Disclaimer: Disclaimer this, disclaimer that. I own nothing here except for the plot concept, the characters, and Snarl's mysterious illness.

Chapter 2

Therapy

Renee groaned as she climbed to her feet. She glanced around and recognized the chamber as Xena's. Scar was perched on a boulder several feet away.

(What happened?) Renee asked, rubbing her head. (I remember going to the Queen's chambers and then…) She fell silent as she tried to recall what had happened next. She gasped as the memories came flooding back to her. (I attacked you?)

Scar nodded. (Yes, yes, you did.)

Renee looked down at the floor in shame. (Guess I lost control for a few seconds.)

(I guess,) Scar replied distractedly. He was staring at the resin that covered the wall. He snapped out of his daze and said. (The Queen thinks we should introduce you to the rest of the hive.)

(Now?) Renee asked in fright. (Shouldn't we wait?)

Scar shook his head again. (No, if the Queen says you're ready, you're ready.)

Renee nodded and went back to staring at the floor, while Scar pondered whether or not to tell her what limited knowledge he had. He knew that she had not attacked him because she had lost control of her xenomorph instincts. The Queen didn't want to tell him anything, probably because whatever had happened to Renee, if allowed to run its course, would kill her, or perhaps force the hive to kill her.

That's not going to happen! Scar thought angrily. He hadn't killed that drone and saved her, just to let her die. He snapped out of his thoughts as Renee stood up to leave.

(Where are you going?)

(I'm just…,) Renee pondered what she would say. (I'm just going to wander around the jungle.)

(Mind if I come with?) Scar asked, standing up.

(No, I guess not,) Renee replied marching out of the room. Scar followed.

Scar noticed as they left the hive behind Renee's nervousness evaporated. She started jogging and bounced off several tree trunks.

(Come on, slowpoke,) Renee called back as she paused to look back at him while sticking to the side of a tree trunk.

Scar smirked and broke into a run. He quickly caught up to Renee and raced her neck and neck for a few yards, before he managed to take the lead. However, Renee wasn't going to let him beat her that easily. She leapt and landed on his back. This sent them rolling across the ground and, unfortunately, they were on a slant.

The two screamed as they were sent rolling down the hill. They screamed even louder as the ground beneath them vanished and they fell through the air and into the water below.

Renee gasped as she surfaced and looked up at the cliff face that she had just rolled off. It was a good thing, she was a xenomorph, if a human had gone over it they would not have survived. She glanced around and saw Scar swimming back to the shore on the opposite side of the cliff. Renee paddled after him.

(Don't ever do that again!) Scar gasped as he collapsed on the sand. Renee didn't hear him however as her attention was fixed elsewhere. Scar followed her gaze and realized that she was looking at the crystal blue river before them and the orange cliff face that framed it. He glanced around at the lush vegetation that surrounded it. (Whoa!)

Renee just nodded. (Yeah, whoa.)

She smirked and jumped back into the water and paddled out toward the cliff face. Scar watched as she climbed the cliff face and then released her grip about halfway up and drop back into the water. Scar paddled in after her.

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Xena looked up as Renee walked into the room. She had apparently been out on her daily run with Scar. Xena watched as Renee slumped down in a corner from exhaustion.

Ever since she had been hanging around with Scar her bizarre moods had become less frequent. Renee was now back to being her happy self. Well, as happy as a human could be when forced to live with viscous aliens.

(Did you have fun?) Xena asked.

(Yes.)

(So how far does your interest in Scar go?) Xena asked as she absentmindedly dug her claws into the rock she was holding. The shape of a tree was etched into the stone.

(We're just friends,) Renee growled. (And that's all we'll ever be.)

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(Why not?) Scar asked. He was in the Queen's chambers and she had just informed him that he and Renee could no longer got out for their run.

(Because I fear that it may be hurting her recovery,) the Queen said.

(She seems fine to me,) Scar said. (I think the time away from the hive is helping her.)

(Hiding from the problem, won't correct it.) she said irritably.

(So the hive's the problem?)

(No.)

(Then what is the problem?) Scar said a note of desperation in his voice. (I can handle it, whatever it is.)

(I'm going to introduce Renee to the rest of the hive,) the Queen said changing the subject. (Go tell her.)

Scar frowned, but did as he was told and left the room. He glanced back long enough to watch the Queen tear loose the threads of resin that held her to the ceiling. He continued to wonder what was wrong with Renee as he wandered to Xena's chamber.

(The Queen's decided to reveal your existence to the hive,) Scar said as he entered the room. He tried to hide his worry.

(About time,) Renee said, standing up. Xena did as well. The trio left the room with Xena leading. Scar walked beside Renee, glancing at her to make sure she wasn't acting strange. She seemed herself, but as they neared the meeting chamber, she became more nervous and was glancing around as though the shadows themselves might attack her.

(You okay?) Scar asked.

Renee nodded. (Yeah.)

Scar glanced up. They had arrived at the meeting chamber a large spacious cavern that was capable of holding the hive in its entirety. Scar had only been in the room once before, since it was rarely required the whole hive gather together. The Queen was standing in front of the assembled mass of aliens. The praetorians stood at the front of the crowd. Xena went and joined the other praetorians while Scar stood beside Renee in front of the crowd.

The Queen hesitated and then began her speech. (You all know that I allowed a human to enter the hive once before.)

The praetorians growled in agreement while some shot dangerous looks at Scar, who growled back at their gaze, while Renee shrank under it.

(I have allowed another human-xenomorph into our hive,) The Queen continued. (Like before there is nothing that will change my mind about this.)

The praetorians stopped their growling and were now staring at the drone cowering behind Scar.

The Queen glanced back at Renee and said. (I'm lowering the mental barriers now.)

Scar didn't know what he expected Renee's reaction to be like, but it was nothing like what happened next.

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Author's note: Next chapter, the conclusion!