CH. 4: Change of Heart

Brown's heart raced as he made his way towards the river. He couldn't stop thinking about Dianne and how she had fought for him earlier. He found her seated on a rock, gazing at the flowing water.

The river was wide and fast-flowing, the water a deep shade of blue-green. Trees and vines lined the bank, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Brown could hear the sound of birds chirping and insects buzzing. It was peaceful and serene, a stark contrast to the chaos of the battle they had just experienced.

As he approached Dianne, he took in her appearance. She was dressed in a simple cloth wrap that accentuated her curves, her long, dark hair cascading down her back. Her eyes were pensive, her full lips set in a tight line. Brown could feel her tension.

He sat down next to her and they talked for a while. They discussed the attack and the spy that Dianne suspected was in their midst. Brown watched as she absently traced the edge of the water with her fingers.

As the conversation drew to a close, Dianne turned to him and leaned in for a kiss. The kiss was brief but intense, and Brown could feel his heart racing.

"I'm sorry," Dianne said softly, "I shouldn't have done that."

Brown was confused. "Why are you sorry?" he asked.

Dianne looked away, her eyes scanning the tree line. "I don't want to give you the wrong idea. We have a mission to complete and I don't want anything to distract us from that."

Brown could feel his disappointment, but he nodded in understanding. They sat in silence for a few minutes, the sound of the river providing a calming backdrop.

Suddenly, Dianne stiffened. "Someone's coming," she said, standing up.

Brown's hand instinctively went to his knife as he scanned the area for danger. He could see nothing out of the ordinary.

Dianne turned to him, her eyes darkening. "If it's you, I won't hesitate to slit your throat," she warned.

Brown was taken aback. "What? Why would you think it's me?"

Dianne looked at him suspiciously. "I've been betrayed before. I won't let it happen again."

Brown shook his head in disbelief. "It's not me, I swear. I'm here to help you."

Dianne looked away, her expression unreadable. "I hope so," she said quietly, before turning to leave.

•••

Brown lies awake, his eyes fixed on Dianne's sleeping form. She lies on her back, one arm thrown over her head, her breathing slow and steady. The flickering light of the dying embers from their fire casts a warm glow over her dark skin, highlighting the curves of her body.

He can feel his desire for her stirring again, and he turns onto his side, trying to ignore the heat building inhis body. He knows that he shouldn't want her, that it's foolish and dangerous, but he can't help himself. She's so beautiful, so strong, and so commanding.

His thoughts are interrupted by a sudden realization: Neytiri. He can't shake the feeling that she's up to something, that she's planning against Dianne. He doesn't know what to do, how to protect Dianne without arousing suspicion. He decides to keep an eye on her, to see if he can uncover any information.

As the night wears on, Brown drifts off into an uneasy sleep, his thoughts filled with worry and desire. He wakes up to find Dianne sitting up, her dark eyes fixed on him.

He pretends to be asleep, watching her through half-closed eyes as she moves around the hut, gathering her weapons and preparing to leave. He can hear the rustle of her clothes and the soft sound of her feet as she walks across the hut.

She pauses by his side, and he holds his breath, hoping that she won't discover that he's awake. He feels her gaze on him, and he fights the urge to open his eyes.

Finally, she turns and walks out of the hut, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He knows that he needs to be careful, to keep his guard up around Neytiri. He resolves to watch her more closely, to see if he can uncover any clues about her intentions.

As the night wears on, Brown lies awake, his thoughts consumed by Dianne and the dangers that surround them. He knows that he should be focusing on finding a way to escape, but he can't help but feel drawn to Dianne, to the way she moves and speaks and fights. He wonders if she feels the same way, if she can sense the desire that burns within him.

Despite his worries, Brown drifts off into a peaceful sleep, his thoughts filled with images of Dianne and the kiss they shared by the river. He knows that he's in danger, that they're all in danger, but he can't help but hope that they'll find a way to survive together.

He felt a hand cover his mouth in the darkness. He struggled, but it was futile. Someone, something was after his life.