Omegas Gambit 1/4

Chapter 13

"And give them the high ground? No. If their lavabender spots us, he'll melt the mountainside and us with it."

Asami barely listened to the heated argument going on around her. While Bolin, Mako, Lin, Suyin, and Tonraq huddled over the map, discussing strategy with increasingly loud voices, her gaze drifted over to Korra. She stood away from the rest of the group, gazing out the window with her back turned. But even though Asami couldn't see Korra's face, she knew exactly what she would find there. Tension. Worry. Guilt. You're still blaming yourself for everything Zaheer has done, aren't you?

Ever since Korra's second trip to the Spirit World, her attitude had changed. Her usual brash fearlessness had become quiet resignation, and Asami hated the distance it had put between them. Less than a day before, she and Korra had been ready to tear each other's clothes off. Now, even though her heat was worse than ever, there was a strange tension between them, something that wasn't explicitly sexual. Asami hated the uncertainty, but she had no idea where they stood. She could smell Korra's need seeping from her every pore, but at the same time, the alpha had made every effort to avoid her. It was almost as if she didn't want them to mate anymore. Almost as if...

No. Asami looked closer, trying to catch a glimpse of Korra's face in the window. The reflection was blurry, but what she could make out sent a lance of pain through her heart. You aren't actually going to suggest it. You can't.

A shrill whistle broke off her dark train of thought. Beside her, Bolin had his hands cupped over his mouth, and everyone else's faces were set in identical grimaces.

"Bird calls?" Mako asked. His thick eyebrows lowered in annoyance as he folded his arms over his chest. "Really?"

"Well, I haven't noticed you offering any suggestions," Bolin pouted.

"It doesn't matter." Asami turned back to the window at the sound of Korra's voice, and this time, the rest of the group followed. Korra remained facing away, but her every word was clear, as if she had been considering them in her head for some time. "None of these ideas will work. The second Zaheer realizes we're up to something, he'll wipe out the airbenders."

"And Opal is one of those airbenders," Suyin said. "Believe me, I understand what's at stake."

"Then I'll think you agree." Korra turned, and Asami's stomach lurched.

Please. Don't say it. Don't say you're going to leave me.

"The only plan that will work is for me to give myself up."

The protests started at once.

"What?"

"Korra, no."

"We'll figure out another way."

Asami tried to form words of their own—No, you can't, I need you, I love you—but her lips refused to move. She remained silent while everyone else spoke up, swallowed by grief bordering on numbness.

"I talked it over with Lord Zuko, and I've given it a lot of thought. I have to do this."

No. No, you don't have to do this. You can stay here, safe with us. You can let us help you. At last, the lump lodged in her throat loosened enough for her to speak. "You can't expect us to sit by and let Zaheer take you!"

Korra stared straight ahead, refusing to meet her eyes and fixing her gaze on everyone else instead. "The world has been out of balance for far too long. It needs the Air Nation back again. I can't let Zaheer destroy it and everyone we love. Help me save the airbenders. Then you can worry about saving me."

Asami cast a desperate glance at Tonraq, hoping that if Korra wouldn't listen to her, she would at least listen to her father. But Tonraq was nodding his reluctant agreement. In fact, he almost looked proud. "We're with you, Korra."