Lifeline

Chapter 3

She hasn't changed a bit. Riddick watched Chikage walk away from the table, her black trench coat trailing slightly behind her. Shit, if Dave's in on this thing we could have some problems. His jaw tightened, and he reached into his pocket, pulling out a scrap of paper with an address written on it. Chances are, she'll double back a few times in case someone's following. He stood, nodding at the bartender as he walked to the door, glancing around the street. She was walking down the opposite sidewalk, heading away from the address written on his paper, and he smirked. Predictable. Smart, but predictable. He shook his head, and started away from her.

What could Company possibly have on him that's good enough to kidnap a fourteen year old and hold her until he shows? And what the fuck would make them think he of all people would come after her? She sighed, shrugging the collar of her coat further up her neck as a gust of biting wind kicked up the dirt in the street. Granted, they pinned him for twenty-something murders in that whole fiasco, but they couldn't have fabricated enough proof to nail him for it. She shivered. Didn't even bother questioning the rest of us.She shook her head, trying to keep the thoughts of that incident out of her mind. Didn't question us because we weren't there, I guess. Her steps slowed, and she glanced over a shoulder before turning down a street.

Slam had changed him, Chikage knew. She'd run into him once before, after he'd broken out of Butcher Bay. Now, she was surprised, actually, that he'd come to her of all people for help. She'd refused to help the last time he'd asked. And though this was obviously more pressing than finding a hideout until the law was off his back after that slam break, his trust in her still boggled her. She'd figured the last time was just that – the last time he'd come to her. A touch of a smile played on her lips.

Guess loyalty still runs strong, even in someone like him. She shook her head, turning down another street. But still. The important question here is why he cares about this kid. He kept my ass out of some deep shit way back when, and he's not hovering over me to make sure Company doesn't get to me like they did her. Her brows furrowed. Couldn't be his kid. This is Riddick. He's not that careless, even in the heat of the moment. Riddick hadn't had to worry about that with her. Female soldiers were all sterilized before basic training, no exceptions. Company wouldn't and couldn't afford to take the chance on even one soldier being out of commission or compromised for something like that. Riddick was like every other soldier still, watching out for anything that might hold him back from survival in any situation. Chikage slipped into an alleyway, peering out from a dark shadow to watch the empty streets for a while.

So if she's not his kid, why is he so willing to risk himself for her? He's not a soldier anymore, and I doubt he's working detail for anyone. Even if he was, tracking down a kidnapping wouldn't fall under him. She sighed, scratching her forehead. And he's got too good of a poker face for me to get a read off him, even without those damn sunglasses.

The streets were still empty, not even a passing car in the fifteen minutes she'd been standing there. Her pager buzzed. 0-0-0. After another sweeping glance, she emerged from the alley and resumed walking.

Marcus is not going to be happy if I bail to help Riddick. The weeks after Amy gets here are probably going to be the hairiest. Her jaw clenched. But I told Riddick I'd help him if he helped me, and if anyone would understand his situation, Marcus would, especially after this thing with Amy. Her apartment building came into view, and she turned into the alleyway alongside it, slipping in the back door. She moved up the stairs silently, eyes constantly moving. Finally, she reached her floor and glanced through the glass in the stairwell door before pushing it open. She jammed her key in the lock and paused, listening. Instantly, her gun was drawn, pointing into the small, dark nook a few doors down the hallway. Nothing. Her eyebrow rose as the hammer pulled back with a click, and a body emerged from the shadow.

"Shit," she muttered, shaking her head as she uncocked the gun, replacing it in her holster.

"Thought I fooled you there for a minute," Riddick said, the smirk remaining.

"Shouldn't sneak up on people like that," she retorted, turning the key and kicking the door open, holding with a foot as Riddick entered. The glow from the computer monitors was all that lit the room, and she didn't bother to flick the light on as she sat.

"Nice place you got here," Riddick commented quietly. The small studio apartment was empty except for her computer desk and a couch. Even the kitchen counters were bare, save a toaster.

"It suits the purpose," she answered. His eyebrow rose. "Make yourself at home," she added, watching him until he lowered himself onto her couch. She felt his eyes on her as she watched the monitors for a while, eyes shifting over the different camera angles until she was satisfied enough to turn back to him. "How did you find it?"

"I have my ways."

"So this girl…"

"Chikage, don't," he said wearily. Her eyebrow rose.

"Do you know where they're holding her?" He nodded. "Where?"

"Remember that old base on Kygon 12?" She stared at him for a moment before nodding. "Abandoned, so they say. The medical facility."

"How do you know?"

"Did some digging," he said with a shrug.

"You don't know how to hack, Riddick," she said with a smirk.

"I said I didn't like to, not that I couldn't," he corrected. She shrugged. "I don't know if she's still alive, and I don't know what shape she's in, but I can't leave it alone."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Don't take this the wrong way, Riddick, but you're not exactly the type to get involved in this kind of shit for a fourteen year old girl."

"And you're not the type to get involved in working security for a Company target for a six year old girl," he retorted.

"You're not getting paid." Riddick paused, eyeing her. "Look, for one thing, we're different, Riddick," she said gently, fingers fidgeting in her lap. "Marcus is paying me to work detail, yes. I'm volunteering for getting Amy out." Riddick's eyebrow rose. "The deal goes down on Dave's shift, but I'm going along to make sure everything happens as planned."

"You don't trust Dave." Riddick's words made her pause and glance at him.

"That's beside the point," she said quietly.

"Like hell—"

"Look, Riddick, he's a good bodyguard," she interjected, her voice raising slightly. "I might not like the guy, but he's good at what he does."

"Is that why you trusted me?" Her eyebrow rose. "Because I was good at what I did?" She shook her head, tearing her eyes from him. "Or did you trust me at all?" No answer.

"I can't promise I can help you, but I'll try, okay?" she asked quietly, glancing up at him when he didn't answer. He looked tired, reclined on her couch, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The weeks after Amy gets here are the most dangerous, and you know that as well as I do. But if anyone understands why you need my help it's Marcus." Riddick sighed.

"You're going to tell him," he guessed.

"How else am I going to convince him to let me leave as soon as I get his daughter safe before the shit hits the fan?" His eyes focused on her, and a shiver ran down her spine. "As soon as they figure out his family is finally coming together, they'll be all over it, Riddick. I was hired to keep them away." He nodded, standing.

"I'm sorry I wasted your time," he said slowly, moving toward the door. She kicked a leg out, holding it up in front of him as he tried to pass.

"Is it even worth a try to you, Riddick?" she asked. He sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. "You can't do this on your own." He shrugged. "Give me a chance to get the green light from Marcus to help you and I will." He blinked. "I promise." A small nod. "Now sit." He smirked, the expression slowly turning into a grin to match hers before he returned to the couch. "How are you otherwise?" He shrugged, staring at her computer monitors for a moment.

"You got a good gig going here," he commented. She nodded, turning back to the monitor.

"I just hope it's enough." He grunted his response. The room fell into an uneasy silence as they both just sat there for a while, neither even moving much.

"What time tomorrow?" His sudden question made her jump, his smirk inducing the urge to whack him, but she refrained.

"We leave at 2330," she answered, face serious again. He nodded.

"What's the plan?" She shifted in her chair, pulling up a map on one of her computer screens. Riddick stood from the couch, leaning over her shoulder to take in the layout.

"We've got snipers here and here," she said pointing to two buildings. "One on the second floor, the other on the roof." He nodded. "Transport lands at midnight, we pull up and board, bringing her out to the car, and then we leave. Snipers come in the next day to work security at Marcus' place." Riddick nodded again.

"How's the car?"

"Solid. Bullet proof, EMP resistant, and we'll do a beacon sweep before we leave," she answered. He seemed impressed.

"All this for a six year old girl, huh?"

"Dealing with Company?" she asked, glancing up at him. She pulled off his sunglasses before he could stop her, but his eyes were closed. "Yeah." He nodded, turning away from her. "Riddick?" He shook his head, going to her window and standing there, just staring out at the city. Her chair creaked as she stood, closing the distance between them to stand next to him, his head turning away from her. One of her hands wound around his elbow, the other reaching around to grasp his chin, urging his face back to her, his eyes closed again. "Look at me," she whispered, watching the play of his muscles as his jaw clenched. She blinked as he obeyed, her head dropping as her hand cupped his cheek. He sighed. He'd expected surprise or even fear, but not disappointment.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, watching her head rise. She stared up at him, eyes searching silver.

"They shined you."

"No, I had it done," he answered slowly. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, their eyes locked on each other.

"And you're ashamed of that," she surmised quietly. He only gazed back at her, an eyebrow twitching downward. She shook her head slightly, her eyes shifting down to his lips for a moment before refocusing on his eyes. He pulled out of her grasp, turning his back to her as her arms crossed over her chest.

"Look, I, uh…" he trailed off, still facing away from her. "I'm probably pressing my luck here, but I don't have a place to stay."

"Stay here," she suggested quietly. He nodded, glancing at the couch. "It pulls out if you want a full sized bed." He shrugged. "I usually sleep at the desk anyway." He didn't reply, so she rubbed her forehead. "Bathroom's through that door if you want a shower or whatever."

"You tryin' to tell me something?" Her eyes shot back to him, a smile breaking on her face at the twitch in his cheek betraying his smirk. She snickered.

"Maybe, maybe not," she answered with a light laugh. He nodded. "Like I said, make yourself at home."