AN- Hello... again. Heh, I guess I got some splainin to do... Well basically my excuse this time is just life happens, things become priority, and as much as I would love to give you guys a good excuse, I simply can't. :( Yes, that is a sad face, mainly because this makes me sad... I suppose I've become redundant since I've been away... Anywho I wanna say I'm really sorry to those of you who were expecting me to continue writing when I fell of the face of the Earth... again. A good way to put it is when I write this fanfic, I wanna be 100% focused and dedicated so that I give you quality writing, I think I owe you guys and this story at least that much. For now, I'm gonna try to do so, so please bear with me.

SOOOOO, back to some happy stuff. I was re-reading my story before I started on this chappie and I realized there were a couple things I would probably change if I were to re-write this thingy, but I have decided that for now, I'm gonna try and stick with the way things are for now. However, If I get feedback from you wonderful people out there that I should change some stuff, then I will take your highly respected words into consideration.

Do I sound formal? I feel formal... Huh, must not be used to this anymore... Oh wait I just got done watching Doctor Who and everything I think/write is in a British accent... That explains it...

Ok so while I was checking some of the reviews that had come in since the last chapter I noticed a few of you wanted me to stick to one POV, or at least not go back over every chapter twice, and I can completely respect that. Now, for those of you who disagree with this all you have to do is let me know in a little review. And no I'm not trying to guilt you into writing a review, well not mostly... :D

OK BACK TO THE POINT... here is chapter 9... please forgive me if things seem rusty, keep in mind it's been a few months :P

Without Further Ado...

Previously...

It was becoming harder and harder to remember why we couldn't take it any farther. She was hurt... people waiting... FUCK. She tastes so fucking good.

She must have been thinking the same thing because I heard her let out a frustrated groan before pulling away and resting her head on my chest while she caught her breath. I held her tightly, once again burying my face in her neck, breathing deeply.

She leaned forward, standing on her toes, and brought her lips to my ear, whispering a "Come on," before taking my hand and walking in the direction of the civil people.

This little devil is gonna be the end of me.

Chapter 9

(Raff POV)

We walked hand in hand down the corridors of the ship, letting our instincts take over and keeping us as silent as mice. Well, only if people were calling panthers mice these days... As I let my body take over my mind drifted in the silence. This was all happening so fast for me... He wasn't making any fucking sense!

As we rounded a corner I risked a glance at him. To anyone else his face would have seemed cold, frightening. But to me I saw peace there, he was relaxed... Happy? No.. Not possible.

I shook my head and tried to focus, I would not let him get to me.

We came to the exit, a large gaping hole into the blazing desert. The survivors were grouped loosely in a circle outside, and I could get a better sense of them as we approached closer to the exit. Grief was there, along with anger. I could smell Johns from here, his scent sending shivers of disgust and hatred down my spine.

Noticing my change Riddick turned to face me, his eyes boring into mine. I looked away however, not wanting him to be able to read me as well as he obviously could.

Denial is a bitch.

Focusing in on the group more I picked up on their conversation. They were debating on whether they would go into the hole to find Zeke.

Fucking idiots.

I felt the rage and fear fill me and Riddick squeezed my hand reassuringly... but of course this only confused me further... I really needed to figure this shit out.

At this point, everyone was indecisive.

"No one should go back into that hole, it's far too dangerous." Imam's deep voice rang out over the squabbles of the others, and more arguments were lodged.

I noticed these were coming from Johns, Fry, and Shazza, and it took me a moment to understand why they were arguing at all.

"We need to know whets down there, if we know what they are we know how to kill them." Johns fake voice of reason filled the air.

"It's the only way we can know for sure it's safe to remain here near the settlement while we find a way off this rock." Fry's voice came in clear after Johns, trying to reinforce his point.

"We have to find Zeke's body, if it wasn't Riddick who killed him." Shazza's voice was nothing but bitter.

Paris spoke up next. "Even if we do decide to go back down, who will go? That hole is tiny and almost impossible to back out of."

"We tie a rope around someone who can crawl through easily, someone small..." Her eyes landed on Jack... And I lost it.

Jerking away from Riddick I strode over to Jack and planted myself in front of her, ignoring the pain from the light shooting into my head.

"The children are not going." I said this in a very low voice, practically growling at Fry to back the hell off.

It must of worked cause she looked like she was gonna piss her pants.

From the shadows I saw Riddick watching me, eyes never moving away. I forced myself to focus on the task at hand.

Fry had gotten that glint back in her eye, and from the looks of Johns he was ready for some revenge.

"Your right, I have a better idea, why don't we send you in?" The look on her face said it all, she wanted me out of the way.

I smiled at her, showing my teeth, letting her know I could and would gladly kill her when I got the chance.

Somewhere over to my left Riddick looked like he was going to kill everyone in sight. I growled at him softly, silently so that no one else would hear, and all I got in response was a deadly snarl. I decided to fuck with him, a little payback.

"Fine." I said it with a smile, ignoring Jack's protests and Riddicks growls.

I walked quickly away from them towards the ship, towards a fuming Riddick. As soon as I was covered by the shadows he picked me up and sped us over to my little area. Once we were there he put down and backed me against a wall, hands coming out to rest on either side of my head, caging me in. His breath was raged, his heart beat fast. I could smell fury and hatred and fierce protectiveness coming off him in waves, hitting me without mercy. I simply looked him in the eye, liquid silver meeting icy jade, and waited for him to start.

"You are not going into that hole." He said it slowly, deathly quiet.

I contemplated listening to him, just this once, but for fucks sake I wanted my answers and I wanted them now.

"Oh really? Huh, well last time I checked I was..." My voice was laced with heavy sarcasm and I saw his eyes get harder as he pushed my body harder into the wall.

"No."

"You wanna bet big gu-" I was cut off when he grabbed both my hands in one of his much larger ones and pulled them above my head.

He leaned down quickly and pressed his teeth to my neck- a warning sign.

"No."

"You know what? Fuck you Riddick! You think you can just come in here and mess with my life-" My next words were a whimper of pain as his sharp teeth closed over the exposed skin of my neck.

He stayed that way, biting hard enough to keep me whimpering but not enough to do any real damage. Even through the whimpers I fought against him, trying to get loose. His jaw clamped down harder and broke the skin, and with a yelp I submitted to him. As soon as he felt my defeat he let go of the skin, slowly lapping up the blood that started trickling down with surprising tenderness.

I felt like a part of me had broken, but a part of me was just discovered, replacing what pain I would have felt with curiosity. I couldn't stop the shaking once it started, all these new emotions flooding me at once became overload.

Sensing his he lowered us to the ground, cradling me in his lap, and I didn't fight him. Not even a little. I actually had to suppress the urge to bury my head in his chest when he started to rub my back in soothing circles.

I closed my eyes and tried desperately to make sense of what was going on. Ok so, what do I know? One, I know that something BIG just happened, but I don't know what it is. I know that is has to do with Riddick and (growl) him making me submit. I looked inside myself and tried to sort out all the emotions that were coursing through me. Fear, confusion, anger, the usual. But there was something else, something strong... a connection... Loyalty. Submission.

I shook my head trying to rid myself of this confusion, and I felt Riddick's chest rumble as he chuckled at me.

"What is going on? Why- why do I feel like this? This shouldn't be happening, I should be killing you, or you should be killing me, or we both should be killing each other..." I mumbled this all into his chest, and I hated that I sounded so weak.

"The hell if I know," He grinned and pressed his lips to my hair in a comforting gesture, and I almost lost it. "But whatever it is its strong."

"I don't- I'm-" I struggled for the words that I didn't know how to say, they weren't words I ever had to use before. They were just how I lived. "Alone. I'm meant to be alone, let me be alone."

I was shaking harder and I ripped myself away from Riddick, trying in vain to run on my bad leg. Surprisingly enough he let me go, but I had no doubt that we weren't done talking yet.

On my way out I grabbed my scarf and headed outside into the heat. I paced in the sun, trying to make sense of what was going on. It was Imam who walked in on my pacing, looking knowingly at me.

"What? What are you looking at?" The only thing stopping me from completely loosing my cool with this guy was the knowledge that Jack liked him... for whatever reason.

"You seem distressed child, what is bothering you?" His voice was strangely calming and I found myself relaxing just a little.

"Something's wrong.. I have to go." I rushed these words out, determined to get as far away from these people as I could.

"Is it the man?" He asked quietly, and I spun to look at him.

His gaze was the same as before, as if he knew something I did not.

"What going on?" My voice was small and I hated myself for it.

Where was the killer? Where was the Raff that would have slit this man's throat for interrupting her thinking time?

"Nothing bad is happening child, believe me that things are going to be ok." His voice was soothing, but I was still freaking out.

"What is going on! I'm not myself anymore!

" I backed myself up against the side of the ship, the hot metal scolding my shoulders.

"Relax child I will explain if you let me." I took a deep breath, this was my only hope of going back to normal.

"Please..." I whispered my plea to him, hoping he would just tell me.

"It would seem, that you have found your mate."

AN- HOLY SHIT WAS THAT A CLIFF HANGER?

The answer to that question is yes, yes it was :P

OK SOOOO does anyone else think my writing is different than before? Maybe I just need to get back into this fic to get used to the feeling of it.

Anywho next chappie I promise we're gonna release some of the tension- no no not that kinda tension you perv... actually some good angst relieving discussion and THEN some of that might be good... hmmmmmmm...

oh well if you wanna find out then I need a small little review telling me what you think :D (ppsstt the button is right there, and I SWEAR I WILL MAKE IT SOOOOOO WORTH YOUR TIME, if you catch my drift x wink wink x )

geez even I'm starting to sound like a perv... must be all that tension... which reminds me... you know what do to :P