As always I do not own Predator. The OC's are mine.

Message to the Readers/Reveiwers:

First off I have to say how truly sorry I am that it's taken me five months to get another chapter out. There has just been so much going on, and the the ball just keeps on rolling. It literally took me three months to write this chapter which is pathetic, because it isn't very long and I'm not sure if it will live up to expectations, but I digress.

Thank you all for sticking with me and having an abundance of patience, which was definitely needed. I've already started working on the next chapter and hope to have it up by the end of the month or first week in June. That's the goal.

So, sit back, relax, and I hope you ejoy.

Viper looked on from the doorway as his little mate slept. It was the early cycle and he would be getting back to his duties. Leaving her was the last thing Viper wanted to do, though she had been on the ship for well over an ooman month. He wanted to postpone a bit more, but knew that his brother was probably getting tired of pulling double duty on his behave. With a resigned sigh, he left their living quarters.

As he walked down the corridor to the small kehrite on the far side of the ship, Viper had to admit that while he didn't like being away from his mate, he had missed training the pups aboard the ship in their primaries. He always enjoyed watching them as they improved.

When he entered the kehrite, he found it empty. This didn't surprise him. He was earlier than normal, but he knew if he hadn't left his quarters when he did, then he would have been tempted to just stay there with Kenzie for the full cycle. Deciding to take advantage of the time he had before the pups showed up, Viper went about his own regiment of combat moves.

It had been a few weeks since he'd last trained. He knew that he was just as sharp as ever, but it never hurt to make sure. His combat skills would have been put to the test, had he been the one to make the decision regarding his uncle's punishment. Every time he thought of what the older male did, putting his mate in danger for something that should not have been there in the first place, something he'd stolen from the solace of their home, Viper got angry.

His anger was usually short lived due to his mate's uncanny ability to control his moods. More so with whispered promises that Viper couldn't wait to make her keep, or a strategically placed touch. He had asked Sonja what his mate was trying to do. He truly believed that she was trying to kill him. But Sonja had explained teasing to him, and the way that ooman females used it. It was something Viper was becoming accustomed to.

Other times when his anger would flare, he'd simply go to his uncle's quarters to see him. Laying eyes on the older male with his mate's ooman garment still on his head was enough to calm Viper. It had been over an ooman week and the male still wore them. Viper had to give it to his little mate, no matter how often his uncle asked if he could remove them she told him no and then to go pauk himself. Neither of which S'kta were too happy with.

Still, at this moment, his anger was not subsiding. He didn't have Kenzie to offer her touches or whispered promises, and he couldn't leave to make a quick visit to his uncle's quarters with the excuse of needing to talk to him. Not when his students were due to arrive soon. So, he placed that anger into his combat moves. Throwing punches and kicks as hard as he could.

He was so caught up, that he didn't notice when the first of the pups arrived. It was only when the young pup clicked and asked if that was what they were learning, was Viper drawn from his intense workout. It didn't take long for the rest of the pups to file into the kehrite. He put them in two lines of six as he always did.

Being that there weren't many pups on the home ship, he could take the time to work with each one individually during their sessions as well as working with them in their groups. It always amazed him how working with them seemed to put him at ease. It was just yet another reinforcement that having pups should be in his future plans. Unfortunately, they were not.

Colby made his way down the hallway to Jay's house. He was finally going to ask her to go out on a date with him. Where they would go on the ship was pretty much limited since he hadn't seen the entire thing, but he figured a lunch date would do just fine. His only problem now was gaining the courage to ask C'bra as he made his way to their door.

His insides were churning and Colby knew that it was a far worse feeling then when he had asked Haley's father if he could take her out. The man had been barely taller than his sister, with a round belly, but the simple fact of the matter was that he was Haley's father, and Colby couldn't help but be nervous when speaking to him.

This was definitely worse. While he could deal with the likes of human father's he had never considered having to ask a non-human father. Hell, he'd never believed that anything non-human existed before those damn things began wiping out his town.

C'bra stood at least eight feet tall with piercing eyes. While he had never been anything but nice to Colby, the younger male had seen the protectiveness in his eyes when it came to his mate and daughter. The prospect of being slapped around by him was not appealing in the least to Colby.

Something, and he was pretty sure that it was his sudden cowardliness and fear, was telling him to turn back, to go back home and just forget the two hour pep talk he had given himself. To forget that he should have been man enough to handle such a simple thing as asking a girl's father if he could take her out. But this wasn't simple, and again he had to tell himself that the father he was about to speak to, was not of the average kind.

For a moment, Colby's steps faltered. He contemplated being a coward and aborting what he knew was going to be a destructive mission. He knew he couldn't. He had made the mistake of calling Jay and asking her if C'bra was in. Telling her that he wanted to talk to him about something. From the look on her face, Colby was sure that she knew what. Therefore, he couldn't tuck tail and run. That would just make him look even worse and if he were to gain the courage later, he doubted C'bra would allow it.

He'd learned in his time spent on the ship that this species thrived on courage and moral. Besides, in his mind Jay was more than worth it. He knew that with every fiber of his being. Not just because she was the first girl he had come into contact with since losing Haley almost a year ago, but because she was different. She knew his struggle and had been through a Hard Meat attack. She could relate, but she was also unique. She intrigued him, kept his interest.

Colby was so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn't realized he'd reached Jay's house. It always seemed that when he thought of Haley, his body switched to autopilot. Taking a few deep breaths, he gave himself another pep talk before ringing the doorbell. Well, what he had dubbed the doorbell.

The door slid open and Colby took an immediate step back as C'bra stood in the doorway, towering over him as he normally did, with the biggest knive the younger male had ever seen in his life.

Words seemed to fail him and all he could manage to do was a slight wave. Pathetic, he thought as C'bra nodded at him and then turned his back retreating into the living room. Colby figured that was his queue to follow. He looked around, but didn't see Jay anywhere, and when C'bra gestured, knive still in hand, for him to take a seat, he was all too happy to comply.

As soon as Colby's butt hit the chair he was frozen. In front of him, lining the table, were different weapons and the skulls of creatures that he had never seen before or wanted to see for that matter. Silence was thick within the room as he watched C'bra clean all of his weapons meticulously. Playing with the tips of the knives when he was finished cleaning each one.

"This," he started holding up the first knife Colby had seen him clean, "is very special. The blade slices through Kainde Amedha skulls easily. It would be as easy as cutting…" He trailed off for a moment to think of what Sonja had used the first time he had described it. "Butter," he finally sated, "if it were to cut you."

The piercing look in C'bra eyes as he informed Colby of that disturbing information was enough to make the young male shit his pants. As a precautionary measure, to make sure such a thing would not happen, Colby tightened up his sphincter.

"Jay told me you wanted to ask me something." The older male then spoke, flipping the knife over in his hand repeatedly by the handle.

"Um…" He had forgotten how to form words. "I wanted to know…um…if I could take Jay out on a date." He was finally able to say. He then had to wonder if C'bra knew what a date was.

"And where do you plan on taking her?" The older male asked pointing the knife in his direction.

"Dad!"

Both males turned their attention to the small female that had just entered the room. The first thing Colby took in was the furious look on her face, but luckily it wasn't aimed in his direction and that was enough to make him relax.

"I told you he was coming over to ask if he could take me out. At no point did I say scare him."

Colby glanced at the big man and saw that he looked a bit sheepish. He opened his mouth to say something, only to have Jay put her hands on her hips and level him with a gaze that Colby thought was too fierce for her soft features.

"I'm telling Mom." She then informed C'bra, grabbing Colby and stalking out of the room. Right before the door shut, he could see the terror on the older male's face. Serves him right, Colby thought smiling to himself.

Kenzie was bored. She was going out of her mind with nothing to do. Deciding that she would go workout at the gym like area Viper had shown her, she dug through one of the tubs and grabbed the jump ropes. She had only meant to grab one, but they were all tangled together. Instead of sitting there and untangling them, she decided to just do it when she got to her destination.

As usual when Kenzie walked down the hallways, she got stares and a few males even purred at her. She'd learned to ignore both during her time on the ship. She didn't think any of them would actually approach her. Not with ill intent at least, but she wasn't going to take that chance or give them the opportunity to do so.

When she made it to the small arena, much smaller than the one her obstacle had taken place in, she found it empty. That was just fine by her. Sitting on the middle of the floor, she set to work untangling the jump ropes. To her surprise there had been three of them knotted together.

Throwing two to the side, Kenzie got on her feet and proceeded with a steady rhythm. The sound of the rope hitting the floor was hypnotizing and soon that was the only thing she was focused on. She had zoned out so much that she didn't hear the door when it slid open. It was only when she had the feeling that someone was watching her that she came back to the present.

With fluidity, Kenzie ceased her jumping and sent the rope around to hit whoever it was behind her. Unfortunately, the male caught it, wrapping it around his hand. Kenzie wasted no time sending her foot flying to their left leg. The male emitted a growl and yanked on the rope still in his hand pulling Kenzie to him, wrapping his arm around her waist.

Rumbling laughter caught her attention and she looked over to find Ca'tor and Rou'e, masks held in their hands.

"I was quite enjoying the show, Ma'iss." Rou'e stated through his laughter.

Kenzie struggled with Ma'iss until he released her and took a step back. She glared up at him, or more specifically his mask. She still had not forgiven him for growling at Rain last week. She was aware that he wasn't too fond of her either. That was made more apparent when he snorted at her. Kenzie rolled her eyes and flipped him the finger.

"What were you doing?" Ca'tor questioned walking over to diffuse the situation.

"I was jumping rope." Kenzie replied turning her attention to her favorite clan brother of Viper's, well after C'bra of course. An idea came to her. "Do you and Rou'e want to play me?"

"We do not have time for your silly ooman games." Ma'iss responded with an irritated click of his mandibles.

"Well then it's a good thing I didn't ask you." She turned her attention back to Ca'tor. Her hazel eyes big, her lip stuck out. A deep rumble sounded from his chest and she knew he was laughing.

"We will play with you." Rou'e spoke.

Kenzie went about giving them both the ends of two separate jump ropes before instructing them on how to turn them. It took them a moment to get it, but when they did she knew she'd be cut in half at the speed they were turning them.

"Could you slow it down a little?" She questioned with a raised brow.

Once the ropes had slowed down to an accurate speed, Kenzie timed it just right before jumping in. As a young girl she had always loved double Dutch. It was fun and she could jump for hours on end, getting lost in a world of her own, or the chant in which she jumped to.

"We do not have time for this simple foolishness." Ma'iss ground out.

Kenzie had taken about all that she would from the giant and she was intent on letting him know it. Jumping from the turning ropes, she walked over to him as an idea hit her.

"It may be simple foolishness to you, but I bet you can't do it." She told him with a challenging look.

Ma'iss snorted at her before crossing his arms over his chest. "I do not have time to indulge you or partake in your pup play."

"Scared?" Kenzie taunted with a raised brow. "Because I think you are."

Storming passed her, Ma'iss made his way to the two brothers who had been looking on with amusement. They're little friend had gotten into their clan brother's head and they both found it equally humoring. He signaled from them to begin turning it.

"Wait," Kenzie stated arms still folded. "Do it without your mask."

She smirked as he clicked in irritation. Yeah, buddy. I know that you can analyze crap with you mask on. She thought to herself. She was not going to make this easy on him. Actually, she was going to try to make it as hard as possible.

Once Ma'iss had taken his mask off and sat it to the side, he stood and studied the ropes as they moved. He waited just a moment longer before attempting to jump in and down went Frazier Both ends of the ropes were ripped from the brother's hands and seemed to be wrapped about Ma'iss. Kenzie wasn't sure how he'd managed it, but was beside herself in stitches.

Viper had tracked Kenzie's bracelet to another small kehrite. Upon entering he found his clan brother Ma'iss on the floor being attacked by something he was more than sure belonged to his mate. She was laughing as his other clan brothers chuckled in amusement. He didn't know what had happen, nor was he inclined to want to find out.

He walked over to his still laughing mate and placed his hand on her waist. She jumped slightly before looking over her shoulder at him. She smiled before leaning back against him and watching as Ma'iss struggled to untangle himself and stand back up.

While Viper enjoyed the fact that his mate was having such a good time, he had sought her out for a reason. His sire wished to speak with her. What it was about, Viper had no idea, but as long as his uncle would be nowhere near, then he didn't have a problem with it. His sire had taken to Kenzie, and his mate had taken to his sire as well.

"My sire wishes to speak to you." Viper informed her once she'd sobered up.

"Now?" Kenzie questioned enjoying the vibration of his chest when he spoke.

"Sei-i."

She simply nodded and waved to the brother's before leading the way out of the kehrite, where she then allowed Viper to lead the way to his father.

Viper knew his little mate was taking in their surroundings. She had never been to this part of the home ship. The section that housed the Elders and Arbitrators. He made his way to his father's quarters and pushed the button signaling their arrival. It was only mere seconds before the door slid open.

Viper stepped aside as his mate pushed him to get past to his sire. She flung herself at him, jumping into his arms. H'bu clicked amused before setting her on her feet. He clasped his pup's shoulder before leading the way into the sitting room. He occupied a chair, while the young couple sat on the couch.

"Viper said you wanted to talk to me." Kenzie stated cutting right to the chase.

"Your mate will be leaving shortly with his clan brothers to cleanse another Kainde Amedha nest." H'bu spoke not wasting any time as well.

Viper watched as Kenzie glanced at him before moving around in the seat. He hadn't told he was to leave. It wasn't that he didn't plan on telling her, it was simply that he hadn't gotten around to doing it. Now, thanks to his sire, he would have to spend the next few days reassuring her that everything would be alright. Something he didn't want to have to do this soon.

"Would you like to go with him?" H'u questioned and Viper's head snapped up to stare at his sire.

"Sire, this will be dangerous. I do not think…"

"Your mate has proven that she is more than capable of handling herself in many situations. Besides, if she is with you, I doubt she would worry about your return, nor would you worry about her being without you aboard the ship."

"If she is with me I will worry even more."

"The choice is not yours to make. It is hers." H'bu stated, directing his attention back to Kenzie.

She let out a sigh and began fidgeting with her hands before glancing up at Viper. He didn't seem too happy about this. She knew H'bu was right. She would worry about him the entire time he was gone. Yet, she knew Viper was right as well. If she was there he would worry about her getting hurt, and wouldn't be as focused as he should be.

"I would like to go." She started glancing up at both men. "But, I'll stay if he wants me to."

Viper was at a crossroads. He was stuck between knowing that his mate would be safe and worrying about him, or having her with him and constantly worrying about her. He knew that he shouldn't, however, he had seen her in action and knew that she was more than capable of taking care of herself.

He heard the longing in her voice, something she tried to hide, and knew that she wanted to go and he could understand why. The hard meat had wiped out her home, took everything that she had held close to her and destroyed it. Killing a few would never be enough. This was about revenge to her, and he knew she would kill and infinite amount of them before she was satisfied.

Viper sighed, resigning himself to the fact that going would make her happy, and he had come to realize that he couldn't deny her anything when it pleased her, though that didn't please him very much.

"If you desire to go, I will not force you to remain here." He spoke after a moment.

Kenzie looked up at him before a smile graced her lips and she launched herself at him, kissing each of his mandibles.

H'bu sat in his seat and chuckled at the scene. The young mates reminded him so much of himself and his life mate. He shook his head and mentally corrected himself, his wife. Even after death he would honor her wish to never be called anything other than what she had viewed herself as.

The elder sighed. He missed her dearly, but he was more than grateful that all of his pups had found someone to spend the rest of their lives with.

C'bra sat on the couch, eyes moving to and fro as he watched his very angry little mate pace the room. She had yet to say anything to him after storming into their living quarters and ordering him to sit with a point of her finger. From that alone the Yautja knew that he was in big trouble, or deep shit as Sonja usually stated.

He hadn't thought that Jay would actually tell on him. He was sure it was more so of a mind thing, but when his mate entered their quarters, nothing short of seething, he knew he had been mistaken. He was beginning to think scaring Colby had not been the best idea.

Yes, it was true he wanted to put a little fear into the pup, but he had not meant for it to get him into trouble. He was simply doing what he knew some ooman males in his situation would do. He could see now that it wasn't his smartest idea. C'bra genuinely liked the boy, so he wasn't trying to scare him off. He just wanted to scare him to the point of knowing that if he didn't treat Jay with the respect and honor that she deserved, he would castrate him.

Sonja continued to pace and C'bra had to admit that he was a bit scared. To think that he, an eight foot Yautja was thrown to fear, even if it was the slightest, by his five foot, odd inched, ooman mate. He could just imagine his clan brothers having a good laugh at his expense. Though, she'd scared Ca'tor and Rou'e a few times as well.

"How could you C'bra? That boy honestly likes Jay and you try to scare him off. It's one little date. Where can they actually go on this damn ship?" She questioned, ceasing her pacing in front of him and glaring at him.

"I was merely attempting to…make sure he treats her right." C'bra stated a bit sheepishly.

"By terrifying the poor boy?!"

C'bra was not a fan of being yelled at and while he would allow his mate to be upset with him, he was not going to sit idly by while she lashed out at him. He growled and shot to his feet.

"Males that young only want one thing!" He clipped out.

"Jay has been raised to know right from wrong." Sonja bit back, looking up into his stormy grey eyes. He didn't frighten her, and that was something C'bra always admired. After a few beats of silence she raised her hand to his stomach and began to scratch lightly with her nails. "So, here's what you're going to do. When he drops Jay off you are going to apologize to Colby, but until then you will work on gaining my forgiveness for yelling at me."

Sonja walked to the sliding door of their sleeping quarters and pulled her shirt over her head before tossing it back into his chest. Her arousal was thick in the air.

"Now, C'bra." She stated pulling her pants from her hips, and C'bra didn't have to be told twice.

Daniel looked on as the large male rushed around the room in a complete frantic. The lab was in a disarray and he was more than surprised that they hadn't blown up yet with the way S'vyn was moving things about. He tossed things without care, but most of it was of no importance that Daniel could tell.

He felt responsible for his associates sudden freak out. Had he known releasing the creature from its little cage to get a better look would yield these results, he never would have done it. As he thought about that, Daniel came to the conclusion that yes, he would have still done it. Expect, he would have been faster.

It wasn't expected for the little thing to move that quickly, so he had been taken by surprise. Unable to grab it and put it back before it disappeared on him. He didn't think there was very much importance to the thing, but from the way S'vyn was tearing up the room to find it, Daniel knew that he had been sadly mistaken.

Helping the older male look for the insect like creature had crossed his mind, but as he had tried to help, he merely received a growl. Daniel was no fool. He'd seen what animals did when they were tested and somehow he knew testing his associate would be far more dangerous. Instead he resigned himself to watching. What was the worst damage the little bug could do?

S'kta was seething as he walked down the long passageway. He didn't appreciate all the stares he was getting, but knew that his head piece drew every pair of eyes in range. He'd been wearing those damn ooman coverings for well over an ooman week and he was more than ready to be rid of them…at least in public. He was ashamed to admit that he became overly aroused when in the comfort of his own quarters with them.

He'd asked the ooman several times if he could remove them and each time she told him no. At first he simply decided that when he wasn't out in public he would not wear them, but knew better than to try his luck. His brother had access to his quarters in case of emergencies and he knew he would pop up just to check on him.

After the first couple of days of asking, S'kta decided that it was no use. He also knew that were she to give him permission to take them off, she would want the coverings back. And though he would never admit it to anyone, he had become quite fond of them. He was sure on some level that it was a bit disturbing, but as long as no one knew, he saw no problem with it.

Making his way into the meeting room, he took his seat waiting on the other three male Elders to arrive. He wanted nothing more than to get the meeting started and over with. They were sending different groups of blooded warriors out to deal with the outburst of Hard Meat nest around the world.

S'kta would have much preferred to send the Honored Warriors. Ensuring that the task got done correctly, however, they were all busy with other things. So, he would have to settle for the blooded warriors.

Seconds ticked by, but to S'kta they felt like minutes. Every second he was out with these coverings on his head felt like an eternity. He was plagued by her scent, and the humiliation she had inflicted upon him, by causing him to wear such things.

He was not looking forward to this meeting. It would just be another time were he sat and watched as his brother smirked at him, and, in the case of the last meeting a few cycles ago, outright laughed at him. H'bu was taking entirely too much pleasure from his situation in his eyes.

Yes, had the tables been turned, he would enjoy his brother's humiliation, but he was not one to be laughed at. He was going to make sure he got those damn coverings off of his head, and soon, but he would not be returning them. No, he would place them with the other pair that he had taken.

A/N: Well there you go. I gave you a little bit over everyone. Again I truly apologize for the long wait and I will try my best to get better.