On LV-426, 2179 CE

Ripley pressed the pedal to the metal in the APC. Inexperienced with the vehicle and terrified at the senseless carnage of colonists and most of the Marines, she'd lost track of anything but the rising panic that compelled her to push the vehicle to its limit. Hicks' voice, desperate, broke her trance. He urged her to ease down, covering her white-knuckle grip with his calloused hands. Ripley focused on him - the warmth and steadiness of his hands, the timbre of his voice - and let him pull her back to center as the APC ground to a halt. "Okay, soldier, good job," he breathed in her ear, so softly she wasn't sure he even knew he said it out loud. When he finally removed his hands, a part of her soul cried out at the loss. Ripley felt strung out and brittle, like she might shatter, but Hicks just gazed back in understanding. He knew what it was like to ride the sharp edge of panic and then recover.

Ripley finally found herself almost alone with Hicks after dispatching Hudson for schematics. Newt was curled up against her side, her eyes barely open.

"How are you holding up?" Hicks asked her quietly, caring eyes searching her face.

Ripley sighed, grateful he cared to ask, but unsure how to express the roller coaster of emotions every minute on this god-forsake colony elicited. She settled for letting him know she wasn't in imminent danger of cracking. "All things considered, I'm okay."

"Yeah, dumb question," he admitted, huffing out a little laugh, and Ripley's lips turned up into a small smile. This Marine had a way about him, that made her heart lighter with just a glance. "Anyone with a lick of sense would be freaking out. We're both doing better than Hudson. You did good getting him under control," he said with a nod.

Corporal Hicks was full of surprises, Ripley mused. "You're not mad that I took charge?" she asked. She'd spent a good deal of her life contending with overinflated egos that would have bristled at her assumption of command.

"You're the only person here who's survived an encounter with these fuckers. I'd be stupid not to follow your lead, and I'm not stupid." Hicks told her. Hicks' confidence in her was like a breath of fresh air, if fresh air could make her feel stronger and supported.

Ripley put Newt down for a nap and returned to find Hicks alone in the command center. He flashed her another little grin despite the oppressive tension, and she again felt the crushing dread lift incrementally. He was the only person she trusted here to do what needed to be done, if worst came to worst. They both knew there was a fate worse than death looming - to be cocooned and impregnated, helpless to do anything but anticipate a bloody, painful end. Ripley finally found her voice. "Hicks, I'm not gonna end up like those others. You'll take care of it, won't you?"

Ripley saw her fear and determination reflected in Hicks' own face when he reassured her, "If it comes to that, I'll do us both." He spoke with grim conviction. "Listen, let's just make sure it doesn't come to that. All right?"

He was right. Dwelling on it wouldn't make a difference. "All right," Ripley agreed. Then Hicks offered to teach her how to use his pulse rifle.

This is absurd, Ripley thought, as she felt another flutter of desire when Hicks' skin brushed hers. He stepped behind her, curling his body around her as he guided her into the correct position, and all Ripley could think about was how much she'd like the layers of clothing between them to vanish so she could feel his skin pressed to hers. How can I be turned on now? She forced herself to focus on the training, but it was impossible to ignore the feeling of his chest pressed to her back, radiating warmth and stability. She mimicked his deft, sure movements, flirting and basking in his clear admiration of her.

Finally, Hicks said, "You're good to go. You would have made a hell of a Marine." Ripley heard the smile in his voice. She prepared for the loss of his heat, but he didn't pull away. His hands dropped from the weapon and drifted down to rest on her hips. Ripley closed her eyes and let herself relax against his chest, comforted by his proximity. She felt his sigh in the long exhale of warm breath against her neck. Finally, he murmured in her ear. "Whatever happens, I'm glad you have my back. You know I've got yours."