Thanks everyone for all the reviews! I feel so special!! I was thinking about when the sequel comes out...I wonder if anything will be different...hmm...oh well!! Here's chapter 7!!!



"I'm not going anywhere at the moment", he told her.

She sighed, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "Can I see you again soon?"

"I need to think about things, but I don't suppose that would be that big of a problem."

She hugged him tighter and finally forced herself to release him. That was definitely how she didn't plan their reunion, if there was one, to go.

He stepped away slowly and made his way for the door. He looked back only once, to see if she was still real and actually there. She turned her head, eyes dry, and desperately searched for something to fix her gaze on. Riddick slipped out the exit and made his way back to his ship. He ran a thick hand over his head and reflected on what had just happened. 10 years had past without sight of Jack. Well not really 10 years, he thought.

***

Riddick departed his ship in the docking building and walked out onto the street. He was given a vague idea as to where he was heading. He was smart, actually brilliant, but sometimes computers got the best of him. He hadn't been able to find an exact street address and knew it would be smarter not to ask anyone so he relied on his instincts.

Riddick stood about 25 feet away from the house and watched Imam enter with a very jubilant Jack. She had a little card in her hand and was waving it in the air. Riddick figured that it was her new license since she was about 16 or so. He watched as Jack grabbed Imam's arm and said something to him. Imam handed Jack the car keys and she dashed down the steps back to the vehicle.

Imam watched her pull away, a worried smile plastered on his face. Riddick noticed how old Imam looked, even from the distance he was standing. Just in time to pull out of his thoughts, he jumped behind a bush as Jack passed by. He noticed that her hair had gotten slightly longer and she was beginning to seem taller.

Imam was still on the porch watching Jack disappear down the street. Riddick emerged from the bushes and strutted over to Imam's house. It took a few seconds for Imam to realize that it was Riddick standing before him.

"Mr. Riddick? Is that you?" A smile began to spread across his worn face.

"Holy man", Riddick said with a big grin. Imam reached out to hug Riddick suddenly, but Riddick didn't pull away. The Holy man pulled Riddick into his home and ushered him into the kitchen. Riddick took in his surroundings with great interest. Imam had done well for himself and Jack.

"I suppose you know you just missed Jack", Imam said with a sigh.

"Yeah, I saw her pull out. I thought it would be best if she didn't see me. I didn't want to have to hurt her again by leaving. You won't tell her I stopped by will you?", Riddick questioned quickly.

Imam understood and replied,"No, Mr. Riddick. I will speak of this to no one."

"Holy man! Just call me Riddick already."

"The day you stop calling me that is the day I call you by your name, Mr. Riddick."

Riddick laughed. He decided it felt good to laugh. He hardly ever laughed before the crash but since Carolyn had done what she did, he laughed more often. There was hope for him.

"How is your life Holy Man?"

"Mr. Riddick, I have played the cards I have been dealt. To get money for Jack and myself, I have worked as a public speaker and I have served several churches. We aren't eating from gold china, but we are making do."

"Jack...",Riddick said,"How is she doing?"

"Jack is still Jack. She has the fire in her eyes as strong and as bright as before. There was a time after you left, however that she did not want to be herself. She had many sleepless nights and the nights she could rest, were full of night terrors. She got better however, and is regarded as one of the smartest students on this side of Euro-Futura. She is brilliant and she is beautiful. She will be something great one day", he declared with a smile.

"I...I..I want to apologize for leaving her with you."

"Mr. Riddick, she is my cross to bear but there is not one day that goes by that I am not glad that she is with me", Imam replied thoughtfully and sincerely.

Riddick smiled back and they spoke more on their lives and Imam asked how Riddick's life was going with a concerned look. Riddick explained how he was in no trouble at the moment and that things were okay for him. He was stopping by the planet for a refuel and then he would head out again. It had been about twenty minutes before Riddick voiced that he better leave.

"She'll be back any minute",Imam said to him.

"Yeah that's why I'm leaving", Riddick replied.

"It has done me well to see you", Imam whispered softly.

"Me too, Holy man. I will see you in the future." Riddick shook Imam's hand one final time and took off out the door. He was headed straight back for his ship. At the docking door, he had the feeling he was being watched and picked up his pace. Once given clearence to the building, Riddick boarded his ship and watched, discreetly, from a window aboard his ship. He saw Jack rush in and look around frantically. He sighed and left the window, not wanting to see her anymore, feeling a slight tear in his heart.

***