Disclaimer: see chapter 1.

As Riddick stood to leave the internet cafe, River stealthily meandered through the crowded streets, giving an unaffected air to those around her. She felt the beams of the system's sun warm her cheeks as she moved. Being out in the black for months at a time deprived the young woman from feeling grounded, as she felt now. Each situation presented a chance to hone her skills differently. Now, she was using her mind to track the man with the steel-laced control over his thought processes. River suspected it was due to the animal lying in wait beneath the surface of the man in him.

She followed as the killer hopped from roof to roof, around and behind buildings. I've got you now, she thought.


Got you now, Riddick thought, half expecting the little witch to be listening in. The database didn't give him any info on why the government wanted her, but it sure would pay a hefty price. That peaked Riddick's already growing interest in her, which was why the moment he caught her scent, he turned to it.

He dodged and went up and around, trying to follow her as she walked. She seemed to be going in circles, maybe realizing someone was following her. Riddick decided to lay low, until she decided on her destination. He realized she was probably staying with the core boy and the man who started the bar fight, but he couldn't help be curious as to why she was wandering be herself now. Her long locks kept blowing with each light breeze, entrancing Riddick.

He kept his nose attuned to her sharp and sweet scent as she stopped in the middle of a throng of purposeless sheep.


Ha! River realized they were following each other! She made sure he was still keeping up with her when River started back to Mother. If Riddick was going to follow her, then she will lead him where she wants him to go. While she pondered this interesting development, she mindlessly rounded the corner before the ship's docks.

She felt his mind closing in on her. As she was just about the leave the darkness of the alleyway, a thick arm stopped her.

"Girl."

River turned her body to face the man. The very big, very handsome man. River felt the warm tingles dance across her lithe form as she pressed her back against the brick wall.

His dark goggles were very intimidating to any normal person, but River was not normal. The darkness reminded her of the black. Cold, silent, and full of space. She felt drawn into the goggles as if his eyes behind it were calling to her. River pushed her body against the brick once more. Not the time, she scolded herself.

She almost wanted to chuckle as the fact that he had only had time to get that one word out before the cavalry arrived. The sound of a gun being cocked made Riddick's head title slightly away from River.

"Hey, now, whatcha doin' there? That's our Moonbrain," the man named Jayne said, while holding his favorite Vera level against Riddick's head.

"Captain Daddy, no need," River directed toward the man standing next to the gun hand. "New pack," she told Riddick. She gave him a firm nod to reinforce her assertion. "Jayne going to leave soon, Captain Daddy, and Riddick can replace."


Riddick realized this girl had already planned how she was going to keep Riddick near her. The question was whether this was out of fear or . . . something else.

He didn't know whether to be impressed at her skills or angry at the thought of being caged again. He settled on stunned.

"What, Lil' 'tross, Jayne?" The man next to the one with the overcompensating gun asked. His long brown coat almost swept over the dirt-covered ground with each movement.

"Well, Cap'. I was a meanin' to tell ya. My ma sent a letter tellin' me was gettin' sick. I was plannin' on askin' to stop by her place once we left this rock," he stated, putting his gun down. His bearded face had the beginnings of a sheepish look, which made Riddick want to chuckle.

The man each kept calling Captain turned to the little witch. "Well, Lil' albatross, you trust this hun dun?"

The girl gave another firm nod in agreement. Riddick took another look at the girl. So, no fear. And in fact in all their interactions she never seemed afraid. Riddick smirked in victory.


A/N: I'm so sorry! I tried to make this longer, but I couldn't even keep up the suspense for myself! Hope you enjoy!