Jack was sitting on her bed looking at the wall. Imam was troubled and she could see that plainly. She still had her coat on and had only removed her veil.

Well shit, I've done it again, whatever it is…

"Jack." Riddick said looking at her sitting in the dark room.

"Yeah? I screwed up again didn't I?" she asked looking forlorn.

"No, you didn't." he said coming towards her. He got on his knees and knelt in front of her. "Take that coat off, it makes you look like an bag lady."

He helped her out of it and saw she'd been crying silently again. "Stop the water works kid."

"I'm not crying Riddick. I don't cry." She said looking at him and staring at the luminescent silver pools.

"Then your face's sprung a leak." He chuckled as he wiped the tears from her eyes. "Holy man told me about your date with the elders. Same night gown as last night?"

"No, this one had a slit up the side and was white. The bastard ripped it when he grabbed me. I burned it and won't ever wear that color again."

"Tell me what happened. Imam wasn't in the room and I want to know how you did it." he said putting his arm around her and sat on the bed next to her.

"One asshole put his hands on me. He pulled me against him and took his hand and put it underneath my night gown to feel my…" she said looking away. That's enough, I get the picture.

"That man is a dead mother fucker." He growled. "Bet it was that fat fuck from the market."

She nodded her head. "Faisal Mohammed. Known for his cruelty. But what he didn't know was I had dreamed we were back on T2, that the monsters had taken you. I was VERY upset and still had your shiv in my hand. He made a big mistake trying to get in my panties. After I grabbed his fat fingers, I broke all the them one at a time, with the shiv in my mouth, then when the others tried to stop me, I put it to his neck."

Damn Jack, I would have love to have seen that.

"Really?" he replied smiling broadly. His inner beast growled as well.

"Yes. You bet your ass I did. Salim would have been so proud. I felt so bad for Imam, he came back in the room and my hand was around his throat with the shiv, and it drew blood. No one touches me unless I say so." She tells me and I just realize that she's leaning against my chest and my hand is holding hers.

Am I worried? Not on your life. But how did I not notice that happen?

"You have no idea how I felt." She says getting up. I can feel the animal within her gaining strength remembering the feeling of freedom. She actually growls at me and let me tell you, she's so damn sexy when she does. "And it felt really good." She says her eyes lighting up.

I'll be fucked. I think I might have just said that out loud cause she's laughing. Who'd of thought Jack an animal just like me. She's looking down at me with a glint in her eye.

I smile, broadly letting her know I approve. You see when the animal shows itself, there's a type of electricity in the air. It's a trip to experience, and I'm so happy it's me she's shown it to.

Hello Jack, welcome to my world kid.

"I don't like it when people just paw me. That's unless I want them to." She tells me. Duly noted princess.

"Been savin yourself Audrey?" I ask, cause I'm sorry but I got to fuck with her a little.

"Don't call me that name. Audrey died on that planet. Do you like it when they call you…Dick?" she asks me looking down at my crotch and licking her lips. "Wouldn't you like to know."

Jack, now that wasn't fair.

Now when I hear this, stiff as that just made me, and smelling her like I do, I gotta tell ya she's making this being a gentleman very difficult. "Imam must have had a fit when he found you."

"Yeah, after the guy stopped screaming." She tells me. No way some limp dick is gonna nail my Jack. That's my job-my beast informs me.

"I would have killed him Riddick. Then Imam came to me and took the shiv and I was escorted kicking and screaming out of the room. I don't think he ever got over it." she says looking at me trying to not feel so good about the fact that she had that asshole right where she wanted him. "I won't let him touch me."

"That's not gonna happen Jack. No one's gonna touch you." except maybe me. Probably me.

Aw fuck, get used to it, no one's gonna touch you Jack ... but me.

"Try telling that to Imam. He wanted to appease Faisal Mohammed and I wouldn't do it. I'll kill them all. They'll make me stand in a room, they'll take my veil off, paw at my hair, touching it, running their hands on me. I won't let them do it. Do you realize when they find my tattoos I'll be beaten for that? What about the fact that I listen to subversive music, or the fact that I…"

I get it Jack, you're fucked.

"I love Imam like a father, but he's got no choice. They're not selling me off like some slave. No way. Men are…they all hurt you in the end."

Damn Jack. That's not true, well, yeah it is, but I won't let that happen to you.

She plops back down on the bed and lays down. "You know, if I were caught in here with you by any of them, I would be beaten to death for fornication? I don't even get the benefit of getting laid, just a 'you're a whore' and a beating till my ass is a bloody pulp."

"I'll take my chances." I tell her. Let someone try that shit with her while I'm around.

"What are you gonna do?" she asks me. Now that's a loaded question.

"I won't let them hurt you Jack. That's a promise." I tell her and she knows by giving me that look. "got some ideas though…"

She's smirking at me as I look down at her. I'm on her bed, she's flat on her back and I'm stiff as a board. You do the math here. "Pervert."

"Tease." I say right back. Now we're back to fucking with each other. This is better than having her worry about getting…well you know.

"Prude." She snaps back.

"I am not prude Jack." I contend, hey I got a rep to protect. I need to back this down or she'll find out and my whole being a good guy will all be for shit.

She gets off the bed and chuckles, yeah Jack you think about that one a while.

She walks over to her dresser, picks out a pair of black jeans and slips them underneath that skirt. "If you don't mind, turn your head there big guy."

I respect her but have to go there. "I've already seen you naked."

"Yeah, and who said you could see me then, huh?" I can hear the buttons on the jeans being done and she's already opened the shirt. I've incredible hearing. "Now, you can turn around."

She's standing in the dark with a black shirt, skin tight I might add and a pair of button fly low rise jeans. "Better. That other shit made you look like an old lady. Salim's a good man?"

"Yeah. Wanna talk to me while I cook?" she asks me.

"Sure. First, let me tell you something." I tell her pulling her on my lap. I just had to touch her.

That was a mistake. "Maybe you'd better stand up. I'm trying to be a gentleman here." See, I still even though I'm gonna get serious, have to go there…

She laughs and stays put. Then wiggles on purpose. I groan.

"Richard Anderson, at your service." I say putting my hand out like a dork. "That's my name, it should be good for a while, I'm trying to blend in."

Her smile is the best thing in the world and I love it when it's because of me. "You Riddick, could never blend in." she says leaning towards my ear.

Not that Jack. Parts of me won't respond the way I want it to when you do that and you're sitting right on me. "You're too much of a," she says grabbing the back of my neck to pull me closer, "predator for that."

"Jack. " I warn.

"What?" she asks breathing in my ear. "You like it when I tell you secrets?"

Oh yeah…

"Be good." Remember to keep your hands to yourself. She needs you to be a gentleman not a fucken animal.

She pouts and it makes me want to kiss that right off her face which would make keeping her out of bounds very difficult.

"Why did you come back?" she asks me as I hold her close making her feel comfortable and me very uncomfortable.

"For you Jack." I reply almost in a whisper. "For you."