AN: Hey guys, sorry that it took me so long to complete this chapter. I worked a ton of extra hours over the summer because I started school this fall… I am taking a math class (and I suck at math) so I can't promise the next chapter will be out soon. It is completed but it needs editing and a final rewrite. (This chapter is being split into two just to give you guys something)

Korra sat, her eyes on P'Li, looking for any sign that her eyes may open. Her chest rose and fell and her breathing remained steady. Zaheer held her hand. Every so often Korra would glance at him, but neither had said a word to each other since she had sat next to him hours ago.

Korra sighed, having no idea what to say. They had both insisted that Ming-Hua take a break and get some sleep. And it had taken everyone to finally convince her to do so.

She eyed Zaheer who had been at P'Li side far longer than anyone. Korra didn't think he'd leave until she woke up or…

Korra shook her head trying to get rid of that thought. P'Li would be fine. In a few days she'd wake up, Zaheer would go back to normal, quoting old dead airbenders and giving her some random history lesson and then they could start planning their next move.

They sat in silence. Korra though back to the conversation she had overheard between Ming-Hua and P'Li the previous day and felt her cheeks redden. All that speculation she had about P'Li and she never imagined that she would be so wrong. And now she only had more questions. How did it happen? Who was it? Why was nothing done about it? She gripped her pant legs.

Worse was that Ming-Hua told her not to ask P'Li about any of it. And there was no way she'd ask Zaheer, especially if it was something P'Li didn't want her to know. But still…

Footsteps interrupted her thoughts. Ming-Hua yawned as she approached them. Dark circles were visible under her eyes and her hair looked like it hadn't even been touched.

She motioned for Korra to go to bed.

Looking out the window, if she squinted, she could see hints of the early morning light. Korra wasn't the least bit tired but she went to the room anyway.

She did a double take when she saw Asami sitting up with all her money spread out in front of her.

"Are you pulling another all-nighter?"

"I couldn't sleep." Asami didn't even look up. "How Is she?"

"Still the same."

Asami frowned and continued to sort her money.

"How many times are you going to count that?" Korra sat next to her.

Asami finally looked up. She looked so different without her usual make up, younger than usual, more tired. "I'm just trying to figure out how we should spend it all… we don't have much left, and if P'Li needs a doctor, we're never going to be able to afford it."

"But even if we did have enough, how could we take her to one? They're going to know what she is."

"Yes but…" Asami paused and then seemed to switch thoughts. "Does everyone know what a combustionbender tattoo looks like?"

Korra thought for a moment. Asami did have a point, but she still wasn't sure if the risk was worth it. "I really don't know."

If they did get caught, all her friends would be thrown in to prison, and who knows what would happen to P'Li. Korra would likely get off the easiest by being sent back to the compound, but it wasn't a place she wanted to go.

Still she thought of ways to make money. She could fight in earth rumble matches and easily make enough in a few days. But her earthbending was still weak and she doubted she'd win.

"Do you know any way we could make money?" Korra asked.

"I thought about working at a garage, but this town is so small and I don't know if anyone would be hiring."

Korra nodded.

They were quiet. Korra watched Asami sort the money and wondered what each stack was designated for.

"Do you think she'll wake up?" Korra asked suddenly.

Asami looked up and then back down. "I don't' know-I hope so…. But she hit pretty hard-" She stopped and remained silent.

Korra stifled a groan. It wasn't the answer she wanted to hear. But it was still better than a no.

She tossed and turned the rest of the night and into the morning, finally giving up on sleep. All morning she paced around the house, watching Ming-Hua tend to P'Li hoping for some good news. Korra would glance outside, wondering if she should go out and work on her bending, but every time she'd tell herself that it would be a waste of time.

Ming-Hua finally gave her a look, indicating that she was annoyed.

So Korra went back to her room and sat, still wrestling with the idea of going outside to practice. The very thought of lifting the tiniest bit of water or the smallest pebbles stressed her out. Any practice always yielded the same results, weak bending. She'd need another strategy.

Korra closed her eyes and started to call for Aang, much like she had done after the battle with Amon.

Come on Aang… I don't think I can get any lower than this.

She remained the only person in the room. She tried again.

You're supposed to be my avatar guide. I need your help!

Still nothing. Korra nearly slammed her fist into the ground. What was the point of Aang if he wasn't going to help her.

She then heard Mako's voice from the other room.

"Here."

"Where did you get this?" Asami's voice followed.

"It doesn't matter… just take it."

Curious, Korra stood up to see just what was going on.

"Mako this is a lot." Asami was looking inside of a pouch, and by the clinking sound, Korra knew that there were coins inside.

"Yeah I know." He said and then walked passed her.

"Mako…"

Mako ignored her. Asami bit her lip as she watched him walk away.

"Is it really that much of a problem?" Korra asked.

Asami sighed. "It will be if he gets caught."

Mako went out again the next day and returned with more money. Korra wanted to go with him, just to be somewhat useful, but she didn't feel like she'd have the energy to make it out the door.

Along with the money, Mako also had a newspaper. A huge article detailed the fall of the Earth Kingdom and discussed who would be the next in line. The White Lotus had gotten control of Ba Sing Se and the surrounding areas. But not everyone in the Earth Kingdom was keen on them taking over and the article seemed to indicate that some providences might resist. There were also those that weren't excited for the monarchy to continue.

Korra rested her forehead in the palm of her hand, hating that the White Lotus were now in charge. Worse was that her going to Ba Sing Se is what had brought them there. Then she had to wonder if the people would be better under the White Lotus... her head began to hurt.

"What happens if some of the providences resist?" Korra finally asked.

"It all really depends…" Ghazan said. "But they could go to war."

Korra groaned and left everyone.

She spent the rest of the day in the bedroom trying to sort everything out. The Earth Kingdom was now a mess and there was nothing she could do about it. The White Lotus had currently taken over… maybe without the queen they wouldn't be so bad… maybe the next in line would be a better person… but now they could go to war…

She buried her head into her knees.

Aang I really need you! Roku? Kyoshi?

None of them spoke to her.

Later she faked being asleep as the others came to bed. The two people she wanted to talk to were Zaheer and P'Li… They would have the best advice. Neither could talk to her though.

She sat up when she was sure that Mako and Asami were asleep.

The room felt like it was caving in on her and every little sound made her wince. She stood up and nearly stumbled. Her body felt heavy but she dragged herself out of the room, through the house, and out the front door.

Ming-Hua

It was tough convincing Zaheer to go to bed. He was so adamant about staying by P'Li's side until she woke up. But finally, he agreed to go once Ming-Hua promised that she'd wake him up if P'Li showed any signs of waking up… or getting worse.

P'Li's condition remained the same. Ming-Hua had hoped that this would be the night that she would show some change. She didn't show it to the others but she was worried. In two days, they'd have to decide about getting her a doctor. Ming-Hua would risk prison for P'Li… as would Zaheer. She'd send Ghazan away with the kids to keep them safe. He'd want to stay with the three of them, but one look from Ming-Hua and he'd agree to go.

Logically it was all too great of a risk. But if they lost P'Li, they'd surely lose Zaheer too, or at the very least, he'd never the same again.

She groaned and then looked at P'Li, wondering if she'd ever speak to her again, and felt a wave of emotion as her eyes welled up. Ming-Hua had always felt close to her, ever since P'Li dragged her into that small apartment she and Zaheer once owned. P'Li always listened to her and would stay up with her if needed. If she weren't with Zaheer…

Ming-Hua shook her head angry with herself for even beginning to think that thought. She had no right to fantasize… not after she blurted out her most personal secret… and Korra of all people had to overhear. Ming-Hua closed her eyes trying to forget that day. She had no idea what Korra and P'Li talked about during their training, but from the way P'Li reacted… she doubted it was about her time with the Warlord.

Ghazan sat down next to her bumping his knee into hers, startling her. She had been so deep in thought that she hadn't noticed he had gotten close.

She blinked away any tears and hoped she could pass any redness in her eyes off as fatigue. Then she looked at him waiting for him to speak.

"You should really get some rest too…" He spoke. "You've haven't slept much."

"I'm the healer." Ming-Hua responded. "I need to stay awake with her."

"I can stay up with P'Li- "

Ming-Hua faked a laugh. "Like you'd know if she got worse."

"But Ming-Hua."

"Ghazan I'm staying awake." She said firmly.

They sat in silence. Ming-Hua had to admit to herself that she was happy that he was there. It had started to get a little lonely with just her next to P'Li.

"What are we going to do?" Ghazan finally asked.

"About what?" Ming-Hua stifled a yawn.

"We can't stay here forever… if the White Lotus get to this area, they will recognize us."

Ming-Hua cringed, having not thought about that. "I don't know… Zaheer will be no help until P'Li wakes up, and we have no way of contacting anyone else in the Red Lotus."

"Just so you know." Ghazan said his voice very serious. "I'm not going back to prison."

Ming-Hua nodded understanding. She didn't want to go back to her prison either. She had a little hope that Korra could bust them out again, the White Lotus thought she was dead after all. If they found them, and found out that she was alive… Ming-Hua shivered.

From the other room, they heard the front door open and close. They looked at each other and then Ghazan stood up and looked out the window.

"It's Korra… where is she going at this hour?"

Ming-Hua sighed. "I'll go get her."

"You sure you don't want me to?"

"No, I'll handle this… watch over P'Li."

Korra

The chilled air bit into her exposed arms, but she didn't mind. At least she was feeling something, even if it did remind her of home, locked in that compound.

Drunks called out to her but she ignored them, even the one who seemed a little angry when she didn't acknowledge him. He could barely stand up anyway.

She walked, sticking close to the street lights, listening to ambient sound of the people in bars that were still open, unsure of her destination.

Footsteps rapidly approached from behind. Her instincts told her to turn around and prepare for an attack. But she didn't and barely braced herself.

"Korra!"

She immediately recognized Ming-Hua's voice. She groaned and kept walking.

Ming-Hua caught up and stopped in front, facing her.

Korra tilted her head waiting for her to speak. But Ming-Hua looked at a loss for words instead of her usual hard look. Her eyes went to the ground and Korra was about to walk around her.

"Um… what are you doing out here?"

"I needed air." Korra made the annoyance in her voice clear. She had half expected Ming-Hua to grab her with her water tendrils and carry her back to the house.

Ming-Hua looked up and tried her best to hold eye contact. "Um… it's late… you should really get back inside… you can go out tomorrow."

"So now I need your permission to go outside?" Korra folded her arms.

"Um it's not that- "

Korra sighed. "I can't go back... something's wrong…"

"What do you mean?" Ming-Hua said quickly.

"You know what! My bending sucks! I can barely lift a rock, or water or make any fire and airbending is a mess! I'm supposed to be the avatar… and ugh!"

Ming-Hua looked around prompting Korra to realize how loudly she had been speaking. But no one seemed to overhear. Then Ming-Hua frowned.

"You just-." She stopped and then spoke softer. "You went through a lot. You just need to rest and we'll work on your- "

"That's all I've been doing! And it's not working!" Korra threw up her hands. Ming-Hua flinched and backed up but then straightened herself up.

Her eyes welled up "I ran to Ba Sing Se to help the Earth Kingdom and look how that turned out! And I can't do anything about it!" She tried to blink away her tears. "Now the White Lotus have control… that's exactly what I didn't want!"

Ming-Hua looked at the ground. After a moment, you finally spoke. "The queen needed to be stopped…. Things could have gone better… we didn't know the White Lotus were there… and you're the avatar so you were doing what you were supposed to do and….ugh why is this so easy for Zaheer!"

She paused. "You did everything that you could and were supposed to do." Ming-Hua didn't seem satisfied at all with her response.

Korra sniffled. "Yeah and I threw the Earth Kingdom into chaos… I'm the worst avatar ever."

"No you're not!" Ming-Hua said almost automatically and then broke eye contact. "There's been worse avatars, just ask Zaheer, he'll tell you about all of them… and the queen needed to be stopped…"

Ming-Hua seemed flustered. Korra felt a little guilty knowing she was trying her hardest… but she still didn't want to go back to that house.

"What does it matter? There's nothing I can do if my bending is weak. I mean I can't go avatar state much less control it… and I keep seeing them again… Jian, Sheng, the Queen, I'll be doing something and I'll remember fighting them and..." Her head started to hurt and she saw a brief flash of her fight at the palace and remembered Jian's words, we'll just get the next avatar. "I can't make it go away!"

Ming-Hua nodded as if she understood. "I can-we can help you through that. Flash backs are common after combat… and other things. Those might be why your bending is weaker."

"But am I really even needed? All I ever do is make things worse… is the avatar even needed? Jian even said that if I died they could just get the next avatar."

She seemed to be scrambling for what to say next.

"Um… yeah I'd say you're needed, when the last avatar disappeared, the world fell into a war for 100 years and it didn't end until Aang came back…"

Ming-Hua never finished. Without thinking Korra threw her arms around her and held her tight. Ming-Hua tensed up but quickly relaxed and rested her head against Korra. Tears flowed freely for the few minutes that she held her.

When Korra finally let go, Ming-Hua looked at her surprised.

"Come on, let's go home."

There were silent through most of their walk home. Korra felt a little embarrassed that she had gotten so emotional in front of Ming-Hua. And she was starting to get tired.

"Um…" Ming-Hua finally said. "I like you as the avatar. You grew up around morons and you still turned out okay." She paused. "And besides you're a lot less annoying than Aang if that play was any indication and… I don't know the next avatar will probably be some pain in the ass earthbender…"

Korra smiled. "So I grew on you then?"

Ming-Hua frowned. "Yeah you did."

AN: Next chapter will be happier I promise!