Thicker than Blood

I do not own any film in the Alien franchise.

Chapter 2

The ship settled onto the deck with a whoosh of expelled steam coming from two slots at the back-end of the vehicle. Tanner rose from his seat after securing the controls, his hand held out indicating for Jonathan and Cres'sa to follow him to the exit.

Outside the ship, waiting soldiers made a line on either side of the gangway, the ones closest to the door facing it while the others faced outward, looking out for any intruders who might wander into the hangar bay unannounced.

Sergeant Jennifer Philips was an experienced soldier, and one of Tanner's better marksmen. She knew just about everything there was to know about firearms, and was known to have disassembled a pulse rifle, and put it back together, with her eyes closed. As serious as she was known to be, she also appreciated having some fun. When the hybrid male exited the ship following their temporary commander, the now retired Major Tanner, Sergeant Philips inhaled sharply. She hadn't expected the human to be so beautiful. Her eyes ran the length of his firm body, which stood at least 6'2". His glossy black hair hung loosely to just below his neckline. Still, it was his eyes that captured her interest. Maybe it was the lighting, but they seemed almost black. Then they were hidden from her view as he put on a pair of sunglasses. Philips audibly sighed.

"What is it, Jennie?" Sergeant Ed Wheaton asked her in a low whisper. They had been good friends, for ages it seemed, yet he had never slept with her. Sometimes, he even wondered why not. It just never seemed to have come up. Maybe neither wanted to risk ruining a good friendship. He knew he didn't. "Jenn!" he hissed louder, noting her attention on the disembarking party.

"Oh, nothing. I just didn't expect him to be so...gorgeous."

Wheaton snickered, realizing she was fixated on the man who was part xenomorph. "Cool the lust, kiddo. He's not human, remember?"

Philips laughed low, whispering, "I could forgive that." Seeing Tanner glare at her, she went to attention, holding her breath as the object of her observations passed her, walking down the ramp. Again, her thoughts were not on business. How long had it been since she'd had sex? Maybe she was just feeling horny, for anyone. But he was so beautiful, dressed in dark clothing and a long black coat. She wondered just what made him less than human. Focus, Philips, focus! Her eyes then moved to the tall and obviously alien creature moving down the ramp. That must be the female Tanner had mentioned. So these twin offspring of a human mother and xeno father didn't even look alike. The male appeared human while his sister definitely did not.

Ed Wheaton regarded the female xenomorph, feeling a shiver move through his body. He had never seen one in person, but had heard about them. Ugly is a word in a half word, he thought. She was built tall and lean, her flesh not soft, but hard, like a crab or lobster he reckoned. He heard her hiss low, her sharp teeth showing as she swung her head toward him. He didn't know if she was looking at him, since she had no eyes. Maybe she could smell him. Her kind could have a completely different way of detecting humans.

"Wheaton, Philips, front and center!" Tanner managed to cut through the reverie of the two squad members. Satisfied as both soldiers walked briskly towards him, he paced in front of his two wards, hands behind his back. "Philips, I want you to keep close company with Jonathan here. Wheaton, you stay with Cres'sa. I want you both to remain vigilant. Any sign of trouble, alert myself and the rest of the squad ASAP. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" both barked in unison.

"Sir, are we expecting trouble?" Philips asked, trying to hide the blush she felt creeping up her neck. Why did she have to be assigned to Mr Gorgeous?

"I hope not, but no sense in letting your guard down. We know there are people who would like to see these kids dead. And there are others who would like to capture them for their own agenda. I promised their mother I would take good care of them. Don't make a liar of me."

"Yes, sir!" Wheaton went to stand at the side of the female alien, careful not to touch her in any way. Philips adopted a disinterested face as she took her place next to the tall but quiet man in black. She wondered what his voice sounded like. Mentally kicking herself for letting her thoughts drift again, she straightened her back and grasped her rifle tightly.

Tanner moved away from the ship, Annalise's children and their guards at his back. The rest of the squad followed after.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Dismissing the bulk of his unit so they could have supper, Tanner took his charges to their quarters. It was a large two-bedroom unit, each room holding two beds. He had wanted the soldiers he handpicked to protect Jonathan and Cres'sa, staying with them at all times. He figured Cres'sa would not use the bed in her room, but he didn't know for sure. Maybe she would investigate the human side of her heritage. She was talk and lanky, with a hard exoskeleton like her father. She just might end up creating a nesting area in a corner of the room, and sleep there.

Looking at Ed Wheaton, he wondered if he had chosen wisely. He knew Wheaton to be a tolerant man, interested in the universe and its diversity. But he had noticed the soldier exhibit less than enthusiastic behavior when Cres'sa had left the ship. He could change the arrangements, re-assigning Wheaton to Jonathan, and Philips to Cres'sa. No, he was right the first time, refusing to second-guess himself. Despite their genders, he had made the right decision.

"Ok, kids, this is where you will live while in the city. I plan on showing you other places. Just regard this as your home base, so to speak. Sergeants Wheaton and Philips will stay with you, so if you need anything, ask them. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, let them know. Get some rest, and I'll see you in the morning."

"Uncle Richard..." Jonathan seemed to hesitate, looking from one soldier to the other.

"Yes, son?" Tanner knew they had to be anxious, but only Jonathan could articulate it. He reached out and grasped the boy's shoulder. "It'll be ok. You'll love being here, I promise. We just have to make sure that you and Cres'sa are safe, ok?"

Jonathan smiled and nodded. He looked at his sister, and then back to Tanner. "We'll be fine, sir."

Tanner nodded at Wheaton and Philips. "Remember what I said," he said, before leaving the apartment.

When the door shut behind him, two soldiers and two human/xeno hybrids stood facing each other, not sure what to do next.

Cres'sa went to her brother. They seemed to be communicating, the two humans thought. Telepathy was both their guesses.

Ed Wheaton held his rifle at ease. "Uh...Cres...Cres'sa, why don't you come with me, so I can show you your quarters. I'm not sure if it will be comfortable for you, so you...uh, let me know." He went into the bedroom, his eyes scanning the area for anything that looked out of place. Sensing the xeno behind him, he set his rifle on one of the beds. Looking over at his charge, he patted the bed, pushing down on it. "I don't know if you sleep on something similar. It's very comfortable, but do what you like. I'll take this one." He sat on the edge of the double bed, suddenly tired. Maybe Jennie wouldn't mind taking first watch.

Out in the living room, Jonathan was looking Philips up and down, his lips curling in a half-smile. Philips didn't know why she was so drawn to his eyes, which she could now see where indeed, black as night. Nor could she explain why she felt like melting into a puddle from the heat of her blush. This was ridiculous. "If you think I can't do the job, I'll have you know Major Tanner only chooses the best for his outfits."

Jonathan slipped his sunglasses into his coat pocket. "I'll have you know...Sergeant, that Uncle Richard has been a part of our family since the day we were born, and earlier. I know the man, and his expectations. You can do the job." He chuckled beneath his breath, and turning from a startled Philips, went into the bedroom, shutting the door quietly.

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out as she merely sputtered and gave up in frustration. "Shit," she muttered. "I let him do that to me!" She placed her rifle in the corner, and plopped on the couch. Crossing her arms, she closed her eyes, and began talking to herself.

"Hey, you, crazy lady, what do you think you're doing?" It was Ed Wheaton, looking down at a flustered Philips. He sat beside her. "Is something wrong, Jenn?"

"Oh, he makes me so mad. What is he, Ed? Why is he affecting me this way?"

"He's...affecting you?" Sitting back, he let his friend speak her mind. As long as the xeno half-breed wasn't hurting her... Still, he didn't want Jennie to feel bothered either. He felt like beating some sense into the inhuman bastard.

"Ed, I know we've been friends for years. Although I think you're wonderful, and a good soldier, I could never...well, sleep with you. I like you too much. Now, this jerk comes along, does something to me physically, making me want..." Standing, she shook her head, waving her hands in the air in front of her. "No, I won't let that happen."

"Uh, Jenn? How do you know this guy even wants you? He's not human! He's probably fucked a number of his own kind already. He's toying with you, hon. He sees how he can fluster you, so he does. Ignore him. Stick to the mission at hand, and leave him alone."

Jenn turned to face her friend. "Yeah, you're right. Stick to the job." She rubbed her eyes with her fists. "I'm tired, but I think I'll lie down out here. No sense in letting him have his fun."

"I can take first watch, if you want."

"No, let me. I have a feeling I'll fade, and that will be that. I'd better take first watch."

Ed decided to let his comrade in arms rest first. "Alright, as you wish, ma'am," he said, bowing his head slightly. He ducked the pillow thrown at him by a sullen Philips. Oddly, he felt a bit better, but bid Jennie good night, and went back to the bedroom. Before entering, he looked over at the closed door where their other charge was sequestered. His eyes narrowed. "Bastard," he whispered, before going into the room. He shut the door behind him, and looked around for Cres'sa. She was no where to be found. He went over to the bathroom door, which was partly closed. Pushing it open, he peered inside to find a sleeping Cres'sa curled up in the tub. She was far too big for it, but compressed as she was, she seemed fine. He didn't detect any movement or sound, so shut the door slightly. Going over to his bed, he sat and removed his boots. Falling back, he lay there fully clothed, staring up at the ceiling. His mind went over the words of Major Tanner. Some wanted these beings dead, while others wanted to take them prisoner for whatever nefarious plans they had. He had to make sure that didn't happen. Placing his arms behind his head, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Out on the couch, Jennie had sat with her legs tucked beneath her. She tried adopting her meditation techniques she would use to soothe her mind when on dangerous missions. This one was just annoying. She had closed her eyes, attempting to block out all sounds, but she sensed something. Opening them, she found herself looking up into the very black eyes of Jonathan. The pain in her ass had shed his coat, and was standing there in his black slacks and shirt, still looking gorgeous and cocky at the same time, as if he knew she was attracted to him.

"Why aren't you in the bedroom guarding me, Sergeant Philips?"

"I have a feeling you don't need a guard..."

"Jonathan. My name is Jonathan," he said, grinning.

"I know. Jonathan. Actually, it's routine for one of us to stay awake while the other sleeps. I'm taking first watch. You'd better get some sleep. Major Tanner will no doubt have a full schedule for you tomorrow."

"Very well, I'll take your advice." Jonathan knew this Jennie Philips was annoyed at him, and found himself enjoying annoying her. "You can come in whenever it's your turn to sleep, Sergeant. I'll leave one of the beds empty, just for you." He could smell her arousal. It would be so easy to take her, but since he had never mated with a female, if this was their destiny, he wanted this courtship to last as long as possible. It was far too much fun. Turning away, he waited a heartbeat, before walking towards the bedroom door. He could feel her eyes on his back, and smiled. Oh, yeah, he would have her and soon.

A/N: good news- I was writing chapter 3. bad news- my laptop gave me an error message and I lost it all. Lesson learned-hit save after every sentence. I will get over my anger and start again. Sorry, folks.