A New Beginning

Note: AU, quite long one-shot just for you all! Enjoy the last one! Oh, BTW, do you think I should do a similar one for Vasquez/Drake and Ripley/Hicks?

"Hello Jonathan. Good morning my sweetheart."

Colette panted, her face and hair drenched in sweat and her body absolutely numb with exhaustion. She was so physically weak she could barely lift her legs up which was just fine with her to rest on the bed. Rest, something she desperately longed for right now, but her heart raced with such excitement right now it'd be impossible to fall asleep.

In her arms was a bundle of thick white blankets wrapped together around the precious, recently born life. The child snoozed quietly, face completely calm, peaceful, and a little red despite the fact less than an hour ago he had taken his first gulp of air and cried. Though the face was red, it was also perfectly round, with cute fat little cheeks and a headful of dark brown colored, curly hair.

Not to mention, she was dead set certain that her son had her doe shaped blue eyes.

"A Daddy. Jesus I can't believe it." Daniel whispered to himself, a hand over his mouth covering the grin he couldn't wipe off. To be asked to do such an action at a time like this was impossible, but it was only to stop himself from bawling suddenly. He told himself repeatedly guys don't get emotional like that, it's weak and silly, but the feeling was so dang overwhelming.

The fact was that they made a life out of love. She was a mother, and he was now a father to a son. A little boy who would grow up to look like the mix of them, who Daniel would try to give the best life possible, one far better than the one he had growing up.

He closed his eyes, the first memory about the news coming back to him so fast.

"Liar." he had said, shaking his head in frightened disbelief. What was there to be sxared of? Not to mention the fact you just accused your own girlfriend of being a liar at such an emotional event? How stupid can you be?

She stared with a surprised and horrified expression on her face as soon as he said those words, her smiling and the glittering excitement in her eyes disappearing immediately. She raised her hand, about ready to hit him, but her face flinched with regret already and in defeat raised her hand slowly down.

"I'm not lying you idiot. This ain't food poisoning, it's a "positive" case of that you knocked me up. Great job, I can already see your enthusiasm." Colette bitterly remarked, pushing him before turning the other way and storming off furiously.

The words hit him with such a numbing feeling, but Daniel wasn't stupid. It hadn't taken long for him to react, as he suddenly ran after her. He grabbed after her hand, spinning her around suddenly to face him.

"It's wonderful." he said, truly meaning every word and looking right to her shocked face, before kissing her forcibly. Well, it had appeared forcibly until she had relaxened and pulled him closer.

'I would never leave your side like that Colette. Never.' he thought to himself in the midst of the kiss.

He opened his eyes again this time looking towards his tired girlfriend, exchanging a whole hearted glance.

Colette remembered all the reactions of the others; Some feeling ironic or having made a predicted bet it would happen, how her fellow female Marines refused to let her go from the excited hugs of congratulations.

"Danny come here. Hurry." she called quietly, and the minute he had reached her she turned in front of him, placing her back against his front. His arms slipped through reaching for hers in the hug, as his breath tickled against her neck and he nipped at her ear.

"Are you gonna eat me?" he jokingly remarked, and just to get revenge at him, she started to pretend to cry. When she was naturally angry it wasn't funny, but constantly hormonally emotional was a nightmare enough to make Daniel paranoid.

"God Ferro, I was kidding! D-Don't cry, please!" he begged, before she could no longer keep a straight face and giggled.

"Got the message? Now shut up and give me your hands." she demanded.

"But-"

"Just do it Danny, I'm not gonna cut them off or something. Sheesh." she groaned, rolling her eyes. After a pause, Daniel allowed Colette's hands to guide his, where she placed them gently against her bulging abdomen.

The response was a fluttering kick that made both parents's hearts skip a beat.

"He knows when his Daddy is here." Colette whispered, grinning from ear to ear. Daniel widened his eyes at the strange but miraculous feeling, suddenly feeling himself stutter up.

"Er- uh- h-hi. Hello there." he tumbled out the words, smiling widely and brightly as well.

The baby stirred in her arms, giving a slight whimper and bringing back Colette's attention. She stared attentively just in case, but her son did not awake. Daniel smirked and got off his nearby seat.

"Can I?" he pleaded, as she pressed her lips together in a thin line, pausing to think about it.

"I dunno Danny. Can you? Do your arms work properly?" she questioned sarcastically.

"Ah shaddap." he groaned, carefully without any honest experience taking Jonathan from Colette's arms and into his own It was awkward trying to adjust comfortably for both, not to mention the sudden worry about accidentally dropping his son. But Daniel shut down his fears to realize he was doing just fine.

Colette beamed proudly, just as her smiled slowly faltered and her heavy eyelids fell. Good, both knew she needed the sleep after all the painful labor.

"Hi Johnny." he spoke softly, heart melting as the little baby boy's eyes fluttered open for the first time. They looked exactly as Colette had predicted, ironically exactly like hers, they were doe shaped and the same bright blue color.

"So uh...eh little man. Welcome to the world. I'm your Daddy and expert guide to your life. Now over there sleeping is your Mommy, and by the way mister you and I are going to have a nice talk- starting with you're grounded for kicking your mother for nine months." Spunkmeyer grinned heartily before quickly continuing.

"You've got this giant extended family of jackasses that you can call your aunts and uncles from the Marines. Like...well there's Aunt Cynthia, who can help you with any booboos you get. And then there's Uncle Al, who's very loud and Uncle William who we're going to train you to call 'Uncle Dummy', just don't tell your mother. There's also Aunt Jenette and Uncle Mark, both mischievious and most likely to give you cousins. Oh, don't forget there's lot's of others like Uncle Dwayne, Uncle Trevor, and Uncle Ricco, the only sane ones amongst us all. And-"

"Christ Danny. Our baby is only two hours old and you're already giving him a history lesson?" Colette groaned while her eyes remained closed.

"I'm giving him survival tips from our beloved buddies." Daniel defended, grinning. Sitting back down on the chair and balancing Jonathan in one hand, he reached with the other one for Colette's hand, and held it tight. Both exchanged a weary smile shortly before she fell right back asleep.

They were the complete, perfect family.

XxX

Five Months Later

He had firmly insisted, no, told her to stay behind at the apartment they had recently bought and lived together in. For the sake of herself and Jonathan's. After all, it had been her first to worry about the fact they were sending a consultant.

He had already left an hour earlier from the apartment, on his way to meet up with the others for the departure to the Sulaco and from there to the search and rescue mission.

Ferro stared anxiously and gloomily from the window's view, the sun early at it's rise. Time was short with the alternative option of going with him, just ticking away carelessly as she stared by the window, fingers drumming against the glass of the window. She sighed, ears perked just in case to hear if whether or not Johnny would be up soon. Of course he wouldn't, he was just like his father- both wanted to sleep in as much as possible when given the option.

The idea ringed in her mind. It screamed, begged, and dared her to be bold and go with Daniel. She could always ring up her mother or the neighbor from across the hall, Amy, to watch over Johnny. A taxi would be a fast transportation to the base, and by then there'd be nothing Daniel could say or do to stop her.

After all, just who was she? Why none other than Colette Ferro, that's who. A naturally stubborn woman-

''But don't forget a mother too.' her consicence lectured, as she turned over sadly to the nearby crib, where her growing but still small son slept obliviously. Colette reached down carefully and stroked her son's cheek lovingly.

If anything happened to her and or Danny, God forbid, how would Johnny manage? Would he carry any memories of his parents? Would he understand why they had died? Not just for their duty, but for him. For Johnny to grow up in a better, safer world.

'But would that better world mean one without his own parents?' her mind questioned, and her heart aching about the idea of leaving her baby son. Suddenly she realized that Johnny was already awake and attempting to sit up, an action he had been practicing to master for a while.

And for the first time, he had succeeded, his bright blue eyes looking eagerly to his mother's and awating for her proud smile.

Colette's heart broke. If she left now, would she be leaving for good? Would she be sacrificing all these happy moments and milestone events of Johnny?

But would Daniel be okay?

"I have to know." she finally decided, softly whispering to herself. She grabbed her son, cradled him in her arms for the longest time and planting kisses all over his face all while he smiled innocently.

Johnny was so oblivious and naïve, but yet could somehow see the hurt and broken-hearted look in his mother's eyes.

"Don't look at me like that Johnny." Ferro pleaded, rushing to get dressed and already having called Amy for the favor of babysitting him. She relaxened herself, came to his crib once again and held him in her arms for the longest time.

It would be better if he were asleep. Better than instead for him to see his mother leave and cry, not knowing when or if she'd return. So Ferro whispered a lullaby in a hoarse but beautiful whisper. She felt so anxious, overwhelmed, and guilty she was about ready to cry as she finished the last lines of the lullaby.

"Come morning light. You and I will be safe and sound." she sang just as Johnny had closed his eyes and fallen asleep in her arms. Ferro placed him properly back in the crib, taking the time once again to leave a letter behind, even though obviously knowing Johnny couldn't read.

And with that as Amy had gotten to the door, she did not even look at the young woman and ran off.

XxX

Johnny,

I'm sorry, I really, truly am. I hate myself for leaving you behind right now, my precious bundle of joy, love, life, and happiness. But I need to go to Daddy, because whether or not he admits it, he needs me on the mission. It's urgent and necessary. No matter what happens, just remember that I love you so much. Both Mommy and Daddy, we love you to death Jonathan.

Mommy

XxX

She was an idiot.

A fool. A moron.

He wanted to think of every furious insult in the book, but instead was so hysterical as she saw her run right towards him with her large grin plastered on her face. She jumped right into his arms, and he spun her around, burying his face against her soft, curly, dark blond hair.

"For the love of- ugh! Dammit, Colette, dammit! I told you! You shouldn't have!" he exclaimed, unable to describe the mixed rush of feelings from fury to hysteria. She giggled, hot tears in her eyes as she found it too hard to pull away from him.

"Johnny will be fine, Amy's watching him. He'll sleep in all he wants just like Daddy likes to, but you Daniel, whether you admit it or not, it's you that needs me right now." Colette whispered, making the effort of a small smile.

Their eyes tell a longer story.

'Please go back.'

'It's already too late. We both know that, Danny I'm going with you.'

'I don't need you. Johnny does.'

'We're in this together. If you're so serious about not needing me than you can sweep me off my feet, drag me to a private VIP transport vehicle of some sort and send me back to the apartment. Go ahead, I dare you.'

'God you're so stubborn.'

'Daniel, I had to know.'

"I love you." he murmurs.

"Well that I already knew." she says with a smile, as they both brave the mission, hand in hand, together.

XxX

Whatever they are about to truly face, neither knew. Whether or not they were going to die, well, that was something that had never been able to answer from the beginning.

But it was all worth it, for the sake of their baby son, who slept peacefully while a war far away raged on, taking the lives of his parents.

'You'll be alright. No one can hurt you now. Come morning light. You and I will be safe and sound...' the lullaby echoed in the baby's ears.

XxX

The end. :')

The song is "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift. Don't worry, there'll be more of a feature of Johnny. He's already mentioned in my other Aliens fic, and will became a main character in another planned one.

Well my fellow readers, I hope you have enjoyed. Perhaps I'll do something like this for Vasquez/Drake and Ripley/Hicks. For now...I take a bow.

I hope you've enjoyed! now all of you go fly the friendly skies- and try not to mistaken a monstrous alien as your co-pilot/lover. xD