Water and Earth

Chapter 2

"What?" "Do you want to grab a drink? You're off duty, we had a long day, I figured it would be a nice way to end the night." Lin crossed her arms, considering Korra's offer. She couldn't remember the last time she had gotten a drink with someone- she preferred to drink alone. She did have to admit, a drink sounded pretty good right about now. "Fine. But nowhere loud or dark. And I don't want any men trying to buy me a drink- I had enough of that during my academy days.". "I promise no guys will be bothering us, chief." "You can promise that, huh?" Korra nodded. "Just trust me." Lin rolled her eyes but followed the young Avatar. They walked for about a mile or so until they turned a corner to a dead end alley. "Are you sure you're not lost?" Lin asked, visibly annoyed. "You have no imagination, you know that?" said Korra as she led Lin to the end of the alley. She stopped just before the wall and pointed to the right. Imperceptible from the street was a small set of stone steps leading down to a wooden door with a small sign hanging over it. "Come on." Korra gestured for Lin to follow her and descended the stairs. Lin followed and studied the sign before her, raising an eyebrow. "This place is called 'the Badger Hole'?" "Shh!" Korra hissed as she gave the door 4 knocks. A small wooden slat slid open to reveal a pair of dark eyes. "It's me. I brought a friend," said Korra. "What friend?" The woman's voice asked. "Don't worry she's cool." "Give me a name and I'll be the judge of that." Korra leaned in towards the door and whispered something. Lin saw the woman's eyes widen and squint into a smile. "Very well then. Welcome, ladies." The wooden slat slid close and the door swung open, revealing a tall blonde woman in a water tribe blue dress. She gave Lin a once over and smirked, causing Lin to frown. "Enjoy," she said with a smile. Korra gave the woman a nod and Lin followed Korra to a small round table with two stools. "What are you in the mood for, chief?" Korra asked Lin who was scanning the room, taking in her surroundings. "When you said to trust you I didn't expect for you to deliver on the 'no men' request," said Lin, ignoring Korra's question. Korra stifled a laugh. "I can honestly say I've never seen a man in here," she said with a grin. "Is this some sort of secret club?" "Kind of.... oh, there's Kai. Kai!" She called over to a muscular woman in a cropped green shirt and matching green cargo pants. She tossed the dish rag she was using to wipe up a table over her shoulder and walked over to Lin and Korra. "Korra! How's it going? Where's Asami?" "She's working late on a project so I thought I'd bring my friend Lin out," said Korra pointing to Lin. "Any friend of Korra's is a friend of mine. Nice to meet you, Lin. My name is Kai, let me know if you need anything." Lin gave her a stiff handshake and nodded curtly. "We'll have 2 fire whiskeys," Korra said, giving Lin a wink. "Coming right up," Kai smiled and walked over in the direction of the bar. "Never pegged you for a whiskey drinker," said Lin. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises." Kai returned within minutes, handing each of them a drink. "Cheers, chief," Korra said, clinking her glass against Lin's. Lin gave her drink a small sip and her eyes widened to see Korra knocking her drink back and swallowing it with one gulp. "Korra, fire whiskey isn't meant to be chugged." Korra's eyes watered as she tried desperately to hold back a coughing fit. "Spirits, that's strong!" She gasped as Kai quickly handed her a glass of water. "You've never had fire whiskey before, have you?" Asked Lin. "What? Of course I-" "she hasn't," interrupted Kai before sauntering away. "You wanted to run with the big dogs," Lin said with a smirk, taking another sip of her whiskey. "Okay fine. I guess maybe I just wanted to impress you." "Impress me?" "You're like the most badass person I know and I thought maybe if I were a bit tougher I would pick up metalbending better." Lin's face turned a slight shade of pink at Korra's compliment as she struggled with a reply. "You're tough, Korra. You don't have to drink whiskey to prove it." "I will say, I get why you drink this stuff. My muscles are so sore and this is taking the edge off a bit." "Just pace yourself, kid." Lin was nearly done with her drink when she looked up to find a short woman standing in front of her, looking expectantly at Lin. "I haven't seen you here before," the woman said, tucking a dark piece of hair behind her ear. "First time," said Lin. "And you're a cop?" She gestured to Lin's uniform. "You're very perceptive." The woman let out a giggle and shifted her weight on her feet. "Is there something I can help you with?" Lin asked impatiently. "Um no?" She sounded like it was a question. "Look, my friend and I are trying to have a quiet drink and I'm not really looking for friends," said Lin gesturing to Korra. "Neither am I." The woman gave Lin a quick wink and slid a napkin on the table before turning to leave. Lin arched an eyebrow and waited until she was out of sight to turn the napkin over. Her eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of a phone number followed by "call me!" and what appeared to be a kiss with red lipstick. "Korra, what just happened?" "I think it's pretty obvious what just happened, Chief. She was hitting on you," she said with a smile. "Hitting on me?!" Lin asked in a harsh whisper. "Lemme see that," Korra grabbed the napkin out of Lin's hands. "Yup, she is definitely into you." "But I don't, I mean to say that, I'm not-what?!" Lin sputtered. "You're a cop, right? Put it all together, chief. Take a look around." Lin turned and looked frantically around her. Not a man in sight- just... women. "Are we... at a... woman's only bar?" Lin asked slowly. "Also known as a gay bar," Korra said. She waved down Kai again and ordered the two another round. "Make my friend's a double, okay?" Kai nodded and brought them two more fire whiskeys. Lin brought the glass to her lips and gulped down her drink. "Whoa there, I thought it was supposed to be sipped?" Korra said cynically. "Why is this that surprising? You know Asami and I are together." "I just never-" "was around this many gay people before?" Korra finished for her. "What if someone sees me here?! Or recognizes me?" "So what?" Korra shrugged. Lin polished off her drink and ordered another. "Good thing you're not driving or working tomorrow," Korra said with a laugh. Lin could already feel the whisky going to her head, trying her best to not slur her words. "I have to admit, I always thought maybe you were... you know," said Korra. "Why would you think that? Just because I've lived by myself for my whole adult life and have a general disdain for men?" Lin downed the rest of her glass. "Another!" "How about some water," Korra said, pushing a glass towards Lin. "No- more drinking less feelings," Lin said as she got up to go to the bar. She immediately regretted standing up as the room seemed to spin around her. Even drunk, Lin was as stubborn and determined as ever. She marched herself to the bar and leaned against it, trying to get the attention of Kai. "Kai! I would like another drink," she said calmly, trying to mask her intoxication. "You sure? I feel like you've had a lot," Kai said as she looked Lin over. "How about I give you another 20 and we skip the questions," she said slamming her money down on the bar. Kai said nothing and slid the crisp bill into her pocket. "Lin?" Lin turned her head to her left and nearly fell back in surprise and horror. "Kya!" She said a little too enthusiastically. "What are you doing here, Lin?" "Korra and I finished our training and we decided to get drinks. So we are drinking." Did she always sound this unintelligent or was she that drunk? "I see." Lin nervously took a sip of her drink. "Whatcha got there?" Kya asked suspiciously. "Fire whiskey." "It's one of those nights, is it?" Not knowing how to respond to this, Lin flagged down Kai again and ordered another drink for Korra. "Gimme something fruity," she said. "She usually drinks this," said Kya, handing her a cerulean colored drink. "Thanks, Kai," Lin said with a grin. "Now I know you're drunk," Kya said, crossing her arms. "Pshhh you don't know me," said Lin, making her way back to her table. "Here," she thrust Korra's drink into her hand and sat down. "You okay?" Korra asked. "I know someone here." "Again, just more proof to my theory. Who is it?" Lin leaned in close to Korra. "Tenzin's sister. Kya." "Kya's here?!" "Keep your voice down!" Lin hissed. "This is great! Go ask her if she wants to sit with us!" "Korra-" "Hey, Kya!" Korra called across the bar. "Come over here!" Kya strode over to their table, glancing between Korra and Lin. "Chief Beifong told me you were here and I thought you should sit with us," Korra slurred. "You don't have to," Lin muttered. "I think I will, thank you Korra." Kya pulled up a chair and sat between the two women. "So Lin's teaching you?" Korra nodded. "And she thought it was a good idea to go out drinking?" "It was my idea actually," said Korra. "I was wondering how did the chief of police end up here," Kya said with a chuckle. "Does she know?" Kya gestured around them. "Oh yeah, I told her. She was very confused." Korra and Kya shared a laugh, much to Lin's discomfort. "I don't want to sound too much like a mother, let alone my mother, but how are you two getting home tonight?" Lin and Korra looked at each other and shrugged. "Walk," was all Lin could manage. "Where do you live, Lin?" "In a house." She and Korra burst out laughing and attempted (and failed) to high five each other. Kya sighed. "Okay, I think you've had enough," she said, removing Lin's glass from her hand. "Hey!" "Korra, is Asami picking you up?" "She's workinggg," said Korra before she put her head down on the table. "I told you- you can't out drink a Beifong!" Lin raised her fist in the air in triumph. "Kai! Do you have Asami Soto's number?" Kya called. "Sure do- want me to give her a call?" "Yes, please. Korra? Korra? I'm going to ask you to drink this for me, okay?" Kya gently pulled Korra's face off the table, bringing the cup of water to her mouth. "I don't want water," Korra complained, but was silenced when Kya began to tilt it into her mouth. Korra drank it greedily and finished it within seconds. "Same goes for you," Kya said to Lin who was sneaking covert sips of the remainder of her drink. "I'm fine." "I'll deal with you later," Kya said exasperated. "Korra?" Kya glanced over to the door to see Asami rushing towards them. "What happened?" She asked, glancing at a slumped over Korra. "Lin and Korra went out for drinks and one turned into 4 or 5." "Babe!!" Korra looked up at Asami with a dopey grin. "You're here!" "Yes, Korra. I'm here." "I'm sleepy." "I know, we're going home okay?" Korra nodded and Asami scooped Korra up in her arms. "Do you need a lift home, Kya?" "Actually, that would be helpful. I need to make sure I get this one home in one piece," she pointed her thumb at Lin. "My car is right outside. I can drop you off." "Thanks, Kai! Sorry for the trouble!" Asami called over to Kai who was thoroughly enjoying the show. "Come back anytime!" She called.

"Lin, get in the car." "No." Kya rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. They had been having this back and forth for 4 minutes now and she was getting more and more impatient. "Lin, everyone is in the car. We have to go home. It'll be 2 seconds." "I can walk!" "Fine! Show me you can walk." Lin stuck her nose in the air and started walking up the alley towards the street. She had made it about 5 meters and when lost her balance and careened into a trash can, knocking both it and herself to the ground. "You're coming with me," Kya said, finally having enough. She grabbed Lin by the arm and was relieved when she didn't put up a fight. She led Lin back to Asami's Satomobile and Lin not so gracefully jumped in the backseat. "I think it's best if the two of them sit back there together," Kya said, getting into the passenger's side. "Agreed," said Asami as she turned the key in the ignition and put the car in gear. "Where does Lin live?" "IN A HOUSE!" Lin shouted, once again causing her and Korra to burst out laughing. "Gets funnier every time," Kya said dryly. "Lin, what street do you live on?" "Who wants to know?" Lin slurred. "Lin," Kya said sternly. This seemed to snap Lin out of her stupor because she mumbled "Boscoe street." Asami took a right, a left, another left, and another right before parking the car under a street light. "This is it, Lin. What building is yours?" Asami asked. "I have it from here," said Lin as she tumbled out of the car. "I got her. Thank you, Asami." "Anytime. See you around!" Kya watched as Asmai sped off down the road and disappeared into the night. "Let's get you home," Kya said, turning her attention to Lin. Lin had managed to stagger her way to a dimly lit door frame and was fumbling with a key attached to a thin metal cord. "Need some help with that?" Kya watched as Lin repeatedly missed the lock, growing more and more frustrated with herself. "Allow me," Kya said, taking the key from Lin's hand. "I can take it from here." Lin pushed Kya aside and stumbled inside. "I'm sure your apartment door lock won't be an obstacle," said Kya, following Lin inside. They had just made it to the elevator when Lin propped herself up against the wall, refusing to move. "Lin, we're almost there. Here, let me help you." Kya pulled Lin's arm around her shoulder and helped into the elevator. "What floor?" "9," Lin mumbled, her head lolling to one side. After what felt like an eternity, there was a soft "ding!" and the doors opened on the ninth floor. "What number are you?" Asked Kya as she repositioned Lin's arm around her. At this point Lin was nearly all dead weight. Kya scanned the small hallway hoping to find any indication of which apartment was Lin's. Her choices were thankfully slim as there were only four units on this floor. The first door had a decorative wreath, the second was painted pink, the third had a welcome mat and the fourth was completely plain. Kya dragged Lin to the fourth door and retrieved the set of keys from Lin's waist. She struggled but managed to insert the key in the lock and prayed it fit. Much to her relief, the door swung open to reveal a modest but clean apartment. Using the remainder of her strength, Kya carried Lin inside and gently dropped her onto her couch. "This should hopefully make tomorrow a little easier for you," said Kya as she placed a glass of water and an aspirin on the coffee table beside Lin. Lin stirred and her eyes opened, staring up at Kya. "Kya?" She sounded confused. "Yes?" "Why did you do that?" Kya knelt down next to Lin, forcing them to eye level. "Do what?" "What?" Kya rolled her eyes. "You're drunk, Lin." "No, no, no. You're pretty," Lin reached a hand out, touching Kya's face. "Umm... thank you?" Kya blushed, hating herself for letting the drunk compliment go to her head. "You have really pretty eyes," Lin continued to slur. "I'm going to go home now. I hope you feel better tomorrow." Before Kya could stand, Lin suddenly lifted her head off of her pillow and kissed Kya. Kya barely had time to react as Lin's head fell back upon the pillow, her chest beginning to rise and fall slowly as she gently drifted off into sleep. Kya got to her feet quickly, her heart hammering in her chest as she tried to process what just happened. She kept glancing over at Lin as if she could provide the answers to the questions that now filled Kya's head, but the metal bender remained fast asleep. As she was leaving, Kya's eyes fell upon a blanket rolled up in a wicker basket and without thinking, carefully placed it on Lin. Kya gave her one last look, shook her head in disbelief, and quietly shut the apartment door behind her.