Author's Notes: I'm sorry it took me so long to update, but I wanted to check out a few things first, but the story is coming along better now. The next update will not be so long in coming. In this next chapter, Jake and Neytiri recommit to each other while unbeknownst to them, dark forces could threaten their very existence and all they hold dear. I hope you like it. Thanks! :D

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Chapter 2: Discovery

Together, hand in hand, Jake and Neytiri slowly moved through the forest, as each step they took lighted their way both wanting to experience the forest with new eyes wanting to take it all in, knowing they were both different now in the way they looked at each other and at the forest.

"Everything is different now but also the same, Neytiri," Jake said as he pulled her to his side.

Neytiri smiled, understanding how he felt but she wanted him to tell her in his own words. "How do you mean, Jhake?"

He looked around the forest, seeing everything with new eyes. "Inside, I know I'm still Jake Sully, but now …"

"Now …?" She encouraged him.

He turned her to face him and took her hands in his, holding them up to compare them. "We are the same inside, but we're not, does that make any sense?"

That wasn't exactly what she expected him to say. "You don't believe I think less of you because of your human DNA, do you Jhake?"

"No, no, of course not," he said and shook his head. "I'm not being clear; here let's sit down for a moment." They sat down on the ground by the water's edge, each thinking of a way to make the other understand how they really felt about this new Jake. "When I went through the Avatar link for the first time and I could feel my legs again, that was all I thought I wanted and needed. You never saw me standing on my own two feet Neytiri, you see, I had no movement in my legs before the link; I couldn't walk."

"Go on," she encouraged him again.

"Being a Na'vi wasn't as important as being able to walk again, so when I was given the choice between gaining the use of my legs permanently and trying to persuade the Na'vi to move away from Hometree, I thought I could do it, but all during my time with you I discovered something." He stroked her cheek. "I realized that I wanted to stay here with you because I fell in love with you, with this beautiful forest, and with the Na'vi people."

All during his speech, Neytiri smiled and listened and now she had only had one question for him. "I'm so glad Jhake, but … even though we're not exactly the same, how do you see me now?"

For answer, he slowly pushed her down on the soft ground and kissed her lovingly, slowly and with much affection. "Does that answer your question?"

Neytiri slowly opened her eyes and smiled thinking about his words. "I have heard this word before … love?"

He smiled. "Yes, it's the 'human' way of declaring their true feelings."

She thought she understood now. "Jhake 'loves' Neytiri?"

He smiled and leaned down over her again. "Very much," he replied and kissed her again and she kissed him back. Soon they slowly removed all their clothing wanting to get as close as possible. She was so lovely, and Jake had never been this excited before not even during their first time. He slowly kissed her ear and she seemed to really enjoy that as she moaned, he kissed her throat, so soft under his lips, he kissed his way down her long and agile body which moved from side to side showing him how excited she was by his actions.

All during their first time together, Neytiri had been so patient with him showing him the Na'vi way of giving and receiving affection and he was eager to learn, but now it was his turn to teach her a few things. He knew they would not be able to make offspring if they continued to practice the Tsaheylu and only that and he thoroughly enjoyed it, but there was another way.

"Neytiri?" He managed to speak as his heart pounded in his chest.

"Yes, Jhake?" Neytiri wondered what he was thinking. "Is something wrong?"

"No, everything is wonderful, but … I want to be inside you Neytiri, so much … would you allow it?"

"Oh, I've never …"

"I know, just relax," he said as he kissed her again and her arms came around him holding him close. Jake was fast losing control because she felt so good to him. He never imagined loving someone so much that their happiness was the only thing that mattered to him, but he felt that way now about this beautiful creature laying here in his arms so trusting, so eager to please him. She moaning loudly now and he wanted to go slow so as not to frighten her. He moved between her legs, as he continued to murmur to her and kiss her sweet mouth over and over. "Relax my love," he said as he slid slowly inside her heat and realized she was warm and wet. He closed his eyes and sighed because he had just entered heaven; yes it was heaven.

"Jhake!" Neytiri arched her back and screamed his name, the feeling so wonderful as she held tightly to his arms and then her mind and body joined him as one.

Jake moved slowly and then he felt it, a barrier preventing him from going any further. "Now, my love, I'm sorry, but this will hurt for a few moments."

Neytiri closed her eyes and waited. "Oh, Jhake!"

He held her close and pushed his body forward breaking through the barrier and burying his body deep inside of her tight and warm sheath. He stroked and kissed her, telling her how much he loved and needed her.

She kissed him back so enthralled by their coupling; she was thrilled by it. He slowly moved in and out realizing how receptive she was to their lovemaking. He decided to end it quickly so she can heal as he pushed a final time and climaxed shooting warm sperm inside of her lush and firm body then he slowly pulled out, held her close and kissed her temple.

It took several minutes for him to speak. "Are you alright, Neytiri?"

Neytiri sighed against his chest and smiled realizing that Jake had no idea what had happened. She reached behind her and showed him the Tsaheylu.

Jake was shocked; he didn't know what to say. "Did you know we were joined?"

"I suspected it, but I didn't want you to stop," she said and smiled flirtatiously at him.

"I didn't want to stop either, but what does this mean, Neytiri?"

"It means that we are one in thought and in actions; we are one Jhake."

"Oh, you mean, we think alike?" Jake was confused by this.

"Basically, yes. You see, it means we are connected though Eywa and though Tsaheylu. It's very rare, Jhake."

If Jake didn't feel like he belonged before, he definitely felt it now. "I see you," he murmured as he kissed her again.

She moaned into his mouth as she kissed him back.

~o~o~

Meanwhile in Grace Augustine's Lab at Hell's Gate:

It was pretty late, but Norm Spellman and Dr. Max Patel felt it was imperative that they follow the spaceship's movement as it left Pandora's orbit. It was the least they could do to make sure they did not return.

Besides Norm and Max, there were ten other 'humans' who decided to stay and protect the Avatar program. It would continue on the grounds that the humans would not return and the Na'vi would not inform their government of what had gone on there and what they had tried to do to Pandora and to its people.

"Shouldn't they be gone by now?" Norm yawned wanting to get some sleep. It was almost midnight.

Max frowned as he watched the monitors. "Yes, they should be." He frowned again as he punched in a few coordinates. "I don't like this."

"Well, it's only been a few hours since they were all brought on board. Maybe they needed a little more time to get everyone settled."

"I hope that's all it is," Max said truly worried now.

"Dr. Patel, I have some read-outs you should see." It was Bernice Bennett (Bebe) as Norm called her. She was one of the few Avatar program trainees and a scientist who wanted to stay.

Dr. Patel took the read-outs from her. Norm smiled at her trying not to get distracted as he read over Max's shoulder. "This is not good," Max said.

"What is it, Max?" Norm asked also worried.

"The ship is still there and apparently it's not going anywhere."

"But how do you know that?" Norm didn't understand about such things.

Max pointed to the read-outs. "Apparently, the spaceship gives off readings, preparations for travel and coordinates, but it hasn't done any of that, and it takes time to do it, hours or maybe longer depending on where the ship is headed."

"So you think …?" Norm didn't want to say it.

"Yes, we may have another fight on our hands," Max declared truly worried now, as he tried to reach Jake.

TBC!

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A/N: I hope you liked it. Thanks for reading. Reviews are love.