She couldn't believe it. She wouldn't believe it.
It was him, it was really him. A tear fell down her
cheek. Sorrow filled her heart, but was quickly
replaced with rage. She ran toward him and punched
him square on the cheek. Riddick closed his eyes
and his head turned slightly from the force. He
slowly moved his head to face her. He opened his
eyes and stared blankly down on her. She let out
an animalistic cry of pain and began slap, puch,
and scratch at him. Jack wanted to bring as much
pain on him as he had on her. She never hated
someone as much as she did now. Riddick stood
there, still, unmoving. He let her tire herself
out, he could wait until she had cooled down.

Minutes later she collasped. From lack
of food and lack of sleep. Riddick kneeled down
and scooped her up in his arms. She was so light,
so tiny, she felt like a doll and any moment he could
break her. Jack opened her eyes, only to see Riddick.
He wore a look on his face, one she had never seen
before, one that almost made her want to forgive him.

Riddick had a plan. It had been bothering
him ever since he left New Mecca. He would get a
ship, steal one, buy one, it didn't matter, as long
as he could get Jack. He didn't want to leave her,
but everything he ever loved ended up dying. It started
with a puppy he once had. He loved the dog. He fed it,
took care of it and the animal trusted him. One day he
was jumped by some older kids. The dog, still being
young and untrained, followed him everywhere. The kids
punched and kicked him down. He was too scared and
broken to even try to save him. They cut the dog's
nose off. The sound the dog made, he cried out in
pain. Riddick cried out to stop, but someone kicked
him, silencing him. He turned his head, but was forced
to listen to the agony filled cries. So it went, all
through his life. The last one that died was Carolyn.
He hadn't loved her, but was fond of her. She was
strong, stronger than most people. He didn't want
to hurt Jack, but he couldn't live without her either.

He layed her down on his bed. She was in a
deep sleep. Her face looked so peaceful, so beautiful
to him. He ran his right index finger down her cheek.
She involutarily shuddered. He drew back his hand as if
had been bitten. Riddick pulled the blanket up to her
chin. He watched her for a few moments. He listened to
her breathing, he breathed in her scent. Riddick closed
his eyes. Images of the look of pain on Jack's face flew
up in his mind. He remembered how she looked when he
showed no emotion to her the time he left her. The most
vivid came from not twenty minutes ago. She had attempted
to harm him. The rage, the anger, the pure lust. He had
no idea what she was truly capable of.

Jack's sleep was unrestful. She tossed and turned.
'She was back on that god forsaken planet. The creatures
were around her, surrounding. Something was keeping them
back though. She saw him. Tall, muscular, standing as if
he were a god. He ran toward her, full pace, shiv in hand.
He killed them all, every last one. Jack ran to him and just
as she touched his arm, he dissapeared. The only thing left
was an almost invisible mist. She looked all around and tried
to run, but to no avail. She fell to her knees with a sob.
With all her voice and with all her frustration she yelled,

"Riddick!!!"

She awoke with Riddick shaking her. Jack
shook her head, trying to clear it. She looked up
and stared deeply into his shimmering eyes. Jack
couldn't find her voice. She wanted to yell and
scream and beat him. All she could do was shake.
Jack could feel tears fall from her eyes. Riddick
reached down and with a soft touch wiped her tears
away. He layed back down, pulling her with him.
Jack's head rested on his chest. Just below a
whisper, she said,

"Riddick...." but was cut off.

"Shhhhhhhh,"

"But......." she started again.

"Shhhh, sleep,"

Jack sighed and closed her eyes.
Riddick was already asleep, but still alert.
Jack's breathing fell into even pace. She soon
fell asleep, the dreams did not return.