DISCLAIMER--if I owned this--I wouldn't be writing it would I?

"I was always with you."

Those words haunt me. The have since I lost Jack. Kyra. She'll always be Jack to me. I can't stop thinking about her. She died in my arms. I thought—

"My lord?"

Great, Dame Vacco decided to 'grace' me with her presence. Couldn't she leave me in peace on today, of all days? It's been exactly one year since I lost my Jack.

"What?" I growled tersely.

"I do not mean to disturb you today, but there is something that you must see."

Slowly I stood from the shrine. Yes, I built a shrine for Jack. My Jack.

"What is it?" I asked as we walked through the ship.

"Something you must truly see for yourself my Lord. It is, astonishing."

As we entered the throne room, I saw the crowd that had gathered. I looked at Dame Vacco.

"What is going on Dame Vacco? I won't ask you again."

"Please, just have patience my Lord."

"Why—"

"My Lord huh? Damn, now why didn't I think of that one?"

The voice had my head turning so fast, the bones in my neck popped. I couldn't believe my ears. Or my eyes.

"Jack?"

Dame Vacco smiled slightly, "I thought you would want to know my Lord."

The woman stepped forward as I answered.

"Thank you Dame Vacco."

She bowed and stepped back into the crowd as Jack sauntered up to me. She looked at me and smiled.

"Where the hell can I get eyes like that?"

"Gotta kill a few people kid."

"Been there, done that. Even got killed myself."

That's when I remembered that we had an audience.

"Leave us!" I growled.

Everyone made themselves scarce. Being in charge had its perks.

Jack grinned, "Nice."

Then she launched herself at me, threw her arms around my neck and wrapped her legs around my waist. She felt so light that it didn't take much to catch her.

"Mmm," she purred, squeezing me tightly, "Missed you big guy."

I buried my face in her hair and inhaled deeply. I didn't want to let her go. But, reluctantly, I pulled away and let her unwrap her legs and slide down my body. I growled softly at the feeling of her body against mine. She didn't know what she did to me. She left her arms around my neck, and mine stayed around her waist.

"Didn't you miss me?" she asked, pouting.

I growled again and grabbed her wrist as I led her to my rooms. I slammed the door behind us and let go of her. She was about to make some smartass comment when she saw the shrine. Her eyes widened as she looked around her. I had pictures of her everywhere. Then, she noticed Ryan's toys.

"Riddick?" she asked quietly.

"No Jack," I shook my head, anticipating her, "Not married. No significant other. No one since you died."

"Then whose are—"

"There you are Uncle Riddick. He was just waking—" she stopped dead when she saw Jack, "Aunt Jack," she whispered.

"Thanks Ziza, I'll take him. Go back to your rooms and finish your studies."

She bowed slightly and handed two-month old Ryan to me. Jack just stared.

"Who?"

"He's mine," I said, looking down at him, then I looked back up to her, "and yours."

"Excuse me!"

"When you died, the rest of my humanity, what little there was of it, went with you. Until Dame Vacco suggested something to me. A way to keep you alive."

"How?"

"She suggested taking one of your eggs, fertilizing it, then having a surrogate carry it. I couldn't lose you again Jack. I would've done anything to keep even a small part of you with me."

"So, he's-he's mine?"

"Ours," I said as I kissed his forehead, "Every day, since he was born, he's seen your picture, heard your voice."

"How?"

"I had your pictures, and when Ziza's mother died four months ago, she came to live with me, bringing everything she could. Some of which were vid-discs of you two together with the Holy Man and his wife. He needed to know you from the beginning Jack."

"Can I—" she paused and swallowed, "Can I hold him?"

"Of course," I said as I handed him to her.

He started to fuss once I let go of him, but Jack settled him in her arms and started talking to him.

"Hey baby, it's alright. You're okay," she said softly.

Upon hearing her voice, he calmed and snuggled into her embrace.

"What's his name?" she asked as she traced a fingertip over his, now calm, features.

"Ryan," I said as I watched her, "Ryan Xavier Riddick."