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Chapter Nine: Happy Hour

It was my turn to return to Hell's Gate with Trudy. We needed supplies and food and she was never to go alone. Norm usually volunteered but he wanted time in his avatar. I couldn't blame him. Jake and I had been spending so much time in ours that he was neglected. Grace and Jake were going to take him into the village. Jake and I had talked to Mo'at and she agreed to allow our friend in. He was here for them just as much as the rest of us. I was grateful for Mo'at for her generosity in this area. We would bring no one else. But Norm had worked so hard to be a part of this. So hard, that he needed to be rewarded for his dedication to the Avatar Program.

"Max…" I smiled, hugging him tightly.

"I've missed you." He told me gently.

"I've missed you too." I said taking his face in my hands. He just smiled before taking my hand as we started to walk toward the lab. "How have things been here?" I asked him.

"Busy." He replied. "Been working as hard as I can to keep you all in the loop on what Selfridge and Quaritch are up to."

"And I thank you for that." I told him.

"I hear you've been busy too." He replied with a raised brow.

"What has Grace told you?" I replied the same way.

"Everything." He said a slight sad edge to his voice.

"And?" I asked.

"And I agree with Grace. You're getting in too deep with Tsanten. I'm worried that you're going to get hurt. No matter how this turns out. You're going to get hurt in the end." He told me honestly.

"You're not the only one." I sighed. "I'm just as worried about that as you are. But I'm uncomfortable in my own skin." I told him. "When I think about myself, I think of my blue skin, and yellow eyes. I think of my slender frame and the queue coming from the back of my head. My ears can move in every direction and my senses are so strong I can smell something a mile away. I can run miles and move my body in ways I could never imagine in this one. Stealthy and healthy…" I said and paused. "I feel strong in that body. I don't anymore in this one. I'm happier there. No pain, no father to put up with, just me, the people, and…Pandora. I have Loki and Tompa."

"And Tsanten." Max smiled.

"Yes, and Tsanten." I smiled back. "He makes me happy. I haven't felt nearly as much toward any man who's human. But give me a Na'vi and I couldn't be happier." I said and laughed a little. "It's crazy. This thing is going to get out of hand before the end. But he knows why I'm there. He knows what I'm trying to do. He knows everything and he's still willing to teach me. To help me learn more then I already know. He's there for me. I couldn't ask for more. So…I'm going to stick it out and I'm going to try and be happy."

"Okay." He said and put an arm around me. "You've won me over."

"Thank you, Max." I smiled at him.

"Sara…" I heard my name from behind me.

Max looked at me. I shut my eyes, clenching my jaw, before looking back at him. I nodded and he told me he'd meet me in the lab. I listened to the footsteps as they neared me. I didn't turn around but waited for him to step in front of me. When he did he had his attempt of a fatherly smile on his face. I raised a brow and glared at him.

"Yes?" I asked him.

"I heard you were coming for a visit. Wanted to know how you were?" He replied.

I just looked at him before smiling. "You know what, Miles? I am fantastic. I love my life with the Na'vi. I'm learning and have found a place amongst the People. It becomes clearer to me every day that the Na'vi are so much better then the average person. So…I am fantastic." I told him before walking around him.

"That's good to hear." He said following me.

"What?" I frowned at him.

"I'm glad you're fantastic." He replied.

"Are you listening to me?" I asked. "I'm happy with the Na'vi. The people that you are trying to destroy are the people I'm falling in love with. How can you act all nice to me when you know your intentions toward them are evil? Not only that but knowing that I will do anything in my power to stop anything bad from happening to them."

He just looked at me, a smile still on his face. "By the end of all this you'll be coming home with me."

"If that's what you think then you are so far gone its ridiculous." I told him, crossing my arms. "If you think for a second that I will be doing anything with you, you've lost your mind."

Walking around him, he didn't say anything else, giving me time to escape. Walking into the lab, Max was linking a few of the avatars. I watched as they went in, longing to link myself.

"You wanna go in for a little bit?" Max asked me.

I looked at him, thinking about it. "I really shouldn't." I told him. "I'm here to keep Trudy company."

"Are you sure?" He asked. "I know you want to."

"Well…Trudy might be a few hours…" I said looking at a link bed.

"Just go." Max said going and opening it. "If Trudy comes looking for you I'll tell her you'll only be an hour or so."

"Do you think she'll be mad?" I asked.

"Nah, she gets it." He smiled.

I just smiled back before moving to the link. Laying down I pulled it closed. Shutting my eyes I drifted to my avatar. Opening my eyes I smiled seeing the sun shine through the leaf cocoon I was laying comfortably in. Pushing it open, I jumped up onto the branch, before jogging down to the gathering area. I ran into Alyara first.

"Sara! Sara!" She yelled as she threw her arms around my waist.

"Kaltxì, Alyara." I smiled embracing the girl.

"I've missed you all day." She said her tone scolding.

"Well, I'm sorry. I've had things to do at home today." I told her, bending down to her level, looking up at her eager gold eyes.

"Will you come play with us?" She asked me.

"I can't sweetie. I don't have a lot of time right now." I told her. There was only one person I was looking for. She sighed and I stood and ran my hand down her face, lifting her chin so she would look at me. "I will soon though, I promise." I told her, trying to brighten her up.

"As long as you promise." She told me.

"I do."

She sighed again before cocking her head at me. "Tsanten is by Toruk. He's been sad all day." She told me.

Leaning down I smiled at her, "Now why would you tell me that?"

"Because that's why you're here." She told me matter-of-factly.

My smiled widened and I just nodded at her. "I did miss him."

"I think he misses you too." She told me.

"I'll see you soon okay." I smiled and hugged her quickly before moving away from her.

Peeking around the edge of one of the giant roots, I spotted him. I couldn't help the smile that crossed my face. He sat alone, he was doing something but I couldn't tell what. His expression seemed a bit down. I was about to move to him when I saw Ney'ite walk up to him. I paused and watched as he looked up at her. A small smile crossed his face but she soon walked away from him. Maybe there was hope for him after all. I smiled again as I slowly walked over to him. He glanced up before doing a double take; a grin crossed his face as he stood. Stepping up to him, I smiled as I looked up into his yellow eyes.

"Hi." I grinned.

"Hi." He said and put his arms around me.

Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I hugged him back. It was longer then most. Making me wonder what he was thinking as he sat there alone. He released me, smiling down at me.

"I'm glad you're here." He said softly.

"I am too. Didn't think I'd be able to today. But here I am." I replied.

"Come." He said taking my hand and leading me through the village.

Soon we were at the direhorses. Bonding with our steeds we raced into the jungle. He led me to the same lake we had visited before. Smiling at him I urged Tompa into the water. He swam deeper before turning around. I could feel his happiness through our bond. Pulling our queues apart I slid off his back, emerging myself in the water. I swam deep, loving the coolness of the water. A moment later there were hands on my waist and I was brought to the surface. Laughing I turned to face Tsanten. He laughed with me. Pulling me against him we floated in the water.

"I want you to do something for me." He said softly.

"And what is that?" I asked, absent mindedly playing with his braids.

"I want you to make tsaheylu with Loki. I want to be there when it happens." He replied.

"What if he doesn't like me as much as I think he does?" I asked.

"Doubtful." He said with a small laugh.

Just looking at him I couldn't help the excitement that was moving through me. "Wanna find him with me?" I asked with a smile.

"I didn't take you out here just for a swim." He smiled back.

"It might take a few hours." I told him.

"I know." He said and was already pulling me from the water.

"We have to hurry." I said as I pulled myself onto his back.

He carried me from the water and over to Tompa. Having trouble crawling onto the direhorses back put us both into fits of laughter. I ended up toppling onto the ground, incapable of controlling my laughter. Tsanten was the same as he bent to try and help me up. He managed to get me on my feet and shoved me on top of my pa'li.

"Is this you hurrying?" He said through his laughter.

"I'm sorry." I told him as I situated myself on Tompa. "But seriously, hurry up." I said and laughed again.

He quickly mounted Tìtxur and raced off into the jungle. I yelled after him. Tompa was still young and Tìtxur was older and stronger. He flew through the jungle, leaving me and Tompa behind. Through our bond we felt each others determination and I was surprised when he picked up speed. Squeezing harder with my knees to stay on, he sped past Tìtxur, and with an exhilarated noise I'd only heard a few times, he leapt over a fallen tree, dashing far into the lead. When I felt like I had made my point I slowed down to an easy canter and soon Tsanten caught up. He looked at me with a raised brow before slowing further.

"That was fun." I told him.

"You've proven Tompa a noble steed." He told me though his tone was laced with sarcasm.

"Yes I did!" I said proudly.

"But we don't have time for this." He stated. "So stop playing around and let's go."

Nodding, we both moved our pa'li into a canter again. We moved at a steady pace, weaving through the jungle as easily as if we were swimming through it. I felt bad for putting even more time in then I had anticipated. But Trudy would understand. At least I hoped she would. I'd make it up to her. I'd stay human for the remainder of the day and keep her company. When the jungle got thicker and the sun wasn't quite as bright through the canopy, I slowed Tompa, dismounting as I looked at Tsanten.

"We're close. We should walk from here." I told him.

He nodded and dropped from Tìtxur's back. "Should I be worried of dying while we're here?" He asked. It meant to be a joke but I could hear the seriousness that was imbedded into it.

"You'll be fine." I told him, looking up at his tall frame. "You're with me." I smiled gently.

He just smiled back and put his hand on my lower back as we continued forward. Soon I could hear the wrestling of the babies. When I pushed through the brush, I caught site of them. They had doubled their size since the last time I'd seen them. They were now great dane sized, making it much more exciting when they tried to give me their usual welcome. I was flattened to the ground as they all came to say hello.

"Mawey!" I called. "Mawey."

They slowly moved off of me and turned their attentions to Tsanten. They all stood in a line and smelled him out. Deciding whether to trust him or not. I bent down, putting my hands on them. Telling them that it was okay. My voice seemed to calm them. Wiley seemed to remember him and stepped up to him, nudging him with his head. Smiling I turned to see both parents come out of the den. Though a second later Lucy came charging through the brush, her anger bursting from the seams as she roared at Tsanten. I leapt in front of him. Speaking Na'vi, I calmed her down, telling her that he was of no threat. She calmed, but nudged her babies away from him. A few moments later Loki appeared a subtle growl in his throat. Daddy had arrived and calm settled amongst the thanator family. I felt Tsanten brush against me and I looked up to see the unease as he looked at the five of them. I nudged him so he would look at me.

"Don't look so skittish." I told him. "Remember, you were the one who wanted me to do this."

"Oe omum." I said quickly. "Oe omum."

I laughed quietly before going to greet my boy. "Kaltxì, Loki." I smiled and wrapped my arms around his big head. "I want to try something today." I told him as I let him go. "But it's up to you, okay? If you don't want to then we won't."

I slowly pulled my queue forward and showed it to him. He looked at it before moving his long antennae toward me. Smiling, I didn't hesitate to place the two together and his consciousness filled my mind. He showed me memories of our time spent at Hells Gate. He showed his family and the hunt he had just been on.

"Amazing…" I whispered and shut my eyes.

Speaking to him through the bond. Telling him everything and anything. Showing him the lake and Tompa. Showing him my friends and the village. Opening my eyes, I grinned at Tsanten before moving to Loki's side. I put my hands on his back but paused. He could feel my nervousness. He let out a sort of snort as he nudged me with his leg. I grinned wider as I leapt up onto his back. His muscles were hard and well built. I could feel his strength. It was ten times more powerful then the direhorse. It was utterly the most exhilarating experience of my life so far. Looking at Tsanten once more, Loki bolted forward and we were off. Bending low over his back, he ran through the jungle. He climbed trees and leapt over rivers as he carried me through the jungle. He slowed to a stop at the top of a cliff, overlooking the jungle. I was grinning from ear to ear as I took it all in. Not just the site in front of me but what he felt. His contentedness of his world and his life. Even of me. It was brilliant and intoxicating. I'd never felt anything like it. He truly was as good a friend as I hoped he would be. Now I knew for sure that somewhere I had gone right with him. He was magnificent and strong. Stronger then I gave him credit for. Lying down against him I stroked his sides, showing him how happy I was. He made a purring type noise and looked back at me. Soon we were already on our way back. He sensed the time frame I had and we leisurely made our way back to the others. It occurred to me that I might want to be slightly worried about leaving Tsanten alone with four other thanators. Loki calmed me with his mind, showing me how loving his family was. When we stepped back into his den area Tsanten was leaning against Lucy. Her head was resting against him and the babies lay around him. When he looked up at me there was a wide grin on his face. A light in his eyes that made him look beautiful. He stood and stepped up to me, slowly helping me from Loki's back. Loki let out a happy noise and I felt my face flush before I disconnected our queues.

"Hi." He smiled at me.

"Hi." I replied, my hands still on his arms.

Our eyes locked and for a moment I felt like I couldn't move. "We should go." I finally managed to get out. His yellow eyes were telling me something that I didn't want to know. But he nodded and stepped away from me. I turned to Loki and wrapped my arms around his head again. "Irayo." I told me, kissing him before giving the family a quick goodbye.

Tsanten smiled as he led me back through the jungle. Tompa and Tìtxur were waiting in the vicinity that we had left them. Tompa came to great me eagerly and we were soon on our way back to the village. There was a nice calm as we made our way back. We talked of day's events and what was to come. He told me of what to expect when I went to tame my Ikran. He walked me through everything step by step. He would show me what to do, but it was nice to be able to have him tell me, and to allow me to ask any and every question that came to mind. He never lost patience with me and answered everything fully and respectively. I admired him. He was a good Na'vi. He was perfect. When I looked at him I saw the life I wanted. In this world I could be everything I wanted to be. I could have everything I've ever wanted. I was sad when we finally reached the village and I would have to go. That in itself was odd. Lying down amongst the clatter of the Na'vi life, returning to a place I felt like a shadow in. But I would do it. I would do what I must.

"Will you return today?" Tsanten asked me as we sat on the limb above my leaf bed.

"No. I have things to take care of there." I told him, sad to be saying it.

"Okay." He replied with a small smile.

"This was fun. A good day." I smiled back at him. "Thank you for being there. It was amazing."

"I'm glad. You're lucky." He told me.

"You are too. You're a part of the family now." I grinned. "Loki even agrees with that."

He just looked at me slightly stunned. "Wow."

"I know." I said and nudged him. "We'll have to bring Loki here sometime. Show him off a bit."

Tsanten laughed, "We will see about that."

"I spose." I said as a silence fell between us. "I should go." I said and dropped into my bed.

"I'll see you in the morning?" He asked.

"Bright and early." I said and closed the cocoon.

It was hard to drift back when I knew he was watching me. But I managed to close my eyes and return through the link. Opening it to see a laughing Trudy sitting with a grinning Max. Getting up I walked over to them.

"Does this mean I'm not in trouble?" I smiled at Trudy.

"Nope." She smiled back. "Max is good company. How was Tsanten?" She asked.

"Good." I grinned and sat on the desk in front of them. "He had me make tsaheylu with Loki. It was amazing."

"Tell me about it." Max said wheeling closer to me.

Laughing I told him all about it while making a video log at the same time. It would be nice to have the experience plus the questions on record. When I was finally done, Max escorted us back to the scorpion and helped us load everything we had come to get. I was eager to return to the shack and to relax for a bit. To keep my word to Trudy.

"I'm sorry I didn't help more." I told her on the way back. "Max was a bad influence on me."

"Its fine, Sara." She replied. "I don't blame you. I know how attached you are to the Na'vi."

"But its girl time the rest of the day." I smiled at her.

She laughed. "Okay, I'm gonna hold you to that."

When we got back to the shack everyone was still in their link beds. Trudy and I unloaded everything, putting it away before cracking a beer and pulling out a deck of cards. We talked about everything we used to. Gorging ourselves on whatever we could find.

"What are you girls up to?" Grace asked, making us both jump as she came into the room.

"Hey!" I said enthusiastically. "We're just, you know, hanging out."

"Have you linked at all today?" Jake asked with a raised brow, rolling into the room.

"For a little bit at Hell's Gate." I told him.

"That's what I thought." He replied.

"Is it?" I frowned at him.

"We saw Tsanten and he was looking pretty happy. He even ignored Ney'ite's advances." He replied.

"Well, I am a beautiful Na'vi." I told him cockily and laughed.

He just shook his head and grabbed a drink from the fridge. Before I knew it we were all enjoying each others company, laughing, realizing that we were lucky. We had each other as well as the Na'vi. Sometimes it felt like all would be lost. But day's like this made me happy. Day's like this made me think that all would be all right in the end. If only I could know for sure. But as long as I had Grace and everyone here, I would never be alone. We were family and that's all that matters.