Riddick set the course for a system a week from Hellion Prime. He wanted to put foot to ass and get them as a far away from New Mecca as possible. Jack had fallen asleep in the co-pilot's chair and he stared at her for a long time before he decided to pick her up and carry her to the room he had prepared especially for her.

"Jack?" he whispered against her neck. She smiled. Maybe she didn't hate me after all, he thought to himself.

"Yeah?" she purred against his ear. His loins stiffed just hearing her speak. Restrained was definitely going to be a problem.

"You okay?" he asked tentatively.

"Mmm. Just had the most amazing dream." She sighed snuggling up against his chest.

He walked passed the med lab, and they gym when she told him. "I dreamed you saved me again."

XXX

"What else did you dream?" I ask as she arches against me trying to stretch.

I have never wanted to be naked more in my life.

Looking up at me she opens her eyes, winking. "Wouldn't you like to know you deviant."

If those nipples are any indication. DAMN.

Putting her down now that she's awake. I'm unsure so I ask, "You okay? Really?"

I feel bad about her seeing my darker side.

"Really Riddick. I'm not a child. I know when it's for business and when it's for pleasure." She smirks. "So, you said something about a bath and a tour. Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise. First. Since you're the first person on this ship besides me, I think we could use a drink. We've gotta job over in the Valyin system in about a week until then, you and me are gonna unwind. No more veils, no more yes, sir, no sir, just relaxing. I think you're due after what I had to watch. Come on kid, let's go."

She's impressed. I can't help be smug. I worked shitty jobs to pay for it, knowing I was gonna come back and get her. "What's her name?" she asks me.

"This week, the phoenix." I tell her and she smiles.

"Rises from the ashes. And I thought I was through with you being sentimental." She says in a mock sigh. "You're serious?"

"Yup, I've had her about a year." I explain as we walk around for a while. I stop because I want to see her smile again and I know this will do it. "Thought you'd like this. Its a nice outlet for that I seem to keep pent up. This gym has everything I wanted. It's worth every penny. This ships got a new engine, new med lab, I wanted to never have to worry again. I wanted to be free, and feel like I am."

"So we can kick each others asses in here?" she says to me giving me a look.

"You can try princess." I smirk. It's so good to see her smile I just couldn't help myself.

"Excellent. Can you rig it to play music?" then I show her the panel where she could put her discs. I can see she's got some ideas, and I'm not complaining. She's here and safe with me, so its all good.

"Hungry?" I ask. "Let's get something to eat. The food they served tasted like shit."

"That was kind of the point Riddick. I wasn't going to make them something they would enjoy." She says rolling her eyes. I just shake my head and walk on by.

The kitchen is fully stocked and we're full of fuel. I want nothing more than to be with her, she deserves a bit of peace, and I need to feel like I haven't failed her. She deserves to be free, and I think we're both due some down time. "What do you feel like?"

"Now that's a loaded question Riddick." Damn I walked into that one.

"What do you want Jack?" I ask and she coughs, I must be tired or something cause she's nailing me left and right.

"Jack," I say through my teeth as she leers at me, almost laughing. "What would you like to drink?"

"A cold beer." She says exasperated. "Imam is so strict I'd kill for a cold beer. The last one was warm and I had to sneak it."

I open the cooler and hand her one and take one for myself. I watch the look of satisfaction on her face after she takes a good long swig. "God I needed that." She sighs.

I can think of several other things you need…the beast growls within me.

She smiles cause she knows me so well already, even after all this time.

"Perv."

"Me, never. I'm the perfect gentleman." I affirm.

"Right. That twitch in your jaw hasn't changed one bit." Busted, Shit.

"Go to bed Jack. I'll see you in the morning." I command. "Sleep."

"Thank you Riddick, for saving me again. I'll love you forever for it." she says into my ear and I swear I can hear my heart slamming inside my chest.

Then she kisses my cheek. "Good night. Rest if you can." She whispers and I can't help but think it's gonna be a long while before that happens.