A/N: Well, another day, another chapter. I seem to be on a bit of a roll seeing as how this is the first free time I've managed to grab in ages. This was probably one of the best chapters to write so far as well, purely because in the scriptment it consists of just a few short paragraphs meaning I was free to extrapolate and play around a bit. I've also added a bit of back story to Josh, call it artistic license. It will be interesting to see how those who have already read the scriptment feel about my interpretation. As always, enjoy reading.

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The entire tribe was already seated and happily eating around the firepits by the time Josh and Zuleika joined them. There were many pits encircled by a ring of small stones that were used to cook flat breads and other assorted dishes. It seemed different groups tended to congregate towards each other but Josh detected none of the hostility typically present in a human commissary.

Zuleika strode between the various groups, heading towards the largest assembly where her parents were sat with various others. There was no class system at play within the Na'vi, any member of the village was welcome to share a meal with any others and as such groups tended to consist of a different set of faces each night. Josh saw Grace sitting next to N'deh once more, his arm draped across her wide shoulders while she rested her head against his side. She saw him approached and nudged N'deh with an amused smile on her lips.

Josh hurried to keep up with Zuleika but constantly found himself halting to reposition his new clothing. Or lack thereof he thought darkly. The thin loincloth had a nasty habit of riding up and he wondered why anyone would ever decide to wear one over regular trousers. Zuleika had intentionally forced a fast pace back towards the meeting area, providing no rest for Josh. Several of the tribe members made remarks as the pair passed, pointing at the alien dreamwalker who was trying to look like one of them.

Zuleika sat beside her parents, quickly updating them on the newcomers progress. Mo'at seemed pleased but Mato'a frowned at the apparent lack of skill the dreamwalker showed with a bow, his preferred weapon of choice on hunts. As Josh finally sat beside her he glowered towards Grace who had not been able to take her eyes off of him.

"What?" he finally demanded.

"Nothing," she said, keeping a straight face. "It suits you."

"Yeah well, tell that to my shins, every plant on the way here seemed to have a go at stinging me."

"That is because you do not pass through them, you shove, always pushing," Zuleika interjected, passing small clay bowls of food around the assembled group.

Josh took his and poked at the fruit within before Zuleika clipped his ear. It was a new game, something to help him learn. He was not allowed to eat or do something until he could recite the name for it in Na'vi. Spears and bows were easy, but there were so many varieties of fruit he normally ended up taking a wild stab in the dark.

"Ki'ong?" he finally guessed, picking up the small red lump to sniff at it.

"Close, Kxener," Zuleika corrected.

She didn't knock the small fruit from his hand for his mistake so Josh took a tentative bite, the sour taste exploding in his mouth. Zuleika laughed good naturedly at his reaction before passing him more food and repeating the process.

"Graceshipley tells us you were a warrior before you came to us from the Sky," Mo'at said as Josh ate his meal.

"That's right," he confirmed slowly, looking over towards Grace. Her eyes were closed against N'deh's skin but he could see her ears twitching in the firelight.

"Did you fight against your own kind?"

"I followed orders."

"Ah yes, orders. When Sky People first came to us they say they must take from Eywa for their own kind, that they were only 'following orders'."

"It's how Sky People justify the things they do."

"You do not believe in your orders any more?"

"Not since they cost me the use of my legs."

"Ah yes, your s'pine," Mo'at said, elongating the initial s.

"Josh?" Zuleika questioned, unsure of what was being discussed and feeling left out of the loop.

He turned to face her, absentmindedly running a hand against the nook of his lower back, as if he could feel the scar his human body still wore. The wound wasn't with him now, but the memories still were. They deserved to know what Earth was truly like and who better to tell its story.

"When I was on Earth I was a marine, a warrior. I fought in a war, in a jungle but nothing compared to this. There isn't much green left on Earth, and what is is normally owned by some big corporation. A group of rebels had taken control of a small area of bush in Venezuela, tried to stake a claim on it saying their ancestors had lived there generations before. The Consortium had logging rights for the region though, so they ordered the American government to send in a squad to… take it back."

"You mean kill them?" Zuleika said, horrified at the thought of a person killing one of their own kind.

Josh merely sighed, used to such discussions and reactions back in his home city. Everyone always wanted to know why, why couldn't they just leave the rebels to their tiny patch of forest. They didn't understand the land was worth millions to the Consortium, that they'd stop at nothing to get it back. His squad was sent in, they didn't know the history, didn't care about the politics of it all. They were just following orders. That's how everyone justified it. He looked into Zuleika's eyes and found the familiar pain there, reflected back at him.

"Yes. The rebels were dug in deep, they didn't give up without a fight. About a month after operations began the enemy launched a surprise attack during the night on our base of operations. It was a total turkey shoot, our CO was torn to ribbons before the sentries had even clicked off their safeties.

"I took cover and returned fire but it didn't matter, we knew we didn't stand a chance."

The assembled group was deathly quiet as Josh paused, only the crackle of the fire and cheerful voices from the other groups drifting over to them. He hadn't told this story to anyone back on Earth. Not even his brother, yet somehow it felt right to air it here. To make these people understand just what life on Earth had been like for him and his kind.

"There was one guy with me, Tony. We'd gone through basic together, had each others backs for years. I was closer to him than I was to my own brother in a way. Anyway, one rebel lobs an old pineapple grenade right into the foxhole we're taking cover in and we just watch this thing smack down right behind us. Now we don't have a lot of options here, if we jump out of the hole we'll get torn to shreds before we're even clear of the blast radius. So Tony, well, he doesn't even think about it."

Josh set his empty bowl down and picked absentmindedly at the frayed edge of his loincloth. Zuleika rested a gentle and against his arm, her solemn gaze urging him to finish the story.

"Tony jumped on top of me, the crazy bastard laughing about always saving my ass as the grenade went off. He took most of the blast, saved me from the worst of it. A piece of shrapnel tore through his armour, punched clean through his chest before digging into my back, severing my spine. I lay there, my friend bleeding out over me and I couldn't even move.

"Anyway, the rebels turned tail and ran after we called in air support. A week later I woke up in a marine hospital, a big hole blown through the middle of my life."

Grace had opened her eyes to watch Josh tell his story. The notes in his file had merely said he'd been wounded in combat, but it seemed the scars ran much deeper than he had ever let on. Josh stood, thanking the Patriarch and Matriarch for their hospitality quickly before he retreated between the throngs of sitting Na'vi. Zuleika rose swiftly after he left, hurrying to catch up with him before he was consumed by the jungle.

"There is much pain in his heart," Mo'at said quietly, clutching at her chest. "He has taken life from his own kind, it is not Eywa's way."

"He knows that," Grace said, "That's why he's scared you'll reject him."

——

Zuleika found Josh beside the riverbank. He was throwing small rocks across the surface of the water, making them jump several times before they sank beneath the surface. With each skip the surface of the water would fluoresce with a purple blossom, leaving a beautiful trail that slowly dissipated in its wake.

Josh turned as she approached, shaking a handful of loose stones before picking out another one and tumbling it between his blue fingers.

"I'm sorry," he said as she stood next to him, the pin pricks of light on her skin shifting subtly in the pale dusk.

"What for Joshsully?"

"I didn't mean to put a dampener on the mood like that. I just needed you to know why it is I'm out here. Heck, it wasn't even supposed to be me on that shuttle in the first place."

"You did not want to come to Na'at?" Zuleika questioned, her unease growing.

"No, yes. Gah."

Josh angrily threw another stone but it merely made a loud splash before sinking to the bottom of the riverbed.

"I wasn't supposed to be the one coming out here, that was my brother Tommy. He was a scientist, like Grace."

"Then why did he choose not to come?"

"The choice was made for him. There was a fire back on Earth, a lot of people died. Tom was one of the unlucky ones."

"I am sorry for you," Zuleika said slowly.

"We weren't close, hadn't been for years. Not like the Na'vi. God, he would have loved it out here. He studied for years just so he could meet you people."

Another flick of the wrist sent another stone skipping across the river, its momentum carrying it out towards the deepest waters.

"Did you play this game with your brother?" Zuleika said, picking one of the small rocks from Josh's outstretched hand.

Her first attempt was abysmal, the stone making a loud plop as it sunk only a few feet away from shore. Josh couldn't help but laugh, feeling his mood lighten. It seemed he had something to teach now. Moving behind Zuleika he placed a new stone in her hand.

"Like this," he demonstrated, flicking her wrist forwards. "You've got to put some spin on it, make it hit the surface as flat as possible."

The small stone flew smoothly through the air as she released it, striking the waters surface and skipping once before sinking. Zuleika turned over her shoulder to stare into Josh's eyes.

"Thank you," she said, taking another proffered rock.

"Thank you," Josh said.

——

Josh followed Zuleika, moving his body so that he passed between the fronds of a large plant without disturbing it. They were following a narrow trail leading away from the Hometree, heading deeper into the jungle. Out here the suns could barely shine through the thick canopy, only shafts of light spearing through to illuminate the magical scene.

They had been walking for the better part of an hour, setting off at first light. Several nights had passed since he and Zuleika had stood on the bank of the river, skipping stones. Mo'at and the others had not brought up his past again for which he was grateful, though they now Saw him in a different light. Zuleika herself had taken to the dreamwalker, spending almost all of her time with the dreamwalker. Each morning he would wake in his avatar body to find her impatiently waiting for him, tutting as extricated himself from his hammock and followed her to whatever task she had prepared for the day.

As for himself, Josh could feel the untoned muscles of his new body beginning to sharpen up already. A day spent on the archery range left him exhilarated now as his arrow bore into another tree trunk rather than it leaving him exhausted and spent as he had felt on those first few days. As he followed Zuleika, his slowly toughening feet passing silently between the fronds of large plants, he couldn't help but wonder what she had in store for today.

The sounds of the jungle filtered down towards them, the steady rumble of thunder echoing in from the distance. As they moved onwards though Josh could feel the ground begin to tremble, the rolling thunder moving closer with each passing step. He glanced around nervously, seeing Zuleika crouch beside a fallen dead wood tree. She motioned him closer, peering between the gaps in the trunk to watch a herd of hammerheads emerge from the jungle and trundle passed.

Their squat legs were as thick as tree trunks, the armoured head from which their namesake derived swivelling slowly as they moved on. Josh nearly laughed as he spotted the smaller form of several infants, safely cocooned by the protective wall of their parents. Zuleika smiled with him as they watched the animals move on before proceeding themselves.

They pushed on deeper into the jungle, beyond where Josh had fallen only a few days before it seemed. As the sun approached its zenith they stopped finally in a small clearing that seemed to meet Zuleika's approval. Zuleika reached up and bent a large flower towards her, its pitcher like head producing a stream of sweet water. Josh couldn't help but watch her, the dappled sunlight shining down on her from high above. She laughed as she finished, watching his gaze quickly flick away.

Zuleika pulled a long bolo from a pouch on her hip, spinning the two balls idly as she spread her weight as she had taught Josh to do so many, many times. With more force she spun the bolo above her head, so that it whistled amidst the jungle sounds. Releasing it the two balls, connected by a leather thong, spun through the air, wrapping around the form of a young sapling a dozen metres away. She quickly retrieved the effective weapon, coiling it back up before handing it to Josh.

"I know, I know," Josh said, unwinding the bolo. "My turn."

Zuleika said nothing as he swung the leather strap wide above his head, the undulating whistle reaching its crescendo before he let the bolo fly. Unfortunately he had misjudged the timing completely. The leather strap coiled back towards him with its momentum, wrapping around his neck and nearly suffocating him before one of the heavy balls connected solidly with his nose.

Zuleika could not contain her mirth, pressing a hand against the trunk of a tree to prevent herself from falling to the ground from the laughs that racked her. Josh extricated himself angrily from the bolo, spinning the weapon in a wide arc with a determined stare. He let it fly with a strong finish and Zuleika found her laughter cut short as the leather cord wrapped itself around her legs. Though the weights did not completely entwine it was enough to make her pay attention.

As they headed back towards Kelutral, Josh walked beside Zuleika, playfully tapping at the various plants that glowed upon contact.

"Why did we have to come this far out just to practice?" he questioned after she admonished him for his behaviour for the third time.

"When you are hunter, prey does not come to Hometree. You must go to prey, sometimes you walk very far for many days."

"I get it, can't of like a STO."

"Stow?" Zuleika repeated slowly.

"Standard training op, practice for the real thing."

"Sky People, even when you are not fighting you are training for fighting."

"Not all of us, look at the Doc, she hasn't used a gun since basic training."

"Indeed, she has been very kind to the Tsumongwi people. She shared Eywa's sadness when the Sky People killed our brothers and sisters. But she is one, not many, among Sky People who Eywa has embraced."

"Maybe I can be number two," Josh joked, swatting at Zuleika's tail.

"Skxawng," Zuleika laughed, clipping Josh across the back of his head with her tail. "Eywa already Sees you. It is why are here, to learn what other Sky People cannot See."

In the distance the large trunks of Hometree rose high into the afternoon sky, like a majestic mountain rising from amidst the canopy of the forest. Bansheerays soared around the upper branches, occasionally landing within the leafy tops. Home, Josh thought to himself before realising what he had said.

"I will not be at evening meal this evening," Zuleika said as they entered the inner sanctum. "You must rest tonight, tomorrow I show you Pa'li."

"Okay," Josh said unsuredly, watching her leave him standing alone. It was the first time he'd truly been unaccompanied in Hometree with nothing to do. He was considering finding Grace when a small ball rolled against his foot, coming to a gentle stop. He picked it up and noticed that it was just like one of the leather balls used with a bolo.

Looking towards the source he found a group of young children watching him, their faces passing from excited to nervous around the group. Finally one stepped forwards from his friends, staring up at the impassive face of the alien dreamwalker.

"Txep no!" one boy shouted warningly in Na'vi.

Josh smirked and tossed the ball idly the air, letting it fall into his hand.

"Omxe nga pxel ne sewna?" the boy asked tentatively.

Josh creased his brow and tried his best to translate but he just didn't know enough of the language to make sense of the request. Luckily an older Na'vi stepped forwards having been watching from the sidelines. Josh recognised him immediately as the one from the river bank, Tsu Te.

"He ask if you would like to play."

"Thank you," Josh said relieved. "Tell him sure, I'm game."

The children cheered as Josh joined them. They stood around him, jostling as they tried to get the best view of the dreamwalker. Josh turned to watch them all, not sure what game this was.

"What are they doing?" he finally asked Tsu Te.

The Na'vi warrior laughed, enjoying the sight of Josh's uncertainty.

"They are waiting for you demon. They want to play Sky People game."

"Any of you kids know baseball?" Josh asked, turning to look at the blank faces.

"Fine. You," he said, picking out one kid at random and handing him a thick stick that lay on the ground nearby. "You're at bat. Here, hold this like so."

He went about setting all of the kids in their proper positions, even marking the stops in the bare dirt with his feet. He tried his best to explain the rules but Tsu Te did not seem to be that co-operative so many merely followed his wild gestures. Finally happy he took his position in the centre and threw an easy ball.

The young boy made a solid swing, sending the ball flying high. The assembled team whooped in delight, watching the ball soar away. Josh yelled run in Na'vi to the batter, one of the few words he knew. The boy stared at him for an instant before rushing away into the jungle, the others chasing after him as if it were part of the game. Josh sighed and could only grin as they all vanished from sight, their laughter trailing after them.

Soon only Tsu Te remained, watching the dreamwalker through narrow eyes.

"So you're going to be Olo'eyktan one day?" Josh said in idle conversation as he walked over, waiting for the batter and his cohort to return.

"Yes demon, and I will rid our forest of all Sky People."

"Strong words."

"Do you doubt my strength?" Tsu Te challenged, stepping forwards to stare Josh squarely in the face.

"No, it's just that there's a lot of humans. How will you get rid of them all?"

"I See you demon, I will not let you trick me into showing my plans."

"Have it your way. What about the avatars, would you let us stay?"

"You are worse than Sky People!" the warrior nearly spat, lips snarling as he spoke. "You walk like Na'vi but you are demon inside. I will not help you kill the People, you will go or I will make you leave."

Before Josh could respond, Tsu Te pushed passed and angrily walked away towards a crowd of other Na'vi. Once more he was alone, with no one to count as a friend in sight.

——

When Josh woke the next morning he did not find Zuleika waiting for him as usual. Nor had she been at the evening meal as she had said. As he descended from the branches where the hammocks were slung he spotted her walking through the morning throng, greeting those around her as she passed through the crowds.. She saw him as he approached and smiled warmly, passing him an odd plant to hold.

She said no more as they walked towards the edge of the village, despite his questions about her activities. They entered a small corral with a low picket fence, a fresh bed of grass having been laid upon the ground. A young direhorse poked its head up from the corner, regarding the newcomers with innocent eyes.

Zuleika took the gourd like plant from Josh's hands and held it still before the foal, the end dripping from where she had filled it with warm milk. The young foal approached cautiously, licking at the end of the plant before hungrily latching on and gulping it down as quickly as it could. Zuleika motioned Josh closer and gave him the plant to hold while she gently ran a hand over the foals still young skin.

"It's parents were killed by Sky People. N'deh called for us to rescue it."

Josh's mind flashed back to Lyle shooting at the direhorses by the Samson before Grace had put a stop to his antics. So they were caring for the horses, domesticating it almost. The foal finished with the gourd and proceeded to lick sloppily at Josh's hands. He tickled the animals nose, pleased that it had found a home at least.

"Come," Zuleika said at length, "now you learn to ride Pa'li."

"Pa'li, this?" Josh said.

"Yes, you must learn to be good rider if you wish to go on hunts."

Zuleika led him towards a small brook where two or three direhorses had congregated to drink from the cool water. An older swaybacked horse drew the stem of a plant towards it with its dextrous antennae, slurping at the sweet nectar within. Zuleika ran a hand down its neck, pulling at the nose ring to guide it towards Josh who stood nervously awaiting further instructions.

"This is Pa'li," she introduced, letting Josh study the large creature.

"Hi boy," he said, patting it against its side.

One of the antennae swatted at him as Zuleika shook her head. "Pa'li is female."

"Oh, sorry, hi girl."

"Tsaheylu is very important. Two bodies but one mind shared," Zuleika explained, letting her queue fall over her shoulder.

"Like controlling an AMP suit," Josh said, trying to catch her drift.

Zuleika grimaced angrily, trying to find the human words to explain the necessary emotions behind the gift that Eywa had granted the People.

"Not like control. Share. Ask. Pa'li become one with rider, work together."

Carefully taking one of the long antennae she held it out towards Josh. He reached for his queue, letting the hair fall away to reveal just the nerve fibres, fluttering in the still air. He tentatively touched the end of his queue against the direhorse's own link and felt a surge of electricity race through his body in an instant. His eyes widened at the sensation, a deep gulp of air helping to steady him.

He could feel the heartbeat of the Pa'li beneath his skin, feel its breath as though he were breathing for it, even the powerful legs, waiting to run free. At the mention of running the direhorse leapt forwards, severing the connection and sending Josh tumbling to the mud in one motion. Zuleika helped him up quickly, still keeping her grip on the direhorse as she guided it back towards them, calming it down.

"Think and she will do," Zuleika warned. "Now ride."

She helped Josh mount the direhorse, instructing him how to sit and where to hold on to. When he was ready he leant forwards and bonded once more.

"Okay girl, easy this time. Forwards."

It wasn't long before Josh found himself in the mud once more, but he leapt straight back into the saddle and pressed on. Zuleika watched from a large stone, enjoying the morning sun. By midday Josh had at least managed to master the basics enough that he could guide the direhorse to a destination without falling off, for which he was very pleased as always. Zuleika refrained from pointing out that most children could do the same when their parents weren't keeping watch over them.

"I See you Zuleika."

Zuleika turned at the new arrival, closing her eyes as she bid welcome to her friend. "And I you, N'deh. Where is Graceshipley?"

It was no secret among the tribe that the two were becoming more than good friends, though they're continued fate had yet to be decided by the Matriarch. The older Na'vi sat down beside her, watching the dreamwalker make zigzags between trees lining the brook.

"She is needed by the Sky People. Their warriors wish for her to return, but she will not abandon Joshsully."

"Nor you, I think," Zuleika added.

N'deh smiled at her remark, neither offended nor surprised at her honesty. A particularly close near miss from Josh caught N'deh's attention, his experienced gaze tracking the new rider and his stead. He watched the way they moved together, the dreamwalker becoming more sure of the relationship with each passing step.

"He rides well," he commented.

"For a Sky Person."

"For a newcomer. Eywa Sees in him more than the hollow shell Tsu Te complains about. Do you feel he is able to ride out?"

Zuleika laughed at the comment, thinking N'deh must be joking. "He can barely stay upright!"

"Then give him a challenge and make him follow."

"And when he falls?"

"He will get back up or learn to run."

"You make me appear soft on him."

"I remember teaching you once, when you were young and inexperienced. How you complained after a full days riding."

"As do I, Karyu."

Josh chose that moment to trot in front of them both, grinning from ear to ear.

"Look, no hands!" he joked, careful to keep his legs tight against the direhorse's chest just in case.

Zuleika took one last glance at N'deh before standing and grabbing hold of the nose ring, heading towards some of the other awaiting direhorses. N'deh rose smoothly to follow her. Soon all three were heading out together, the two more experienced riders flanking Josh who moved unsteadily through the thick bush. Between navigating along the winding path and ducking under each low branch he had little time to speak with his two escorts, let alone take in the scenery.

As they passed a small stream N'deh held up a hand for quiet, Josh carefully bringing his direhorse to a halt without sending himself flying over its head like he had a few miles before, much to Zuleika's enjoyment. N'deh dismounted silently, creeping forwards into the thick foliage. Zuleika and Josh followed quickly, leaving the animals where they would remain.

As they approached N'deh they could hear the shrill buzzing that had caught his attention, the sound growing in pitch as they closed in on the source. A stinger lay upon the forest floor, its body pulverised into the dirt. By the impression around it Josh could tell a powersuit had trampled it carelessly, not even pausing as it moved on. The flying dart like head hovered around the body of its parent, whimpering pitifully.

Zuleika gently reached out and captured the starving dart, holding it delicately between her three fingers. N'deh pulled a small piece of meat remaining from a pouch and began to chew it thoroughly. Taking the dart from Zuleika he placed it next to his mouth and let it feed as it would from its parent. It swallowed hungrily, crying for more as it finished the meagre portion. Carefully placing it into the now empty pouch the trio returned to their direhorses, turning back towards Hometree.

They left N'deh with the direhorses as they returned home, Josh and Zuleika walking out from the village to enjoy the sunset. They soon found an old stream bed, long ago dried up when the humans had started construction on Hell's Gate. It was overgrown now, reclaimed by the Pandoran wildlife. A tightly woven thicket of vines had encircled it, creating an artificial tunnel through which they could walk in private.

"I was away from Kelutral last night," Zuleika said, her words echoing around them.

"I noticed," Josh said, kicking at a loose stone.

Zuleika obviously had something to say, but Josh didn't want to push her too quickly.

"I was with Eywa, asking her for guidance."

"About what?"

"The Sky People, the Tsumongwi. You."

"And what did she say?"

Zuleika smiled at Josh's childlike questions, thankful for his gentle words.

"Eywa does not say in words. She shares only that which must be felt to preserve the balance of all life. She showed me what must be done, to protect the People."

Josh placed a hand against her shoulder, the pair of them coming to a stop in the silence of the tunnel. Above, the last rays of sunlight pierced through the vines, providing only spots of illumination so that both of them seemed to be daubed in darkness. Josh could feel his heart begin to beat faster.

Zuleika felt herself entranced by the moment until one of her ears twitched suddenly, catching distant sounds. She turned quickly, placing a hand against the ground as the loose rocks began to shake freely. Glancing back up the tunnel the entrance was just a small pinprick of light against the darkness. Suddenly something passed in front of it, blotting out the light. Then another form. More. An orange glow seemed to settle in the darkness, a deep rumble growing alongside it.

Grabbing Josh's arm she ran. Behind them the monstrous form of a sturmbeest passed a narrow opening in the vine wall. Josh gaped as he saw it illuminated for a brief instant. It was like a cross between a rhino and a wildebeest, only it looked like it weighed ten tons easily and moved like a locomotive out of control. Its bright orange skin was lined with indigo plates that shone in the darkness. Even as he watched, more of the creatures piled into the tunnel, stampeding towards them with nowhere else to go.

Josh overtook Zuleika, looking for any way out of the approaching herds path. Seeing an overhanging limb he leapt, grabbing hold and quickly scrambling up to the relative safety of a small tree that had broken through the wall of vines. Zuleika followed him an instant later, clawing at the wood as the weakened limb snapped under her weight. Josh's hand shot down, grabbing her tightly about the wrist. Pulling her up they watched the sturmbeest thunder by underneath them like a train of orange fire.

Zuleika laughed breathlessly, relief evident in every line of her body. Josh laughed, giving her a mock push. Off balance she grabbed him for support, pulling herself in tight. He didn't mind, keeping her close until the last of the sturmbeest passed by. No, he liked this just fine he thought.