Promises

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It was nighttime, Marie laid awake beside her dad in one of the link sites many beds. Her mind replayed the moment she had with Neytiri over and over again.

Marie knew she couldn't tell her daddy how she felt, he would feel bad. Marie hated hurting her fathers feelings more than anything.

But the need to tell someone was eating at her. The rustling and shifting of Graces clothes was her answer.

Grace is awake, I can tell her!

Marie removed herself from her dads arm. Luckily for Marie, the usually alert dad resembled the dead.

Marie slipped off and walked towards Grace, her small steps alerting the doctor who had her back towards her.

Grace had moved her chair to face the little girl, leaving her arms open. "What you doin up, pretty girl?" An invitation for Marie to move forward and lay in her arms.

"Oof, someone's getting big," Grace mumbled, a comment like that usually would illicit a giggle, but Marie was quiet.

Grace noticed the trouble looked on the usually gleeful child, "what's wrong Marie? You have a nightmare?"

"No," Marie tucked her bottom lip into her mouth looking away. Grace was a quick woman, the tick showing her that Marie was nervous.

Grace grabbed Marie's little face with both hands, tucking away loose strands of hair behind her ears, "then?"

Marie stayed silent, the doctor took that as a sign to stay quiet and hug the little girl until she felt comfortable enough to open up.

After a couple minutes, Marie finally spoke up, "Do you remember your mommy, Grace?"

Grace hadn't expected the question, is this what's bothering her? Makes sense, she's surrounded by people where family is everything. It is only natural for a child to want both parents.

"Yeah, but she passed when I was about 16. Do you remember your mommy?" Grace tried to speak as softly as she could, afraid that the sensitive question could make the little girl cry. The last thing she needed was for Jake to wake up and get pissed for making Marie cry.

"Not really," Marie moved back from Graces embrace, holding up three fingers, "she left when I was 3."

"I'm sorry to hear that Marie," this was the first mention of Marie's mother that Grace had heard. Jake always keeping quiet about Earth other than Tommy.

"But..."

"But what Marie," Grace pried, bringing the little girl back into her arms. She had grown to love the two Sully's, hearing that they had been abandoned brought an unknown rage to her heart. Especially little Marie. How could a parent abandon their child?

"When daddy hugs me, I feel safe, and loved,"

"Mmmm, it should. That's how parents should make you feel." Grace said planting a small kiss on Marie's hairline. Her unruly curls tickling her skin.

"and when you, or Norm hug me, or Trudy — I feel warm." This brought a smile to Graces face. Glad that the little girl felt safe in her presence.

"But — when Neytiri hugs me, it's different to you."

"How so Marie?" I thought she adored Neytiri Grace thought.

"It feels like when daddy hugs me." Graces heart dropped at the confession. This wasn't good. Marie couldn't grow an attachment like this, it will break her when she has to leave back to earth.

Graces inner turmoil to Marie's words were cut short, "You can't tell anyone! Especially my daddy, he'll feel bad."

"I won't," Grace whispered, her voice had gone hoarse with emotion thinking about the devastation Marie will have to face when they depart.

"Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise."