"Tenzin?"

"What is it, dear?" He jumped up at the sound of her voice, rushing to her, touching her shoulder with one hand and her bulging belly with the other. "Are you feeling well?"

Pema rolled her eyes. "You don't need to panic about every little tiny thing," she said sternly. "I'm fine. I was just wondering if you wanted to go for a walk this evening. I need to stretch my legs. I know you're busy with work from the Council…"

"Let's go now," he said earnestly. Pema took his hand and smiled.

When she had first started to show, even the tight community of Air Temple Island had whispered a bit – married so quickly, a baby on the way so quickly, how had this girl woven such a spell over their stoic mentor, the immaculate Master Tenzin? Pema's close friends were always on her side, but the whispers faded soon enough anyway when they saw how Tenzin treated her. He was considerate to a fault, always affectionate; a blind man could have seen their love.

They stopped at the top of the hill, looking out across Yue Bay and the Avatar Aang Memorial Statue. Tenzin wrapped his arms around her, but it was hard for them to get close; the baby inside her was getting so big. "I bet you'll be just like your grandfather, little one," Tenzin said. "Your grandmother said you would be an airbender."

"Perhaps not just like Avatar Aang. Perhaps it will be a girl," Pema said.

Tenzin knelt and kissed her stomach. "Girl or boy, airbender or no, our child is my treasure. I love you, darling Pema. You have no idea what it means to me… to have found someone who I want to have a family with, and who wants to have a family with me."

Though he didn't say it outright, Pema thought she knew what he meant. He was the last airbender, after all. All along, he had always known he had to have children. If he hadn't wanted to, if he hadn't found her, perhaps he would have shouldered that burden his whole life, or made a wrong decision because of it. Pema rested her hands on his head, tracing his arrow tattoo.

"I'm glad I found you too, Tenzin."

It was shortly after Ikki was born that Tenzin got seriously injured for the first time, since Pema had known him, at least, during his work in Republic City. He'd been in scuffles aplenty, but had always come out mostly unscathed. So all the breath left her lungs in fear when he finally made it back to Air Temple Island that night. The Council had sent word that he was hurt and had received immediate healing, but there was only so much that could be done. It was very late when he was finally up to returning home.

When she helped out of his loose shirt, she gasped at the state of his chest and back. He was swathed in bandages, and the skin that wasn't covered by white linen was scratched and bruised. He smiled weakly as her fingers shook. "I'm all right, Pema."

"What happened? How did… how did…" She touched his cheek, where a shallow cut had started to bleed again. He had a black eye, too, and the hand that cupped her chin was rough with gauze.

"The Triple Threat Triads had an agenda that the Council wasn't supporting. They teamed up and caught us unawares. I was careless. It was a while before I was free enough to defend myself." He winced as he tried to shift his shoulder. "Ah. I asked the healers to let me go so they could treat the civilians that got caught in the crossfire."

"Tenzin, you have to take care of yourself more!" Pema said. "Think of your daughters!"

"I know, darling. I know. I will."

Gently Pema helped him to stand with an arm under his shoulders, and even though he was so much taller than her, she was able to support him to their bed and lie him down. He took long, deep breaths, clearly in pain; Pema settled herself next to him. Careful not to disturb his injuries even more, Pema let her arm fall across his body, her hand over his heart to reassure herself it was still beating strongly. "When they told me you were hurt, I had no idea… And then I see this… Don't scare me like this ever again, Tenzin, promise." Her hand clenched into a fist.

"Don't worry. I'll always come home to you."

She couldn't help but notice that he didn't promise. But it was too late, and she was too exhausted from worry to press the matter.

Though Pema loved having Korra on the island, her presence made Republic City restless. And a restless Republic City meant a restless Tenzin, his hours at the council building growing longer and longer. He never said anything, but Pema knew something was seriously wrong. The destroyed probending arena was still smoldering when Pema finally confronted him and got the full story.

"I'm adding extra security to the island to keep you and the children safe. Whatever happens, you must be ready to flee at the slightest notice, with or without me, do you understand?"

"Tenzin, I'm not - "

"This is not up for discussion," he said, and never before had Pema seen him so stern. His voice shook like he wanted to yell, but he controlled himself. "Please, Pema. Promise me you will keep yourselves safe."

Pema glanced down the hall to where the children were sleeping peacefully. She rested her hand on her stomach and sighed. He was right, of course he was. The children had to be protected, not only because they were hers, but because they were the world's only airbenders. "I promise, Tenzin."

The atmosphere of Air Temple Island changed palpably after that. At least twice as many members of the Order of the White Lotus lingered even when Korra wasn't around. And then there was Lin Beifong. Of course it would be her, of all people – but Pema found she wasn't really irritated. Not after recent events. And as Lin stood tight guard in front of the pavilion, Pema approached her cautiously, coughing to announce her presence.

"I just wanted to say… Tenzin's told me everything that's happened. You saved Korra's life, and his, again and again. I don't know how to thank you."

For a moment, Lin didn't reply, only glared. Had she made a mistake, Pema wondered? Lin didn't want to talk after all – yes, they were both mature adults, but perhaps some wounds ran too deep to heal. For all that Tenzin trusted Lin, cared for her, he had still chosen Pema, and perhaps being here with the family was too stark a reminder for such a proud woman -

"You can thank me by staying alive. You and the kids."

Lin turned away again, scanning the sky. For a few seconds, Pema didn't move. When she finally left, she had to wipe her eyes on the corner of her sleeve. She'd never had much sympathy for Lin Beifong before. She'd never really known her. But it was no wonder, she realized, that Tenzin had loved her for so long, a woman of such compassion and resilience.

Silence pressed in on her from all sides. Where she was, she didn't know, but she curled up in the corner and clutched Rohan to her heart, murmuring quietly. He was crying, of course he was, in the cold the dark – her barely controlled panic could not be helping him. Stay calm, Pema, stay calm – for Rohan –

But she could not forget the look on her children's faces as they were torn away from her, struggling, then defeated by the chi blockers. After they had gotten so far, after Lin – Lin, her lifelong rival, now her savior – gave up everything for them… She stifled a cry. She knew all too well what Amon planned to do to her children, and it would destroy them, steal their spirit and their smiles. And Tenzin – he would rather die than see this happen; guilt would cripple him for life. And here she was, helpless and terrified.

Please help them. Someone, somewhere… Save them.

A crash shook the walls and floor; rubble rained down on her, and she screamed as she bent protectively around little Rogan. She didn't dare open her eyes. What if it was Amon, come to take Rohan too, or throw her lost children, powerless, into another cell –

"Pema!"

Her eyes snapped open. "Tenzin!"

He lifted her immediately, for her legs were too weak with relief to stand on her own. "Are you all right? And Rohan?"

"We're – we're fine," she managed breathlessly. "And you – and the kids – you're not - ?"

"We're fine too. Amon didn't take our bending. Korra and Mako arrived in time to prevent that, and they're following him now. Let's go."

Tears leaked from her eyes as Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo clutched tightly at her legs. All she wanted to do was hug them to her and never let go, kiss her husband and tell him how much she loved him – but she knew there was no time, and the look in Tenzin's eyes promised a more heartfelt reunion later, once they were all out of danger. No longer alone,. Pema's confidence returned, and she shifted her grip on Rohan, took Jinora's hand, and followed her husband, Ikki and Meelo at his heels, as they hurried toward home.

"You know, Tenzin, I expected the unexpected when I married you," she said, lightly running her fingers through Rohan's little tuft of hair. He looked calm and serene at last after the day's ordeal. "But this… was really something."

"I'm sorry, Pema. I never wanted you to be involved, you or the kids,"

She smiled quickly at him, realizing what her words must have sounded like. "I didn't mean – I'm not upset about it, exactly. I knew… I know you're there for me. I know we're safe because of you."

"I love you more than life itself." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head.

"That's the only thing that worries me," she said gently. But she nuzzled into his chest, reveling in the peace with him that they had been missing for far too long.

"Pema, I can't promise that I won't get involved in anything like this again," Tenzin said quietly. "You know it's my duty to Republic City, to Korra, to help guide the people through times of trial… I don't know if anything so drastic would even happen again, but if it did, and I am still capable… But I promise you this. You are my first duty. Your safety is first and foremost, and I will never let you be put in such danger again. I'm sorry."

It hurt a little bit that he couldn't promise her that he would stay safe, too. But would she love him so much if he were any different? Cupping his familiar face, Pema pressed a warm kiss to his lips and sighed. "I know, Tenzin. Thank you. We're together now, and that's what matters."

"Yes." He took a moment to kiss her too, deeply, the kind of kiss that even after so many years and four kids still made her legs go a little weak. "Together."