"Lena, Tenzin wants to see you."

Lena whipped around to face Bolin, who had the grim face of a bearer-of-bad-news.

Lena took a deep, ragged breath to calm her quickening heartbeat, but to no avail.

"Okay." she answered, her voice hollow. As she started towards the pavilion, Bolin fell in step next to her, squeezing her hand.

"I'll be right there next to you." Bolin said comfortingly, his heart breaking a little as he looked at Lena's sad expression.

The rain had stopped and the sun was already peeking through the clouds, but neither of the pair had time to marvel at the beauty of nature.

They found Tenzin waiting for them in a small chamber off the main room, where a few cushions and a low table with tea had been set up.

Lena and Bolin sat cross-legged on the cushions, never letting go of each other's hand.

"Lena, my dear, there have been quite a few witness reports of you air bending earlier. Is this true?"

Lena's breath caught in her chest. It was only the comforting presence of Bolin that got her to relax, just a little.

"Yes." she breathed, unsure of how else to answer.

An uneasy silence followed, but Lena soon found herself pouring out her heart about her visit to the spirit world.

She told Tenzin everything—from meeting the Odd Spirit to the prophecies Koh spoke of.

Bolin listened intently, never taking his eyes off of Lena and, eventually, placing an arm around her waist.

She began sobbing into his shoulder as she finished.

Tenzin waited for a moment before speaking again.

"I must say, that is a very unusual way to gain bending powers. Most are born with them but you, Lena, have been blessed with them. Earth and air bending is no easy feat. I can only hope that—"

Tenzin broke off as a messenger strode into the room, wheezing and out of breath.

"I'm sorry, Master Tenzin, but I come with urgent news for Lena."

Lena stood, detaching herself from Bolin.

"Yes?" she asked anxiously, now worried.

"Your family has fallen ill under the Dai Fema virus... I'm afraid your grandmother has already succumbed to it."

"Where are they?"

"The little mountain pass between Omashu and Ba Sing Se... I'm not sure of their exact location, but—"

Lena cut him off. "I know where they are."

Lena bowed to Tenzin. "I'm sorry, but I have to go to my family."

Tenzin nodded, face expressionless. "It is understandable. I wish to talk to you more, but that can be arranged for later." He began to leave the room, but something crossed his mind and he stopped. "You can take one of our gliders, if you like. It is much faster to travel to the Earth Kingdom by air."

Lena nodded. She should have been excited, but her only thoughts were of her family now—of poor father and mother, of her Grandmother who had gone to be with her love.

As Lena headed out of the pavilion, Bolin rushed after her.

"Wait!" he called, grasping her shoulders.

Lena blinked tears out of her eyes. She knew she was wasting precious time, but Bolin was worth it.

"I'm sorry, Bolin. I have to leave."

He found himself nodding, but he was screaming for her not to go on the inside.

His lips collided with hers in a fury of fiery passion. The kiss was steamy and it melted Lena on the inside, making the world around them go fuzzy and fade, but neither of them broke away. Bolin had never kissed her like that, but she liked it. His rough hands grazed the soft skin of her cheeks, and Lena found herself grabbing his shirt, trying to pull him further into her.

At last they both pulled back, panting softly.

For a moment their eyes met, and Bolin wanted to do it all over again, but Lena backed away, knowing she had to leave.

She extended the glider, testing its weight, before it was caught on a breeze and began gently lifting her into the sky.

"I love you." she called over her shoulder.

She was carried too far away before Bolin could respond, although he found himself whispering, "I love you too."