I only recently started liking the AVP series after seeing AVP a few weeks ago on TV. I've seen all the Alien movies but the Predator series in the theatres....no way! So I was surprised how much I enjoyed AVP. I guess it was the relationship between Scar and Alexa that I liked best, since such inter-species relationships are the most interesting. Now not knowing much about the culture and such of the Predator creatures, I had to make up, ...MAKE UP a few things I felt would fit in. The rest I got from reading websites and other fanfic. I don't own the Predator or ooman characters, but they begged me to write this story. I hope you like it. Don't own anything here.

When an enemy becomes a friend

What might have happened if Scar had lived. A story of friendship and more. But where will it go?

CHAPTER 1

Alexa stood slowly, knowing that the alien queen was drifting to the bottom of the ocean. Dead, or so Alexa hoped. She glanced around, looking for the hunter who had come to her rescue. She was almost sure he had been killed. She knew he had been injured in the shoulder, and without medical supplies, out here in the bone-chilling eternal winter, that was as good as dead. How would she be able to help him? The med-kit was ashes from the blast that had destroyed the pyramid complex.

Alexa heard the sound of a low trilling, and ran to the source. She saw the alien hunter she had nicknamed Scar lying on the ground. She knelt at his side, checking him visually for any injuries noted by the bright, almost glowing, green blood she knew the hunters had. She saw the wound in his shoulder where the tail of one of the serpents had pierced him just as they were about to ride the load-sled out of the pyramid room. The creature was breathing, thank goodness. Alexa didn't relish being out here alone. Besides, she owed him her life, even as he owed her for his in turn. She hoped he would look at things that way once he was conscious.

Scar saw the ooman female kneeling beside him and asked her if she had been harmed. Of course, she didn't understand him. How could he communicate with her? He let her help him up, feeling only a little weak from the fight, and loss of blood. Fortunately he had only his own blood on him and not that of the acid based Hardskins

The cold was becoming intolerable and both knew they'd have to find shelter. Scar led the way to an abandoned building that had not been swallowed up in the explosion. Alexa followed him unquestioningly. When they found a spot to sit, Scar pulled out a piece of what looked to Alexa like jerked beef, and held it out to her. She didn't want to know what kind of meat it was. Scar, sensing her reluctance to accept it, pointed at her and shook his head. So, she thought, it wasn't human flesh. She took the piece of dried meat and sniffed at it. It didn't smell very appetizing at all. She nibbled at the end and discovered that it was quite tasty. She looked at Scar and smiled, nodding her head, then proceeded to eat the meat.

"I guess it's better than having it smell yummy and taste awful." Alexa looked at Scar expectantly. He handed her another piece, which she tried to eat more slowly. No sense in gulping it down and feeling hungry again too soon. But even as her hunger was being taken care of, the cold was getting to her. She looked at Scar, who didn't seem to be affected. She imagined that over time, even he would not be impervious to the weather here. If, however, they were stranded here any length of time, water would become an important need. They could melt snow, if they could start a fire.

Scar watched her as she ate. Her mouth had made a strange grimace when he had given her the piece of animal flesh. Was she in pain, reluctant to eat his rations? He preferred his meat raw but he didn't think oomans did. How did they even survive over time, not having strong mandibles with which to grasp prey. His people rarely used them for that anymore, and apparently oomans didn't need them at all. Very strange. When he had finished eating his rations, he pulled his small med kit out of his pack unit, and mixed the medicine required to heal his wound. Alexa watched him as he worked. He exposed his shoulder of the armor piece he wore there. She was wholly startled when after applying the blue gel-looking matter, he howled aloud, as if in pain. Alexa wondered if the treatment was any better than the pain from the wound. She sighed heavily, looking at the ground in front of her despondently. As if knowing her thoughts, Scar indicated with one hand pointing upward, and then bringing it down to touch the ground in front of him. Maybe a ship was coming for him. That had to be it!

"A ship? Is a ship coming back for you?" She shook her head, realizing he didn't know what she was saying. "I wish you could understand me." She hunkered up, leaning against the ice cold wall. She wished she still had her thermal jacket. Maybe closing her eyes would help. A thought came to her that these aliens might not even help her. Apparently killing humans was as acceptable as killing the ugly serpent creatures.

Scar watched the female try to get warm. He didn't feel the cold as intensely as oomans, but what could he offer that would not repel her. Not that oomans were particularly attractive creatures. They did make good prey, many of them anyway, or so he had heard. He had looked forward to going to the ancient temple with the two other younglings on their rite of passage. It was unfortunate that only he survived. Yet without the female, he wondered if that would have been the outcome. She was a valiant warrior, using well the simple tools he made and had given her. His respect for her was enough for him to mark her as a member of his clan. Young as he was, he felt this challenge had made him stronger and more mature. Looking over at the female, he noticed her hunched against the chilling air. He slid over to her side, and leaning his bulk against the wall, gently pulled her against his body. He knew the natural temperature of his body was higher than hers right now, and it would give her some relief. She didn't fight him, rather on feeling the warmth of his body, snuggled sleepily against him. He touched the mark he had made on her cheek. He was surprised she had let him do that, but in a way was glad she had. It increased the respect he felt for her as a hunter. Scar drifted off to sleep, feeling the warmth of the ooman next to him.

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Morning arrived. Scar slipped away quietly from Alexa, walked outside into the bright sunlit air, and searched the skies. Of course if the ship was cloaked, he wouldn't see it. His communication device had been damaged, by all the misfortunes. They would have to use sensors to find him. The explosion had ripped up the area pretty badly, such that some previous landmarks were no longer there. He stood tall on the snowy ground, out in the open, and waited. What will the Elders think about me allowing a ooman to live? Will they help her? If she were left here, most likely she would die. And for some reason, he couldn't allow that to happen.

Alexa awakened feeling stiff but surprised not to be a frozen popsicle. She vaguely recalled feeling something warm against her. Had Scar allowed her to sleep next to him? The thought caused a flush to move through her body. It was surprising that even looking upon his face, she wasn't wholly wasn't human, to be body reminded her of a weight lifter's, muscular from more than just genetics. These creatures obviously trained well for their.....hunting. A shiver went through her. She remembered the massacre of her team. By both Scar's people and the serpents. Only she had lived. If she made it back home, what would she tell the Weyland Corporation muckity-mucks? In her anger, she felt that she really don't give a damn. She had told Weyland and his people over and over, they weren't prepared for what was to come. Alexa felt no satisfaction in being right. Now where had Scar gone off to, she wondered.

Alexa stood, shook the snow from her backside, and walked further back into the cave. Luckily her savior was not there, probably outside, and so she quickly took care of business. After she finished, she walked outside, blinking her eyes against the bright light. She saw Scar standing on the icy snow. He turned to look at her and pointed upward. All they had to do was wait. But would the coming ship help her, that Alexa didn't know.

Scar knew his vessel would not be too far away. And he was right. He immediately felt the slight breeze that always accompanied a cloaked vessel. They were here. He saw that the ooman must have also sensed the movement in the air. She was looking upward, and then her mouth opened. Scar turned to see the mother ship de-cloaking and land not far from where they stood. Upon landing, the entry hatch opened to reveal several warriors and an Elder.

Alexa stared in disbelief at the ship hovering before her. Invisible one moment and visible in a shimmer the next. She backed up ever so slightly until she felt herself bump into Scar. She didn't move. Neither did he, although he did notice the female pressed up to him. Was she scared? Did she actually look to him for protection against this unknown?

Alexa watched Scar walk over to the others of his kind. One wore a cloak and seemed to be in charge, if Scar's deference was any indication. She assumed he was the leader or something comparable. She heard them speaking to each other in clicks and low growls. The growls had her worried. Ok, now was the time to confront. They were NOT leaving her here. She strode over to the alien creatures. Scar turned sharply towards her, his deadlocks swinging hard against his shoulder. He growled at her, his mandibles flaring open. But Alexa was not to be dissuaded by that, not after all she'd been through.

"Hey, do you guys think you could give me a lift? Just drop me off anywhere near civilization. I'm not that choosy. This...ship...can land anywhere unseen so it shouldn't be a problem." They merely looked at her. "You owe me that much!"

Scar stared at the female, sensing her raised voice meant she wasn't happy about something. Alexa pointed at herself and then at the hatch, and Scar knew what she wanted. He just didn't know if it was possible. He decided to speak on her behalf. The Elder was reluctant, but the newly blooded hunter quickly related Alexa's part in the Hunt, and seeing the mark on her cheek indicating that Scar had her granted clan membership because of her bravery as a warrior, he relented. He told Scar as much, and turned on his heel to re-enter the ship. Scar followed. Alexa stood there, wondering how in the hell she was going to get back home. She had no way of knowing if any distress signals had been sent, or if anyone would try to find the party when they didn't show up at the ship as scheduled. Scar turned back towards her, clicking and gesturing at her to follow her. Thank God! she thought. Alexa ran up the ramp before it closed. On the other hand, she thought, what had she gotten herself into?

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Alexa found herself in the middle of a large room, bare of most furnishings, with only a few instrumentation counters and one metallic bench of sorts. She couldn't feel any inertia. Was the ship moving? She glanced around, and then Scar took her by the arm, leading her to a big viewport on an opposite wall. Alexa stood gazing out the window Scar had led her. She watched the ground recede as the ship climbed into the morning sky. They were moving, and fast. She wondered where they would drop her and hoped that it would be someplace where help would be readily available. She wasn't in the mood for more hiking. These....hunters, as she came to think of them....would they help her?

Scar came up behind the ooman female, watching her stare out the viewport. Something in him wished he could communicate with her. Mimicking words would be easier if he'd had the repertoire needed to make full sentences. He hadn't been exposed to humans enough during the battles inside the temple. What was she thinking, he wondered. Was she contemplating her fate? He had even done that. His first hunt had been successful and he would be greeted at home as a newly blooded warrior. But what would become of this female? Would it have been better to leave her behind? He had to make sure of her safety. He owed her that.

Alexa turned to face the giant hunter behind her. "Where will I be dropped off?" she asked, hoping he would understand, then feeling foolish for even trying, seeing him merely cock his head to one side. He had nice eyes, she told herself. If I just look at his eyes, the rest of his face won't matter. She stepped closer to him. He had removed his face mask and upper armor, and his chest was now bare. He seemed smaller in stature with his heavy protective armour gone, but still tall. She looked for the injury that had been inflicted during the fight. His kind must be fast healers, for the gash was now fully closed, with a barely discernable scar. She smiled even while touching the scar, thinking of the nickname she had given this creature. The flesh beneath her fingers felt warm, yet much like the skin of a lizard, only thicker. Not like human skin at all. She was surprised that he merely watched her stroke his skin. She pulled her hand back, mumbling "Sorry." He only looked down at her, his mandibles moving slightly.

Alexa sat on the floor in front of the large porthole, getting used to breathing the heavy damp air. She sensed movement next to her and saw that Scar had taken a place on the floor next to her. Anger suddenly flared inside her. "You know, I was thinking that, between your people...and those...serpent creatures, my entire expedition, including Mr. Weyland, was wiped out...except for me." She turned to look at him and saw that he was looking at her in turn. Unblinking, she asked, "How many did YOU kill? HOW.....MANY?" She stood and faced him, not caring if he knew she was angry. "I don't understand. I mean, with all your technological advances, why do you hunt? And why humans? We aren't that low on the food chain. It's all so...so...primitive!" Alexa gathered her breath. "Civilized people don't hunt other people. It's barbaric! It's ....." Then she remembered, humans hunted animals. Even when it was no longer necessary for food, man still hunted species they considered lower on the food chain. She let out a heavy sigh and sat back down. "Never mind. I suppose we're lucky you don't eat us." Tired of feeling angry, Alexa looked out at the darkness of space with so many pinpoints of light, realizing she was far out into space by now. All she wanted was to go back to Earth. The ship was speeding off to God knows where and she was on it. Going home may not be an option. She sighed heavily. Obviously, they had misunderstood her, or had no intention of helping her get back to civilization.

"I'm sorry. I'm Lex, you know. Can you say my name?"

"I'm sorry," came the voice that was deeper and gruffer than a human's. Lex turned her head in surprise.

Scar was using his wrist computer to let Lex know how he felt. He had to choose the correct phrasing and not having had much contact with humans, he hoped this one would suffice. He could tell by her actions that she was angry at him. He even understood part of what she said. She mentioned her comrades. She mentioned his part in their deaths. But that was before he had worked with her, saw what a fighter she was. That was before he had to admit that he respected her, and if she was an example of humans, maybe it was wrong to hunt them. The kainde amedha made the perfect adversary, yet because of the their life cycles, lesser beings were needed to breed them. Humans had become the breeders hundreds of cycles ago. And later in time, they had become the prey as well. Now, because of this female, his whole way of thinking was being turned upside down.