Note: Just watched Book 4: Episode 1. I loved it! The only hard part is now that the new season began I have a hard time writing an AU story. When something new comes out and I go astray I feel like I am betraying the true Korra world. Oh well, I will do my best to try and complete a decent AU Korra fan fiction.


Mako sits at his desk in the precinct, he is one of the last few employee's in the building, aside from the scheduled night crew. He is looking over files and paperwork. His black, usually styled hair, is tousled from having ran his hands through it so many times. It had been about six weeks since the showdown with Zaheer and the red lotus. Zaheer had warned them that the incident would bring other red lotus members out of hiding. They knew the avatar was weak and they would be coming after Korra to finish the job Zaheer himself wasn't able to finish. Mako wasn't going to let that happen. He wasn't going to rest until every member of the Red Lotus was hunted down and either incarcerated or killed.

Mako looked up when he heard the familiar metallic sound of the metalbending police armor.

"How's the search going kid?" asked his Chief

"Pretty much the same. Any lead had either come to a dead end, or we are only finding low standing members who have little power and resources or no knowledge of any preconceived plans."

Beifong sat on the edge Mako's desk "I even wonder if anything Zaheer says had any validity anymore. Since losing his friends he seems to have gone insane. Well more insane anyway."

"About that. I was questioning him again this morning. He said I was wasting my time, and that it would be better spent with my family as it would soon be destroyed."

Beifong stopped fingering through the files on Mako's desk to look him in the face as he continued talking.

"When I grilled him about what the Red Lotus would want with Bolin, Zaheer just laughed wildly and told me I was stupid."

"Zaheer was probably just trying to ruffle your feathers."

"Probably, but all the same I warned Bolin and told him to watch himself."

Beifong shook her head and cleared her throat.

"This is off subject, but have you talked to Korra recently."

"Uh….well" Mako pulled at the neck of his shirt. "I have meant to. It's been really busy here lately with all the extra requests with Korra being sick and all…"

"uh-huh. Well your shift actually ended two hours ago. You've been doing too much overtime, you are going to burn yourself out. Why don't you head out, go visit Korra, I think you two have some catching up to do."

"Yeah, maybe. I guess I'll just finish up my paperwork and then maybe head over."

"Don't stay here all night. It doesn't look good when the Chief leaves before you, makes you look like a brown noser. Makes the other guys not like you." She teased him. "See you tomorrow detective." she said as she started walking away, but she looked over her shoulder before walking out the door. "Oh and you might want to stop and get a gift. It's Korra's birthday."

Mako sighed as he finished his paperwork. He looked at the picture of Him and Korra on his desk. She was smiling her overly large goofy smile and she looked pretty and full of life. The last time her saw her, she looked sad and empty. It broke his heart to see her that way. He didn't know what to do, and when it came to Korra he usually just messed things up. So he stayed away. At least at work he could protect her, looking for red lotus members, and trying to help fill her shoes while she recuperated. He wondered if she ever fully would, but if she didn't he was willing to spend his life fighting battles meant for the avatar. If he had done that in the first place she wouldn't be in her current condition. It was probably for the best if he left her alone to heal. Asami and Korra's parents were taking care of her, they knew what was best for her. He would just be in the way making a mess of things.

"Still working?" Mako looked up from his work. Korra's father, great.

"Tonraq, Sir." Mako made to stand up.

"No need for formalities, just Tonraq is fine."

"Tonraq then, Is everything alright, is Korra ok?"

"She's fine. I just wanted to talk to you. Have you eaten yet?"


Mako and Tonraq were seated in a booth at a small cafe known for their fire nation food and tea. A waitress promptly took their order.

"I heard this place has great food. I am partial to water nation food, however I appreciate the spiciness of fire nation cuisine. Cleans the system out." said Tonraq.

" It's a local favorite of the guy's at the station and it probably doesn't hurt that it's not even a block away."

Mako was curious about what Tonraq wanted to talk to him about. Tonraq had come to the station several times before to talk to him and Beifong about the Red Lotus search, and other things concerning the avatar. However this was the first time he requested to talk to Mako alone. He doubted it was to talk about Fire Nation fare.

"Korra loves this stuff, then again she will eat anything. She has a healthy appetite. Well used to anyway."

Mako felt his heart sink.

"She is still not doing well?"

"Korra is getting better. It's a slow recovery. I don't think most people would have survived what happened to her. She needs time, and support."

"She has a great network of friends and family I am sure you guys are doing a great job."

Thier conversation stopped for a moment when their plates were presented in front of them. They both ate a couple bites in silence.

"Senna and I will be leaving for southern pole tomorrow." Reported Tonraq, breaking the silence.

Korra was leaving? Mako hadn't been to see her, but he liked the idea of her being close in case he ever felt brave enough to visit. He also wanted her in close proximity to protect her.

"What about Asami, I know she was helping you two with her."

"Asami will be staying with Korra, here in the outskirts of Republic City. As the leader of the Southern Water Tribes I have duties to attend to and I have been gone far too long. Senna and I tried to get Korra to come home with us, but she is adamant she wants to stay here. You know how stubborn she is."

"Sir, with all due respect I think that is a bad idea. Who is going to protect her?"

"That is why I wanted to talk to you. I would like it if you stayed with Korra the remainder of her recoupment."

"I am the last person you should be asking. Every time she really needed me I failed her."

"Not every time. Or at least it doesn't have to be this time."

"I am the man that broke your daughter's heart."

"You love her," it wasn't a question "I know you did some awful things to my daughter. Believe me, when I found out, I wanted to kick the shit out of you. Look, I know you're a good kid. You've had a rough life, and sure you've made some bad decisions, but you can make up for it. My daughter needs you right now, probably more than ever. Don't walk away from her this time because, as a father, this will be the last chance I give you