Chapter Text
Lin and Pema didn’t have much to say to each other at first. Pema’s life revolved mostly around her family, and she assumed Lin didn’t want to hear about it. Lin wasn’t comfortable sharing her personal life with Pema because, of late, most of it had to do with Tenzin. So talk between them was limited to droll observations about their situation and an occasional question. And Rohan. They talked about Rohan and to Rohan.
At first Pema had been surprised that Lin possessed a baby-talk voice, but it turned out the older woman cooed and gaga-ed at the infant whenever she noticed him looking at her. Lin also volunteered to hold Rohan whenever Pema needed to give her arms a rest. She would cradle him lovingly in her arms or lap and sometimes hum. Seeing Lin being so soft with her son turned Pema’s world turn upside-down for a while. She had always perceived Lin as hard: her expressions, her personality, her exterior. But she was pleased with this hidden side of Lin.
After several days, Lin astonished Pema further by asking about the other children. Initially, Pema tried not to be sentimental. She didn’t want to bore Lin. But Lin kept questioning with such genuine interest that Pema gave in and allowed herself to rant and rave about her little treasures. Jinora was so clever and spiritual. Ikki was so friendly and enthusiastic. Meelo was fearless and silly.
Pema shared anecdote after anecdote, and Lin sat and listened intently, smiling and laughing like an entirely different person. The only thing that kept Pema from forgetting who she was speaking with was the ineffably sad gleam in Lin’s eyes. Yes, she seemed to sincerely enjoy the stories, but Pema could tell that at least part of Lin wished that she had her own stories with her own children.
After a week in captivity, a disturbance sounded below Lin and Pema’s cell. There had been a couple attempted prison breaks previously. They had failed, so Lin and Pema weren’t particularly excited by the commotion. At least they weren’t until a breeze whistled through the small window on the door and rustled their hair.
In unison, the women cried, “Tenzin!”
Lin rushed to the door to peek out the window. Pema had more patience however. She sat anxiously on the bed as Lin peeked through the window slats. Tenzin was hurrying down the corridor, glancing into each cell before moving on. His children bounced behind him and mimicked his actions.
“Pema! Can you hear me? Pema!” he called.
“Mother!” yelled Jinora.
“Momma!” shouted Ikki.
“Mommy!” cried Meelo.
“Tenzin! We’re in here!” Lin answered, waving a hand through the window to indicate her position.
“Lin?” Tenzin rushed to the door in question. “Pema is with you?”
Lin moved aside so Tenzin could see his wife and son. Pema smiled brightly, and tearfully responded, “I’m here, Tenzin.”
“Jinora, the keys!” After a bit of struggling with the lock, Tenzin pulled the door open and his kids spilled inside. Tenzin embraced his wife and kissed her cheek before pulling the whole family into a tight hug.
Lin moved to leave the cell, but she found she couldn’t. Meelo was tugging her hand.
“We have to hug you too, Hero Lady,” he insisted. The others laughed kindly, but Lin was profoundly touched. She blushed a little and let the boy drag her to join his family.
Ikki and Jinora each gave Lin a tight squeeze around the waist. Tenzin pulled her close in a one-armed hug.
“We’re glad you’re safe, Lin,” he said softly.
“I really don’t know what I would have done without you,” Pema added, leaning in to give Lin a hug too.
Lin was quickly becoming too emotional for her own good. To keep from crying, she changed the subject. “How did you escape? Where’s Korra?”
“Amon’s plan was to take away our bending publically. He had a rally today in the Pro-Bending Arena. Korra showed up before we were brought before the crowd. With Mako’s help, she fought off Amon’s men long enough for us to be freed,” Tenzin recounted. “We came here as fast as we could, but Korra stayed to face Amon once and for all. I don’t know what has happened to her since we parted.”
“Then we can’t waste any time. We have to go to the Pro-Bending Arena at once,” Lin growled.
Dinner that night was a solemn affair as Korra and Mako related the events of the day. Tarrlok being Amon’s brother. Amon, or rather, Noatak, being a blood-bender. Korra having her bending taken away. Noatak and Tarrlok disappearing.
“If Amon blocked our bending using bloodbending, couldn’t it be recovered similarly? Katara is the best healer in the world. I’m sure she’ll be able to help,” Lin remarked. She was cautious about getting too hopeful, but she really longed to feel the earth again.
“You may be right. Tomorrow, we’ll go to the South Pole and meet with my mother. There would be no one better to help you, Korra,” Tenzin mused.
“I know. Katara’s amazing, but…what if she can’t help?” Korra said sadly. “I think I’ll die if I can’t bend again.”
Lin privately agreed.
When Pema got up to clear the dishes away, Lin reached for Tenzin’s knee under the table. He looked at her quizzically and covered her hand with his. Lin gestured to the door with her eyes. Then she pulled her and away and stood up. She nodded a goodnight to everyone and left, heading for Tenzin’s home office.
Some time later, Tenzin entered the room to find Lin sitting behind the desk. He made to join her, but she indicated the chair on the opposite side of the desk.
“What is it, Lin?” he asked softly.
“We need to talk about things,” she said, miraculously keeping her voice steady. “A lot has changed.”
“Nothing has changed,” Tenzin disagreed calmly.
“Are you insane? The city was overtaken by a madman, the Avatar has lost her ability to end three of the elements, you had a newborn, and my bending was taken away,” Lin argued, trying to keep her voice down. “That’s not nothing.”
“What do any of those things have to do with us?” Tenzin asked, stroking his beard.
“Well, for one—”Lin began.
Tenzin interrupted. “I don’t love you any less because you can’t earthbend.”
“I never said you did—”
“In fact the circumstances make me love you even more,” Tenzin continued, ignoring Lin. “You sacrificed everything for my family. There’s nothing you can do to show me that you love me more. It makes you the most desirable thing in my world.”
“What about Rohan?” Lin challenged. She struggled to stay strong. Every moment he looked at her with so much love in his eyes broke her down.
“I love my children and Pema dearly, but I love them differently than I love you,” Tenzin maintained. He rose from his chair and rounded the desk. “As you’ve pointed out before, I don’t deserve any of you, but I’m fortunate enough to have all of you.”
He wrapped his arms around her from behind the chair. Lin half-heartedly batted at his hands.
“If anyone finds out, your whole family will be crushed. Is this worth it?” Lin asked in a last ditch attempt to dissuade Tenzin.
Tenzin brushed her argument aside. “It would be difficult, but life isn’t easy. You have to work for things you want.” He leaned to kiss her neck.
“You’re insufferable,” Lin accused, but her words lacked potency. She turned to meet his mouth in a lopsided kiss.