A/N: TCoR re-imagining - sequel to "Animal Side". The boys reunite ... finally. If you don't like slash, skip this chapter.

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction using characters from the Pitch Black universe. I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of PB/TCoR. This work is solely for entertainment purposes and is not considered canon (not by a long shot).

Vaako?

Riddick had only enough time to turn before the strike came. Vaako hit him in a flying tackle and they went down into a writhing, twisting heap before wrenching free of each other. Vaako leapt up, reading to charge again, but Riddick stayed easily out of range. They simply circled one another, muscles coiling for the next collision.

"You gonna take your chances, beautiful?"

Vaako winced and tilted his head as though in pain. "Stop calling me that!"

"Still true," Riddick said.

"I remember … everything … everything I've done in the name of my … Faith …" Vaako said in a hoarse whisper. "I remember everything from before I converted … I even remember you."

Riddick said nothing. Vaako attacked. Evenly matched, the men landed blow after blow to the other but neither gained an advantage. They broke apart again.

"You belong to me, Vaako." Riddick said.

"I belong to no man!" Vaako said sharply but his facial expression was confused. "I ... No! First and always I am a Necromonger commander. I obey my Lord Marshal to bring him glory."

"Sounds like you ain't too sure about that, beautiful."

"Stop. Calling. Me. That." Vaako ground out.

"Can't help it ... you're my beautiful animal an' you know it. You just ain't lettin' yourself know it." Riddick said, leaning insolently against the side of the cell with his arms crossed.

Vaako stared at Riddick. None of this was going as it should ... he had planned to kill Riddick and then figure a way out of the slam. He couldn't fathom why he was bothering to talk to the man. His head was full of whispering voices that would not let him be ... would not let him forget.

"Ain't got all day, beautiful. Either you decide you're with me or we finish this." Riddick said, pushing up from the wall.

"Gladly." Vaako snarled.

The two men came together, each fighting for dominance ... or so Vaako thought. The first opening he had, Riddick swept Vaako's legs out from under him and pinned him to the floor. He knew he had only seconds before Vaako bucked him so he tore off his and Vaako's goggles, then forced the man to meet his eyes.

When they'd still been lovers and linked, Riddick had quickly learned to sense when Vaako dropped the mental shields he kept in place to prevent himself from hearing every mind in near proximity. He only did that when Riddick was close enough to override any other mental 'noise'. When the Necromongers had taken Vaako's memory of being a telepath, they'd left him vulnerable - something Riddick intended to take advantage of before Vaako recalled his abilities. Riddick abruptly forced his mind into Vaako's. It was a hard entry and Vaako's already traumatized mind began to push Riddick out – without success. In the physical world, Vaako threw his head back and howled.

Memories of the Quasi-Dead's first invasion into his mind flooded over Vaako. Riddick felt something like ice water spreading throughout Vaako's thoughts – the Necromonger conditioning was attempting to reassert itself. Riddick pushed back with his own mind. Suddenly, he was front-row-center as Vaako relived the memory of his fight against the Quasi-Dead and their systematic rape of his mind. Riddick felt his rage growing as he heard his lover's agonized mental screams as his will finally splintered and fell into the arctic morass to be buried and forgotten. Riddick decided it was time to bring his Vaako back from the grave.

Remember who you belong to, Vaako.

I am first and always a Necromonger commander. I obey my Lord Marshal in the name of the Faith. 'Til UnderVerse come.

Remember who you belong to, Vaako.

Vaako moaned under Riddick but the sound was anything but pleasant. Riddick snarled as he fought for the alpha position in Vaako's mind.

Remember who marked you, Vaako.

Vaako jerked as a memory forced its way into his mind.

Riddick pulled Vaako to him in a fierce embrace, pressing the entire length of his body against the other man. Driven close to the edge by his lover's bold move, Riddick jerked Vaako's head back by his braids and bit hard and deep into the crook of his shoulder and neck. Vaako dragged in a silent shuddering breath and reveled in the almost orgasmic pain, knowing the mark would stay with him even after it healed. The obvious symbolic claiming by his alpha did not escape Vaako. He wouldn't have chosen it to be any other way between them - Riddick was the only man he'd ever shown his throat to ... and Vaako knew he always would. He fleetingly wondered why he'd bothered fighting that in the first place.

I gave you that mark, Vaako ... you belong to me.

Vaako groaned again and feebly tried to force Riddick's mind out of his own but he either had not the strength or ... Vaako quailed internally over the thought that he was giving in to this breeder ... betraying ever vow he'd ever made as a Necromonger soldier.

They lied first, Vaako.

Another memory surfaced.

'Your precious Riddick ... he abandoned you to your fate, Vaako. You know this. You know he never intended to return for you ... we can give you a life free of that pain ... free of the agonies of the heart ... a new life where you never need remember ... all you have to do is embrace the pain and let it wash over and around you.' The Purifier's words bit deep into Vaako's psyche as he hung helpless in the yoke, his entire body nothing but anguish. He wanted to shake his head in denial, but the blades pressed into his neck prevented him.

'You lie ... he is my alpha ... I am his ... always ...'

'No Furyan would choose a mate from a lesser race ... you were nothing but a diversion, Vaako. Nothing more than a way to pass the time ... let go ... you owe him nothing any longer ... he's abandoned you ... you were only the dog he left to watch over an unwanted bitch pup ...' The Purifier said softly, his mouth only scant centimeters from Vaako's ear. The man's breath was cool against his fevered skin.

Vaako groaned as he struggled against the words verbalizing the fears that taunted him as he watched the skies for some sign his lover was coming back. 'The Lord Marshal offers you a place in his army ... a new life, Vaako ... free of this Riddick's lies ... free of memory ... free of pain ... of useless emotion ... freedom to start anew, Vaako ... just let go ... forget ...'

Vaako cried out as the pain flared fresh and then something within simply stopped fighting. 'I was always with you, Riddick ...' Vaako's memories vanished in a white-hot flame and a mental scream that ended when Vaako surrendered.

Never shoulda left, beautiful. Never will again.

In the physical world, Riddick looked down at his once-lover. Vaako returned the look with eyes that had lost the hollow emptiness of the Necromonger conditioning. It wasn't his old lover, but it was close.

Still with me, beautiful?

Riddick began to wonder if he'd misread Vaako's mind as the verbal and mental silence stretched out. Finally, he felt Vaako's mind stop pushing against his own.

Always, Riddick.

Riddick offered his hand to Vaako and pulled him upright. The cold place in Vaako's mind was held at bay for now by Riddick's presence. They both knew Vaako would have a long fight ahead to silence it completely. At that precise moment, however, all either man wanted was to reaffirm the physical and mental link they'd shared before everything had fallen so horribly apart.

"Not much time before all hell breaks loose upstairs, beautiful," Riddick said.

Shut up and fuck me, Vaako sent, pulling Riddick into a kiss.

Riddick chuckled. It wasn't often Vaako demanded. Riddick grinned and bent his mouth to one of Vaako's Purification scars. The resultant gasp led Riddick to give more attention to the spot. Vaako's head fell back and then he was pulling at Riddick's clothes in a near frenzy. Riddick pushed Vaako back to arm's length.

Easy does it, beautiful.

Don't tell me you don't want this. Vaako mentally snarled.

Riddick met Vaako's wild gaze. No question 'bout that … but I ain't got a spare wardrobe handy if you shred this one.

Vaako's breathing calmed for a moment and then a small grin drifted across his face. He sent Riddick all the long-buried need from the last five years. Riddick's eyes fluttered shut and he gave his head a shake as if to clear it. When Riddick's eyes opened again, Vaako had a glimpse of jaguar eyes full of molten heat before Riddick was pushing him farther down the corridor into a small fissure he'd noted earlier. Like any slam, this one had plenty of places to hide when you needed a modicum of privacy. Riddick doubted that Vaako would have cared one way or another but he was done sharing his beautiful animal with everyone else.

The crack was just wide enough for the two of them to pull apart and remove only enough clothing to get to one another. Vaako found himself unceremoniously turned around to face the wall but he didn't care. Reaching back, he gripped Riddick's hips and pulled the man into himself as he felt his body breached. Riddick's growl vibrated against Vaako's neck and he laved his tongue over the mark he'd left on Vaako years ago.

Mine.

Vaako was not inclined to disagree. In fact, Vaako quickly found he couldn't make intelligible sounds as Riddick set a punishing rhythm for them both. Vaako's deep moan of his lover's name at climax sent Riddick over the edge. The Furyan bit down hard again on the mark as his own orgasm overtook him, causing Vaako to inhale sharply and actually score the rock beneath his hands as he clawed it. After coming down, Riddick stood, pressed against Vaako, panting heavily. He idly tugged on Vaako's braids with his teeth, then grimaced. Vaako sensed his displeasure and turned his head slightly.

"What?"

"You still smell like her," Riddick complained.

Vaako laughed. "Let me up, then, and I'll avail myself of the bathing amenities here."

"Missed them mile-long words, beautiful."

Vaako glanced at Riddick as he stepped out of the fissure and they both redressed. He was remembering how the Purifier had broken him by using his doubts about Riddick's fidelity to weaken his resolve. Vaako stepped up to the big man and pulled him down into a kiss then leaned back to meet his eyes. "I willingly called you my alpha once, Riddick. Keep your word this time."

Riddick studied Vaako's gaze for a moment then nodded. It would have to be enough for both of them.