Part IX

Part IX

A scent roused Jack from her sleep. It took her a moment to recognize… death. Her eyes darted to Sil. She could see the soft breathing as she rested. She looked to Ash and frowned. She knelt down by her body. Blood had soaked her side that lay on the floor. Jack cursed under her breath. Too caught up in the fact you actually got to see him again. That's why she's dead Jack. You didn't pay attention.

Jack recoiled as she heard a sound, eyes snapping open. There was Riddick on one knee by her, placing the jacket over Ash's face. Riddick almost frowned as she recoiled, but he forced his normal indifferent look to stay on his face. There were so many things he wanted to ask her, so many things he wanted to tell her. He just couldn't seem to find the words.

Jack noted his silence and thought it meant he was disgusted with what she had become. Would he let her explain why though? Why she had to turn so cold… why she had to become the beast she was. Can I tell him? I thought I was strong and look what happened to me… How can I tell him I lost our baby? That I wasn't strong enough to fight to keep our baby… He'd hate me… just like I hate me. No… I can't tell him. It's better if he doesn't know.

Riddick moved to sit beside her as she glanced sideways at him. "You know I was comin' to rescue you but it—"

Jack cut him off bluntly, "I didn't need rescuing. We would have gotten away just fine."

A slightly hurt look tinted Riddick's eyes. He knew she had changed, that the Slam had changed her. He felt responsible for that. He wasn't sure what to say to that. He opened his mouth to say 'You're dad sure is gonna be glad to see you', instead something else entirely came out his mouth. "I love you Jacklyn…"

He wasn't sure where it had come from but the words didn't bother him. Jack, however, was staring at him a bit wide-eyed. Did… did he just say he loved me? Why…? Why do you love me? How can you? Don't you see what I've become? Would you still say that after you know I lost your baby? You shouldn't love something as horrible as me…

When he failed to get any response from her he stood up slowly and moved to the front of the transport. He seated himself in the co-pilots chair and ran a hand over his scalp. He'd just leave her to her thoughts. Maybe it was for the best anyway. Dimitri glanced to him. He had heard him tell her how he felt and he heard the off silence that following it. He thought the guy would be heartbroken… but if he was he sure in the hell wasn't showing it.

"How long till we rendezvous?," Riddick's voice was quiet.

"About thirty.," Dimitri refrained from asking him if he was alright. He just turned his attention back to the stars in front of them.

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"Jackie! Thank God you're safe!" Jason Reed wrapped his arms tightly about her in a hug. She cringed inwardly at the name but smiled faintly as she returned the hug.

"Course I'm fine." She pulled back from the hug.

Sil gave Jack's arm a slight tug as she stayed hidden behind her. "Mama-cat… who are all these people?"

A silence settled over the room as all eyes turned to Jack. Riddick peered at her with an arched brow. This would be interesting. Jack reached around and pulled Sil to stand in front of her. Jack put her hands on Sil's shoulders. "Sil this is my dad," she pointed to him, "but you can just call 'im Grandpa if ya want." Riddick looked to Jack sharply. Grandpa?! What the hell is she talking about!? Jason was pale and looked like he was about to faint.

Jack couldn't help but grin at them. "Geez guys… I adopted her not had her. Kids aren't born full grown ya know."

A relieved look crossed over many faces in the room, especially Jason's. He smiled to the two of them warmly. "Why don't you two come with me and I'll get you some food then show you to your room."

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When Jack walked into the mess hall after her father she stopped dead in her tracks. She didn't hear what he was talking about now. She saw a woman hugging Riddick and kissing his cheek. She held back her snarl. She watched the woman caress his cheek, then turn and look toward her and her father.

"Nova! Nova, come say hello to your stepsister.," Jason called.

Jack looked to him sharply. Stepsister? She felt a growl low in her throat. Means she'll be missed… so I can't kill her. "Dad I'm really beat… I think I'll go to bed early. I'll meet everyone tomorrow."

Jason nodded to her. "Alright. You remember the way?"

Jack nodded to him and headed out the door quickly. Riddick watched her go and gave a glare to Nova. She took a step back and put her hands on her hips. She narrowed her eyes at him. "What? I was just welcoming you back."

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Jack moved into the room quickly, taking deep breaths. So there is someone else… I knew he couldn't love me. He probably said it for show. Probably thought I'd fall into his arms crying. Maybe the old me would have, but not now… not ever again. I won't trust anyone with my heart. That way I won't get hurt and there's no attachments keeping me here if I don't want to be. No one wants a beast… you just proved that Riddick…

Jack growled a bit under her breath as she felt tears slipping down her cheeks. It'd been so long since she'd shown emotion. She thought she had protected herself well enough that nothing would phase her. Somehow the old feelings for Riddick had squirmed their way back into her life, past all her carefully placed defenses. She never thought something could hurt this much… but it did… it struck her numb at the core.