Chapter One: Introduction

Jack sat quietly in the back of the skiff, as far from the two men as she could get in the small space, and thought about her options. She was fifteen and already struggling to hide her identity. Her tightly bound breasts, baggy clothes, and shaved head wasn't enough to fool Dean back on the SETI III Station, and Riddick knew immediately that she was a girl. She could try to find another station or planet to live on as a boy, try to move around more, but she knew that wasn't a real option. Living as a boy wouldn't work for much longer, and Jack was getting tired of the facade anyway. With a sigh, Jack reached under her shirt for the thin cloth used to bind herself, and began to unwrap it.

"If you do that, you won't be able to pass for a boy anymore." Riddick said, breaking the silence, and jerking Jack from her thoughts.

"I already can't pass for a boy anymore." Jack replied, "You aren't the first one whose called me out on it. You won't be the last either."

"Child," Imam cut in, "when we are rescued, there will be a lot of questions asked. I may be able to help you, if you'd let me."

Jack dropped the cloth on the bench seat and turned around, self conscious of her body and on guard. Her eyes flicked from Riddick's and then back to Imam's before settling on a distant star in the universe.

"I've been taking care of myself for a long time, Imam. I'm not going into the system. I'd have a better chance surviving out here than I would in there."

"She's right, you know," Riddick agreed, "She's better off trying to survive in the real world than trying to survive in some group home."

Imam shook his head, "That's not what I meant. I will go to whatever lengths necessary to ensure that Jack doesn't end up in the system. If you'd like, I can become your legal guardian. You can live with me, or I can help you get into a school of your choice. Or, I can be your legal guardian to get you passed whatever troubles we may find when we are rescued, only for you to go on living your life as you choose. Whatever you need. And you, Riddick, I will do whatever I can to help you as well. You saved my life. I can never repay you. My home is open to both of you as long as you need it."

Riddick and Jack were taken aback by Imam's announcement. Riddick's never had such an offer extended to him. Jack, having run away from her own family years ago, was hesitant to join Imam's. Who knew what he would require of her. And, when he is her guardian, how is she to know that he won't try to control her, try to tell her what to do?

"Thank you, but I don't think that's such a good idea." Jack cautiously declined after a few moments of silent thought.

"I think it's our only option right now, Kid." Riddick said from the captain's chair. He hated the words before they were out of his mouth. But what other option did they have? He did everything he could to get them to where they were. There was no way he could keep himself out of the slam or Jack out of the system. The only answer was Imam. And all three of them knew it.

Maybe it won't be so bad if Riddick's there. He doesn't seem as bad as they all say.

With a sigh, Jack agreed with a short nod. "But that doesn't mean you can tell me what to fucking do. I'm an adult. I'm just not legally an adult. I've been taking care of myself for a long time. I don't need you telling me to eat my vegetables or to be in bed by 9:00."

Imam smiled up at the girl. "I understand. You don't need to worry. I'll take care of everything. Perhaps we should get our story straight before we are picked up?"

Jack sat down, wishing more than once in her life that she could read minds. What was Riddick thinking? What was Imam thinking? Could she trust them? Riddick was a serial killer. Yeah, he got them off the planet, but it doesn't change the fact that he's still dangerous and unpredictable. Then there's Imam. The Holy Man. Was he just another user? Or does he actually mean well?

I have to learn to trust someone, right? I could at least practice on these two. We'll see where it goes. I can always run if this goes south. Jack's thoughts were abruptly cut off when Imam asked if she was listening. Guess I better pay attention. He's my ticket to… whatever fucked up family we were about to become.

"Why don't you go out with your friends tonight instead?" Imam suggested to Jack. He stood in the doorway to her room looking at her through the reflection of the mirror over her dresser as she braided her hair. Though he was her legal guardian, Imam knew that he could never treat the girl like he would a normal teenager. Jack, after all, was far from normal. That didn't stop Imam from loving her like a daughter; caring for her as he would his own, and worrying for her safety. To be honest, Jack seemed to fill a hole in his life that he didn't know he had. He couldn't imagine his life without the girl in it.

"Riddick is a friend," Jack answered, "There's nothing wrong with staying here. It's safer. Besides, I don't have any friends."

"What about Amber? The two of you are friends."

"Amber and I had a cup of hot chocolate once. That doesn't make us friends. Besides, she started dating Travis, and for some reason can't remember that he isn't the only person on this planet."

"And Yvette? What happened to Yvette?" Imam questioned, taking note of the sneer on the girl's face.

"Her and her family moved to Biscay four months ago. I told you this. I helped them pack. Remember?"

Imam drew his eyebrows together, "Yes, yes I remember. I thought that was Abigail who moved."

"No," Jack ground her teeth, "Abigail is the witch that tried to get me expelled from school. Apparently my gymnastics skills are better than hers which means I must be cheating. How in the hell do you cheat in gymnastics class, Imam?"

Jack's voice began to rise in volume, her irritation in the girl from school apparent. Imam smiled to himself, "I am proud of you for how you handled the situation. You are learning that fighting with your fists isn't always the answer."

Jack closed her eyes and took several steadying breaths. "Yes, I am learning many things. Thank you, Imam. I know you care about me and want me to live a normal life, but I'm not normal. Other kids my age just don't interest me. I can play the part while I'm at school, but to spend time talking about sports or lip gloss when I could be training in something interesting… it's just… just let me be me. Please?"

"Oh Jack," Imam stepped closer to the girl, resting a hand on her shoulder and staring into her eyes through the reflection of her mirror, "I love who you are and I wouldn't want you to change for anything. I only wish for you to be happy and to get out of your… comfort zone every once in a while. It couldn't hurt to occasionally go to a movie with a friend from school."

Jack sighed, "You're right. It couldn't. But not tonight. Tonight… I have plans."

"Very well. Don't stay up too late."

Imam left Jack's room and she exhaled loudly, not realizing she had been holding her breath. For two years her life had been a rollercoaster; full of ups and downs, filled with uncertainty, and always in danger. But somehow, a year ago, the scariest event of her life, the most dangerous point in her life, had led her to a family she never knew could exist… a family she never knew she wanted. And while it was too late for her to experience the life of a normal teenage girl, it wasn't too late for her to live an extraordinary life that others only dreamed of. To live her life.

Three hours later…

"It's eleven o' clock, Jack." Riddick whispered in her year. "You need to go to bed."

"Don't tell me what to do." She answered, playfully swinging her first out and hitting her best friend's chest lightly.

Riddick chuckled, "It's a school night."

"I like Riddick's School of Real Life Shit better." Jack rolled over onto her back and opened her eyes, shocked to find that the lights were dimmed so low she could hardly make out Riddick's profile. She wasn't scared though. After all, the dark is where she would always find him. It's where he was always lurking; watching her, protecting her. Just as he was tonight.

The silver pools that were his eyes met Jack's in the dark and her breath caught in her throat. His eyes always had that effect on her. They made her breath catch, her heart skip a beat, her stomach do a somersault. Not that his rock hard chest, powerful arms, or voice didn't have the same effect on her. It was just that… his eyes always surprised her. She knew everything else about him by heart, but she only ever saw his eyes when the lights were dimmed low. It was one of her favorite parts about him. The one that always made heat pool between her legs. Stop it! She scolded herself, he can't know how I feel about him! Hide it better!

Even though Riddick was only eight years older than her… the age difference was too great to even risk it. He still called her "kid" after all. She was sixteen, he was twenty-four… it just wouldn't happen. Not now. Not ever. Besides, she reminded herself, he has women already. I can smell them on his clothes sometimes. The thought made her angry… jealous... and quickly sobered her thoughts.

"You're right." Jack sat up quickly, swinging her legs off of Riddick's couch. "I should get to bed. You're going out soon anyway, aren't you?"

"Yeah," Riddick said, "I have to work, Jack."

"I know. I mean, I don't know. You keep it a secret."

Riddick laughed again and smiled down at her. He kissed the top of her head and pulled her off the couch. "Go to bed. I'll see you tomorrow."

Always dodging the question, she thought, One of these days I'll get the courage to follow you. Jack quietly ascended the stairs from the basement and closed the door behind her. The basement was Riddick's space. Almost like it was his apartment. He didn't pay rent, at least Jack didn't think he did, but he still worked… still stayed busy and in shape. After leaving the basement she headed up the stairs to her own bedroom and closed her bedroom door with a nearly inaudible click. She lazily changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed; falling asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Dreams of Riddick brought a smile to her face. She was always safe when he was around. Always.

Fuck, she smells amazing, Riddick thought as he closed and locked the outer basement door behind him, trying to not think of the girl sleeping peacefully upstairs. It was hard to remember that Jack was still in high school and not a grown woman. She was as mature as a woman Riddick's age; enjoyable to be around; real in every way. It was almost four months ago when he realized that Jack was attracted to him. To be honest, he was just as attracted to her. Not just physically either. Her mind was just as amazing as her body.

Four months ago…

A few weeks after Jack's birthday, the two circled one another in his makeshift gym, their eyes trained to look for any sign of what the other might do; what the other was thinking. Jack knew that she could never win a fight against Riddick. She also knew that he would never really hurt her. He was the safest place she could possibly be. Jack also knew that she couldn't truly hurt Riddick no matter how hard she hit him. That didn't make sparring with him any less fun though.

The fight was over before it even started. Riddick took two steps towards her, throwing a punch in her direction that she easily deflected. But he quickly followed the punch with another, hitting her in her shoulder just hard enough for her to take a couple steps back.

Bad idea, Riddick thought to himself, don't get yourself in a corner.

Of course, that's exactly what happened. Riddick continued to push Jack backwards and she did exactly as he wanted. Before too long her back was pressed against the wall and he had his hand around her throat playfully. She lost, and she knew it.

"Lights ten percent," Riddick said with a smile. He used his other hand to remove his goggles and look into Jack's eyes. With a smirk he said, "You lost."

What surprised him, though, was her reaction to the spar… to him. Her eyes dilated, her cheeks flushed, her breathing changed. He looked down at her body and saw her nipples were straining through her tank top and her legs were pressed together. Jack gently pressed against Riddick's hand, her eyes half closed in pleasure at the slight pressure. Riddick fought the urge to stick his hand in her leggings, passed her panties, and feel just how wet she was. She smelled so sweet, so perfect. She didn't have to even say anything; not that she would, but her body was begging him to touch her.

Riddick started to feel himself stir, felt the animal wake, felt himself succumb to the desire of the young girl. But it was Jack. She just turned sixteen. Six months ago they nearly died. She was pretending to be a boy. God, that smell.

Riddick reluctantly let go of Jack and stepped back, looking at the clock that was hung above the door.

"Shit," Riddick muttered, "I'm going to be late."

"Late for what?" Jack asked.

Riddick smiled, "Work. Go shower and get to bed."

Jack narrowed her eyes at Riddick. This was the first she had ever heard of Riddick having a job. She knew he left most nights, but she had no idea where he was going or what he was doing. She knew better than to follow him. He would know. She wasn't sure how he would know. But he would know.

I need to figure out what's going on with me anyway. It was, after all, the first time Jack felt such a surge of desire for anyone. She felt the wetness between her legs, the desire to be touched. She knew that it was a physiological response. But she didn't understand it. She needed to research this. Is this good or bad? she wondered.

When Jack left his apartment, Riddick changed his clothes, resisting the urge to grab his cock and rub one out before the scent of her need left the room. But he did resist. In reality, he had nowhere he needed to be. But maybe a night on the streets would help. Maybe he could find a prostitute or something.

What he actually found was the underground fight club. A place for his inner animal to let loose… where he was paid to fight. Kyree wasn't a bad fuck either. She was loud, needy, fake, but it got the job done. He didn't care if she came or not. The whole point was for him to come.

Present time…

Riddick walked through the dark streets of New Mecca hidden under his black cloak. He knew the place to Kyree's as well as he knew the route from his bedroom to Jack's. He knew which streets to avoid the guard, and he knew their patrol pattern better than they did. He was a ghost, slipping down back alley's and past homeless people to one of the most dangerous and little-known places on Helion Prime.

"You're late," Wesley said, "You should've been here twenty minutes ago."

Riddick pulled the hood of his cloak back and looked into the boy's eyes. He was eighteen, maybe nineteen, and had two jobs: keep the good guys out, and tell Kyree if there was a raid happening in time for her to get out. Riddick could smell the fear rolling off of the boy, but he did a good job of hiding it behind a smile. The kid lit a cigarette and Riddick cocked his head to the side, not known for his patience… especially when he was already late. Wesley shrugged and opened the door, taking a long drag of the cigarette before closing the door behind the larger man.

"You're late," Kyree echoed, her brogue accent echoing off of the walls. Riddick grunted, "You're up next. You have three minutes. Be ready."

Riddick pulled his cloak off and handed it to his boss before he continued down the hall towards the ring. As he approached he could hear the cheers of adoring fans as two people beat the shit out of each other. The loser of the fight would earn little to no cash. But the winner… the winner won money, glory… and the opportunity to fight Richard B. Riddick himself. Not that they knew who he was. Still, Riddick thought, I've come here too much… too often. This needs to be the last fight before word gets out of the Unbeatable Jack at Kyree's. So his alias wasn't all that creative… so what? She was the reason he was here. To let his animal let loose on these guys, to fuck Kyree so he wouldn't fuck Jack.

She probably wouldn't mind, his thoughts reasoned, she always smells ready. It's true, too. Over the last four months, Jack has smelled more and more aroused around him. At first it was just after a spar, or when he looked into her eyes without the goggles on. Now, though, if he surprised her upstairs, grazed her, touched her… every little thing seemed to make her aroused. He thought she would get used to it by now… not get so turned on so easily… but she's sixteen. She's a teenager. Of course she's going to be so turned on by him. It's programmed into her DNA to want to fuck. He just had to resist fucking her.