+It's Time We Talk +
After making sure Tìvawm was set for the night, I slowly made my way back up to the top of the canopy whilst my mind wandered carelessly. I couldn't help but slightly heed Anitri's warning, "Would someone who doesn't have feelings for the other person, let them get as close as they did?" How could I have been so stupid to ignore the fact that Atan'eko was a sneaky little bastard? Maybe Tsu'tey had been right about taking him with me. Maybe Atan'eko had just been using this visit to get closer to me. Maybe he was… No, I wouldn't think that! True, I had reasons to doubt him, but Atan'eko had made it clear that he wouldn't attempt anything ever again. Then again, didn't most men say that?
Shaking my head, I tried to rid my mind of the awful thoughts that swarmed like a wasp's nest. Yet it just seemed to make it worse as my mind traveled back to an hour ago.
"Didn't someone ever tell you not to worry about the what if's and to just live in the now? Did they ever tell you that dwelling on your problems can make life a lot less worth living?" With a smirk on his lips, he watched as a smile slowly crept onto mine, and a tiny chuckle clawed its way up my throat.
"Aren't you a wise man," I teased shaking my head.
"Nope, my father is. It's what he taught me as a child," Atan'eko shrugged, as a silence finally fell over us. It was then that we both seemed to notice just how close we had gotten to one another. Instead of a foot between us, there were now only six inches. Yet instead of panicking, I found I couldn't quite move, as he leaned closer. When his face was a mere inch from mine, we found our concentration was interrupted when Tìvawm let out a growl.
I should've stepped away. I should've spoke up about the lessoning space between us. I was an idiot; no, I was a fool. I knew I would never betray Tsu'tey, but Atan'eko would. He had this sort of arrogant air to him that Jake had once possessed years ago as well. He would get whatever he wanted one way or another; no matter the consequences.
At least now I knew to be much more careful around him. I wouldn't say anything about it, but I would make him realize one way or another that what he had almost done had cost him any strong friendship we have ever really had.
With that last thought I tuned back into the world of the living as I dragged my exhausted body back to my sleeping quarters. As I did so I couldn't help but notice how quiet it had gotten from a mere hour ago. From what I had seen earlier that day, this place seemed full of life, but now it was eerily quiet. Most Na'vi were either asleep, or on their way to that point. However some guards stood at their posts, but even I could tell they were hoping for some shut-eye when their shift ended.
Yawning loudly, I crossed the bridge that led to my hut. Pulling back the flap from the door, I dropped my things in the far corner of the room, before taking off the rest of the accessories I was wearing. Without another thought I trudged my way over to my leaf hammock, and lied down. Though, as tired as I was, my mind refused sleep as I went over the day in my head.
Hopefully Nirite's answer tomorrow would be what we were hoping for, or else this would be a wasted trip no matter what Atan'eko believed. We needed this clan's help more than I originally believed. Jake and all the other chiefs had been so precise in their planning, but always came up a few numbers short with the amount of warriors needed.
Twisting my body, I faced the wall of my hut as I envisioned Tsu'tey lying beside me; secretly hoping just the thought of him would lull me to sleep. I could already see his ocean blue skin, jet-black braids hanging loosely over his shoulders, and the constant warmth on my skin as he exhaled. I could even almost see his golden orbs staring right back into my sky blues. However, as I blinked, I found the vision lost, and I felt colder than I had been only a moment before. "I miss you, Tsu'tey," I whispered feeling a painfully longing deep inside.
I had never felt this way for any man before. Not even Sage had me pining after him this terribly. I only hoped it would pass…but then again did I truly want it to. Wouldn't that mean I no longer loved him if I stopped longing for him. Growling, I twisted on my other side as I shut my eyes. "Damn it," I grumbled as I realized that getting to sleep that night just wasn't going to be easy as it had been.
"MiaSully are you still awake," came a voice from the doorway. Almost growling at the intruder I mumbled a firm, "Yes."
"Sorry, to come to you so late, but I was wondering if I could speak with you," Nirite asked as she walked further into my hut. Carefully sitting up, I swung my legs over the side of the hammock, and turned to face her, "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything is fine, but I couldn't help but notice something was troubling you during dinner. I wanted to see if you were alright," Nirite asked as she came and took a seat beside me.
"I'm fine, just a little tired is all. I miss my mate mostly," I half-lied.
I did miss Tsu'tey, but that wasn't the full reason I had been a little off during dinner. Mostly it was because of what she and her husband had explained to us earlier during our meal.
"Our people believe the dead reach out to us through the bond we share with the animals. We believe its Eywa's way of allowing the dead to finish what they might not have been able to while they were alive. It doesn't matter who you are either, or where you're from. As long as you have a soul…"but I quickly cut her off.
"Then you can become a part of the creature… but what happens after they have fulfilled what they had to do,"I questioned.
"Their spirit leaves, and you are left with only the soul of the animal. Not many have heard of it happening, but through stories we know it has happened over a few times within our history. It is rare, but not uncommon."
All throughout dinner I couldn't help but think about Sage. When the moment I had bonded with my ikran, his name had just come to me. I never thought anything off it, just a simple coincidence, and even when I had asked if it really was him…. that memory… I hadn't wanted to believe it. Yet, could I really deny it now, when these people had laid it all out so easily to me? Could I continue to deny Sage's soul inside a creature like someone would deny the evidence of the paranormal? I'm sure I could, but in the long run how would it affect me? This past month or so since Sage and I had bonded, had given me a sort of hope, and to deny his presence would smother that spark I still had flickering inside of me.
So as I ran over these thoughts in my mind, I hadn't particularly thought I was being quite that distant while they had continued their conversation. However, apparently I had been; even so much detached that the whole group had realized my unusual silence. So now I could only hope my half-ass excuse about missing Tsu'tey would appeal to her curiosity.
"Don't we all when there's a distance between one another," she said staring blankly at the leaves that formed the hut's ceiling, "However, are you sure that's the only thing? You seemed to quiet the most after we mentioned the old tale about creatures bonding with spirits."
Well, I was caught; that much was for sure as I turned my gaze toward hers. She could already see the truth radiating from deep within my soul by looking through my eyes as if they were mere windows.
Forcing my gaze elsewhere, she spoke, "That was what bothered you didn't it?"
Knowing I shouldn't, and couldn't, lie to her, I sucked up the courage finally and replied, "Yes, yes it was. My thanator wasn't what I had on my mind though. It was my ikran. He spoke to me through our bond as well. He had the same name as my deceased mate; not to mention through our bond I questioned the creature if he really was Sage."
"And what happened?"
"I saw a memory… but it was as if someone was looking at me; not the other way around. Is it truly possible that the tale is real, and if so, could I encounter this anomaly more than once?"
"I'm sure you could; even if it's rare. You can never say never to anything. You have to keep your mind open to all possibilities, so I do believe that maybe what has happened to you really has happened. Even as extraordinary as it may seem," Nirite explained as she stood up to pace around the room.
"'Extraordinary' lately has been becoming a common occurrence for me," I snorted shaking my head with a clear frown.
"It means you were meant for something great. These troubles you're going through now are tests. You'll always receive tests in your life, because they better who you already are. They mold you into what you should be, so no matter the strange occurrence just count it a blessing that Eywa has picked you out of many to give such an amazing gift. I'm sure you've came a long way from where you were MiaSully, but your journey is not yet over, and it won't be until ever branch has been placed in the fire pit, so that you can burn as brightly as you were intended to," Nirite articulated keeping her eyes trained on me like a hawk. Smiling I went to thank her for her words, but I found she was not quite finished, "I'm sure you'll make a great spiritual leader one day, but as for now you need to take time and find your faults. If you do not fix them now then your people will never believe you. To be a good spiritual leader is to keep an open mind, and to believe in everything even when you're at your limit of trust. Even though I didn't trust you when you first came here, I pushed past my own thoughts and feelings to hear you out. I let myself believe you, because that is what a leader is supposed to do. We're supposed to take everything in, and believe it until proven otherwise. It's hard, and messy, but it's decisions we have to make that no one else can."
When she finished her words I couldn't help but remember the conversation I had had with Neytiri not to long ago. I had asked her what steps I would have to take into becoming a leader, and now I was getting my answers from someone who had been doing it for years. The weird thing though was that every word she spoke, I seemed to understand. Spiritual leaders had to believe in everything to accept the right thing. They had to trust, but be able to point out when something was wrong. Spiritual leaders had to be forgiving and face their faults instead of look over them. It would be hypocritical of them if they didn't, and then turned around and told another to.
How we had gone from an old wise tale to being lectured about being a leader, I had absolutely no idea. Yet I couldn't help but be thankful that she had taken time to come here and talk to me about it. I needed to hear her words on the matter, even if I barely knew her. I needed to see a different point of view, and now I had to take it to heart.
"Thank you," I whispered as a small smile formed on both our lips.
"Your welcome. My only hope is that you'll be wiser than the leaders from the past with this new found information," she replied as she made her way to the animal-skin flap hanging loosely in the doorway. Turning to look at me one last time before she exited, Nirite said politely, "Have a good night's rest MiaSully. I expect to see you bright and early tomorrow morning. By then I will have my answer for you and your group."
Once she was gone, I felt a sort of peace wash over me. I guess the small flicker of hope I had burning inside me before just seemed to gain much more fuel than before. I had hope that maybe…one day… I'd be right with myself. I wouldn't worry about the things I've done in my past or what others had. I wouldn't worry so much about the present either, and hopefully I could look toward the future with a clear mind.
With a trace of a smile still present on my lips, I closed my eyes, and let my mind drift back to my body still lying peacefully in the shack.
Jake's P.O.V
It was late, and I was beginning to worry about Mia, as her body lay peacefully not but a few feet away. Maybe sending her to the other clan had been a bad idea. Maybe I should have listened to Tsu'tey's warning in the beginning. She could be hurt, or worse! I had no way to get a hold of her. She had not taken a radio with her, just my gun; plus a few other items.
"Eat Jake, you'll need your strength," Norm urged from beside me, as he quietly munched on a hot pocket.
"Yeah, man. Don't worry so much. The girl's alright. If she wasn't she would have been awake by now," Trudy reasoned as she lay on the floor doing sit ups.
"Mia's never done anything like this before, and for all we know something…"
"Jake, she's fine. Mia's stronger than you think. Well, at least while she's in her avatar," Norm snorted shaking his head.
"But…"
However, I was cut off as the machine beside us gave off a whine, right before it died. Within the next second the hatch opened, and there Mia lied wide awake, as she pushed back the net.
If I could jump up, I would have run over and hugged her, but instead I just sighed in relief as she sat up and let out a loud yawn. Rolling her head back and forth, and doing a few stretches, she got up and made her way over to the three of us.
"Not dead I see," Trudy smirked, as she gave a pointed look in my direction.
"Nope, all's good. We made it in, and their considering our offer. Their hesitant though, and I don't blame them, however hopefully their chief make's the right decision," Mia said as she reached over my shoulder and stole a piece of my hot pocket.
"Hey, that's mine," I chuckled reaching for her hand playfully.
"Didn't see you eating it," she giggled, before taking a seat on my lap.
"So, how'd it go? You know, other than them considering the idea," I asked finally taking a bite of my food, now that my worry was gone.
"It went okay, I guess. When we got near their village, they attacked us," but noticing my questioning gaze she reassured me, "Everyone's okay though. They took most of the damage. However, I got the chief's daughter Anitri to bring us back to their village. It's really amazing there. Their whole village is in the canopy. It's like a bunch of tree houses on all these different levels, with vine like bridges connecting them. Oh and they tame thanators to ride instead of ikrans. They're really amazing, and maybe even more advanced than the Omaticaya. When we first met them, I thought we looked almost naked compared to what they wore. Anyway, they're led mostly by their spiritual leader, and their little royal family. Seems the women also wear the pants in their tribe."
"'Bout time I heard of some women power," Trudy chuckled as she got up from the floor, and went to take a seat next to Norm.
"So what happened after you got to the village," Norm questioned, as he tried to switch the subject before it drifted.
"Well pretty much they were very unhappy with us being there, but with a little persuading they relented. As the warriors got settled, the family took me up into the village, and with Atan'eko, we explained what was on that paper you gave me. Almost all was for it except for Anitri. Reminds me of Tsu'tey a little bit, but I don't blame her for worrying about her people. Txuritan, their head warrior, was okay with it, but he seemed a little hesitant though. However Nirite, their spiritual leader, she's undecided. She says she needs time to think about it. Once she said that, the meeting was pretty much over. I spent the rest of the day with Peyral checking the place out until she went back to spend time with Tsanten. After that I just hung out next to my hut, until Atan'eko came, and got me for dinner," Mia shrugged stealing another bite of my food.
"Will you make your own please. Believe it or not I'm hungry too," I whined as she rolled her eyes. Getting up she headed over to the tiny fridge to grab her own.
As she was warming up the pizza pocket in the microwave, Norm, and Trudy decided to turn in. Saying good night to each of us, they made their way over to the other end of the trailer where their mattress lay. Within a matter of minutes, they were fast asleep wrapped in one another's arms.
Already done with my dinner, I occupied my time with staring out the window. It wasn't the best thing to do, but I couldn't help it. There was nothing better to do, and the scenery outside was still eye catching no matter how long we had been here on Pandora. However, it wasn't long before Mia finished her own dinner, and decided to speak up, "What's bugging you?" Turning my gaze back on her, I couldn't help but notice how much she had changed since we had been here. The dark look her eyes had once possessed was all but gone. Instead they seemed a little brighter, despite the more mundane look the rest of her body portrayed. It seemed as if her clothes literally hung off her frame, and the dark circles under her eyes screamed just how exhausted she looked.
"Nothing, just bored," I shrugged, but then something came to my mind, and I couldn't stop the words before they slipped from my mouth, "I never asked, but when you were with Tommy…what happened?"
I watched as her whole demeanor changed from bright to sullen, as she leaned back in her chair and sighed, "You know the story, Jake. Don't make me…"
"Please. I want to know. What exactly happened to Tommy," I asked once more.
"What exactly happened to Sage," Mia bit back irritably.
I knew I needed to tell her. I knew I should, as Tsu'tey's words from earlier hovered around in my head, but when I went to tell her I felt my mouth clamp shut. How should I go about telling her? Matter of fact, how could I tell her? How could I explain that I still had nightmares about it, or how I could still picture his eyes staring back into mine; cold and lifeless?
"Sage, and I went out on a routine assignment with some friends. We were just driving along, cutting up with one another, when they came out of nowhere," I began, as I noticed her body stiffen. She hadn't been expecting me to explain, however it was time we talked about it…about everything. Even if it killed us both, we needed this out in the air, before we could truly move on with our lives, so I continued "Bentley, a friend of ours, was driving the truck when he got shot. The truck swerved off the side of the road, but that didn't stop them from firing. I decided to be a big idiot and get out, so that I could take them all on myself. Sage was only trying to protect me though when I went tearing after them into the brush. When they finally got the guts to face me, it was to late. We were smack dab in the middle of it, and I thought I could handle it, but Sage…he tried to pull me out. He tried to get me somewhere safer because he was trying…he was trying to protect your brother. I guess he thought that if one of us couldn't make it back to you, then at least the other could. When the enemy decided to finally fire on us, he was only protecting me. He jumped in front of me to fire, but they got to him first. Next thing I know, he's taken most of the shots, and I was getting hit with the aftermath. The moment he fell, I knew that was it. Mia, I've never forgotten that look in his eyes; cold, and dead. He had blood pouring from the side of his mouth, and the worst thing was he was staring right at me. It was like he was begging me to help him…and I couldn't." Feeling the tears threatening to fall, I closed my eyes and tried to will them away, but they were starting to win the battle, "He was my friend, and I got him killed all because I wanted to be the big hero. It was like he was there one day, just laughing and cutting up with me; talking about how he wanted to spend his life with you, and then the next…he's not there. I couldn't careless when I woke up in that hospital, and learned I had lost the ability to move the lower part of my body. All I could think about was how could I have been so stupid. How could I…he was right there, and then the next he was gone. I kept waiting for him to walk up to me, and joke about how I had been an idiot doing what I did. I kept waiting to hear his voice." I was so wrapped up in the story, I barely noticed when Mia placed her hand on mine, or how silent tears had began to fall across her cheeks.
"The worst part, was knowing I had to tell you; knowing it was my fault that Sage wasn't coming home to you. When I came back to the states, and Tommy told me that you were coming… I-I didn't register how upset you would be, but when you walked into my room at the hospital, I just knew it would kill you. I knew if I told you everything that you'd lose it. I was afraid you'd relapse or worse, so I just told you it was all my fault. I told you that it was my fault Sage got killed, and that he was just protecting me. It hurt, not physically, but emotionally when you lashed out at me. I was even more stunned when you slapped me, and then stormed out of the room. I thought maybe, over time, you'd recover, but you never did. I never did. Those memories plague me every time I fall asleep, or whenever I take time to just relax. For a long while I tried to drink them away, but it didn't work. Tommy tried to reason with me; tried to say he'd get us to talk to each other again. The last time I saw him, he came to tell me that he was leaving for Pandora, and that he was taking you with him whether you liked it or not. He said he'd try to get me up here later on if he could, but right then it was just to difficult. He wanted us to be a family again Mia, but at that point I was so resentful about how you were acting I didn't care. I told him he could shove it where the sun didn't shine. Then when those men came to tell me what happened… it's been hard. It's been hard accepting the fact that they're gone. It was hard knowing I didn't have a chance of walking again, and it was hard accepting the fact that you hated me. I never even imagined we get to this point again.
"W-when I saw you again for the first time in a long while, all that resentment just faded away. I knew it was time to step up…time to take Tommy's place. I-I had to protect you. I had to make sure that the last family I had d-didn't…" but I found I couldn't go on as my throaty sobs began to shake me to the core. I didn't even notice Mia's hand leaving mine until I felt her arms wrap around me, and she took a seat in my lap. Then I felt her own tears drip onto my shirt, and it was as if I had had a wake-up call.
"Jake… They're never coming back again are they," I heard her choke. Shaking my head, I wrapped my arms around her and replied, "No," It was quiet for a few moments as we just sat there, reliving our past.
It helped to hold her, and to know she was there. It was the comfort I had been denied in the beginning, but now… just her being there kind of healed the pain.
"I'm sorry…. I never knew, Jake. I never understood, what you were going through. I was selfish. I should have…"
"You had ever right."
"No, what I did, I shouldn't have done. I was being selfish. I was being ignorant. I let myself believe the whole world revolved around me, and I shouldn't have," she croaked hugging me tighter.
Pulling her closer to my chest, I barely heard her whisper, "H-he asked me to come see him. He wanted to j-just talk. I didn't even want to go. I was so wrapped up in my career, but he finally got me to just come see him at the pub. He joked around with me, like he always did, and I asked about you. He told me how you were getting along, and how you missed me. I didn't want to hear it though. I knew he was trying to get me to forgive you, but I wasn't…I just wasn't ready. I-I didn't want to."
Leaning up, she wiped the tears from her eyes, before continuing, "He told me about Pandora, and that he wanted me to come. He said it would be a good change for me, but I was too stubborn. I wasn't ready to leave my life behind like him, and then he said he'd already submitted my DNA a while back. He pretty much said I had no other choice, but to come. I was so angry, and I felt like he betrayed me. I knew he only had my best interest at heart, but… god I just wish he wouldn't have meddle around in my life. He was always sticking his nose where it didn't belong. When I wouldn't listen he through that speech that Mom, Dad, and Grandma would always preach to us."
"Don't ever let fear take over you. Always try even if it's something you know you're going to fail at, because that's the way God wants you to live your life. To keep trying even when there's barely a single light in the darkness," we both spoke simultaneously. When we realized what we had just done, it brought a little bit of light back to the situation. Chuckling at one another we both replied, "Triplet telepathy. JINX!" Laughing at one another, I found hers slowly dying away to a whisper before she spoke, "We're twins now…aren't we?"
"Guess so, but we'll always be triplets, whether he's here or not," I whispered shaking my head.
"That's been the hardest thing to accept. Knowing he's not here to lean on. He was always my big brother. Always protecting me no matter the consequence. I miss him," she mumbled wiping away a few more tears that had slipped, "I finally agreed with him after he told me what they used to say. With that out of the way, he realized he had to get me back to the studio. We grabbed our things and left the bar, but when we left I saw them… and I didn't think anything of it at the time.
"We took the alley back. We knew we'd get there quicker if we did, but it was the worse mistake we ever made. They came out of nowhere. The next thing I know, I have a gun being shoved into my spine, and someone telling me not to scream. They wanted our money, or whatever we had on us that was valuable; told us to get down on the ground. Tommy was a fighter though; he tried to protect us. One of the men punched him in the gut, and he fell to the ground. In an attempt to reason with them I handed over my purse hoping they'd go away. All the while Tommy kept bad mouthing them. I tried to calm him down, but it just made them angrier with me. When one of the smacked me, it just made Tommy snap. He attacked the guy who had hit me. Managed to get in a couple of good licks to, until the guy's brother pointed his gun at me, and said he'd shoot me if he didn't get off the other guy. I tried to run at the guy, and get the gun out of his hand, but at the same moment Tommy noticed and jumped in front of me. By then it was to late. The man pulled the trigger, and the next thing I know Tommy's eyes are rolling into the back of his head. By the time he hit the pavement they were gone, and I was kneeling beside him. I-I kept screaming for him to wake up, to s-say something…to do anything, but he never moved. I tried moving him into my lap hoping it…t-there was so much b-blood…I-I-it just kept pooling around us, and I…I was soaked, and he…he was soaked. I-I could tell it was a through in through…. I should have realized then." Pulling her closer to my chest as her cries returned, she choked out, "I wouldn't even move when they came to get him. They had to pry me off of his body, and into the police car. Once the paramedics came, and got me, the officers questioned me about what happened. I don't think they ever found the men who did it.
"One of the policemen drove me to the police station where they questioned me more, and took all of my things into evidence. Once they were done my manager came with an extra pair of clothes, and drove me home. Two of my band mates, Lance, and Kendra stayed with me the rest of the night to make sure I was okay. I-I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat…. all I did was sit out on my penthouse balcony, and stare at the city. I don't know how long I sat there, but Kendra finally came, and told me the funeral was going to be in two hours. She helped me clean up, and put on a fresh pair of clothes. Lance drove me down to the place. I didn't even know if you were going to be there… but when I saw you… all I saw was him; not you. I-it killed me… it still kills me. I-I can't help b-but still blame you for Sage's death, or m-maybe I really just blame him for his death, but that's not what I can't stand about you. W-what I can't stand is knowing that Tommy's gone, and all I see is him…in you. Your hair, your eyes, your smile, your laugh…everything about you… is everything he was. I keep hoping that maybe it was all a dream, and that you really are him. I keep hoping that when I wake up that he'll be the one waiting for me, but that isn't going to happen. I love you Jake, but it's killing me seeing you as him," Mia whimpered wrapping her arms around my middle and crying into my shoulder, as I tried to force back my own tears.
"It's all my fault," she mumbled into my shoulder as I placed my hand on top of her head shushing her the best I could.
"No, it's not. It will never be your fault."
"God, damn-it why don't you blame me… please hate me…JUST HATE ME! It would make it so much easier," she cried as I kissed her cheek, and replied, "I can't, Mia. It's not your fault."
"I wish I had died along with him," she sobbed. Pulling her away from my chest, I made her face me. As her teary eyes connected with my own glistening orbs, I growled out vehemently, "Don't you ever wish that! If I had lost you, I don't know where I'd be now. Mia, I can't lose you. You're all I got. You're my baby sister. So don't you ever think that, because without you I wouldn't have made it this far." As I watched her bottom lip tremble, and fresh tears stream down her face… it made me remember just how fragile she really was. It made me remember that that bitchy façade she had portrayed for years had been just that…an act. She had been hiding her pain, and then Tommy…he had passed… and it had finally broken her. She was just as broken as I was, and I hadn't taken time to realize just how much of a little girl she really was still. We had lost so much, and even though she had stayed strong through it all…she had been breaking with every death; with every loss.
"I miss them. I miss mom, I miss dad, I miss grandma, and grandpa. I miss Sage, and Tommy, a-a-and Grace… I-I want them all back. This isn't f-fair J-Jake. It just isn't fair. Why is God doing this to us? What have we ever d-done to d-deserve this," She cried shaking her head, as she shut her eyes tightly trying with all her might to will them to return.
"Nothing, Mia. We've done nothing! It was their time…"
"IT ISN'T FAIR," she growled as the anger set in.
"No, no it isn't, but we've got to grind our teeth and bare it. There's a reason for everything, and we have to remember that. Mia, they're never truly gone. They'll always be with us wherever we go. They're here," I said with determination, as I pointed at her chest where her heart lay, "They'll always be here, as long as you let them. They'll never go away, as long as you keep them here!"
Nodding her head, she placed her tear soaked hand over mine, "I-I don't want to lose anyone ever again. Jake, I-I don't think I can bare losing someone else."
"I know, Mia, but someday you're going to have to. Nothing, and no one, stays alive forever. Life is cruel, but a gift, and we gotta keep reminding ourselves that." With another nod, she choked back her sobs, and leaned her head back onto my shoulder.
I don't know how long we sat there, or when our tears finally ceased, but eventually I noticed Norm wide awake watching the two of us.
Mia had not to long ago passed out in my arms, and now I was beginning to lose my strength to hold her in my lap. So, quickly mouthing to Norm for help, I found him jumping up to aid me.
Taking my sister into his arms, he lifted her up, and walked over to one of the machines. Placing her gently onto the gel-like padding, he pulled a blanket from a table behind him, and wrapped it around her.
Stirring slightly, her eyes opened only for a minute to see what was going on, before she closed them again. However as I rolled over to her, taking Norm's place as he returned to his own bed, she mumbled sleepily, "I love you, Jake…wasn't your fault."
"I know…I love you too sis," I replied, running my hand through her hair, before moving away to go to my own makeshift bed.
Mia's P.O.V
I was somewhere warm, bright…and it almost seemed as if it were endless and stretched for miles and miles. Even as I stood there, I knew it wasn't just the warmth that seemed that way, because I could feel this slight hum of energy as it passed through me, and brought a sort of calm I hadn't felt in the longest of time. It felt as if I almost floating on air, and nothing could hurt me here; not even the devil himself.
How could such a place exist? Where was I? Yet even as I thought that, I knew I would not get an answer.
Closing my eyes, I breathed in the fresh scent, and just barely caught the scent of his all to familiar cologne. Forcing myself to open my eyes and look, I could feel my heart begin to beat faster, and faster.
Yet there he stood, and he was not alone. Grace, Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma…all of the ones I had held so dear, and lost, where there.
Tommy came to stand in front of me with his all to familiar smile. Placing his hand under my chin, he replied, "We're happy, Mia. Let the guilt go. Everything will get better…let us go. Just forgive yourself," and before I could speak a word they disappeared and I was left with a fulfilled like feeling inside of me. They were where they needed to be. They had returned home to one another.
They were with Eywa.
The morning after I had had my dream seemed a bit unsettling. I received looks from the other two occupants of the trailer as my brother and I quietly ate our breakfast. At first I chose to ignore it, until it became unbearable. At which point, I finally spoke up, "I'm not about to break down, so you guys can stop staring at me now." Getting the point Trudy finally looked away, and went on with eating her breakfast burrito, however Norm was the one to comment, "We're here for you too, Mia. You know…if you ever need us." Nodding, I let my brother speak, "We're fine Norm, we said what needed to be said last night. It's the past now." Giving us a simple look, and a nod he followed in Trudy's example.
"Well, time to head back to the Thanator Clan," I said standing up, as I headed over to my machine. Getting it all set, I jumped up onto the gel padding. Lying down, I turned to the others and replied, "Well, I'll see you later."
With those finally words I pulled the net, and hatch down. Closing my eyes, I let my mind travel back to my avatar.
When I woke up in my other body, I immediately sprang to life as I gathered my things, and readied for the day.
A few minutes later I found myself sitting with the others as we waited for Nirite to show up. It was quiet, and not much was said other than a 'good morning,' and a 'how did you sleep?'
Atan'eko was the quietest though. He had only given me a nod earlier when I had entered the hut. Yet, as much as I found it unsettling, I kind of appreciated it considering what had happened last night between us.
I wasn't quite ready to address what had happened between us last night, or for that matter, what could have happened. It would have caused problems if I had brought it up at that moment.
Shaking the thoughts from my mind, I turned my attention to the doorway as Nirite entered, and took a seat within the circle around the fire pit.
She took a moment to get settled before turning to look at the group. She was quiet at first as she gazed at all of us, but it quickly melted away, as she declared, "I have made my decision."
Feeling my heart clench, and my mind running a mile a minute, I continued to pray every second to Eywa. I begged that it was the right decision. I pleaded that this wasn't a wasted trip. Yet even as I did so I couldn't help but doubt.
The doubt seemed to take over my mind, and within one minute it was all I could feel as the seconds dragged by, but what she spoke next shocked me.
"We will help you, and your friends MiaSully. I believe that this may be the last stand, and it is where we are needed at this time. You have my warriors, and anything else you might need."
That was all I needed to hear. With those words I felt the hope return, and somehow I just knew… we were going to win this. There was no doubt in my mind anymore. We were going to fight, and we were going to win even if it took my very last breath. Feeling a small smile creep onto my face I uttered a quick, "Thank you."
Returning the smile she replied, "Now what do we have to do?"
Hope this chapter was as good for you as it was for me. I can honestly say that the Jake and Mia bonding moment had me balling despite the fact I was writing it. Anyway I had this idea in mind for that moment between them, but I wasn't really sure if I should do it this soon, but one of my reviewers (Fanfichunter95) kind of helped me along. So thank you for doing that my wonderful reviewer. You and the others were the push that I needed. Well now that we got this part out of the way, at least now we can get on with the story…and soon the battle YAY!
I hope I haven't prolonged it for to long. There might be one or two more chapters before the final battle, but I know you guys can pull through it if I can.
Anyway thanks to all those who did take time to review-…lightan117… Archermusician… Fanfichunter95… midnight84118… NgaYawneLuOer… Emmalime… Lanuya… and (sorry for not mentioning this reviewer last time. I realized you had posted in my inbox)… annajewel.
Also thank you to anyone who even takes time to read this story, even if they forget, or just wishes not to review. It means a lot that you take your time out to read this story as much as the next reviewer. You all are what keeping writing. Thank you very much.
P.S. If you have any questions about this chapter, or thoughts, then feel free to voice them, because trust me when I say I don't mind. It is what helps me improve the story to you and other readers liking as well as mine. Also if you noticed any mistakes then feel free to tell me, because I really do hate making mistakes.