Less than two weeks to go and everyday Jack's belly got bigger and with that came more and more pain. The baby was growing fast, not giving Jack's body enough time to adjust. There was someone by her side at all times, giving their support and trying to help her through the pain. The scan Raven did at the end of the second week showed that the baby was healthy although it was at the expense of Jack's own health.
"Skye, I'm worried," Raven voiced her fears as she and Skye stood outside of medical in the hall. "I don't know how Jack's body is going to handle this. Her blood pressure is up, so is her heart rate and I can't give her any painkiller too strong because she's pregnant."
"What's making her blood pressure go up?" Skye asked as she leaned against the wall on the opposite side of where Raven was standing.
"Well, her body is supporting the growth of another life for one thing. That's enough to make it go up. The baby's is growing faster than any living thing out there which is putting more strain on her. Oh, and the fact that she's only fifteen years old. She's not done growing herself." Skye wearily rubbed the back of her neck as Raven spoke. She didn't like where all this was leading. It was obvious that Bi-Lines didn't care what happened to Jack, they just wanted that baby. What they didn't realize is that the one and only Richard B. Riddick was connected to Jack and if she died there's no telling what he would do or how many people would die.
Jack's scream ripped Skye from her thoughts and she and Raven were pushing through the door in a panic.
"Jack, what's wrong!" Skye screamed. Raven immediately checked her vitals while Jack thrashed in severe pain on the bed.
"It…it hur…hurts!"
"Enough of this." Skye ripped the blankets off and sat Jack up. "I have an idea on how to ease some of this pain." Jack had a hard time maneuvering with her belly in the way. "Raven help me get her to the shower." Raven helped Skye stand Jack up and they supported her through the pain of walking that her now swollen ankles were protesting to. By the time they made the short walk to the bathroom, Jack was crying uncontrollably, breathing in shallow breaths.
"Deep breaths Jack, come on," Raven encouraged. As soon as they got in the bathroom, they stripped off Jack's nightgown and stepped into the shower, fully dressed. The warm water seemed to work as Jack's crying eased up. Skye massaged her back while Raven worked her shoulders. She was too weak to stand on her own so they took turns holding her up. Skye and Raven were in the middle of exchanging worried looks when they heard the door open. Kyle came in and noticed someone was in the shower so he began to retreat.
"Sorry, I didn't know anyone was in here."
"It's okay Kyle, you can come in," Raven shouted to be heard over the running water. He came back in but this time took a better look in the shower.
"What's goin' on in there?" he asked. He pulled back the glass a little to
see. "Whoa! Hello!"
A smile spread across his face as he nodded in approval. "Three girls in the shower, nice." Jack raised a weak arm and flipped him
off. Raven laughed like she's never
laughed before.
"That's my girl, Jack," Skye chuckled. Riddick walked through the door at that time and his movements slowed as he took in the scene before him. He approached the shower and stood there dumb-founded.
"You guys okay?" he asked slowly, still unsure of what was going on and the smile on Kyle's face was a little unnerving.
"Yup, just providing a little pain relief," Skye answered, considering Raven was still laughing. Kyle lightly punched Riddick in the arm and pointed to the shower. Riddick smirked at him before turning his attention back to the shower.
"Three girls in the shower," he said in almost a sing-song way. Without looking at him, Riddick put his hand on Kyle's shoulder and shoved hard enough to send him stumbling to the floor. Everyone had a good laugh which lightened the mood considerably. Jack even laughed as much as was comfortable.
"And that's my man," Skye said with a big smile. Riddick looked a little shocked but at the same time, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Will you need any help?" Riddick asked as he helped Kyle up off the floor.
"I think we can handle it," Raven said.
"Okay, we'll leave you to it then." Riddick said forcing Kyle to the door and gave them one last look before following him through.
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The shower did wonders. Spasms that had wracked her body earlier had subsided, allowing her to fall asleep. Skye took up residence in a chair in the corner and was soon asleep herself. Nightmares plagued her defenseless mind, forcing her to see things she didn't want to see. Putting her in positions she didn't want to be in. Jack was screaming as blood pooled around her from an unseen wound and Riddick was just standing there, unresponsive. Skye screamed at him for help but nothing came out and he never even looked over at her.
She jerked awake and fell to the floor. Not moving from the ground, still paralyzed from the dream, she let her eyes adjust to the dark. As her breathing slowed she could make out the form of someone sitting in a chair on the other side of the room by the door. Judging by the size and the unique silver eyes, she knew it was Riddick.
"Nightmares?" he asked, his voice lower and more gravelly than usual.
"Yea," she whispered as she stood up. Her muscles were groaning in protest to her movements.
"Why don't you go to your room for some sleep and I'll watch over her."
"You sure?" she asked.
"I'm sure." Skye headed for the door but felt compelled to stop.
"Riddick?" He turned to look at her. "Do you think Jack will be okay?" Her words came out weakly.
"Don't know," he said, looking back to Jack. "We can only hope."
"Sounds like we got a lot riding on 'hope' these days." Riddick shrugged his shoulders, not verbally responding. He never had reason before to hope for anything but now was different. His life had drastically turned around in a matter of months but in a sick way it made him uncomfortable. Deep in thought, he almost jumped when he felt Skye's hands on him. She began massaging his shoulders and neck bringing out an involuntary sigh. There was nothing sexual about it but they were both enjoying the contact.
His tense muscles began to loosen under the workings of her hands, manipulating the muscle into a warm relaxed state. Funny how it put her in that same warm place and she was the one doing all the work. She didn't mind though, she liked the way he felt. Hard muscle covered in soft skin, hands that were strong enough to break necks but also gentle enough to soothe a scared child, his sense of humor that has shown through his hardened demeanor a few times, and the way his voice could either scare or excite a person.
Here was this man, so many different sides to him and she was lucky enough to be in his presence; changing right before her eyes, from the monster society, and himself, labeled him to be to the man she knew he really was.
Riddick leaned forward so she could work down his back, which she gladly did. She continued moving all the way down then slowly made her way back up.
"You're good," he said as she got back up to his shoulders.
"Thanks."
"Remind me to return the favor," he said, grabbing her hands and pulling her arms around him.
"That you can count on." Skye rested her lips on his shoulder and breathed him in. 'Yea, everything would be okay' a voice in her head told her. "Let me know if you need anything," she whispered suggestively as she kissed up his neck. Riddick let out a deep groan.
"I hope you mean that," he whispered back. Skye smiled against his neck.
"Oh, I mean it." Riddick turned his head so he could look at her.
"Good." He leaned closer and caught her lips with his, kissing her softly. When they pulled apart she wanted more of him so she sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. Riddick closed his eyes and snaked his arms around her waist, holding her close. "We'll get through this." He felt her arms tighten around him. "Together," he added.
After a few minutes, Skye was able to pull herself from his arms and sleepily made her way to her room. If only she could get a little dreamless sleep she'd be okay. Although, it wasn't the fear of the future that kept her awake this time, it was that kiss. It was blowing her mind that kissing him now felt different. Not just different but absolutely wonderful. It was as if they mutually agreed to take their relationship further without even taking it further,
She wasn't going to bring up her thoughts because she was afraid it might scare him off. Right now she needed him in her life. That was a pleasant yet scary thought for her. What if he decided not to hang around after the mission was over? If she got too attached it would be harder to let him go. She knew there was no way she wouldn't get attached because she already was. One step at a time. That's all she could do.
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During the last week of the mission, Jack's pain eased up, her good mood was back, and her skin had a healthy glow to it. She stayed in bed to rest but that didn't stop her from being happy and Skye spent a lot of time with her.
Jack was very eager to talk about all the things she would do for the baby once it was born and Skye listened to everything and she was happy to do it. The more Jack talked the more Skye yearned for a baby of her own. She talked about how it felt when it moved around inside her and the strong connection she was feeling for someone she hadn't even met.
Her emotions would sometimes overwhelm her and she would cry and Skye would cry along with her and occasionally cry when she was alone. She felt her own connection with Jack growing stronger along with her love for the girl making the end of their trip more frightening.
Jack wanted the sex of the baby to be a surprise but she had picked out names but she wouldn't tell anyone what they were. It sounded to Skye like Jack was going to keep the baby. How was having this baby going to affect her body and mind? Having no kids, Skye could only imagine how hard it would be to raise one, let again giving birth to one. All Skye knew was that whatever Jack decided about her life, she would be there for her and give her all the support she'd need.
**** We're getting' down to the last chapters. I hope everyone who has read it have liked it so far. Riddick and Skye will be gettin' together very soon so keep reading. Any ideas on a name? Give me some ideas for boys and girls' names. Remember to send a review. =)