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Italics: (Na'vi language, or Metkayina sign language, and Jake's inner thoughts)

Just as I thought, second semesters of college are even harder than the first lmao it took me an unusually long time to finish this chapter, so I hope you guys enjoy it because I put a lot of effort into it! I hope I don't disappoint! :,)

As always, don't forget to comment and vote <3 I love reading and replying to all of your comments and they truly make my day 🤍 Without further ado, I hope you guys like it!

Thank you all of you for sticking around even after I was absent from here for so long. Im really trying to be more consistent. I love every single one of you so much :,)
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The more that the two Avatar recoms swam closer on their ikrans underwater, the more you felt like your blood suddenly ran cold. As the one on the front, with the most menacing stare you've ever seen, you could see it could match the exact description of the man that was after your husband. Quaritch. At the realization, you held Tuk and Tsireya closer to you than ever as the Colonel recommended Avatar got closer and closer along with who you could only assume was his right-hand man, Lyle, who was close behind. It also didn't help at all how you could see the Colonel's eyes suddenly close in on you at the realization that you were the woman he saw helping the kids. The woman that he was certain he could use to make sure Jake breaks and gives himself in. In Quaritch's head, he really felt like he'd hit the jackpot and things were going even better than he thought. Not only were his children trapped but also, possibly his significant other, as well.

He had this look on his face that made you shrink in on yourself and made you feel so small, in utter opposition to what you wanted to be for the girls in your arms at that moment and your son outside the net. You felt your heart plummet at the realization that there was just no escape out of this net in such little time, and you and the kids would be at the hands of the enemy in no time. You could only see Lo'ak outside with panic as you watched him weave through the net with his knife but the rope was just too tight. And just as you had feared, you and the girls tumbled a bit in the net with a shriek muffled by the water as the Colonel had reached the net and had his Ikran's claws grab onto it in a tight grip, starting to drag the kids and you up to the surface with a speed you could barely process. It only added to your distress to see when you were all above the water as droplets left the net and you all, that Lo'ak was still hanging onto the side of it for dear life, refusing to let you all go and leaving Tsireya, you, and Tuk to be taken by Quaritch like this without a fight. Not letting go of the net for a second, Lo'ak still had his dagger out, while continuing to try to cut you and the girls out before Quaritch and Lyle got to the ship.

From the moment you and the kids were above the surface, inside the net still, you could all hear the way that the krans screeched so loudly that it was painful at such close range. Being above the water, the banshees flapped their wings and shook off the water with strained motions because of the weight of the net beneath their claws and the water dripping off of them. Lyle was conducting his own Ikran to grip the other side of the net with its beak while Quaritch held the other, and that way, the kids and you had no openings at all to escape as they took them back to the ship. "Lo'ak, be careful!" You yelled out to your son as you watched him simultaneously struggle to hold on and try to cut the rope of the net. Your son nodded at your words and went back to trying to set you and the girls free. "I got it, Mom! Don't worry Hold on!" Lo'ak yelled out as you, Tsireya, and Tuk continued to scream for help desperately and almost hopelessly, seeing you were all quickly being brought to the ship faster than you thought, getting much closer. "Quick, Lo'ak! Let us out!" Tuk exclaimed as she clung to you and began to fight against the net that was tangling against her limbs.

Lo'ak began to panic as he turned his head back for a moment and saw that the ship was even closer now than before. Soon enough they wouldn't even have a chance to escape, or at least it will be a lot harder. The deck will most likely be full of soldiers, Avatar recoms, and so on. You would protect them as best as you could, but they were just kids. There was only so much they could do, but you felt like you could do so much, so you'd do everything in your power to make sure that your children weren't hurt. "Tuk! Watch out!" Lo'ak warned, afraid of hurting her little sister in the process of trying to save them, all the while the boy also kept warning you and the girls to move their hands since they were all somehow accidentally way too close to the blade and nobody noticed in the panic, but thankfully you moved in time. "Hurry! Hurry!" Tsireya called out, seeing the net approach the big ship more and more.

Inside the ship, Spider felt his heart plummet and anxiety rise when he rushed up to one of the windows in the base of the operations room and saw Tuk, Tsireya, you (whom he had never seen before in his life) inside a net with Lo'ak hanging on the outside of it. The net was being transported by Quaritch and Lyle over to what Spider could only assume was the main deck of the ship. To the human boy, there was simply no better time to try and escape than at this very moment. At the sight of the people he had been desperately trying to get back to, Spider didn't waste another second and began to run out of the room, shoving and pushing anybody in his way without a second thought. It seemed that nobody was expecting it either because his plan worked and Spider was able to slip out of the exit successfully and unscathed.

"Hey, kid! Get back here!" One of the many other employees had called out, chasing after Spider along with other employees once they got their bearings and realized what happened.

While Spider ran down various decks of the ship to get to the main one, Lo'ak wasn't able to cut the net in time to set you, Tuk, and Tsireya free. As you held onto the two girls in a very protective embrace, your heart dropped when you looked down and saw that you, Tuk, and Tsireya were being lowered onto the metal platform of the main deck. Lyle and Quaritch had managed to bring the net over without any of you being able to escape. Your heart was racing as the ground got closer and Tuk let out a shriek of fear as she heard the screeches of the Ikrans ringing in her ears loudly, you could only look up with worry as you saw Lo'ak still hanging onto the side of the net with no intention of letting go, worrying that he might just be the first one that these recoms get to and target while you and the girls are still inside the net with no way to get out.

Your fear eventually came true when the net was lowered onto the deck, leaving you and the girls suddenly even more tangled in it as you three fought against the rope material. The first thing that Lo'ak did as soon as the Ikrans let go of the net was to stumble a bit on his feet but then turn around to see soldiers closing in on him, you, and the girls from all angles with loaded guns. Determined to not let anything happen to his mom, his youngest sister, and Tsireya, and with a desire to protect you and the girls with no regrets, Lo'ak pulled his knife out of his holster immediately and held it tightly, aiming any Avatar recom who got close, hissing menacingly, taking a stance in front of you and the girls with tenacity and courage. He'd put his all into making sure nobody got his hands on you, his sister, and Tsireya, even if he knew deep down that he was outmatched severely, but it still didn't stop him from trying.

"Drop the weapon! Put it down!" One of the Avatar soldiers said, approaching Lo'ak in an offensive stance but Lo'ak did no such thing. In fact, he did the exact opposite as he could see you, Tsireya, and Tuk fighting against the nets, watching as Avatar recoms surrounded all of you. Lo'ak turned back only to hiss at them and attempted to strike with his knife but, as he knew would happen, your son was forcefully mid-swing and was caught by his arm, forcing him to drop his knife as a soldier continued to push him down by his shoulder. While you were still inside the net, your heart plummeted at what you witnessed, feeling your breathing quicken and your words stuck in your throat. After watching as Lo'ak was forced to lay on his stomach while another Avatar soldier came around and put a foot in his back, telling the boy to stay down, even as he fought his restraints, you finally seemed to have found your voice and yelled out as loud as you could.

"No! Don't hurt him! Get away from my son! Please!" You said, beginning to fight against the rope of the net even harder, feeling not only the fear and frustration of being enclosed this way but being deathly afraid of not being there for your children when one was being handled in such an aggressive manner. Lo'ak heard your words and turned his head sideways to face you, seeing how desperate your body language and expressions had become. He wanted you to know how he could handle this and be strong, and brave, just like you've always wanted and hoped that him, Neteyam, Tuk, and Kiri to be under any circumstances.

"Mom!" Lo'ak said, hoping his words could reach your ears under your desperation, and that it didn't just go in one ear and out the other. Though his first call to you didn't seem to cause a reaction from you, it did catch the attention of someone else. Just as his Ikran landed on the deck with him still on the saddle, Quaritch heard this, and one of his eyebrows raised. But he quickly made the connection. He'd heard your call to Lo'ak referring to him as your 'son' and now he was referring to you as his mother. That's when Quaritch pieced it together, and a menacing smirk came upon his features. This was even better than he thought. When he saw you with the kids helping the Tulkun, he realized there must be a connection between you and them, but now he knows that it all makes sense because you're not just anybody. You're their mother, which means you're Jake's new wife. Quaritch thought, that if he played his cards right, he didn't need these kids anymore. You were all he needed to make Jake surrender if he already lost one mate before, and he certainly wouldn't want that to happen again, would he? It was perfect.

Quaritch turned his head to look at Lyle, who no doubt heard the same thing he did and the two Avatar recoms gave each other a knowing look. But while the two men looked at each other and watched the scene below them unfold, Lo'ak continued to try to get your attention as he was still being restrained. "Ma! Listen to me! I'm okay! Alright?" He yelled a little bit louder and that seemed to have finally registered in your head because you turned to look at Lo'ak with panic clear in your eyes and saw how much courage there was behind his. Somehow, it made you feel better to know that he was sure that he wouldn't let himself be beaten so easily, but your instinct as a mother said otherwise, but you fought against it. Either way, you took deep breaths as you saw that he was discreetly and silently walking you through even across the deck. And soon, your breathing was under control, at least more than before.

It was at this time that Spider had finally been able to breach and get to the exit and was now running through the stairway of the ship to get to the main deck where Lo'ak and all of you were currently being cornered. As he had expected, which is why he was running as fast as he could while putting the skills he learned in the forest to use, two men were chasing after him to get him back up to the main operations room. But, he was faster. Before they could catch Spider, there was a stairway that reached a dead end, so Spider slipped in through the railing easily and continued running down the deck to where all of you were being held, and even from afar, Spider could see none of you were going down without a fight, even little Tuk who fought with everything she could.

Eventually, it was only a matter of time before you, Tuk, and Tsireya finally broke free and got out of the net through an opening. A second didn't even go by before you three girls were overwhelmed with the clamoring of soldiers and recoms to stop resisting and to comply with the way they were handling you three. Tsireya was the first one to get out of the net while you were still holding onto Tuk protectively, preparing for both of you to get out of the net at the same time. You turned your head and you couldn't help but scowl at the way they were handling Tsireya. "Put the weapons down!" An Avatar soldier yelled out to the girl, trying to grab ahold of who you've always thought of as a little sister, as she tried to fight back as best as she could but she ended up being forced down to the ground by her neck, groaning in discomfort and pain. This only made you realize you and Tuk were next.

When you and Tuk eventually got out of the net, an Avatar recom woman named Z-Dog suddenly tried to approach you and Tuk. But a wave of an emotion you have never felt before suddenly washed over you. You sneered and hissed venomously at the woman as you held Tuk close to you. It seemed that the woman didn't really care, because she reached for Tuk anyway and snatched her away from you so forcefully you couldn't even see it coming and couldn't do anything about it. "Tuk!" You yelled as you stood up and reached for your daughter, but suddenly someone grabbed your arms from behind and twisted them behind your back making you groan out in pain as you were brought to your knees painfully.

You couldn't even see who it was yet, but you knew it wasn't Avatar recom like the rest. You turned your head slightly upwards through your hair and saw that it was an Avatar recom who looked awfully familiar, but it wasn't Quaritch, because Jake gave you a description of many of them who you should look out for in case you needed to. This one was shaven completely bald, with a single braid on his queue and he was wearing military attire like the rest. What was his name? Lyle was it? All you knew, is that if this is who you thought it was, then this was Quaritch's right-hand man for everything. But if this was true, and he was in a higher position than the other recoms, you wouldn't expect him to help with the capture but by Quaritch's side. Specifically for your own capture on top of that. Your mind and your heart were racing. What was happening? "Stop moving. Don't even think about trying to fight back," Lyle leaned down as he felt you trying to break free desperately from his hold. It took you everything not to snarl at Lyle. But, his words didn't stop you, and you persisted.

You tried to fight back as best as you could, but your arms were out of the question to help you get out of this situation and you were being forced on your knees so hard, that you couldn't possibly move them. "Mama!" Tuk yelled out as she saw you being treated so harshly. And it was in the back of her mind that she could envision you being in enough danger to face the same fate as her late mother. Even so, that served as an incentive and Tuk then turned to look at the woman and hissed as best as she could for a Na'vi her age, as not intimidating at all as it was, and then took out her small knife with her free hand while baring her baby teeth to the female Avatar who was trying to get ahold of the young Sully girl and keeping her from moving. "Drop the knife! Drop it!" The woman said, grabbing Tuk's other forearm rather harshly, forcing the girl to drop the knife and scream in resistance. For you, It's seeing how they were handling your very vulnerable 8-year-old daughter as if she wasn't the most defenseless one here. How they had Lo'ak so harshly pinned down or how they were holding Tsireya so forcefully, but it made you wonder why this was happening at all in the first place.

Why did the kids have to be dragged into it? As Jake told you before all of this, this was his and Quaritch's fight. And you might never truly understand, but none of the kids had to be here right now. The kids had nothing to do with this. Tuk was your youngest and she didn't have to be in this situation at all, and that went for Lo'ak and Tsireya too. They were so young and already so subjected to the horrors of the real world when they didn't need to.

They deserved to live peacefully and grow up without trauma and fear, but that was simply too much to ask for with how things and the situation were headed. It was ridiculous to you how willing these soldiers were to treat your children not only as if they had and could take on the strength of full-grown adults, but also treating them as if they could fight back the way that their brute and harsh force against them were insinuating. You fought harder against the restraint of Lyle's grip but it was futile. While it felt like chaos only ensued, it seemed like the kids and you all had the same idea. You just couldn't sit still and do nothing while your children were being treated this way, so you simply continued to use all your strength against the hold on you, as much as Lyle didn't seem to budge at all. The kids were the same with whoever was holding them, not letting up and resisting until they just couldn't anymore.

While Lyle was still holding onto you, Z-Dog was trying to contain Tuk, and two other Avatar recoms were restraining Tsireya and Lo'ak, Quaritch was still on his Ikran assessing the situation from his ikran and already having a plan formulating in his head about how he was going to go about this if Jake did decide to show up. However, his train of thought was quickly interrupted when he heard a commotion coming from afar, from the stairs that led to the inside of the ship. The Colonel was not very surprised to see Spider suddenly run out into the scene, in fact, he would have been surprised if the human boy hadn't done so or tried to fight his way down every obstacle or employee on the ship to see the Sully's. "Hey! Hey! What are you doing? Stop!" Spider yelled as he ran to see his friends, whom he deeply considered his family, but before he could get there, various soldiers held him back at the sudden appearance of Spider. "Stop! Don't hurt them!" Spider exclaimed, fighting with everything he could to save them, grunting as he tried to push away soldiers who were holding him back.

At the sound of a voice you had never heard before, you turned your head back slightly to see who it might be, to see who was so passionate and determined for his friends' safety. You turned your head and when you saw a small human boy, you could put the pieces together and assume that this was the boy who was with Quaritch when you and Jake were warned by Tonowari about the first Metkayina villages that were being raided mercilessly by the Colonel. From what you could gather, this boy held a special place in your husband's and kids' hearts so, to you, no matter if it was a Na'vi or a human, anyone who meant that much to your children and your mate, held a special place in your heart too. You watched as Spider tried to get to Lo'ak but was continuously held back with brute force, and just as you had perceived from a first glance from this boy, he had a big heart. And you knew this because of one simple gesture.

You didn't expect to, but when he looked at each and every one of his friends before him, his eye caught yours and you made eye contact with the human boy. Even held back, by the look of utter determination on his face, he suddenly gave you a firm nod and your eyes widened. That look said "Don't worry, I'll do something about this" and you hesitantly and shakily nodded back, earning a gentle smile from the boy, feeling glad you were trusting him. When he turned back to look at Lo'ak, you were left in astonishment by this boy, and you could see now why they valued him so much in the Sully family. He didn't know you, but saw instantly the kind of affiliation you had with his friends and in turn, doesn't hesitate to assure you that he'll help you too. Now you know why he meant so much to your children, and how he proves that he is not at all like the race he was born to. You truly did not know why but his courage gave you strength, which you were sure he was doing for his own friends as well, being there for them even in such a dire situation like this one. It was clear that if he was being held back like this, he was clearly going against what was expected of him, and what Quaritch wanted him to do as well.

As you continued to be held down, dreading the moment Quaritch give his next orders on what he'll do to you and your kids, Lo'ak hissed and snarled while being continued to be forced down by his shoulders rather harshly with a gun pointed directly at him. "Stop moving!" The Avatar soldier who was holding down your son said, not sensing any sign of forfeit from Lo'ak at all, who continued to move against the restraints on him. When Spider saw his friend this way, he noticed Lo'ak was looking at him with so much shock and surprise that he was actually okay after being taken by Quaritch. "Spider," Lo'ak managed to say, glad and happy to see his friend again, alive and okay.

Even with the obvious situation, Spider asked Lo'ak; "Bro, are you okay?" He said, which was a bit ironic considering the circumstances they were all in. Lo'ak almost scoffed with a smile coming upon his face. Was he okay? He was being held down by two soldiers with a gun pointed at his head that could be shot at any moment now. But, yeah, okay sounds about right. "Yeah. Great cuz'. Never better," Lo'ak forced out with his cheek pressed against the cold floor of the deck. Spider looked at him with a soft smile as he exhaled a small scoff, knowing that at least that hadn't changed.

You had previously stopped resisting for a moment because you knew you wouldn't be let go of any time soon, but, when you heard a small squeal that you knew belonged to Tuk, your eyes went wide when you turned your head to see that she was resisting more than ever and wouldn't go down without a fight against an Avatar recom more than twice her size. Your eyes hardened with anger when you saw that the woman who was handling your 8-year-old daughter looked as if she was flailing the poor girl around like a ragdoll, but that was just Tuk trying to get free. Still, it made you heartache that you couldn't do anything about it, feeling as if you've left them to fend for themselves when you vowed to protect them.

You felt utterly useless and helpless. But it didn't help that you and the kids were severely outnumbered in strength and skill. You had always thought of yourself as a warrior who was ready to fight back at any threat like you had trained to do, but what if you weren't as strong as you thought you were? Could you make up for it? How you could save your kids from this and never let them go through this ever again? All of your thoughts became a reality check when you saw Tuk forced onto her knees back onto the ground, you subconsciously began to tug your arms in hopes of getting free, but got the same reaction from Lyle and just got tugged back twice as hard, making you wince at the bruising feeling.

It was when you turned your head slightly to see that Tsireya was in the same predicament. She looked so defeated and looked like she had stopped fighting, realizing it was pointless to even fight back against all of this at this point. Should you do the same? You thought to yourself. But what kind of example were you setting as an adult if you weren't the one amongst them to give them hope, courage, and strength to fight back? Did you even have that capability in you? When you thought you'd be able to handle this when going after Lo'ak with no hesitation, it seemed so much simpler. But now that you were all here, it was harder to admit that even if you didn't regret your choice, you wished that fate had gone a different way and this situation had ended up as Lo'ak being found, Payakan saved, and that was it. All of you could head home. But once again, you just should've expected it wouldn't have been that easy considering everything else that happened prior to this day. And it seems like it was a lifetime ago that you lost Eylti but it was just that same morning. You know why you're here now that you call that. Because despite all that has happened, you knew from the moment you went after Lo'ak that you wouldn't let any other loved one go through any harm ever again, and that was still true now, more than ever. As powerless and helpless as you felt, you don't want to ever forget why you're here in the first place, or even regret your choice. You knew that in any other circumstance, you would've chosen this same path without hesitation.

Either way, your thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a thump was felt on the deck, and out of instinct, you turned to see what it was and it was in fact Quaritch who had just hopped off his ikran and unlatched his braid from the queue of the creature. As you watched this man assess the situation before him, you could see that he was fairly satisfied. Though your stomach churned and your face paled when he suddenly turned to look at you and made direct eye contact, sending you a look that you couldn't decipher the meaning behind it, all you knew was that it did not mean anything good for you and that made your heart stop at even beginning to think about what he was planning. Your breath had quickened and you tried to calm down quietly on your own as the Colonel's view suddenly landed on Lo'ak, he walked up to your son to glance at him for about a second before Quaritch then turned to look at Spider who was being held back by RDA employees and guards from the inside of the ship.

"Get back to the bridge," Quaritch ordered sternly without even glancing at Spider twice, only at the men holding him, and the soldiers did as they were told, beginning to push Spider back the other way where he came from. As the Colonel saw that Spider was finally being taken care of, he barked out his next words, but the human boy could not help but feel nothing but annoyance and he begrudgingly walked back, immediately beginning to think about another way to get himself and all of you out of the ship. "Keep him there!" Quaritch yelled out, watching as Spider was taken back, as much as the boy clearly seemed already ticked off as it was. As he was taken back inside, he raised his arm and shook off the hold that the soldiers had on him. "I'm going! I'm going!" He said with irritation, walking himself back inside, as much as he didn't want to and wanted to stay here to get you all of that situation.

As you watched the exchange and Spider was being escorted out, you suddenly felt your breath get caught up in your throat with fear as you saw Quaritch walk up to Lo'ak and look down at your son who was still pinned down on the ground. But, even if Lo'ak was continuing to put up a fight and look at the Colonel with venom and anger in his eyes, you couldn't help but worry about what this man was capable of doing to the kids just to get to his goal. However, you couldn't help but swell with pride when Lo'ak hissed with a menacing intent and continued to fight against his restraints with what seemed to be an endless supply of courage inside of him that never faltered. But, even with how hard Lo'ak was trying to show how he wasn't all that scared, Quaritch didn't seem all that bothered by it.

Still, he ended up speaking first, humming as he inspected Lo'ak's facial features, only to realize that this was truly Jake's son, from the forest, just as he had suspected. "Yeah...I remember you," The Colonel started, dragging his eyes up for a second to see that the soldier behind Lo'ak started to bring the boy up on his knees, in a very uncomfortable way for that matter. Paying no more matter to this matter or these kids for any longer than he needed to, Quaritch took a couple steps back and called out his next orders that went to all the recoms who were holding onto you and the kids. Briefly looking over the scene before him, the Colonel spoke. "Cuff em' to the rail. All of them! And don't let them out of your sight" Quaritch then ordered, and with that, each soldier that was holding onto you, Tsireya, Tuk, and Lo'ak moved all of you closer to the railing of the deck. Before you knew it, Lyle yanked you up to your feet harshly, making you wince in pain at the hold had had on your arms from behind.

It still didn't stop you to try and make some damage now that your legs were free to move, but the recom was keeping a distance to which you couldn't reach him, but once again, it didn't stop you from resisting, trying to fight against his hold until you couldn't anymore, and using every fiber of your strength to try and set yourself free. But, when you noticed he began moving you over to the railing, you turned to see that the kids were all being brought over to the railing forcefully as well, trying to resist being forced to be restrained even further, just like you were trying to do.

To your left, you turned your head when you heard; "Let's go! Move!" The woman who was holding Tuk said, already exasperated and angry by how much the little girl continued to resist even now, with no sign of stopping. You somehow felt pride at how resilient Tuk was being, not seeming to let harsh grips and treatment bring her down, fighting until she couldn't anymore. Even if you still worried for her, you couldn't deny she had the strongest spirit in a Na'vi her age you've ever seen. It also turns out that you were the first one to be brought over to the railing, and suddenly you came up with an idea, realizing that Lyle would have to let go of you for a second to cuff you.

As you expected, when he forced you down with a swift kick in the back of your knees, causing you to yelp in pain as you fell to your knees, what you had predicted had happened. You waited for the perfect moment with so much anticipation, up until the moment Lyle made the mistake of letting go of one of your arms behind your back, and with a quick move, you swung your fist square and directly into his nose, making him groan and yelp in pain, and before he could gain his bearings and realized what had happened, you used one of your legs to lift it up and kick him in the chest.

You were suddenly filled with excitement and satisfaction as you finally got a hit in, and even if the kids were still being brought over, they had noticed what you did and you could hear Lo'ak and Tuk saying things such as; "Yeah, Mom!" from Lo'ak and just happy cheers from Tuk. Tsireya simply regarded you with a smile that said how proud of you she was since you were gaining confidence to fight back, much like the kids were. Your punch caused Lyle to stumble back, and even if that satisfaction was short-lived before another recom appeared from nearby and was quick to grab your wrists and cuffed you to the railing before you could stand up, you at least hoped you got a reaction out of that man, and to have gotten a hit or any sort of shot at him at least. After, when you were secure to the railing, you instinctively pulled on it slightly as you heard the cuffs bang against the metal. You turned your head back to see that Lyle had blood pouring down his nose and you smirked triumphantly.

When he noticed your cocky expression, that seemed to fill him with rage, so he began charging towards you with anger seeping out of him while you kept a straight face, already had expected that reaction from him. But, turns out Lyle didn't get to you because of the very sudden clearing of a throat that stopped Lyle in his tracks, and he knew it was Quaritch. The Colonel had watched the encounter with amusement, wondering how you had the guts to pull a move like that, but he didn't want Lyle to do anything to you yet, so that is why he stopped his subordinate so suddenly like that.

The two recoms were having a silent exchange, and even from your spot on the ground, you could make out most of their body language. Quaritch was basically telling Lyle to stand down, that he was going to handle this from now on, which Lyle clearly did not like whatsoever. And once again, you began to think. In your head, you thought, what else could this man possibly do to your family and what was he planning all along? You needed to know. You watched as Lyle angrily stepped back to stand next to some other recoms standing guard, sending you a death glare on his way to the back. You sent him a fake innocent look and reveled in how affected he was by what transpired. But he wasn't your priority, he never was. Right now, focusing on the matter at hand is what plagued your mind right now, and while hoping for an idea to come to mind, you hoped that help was on the way. Or things would get ugly quickly.

Quickly after you, the kids were next to be cuffed to the railing. You watched with worry etching in your heart as you saw that Tsireya was the first to be cuffed down to the railing right next to you. She was brought over in a forceful manner, trying to fight back as much as she could, wanting to keep her spirits up to resist just like you did, but then she felt a steel cuff attached to a rod in between was placed on her right arm, ready to be locked in with the other side. "Over here," The man who had been holding her glowered almost monotonously and then kicked the back of her knees so she was kneeling. It didn't look comfortable at all.

Feeling protective over the girl you've known since she was born, you bared your teeth and hissed as you pulled harder on your own cuffs, but once again, the recom didn't seem to care. "Get on your knees," The man said, forcing her to be in that position as she groaned in discomfort and tried to break free, up until the moment the other side of the cuff finally connected to the railing. Seeing how distressed Tsireya was, you scooted closer as much as you could and nudged her with your shoulder, causing her to turn her face around to look at you, and your heart wrenched at how utterly distressed she looked. "Stay calm. They'll come for us. We'll be okay," You whispered to her gently, and she looked at you with wide eyes for a second before her gaze softened. After a small moment, she finally got her breathing back to normal and she nodded, uncomfortably trying to get her legs in a position that brought her less discomfort, and accepting they might be here for a while until help finally arrived.

Even if help was on the way, for now, the only

thing you could do for the kids right now was try to comfort them in any way you could. That was your role as the adult here, and you would fulfill it no matter what, even if it took hours of enduring this situation until help finally came. You had been so caught up in your own distress and worry that you had forgotten that the kids need reassurance now more than ever, to give them hope that they would get through this.

And as you knew would happen, Tuk and Lo'ak were next to be cuffed. As for Tuk, the woman that was holding her, was actually able to cuff the little girl down even with her screaming and resistance, which in hindsight, did make you feel even the smallest sense of pride for your youngest daughter. She was certainly a fighter and would grow up to be one, no doubt. You watched as Tuk was brought to her knees and the woman had already attached the cuffs on one side, Z-Dog then grabbed Tuk's other wrist, moved it to be below the pole, and then attached the other side of the cuff to her other remaining wrist. "No," Tuk groaned, trying to pull on them.

And at last, watching painfully as you wished you could do something, Lo'ak was the last one who was cuffed to the railing. He had somehow already accepted this and was the one who least tried to fight the restraints of the cuffs. And neither you, Tsireya, or Tuk knew this, but he didn't fight against this because he was already thinking of a plan, after seeing how his sister, mother, and Tsireya were being treated, he knew that this was the time to show that they weren't afraid and they needed to stay strong now more than ever. Not showing how truly vulnerable and fearsome this situation really is. And you taught him this once, but it's necessary to rise above monsters to defeat them and get an advantage over them. All Lo'ak could say to the people that meant the most to him right by his side was; "Be brave," Lo'ak said, and when you, Tuk, and Tsireya heard him say this, you all stayed silent for a few seconds but began to nod hesitantly in agreement. Jake and the rest of the clan were arriving eventually, they just had to be patient until they'd be saved.

It was only a few seconds later after all 4 of your agreed on the same thing that you turned your head back for a second and you felt your blood run cold. Your breath hitched and eyes widened as you saw Quaritch discreetly, as he talked to some other recoms, sending you a look with murderous and evil intent behind it. But before you could let it intimidate you, just like he wanted, just as quickly as it turned to fear, you switched it to a passive one. You weren't afraid of him, as much as he wanted you to be. It didn't matter to you how much of a cold stare he sent you, or the dark presence he was trying to convey to make you falter and buckle under, he wouldn't get that. You would not allow it. And whatever he was planning with this, you wouldn't give up or let him get that satisfaction so easily. With a small huff, you turned your head back around and looked over the kids, making sure they were okay, even if you could still feel the stare from the Colonel burning in the back of your head.

But, as if your prayers were heard of help finally arriving, your heart filled with glee when you heard familiar yips and war cries that were followed by the Metkayina coming around the corner of the further rock of Three Brothers Rocks. Those yips and cries could be heard from miles away, and anyone could tell that they came to fight relentlessly for victory. A beaming smile came upon your face as you and the kids all turned to see the Metkayina on their Skimwings coming closer and closer.

If you looked closely as they approached, you could see Jake in the front lines, making your heart leap as you straightened up and tried to get a better look at your mate with so much relief, as he was also followed by Tonowari and Ronal right next to him. You knew your eyes weren't deceiving you, and you couldn't help but giggle softly to yourself and shake your head gently when you saw Jake was up ahead by far from everyone else, clearing having his skimwing go faster and eagerly while others in the front lines tried to catch up to him. It was clear to see that even without seeing his face up close, you could tell how determined he was. Still, he knew he couldn't get too far ahead and had to stay a reasonable distance from the ship along with the rest of the ship. He was letting his emotions and need to get his family back take control for a second, but he was quick to find a good speed with Tonowari next to him.

You looked at the kids and they had elated and relieved looks on their faces as well. Tsireya was happy to see her parents and Lo'ak and Tuk were happy to see their dad, but all 3 were incredibly happy to see that their calls for help had been answered. Not only did the presence and cries of the Metkayina arrival alert the kids and you, but also the recoms and Quaritch, who seemed to already have expected their arrival at any second. "Na'vi inbound!" Lyle called out to his comrades, being quick to raise his gun and suddenly making all soldiers do the same and straighten up to prepare for the battle that may begin at any time. "Weapons up! Spread out!" Lyle ordered the rest as all of the soldiers prepared and got into position, and they all followed the commands given.

"Dad!" Tuk beamed with a smile as she spotted her dad in the front lines, just like you had, and realized that her dad was right there and had actually come to save them. You smiled at Tuk's reaction and when you turned to look forward again and your eyes locked onto Jake, you couldn't help but feel so much comfort at knowing he was here. He wasn't right next ro you, but very far away, and even still he made you feel safe and that you and the kids were finally going to be okay. You just needed his presence, even if it was yards away from you.

As for the Metkayina warriors and Jake, once they all were at a normal and safe distance from the ship, everyone simultaneously started to guide their Skimwings to lower their wings and descend onto the water, using their tails to level their steering and maneuver. Jake, Ronal, Tonowari, and all the other warriors had their weapons in the air to show that they were ready to fight mercilessly if it was needed. Jake was riding right beside Tonowari and he was holding his gun, fully loaded and ready to be used. Tonowari had his Olo'etkyan spear high in the air as a sign of battle and pride.

Even as they were lowering their Skimwings to the water, the Metkayina were all going forward at full speed, continuing to make their presence known. But, seeing from afar that they were at a distance far enough from the ship, Jake turned to Tonowari. "Stop. Stop them," Jake said, and the Olo'eyktan nodded as he did as told, raising his spear even higher as a silent signal to stop indefinitely in the water and have the Skimwings land, which in turn made all of the warriors, including Ronal next to her mate, lower their Skimwings to the water and quiet down a bit for now. As they stopped and Jake looked around and analyzed their position, they realized that they were at a good place to hopefully be far enough to be on the defensive and then proceed to attack, and also just close enough to see what was happening on the ship and who was on it.

From the get-go, Jake knew that if Quaritch and his recoms were behind this, then they needed to be cautious and smart about this. They couldn't just jump into action looking for a fight, but rather look for the perfect moment and opportunity to strike. This applied even more when he knew his children, Tonowari and Ronal's daughter, and his own wife were most likely on that ship. The mere thought of it made his heart wrench and twist, but the feeling grew tenfold when he looked forward and saw the familiar figure of you chained to the rails along with the children. Jake's face twisted into one of distress as his breath got caught up in his throat. Who knows what they'd done to you and the kids and not only that but you'd been there the whole time as the adult making sure nothing happened to them and they stayed together. If they hadn't arrived when they did, what else would Quaritch have done? Jake didn't want to go down that road.

From the ship, you saw Quaritch start to walk leisurely over to Lo'ak, making your eyes narrow. If he even dared to put a hand on Lo'ak, not when the backup had just arrived and he'd have to deal with an angry clan, and it would only blow Jake's vendetta against each other out of proportion, more than it already was. Luckily, Quaritch's only goal and intention was to take away Lo'ak's earpiece, so your anger simmered down. Still, you didn't appreciate the way that Quaritch stood behind Lo'ak, yanked the boy's comms and earpieces away from his neck forcefully, and then the Colonel put them on to what you assumed was to communicate with Jake. And at that moment, for a split second in your head, you wished to hear his voice again, talk to him, just be by his side, and not leave it ever again. Hopefully, if you ever do get to do that, it would be with the entire family together again, not having to worry about this ever again, and just living out your lives peacefully, without fear.

Once Quaritch put the in-ear piece into his ear and put the comms around his neck, he could hear static for a few seconds but he knew Jake could hear him. Behind him, the Colonel could hear Lyle giving him an approximation of how far Jake and the Metkayina were, with his gun aimed directly at them. "300 yards," Lyle said from afar, observing the situation and giving updates to Quaritch on what he was seeing.

Without wasting another moment, Jake raised his gun and looked through the lenses of his weapon to see up close who was on the ship and what was going on. He knew his kids and his wife were up there, but he needed to make sure and not take any chances or it would hit him up alive inside. He zoomed in and dread quickly settled deep inside him, as much as he tried not to let fear penetrate his heart because that was the last thing he needed, when he zoomed in and saw Lo'ak and Tuk huddled close together, he was relieved to see them okay, but afraid and deeply concerned at the same time of what they'd done to them to even get to that point of being tied up on the ship.

But, it was when he moved the lens of the gun a bit more to his left and his thoughts were all confirmed. He felt his heart plummet, his ears pinned back, and his tail slightly began swishing behind him in anger and distress when he saw you cuffed to the ship as you were, and just like Lo'ak and Tuk, you were slightly bruised and a bit battered up by the way you were all handled earlier. And Jake only had his mind to imagine how his wife and kids ended up like that. The sight made panicked, yet horribly concealed, hiss leaves his lips as he bared his teeth in anger. Quaritch even dared to lay a finger on his wife and children. Tsireya looked like she was trying her best to be your support, as scared as the young Metkayina girl clearly looked like she was.

As his words got caught up in his throat and his grip on his gun tightened, trying to keep his emotions in check, Jake spoke up to give the rest around him a visual of what he was seeing. "They got our kids," Jake managed to say, as hard as it was to get words out because not even he could believe what he was saying and the situation in front of him was real. He paused before saying the next few words because it was clear that Ronal and Tonowari were eager to know if any of their kids were there. "Your daughter..." Jake said with the most steady voice he could muster, as he could not even say the next few words, informing them that you were there too. Upon hearing Jake's words, Tonowari hissed venomously with anger, along with Ronal too, who was on the verge of angry tears while she held her spear even tighter, not believing her daughter was up there in the clutches of the Sky People.

The Tsahik had a clear pained expression, and Jake saw this, which made him worry about what they'll do and how they'll react when they hear you're up there with them. As much as you have had your issues and disagreements with Tonowari and Ronal these last few days, there was no denying that they cared for you as their own daughter. No matter what had transpired between the three of you. The bond will always be there, and they could tell the Tsahik and the Olo'eyktan had been looking for a chance to make things right between you three. So if something happened to you and they never got to apologize and reassure you of how much they loved and cared for you, they would never forgive themselves. Ronal's rage grew with every single second that passed at the Sky People for daring to take away two of the most important people in her life and using them as leverage. Ronal felt as if she's failed you as the mother and role model that she promised your late mother that she'd be for you.

If you were up there thinking that she and Tonowari didn't care about what you think, that they didn't care about what you had to say, that you couldn't rely on them or trust them with anything ever again, or even worse...that they didn't love you? Then they've failed as the role models they sworn they'd be, not only for Tsireya but also for you as well. And Tsireya, her sweet, daughter who was taken unfairly when she has been nothing but an angel her entire life, dedicating her life to be the person who brings comfort and joy to others and clearly got caught up in this because she cared so much about those she loves so dearly.

As for Jake, Tonowari could tell that there was someone else on that ship that he was clearly struggling to even admit out loud. It was when Jake opened his mouth a couple times but no words came out and when he choked on his own attempts to speak that Tonowari realized who this might be. "...and my wife," Jake said as his voice began to shake, feeling his voice shake at even saying it out loud. This wasn't happening again it couldn't be. He can't lose his mate the second time, and as strong as he knew you were, battle was unpredictable and that was exactly how he lost Neytiri. He would not be able to bare it if he lost you too. He just simply wouldn't be able to live without you, go on without you. But you were right there, and you were alive, and he could save you. Jake in that moment decided that he would not let history repeat itself, and he would make sure you and the kids came back alive no matter what it took. He hoped those bruises were the last ones you'd get for a while, and if you did, it would be from playing and spending your days with the kids, or maybe out in adventure that you'd all remember for the rest of your lives and those bruised came with good memories, not with aggression and violence behind them.

At the revelation that you were also up there with the kids, Tonowari and Ronal hissed angrily as yells of distress got mingled in their voices, both feeling the same emotions of regret of having you up there believing that your relationship with them had been severed. You'd lost so much, and you were still fighting for who you loved, and they should've seen that before. You fight for your children, your mate, Payakan, the Tulkuns, your people, and even your parents, who Tonowari and Ronal were sure that they were proud of the person you'd become, but Ronal and Tonowari both wished they'd told you that enough. Your selflessness brought you to the point you'd put your life on the line for those you love, whether its Tsireya who you consider your little sister, or Tuk and Lo'ak, Neteyam, and Kiri who have become the reason for you to wake up every morning with a smile, which was such a rare sight up until the Sully's arrived. Ronal and Tonowari felt aa if they'd failed, but they'd make things right.

It didn't make any easier hearing that you were up there and had endured with the kids who knows what kind of treatment. It was painful, really. But now, the Tsahik and Olo'eyktan were just incredibly angry at how much they've put their people through and they'd make the Sky People pay for what they've done. As for Jake, he continued to voice out the situation; "Tuk, Lo'ak," He continued, no matter how much it felt like a pang to his chest to say out loud that his kids were in so much danger, along with his wife, and even the smallest mistake on his part could cost them their lives.

He kept wondering how could he have allowed this to happen and why did it have to happen at all? Despite the millions of thoughts running through his head, Jake moved the lens of the gun a bit higher to see that Lo'ak was no longer wearing his comma, because Quaritch took them away from his son and put them on himself. At this point, Jake would be ready for anything Quaritch threw at him as long as he got his family back and he got to hold you again, and never let you or the kids go.

As Jake lowered his gun reluctantly, his train of thought was suddenly interrupted by he movement of water approaching from behind him. He turned his head back and his eyes widened when he saw that it was none other than Zara stationing her Skimwing a couple feet away from him. When she had the creature halt, he noticed that she had a spear in hand and was holding onto the saddle holder with her other hand. She turned to look at Jake and he could see that the look on the determination on her face was unmistakable. Before Jake could even open his mouth, Zara beat him to it.

"Before you ask, I'm here because my best friend needs me. Her life is on the line. Her family is in danger, and i'll be there for her, just like she's always been there for me. " Zara said simply with a stern voice as she turned her head to look ahead and her eyes only narrowed as she could see your figure and your kids on the ship, and the sight only fueled her need to fight. The Sky People have taken too much and she was going to fight, for you, your family, and her people until the bitter end. After quickly understanding her reasoning, Jake silently nodded and turned his head to look forward again, only to finally hear Quaritch's voice through the comms. And hearing the voice of the man who used to be his superior suddenly became an incentive for Jake's deep concern to turn into utter hatred for the Colonel.

"Jake, Im warning you. Tell your friends to stand down," Quaritch said, making Jake's eyes waver, eyebrows furrow and his breathing quicken. You couldn't even hear what Jake's response to that was, but you felt your heart pound against your chest with anxiety. You didn't even dare to look back at Quaritch, but kept your eyes locked onto Jake and what he would do. Your fears inside were settling in more and more as the situation became much more real since the Metkayina were here and that meant more lives were at stake. You didn't know Quaritch at all, but simply hearing his voice made your anger rise and your blood boil.

He was so willing to kill and eliminate anyone in his path for own revenge, and doing as evil and something as twisted as bringing Jake's family into it was even worse. And you only felt your insides twiste at Quaritch's next request. "If you want your kids and your wife back, you'll come out alone" Quaritch threatened, and his words made your eyes widen as big as dinner plates and you began shaking your head in denial at what he was asking, muttering soft 'no's' under your breath, looking back between Jake and Quaritch. You began getting antsy and anxious in your spot on the ground, with your concern and distress growing every second that passed of this agonizing ultimatum that nobody should ever be put through.

It was then when Quaritch's words ran again through your head and your eyes widened. He must've figured out Lo'ak was your kid, and that by adjacent, Jake was your mate. He clearly knew you weren't Neytiri, but how did he piece it together. You began to rack your brain through every possible scenario and encounter with this man but truth is, you haven't spoken to him yet at all. So how did he he figure it out. And after a few seconds, it was when the answer suddenly came up in your head. In the heat of the moment of beinf brought over in the net to the deck, with tensions running high, Lo'ak had referred to you as his mother, and you called him your son. You knew Quaritch would've pieced it together even without that, but you were kicking yourself for giving it away like that.

You looked at Lo'ak and saw that even him was shaking his head 'no' at his dad, that this wasn't the way to rescue them. That giving himself up was clearly a set-up. That's when your mind began to wonder on its own. Is Jake really going up to Quaritch by himself, not knowing what they'd truly do to him? Was he really going against the entire fleet of the ship? Would he put himself out on the line like that? Anguish grew desperately nside you, wanting, hoping and begging to Eywa to listen to her and have Jake to find another way. there had to be. He can't go alone. You wouldn't bare it. You wouldn't be able to go on. If something ended up happened to him, and you were restrained with no way to help prevent it, then you'd never forgive yourself. What could you do? Was there something you could do? Either way, your thoughts were interrupted in a way that made you freeze and stop altogether.

When you felt Quaritch walk over from Lo'ak over to you, you didn't think anything of it. But its his next actions that made you feel like your heart and breathing stopped. "You know better than to test my resolve," Quaritch said with a menacing grin to get a rise out Jake, pulling out a gun from the holster on his hip and then proceeding to press the barrel of it directly in the back of your skull pushing your head forward a bit from the increasing pressure Quaritch was putting. At the feeling of the gun, your eyes widened and you felt your blood run cold and your face paled. You were frozen on the spot. Not only that, but when but when your brain started to finally register what was happening, your breathing began to quick and your eyes suddenly closed shut in fear. It only shattered your heart to know that as you didn't even know yourself at this point if you'd make it out alive, it seemed like your children didn't either. The moment Quaritch pressed the gun against your head, you heard their desperate cries for you and for Quaritch to spare you and not use you as a pawn in his game. But it was too late because it seemed like that is exactly what he was doing, and you should've known.

You couldn't even turn your head to look at your kids and give them reassurance that you would be okay, because this man could pull the trigger at any second. You could hear the loud rattling of the cuffs against the railing as Tuk, Lo'ak and Tsireya immediately started fighting their restraints, deeply begging Quaritch not to hurt you. Tuk and Lo'ak didn't hesitate to begin to fight even harder against their restraints, not wanting these people to hurt their mother.

"Mom!" Lo'ak yelled, pleading for this man not to shoot. He would do anything to get you out of this and to make sure you left this situation alive. Him and his siblings just couldn't lose their mother again, and that was what his mind was trying to convince him was going to happen, and it seemed like Tuk was thinking the same thing when Lo'ak heard her little sister's voice break. "Mama," Tuk said in a whimper and it took everything for you not to let rogue tears leave your eyes as you felt heat behind them, with every passing second.

You had sworn to yourself that you wouldn't let yourself be taken out so easily because being a mother to these children and a mate to Jake was the best decision you've ever made, and ripping that away from them like life has already done to them once was unthinkable. Still, at this point, you realized that it was simply no longer up to you what your outcome would be. You wanted to be with them, stay with your family, pretend this was an illusion and a cruel dream, but the more this situation escalated, the more you realized how this was the reality you and your family had to face.

And when Jake saw this, he wasn't any better. "Fuck!" Jake hissed under his breath as his face twisted into one of agony and despair, turning his head away briefly before looking back into the lens as his concern for your life grew while Quaritch threatened your life, using you as a pawn for a fight that was between the two of them alone. His tail swished angrily and his eyes narrowed dangerously. And it was at that moment that he wasn't thinking at all, but he slowly moved his Skimwing forward a bit and letting his own subconscious command the creature he was on, even if he knew he had to stay put. But it was instinct.

But, seeing Quaritch press a gun to your head made him forget entirely what his original plans were and now he just wanted to jump into action to get you back and to safety. He felt like he couldn't breathe, and he shut his eyes closed for a moment trying to gain his bearings again but it wasn't working. He was only imagining the worst possible outcome, and knowing Quaritch, he wasn't bluffing and he would pull the trigger, take a life just to prove a point and get Jake to surrender. He knew he was taking too long to answer and that Quaritch wouldn't wait forever for an answer.

You didn't even want to think about what was going through Jake's head, if he was seeing you in this situation. A million emotions were just running free through you and you didn't even know how to distinguish which is which and all you knew and could focus on was the feeling of the barrel of a gun that could end your life in an instant if this man as much as he moved his finger. It was clear that Quaritch would only take this gun off your head if Jake surrendered and gave himself up, but you couldn't ask him to do that. You didn't want to be used as a catalyst in this fight, and yet, you were being used to mess with his emotions when he didn't know if coming forward would save his family.

Quaritch could be lying for all he knew, and by placing the gun against your head without saying anything, Jake knew exactly what Quaritch was asking of him. But given that the Colonel was silently awaiting an answer, you could only imagine that the silence was due to the turmoil your husband was being put through, which is why it taking him so long to say anything back. Your suspicions were only confirmed further when you heard Quaritch speak up again behind you. "I haven't heard an answer, Jake. You think I'm bluffing? Why don't we find out?" Quaritch said, and it really surpised you a lot when you suddenly felt the barrel of the gun be removed from the back of your head, and because of that fact, you were a fool to believe that was the end of it. It wasn't.

But before you could even straighten yourself up, and check your surroundings, you felt a strong blow into your stomach that knocked the air out of you, and made you double over, leaving you breathless as you coughed and inhaled and exhaled heavily trying to get air back into your lungs. Your senses were severed but you could still hear the cries of your children and Tsireya calling for you. "MOM!" You heard Lo'ak yell out, both in concern and mostly in anger towards the Colonel, and you were looking in the corner of your eye as much as you could to see that he was pulling on his own restraints even harder than before. And it only broke you even more when you could see Tuk with tears threatening to leave her eyes.

You didn't even get a second of peace to regain yourself when you lifted your head and a fist landed square on your cheek, making you yelp and turn your head back down from the impact. The pain from both your stomach and your face started to catch up to you at the same time, and you groaned out in extreme pain in various parts of your body. You were gasping for breath as you tried to get your weak body to cooperate but everything just hurt so much.

And now, all of those emotions you couldn't decipher before were suddenly becoming clearer and clearer as your pain ensued. You panted heavily after a few seconds of having being punched and kicked, only to look up at Quaritch with pure agony mixed with anger and rage, but it didn't seem to phase him. It seemed like that was exactly what he wanted out of you. In fact, he was looking at you with a smug and malignant expression making your irritation grow, replacing your confusing emotions. If only you knew how much harder this was for Jake to be watching from afar.

The moment Quaritch landed a blow on you, Jake's grip on his gun was so tight it felt like he'd break it. His lips pursed as he then bared his teeth, letting out a growl from deep within his throat and looked at Quaritch with the most hatred he's ever felt for this man than he ever has. How dare he lay his hands on you like that? He had half a mind to abandon his plan and go on to face him alone like he should've done before, but now, you were taking the brunt in all of this and he couldn't do a thing.

"Y/n..." He whispered as he lowered his gun and cursed under his breath. He couldn't get the image of you doubled over in pain like that, in the worst condition he's ever seen you in, with even more bruises forming, new injuries, unnecessary pain, half lidded eyes that would give out on you at any second and obviously in agony. It looked you could barely breathe or stand on your own. The strength from a kick like that surely left you with almost to little to no strength at all to keep going. Jake's jaw clenched in anger as he tried his best to contain the turmoil in his own head in that moment.

Tonowari and Ronal looked at him to wonder what it is that Jake was seeing that was making him react that way. But, after somewhat composing himself, Jake raised his gun again and looked through the lenses to see that the Colonel wasn't quite done with you yet. Jake's grip on the gun physically wavered as he so desperately wished he could be with you, and be there in your place so you wouldn't have to suffer. It was happening all over again. His mate would be lost to his worst enemy and he would have not been able to do anything to stop it, being completely powerless once again.

He watched as Quaritch suddenly had kneeled down in front of you, only to proceed to grab your face with one hand, gripping your jaw uncomfortably, and your cheeks too. You could not even hide your dislike and anger in your expressions for this man even if you wanted to. Even when he was inspecting your whole face, turning it from side to side with a malicious smile. You tried to wiggle your face out of his grip but he only held your face tighter, making you wince as you were forced to look at him.

He smirked and said; "Sully chose a good one, huh?" He said with the most taunting tone you could ever hear in your life, and your blood boiled while glaring venomously at him as you heard his comrades laughing at his words. You tried not to let it get to you because he's trying to get a rise out of you and to get you to break. And you knew he still had his comms turned on, so Jake most likely was hearing every eord he was saying to you too. It was despicable. And you were right, Jake was fuming, simply furious at what he was seeing. He needed to say something now and make it clear that his family had no part in this feud. It was himthat they wanted and you and the kids should not have to go through this any longer.

But, before Quaritch could hurt you any longer and use you as a pawn to get Jake, your savior came to the rescue as you heard your son speak out. "Hey! Let go of my mom, you dumbass!" Lo'ak yelled out, and even if it wasn't because of Lo'ak's words, it seemed to have worked because Quaritch let go of you and stood up again, walking over to stand next to Lyle. This gave you an opportunity to scoot a little and lean against the railing for the support you so desperately needed. You sighed and winced as you attempted to get up a little, but it hurt too much. As Jake watched Quaritch finally walk away and let you go, he exhaled shakily in brief relief.

He wouldn't allow him to hurt you or the kids any longer and it was time he finished this once and for all. In your case, you could hear the kids all saying different things to you trying to see if you wre okay or just trying to raise your spirits, to which you responded with a weak smile as your eyes remained half lidded and unable to open fully. "Mama, Dad will save us. I know it. Just hold on" You heard Tuk say as she gave you the bravest smile she could muster, and that alone made your smile grow. Just simply by having them in your presence.

Jake had made a decision and he knew what to do. He still had his gun raised as he looked through the lens, but he was still afraid of what else the Colonel would do to you and the kids. It was eating him alive. No matter what he chose, Quaritch could always do something else and that terrified him. Your mate lowered his gun as he hissed and his gaze faltered at such a cruel and unfair proposition when what the Colonel decided to do was completely unpredictable. "I took you under my wing, Jake. You betrayed me. You killed your own. Good men. Good women. I will not hesitate to execute your wife. I know it's already happened once and I can make it happen again with just the pull of a trigger," Quaritch continued to taunt and threaten, aiming the gun at you from afar this time, knowing very well that this was a fresh wound in Jake's heart still. It was Jake's worst fear even now, and it has been ever since he fell in love you and he'd been trying to protect you from meeting that same fate.

Hearing this, you couldn't believe someone could be so heartless and inhumane. To put Jake through something had been trying so hard to heal from and when starting a new life, the last thing he wanted was the past to repeat itself. You had been with Jake ever since he came to the village and making him relive it wss cruel and brutal. You didn't know Quaritch as well as Jake, but after today you had an idea Would Quaritch really kill you without a true meaning, and just to get back at Jake or make him give himself up? You feared for your own life but more for your kids' and Tsireya's as well. As much as they tried to hide it, you knew that just like any other kid, They must be scared out of her minds and would rather not show in order to not display vulnerability and weakness. Jake could see how worried they were not only for you, but for their daughter's life. But, Jake's mind was already set.

Your husband raised his hand to the ear-piece and pressed the buttons on his coms to reply back at last. As much as he knew Quaritch wanted conflict, Jake knew for certain that there had to be another way to resolve this. Just the thought of losing you because of his cowardly actions made his stomach churn and his heart rip apart. He wouldn't be able to live without you. The agony he went through losing Neytiri is something he wouldn't be able to recover from if it happened to you. No amount of help would get him to accept it or live on without you. That is why he needed to settle this now. Today.

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Okay so, as I am alternating chapter updates, I will be updating 'Call of Silence' next so stay tuned for that! Also, it has become increasingly hard to update ever since I started college. I don't have much to update on this author's note so i'll keep it brief! Also, the actual fight will start next chapter and Im so excited!

In high school, I used to be easily able to finish chapters in a day but now it takes me weeks at a time and it makes me  sad because I really enjoy doing this and I love being on Wattpad, just writing and reading. I don't know if its happened to anyone else. Being here just gives me a break from how hectic college is and I miss it :,) Im trying to stay consistent, but I really am trying to find a balance.

As usual, I put these at the end of every chapter I write, but there's not much else that I have to say now. As always, I'll add other news in future chapters if there are any at all or if anything changes. Anyway, I'll see you all in the next one! 🤍 Have a good rest of your week everyone! :,)