I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."

Chapter 10

Hours later a restless Lucifer woke Riddick with his whining and pacing. Half asleep and taking a moment to stretch Riddick was surprised when Collin sat up, throwing his covers off as he climbed out of bed padding silently to the door. Opening his door, Collin turned back to Riddick holding out his hand as Lucifer went bounding out into the main room.

"Are you coming?"

"Where are we going?" Riddick asked getting to his feet.

"Can't you hear her?"

"Hear who, Collin?"

"Mama. She needs us," he stated taking Riddick's hand leading the way to his mother's room.

Entering, Riddick could see that Carolyn was in the throes of a nightmare. Nightshirt and sheets tangled and twisted as her sweat-slicked skin had dampened her long blond hair. Had they not come in the room though, he would have never known that anything was wrong, as other than an occasional gasp or moan she was completely silent. He watched as Collin, with furrowed brow, approached his mother's side. Riddick stepped up behind him not knowing if his presence would be needed or not.

Collin reached out and laid a hand on Carolyn's arm causing her to shoot straight up in the bed, gasping for breath as she looked around wildly. "Mama, it's me. I brought Riddick like you were asking."

"Collin?' Carolyn questioned before running a hand over her face.

"It's ok, Mama," Collin answered as he climbed across his mother to the other side of the bed curling up on the pillow. "Riddicks here. You didn't lose him."

Dragging an arm around her middle fingering the exposed scars, Carolyn reached her other hand out across the bed in Riddicks direction as a sob tore from her chest. Toeing his already loosened boots off and pulling his shirt over his head, Riddick tentatively stretched out on the bed laying still until Carolyn curled up against his side burying her face in his neck as she silently cried.

Rolling towards her Riddick wrapped an arm around her shoulders so that he was able to see his son lying beside them. Copying her actions from when he had observed her comforting Collin, Riddick kissed her forehead and ran a hand up and down her back. As Carolyn's crying slowed he watched as Collin smiled in his sleep. He and Carolyn were definitely going to have to talk about this link that she and their son shared. Realizing she was asleep Riddick gently rolled her over so that he could spoon his body around hers, while enveloping their son in his grasp as well.

Before Carolyn even opened her eyes she knew that her son was in bed with her. She would recognize those feet pushing on her bladder anywhere. What she didn't remember was why Riddick's large hand was wrapped around her hip and how they had both ended up in bed with her.

Scooting towards the end of the bed so as not to have to crawl over either male she looked on in amusement as Collin's now cold feet sought out his father's bare stomach. She smirked realizing that it might be fun watching Riddick learn about his son's more patience testing habits.

After a brief stop by the bathroom, Carolyn headed into the living area hoping that there might be something to drink. The smell of something very much like coffee was coming from a container on the kitchen table so Carolyn proceeded to pour herself a cup.

Picking up the cup and saucer she was just about to take a sip when the corner beside her decided to wish her a good morning. Startled, Carolyn screamed as her cup and saucer went flying causing her to back into a chair before falling on her ass, ending up in a sprawled out heap at Vaako's feet.

Looking over as her bedroom door went slamming into the wall, Carolyn saw a shirtless Riddick brandishing a curved shive as he pushed Collin behind him. Thumping her head against the floor she was muttering about what bitch Karma was when Riddick came to stand over her.

"Carolyn?" Riddick inquired as Collin stuck his head out from behind his leg.

"Why is HE here?" She asked from her position from between his feet.

Riddick looked at Vaako. "I thought we agreed you'd knock?"

"I did. No one answered. Worried for your safety I let myself in and after checking on you sent for breakfast."

"You checked on him?" Carolyn sputtered from her position on the floor.

Vaako raised his eyebrows as he looked at the woman spread out on the ground, before looking back up at Riddick.

Glaring at him Carolyn rolled over to her knees and took the hand Riddick offered getting to her feet. "Door. Lock. Today." She ground out throwing Vaako one last hateful look before stomping to her room and slamming the door shut.

"I don't think mama likes him," Collin said looking up at Riddick causing him to chuckle.

"No, I don't think she does."

"Come back in an hour Vaako. I plan on having breakfast with my family then I'm all yours for as long as you need me." Riddick told the man while herding Collin towards his room to help him dress.

"Am I your family?" Collin asked as they entered his room and Riddick started laying out clothes for the boy.

"You're the only family I have, Collin."

The little boy was silent while Riddick helped him dressed, finally speaking up, as they were about to leave the room. "But If I'm your family doesn't that make mama your family too?"

"I suppose it does, Collin," Riddick said with a smirk. "Why don't you talk to your mother about that after breakfast while I'm meeting with Vaako."

"Can Mama and I take Lucifer down the hall to play after breakfast?"

"Of course you can," Riddick said helping him up to the table.

"Of course he can what?" Carolyn asked as she came striding out of their bedroom making a beeline for the liquid she had been after earlier.

"And good morning to you too," Riddick said he placed a plate in front of Collin.

"Collin, who is this and what did you do with the real Riddick?" She asked coming around to take a seat beside him smacking at his neck causing the little boy to laugh out loud.

"Riddick said that we could take Lucifer to play after breakfast, Mama."

"Sounds like fun, baby.'

"I'll be meeting with Vaako for awhile. Feel free to go anywhere except the main floor." Riddick said meeting Carolyn's eye.

"I'm sure we'll find plenty to do until lunch, won't we Collin?"

Collin smiled at his mother while chewing a mouthful of food and nodding.

"You realize that we're going to have to start back on your lessons soon?"

"Yes, Mama," he dutifully answered having swallowed his food.

"Lessons?" Riddick asked.

"Math, science, reading, writing, that kind of thing."

"And don't forget Hide and Seek!" Collin chimed in.

"Hide and seek?"

Carolyn smiled at her son. "I used hide and seek as a way to develop his senses."

"Interesting," Riddick replied, as a knock on the door interrupted anything else he might have said. "Enter," Riddick called out.

Carolyn turned in her seat and watched as Vaako entered the room. Rolling her eyes she drained her cup and pushing away from the table got to her feet. "Come along, Collin. Find Lucifer and let's get our day started." Carolyn said to her son as she ignored both men waiting by the door for her son.

"I'll see you at lunch, Collin," Riddick called out as the boy and Hellhound went rushing by, the boy waving as he followed the hound out the door, Carolyn slamming it behind them.

"Is she always so… pleasant?" Vaako asked Riddick who burst out laughing.

"I think wanting to have the boy put out an airlock has just gotten the two of you off on the wrong foot. But I know how you can make it up to her."

"Me, make it up to her?" Vaako questioned eyeing Riddick suspiciously even as he followed along behind, ever the faithful soldier.