Imam dressed in his newest robe and headed downstairs. Deciding to have a light breakfast before his flight, he cooked up a few leftovers that were in the fridge. After he was done cleaning up, Imam grabbed his bag and went to the car. The ride to the port was uneventful; on occasion a few friends would spot him and wave. Imam reached the port just in time for his flight. The last few passengers were boarding and Imam stepped behind them. A guard checked his ticket, and ushered him onto the ship. Imam was making his way to Nessos to see Jack. He had a feeling she knew something about the whereabouts of Mr. Riddick. He put on all the required seatbelts and sat back for take-off.
***
Jack and Riddick decided to spend the day together. Riddick's mind was troubled with the thought of his soon departure. Jack's mind was not as plagued, happy in her own little world that Riddick loved her and she loved him back. First off, they headed to the nearest strip mall to pick up parts for their respective ships. Jack had to pick up food and a few little luxuries she wanted to have for whenever she left Nessos. Riddick hit the nearest bank and delved into one of his many accounts. Taking out enough money, he joined Jack in loading up what he thought he would need for his ship.
After loading the bags into the car Jack was registered, they drove over to a local clothing store. Riddick grumbled the entire ride, while Jack was plastered with a big smile. Playing dress up with Riddick, she though, how interesting. Jack drove up to the new age 'Big and Tall'. Taking his hand, they entered the store and headed into the department that looked like it would suit Riddick the best. Jack approached a man who worked in the store asking him if he would help her fit her companion. The man took a look at Riddick, eyes widening when they reached his chest.
"Come with me", he said politely and ushered them towards the fitting department. Jack sat in the designated girlfriend couch and watched the man size up Riddick. When the man's hand neared Riddick's inner thigh, she sucked in her lip feeling the familiar tingle and ache stirring in her. Riddick sensed her arousal and turned his head toward her. He mouthed the word 'Soon', and she smiled in return. Riddick returned his attention to the little man in front of him. Finishing up his measurements, he pushed his glasses back up his nose and spoke.
"I'll be right back, sir. I am going to go get the things that I believe will compliment you the best." The little man scurried away. Riddick strode over to Jack and stood in front of her with his legs on either side of her knees. He did not move, and neither did she. They stared into each other's eyes through the protection of the sunglasses. He took her hand into his and kissed it. The corners of her mouth twinged upward in a sort of half smile. Before they could both realize it, the little man was back. He cleared his throat from behind Riddick and the both turned, Riddick dropping Jack's hand.
"I have brought a few items over," he said referring to the cart behind him", and I assume you would like to try them on before you purchase anything?"
Riddick turned to Jack, and she nodded for him to say yes. "Alright", he said slowly.
"Very well", the little man said, and ushered Riddick into a back dressing room with a black suit in hand.
Riddick emerged not more than 10 minutes later, wearing black trousers with a crisp crease down the front, a black button up shit with a metallic silver tie, and a black jacket. Jack's mouth gaped slightly and her eyes widened at the sight. Riddick was fidgety as the man came around from behind him.
"Well sir, I do believe that the suit you are wearing compliments you very well", he said and looked to Jack for agreement.
"Yes...", she said trailing off, trying extra careful to keep the drool in her mouth. She watched Riddick eye her and could only count the minutes until they returned to the ships. While Riddick was glancing at himself in the mirror, Jack ripped her eyes away from him and looked around the quaint surroundings. The wall had a calendar next to a large Victorian clock, but what caught Jack's eyes was the calendar. The date had not occurred to her but now seeing it on paper in front of her, it finally clicked.
"February 13th", she mumbled, a smile playing on her lips. Riddick heard her say something but couldn't make out the words. She seemed to be talking to herself so he thought nothing of it. In Jack's mind, a plan had begun.
***
A few hours later and a couple hundred credits poorer, Jack and Riddick left the store, both hands of each weighed down with bags. The little man, Giuseppe, had provided Riddick with enough clothes to last him a year or two. They piled into the car and headed for home. Jack kept silent most of the way back still trying to plan for the surprise she was hoping to give Riddick the following day. Riddick didn't speak much either. He sensed Jack was up to something but kept it to himself. Once home, they unloaded the bags in Jack's company car and deposited them into their separate ships. Jack went into her ship and waited for Riddick to appear with his pajamas.
"Hey", he said when he came up behind her. She turned, a very sleepy look on her face. Riddick understood immediately that his fun would have to wait because Jack was exhausted. He, himself, was pretty tired as well.
"I'll be right back, babe", he whispered to her and headed to wash his face and put his pajamas on. A few minutes later he emerged from the bathroom, clad in black silk pajama bottoms and nothing else to find Jack in her own black silk nightgown, falling fast asleep under the covers. Riddick slid in next to her and ordered the lights off. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in close, a smile toying with his lips. With his sunglasses off her could see perfectly well in the dark, and decided to tell Jack the next day that his shipment had come in. The color lenses for his eyes were in.
He felt his chest expanding with each no breath that Jack's spirit flowed into him. He whispered aloud, with a tear tracing his cheek:
"You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be."
***
The next morning came quickly for Jack, almost too quickly when she realized it had been Riddick's arms that were enfolding her. She let him sleep as she slid from the bed. She switched on the radio to some mellow love music. "I Grieve" by Peter Gabriel cam on when she was changing. She sat back down onto the bed and stared at the sleeping angel, her sleeping angel. His eyes began to flutter open, and she was glad she made sure the lights were dimmed for him. He opened his eyes fully and gazed at her, smiling back at him. Never in his life had he wished to wake up this way every day for the rest of his life. She waited for him to stretch and turn back to face her before she spoke.
"Morning, love."
"Morning, babe."
"Did you get to sleep okay?"
"With their arms around you, anyone could get to sleep in a heartbeat", he said and she smiled wider.
"You are more than any one woman could ever ask for", she whispered and kissed him on the nose, causing him to grin. "What are your plans for the day, beautiful?", she asked him.
"I have a few... errands I need to run, so I will most likely be out for the day. I think I might be returning sometime near 9 p.m.", he stated and waited for her to ask him what could possibly take so long. She didn't. Instead, she smiled.
"Okay, well why don't you come over here after your done and I'll make dinner."
"Sounds good", he said.
"Great!", she squealed in delight. She left him to get dressed in a new outfit of baggy black cargo pants and a tight black shirt. But then again, what other kinds of clothes would you expect from Richard B. Riddick?
***
Riddick grabbed the brown parcel from his ship and headed into town. The doctor, whom he knew for a long time and felt he could trust, had an office a little ways out of town. Riddick reached the office at 8:30 a.m. The doctor ushered him right in and got right down to business.
"Are you sure you want to do this Rich?" the elder asked seriously.
"Sam, this is the one thing I've wanted for a real long time", he replied sternly.
"Alright Rich."
"How long will the surgery take and how long will it take for me to be able to see again?"
"The surgery will be about three hours. I will need you to stay in this building for about 8 hours after that and by then, it's color city for you, my boy!" Riddick was very satisfied with the timing; glad that once he could leave there was enough time for him to go to his ship and shower before heading to Jack's.
"Good", Riddick responded.
"Let's get started", Doc Sam said and ushered Riddick into the operating room.
