Even though they had grown up on the streets and had to struggle and steal to get by, that didn't deter Bolin from wanting to enforce justice and protect the innocent. In his mind, he wanted to do what Mako had always done for him. Bolin was happy to be able to finally do something good, something that didn't just make the ladies swoon, but actually made a difference. Korra was the Avatar, Tenzin was the best air bender in the world, Lin could bend metal, Asami had a big heart and massive fortune. Bolin wanted to be able to be proud when it came to his own way of life. He was tired of struggling when it came to relationships and life. Becoming an officer was one way to bring change and he was ready to do just that.

[b]"Aw come on!"[/b] Bolin pouted. Mako was embarrassing him. 

His brother then said how Bolin did more than play cop, which caused Bolin to snort. Mako and Korra then mentioned what it would be like if he would ever become Chief. They were getting ahead of themselves! But he did like the sound of it. Before he could refute their crazy ideas, he put a hand to his chin and thought more about it. Being the Chief of Police after Lin would be pretty tough. Not to mention that Toph had been Chief before her. Toph was his idol and he wished he could meet her someday, even just to say how amazing and inspiring her entire life had been to him as not just an Earth Bender, but a guy trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel when he and Mako spent plenty of hungry sleepless nights in the rain. [b]"Well...when I [i]do[/i] become Chief, you should expect the streets of Republic City to be fiercely protected."[/b] He said.

[b]"Not that they aren't now."[/b] He quickly waved his hands. [b]"But to continue the mighty Beifong legacy would be a dream come true! I'd be fair but firm, not as strict as the Chief but still enough to make sure no one tried to mess with us. I know the streets and every other corner, no one would dare make trouble in my city."[/b] He said before he threw a fist into the air. It wasn't his fault he was passionate about protecting people. He got that from Mako and in a way, Korra too. [b]"Anyway...I'm glad you and Asami are talking more."[/b] He told Korra. He knew she had some other apologies to make but he knew she'd be able to make things right, not because she was the Avatar but because Bolin could tell even with her mistakes, she was a good person. 

- - -

At the mention of the antics she and Tenzin got up to in their plucky days of youth, a small smile couldn't be resisted as it formed at the edges of her lips. She and Tenzin did roam the streets and often found themselves in hot water because of it. Her younger sister had been sent away and she only had Tenzin to lean on. Her mother wasn't a mother most of the time, which left Lin with a lot of time on her hands. Some of the time was spent working but most of it was spent with Tenzin. By that point, their relationship had been formed, neither of them bothering to deny what they had together. Lin was happy to follow her mother's footsteps but like Tenzin, it never seemed enough for their parents. At least it never felt like it was enough. Lin wanted her mother to be proud but to also love her. 

Anyone who knew Toph, knew that she wasn't the most sentimental, despite being blunt about everything expect feelings.

Lin thought things were finally falling into place but then her sister fell into the wrong crowd and her mother covered it up. Lin was baffled by it and knew she couldn't talk to Tenzin about it because he would probably tell his father who would then confront Lin about it. And she and Tenzin were determined to be themselves, not just the children of their famous parents. For the next couple months, she found herself less and less happy. Her nightly walks with Tenzin around the city were less filled with delight, and more filled with bitterness and an empty void that sometimes catered to self-loathing when she wasn't looking. Lin was mad at her mother and her sister and felt so alone and defeated. She felt as though her choice to chase after her mother's legacy had been a mistake.

Suyin had done whatever she wanted and Toph seemed to cater to her more. Lin hated her sister, not just because she thought of the betrayal every time she looked in the mirror and saw the scars, but because her sister Suyin was happy without having to struggle or fight for it. Lin barely recalled the last few weeks leading up to her and Tenzin's breakup. Lin didn't want to remember more pain. She refused to tell Tenzin what happened to her face, finally she got fed up and snapped at him, saying it happened on the job and that he worried too much and that it was a risk she was willing to take. After that, they didn't see each other for four days. Even so, she could still remember happier times with him, times that weren't buried in a fog of deception. 

[b]"We did have some fun a long time ago."[/b] She agreed though her small smile fell quickly.

Lin told herself she didn't miss her family, that she didn't care. It was hard though, when Tenzin had his and was clearly happy. She wondered if Suyin had a family too, and why they could figure it out, but she couldn't. Tenzin mentioned how Meelo and Ikki had taken after him and how both of their lives took shape, though to Lin, hers still hadn't come together. It felt empty yet chaotic. She may be an Earth bender but she didn't feel connected to anything, not even the ground beneath her feet. [b]"If I had any children of my own, I suspect yours and mine would also be up to no good."[/b] She considered. [b]"You [i]were[/i] a stick in the mud, you were stubborn like an Earth Bender."[/b] She teased him softly, inclined to think of their good times, as opposed to their petty arguments. [b]"Eventually you came around..."[/b] Lin looked at him, remembering how much she'd twist his arm, before they were dating, in order to get him to spend some time with her past Aang's curfew. [b]"And admit it, you liked a little a danger."[/b]

Tenzin had been the only one she had ever really cared about and she knew the past had been a complex one. Even if she couldn't hold his hand or steal a kiss, she would rather be near him, than truly as alone as she felt...confined in a tomb without any company expect regret. At least with Tenzin, in her office, she could remember how good things used to be before her sister was banished, before her mother quit her job and before she lost the love of her life to some plain woman who gave Tenzin the attention he deserved, while Lin threw herself into her work to try and forget about everything around her. [b]"I'll be sure to check on Pema when you're gone and make sure the kids haven't gotten into any trouble. I know all the tricks in the book."[/b] She said. Dealing with a younger sibling, as well as criminals, had taught her well. 

Just then there was a knock. Lin walked over to the door and opened it to see one of her men. He said the Avatar was asking to see her. Lin looked over her shoulder towards said Avatar's mentor. [b]"Let her in."[/b] She said and walked back around to her desk and sat down. She motioned for Tenzin to stay. When Bolin and Mako arrived at work, they let Korra go talk to Lin and Tenzin as needed, while they went back to their usual paperwork, as well as other training which needed to be finished. The cops were short staffed but that didn't mean anyone could join and be sent off, untrained and tested. Bolin was eager to get back to fighting alongside his brother and hoped that they too, would be able to bury the hatchet. When Korra entered, Lin sat back and folded her arms, wishing she had more time with Tenzin before the present issues were shoved in her face. [b]"This is a surprise..."[/b] She said, still not in the best of moods thanks to Korra's thoughtlessness.