A Dancer's Heart

Chapter Eighteen: The Ring

Several days had passed since the fall of Amon. Alessia was now an official officer in the police force where it had kept her busy. Not that she didn't need to be kept busy. Lin had as well Not only at work but in private as well. Coming to learn more and more about the woman made her feel good. That she got to learn things only she got to. Alessia had also shared her stories to Lin as well. Korra resumed her air bending training now that she could air bend. She hadn't dared bring up what had happened after dinner that one night before Alessia left back to the City. Bolin had taken over the Fire Ferrets and they weren't doing so well. Alessia did her best to cheer them on with her support. Mako had joined her on the force. Seeing that he had finally gotten his own place. This made Alessia jealous. Lin had offered her to stay nights with her and have dinner and what not. She thought it was too soon so Lin had agreed. Only wanting to make her happy. Alessia would love nothing more than to live with the love of her life but it would raise too much attention to them and Lin didn't like the public eyes on her. Alessia had agreed as well so they decided it was best for her to live nearby so they could at least have meals together or spend the night with each other without Tenzin's prying eyes constantly checking up on Alessia when she was off work or at night. He even had air acolytes check on her. It was getting annoying. Alessia wanted her own place. Her own space. Her space with Lin. She got paid more than enough to get her own place from the work she was doing. If Tenzin would even allow her to be by herself.

"Hey, wanna come over for lunch? I wanna show you my place." Mako spoke as Alessia nodded with a smile.
"Yeah sure! I would like that." She spoke while parking her cruiser in the police lot. She finally got Asami to teach her how to drive. Though, it was required to be an officer. Mako was learning as well. He wasn't good at it but still a work in progress. They were on clean up duty this week. Clearing out the rumble from the left over broken down buildings. They walked into the station to write their reports.
"Honestly, you need to stop writing essays for the chief." Alessia chuckled as she went over Mako's report.
"I don't want to leave anything out." Mako defended. Alessia leaned against his desk while reading over the report again.
"Maybe take out a few of these paragraphs. You only need to put in the main details." Alessia suggested. She took out her pen and crossed out a few paragraphs.
"Honestly, I don't know what I would do without you." Mako sighed. Alessia laughed. Not knowing Lin was watching them.
"Here you go. Just rewrite the report. Then file it." Alessia spoke while crossing her arms. She and Mako had gotten close as friends.
"Say, do you know what Korra would like for the holidays?" He asked as Alessia placed a hand on her chin.
"Well. She likes food. Take her out on a date during the festival?" Alessia shrugged while taking her seat at her desk which was next to Mako's.
"Wait, women like food just as much as men?" Mako raised a brow. Alessia laughed again while shaking her head.
"Oh Mako. You would be surprised." She replied while finishing up her report. Mako fixed and finished his report and handed it to Alessia. She smiled and went to knock on the chief's door.
"Open." Lin's voice spoke. Alessia closed the door behind her and gave her the reports.
"Thank you." Lin's voice sounded different.
"Mako and I are heading to lunch. Want me to bring you back anything?" Alessia asked with a raised brow.
"No, don't let me interrupt your date." Lin spoke coldly. "I'm sure whatever you have will be good." The chief added.
"Yes, because you're on the menu." Alessia whispered. Causing Lin to fluster before sending her out.

"Ready?" Mako asked as Alessia nodded. They took their leave after clocking out. Making sure they were on call just in case.
"Where to?" Alessia asked as they walked down the street. It was busy. Citizens were dashing everywhere trying to get to where they needed to go. She felt proud as some of them recognized her for her hard work and not because she was the sister of the avatar.
"I want something spicy." Mako spoke. Alessia nodded.
"Okay, fire nation it is!" She spoke as they entered the nearest one.
"Hello! Are we eating in or out?" The host asked.
"Actually, to go." Mako spoke as they placed their orders. It was not long after they paid for their food and left. Mako's apartment was small but it was nice.
"It's small but it's cozy." Mako spoke. He felt a little embarrassed.
"Hey, better than having a single room on air temple island." Alessia smiled as she took a seat on the floor by the center table in the living room.
"True. Maybe ask Tenzin if you can move out on your own." Mako spoke. Alessia sighed.
"I don't think Tenzin will allow that." Alessia frowned.
"He can't control you." Mako added. He was right. Alessia knew what she had to do. She started eating her food and gasped for air. Her mouth was on fire.
"What is this?!" She shouted as Mako was howling with laughter. She glared at him before chuckling herself.
"Fire nation is all about spice." Mako spoke.
"So you don't say." She laughed while finishing her food and drank all her water to cool her throat. Clearing it as well to make sure it was good.
"Time for work." Mako sighed as Alessia nodded. They left his apartment to head back to the station.
"So, how did it feel?" Mako asked as she raised a brow.
"From not talking to talking?" Mako asked.
"Good. Felt like I was no longer silent. That I had a voice finally." She smiled remembering Lin's reaction when she first spoke.