Lifeline

Chapter 15

Chikage opened her eyes, then shut them again quickly as the headache set in. God damn that brandy, she thought with a groan. The bed jiggled, and her eyes opened again into little slits. Two silver orbs stared back at her in the darkness.

"What time is it?" she mumbled. She heard the sheets rustle as he turned to look at the clock, then again as he moved back to her.

"Early." She nodded, closing her eyes again. Somehow in the past few hours she'd managed to turn over and curl into his side under his arm, cradling her head on his shoulder as his hand rested lightly on her ribs. "You were snoring," he said quietly, the smile hidden by the darkness lilting his voice into a teasing tone. She snickered, more of a snort, and buried her face in his skin.

"Sorry?" His laugh rumbled through his chest, and until she realized it was him she thought the engines had been turned on. She shifted next to him, popping her ankles before throwing a leg between his, curling the arch of her foot under his calf. Her back arched as she stretched, and his thumb tucked under the hem of her shirt, rubbing slow circles into the small of her back. "So what's on the agenda for today?" she asked, cuddling against him to find another comfortable position.

"I'm gonna run out a little later and get some more hardware, and then we'll leave." She nodded against him, inhaling sharply as she stifled a yawn.

"You think we'll have an open window to take off or are you planning on pulling that shit on me again?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"I checked the maps. We'll have a forty-two minute window at 1200," he said with a smirk. She nodded, closing her eyes again.

"So what time is it?" she asked again. He felt her smile against his skin, and couldn't help but mirror it.

"0800," he answered. She sighed. "Go back to sleep," he said, dropping a kiss on her forehead. Her cheeks rose, marked by shallow dimples as she smiled lightly, blinking slowly. He waited until he was sure she was sound asleep before untangling himself from her limbs, taking a lingering glance at her sprawled in bed, her face totally relaxed. A light smile curved his lips as he turned and left the room silently.

He shuffled up the stairs into the cockpit, settling into what had become Chikage's seat. Her monitor buzzed to life as he pulled out the keyboard, entering his password for a file he didn't think she'd known about. It hadn't been accessed since last time he'd perused its contents, not like it really mattered. He'd have to show it to her eventually anyway. His brows knitted as the most recent picture he had of her appeared, blurry at first and then clearer. Green eyes stared back at him, full of emotion though it was only a photo. Her hair had had plenty of time to have grown out, but she'd kept it cropped short. He sighed, leaning back in the chair.

"So that's her, huh?" He started, his head snapping over his shoulder. Chikage was leaned against the wall, peering over his shoulder from the walkway at the computer screen. He stared at her for a moment before turning slowly back to the picture, nodding slowly. "I wondered why that file was locked."

"Thought that was a challenge to you," he said with a smirk, hearing his chair creak as she sat.

"I assumed you had it locked for a reason," she said with a shrug, leaning her head back to stare at the ceiling. "I respect you too much to go nosing around somewhere I don't belong." She smiled, then, still staring up at the ceiling. "And don't glance at me in that tone of voice." He laughed, turning toward her.

"I didn't lock it to keep you out, Chi," he said through a chuckle. "Unless you know how to encrypt the ship's IP address instead of just having it change itself every day I have to worry about other people trying to get into it."

"Because if they found that picture they'd know it was you," she surmised. He nodded, turning his attention back to the front window, even though he had the shade engaged. She watched his fingers as he closed the picture and opened another one, a small smile working its way to her lips.

"That's a good one," she said quietly. "I didn't know I was being watched, and that's not easy to do."

"I had a guy doing some intel for me." She nodded.

"I figured that's how you found me. I doubt you'd try the directory."

"You're not in it." She only smiled her response. "I didn't know if I'd recognize you."

"Did you?"

"You haven't changed a bit." His voice was a little rougher than usual, and she twisted her neck to look at him.

"My hair's longer." A snicker, and she smiled.

"I like it longer," he said, a smile remaining. It fell as she stood, stretching her arms overhead as she leaned backward. She recoiled with a gravelly moan.

"We make one hell of a team, you and I," she said quietly, her face unreadable. He blinked, watching her eyes linger on him as she turned. "I'm getting in the shower."

---

What the hell are you thinking? She sighed, wiping the fog from the mirror, staring at the face staring back at her. Her eyes closed, her head dropping to stare into the sink. He's right you now, she scolded herself. The closer you get, the more danger everyone involved becomes. You've got a mission right now. Don't forget that. She shook her head, raising her eyes back to the mirror as she pulled a comb through her hair. Her eyes followed her movements as she parted the dark brown masses down the middle, then closed as she shook her head from side to side, the waves already bending the strands slightly.

As she opened the bathroom door, she heard the distinct sounds of feet bouncing in the dojo, broken by the creak of the chains holding up the punching bag, and she couldn't help but smile as she ducked into her room, dropping the towel to pull on a clean pair of cargos. The rumpled sheets prompted a memory flash, back to the snuggling so fresh in her mind. Her eyes closed and she inhaled, his scent still strong in the room.

"Why don't you ever wear it down?" She spun around, instinctively covering her chest, even though her hair covered her. He glanced down at her arms, then back up to her face, watching a slow blush creep into her cheeks. He cocked his head to the side, still waiting for an answer. She glanced at the towel she'd dropped on the floor, then back up at him.

"It gets in my way," she stammered. He blinked, glancing back down at her arms and up once more before he nodded, a small smirk trying to break through. She turned, reaching out for the small tee shirt she'd tossed on her bed, glancing over her shoulder at him before pulling it on, her back facing him. She pulled her hair through, letting it tumble over her shoulders as she turned back to him. "Why?" A shrug.

"Just wondered." Her eyebrow rose. "I'm gonna take a shower and then we'll go into town." She nodded, staring after him as he turned into the bathroom. After a moment to collect herself, she made the bed and pulled her boots on, tying them as he emerged from the bathroom. As he dressed, she went up to the cockpit lockers, tucking a small pistol into her boot. She heard him coming up the stairs and held out another pistol, and he took it gently from her fingers, tucking it in the back of his pants. "Let's make this a quick trip, huh?" She gave him a small nod and followed him through the door, falling into step next to him. They rounded a corner and he reached out, taking her hand and pulling gently to bring her closer to him. She shot him a quick glance, but his attention was focused on a group of men at the end of the street. He opened the door, holding it open for her as he continued to stare, finally following her in.

"We need three boxes of nines," she said quietly, propping up against the counter. The man standing there nodded, quickly producing the boxes.

"Step it up," Riddick whispered, leaning over her shoulder. She nodded, took the boxes, paid the man, and they were on their way. Her eyes questioned his when he tore his attention from the group as they left, and he shook his head. "Something doesn't feel right," he said quietly. Her eyebrow rose, and she glanced over her shoulder.

"They're following." He nodded, jaw clenching, and steered her down an alley.

"Listen to me." She nodded, feeling the bricks connect with her back. "Just play along." Her eyebrow rose. He glanced at the main street before slamming his lips against hers, crushing her body with his as he slid the straps of her backpack off her shoulders, the bag dropping behind her feet, hidden from view. She struggled at first, but he bit her lip, the glare in his eyes a reminder to play along for safety. Footsteps slowed, and then stopped before shuffling backwards as her arms looped around Riddick's neck, pulling him closer. The kiss slowed, then stopped as he risked a glance toward the street again, finally pushing away from the wall and giving her room to breathe again. She collapsed backwards, chest heaving, and he stooped to pick up her bag.

"What the fuck?" she finally managed. He shrugged.

"It was all I could think of," he said apologetically. "Figured they'd leave us alone if we were busy." She stared at him, and his fingers wound around her wrist, pulling her further into the alley as he handed her the bag.

"Whatever happened to just trying to lose someone?" she asked in a mumble. He glanced at her. The alleyway was too long and sparse, and the guys had been following too closely. She cleared her throat. "What do you think they wanted?"

"You," he said simply. Her steps halted, her wrist wrenched from his grasp, and she stared at him, eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Me." Disbelief. A slow nod, and he reached out for her, but she backed away. His brows furled.

"Chikage, we have to go," he said firmly. She continued standing there, pulling away as he reached for her again. "God damn it, Chikage," he burst, "that window closes, closes in an hour. We have to get back to the cruiser, power up, lock down, and go. Get your ass in gear now." She finally snapped out of it, following his hurried pace back to the port, climbing in before him with help from a quick boost. She locked the new ammo up, ran through the ship locking everything down as he powered up the engines, and strapped in just as he started taxiing back to the runway. He hit the thrusters and she called up the weather maps, a part of her satisfied to learn he'd not lied about the window. They'd only barely make it. His takeoff was flawless despite a strained silence, and he waited a while to switch over to autopilot. "Mind explaining that to me?" She gazed at him with a blank stare. "What the fuck happened back there?" A blink. He sighed. "Are you finally cracking up on me?" Her eyes lowered to her hands, still folded in her lap.

"No."

"Then what?" His voice took on a gentle, almost pleading tone.

"I was just surprised," she said quietly.

"That's all?" A small nod. "I don't believe you." Her eyes met his angrily.

"Then don't believe me," she snapped coldly. He sighed, crouching in front of her. "You could have warned me you know."

"I didn't have time to." He rested a chin on her knee, letting his head loll to the side as he stared up at her. She looked away quickly. "Talk to me." A quick glance at him, but nothing more. "Chi." A slight warning tone. She shook her head slowly, biting her lip. "Fine," he said, all emotion gone from his voice. "Your call." Her eyes closed as he left the room, her tongue darting out to taste him on her lips again.

---

He was back in the dojo, pounding away on the bag, knowing she'd entered without hearing her. He let off one more hard punch and turned, giving her a hard stare before returning to it, his punches softer as his mind ran over the exercise gear she'd changed into. Black yoga pants hugged the soft curves of the muscle stacking her body, the grey cropped tank exposing cut abs and strong arms hanging loosely at her sides. Her bare toes lifted and readjusted their position as she watched him, finally walking behind him. He paused, watching her pass him and snatch up a yoga mat and blocks, spreading it out on the floor.

"Music?" he asked quietly. She glanced up at him quickly, managing a small smile before nodding once. Her eyes closed as she centered herself, starting in a simple meditation pose. If she'd been concentrating as hard as she should have been, she wouldn't have heard him unroll another mat and drop two blocks next to it before settling down as well. Her eyes opened slowly, her head turning slightly to take him in as he sat in the same pose as she. A small smile, and she returned to center. She inhaled deeply, slowly, and stood. They spent an hour there, Chikage softly calling the poses and Riddick following. At the end of the session, they were both lying flat on their backs, both nearly asleep in relaxation. Finally, she sighed and rolled onto her side, staying there for a moment before standing and shutting off the music. He opened one eye to see her standing over him. She settled on her knees next to him, finally sliding onto her back with her head resting on his belly. A moment later, his fingers laced through her hair, and her eyes closed.

"How long till we get there?" she asked quietly after a beat.

"I'm not star-jumping, so probably another three days." She nodded. "Don't want to risk the trail."

"So what now?"

"I don't know."

"I'm too relaxed to do anything," she said with a small laugh, her head bouncing as he did the same. "I needed that."

"Yeah you did," he said emphatically, smiling with a small grunt as she elbowed him in the ribs.

"Can I tell you something?" His fingers paused in their worship of her hair.

"Sure."

"Back in the alley…" she trailed off and he sighed. "Too many memories," she continued, shaking her head. Her arm lifted her hand over her eyes, and she rubbed. "I didn't know how to react. I mean, I knew what was going on. Around us, you know. But it just all came back and took over." She paused. "Sorry."

"And now?"

"I wish you could have come up with something else," she answered quietly. He sat up, her head sliding into the bend at his hip. She felt him staring at her, and felt compelled to continue. "Now it's all I can think about." He leaned back on his hands, and she swiveled her head to look up at him. He was clearly mulling that over, and she smiled a little, not saying any more. His eyebrow rose.

"Am I supposed to say something after that?" She laughed, then heaved a sigh and rolled onto her side, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and giving a gentle squeeze.

"I don't know," she mumbled, burying her face in his stomach. "But if you did it again I don't know if I could handle it."

"What do you mean?"

"You're a fucking drug, Riddick," she groaned, pressing her face harder into him with a small groan. His fingers plunged into her hair again, massaging her scalp lightly.

"You're gorgeous, you know that?" he asked quietly, leaning back as she lifted her head slowly, brows slightly furrowed. She sat up, rubbing her forehead as her eyes squeezed shut tightly. A light touch on her shoulder brought her back, and she opened her eyes to find his inches away from her, staring down at her lips. "You are," he insisted, raising his eyes to meet hers with a small nod. She blinked, watching his eyes follow her tongue slide over her lips.

"I know what you're thinking," she said quietly, watching him look up at her quickly. "And you know that if you do every wall I've built that you've already cracked will just come crashing down." He nodded slightly. "I don't think you're ready for that." His eyebrow rose, and he pulled back a little. A quick blink. "If you do this, I won't be able to let go again." Brows furled. "There's no quick fix for you, Riddick. I quit you once, and if I relapse there's no hope."

"This the drug metaphor still?" She nodded, expression slightly sad.

"Think about it before you do it, Riddick," she pressed. "Long and hard." She stood slowly, leaving him in the floor to ponder.

---

She's right. Riddick had flopped onto his back again, now staring up at the ceiling nearly unblinkingly. What if I'm not ready for it? What if I don't want it? His eyes closed, remembering the feel of her body pressed against his, moist skin burning his, nails digging in, lips working to dominate his. His eyes slammed open. Christ. He shook his head. And she thinks I'm the drug. Hell. She's always right. She's right that we make one hell of a team, and that's what scares me. The fact that I could get used to having her around. I came to her for help because I trust her, and there aren't many people I can say that about. A heavy sigh. But is it worth the risk? I'll never be able to just go somewhere and stay there. Can she do that? Bounce around all the time, watch over her shoulder, never have a permanent home? I don't have the right to ask that of her. He pinched the bridge of his nose. And what happens if I change my mind later on? He stood, cracking his neck as he walked to the door, pausing at the top of the stairs. Do I really want to spend the rest of my life like I've spent the past thirty something years? Alone? He took a step down and stopped. Can I really let her stay on here, working security or hits or whatever the fuck is next and not let it get that far? Another step, another pause. Could I let her leave? For good? An unfamiliar feeling took over the pit of his stomach, and he descended the rest of the steps, slowing as he neared her doorway.

He watched her for a moment, lying in bed with her arms crossed behind her head. She stared up at the ceiling, a foot wiggling under the blankets. He took another silent step forward, and her foot stopped. She listened for a while, suddenly propping up on her elbows, staring right at him as though she could see him in the darkness. A brow twitched downward as her head tilted to the side, her eyes still focused on him. Another step forward, and she lifted up onto her hands, her arms flexing as she supported her weight. Her eyes followed his general direction as he ventured into her room, legs moving aside as he slowly sat on the edge of her bed. She heard him take a breath, and her eyes closed.

"I can't make any promises, Chi," he said slowly, turning his head toward her.

"I'm not asking anything of you," she replied. He nodded, his gaze returning to her wall.

"Dilemma," he said, pausing to lick his lips. "Let you go when this is over and possibly never see you again or take a chance I've avoided my whole life." The crease in her brow deepened. "I don't think I could let you stay and not take that chance eventually, so it's not an option," he explained. She nodded slowly, looking away from him.

"That's a choice you have to make," she said, voice sounding strained. He nodded, turning toward her, supporting himself on the arm he placed next to her hip. Her breathing was slow and even, even as she turned to him, waiting.

"I can't make myself ask you to give up stability," he said slowly. A small smile broke on her face.

"I've never been stable, Riddick, and you know it." He chuckled lightly, but it didn't last, his face falling serious once again.

"That's not what I mean." Her smile fell as well, and she nodded.

"I know." His hand settled on her cheek, turning her face back toward his.

"I have too many questions in my head."

"So answer them," she said slowly.

"You said I had to learn to trust my emotions," he commented. "Answering the question wouldn't be trusting my emotions." Her eyebrow rose. "That would be making a decision based on what I think you want and what I think would be best for you." She blinked.

"So what are you saying?"

"I don't know," he said with a smile. "I'm just talking to give myself more time to think." Her suspicious expression softened. "Are sure this is what you want?"

"Riddick…" she trailed off, shaking her head. "This is your decision. You know how I feel."

"No," he said quickly, "I don't." She took a breath, but he continued: "You said you doubted you could ever love me." She cringed.

"We were in the middle of an argument," she said weakly.

"So you lied to me."

"No, that's how I felt at that particular moment," she corrected. "But like I said, we were fighting at the moment."

"And now?"

"If you need more time to think about it, take time to think about it, but please don't give me the third degree when it's fucking obvious what I want." She snapped it before she could stop it, and almost regretted it before she kicked herself for even thinking about feeling guilty. His thumb stroked her cheek for a moment, her eyes closing at the touch, and the breath left her as his lips lightly touched hers.

"I can't let you leave and take the chance I'll never see you again," he whispered, lips still barely meeting hers. He pressed his forehead to hers for a moment, noticing her arms trembling slightly. He slid his free hand over her stomach and around to her back, smiling at the hitch in her breath before he pressed his lips more insistently to hers, counting the seconds until her arms wrapped lightly around him.