Regrets (Complete)

Chapter Nine

"Absolutely not."

"Lin, it's the best option-"

"No, Korra. I won't let you put yourself in danger-"

"Well, you're not the boss of me and I want to do it!"

"Korra..."

"No Lin! You've put yourself in danger for me countless times and I'm the Avatar! I'll be fine!"

"ENOUGH!"

Korra went silent, staring at her sheepishly as everyone else looked around. It felt like the entire island had tremored when she yelled, a couple photos even falling off the wall, the glass panes shattering when they hit the ground. Lin covered her mouth quickly in surprise, she hadn't lost control of her own bending like that in years.

"I need some air."

Lin didn't give any of them a chance to say anything before stepping out the door, stooping to sit on the stairs leading to Tenzin's home. She struggled to get her breathing under control as a deep pressure built up in her chest. She didn't know what to do. They hadn't made any progress in figuring out where her daughter was being held and if she didn't get her emotions under control she was going to damage something she couldn't fix.

She was just feeling so much guilt. Partially for the way she kept losing control and lashing out at the people who loved her but also because how useless the police were in finding just one young woman. If it hadn't come out that Rei was her daughter would there even be this much of an effort going into finding her? When this was all over she was going to personally be sure they did better in the future.

But she needed to find Rei first. And make the people who took her pay for it. She felt someone approach and took in another calming breath, determined to keep a level head.

"I understand that you're upset but we have to do something."

"Korra..."

The Avatar dropped down on the step next to Lin, kicking a small stone down the rest of the stairs. Lin tilted her head back, closing her eyes against the darkening sky before looking to the young girl.

"I want to find her more than anyone. Spirits, I don't think any of you even know how badly I need to find her but I'm not willing to put someone else's life in danger, especially not someone as important as the Avatar."

"But-"

"No. There's no argument to be had. We'll find Rei but we're going to do it without putting you at risk. That's final."

Korra was ready to continue the argument, once again reminding Lin so much of herself but a fresh pair of voices cut them both off.

"Korra, I think Lin may have a point."

"And no offense, kid, but she's the kind of stubborn you only wish you could be."

Korra looked over her shoulder and Lin bowed her head, the hint of a smile on her face. Asami moved to sit by Korra while Kya leaned lazily against the doorframe. Not for the first time, Lin wondered what she had done to deserve Kya as she turned to her with a look that seemed to say "are we okay?" Kya only smiled sadly before given a tiny nod, "we're okay."

"Okay, so if we're not going to use me as bait how exactly are we going to get to Rei? We don't even know where she is?"

It was true. Chen, Mako, Saikhan, and even Lu were all working tirelessly with a small team of investigators back in the city while Lin and the others searched for any kind of clues that might help give them the break they needed. It had already been 5 days. She knew from experience that they needed to make some progress soon or the odds of finding her daughter were going to start dwindling rapidly.

It was all just too much. Lin needed to be doing something more, she was no use hiding away on the island feeling sorry for herself. And she definitely wasn't going to risk any of the people she cared about getting hurt. Her thoughts raced, bouncing from idea to idea until she settled on the only way that made sense, logically. She had made a silent decision, standing and walking to Kya. She kissed the waterbender gently on the cheek.

"I need to clear my head."

Kya didn't say anything as Lin turned from her and walked down the stairs but she heard Korra jump up and start following her.

"Lin! Where are you going?"

She stopped and turned to the young Avatar, placing a hand on both of her shoulders as she stared at her sincerely.

"Thank you, Korra. It means a lot that you would be willing to risk so much for myself and my family. But I need to figure out another way."

She looked at Kya and Asami over Korra's shoulder and smiled to them.

"I'm going to the station to see if there's something I may have missed. I just need some time alone right now."

Korra seemed to want to argue again but Lin was thankful when she just let out a breath and nodded slowly.

"Wait!"

Kya called out to Lin, disappearing into the house for a moment before remerging with Lin's usual signature trench coat. She jogged down the steps to where they stood, Korra stepping back as Kya helped her pull the coat around her. They stared at each for a moment, not needing to say anything before Lin turned from her and made her way down the rest of the stairs.

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Lin originally had every intention of going to the police station. She fastened the buttons up the front of her coat, pausing when she got to the spot where her badge laid affixed to its usual spot on her armor. Nearly a dozen officers were already at the station working on the case, they didn't need her.

She needed to find her daughter. And she wasn't going to let anyone get hurt for something that was her responsibility. She was Rei's mother and she would find her on her own, outside the law if she had to. The decision had already been made. She flicked the badge from her chest before she finished buttoning the coat. It made a small clink against the stone path as she made her way towards the ferry, adjusting her coat and pulling it tight around her.