Chapter XXV: Confessions and Memories

Saltrall and Asami were standing in the doorway to Korra's room, watching Mako as he sat next to her bed. They both saw Mako put his hand on Korra's softly, and Saltrall looked at Asami, who just put her head down in sadness and walked away. Saltrall watched her before clenching his jaw slightly and turning back to Mako.

"Mako," He said, making the firebender look at him. He motioned with his head into the hall, wanting Mako to follow, but he just shook his head. Without saying anything Saltrall entered the room and pulled up a second stool.

"We need to talk," Saltrall said, sitting down and looking at Mako, who still had his hand on Korra's.

"Is it about this?" He asked, looking at his hand.

"Partially," Saltrall replied, "Okay a lot, actually,"

Mako sighed, but didn't move his hand. "Lay it on me," He said, looking at the Time Lord, "Or are you opposed to it?" He asked with a tinge of suspicion.

Saltrall ignored that and crossed his arms, staring at him intently. "Why are you doing this to Asami?" He asked quietly but with a hint of bitterness, "Have you seen what you've been doing to her?"

Mako was silent and looked away.

"I'm not trying to guilt you, but I want you to know this," Saltrall continued, turning Mako's head to look at him, "I've seen a lot of pain in my life, and the looks I've seen on Asami's face aren't fake pain or sadness for sympathy; they're real. She cares about you, Mako, she really does, and I do too, I care about all of you."

"What are you saying?" Mako asked sadly.

"I'm not asking you to do anything dramatic or life threatening," Saltrall replied, "But if you want Korra you need to end things with Asami before the pain becomes too much for her."

Mako nodded softly and Saltrall gave him a pat on the shoulder before standing. He was in the doorway before he turned around.

"One more thing," He said, causing Mako to turn around again.

"I've seen pain and fear on Korra's face tonight," He said seriously before giving Mako a threatening glare and he finally let a hint of anger boil in his voice, "If I ever see either of looks on her face again, and it's your fault, I will hunt you down, and I promise you, you do not want that"

He pulled out his Sonic for emphasis before walking out, leaving a shaken Mako alone with Korra.

Saltrall spent the next long while alone in his TARDIS, pacing and thinking, occasionally sitting, but mostly standing and pacing as he was unable to relax. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door and he opened it to find Korra standing there.

"Oh, hey Korra, are you feeling any better?" He asked, smiling softly at the surprise visit.

"I'm doing okay, may I come in?" She asked, not fully maintaining eye contact with Saltrall. He nodded and stepped out of the way, letting her step inside.

He closed the door as Korra went and sat on the couch with a small huff. Saltrall looked concerned and stood against the railing across from her.

"You sure you're feeling okay? I can do a medical scan if you'd like." He offered grabbing his Sonic, but he put it down when she shook her head.

"No, it's okay," She assured him weakly before taking a deep breath, "I don't know what to do about Mako."

Saltrall sighed and nodded.

"I thought that may be the case, What do you want to do?" Saltrall asked seriously, crouching down so his eyes were level with hers.

"I..I don't know," Korra replied with a hint of defeat in her voice, "I mean, I have feelings for him, and I know he has feelings for me he just doesn't admit it because he's dating Asami,"

"Not for long he won't be," Saltrall muttered under his breath, "What?" Korra asked, only hearing him say something, "Nothing," Saltrall replied quickly.

Korra sighed again and Saltrall put a hand on her shoulder.

"Well I'm sorry I can't help you more, Korra," Saltrall said, standing and turning around, climbing under the railing onto the console platform.

"Saltrall?" Korra started before hesitating, "Have you ever... loved anyone?"

Saltrall stopped what he was doing and stared at the TARDIS' core for a second before replying.

"I have," He said, tightening his grip on the railing, "Many many years ago, at least it seems like it was,"

"Are you comfortable talking about it?" Korra asked cautiously as she stood.

Saltrall was quiet for a minute, steeling his resolve and taking a deep breath before replying.

"On Gallifrey I was never that popular," He began, "But there was one woman whom I had a relationship with.

"Her name was Zenkathrupsasorund, she was one of the most beautiful Time Ladies I'd ever seen," He chuckled softly before continuing, "Anyway, we were in a relationship for a few years, and they were probably the best of my life, but all that changed when the Time War began."

"What's the Time War?" Korra asked quietly.

"The war for the sake of all creation between my people and the Daleks, who wanted to destroy everything that wasn't a Dalek." Saltrall replied solemnly, "Much like the genocide that destroyed the airbenders for you, but on an immeasurable scale,"

Korra nodded as he continued.

"I did my part in the War," Saltrall said, "I fought the Daleks and came home to Zenkath every chance I could, but one day the attacks started to increase on other planets, so we went off to a planet, I have no idea what it's called anymore, and we kept fighting."

Saltrall started tearing up, "We were on a patrol when the Daleks ambushed us. I was the only survivor. Zenkath was next to me when she was hit by a Dalek death ray. I finished off the Daleks but I held her in my arms as she died,"

Tears were falling down his cheeks and he closed his eyes, "Ever since that day I've done everything in my power to keep from falling in love, so that I never have to experience that again, and hopefully I never force anyone to experience something like that either."

Korra put a hand on his shoulder but didn't say anything, not knowing what to say. Saltrall put his hand on hers and wiped his tears with his free hand.

"There's something about Time Lord physiology I haven't told you," He said, looking at her, "We Time Lords have two hearts, and on that day both of mine broke."

She hugged him from behind and he sighed before pulling away. She looked at him with sadness in her eyes as he fiddled with the console.

"I was doing so good too," He said softly, "I never felt love like that again. Then I came here."

"What do you mean?" Korra asked, thinking she knew where this was going.

Saltrall turned around and looked right at Korra. He saw a certain something in her eyes, he couldn't explain but he knew what he had to say.

"Korra, I-" He began when he heard distant explosions outside. He looked at the door and instantly his sadness was replaced with intensity, "That doesn't sound good," He said as he grabbed his Sonic and ran outside with Korra in close pursuit.