I do not own Aliens.

Last chapter. This story has been a good, unexpected distraction for me. Hope you've enjoyed it too.

The Survivors of LV-426

Haul Out

He doesn't love her.

Hardly even knows her.

Is attracted to her, sure.

A lot.

He's always liked . . .

"Hey."

"Don't you dare ask me if you can buy me a drink."

"Actually I was going to ask you where you got your knife."

. . . strong women.

"Standard issue. Next stupid question, soldier?"

Women like Rachel.

And Ripley.

Who wouldn't be attracted to that.

When she asserted her loader skills.

Smooth and easy.

With confidence and aplomb.

When she didn't hesitate to go after the kid, wriggle into a vent no bigger than her, with no idea what she might encounter on the other side.

Brought her out calm, somehow, and without getting bitten.

When she commandeered the transport tank and saved all their asses by driving straight into the Hive and then back out again.

Tweaking all the way.

But a controlled tweak.

More than . . .

". . . over, man! Game over!"

. . . Hudson ever thought about having anyway.

He'd had her back with Burke.

". . . way to be sure."

That was an easy one.

It wasn't because he wanted to make her happy, get on her good side.

It was because she had the smart ideas.

Because she knew what the hell she was talking about.

". . . -ing A, man!"

And because she was right.

And he respected the hell out of that.

He'd thrown himself over both her and the girl when the aerial transport had crashed.

She'd talked down Hudson, shut his shit down, temporarily anyway.

Found a smile and a laugh for Hicks himself when he'd snarked about the locator and the seriousness of their relationship in the middle of the Xeno hellhole they'd been trapped in.

Only a really tough woman could do that, he guessed.

He'd tried to get her to sleep.

". . . -nade launcher. I don't think you want to mess with that."

Only to end up training and arming her with his own weapon.

"You started this. Show me everything."

Something he'd have been lying to say he wouldn't have enjoyed doing . . .

"I can handle myself."

. . . all damn day.

"Yeah. I've noticed."

He'd smashed through a reinforced plateglass window to save her and the girl from the Facehuggers.

Nearly ripped that bastard Burke limb from limb . . .

"No offense."

. . . when they found out it was him all along.

And everything else that went down between the time the Zenos cut the power to the time . . .

"Don't be gone too long. Ellen."

. . . LV-426 and everything around it got vaporized.

All that.

Rachel would really like her.

But it ain't an Earth fairytale.

They're two survivors of a Xenomorph attack.

It doesn't mean they're engaged or anything.

And he won't allow himself to worry about her wellbeing when they leave, and they are all going to leave, this place.

She'll go her way with the girl and he'll go his.

They'll all be okay.

Because that's who they are.

And then . . .

"So what are you going to do, Hicks?"

"Oh, well, . . ."

. . . that'll be that.

She's been discharged, Hicks as well.

Newt, no other presentable options, released into her custody.

And now, . . .

"So what are you going to do, Hicks?"

. . . they're on their way out.

Almost.

Just one more thing.

She watches him shrug.

". . . dunno. I've been a soldier for so long that's really all I know. Guess I'll go back in, find a . . ."

"A mission?"

"Yeah."

"Deep space?"

"Yeah."

She nods, looking down, even shrugging herself as well.

"Yeah, I guess you could do that."

There's a moment and decision to be made.

And if she hesitates too long, time will make the decision for her.

And this guy's not the type of guy to insert himself into a situation without permission first.

So Ellen Ripley concentrates on Newt's face.

Gives her a smile.

Tucks a silky strand of blood hair behind one ear.

"Or . . ."

And takes that step.

". . . you could come with us."

It hangs in the air between them.

That simple sentence.

Statement.

Offering.

And she straightens her back and looks at him.

Corporal Hicks.

Dwayne.

Oh dear.

Dwayne.

Who's looking at her.

Intense eyes, veiled, tiniest bit of an interested gleam attempting to peek out.

Smile trapped behind stoic demeanor.

"With you?"

She nods again, smile breaking over her face almost her will.

She feels almost shy, how ridiculous for a grown-ass woman who's fought Xenos on multiple occasions.

But confident of her decision at the same time.

"Yeah."

He mirrors it back, that smile.

Looking almost shy himself.

And more than a little glad at her offer.

Doesn't mean we're engaged or anything.

"Where're you goin'?"

And his question seems overtly casual.

"Earth."

Like it doesn't actually matter to him.

"Newt's never seen it and some of it can be quite nice. I think it'll be good for her."

Corporal Dwayne Hicks nods, casting his gaze down, shifting his feet, determined casualness the last bastion he has against the easiest answer in the world.

And then he speaks.

"Earth, huh?"

"Yeah."

He seems to be considering it.

'What're you going to do there?"

And Ellen Ripley's all done . . .

"I have no idea."

. . . hemming and hawing . . .

"Come on."

. . . around.

"Get your stuff."

And his grin broadens as he cuts his eyes at her.

"Yes, ma'am."

And they go.

Whelp, hoped you enjoyed!

It was DinahRay's idea all the way. She is very persuasive.

Thank you, friend.

:)

Thanks also to DinahRay and DarrylDixonsLover for so kindly reviewing the previous chapter!

And to RedHood001 for already discussing new story possibilities with me.

And thanks for giving this a chance, all you Gentle Readers, and goodbye for now.

Happy reading of whatever makes you happy.