Author's Note: Sorry everyone! I know that compared to my previously quick updates, I took a while, and I'm really sorry for leaving you hanging! My littlest one was super sick, but hey, everything's well enough now that I was able to finish Chapter 8. I can't promise I will continue with updates nearly every day or every other day, so be patient!

Disclaimer: Just to remind for the powers that be, I do not own any rights to Predator.

. . .

Kh'laz was still staring at his Sat-com, just as he had been for a while. When he had first left Earth's atmosphere, he had stared at the location of the female, seeing that she hadn't left her dwelling, to assure himself all would be well. Now that he was nearing the end of his journey, he was fighting his every instinct at leaving the female he had, in his own way, staked a claim on.

Slamming his fist down on the control panel, Kh'laz was struggling with control. And as his gaze wandered over to the very spot on his panel that the female had been up against, his fists tightened even more in agitation.

He had left his female.

His instincts were fighting with his logical mind. He knew he had had no choice but to follow protocol. Before he could bring the female back to his planet, he had to get approval from the Elders. He had to petition for that right. Although the use of oomans in a hunt as prey was becoming more non-existent, oomans were still viewed as inferior beings, animals, and no better than prey. It was a mindset difficult to stray from. The Yautja race had long lives, and the ooman advances had only been recent.

His thoughts strayed to the night in the forest when the female had killed the Badblood. To that moment when he had become strikingly aware he wanted the female for himself. He only prayed to Paya that the Elders realized the same truth that Kh'laz was becoming accustomed to.

She was his.

If not, and the Elders forbade his union with the ooman female, was he willing to go rogue on his clan? That was a question Kh'laz could not answer at this time.

. . .

Amy didn't leave her house for two days. In the beginning, she tried to convince herself none of the recent events had happened, until she moved, and was reminded why she was in pain. She had only been in the alien's ship nearly two days. Her wounds said quite the opposite, so Amy could only assume he had more developed medical technology than her world.

Visualizing that superior ship of his, she could definitely believe in more advances from his world. Her truck was primitive compared to his ship.

Thinking of his ship led Amy's thoughts to what happened in his ship, on his control center, and she began to blush profusely. Had that really happened? Had she really got all hot and bothered over an alien? Badass or not, he still wasn't human. Were they even physically compatible? She had no clue, but she was insanely curious.

Although Amy couldn't deny there had been a physical attraction between them, which, in no way meant she had to lose her damn mind. He had forewarned her that he would be back for her. She could only assume he would be back to this area to search for her. He knew where she lived. She knew he had been in her home.

But what if she left home? What if she took off to the other end of the country, or even left the country entirely? Surely he wouldn't be able to find her. There were billions of people all over the planet, and she was just one inconsequential person.

Feeling much calmer, Amy smiled to herself as she confidently thought, oh yes, it would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

After finishing chores in and around the house and with her horses, Amy called her insurance company and explained that there had been an accident with her truck and she would be on her way to town.

Amy critically viewed her beaten truck. She honestly had no idea how she could explain away the damage. At least the big guy had retrieved both the doors and placed them in the back. Sighing in defeat, Amy jumped in her truck and started it up. The engine fired up with no problem.

Thank goodness for the little things.

Less than two hours later, Amy was not feeling so gracious or thankful.

She was downright pissed and itching for a fight.

Brooke. The object of her current dilemma and feeling the direct heat of her glare. Brooke, who was also giving Amy a stare of her own, a stare that had more smugness than it ought to have.

"Brooke, you and I both know that I pay an exorbitant amount of insurance fees for my truck. Yet, absolutely nothing is covered because I can't tell you exactly what caused the damage?" Amy tried really hard to keep her voice under control, but she was definitely vocalizing loud enough for nearby customers to glance uneasily and curiously in their direction.

Smiling her award winning saccharine fake grin, Brooke leaned closer to Amy and repeated the offensive speech, "Amy dear, your truck has some very questionable damage, and you can't tell me specifics. Was it a deer? Was it another car? Was it your fault? I need details."

Amy's visage was a look of deadpan seriousness as she stared into the cold blue eyes of her community nemesis. Brooke had never got over Joey Sutherland asking her out to prom before eventually asking Brooke. Joey had chosen Amy first, and Brooke couldn't get over that. Which was amazing, considering Brooke was Mrs. Joey Sutherland. It could also have something to do with the fact that two years ago, Joey had forcefully kissed her at local New Year's party.

Amy loathed Joey. Thinking of that slimy, wet, and foul-smelling beer kiss of his soured Amy's stomach. Psychologically, Amy could understand. Brooke was in denial. She couldn't be mad at Joey, so Amy was the next best thing.

Brooke had always been a self-entitled bitch anyway. Truthfully, she and Joey deserved each other.

Unfortunately, ever since Brooke had been hired on at Sutherland Insurance Company, Amy's policy had skyrocketed in price, and nothing was covered. She knew going with a different company was her only option, but she never seemed to have the time or motivation to call and spend an hour giving all of her personal information just for a quote.

Taking a deep breath, Amy explained to Brooke, "I told you. It was a freak accident at my farm. No one else was involved. In a way, yes, it was my fault, but last time I checked, I was covered for damage that is, in fact, my fault. Do I have to send a complaint over to the senior Mr. Sutherland in order to get anything approved around here?"

Rather than cower under that threat, Brooke's smile intensified. Oh boy. Leaning in dangerously closer, Brooke whispered low enough that nobody else could hear, "About that Amy. You see, after I told my dear father in law how an old school friend tried to seduce my husband and wreck my marriage, it was all I could do to convince him not to drop you on the spot. Go right ahead and tell him. Be my guest. And when he drops your policy, I'll make sure to update your information so finding another insurance company will be damn near impossible. And our prices will seem like nothing if you do find another company."

Amy sat there for a moment, completely unreadable. Simply staring expressionlessly at Brooke. If Brooke had really known Amy, she would have known enough to back off. To know that maybe she had gone too far.

What happened next, Amy could only attribute to the undue stress she had been under. Maybe she was a bit a reckless considering if things didn't go her way, she would no longer have to worry about people like Brooke. In a moment of reckless euphoria, Amy felt free.

Amy slapped Brooke right across the face. Wham! The crack echoed throughout the sterile, neutral office.

Every head in the office turned their way. Amy was standing ferociously above Brooke who was looking in shock up at Amy with her manicured hand against her stinging cheek.

Amy had no time to think about the consequences. At this point, she didn't care anymore.

Slapping her hands onto the desk, Amy leaned in to Brooke, "Oh, and Brookie dear, just a FYI, we've been under audio recording this entire time." Brooke's eyes widened in shock and fear as she tried to splutter her way out of the situation, but Amy cut her off, "Go ahead and try to fuck with me. I better have a Goddamn rental in two days, or else I'm going to sue the fuck out of all of you for slander and discrimination."

Amy ignored the stares and incessant murmuring. Small towns talk. She didn't care anymore. Let them talk. Whether of her own volition, or by alien spaceship, Amy wasn't going to be around much longer.

Two days later, her new rental car was ready to go. Amy had been half expecting the cops to show up at her door arresting her for assault charges. Surprisingly, she had heard nothing, other than her Grandma calling her up to question her on the rumors spreading like wildfire.

She reflected on the previous day's phone conversation. "Yes, Grandma, I slapped Brooke at the insurance office."

"Amy, your Grandpa and I love you very much, and we don't like to hear these things of our precious granddaughter. I know there has been tension, but did you have to react that way?"

Sighing, Amy admitted, "Grandma, Brooke has made business there horrifying for the last couple of years. She told old man Sutherland that I tried to seduce Joey of all things! They doubled my premium for no reason, and they never covered anything. I handled that. But then she threatened me. You know Daddy always told me to stick up for myself when the need arose. I thought this merited a defense."

"Hmmm, well if that's the case, I can understand, but we can only hope this doesn't affect your business any. Being a community member, you need to attain professionalism at all times."

Laughing, Amy joked, "On the contrary, maybe I'll get a break! Business has always been booming, and I could use less stress. By the way, there's something I need to talk to you about."

"Sure, sweetie, anything you need, I'm here."

Closing her eyes, Amy clenched the phone tight with emotion. Her Grandma's loving sincerity didn't make these decisions any easier. Throat tight, she began, "Look, um, Grandma, I have some issues I have to take care of. I can't really talk about it right now, but I'm going to have to leave town indefinitely. Not really sure how long exactly. Um…is there any way that Grandpa can check up on my horses for me? He doesn't need to do any physical work. I have someone hired to come and do all that. I would just like for someone I trust to come in and check. Makes this a lot easier for me."

"No problem. You know your Grandpa loves those horses as much as you. But dear, I can't help worrying about you." Lowering her voice as if she weren't all alone in her home, Grandma asked, "Does this have anything to do with drugs? If it is, maybe you should stay and get the support that you need, with your family. If you're worried about people talking, we can…"

Chuckling, Amy interrupted her Grandma, "No, that's not it Grandma! No, to be honest, it, uh, it has to do with a guy. I just need to leave town." It wasn't exactly the truth, but it wasn't exactly a lie either.

"Oh. Hmmm. Well, if that's the case, I really can't give you any advice other than to take care of yourself. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too Grandma. I'll make sure to call once a week, check up on you and Grandpa."

"You don't need to worry yourself about us, Amy. The church folks make sure we're all right. They have a couple of nice boys about your age, ya know," Grandma tried to hint, but Amy just sighed dramatically.

"Thanks anyway Grandma. I'll talk to you later. Love you." Before she could make a fool of herself and start the waterworks, Amy hung up.

Regardless of her family, Amy was ready to go. She had packed up her bags shortly after the call had ended. She packed lightly. And she didn't linger.

That's the way that she was. Once a decision had been made, she stuck it out. She didn't hesitate or doubt. She followed through with it. Life was too chaotic to second guess and doubt every action and plan.

Six months before, a friend and mentor had offered Amy a job to work for their local appraisal business. John Wilke had helped sponsor Amy for her appraisal apprenticeship. He had been a good friend of her dads back when they were younger. John was like the uncle she never had.

She had called him up two days ago, after the insurance debacle, and asked him if his offer still stood. He had readily accepted her, just as she knew he would. He and his wife were looking forward to her arrival. She would stay with them temporarily until she found her own place.

After all, two days was not nearly enough time to find a house to rent. She was winging most of this. And it felt good. Real good.

She felt safe with this decision. She wouldn't be looking over her shoulder. Eventually, she would come back.

Until then, her new home was going to be on the other end of the North American continent.

She hoped Alaska was as ready for her as she was for it.

Attractive alien or not, Amy wasn't ready to submit to the obvious chemistry between them. To a degree, Amy was wise enough to admit to herself that yeah, she was hiding. She was running away. She kept telling herself it was just from being taken away, from being abducted. She wasn't ready to admit that she was also running away from what she felt with the big guy.

Or the fact that she had never felt that with anyone else.

No, it was better not to think about that. Because if she thought to deeply in that direction, she might just be tempted to offer herself up on a silver platter, tied with a bow, and slathered with slippery whipped cream.