Thanks for the reviews. It's super great to read the encouragement. Sorry it's been so long since my last update. The holidays keep me busy. Hope everyone had a great Christmas time! :) Enjoy this chapter. Hope that Jack doesn't disappoint. Let me know what you think. :)

They sat in the back of the bus, riding together in silence. Jessie was nervous about meeting Jack. She'd made Riddick let her stop and get some make up before they'd boarded the bus. She'd covered as many of the bruises as she could. She didn't want to be seen as a victim by anyone. Somewhat resenting that
Riddick had seen her that way.
She wondered what this girl would be like. A girl who had a boys name. Well, someone named Jessie couldn't really comment on that. She watched out the window as the scenery of downtown flew by. She'd never been on Earth before but her mother had been born there. She would have loved to see more of the planet, but for now all she saw was this city. She hadn't paid much attention to where they'd landed at the time. NYC maybe?
Before too long however, they were pulling up at a mechanic shop. Large place, with broken down cars all over. The smell of grease and oil met them as they stepped off the bus. Riddick walked on ahead of her and called out "Hey, Jack. Get yourself out here!"
Jessie slowly followed him towards the open doors of the garage and watched as an athletic, dark haired woman gave out a whoop and ran towards Riddick.
When she reached him she jumped up and hugged him, wrapping her legs around his waist. Jessie was surprised to see such an act of affection by the man when he returned the hug. He was laughing when he sat the girl back on the ground. Jessie took a moment to survey her. About 5'5. Lean, dark hair, darker eyes, muscled, tan and killer body. She wore her curled hair back in a loose pony, and her face was smeared with grease. Even so she was a lovely creature.
Jessie didn't wonder that Riddick would travel so far to see the girl.
As she walked up to were Riddick and the girl were talking, the girl turned to face her. "Who's this?" she asked Riddick, looking Jessie up and down.
Riddick turned, almost like he'd forgotten he'd brought the girl with him. "Oh, this is Jessie. Picked her up in a similar manner to you," he said with some amusement in his voice. "This is Jack," he said to Jessie, gesturing to the girl ahead of him. The girl extended her hand, which Jessie shook and smiled at her. "Nice to meet you," Jessie offered.
The girl just shrugged, "Any friend of the big guy here, " she replied.
Riddick laughed. "Come on, go get cleaned up and I'll take you to dinner and tell ya about it."
The girl smiled and threw her grease rag at him. "You ashamed to be seen with me like this?" she asked teasingly as she walked away.
Jessie watched the girl run back into the shop and turned to look at Riddick. "She seems friendly enough."
Riddick looked down at Jessie, she was reminded of how tall he was. "Yeah. She's a good kid. Not so much a kid anymore really," he said, looking after her. "Saved her neck once upon a time too," he remarked. "Come on, you can leave your stuff in here until after dinner."
Jessie followed Riddick into the garage.

Riddick was happy to see Jack. The girl always put him in a good mood whether he wanted to be or not. He smiled to himself. She'd certainly grown up in the last year. He was happy to see she was still holding a steady job. She was co-owner of this little shop. Might as well have been full owner since her partner was a lazy, drunken bum that never showed up. At least he didn't bother her either.
As he walked into the garage Riddick tossed his bag onto one of the tool benches, indicating to Jessie that she could do the same. He then sat down on one of the stools in the corner to wait for Jack to get ready. Hmm. He had a weakness, apparently, for helping young, runaway girls with boys names. He smiled softly to himself at the similarities between Jack and Jessie. Jack was lucky enough to get out at a younger age, but then she'd had to grow up on the streets longer than Jessie. However she had learned to handle herself well, at a young age. Riddick was, in a way, quite proud of the young woman.
He turned to look at Jessie, who was standing quietly across the way from him. "You can sit if you like. It'll take her a minute to get ready," he gestured to a stool next to his. She nodded and walked over to sit down next to him. Still clutching her bag. "You can set the bag over there if you want." She smiled a little at him. "I'd rather keep it with me if you don't mind," she replied. He shrugged. "Don't make a difference to me."
They sat in silence for a few moments together, waiting on Jack. Riddick looked the woman sitting next to him over again. Her black hair was pulled back behind her ears and her ever present hat sat on head, hiding most of her face. He knew she hated the bruises, saw them as a sign of weakness. He wished she'd change her mind on that. She survived what had given her those bruises, that was a sign of strength.
He leaned back against the bench behind him, checking his watch. Jack was taking quite a while to get ready. Usually she'd be ready in 5 minutes. They'd been here for ten already.
"You in the mood for anything in particular?" he asked Jessie, as he watched her fiddle with a strand of loose hair. She slowly shook her head, looking like she was lost in her own world.
At that moment Jack made her appearance back in the garage. Riddick had to do a double take.

Jessie looked up at the girl coming down the stairs. She looked completely different from the girl that went up the stairs. Her hair was pulled into a loose bun. She had cleaned up and her eyes were now covered with smoky shadows and heavy liner. Blood red lips. Black choker above a plunging neckline of a black tank top which barely met a black mini skirt. The spike heeled boots were the finishing touch. The girl looked hot. Jessie looked down at her jeans and tank top. She didn't think she was dressed for wherever this girl wanted to go.
She hadn't expected a friend of the man next to her to look like this. She looked over at him and guessed by the raised eyebrow that he hadn't expected it either. He pushed his goggles onto the top of his head as the evening light grew darker. "New wardrobe," he commented in his even voice. Jack smiled a dazzling smile at him. "Like it?" she asked, spinning so he could survey the whole outfit. He raised an eyebrow at her again. "It's different, that's for sure."
With that comment, he stood up and reached for Jessie's hand. She was surprised by the gesture but accepted as he helped her down from the seat and took her bag. He sat it on the toolbench next to his own and walked out the door. Jessie followed him with Jack behind her locking up. "Where are we going?" she asked.
"Xstasy, or just X for short," Jack replied without turning around. "It's a great little place where no one cares about other peoples business. Riddick enjoys that no one knows about him there."
Jessie saw Riddick shoot Jack a warning look. Odd, Jessie thought. She wondered what there was to know about the man that he wouldn't want known.

Riddick walked along in the cool evening air. Nice night. Not too chilly, but not too warm. He looked at the girl walking next to him. What a change. When did this happen? Jack had always been the rough and tumble tomboy. Never had she dressed in such a manner. He wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of going to X, their normal hangout when he was in town. It was different when they just blended in. He didn't think she'd go unnoticed in that ensemble.
Ah, well. If he needed to light out early he could. He'd done it more than once. He slowed his pace a little when he noticed that Jessie was walking a good distance behind them.
In a moment the three of them were walking side by side. Riddick between the two girls. Jack hanging on his arm and chattering the whole way to X. Full of stories that she felt Riddick should hear about what when on in his absence. She was now sole owner of the shop. Bought the other guy out about 5 months ago. Got a lot of business. Doing well for listened, amused at the girls enthusiasm about life. Happy that she'd managed to find her place, it seemed. He hoped she'd help Jessie do the same. He'd be gone soon and he didn't want to leave the girl on her own.

Jessie walked next to Riddick, hearing Jack chattering. The girl seemed to be quite confident in her life. And she obviously had a thing for Riddick. She wondered how long the two had known each other.
They had been walking about 20 minutes before they finally reached the place. Jessie wasn't sure she'd like the place. Judging by the look of the place it was a club. She wasn't even sure she could get in. She wasn't 21. Riddick knew her age though. And she just followed his lead when he walked up to the door and pushed it open. No one carded any of them. Jack walked in with confidence and Riddick knew no one would bother him. They headed to a table in the corner.
Jessie hesitated only a moment before following closely behind. The place was crowded. Neon lights and strobes were everywhere. Techno music blaring. Looking around at the dancers on the floor and patrons at the bar Jessie felt very out of place in her jeans and shirt. Everyone here was in clubwear. Even Riddick fit in with his black pants and muscle shirt.
As they sat down at the table she and Jack were next to each other and Riddick sat across from Jessie.
Riddick leaned in towards her. "The food here is actually pretty good," he called over the music.
"The drinks are better," Jack laughed, smiling at the girl. She smiled back at Jack. Relaxing a little.
Soon they had all ordered and were eating and chatting about random subjects. Jessie realized she wasn't very good at small talk. But was happy enough to just listen to the others. Jack had ordered a drink. Riddick just ordered a beer, offering Jessie one. "What's your preference?" he asked.
Jessie just shrugged. "I've never had one," she said simply. Riddick looked surprised and Jack's jaw dropped open in shock. "You're not serious," she said. Jessie just laughed and nodded. "I am."
Jack shook her head. "We've got to change that. Don't we Riddick? Come on, what're ya drinking?" she asked, waiving a waitress in skimpy clothing over to the table.
"Start on something light," Riddick advised as the waitress walked up. Jack nodded, not really paying attention.
"Liquid cocaine for my girl here," Jack laughed, patting Jessie on the shoulder. "It's great!"
"Easy, Jack," Riddick warned. He knew Jack was gonna be pretty wasted when they left. She always celebrated his return like that and he didn't want Jessie getting sick on him too. "Let her get used to the drinks first, ok?"
Jack rolled her eyes at him. "Come on, she's gotta start the right way."
Riddick sighed and turned to Jessie. "Take it easy, ok?"
The young woman nodded. "Yeah, I don't think I'll take it up in a night," she smiled at him. He took a moment to admire the smile before returning it. He knew he was gonna end up caring about this girl just like he had Jack. Maybe not just like he did Jack, he briefly thought. He watched her sip the drink brought to her. She seemed to like it well enough. Jack was already ordering her second drink. And a whiskey chaser. He shook his head, smiled softly to himself. The girl was a wild one.
After about a half hour, and 10 or 11 shots later Jack was pretty drunk. She got up and headed to the dance floor, stumbling slightly. Riddick took her vacated seat next to Jessie who was working on her 2nd drink. He himself had ordered a 2nd beer as well.
"So, what do you think of Jack?" he asked.
Looking to the dance floor as she replied, "I think she's a free spirit for sure." Riddick chuckled at the statement. That was one thing Jack certainly was.
"Is Jack her real name? Or is it like a nickname for Jackie or Jaclyn or something?" Jessie asked.
"Her real name was Audrey once upon a time. When I met her she was runnin' away from home, pretending to be a boy named Jack. It's just stuck with her ever since." Riddick explained simply. He didn't really know why she'd never chosen to go back to her actual name or even pick another girls name. Whatever the reason Jack is who she was. It never bothered her and it certainly didn't bother him.
"You guys got a thing going?" she asked without thinking. Riddick didn't seem bothered by the question. "I've watched her grow up from a kid. She's like my
sister."
"Ah," was the only reply Jessie made.
"How's the drink?" Riddick asked, curious how she was holding up. She'd taken her jacket off and was talking more freely so he knew the drink was having some effect.
"It's pretty good," she replied tossing her hair back over her shoulder.
"How're you holding up?" he asked with a smile. He delighted in the warm smile he received back. "I don't feel a thing," she replied. "So I guess I'm doing ok."
She giggled a little. Riddick smiled and nodded his head. She was a little drunk. He watched her lean back in her chair. She looked good in dark lighting of the room. He knew there had been guys looking her way ever since she'd walked in despide the modest attire.

Jessie was starting to feel carefree. Wondering if it was a result of the drink. She watched Jack out on the dance floor. She had just jumped with a bunch of different girls who were out dancing dirty.
She know noticed that some guys had joined in. One dancing on either side of her. Jessie blushed at the provocative dance moves. Jack seemed to be having the time of her life though.
Jessie thought about joining her. She looked over at Riddick. "I'm gonna guess you're not much of a dancer," she finishing off her 3rd drink.
Riddick shook his head. "Nah, I leave that to Jack."
"Would you dance with me?" feeling bold and confident and knowing it was the drinks Jessie reached over and grabbed his arm, intending to pull him to the dance floor. Riddick resisted, as she knew he would, but had hoped he wouldn't. "As tempting as the thought may be, I prefer to stay off the floor."
Jessie shrugged and placed his hands on her hips. "We could dance here?" she suggested, swaying a little to the music.

Riddick allowed his hands to rest there a moment, maybe longer than he should have before he came to his senses. It was time to get the girls in. It was late, they were both drunk. "Maybe another time," he said as gently as could.
Jack had made her way to the bar with a couple of guys and downed a few more shots. Riddick could see that even the seasoned drinker was starting to stagger. He turned back to Jessie who'd sat back down when he refused to dance. "I think we should all be getting back," he said. "I'm gonna grab Jack and we can head out, ok?"
Jessie just nodded, looking a little disappointed.
He went up to the bar and tapped on Jack's shoulder. The guy on her left took a step back with one look at him. "Hey,
Jack. What do you say we head out?" he asked. Jack turned around looking disappointed. "Already?" she pouted. "I was having fun." But she turned and walked with him, leaving some very disappointed guys at the bar.
He walked both girls out of the club. Jack stumbling and laughing. Riddick all but carried her the whole back to the garage.
He took the keys and unlocked the garage, walking the girls in. He turned to lock the door behind them. "Uh, Riddick?" Jessie called from behind him. He turned to see Jack asleep on the other girls shoulder. He laughed softly. "She always liked to celebrate my visits." He grabbed her arm and threw it around his neck, lifting the girl onto his shoulders. "You mind unlocking the apartment door?" he asked, nodding towards the door upstairs.
Jessie walked ahead of him. "No, no problem." She stumbled only slightly on her way up the stairs. Riddick thought she was doing pretty good for someone who'd never drank before.

Jessie walked up the stairs and unlocked the door, pushing it open and turning on the lights so that Riddick could carry Jack in. She looked around the living area of the apartment. It wasn't huge, but spacious enough. Very pleasant, Jessie thought. She closed the door behind Riddick. "Make yourself at home," he called over his shoulder as he carried the sleeping form through the door on the far side of the room. She looked around at the comfortable furnishings and
sat down on the sofa. She heard the creaking of bed springs as Riddick laid Jack on her bed. She watched through the open door as he pulled her boots and choker off and then covered the girl up. She smiled at the sight of such a man being so gentle.
She curled up and leaned her against the back of the couch and was asleep the moment her eyes closed.

Riddick walked back into the living room. Shutting the door to Jack's room behind him. Saw Jessie asleep on the couch. Poor girl must be worn out. He went downstairs and got their bags, shutting off all the lights. Tomorrow was Sat. He knew that Jack would open late, if at all. Locked everything up secure and went back upstairs. He picked Jessie up and carried her to the 2nd bedroom and laid her on the bed. Taking her shoes off he went to pull the covers up. She awakened and protested about the bed. "I'll just sleep on the couch, I'm the guest. I'm sure Jack would want you to have the bed." He ignored her and pulled the blankets up around her as he eased her back onto the pillow. "I'll sleep where I want, hush." She was alseep almost intantly. He walked back into the living room and grabbed a pillow and blanket out of the closet where Jack kept her spare. He knew this apartment so well. Brought a twinge of sadness that he could never stay and make a home. It wasn't often he felt sentimental. Must have been the beer.
He settled into his bed on the couch, laying awake and thinking of his next move. He knew he could never get too comfortable in one spot. He sighed and tried to relax.
Somewhere early in the morning sleep finally overcame him.