Circles

A Lin Beifong Tale

Morning

Republic City Square

Avatar Aang Memorial Service

". . .Thus, though Avatar Aang is no longer with us in body, he will always remain with us in Spirit, and his legacy will live on. A legacy, not only of the power of the Avatar itself, but of the hope, peace, and prosperity, that we enjoy today because of this great man."

My mother, Toph, isn't looking at the Air Acolyte delivering final eulogy. I doubt she's even listening. More likely, she's remembering. Thinking of all joys and sorrows and dreams that she and Katara and Sokka and Aang shared. From her perspective, I'm sure that the monk's words don't begin to do Aang justice.

I would be there in the crowd to comfort her, but my role is security, not mourning. That's why the metalbenders and I are stationed around the perimeter of the specially-constructed funeral pyre. We don't expect trouble but with the commemoration of such a high profile figure, I'm not about to tempt fate. Especially since I'm under a massive political spotlight right now.

For the first time in decades, there is a vacuum of power in the Republic City Police Force. My mother was first and greatest Metalbending Chief, but eventually even she had to admit she was getting a bit old for the job. While a few speculative eyes had turned toward me, the prodigious Lin Beifong, it was clear that I was by the same token too young to lead the police force where I lacked seniority. So Dao, one, of my mother's first metalbending disciples, took the job.

That was five years ago. And whereas Toph retired to live a carefree life of rock sculpting and coaching pro-bending teams, Dao retired for altogether different reasons. He was dirty. Corrupt. Practically swimming in Triad graft and blood money. Everyone knew it but last month, I was the one that proved it. Dao was arrested and currently awaits trial. My opinion, he's going to save everyone the trouble and plead guilty. The Triad's wouldn't help him in a million years now.

The Council, meanwhile, is looking for a new chief. And this time, they're paying a lot more attention to me. As they should be. I've certainly got the record for it. I don't make the most arrests but I make mine count. Not once has a criminal been able to snake-weasel out of justice because of a procedural error on my part. I put in half again as many hours as my colleagues and at the end of the day, I'm not too ambitious. I want to be chief because I know I'll be the best at it, not because I'm trying to jockey for a position on the Council. If I were still chief when I'm 50, that would suit me just fine.

Music begins, immediately yanking me back to the here and now. A choir of White Lotus prefects is singing, which in my honest opinion only serves to compound the tragedy of this day. White Lotus should stick to. . .well, whatever it is they do.

I've been called a lot of things, but never sentimental.

"Chief," my shoulder-radio crackles. I let my officer's premature use of 'chief' slide. Not yet, but hopefully soon. I'm rather excited since I've already instructed my men to let me know if they see a certain. . .old friend of mine. It's been three years since he left Republic City and I was sure if anything could bring him back it was this.

"Have you spotted Tenzin, Lieutenant?" I ask briskly, trying to keep the hopeful edge out of my voice.

"Tenzin? Uh, no. I have three AGK's coming from the southeast and headed directly toward the chain-fences. Hold that, it looks like they've just breached the perimeter"

AGKs. Police shorthand for the Agni Kai triad. Damn. I don't bother to ask if they're armed. Once bending triads became the main concern in Republic City, the question became rather moot. "Fall back," I radio. "I'll deal with it."

"Just so you know, one of them is Kuma."

I hesitate, but only for a second. Kuma was the second-in-command of the Agni Kais something of a firebending prodigy, but the reputation he'd gained was for not using his bending. Those who incurred his wrath, bender or non-bender, were thrown into a caged ring with Kuma, whereupon he would beat them to death with his bare hands. Outside of the ring, those hands usually come equipped with elongated platinum claws with ringhold attachment to fit over his fingers. I've learned the hard way that they could give him a dangerous edge in a fight, and I have the facial scars to prove it.

Of course, he'd learned an even harder lesson from me. One that had landed him in prison for ten years. Or should have. By my count, he's out a few years early.

I discreetly make my way around the platform, keeping to the outer perimeter to avoid disruption as much as possible. Sure enough, there are Kuma and two of his underlings. He towers over them, like he does most people. Despite my best efforts, I feel the cold stirrings of fear as I approach. This is one of the most dangerous men I've ever faced. And I can only imagine what he wants now that he's inexplicably out of jail.

"Lin Beifong," he calls magnanimously, coming to a stop in the middle of the barricaded street The two shifty guys behind him sneer as if he's just told a funny joke.

I look him up and down. Six-six, 250 pounds or so, most of it pure muscle. Black and gold Agni Kai colors on his vest, as well as the traditionally elaborate dragon tattoos that the firebender triads seem to be so fond of. Jet black hair and goatee. Dark, intelligent eyes and a face that might have been handsome if the nose hadn't been broken one too-many times. I'm particularly proud to be responsible for one of those times. He deserved it and a lot worse.

While I assess him, he's doing the same to me. His gaze lingers on the parallel scars that arc down across my jaw. He smirks. "I'm surprised to see you here. Don't tell me they've busted a decorated officer like yourself down to funeral detail."

You're not baiting me that easy, Kuma. "You are currently trespassing on Republic City property in violation of Ordinance 325 subsection B. You're leaving now, you're choice as to how it gets done."

"Oh?" he chuckles darkly. "I hadn't realized."

I look past him to the crowd-control barricade that's been kicked out of place. "Somehow I doubt that."

"My associates and I merely wanted to pay our respects to a great, great man. Avatar Aang was-"

"Save it," I snap, unspooling just enough of my retractable metal cables to show that I'm serious. "Turn back immediately or I promise you a one-way ticket right back to prison where you belong. The same goes for your half-baked flunkies here."

The one on the right bristles, a gout of flame spouting up in his left hand. He steps forward and I can't help but smile at the prospect of thrashing him so bad he'll never even think about bending to a police officer again.

Kuma defuses the situation, shooting his underling a withering glare that immediately causes him to step back in line. The flame disappears, to my disappointment.

"We'll leave," he says. "Actually I consider it rather fortuitous to have you here in person. Saves me the trouble of having to relay the message."

I raise an eyebrow. "What message would that be?"

His smile turns predatory. "It's no secret that you're top pick for next chief of police."

"You're right. I am."

"I myself have been promoted. Black Dragon."

I stiffen, taking another look at those tattoos. The Black Dragon is the supreme authority on the Agni Kai hierarchy. Sure enough, the truth of his claim is inked all over his arm. I'm looking at the current leader of the Agni Kais, and wondering how in the hell they let a barbarian like Kuma take control.

He continues. "As such, you and I will have to be a great deal more cooperative than we have been in the past."

I cross my arms. "In your dreams."

The smile disappears from his face. "Believe me, Lin Beifong, I have not forgotten the years I spent in prison thanks to you. One day, I will have the immense pleasure of demonstrating exactly how I feel about that. But for now, you would be wise to be a bit more accomodating."

I laugh to his face. "You want another puppet chief, is that it?" I suddenly step forward and his two sidekicks actually flinch. "Do I look like Dao to you?"

He shook his head, like a schoolteacher correcting an ignorant pupil. "Dao was inept at many things, but he at least had the wisdom to realize that the triads will always be a major power in Republic City. He would have gotten nowhere trying to root them out, and neither will you."

"My mother didn't seem to have a terribly difficult time of it," I shoot back. "Or have you forgotten that it was her who completely dismantled the Sons of Sozin? That it was Toph Beifong who nearly eradicated you Agni Kais?"

His mouth twists down in anger. "Your mother was effective in her day, but her style of law enforcement simply doesn't fly anymore. There are rules. And furthermore, Lin, you are no Toph Beifong. You never will be. You refuse my entreaty fine. We'll see how long that attitude lasts once I begin flexing our muscle around this city. You'll be glad that batty old mother of yours is too senile to suffer the humiliation of you dragging her legacy right down into the mud." He makes an abrupt turn, signaling the end of the conversation. "I'll be seeing you again real soon."

I want to yell back at him that my mother was actually very fond of mud, but my better sense tells me that it I'm the only person who might even consider that remotely witty. I wisely keep the thought to myself.

Kuma and his AGK's go back the way they came without looking back. I try not give them the satisfaction of seeing that for me, they've made an already bad day worse."

Right on cue, my radio crackles again. "Chief."

"'I'm not the damn chief yet," I snap irritably. "Stop calling me that!"

"Uh, apologies. Ma'am. You said to let you know if Tenzin were here."

Tenzin. "Certainly." I'm glad none of the men can see my cheeks flushing. "Where um. . .where is he?"

"Oh, he's somewhere around here," comes a deep, gentle voice I haven't heard in years.

I can't turn around fast enough. I have to be sure. But there he is. By the spirits, I've missed him so much! I'm wondering whether to hold out a hand or hug him or-

"Hello Lin." He makes the decision for me. Stepping forward and enveloping me in a warm embrace. It's brief enough that I can't resist the urge to peek around him as soon as we release to see if any of the metalbenders caught my (very) uncharacteristic display of affection. If they have, they're making sure to play innocent.

I turn back to Tenzin who is still holding me out at arm's length. He looks different, though it's subtle enough that I can't recognize what exactly the difference is. There are some superficial changes, of course. The airbender markings, bright and bold, the last time I saw him, have faded organically against his skin tone. The trim goatee I remember has blossomed into a mustache as well, which gives him something of a rakish air. He's still as tall as ever, though I'd swear from that hug he's put on some muscle during his travels.

"Are you going to say anything?" he asks. I realize I've been staring at him like an idiot without so much as a simple hello.

My mind travels back to the last time we were together. It's a painful memory so I squelch it and flash one of my rare smiles. "It is good to see you old friend. I am just so sorry that our reunion would come under circumstances like these."

He gives somber nod and I realize what has changed the most about him. His eyes. They've aged beyond his years and I'm instantly curious as what he saw and did on his sojourn.

"Avatar Aang was a fine man," Tenzin agrees. "He passed before his time."

Avatar Aang? Not 'Father'? The phrasing seems. . .jarring but I don't press him on it. I can only imagine how he must be feeling. "Were you here for the entire memorial service?" I ask him.

"Yes."

"I had my metalbenders keeping an eye out for you. I'm surprised they didn't-" I pause mid-sentence, realizing the answer to my unspoken question. "You're not wearing your Airbender robes."

He smiles and tugs self-consciously at the nondescript gray tunic he's wearing underneath a black cloak. Black trousers and boots complete the distinctly non-airbender ensemble. "I didn't want to draw attention," he says. "And besides, my traditional robes haven't exactly survived the journey well."

"Haven't you been back to Air Temple Island yet?"

He shakes his head. "I haven't. I'm not sure if I will. I. . .don't plan on staying very long."

"Don't make me detain you," I threaten playfully. "I can do that now."

He chuckles as I hoped he would and says, "So I've heard. Chief, right?"

"Not yet. But any day now." I try to convey my excitement to my oldest friend. "I can't wait, Tenzin, it's all I've dreamed of since I first joined the force."

This time, his smile is tinged with a note of sadness. "I remember."

He remembers our parting words just like I do. Painful words and a painful time. It was the last time I can remember crying since early childhood. I've thought about that night every day for the past three years. I wonder if he has too.

"Who was that you were talking to when I arrived?" Tenzin asks. I'm relieved for the conversational shift.

"Just some Agni Kai bottom-feeders," I say dismissively. "Trying to get a head start on intimidating me before I even get my butt in the Chief's desk."

"The big one with the tattoos. What was his name?"

"Kuma."

Tenzin nods. "Is the Kuma the one who gave you your scars?"

What? "How would know that?" I demand.

"You touched the side of your face just now when I mentioned him. Like a nervous tic. You did it while he was walking away too." He shrugs. "Educated guess."

Perceptive as always, old friend. I'm suddenly self-conscious about the distinctive marks on my face, which is ridiculous because if there's one thing I've never given a beaver-rat's tail about, it's what other people think of my looks. Tenzin, of course, wasn't other people. He was. . .Tenzin.

I can sense Jian, one of the few metalbenders on the force with more seniority than me, hovering just behind Tenzin. He clearly doesn't want to interrupt, but will have to soon. And as much I enjoy seeing Tenzin again, I'm still on the job until the memorial service has officially ended.

I reach up to place a hand on Tenzin's shoulder. "Tenzin, I would like you to meet Captain Jian. He was one of my mother's original Metalbending apprentices."

Tenzin is clearly disappointed that our conversation has been put on a hiatus, but still smoothly turns for a polite bow. "A pleasure, Captain."

Jian returns the gesture. "The pleasure is all mine, Tenzin. Your reputation precedes you. If you've even half of the character and commitment of your father, then I know Republic City is fortunate to have you back."

"Actually, Tenzin won't be staying long," I supply, getting a small bit of satisfaction from the way Tenzin's face flushes.

"Ah," Jian says a bit awkwardly. "Well, my condolences all the same." He shifts focus to me. "What are your orders for after the square has been cleared of civilians?"

"Well, you can go home, Jian. You've earned it. Have some of the rookies stick around to keep an eye on the cleanup crew and I will of course supervise the entire process personally.

Jian salutes. "Ma'am." Then, with military precision then he does an about face to relay my orders. He could have used the radios of course but physically approaching Tenzin and I had been a necessary reminder that I was still on the job.

I give Tenzin an apologetic grin. "Duty calls."

"I understand, Lin."

"Will you at least be staying the night in Republic City?"

"Yes. Just the night. I'll be heading back tomorrow evening. In fact, I should be going now to find a place to stay. Air Temple Island would be too. . .confusing."

The idea coalesces in my mind before he even finishes the thought. "Stay with me," I suggest. "And uh, my mother of course."

He's already shaking his head. "I couldn't impose. I'll just find a nice hotel-"

"In Republic City?" I laugh. "You'll pay twice what you should for a cramped closet and stiff cardboard bed in a tacky high-rise full of tourists. I wouldn't be a good friend or a good officer off the law if I let you get ripped off like that. Toph and I have several spare rooms and I know she'd love to see you."

"But-" he protests feebly. I already know I've won.

"No buts. I'll be done here in a few hours, then I've got a meeting with the Council. What's say we meet outside of City Hall at two hours past midday? We can get something to eat and fill each other in on everything that's gone on these last few years. Then I can at least get you settled comfortably at the house."

Tenzin's goatee isn't quite long enough yet to stroke, but he does so anyway and I actually think it's kind of cute. "You make a very good argument," he concedes. "I have to ask though, are you sure it isn't too much, what with this Kuma character and you on the verge of being named Chief?"

"I am absolutely sure. There are no deeper considerations here Tenzin. Just say yes."

He smiles. "Yes."

"God boy." I hug him once more, savoring the feeling for a precious moment before pulling back and walking away. "Two hours past noon," I call over my shoulder. "City Hall."

And while he doesn't have to raise his voice to be heard over long distances (some airbender trick, I assume), he says, "I'll be there."

Captain Jian joins me at the security booth where he briefly runs down his coordinating efforts for the transportations of Avatar Aang's remains to Air Temple Island. He is precise and efficient and I think, not for the first time, that Jian could have easily been my mother's successor had he so chosen. That he chose to remain a captain is in my opinion very admirable. I know that once I am Chief, I'll be lucky to have the counsel and support of veterans like Jian.

"What did the AGK's want?" he asks.

I shrug nonchalantly. "To intimidate me."

Jian chuckles. "They never learn."

"Their obstinance will cost them," I tell him. "First I'm headed to City Hall to find out how in the hell Kuma got released early without my knowledge or approval. Then we strike. I have information on several of their black market energy sites and a few metalbender raids should send the message. Kuma will regret putting himself on my radar."

Jian nods. "Also, I'm not sure if I should ask this but in light of your. . .unconventional orders concerning Tenzin." He clears his throat nervously. "You and the Avatar's son. . .are you-"

"You are correct, captain, you most likely should not ask."

"Right. Of course." He snaps a salute and the matter isn't discussed again. Though my thoughts are nowhere but with Tenzin. Three years, as it turns out, isn't that long. Not really. Certainly not long enough to forget a parting like ours. . .

Approximately 3 years ago.

"You killed a man, Lin!"

I whirled on Tenzin, hurt by the tone of his voice. We were standing outside of the house I shared with my mother. The streets were empty, thanks to the pouring rain. We were both soaked to the bone but neither noticed nor cared. "He was a monster-"

"He was a human being and you appoint yourself judge, jury, and executioner? This is not what our parents fought for. This is not what Republic City is about."

My arguments with Tenzin were rare, mostly because he, the consummate airbender, tended to flow around resistance instead of meeting it head-on. Circles of compromise and concession. It was a perfect match for my natural stubbornness and had guided our friendship through more than two decades.

But Tenzin was no pushover and if there was anything which could evoke his passions it was the unwavering pacifism he had inherited from his father. Bumi was. . .Bumi. And I had seen Kya break a man's wrist after his hand got a little too frisky at a university party. But Tenzin abhorred violence.

And it felt like he abhorred me too. I wanted to tell him that I hadn't meant to kill the man. But the truth was I, I had. He was torturing my partner. Burning him alive. He'd fired a lightning bolt at me but I'd slidden underneath the blinding bolt and whipped my metal lashes into pincer-like sabers. He tried a fireball but at full sprint, I dove right through it and ended Haro the Butcher's life with a single stroke of my blades.

It was a righteous kill, according to the tribunal that oversaw the formal investigation. Haro the Butcher had earned his moniker for exactly the reasons you would expect. I'd done the world a favor and it was self-defense.

But when I'd killed him, it wasn't out of necessity. It was out of rage. I could have incapacitated him several way, but I hadn't. I knew that and Tenzin, ever-so-perceptive Tenzin, knew it as well.

"You don't even regret killing him, do you," Tenzin had said. More of a statement than a question.

I remember my eyes hardening. "No, I don't. And I'd do it again."

Tenzin's head bowed, raindrops streaming in rivulets down his face, his gaze full of sadness. "I'm leaving tomorrow," he said. "I want. . .need to travel the world. To determine what my role is as one of the last airbenders." His eyes met mine. "I want you to come with me."

It was a testament to how much I cared for the man that I even considered such a proposal. To uproot my life and career for a life as a vagabond seeking. . .what? Vague mystical truths? The idea was preposterous, no matter how serious Tenzin seemed to be on the matter.

I told him. "You know I can't do that. How could you even ask me to leave everything I've worked so hard to build?"

His response was heartbreaking. "You are one of the finest officers this city has ever had. I wouldn't be surprised if you surpassed Toph one day. But I see what the job is doing to you, Lin. How it's changing you. The bitterness and the fear and the anger won't go away. They will just fester, and I'm afraid for you that ten or even twenty years from now you will have lost yourself in process."

"Better I lose myself than the city," I retorted. "You have no idea how close the triads are to-"

"I love you, Lin."

I gasped. Where had that come from? His declaration literally punched the air out of me. The way he said, I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he wasn't talking about the love one friend has for another. That had been taken for granted since our adolescence. He meant. . .love.

I was thirty years old and I had never had a man tell me those words before. My career path didn't allow for much of a personal life, and the relationships I'd had were probably best characterized as flings.

And here was Tenzin. My oldest friend, dropping bomb after bomb on me like a Fire Nation air raid. First, berating me for killing Haro. Then the news that he was leaving. Indfinitely. He wanted me to come with him and explore the world. And he loved me.

What could I say to that? What could anyone say to that?

"Lin," he started to say, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I stepped away, breaking the contact. "You don't know what you're talking about," I said hoarsely, tears threatening on the periphery of my vision."

"I do, Lin. Which is why it tears me up inside to see you like this. Asking you to come with me. . .that was stupid. But I know how I feel about you."

And I think I knew how I felt about him too. Did I love him? Of course. While some women may have found his contemplative ways dull, I found it refreshing. He was intelligent and wise beyond his years. Thoughtful, caring, and compassionate. He was one of the hardest workers I'd ever known, both in his studies and his bending. And I'd always considered myself lucky just to have him as a friend. Unwilling to dare upset the perfect balance of that friendship by trying find romance with a man so clearly out of my league.

As I looked at him I knew that he was still out of my league. He would never be able to accept the lines I knew I had to cross to keep the city safe. Did it make me immoral? Amoral? Perhaps. But I would do whatever needed to be done. Without Haro the Butcher, the world was a better place than it had been with him in it. By my reckoning, gutting him like the animal he was represented a triumph, not a failure.

He searched my eyes, trying to read the thoughts behind them. "You. . .don't feel the same way about me."

"No, I don't," I lied, brushing rainwater and tears from my eyes. "I'm sorry Tenzin."

His eyes closed in sadness and he walked away, the sound of his light, familiar tread lost amidst the pounding of rain on the cobblestone.

I stared after him until he was lost in the night. Lightning and thunder roared above as the storm kicked into full gear. It was nothing compared to the sense of loss and desolation I felt. right then. It just wasn't fair of Tenzin, damn him. To throw all this on me and expect me to just deny everything I was and everything I had worked for. It wasn't like I was making him leave! Was I?

Finally, I went inside where my mother was waiting in the living room with blankets and warm fire ready. I stood in front of her, numb and heartbroken. She rose and stepped toward me and hugged me close and I hugged her back as the dam broke. I was a grown woman, but I wept into her shoulder like a little girl and she patted my back and whispered soothing words to me just like when I was five. She led me to the sofa and wrapped me in a blanket, resting my head on her lap until my sobs had subsided.

"You tell me what Tenzin did," Toph whispered. " I'll be sure to extract an apology before I shove an avalanche up his-"

I remember sniffling and shaking my head as she gently brushed strands of hair from my face. "He loves me."

"Oh? He tell you that?"

I nodded.

"And anyone would have to be blind not to notice how much you love him." She chuckled at her own joke and even got a smile out of me. Even in her sixties, Toph's sense of humor hadn't changed a bit.

"That obvious?"

"Twinkletoes and I were sure we'd be celebrating a wedding by now. You two were inseparable since you first met. And I liked Tenzin for you." She pauses. "I'm still going to beat the airbender tats off of him for whatever he said to make you cry of course."

I don't remember much more of the conversation that ensued, but I do know that that I wouldn't have made it through the heartache I felt that night, or for the next three years, without my mother.

Now in, the present, I realize that I've always regretted never telling Tenzin how I felt. My reasons were sound, certainly. We were two very different people and my active role in the police force had only just begun to exploit that divide. But whether we were doomed to fail or not, I would always wish for the chance to try.

Tenzin plans to leave again tomorrow. Perhaps for good. I don't know whether he still loves me but I know that I am not going to let him leave again. Not without knowing how I feel.

I check my wristwatch. It's almost noon. There are plans to be made and preparations to secure. I am at pivotal crossroads in my career, and of course the threat of Black Dragon Kuma looms nearer. It would be enough to overwhelm some. Most, even.

I smile. But not Lin Beifong.

To Be Continued

Author's note.

Okay, so I've had the idea for this worming around in my head ever since they revealed that Lin and Tenzin used to have a thing. Sure enough, watching every scene where they have dialogue. . .there is enough unresolved sexual tension to power a whole fleet of Equalist airships. Like many Linzin aficionados, I wouldn't trade Pema and the kids for the world. But man. . .Tenzin and Lin together? That must have been something else. I think it's pretty obvious why it would have ended. I doubt Lin Beifong's personal ambitions would have included being an airbaby-making factory (though to each her own, Pema).

But eh, what I really couldn't get enough of picturing was how their relationship came into being in the first place. This is my take on that pivotal turn in both of their lives, and I really hope that if you've read this far you enjoyed reading this first chapter as much I enjoyed writing it. With decent feedback, I'd love to post the rest very soon.

PS: I tried as much as possible to work within the canon and timeline established by Bryke. Still, I'm sure there are things that don't mesh entirely with canon, for which I apologize. While on the subject of apologies, any grammatical/linguistics oopsies are deeply regretted. This thing was written way too fast to find a proper beta.

PPS: The title, incidentally, is kind of abstract. But it refers to the circular movements of airbenders. The flow-around-resistance mentality is one that I think Tenzin has internalized beyond mere physical motions. It explains a lot about who he is and what motivates him. Plus, ' Young Lin and Tenzin Running Around Republic City Being Badasses and Falling in Love' was kind of a clunky title anyway.

So, please tell me what you think

Til next time,

-C