Rating: M (language, violence, sex)

Chapter word count: ~1800

Summary: Mako is already a well-experienced homicide detective in Republic City when Beifong reluctantly assigns him to take over the case of the "Red Killer," the serial murderer that likely was responsible for the death of his parents. Little does he know that the Beifong's reassignment of Vice Detective Korra as his new partner will change things in ways he never anticipated. Noir AU

Author Note: This is a Noir AU. There's no bending, but plenty of bad-assery. It's one heck of a ride if I do say so myself. So buckle up!

.

.

Chapter 1 – "Come Fly With Me"

"Come on fly with me, let's take off in the blue"

"Sit down, I'll be right back." Chief Beifong's tone of voice was even more unreadable than usual.

Mako dropped heavily into the metal seat provided. Getting called into the boss' office right after dropping your coat and hat after a bit of fieldwork was never a good sign. He pulled out the scratched and worn lighter from his pocket, lighting and extinguishing the small flame at his leisure before stashing it away again as he heard the door behind him creak open.

"What do you have your plate currently as far as cases go?" Beifong dropped a rather large file to her desk without explanation

"Finishing up the case of that badger game turned murder," he watched the Chief took a seat opposite of him. "He got sent to the big house today, just need to finish up the paper work."

"Well then, I have a new project for you."

He moved to grab the large case file, only to be startled by a slam of the older woman's hand, right smack on the center of the imposing stack of paper. It took all his will power to not flinch away. Chief Beifong was one of the most decorated, respectable, and clean cops in the city. It was some miracle that she got the top position, usually reserved for ass kissing political appointees.

"Do you have any idea what this file is?" She leveled a steely look in his direction.

"Should I?"

"It's the Red Killer file."

Mako's stomach dropped. He should have recognized the distinctive sealing tape on the outside. When he was just hired as a lowly beat cop he found the file. His gut had always told him that his parents were on the list of victims, and an unwarranted snoop through the file only confirmed his suspicions. When discovered, he was lucky to get off with a slap on the hand and extra shifts instead of a suspension for looking around where he shouldn't have been.

"I'm guessing you heard about Detective Ming's…incident?"

He nodded. The guy had been the previous lead on the case, and a damn good, and clean detective. He connected dots from the Red Killer's twenty-something year history that no one else had noticed. The case was so close the breakthrough that would catch the guy. Then, mysteriously, he ends up with two broken arms after a night out on the town that he couldn't remember.

"Yeah…yeah I did."

"So you know why it needs new leadership." Beifong's sharp gaze was unwavering. "I need a solid set of cops to clean up and finish the job. Not only solid, I need cops that are willing to go in different directions. This case has run experienced cops all over the city in circles." She looked him straight in the eye, "Are you the guy for this job?"

"Yes," he said confidently.

How many times had he dreamed (or had they been nightmares?) about getting a chance to catch his parents' killers? How many times had he thought of the satisfaction of sitting across from the scumbag as he took the stand, unable to defend his crimes?

"Alright then," the Chief slid the file across the desk to him. "You're getting a new partner for this case."

"Can I get my pick from homicide?"

Mako had a few officers in mind. Detective Shi was solid in casework, but had an outsider's streak that he thought would be useful if Beifong was looking for a new approach.

"No, I've picked one out. Not from homicide."

Mako narrowed his eyes, "What? Did you pull someone right out of the academy?"

"No." Beifong was unreadable. "You'll be working with Detective Korra."

"And she is?"

"She's a detective in the Vice Department."

"You can't be serious."

Vice detectives were always the latest into the station each morning. They wore the flashiest, nicest, most fashionable clothing around the station. They pulled the biggest salaries and were always at the biggest social events. They were the only department that could get away with dinner with the folks they investigated. Mako couldn't help but eye them with disdain as they walked through, egos swelled.

Republic City had a corruption problem. Dirty money and people could be found in every crack of the city governmental system. With prohibition ending, the gangs were struggling to find a new niche. Many of them turned to drugs, prostitution, and racketeering to keep the cash flowing.

Then there was the Vice Department. Their job was to root out all that filth. Instead, most ended up rolling in it and working with dirty hands.

"I'm dead serious and that's how it's going to work."

"You're expecting me to solve a high profile murder with a dirty cop?" He was utterly exasperated.

"First of all, watch your tone, Detective. You know I don't take any shit." The reminder of his title next to hers made him lean back in his chair. "Second of all, she's not dirty. You remember the Sato case?"

Mako thought for a moment. "Yeah. Big industry guy busted for using his warehouses as a drug front."

"Well Detective Korra ran that."

He nodded once, not wanting to anger Beifong any further. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Now, get out and get to work."

"Where is she?"

"Check the gym downstairs."

.

The gym in the basement was pretty much as far from state of the art as it could get, but it worked. Filled with plenty of mats, punching bags, and a decent selection of weights, it was perfect for the cop who needed to let some stress go. Of course, being the afternoon, most officers were still sipping at coffee, trying to ward off midday bleariness to dig their way out of the trench of pointless paper they were buried in.

Mako peered through the gym door windows, covered in fingerprints and unidentifiable grime. It was empty save one.

She was wearing a loose fitting cropped top, and going to town on a defenseless punching bag. He could only see her from the back, but she was shorter than he imagined. She had dark skin that glistened from her workout, her hair pulled back into a long ponytail. Even from outside he could tell she was strong. The suspended punching bag lurched from every strong hit of her well timed fists.

"Hey, are you Detective Korra?"

She dropped her wrapped fists to the side. "It depends, who's asking?"

"I'm Detective Mako."

She turned around, hands on her hips. The woman had piercing blue eyes and a young looking face. He couldn't help but notice that she was good looking with striking exotic features.

"Well aren't you a cool guy?" Korra walked over and stuck a hand out. "Nice to meet ya."

He shook her hand. "So we've been assigned to work together on the Red Killer case."

"Yeah, we have."

"Have you even worked a homicide case before?" His words came out a bit more spiteful than he intended.

She squinted at him, "Does it matter? I was assigned to this just like you because I get the job done."

"It's a whole different ball game!"

"Jeez I've had plenty of other solved cases I'm sure you can read up on in the Republic City Dispatch. Besides, plenty of vice cases end in death too. Homicide doesn't have a monopoly on death or anything," she started to unwrap her hands. "What does it take to impress you?"

Mako crossed his arms. This partnership was off to quite a start. He could tell already that she was stubborn, headstrong, and a pain in the ass.

"It takes solid casework to impress me," he stepped a bit closer to her. "You can start by reading the case file."

"I already did." She smirked.

"You're lying-"

"Right, because I care that much impressing a guy I just met."

Mako took a deep breath. She was utterly infuriating. "Okay, well where do you want to start?"

"It's Friday," Korra pulled her jacket on from the hanger by the door.

"So?"

"Fridays we go out."

"Let me guess," he rolled his eyes, "vice detective thing."

"Usually," she smirked. "You in, Cool Guy?"

"I don't think so."

"You're missing out then," Korra winked at him and walked out. "I'll see you on Monday."

He would be lying if he didn't admit to his eyes following her ass until she was fully out of the door.

.

.

"Well you're in late," Mako looked up from the file. He scoured the many pages of the packet, looking for anything extra he could work off of.

"Yeah, well it's Friday!" Bolin smiled, rummaging through the drawer in the hallway. He pulled out a few foil wrapped condoms that he slipped into his jacket pocket. "And I had a great day in the ring today so I deserved it. And hoping for a great night too if you know what I mean."

His brother was a professional boxer by day, semi-professional womanizer by night.

"Great," the detective buried himself in the file again.

"Hey, so I'm going back out, you're welcome to join me if you want to loosen up," he laughed.

"Back out?" Mako didn't always get why his brother loved the party scene so much.

"There's a hot girl outside waiting for me," Bolin whispered loudly.

"You know I can hear you talking about me," the girl poked her head it.

Goddammit, it was Detective Korra.

"Oh, Mako," she smirked, hiding her surprise. "Told you that you were missing a great night."

"You know him?"

"A bit. We-" Korra didn't know exactly how to explain.

"Well…don't wait up!" Bolin didn't even wait for her reply.

Clearly he wasn't thinking with his head.

Mako couldn't help but dread Monday at the station just a bit more.

.

.

Author Note: One chapter down. Bunch more to go. Love to hear your feedback, and as always passing it along is appreciated with hugs.