A/N: Thanks to everyone for all the great reviews. We're back with Jake, Neytiri, Sam (aka grandma) Grace (age 11) and the twins (Tsu'tey and Tommy age 8).
Mother!
Chapter 3
Sam looked up at the woman who had been the most important person in her son's life for the last 15 years. She had a beauty and grace about her that made her realize what her son had seen in them, "So, Neytiri, how did you meet my son?" Neytiri had brought her mother-in-law into the Hometree. It wasn't nearly as big as their destroyed home, but she had come to think of it as home, watching her children grow and thrive safe within it's branches.
"I almost killed him, and then I saved him."
"Excuse me?"
"My Jake was lost in the forest when night fell. I was going to kill him… but I got a sign from Eywa… and when he was surrounded by Viperwolves because he was too loud. I brought him back to our home and my mother said that I must teach him our ways. He completed a warrior's training and I fell in love with him, as did he."
"I'm glad." Sam said, "After he was hurt… I was so afraid that he would be alone. Not because no woman could love a paralyzed man, but because he would let his pride keep him from getting close to someone."
Neytiri nodded, "After we stopped the Sky People, I saw my Jake in his human body for the first time, he tried to push me away."
"Jake, my Jake!" Neytiri had put two arrows in the chest of the sky person, but her mind was now completely on her mate. He was lying on the ground unresponsive, even after she shook his shoulders. Then she realized why Jake wasn't responding. She turned to the metal box that housed her mate's sky person body, and saw the smashed window. She, as quickly as possible, leapt through the window and pulled her Jake into her arms.
"Jake! My Jake!" She repeated. He was so pail and while she hadn't seen humans before, she knew that the air she breathed could kill her mate. She saw the mask hanging from the wall and placed it over Jake's face, hoping that it wasn't too late. For the two horrible longest lasting seconds of her life he lay there unresponsive. But then to her great relief his hand reached for the mask turning a valve. She was so mad that she hadn't known to turn on the life giving air.
Jake took three, four, five deep breaths of air before his eyes opened and focused on her face. "I see you." He whispered. She heard in the voice the love that she had heard from him ever since they mated. He put his hand on her cheek.
"I see you." She whispered, covering his hand with hers. His body was smaller, more fragile than she was used to, but she could see in his eyes the strength that she had fallen in love with.
Two days later the Na'vi had taken over hells gate and Neytiri had joined Jake in the human compound to organize the human's departure from Pandora. Jake had wanted to return to his Avatar right away, but Max discovered when they brought the body back that there was some damage that would take a few days to repair. Neytiri wanted to learn everything about her mate.
At her insistence he led the way, in the wheeled device that took the place of his useless legs, to his quarters that contained his few human belongings. When she walked down the hall she had to slump, the ceiling was only 8 feet. Jake reached a door, and upon opening it, revealed two metal beds that he told her was standard for the warrior clan. At his encouragement she sat on the bed and he took out his sparse belongings. She wasn't shocked by his lack of belongings. Among the Na'vi, personal belongings were limited to weapons and protective garments.
"This is my favorite book." Jake said, "It's called a Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. It was written over 500 years ago. When I was 8 I broke my leg, and had to stay in bed for two weeks. My brother and I used to read this and act out the parts. Pretending we were the different parts." At Neytiri's questioning look he explained, "It's a story that was written down on paper and passed through the centuries, and this is a famous author. His stories are plays meant to be acted out. When you are a little boy confined to a bed with no TV (I wasn't exactly doing what I was supposed to!), this was the best entertainment I could hope for.
"When I was paralyzed, Tommy came to the VA and brought a copy of this book. We got a chance to relive our childhood. And then two years later, he was dead."
Neytiri, "I now understand why you treasure this story. Would you like bring it and tell the tale to the People?"
Jake smiled, "I would love to. I think you'll like it. A group of lovers get lost in the woods, and they are found by Oberon and Tatiana, the king and queen of the forest. Magic and mischief run rampant." But then his smile disappeared, "I can understand if you want to go back until Max can fix my body. The nerves of my queue were damaged. He said it'll take another three days."
Neytiri took his hand, "We are mated forever, my Jake. That does not change because you are in this body. For now, you look tired, my love. It has been a long few days."
"I don't know if I can sleep… alone, I won't make you sleep… with this." He said pointing down at his body.
"Just as you always kept me safe, I shall keep you safe during your time of weakness." Neytiri stood. She pushed the other bed next to the one she'd been sitting on. Without any warning, she lifted her mate from his chair of wheels and laid down on the bed with him safely within her arms. She thought that he might object to, but he was asleep in moments, and she watched with a smile as he rested in her arms for the first time.
Neytiri finished the story, and she saw tears in Samantha's eyes. They were sitting on the ground in the inner space of the Hometree. Samantha put a hand on hers, "It gives me so much joy to know that my son could find someone who can see him for who he truly is.
At that moment, Neytiri's eyes went up, and Samantha saw her son had arrived with his three beautiful children. "Mother, I would like to introduce you to Grace, Tsu'tey, and Tommy. Kids, this is my mother, your grandmother."
Samantha's eyes filled with tears, "I am so happy to meet all of you." One by one, she gave them each a big hug. It didn't matter that they were taller than her with blue skinned, yellow eyes and tails. In each of them she saw both of her children returned to her. "I hope you give your father as much grief as he gave me all those years." She said with a smirk, winking at her son. She felt a story coming on. Would you like a story of your father as a child? At three nods, they all sat down and she began.
"Your father and uncle were little terrors. They were identical and always used that to their advantage…"
TBC…
A/N: I hope the length makes up for the wait. I had a little bit of writers block which I was finally able to move! A few more chapters with the kids… and then our diplomat must get back to her job… do we want RDA to return illegally? I welcome suggestions and constructive criticism.
