172 AG: Chief Beifong's Office
I'm nervously wringing my hands together in my lap as I watch the Chief of the Republic City Police Department read over my file. I need this job. For Jen. After everything that has happened to us over the past year, he deserves a sense of security. Chief Beifong shuts the file forcefully before scowling at me. "Your record is impressive. But I have to ask. Why did you desert your post during the fall of Ba Sing Se?" You knew that question was coming. Answer the way you practiced. I try to make my voice sound confident as I respond. "I didn't want to. I was going about my regular patrols in the Middle Ring when the Queen was assassinated. Everything went to hell quickly after Zaheer sent out that message to all of Ba Sing Se. I was trying to keep the peace with my fellow officers when Chief Lahu appeared out of nowhere. He ordered everyone with families to get out of there. You have to understand it was basically a warzone at that point. I saw many of my fellow officers die at the hands of the rioters. At first, I refused to follow the Chief's orders. I told him I wasn't going to leave them to die." I have to look away from her hard green eyes to continue. "I'm the guardian of my little brother, he just turned five. We don't have any other family. Chief Lahu knew that so he told me to get my ass out of there for Jen's sake. I still regret leaving my fellow officers behind but I couldn't let my baby brother be orphaned again or worse."
Chief Beifong clears her throat. "Well I see no reason to deny your application. Truthfully, we need all the help we can get. With the influx of refugees from the Earth Kingdom my department has been stretched thin. With your qualifications you will be able to start here as a Detective. I'm sure you were hoping for a higher rank but all of my Captain positions are filled at the moment." I got the job. My heart starts to beat a little faster as I snap my eyes up to look at her again. Words go flying out of my mouth. "No. I mean um... I'll start wherever you need me to. I would have been happy getting a job as a beat cop at this point. Just uh thank you, Chief Beifong. For you know, taking a chance on me." The earthbender raises a hand to stop my nervous ramblings. "Just Chief is fine, Detective. What are your arrangements with your brother?" I raise an eyebrow at her, confused as to why she's asking. "He'll uh either be in school or at daycare while I'm here." The Chief leans back in her chair. "I'll try to make sure you aren't scheduled for any night shifts so you can be home with him. If you ever need time off because of your family just let me know. I'll approve it. I could also set up a meeting for you with Master Tenzin if you would want. He and his wife, Pema, would be more than happy to watch Jen for you if you ever got stuck at the station." I furrow my eyebrows together. "Why are you offering so much help?" The earthbender shrugs her shoulders. "Because you're twenty-seven years old and a single caregiver. I also have recently rediscovered how important family is. So if you need help with your brother, don't hesitate to ask for it." I can feel tears starting to form in the corners of my eyes. "Thank you, Chief. You have no idea what that means to me."
Later That Evening:
I'm walking into our little apartment with a sack of takeout in my hands as Jen excitedly tells me about his day at school. I had to stay at the station for a few more hours after my meeting with the Chief to get a few things in order. She also personally sparred with me to evaluate my bending and how well I could use the cables of the metalbending officers uniform. As I'm setting the table I have to stop to roll my right shoulder a few times in an attempt to loosen it up. I am going to be so sore tomorrow. The Chief wiped the floor with me but she seemed pleased with how well I could bend. Jen looks worried as he asks. "Are you okay, So?" I smile at him. "I'm fine, buddy. Just a little sore. I sparred with a Beifong today so I expected to not be quite right." His whole face lights up. "You got the job!" I chuckle as I sit down next to him. "I did. Which means we're going to be staying in the city for a while. Is that okay with you?" Jen nods his head. "Yeah! I like it here!" I reach over to ruffle up his hair. "I do too, buddy. Now eat your food before it gets cold." For the first time in a year I feel a sense of peace wash over me as I watch my little brother eat his seaweed noodles. We're going to be okay. After everything we've been through it's going to be okay. Spirits. I never thought this day would come.
