Challenging the Balance

-o-o-o-

The sun was just touching the tip of distant mountain peaks as the Hell’s Gate compound loomed into view.


Jake landed her Ikran just outside the uninviting wall, readjusting her improvised top as she wondered exactly how she would approach this.


“Thought I knew everyone in the Omaticayan tribe,” A familiar voice wafted through the evening breeze.


Jake grinned to herself.


While he was one of the few after Jake to risk a complete fusion of human mind with Avatar body, he was apparently a little less schooled in recognizing Jake’s Ikran. Book-learned Norm may be, but nothing could replace the actual hands on learning experience only a true Na’vi could provide. Being a non-hunter might be an issue as well. All the necessary maintenance at Hell’s Gate, however, has made Norm turn down Neytiri’s numerous and enriching offers. She was a great teacher… if not a bit harsh at times.


Jake should know. Through the first three months she had to literally throw herself into Neytiri’s guidance, or otherwise risk falling behind and losing her faith.


Well, Jake had to give the guy credit. At least the scientist was familiar enough with the tribal paints and clothing to single Jake out as Omaticayan.


“Don’t tell me you don’t recognize me.” Jake said with a smirk, folding her arms over her chest.


Norm’s amber eyes squinted, his tail freezing a moment as realization dawned.


“No way in hell…” Norm’s four-fingered hand went to the side of his head, which itself was shaking as he physically took a step back, “No…”


Jake’s face twisted in a grin, caught between laughing hysterically and frowning in despair, “Afraid so.”


“No…”


“Uh… yeah.” The former marine fought against a sudden wave of embarrassment.


“Jake?” Norm’s eyes narrowed, as though he could catch a glimpse of the male behind this female visage.


“Hah, what the fuck are the odds, huh?” Jake’s coping method flared up, dousing her discomfort with a large dose of sarcasm, her arms widespread as if to say, ‘yeah, this is really me… unfortunately.’


“Oh my god, it really *is* you, isn’t it?” Norm surprised the newly made female Na’vi as he stepped forward, gathering the surprised female into a hug.


“Jake’s eyes widened as her feminine form was pressed warmly against Norm’s solid frame. His human form may have been that of someone who spent all day in a lab, but now in his permanent Na’vi form, he was more muscular.


Though nowhere near the warrior build of Tsu’tey. Jake blinked at the train of thought, the name resonating recent images from hours ago. Those skilled hands. That mouth. That tongue…


Jake felt her face flush at the memories. Feelings began to tingle within her. Embarrassed, she resisted the urge to shove Norm from her.


Thankfully she didn’t, as only a moment later Norm pulled away, if only to hold her at arms-length.


“Wow, you really put yourself in deep shit, huh Jake?” Norm asked, laughing as he took in her new form.


Jake chuckled in response, stepping back as she scratched the back of her head, “Yeah, lucky me. Figures.”


“I know, doesn’t it?” Norm shook his head, beaming, “Achieving the impossible has always been your mission in life.”


“Hey, you sound so cheery about it. Why don’t we trade?”


“Thanks, but no. Besides, I probably wouldn’t carry the whole female look thing as good as you.”


Torn between taking it as a compliment or an insult, Jake just went to default and slugged Norm on the arm, “Whatever.”


She strode on ahead as Norm rubbed his arm, “Uh, OW.”


“You big baby.” Jake retorted over his shoulder, continuing on his way into the base.


She didn’t catch the appreciative gleam as Norm took a moment to check out her new body before jogging to catch up.

-o-o-o-


“I’m SOOO *BORED*…” Jake sighed for the millionth time, straddling a backwards chair as she watched Norm work on the computer.


“Hey, you had the option of playing basketball with the others outside.”


“They’re too slow,” Jake frowned, sighing loudly as she blew a strand of hair out of her face, “everyone who still just links to their Avatars are. Where are the ones who went all the way?”


Norm choked.


Concerned, Jake reached over, slapping the other on the back a few times as she asked, “Are you okay?”


“Fine, yeah, just fine.” Norm replied after a couple coughs.


Jake frowned, wondering what was up with him as she waited for a reply to her previous question.


“I told you, they’re resting. They didn’t take the transfer as easily as you and I did. They still require a lot of sleep to keep up with the irregular energy expenditure. They’re adapting, but slowly.” The scientist answered without taking his eyes off the screen.


“What’s up with you?” Jake asked, wheeling her chair closer as she peeked over to look into Norm’s face, “You’ve totally been ignoring me since I got here.”


“Not true!” Norm sputtered loudly, surprising Jake as his voice cracked slightly, “I’m just… uh, busy.”


Entirely bored, and with nothing else to entertain her, Jake pressed the issue, her voice dripping sweetly, “Aw, come on Normie, what’s the problem?”


Her brow raised as she scooted her chair closer, Norm still obviously trying to ignore her, “Normie?”


What she didn’t expect was for the scientist to suddenly whirl and grab Jake. Her first thought was ‘oh, shit’ and that she had pushed it too far.


Then suddenly he was kissing her.

-o-o-o-

Moments later, Jake was storming down the hall, an apologetic Na’vi rushing after her.


Norm’s cheek still stung from the punch, so he rubbed it as he trailed after the young female, “Oh, come on Jake. I said I was sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”


“What has come over everyone?” Jake ranted, glaring heatedly at nothing as she continued her fast pace.


Norm halted in his tracks, “Everyone…? Wait, you mean…? Who else…?”


“None of your business.” Jake snarled. Just because she was a woman did not mean she was suddenly available for every horny male out there.


“It’s Tsu’tey, isn’t it?”


Jake stopped, turning at the quiet tones in Norm’s voice, “What makes you say that?”


“It… well, it seems kind of obvious. At least to me.” Norm replied, “I just… don’t want to see you get hurt.”


“What? Why doesn’t anyone tell me anything? First Tsu’tey, now you?” Jake demanded, turning as she continued towards the exit, “What even makes you think I reciprocate his feelings?”


She was surprised when Norm grabbed her wrist, stopping her. She turned to the other, her eyes furious, before the scientist asked, “Don’t you?”


Jake faltered. Suppressed feelings arose at the question, but she stubbornly shoved them back into place, “Of course not. We’re always fighting, or haven’t you noticed?”


“Yeah, I have…” Norm said sadly. Before Jake could say anything else, Norm continued, “Look, just be careful Jake. Sorry, about earlier.”


Jake looked into those sad amber eyes and let out a breath, releasing all the tension. After the relatively rough first few weeks, Norm and her had become very good buddies. She couldn’t stand the hurt very evident in his eyes, and that she had been the cause, even if he had started it. Norm couldn’t help his feelings. But neither could Jake.


“I’m sorry too…” Jake said earnestly, putting everything it implied with those three words.


Norm nodded, cracking a smile, “I’ll live.”


“Yeah,” Jake managed a smile as well. It would probably help if Jake left the other alone for a while, “I’ll just go take a breather. See you later, Norm.”


“Yeah,” Norm watched her go, “see ya.”

-o-o-o-

Jake was back in the skies, one of the best places she loved to be, when her Ikran suddenly squawked in distress.


Jake looked behind them and spotted the problem immediately as Tsu’tey’s Ikran swooped into view.


“Don’t you have anything better to do?” Jake shouted back at the other beast.


She was about to have her Ikran drop her off so it could make its escape when the Turok joined the chase. Immediately, Tsu’tey’s Ikran rolled into a few aerial maneuvers, dodging the bigger beast. Jake’s Ikran trilled angrily back at the two males, obviously frustrated by their antics. It took control of their bond and doubled back so fast Jake was almost thrown off.


Jake’s eyes widened as her Ikran dove with a collision course straight at the two males. At the last minute, she dipped lower to graze under the belly of the two as they barely dodged, but the clearing wasn’t enough for the hunter on her back.


Jerking loose her braid, Jake swiftly jumped ship, realizing they were low enough for her to safely fall into the trees.


“We’re going to have a long talk later!” Jake exclaimed after her mounts, even as her stomach lurched at the sudden free fall.


Turning to better watch her drop, she caught the stretched out arms of the trees and foliage, slowing her descent as easily as though she were just walking down a hill. It wasn’t until she was too close to the ground that she realized there was someone in her landing zone. Too late to divert her path, she shouted a warning.


With a loud ‘oof’, she landed on the rider of a direhorse, who had amazingly caught her in his arms despite her short forewarning.


The Na’vi was not of the Omaticayans. That Jake realized instantaneously. His gaze was intense as he allowed Jake to continue her inspection, her eyes taking in the tribal piercing of the stick through his nose before scrunching her brow as she looked back up at him.


He looked so familiar…


Realizing her manners, something which she repeatedly got in trouble for in the beginning, and even now, it seems, Jake hastily apologized. She attempted to drop from his lap, but found his grip unloosened.


“May I ask your name, Omaticayan?” He asked, his gaze piercing.


Jake smiled sheepishly. How embarrassing. She had hoped that only a few people would know of her predicament, but she guessed it was unavoidable.


“It’s uh… difficult to explain…” Jake started off slowly, wishing the other would just let her get to her feet on solid ground. She had no idea where to start.


The Na’vi male was mesmerized as her face flushed a deeper shade of blue. His next words escaped his lips before he could hold them, “Are you mated?”


Jake blinked, surprised at the bluntness of the male. Then it suddenly clicked. This was the Olo’eyctan of the Horse Clan of the Plains. What was his name? Argo? Ansy? Abe?


Jake was left gaping wordlessly as the clan leader purred, apparently content with simply grazing his lips over her knuckles for the moment, before a voice behind them tore through the silence.


“I see you, Akwey. And… I see you have found our Toruk Makto…” Tsu’tey said slowly, emerging from one of the forest’s many paths.


Jake was relieved at the sudden appearance of the other, and could only smile sheepishly once more as Akwey looked from Tsu’tey to Jake in surprise.


“And I you, Tsu’tey. Are you telling me… this is our beloved Toruk Makto…?” Akwey inspected Jake closer, though Jake honestly felt the hand coming to rest on her hip was totally unnecessary.


“Yes…” Tsu’tey replied, glaring angrily at Jake when she had the chance to glance at him.


Jake could only shrug wordlessly back, before she stated aloud towards both of them, “I am right here, you know.”


“Yes, I can see that.” Akwey purred once more, his gaze becoming even more appreciative if that was possible. The clan leader did not seem to notice that Tsu’tey grew rigid, displeased. But Jake did.


And it pulled warmly at something inside her.


Clearing her throat and her mind, Jake turned back to Akwey, saying, “Excuse me,” shortly before prying herself out of his hold.


Considering the direhorse was relatively the size of an elephant, Jake took the drop well, though having the larger body of the Na’vi probably helped compensate for the size of the animal.


Akwey seemed slightly disappointed at her graceful extraction, but recovered quickly as he smiled. Jake smiled back before darting a glance at Tsu’tey. The other male seemed very tense, though his focus, for the moment, was on the other clan leader.


Great. Two hot-blooded clan leaders. Eywa must really hate her.

-o-o-o-

As soon as they were out of earshot of the departing horse clan leader, Tsu’tey turned and grabbed her arm, “What are you doing here, Jake? I thought you were going to stay at Hell’s Gate?”


Not appreciating the sudden anger, Jake pulled her arm back as she growled, “Try controlling your Ikran. He’s the reason I even fell to the ground.”


It almost looked as if Tsu’tey’s eyes would bulge out of his head. His teeth flashed as he demanded, “You *fell*?!”


Immediately, he began searching her for any signs of damage, running his hands over her arms as his eyes inspected her body.


Jake was too stunned for a moment to react to his worried explorations. Just having him near was getting her heart racing. But each moment that his fingers ran across her skin, a noticeable rising heat would trail in their wake. Her heart began increasing more in tempo and she glanced at the distracted male anxiously.


Afraid he would notice the effect he was having on her, Jake pried herself from his grasp, “As much as I’m touched by your concern, I’m fine. really.”


She almost made it, but Tsu’tey was faster. Grasping her wrist, he pulled her close. The look in his eyes stifled whatever protest she was about to make. It was as effective as the finger he placed on her lips to silence her.


“You know not of what you have done.” His amber gaze looked into each of hers, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation.


“What? Falling?” Jake frowned, launching herself in her defense, “Hey, like I said, that wasn’t my fau-“


“No Jake. I speak of coming here. Coming back. I asked you to stay at Hell’s Gate. Why didn’t you listen?” He asked softly, his hands on her shoulders now as he leveled his gaze with hers.


“I…” Jake looked off to the side, thinking of Norm. When she returned her gaze to the Olo’eyktan, she finished lamely, “…couldn’t.”


Tsu’tey gave an irritated sigh as he shook his head, his hands falling from her shoulders as he stepped back.


“He won’t stop now.” Tsu’tey growled, his fierce gaze burning a hole into the far off trees.


“What? Who?” Jake asked, her tail flicking in concern.


Tsu’tey fixed his heated stare on her, making her flinch involuntarily at its intensity. He toned it down some after that, but merely flicked his eyes through the trees, at the path the direhorse rider had left.


The way Akwey had left.


“He is Olo’eyktan, infamous for his lust for power. His desire to wield it. And his want for that sort of a challenge in a mate.” Tsu’tey’s amber gaze closed briefly, before he looked at Jake, “He wishes for a powerful mate, so it will be much more satisfying when he wins her over.”


Jake felt a knot of worry tie itself in her gut, a shiver running through her. But before Tsu’tey could catch wind of her fear, she laughed, “Wow. Is that all your worried about? Just because he’s a clan leader doesn’t mean I’m going to fall madly in love with him and run off into the sunset on his steed.”


Tsu’tey had the most confused expression on his face. Deciding to ignore Jake’s last statement, the Na’vi instead explained slowly, “But Jake… the exchange. The dishonor…”


“You said this guy gets off on winning his mates over right?”


Tsu’tey sounded unsure, “…Yes…”


“Will anyone else try to have a go at me while he’s vying for my attention?”


“…No…”


“So then what’s the problem? He can’t win me over, and there’ll be no one else from the Horse Clan to try. There’s the solution. No dishonor for the Omaticayans.” Jake said with a big smile, “So relax, you don’t have to waste energy worrying about me.”


Jake strode off into the forest, Tsu’tey just standing there as he watched her go. He sighed softly, “You are taking this situation far too lightly, Jake Sully.”