Scar gets bad news, just as he thinks he can be more than a killer. Lex gets good news, or is it? I don't own AVP, I just play with the characters.
When an enemy becomes a friend chapter 12
Scar waited for Alex to question him about the others. When she did, she warned him to be honest with her. He would not lie to her, but feared she would be angry. He admitted that they had fought well, but could not defend themselves against his fellow hunters. Scar watched her face as he described the slaughter, and the subsequent destruction of the underground complex.
Lex felt sad that they all had to die. Proclus seemed like a man of peace. But in the end, he had reverted to his old ways of killing. She didn't blame Scar for killing him to protect her, as she merely accepted it as a part of the world in which these creatures lived. In a way, she felt ashamed that she no longer grieved for the victims of the Yautja. Was living amongst creatures who killed as a duty making her over into such a souless being?
Scar was relieved that Lex didn't seem angry, but she had another look on her face that he couldn't decipher.
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Scar was pleased that Lex was recovering so quickly, but he stayed near her in case she needed anything. Her impatience at her own infirmity seemed to spur on her healing. Scar wondered if the elders disapproved of his attentions to her well being, but she had risked her life to save his. He again, owed her a life debt. Nothing was said, however, so he didn't concern himself anymore. Little did he know, the elders were indeed thinking about Lex, their primary thoughts being on getting rid of her.
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The next few days of rest gave Lex more time to recover from her injury. Externally, it didn't look too bad. Internally, Lex could feel that something wasn't quite right. She hoped that feeling would not be a permanent thing. She was becoming restless having to stay isolated. Scar was her only company, but she feared that he was there out of obligation. Surely he had other things to do. But he never left her side, except to bring her food, and he never complained. He seemed to take pleasure out of being with her. He would practice "speaking" English, and then he would tell her about the history of his people.
As he sat on the corner of the bed, Scar received a communique on his wrist computer. He turned to Lex when he was finished, saying "I have to go. I will return soon." When he saw the look on Lex's face, one he recognized by now, he said, "Do not worry." He placed his hand on her cheek, and left.
Lex was confused, despite his admonition. If only she felt better. She lay back down and closed her eyes. Sleep was not elusive, as her body sought to heal itself.
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Scar entered the control room, and stood before the elder in charge of this mission, watching and waiting. He tried to read what was happening, as he had no idea why he would be called here.
The elder looked at Scar with hard eyes. He folded his arms in front of him and demanded,
"Have you lost your senses? Consorting with an ooman. They have always been prey. They are not pets, they are not students of the Hunt, they are prey. You dishonor your clan."
Scar was clearly surprised by these statements. Had not they accepted Lex once she'd proven her courage and ability in combat? "Why is this an issue now, after all that has happened, Elder? Has she not proven her right to be in our clan? I marked her because of her bravery in the battle against the Kainde Amedha. Nothing was said then." He stopped and thought a moment, before saying what he felt might not be received so well. "I wanted this female to remain with me, as my mate. I owe her a life debt. She has learned our ways, and I believe her feelings have changed."
The elder shook his head, dread-locks waving. "It's out of the question! If she had kept her place as a slave, or been content to just befriend you, but she has made herself a liability by gaining this........... relationship with you. You are a hunter, not some ooman male! Her world is not your world." The elder was pacing now, his mandibles flaring in anger.
Scar held his tongue while the elder went on about honor and duty, and disgrace. Honor, he said, was hard earned and easily lost. Scar only thought of the inevitable result of this discussion. Would they send Lex away? And where? Could he convince them to at least return her to her own world? Whatever the outcome, he would not see her again. He would continue to train for the hunt, gain honor and take a mate, a Yautja mate. And Lex would eventually be forgotten. But he doubted that. She was in his blood now, and he had to keep her. On the other hand, she might want to return to her world. She was upset at first, when she'd been brought aboard. But after the last few days, surely her desires would have changed. How could he lose her? She had saved his life. He was young, and had much to learn, but in this he was adamant. Taking Lex back to her planet was not acceptable, but he had little to say on the matter, little to say that would count.
"Even now, you neglect your training, to care for this ooman. You have duties. See to them! We will decide what to do about this situation soon." Oddly, in a kinder tone, he continued, "We are doing what is right, for you, and for your ooman. She would not be happy with us for much longer. Our way of life would not be easy for any ooman. Killing is not something they engage in as we do." He placed a hand on Scar's shoulder. "It is for the best."
Scar thought of the noticeable difference in her attitude of late. Perhaps what the elder said was true. She had wanted to leave the humanoids in peace. Fighting was just not a part of her daily existence. She fought when it was necessary, but she had not seemed to enjoy it, not as he had hoped.
"Go talk with her. If you wish, you may tell her we will return her to her planet. This is our decision. She has no permanent place here." He turned back to the control panel, letting Scar know the meeting was at an end.
Scar headed for his quarters. He was torn between telling Lex what might be good news, or letting it be a surprise as it occurred.
His fists were tightly clenched, as well as his mandibles. He felt an anger he hoped would not show itself, for he didn't know if he could control it. Lex had taught him one thing though. To be honest with her.
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That night, Scar and Lex lay in bed discussing various things about both their worlds and cultures. Lex was bored, and enjoyed hearing about Scar's people. Scar was learning more about what he used to consider prey. He was amazed at the accomplishments of the oomans. No wonder they made such formidable foes. They would probably be more so if they had the technology his people had. For now, Scar had to think of how he was going to tell Lex that she may be sent home. "Lex....," he started to say. Lex looked at him, her eyes questioning. "The Elders have decided that you should be returned to your planet."
Lex couldn't believe what she'd heard. She was going home? They were really taking her back? For 30 seconds, she felt elation. Then she realized what it meant. She wouldn't see Scar again....ever! The last week, she'd become quite attached to the alien who saved her life and she his, taught her about the Yuatja people, and shown her nothing but affection, in his own fashion. No one else on this ship had tried as hard to understand her, although a few, curious enough about humans, had spoken with her. But Lex felt a terrible aloneness that made being with Scar in his quarters the one thing she looked forward to. Lex noticed that Scar's mandibles were tightly shut, a sign that he was upset or angry. What was he feeling now? She stroked his arm as it lay across her, saying, "That's great. I....I think it's for the best, you know? I don't belong here, Scar." She buried her face in his neck, inhaling his distinctive scent, feeling she was being pulled away from something that belonged to her. She licked his skin, tasting for the first time, the pheromones of his kind. She suddenly did not want to let him go. Even if it meant going home. The elders would not let her stay, that was what she read in Scar's words. She had proven herself and still, they would not let her stay. Maybe it was time to leave. This was no life for her.
Scar put his arm around Lex, holding her tightly. He truly wanted to hold her hard enough to bind her to him, but he didn't want to hurt her accidently. "You wish to go." It was more a statement than a question. Wouldn't he want to return home, if it had been he who was separated from his people and world? "Lex." He had wanted to ask her to stay, but instead he could only say her name aloud. Absently, Lex had draped her leg over Scar's body. He placed his hand on her thigh possessively. Neither of them had much to say at this point, so they merely held each other, until sleep fell on them both.