I don't own the Alien franchise. Neither do I count Alien 3 as canon, so this is set after the end of Aliens.

Ripley sat in the medbay of the Gateway, lost in her thoughts as her new daughter slept peacefully, her head in Ripley's lap.

They were waiting for news on Hicks. The nurse had said that he was stable. Ripley had completed all the required formalities alone. She had asked the nurse to allow her to speak to the head of the Colonial Marines before the Company could catch hold of them. She relayed the information and the events that had occurred to them, and they had assured her that they would take action against the Company through the government. Till then, for her and Newt's safety, she was advised to stay back at the Gateway, an advice Ripley was more than willing to comply with.

She looked down at the girl sleeping peacefully and smiled. Things were looking up. She was just hoping that she could meet Hicks fast, and know that the man was stable.

Dwayne. She remembered the moments they had shared. He inquired if she was alright when she stopped short outside the colony building. The moment she saw him, she noticed something different about him. The other Marines were loudmouthed and outgoing, making jokes and all that. It had irritated her more than anything when she had first seen them after waking from cryosleep. She'd lost her crew and her life to this creature, and they had the audacity to make a joke of it.

But Dwayne was different. He was quieter than the others, and despite his rugged appearance, gave the aura of a kind, understanding person. He passed her a few sympathizing looks along the way. It had been clear in the beginning that all the Marines saw her as more of a nuisance, a tagalong who wouldn't be able to do anything. Not much different from the Nostromo crew, now that she thought of it.

Hicks was the exception. He listened and paid attention to her story without joking, being genuinely sympathetic to her plight. The small gestures, like his grin when she revealed she could use the forklift, asking her if she was alright when her courage seemed to fail her, established him apart from the rest at the beginning itself.

And after their first encounter, everything changed. When Gorman proved incapable, Ripley finally put her foot down and took over, entering the hive and getting the marines out. Hudson and Vasquez's attitudes towards her changed, from ignorance and dismissal to respect. She had proved herself to the marines and earned their respect. Hicks took command, taking her advice and agreeing. It was surprising to her, especially due to the fact that she was very used to commanders ignoring her advice. Dallas' face floated through her mind.

But Hicks never demeaned her. He respected her, and even Newt. He stayed calm in the face of danger. He taught her to use the pulse rifle. They were aware of the growing feelings for each other, but the main focus was on survival and escape. And he immediately jumped to her rescue when Burke- a shiver of anger passed through her spine- had attempted to impregnate her and Newt.

He was also ready to put his foot down, stopping her from jumping after Newt straight away.

He was severely injured. And when she was leaving to face what was probably certain death, she had turned to him, taking in his face for what could be the last time. "See you, Hicks."

"Dwayne."

A sign. That he trusted her, and he loved her. That this time, there would be something worth returning for. The hope of a new life, a new beginning, with Dwayne and Newt. A second chance at life, after she'd lost Amanda.

Luckily, thanks to Bishop, she had safely returned. After a few months, they had reached the Gateway station, and the medics had taken him away.

She stroked the little girl's hair. She would never leave her. Never. She would never repeat her mistakes with Amanda again.

Ripley sighed. She had been apprehensive of returning to face her fears, but looking back, she felt it was the best decision she had taken in her life. She had faced her fears, and regained what she lost.

She was broken out of her thoughts by the door opening, and she looked up.

He was standing there, grinning. His forehead was still bandaged, but he looked fine. Newt woke up and ran to him.

"Hicks! You're back!"

Dwayne smiled widely as he looked at the girl. "Yes, sweetheart. I'm back, as fit as a fiddle." He ruffled her hair and she smiled, hugging his waist. Then he looked up at the woman he loved, who was staring at him, smiling. She looked more beautiful than anything when she smiled. Her short curls and defined jawline were perfect. He walked towards her.

She looked at him lovingly. "Dwayne," she breathed, her hand reaching up to his scarred cheek and stroking it.

"Ellen," he reached his hand out, slowly. Stopping a short distance away from her cheek, he looked at her, asking for her consent.

She smiled. And that was all he needed.

He held her cheeks and brought her close as their mouths met, and she buried her hand in his hair. Newt was out of the room, luckily, as she'd seen Bishop and ran off to greet the android. The nurse looked at the two lovers, smiling. She shut the door behind her, to give them a bit of privacy.

Ripley was overtaken by a sudden urge, she hadn't felt for a really long time. As they parted, she looked at him.

"Do you want to?"

He smirked.

"Why not?"

She smiled widely. Then they kissed again and fell on the bed nearby, reveling in the feel of each other.

Ripley valued her second chance, and she was never going to let it go.

And that's it. I love this pairing, one of my favorite pairs ever. So, in the beautiful words of Michael Biehn himself, f**k Alien 3.