"There it is," Eric said pointing out the window of the cockpit. Marisphere was a huge structure just floating in space, probably capable of carrying thousands of people.
Skye leaned over the back of Eric's seat to get a better look.
'That's good because Jack's contractions have started." Riddick shot a look to her.
"Is she okay?" he asked. He was wearing a mask of worry and that made Skye nervous. 'Please Riddick, I need you strong' she pleaded silently.
"Raven's with her and everything is going the way it's supposed to." She put a hand on his shoulder. "Very painfully," she added. Riddick breathed out and leaned back in his seat and Skye watched him from the corner of her eye. The upcoming event was going to put them under a lot of stress and Riddick was going to have to go through things he's never had to and Skye figured she'd have to be the strong one.
"Skye, grab Kyle and make sure everything is on lock-down. We dock in 20 minutes," Eric said without looking at her.
"Got it," she replied, bounding up the stairs to find Kyle. While they were securing everything Eric contacted Marisphere and told them to have medical staff ready when they docked.
"Tell me what you're feelin' big-guy," Eric threw out. Riddick glanced over at him.
"Can't tell but you know me, I don't trust anyone and that includes the company that's paying us."
"Yea, something just doesn't feel right. Stay on your toes," Eric said.
"As always," Riddick returned.
It was the longest 20 minutes any of them had gone through. Raven was with Jack, Kyle kept watch on Alex, and Skye was up front with Riddick and Eric. Riddick looked calm again but Skye knew better. She could feel the tension coming off his body in waves.
As soon as the docking clamps were in place Eric ran to the ramp to unlock and lower it. Medical was standing by just as they had requested. Riddick and Skye stood back so they could get on board and get to Jack The medical staff was fast and efficient; only taking a couple minutes to assess and move Jack out of the ship and to their sick bay. Kyle and Raven hauled Alex to security to explain that situation while the others followed Jack. They were silent as they walked swiftly down the halls and those people that were in the halls quickly stepped out of the way.
Riddick pushed through the doors to the sick bay and stepped into the waiting room.
"Where's the girl?" he asked the nurse at the desk.
"Oh, the one they just brought in?" she asked, looking through some files.
"That would be her," he replied with an eerie calmness.
"This way." She got up and headed down a small corridor and around a corner. There was another waiting room outside a set of double doors where the nurse had stopped. "They've taken her right to delivery so wait here and I'll go see what's happening." Riddick turned away as the nurse went through the doors, running a hand over his head. Eric gave him a pat on the back as he walked by and took a seat. Skye took the one next to him, both of them watching Riddick.
"You guys back here?" They heard Raven call out. They all heard her but no one answered. As Raven stepped into view she stopped and looked at the solemn looks on their faces. "Is everything okay?" she asked slowly.
"We don't know yet," Skye replied watching as Riddick began to pace.
"Eric, security needs your report on…" she hesitated, pointing to the double doors, "what happened, since you're the Captain."
"All right." He got up to leave but stopped. "I'll hurry back but if you need me…"
"We'll find you," Skye finished for him with as much of a convincing smile as she could manage. He nodded and left the room. Raven stood by for a moment watching the way Skye looked at Riddick and how upset he looked. That was a first. Before leaving she went to Skye and hugged her.
"I'm hoping for the best," she whispered in her ear. Skye hugged her back, closing her eyes and trying hard not to cry. Raven looked at Riddick over Skye's shoulder and saw he had stopped pacing and was staring at them. She broke the embrace and stepped up to him. Smiling, she punched him playfully in the arm. "Riddick," was all she said. He gave her a small smile.
"Raven," he returned, punching her in the arm. They exchanged a look that basically said they understood each other, then she left.
Skye and Riddick didn't move as if they were afraid that any disturbance in the air around them might bring about catastrophe. The silence was almost deafening as she listened for something that wasn't even there to hear. Her only awareness was the coolness of the air which was disturbed as someone on the other side of the double doors approached. Turning her attention to the door the same time Riddick did, the nurse rushed back into the room.
"They're having a slight problem," she started. Riddick stepped forward.
"What problem?" he demanded. The nurse looked a little worried by Riddick's intimidating stance.
"Uh, she won't be able to go through the natural birthing process. She's too small so they'll be performing a Cesarean Section," she stuttered.
"Is she going to be okay?" Skye asked as she stepped in between Riddick and the nurse.
"It's all procedure but like any emergency surgery, there are risks." Skye chest tightened. Jack was in a higher risk given her age and the unknown effects of the drug she was given.
"Tell the doctor that she was on a drug called Estamyathine," Skye started saying but the nurse cut her off.
"Wait, I've never heard of it."
"We haven't either but it brought that baby to full term in three weeks and we don't know what else it can do," she finished in a rush.
"I'll tell him but all you can do now is wait. The surgery shouldn't take too long and I'll have the doctor come out and talk to you when it's over." She went back through the double doors as Skye turned to face Riddick. The look on his face scared her. It was one of intense anger and hatred. The animal was out and Skye had to pump herself up for whatever the animal had in store.
"Riddick," she said putting a hand on his arm. He flinched away from her as if her touch had hurt.
"I can't do this," he growled out. He started to turn away but Skye grabbed his arm and forced him to look at her.
"No, don't turn away. We need to deal with this," she almost yelled.
"No, it's too much. This is why I prefer not to care!" he yelled, backing away from her.
"Riddick, you need to be strong. Be strong for Jack!" she yelled, pointing to the doors. "You're her hero, don't let her down."
"I didn't ask to be her hero," he said through clenched teeth.
"No, you didn't and she didn't ask you either. It just happened. You're a good man despite what people say or think. You are the best thing that's happened to that girl, and me for that matter." His face softened for a moment, allowing the anger to slip away but it was back too fast.
"Then you better get away from me now because it seems like anything that matters to me gets hurt or dies." His voice was filled with a rage so intense it made Skye back off a little. "First it was Carolyn, gave her life for me and she died. Now Jack might die. Who's to say what will happen to you." He started off down the hall and Skye ran in front of him, desperate to stop him. Putting her hands on his chest, she pushed as hard as she could only moving him a little. That was a dangerous thing to do to Richard B. Riddick but at this point she didn't care and she was no longer afraid of the animal. She was going to make him realize that he was human and that it wasn't always this awful. Maybe her motives her selfish, wanting him to care because it meant caring about her.
"Listen to me!" she yelled as she pushed him again. "Right now, whether you like it or not, you are Jack's only family and if you walk out on her you'll be nothing but a coward." Her words seemed to anger him more but she continued. "She'll be alone and I don't think she can handle that." Riddick didn't want his rage to take precedence over his actions so he backed away from her, not wanting to hurt her. "You've been to hell and back with that girl and I can't think of anything that brings two people closer together than that." She took a step towards him and he took a step back. He looked like a caged animal, looking for a way to escape. She carefully watched his body for any indication that he would take off and which direction he would go.
With shocking speed, Riddick turned a punched a hole, clean through the wall. Skye jumped at his sudden aggressive action but moved quickly to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek on his shoulder blade.
"Stay with me Riddick." She tried to make it sound soothing but it came out shaky. "Put the beast away and come back to me. We'll get through this. I won't leave you." Riddick put both hands on the wall and let his chin drop to his chest. Skye kept a tight grip on him and listened to his breathing. It came out in short harsh gasps. "Family," she whispered. Riddick turned around as if to leave but Skye used all her strength and managed to pull him back against her. Not thinking she'd have more power than him made her stumble back and slam into the wall taking him with her. His emotional distress made him weak but Skye hadn't factored that in.
She felt a little dazed as the back of her head hit the wall but surprisingly; she still had her arms around Riddick's waist. A deep feral roar escaped his mouth, echoing through the halls making anyone who could hear it stop dead in their tracks.
Skye was afraid again. Afraid that she was no match for the beast and this was one fight she wouldn't win. As those thoughts flooded her head she felt Riddick's muscles relax. She slid down the wall pulling him with her. Sitting on the floor he leaned heavily against her, still breathing hard. Moving her arms from around his waist, she wrapped them around his shoulders, pressing her cheek to his. She ran a hand from his head down his cheek to his neck and repeated the process.
"I'm here baby, I'm here." Now her voice actually came out soft and soothing.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I would never leave."
"I know you wouldn't." Skye breathed a sigh of relief as the tears fell. "It's gonna be okay."
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Raven made her way back to the waiting room at almost a run. Dodging people as she went and ignoring the rude comments. When she got to the waiting room it took her a second to find Skye and Riddick. Her eyes were drawn to the hole in the wall first then they traveled down to the floor.
Skye was leaning against the wall with her eyes closed; Riddick was on his side lying between her legs with his cheek resting on her thigh. She was stroking his shoulder and arm with one hand and his head with the other.
Raven noticed how exhausted they both looked and looking again at the hole in the wall; she didn't want to know. Instead of asking she pushed through the doors to find out what was going on and if she could help.
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Skye wasn't aware of Raven's presence, only Riddick's and that's because she was touching him. Keeping her eyes closed she tried to feel out Jack but she couldn't. At first she thought it was because she was dead and panic started to rise in her throat. She pushed it back down and tried to concentrate on Eric but couldn't find him either. Something was wrong but the dull ache in her head made her not want to find out what it was. Instead she tried to relax into the wall, thinking about Riddick's reaction to the whole Jack situation. It scared him to care but his good side won that battle at least this one battle. Jack was so lucky to have this man in her life to protect her and love her. Even though he's never said it, Skye knew that's what he was feeling.
"What I would give to be a part of your family." She didn't realize she said it out loud and nearly jumped when Riddick responded.
"You are." The deep rumble of his voice brought tears to her eyes but they didn't have a chance to fall. A doctor in green scrubs walked through the doors. Riddick jumped up so fast the doctor stopped in surprise causing Raven to run into him.
"Are you two with the young lady and the baby?" he asked as Raven stepped around him.
"Yes," Skye said, slowly standing and joining Riddick.
"The C-Section went fine and she's resting right now." His gaze moved behind them to the whole in the wall. He looked like he might comment on it but Skye cut him off.
"Can we see her?" she asked quickly.
"Let her get some rest. She's been through a lot but you can see her baby if you want."
"Okay," she said, eagerly, grabbing Riddick's hand following the doctor and Raven.
"We've checked the baby over and everything seems to be fine. Very healthy." Raven fell back from the doctor and put and arm around Skye.
"Everything's gonna be fine." She spoke so both of them could hear.
"Here it is," the doctor said, stopping outside a door. Skye went in first followed by Raven and Riddick. There was a nurse tending to a small bundle in a small bed and she looked up when they came in. She gave them a warm smile and motioned them over. Skye quickly took the few steps to the bed and peered in.
"What'd she have?" Skye asked.
"A girl." The nurse removed the blanket revealing the most perfect little baby.
"Oh, she's so cute." Skye reached out to touch her. "Can I?" she asked the nurse.
"Of course." Skye carefully picked up the baby, making soft cooing noises. Cradling the baby in her arms she turned so Raven could see. "Look how cute."
"She's so sweet," Raven said, touching the baby's soft little cheek. The baby opened her eyes and looked between the two women, probably trying to figure out which one mommy was.
"Riddick, look." Skye turned around to show him and noticed he was still standing near the door. She walked over to him even though he looked a little nervous. He moved his goggles to his forehead to get a better look.
"Looks like Jack," he finally said. Skye smiled and looked at the baby again.
"She does," she agreed. "Has Jack seen her baby?" she asked, looking back at the nurse.
"No, she's still out. We're going to watch the baby here until she wakes up," the nurse explained and Skye nodded. Riddick didn't make a move closer so Skye took the baby back to the bed. Raven noticed again just how tired Skye looked and Riddick looked liked he'd been through enough for one day.
"Hey, you guys look whipped. I'll stay here with the baby. You two look like you could use some time alone." Raven started moving Skye towards the door. "I got a room after I was done with security so take my key and go relax." Skye looked a little reluctant. "I promise I'll let you know if anything happens."
"All right," Skye said. Riddick already had the door open and was waiting. Skye took one last look at the baby, gave Raven a quick hug, and followed Riddick to Raven's room.
**** Sorry it took so long to get this out. I was in the middle of remodeling my house so I could move into it. Anyway, Riddick and Skye have some alone time and their own room. Wonder what happens. Oh and thanks for the suggestions on the baby names. Read and Review!