In the darkness they've been silent. The peace between them was so profound that Riddick would not have traded for the world, for the entire universe. Jack had calmed the beast that threatened to kill the bastard that had touched her just by her presence by the window.

She hated to run out on Imam and not tell him where she was going but she wouldn't submit and he knew that. Riddick sat like a sentinel and watched her go inward again.

His heart broke every time he watched that happen. He looked at her and wondered how she had been so brave.

Riddick started to reform himself when he'd gotten the first in a string of odd jobs that paid very well. It took him nearly two years but he'd gotten enough to buy a ship and have some credits hidden away for a rainy day, so if she left anything, he'd get her what ever she needed to make her happy.

Sitting in the dark, he realized that exactly what he wanted… to make her happy.

"Riddick?" she asked moving quietly though the room.

"Yeah kid?" he answered in his lowest voice. "What's this?"

She threw him a chip. "Thought you might need this one day. Got one for myself too."

She walked over to him smiling that plastic smile he gave her earlier. "My name is Jane Carmichael. Plain Jane Carmichael, she's a computer programmer and student, remarried three months ago. Tragically my first husband died in a ship accident nearly four years ago. I'm twenty- four. My new husband's name is—"

He chuckled when he read it. "Richard Carmichael, age 27, got the age right. Aw, look I'm into shipping and secured transport. Nice. But Jack? You never struck me as plain, even at thirteen years old."

She blushed in the dimness of her rooms. "Does this mean I get privileges?" he said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Pig." She smirked smiling.

"You love it." he replied stunned and pleased as hell.

"Yeah I do." She said looking at him with affection. "Don't make me regret this. I spent almost a year setting this up. I could see the writing on the wall. This cost me a year's salary."

Then she handed him a case and sat down on the settee. "Here, these are for you. My friend Anne works at the med center."

"What the hell is this?" he asked confused.

"Camaflouge my husband. Miners who wanted reassignment are given these to correct their vision after a shine. Now instead of a convict, they see a miner, trying to better himself and his new wife, after a long life in a hole."

He didn't know what to say. She had given a great deal of thought to this and from what he could tell, she wasn't finished.

"One more thing." She said smiling. "When was the last time you had a merc on your neck?"

"Last year. They just seemed to stop sniffing around. Not that I'm complaining."

"It isn't your birthday, but I couldn't resist." She said handing him another document.

"What the fuck is this?"

It was his obituary.

"Richard B. Riddick, born in Detroit, Michigan, Earth. Sentenced to numerous penal colonies for murder and repeated escapes. On the run after surviving the crash of the Hunter Granzner on Tanis 2. One of only three survivors, the other two a small woman named Audrey Richards and a religious pilgrim referred to as El-Imam reported that his death was a relief and that they could begin to live again without the fear of his return. Riddick, died on New Pylian while being apprehended by Mercs, who had intended to return him to Butcher Bay.

I cried for a week. Imam was noticeably upset. They interviewed us for two weeks. We were very good. Congratulations Mr. Carmichael, that murderer Richard B. Riddick is dead, according to all databases and hot lists, you are officially a memory.

Everyone who knew our circumstances was overjoyed. I wouldn't eat for days, until Salim demanded it. He told me it was for the best. I was treated with respect and they all worried about my depression.

I was very good." She said winking. "Only Ziza and her women made me feel dirty and low. They said that I was your whore. That I…"

"Don't Jack." He said stunned. "you did all this for me?"

"Of course. I wanted to. You deserved something good. Don't worry, I'm very good. I've kind of helped others in the same circumstance and Imam turned a blind eye. That's why I am so obedient. But free, that's a whole other story."

"How did you know I'd come?" he asked looking at her on the settee. He held the documents for another moment and returned them to her satchel.

"You promised." That's faith man. Holy man talks about faith, there it is, staring into my eyes.

"Come on Mrs. Carmichael, let's get going. Do I at least get a wedding night. It's been a long time since I…. Hey," he said as she smacked his arm playfully. "I had to ask…"

Her smirk was satisfaction enough.

She felt his hand on the small of her back and without another led her down the stairs, hold her bag over his shoulder. The courtyard was dark and Salim and half dozen of his men waited for them. "Child."

"Salim." Riddick said looking into his eyes and envying the time he had been able to spend with her.

Unveiled standing in the midst of Imam and Salim's most trusted men she was on the verge of tears, "I will miss all of you. But you most of all." She said looking up towards Imam's window.

Riddick set her bag down and shook Salim's hand. She walked towards one of his guards and tried not to be jealous of the familiarity.

"Riddick, this is Kalifa. Kalifa, this is for Yasmine. She's coming of age soon and I want you to get her away. There's enough money to get you all settled somewhere. It's my gift for taking that beating for me."

She handed him two chips and kissed his cheek. "Be safe." He said to her as he looked at Riddick. "Take care of this wanton Adeni. She needs a firm hand." He smirked looking at Jack.

She smacked him hard and laughed. "I know just what to do. Jack. Take this." He said giving Kalifa the message that he needed to move away from her.

Riddick handed her the clothing of Imam's guards, a black cloak and black shroud around the face. She had masqueraded as a boy for so long, she felt awkward doing it again, even if it was so she could escape.

Before the shroud was laced over her head leaving only her eyes exposed, she placed a kiss on Salim's cheek, trying her best to smile. 'Good bye." Was all she said as she put the satchel underneath the heavy clothing.

Riddick put his hand out, "Time to go Jack." He said as the others stood by and watched.