Chapter 9: Time Together
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.
WARNING: Rated MA for intense and graphic sexual content. Viewer discretion is advised. Read at your own risk!
[Maria's POV]
Maria grunts in pain as her body begins to awaken from its long slumber in which she had no idea how long. She weakly opens her eyes but shuts them fast when the light became too intense for her. Although she couldn't move much, she lifts her hand to block it until her sight adjusted in a short while. She takes a few blinks until she had the bravery to open them once again, fearful of the blinding light. Maria did become scared but not from the first but rather realizing where she was.
She looks down to see that she laid on a large bed that she thought a dozen people could fit comfortably. A beautiful fur blanket covered her body, almost glowing with its shine from the light browns mixing with the dark. She couldn't help but admire its beauty.
Maria turns her attention back to the room and noticed it wasn't the same one that she remembered. Instead of the vast space with stairs and a throne in front of her, the room was smaller and had several metal cabinets standing on the sides. She moved her sight back and forth across the room and saw weapons hanging from hooks and standing on pedestals. Wanting to get a closer look, Maria tried to lift herself from the bed but a sharp pain radiated through her spine, causing her to yelp in agony and fall back onto the bed. It got worse when she landed and wondered what had happened to her when she was out.
She shifts through her memories and tries to figure out what happened in the last few moments before she blacked out. Maria recalled talking to some Clan Leader named Du'rout with several of his guards standing by. Her blood boils when she remembers that fucking Yautja . . . Raith or something . . . That hit her on the head and then carried her like she was a sack of potatoes, inconsiderate and rude, and if she had it her way, hard smack on his head was more than what he deserved.
Shaking her head, Maria dug more in-depth in her head and realized that she almost fell to the floor but knew that a pair of strong arms held her close. Her head begins to throb, but she pushes forward until she remembers the smell of faint cinnamon enveloping her nostrils. With that, her eyes widened in shock and pushing through the pain; Maria gets back up with her upper body lifted into the air.
"Za'taan!"
Maria scrambled out of bed but fumbled off the side, landing on the side of her hip and she lets out a grunt through her teeth that were shut tightly together. She reaches for the bed and grabs hold of the fur blanket, clawing her way back up. Her legs were having a hard time obeying her commands, and it felt like walking on feeble sticks that could break at any moment. Now, she wondered what had happened to her. She wasn't this weak before so she figured that the adrenaline has some part in keeping her steady. Either way, it didn't matter to Maria as she solely focused on finding Za'taan.
Shaking, Maria finally manages to get on her feet but didn't dare to move a step forward in fear that she'll fall and won't get back up again. She calls one more time and as loud as her lungs allowed.
"Za'taan!"
As soon as she spoke, the creaking sound of a door opening caught her attention. Maria turns towards the door in the far wall and waits anxiously, making her heart race at a thousand miles per hour. The metal door stops, and a figure emerges from behind. With how the lighting is placed, she couldn't see their face, but it didn't matter as the familiar smell of cinnamon reached her and she moaned quietly, closing her eyes while inhaling that intoxicating smell.
"Za'taan."
His form finally comes through the shadows and seeing the red stripes over his arms gave her confirmation that it wasn't a dream. She slowly opens her eyes, and those red, burning eyes met hers, seeing the same light in them from so long ago.
"Maria! What are you doing?!"
The concern in his voice pulled at her heartstrings, but she doesn't move an inch, believing that if she did now, he would disappear. Za'taan stares at her for a few seconds before carefully rushing over to the side of the bed where she was. Maria noticed he was carrying a metal tray with assortments of food as he places it on the edge of the bed without the care in the world. Some of the food falls off of the bed, but Za'taan speeds to Maria and wraps his arms around her frame gently. Instinctually with need, Maria does her best to wrap her own around his waist, digging her nails into the sides of her back. She presses her face into his tight chest and takes a huge whiff of his smell once more. Maria sighed in delight, but in doing so, her body loses its strength, eventually making her legs and arms feel like jello.
Maria begins to fall, but Za'taans arms hold her up, lifting her in bridal style and carrying her back to bed while growling in frustration.
"What were you thinking, Maria? You're still not at full strength yet."
He moves to lay Maria back down on the bed, pushing the fur blanket away in the process. Maria whines as he does this, unable to do anything else to grab his attention.
"I got worried since you weren't here. I feared that it was all a dream."
With that, she tenses as a clawed hand gently caress her cheek, and the heat warmed her all body with a simple touch. She looks up to see Za'taan's red eyes showing such love in them as he did once before.
"I'm not going anywhere. You're safe now."
Maria brings her hand to press against the back of his Za'taan, and he purrs intensely in response. His eyes close for a few seconds before they open up once more, staring into her eyes as if looking into her soul and making her insides burn with delight. However, when she tried to lift once more to hug him, the pain returns and Maria yelps and falls back but not before Za'taan catches her and gently settles her back down on the bed.
"You need to rest, Maria. You haven't recovered yet from the treatment."
Maria tightens her eyebrows in confusion. "What treatment?"
Before he answers, she watches Za'taan sigh as he makes his way to sit on the edge of the bed and right next to her. She sees his dreadlocks sway a bit while his red stripes seem to glow underneath the light in the room.
"When you passed out, I feared that you got hurt when we were separated. I had to 'persuade' the healer to treat you despite being ooman and not many are comfortable with it. It wasn't easy waiting for news, but you did fine. Your body is still getting used to it."
Maria nodded to tell him that she understood. She should have known better since the years of being treated as a prisoner of Weyland may have taken a toll on her even if she didn't realize it herself. After all, she had to show that she wasn't to be messed with, but it was hard sometimes. The thoughts of Weyland smirking at her sent chills down her spine.
"Maria . . . what happened to you?"
That made Maria's body freeze in fear and lower her head, believing that if she did tell him, Za'taan might go on a rampage at the thought of her being tortured and starved to the brink the death sometimes. Her mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water, unable to let one word come through her throat and out her mouth. Za'taan's hand returns to gently grab her chin and lift her face so that their eyes met. All Maria could see was determination but also patience, and it made her think that Za'taan wanted to know but on her terms. Maria tries once more to speak until Za'taan's hand moves to cover her mouth.
"It's alright if you don't want to tell me right now. What's important is that you need to rest."
Za'taan pulls away and looks back towards the metal tray that he placed down the bed a few moments ago.
"I brought you some food and water since you look like you might be hungry, but I can see that you need to sleep right now. So rest . . ."
Maria watches as Za'taan pulls the fur blanket up and over her body, making sure that her toes were completely covered. However, she had one more thing to ask as soon as the topic popped into her head.
"Where's Ana? And Walter?"
Za'taan tenses a bit at the question and Maria could see the uncertainty in his eyes but it only lasts for a split second before he regains his composure.
"They are alright. We got them a separate room and Raith is making sure they are safe."
Maria's body tenses up at the mention of a particular Yautja's name. "Raith . . . is taking care of them?"
Za'taan nods. "Yes."
Immediately, Maria lifts her upper body too fast that as soon as she did, her head became dizzy and Za'taan had to catch her so that she wouldn't hurt herself even more. But she was not done letting him know how she felt about this.
"You're letting the Yautja . . . Who knocked me in the head . . . Dragged me when I could have walked myself . . . to protect my friends who have been through Hell and back already?"
Her anger was seething through her teeth, but Maria kept her cool down as much as possible, hoping Za'taan won't get too worried about her condition while she's in a 'certain' type of mood. But instead of what she expected, Za'taan remains calm.
"You have nothing to fear. Raith is an honorable warrior and won't do anything foolish. His pride won't condemn him to hurt anyone unless provoked. It will be alright."
He shifts on the bed and leans towards her, lowering his head down enough to leave a small kiss on her forehead. Maria lays there, watching his every move until she tenses in concern when he seemed to start rising from the bed. She reaches to grab his wrist, but she knew that it wasn't enough to keep him by her side. She was far too weak, and his strength is no match even if she was at full force. Still, Maria did all she could to keep him by her side, fearing that he might disappear once again and that she may never see him afterward.
"Please . . . Don't go."
She cries out softly, almost begging for Za'taan to stay with her while she slept since the exhaustion was taking a toll on her. She did her best to stare right into those bright, red eyes that seemed to show some debate in whether to stay or not.
It seemed too long for Maria and was about to call for him once more until Za'taan shifts his body to roll above her and slowly rested the side of his body on the bed. Maria turns her body towards him as he scooted closer to her, wrapping one arm to rest on her hip while the other moved underneath her head to let it be used as a pillow for her. Maria scoots closer to him, relishing the heat he provided and placing her arms on his chest as he purrs softly. She looks up once more, and their eyes met.
"I missed you."
She saw his eyes soften a bit but still full of concern for her. Maria wanted more time together, but exhaustion was taking a toll on her, and the droopiness in her eyes warned her that she wasn't going to be conscious for long. She tried to fight it but a yawn erupts from her mouth, and she had no choice but to let it out. Her mouth stretches to the limit until the urge disappears, but the exhaustion was getting stronger. Maria blinks her eyes to keep awake until Za'taan's hand glides across her cheek, caressing it enough for her body to give in to sleep finally.
"Sleep . . . Maria."
With that, she smiles weakly and after she lets out another yawn, she presses her body towards his, feeling his beautiful marble skin rubbing across her own while the heat finally pushed her over the edge. Her eyes slowly close as she hears the last of Za'taan's purrs singing to her like a lullaby.
[A few days later]
Throughout the time, Maria stayed in Za'taan's room to recover her strength, but it became lonely sometimes. He kept telling her that since her arrival, he had to attend meetings concerning some issues that he refuses to explain. It frustrated her, but she understood as well. The whole ship was on edge due to Maria and her friends' presence along with her obvious connection between her and Za'taan that was more than friendship. Once in a while, she could hear whispers that heated up to arguments sometimes to the point that she feared a fight would ensue. In her heart, she had a feeling that the topics had something to do with her and it wasn't surprising ever since Du'rout made it clear that he needed her help for the future of the clan and some may not have taken it well, especially the female Yautja that was with Du'rout. But what role did she have to play in all of this? She had no idea . . .
But Maria didn't dwell on it for too long when Za'taan came in one day unexpectedly in the middle of the day while she took a nap. At first, Maria became concerned that something terrible must have happened, but he surprises her by bringing in Ana. When they both laid eyes on each other, Ana raced towards Maria's side with the biggest hug they ever gave each other. Za'taan leaves for another meeting and also to give Ana and Maria time to reacquaint with each other after being separated for so long, even after they were freed from Weyland.
It had been hours but Ana and Maria talked endlessly, telling each other about many nonsense things but it made Maria happy, knowing her best friend was doing well. Ana did explain that Walter was busy working on something but would visit sometime later. For now, both of them were having the best time of their lives so far.
"You're too funny, Maria!"
"You're one to talk?!"
They laughed so hard that Ana collapsed on the side of the bed, followed by Maria as they laid facing each other. They took a few breaths to calm down until Maria spoke first.
"I'm glad that you're okay. I hope that everyone is treating you well."
Ana smiles at her, giving her reassurance that no one harmed her. "Of course. Za'taan has been making sure I got plenty of food and water for me. But . . ."
Maria sees Ana lower her gaze enough that her hair partially covered her face, and Maria's worries came back once more. She reaches to grip the top of her shoulder firmly. "What's wrong?"
It was a painful, few seconds but Ana finally lifts her head, but the expression Maria sees is one that she didn't expect. She could see that her friend tried to keep a straight face, but a hint of a smile could be seen forming from the corners of her mouth. Maria lifts her eyebrows in confusion at her reaction.
"What's going on?"
She moves to criss-cross her legs on the bed, leaning over Ana with a severe look on her face. Anavmoves in the same position and stutters a bit, trying to get the words out. Maria waits patiently for her friend to speak until she finally does talk.
"Well . . . Za'taan did help me but until recently, when Raith insisted on doing it himself."
Maria froze like an icicle with her eyes widened in shock. "What?"
Ana waves her hands in fear when she saw Maria's reaction. "He's been insisting upon it when Za'taan explained it to me, and he's been fine with me ever since. I think he's warmed up to me . . . and he's nice."
Maria stutters this time, unsure of what to make of the situation. It's not like she hates Raith, but he didn't exactly make himself the welcoming committee when he carried her unconscious body from Earth and carried her like a sack of potatoes without a care in the world. And now . . . This male Yautja is acting nice to Ana, but why for?
Maria shook her head in disbelief but had no idea if it was due to Raith helping her friend out or Ana warming up towards him. Her head felt like it was about to explode from trying to think up all the possible explanations for this. She closes her eyes and rubs the bridge of her nose between her fingers, trying desperately to get rid of the headache that was coming on. She jolts when she felt Ana grabbing her hands and holding them between themselves. Maria looked to her and saw a sincere smile grow on her friend's lips.
"You worry too much, Maria. We've been through worse, and Raith is gentle with me. He even agreed to help me when I have to go in."
"Go in for what?"
That is when Maria noticed something change in Ana. Her friend's expression turns from happiness to worry in a matter of seconds. It got her attention immediately but as soon as she tried to open her mouth and ask, Ana changes back to a happy expression once more and sighs.
"It's not a big deal. Just a check up on my health, and since you still need time to recover, I want you to rest and get your strength back."
Ana's words gave some reassurance, but she still had one more question to ask. "Speaking of which . . . What about the chip in your head? Has it been bothering you since we arrived."
Ana shakes her head in response. "None so far. Everything is good."
Despite that, Maria felt worried about her friend about everything. The demonstration of the chip that Weyland showed last time makes her heart tremble in fear. It was a horrible moment to see her friend in great pain and have no power to stop it. Even now, Maria still felt the same since she had no idea how to remove it.
She dwells on it for a few moments before Ana says something that got her heart trembling all over again but for a completely different reason.
"So how are you and Za'taan doing? Have you 'rekindle' your relationship with him?"
Maria's eyes widened in shock and somewhat embarrassing when she saw Ana doing air quotes when she said the 'rekindle' word. She shook her head and glared at her friend.
"If you're asking about if I had sex with him yet, then no. And how come this topic came up?"
She watches Ana giggle like a little child caught someone doing a bad or funny thing, pressing her hand to her mouth while squinting her eyes shut. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help but ask."
Maria grunted. "Why?"
Ana slowly recovers from her giggling, taking deep breaths to calm herself down. She wiped a few tears that had streamed down her cheeks as she looked back at Maria.
"Well because you haven't seen each other for three years and after reuniting, I thought you two would get it on. Not to mention the sex must be—"
"Okay! I get it. Can we stop talking about this?"
Maria waved her hands in the air so that Ana would get the message that she wasn't in the mood for this. Ana giggles a little once more.
"You're right. For now, we need to get our priorities straight and worry about what's to come. But we'll do it together."
Ana pushes her fingers between Maria's and they both smile at each other, glad that everything was going to be alright and if there are obstacles in their way, they will do it together.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
After some time had passed, Ana left Maria to go back to her room for the night, believing that she needs some 'alone' time and Maria knew her friend was teasing her again. She didn't like it, but Maria knew Ana was trying to cheer her up. Still, the thoughts of the intimate moments with Za'taan dwelled in her brain, making her wonder if Za'taan felt the same.
All while waiting for Za'taan, Maria paced back and forth since she was unable to sleep, waiting if he would come to her. She kept going like this for what seemed like hours, twiddling her fingers until the sound of the metal door opening got her attention. She turned around and saw Za'taan coming in, looking quite exhausted since she could see he was hobbling. Maria goes to him and hugs him as he welcomes her into his arms.
"You look tired. Long day?"
She looks up to see that his lower mandibles were hanging limply on his face while the color of his red eyes dulled and Maria could see the exhaustion through them. However, he smiles a little while purring gently.
"It has but I feel better when I'm here with you."
Maria chuckles and releases him, grabbing one of his hands to pull him towards the bed. She sits down and watches as Za'taan moves towards the cabinet to remove his armor until he only had a loincloth on him. When he finishes, he climbs into bed and lays on his back while looking up into the ceiling. Maria follows and rests her head on his chest, hearing his heart beating strong like the last time she heard it. It was the most magnificent soothing sound she's ever heard.
They stay like that for some time until Maria begins to think about Ana's words about being intimate with Za'taan. She wanted to be with him the moment they were alone, but the excuse of herself needed rest make it almost impossible. Even though she wasn't at her full strength, the desire to feel him inside her once more gave the energy she needed. She lifts her head and looks up towards Za'taan, getting his attention as he moves to gaze at her.
"Everything alright?"
Maria nods. "Yes. It's just . . ."
"Just what?"
She swallows a bit, unsure for a moment whether to tell him, so she decided to say to him a bit of truth.
"Just that . . . I fear that every time I fall asleep, you would disappear once more and that this was all a dream."
Maria closes her eyes tightly while clawing at his chest slightly. She feels a purr growing in his chest, and she looks back up to him, seeing his red eyes shine in the dim light of his room. He twists his mandibles to form a gentle smile as he rests his fingers underneath her chin.
"As I said, I'm not going anywhere. I promised a long time ago that I wouldn't let you go . . . and I'll keep my promise until the end."
With that, Maria's heart skyrocketed to a great height that she believed it would burst out of her chest and fly towards the stars above. With all the energy building up inside her, she couldn't hold it in any longer. She pounces on Za'taan relentlessly, spreading her legs apart until she's straddling him and her hands spread out onto his red striped chest. It caught Za'taan by surprise, but Maria doesn't give him a chance to resist as she lowers her head down until her lips collide with his mouth. At first, he doesn't respond, but when she sticks her tongue into his inner mouth and swirls around, Za'taan grabs her shoulders and pushes her back. Maria's eyes widened in disbelief at his actions. They both breathe heavily for a minute until Za'taan speaks.
"Maria . . . I know it's been a long time but . . . You haven't recovered yet and . . . I don't want to hurt you."
Maria sits still on Za'taan as his words echoed into her head. It's true that she hasn't had enough time to recover, but her body and heart wanted him. She missed him, and she didn't want to back down now. Maria looks down at Za'taan and sees that despite what he said earlier, his red eyes begin to glow with need and love, displaying that he wants her too. She smiles gently and slowly leans down until their faces were only inches from each other, and they could feel each other's breaths. She whispers gently to him.
"Za'taan . . . Remember what you said the first time we did this? You said that you would be gentle with me. I missed you so much . . . And I'm stronger than you think. So please . . ."
She presses her lips on his inner teeth, gliding them across each one until she pulls back to look into his eyes that are now burning like an intense fire.
"I want you . . . I love you."
When those words were spoken, it was like the whole world began to crumble around them like everything else didn't exist except for them. Without hesitation, Za'taan pushes on the back of her head, digging his claws into her scalp as their mouths press hard on each other. She moans at the feeling, and from that point, all Hell broke loose.
Maria's hands work feverishly on the belt of his loincloth while they kissed, clawing at his belt when her attempts didn't work for a few moments. All the while, she could feel Za'taan scratching the back of her gown and tearing some pieces off. The sound made him growl while Maria moaned into his mouth. Their tongues battled for dominance as Za'taan finally pulls off her gown, leaving her fully naked for him to see. She pulls back from Za'taan, and both look deeply into each other's eyes as both of their chests rise and fall erratically and in sync.
"Maria . . . Are you sure you want this?"
Maria smirks as she presses her hands on his chest. "Just shut up and fuck me."
Za'taan widened his eyes in surprise, but then he smirks, purring as he places each hand on the sides of her waist. "As you wish."
As fast as lighting, Za'taan lifts her enough to get his hands to the belt of his loincloth. Maria giggles as he rips the belt off with his loincloth following behind, revealing his enlarged cock to her. It was huge and think . . . just like she remembered, and Maria couldn't help but stare at it, relishing the feeling that would follow once inside of her. With not a moment to lose, Maria shifts her legs and hip until her core was just above his cock. She looks down at Za'taan one more time, seeing his red eyes burning with desire as his claws dug into her hips. She smiles and plunges her body down, letting his cock push through and go deep into her wet core.
Maria throws her head back and screams with all her might, feeling herself cum all over his cock. He had only entered her, and she had never felt such an orgasm rip through her like this one, making her muscles quiver uncontrollably. Her core spread painfully to form around Za'taan as she looks down with drugged eyes, watching him throw his head back onto the bed with his mandibles spread open.
"It feels so tight . . . Has it been this long?"
She hears Za'taan groan and growl in response, digging his claws even further into her hips but the pain is welcomed as he stares deeply into her eyes.
"Too long . . ."
Maria giggles but moans soon after when Za'taan lifts her hips and plunges her back down on his cock. He repeats the motion and Maria allows him until she decided he was going too slow of a pace that she wanted. She grabs his hands and places them on her breasts, making sure her nipples were between his fingers. Za'taan gets to work and squeezes them, taking two of his fingers and pinches her nipples just enough to make Maria moan in ecstasy. She lets go and puts her hands on his chest, taking over as she lifts herself and down his cock and enjoying that delicious feeling of him moving inside her.
Maria keeps up the pace as Za'taan growls in pleasure, opening his mandibles to their fullest extent and throwing his head back onto the bed every time she plunges his cock into her. Their bodies began to sweat to the point that Maria's dripped onto Za'taan while his own soaked the fur blankets underneath. Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, Maria could feel her orgasm coming like a freight train, and she moans louder to signal Za'taan that she was near. He growls as well but right as Maria could feel it about to burst, she feels his hands move to her hips and lifts her to pull his cock entirely from her core.
Feeling unsatisfied, Maria grunts in disapproval but she didn't get the chance to protest when Za'taan flips them over with him hovering above her. Their breathing strained against each other, and their eyes lock on one another as Za'taan wastes no time. Maria looks down as he positions his cock, pushing it fast and hard into her core once he was ready. Maria moans loud as Za'taan thrusts back and forth without relent. She moves her hands to claw at his back, dragging them slightly down and that made him thrust harder than ever before.
They go like this for a few moments longer until Maria felt her orgasm coming once more. She tries her best to keep going and push it back until she no longer could. She throws her head back and screams.
"Fuck!"
And just like that, she was finished, and her juices poured out of her and dripped onto the fur blankets below. Involuntarily, her hands grab onto a few of Za'taan's dreadlocks, causing him to go over the edge as he soon follows Maria into oblivion and spilling his seed deep inside her core. Some of it drops out of her as well, creating more of a mess but neither didn't care. Za'taan roars with all of his might and remains still until both their orgasms fade from their bodies.
After that, Maria and Za'taan stayed like that for a little bit until Za'taan lowers himself onto Maria, making sure not to crush her with his weight. Maria sighs in satisfaction and rubs his back, enjoying the burning warmth from him as her eyes begin to close until she's enveloped in darkness once more.
All the while, a shadowy figure stands next to the door of the room where Za'taan and Maria reside, hearing their cries of pleasure echoed through the door. It wasn't loud but enough for the figure to know what was going on. He smiles and presses a hand on the door before pulling away and heading out through the hallway, unbehoust to everyone around him as he disappears.
"Everything is going according to plan . . ."
Hi Readers!
Sorry about the late posting of this chapter. A family emergency came up with my mother, and I barely got home today but finished the chapter for you guys cause you're all worth it. :)
So, the moment between Za'taan and Maria was one of the best moments of this story as they reconnect with each other once more. Also, it sounds like something between Raith and Ana is blossoming between them and Maria seems concerned. Should she be?
Despite the worries, another danger arises. A dark shadow looms over them without their knowledge that has something up their sleeves.
Who is this shadowy figure? What are their plans for Za'taan and Maria? And does it only include just them or are there more people involved? What will happen now?
Find out when Chapter 10 comes next week.
P.S. Appreciation to Anonymous-E, Maria, NeverNeverLady, Evilservant1094, and Paul Lenzen for the excellent reviews on Metamorphosis. It helps me a lot, and I hope you all continue to enjoy my stories.
Also, since my college class got canceled and I have the summer off, I've moved the new chapter updates for Endurance to Saturday nights so I can get more time to write between stories. The rest of the updates will follow as scheduled so new chapter for Metamorphosis will be posted by Wednesday while Nexus will be in another week (on Monday).
Thank you and enjoy! :))))