think it's wonderful," Su announced as she came into my bedroom. "You look beautiful, Kailyn," she added warmly.

My mother hovered the entire short distance I wobbled to the car, going so far as to stiffly open the door for me. I slowly settled into the seat, aware of the dull throb in my left hip. We drove through the city in a gentle silence, Lin's eyes darting to look at me periodically. I reached over and threaded our fingers together, and I saw my mother's brow relax.

"Mum, I love you."

That had the opposite effect I desired. Her entire body became as rigid as her uniform, and her hand squeezed mine too tightly. She looked anything but at ease. She knew my unvoiced question, and so she curtly answered, "Thought those were going to be your last words."

"Mum, I am so-"

"-Don't you ever be sorry, Kailyn Hsiao-Beifong," my mother growled. She looked at me again, and I saw a small smile curl her tense lips. Su reached forward from the backseat to give our shoulders a squeeze.

I rested my head on my mother's shoulder as the ferry carried us across Yue Bay to Air Temple Island. It was a careful weight, but Lin rested her cheek on the crown of my head nonetheless.

It nearly evaded me, but I caught her faint murmur of, "I love you, too."

Lin went with Asami, Korra, and two of the airbender kids- earthbending the Avatar up to the temple.

"Who's to protect us when she's in a wheelchair?" President Raiko wondered ignorantly.

"How about you think for a moment, and realise that it's time to start doing your duty to this city?" I demanded coldly, and met the astonished man's gaze. I held my high as he regarded my battered personage, and smoothly added, "Korra has done more with the nail of her tiniest finger than you have your entire term. We all have a duty to our people, sir, and it is time you accept that being president is more that being a front."

"Well said," Senna, Korra's mother, praised.

"And that, grandfather, if you haven't already concluded is Kailyn Hsiao-Beifong."

"Iroh," I greeted warmly, and embraced his as best I could. I dipped my head to Lord Zuko and said softly, "Hello again, Lord Zuko."

"I've learned quite a bit more about you from my grandson after passing on your message," the latter explained wryly.

"Have you?" I inquired worriedly, glancing up at Iroh.

"You may have been mentioned…on occasion," Iroh admitted.

"Quite a fair amount past 'on occasion'," Lord Zuko teased, and Iroh's cheeks actually tinged pink. "But it is not hard to see why… you are a force to be reckoned with- as are all the women in your family."

"Th-Thank you, Lord Zuko," I said in turn, and once again bowed. Only this time, my head grew incredibly light headed when I straightened. "Iroh," I warned, blindly latching onto his arm as I felt my face blanch.

"Kailyn?" Iroh murmured.

"Light headed- very light headed," I panted, and let out a faint gasp when my knocking knees gave out.

Iroh hooked an arm around the front of my waist, and lifted me onto his back. "Are you all right, now?" he asked over his shoulder.

"Th-Thank you," I murmured, and threaded my arms loosely around his neck.

He carried me smoothly up the steep stairs and into the temple. Upon passing over the threshold, my senses were filled with the smoky haze of sandalwood. Several faces amongst the attendees peered up at me curiously, and I gave them polite smiles. Iroh went to my mother's side, and slowly set me back on my feet.

"Kailyn?" Su pressed faintly.

"Just a little lightheaded," I explained, "Thankfully, Iroh looked after me."

"How chivalrous," my mother mused, eying the firebender with a quirked brow.

Iroh met her penetrating gaze levelly, and took hold of my hand. I smiled brightly at him, and felt the start of something wonderful spark in my chest.

Fin.