Six Months Later
Jack had been working hard and was now pleased to be at a level six. Two more to go and she would be done. The time spent away from Riddick was hard so she immersed herself in her work and especially her project for him. When she had any free time she would work out. She met with a trainer who taught her how to fight and use weapons. It was hard work but she wanted Riddick to know that she wasn't going to give in to her sadness and do nothing. Not after he gave her a second chance.
She also found meditation and yoga helped keep her mind focused on her project. Sometimes her mind would drift to Riddick and sometimes she welcomed it. Usually that happened in the shower. Like the first time she knew her feelings for him were more than just the feelings for a friend. The water had caressed her body and she thought she felt his hands. Those were the times she stayed in the shower a lot longer than normal. The feeling was comforting and she needed it to last as long as possible.
Imam had gone on some religious outing with some of his fellow people for who knew how long and he finally felt that Jack could handle things by herself, and she could. She had volunteered for a day shift that day since she would be taking the next two weeks off. Her project was almost done but there was something else she needed to work on. Not only was she good in the medical field but she was also pretty good at computers. However, there were limits to what she could do. She knew the process of changing someone's identity was way beyond her abilities and that should be left to professionals like Riddick's friend, but there were a few things she could do.
The evening was cool as she walked home, colors splashing over the sky as the sun set, leaving trails of purple and pink fire spreading across the clouds. She enjoyed walking to and from work and this was one of the reasons. It wasn't a long walk and she enjoyed being outside, smelling the fresh air, feeling the wind brush over her skin in a feather light touch. It was one of the times when she could focus on things that didn't have to do with her life and those people not in it.
Her apartment came into view and she took one last deep breath before heading up the stairs, savoring the simple beauties of nature.
The apartment was dark when she entered but she didn't bother to turn the lights on, every detail of her place was mapped out in her head.
She was heading for the kitchen when the hair on the back of her neck suddenly stood up. Of course, the first day Imam is gone something was going to happen and he would never leave her alone again. The pressure in the air began to change and before the hand actually grabbed her shoulder she knew it was there.
With the speed of a cat she grabbed the persons' wrist and stepped back into them. Using all of her strength she leaned over and managed to flip the person over her shoulder. Whoever it was the person was big and she wondered how she was able to pull off what she did. These thoughts ran through her head but she never did stop. Still holding onto the wrist she twisted it so the person was now on their stomach and she kneeled hard into his back. Pretty sure it was a 'him'. She leaned close to his ear to speak.
"Guess that was more of a surprise for you then it was for…" she trailed off when she caught his scent. It couldn't be. In her moment of weakness he turned the tables. Flipping her off him and pinning her to the ground with the entire length of his body.
"Lights, twenty percent." The voice sent an erotic chill through her body and when the lights came on her senses confirmed her thoughts on who this really was.
"Riddick," her voice was quiet but her mind was exploding. As fast as she had moved he got up and pulled her to her feet. She backed away putting her hands over her mouth. This had to be a dream and she was afraid it was. Her breathing was labored and it wasn't from any exertion. "Am I dreaming?" she asked.
"No." That voice again. Her legs felt weak and she had to sit down. He smiled at her taking her all in. She looked different to him, all grown up in only six months and a lot tougher then before. He hadn't expected for her to pull a move like that on him. He actually felt proud of her.
Slowly he approached her and finally knelt down in front of her. She never took her eyes off him. The only fear she felt was that this wasn't real and he would soon disappear. She was probably starting to hallucinate from working too hard.
His hand moved slowly up to her cheek and her breath caught as she felt his warmth. Maybe it was real. She moved her hand to his cheek and her eyes filled with tears. He noticed she was wearing his ring on a simple chain, hanging around her neck and that made him smile again. Her hand was also warm and he couldn't stop himself from leaning into it.
Jack couldn't hold back anymore. She threw herself into his arms straddling his thighs and tried to pull herself into him. Relief washed over him as he held her. She had been pretty upset when he left and he didn't know how she would react when he came home. This felt good and as much as he hated to admit it, it was what he had been missing while he was gone.
His body felt good against hers and she finally knew he was real. Running her hands over him, she could feel his heat seeping through his shirt and into her hands, making her fingers tingle. She breathed him in as if he were the oxygen that would keep her alive. Reluctantly, she pulled back first and looked him in the eyes.
"I'm so glad you're back. For awhile I thought I'd never see you again." Her tears were still running down her cheeks and he wiped them away.
"I told you I'd be back. You still have my ring you know." She slapped him playfully and he laughed. Jack didn't remember ever hearing him laugh. It was a wonderful sound. "As much as I'd like to stay like this, my legs are falling asleep."
"Sorry," she said pulling herself up. "You hungry? I was going to make dinner before I was rudely interrupted." She headed for the kitchen taking a look over her shoulder.
"Sure," he said as he followed her.
"Why don't you go unpack and I'll get started." He nodded and grabbed his bag. "You have the same room." She called from the kitchen as she wiped the tears away. He headed down to his room and went inside. It was the same as when he left but there was one thing different. It smelled like Jack. She had probably spent the first little while in here to be close to him.
He unpacked and went into the bathroom to put some things away. The contents in the cabinets were a little different from the last time he was there. Scented lotion, massage oil, perfume. A lot of girly stuff. Shaking his head, he put his few belongings away and shut the cabinet. He was only gone for six months yet it seemed a lot longer.
Back in the kitchen he sat at the table and watched her. Taking in the curves of her body, noticing the muscles on her arms. Her pants covered her legs but there was no doubt that they were also well muscled.
She glanced over her shoulder and smile at him, so glad he was back.
"I hope you like steak," she said not looking directly at him. It was kept in the freezer for a special occasion, considering meat was hard to come by, but this seemed like a special occasion. When he didn't respond she looked at him again. "What?" she asked noticing him staring at her.
"Just looking," he said not breaking the stare. She turned to face him and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Looking at what?" Her smile was that of amusement. His smile was a different kind. Sleek and seductive.
"You." Said plain and simple. Sighing and shaking her head she turned back to the dinner. She could hear him chuckle.
"So what do you plan on doing now?" Dinner was done and she was setting the table. He didn't move from his spot and she had to practically lean on him to set out their plates. She didn't mind rubbing against him and apparently he didn't either.
"When I got back earlier you weren't here so I went out and looked for a job. I'll be working construction in that new part of town. Seems like pretty good work and really good pay." Jack listened intently as she set his dinner down in front of him.
"Sounds good. When do you start?" She took a seat across from him and started to eat.
"Two days. Day shift, twelve hours a day, four days a week." He paused for a moment. "What are you up to these days?" He still didn't like talking much about himself.
"Well, I'm at a level six at the hospital and I think I'll make level eight in a few months." He looked up at her with an incredulous look on his face.
"It's hard to believe it's only been six months," he said and that made her laugh along with the look on his face.
"Yea, well, I've been working really hard. Studying, working out, and a few other things." Like her little secret project for him. "A lot has changed, including me."
"Yea, I noticed," he said, looking over her again.
They ate the rest of their meal in a comfortable silence, one that had been perfected before he had left six months ago, and when they were through he helped her clean up.
"I've got the next two weeks off so you'll see me around. Maybe this time we can really talk and hang out." He knew what she really meant by those words. Not that he was much of a talker but he would try harder this time.
They retreated to the living room to try the whole 'talking' thing, which proved to be pretty pleasant. Riddick told her about what happened when he left, about the few times during a transport that his bodyguard experience came in handy, his 'friend' Trey, who managed to do a complete re-write of Riddick's life, the interesting people he met, and his new name which was now, Brendan Richards, a combination of his original name. She filled him in on the boring details of her life, the few friends she made at work, and the guy who's been teaching her self-defense. That little detail of information made Riddick curious.
"So is this guy a 'close' friend of yours?" he asked with a hint of jealousy.
"Nah, he's just teaching me a few things." She totally caught on to the jealousy part and she smiled inwardly.
"A few things? That was a pretty advanced move you pulled on me earlier." He leaned back into the couch and put his hands behind his head.
"It's been six months and I am a fast learner, you know." She barely managed to get through that simple sentence without yawning, the pull of sleep getting stronger. "As much as I hate to end this, I really need to go to bed." Getting up wearily from the couch, Riddick followed, feeling the same pull for sleep. As they neared her room she stopped.
"You know something?" Riddick turned towards her. "You'll always be Riddick to me. Riddick saved my life. Riddick is the one who helped me become who I am." He moved towards her but she didn't back down, curious as to what he would do.
His arms went around her waist and he pulled her to him. Shocked by his show of affection left her paralyzed for a moment. He rested his lips against her neck and took a deep breath. That startled her senses and she placed her arms around him. One hand gripped his back and the other ran over his neck, to the back of his head, and back down. His skin was soft and warm. This felt so good she didn't want it to end but of course it had to and he was the one who pulled back first.
"Sleep tight," he whispered, running his fingers over her cheek before he turned to go to his room. That would be impossible now. Her stomach had butterflies in it and they were going crazy, almost consuming her whole body. On shaky legs, she went into her room and after stripping off her clothes, fell into bed and into dreams of Riddick. This time they weren't nightmares.
