I want to thank racerforlife, gypsy-leah, jjbroadway, sammy, Riddicks-gurl1988, and MaelstromK for reviewing on the first 3 chapters. Thanks guys, it means a lot to me!

I gulped as I debated how to answer him. Looking back on the past few hours, I'd fallen back into my twenty two year-old self, clumsy, panicky and unsure of myself. This was how I was to demonstrate how I'd changed? What had happened to the cool and in-control persona I'd perfected over the seven years since that incident? Demolished within a few hours of meeting the man.

Well, no more. I wouldn't let him turn me into a stuttering, blithering idiot. I blamed shock for my actions today, but no more. Chelsea the professional was back and she was staying.

"You weren't here when I got back," I said, sitting up and arranging the blanket around me. "So I couldn't tell you about our new dilemma."

I raised my eyes to his, refusing to be cowed by the silver gleam of light reflected off his eyes. "One of my patients bumped into me at the market and saw what was in the bags. Assumptions were made. I decided it would be better if I went along with it than if I protested. Besides, it gives you an excuse if you happen to be seen entering and exiting my apartment."

"Seen? Are you trying to insult me?" He cocked an eyebrow arrogantly.

"No, but there's a possibility whether you like it or not," I glared. "Besides, it's just an act. Don't get your panties in a twist," I turned to get off the couch. In a flash, he'd grabbed my shoulder, yanked me backwards, and had me pinned between a hard chest and soft cushions.

"Remember who you're talking to, Chelsea. I am not someone to be fucked with," his voice was cold. A warning.

I chose to ignore it, and shoved him. He only moved a few inches, so I brought my face very close to his and said clearly and succinctly, "Neither am I."

We stared at each other for a few more seconds, before he let me up. I stalked off towards my home-office, my heart still beating from the knowledge that I had come this close to dying. The only thing that had saved me was the fact that he needed me alive to stave away suspicion.

I reached the haven of my office and took a couple fortifying breaths before pulling a sheaf of paperwork from out of my briefcase.

Cold. In control. Unemotional. This became a mantra in my head. If I wanted to prove to Riddick that I wasn't the same person I'd been on that ship, I'd have to remember those three things. I wouldn't regress. I refused.

There would be no more emotional screw-ups.

I'm sorry this segment is so short, but I thought that this would be a good place to stop it for now. I'll have another chapter up as soon as I can manage. Please have patience with me! *bows*