1
The wave of confusion that Evelyn had initially felt slowly faded, now overcome by complete and utter joy. She stood on the other side of the clearing, eyeing the man now standing on the opposite side. It was clear he had been through a great deal, the make-shift patches on his uniform giving it an almost quilt-like quality. His shoulder length white hair was pulled back and that normally strong physic was all but gone. While still strong, he had lost much of his bulk. One thing hadn't changed, those brilliant, blue eyes filled with life and passion, just as Evelyn had remembered.
She took a tentative step forward, holding the hilt of sword tightly.
"Are you real?", she sighed, certain that he was just a dream. The man before her nodded and smiled, his body almost shaking as he moved towards her, "I was going to ask you the same thing woman". That deep, velvety voice brought tears to Evelyns eyes and she felt as though her legs would give way at any time.
"I'm not imagining you?", she murmured, pushing herself further towards him.
"I sure as hell hope not", the man sighed, moving quickly through the dense undergrowth. "I'm real. I'm here". The two stopped, only a few feet from each other, eyeing one another as if still unsure.
"Miles", Evelyn whispered, reaching her fingers out and brushing their tips against his shirt. She pressed the palm of her hand onto his chest and felt that strong heart pounding away underneath. Slowly Miles wrapped his arm around Evelyns small waist and pulled her gently towards him.
"You are a sight for sore eyes".
"I don't understand", Evelyn reached under her top and pulled out those two small tags. "I found these and", she paused, fighting the wave of emotions that swept over her. "Jake said you died!".
Miles glanced around and shrugged.
"I'm sure he did and I can explain everything, but would be much happier if I did so somewhere a bit safer". Miles motioned to the well worn path he had emerged from, "There's another outpost about two clicks from here. We can play catch ups there, if that's ok with you". Evelyn took a step back and smiled. There was no way she would ever say no to the man she loved.
"Good idea Colonel Quaritch", she sighed. "Then you can tell me everything".
2
"Jake!", Norms voice broke through the radio, making Jake jump. "Jake are you there?". Jake pressed the transmit button and let out a loud sigh, "Sure am Norm. What's up?".
"Jake, our surveillance systems show Banks and his men moving towards the spot where you", he paused and cleared his throat. "Well, you know, killed Quaritch".
"So he's heading away from Hells Gate".
"Yeah and that'd be great, if it wasn't for the fact that Evelyn had already arrived there". Jake shook his head and turned to face Evelyns team. He knew that they wouldn't allow anything to happen to Evelyn and had to handle this situation carefully.
"Um Jake", Norms voice seemed to waiver and Jake wondered why he was so nervous.
"What?".
"The thing is, someone met Evelyn at the site. I couldn't make out their face, but she definitely knew them".
"How do you know she knew them?", Jake asked cautiously, his heart racing.
"She hugged them Jake. Whoever it was, she gave them the biggest hug and headed off into the forest with them and Stonewall at their side".
3
The young Na'vi locked his large eyes onto Neytiris and shook his head, "How can you say such things when she saved me?". He lifted his hands upwards, "Evelyn has done us no harm. She has not inflicted pain on our world. So why is your heart so filled with hatred towards her?".
"She is the enemy!", Neytiri exclaimed. "You have not seen all the sky people are capable of child! Many are filled with greed and care only for themselves".
"Sully is not", the young boy sighed. "What of those who tried to help us and paid with their lives? Were their hearts filled with darkness?".
Neytiri went to reply, her anger towards Miles and the others blinding her to the truth in the boys words. The sound of the radio crackling into life made her stop and she raised her hand upwards so the boy would not speak.
"Neytiri", Jakes voice broke through and Neytiri let out a relieved sigh.
"Jake", she smiled as she replied. "It makes my heart sing to hear your voice".
"Neytiri, I need you to listen very carefully to me. I need you to trust me". His voice seemed to waver as he spoke and Neytiris joy slowly evaporated.
"Jake", she asked cautiously, "Why do you sound troubled?".
"Just listen to me Neytiri", he replied firmly. "The lives of all the Na'vi depends on you doing so".
4
The outpost that Evelyn now stood inside was unlike any she had ever seen before. While it had the same basic living facilities as the others scattered around Pandora there was no denying what its purpose had been. After passing through the sleeping quarters, kitchen and recreation centre, Evelyn found herself in a massive hanger. It was larger than a football field, with a broad metal ceiling soaring over it. Large lights illuminated what would have been an otherwise dark space, those artificial lights giving the building an eerie feeling. Several rows of glass pods stretched out as far as the eye could see and Evelyn recognised them instantly.
"Avatar pods", she sighed, running her fingers over their cool, outer surface. "I never realised how many there were". She heard Miles approach from behind and closed her eyes as she inhaled deeply. His scent filled her senses and Evelyn felt her skin erupt into goosebumps. 'I've missed him', she thought to herself, clenching her eyes even tighter as he placed his strong hand on her shoulder.
"Neither did I", he replied in that deep, velvety voice. "Not until the day I first came here". Evelyn flung her eyes open and spun around to face her husband.
"You were a part of the other Avatar Programme", she hissed. "The human trials!". Miles' eyes lit up and he nodded, offering Evelyn a gentle smile.
"You were always quick on the mark Evelyn". His smile broadened and Evelyn saw that familiar glint of strength in his blue eyes. "Yes, I was a part of the human Avatar trials". Evelyn had remembered the whispers and rumours that surrounded the trials, but never thought they were real. The very idea of a human Avatar just seemed so unnecessary and preposterous to many, they had dismissed it.
"That wasn't you in the suit that day!".
"It was an Avatar", Miles reached out and placed his hand gently on Evelyns face. "I was here controlling it".
Evelyns eyes widened and she shoved his hand away, her surprise and joy at seeing him now replaced by anger. The man she had loved and trusted had deceived her and Evelyn couldn't help but feel betrayed.
"I thought you were dead! That the Na'vi had killed you!". She backed away from Miles, shaking her head as warm tears ran down her cheeks. "What if I hadn't come back?! I'd never have seen you again!".
"You did though", Miles set those brilliant blue eyes on Evelyn and moved forward. "I knew you'd come back".
"Why?", Evelyn whimpered as Miles wrapped his strong arms around her. "I thought you'd have faced them yourself, not in some man-made suit!". She slammed her fist on the side of the tank and shook her head. "You were also so concerned about the drivers loosing themselves in their other lives. I don't understand Miles".
"I had my orders Evelyn. SecOps said I had to do it, that they felt the risk was too great". Evelyn felt her anger subside as she looked into Miles' eyes. There was no way she could ever hold bitterness towards him. Carefully Evelyn raised her hand up and she placed it onto Miles' chest, "I thought I'd lost you".
"Never", Miles whispered as he lifted Evelyns face up towards his. "Nothing will divide us. Nothing". He pulled Evelyns small body upwards and kissed her. At first she didn't respond, her mind still too filled with confusion and pain. Slowly though, all those feelings melted away as she remembered just how much she loved Miles.
Evelyn pulled away and looked into Miles eyes, loosing herself in them just as she had so many times. before. Here, with him, she felt safe. Nothing could ever hurt her as long as Miles was at her side.
"I love you Miles", she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Love you too beautiful". Miles pulled her closer towards his body and Evelyn rested her head on his chest. At that moment she forgot everything that was happening around them. It was only her and Miles.