Chapter 15: Reggata de Blanc

Ripley was standing over him, holding a tray with some stew in a bowl. "You okay Jake?" She asked.

"Yeah, go ahead mom." Jake answered. Ripley took a seat next to him. "You ever heard of this album called Reggata de Blanc?" Jake asked. Ripley shook her head no.

"Well, it's an album by this old Reggae-rock band called The Police." Jake explained "Some call it one of those albums you have in the background at a party, but it has a deeper meaning too. At the time, Stewart Copeland, the drummer for the band, had been feeling rather beaten up with life. He considered killing himself for a while during recording. Now him and Sting, their bassist and singer, had written a song. I forget which one, probably King of Pain, but basically, the spirit that went to the song was one that Life wasn't very good. The song has the lyrics that say life isn't so good for him. But what that reminded me of was the way you were almost going to kill yourself." Jake paused, letting it sink in with Ripley. "Why didn't you mom?" Jake asked. Ripley paused for a moment, as if to really think about it, before answering "I had gotten so used to the company caring only about the creature, that I was sure they would probably get rid of all of you because you've seen the creature." Ripley paused "But I let them cut it out of me, because I realized my family needs me right now. If they really only cared about the creature, then they would have killed you on the spot. Seeing you and Newt still alive told me otherwise. That's why I didn't kill myself."

Jake was astonished. It seemed that things were going to look up now. He had a family that cared about him, and a new life ahead of him. He also felt like he was being stared at.

Turning around, he saw Newt, Hudson, Hicks, and Vasquez staring at the two of them. "Mommy, you're okay!" Newt yelled and ran to Ripley, and gave her a big hug.

"I love you too Newt." Ripley said, not even turning around as Newt still had wrapped her in a hug from the back, arms around the waist.

"Well, how's momma?" Hicks said, walking over to Ripley. "Don't call me momma Dwayne, that's creepy and so 50 years ago." She answered, and still gave Hicks a kiss.

"Well, I have to say, this sight is kinda cute." Vasquez remarked. Hudson looked at her and said "How about we get a room?"

"Okay. But don't expect everything to go right." Vasquez replied. "What the hell does that mean?" Hudson asked.

"You'll know when it happens." She answered, and the two of them walked off.

"Well, I have to admit, I thought things would go badly, but instead it turns out for the better." Jake said. He noticed the Bishop designer walk up to them.

"We have a good three hours before everyone has to go into hypersleep." The look-alike announced "I just want you to know, that in three hours, I expect you in the Hibernacula. You all have a meeting when we get back to Gateway Station."

The look-alike walked away, and Jake went back to eating. "Have to say, if they really did pickle it in formaldehyde, then we've got proof that we aren't alone in the universe." Jake said. "Have you ever realized that?"

"Well, I guess I've been too busy trying to survive against it that I never realized that." Ripley admitted.

The rest of the meal went by well, and three hours later, it was time to go. As everyone made their way to their stasis pods, and surrendered to the void.

There was a big meeting awaiting the survivors back at Gateway Station, and they did not want to be late.

Author notes: I do not own Aliens or any of the characters from the movie. I do however, own Jake Essex, for he is my character. Furthermore, anyone who sees this as more than fanfiction should go play in traffic.

For the finale, look for Aliens: T.O.S. 3: Armageddon, Which will be co-authored by Me and That nerd next Door. See the finale to the trilogy, coming on October 1, 2011