I very strongly believe this is the road the writers should've taken at the end of Episode 9. Why? Not in any way because I'm a hardcore Tahorra shipper, but because of the intensity and suspense it could create. It would be similar to the twist of Zuko getting Aang out of prison, and also provide great character development for Tahno (unless Bryke didn't want to repeat the Zuko/Aang interaction or thought it was too early developing Tahno at this point) But heck, this would even help propel Makorra forward and reinforce it as a canon shipping. Okay, enough rambling.

Our former Wolf Bats' emotions are a roller coaster in this chappie. By chance he lives in one of the apartments above the spot where the Krew found Korra and Naga.

Believe me, my Tahorra playlist was raging while I wrote this:

"Bitter Glass" by Feeder

"Cosmic Love" and "Howl" by Florence + The Machine

"Closer" by Anberlin

"Fade Away" by Seether

"Iris" by The Goo Goo Dolls

I've hopefully managed to create the illusion that (ahem ahem drum roll…) Tahorra WAS beginning to blossom beautifully here :'D Hope you enjoy the read!

(Off-screen in Episode 9)

"We interrupt our regularly scheduled broadcast to bring you this special report. Late last night Equalists attacked City Hall, subduing Councilman Tarrlok and capturing Avatar Korra."

Tahno's cup of tea literally crashed down on the hard wood. Every single miniscule event slowed. Everyone looked to almost everyone else. Two men forgot how they were grumbling about their favourite tune being interrupted seconds before. The restaurant's air was so heavy with silence and held breath. The former waterbender passed his eye around, to his breakfast and then to his former teammates sitting across from him. Shaozu's head shook a few times. Ming failed to remember half of his sentence regarding the Wolf Bats' first reunion, since they last left the arena.

For the course of that long dull day, he was filled to the brim with burning questions. What about his bending - let alone, he confessed to himself at last, what about Korra?

The howl was piercing. Persistent and drawing nearer.

It was the third time he picked up the sound, and he forced the pillow even harder over his head. If he heard it again, he'd see what the fuss was all about down below. This animal didn't sound like some dumb possum chicken, or rabaroo. Too large and deep for a tigerdillo. Moose lions and snow leopard elk were brought only to the circus or zoo - not a simple alleyway or road. All of a sudden, he recalled that distinctive beast that had roared in his face at Narook's noodlery. It belonged to that secret friend...

Once more the mystery animal cried out. The sight he was about to behold was even more taunting.

The moment he pulled his blinds apart for a view, a huge silhouette darted by his window, airborne. And he swore he saw the tattoo lining Councilman Tenzin's forehead, and the bright red of his robes. It didn't take much to break the news to Tahno. He swore it was her lying on the polar bear dog's back, unconscious. Why wouldn't it be her? He may've been selfish, worrying for her safety because his chances of regaining his bending were running thin as rivers with dangerously low tides. But a worry that extended beyond himself had burst through: he pictured those eyes glazed over, moving to meet his. Wounds on her body that threatened its…perfect appearance. Perhaps she'd been screaming or moaning in pain - a torturous sound that would ricochet within his head to no end.

He opened his window next, cupping the shell of his ear partially with a shaped hand to listen closely. He counted the number of people who'd ridden the sky bison. Five passengers. He definitely recognized them all.

"…how did you get away?" he heard the Chief of Police. Something pulled at his insides when he noticed Korra stir.

Then the Fire Ferrets' captain trodded over to her. "Give her some space!" the firebender uttered. He took her into his arms, off her Naga's saddle. The rest of the dialogue was too soft to detect. But Tahno watches her warm up to Mako's chest; he hears himself nearly seethe.

Shutting out the outside world he dropped to the floor slowly. Bright relief clashed with more unusual spinning thoughts, words and phrases. He could've been a better busybody, or more anxious to determine the source of those howls only minutes ago. There was no way he'd simply dart out the front doors and ask what happened to her. He drives his knuckles to his forehead, teeth clenched. I need to know what happened.

So this was how he envisioned it…

The polar bear dog's tail wagged with an urgency, eyes glassy and looking watery in this dim lighting. She was begging for the recovery of her best friend.

"Hey, Naga," Tahno half-bowed in the beast's presence. The animal grants him permission to lift Korra off her back, laying her on the ground as gently as possible. He automatically checks for the Avatar's heartbeat, pressing one ear against her chest. The soft hum of the wind and snowfall nearly drowns it out but it is there; her pulse, so weak it is disturbingly unlike her assertive nature.

"M…Mako…?"

His smirk is mild. "Guess again, little girl."

Blinking twice, the tension in her face eases. "You…" She inhales with difficulty, "I'm glad Amon didn't suck all that life outta you…"

"And I don't get how this conversation would revolve around me," he is quick to assert. Next he leans in, "Your bending - is it..?"

The faintest trace of a smile appears on her countenance; it is becoming agonising to see her try. Despite the massive effort needed she raises her weakened hand, fanning out her fingers to generate a flickering flame. As she does this her gaze flashes to his silver orbs; she sees they are lined with some kind of longing. If he had actually been the one to discover her, he'd know of the pain that was inflicted on her body, spearing her in several places - resulting from the illegal act of bloodbending. Tahno would know of the few small veins and capillaries that were partially ruptured, threatening Korra with the possibility of internal bleeding and its horrible ripple effect. He'd know of the stress put on her mind to keep her alive and fighting.

He lets out a huge sigh. "Thank goodness. I'm taking you to the hospital."

Then he presses his forehead against that of his Pro-bending rival's, beckoning to her to just…come back.

"How on earth did you find me?" her question wafts along like some lost melody.

"Doesn't matter. I just…see and hear things you'd never imagine." Like how the swirling fire of her irises had died, as he tried exploring and searching them now. He lifts her up right away and she lets out a groan, leaning into him like a puzzle piece finding its matching partner. But her head falls into place too easily, limply, and he supports it, growing fearful how he was pitted against time. Though he was still struggling to pay the gym regular visits, his will forces him to carry her all the way with Naga's help. Fifteen minutes elapse and they make it to the same place Tahno was treated the night his bending was stolen away.

Every eye turned to the pair as the hospital's main doors swung open. Snow dramatically followed them in from the cold, whispering in curiosity about the Avatar's fate. Half believing they were transported to dreamland, the staff were unsure whether or not they should put forth their questions. Two paramedics in fact recognize Tahno, but were a thousand times more shaken seeing the broken body of who they believed was the key to stopping the Equalists.

"The Avatar's injured. Badly. You have to help her!" he cries out.

A man then barks orders, "I need healers! At least four of you to check Avatar Korra's vital signs! Make preparations in Ward One - HURRY!" Not a minute and a stretcher is already in place for her. The healers run to her aid and pluck her from his grasp. "I'm gonna hang around to keep watch on you. You understand?" he hums, experiencing a powerful current within. It is about an hour till he is called to Ward One upstairs. He has entered the room just as the last healer has performed the final check for the night.

"Hi," Korra is first to speak, though it's more a croak than anything else.

His steps toward the bed remain slow but are not hesitant. He'd lost count of how many times he'd looked at the scar lining her right cheek. "Feeling less lousy?"

She cranes her neck. "I guess so. I wonder who's the mastermind behind that.." Yet again she grins, attempting to make the situation less serious for him than it truly is. "How have you been?"

He realizes he cares enough to smoothen her matted and messy fringe, for there is more than the usual number of strands forming that little curtain on her forehead. He even wants her to display a measure of her pugnacity, no matter how small. Perhaps hit him or elbow him, hurl any kind of insult…Just to leave him rest assured that this near-lifeless shell was still Korra. "We're not changing subjects that quickly today, Uh-vatar," he answers.

The doors burst open to reveal a small crowd. Tenzin rushes toward the two. "KORRA! We heard the latest radio broadcast - please tell us you're going to be alri -" Time is suspended. Tahno flashes a glance rapidly at Mako first. The firebender had his hackles raised, figuratively speaking. His speech starts out slow but heats up to a boil in milliseconds. "You're joking. You have three seconds to spill to us why you'd even think of -"

The former waterbender finds his feet, rising up. Maintaining the drawl in his voice he says informally, "Her polar bear dog was howling in the streets for help. I heard. I reacted." If fear could be separated from insecurity, he wasn't afraid of the bending brothers.

"Move your hand. Give her some space!" It appeared the firebender didn't take in one word. He shoves him aside. Tahno isn't actually angry. He just wants to put on the mask of indifference. Looking everyone else in the eye, he storms out of the ward almost ceremonially.

"Mako," Korra finds the strength to interject. "He deserved credit."

At least, this was what Tahno yearned to hear the Avatar say.

He has a list of things to update her about. He had gotten back in touch with the Wolf Bats. Made sure his hair was neat and tidy each morning (though its lustre was never the same). Taken to frequenting a new gym in town to make use of the punchbags.

Also, it was becoming tricky erasing that minute scene of her and her team captain, huddled against each other. It was not as insignificant to him as he'd hoped. Hadn't Shaozu mentioned he'd spotted Mako with Asami a couple of times?

Korra could be likened to a gentle paradoxical flame that melted the ice of Tahno's ego. How was she not a great help, if not more than that? His mind became a vortex spiraling into the night, wondering where and how it might end. His last train of thought whilst awake was that she was in good hands now. Better hands than those who'd endangered and left Korra the way he'd seen her down below.