In this chapter, Lex challenges an Elder, and finds herself in a very tight spot. I appreciate the kind reviews and constructive criticism. This story is actually going longer than I thought. Writers know that when the plot bunnies bite, you have no choice but to allow it. I own no characters from AVP, even if they seem to own me. Just borrowing.

Chapter 4

Scar and some of the other hunters had gone off on a yet another hunt. Lex was livid that again, Scar would not take her. Did he think she was incapable of holding her own? Maybe he felt she would get in the way, and he might end up having to watch over her. She didn't know what to do when he wasn't with her. Walking around the ship alone was out of the question. One time, she had gone to her observation window, and while looking out at the vast darkness sprinkled with stars, one of the hunters had come up behind her, startling her enough to make her jump. She waited to see what he had in mind. Trying to read him, she noticed him flaring his mandibles, and then.... he pushed her. Lex almost fell but was able to regain her balance. She stood her ground, yelling at him, "What the hell was that for?" She reached out and shoved at him. He was too heavy that it made any difference, but she wasn't about to let him get away with anything. She tried looking into his eyes with such determination as she could muster, but he merely looked down at her, tilting his head one way, then another. Lex was starting to feel like a zoo animal. She turned and stalked away, mumbling "asshole" under her breath.

For the rest of the day, she stayed in Scar's quarters, now hers as well. She paced angrily, trying to decide, should she tell Scar or not. What difference does it make. I can't tell one of them from the other. And he would just get angry , no doubt, but at decided to just relax and try not to feel so put out. This whole experience was becoming intolerable.

After how many hours, she didn't know, the door slid opened, causing Lex to jump up off the mat. She was surprised to see one of the hunters. He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out. She tried shouting and cursing at him, then kicking at his legs. Struggling was of no use, as he was much stronger than her.

Lex was taken before one of the Elders, probably the most senior of them, by his dress and attitude. Lex guessed he had little respect for her. He only glared at her, looking her up and down. Finally he stood in front of her, and said in very distinct English, "You must leave."

Lex looked up at him, cocking her head. This one's grasp of English was pretty good. He must have been to Earth many times, and killed many humans. Lex shuddered at the thought. It was then that she noticed his wrist computer similar to the one Scar wore, yet he never touched the keypad. Pre-programmed? For lack of a better word, Lex assumed his computer was better able to read and transmit words.

"What....?" She placed her hands on her hips and said defiantly, "I didn't ask to be kept here. I was hoping that you would just drop me off somewhere near civilization. Instead you drag me off into space..." She lowered her arms and sighed. "I didn't want to be here....." Lex paused, then continued, "but...I've changed my mind. Scar has taught me a little about your people, and how to fight....."

"Scar?" the Elder demanded.

"Yes, it's what I call him, the one who protects me," she replied, indicating the source of her name with a touch of her finger to her cheek.

The Elder understood. "You are not worthy of the relationship you have chosen to have with my warrior."

Lex's hackles were up now. "Oh, really! I'll have you know that we went through hell on the ice out there. Everyone, and I mean everyone, in my party was murdered, some by... your warriors. Only I lived. I won't say that Scar wasn't a help in that regard. I owe him my life. He found me worthy enough to mark me, according to your own customs. I am learning, you know." She paced the floor in front of the Elder, letting her anger out. She didn't even care if he understood every word she said. "I challenge you to prove me. On the next hunt, let me go and fight by Scar's side. You watch us, and see if I'm not worthy. Let me be his combat partner, and you'll see what a damn good team we make."

The Elder considered her words but shook his head. "No! You are..too ...disruptive."

Lex stood inches from him, showing him that she wasn't afraid. She had to look up to meet his eyes. "Alright, send me away. Take me back to Earth. Scar won't like that, and you will lose him." Making one more try, she said, "Let us fight together! If I fail, I die. Then you won't have to worry about what to do with me anymore." She cocked her eyebrow and smiled. "But if we win, I stay. Agreed?" He had no reason to say yes, she feared, but felt relief when she saw him nod his great head. She exhaled, saying "Good!", then turned on her heel and left. Lex continued walking without looking back at the Elder, her hands shaking and heart beating wildly. She wouldn't mention any of this conversation to Scar. If they wanted him to know about it, they could tell him.

Lex returned to her quarters. Along the way, several of the yautja followed her with their eyes, but she didn't even look their way. Once there, safely ensconced behind the closed door, she paced. She would stop, curse, then hit the wall with her fist After more pacing, she decided to go ahead and wash up, and get ready for the sleep period. She had no idea when Scar would return. She was lying on the sleep mat, when the door slid open to reveal him, armour removed and cleaner than Lex expected. He had obviously cleaned up first, perhaps out of concern for her sensibilities. What did she expect anyway, to see him drenched in the blood of some alien animal?

He said nothing, but moved about the room, doing things that Lex didn't care to follow. She shut her eyes and tried not to imagine what the hunting party had done, as she was going to be in that position soon herself. She felt weight settle next to her.

Scar was lying on his side, looking at the female next to him. Her eyes were still closed. He wondered if she was angry because he had left her behind again. He had brought her a gift, hopefully to placate her should she be angry. He'd taken the prize from the skull of the creature he had brought down with minimal injury to himself. Wanting it to be acceptable to her, he polished it to a smooth sheen.

Scar's grasp of English was improving, with the help of his translator, and he had a nice collection of phrases. He had even attempted to speak a few words, but without lips, some were more difficult than others. His voice sounded gruff and very unhuman-like, and that made Lex laugh. At first Scar was sore that she would laugh, but realized later that she didn't mean to mock him, that she was just happy he was learning so well.

Unfortunately for Lex, learning his language was impossible, but she was beginning to recognize the sounds of the clicks, trilling and low growls, and what they indicated when uttered at certain times. Perhaps some day she would at least understand what they were saying, even if she couldn't reply back in their own language.

"I am sorry. You are...not ready." He wanted to tell her that he planned on asking for permission to let her hunt with him the next time he went. But first, he needed to continue her training. If anything happened to him, she would be on her own. If his people refused to keep her with them....

"It's not your fault, so forget it. How did the hunt go?" Lex asked, her eyes now open, peering at Scar. He opened his hand and showed Lex a leather-looking cord with a 6 inch tooth hanging on it. She reached up and took the crude necklace. She caressed the tooth, which was smooth and white as the untrodden snow she'd seen on many a climb. Large, and sharp as a knife, it could be used as a weapon in an emergency.

"Thank you," Lex whispered. She reached out a hand to lightly touch the alien hunter's chest. She nestled against its warmth and sighed. Her eyes slowly closed and did not open. Steady breathing told Scar she was already asleep. He took the necklace from her fisted hand and placed it on a hook on the wall. Tonight Lex slept facing him. She'd bent her arm in front of her body, tucking her hand under her chin. Scar placed his hand on her wrist, holding it gently. He could feel her rhythmic pulse beat. Yes, tomorrow he would train her more than he had up to now. He would make sure she was ready.