Author's Note: This is a really short part, mostly to apologize for not updating for so long. I'm trying, really, but things are very hectic right now, and I just haven't had time to concentrate on this fic. I'll try to get back to it soon, cross my heart. Thanks for all the reviews!

"Riddick?"

No answer.

"Riddick?"

"Mmm?"

I sort of knee him in the back, drawing another muffled groan from him. "You awake?"

"You gotta death wish, Jack?"

Since I'm eight-five percent sure that Riddick won't kill me, I just presses my forehead into his back. "I'm nervous."

He sighs. "Why is that?"

"I hate new things. Especially when I don't have a ... a history with them. Like, I can start a new school and all, but these kids aren't going to be like the kids I've always known. I... No, don't turn over," I interrupt myself with Riddick starts to move. I don't want to see his face right now; this is embarrassing. I don't know why.

He stills as I press my hand against his back.

Inhaling deeply, I say, "I'm not rich. Never been. And maybe Imam isn't rich, but he's got influence. And these kids aren't going to be like me. They aren't going to know what it's like to go to bed hungry, or be so scared of your own dad that you think about killing yourself."

Riddick jerks, but I press into him hard.

"Or running away," I say quickly. I've never told him that before, how I used to wait up nights, imagining how good it must feel to be dead. It's not something I want to talk about with him, because it's not something he'd understand. He's made for survival no matter what. So am I, and I know that now. But before, in my old life, I surrendered so much to what was done to me, that I was just about ready to surrender to anything.

But I didn't. I'm fighting. I'll keep fighting, only now I'm scared.

"I never... Anyway," I continue, "They've never killed anyone, and I've killed two people. But it's not just that. They've gone to school. They know stuff I won't. They'll all be friends and be worried about stuff I can't imagine being worried about."

"Like what?"

"Like underwear. And test grades and ... and I don't know. I can't even imagine."

"So don't try."

I swallow hard. "I can't help it," I whisper. "What if I can't do it?"

Now Riddick does turn over, and I can't stop him. His beautiful eyes lock on my face, and the intensity that he looks at me with makes me shiver. It's like I'm the only person in the universe right now, and all that exists is him and me.

"Jack, you're the most extraordinary person I've ever met. You got yourself out of a situation that most wouldn't be able to. You're one of three survivors off a hell planet, and it's not just because I went back for you. You helped me escape some mercs, you took on a whole group of attackers yourself. And, even though your education has some serious gaps, you got into this school. It's going to be a different experience for you, and I'm not going to pretend it's not. But it's also not anything you won't be able to do. You're adaptable, Jack. So, adapt."

"I'm scared," I whisper, ashamed.

"I'm scared for you. But that doesn't change the fact that tomorrow, you're going to school."

I sigh and close my eyes. Right. We warriors face fear head on without flinching. If I can fight, I can do this. I can walk into a school full of kids who've never eaten out of a trash bin. And I'll be fine.

"No, kid. You going to sleep, or do we need to go train some?"

"I'll sleep. But we're still training at oh five hundred, right?"

"Damn straight. Just because you're going to school doesn't mean we're easing up one bit."

"Praise be Allah," I say dryly, thinking about the torture he puts me though daily in the name of making me strong. Not that I'd have it any other way.

"Sleep."

"Yes sir." Closing my eyes, I snuggle close to him and wait for sleep to find me.