Published April 9, 2013

Chapter Nine
"Home"

Asami started to wake up when she heard Korra rise and go into the kitchenette. She was still on the couch, nestled up against someone. Asami's first thought was of Mako, because she had actually cuddled with him this way. But no, her head and arm were resting on … Tahno.

She was afraid to move, if that would wake him up. He looked peaceful now, not depressed or angry or exhausted. He deserved a good rest, after everything he'd done for them. He had donated his savings and put his life at risk to help them save their friend. That was pretty selfless of him, regardless of how he might have been in the past.

Asami remembered their conversation in the alley, and how they had been interrupted when Korra whistled for help. How much would they have said if they'd had time?

They still had time, now. He had helped her, they had all made it out alive, and now …

There was no way she could just forget about him, after everything that had happened.

It was possible that she would see him through Korra, who seemed to have actually become friends with him. But part of Asami also wanted to know him for herself, as her own friend … or maybe something more.

Tahno stirred at the sound of Korra passing them to go to the bedroom where the brothers were. He turned his head slightly to look around, and noticed Asami next to him. To her slight surprise, Tahno smiled down at her. "Hey."

"Um—good morning," she answered, straightening up. They heard heavier footsteps—one of the boys was up—Asami scooted further down the couch as Bolin came around the corner.

"You guys up? What time is it anyway?"

"Not so loud," Tahno complained, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I just woke up."

"Do you have any food? Not to impose …"

They were already doing that, but Tahno refrained from saying so. "Oh, have at it."

"I'll help," Asami said, getting up from the couch and following Bolin into the kitchen area. She needed something to do besides waiting around until the group was ready to leave. And besides, there were some things they needed to talk about. "How's Mako?"

"Doing alright. Korra's healing him."

Asami made tea for everyone while Bolin helped himself to some rice and fruit. Finally Asami sat at the counter and looked at Bolin. "You guys didn't tell us what went down when you first met with the Triple Threats. Before Tahno and I came in."

"Oh … yeah."

Tahno came over and stood next to Asami's chair as she tried to prompt Bolin again. "So, what exactly happened while you guys were inside? How did you end up fighting?"

Bolin grimaced, an unusual expression for him. "It was a trap, I guess. The Triple Threats wanted Korra to restore their bending. Mako was just the bait to get her to come talk to them, and a hostage so she'd do what they said." He chewed on a moon peach while the other two digested this news.

"So, they didn't even need the money?" Asami asked, just as Mako and Korra came out of the bedroom and in the hallway outside the kitchen area.

"Well, they told me that they needed it for expenses," Mako acknowledged. "But what they really wanted was their bending. That's what gave them power to commit crimes to get money."

"Treat the disease, not the symptom," Bolin spoke up, in between bites of rice. Then he noticed the others looking at him, slightly surprised. "What? It's something my mom used to say."

Mako smiled sadly. "I remember."

"So what did you do?" Tahno asked.

Korra sat at the counter next to Asami. "I tried to give them back their bending," she said. "But—and this is what I don't understand—I couldn't do it. It was like … when I first tried to airbend. Bending always came easily, but then when I tried this … nothing."

Mako spoke up quietly. "I think I know why you weren't able to restore their bending." The others looked at him in surprise. He explained, "Avatar Aang was able to take bending from dangerous people—Fire Lord Ozai, Yakone—basically people who abused their power. They did it to keep balance, right?"

"Yeah." Korra looked at him curiously. "When did you become an expert on my past life?"

"I went to school, Korra; and you and Tenzin told us about Yakone. Anyway, maybe you couldn't give it back to Zolt and the others, because, well, they didn't really deserve it. The spirits, or your conscience, or something, didn't want them to go back to making that imbalance."

Asami looked at him, and then bowed her head, thinking of her mother. She didn't know whether any of the men they had fought were killers.

"So, you think Amon was right to use his power on them?" Bolin clarified.

"I don't know … but when we were there, I wanted to argue against you doing it, Korra. Because that only would have let them hurt more people, just like they used to."

"Or like they still do," Tahno muttered under his breath.

"I think it's good that you weren't able to," Asami said, turning her teacup in her hands. "The less bending gangsters that are out there, the better."

She felt a hand on her shoulder. Tahno's pale hand, trying to be supportive for her. Asami put her own hand over his, silently thanking him.

Korra had her arms folded on the table, her expression pensive, thinking over Mako's words. He was probably right, but she didn't know for sure. She'd have to ask Tenzin for his opinion, and maybe meditate on the subject later …

She stood up. "If everyone's up, we should really get going," she said. "I told Tenzin we'd be back by morning; he's probably having a fit wondering what's taking us so long."

Asami nodded and helped Bolin clean up the few breakfast dishes. Mako found his coat on the bed, where Asami had left it the night before. Then he put his scarf around his neck; as he did so, he felt as though things had finally gone back to normal.

Tahno followed the others down the stairs to the foyer. "I guess my work here is done," Tahno remarked, surveying the group as they paused before the door.

Mako seemed to pause, then turned back to look him in the eye. "Um … thanks for helping with the rescue," Mako said, grasping his hand.

"Yeah, it was nice to fight—you know, not against each other," Bolin offered, his eyes anywhere except on Tahno.

"Yeah, I guess it was," Tahno said. His eyes skimmed over the brothers but lingered on Korra. She was the one who had appealed to him, whom he had wanted to help, and who had saved his life.

"So … does this mean we're friends?" Korra asked.

Tahno smiled, some of his oozing arrogance returning. "If you say so," he said noncommittally.

Korra smiled and offered her hand. "Keep in touch."

Tahno shook her hand, and then suddenly they were hugging, their right hands gripping the other's, their left arms around each other. It was not unlike the way Mako and Bolin hugged on occasion. Then they were just standing before each other again. Korra followed the boys out of the building.

Asami was the last to go out the door. Tahno cleared his throat, not sure what to say to her. Asami spoke first. "Thank you. For last night." She hoped that he knew what she meant—how he'd been there when she needed someone to listen.

"You're welcome. I mean—you're welcome, here, anytime."

"I'll remember that." Asami hesitated. "Actually, I was wondering if, maybe, you'd want to get together … again. With me?"

"What, like …"

"… a date? Yeah, if you want."

"Yeah, I want. I mean … I'd like that," Tahno said truthfully.

"Great." Asami smiled at him. She placed a hand on his shoulder and kissed him on the left cheek (the only one not covered by his long bangs). Tahno blinked in surprise, but then smiled, looking both happy and smug. Then he looked back at the group.

"See you around … Team Avatar." Tahno gave a lazy salute and headed back up the stairs. Asami finally stepped outside, a small smile on her face.

The Fire Ferrets had seen that final gesture. Korra was surprised. Mako was shocked. Bolin looked torn between disgust and envy.

Mako looked to his brother and girlfriend, bewildered and helpless. "Did Asami ever give any indication that she liked Tahno?"

"Not that I could see," Bolin answered shortly.

Korra decided not to mention that she had seen them together on the couch, because that made it sound weirder than it actually had been. Instead she shrugged, as though in acceptance. "Stranger things have happened … can't think of any at the moment, but I'm sure they have."

Asami paid for their ride back on the ferry. Mako thought Air Temple Island had never looked so welcoming to him as it did now.

"Think we'll be in trouble?" Bolin asked as they walked through the hall leading to Tenzin's family's living quarters.

Korra considered. "With the police? Possibly. With Tenzin? Hard to say. I left him a note to tell him what we were doing; and I called last night to let him know we were safe. He didn't argue with me much; I don't know if he was just too tired, or if he trusted me enough to know we were okay."

"We have to tell him what happened with the Triple Threats," Asami stated. "I mean, the police need to know …"

"Korra?"

They turned and saw Jinora standing in the doorframe of her bedroom. Her face lit up when she saw the reunited group. "Mako! You're okay!"

Mako smiled and ruffled her hair. "Hey, kid. Miss me?"

Ikki and Meelo came running in then. "Mako!" they both exclaimed before charging at him. Mako looked slightly alarmed, seeing the children rushing for him. Ikki bounded up, yelling "Mako Mako Mako!" She flung herself at him, hugging him round the middle. Meelo airbended himself up and landed on Mako's shoulders. Asami and Bolin exchanged grins, and Korra couldn't stop herself from laughing.

Then Ikki stepped back, and suddenly her entire demeanor changed; she frowned, as though trying to imitate her father's stern look, and pointed an accusing finger at Korra. "You're in big trouble, Korra!"

"What?"

"Um, Dad was pretty upset when he found your note," Jinora explained. "He wouldn't tell us what happened, but I heard him arguing with our mom about the police, and—"

"Korra!" Jinora stopped her recount and pulled her younger siblings to the side as Tenzin entered the room.

Korra tried to make her smile casual. "Hey, Tenzin."

"Is everyone all right?" Tenzin asked, approaching the group. He fixed his eyes on the one that they had gone out to rescue. "Mako, what happened?"

The firebender rubbed the back of his neck, looking slightly embarrassed. "It's a long story," he said tiredly.

"Ooh!" Ikki bounced up and down, her usual excitement quickly returning. "Did you guys have an adventure? Did Korra save Mako? Did you ever go on your date?"

Bolin interrupted. "Ikki, guess what!" he said, trying to match her excitement. "You'll never guess!" He knelt down and whispered in her ear. "Asami likes someone, and it isn't Mako or me!"

Ikki squealed. "Really? Who is it? Is it anyone I know? Is he cute?"

Korra had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing. Even Mako looked amused in spite of himself.

"Ah—his name is Tahno," Asami said, trying to sound nonchalant. "He helped us rescue Mako last night."

Tenzin's brow furrowed. "The Wolfbats' waterbender?" He remembered interviewing the Pro-Bender after the attack on the Arena.

"The very same," Korra confirmed.

Jinora wrinkled her nose. "Is he the guy you wanted all those newspaper pictures of?" she asked Korra. "I thought he was kind of ugly."

Asami gave Korra a strange look. "Newspaper pictures?"

"For target practice, when we were training for the championship," Korra explained unashamedly.

Pema came in carrying Rohan against her shoulder. "Have you kids had breakfast yet?"

Mako answered "Yes" at the same moment Bolin said, "No." Mako shot his brother a look.

"What?" Bolin said innocently. "I hardly had anything at Tahno's! I could use some real food."

Mako just shook his head as Bolin followed Pema to the dining room. Then Tenzin turned to him and Korra. "You'd better tell me the whole story. Especially if there's anything the police should know about the Triads." They reluctantly followed him in the direction of the dining room.

"I'm sorry about all this," Korra said apologetically.

"You don't have to apologize." Tenzin glanced back at the firebender. "Mako, I'm glad you're all right."

"… Thanks."

They found Bolin helping Pema set out more food and place settings on the low table. It reminded Korra of the last time she'd sat down for a meal.

"Hey, I just remembered something," Korra said to Mako, still standing in the threshold of the room.

"What's that?"

"You still owe me that 'proper date'," Korra reminded him teasingly.

Mako cracked a smile. "What, last night didn't count?"

"A date that does not involve kidnappers, injuries, or any element of danger."

"That's boring."

Korra laughed. "Well, at least boring would be different."

Author's Note: Well, that wraps up this adventure. I'm leaving it fairly open-ended because I don't want to write anything else that could be nullified by developments in the two upcoming seasons. Also, before the new season starts, I want to begin posting a new Legend of Korra story, "A Different Type of Nomad," which will focus on Jinora as a protagonist. If you've read this all the way through but haven't reviewed before, I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Thank you all for reading!