'Dude quit smiling like that. It's really weird.' Jak says making Mako look up from his phone.

Mako had finished the majority of the tasks and errands along with some paperwork that needed to be filled. Meaning that he had a lot of free time on his hands and he decided to occupy himself by texting Remora. 'Can't I text a friend in peace?' Mako asks.

'Does this friend happen to be the good looking barista/bartender who also happens to be your ex-babe's sister who you left hanging after y'all kissed at the end of your little hang out?'

'For crying out loud that was weeks ago! I already apologised to her and she already forgave me!' he exclaims, his cheeks now flushed with embarrassment.

'You wouldn't have apologised if it wasn't for me. You should be thanking me for keeping you from losing a potential babe, little man.' Jak reminds him.

'I'm older than you.' He frowns.

'Yet I have a girlfriend and experience.' Jak smirks.

'Bullshit, I've dated before. I have more experience than you!'

'Yet, you've been single for twelve years.'

Mako opens his mouth to retort but he soon closes it knowing that he has no response to Jak's argument knowing full well that he's telling the truth.

'Haha! GOT 'EM!' Jak gleams with a fist pump.

Mako rolls his eyes.

'So how are things with the lovely missus going?' Jak asks curiously placing his chin in hands.

'Everything seems back to normal after I talked to her about the kiss,' Mako explains. 'We're just talking to each other like that incident never happened.'

'But...?' Jak prompts him to continue because he senses that there's more to what his partner is telling him.

'I dunno...it just doesn't seem right?' Mako sighs.

'Isn't that what you wanted? You were out here hyperventilating like an emotional teenage boy who almost fucked up his chances with her crush and is scared he won't talk to her again. Which is very fitting; since that's exactly what happened.

'Yeah but at the same time I don't want to ignore the fact that it happened. I did like the kiss and so did she. And for us to just continue with our lives like it never happened when we both enjoyed doesn't really sit well with me.' Mako explains. 'After all I did promise to make it up to her after that, but I don't exactly know how. Any ideas?'

Jak lets out a dramatic gasp, clutching his chest, his expression feigning surprise. 'Do my ears deceive me? Did my partner who is two years my senior, who claims has dating experience but has been single for twelve years just ask me, Jakkariah Vallencourt, for advice?' he asks. 'I never thought this day was going to come.'

He lets out a maniacal laugh as he rubs his hands together in a manner that's suggesting that he's scheming something. Mako responds to this with the roll of his eyes and mentally questioning why of all the people Beifong could have paired him with as his partner, it just had to be him.

'Are you done?'

'Come on, man. This is the first time a senior has ever asked a junior for advice since seniors are always known to be the wisest. Let me relish the moment.'

Mako sighs rubbing his forehead. 'Any ideas on how I should make it up for Remora, oh great and wise Jak?' He asks with sarcasm dripping in his tone.

'The answer is simple my lad; take her out on a date. A real date. Not a get together. Not hanging out as buddies. A real and legit date.' He suggests making a strong emphasis on 'real' and 'legit'.

Mako rolls his eyes. 'What should I do for a date?'

'What did you have in mind?'

'Going out for a drink?'

'Too casual and more on the hanging out as buddies. And you already did that on your get together.'

'Movies?'

Jak sucks his teeth and cringes. 'Doesn't seem very fitting for what you're trying to accomplish. And I checked your Netflix playlist. No chick wants to spend an hour or two watching crime investigations and documentaries on their first date. Or any date. At all.'

'Walk around the Park?'

Jak throws his head back and lets out a long snore.

'Watching a pro bending match?'

'Hell, to the fuck no. That's a turn off for most ladies because they know damn well, you'll be too focused on the damn match rather them,' Jak exclaims. 'I'd know since I took Niki to a wrestling match and she was pissed at me for not paying attention to her.'

'I got nothing.' Mako sighed defeated.

'What are you two idiots doing?'

They tear from each other's gazes to Liu who's standing at the door of their office. 'You're supposed to be working. Not chit chatting.' He said leaning against the door frame with a disapproving glare.

'Mako was done with the paper works over an hour ago. I'm just about to finish mine. I'm just helping my boy plan a date with his potential new girlfriend.' Jak explains.

Liu's eyebrow quirks up as his eyes sparks with curiosity as he turns his gaze on Mako. 'Martinez has a girlfriend?' he asks amused.

'She's not my girlfriend,' Mako retorts. 'she's just someone I'm taking interesting at the moment and would love to get to know her more.'

'Side note: she also happens to be his ex-babe's sister.' Jak adds earning a glare from his raven haired colleague.

'Hol' up.' Liu replies raising his hands. 'You're telling me that this guy,' he points his thumb at Mako, 'has a crush on his ex-girlfriend's sister?'

'Bingo!' Jak answers with a wink and finger guns as a playful smirk tugs his lips.

'Damn, Martinez!' Liu exclaims. 'You sure got guts.'

'So, what if she's related to my ex. Korra hasn't murdered me for taking interest in her sister let alone made a fuss about it.' He says.

And it's not like she'll care anyway, he almost blurts out. He wants to say it, but he doesn't want to make it evident that he's still a bit bitter about her engagement nor does he want to give either of them the satisfaction to remind him that Korra moved on way before him and that he should do the same.

'My guy, no one with a fully functional IQ would even think or be brave enough to pursue any kind of sexual or romantic relationship with an ex-partner's relative. It's awkward. At least for me.' Liu shrugs. 'but I must applaud you for being that much invested this lady to even be that brave that to tread on unholy grounds.'

'Well,' Mako blushes looking down. 'she really is something. She has a vey interesting way of showing it. I can't really describe it, but I can feel it in her vibe. You know what I mean?'

'I see,' Liu replies with an impressed look on his face. 'Alrighty then! I'll help you two idiots organise this romantic extravaganza.'

'Wait? Seriously?' Jak inquires surprised as Liu enters the office at a seat on one of the spare chairs provided.

'Why not?' Liu asks. 'It's not like you two came up with anything decent for a date as far as I'm concerned and from what I managed to gather as I listened into your conversation before, I made my presence known.'

Jak doesn't say a word.

'Thought so.' Liu replies satisfied to know that he's right. He turns to Mako. 'Have you thought about taking her out for dinner?'

'It didn't cross my mind since the idea seems a bit too obvious and cliché. I have taken Korra out for dinner multiple times back when we were together.' and I really want it to be special with this girl.' Mako explains.

'Most women who are down to earth would careless if it's cliché or not. What they do care about, is the fact that you're going out your way to take them on this date.' Liu tells him. 'I'm pretty sure your lady friend wouldn't mind a dinner date.'

'Well a dinner date doesn't seem half bad. You know what they say? The closest thing to a woman's heart is the stomach.' Jak says

'It's supposed to be "the closest thing to a man's heart is the stomach".' Liu narrows his eyes at him.

'If there's one thing you should know about women is that they love food. I can testify on that.' Jak explains. 'Bae's mad at you for whatever dumb shit you pulled. Buy her food. Bae feeling down. Buy her food. Want to bribe any woman to do you a favour? Buy her food. I'm telling you the things women do for food. Especially if it's free. They don't like paying for food.'

Mako rolls his eyes. 'Okay? So, dinner. Now what?'

'You should take her one of best restaurants in Republic City. I recommend you take her to Yue's Oasis.' Liu suggests.

'You mean that fancy restaurant located along Yue Bay? That's kinda expensive?' Jak asks.

'The very one.'

'I don't know about that, Liu. I don't always get a fabulous salary as a detective.' Mako replies feeling sceptical about the idea.

'The price there is worth half of the salary you get paid every month. You can afford it.'

'Okay? So why that restaurant? There a quite a lot of good restaurants in the city.'

'They serve the best food ever. They have a beautiful view of Avatar Aang Memorial Island and band to serenade the customers. Which sets a very romantic vibe for the date, which is exactly what you need.' Liu tells him. 'Plus, the restaurant is not too far from the Pier and the beach side. Why not take her for a night stroll along the beach. Just the two of you.'

'Well tickle my ass and fix me a smoothie. I'm already loving where this is going.' Jax exclaims enthusiastically.

Mako agrees. A romantic dinner at night with a such a beautiful view and music playing in the background. Having a stroll down the beach and watching the waves. After all, he remembers Remora telling him that she's a sucker for sight-seeing and aesthetic views. The idea sounds perfect.

'How did you manage to come up with this?' Jak asks Liu amazed.

'The perks of being single I guess.' He shrugs with a sly smirk.

'Man, I should start coming to you for recommendations for dates.'

•~*~•

'I swear politicians are just something else!' Korra rants. 'These assholes have the audacity to tell me how I should do my job thinking they can get me to do their bidding completely ignoring the fact that my sole purpose is being a guide for the humans and spirits as well as an ambassador for all four nations.'

'Well, you know how politicians can be, Korra. They expect to see results right on the spot. I'd know since that's what I have to deal with members of the board.' Asami says.

'Well they should also contribute instead of just leaving their problems into my hands. I'm the Avatar. Not their PA.'

Remora isn't really paying much attention to the conversation between these two young ladies since she doesn't feel the need to take part in talking about the politics that goes on at their work. Politics was never her forte. To her it felt like having unnecessary stress and hassle dealing with people who have very twisted ways of achieving what they want, what they thought was right or whatever ridiculous ideology they have.

'Remora.'

She looks up from her phone and stares at the two women who are staring right back at her. 'Yeah?' she responds.

'You know it rude to be on your phone whilst we're talking.' Korra reprimands her, furrowing her eyebrows.

'I'm sorry. I lost interest in the conversation entirely the moment you two started squabbling about workplace politics or politics in general. Something I can careless about.' Remora replies aloof.

Korra opens her mouth to argue until Asami puts her hand on her shoulder and shook, hinting that she shouldn't try to interject with her sister.

'I invited you two over to my place so we can have some girl time. Not to argue.' Asami reminds her.

'But she can't just brush off issues like these just because she doesn't care. What if stuff like this happens to her in the long run.' Korra points out.

'I know how to handle myself. I'm not a child.' Remora tells her. 'All you were doing for the past hour and a half was wailing and complaining about how shitty your job is instead of doing something to make it less shitty.'

'Stop it.' Asami takes charge of the conversation. 'Let's just talk about something else. For Remora's sake and so you two wont rip each other's throats.'

'Whatever fits.' Remora shrugs indifferently, looking back at her phone.

'Have you been talking to Mako as of recent?' She asks.

Remora looks at her again with an arched eyebrow and replied, 'Who's asking?'

'Me of course. I want an update on how things are with Mako going? I did hook you guys up.'

'Everything's going on good.' She answers leaning back on the couch. 'It was a bit awkward at first after our get together some weeks back.'

'What happened?' Korra asks.

'Well I invited him over to my apartment for a drink. We talked for a bit until things got a little heated which resulted in us kissing. Then he freaked out and took off.'

'Wow! Even for a badass detective, he's still a pussy.' Korra chuckles.

'Cut him some slack, will ya. How would you feel about making out with your ex-boyfriend's brother?' Remora replies.

'Touché.' Korra remarks. 'But he's still a pussy for running off like that.'

Remora sighs rolling her eyes.

'So, I take it that he avoided you since then, right?' Korra asks. 'He tends to do that to avoid any awkward encounters. He even did that to me after we broke up.'

'Yeah. But he did eventually come apologising to me about even though I told him that I didn't mind the kiss.'

'I guess he lost his touch after twelve years of being single.' Korra comments with a snigger.

'Well I mean, he hadn't taken an interest in any girl after you broke up with him.' Asami reminds her. 'He didn't really make time to do so since he's always occupying himself with work.'

'When has he ever made time to do anything? After Varrick's wedding, he suddenly became unavailable.'

'His line of work is pretty demanding, Korra. You know that.' Asami points out with a sigh.

'So is mine and everyone else's. He's not the only one who has a lot on his plate, you know?'

'Maybe he has his own reasons.'

Remora quirks an eyebrow. Something about Asami's response sounds as if she knows the real reasons behind Mako's absence in whatever activities they do as a group but Korra didn't for some reason. She wants to ask if there's something Asami knows but she decides against if feeling that it's unnecessary to pry into the matter for now.

Before she could, her phone started ringing. She looks down at her screen as sees that it's Mako calling her.

'I should take this,' she says, excusing herself as she exits the living room. 'Hey!' she answers by the time she closes the door.

'Hey, how are you doing?'

'Same as always. Can't complain.' She shrugs. 'Just spending some time with Korra and Asami.'

'That's good to know.'

'What do I owe the pleasure of this call, pretty boy?' She asks.

'Well, there's this restaurant in town. Yue Oasis. I heard that it's one of the best.'

'Really?'

'Yeah! And I was wondering if you, me, looking nice and a little fancy, would check it out.'

Remora hums in deep thought.

'It's okay if you don't wanna come. I'll just –'

'Mako!' Remora cuts him. 'I'd love to go out with you.' She hears Mako sigh feeling relieved making her laugh.

'Cool! How does Saturday sound?'

'I'm down with it.'

'Great! I'll pick you at eight.'

''Kay. See you then pretty boy.'

'S-sure.'

They hung up. Remora smiles and goes back into the living room.

•~*~•

Mako parks his motorcycle. He removes his helmet and fixed his hair a bit. He was wearing red shirt with a black suit and black fancy shoes.

He looks at the side mirror to check himself. Once he's satisfied, he hops off his motorcycle and makes his way up to Remora's apartment.

Okay, Mako. Deep breath. You can do this. He knocked on the door. He hears footsteps coming towards the door. The door opens and there stood Korra, much to his surprise.

'Korra? What are you doing here?' He asked.

'I was dragged here to help your date get ready.' Korra told him.

Mako studies her closely. If he was going to be honest, Korra does look good. She always had looked good from all the years he had known her regardless of how she looked and dressed. She was always comfortable in her own skin – she still and that was one of the key thing he admired about her.

'Is that Mako?' He hear Asami call.

'Asami? Is that you?' He calls back.

'No, it's some strange who happens to sound just like me.' She remarks. Making him roll his eyes at her sarcasm.

'Is she ready?' Korra calls.

'Yep. Here she comes.'

On cue, Remora appears at the door.

To say that Remora looks stunning in her outfit is a huge understatement. She looked beautiful and ethereal beyond human reckoning. She' wearing a lace dress that stops above her knees and hugs her petite body, showing off curves he never knew she had, along with pair of black sandal and her hair clipped to the side and hung over her shoulder. The eyeshadow blended well with her skin and the eyeliner made her aquamarine eyes pop out perfectly. The navy blue lipstick also complimented her skin and made her lips appear plump.

'Careful.' Remora chuckles putting her forefinger under his chin and closed his mouth. 'You might get a fly in your mouth.

Mako shakes his head, bringing himself out of his dazed state. 'Wow! You look...wow!' He was speechless.

'Our work here is done. You can thank me after you date.' Asami pat Remora's shoulder and walks out.

'Break a leg.' Korra gives her a thumbs up and follows Asami.

'So?' Mako clears his throat and offers her his arm. 'Shall we?'

'Lead the way, officer.' She links her arm with his and winks at him. He blushes as they go down the stairs.