Disclaimer: Same as the first! =]
A/N: So here is the second chapter. Not may hits on the first one but I'm not discouraged yet! Reviews would be most welcome! Give it a chance and I think you'll like it! Not just because I wrote it... =] ENJOY!
Chapter Two: New Comers
Waking to my alarm I slammed my hand on the snooze. I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to face the day. Not just yet. Rolling over, I had every intention of going back to sleep, then my phone went off. Looking at it, there was a text from Grace. I don't want to do this anymore then you do. Get a move on it. Groaning I rolled out of bed and took a quick shower. I ran my fingers through my long brown hair, leaving it down to dry. My hazel eyes looked at myself in the reflection. I almost forgot how to meet people. I'd been stuck with the same ones for quite some time now. I was slender but healthy, seeing my father's sturdy form in myself. That made me scrunch my nose and glare at myself before finally going to dress. Pulling on a pair of jeans and a green tank top, taking my time putting on my shoes, I finally made my way to the mess hall. Seeing all the science geeks at one table I grabbed a plate of food before sitting next to Max, happy to see Grace show up just a few minutes later.
"Ready for a mass amount of work today?" I grinned at her.
"As always." She said sitting next to me.
"That was a little less than enthusiastic." I frowned at her.
"I'm not looking forward to today." She replied.
"Oh, stop." I told her. "We like Norm. We've heard nothing but good things. Jake will be useful. As least he has an avatar." She nodded at me. "It'll be fine."
"You're not going out today?" She asked.
"Probably not." I told her and sighed. "I guess everyday can't be spent in the jungle."
"Says you." Grace smiled.
"I'd be out there if I could. But I've got blood samples to go through. I've been putting it off." I replied.
"I know." She said with a raised brow.
"Yeah, I know." I smiled and finished my orange juice. "I'm gonna go get a head start."
"I'll be in in a bit."
"Don't go doing anything you shouldn't." I told her before heading off to the lab.
I was happily walking. Content with the way things were. Happy to have something to do. Even though all I wanted to do was go to the link room. There was a herd of Direhorse that I still needed a few more blood samples from. Maybe I would convince Grace for a small break at some point during the day. The shuttle would be arriving today, but there was time. It was early and there was always something that needed to be done.
Sitting back in my chair I felt all bug-eyed from looking through the microscope for so long. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked up at Grace.
"Discovering anything new?" She asked.
"Nope. Nothing new. Same old cool looking blood. Like the flora the fauna is amazing and connected to everything around it." I replied.
"Helping me write that book has done wonders to your way of speaking." She smiled. Laughing, I nodded, rubbing my face and neck. "Come on. Time for a break."
"Really? And what are we gonna do?" I asked.
"Go for a run." She smiled.
Grinning I got up and quickly followed her from the lab and to the link room. Lying down I was linked in what felt like seconds. Opening my eyes to the Pandora sky. Smiling I got up and waited for Grace outside. I checked the pockets in my shorts, finding the vials and needles that I'd need if we ran into anything. Grace was with me a few minutes later.
"Are you ready?" I grinned at her, my tail flicking back and forth with excitement.
"Just don't leave me too far behind." She smiled before we moved into the trees.
The trees partially hid the sun as we moved through the trees. I leapt over fallen trees, swinging myself from braches to keep the momentum up as moved as a steady pace. I heard Grace behind me but soon I was enthralled with the sounds of the jungle. My feet loved the earth, my feline nose catching every scent. My long, tendril, braid bouncing behind me. My pointed ear turned toward a sound it caught a short distance away. It gave Grace time to catch up. She was about to ask what I was listening to but I held up my finger. I moved into a crouch and slowly slinked into the thick section of brush. I heard Grace whisper my name but I ignored her. The sun was barely making it through the foliage. It was dark but I could see the movement ahead of me. I turned my head, hearing whatever it was just to the left of me. Turning my head I came face to face with large teeth before a tongue licked me. Laughing I ran my hands along the sides of Loki's head before kissing his nose. He followed me from the brush and we stepped out in front of Grace.
"He's so big." Grace said smiling at him. He was now full grown, standing higher then both of us.
"Massive actually." I said stroking his side. "Wanna go for a ride?" I asked her.
"Excuse me?" Grace said her smile falling.
"Oh, come on." I told her. "It's a Thanator and you're telling me that you don't want to experience something that hardly anyone gets to? This is Loki we're talking about. My Loki. You knew him when he was young. You've seen him a few times since. He recognizes you."
She crossed her arms and smiled at me. "I can see you really want to spend some time with him. I'm gonna head back and get some work done."
"Well, now I just feel bad." I told her.
"Take your Thanator and have fun." She smiled.
"Thank you, Grace." I smiled back and gave her a quick hug before leaping onto Loki's back.
Settling myself against him he let out a roar before taking off. He was fast. I had to duck branches as he maneuvered himself swimmingly through the jungle.
"Nìltsan hasey, Loki. Nìltsan hasey." I told him gently. We were nearing a small clearing. I could hear the Pa'li. "Ftang." I told him and he slowed before stopping, looking at me over his shoulder. "I could use a sample."
Sliding from his back I moved through the few yards of brush. He followed closely behind me. Speaking Na'vi, I told him to stay. He lay down and watched as I slowly stepped into view. The leader of the heard lifted its head and stared at me. Smiling I took in the beauty of the creatures. I just couldn't get enough. With their grey bodies and blue stripes they looked amazing. The uniqueness of their structure. They had no nostrils. Like many of the animals on Pandora they had holes along the sides of their necks called operculums. I watched as the skin shifted as he blew out of them. His long anteater like tongue zipped in and out of his mouth. He finally decided I was no threat as he bent his head and started to lap up the sap from the Pitcher Plants. I moved forward, moving through the herd. There were a few yearlings that came running toward me.
"Sìltsan, Pa'li." I smiled and stroked the forehead of the first to reach me. "God I love you guys."
The nature was my favorite part of being here. I love animals, and to have no fear, and for them to willingly let me in, was an experience I couldn't get enough of.
"Okay, listen." I told them calmly. "I need you to hold still as I take a few of samples from you."
It was a young male that I was talking to. He held himself high, his curiosity just flowing from him. His tongue tried to touch everything I took out. With a sterile swab, I took a sample from his breathing holes. He didn't like it much but he didn't run. He fidgeted but stayed still as I took a blood sample from his jugular vein.
"Nìltsan hasey." I said patting his side. "Irayo. Irayo."
I was grateful to him. He had helped me a lot. I had a bruised body the first time I tried this. But that was years ago. Since then I had learned everything about these creatures and knew exactly how to deal with them. Grace thought it was a waste of time, becoming close to the animals this way. But I was happier when I was with them. I couldn't explain it. In my avatar body I felt connected to the animals. Like it was the place I was supposed to be. A few were starting to bed down and I moved toward them. A midday nap did sound like a good idea. Especially with what was waiting for me back at the compound. Running my fingers along the back of one of the Pa'li, I sat and leaned against the back of one while another laid its head next to me. I stroked its head, its long antennae touching me periodically. I smiled and lay on my side, my torso against its neck as I rested my head here. Humming a soft tune I continued to stroke it before sleep took me.
"Oops." I said as I pushed the link open.
"Finally." Grace told me.
"I'm not staying." I told her. "I'm lying in a field with a herd of Pa'li right now. I fell asleep. I'm just grabbing a snack and something to drink and I'm back in."
"They've arrived." She told me.
"They off settling in then?" I asked as I pulled an apple from the fridge.
"Yes." Grace told me coldly.
"I'll be back soon." I told her as I went back to the link room.
"Sara." She frowned.
"I'm sorry." I said walking backward so I could face her. "But I can't leave the avatar in a field. I gotta go before I get stepped on."
I heard her sigh behind me and could feel her shaking her head at me. I finished the apple and the bottle of water before laying back in the link. Pulling it down I shut my eyes. I opened my avatar eyes in time to miss Pa'li feet coming down on top of me. I was nearly trampled before I rolled away and jumped to my feet. I heard a familiar roar and turned to see a Thanator moving from the trees. It was after one of the babies. I froze as I watched its ten sensory quills flare up. They were connected to six pads at the back of the skull. It had picked its mark. If the quills were flared it was ready to strike. Moving as fast as I could, I slammed my body into its side. It was enough to throw it off and the Pa'li baby escaped and was rushed off by its mother. It turned on me in an instant. Fear moved through me as I turned and made a run for it. I saw the lead male leading his herd away. When they were a safe distance I saw him turn and he barreled toward me. At the same time I heard another roar and Loki shot out of the trees and jumped on the back of the enemy. It gave me enough time to reach the Direhorse and leap onto its back. Quickly grabbing my braid and its antennae I bonded with the animal. He followed every move I asked of him. Loki was holding his own but I was going to help. With only my thoughts, I moved the Pa'li toward the enemy Thanator. On command he reared and four of his six legs came down on the back of the Thanator. With that, and Loki grabbing at its neck, he was defeated. Running away with its tail between its legs, so to speak. Separating the bond, I slid from the Direhorses back, and patted him before pushing him off toward his heard. He nudged me before running off. I turned to Loki, seeing a few slashes in his black hide. He was holding his right middle leg tight against his body. I moved to it, his white fleshy skin now red with blood.
"Shit." I said and stroked him. "Come on." I said and we walked back into the jungle.
Even with five working legs he still moved with a limp. It was a very long walk back toward the compound. I didn't want to push him but he needed to be tended to and I didn't have anything like that in the jungle. I'd have to return to the cabin and get supplies. It didn't happen often, but that close to another angry Thanator made me look at my relationship with Loki in a new light. He was amazing. His trust in me was amazing. He never lost his sweet side. But he was tough. He had to be. He had a family to defend. I thanked Eywa that he wasn't killed. Resting my hand on his back I walked with him till we were close to the compound.
"Pey." I told him and he slowly lowered himself to the ground.
Running as fast as I could, I made my way to the cabin. The trail was just through the brush. I tried to act casual as I went to find bandaging supplies. I thought I was getting away with it when I found Grace sitting on my bed.
"Hi." I said as I stopped.
"Where have you been?" She asked.
"Loki is hurt. I gotta patch him up and I'll be right back." I told her.
"You still have a life here you know." She told me.
"I know, Grace. I do. But I have to take care of my Thanator. I'll be right back. Promise." I told her and took off again with what I needed.
I felt bad. Like I was letting Grace down. But I had to take care of Loki. Finding him where I left him I quickly patched him up. Bandaging what I could, hoping it would stop the bleeding before the bandages were ruined. Telling him to be careful I left him again. Glancing over my shoulder he was already heading home. I was back with Grace in under twenty minutes.
"See?" I panted as she looked at me.
"I'm not doing this alone." She told me.
"I wasn't going to make you." I replied. "Let's lie down and get going then."
"Is Loki okay?" She asked as she lay down.
"He'll live." I smiled before I was pushing the link open again.
Grace was clearly stressed. Sighing, I frowned at her as she demanded her cigarette. I told her to quit. She smoked too much. But she treated me like a daughter, which meant all comments in this area were quickly pushed aside or hushed with some sort of reason. I turned when Max introduced Norm Spellman and Jake Sully. Taking a deep breath I listened as her anger toward the situation flared when Max drew her attention to Jake. I didn't want to be in the middle of this. I was behind Grace. I understood her motives. Understood why she wanted a scientist. Why she wanted as many people who could help reach the Na'vi. It had been such a long time since we had contact with them. Had a reason to hope that this could all turn out okay in the end. But it felt like the end was coming. Parker was losing his patience. He wanted his unobtanium, and he wanted it now. He would let Miles do whatever he wanted to do. The stupid son of a bitch. When Grace started to storm out I finally decided to step in.
"Don't mind her. She's nicer then she seems." I smiled as I walked up them. "I'm Sara."
"Norm." He said shaking my hand.
"Jake." He said doing the same.
"Are you…Quaritch's daughter?" Norm asked me.
"The one and only." I smiled.
"Bet that makes life interesting." Norm smiled back.
"I may share his DNA but that's it." I told him coldly.
"Oh, okay." He said nodding.
"Not daddy's little girl, huh?" Jake smiled at me.
I laughed. "Far from." I said and was suddenly annoyed. "Be on time boys."
"Prrte' ultxa nga." Norm called after me.
"Pleasure meeting you too." I told him over my shoulder, pausing before looking down at Jake. "How much Na'vi do you know?"
"None."
"Lab time?"
"None."
"A sparkling personality?"
"Well, you've got me there." He smiled.
Smiling back I shook my head and walked away from him. He was cute. I figured his attitude might be a problem here and there but overall, first impression, he wasn't so bad. As for Norm? He was sweet. He was a suck up. He was going to get on my nerves.
Waking early I went to the link room. The new avatars were out of their tanks and ready to go.
"They look good." I said before turning to Max.
"They're perfect." Max grinned as he fussed over the preparations.
"And our boys?" I asked.
"Norm is excited. Jake is…Jake." Max replied.
"Full of marine sarcasm?" I told him with raised brows.
Max laughed, "Pretty much."
"Grace been in yet?" I asked him.
"No. But she'll be here for their first link." He replied.
"Okay." I said putting my hand on his shoulder. "I'm going in."
"Gonna check on Loki?" He asked.
"Dumb ass saved my life. It's the least I can do." I smiled.
He just laughed. I went to the link and punched all the right buttons before lying down, making myself comfortable. Pulling everything down, I shut my eyes. Happily opening them to see the cabin ceiling. The other avatars were doing their usual activities. Stretching my limbs I started out into the sun filled world. While they got the boys going I'd have enough time to check up on Loki before they would be linked and ready to go.
Loki was stretched out in the sun when I arrived. Smiling, I went to him, stretching out next to him. He put his leg over me, a content groan coming from him. I ran my hand up and down his belly for a short while before grabbing the leg that had been injured. The wounds were still clean and already healing. Same went for the slashes on his side. He was healing nicely. I was with him not a half hour before I was on my way back. I wanted to be there for the first link. Paging Grace from the outside she told me to stay in my avatar. Jake and Norm were already on their way in and she was right behind them. I waited by Grace's avatar for her to link. Once she had we went outside in time to see Jake slide to a stop. I couldn't help but smile as he buried his feet in the soil. Grace called out to him, tossing him a fruit. We both laughed as he took a bite and exclaimed at the taste. Grace and I laughed as he enjoyed it.
"How do those legs feel?" I smiled at him.
"You have no idea how good this feels." He grinned back.
"I'll agree with you there. You look good, Sully."
"I feel good." He grinned.
"Let's get you into some clothes." Grace smiled and led him toward the cabin.
"I was gonna get him." Norm said catching up to us.
"Clothes time Gilligan." I smiled at him.
It was fun to watch Jake experience his avatar for the first time. The way he moved his arms and legs. The curiousness in his yellow eyes as his discovered his queue. Grace told him not to play with it because he'd go blind. I just laughed. If only he understood the real meaning behind it. How it let you bond with Pandora through it. How you mated through that same bond with another Na'vi.
"She's kidding." I smiled at him when he looked a little spooked and put it down.
We ran the obstacle courses and played a game of basketball, after they were settled in and provided with clothes. Jake was a quick learner and Norm already had five-hundred-twenty hours in his avatar body. He told me this a few times throughout the day. I simply smiled at him each time. He was eager to impress. He wanted to be useful. I had no doubt that he would be. But I wasn't the one to give cookies away for eagerness. Grace would do that. It took personality and with me, you earned everything.
"Lights out. See you, kiddies, at dinner." Grace said and locked the gate that enclosed the cabin. We had to keep the avatars safe.
Opening my eyes I was sad to get out of the link. I stood in time to see Jake loading himself back into his wheelchair. He had refused help. I couldn't imagine what it felt like to have your legs taken away, to have them back, only to lose them again. I could feel the sad expression on my face. When he looked over at me I quickly erased it, smiling instead. He gave a weak one in return as he rolled himself from the room.
"That wasn't so bad." I smiled at Grace.
"Yes it was." She frowned at me. I frowned back with a confused expression. "If you hadn't missed that last shot we would've had them." She said and smiled.
I sighed and smiled at her. "You're the one who missed the three pointer shot…twice." I replied holding up my fingers.
"Just get cleaned up for dinner." She said shoving me lightly.
Laughing, I walked out of the lab and ran into a tough chest. My laughing stopped abruptly as I looked into the face of my father. Clearing my throat I pushed my hair behind my ears.
"What do you want?" I asked him.
"Will you join me for dinner?" He replied.
"No." I told him and stepped around him, heading toward my room.
"Sara, this is ridiculous." He said following me.
"Not really." I stated.
"We can talk this out."
"Talk what out?" I asked, turning to him, walking backward to keep the distance between us.
"This feud we have going on." He replied.
"It's not a feud." I frowned at him. "I'm hungry. I have to take a shower before dinner."
"Sara Elizabeth Quaritch." He said with his fatherly tone. It was enough to make me stop but not turn around. "I'm asking you, as your father, to please try and talk this out with me." He told my back.
Turning to face him, I remained emotionless as I told him, "As your daughter, I'm asking you to please leave me alone."
Turning again I walked away from him. He didn't follow. It was a relief to finally get into my room and to lock the door. It was just me, myself, and I. Taking a quick shower I made no stops until I reached our table. I dropped into the seat next to Grace. Jake was on the end with Norm across from me.
"Everything okay?" Jake asked me.
"Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" I asked him as I ate happily.
"You didn't seem happy to see him."
"I'm never happy to see him." I smiled at him.
"What did he want to talk about?" He asked.
"Really not gonna talk about it." I told him.
"Sorry."
"It's fine, Jake." I stated. "I'm just not big on talking about my relationship with my father."
"Does it have to deal with your mom?" Norm asked.
I stopped mid-bite and looked at him. Grace noticed the shaking of my hand and nudged me as she took care of it for me.
"That's none of your damn business." She shot at him. "Enough talking. Eat up and get to bed. We're getting up early to go into the jungle. I suggest you get a good night's sleep."
I gave her an appreciative look before finishing my meal. I was the first to leave the table. Happy to be away from nosey people. It took me a few hours of lying in bed before I finally fell asleep. I wanted to be in the jungle. But I was worried about taking the newbie's with me. Thank God for Grace. That, and maybe Loki would show himself and allow me some fun.