Linorra/Korralin

The love within us

Time: Korra and Lin both have their bending back. Everyone has left the Southern Water Tribe and is on Air Temple Island.

The trip from the Southern Water Tribe back to Air Temple Island had been long and exhausting. The boat finally met its destination in the middle of the night. Pema and the Air-bender kids were waiting by the port. The kids waited patiently to be reunited with their father. Bolin, with Pabu asleep in his jacket, were the first to step off the boat. He yawned while stretching his arms toward the sky, going to where Pema stood. Mako and Asami followed, she had obviously been alseep prior to their arrival. The air-bender girls raced toward Tenzin as he made his way down the exit ramp. His eyes were tired, but his smile at the sight of his family was warm and grateful. Meelo had been asleep in Pema's arms. She passed him to Tenzin, the child waking only enough to realize he was in his father's arms. Korra was not far behind. She walked alongside Naga, stroking her shoulder as they went. Lin remained at the top of the ramp, watching the group exchange hugs and oragnize that night's sleeping arrangements. She had stood and looked on for several minutes before her absence had been noticed. Tenzin called to her.
" Lin, please, come and join us." She said nothing as she walked down the ramp, and gathered with them. " Lin, a room has been prepared for you. The air acolytes are drawing hot baths and preparing warm meals."
" Thank you, but I won't be staying. I will be returning to Republic City". She started towards the ship when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked back and was actually quite surprised to see that it was Pema who had stopped her.
" Please, stay. It would mean a lot to all of us. Asami and the boys will be going back on the ferry tomorrow, you could travel together. Surely you can stay and rest one night". It was still strange to Lin that Pema of all people was asking her to stay. Truth was that Lin was very tired, and she couldn't remember the last meal she had eaten. Normally her mind would have been made up, but today had pushed her resolve to a breaking point.
" Alright". Her response was without explanation. Pema smiled, letting go of the stern woman's shoulder.

" I'm so glad, I'll show you where your room is." Pema escorted the her away, saying nothing to the rest of the group as they too began to disperse. The two women walked along a flag stone path lined with small lamps. The infant Rohan was soundly asleep against Pema's chest. Their pace was slow, Lin could tell that Pema was stalling.
"Why did you ask me to stay, Pema?" Lin's questions were direct, as if she was always in an interrogation room. Pema was quiet a moment longer, leading her to the edge of a large koi pond. The fish swirled and nibbled the water's surface, expecting a treat to be dropped in.
" I wanted to... thank you. Thank you for everything that you have done. I have never told you how much I appreciate the sacrifices you have made for me, and for my family."
" It's my job to protec-"
" No, when you went back for those airships it was not your job. You were not acting as Chief of Police. You were Lin Bei Fong," she looked directly in to the woman's eyes, " I owe my children's lives to you". The infant began to wriggle and whimper.

" You owe me nothing. I was glad to do it, and I would do it again". She watched the child grow more and more restless. Catching her off guard once again, Pema placed Rohan in to Lin's arms. She held him at first as though he would break if she weren't especially careful, she slowly brought the child close and rocked him instinctively. The baby calmed and fell easily back to sleep.

" I was right". Pema said quietly.
" You were right about what?" Lin didn't dare take her eyes of the baby, afraid of what might happen if she changed her pattern of rocking even slightly.
" You would have made a wonderful mother." Lin went momentarily rigid at the woman's statement. She quickly returned the child to it's mother and turned to look down to the end of the path.
" Ah, well", she trailed uncharacteristically, " I can see the lamp in the room, I can go the rest of the way on my own". Pema, realizing how uncomfortable she had unintentionally made the older woman, did not push the matter further.
" Goodnight, Lin."
Lin stood in front of the door to her room, tilting her head back and taking a deep breath. When she entered one of the acolytes was pouring the last bits of hot water into a large tub. She bowed to Lin and informed her that a meal would be brought to her in 30 minutes before politely leaving. Lin still had her armour on, she must have been wearing it for the last 3 days at least. The weight of wearing it for so long had made her joints stiff and painful. She removed it slowly, piece by piece. The night air in the room was cool and as she unlatched her boots she could see the steam pouring off her feet and felt chilled by the shock of the sensation. She carefully hung her armour up to dry before continuing to undress. She slowly unraveled her breast bindings, which had left impressions on her skin for being left on far longer than could be recommended. She placed her bindings and undergarments on top of a small dresser. She stood in the center of the dimly lit room running her hands over her naked body and appreciating the feeling of air on her skin.
She sank in to the large tub, her back to the door, until the water was nearly to her chin. She became aware of her muscles finally relaxing. She was half asleep where she was when she was startled by the door creaking open. She snapped her head around to see who was coming in the door behind her. She was expecting that she had lost track of time and that she would merely see one of the air acolytes bringing in her supper, she was confused by who was actually standing there.