Tenzin’s attitude upon his return to the station had been the exact opposite as it was this morning; the upbeat nature of a man seeking to tackle the day was overwritten by a much more serious, pressing demeanor. He was happy to see Lin, remaining pleasant and entirely respectful of her authority. Allowing him to join her on this venture was something he continued to be grateful for. It was for that reason that the airbender remained patient after they had left the station. Shortly after that, Lin had handed over detailed files of the victims suffering from the same sickness as his wife. The contents were examined thoroughly as Lin had admitted that she was confused, something Tenzin easily understood. The people listened in the files had no relation whatsoever. Their chosen jobs and career paths did not suggest they’d be a threat to anyone or anything, and he had never known a banker or a grocer to be entirely unhygienic either. His list of probable cause was rapidly diminishing, mind entering an overdrive to attempt and consider other meanings for why this was happening. Pema valued a clean, germ-free home. Meelo was a different story.  Once Lin had stopped he had done the same, carefully resting the files back inside the folder and looking to his old friend. Taking the files from him, he allowed her to continue uninterrupted.

Infection was what he believed, yet there was never a sickness of any sort that targeted a set demographic. An internal attack by any foreign substance did not discriminate; if it could infect something, it would have, so Lin’s theory had some weight to it. Troubling him even more was the confirmation that it was fatal. None of the files he examined had implied that any of the victims were particularly sickly folks. It was a grim piece of news Lin offered him but he had to remain strong, not falling prey to his fears and doubts once more.  As the details of the apparently failure to bend had emerged, the eyes of Tenzin widened in horror. Korra, in a short time, had difficulty coping with the idea that she could no longer bend as she used to. To be bedridden and suffer the fact that even should you recover you might lose a piece of yourself was a nightmare he could not imagine. The most he could do now was be thankful that Meelo had managed to recover, a feat both miraculous and astounding. 

[color=fdc68a][b]“A piece of advice Lin,” [/b][/color]Tenzin gently offered once the question of who could have done this had risen. [color=fdc68a][b]“Don’t underestimate anyone, no matter how innocent, no matter how unlikely. The man behind Future Industries had been allied with the Equalist movement the entire time, and you remember how shocking that was for the both of us. If a man like that can be on the side of the enemy, there is no telling who the allies of this new enemy are. Let’s keep our suspicions open, shall we?” [/b][/color] A comforting squeeze on her shoulder had followed his opinions, afterward they had continued their evening together by meeting with family and friends of the victims. The worst part of this was that no answer could be offered to those questioned. Lin did her best to reassure them that they were on this case, but to keep the rambling and fear-stricken panic to a minimum as they did so. 

Eventually this would come out, and when it did they would hopefully have something to offer the greater public than ‘we’re doing our best’. 

[color=fdc68a][b]“Well, that’s the best we’ll get for tonight.”[/b][/color] There was very little that could be taken from what they were told. He wanted to sleep on what he discovered tonight, and most importantly get back to Pema and tell her what he’s discovered. Lin had offered him dinner in response, moving on a nearby food stand before Tenzin could politely refuse and suggest an alternative. Waiting for her to return, he reached out for a vegetable-centered skewer. Lin preemptively mentioned that the term ‘dinner’ was loose in this regard, making him smile.[color=fdc68a][b] “No, it’s good, it’s fast, and it’s food. You didn’t promise me three courses.”[/b][/color] He chuckled. To add emphasis on his thanks, he took three heated chunks of vegetables and chewed heartily. She offered to join him at the Air Temple and check on his family. Kind of her, but unnecessary, Tenzin had prepared to refuse until she had followed up the offer with the mention of her own family. Swallowing immediately, his eyes peered at her closely, face frowned and posture dropping slightly. Difficulty had always been a part of Lin’s home life; if it wasn’t her brewing issues with her sister, it was that her mother was …well, she was Toph Beifong, he could only put it that way. Growing up he had his own share of difficulties with his family. Jealousy from Bumi and Kaya when it came to the attention of their father was prevalent, especially when mother wasn’t around to lightly scold them about it. The two had their share of familial issues but there was no doubt that Lin had endured the hardest between them. He had a wife and children waiting for him, Lin had nothing but another day to wait for. It never occurred to him until that moment, until Lin had said what she said, yet Tenzin had begun to suspect that the Chief of Police was becoming vulnerable.

His heart wrenched in his chest, and had nearly prompted him to clutch it with his free hand. There were rare times when he could examine Lin lowering the guard she had spent all her life building up, yet he was having a glimpse of her offering herself emotionally to him, something she had not done in years. She may not have noticed it, or perhaps she had, hoping he’d indulge her needs. 

[color=fdc68a][b]“Stay with us tonight, Lin.” [/b][/color]Tenzin asked of her, voice strong and clear so no mistake could be made. [color=fdc68a][b]“After the sacrifice you made for us when we had to flee Republic City, after our history as friends, you are entirely welcome to come spend the night with us whenever you’d like. The kids might be asleep now, but you’d be a welcome sight in the morning for them. Besides, Meelo might be able to learn some patience from you.”[/b][/color] He leaned in, bringing his hand to the side of his mouth opposite Lin. His voice went low, tone playful and warm. [color=fdc68a][b]“I’d be careful though, he mentioned trying to chew through that armor of yours. Keep it guarded; if there are any teeth marks, just know you were warned.” [/b][/color]

Lin would know that Meelo tried anything new and fun, especially when it came to chewing on foreign objects. Anything beat her leg, arm, or head. Standing back straight and quickly finishing his skewer, he took aim at a nearby trash bin and flicked the pick towards it. With a little airbending skill, he managed to let it soar directly into the bin despite its small, lightweight state of being. 

[color=fdc68a][b]“It would be nice to have breakfast with you again, like we used to. We can run to your home and get you some clothes, it won’t take long.” [/b][/color]He paused to let her consider her options. 

~-~

Mako awoke startled in one of the comfortable armchairs in the living room. Sitting on his lap was the police force’s version of an ‘employee handbook’ specifying exact details and demands of the job. He was tasked with reviewing the information and returning tomorrow; after a draining orientation with a self-referred ‘bad ass’ of a sergeant, he had come home immediately to eat a light snack and properly review everything without someone breathing down his neck about how he was not ‘man enough’ to be on the police force. Stereotypes aside, the firebender sat up from his slouched position as Asami came rushing into the living room appearing as if she had found gold.[color=ed1c24][b] “I’m awake, I’m awake.”[/b][/color] He mumbled sleepily, climbing out of the seat in time to be immediately hugged. Blushing at contact he hadn’t known for what felt like months, Mako was unable to ask what happened before she had taken his hand and practically tore it off leading him outside. 

[color=ed1c24][b]“Whoa—Asami!—“[/b][/color]He stuttered. Asami’s enthusiasm was nothing new but this was a level of excitement he had never witnessed before. If he didn’t know any better he’d have thought she ran someone over and had their body in the back seat of a car. Inwardly he groaned at his own terrible example. The ‘drill’ sergeants list of horrific scenarios designed to dissuade newcomers to joining was still fresh on the mind. [color=ed1c24][b]“Alright, I’m standing back. What’s the—“ [/b][/color]

Flame. It wasn’t new to him, it was a part of him, of multiple benders across the world. So when Asami had thrown a punch and fire left her fist, his eyes had gone as wide as they had been when he had first met her. He didn’t immediately question what he was seeing, even as she continued to demonstrate that this was indeed real and not simply a hallucination or an accident. She was firebending, effortlessly, and had enough skill to create an object out of it. Mako’s hands came to the side of his head, making clear his bewildered state. Teach her smooth moves when she could already do so much? Go shopping?

[color=ed1c24][b]“Asami, do you have any idea what you just did!? YOU WERE BENDING! FIRE!” [/b][/color]Mako exclaimed.[color=ed1c24][b] “That’s …that’s unheard of! I don’t even know what to do right now, forget about my day, what have you been doing today?”[/b][/color] A disturbing growl from his stomach had put their exchange on hold. In his excitement his body had been aware of how hungry he actually was, and a celebration with Asami usually meant a good meal and some excitement. He was shivering with confusion and excitement at her newfound abilities. [color=ed1c24][b]“Okay, celebrate, then you tell me how you can do this!” [/b][/color]

She was ready, he was ready, and so it took no time for them at all to hit the road together. The exchange of dialogue was limited to Mako’s awe at his discovery and Asami’s own childlike joy. A casual dinner together had involved a good meal, as well as the old firebender staring at the new one. Infatuation with Asami was not new to him. She was the happiest he had seen her since they had begun to date and before he had ruined everything. Over dinner, when his mind wasn’t still in shock, he managed to talk about his day. The stress of the one behind the recruitment process was covered, as well as the hefty manual he had fallen asleep reading. He made mention of Bolin’s small exchanges with the recruiter, prompting others that happened to sign up with the brothers to laugh. Once dinner had concluded, they had gone grocery shopping. Meat, vegetables, fruits; it seemed that nothing was going to be skipped over for Asami. Their choice of dessert was not premade. A taste for a cake of their own concoction was on her mind, complete with several different types of frosting that didn’t allow them to settle on one. By the time they had managed to leave, Mako found himself waddling out with the number of bags he was managing to carry, yet he didn’t complain once. 

Lastly they had to pick up an outfit for Asami at her own insistence, all for the sake of training her. They had gone through several sets of outfit types that appealed to Asami, but Mako would shamefully admit to himself that he just wanted to stall for a little longer. There was no telling if she’d wake up this excited tomorrow, if she’d look at him the same as she did now. It was as if they were normal again and her trust in him was whole again, not to mention watching her try things on for his opinion was a pleasure. Asami had once again settled on buying a handful of outfits that, to Mako, placed some emphasis on the modesty she wanted to maintain, all while offering her the freedom of intense movement.

By the time they had gotten back home, the stars were out and shining against the dark background of a cloudy night sky. Thankfully the servants would get everything inside, leaving the two of them to convene in the living room for a short time before bed. 

[color=ed1c24][b]“Okay, I know you’re excited, but just don’t do firebending during any important meetings or calls.”[/b][/color] Mako joked, rubbing the back of his neck and taking another moment to admire Asami brimming with happiness and the confidence to learn her new art. [color=ed1c24][b]“Imagine if people found out about this. Do you know what it would mean for nonbenders? It could give them some hope. I mean if you can bloom this late, others might be able to. Talk about a miracle …and irony.”[/b][/color] Her father’s hatred of benders was kind of laughable now considering his daughter was now wielding the power he hated so much. [color=ed1c24][b]“We need to tell Korra and Bolin tomorrow. Imagine what they’ll say!” [/b][/color]

~-~

[color=6ecff6][b]“Oh, flattery, this late?”[/b][/color] Korra smirked at Bolin once he returned from washing up. Managing the soup while Jinora had watched the bread, it was only a matter of time until the aroma of dinner had brought Ikki and Meelo to the kitchen, followed by Bolin quickly correcting himself. [color=6ecff6][b]“Hopefully Katara or Pema won’t show up next, you’ll end up with a foot in your mouth twice.” 
[/b][/color]
In the back of her mind the Avatar was thinking about Tenzin and Lin, yet there was something undeniably freedom-giving in allowing others to handle the investigation for once. Today, at the very least, she could spend some time with the family of her predecessor. Jinora had taken over her father’s duty and offered her some guidance on air bending in his place. Bolin’s interest was welcome, yet was diverted to tell Meelo that he had beaten him in finding the answer to the age-old question of if sticking a spoon in your nose was a possibility. She laughed quietly and assisted him in preparing a bowl for Pema, making sure the amount was enough to fill her but not overwhelm her. While Bolin handled the main course, Korra carried a glass of water and napkin for her. With Jinora to help her siblings and herself get their share, it allowed Korra and Bolin a little time alone as they moved to Pema’s room.

[color=6ecff6][b]“Jinora’s filled in for Tenzin while he’s busy. I learned how to make an airsphere, and even ride one, but it took some falls before I could nail it entirely. And after that I just distracted the kids for a while if I wasn’t talking to Katara about everything that’s been going on with Tenzin and myself.”[/b][/color] She bumped shoulders with Bolin lightly, leaning her head forward.[color=6ecff6][b] “So, “Chief”, how were things today? You and Mako worked hard, right?”[/b][/color]