Chapter XIX: Tension

Saltrall couldn't remember the last time he'd lost track of time, if ever, but that night he did. He just sat there with Korra for what could've been minutes or hours, but eventually he calmed down and stood up.

"Th-thank you," Saltrall said quietly as he looked away, not fully trusting himself to look at her.

"Hey," She said, tilting his head so he looked at her while smiling softly, "That's what I'm here for."

Saltrall smiled softly and she helped him up and they walked back to the TARDIS in silence. When they got back they hugged again before Korra said goodnight and started walking away.

"Korra wait," Saltrall said, making her turn around.

"What is it?" She asked, seemingly expecting something.

Saltrall hesitated, keeping himself from saying "I love you" and instead he sighed and said, "Sleep well, Korra."

Korra's face softened and she nodded, "You too, Saltrall." She said before turning and continuing on her way.

Saltrall closed the door and slumped with his back against it. His mind and heart were both running at speeds he didn't think healthy, he took a deep breath and tried to relax.

"Okay, Sal, okay," He whispered to himself, "You done good, kid." He thanked the stars quietly that he had held his tongue at the last second and didn't say what he wanted to. As he sat there the exhaustion hit him full force and he stood, going back to his bedroom.

Korra closed her door behind her and sighed. She was starting to have an emotional crisis and she didn't know what to do. On one hand she had long since fallen for Mako and knew she would do anything to be with him. And yet? There was just something about Saltrall that she saw tonight. She didn't see him as an alien, she saw him as human.

Almost ever since they'd met he'd done everything he could to come off as either fun-loving, serious, or protective of her and the rest of their friends. That night she had seen a side of him that she never would've guessed he had a year ago when they first met at the Southern Water Village. She had expected him to say he loved her when she started walking away from the TARDIS, and she was actually prepared to say that she loved him back.

She laid down with a groan, not knowing what to do. Eventually as she started drifting off to sleep she decided to do her best not to think about it, at least for the time being.

The Saltrall who woke up was completely different from the one who went to bed. He was much happier, which confused Korra when she too woke up.

"Saltrall, are you alright?" She asked when she heard him humming softly outside his TARDIS.

"Hm? Oh yeah, I feel great, why do you ask?" He replied, looking at her with a smile.

"Well, you know, after last night I just thought you'd be tired and you know," She said before making an exaggerated annoyed face.

Saltrall laughed before saying, "When you've been dealing with this for as long as I have you get certain..." He moved his hands a little, trying to think of the right words, "je ne sais quoi, I guess,"

Korra looked surprised, but also slightly nervous.

"Alright..." She said, giving him an uneasy expression as she turned to walk away.

Saltrall sighed and rubbed his face, his happy demeanor fading.

"Besides," he said much softer, almost dejectedly, making Korra turn to look at him again as he shrugged and scoffed, "what else can I do? I don't want to dwell on it, so I just try to be happy,"

Korra smiled softly, "I understand," she said, grabbing his hand, "Come on, let's go wait for the others to arrive."

Saltrall hoped his blush wasn't too noticeable when she grabbed his hand, but his smile was. She let go as they started walking, which was okay with Saltrall, he didn't want anyone to get any ideas.

"You know, I almost forgot they were moving in today." Saltrall said as they walked to the dock, making Korra laugh.

They stood there with Tenzin's kids and waved at the people on the ferry. After they departed the ferry they all hugged and talked for a bit. Eventually Korra, Asami, and Ikki went to show Asami her room while Bolin and Mako were led to the men's dorms, leaving Saltrall alone in front of the main building. He walked over to his TARDIS and went inside, however there was a knock shortly after he closed the door. When he opened it he was surprised to see Tenzin standing there.

"Oh, Master Tenzin, I wasn't expecting to see you here." Saltrall said, suppressing a smile when he caught a brief glimpse of shock on Tenzin's face when he saw the inside of the TARDIS, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Hrm, yes, sorry, I was caught off guard by how large the inside of your... craft, is it?" Tenzin asked, looking at Saltrall, who nodded, "is"

Saltrall chuckled, "I get that a lot," He said, "Anyway, what can I do for you?"

"Well," Tenzin began, "I know you have a vested interest in capturing Amon just like us, and Beifong's successor as Police Chief is being inducted later, I was hoping you'd join Korra and I."

Saltrall just smiled and nodded, "I'd love to go."

A few hours later the crowd outside the police headquarters was thinning and Saltrall, Tenzin, and Korra were going to confront Tarrlok by the stage.

"Tarrlok, I don't know what you did to get Chief Saikhan in your pocket but I highly doubt it was legal." Tenzin said accusingly when they finally confronted him.

"Oh, Tenzin." Tarrlok said as he turned to face them, "Always the conspiracy theorist. Did you ever consider Saikhan simply recognizes my talents and wants what is best for this city?"

This comment made Tenzin grunt in disgust and Saltrall roll his eyes as Korra stepped forward.

"Well, Avatar Korra. Long time, no see. Now that your little pro-bending distractions are over, I look forward to your return to my task force." Tarrlok said to her.

"Ha! Forget it! There's no way I'm rejoining your vanity project." Korra said, folding her arms in front of herself.

"That is unfortunate to hear, but I'm sure you'll come to your senses as you have in the past." Tarrlok replied.

"Don't hold your breath, bub." Korra started, pointing at him, "You know, Tenzin's been right about you all along." She pointed at herself, "You played me, you played Beifong, and now you're playing the new Chief too." She walked up to him. "Well, I got news for you. You need me, but I don't need you. I'm the Avatar."

"You're not, in fact, the Avatar." Tarrlok retorted, shocking Korra a little. "You are merely a half-baked Avatar in training, which reminds me, how is your airbending going?"

That comment made Korra even more dejected, as evidenced by her sad expression, making Saltrall glare at Tarrlok.

"Made any significant progress with that?" Tarrlok continued mocking her smugly.

Korra looked down in defeat and Saltrall grabbed his Sonic inside his sweatshirt pocket.

"I didn't think so." Tarrlok finished with a smug smirk on his face, making Saltrall growl, which finally got Tarrlok's attention.

"Oh, are you going to do something about it?" He asked, still sporting a smug expression.

"If you don't walk away now I might just," Saltrall growled angrily. Tarrlok just shrugged and turned to walk away, finishing angrily.

"If you will not be part of my task force, Korra, then you had best stay out of my way." He said as he walked away.

Tenzin put a supporting hand on Korra's shoulder while Saltrall pulled out his Sonic and pointed it at a small rock by Tarrlok. He made it bounce up and hit Tarrlok in the face, making him turn and glare at them. This time it was Saltrall staring back smugly as he closed his Sonic and put it in his pocket without turning away from the angered waterbender.