Author's Note: Hey everybody, I've started a new story! Don't worry I haven't forgotten my other unfinished one. I just had Ice Age on the brain and I really wanted to work on this one. So while I'm not working on my Labyrinth fic then I'll be working on this one. :) Don't own characters from Ice Age but I do own Maggie. :) Enjoy!

Chapter 1

I had no place to go. I had to keep going but I didn't know where I should go. I couldn't go to the herd, he would find me there. I had to get away from him. I paused to look down at the snow at my feet. Looking back as the ice cold wind rippled the fur at my face I saw a trail of red had stained my path. He would surely see it and follow... or something worse would. I had to keep moving. Clutching my still bleeding arm, I stepped onward.

The wind howled and whistled tauntingly around me. I ignored its invitations to lie down and rest even though I was tired. I growled at one forceful gust of wind that sought to push me face forward. Reaching up my clawed paw, I brushed the long head fur that had blown in front of my watering eyes. That was when I saw it. There was a cave in the distance. A weary laugh escaped my lips as I hurried forward. I only hoped that no other creature lived inside the dark cavern. As soon as I crossed the threshold of the cave, I collapsed into a curled ball of tears and pain. After crying for a while, I crawled deeper into the cave to find safety from the snow that the wind was trying to throw at me.

I found a place that was far enough away that the snow and ice couldn't reach me and no one passing by would be able to see me right away. Curling up again, I tucked my injured arm against my chest. Licking the deep cuts, I felt exhaustion catch up with me, forcing my eyes to slide shut. Sleep came to me and I willingly welcomed it.

A roar and a growl made me jump up from my sleep. My eyes searched wide-eyed for the source of the sound. The storm outside of the cave had slowed down and there did not appear to be anything else inside the cave. Another roar echoed off the stone walls. I whirled around to face the back of the cave, my ears twitching in every direction. Standing, I stumbled further into my safe haven. The sounds of a monstrous creature continued but sounded closer with every step I took. My eyes strained to see in the pitch black cave, and without warning, my next step landed on nothing but air. I screamed as I plummeted down a steep incline and hit the ground hard. Groaning, I stood up. I was met with a pleasant breeze that whistled gently through the cavern. Following the strange, sweet smelling wind, I exited the cave, entering... a jungle!

My mouth hung open as I gazed in wonder at the lush foliage and towering trees. Leaning my head back, I saw that far above was a layer of ice. Underground. There was a land under the ice! It was warm and inviting and no one else knew about it! Spying a long, narrow leaf, I quickly bandaged my arm. I walked forward bravely, ready to explore my new home.

The day dawned above the ice, casting rays of light down on the jungle floor. Pterodactyls soared over the tree tops, calling out to the creatures below. A camarasaurus lifted its head slowly as a blur of fur swung past on a vine. The furry creature landed on the long necked dinosaur and slid down the scaled back and tail. The furry creature stumbled upon landing on the ground and fell head over heels before skidding to a stop. Jumping to his feet, the creature turned on the camarasaurus. "Another stunt like tha' an' ya can ferget any mangos mate!" When the dinosaur made no reply, the weasel turned suddenly and began walking off.

His ears twitched as he paused. A sound of a scream and a roar tore through the jungle, and without another moment of hesitation the weasel ran towards the sounds of crashing foliage. He came upon a reptile with two crests on the top of its head bending low and hissing at a weasel. Running towards the attacker, the weasel wielded the knife he held in his paw. Jumping up on the dinosaur's tail, the shouting weasel sliced a long wound as he ran along the spine of the dino. The dilphosaurus screeched in pain, backing away from its intended meal and turning its head in an attempt to catch the thing that had interrupted. Jumping out of reach of the snapping jaws, the weapon wielding weasel dashed towards the still stunned weasel and dragged the fellow by the arm. "Come on!" The pair ran into the foliage.

They ran for all they were worth until the rescuer stopped suddenly, causing the other to run into him. He paused for a very long time, tensely waiting. He relaxed and a crooked grin spread across his muzzle. Turning around, he looked down at the weasel that had fallen onto her tail from the impact of running into him. She was indeed a female. He bent down and got right into her face, eying her with his one good eye. She blinked in surprise and tried to back away, but he shuffled forwards to sniff her. She stopped and glanced at his right eye that was covered with a leaf, then back at his good eye. Scurrying around her, he sniffed her head fur before returning to stand on his back legs in front of her.

Hoisting his knife onto one shoulder, his mouth twisted into a grin that showed off his pointy teeth. "Buck." He barked at her, holding out his free paw.

Cautiously she took hold on his offered paw with her own which was bandaged with a green leaf up to her elbow. "What?"

"The name's Buck!" The weasel explained. "Short for Buckminster. Long for Buh!"

She giggled as Buck pulled her to her feet. Once upright, she let go of his paw and stepped back. "My name's Maggie." Giggling again, she copied him. "Short for Margaret and long for Mags."

"Pleasa' meetin' ya Maggie!" Buck replied. "How'd ya get he'ah ezactly?"

"I fell down a hole." Maggie answered. When Buck looked up at the ice, she added, "In a cave. I heard some noises and went exploring. It was dark and I couldn't see where I was going. So I took a tumble." Shrugging she looked around. "And that's how I ended up down here."

Buck nodded. "Well. All roight! See ya aroun' then!" He turned and began walking away.

"Wait!" She called after her. A smile crept up his muzzle again as the sound of Maggie's feet came closer. She hurried to stand in front of him, holding her paws out in an attempt to stop him from walking. "You didn't let me say thank you... so, uh... thanks for saving me."

"Think nothin' of it Maggie!" Buck replied cheerfully.

Maggie smiled and nodded. "Well. See you around then." Buck stood in shock for a few seconds while Maggie walked past him in the opposite direction.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Whoa!" He popped up in front of her. Maggie turned her head to look back to where he had been standing then turned to look at him standing in front of her. Buck's brow rose. "An' how do you expect ta live alone down he'ah? Ya nearly got et!"

She shrugged. "I'll manage."

Buck stuck his knife into the dirt and leaned on the handle. He appeared to be in deep thought for several seconds before he spoke suddenly. "How long ya been he'ah?"

"I dunno." Maggie looked around, curiously. "A couple of days I suppose. Maybe... five?"

Buck's one blue eye widened in surprise. She'd been down here five days and had managed to stay alive? Without his help? He shrugged again as he pulled his knife out of the ground. "Fine. Ya can take care ah yaself. If ya need me just hallah." He climbed up a tree and swung off on a vine, leaving Maggie alone on the forest floor.

Review please! :)