Colonel Hot Stuff

CAT FIGHT! ..... Wait, they're laughing?

Her hand raises, cutting me off, shaking her head softly. "Don't, I would like to apologize to you. I saw the way you looked at that dem- ... that man when he was dying. It's the same way I looked at Jake when I thought he was dying. I apologize for aiding in the pain that he caused you. I did not know you were together."

Neytiri is now kneeling in front of me, bowing. I hesitantly place my hand on her shoulder, glancing at the na'vi around us. "Please don't bow to me..." I wait for her to look up at me. "Thank you, but your apology isn't necessary. You didn't know." I look toward Jake, "He should've told you before anything happened." Jake is looking at us, rubbing his hand over his face before holding his chin. I chuckle, "...he looks scared."

Neytiri looks at him, glaring. "He should be...." She looks back at me, "You can hit him anytime you'd like...." She smirks, "Don't worry, I'll hit him too."

I laugh, smiling at her. "I might just take you up on that. It was nice to meet you officially."

Neytiri nods, smiling. She stands up and walks away. I take a deep breath, blinking away my tears. My hands fidget in my lap. I can't believe he told her everything so easily. It would have taken me months to torture it out of him.

Tsu'tey sits down on the rock, watching me out the corner of his eye. "Not as bad as I thought it would be... Are you ok?"

I nod, keeping my head down, "yes, thank you.... I honestly thought it was going to be worse. I thought she was going to hit me."

Tsu'tey scooted closer, putting his hand on my shoulder. He chuckled softly, "She wasn't going to hurt you. You haven't done anything wrong." He pauses for a moment, removing his hand. "I spoke with Jake while you and Neytiri were talking. He knows you told me, he said Neytiri threatened to cut his 'baby maker' off if he even thought about doing that again."

I look at Tsu'tey, laughing softly, my tears falling slowly down my cheeks. "That's good." I look out in front of me, the na'vi warriors reconnecting with their mates and families. Why isn't he with someone? He almost died, and he risked his life saving me multiple times. "They all look so happy."

Tsu'tey hums, nodding in agreement. "They are.... they're thankful to Eywa. She saved us all...... all that were connected to her." He watches my reaction to his words, thinking they upset me.

I smile, looking at the children play. "All that matters is that the innocent are safe." I look at Tsu'tey, smiling, "Thank you for being considerate."

Time Skip

We sit in silence for a while, watching the Na'vi talk and the children play. "Is there somewhere I could lay down? I think the adrenaline has finally worn off."

Tsu'tey nods, standing up. "Follow me. There are sleeping pods in the trees. I'll help you get to it."

"Thank you.... Can you stay close, please?" I look up at him as we walk. He nods, giving me a sympathetic look.

Tsu'tey helps me climb parts of the tree, taking me to the lower branches. "Be careful, lor.... put your foot here... then here... you're doing good, you're almost there." He points out the best places to step, moving slowly behind me.

I hold his hand, balancing on the branch. I mumble, gripping his hand tighter as I wobble on the branch. "This is a death trap."

He chuckles, shaking his head. "You're not going to fall, I won't let that happen." He pulls my hand back slightly, I teeter again, and his hands grab my shoulder. "Easy, lor, it's right here."

He drops into the hammock, holding my hand. I look at him like he's crazy. "I can't do that. I can't just hop in there li-"

My words were cut off by his chuckle. "I'm not expecting you to jump like I did... not yet, that is." His hands move to my waist, pulling me into the hammock with him. He helps me lay down before climbing out. "Rest as long as you need. Move your hand along the edge, and it will close. It will keep you warm."

I smile as he walks away. "Thank you, Tsu'tey." I brush my hand along the edge, the hammock closing around me.