Sorry it took so long for this chapter to be uploaded, but a) work is a bitch. b) this was an awkward chapter to right. So without further ado here it is :D


Chapter Twelve

Stevenson left Susan Marshal to operate the shuttle. The woman had proven herself, having fixed the once irreparable vechile. As he walked through the corridors armed men greeted him briefly before heading off to their assigned tasks. Stevenson looked over the notes Jake had given him and wondered if the man was any closer to discovering the tribe sitting upon the large deposit of unobtanium.

"Lieutenant." One of the scientists in charge of the Avatar, programme saluted him.

The hydraulic doors hissed behind him as he entered the link room. Fifty soldiers stood by their designated psi-link chambers, ready to drive their Avatars. Sergeant Peter Tang was among them and though the man had insisted on remaining on the shuttle, Stevenson didn't like knowing Sully had an inside man. It wasn't that Stevenson didn't trust Jake, so far he had given him everything he had ordered but there had been a questionable gleam in the Corporal's eyes.

"Okay men. I want a sweep of the area, you are not to go further than five klicks. Do you understand!" He barked.

The unit replied in kind swiftly entering the chambers. Sergeant Tang gave him one long look before allowing the scientist to usher him into the chamber. Stevenson nodded to the scientist, who at his command started the psionic link between man and Avatar. Not long after the drivers had been dispatched, Stevenson got a call.

"Sir I think I've found what you've been looking for."

...

Grace laughed as Jake tailed her, their ikran flying high in the sky. They swooped low into the sparse trees, weaving though the spindly trunks. Grace pulled up sharply looking over her shoulder to see if Jake had followed. When she couldn't see him any where she began to panic. Pulling down her thin ikran aviator goggles Grace turned back speeding close to the forest floor searching for Jake. A shadow blotted out the sun and for a moment intense fear gripped Grace. Swerving to the left she looked up and saw Jake diving towards her. Irritation replaced her anger as he flew over her yelling.

"Skxawng." She muttered banking gently. Seze squawked in agreement dropping slightly as Jarhead nipped at her feet.

"What are you doing Jhake?" She called over her shoulder as his ikran continued to pester Seze. As the Hometree roosting nest came into view, Jarhead's actions became more aggressive. Grace turned Seze, coming face to face with Jake. Anger flashed in her eyes as Jarhead attempted to jab at Seze.

"Jhake this is dangerous." She scowled.

"It isn't me. I think Jarhead has a thing for Seze." He snickered. Grace was not familiar with the mating rituals of ikran but she didn't like the male ikrans behaviour.

"Control him Jhake." Grace said, quickly landing Seze. The ikran seemed reluctant to break tsahaylu but Grace had no choice. She patted the ikran on her head offering her a chunk of meat from her satchel. Jake landed soon after, whispering words in Jarhead's ear. The ikran did not seem too pleased with what Jake had to say but as Jarhead flew to the nest he did not bother Seze again.

"What did you say to him?" Grace asked accepting his hand. Jake pulled her against him and nuzzled her throat. Grace stroked his ear as his hands held her waist and his pelvis ground against hers.

"I told him to be gentle." Jake said.

Grace laughed dancing out of his arms, her voice like music to his ears. The fluidity in which Grace moved was something he had never seen before. When he had first met her, she had rarely smiled but now she laughed all the time. Only yesterday Anna had thanked him for bringing joy to Grace's life. Though he had warmed to her compliment the incessant guilt would not go away. As the days passed it grew harder to tell the Na'vi the truth. They had completely accepted him into their clan, he was tsmukan now, their brother. Grace called out to him hanging from a low branch, her body curved sensuously against the limb. As he drew closer her tail caressed his cheek lovingly. The woman infront of him was his wife, for all he knew she could be carrying their child. Jake closed his eyes in an attempt to settle his thoughts.

"Jhake." He could feel her breath on his skin, she was so close he could taste her. His thoughts still filled with turmoil, Jake opened his eyes to find her hanging upside down from the branch. She had taken out her braids and her hair lay in curled tresses, which tickled his thigh as she stroked his loincloth.

"What are you doing?" Jake jerked away from Grace as he heard the censure in Ngay'swizav's voice. The olo'eyktan walked towards them with thunder in his eyes. Anna hid a giggle behind her hand and snaked her arm around her mate's waist. Ngay'swizav stopped short of Jake, ignoring his daughter's noisy recovery.

"There are places where mated pairs go. Not here in view of Omatikaya." Ngay'swizav said sending Jake a scathing look. Anna bit Ngay'swizav's shoulder gently causing the intimidating man's features to soften slightly.

"We are going to visit Norm. Mo'at has more clippings." Anna said rattling the sack in her hand. Jake looked at Grace who was still blushing from being caught out by her father. Placing his arm around her shoulders, he kissed the top of her head.

"Should we go see Norman?" He asked, secretly hoping she would say no so that they could resume what her father had interrupted. Grace nodded slipping from his embrace. Jake chuckled at her sudden haughtiness as she resumed her role as Princess of the Omatikaya.

...

Norman tapped the radar for a second time just to make sure the thing was still working. The green dot continued to pulsate on the screen steadily nearing the square marked Hell's Gate. Sweat dampened his face as he rummaged through air control, trying to reboot equipment that hadn't been used in years. There was a dry cough at the door. Turning Norman saw Trudy leaning against the frame a deep frown on her face. This was something he did not need right now.

Ignoring her searing gaze Norman began to flick the switches on all the tracking systems. The screens burst out into the dusty room. Some flickered in their old age but none the less they showed the same thing. Stevenson was more than three weeks early. In less than two days the psychotic lieutenant would be arriving in Hell's Gate. Once he was there he would have access to the Hometree coordinates. None of the staff including himself had the override password to the clear the data on the computers. Even if they did it wouldn't take long for Stevenson to locate the Omatikaya.

"You're in deep shit Norm. I'm don't think Anna's going to forgive you this time." Norman winced upon hearing Trudy's words, hating the truth in them. He had betrayed Anna twenty years ago and now he was doing it again. The first time had been in anger but this time around it was for her safety.

"What did you see." He asked settling into what had once been Selfridge's chair. Trudy walked into the room, the sound of her thick combat boots ricocheting against the steel walls.

"The forest is torn to shreds. Stevenson has Avatars running all over the place. On my way back I went through the Hometree route. Anna and Ngay'swizav are on their way. Luckily they didn't see anything…yet." Trudy injected, raking her eyes over Norman with disgust. Norman squirmed under her ruthless glare. He hadn't said anything to her yet about his plan with Jake now he wished he had.

"You could have trusted me Norm. After all these years..." For the first time since knowing the pilot Norman had never seen her cry. They had been good friends, bitter enemies and lovers over the years but not once had he seen her cry.

"Don't touch me!" She shrieked as he tried to console her. "They are going to be massacred and it's all because of you." Norman fell back into the chair as Trudy stormed out of the control tower. Rubbing his eyes he saw four riders in the sky and prayed to god they hadn't seen the destruction caused by his lies.

...

Jake followed Sam and Harry into the bunkhouse where their Avatars had been staying. To his surprise he found Peter's Avatar awake. Due to weeks of inactivity the Avatar looked a little worse for wear but the IV drip had kept it alive. Jake settled on one of the bunk beds as Sam helped Peter sit upright in the bed. After a few minutes of catching up and niceties they got down to business.

"Okay guys updates." Jake said. Peter coughed as Harry handed him a canteen of water. Then cleared his throat in preparation for what he was about to say.

"Stevenson has sent out drivers to scout the area. If you plan on talking to Ngay'swizav now would be the best time." Peter wheezed.

Jake swore slamming his fist against the wooden walls. Dust from the rafter trickled over them, which only made Peter cough harder. The door to the bunkhouse opened, all men tensed waiting to see who would enter.

Norman gave a slight nod at the towering Na'vi, his brows rising as he saw Peter in his Avatar. Jake could see that the past weeks had taken its toll on Norman. His shoulders were slumped and his clothes in disarray as though he had been wearing them for days on end. Norman closed the door firmly behind him then leant against it sagging slightly as exhaustion hijacked his body.

"Two days Jake. You have two days before Stevenson gets here." Norman sighed.

"Two days, I thought I had at least two weeks." Jake hissed, the feeling in chest tightening. Norman shrugged his shoulders, the fear in his eyes belying his cool exterior. Jake cracked his knuckles, something he always did to keep calm.

"I better get going." Jake said moving towards the door. Feeling Norman's hand on his knee he stopped.

"You shouldn't have mated with her, Jake. Once she finds out what you've kept from her… it will kill her." Norman said finally moving out of Jake's way. Jake nodded in understanding, he had known happiness for a short while and that was more than Norman had ever had.

Grace said quick goodbyes to the children as they left for Kelutral. Her thoughts rooted on her mate. Jake had been strangely quiet since arriving in Hell's Gate and she knew that something was bothering him. Though he laughed off her concern, she could tell he was agitated. Hanging back from her parents, Grace had Seze glide to his side. Feeling the soft change in the current Jake looked at Grace and smiled reassuringly before his eyes zeroed in on something in the distance.

"Kehe!" Grace jerked at her father's shout turning to where smoke billowed in the distance.

Ignoring her mother's call, she urged Seze further ahead, her eyes widening over the destruction caused by the large machinery. It moved steadily through the forest cutting through the trees with ease. A herd of yerik were sent running only to be mercilessly shot down by a troupe of…uniltìrantokx. Grace wailed as large blowtorches set the last few standing trees aflame. The machine left a path of devastation in its wake and it wound its way so far back that she couldn't make out where it started. Anger boiled in her veins and her arms itched to take her bow and kill those who threatened Eywa. Instead she flew back to her parents.

"Sky people, many sky people." She said her eyes fixed on Jake. He could not have known there were more, surely he would not hide something like that from her.

"We must warn the Omatikaya." Her father instructed, taking the lead of their formation. They were not the only ones to see the Tawtute's, many scouts landed their ikran all relaying their information to Ngay'swizav. The olo'eyktan held his hand up calling for silence.

"We must involve all the people." Ngay'swizav said taking his mate's hand. Grace sought out Jake, feeling instantly relieved when he held her.

Her father was already at the dais speaking to The People when they made it to the base of Kelutral. Grace noticed Fko'itan standing with their grandmother. She gave him a supportive smile before paying attention to her father,

"Brothers and sisters, the demons are back."

The Na'vi hissed baring their fangs in anger. Grace pulled Jake further into the crowd their hands clasped together tightly. Ngay'swizav's eyes met hers and with a subtle nod he acknowledged her.

"We cannot allow them to take our lands!" Ngay'swizav roared. The Na'vi cheered raising their bows in the air. Grace felt Jake shake against her and she turned to him questioningly.

"Remember your promise." He whispered before stepping forward.

Jake gulped as he raised his hand high in the air. The Na'vi around him fell silent accept for the occasional whisper. Jake would have never labelled himself a coward yet he could not look in their eyes especially Grace's. He had known this day would arrive but he had never thought so soon. Only the memory of the lives he had taken in Venezuela stopped him from returning to the crowd and saying silent. He owed it to them to save the lives he could.

"You cannot go up against them. Not like this. We have to unite with the other clans." Jake said his eyes searching Ngay'swizav. Something akin to hatred flickered in the man's eyes and Jake was certain that Ngay'swizav knew about his deception.

"A few humans can fall with the stroke of a blade or at the point of an arrow." Ngay'swizav said. Jake's gaze flickered to Anna whose eyes glistened with unshed tears. She shook her head slowly as if that simple action would change what he had done.

"They have dreamwalkers like me. Hundreds. These dreamwalkers have guns, weapons that shoot… hard seeds that will kill you. There are many trained warriors more than the Omatikaya." Jake said. The Na'vi gasped in shock, those that had held their weapons proudly slowly lowered them. Then he felt a touch on his arm, the one that never failed to soothe him. Refusing to turn, Grace was forced to walk around him, disbelief written all over her face.

"How do you know this Jhake?" She asked. Jake lowered his eyes briefly before cupping her face.

"They sent me to find Hell's Gate and report back." He said. Grace shuddered beneath his touch her eyes blinking back tears.

"But you didn't know they had this planned did you Jhake?" she asked, smiling through the tears. Jake soaked in the beauty of her face as though it was the last time he would ever see her again. The longer he remained silent the harder Grace cried.

"I knew." He finally said. Grace pulled away from him slowly, her eyes darkening with anger. Jake took hold of her again forcing her to listen to him.

"I was going to tell you, but after everything...becoming Omatikaya, learning about the forest how could I tell you?"

"I trusted you!" She screamed ripping her arms from his grasp and backing away as Jake tried to approach her again.

"How could I tell you, when I love you?" He choked. Grace ignored him and continued to turn from him until she had reached her mother. Anna lifted her head in an attempt to stop the tears but was unable to.

"You have to listen to him." Leila said bursting from the crowd, To'itan restrained her violently turning her in his arms.

"You knew?" Jake heard To'itan hiss. Jake ignored the couple, trying to reach Grace but Ngay'swizav blocked his path.

"Leave." Ngay'swizav said with deathly calm. Jake looked into the eyes of a man who had been the closest thing to a father-in-law. Jake couldn't just leave things like this, he had to get Ngay'swizav to listen.

"olo'eyktan, olo…" a young hunter ran through the forest calling Ngay'swizav. Bullets riddled the young woman's body as several dreamwalkers burst through the trees. Jake grabbed his bow aiming for the closest Avatar. Stevenson had found the Omatikaya.

Grace screamed as dozens of Na'vi were shot down, mothers, children and the old who were unable to protect themselves, fell to the ground injured or dead. Her mother quickly nocked two arrows in her bow and killed a pair of dreamwalkers closing in on a young woman.

"Take the children to the tree of souls." She heard her father shout. Grace shook her head, she refused to flee like a defenceless baby. When she ignored his words Ngay'swizav threw his dagger at a fast approaching dreamwalker and shook Grace.

"What if you carry a child?" He hissed.

Grace shuddered at the thought. If she carried Jake's child she would gladly leave it in the wild. Her eyes darted to Jake who was attacking a dreamwalker with his dagger. Though he fought with the Na'vi he would never be one of them. She had placed her faith in him and he had stomped on it. She would never forgive him this deception. A strong vibration shook the ground breaking Grace from her thoughts. Her ears flattening Grace turned to Hometree.

"Kelutral!" She wailed as flames engulfed the base of the trunk.

A low whistling pierced the air slamming into the thick twisting roots. Grace covered her eyes as an amazing light engulfed the tree then threw everyone several feet into the air. Slamming into the ground Grace coughed through the smoke. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the majestic branches of Hometree blazed in the waning sun. Ikran flew from their nests landing near their riders. Parents took hold of their children while the elders were ushered onto the backs of pa'li. Grace couldn't see, she couldn't breathe, as another shock ran through the ground causing her to drop to her knees.

"Grace!" Jake shouted appearing through the clouds of smoke.

Blood seeped from his temple and every cell in her body urged her to comfort him. Vrrtep! He was a devil, he had betrayed The People. Slowly Grace rose, hiding her dagger behind her back. When Jake reached her there was a relieved glint in his eyes. His belief that she would easily forgive him made her ire rise. With speed honed through years of training Grace plunged her dagger into his shoulder. Only when his blood coated her hands did she realise what she had done.

"Jhake." She wept as he crumpled to the floor placing pressure on the wound. All around her, Grace could hear the suffering of her people. Children wailing, mates calling out for each other.

"Now you know a fraction of the pain you have caused me." Grace whispered in his ear, brushing a gentle kiss to his cheek. Seze waited for her and she mounted the ikran quickly. Grace watched as Jake tried to stand, each time he fell she wanted to help him but in the end he had tarnished the love she felt for him. If he died then so be it.

...

Jake woke briefly in the mobile, the scientists were harping on about raised levels and increased blood pressure, but Jake didn't care. Though they urged him to take a break, Jake knew that he had to return. Even if it was only to find his Avatar dead, at least he'd know. Grace's tear stricken face flashed before his eyes and he couldn't stop the sorrow from building. He prayed that he would see her face again but he doubted he would get through to Ngay'swizav.

Though the man had fled he doubted the war was over. The Tawtute had to be driven out forever. Jake stilled as the Na'vi word for his own people floated in his mind. When had he lost his identity? It may have been when he had first driven his Avatar or when he had fallen in love with Grace. None of that mattered, the Omatikaya thought he was a traitor and he was. A faint idea was forming but he had to get back to Kelutral.

"Just do it." Jake barked at the scientists. Closing his eyes Jake lay back in the psi-link chamber almost wishing he could sleep forever.

...

Jake coughed through the ash. When his eyes opened it was to find the sky an unnatural gray. He felt pressure on his chest and when he looked down he found Fko'itan sleeping on top of him. The small boy had also bandaged the wound on his shoulder. Grace had missed all vital veins and he knew that if she had wanted to, she could have killed him. Jake listened out for any alien sounds but there was nothing save for the crackling of burning wood. Gently he picked up Fko'itan and walked to wear a large crater steamed. All that was left of Hometree was a charred stalk. Just like his vision. Jake stumbled away from the destruction, his feet kicking up fine cinders. Fko'itan stirred in his arms his large eyes blinking slowly.

"Jake you are alive." The boy mumbled sleep heavy on his tongue.

"Takes more than your angry sister to stop me." Jake said in an attempt to lighten the situation. Fko'itan rolled his eyes motioning for Jake to release him.

"You hurt Grace but she must still like you since you are alive." Fko'itan explained. Jake expected to see hatred in the young boy's eyes but instead there was only sadness. Jarhead's screech interrupted what could have been an uncomfortable moment of male sappiness.

"At least someone still loves me." Jake mumbled as Jarhead bumped him on his uninjured shoulder. Jake lifted Fko'itan and placed him on Jarhead's back before sitting behind him.

"Father will kill you if he sees you." Fko'itan said. Jake attached his queue to Jarhead's antennae and took to the skies. Miles of smoke climbed through the air is if reaching the fringes of Pandoran atmosphere.

"Well I have a vague plan kiddo, what's yours?" he asked, lazily banking left to right.

"There is only one person the Omatikaya and all Na'vi tribes will listen to." Fko'itan said yipping when Jarhead dove then rose riding the air currents. Jake's lips twitched knowing that the young boy was on the same wavelength as him.


Well I hope you like, I wonder who could bring peace to the land...anywho, reviews are most welcome, thoughts as well as criticisms. :P