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** Calm

Sweat dripped down her body, soaking the thin sheets placed around her ice cold skin. Her teeth chattered violently, making everyone in the room wince in discomfort.

Her body contracted as another wave of nausea overcame her and she leaned over only to dry heave into the small bowl by her bedside. "M-mom," she moaned, leaning back and closing her eyes.

Senna combed the sweat-plastered hair off of her face. "I'm here, Korra. What do you need?"

She opened her eyes long enough to glance at her worry-stricken mother. "It hurts," she croaked.

Her mother continued to stroke her hair. "I know, baby. I know."

Several tense moments passed. Pema and Tonraq stood over Korra and Senna, waiting for some way to help the seemingly hopeless situation. Suddenly, the door burst open and Mako surged into the room, rushing over and falling on his knees at Korra's bedside.

Taking her hand in his, he closed his eyes and whispered with a strained voice, "Korra."

"I've got a healer." Tenzin hurried in, followed by an elderly woman with long, snow white hair and a thick cane to lean on as she walked.

A painful groan escaped the Avatar. Mako pressed his eyes shut and leaned his head against their intertwined hands.

Senna moved out of the way as her husband helped the old woman to the bed. "Please," she plead, "help my daughter."

Deep blue eyes met the tearful one's of Korra's mother. "I'll do everything I can." Her gaze landed on the firebender beside her. "Are you her lover?" The woman asked bluntly.

Mako's head snapped up to gape at the healer. "I-um, well," he stammered, at a loss for words.

"It's a simple question, boy. Are you or are you not in love with this girl?"

He swallowed, fortitude washing over his worried features. "I love her."

The old woman smiled as she cracked her fingers, "Good. Keep holding onto her then. It will make her feel more comfortable." She turned towards the rest of the group. "The rest of you should wait outside. It makes it much easier for me to concentrate." No one argued as the rest moved outside, shutting the door behind them. With a flick of her wrist, the water skin tied to a belt around her waist trembled as the water escaped and covered the woman's hands. With a quick breath, the water around her hands started to glow as she lowered them towards the Avatar's head.

A grimace crossed over Korra's face as she wriggled underneath the healing water's touch.

Mako glared at the healer. "Are you hurting her?" He demanded.

The healer closed her eyes. Mako almost regretted disturbing her when she looked so concentrated, but he wouldn't allow anyone to cause Korra more pain than she was already in. "No," she answered back several moments later. "I'm searching for the source of her pain." The healer's eyes flew open and the water's glow faded before disappearing back into the skin. "Here," she threw back the sheet and pulled the Avatar's shirt up.

Mako quickly looked away, cheeks burning in embarrassment. "What-"

"This is it," the healer said. Mako sheepishly glanced over only to wish he hadn't. A large, bloody hole replaced skin just below her rib cage. Around the edges the skin seemed to be decaying – blackened and withered – but the center of the wound was the worst. Bloodied, dark flesh stood out against the open air. Nausea rolled over the young firebender as he closed his eyes against the grotesque sight.

"What is that?"

"Some kind of spider bite it seems." The waterbender pulled the water from her pouch once more and moved her water encased hands towards the festering puncture. Mako watched in silence for nearly an hour as the miracle water and its master worked to heal the wound.

Without a word, the healer stepped back from the bed and sighed. Mako threw himself over Korra, brushing back her hair and caressing her pale face. Her grimace had disappeared, but sweat still dripped down her forehead. He watched the even rise and fall of her chest. "She's sleeping," he whispered. He looked over at the old woman who was once again balancing on her cane. "Will she be okay?"

"I'm afraid this is only the calm before the storm."

Mako frowned. "What do you mean?"

"She will only get worse before she can start getting better," answered the woman.

Shaking his head, he pressed, "But I don't understand. I thought you healed her!"

The healer wobbled before resting the cane against the bed and resting a hand on Mako's shoulder. "I only healed the bite. The spider's poison has already entered her body. It will take time for her body's natural defenses to fight back."

He bit his lip and nodded.

"I'll tell the others what has happened," she whispered softly before disappearing through the door.

Mako stared down at Korra. "It's alright. You'll get through this." Tears pricked at his eyes. She was the Avatar, how could she let one tiny creature damage her like this? "You're Korra." He nuzzled against her. "And I'll be right here."

A soft sigh escaped her lips. He watched her, waiting to see if she had awakened or not, but it appeared she was in a deep sleep. The sight caused Mako to smile; despite the storm approaching, she looked so peaceful.

I've officially decided to pause this until the next season starts. When it does, expect daily updates:) Thanks so much to everyone who's been supporting this story... thing. It really means a lot to me:) I hope you enjoyed!

Until next season!

gypsyjay