Part XI

Part XI

Dreams were something that never bothered Jack since she'd found Riddick just over a year ago. Now, once again, they plagued her. Darkness. Darkness everywhere. Except this time she could see them, the beasts from the planet. A light in the darkness caught her eye. The Skiff. She had to get to the skiff.

She broke into a run, heading for the lights of the skiff. She saw someone ascending the ramp into the skiff. Riddick?

"Riddick!," she ran harder for the skiff now, a smile on her face.

He turned toward the voice and smirked as he saw the girl. He turned to look at her as she stopped at the bottom of the ramp. Jack's heart sank as she saw Nova standing behind Riddick.

"Riddick…?," she sounded unsure.

He tilted his head to the side slightly as he looked at her. "Yeah, kid?"

Kid? Why is he calling me kid? A puzzled look crossed her face as she took a step toward him. "I love you… I love you Riddick."

An amused look crossed his face. He tilted his head back and laughed. Jack had a hurt look on her face.

Nova stepped to Riddick's side and put her arm around his waist. "Sorry hun. He's mine now." Nova winked to her.

Jack felt anger rush through her. She yelled and ran forward, her canines bared. Riddick reached out and yanked her away from Nova. The next instant she felt a sharp pain in her gut. She looked down slowly to see Riddick's blood covered hand by her stomach, his shiv embedded in her flesh. She looked back up to him slowly, she heard one word as he closed in for the kill.

"Goodnight…"

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Jack choked back a sob as she bolted upright in the bed. Her breaths were quick and uneven, her eyes shifting about as she recalled her dream. She almost started crying again but a noise made her look to the right. There was the man from earlier, rubbing his eyes and sitting up in the chair.

"You're awake." He smiled at her and extended a hand to her. "I'm Brian. You feeling better?"

Jack shook his hand slowly. "I'm Jacklyn. I guess I'm doing a bit better. You brought me here?" Truth was she felt worse after that dream. She forced a smile to him.

He returned the smile with warmth then he grinned to her. "You're lying to me. I see it in your eyes."

Jack blinked a bit, surprised that he could tell. She looked down to her lap. "Actually I feel shitty. I feel emotionally overwhelmed and I'm starving."

He laughed softly to her. "Well, if you ever want to talk I'm free. But I can remedy your hunger. Think you can walk?" He stood up and held a hand out to her.

She smiled and took his hand and stood up slowly. She quickly gained her bearings and tucked some hair behind her ear. She liked this guy. He was funny, sweet; kind, and he gave her his bed last night. In her book that made him a friend… and she knew she needed that now more than ever.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Jack sat at the table, across from Brian, as they ate. She had to marvel at how good everything tasted, much better than prison food. Brian couldn't help but smile and laugh at her. "Just wait till we stop at Necross 9. They have the best blukroat in the galaxy."

"Really? I've never heard of it. What is it?" Jack shoved another forkload of eggs into her mouth.

"Well it's a type of meat. It's red when raw but purple when it's cooked. It's tender and it melts in your mouth."

"Mmmm…," Jack had a stupid grin on her face, "sounds wonderful." She licked her lips to add affect.

Brian and Jack were soon both laughing. Jack felt wonderful, almost like she was her old self again. She pushed a few stray strands of hair out of her face. The door to the mess hall slid open and in walked Riddick followed by Nova. Jack's laughter stopped quickly, as her eyes narrowed. Her lips curled back in a slight snarl. Brian's laughter faded away slowly as he peered at her. When she didn't move her gaze, he turned his head to see what she was looking at. Riddick was getting his food and Nova was standing by him. He nodded slightly and looked back to Jack. "I know how you feel. I hate seeing her act like a kid after a piece of candy."

Jack looked back to him sharply. Yeah well… that's *my* candy. "Riddick can do whatever he wants. He doesn't belong to me." She glared down at her food. All her happiness from before was suddenly gone. "I'm gonna get some more juice. You want some?"

"Nah… I'm okay."

Jack stood up and walked toward the counter. She kept her gaze off Riddick as she neared him. Riddick peered at her a moment before he spoke. "Mind if I join ya?"

"It's a free galaxy.," came her cool response.

"Where ya sittin'?"

"With Brian.," she knocked on the counter, "Hey Cook! Large Juice and make it snappy." She gave a sigh of relief as she heard Riddick walk off to the table.

Nova stepped up to Jack's side. "Hey… sis."

Jack growled to her. "Don't call me that. You haven't done anything worthy enough for me to let you call me that."

"Geez what crawled up your pants and died?" Nova rolled her eyes.

Jack looked to her sharply, hair swaying behind her in its ponytail. "How about you trying to take him away!," her voice was a hushed shout.

Nova glared back at her. "I didn't see your name on him anywhere.," she paused, "Besides after what we did last night… he's over you honey."

That was the last straw. All Jack saw was red. She grabbed Nova by the shirt and swung her around. Jack shoved her back, until Nova's back rammed into the wall. Jack bared her canines at her growling. It took her a few moments to realize Riddick and Brian were pulling her away from a gasping Nova.

Riddick stepped in front of her. "What the hell do you think you were doin'?!"

Jack glared at him but she couldn't hide the pang of hurt in her eyes. Maybe Nova's right. Maybe he is over me. Anger flared in her Jack as she hissed at Riddick. "Just leave me the fuck alone! Both of you." Jack turned quickly and stalked out of the mess hall.