Thanks for the reviews! They're really encouraging. I know that in the movies it took weeks to get to different
planets, but I sped it up for the purpose of the story. This is just a little chapter for Jessie and Riddick to bond and
figure out a little bit more about each other. I hope you like it. :)
The trip to the port didn't take too long, even on foot. Jessie noticed how Riddick kept her behind him, in a
shielding manner. She enjoyed the feeling of safety that the action provided. She didn't really stop to think if she
should go with him or not, it was her ticket outta here. She was thankful for whatever reason he had for helping
her. She couldn't wait to get off of this planet. Since Riddick had bought the ticket she didn't have to worry about
her father tracing where she went. Things were starting to look up a little bit. She allowed herself to smile
contentedly at the current situation.
As he walked through the busy streets Riddick contemplated the actions he had taken. Why was he bringing her
along? Earth would get her away from her father and he was sure she could find a place to work and stay there.
Jack had found her a steady place. He visited her often on Earth, though the visit had been delayed this time. He
was happy to be going to see the girl again. Maybe she could help Jessie get something set up. He thought about the
time he'd met Jack. That had been quite an adventure. Almost 6 years ago. That made her 18. She and Jessie might
hit it off real well. He'd stay a few days, maybe help out. Couldn't stay in one place too long. Had that price on his
head, but he could stay long enough to visit Jack, he thought of the girl as his little sister. She was the only reason
he wished he had a more stable life.
They were on the ship in no time. Seated in silence, side by side. Jessie looked over at Riddick. He seemed
incredibly comfortable with the silence, though he had his goggles down so she couldn't read any expression in his
eyes. She wanted so badly to ask him about his eyes. They were mesmerizing. The silvery shine. She also wanted to
ask him about why he'd brought her along. Offering her safe passage to another system. She was beyond grateful to
him.
"How long is the flight to Earth?" she asked out of curiosity.
She watched Riddick turn to her as he spoke. She was discovering she enjoyed watching him do a lot of things.
"About 17 hours. It's not too bad, but longer than I'd prefer," he answered, he continued to look at her after he'd
answered her. To her surprise he reached over and lifted the brim of her hat so that it didn't hide her face. "Don't
hide. It's not the way to live a life," he said as he turned back around. She looked at him for a long moment, making
no reply, thinking to the moment in the hotel room just before they'd left. She reached up absent mindedly,
touching her cheek where his fingers had traced. He'd been so gentle in that moment, it was hard to believe he was
so distant most of the time. She decided to leave her hat up the way he'd set it. They were in the back of the ship,
she didn't think they'd draw any attention. She was tired and they were about to take off, she felt quite safe. She
was also feeling very tired and incredibly sore from the fight last night. She leaned her head against her seat and
closed her eyes, relaxing completely in what seemed like ages to her.
Riddick watched the young woman next to him lean back against her seat. She looked peaceful. He found himself
almost smiling at the picture and found himself wanting to brush the stray hair out of her face, but resisted the
urge. It still irritated him that she had this effect on him. He wasn't supposed to care. That only ever got you hurt.
There was only one person in his life that he cared about, one person he trusted, one person who'd never done him
wrong. That girl was his only family. He thought about it a moment. Jack was a grown woman now, guessed he'd
have to stop thinking of her as little girl. He missed her a lot. Couldn't wait for the flight to land. Knowing the visit
would be much too short. He settled in for the long flight. He never slept on flights. Didn't trust the people around
him enough. He looked over at Jessie again. She appeared to be asleep. Her breathing soft and even. She was really
a very pretty girl. He wished she'd kept her hair natural color. It looked good on her. But he knew well what lengths
you'd go to to keep someone from recognizing you. The dark hair made her look even more pale. He liked the white
of her skin, but the bruises that marred it... They looked terrible. Especially the ones from last night. He smiled to
himself. She'd certainly put up a fight. He knew there were many women who wouldn't have been able to handle it.
And of course if he hadn't showed up when he didn't there was no telling what would have happened. But she was a
fighter none the less and he admired that in her.
Jessie didn't know how long she'd dozed off for, but they were in flight when she awakened. She blushed slightly
when she realized her head was laying on the shoulder of the man next to her. She glanced up to find him looking at
her. Almost smiling. She smiled a little back. "Sorry," she said as she straightened up and adjusted her hat, trying
to look neat. "No reason to be," he replied. She hoped the blush in her cheeks wasn't terribly visible. Knowing it
probably was. Her porcelain skin betrayed all emotions. She looked away, pretending to look around the ship with
interest. "How long have we been flying?"
He looked down at the watch on his wrist. "About 4 hours."
She'd managed to sleep for four hours, wow. Still had 13 hours to go. She wished the flight was over. She was always
nervous in flight. However she found a part of herself not wanting it to be over, knowing when it was Riddick had
no reason to stay with her. He didn't have a reason now, she knew, but he was helping her find a new start. She
would miss him when he left, and she didn't doubt he would. He was the loner type, she knew. She was curious why
he was going to Earth. She was curious about a lot of things about him but was afraid to ask. She didn't want him
to get mad at her. Surely, he could just tell her if he didn't wanna talk. He wouldn't get mad at her for asking, would
he?
She decided to take her chances. "What's on Earth?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" he asked her back. Not sure what kind of answer she wanted. "Why are you headed to
Earth?" she rephrased.
He shrugged as he replied, "Old friend to see." She nodded to herself. "Can I ask you why your eyes are like that?"
He looked at with no reply for a long moment. "Maybe another time I'll tell you that." With that he turned back
around and she didn't feel he'd answer anymore questions.
They spent a couple of hours in silence. Riddick watched the other passengers, he always kept his eyes on the
surroundings. There weren't many others on the flight. He was happy about that. Fewer people to notice him. He
was happy that he was lesser known in this area of space. He didn't mind his reputation but it was nicer to leave
when he saw fit instead of when some mercs saw fit. He'd spent so much of his life in prison and on the run he
wasn't sure he would ever settle down somewhere if he could. No, a rogue's life was what he lived.
He wondered what the girl next to him would think if she knew who he was. He was surprised she hadn't made a
connection yet. Guess he really wasn't well known around here. That made him feel a little more at ease, but he was
always on guard. He glanced over at the girl briefly. She looked to be in deep thought. Her brow furrowed slightly.
He was glad that she hadn't pressed the matter about his eyes. He was thankful the whole way around that she
wasn't overly talkative. That was just one more thing he liked about her versus others her age. Don't get too
attached, he warned himself. He already had one person to be concerned about in the universe. He didn't need to
add to that.
He glanced down at his watch. They had another 6 hours of flight. He was getting tired of sitting, but didn't feel like
making himself more known on the ship by walking around.
Jessie sighed. She was ready for this flight to be over. She was stiff and sore. Her muscles ached from last night. She
noted from Riddick's watch that they had another 4 hours to go.
Lost in her own thoughts it took her a minute to realize that Riddick was talking to her. "I'm sorry, what did you
say?" she asked turning in her seat to face him. "I asked you if you had any work experience. I've got a friend on
Earth who might be able to help you get set up if you've got some experience." She shook her head in response. "No,
I was never allowed to get a job. But I know how to work and I'm a fast learner." He nodded at her. "Good. You and
Jack should get along well. You've got a lot in common."
"Jack? He the old friend you're going to see?" as she asked she watched an amused look sneak across his face.
"Yes, Jack is the one I'm going to see. She's a good friend."
Jack's a she? Hmm. "Oh, I just thought- Well, you obviously know," she simply stated. He laughed softly, good
naturedly. She liked the deep sound.
"You know, I owe you a huge thank you. You've saved my life a couple of times now. I thought chivalry died out a
long time ago."
"It did. I'm not normally the chivalrous kind of guy. Couldn't tell you why I was this time."
She nodded and turned back to her seat. "Well, I still owe you thanks."
"You're welcome."
As the flight landed and they prepared to disembark she knew she'd miss him when he left and she was really
nervous about starting her new life here.
