The Bath
Zemma woke later unsure of the time but hungry again. She ordered for Nor and herself. Her eye felt better but she didn't want to look at it. She didn't need Riddick's voice in her head giving her shit about it.
She sat down at her computer and tapped into the security computers and listened to various ears around the ship for a while. No sound from the missing duo, no alarms set off from the Lady's code being used. But more useful rumors about the Lord Marshal.
Oh, wait, that was something new. Rumors about their new destination. Zemma hadn't bothered to ask Riddick about where he might point the armada. Apparently they were looking for some merc ship way out in the middle of no where.
Riddick planned on taking on a merc ship? Or taking them in? 'Gold wouldn't always get you good men, but good men would always get you gold.' Either way she was in the dark. Maybe he was looking for someone in particular? She might ask him.
In a few days when your face heals.
Yeah.
She queried his apartment. No answer. Good. She could sneak over and have a soak.
Can't sneak with Nor, can't walk around with a rogue captain looking for your head without her.
Okay. Stroll casually.
That'll work.
Better see what he's doing.
Zemma called up his code history. Shuttle logged out. He'd gone to one of the other ships. Perhaps the new commanders had loyal men still. Would be good to stack the deck. Meanwhile she should have plenty of time.
Breakfast came and she ate leisurely. She had to start thinking about what she would do next. She'd made herself head of security for the Lord Marshal. That should fill up some time.
I want to learn to fly.
Think you'll find a planet you can step foot on?
Something with tall trees and a high canopy. Yes. Someday.
That might work.
Let's go soak on it.
Nor splashed in first but didn't stay long. Zemma refilled the tub with bubbles and climbed in more sedately. She called up music but no scene and dimmed the lights. She closed her eyes, and fell asleep, and dreamed of trees.
Nor made a hunya-hunya noise that was her normal greeting. It startled Zemma from her doze. The water was still warm but not hot. Riddick had returned sooner than she expected. Damn it.
Damn it.
Damn it.
She kept her back to the door. She could hear him walking towards her, she turned her head just slightly so he wouldn't see her eye. "I didn't think you'd mind. My tub is otherwise occupied."
She risked a look at him from the corner of her eye. His goggles were perched on his head and his eyes were glittering. He crouched down near by, elbows on his knees and hands dangling between his legs. He was looking at her face. She turned away. "Something I can do for you?" She asked lightly.
"Let me see your eye."
"There's nothing wrong with my…" But he was reaching toward her chin. She dunked under the water to avoid him. She felt him grab a handful of her hair from the top of her head, and let him haul her up. She kept her eyes closed.
Here it comes, smart-ass remark number seventy-three.
Zemma tried to think of a come back other than fuck-you. Nothing came to her.
"It doesn't look too bad," was all he said quietly as he held her chin again and turned her head.
Zemma wiped suds from her face.
"Looks like she caught you with one of her rings right there." He touched her eyebrow lightly.
"Who?" Zemma tried to play very cool. He was very close and she was feeling very self-conscious about being naked. She wanted him to touch her again. She wanted him to not stop holding her chin and looking into her face.
He raised an eyebrow and his mouth twisted into a wry grin. "You have some specific list of enemies besides Dame Vaako I should know about?"
Zemma looked away, she couldn't keep looking at him this close. But she couldn't help grinning herself. "No."
"W'Rdah said it was swelling shut this morning." He pronounced the name clumsily. She thought she should start teaching him Furian and working on his accent, later.
You want him to teach you something else right now. Just tell him.
"I want to seduce you, but I don't know how."
Good girl! What's the worse that can happen?
She was still just looking at the water. She felt his hand leave her chin as he stood up with a sigh and turned away from her. She heard him walk a few steps away. Zemma felt her face get hot. Never again. Damn it. Never again. She sunk back under the water. Her stomach rolled with anxiety.
So she didn't see him stop and look over his shoulder. She didn't see his face work as he came to some decision. She didn't see him turn back towards the bath as he stripped off his shirt.
She did feel the change in the water as he climbed in. She popped back to the top sputtering.
Riddick laughed.