1
"Do you really think this will work?", Miles whispered as he peered through the dense foliage at the crowd of Na'vi ahead. "It's insane and for me to say that is something". He turned around to face Evelyn whose attention was fixed firmly upon him. There was a glint of excitement in those green eyes and a somewhat mischievous grin on her face.
"In all honesty Miles, I have no damn idea". She reached up and placed her hand on his face, "What other choice do we have?". Miles gazed into her eyes and quickly regretted the doubt he had felt. She was so determined, so strong and cunning, he had forgotten just how formidable she could be.
"It's a hell of a risk", he motioned out towards the Tree of Souls. "Those blue bastards aren't going to like you threatening their damn tree. How can you be certain it won't all go south?".
"If it all goes south", Evelyn gave him a wry grin. "Then there will be no more Tree of Souls. No connection to other tribes". Her smile broadened, "And no more Eywa. Do you really think they will risk all of that?".
2
As he and the SecOps team walked towards the Na'vi, Jake knew he was taking a huge risk. The bitterness felt towards many humans still ran deeply amongst his people and they would not appreciate these strangers coming to their most sacred of sites. Neytiri was the first to see them approach and Jake cringed as he saw those bright eyes darken. She moved forward, not once shifting her gaze from Jake. It was obvious she was less than impressed and Jake prepared himself for the coming torrent of abuse he would receive.
"What are they doing here?", Neytiri hissed, stopping just before Jake and pointing at the team by his side. "They are Sky People Jake".
"They are not our enemy", Jake replied firmly. He turned around and looked at Damon, who offered him a nervous grin. "These men, they helped us Neytiri".
"I care not Jake!", she retorted angrily. "It is forbidden for them to be here!".
"Neytiri", Jake reached out and took her hand in his. "I feel that their paths and ours are the same. They must be here". He took a step forward, "Something is coming Neytiri, something bad. Don't tell me you haven't felt it".
Neytiri went to rebuke his claim, but hesitated. Even before the arrival of this new team, many of the Na'vi had felt a growing presence and were becoming increasingly tense. It was that feeling they often got just before one of the great storms and Neytiri knew better than to ignore it.
"In your heart Jake, are you certain they can be trusted?". She glanced nervously at the group by his side and let out a loud sigh. "Look at who leads them Jake. Evelyn may have never harmed us, but she is certain to want revenge for the death of her husband".
She gazed at those small humans before her and quickly realised that Evelyn was not amongst them. "Jake, where is she?", Neytiri asked tentatively.
"The last I heard she was heading away from where Quaritch died". Jake glanced over his shoulder and stared out into the dense jungle. "Where she is now, I have no idea". He turned back to face his beloved and could see the growing concern in her eyes. "Neytiri", Jake wrapped his arm around her waist and placed his face against hers. "Do no fear though my love. No matter what, I will not let anything happen to you".
3
How Evelyn had managed to sneak up to the Tree of Souls without being seen was utterly beyond Miles. He had felt for sure that the Na'vi would have seen her and foil their plan. Miles watched as she slowly rose up and pressed her body against the broad trunk of the tree. He could see she was somewhat nervous and couldn't blame her. The plan she had come up with was bold to say the least and the outcome was not guaranteed. Either the Na'vi would do as she asked or they would strike out, ending not only Evelyn and Miles' lives, but many of their own peoples. That was something Evelyn had clearly wanted to avoid and she knew it would take all of her skills to convince the Na'vi to do as she wished.
The fact that she was facing them alone had been Miles' primary concern, but Evelyn had insisted that he remained concealed. "If they see you buddy", she had whispered. "Then we're as good as dead. Might as well just jump into the mouth of a Great Leonopteryx". Of course she had been right, that his presence would only ignite a fire fight and put an end to everything. The Na'vi both feared and respected Evelyn though and she could use both these feelings to her advantage.
Evelyn took in a deep breath and shifted her green eyes towards Miles. "I love you", she mouthed as she gave him a quick wink. Miles went to reply but hesitated as he saw that firm expression change on his wifes face. Her eyes grew wide and Evelyns hands clenched the tree trunk tightly, making her knuckles go white.
"No", he heard her murmur. "No, that isn't right. You're wrong". Confusion filled her brilliant eyes and she began to shake her head. "Prove it. Show me!", she demanded. "Show me!".
"Who the hell's she talking to?", Miles glanced fervently around, trying to find whoever it was that Evelyn was speaking with.
"NO!", Evelyn screamed. "Not like that! It's not meant to happen like that".
"Screw this", Miles broke from cover and ran towards Evelyn, no longer caring if he was seen by the Na'vi. All that mattered was Evelyn. He reached her just as her legs gave way and Miles quickly grabbed her small body as she fell towards the ground. For a moment she stared at him, but her gaze seemed fixed on some unseen place more than him.
"Evelyn", Miles whispered. "Come on back woman".
"Miles", she sighed. She furrowed her brow and let out a deep groan, "I can't. We can't".
"Can't what?".
"She showed me Miles. It was horrible". Evelyns eyes began to close and Miles pulled her small frame closer.
"What?", Miles demanded. He tried to hide that growing anguish, but knew he was not succeeding. They had only just been reunited and the thought of anything happening to Evelyn now was not one Miles wanted to dwell on.
"Everything dies", Evelyn whimpered. "Because of me, everything dies".
4
At first Jake was unsure how to react to what he was seeing. The sound of a woman yelling had drawn him quickly to the rear of the sacred tree and what greeted him had taken Jake by surprise. Evelyn lay in a mans arms, his gaze fixed on the small woman lying before him.
"Evelyn", Jake took a step forward and knelt down before them. "What happened?". The mans hands clenched tightly and he released a loud hiss.
"This place did. The scientists, Na'vi and", slowly the man raised his face up and he set those cool, blue eyes onto Jake. "You".
Jake sprung up and pulled his dagger from his belt, "Quaritch!". He took several steps backwards and shook his head. "You're dead. Neytiri killed you. I saw it".
"You saw wrong", Miles spat. To Jakes surprise he returned his attention back to Evelyn and pulled her even closer to his strong body. Slowly Miles rose upwards, not once looking away from his wife as he did. At that moment Jake knew he had to push aside all his hatred towards this man. Evelyn had done everything she could to protect the Na'vi and Jake owed her for that.
It wasn't just that that stopped Jake from striking out at the Miles. There was something in that mans eyes that told Jake he loved her, far more than he could have ever realised. The very thought that Miles could care for anyone was a foreign one, for he had always been so steely and cool at the base. Now though, Jake saw the truth behind that icy exterior.
"Quaritch, please", Jake cautiously knelt down before Miles. "This isn't about how you think I betrayed my own people".
"Because you did", Miles retorted.
"It's about Evelyn. I need to know what happened".
For a moment Miles hesitated. He hated Jake, far more than anyone he had ever met and longed to strike him down. He saw him as nothing more than a traitor, a man who had turned his back on his own kind. But Miles' love for Evelyn far outweighed his hatred and he knew that he would need Jakes help to save her. He sucked in a deep breath and turned his face up towards Jake. Miles had to tell him everything. Yes, it would mean their plan would be unsuccessful, but that didn't matter any more.