He and Blaze watched a movie that night, not really paying any attention to it. Blaze was just concentrating on the beating of Riddick's heart, and Riddick was relaxing for the first time in 12 years. It had been as long since he'd seen a movie, since he'd had the pleasure of doing nothing. He reveled in it. The only source of light was from the TV, so Riddick took his goggles off and put them on the coffee table. He closed his eyes and for the first time didn't hear Carolyn's last words. He lazily draped his arm around Blaze and pulled her closer to him. She cuddled into the crook of his arm and laid her head on his chest. Her golden hair splayed across him, making a beautiful fan.

She turned her eyes to his, "Are you here, or am I dreaming?" she asked, her green eyes full of uncertainty.

"Yes, I'm here; and I'm not going anywhere anytime soon" he promised. She smiled.

"Prove it" she said, with a hint of laughter in her voice. He smiled a catlike smile as he leaned his head to hers; their lips met and a jolt rocked his system. Kissing her felt like coming home after a really long day. He slipped his arms around her waist, and she snaked her own around his neck. They broke the kiss and Blaze tightened her grip on him.

"I'm here, kid. Don't worry" he whispered.

At about one o'clock in the morning, Riddick picked a half-conscious Blaze up from the couch and carried her into the bedroom. He undid her ponytail and pulled the covers around her.

He went to leave when he heard her voice, "Don't go"

"I'm gonna be on the couch." He promised. Seeing the look on her face made him relent. When he started walking towards the bed she gave him a superior smile and pulled the covers from the other side of the bed. He sat on it and undid his combat boots, placing them on the floor next to the bed. He pulled his shirt off and climbed into bed. Blaze found him under the covers and hugged him. They slept that way all night, Riddick's arm protectively around her.

The next morning Blaze woke up and was startled to find another person in her bed. She realized that the previous day had not been an incredibly real dream, and that Richie really was back. She changed quickly and went to check on Jack. The girl was sound asleep, the covers dwarfing her small form. Blaze smiled and went into the kitchen. She pulled out eggs, bacon, and lots of other ingrediants

Soon the sound and smells of breakfast roused the sleeping pair. Blaze heard a groggy voice call her name.

"What do you need?" she answered

"My goggles" came Riddick's slightly scratchy voice. Blaze grabbed the goggles and handed them to Riddick. He adjusted them and looked at her. He let out a great yawn and tried to ask "what time is it?" but it came out more as "Whaaaaatim'st"

"9:30" Riddick shook his head

"I haven't slept that long in a while" he commented and sniffed the air.

"What smells so good?"

"Breakfast." Riddick's face lit up as he went into the kitchen and surveyed the cooking food. Soon a smaller figure emerged from the other bedroom, rubbing her eyes and scratching her stubbily hair.

"Morning sweetheart"

"Morning" she said. She noticed Riddick in the kitchen and just stopped herself from doing a doubletake. This, however, did not go unnoticed by Riddick or Blaze. Riddick arched an eyebrow

"Think I wouldn't stay?" Jack nodded a bit sheepishly. Riddick smiled (a thing that he could get used to).

"Don't worry. I'm not going soon, and when I do it won't be far. Promise" Jack tried to conceal a smile but failed. Soon the triad was sitting at the table once more, feasting on scrambled eggs with mushroom and cheese, and sausage, bacon, fresh handmade bread, and fruit.

After they finished Riddick leaned back from the table contentedly. If he didn't watch it he was going to get fat from her cooking.

"There a gym around here?" he asked Blaze, who was handing dished to Jack, who was loading them in the dishwasher. Riddick got up and started handing the dished to Blaze and in no time the kitchen was spotless again.

"Uh-huh. It's down on Cayman and Barksdale. I go there sometimes, why?"

"Oh, I was just thinking about trying to get a job there" he said.

"Oh, no. Take at least a week off." She ordered, "Go there to work out if you want, but wait to get a job; and as for you, young lady, you will be home schooled for the rest of the year so you can make up what you missed." Jack looked slightly peeved but relented. There was a knock on the door and Jack sprang up.

"I'll get it" she made her way to the door. Riddick heard the door open and Jack's voice, then he heard another voice her recognized. Imam and Jacked walked into the kitchen. Riddick didn't bother not to gawk.

"Nice to see you, but how did you find me?" he asked. Imam looked at Blaze. Jack made the introductions,

"Imam, this is my mother, Heather Miakoda. Mom, this is my friend, Imam Hassim-Abu Ali" The pair shook hands.

"I'm sorry for barging in here like this, Mrs. Miakoda" Imam started

"Oh, its no trouble at all, its Miss Miakoda, and please call me Blaze" Jack's mother said graciously

"Again" Riddick said, disregarding the pleasantries, "How did you find me?"

"With some trouble, my friend. I found Jack's last name in a phone book and went to all 12 addresses. This was the last one on the list." Riddick relaxed slightly. No one knew who Jack was besides him and Imam.

"Why'd you go through all the trouble?" Jack asked.

"I have some bad news" He started, "I was in New Mecca when I was approached by some men. They asked me if I was Imam Ali, and I said yes, naturally. They wanted to know all about the planet and the creatures that inhabit it. I don't know how they knew, but I think they might try to find you"

"Why"

"I don't know, but by the questions they were asking were very odd."

"Like what?"

"Like where the creatures live, and what kind of equipment was left, what the creatures eat, how they eat, what the terrain is like, and so forth" Riddick thought for a second when the realization hit him. Riddick cursed under his breath.

"What is it, Mr. Riddick?" Imam asked.

" These are the types of questions a person would ask when trying to get to a planet and take a few of the creatures back with them." Jack gasped.

"How would they know about them?" she asked.

"I don't know, kid, but we have to stop them"