Author's Note: Sorry about the wait!
No One's POV:
The slight hum of the ship was all that could be heard when Laura woke the second time, two days later. Only this time she didn't move and looked up to where Riddick was slouched in a chair. It was dark in the room making only Riddick's sliver glare visible, Laura looked longingly at the door for a few seconds before she spoke.
"How long was I asleep?" She stretched finding she felt a little better.
"2 days." Riddick was gruff and to the point, eyes never leaving her.
"Damn didn't think it was that long." Laura tried standing up and felt pain lace through her body. Thinking this time she sat back down looking to Riddick who showed a hint of a smile. He knew she didn't want to ask.
"Why?" Her voice was cold, meeting his eyes.
"First time since someone treated me like a human being not a fucking animal. Thought I would return the favor." He told her shrugging.
"How kind of you." She tried standing up again letting out a hiss of air. 'Better not do that for awhile.' She thought wondering how the hell she was going to make it to the bathroom by herself. Seemed so far away, yet it was only across the hall. Riddick just sat there reading her like a book, her whole body shook with pain, kind of hard to miss. Still he wasn't going to move unless she asked him to help her. He was a patient man. Laura was a very determined woman and tried quite a few more times before finally turning to Riddick.
"Help me to the bathroom?" She finally bit out against her will, didn't like needing help.
"All you had to say." He rose from the chair walking the short distance to her, picked her up and carried her across the hall to her destination. She smiled at him before whispering a thank you and shutting the door. Riddick caught it with his hand stopping it from shutting.
"Need anything I'll be in the cockpit, just yell." His voice was deep, unnerving.
"Will do, thank you Riddick." Laura shut the door this time then took a long look at the lock. 'Nah, would of done it already.' Shedding her clothes as quickly as she could the full length mirror greeted her. Bruises covered her face, some purple some starting to turn yellow. Nice lump on her head too, probably had a concussion. Her thighs were all bloody and she could see where Nathan's fingers dug into her. Shaking her head in disgust, she climbed in the shower trying to rid herself of Nathan and to figure out what the hell to do with Riddick.
Riddick was making sure everything was as he left it. His mind was far from what he was doing but he didn't notice.
'Should figure out how to raise them fuckers from the dead so I can fucking kill them again.' His mind roared at the thought, fingers already itching for the feel of the shiv. Still she wasn't afraid of him, sure there was a little hint of fear there but not overwhelming. Different since he's not chained anymore, ball's in his court now. Question is how far is she willing to go ?
Laura's POV:
The drain held my attention, wished it would just swallow me up. Everything hurt and every time I moved it felt unbearable. I've been raped before but never that rough, not by someone I trusted, loved even. Now I realize that Nathan never loved me only his goddamn bounties. Made me sick, but I got my own back. I was the death of him and you know what? Felt damn good too. Not to mention that I'm on a ship with the most wanted convict in all the systems. How the hell did I manage that? Seems everything goes from bad to worse.
Finally after I scrubbed myself raw I slowly got out and wrapped a towel around myself. I felt a little better, didn't feel as dirty anymore. Creeping out in the hall, I looked for Riddick, no sign of him. Walking to my room was no easy task but I managed not wanting to have Riddick carry me everywhere. Still might be pissed off about the gash on his thigh. Opening the door, I looked around and saw the room was perfect. The bloody sheets were gone, everything was back in its place and even Nathan's clothes weren't in the dresser. Hmmmm….Riddick? Must be who else? I changed into a tank and fuzzy sweat pants knowing I was going for the comfy look for the next couple days. The door was cracked open a little, odd could of swore I shut it. Turning around revealed a very smug Riddick staring back at me.
"Fuck!" I yelled slamming myself back into the dresser.
"Scared the shit out of me! Don't you know how to knock?" I said catching my breath, saw the smile threatening to break through.
"Door was open. You hungry?" His goggles were now on, strange I missed his silvery glare.
"A little." I whispered not really wanting to leave the room. He wasn't restrained now, and was awfully responsive.
"Come on." He turned walking down the hall waiting for me to follow. I knew I couldn't be afraid of him, Nathan told me he could sense it, that he fed off it.
"Why the fuck am I always in this position?!" I said trudging down the hall towards the kitchen wondering if I was going to make it out alive. On second thought, do I really care if I do or not?
I didn't even know I was standing there staring off into space. Well not until Riddick said something. My mind was leaving me again, I was back on my home planet. Back where nothing matter and everything was fine. There was a large waterfall where I use to go that's where I lost …..
"Sit." Riddick growled moving over to the food prep machine. I obeyed and watched him hitting buttons. Thing beeped a couple times before plates of food flew out of it. He sat one of them in from of me and the other two where he was sitting. I couldn't remember the last time I've eaten so digging in was what followed. There were many types of breakfast food on my plate, which I was grateful for. Riddick watched me for a few minutes before starting on his food. Munching on a pancake I decided to make conversation.
"So where are we headed?" I asked taking a sip of my water.
"Zeblen Major." Man of few words. Never heard of it but okay.
"How far are we out?"
"Bout 2 weeks." He finished with his meal and I was already done just watching him. Standing without an ow, was accomplished before collecting the plates and waking over to the food prep machine.
"I could of got it." Riddick said leaning back in his chair.
"It's fine Riddick, I got it." I slip the plates back into the machine, rack of knives catching my attention. They were in arms length and seemed to be calling my name. Odd. Turning slightly I noticed Riddick had his back to me and how easy it would be to slit his throat. Hmmmm….ships already locked into the course, how hard could it be to land? I was sick of being used and I'm sure Riddick would want to have a little fun between planets. Not happening. Quietly as I could my hand snaked out and grabbed the biggest one I saw. Turning just a bit my steps started….
"Wouldn't last five minutes without me." His voice was cold, rocking me to the core. Damn! Fucker heard me….I was so close!
"Think so huh?" I asked twirling the knife with my fingers. He got up turning to face me.
"I know so." He smiled before turning and walking probably to the cockpit. Shit! Well I was close….have to give myself some credit. 'Only 2 weeks, hide out in my room until we touch down them I'm gone.'
About a week passed by without any incident. I stayed in my room most of the time only venturing out to eat and pee. Avoiding Riddick wasn't easy, man was always freaking awake. But I did a pretty good job of it. He knew what I was doing but didn't say anything, didn't have to.
Besides being in my room I was on the computer a lot trying to figure out my next move. Zeblen Major was a planet that had its hand in everything. Supposedly anything you could possibly want was on it. Maybe that's why Riddick chose to go there. Playing with the credit chip around my neck I thought of starting over again. Making something of myself this time. I know I could get on another Merc ship but question was did I really want to? I didn't think I did. So I bypassed that part and thought of other obstacles. A ship would be the first thing I needed, had enough money to buy one but problem was I couldn't fly it. Have to find someone to hire, not a big deal but it could turn into one if they decided to have a little fun with me on the way. That's where the weapons come into play. From what I've read there were hundreds of little shops scattered around the planet with all the weapons you could possibly imagine. So far so good. Needed to stock the ship of course but that wasn't anything to worry bout. Just pay extra and there ya go, full loaded. Clothes definelty be needing some new ones, maybe even some books to keep my mind occupied. Work out equipment was also another necessity. My list was pretty much put together and so it became the game plan. I was going to try again to start another life would it finally work out this time?
It was two days before we were going to land when I ran into him. Feeling pretty upbeat that now I had a plan and knew what the hell I was going to do, I came out of my room preparing to take on the world, or worlds. Walking past the work out room I stopped dead in my tracks. Riddick was in there, no shirt on sweat lightly dripping off him lights a bit above a glow. He was lifting, tiny grunts coming out of his mouth every time the bar went above his head. I was there standing in awe, at what I wasn't sure but I couldn't move, didn't want to.
"You just gonna stand there or come in?" Riddick huffed putting the bar back in its place sitting up.
"Not sure yet." I shot back standing there a bit longer then walking in wondering if that was such a smart move. 'Guess I'll find out.' My mind laughed.
"Come to play with the big dogs?" My eyes were roaming his body but I heard him. So he wanted to play? Didn't he learn his lesson the last time? Guess not.
"Play with? No. Kick their ass? Yes." I walked around him, never letting my eyes lose sight of him.
"A lot of talk girl. Sure you got something to back that mouth up? Hmmmm…" His eyes watched my every move as did I.
"Yes. Question you should be asking yourself is…" I paused reaching for a long bar that was hung against the back wall, used for sparing.
"Can I handle it?" This time he let out a roar of laughter. It sounded deep, unused, unnatural but it fit him. Slowly I crept up to him, about three feet away holding the metal bar in back of me. Turning just a second, he had me. Damn bastard was quick! One arm was around my throat the other around my waist holding my back to his front. I dropped the bar relaxing as much as possible waiting for his next move.
"Guess we know the answer." He whispered into my ear, his breath tickling my neck. That pissed me off. Throwing my elbows back they landed dead in his stomach sending out a whoosh of air through his mouth. He let go and I grabbed the bar then swung at his head. He ducked trying to catch my arm but I backed up with a smile.
"Come on big boy, what ya got?" I waited a few seconds before adding, "All that huh?" That tipped the scale and he charged at me. Sending my self into a strattle I curled my fingers and then pushed them up right into his balls. Ouch, he felt that one. He roared but never fell. Grabbing the bar again I slammed the one end into his knee then the other into his stomach. Throwing myself back I jumped up and was scared shitless at what I saw. Riddick didn't look hurt at all, only pissed off. Fuck! The door was my best bet, ran but never reached it. Riddick's hand flew out catching my wrist and twisting so I fell to my knees in pain.
"Bad move." Was all he said. He lifted me up before kicking my legs out from under me and dropping me again. I was finally feeling better too, damnit! Grabbing both my hands in one of his giant paws he climbed on top of me pulling his shiv. My hands were above my hand, his shiv, against my neck, body on top of mine, what an interesting position!
"Could slit your throat right here, be done with it. Just be another victim added to the list." He coldly told me.
"So do it stop dicking around." My voice matched his, not in the mood.
"That's right your not afraid to die but there are worse things than death." His shiv slowly slid down my body stopping just below my tank. My eyes went wide.
"No!" I started to struggle but it was no use.
"I'm no rapist like my woman willing. Besides you've been on your back enough." He replaced his shiv but never let go. I settled a little.
"Get the fuck off Riddick!" I yelled anger clear in my eyes. No use.
"What were you doing here with them?" He growled slipping off his goggles.
"Shit was bad, seemed like my only other option. Thought I'd get the training out of it, explore space, make some money." I shrugged calming down it was true.
"Another bad move."
"My whole life's been a fucking bad move Riddick! Deal with it and get over it. What's this Q and fucking A? " I huffed getting pissed.
"Yea." He paused licking his lips, "Should of stayed in daddy's lap." I went off.
"What the fuck do you know about parents? Tried to kill you! Mine well mine fucking gave me away to some barbarians just so they would be spared. They died anyway, better for them lucky they did or I'd be back. I was taken to a ship where I would spend my days getting fucked. Wasn't even sure how long I was there, year could be two, not sure how many times I was fucked either, lost count after 31. So don't give me should of stayed in daddy's lap shit. I would of but daddy was a dick head." I finished feeling the tears wanting to spill. Riddick just watched me and finally let my arms go but never got off me. His hands ran up and down my sides slowly, staring at me the whole time. It was a while before he spoke, I was in a daze somewhere.
"That why you fight so much? Not afraid to die….afraid that something worse is gonna bite you? Afraid that someone might push you over the edge, break you?" His face was only inches from mine.
"They'll never break me Riddick. I'll make them kill me before that happens. I'll go down fighting." I told him softly searching his eyes for what I wasn't sure. Seemed to look right through me. A tiny shiver ran down my spine when his lips brushed mine. They were soft, enticing. His tongue darted out tracing them asking for entrance. Grabbing the back of his neck I lower his mouth to mine, loving the feeling that was slowly taking over. My mouth was fully open to him as he explored it with his tongue, I did the same. My control was slowly slipping, it felt so good but I knew I couldn't go through with it. Well I could pretend couldn't I? This was the first time I ever wanted someone, this was all new to me.
"Riddick" I gasped as he pulled away brushing my hair away from my face. I threw my head back exposing my neck and he took full advantage. Running his tongue over it before placing tiny kisses and nips here and there. I felt his hands slowly slide under my top and that's when I lost it.
"Riddick" I said breathily, "I can't, I'm sorry." I caught his hands taking them back out. He rolled off me standing up and holding out his hand. Catching it I stood, our bodies toughing.
"Whenever you're ready Laura." My name rolled off his tongue smoothly, sent chills in all the right places. We stared at each other a moment longer then parted ways. Riddick went to the bathroom and well I, I couldn't move.
After I got over my 'Holy shit what am I doing?' trance I found myself back in my room. Laying on the bed, my thoughts couldn't get off the notorious bronze killer just a couple doors down. What was I thinking? Or maybe I wasn't thinking at all? But I knew there was something else that drew me to him like a moth to a flame. Something deeper, something never explored before. I think a lot had to do with the animal inside him, his continual will to fight the system, to survive. What can I say the man was a fighter. Odds are 20 to 1 he manages to over come them. Many of us crumple. The way he carried himself also made you notice him. Sure he was cocky but there was a confidence in him that set him apart. Like he was Mr. fucking Invincible, that gave him an edge many feared. Then I started to wonder was it something I craved? The way he fought for his freedom…. I definitely had to leave no telling what would happen if I stayed.