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Chapter Seven
Grace sighed impatiently as Jake stumbled through the thick roots. Dips and grooves in the earth caused him to trip and stagger. Rolling her eyes Grace sat on a large rock and waited for him to catch up with her. She heard the farewell cry of an ikran and watched as To'itan took to the skies. Her heart shuddered with grief as she thought of her own ikran, now dead. Grace blinked back tears. It would not do well to dwell upon Ma'ja, her friend was with Eywa now.
"Sorry." Jake grumbled tugging at the brambles that had got caught in his hair.
With aggravation Grace walked towards him and pushed him to the ground. Somewhat reluctantly Jake knelt on his knees. Grace began to take out the twigs and leaves from his plaits, her fingers nimbly taking them from his hair. It felt silky to the touch and Grace found herself massaging his scalp once all the brambles had been cleared. A deep vibration welled from Jake and it reached her, making her hum as well.
"That feels so good." Jake whispered leaning into her touch. Jake's sounds of content managed to snap Grace back to reality. What was she doing touching him so freely? Stepping away from him awkwardly, Grace cleared her throat. Stripping away every emotion that might be in her eyes and voice, Grace turned to him with a stern scowl on her lips.
"To'itan has gone up ahead to tell the olo'eytkan of our coming. Ngay'swizav does not like to wait." She said continuing the trek through the woods.
Jake grunted as a stone embedded itself into the sole of his feet. He had only lost his boots a few days ago and his feet had been pushed to the very limit. Grace wasn't walking so fast anymore but she was still being impatient with him. Jake shook his head with confusion. What had he done to make her so short tempered? They had gotten on well enough that morning, before Trudy had rescued them. He wanted to know why she was so bi-polar around him.
"Grace." He called. When she didn't slow down Jake thought of an idea to get her attention.
"Help!" he yelled, faking a slip and crashing to the ground. He lay with his eyes shut, waiting for Grace to take notice. It didn't take long. He felt her cool hands upon his chest as she tried to shake him awake.
"Jhake, Jhake?" Jake could hear the tremor in her voice and winced as her actions became more frantic.
Grace didn't know what to do. One moment he had been hurrying behind her and now he was lying unconscious on the ground. She wouldn't be able to do anything if he was in deep sleep.
"Jhake!" She yelled. Jake's eyes snapped open as his hands grabbed hold of her biceps. He dragged her to his chest and rolled her beneath him. Grace could barely breathe as she looked up into Jake's glittering eyes. He had been faking the whole time. Grace felt her ire rise as he began to laugh at her stricken expression.
"That was not funny Jhake." Grace said between clenched teeth.
Jake leant closer, his nose pressed against hers. Grace swallowed the lump in her throat as his lips brushed hers. For a sliver of time she heard and saw nothing but the blazing heat in Jake's eyes. The corner of his mouth twitched as he pulled back and she could do nothing but flick it with her tongue. Jake's eyes widened at her brazen act leaning further into her. His actions took her back to one of the nights when they had been travelling.
As the dreamwalkers had slept, Jake and Sam had been keeping watch. At some point Jake had left the camp. Grace had snuck away wanting to be alone for a while. Remembering that there was a large pond close by she had gone there with the hopes to wash off the day's dirt.
"I, Jake Sully, will destroy you." Grace's interest had been piqued by the deep voice.
Crawling through a row of bushes she had peered through the foliage and watched as Jake stood navel high in the water. He placed a few twigs on the surface of the pond, his hands hovering over them as if to grab them if they went under. Grace smiled as he sank into the water, his eyes and nostrils above the surface. With a mighty roar he shot from the depths sending a wave to send the twigs to the banks of the pond. Grace couldn't stop herself from laughing. Jake had stood up with surprise searching for the owner of the voice. Grace revealed herself raising an eyebrow over his antics.
"You scared me." He panted placing a palm to his chest as it rose and descended quickly. Grace hid a smile behind her hand and turned, making as if to leave.
"Wait!" He called moving to the bank. Grace watched him warily not coming any closer but not moving either. Grace blushed as she realised that the water had been covering his nudity. She averted her gaze as he pulled his pants on quickly.
"Do you really not understand me?" he asked walking carefully towards her as if she were a shy yerik. Grace cocked her head and made her expression vacant.
"That's probably for the best. You'd probably kick me in the balls if you knew what I was saying." He said easing into a squat. Grace imitated his motions, the leaves from the bush obscuring her body from his gaze. Jake gave a soft chuckle, his hands picking at the grass.
"You are beautiful. The first woman I have felt attracted to in years. You aren't even human but you are… you…" Grace felt her heart pound at his words. A soft hue shaded his cheeks as he stumbled over his words.
"For all I know you could be married with kids." Jake laughed, his face suddenly becoming very serious. "You aren't are you?" he asked.
"No." Grace whispered as she was thrown from that memory to the present. Above her Jake stilled his eyes lowering in guilt.
"I should not have done that." Jake said standing up. Grace's brow furrowed as he offered her his hand. She hadn't meant no to what they were doing but no to his past question. It didn't matter. She shouldn't be flirting with Jake. He was uniltìrantokx, an enemy to her people unless he was able to prove himself.
Norman had insisted that she take the dreamwalker back to Kelutral with her. She wasn't aware of how the dreamwalker had arrived on Pandora when they had been without the Tawtute for many years. Yet her uncle believed that this was the only way to repay the debt for saving her life. She did not like the idea of being indebted to anyone let alone a vrrtep dressed as a Na'vi. Ignoring the offered assistance Grace picked herself of the ground and continued walking towards her home.
Jake felt his jaw drop as they reached what Grace had called Kelutral. Several large trees wove together to form a tree of mass proportions. It shot into the sky like a never ending tower, its large roots making natural alcoves. Within these alcoves he could see families sitting around small fires. The large trunk was hollow and sported a spiralling centre which seemed to act like a staircase. From the corner of his eye he could see people running down the stairwell. From the treetops blue figures dashed through the overgrowth leaping from limb to limb as they noticed their arrival. Jake unconsciously brushed his shoulder against Grace's feeling overwhelmed as many Na'vi approached them.
"Tsmuke." They whispered reaching out to touch Grace. Jake smiled as Grace greeted them in kind, tears welling in her eyes.
"Tsmuke!" Jake stepped back as a small Na'vi boy ran towards them his arms outstretched.
Grace knelt to the ground sweeping the boy in her arms as he reached her. The boy scattered kissed around her face, tears of joy rolling down both their faces. Jake's smile withered slightly as he realised his assumptions had been true. Grace did have a child. It was clear that they meant a lot to each other. She lifted the boy into her arms and she continued walking. Jake walked close to her grinning as the little boy hid his head behind her shoulder when he smiled at him. He concentrated on the little boy as they walked towards a raised platform. After the Na'vi's initial jubilation over Grace's return their voices had become angered and hostile. He knew that they were talking about him and they weren't happy.
Grace could feel Jake's anxiety like a choking cloak around her body but she couldn't show favour towards him. Not yet. Not while her father hadn't come to a decision over his presence in Hometree. It felt good to be home, she hadn't realised how much she loved Kelutral until now. The sea of people parted and her parents came into view. She could see visible strain in their eyes as she approached them. Her father stood proudly and gave no hint towards what he was thinking. Only the flicker of his eyelids belied his joy and happiness upon seeing her. Her mother stood beside her father just as stoically, as the wife of the olo'eytkan, Anna had to show restraint. When Grace reached the platform she released her younger brother who ran to their mother. Anna patted the boys head with affection before shooing him to Mo'at.
"Oel ngati kameie olo'eyktan. Oel ngati kameie sa'nok." Grace said placing her fingers to her forehead in greeting.
"Why have you bought this demon to our home?" Ngay'swizav asked. Grace took hold of her tail briefly the only sign of her nervousness before she spoke.
"He saved my life. If not for him I would have died." She said, loud enough for all the Na'vi to hear. The crowd quietened as their anger turned to amazement. Ngay'swizav stepped forward his look stern.
"What do you wish for him?" he asked coming to a halt mere inches from her. Grace's arms burned with the need to hold her father but now was not the time. Ngay'swizav was not father, Ngay'swizav was olo'eytkan.
"For him to become one of us." She said. Many of the Na'vi hissed at this request only to be silenced by Anna's raised hand. She may not be Tsahik but she was still the mate of the olo'eytkan. Stepping forward Anna assessed the dreamwalker, her eyes squinting at the resemblance he shared with someone she had known a long time ago.
"Raise your hand." She said aiming the request at Jake. Grace stepped away from him and joined her mother's side, their fingers brushing briefly. Jake raised his hand towards Anna's. Anna then took Ngay'swizav's wrist ignoring his resistance.
"I was one of the dreamwalkers once. Now I am one of you." Anna said addressing the Omatikaya. Grace watched as Jake's eyes flickered to Ngay'swizav's four fingered hand then back to his own.
"You were an Avatar?" Jake asked. Anna nodded then frowned, her ears lowering when the sound of his voice hit her.
"Jake? Jake Sully?" She stammered taking a step back. Grace's ears pricked at the shock in her mother's voice looking sharply at Jake who continued to stare at Anna.
"Do I know you?" he asked. Anna shook her head as if dispelling a memory, her eyes glittering with unshed tears.
"Anna Quaritch."
Jake couldn't have been more surprised by the Na'vi's revelation. He remembered Anna as the object of his friend's obsession but he had never thought she would be a Na'vi. She had been beautiful as a human but as a Na'vi there was an earthy appeal to her that was mirrored in her daughter. Jake moaned with embarrassment. He had hit on the daughter of one his friends. Jake looked to the chieftain and noticed that his scowl had deepened, his patience for an explanation wearing thin.
"I know Jake Sully. He was a good friend of mine. He is a good man." Anna said now standing beside Jake. Jake rose an eyebrow at her sudden support but decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth. The olo'eyktan seemed to be struggling with a decision but when he saw the pleading look his mate gave him, he sighed.
He addressed the Na'vi in their language and from the sounds of it, Ngay'swizav had agreed to allow Jake into their circle. Many of the Na'vi were not pleased but there wasn't much they could do about it. If the chieftain said Jake was welcome then he was welcome.
...
Grace took the bowl of meat from To'itan who was still glaring daggers at Jake. Grace turned to Jake who was watching the Na'vi with unabashed interest. His head volleyed between numerous conversations as if he could understand every word. It was endearing especially when a small child ran to him and handed him a woven doll. Jake thanked the child laughing as he ran away and hid behind his parents shyly. Grace smiled as Tsu'tey took hold of his son and began tickling him.
"What is it?" Jake asked, his fingers running over the roughly woven gift. Grace giggled and dished out some food from the bowl onto his plate.
"Small children are given this to play with. Miktay must have thought you needed it more than he did." She explained.
"Do you mean to tell me that Miktay thinks I am more of a child than he is?" Jake asked his eyes glowing with mirth. Grace nodded then laughed at his expression of disbelief. Jake joined in with her laughter and the rest of the circle watched them in bemusement as each time they paused for breath they would burst into laughter again.
"Mawe." Grace heard To'itan growl, which only made her laugh harder. To'itan scowled placing his hand on hers. Grace was surprised by the contact. Holding hands was an intimate act shown only by a parent with their child or mates.
"What are you doing?" Grace asked as To'itan began caressing her hand. The hunter's eye glowed with anger as Jake continued to hiccup with residue laughter.
"Are we not meant to be mated?" He whispered to her ear "yet you laugh freely with the demon." Grace frowned pulling her hand from his. She could feel his shock but she didn't care. Grace did not appreciate being used as a mark of territory.
"Come Jhake." She said getting up from the circle. She could feel the disproving eyes of the Na'vi upon her skin but she did not look back. She was not betrothed to To'itan. She owed him nothing and if the Na'vi didn't like it then that was their problem.
"Where are we going?" Jake asked as they began to climb the steep spiral of Hometree. Grace didn't answer him until they reached the communal sleeping area. Hundred of hammocks hung from the branches swaying lightly in the breeze. Only the young were asleep at this time for which Grace appreciated, as adult Na'vi enjoyed to gossip.
"This is where we sleep." Grace said indicating the hammocks.
"We are sleeping now?" he asked approaching the Na'vi bed with caution. Grace placed her hand on his forearm shuddering at the contact. Jake paused and looked at her, his eyes reading every emotion that she let slip through her guard.
"You told me I was beautiful. The first woman you had desired in years." She whispered drawing closer to him. Jake lowered his eyes in embarrassment before nodding. His sudden shyness confused Grace, for when he had said those words, when he had believed that she didn't understand him, his words had been backed with conviction. Grace cupped his face in hers forcing him to look in her eyes.
"Do you desire me now Jhake?" She asked. Jake nodded his eyes hooded with desire. Grace leant forward and kissed him gently on the cheek. It humbled her that Jake would find her to be attractive when she knew that she was nothing like the females on Earth. Grace pulled away from him even as her body wailed in protest.
"When you can love, I will give myself to you." Grace whispered.
Jake's eyes widened as she pulled away but she would not back down. There was no question about her desire for him but desire and lust were not enough. Having seen To'itan's displays of dominance had shown her that she needed a mate who would see her as an equal. Jake showed no sign of being blighted by her superior skill with weaponry. Instead he complimented her. She knew that she should have been flattered by To'itan's behaviour but instead it annoyed her. Blinking back the sudden fatigue that swamped her Grace demonstrated how to get into the hammock safely. Jake swung from the branch trying to find balance on the woven bed. His grip weakened as he slipped falling face first into the mesh.
"Skxawng." Grace mumbled as he checked about them to see if anyone had noticed. Catching Grace's eye he smiled sheepishly, copying her position in the hammock. If Jake acted the way To'itan had that night she liked to think she would hit him.
"Goodnight Grace." He whispered as she touched the edges of the hammock. It moved as she turned to face away from him and enclosed her in its warmth.
...
"This doesn't sound like a good idea Jake." Sam said, his eyes scouring the makeshift canteen as they sat for dinner. Jake had just woken up from the psionic unit and was feeling the effects of sleep deprivation. Stifling a yawn Jake drank the thick brown liquid they called coffee. It did nothing to elevate his exhaustion. Harry and Peter were also awake but to keep up with the pretence of looking for Hell's Gate they were sleeping in the mobile unit. Leila had assured Jake that the other scientist wouldn't breathe a word about them all being back and he trusted her.
"Do you really think it's right to kill the Na'vi when headquarters doesn't exist anymore?" Jake asked chewing on dehydrated bread. Sam mulled over Jake's question but it was clear that his friend had no answer to his question.
"What about Venezuela, you didn't show any guilt towards them." Sam reminded him. Jake felt his food stick in his throat as he thought about the months in the war torn country. Sam was right, he hadn't thought about the innocents who had fallen beneath his gun. He had to live with that guilt everyday of his life but he wouldn't repeat the mistakes of the past.
"Think about it Sam. RDA is gone, Stevenson is whacked out of his mind if he thinks he can massacre the natives and steal from them." Jake said pushing the unappetising food away from him. Sam finished drinking his coffee and stood from his seat. The big man looked grimly at Jake before offering his clenched fist.
"I'll always back you Jake. If you want to play hero then you need a sidekick." Jake smiled and hit his fist against Sam's.
After the man had walked away Jake wheeled himself to the cockpit. Suzy smiled as she saw Jake, saluting him before leaving. Jake watched the newly repaired machinery and knew that the shuttle was up and running. It now all depended on him. Jake cleared his throat gaining Stevenson's attention. Stevenson turned with a bored expression on his face. Jake didn't like that look and knew that he had to tell Stevenson now instead of the two days he had planned.
"Corporal." Stevenson said in greeting, saluting him briskly before putting his hands behind his back. Jake also saluted his hands shaking slightly as he lowered his arm. Shutting his eyes briefly Jake dispelled all feelings of nervousness. He couldn't show weakness or anxiety before Stevenson. The lieutenant was sharp and would surely notice Jake's reluctance to divulge information.
"We have arrived at Hell's Gate." Jake said. For the first time Jake saw Stevenson smile. It was a scary sight which Jake prayed he would never see again. Stevenson sat in the captain's chair a calculative gleam in his eye.
"Good. I'm sure Quaritch and Selfridge were glad to see you." Stevenson said. Jake flinched as he prepared himself to tell the lieutenant the truth.
"Sir, the RDA has been dissolved. We've been in deep space for twenty years now." Jake said. Hearing the words from his mouth reminded him of how long he had been from home. He didn't even know if his parents were still alive. His mother would be grief stricken to have lost another son. Jake cleared his thoughts of home and his dead twin. The past couldn't be changed but he would have a hand in making a better future.
Stevenson's jaw clenched at Jake's news. He hadn't been prepared for that. The dumbass engineer had sworn it couldn't have been more than a few years. He looked at the mangled marine before him and couldn't help but smile. All his reservations about Corporal Sully and his platoon had been misguided. Sully hadn't disappointed him, he had found Hell's Gate and that was enough to make a move.
"What did you find Sully?" Stevenson asked intrigued as the marine wiped a layer of perspiration from his forehead.
"There are a few staff and their families, mostly scientists. I was told they were planning on leaving the planet. They'd finished researching nature or some bull like that." Stevenson chuckled at the disdain in the marine's voice. Stevenson personally saw scientist as a waste of space but he needed them. The hundreds of puppets, Avatars, were perfect for a full scale attack.
"Great. You have the co-ordinates I presume." Stevenson asked. The marine nodded producing a disk from his pocket. Stevenson took it, playing with it between his fingers.
"Sir, if I may ask. Since the RDA are finished. Are we going to refuel and leave?" Jake asked. Stevenson flashed a smile at the ignorant soldier. Jake had yet to fail him so he saw no reason to keep anything from him.
"Sully, we were never commissioned by the RDA. We stand for a freelance agency called The Organisation. It was something set up by Selfridge and I. There is too much invested to abandon Pandora. Now am I going to need to pull you out?" Stevenson asked, giving the marine a once over. To his amusement Jake shook his head, a glimmer in his eye.
"The guys and I feel like we should stick around Hell's Gate. Apparently they are getting trouble from the beasts out there. Plus I heard some whisperings about a nearby clan." Jake said. Stevenson knew exactly where Jake was going with this and marvelled at the boys intuition.
"Selfridge told me about them but failed to tell me how close they are. I don't want to have to wait another fortnight before getting news from you Sully. How long will it take us to reach Hell's Gate?" Stevenson asked, mindful of the dwindling fuel they had left.
"Looking at the coordinates I would say two months." Stevenson swore at Jake's estimates but then realised that the boy was right. They didn't have enough resources to stage an attack from their current position. Hell's Gate would be the post to attack from. Cracking his knuckles Stevenson sent Jake a steady glare knowing the marine would understand the seriousness of the situation.
"Okay marine. By the time we reach Hell's Gate I want an extensive report on the Na'vi location. That's two months marine for you to find them." Stevenson said sternly watching the man as he wheeled himself to the door.
"By the way Sully." He called. Jake looked over his shoulder. "Once this is over you'll be one rich SOB. Then you can get your legs back. Your real legs." Stevenson said. Jake grinned then left. As soon as he was gone Stevenson put the chip into the computer scowling as he saw the route that had to be taken. The marine's estimates had been correct if not a little over-exaggerated.
"Six weeks." Stevenson said into the intercom. "Get me there in six weeks." He repeated slamming the off button in anger.
...
"Stevenson is mobilising." Leila said as she entered the lab. The scientist was excited at being invited into the Na'vi community and it could be seen in her eyes. Jake watched as Harry entered the link chambers. The two men hadn't been happy with their plan either but they were loyal to him and would follow him into the depths of hell if he asked them to.
"Did you manage to convince him to leave the units here?" Jake asked. He and Leila had discussed the idea intensively. If Stevenson left them to their own devices it would mean one less thing to worry about when war broke out. Leila nodded though there was something in her expression that showed it hadn't been a nice conversation.
"I explained to him that moving the mobile could cause negative effects with the units, since they were only meant to be installed once." Jake and Sam laughed over Leila's lie.
"And he bought it?" one of the scientist asked overhearing them. Jake was still unsure about letting the Intel knowing their business but he was trusting Leila.
"He's a guns and gravy man. If I told him looking at Pandoran flowers could cause death he'd believe it." Leila scoffed entering her own unit. Jake chuckled touching his fist against hers. Leila's eyes widened slightly at the contact but she didn't comment on it. Instead she saluted him before the lid was shut.
"I know you don't trust us but we were never on board with Stevenson's plan." A male scientist, named Max, said the other staff making noises of agreement. Jake didn't say anything and gave a sharp nod. These were his people now so he had to have some faith in them. Peter stood by Jake's unit a grim smile on his lips.
"I know you don't like being left behind but I need someone on the inside. You are the best at being covert." Jake said truly hating the thought of leaving Peter with Stevenson. But since they weren't going with the convoy he needed to be kept up to date. Peter gave a stiff nod then hugged Jake. It was so brief that Jake could have imagined it.
"Take care Sully. I don't want to have to identify your corpse." The man said before swiftly leaving. Jake sighed declining the offered assistance of the scientist as he entered the unit. Taking a deep breath Jake closed his eyes.
Okay all so that was the latest chapter, I would love to know what you think, all CONSTRUCTIVE critism is welcome, but if you wish to rant then so be it *sniffles* anywho, please let me know what you think. I'm particularly interested on your take on the romance between Jake and Grace, too fast, too slow or just right. Much love AmeQuill :D