Chapter Two – Rumination

Author's Note: Wow! I didn't expect to get the number of followers and favorites that I did. You guys (and girls) are great and I hope that you enjoy the second chapter of "Comfort and Nightmares". Oh, and if you can write up a few more reviews or send me some messages to let me know how I can improve the story it'd be very much appreciated!



Asami watched with fear and worry as Korra fought Zaheer across the mountainous peaks and cliffs surrounding the Red Lotus' cave. Please let her be okay, please. Asami thought as anxiety and concern constricted around her heart. After some time, Jinora and the other airbenders finally created their massive tornado and were able to prevent Zaheer from escaping with Korra. The Avatar was able wrap Zaheer's right ankle in her chain and slam him down to the ground, where he was promptly imprisoned by Lin and Su.

Tonraq gathered his daughter in his arms and said, "Korra, sweetheart. It's me, Dad. Please hang on." Korra attempted to reach out to her father but fainted instead. Zaheer's cackling broke through the air and Lin turned to him and asked, indignantly, "What are you laughing about?"

Zaheer replied, "You're too late! The poison has been in her system too long. The Red Lotus has won!" However, the anarchist's triumph was only temporary as Jinora – who was examining Korra – said "You can save her! The poison is metallic!"

Su ran to Korra and lightly touched her shoulder and forehead. She began the process of removing the toxin from Korra, as those around her stared on in worry. Asami felt close to tears and the previous constriction in her heart only tightened its hold. If she doesn't make it... I... what will I... Asami's thoughts were erratic as she watched Su pull the metallic poison out of her friend's body. Su tossed the substance aside as Asami felt the tightness around her heart lessen by a considerable degree. She's alive! She's alive! Asami thought as she saw Tonraq take Korra in his arms and say, "I'm here for you. I'm never gonna let you go."

The Future Industries CEO knew, at that moment, that she would do everything in her power to make sure that she never let go of Korra again either.

As the sun's rays registered against Asami's eyelids and her brain began the process of waking up, she couldn't help but feel a bit of anxiety at the thought of what the day could potentially hold for her. Korra's eyes were the cause of her anxiousness, more specifically, the dulled gaze Korra had in her eyes during their talk at the gazebo the other day – she had seen a similar look before.

After her mother's death, her father had gone into a similar depressive state and had spent many long nights drinking Fire Nation whiskey in his office. Whenever Asami had the chance to visit him, the only thing she could focus on was the lifelessness in his eyes. When Asami had grown older she had time to ponder that look in her father's eyes more deeply, and she came to a disturbing conclusion. The CEO suspected that, were it not for her presence, her dad may have given up on life altogether. This realization had brought her closer to her father, in an effort to prevent that from happening. After having to watch Korra nearly die due to the Red Louts' poison, Asami resolved to make sure Korra didn't give up on life either. Although, it was difficult sometimes due to Korra's near constant nightmares and lowered self-esteem.

Asami slowly got out of bed and, when so did so, stretched her arms above her head to stretch. She heard her upper back pop as she stretched and shuffled over to her vanity to take an assessment of her appearance. Her hair was somewhat disheveled and she had taken off her makeup before she went to bed the previous night. Just as she was about to sit down to comb her hair and reapply her makeup, she heard a loud crash from the room across the hall. Korra! Asami thought worriedly. Without a second thought to her appearance, she rushed to the Avatar's room.

Asami pulled open Korra's door to find that Korra had rolled out of her bed and had, apparently, cracked the back of her head on her nightstand. Asami rushed to the Avatar's side and knelt down on her knees, while taking the back of Korra's head in her left hand and propping her up as best she could with her right one. Korra groaned and sluggishly opened her eyes, "A-Asami?" the Avatar groggily asked.

"I'm here Korra, you're okay." Asami said, with an undercurrent of worry in her voice. Korra reached out with her right hand and moved her thumb across Asami's lips. The CEO shook slightly at the intimate gesture, but wrote it off as a symptom of the Avatar's dazed state.

"You're not wearing any makeup." Korra stated quietly. In response to Korra's gesture and statement, Asami felt a blush rush to her cheeks.

"No... I'm not." Asami said softly. Korra's thumb continued its journey over Asami's makeup less features as Asami closed her eyes under her friend's ministrations. A sigh escaped Asami's lips as the Avatar's thumb moved over her eyelids. "Korra..." Asami sighed tenderly.

Suddenly, Korra's thumb retreated from Asami's face and, when Asami opened her eyes, she saw that Korra was staring off to an unspecified point on the wall. "I'm sorry..." the Avatar muttered.

Asami took Korra's right cheek in her left hand and made Korra look into her eyes. "For what?" Asami said with a slight hint of affection in her voice.

"I... don't know." Korra softly said. Asami only smiled at Korra as she enveloped the Avatar in a hug, which was promptly returned.

"You never have to be sorry for anything, especially to me." Asami whispered into her friend's ear. Korra wrapped her arms around Asami's neck and pulled the Future Industries director closer.

The Avatar and the CEO stayed in their embrace until Asami asked a question. "Why did you fall out of bed?"

In response, Korra only laughed bitterly. "Isn't it obvious? I mean, you should know that I fell because I was tossing around in my sleep. Before you ask, yes, it was due to a nightmare."

Asami moved back and grasped the Avatar's shoulders in her hands. "Would telling me about it help?"

Korra only nodded mutely in response.

"Okay." Asami said softly. "What was your nightmare about?"

Korra gazed into Asami's eyes and Asami gasped as she saw tears welling in them.

The Avatar brokenly said, "It was about you..."