Soldiers of Fortune
"The Fog part 2"

When it was clear that the Na'vi weren't going to kill them they all went back into the cave to converse with each other. Although their leader didn't mind their company the other Na'vi were still uncomfortable with their presence. Even though the blue man knew english Grace continued to converse in their native tongue which made following the conversation difficult for Leon.

"Tell me," said the leader to Leon. "Why you do fall from trees?"

"Okay first of all," corrected Leon. "It was only one tree and it was only one time. I don't make it a habit to fall from trees. Why does everyone keep bringing this up?"

"You attacked by toruk," said the man as if he hadn't heard a single word Leon had just said. "Toruk did not eat you. Why you fall from tree?"

"Because its the fastest way down," said Leon who wanted nothing more than to be off this floating rock.

The leader looked at him puzzled at his explanation. Grace must have told him what really happened because he was now nodding his head. Leon let out a sigh and got to his feet which really only probably got him around eye level with the Na'vi. He saw the other na'vi wrapping their long four fingered hands around their bows and arrows.

"Grace, a way down?" asked Leon feeling the unwelcome vibes coming from the others.

"He says the only way down is on the back of an Ikran," she told him. Before Leon could ask what the heck and Ikran was she answered it for him. "Its a Banshee."

"We have to hitch a ride on those dinosaurs," said Leon looking over to the Banshee side of the mountain.

"They're actually more like birds than reptiles or dinosaurs," began Alice but Leon's glare made her shut her mouth. Apparently when scientists couldn't brag about their knowledge to each other they had to take it out on the security.

"He is saying that was members of his clan who witnessed you falling from the trees and saved your life," translated Grace.

"You can tell them I'm thankful and in their debt," said Leon to the Na'vi leader hoping that he understood. Apparently he did as he spread his lips revealing his teeth and long fangs which passed for a smile.

"Good," he said. "Teach them 'ìnglìsì."

"Come again?" asked Leon trying to understand what he was saying.

The Na'vi looked to Grace. "He wants you to teach them english."

"There's no way," said Leon. "I'm not a teacher."

"Its not that difficult," said Grace. "They're fast learners."

"How would you know?"

"How do you think he knows english?"

Leon looked from Grace to the Na'vi and back to Grace.

"I've been trying to set up a school but Parker won't have anything to do with it. Now if I can get the backing of say… the SecOps team…" suggested Grace. "Either way you look at it they're gonna learn english either by your, rudimentary education or through me."

"Damn you woman," said Leon shaking his head. "You planed this all along."

"I certainly did not," said Grace defensively. "I didn't push you out of a tree."

"But you put assigned me to your security detail," said Leon.

"You're in a life debt with his clan," said Grace. "You owe them your life. Soldier."

Leon didn't like it but the woman had a point. "Alright fine. I'll talk with the Major. Then I suppose he'll talk to Parker."

Grace gave him that same big fanged smile at him. She talked to the Na'vi leader, relaying the conversation back to him who gave him that big grin again.

"We still need to get off of this flying mountain," said Leon.

"Don't worry about that," said Grace. "Its already being taken care of."

The Na'vi leader left us for a bit but returned on the back of one of the banshees. The Na'vi dismounted from its back and removed its hair from one of the tendrils on the creature's head. Leon was surprised to see the banshee waiting at the edge of the cave waiting patiently for its master to return.

"I don't see how that's going to fit all of us," said Leon getting a good look at the creature's back.

"We don't all need to fit on its back," said Grace. "Just you."

Leon stared blankly at her for a minute. "No way!" he protested. "There is no way I am going to get on that thing. There's no seat belts."

Grace held up the harness that she used to carry him on her back as they scaled the mountain. Leon began to mouth curse words as she and Alice held him on to the Na'vi back. Before he knew it, the Banshee was off the wall and gliding downward. It was difficult because of the limited visibility but the dark Samson stood out amongst the clouds like a sore thumb. The Na'vi must have seen it before he did because he was steering the Banshee in that direction.

Leon could have almost laughed when he saw the look on the pilot's face as the Banshee swooped down and landed next to him. A soon as Leon was off the Na'vi's back, who looked more than happy to get rid of the load. Wave a goodbye and was off again. Probably back to the cave.

"Where's Grace and Alice?" asked the pilot who looked like would have pissed himself if he wasn't already taking a leak.

"Oh," he said making like he suddenly realized they were missing. "I guess we can get them. That is of course you want to."

The pilot shook his head and then shook it twice before zipping up and returning to the Samson to start it up. Within moments they were up in the air and heading towards the cave. Alice looked relieved to see us but Grace frowned almost reluctant to leave the Na'vi behind and go back with us.

"Why don't you stay behind?" Leon asked her.

"I can't," she answered back. "No one's allowed to go to the village."

Leon could tell that Grace longed to be with the Na'vi wanting more than anything to be with them, learning their culture and just about everything else. Today with Leon's help, she was one step closer to her dream.

A/N: No I haven't given a description of Leon yet. You'll probably see his face for the first time in the next chapter. Still trying to paint a good picture of him myself.