Before they knew it, they were back at Aliason Station. Riddick and Eric were escorted to the Captains quarters to make the final arrangements while the others filled the supplies.
"I'm pleased to tell you that Skye has worked very hard the past two months and I'm very proud of her. She used to be a quiet shy person, but it seems her confidence has grown." The Captain spoke as he led them out into the hall. It was very early and they didn't encounter many people as they walked through the halls.
"We'll be the judge of that." Eric said. As they reached a T-section of the hallway, they could hear the sound of a couple people running. Riddick carefully stepped into the junction, not wanting to get plowed. There were two women jogging side by side. One had her red hair pulled up but the other was wearing a hat. Her hair was pulled out the back and a cascade of black curls fell down her back. That one was Skye.
As the two women ran by, Skye caught Riddick's eyes and held them as she passed, turning her head to watch him until he was behind her. She recognized him but did he recognize her?
Riddick knew right away that it was Skye. He was very impressed. Her shorts revealed well-formed muscles in her thighs and calves and her tank top also revealed very muscular arms. Eric watched the exchange and gave a low whistle.
"Looks like you got an admirer," Eric said, punching Riddick in the arm. Riddick didn't flinch or even take his eyes off the retreating figure but when the Captain yelled, they both nearly jumped.
"Skye!" The Captain had stepped out into the hall. "Loading bay, one hour." Skye's only acknowledgment that she heard him was a raise of her hand. Eric did a double take.
"That was Skye?" he asked in amazement.
"Told ya she'd be ready." The Captain said as he turned and headed to the loading bay.
"Wow," was all Eric could say. Riddick watched the two women round the corner before turning his attention on Eric. He was met with a grin that made him want to knock Eric to the ground.
"What?" he said gruffly, turning to follow the Captain.
"She was checking you out, man and I think you were doing the same." Eric caught up to him but laughed when Riddick didn't respond.
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"Who was that?" Kayla asked Skye after they had rounded the corner.
"The two guys I'll be working with for awhile." She said.
"Did you see the big one? He was hot." Skye laughed at her friends' confession.
"I know." Skye agreed.
"Just think, you get to be on a ship with those two guys. How lucky can you get?" Suddenly Skye was very nervous. She could handle herself but being on a ship with two guys like that? This was going to be a tougher mission than she thought. She wasn't aware of the other crew that had been picked up.
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The three men were standing in the loading bay talking and waiting for Skye.
"Maybe we should test her somehow to see if she really is ready?" Eric asked to no one on particular.
"Oh, I assure you Mr. Briggs, that she needs no testing. She's been training with one of our best for two months." The Captain said trying to reassure him. Eric turned to Riddick for his advice.
"How did you plan on testing her, anyway?" Riddick asked.
"I don't know," Eric said, almost giving up on the idea. A sudden commotion made them all turn towards one of the docking bays that just had a shuttle land.
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After a quick shower, Skye grabbed her bag and headed to the loading bay. Upon entering, she heard shouting and quickly dropped her bag and ducked out of sight. From her viewpoint, she could see a man holding a woman against him with a knife to her throat. She scanned the area and soon spotted Riddick, Eric, and the Captain. It looked like Eric was making a move to the guy who started all this but Riddick held him back. She immediately admired Riddick. He was smart and knew that Eric's approach would cause more of a problem.
Skye quietly made her way closer to the man. She waited for him to move the knife away from the hostage just enough for her to make a move. When he did, she stumbled out of her hiding place like she didn't know what she was getting into. With quick moves, she managed to push the woman away from him and allowed herself to be caught by the guy. Her eyes found Riddick's and she saw him trying to hold back Eric a second time.
The man was shouting something about bad guys chasing him and some sort of plot for his death. Skye ignored him and focused on the position of his body. She leaned back into him causing him to stumble a bit, and quickly grabbed his wrist to avoid getting cut. He stopped shouting his accusation and started shouting in pain when Skye moved his arm to his side, flipped him over her back, twisted his arm again so he was on his stomach, and kneeled on his back.
Without saying a word, Skye looked up to see Riddick and Eric running to her. The Captain had run off to get security. When the two men got there, Riddick moved Skye gently away from the man and secured him. He picked him up off the floor and moved him across the room for security to handle.
"You're not ready. That was probably the dumbest move I've ever seen." Eric was harsh in his choice of words. Riddick looked over at them, listening to their conversation as he helped security.
"You know what?" Skye kept her voice low and calm. "I put myself in that position so I wouldn't have to worry about somebody else's life because I know I can handle my own. I took control of the situation without that bastard even realizing it." She brushed past Eric, making sure to knock him back a bit, and headed over to where Riddick was. Riddick looked up at her from his kneeling position on the floor.
"Nice job. Good tactic." He said giving her a slight smile. That was the first time she'd seen him smile, let alone really hear his voice. Her knees became jelly at the sight of his smile and she almost passed out at the sound of his deep baritone voice but she didn't.
"Thanks. At least someone thinks so," she said looking back at Eric who was still standing there. Riddick followed her gaze to his friend.
"I think he's just worried because you're a woman." Skye looked back at him and almost laughed.
"And you're not worried?" She asked as he met her eyes again. His smile was bigger than before.
"I knew you could handle it." His tone then became serious again. "But I'll know when you can't and you can trust me to be there to back you up. Eric, as well." She watched him for a moment. No man has ever shown concern for her and suddenly two men that she didn't even know were showing it. Her thoughts were interrupted as she felt the presence of a hand on her shoulder before it was even there. She didn't need to turn to know who it was. Along with her little talent, her senses were incredible. Everyone had a distinct scent and she could now recognize Eric's.
"Look, I'm sorry I over-reacted. It won't happen again." Skye looked at him over her shoulder.
"It's okay because I understand where you're coming from." She turned so she could face him and he held out his hand and she took it. Little did any of them know exactly how close they would all become in a matter of days.
Riddick stood up behind her. She glanced back at him and then again at Eric. She wasn't short but her eyes met Riddick's lips but with Eric, they were almost eye to eye.
"Let's get your stuff and get the hell out of here. We've got a three week trip ahead of us." Eric said and waited to follow Skye to show him to her stuff.
"I'm going to say good-bye to the Captain and my friend. I'll be right back." Riddick and Eric watched her jog over to the Captain and speak briefly with him before hurrying to her friend, the red head.
Eric loaded the rest of their stuff while Riddick watched Skye with growing interest. She hugged her friend fiercely before making her way back to them. There were a lot of different sides to her and he's only seen the beginning. As she got closer, he noticed she kept her head down.
"You okay," he asked with genuine concern. She looked up at him and he noticed the tears.
"She's the only friend I've had and I'm going to miss her." She wiped angrily at the tears. Riddick didn't know exactly what to do. This kind of stuff was still too new for him. When she turned her head, he caught sight of blood on her neck. That was something he could handle.
"Whoa, you're cut," he said. He put his hands on her chin to keep her head from turning back and he ran his other fingers over the cut.
"I guess that guy got me a little," she said as she also reached up to feel the wound.
"It's not bad. You'll live." Riddick's hand brushed over hers and they both stopped, feeling the electricity from their contact.
"Come on you guys." Eric said from inside the ship. Riddick shook his head slightly and motioned for her to go first. Skye finished wiping the blood off her neck as she walked up the ramp and met Eric inside.
"I want you to meet the rest of the crew," he said, not seeing to confused look on her face. Skye felt sudden rush of relief as she realized she wouldn't be alone with these two. She met the rest of the crew and could see almost instantly that everyone was at ease with each other. A little unusual since they all had barley met up two months ago but it was still a good sign.
Once they had everything secure, they all got strapped in for take off. Skye was suddenly feeling a little homesick. Aliason Station had been her home for the past few years and even though she was surrounded by people, she felt alone.
****Thanks for the review, Ariel. I feel pumped up now. Everyone, keep reading and remember; review, review, review.