Aright this was technically supposed to be part of chapter 8 but it was just too long so I've separated it. So keep posting and I'll keep writing deal?

I also understand that some of you didn't really like the way in which the last chapter was written and I agree that it wasn't my best work but it was one of those necessary chapters that needs to be in there but doesn't seem entertaining.

Rescue

Maia's POV:

I was thrown onto a hard metal floor with a loud thump. It made me wake up. I struggled to open my heavy eyelids and when I did I saw the two other yautja arguing with the elder. Theirs clicks were frenzy and I heard small roars occasionally.

Now was my chance. I scooted along the floor behind them and then shot for the exit. Before I could reach the door I was kicked hard in the gut and was flung across the room and into the wall.

"ugh!" I groaned. That one hurt. The elder came to stand above me and clicked and trilled in anger. Of course, I couldn't understand a word. Mother never taught me yautja. I'm not sure if even she knows it.

He seemed to notice that I wasn't catching onto his little rant. He sighed. I hissed at him. I started to curse and shout at him.

The expression on his face turned to shock as he realized I was speaking xenomorph. He shouted for the others to come over. I continued to yell.

"You idiots! You come into our home and begin to attack us and then when we defeat you honorably you go and try to blow up my home! Did you think I was really going to let you do that? If so then you are a fool. What are you going to do with me huh? And what was that you said, what does "pyode amedha" mean?"

The three warriors stared at me. They had removed their masks upon reaching the ship. Their mandibles hung open slightly in shock. They whispered among themselves.

Then one of them said something that silenced the others. He was not the elder but he was still blooded. He was dark green and he had black stripes painted across his skin. He pointed to himself.

The elder thought for a moment and nodded. Then he gestured to me as if saying "go ahead". I didn't like that one bit. I squirmed against the wall. They had me cornered.

The green one stepped forward and spoke. "ooman…english?" he asked. I nodded.

"What do you want with me?" I asked. He growled.

"English!" He said forcefully. Oh, he wanted me to speak English. I tried hard to remember the words.

"waa…waant with meh?" I asked. He nodded his head so I knew he understood.

"Slave" he answered. "Why you and kaine amedha?" He asked.

"What?" He pointed at me.

"Pyode amedha" Then he pointed at the door we had entered from, back towards the hive. "Kaine amedha"

"Kain amedha" I repeated. "Alien". He nodded.

"Family" I answered his previous question. "Kaine amedha my family" He barked out a laugh and translated for the others who also began laughing. I didn't appreciate them laughing at me.

I hissed low and menacing. The laughter stopped. They whispered between themselves once more.

"Enough!" said the green yautja. "You strong poyde amedha. Now you be slave to Kleck'yor." He pointed to the elder . "Think of it good way, we save you". His mandibles turned upward in what I assume was a smile.

"I did not need to be saved!" I shouted, my English returning to me in my fury.

Greeny chuckled at this. "No matter. You leave now. We return home world and you be slave anyway."

They turned from me then and left me presumably defeated in the corner. They returned to their controls in preparation to leave.

Garran, I called to him. I didn't know if our bond reached this far. Heck, I didn't know where I was!

But then I felt him! It was a nudge at the back of my mind. He didn't respond in words, I guess were really were too far apart. But none the less he communicated through feeling.

I felt his relief that I was alive. I sent him a wave of relief that I could still connect to him. He agreed.

I asked him where he was by sending a thought of confusion and location.

I received a mental picture of a hot desert.

Desert?

I asked him if we were still on our planet and he answered yes.

Then he asked if I was okay.

I sent that I was healthy and relatively unharmed. I could almost hear his thankful sigh.

I conveyed how much I missed him.

What I got back hurt. Like was literally painful!

I was confused. Then I got a better picture. Pain. Garran was in physical pain from being so far apart. It was killing him to be kept away, oh so far away. Was that even possible? Apparently because I felt his pain and it was very very real. Wow, he loved me that much?

I guess he heard that because I heard a very strong yes!

Garran!

Maia!

I can hear you!

I can do better, I see you! I see the ship.

Suddenly the engines sparked to life and the ship shuddered.

Garran we are leaving, hurry! With another lurch we flew into the air and the ship shook a couple of times as it raced through the atmosphere and eventually into space. One of those impact shakes was Garran jumping and grabbing hold of the ship in the air.

The yautja didn't notice. The exit was locked and I knew I was going to have to open it if Garran was going to get inside. I had to wait for the right moment.

Garran understood and told me that he had a good hold and was settled so I relaxed.

Maia, I just want you to know, when I get in there I am going to kill them.

Good, I told him.

Maybe an hour later the third yautja, who was a dark orange with deep brown spots, approached me.

"ooman" he said. He crouched in front of me. He raised one hand towards my face and I hissed in warning. I could also hear Garran's warning growl but the yautja didn't hear that.

He touched my hair and brushed it from my face. I snapped my teeth dangerously close to his hand and he pulled it back only to punch me in the face.

I fell to the side and snapped my head back quickly. "Don't touch me!"

Suddenly the green yautja was by his side. "You will learn your place ooman!"

"My place? I may only be a human but I am better than all of you!" The green yautja grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked upward. I yelped in pain. Garran's growl grew loud.

My face twisted in pain as I squirmed helplessly. Then I got an idea. I kicked him right between the legs. They had armor there naturally but my kick still hit him hard. He dropped me and backed away bent over in pain.

As I went to stand up the orange yautja kicked me in the stomach. The elder came over with his spear. I twisted in a 360 on the ground and stuck out my leg so I kicked the legs out from under the orange yautja and he fell to the floor.

I jumped on him and began punching his face. I heard at least one of his mandibles snap.

Suddenly the elder was there with his spear tip against my throat. I stopped. He lifted up and I stood to not get hurt.

He snarled at me but he was smiling in approval. He began to remove the blade.

Quickly, he brought the blade in an arc and sliced at my cheek. It cut my flesh and my crimson blood spilled down my cheek. Garran roared in anger. It wasn't deep but it hurt and I was appalled that the elder had done it.

He clicked something and the green one spoke softly to translate. "He says you will not do that again or it will not be your cheek he cuts." I brought my hand to my cheek trying to hold the blood in. I felt the warm liquid as it leaked onto my hand.

As the elder turned to walk back to his controls I saw my chance. With the other two still recovering from my attach I hurried forward between them and to the door. I slammed my clean hand against the controls and the door flew open.

Before I could move I was sucked out into space. I held my breath and waited for the vacuum pressure to crush my body.

Instead I felt a strong tail wrap around me and pull me back inside along with its large owner. Garran brought me into his arms as he stood at his full height before my captures.

Maia, pardon me for a moment while I take care of something. He placed me in the corner and roared at the yautja.

Garran was about to take on three blooded yautja all by himself.

The green hunter had his wrist blades on and he extended them as he launched forward into an attack. Garran was too quick. He jumped onto the ceiling and thrust his tail down which impaled the orange yautja through the chest.

He twisted the blade to make sure the monster was dead then swiftly pulled it out.

Garran turned his head to focus on the green yautja but as he turned and jumped towards him a barbed metal whip wrapped itself around Garrans neck in mid air. The elder pulled back on the whip and Garran was sent flying to the floor. He hit the metal hard and a resonating clank echoed through the room.

Garran growled at the elder and tried to stand and attack him but the elder yanked on the chain and the metal cut into Garran's throat. His green blood started to trickle down his neck.

"Garran!" I shouted. I got up and ran to him. He sat there motionless. I hugged him and grabbed at the metal around his neck trying to pry it off but it was wrapped around tightly.

"Get it off of him!" I shouted in English. The green yautja heard me and translated. Elder looked at me curiosly and then handed the whip to the green yautja whom I think was named Triy'sir.

Kleck'yor went to the wall and pulled out two bunches of netting. He walked over to a clear wall and attached one net to span the entire surface. The netting wasn't flimsy like rope but firmly held its structure so when the elder brought the net away from the wall to make semicircular ring it remained in that shape. Then he took a second one and attached it to the wall and then to the first net so that two inner areas were created, one side bigger than the other. The net was tall enough to reach from floor to ceiling.

The net attaches to the wall, ceiling, and floor by electronic metal clips.

Triy'sir yanked on the chain and Garran choked.

"Stop it!" I ran forward and grabbed the whip along its length and pulled hard. The metal cut into my hands but it gave enough for Garran to breathe again.

The elder came up behind me without my knowing and grabbed my hair and pulled back viciously. I was forced away from the whip and Garran. He turned me around and threw me into the wall. He had unhooked the entrance to the smaller area and threw me inside. Then he reattached the clips and I was trapped within.

Triy'sir then pulled on the whip and flung Garran into the larger cage. With a flick of his wrist the metal uncurled from Garran's neck. He sucked in air.

The yautja laughed at the trapped xenomorph and turned from us to continue monitoring out position.

I crawled to the net barrier separating us. Garran. He barely turned his head to look at me. Garran are you all right? He turned away

I'm fine. Slowly he glanced back at me once more. Are you all right Maia?

I hesitated. I hurt, my cut stung and I was sore all over but that's not what Garran needed to hear.

Yes Garran, I'm alright. Please, don't turn away from me. Tell me, something is clearly wrong.

I feel ashamed Maia. I…I wasn't strong enough. I couldn't stop them from taking you and now I couldn't get you back.

I'm right here Garran. I stuck my hand through one of the opening made by the crisscrossed netting. Finally, he faced me completely. He took my hand in his large one and squeezed my hand. I gave him a squeeze back.

I promised you I wouldn't give up, now you must promise me the same thing. I said.

I promise I won't give up. I'm getting us both out of here! These yautja will pay! And then you and I will go home, together! Ismiled.

There's the Garran I know. He smiled back.

Sleep now Maia so that you may heal and regain your strength.

That, my dear Garran, is a great idea! I released Garran's hand and lay down on the floor. Garran's hand reappeared through a lower hole that was closer to the floor. I hastily grasped it once more and lay my head next to the netting. His free hand extended through another low hole to run his fingers through my hair.

Although nervous and uncomfortable I managed to fall asleep.

I awoke to loud hissing and screams. I had been doing that a lot lately.

I sat up and saw the yautja before our cages. They were jabbing Garran with swords and other weapons. Where was the honor in that?

He dodged some while fought off other attacks using his tail. A few cuts leaked acid blood but they were not deep. The yautja didn't want to give us the option to use it for escape.

I roared at them. Triy'sir stopped his antics and approached me. I hissed in warning. He laughed.

"What will you do to me ooman? If you were not elder's slave I would rip out your skull for my trophy wall." Garran's head locked onto him at that statement and the yautja noticed. He laughed again.

"What? Don't like the idea of your mate dead head on my wall?" He laughed and Garran continued to stare as a growl built in his chest. Triy'sir's head tilted to the side as he thought.

"You two really mates?" We both remained silent. "That not possible. Ooman is only host." He walked over to talk to the elder. When he was finished the elder laughed aloud. Garran continued to growl.

I was not just a host! Plus, I was really sick of them laughing so I spit at the elder. He flinched at it hit him and looked at me with anger.

Then, he turned and left the room. Yriy'sir looked after him in waiting.

Soon, the elder returned holding some sort of stick in his hand. He stood in front of me with a wicked smile on his face. What was he planning to beat me with it? I almost laughed at that statement. I could take his beatings.

"Ooman" he said with a sickly chuckle as he thrust the stick through one of the holes and forced it against my skin. Pain seared up my arm where the stick made contact. Volts of electricity shocked me and burned me. The weapon seemed to emit pain. I screamed at the top of my lungs as the lightening coursed through my veins and zapped every cell.

I collapse on the floor as the elder removed the stick. Some of my muscles contracted involuntarily and I lay twitching before the yautja. Neither of them said anything but they smiled to themselves.

Garran on the other hand was beside himself. He lashed out at the cage and thrashed around. He threw his tail at the net trying to cut it but it did not work. He tried to stick it out one of the openings and spear the yautja but he could not reach.

He clawed, and screamed, and roared. I felt in his mind nothing but fury. There was no sense, Garran was gone and in his place was this raging beast.

He hissed and bit the netting while shooting out his secondary jaw. Once or twice he even cut himself to let the blood burn the netting but it was covered with a special coating that prevented the acid from burning through.

I lay there on the hard floor on my chest. Every breath hurt. I struggled to open my eyes. The elder had shocked me for so long that my heart skipped a few beats. I had pins and needles in my extremities and my brain was fuzzy. That wasn't a light shock that was frikin electrocution!

A small whimper was all I could manage. No tears fell, no sobs could be heard as I kept my control but I couldn't help the small plea for help. Another whine voiced my pain.

Garran ceased his attack. He stilled at once and approached the barrier between us. He pushed his head against the net as he tried to get as close to me as possible. I wanted to crawl to him so he could hold me but I couldn't even do that.

Maia? Maia, please answer me! Can you hear me? I couldn't form an answer in my head, I was too stunned. I barely managed another whimper. Garran stretched his arms through two of the opening and reached for me with his claws. One hand managed to snag the cloth around my chest. He grabbed hold and pulled me across the floor to the net.

I held my breath against the sudden pain that flooded through me. I ground my teeth in trying to hold myself together.

Garran stopped pulling me when I hit the separation barrier. He pulled me into a sitting position so my back leaned against the net. Then he put his arms once more through the slots and wrapped me in a hug. He was very gentle and barely let his weight lay on me.

The sobs which I refused to release echoed in my head.

Sshhhh, I've got you, it's okay, shhh. Garran tried to sooth me but it didn't lesson the pain I still felt.

Then Garran did something I didn't know was possible. He focused on our connection and forced his mind into mind. Our minds were interlocked and our connection intensified. But what surprised me what that Garran searched and found my pain and then took it. The literally tapped into my nervous system and relieved me of my pain. It meant he had to endure some of it himself but he didn't care. He brought it upon himself to quite literally take away my pain.

Quickly I could see clearly again and my brain wasn't fuzzy. Garran? How are you doing that?

I don't know. I just couldn't stand to see you in so much pain and I knew I had to make you feel better…so I did but I'm not exactly sure how.

How do you feel?

It hurts and yet it doesn't hurt nearly as much as seeing you bear this. I'm happy. Just making you feel better makes me feel better.

Thank you Garran, I managed before I let the pain and exhaustion take over and fell into unconsciousness.

I felt something against my neck and stirred. Slowly, my eyes opened and took in the room around me. Whatever was at my neck felt good. I tilted my head to the opposite side to expose more of my throat.

Finally, I woke up fully and realized there shouldn't be anything at my neck. Was it the yautja?

No, it was Garran. His second mouth was extended through a close opening and he was nibbling at my neck. I let my head relax again and enjoyed his touch.

Mmmmhh, that feels good. I said. He chuckled. He closed his teeth and rubbed his inner jaws up and down along my neck. It was slimy and slick with his saliva but it was strangely soothing. I sighed again.

How do you feel Maia? He asked.

Better than before. You?

I haven't absorbed any more of your pain so I am fine. The yautja have not returned from their own slumber yet.

Good. I am not awake enough to face them. He purred to me.

You were very brave yesterday Maia.

I snorted. Hardly. Garran nipped at my neck again and I gasped out of both pleasure and surprised.

You were, Garran pressed. I turned to face Garran. His inner mouth slowly retracted back inside his armed jaw. I pulled his face to the net and kissed his forehead. He purred a bit louder. I let my hands roam over his plated cranium.

But then I felt something sharp towards the back of his round crest. I pulled back to see what it was. There are the back of his head were two growing horns. They were not typical of a praetorian nor were they there yesterday.

Garran, I started nervously, what are these?

I don't know Maia. After you fell asleep I didn't feel well and since then I feel as I did when I was morphing into my adult form.

But you are fully grown. You shouldn't be changing anymore. But these horns, you shouldn't have them. I reached up to feel the forming spikes. They are already sharp. Garran was quiet for a moment. What is it Garran?

Maia, what if I could use these new spikes to help us escape. They are an added weapon.

I didn't think of that. If we are going to escape then we will need a way home… I will watch the yautja as they pilot this space craft. If you can take them out then I will get us back home.

Sounds like a plan. Garran said.

I pat his head and took one of his hands in my own. What is happening to you Garran? This wasn't normal and it had me worried.

I don't know Maia, but don't worry about me okay? I embraced him through the barrier and he held me close. His tail snaked through an opening and with it he rubbed circles into my back. While we cuddled his inner mouth found my neck again and he continued to caress me.

For the next two days Garran and I were compliant. We didn't give in but we didn't use unnecessary aggression. The foolish yautja thought we were learning and were fearful.

Idiots.

I watched closely but secretly to the buttons on the control panel and what each one did. I noticed the maps and movements of the warriors. In those hours I learned.

Garran, on the other hand, spent most of his time curled up in the corner. He wrapped around himself tightly as he tried to hide the changes from the yautja. We both knew that if they found out than Garran could either be killed or they would use him as a sparring partner and I did not even want to risk it.

Garran was absolutely brilliant. He managed to hold off whatever changes were forcing themselves upon him until the last night.

The warriors had left the room with only a side glance at us both before leaving to most likely eat and then sleep for a long number of hours. Once they were out of sight and out of earshot Garran uncurled himself with a heavy sigh.

How are you doing? I asked in a bit of a panic. I knew the strain was hard on him.

I've managed to hold it off but I don't think I can for much longer.

You don't have to hold back anymore they're gone, it's okay. I pulled his face forward quickly and kissed him hard on the lips. He opened his mouth for me and I leaned in deeper to press my lips against his slick inner teeth.

He pulled away from me and grunted as a wave of pain hit him in the chest. I'll be right here the whole way. He gave the briefest of nods before he bent over in pain.

It's painful for a chestburster to transform from an alien worm into the initial shape of its adult form but then each progressive stage the young xenomorph mainly grows in size with each molt.

But in Garran's case we had no idea what changes were going to occur. Apparently they were more drastic than simple growth.

I sent Garran encouraging thoughts and helped him keep quiet as he endured through the hours. Occasionally he would lose himself and snap at me but it was only through the hyper active instincts that were currently in place and I let him know that I understood that so he wouldn't feel guilty.

An almost constant hiss filled the room.

Garran's tail thrashed uncontrollably. His claws dug into the metal floor. He shook his head.

Just let it come, I said.

Over the many hours to follow Garran grew into a god. His praetorian cranium flattened into a slightly smaller version of the queen's crown with the sharp spikes around the edge.

Another set of smaller arms grew out from his chest with only three fingers with small claws on each end. His larger arms seemed to move toward the outer edge of his chest cavity. They enlarged and grew stronger.

However, he remained bipedal although like everything else his legs and feet grew bigger and more deadly.

Another thing was that unlike a Queen whose head is almost separate from their crown and can thus move independently Garran's head remained stationed to his crown and so with each move of his head the huge crest moved accordingly. His teeth grew longer and sharper and slightly clear at the tips.

His spine, which had been apparent before, now stood out against the rest of his back. I wonder if it would make it any easier to ride him. This enlarged spine continued on into his tail which was larger in side, length, and lethalness. His blade was no larger a simple smooth curve but now spiked at the base and then insanely sharp at its tip. I didn't have to touch it to know that.

But the overall most drastic change was his size. He grew to be twice my height! He could barely stand up straight under the already high ceiling! His body had been larger in proportion to mine before but now he dwarfed me.

After hours of the change and pain Garran's struggles slowed. His bones stopped crunching and his interior organs settled down in their new completed form. Garran curled back into a ball as the transportation ended.

I moved back and forth along the net and tried to get a better look.

On his own Garran uncurled from his ball and spread out his limbs to get a good look at himself. His head tilted in self examination.

My eyes were wide as I looked at him. My god, I had never seen anything so beautiful. He was striking!

Wow, I said. His head twisted to find me.

Wow what? He asked. Just like when he had first been named he was nervous about my opinion.

Wow as in you are the most spectacular thing I have ever seen. You're a god! You're almost as big as mother.

But I am definitely not a Queen. He said. No, he definitely was not.

Some bangs could be heard from another part of the ship. The yautja were awake.

Are you ready? I asked. He stood taller and puffed out his chest.

Yes. He said strongly. I could barely breathe. Are you?

As I'll ever be. I answered. I was confident I would be able to get us back home. We heard the noises getting louder. Garran's tail twitched as he prepared himself. Wait, I said and he focused on me. I walked close to the net and he lowered his face, a lot more than he ever had to before. I pulled him close and kissed him on his now massive lips. He responded to my kiss and our lips moved against each other in sync. Okay, now I am ready. He purred to me and I gave him a small smile.

Just then the green yautja, Triy'sir, walked into the room and we sprang apart before he could notice. However, when Garran once again stood to his full height the warrior did notice. He did a double take and his mandibles hung in shock. Finally, he snapped out of it.

"Kleck'yor! Kleck'yor! He yelled. Garran released a loud roar that shook the very walls of the ship. Way to go Garran! Wahoo! Garran thrust his tail against the net and where a normal xenomorph tail had failed before Garran's new body succeeded. The net was sliced open and Garran was free.

With lightening speed he ran at the yautja and although Triy'sir tried to fight back Garran's inner jaws easily shot forward and through his head. Blood and bits of yautja brain spilled onto the metal floor.

Kleck'yor then ran into the room. He wasn't wearing his helmet. He mandibles flared as he returned his own roar. Garran hissed loudly.

They began to circle each other. The trained hunter vs the born killer.

Kleck'yor threw a razor boomerang at Garran which he dodged including its return. As the hunter looked up and caught the weapon Garran flung his tail at him. Unfortunately, the yautja reacted in time and avoided the impact.

I feel the impatience within Garran's mind.

Finally, he decided to take full advantage of his new body. He leapt straight at the yautja and when the warrior tried to bring up a blade to drive into Garran he sliced through it with his tail blade and landed full force on Kleck'yor.

Garran held him down. His lips flecked away from his teeth in an intimidating hiss. The yautja roared again in defiance. Garran just chuckled as he brought his tail blade around swiftly and decapitated the warrior. Garran then screeched and bit into the warrior's chest. He ravaged the warrior flesh with his jaws and only when his muzzle was covered with the blood of his dead enemy did he stop.

Slowly, Garran lifted his large head and turned to face me. I grabbed onto the net. Garran wiped his muzzle on the clear flesh of what was left of Kleck'yor. Then he came over to my net cage.

Stand back, he said. I backed up into the wall. With a flash of his tail I was free. I ran into his waiting arms and for the first time hugged him in his new body. He was so large that he completely surrounded me. I liked it…no I loved it.

Garran was my lover. He was my protector. He was my guardian. My best friend.

I'm going to set the coordinates I said as I reluctantly pulled away from his grasp. I walked over to the controls and stared at the alien language. By what this said I figured we had another two days before we reached the yautja home world.

I opened the coordinates and reprogrammed the ship to head for home. I then reinitialized autopilot. The ship turned around abruptly and I had to hold onto the panel to keep from falling.

Once we leveled out I increased speed to maximum so we get home quickly. The computer said 13 hours till arrival at designated destination.

With that settled I tried something more advanced. I hacked into communications and configured a message saying the hunters were stopping on another planet to hunt on along their way home after my planet. This way, when they did not return it would be assumed that they fell on that planet and not mine. Thus, the inhabitants of my planet would not appear either a target for revenge or worthy prey.

Net, I turned back to Garran and he spread his arms wide, beckoning me to come closer. I ran into his embrace. His smaller inner arms hugged my waist while his larger ones wrapped around me body to engulf me. The he moved to the center of the room and settled down on the floor. He lay down and curled around me. He moved his tail to circle around my small body. His head towered above me.

I pressed my face against him and rubbed my cheek on his neck. He lowered his crest to lie beside me. I rubbed the new crown and massaged him. He purred loudly. I purred back.

Maia, he called wistfully.

"You did it, you saved me." He smiled widely at me. I tucked my head under his chin and cuddle into him.

I love you, he said.

I love you too, I told him.

The small hunting ship cruised through the stars. During the hours of flight Garran and I slept and healed from the traumatic experience. As we dreamt our minds opened and mingled and we talked and laughed and loved. These moments were happy ones. We had been put to the test and in the end we had passed. We had survived and now took pleasure from the simple joy of each other's company.

Alright, this is the longest chapter I have EVER written! Did you guys like this? I really hope so! Review and let me know what you thought about it! I want your thoughts! Talk to me people! REVIEW!