Author's Note: Wow is all I have to say! I loved the reviews so here's another chapter for all you wonderful people! And if I get more reviews there might be another chapter before Christmas!

No One's POV:

They landed without a hitch, no one suspecting a thing. Riddick was listed as the ships captain, under the name Nathan Peterson, since it was in fact a Merc ship. Laura wasn't happy about that at all but they didn't want to call any attention to themselves. She was practically jumping out of her skin, space and being in the ship for way to long was making her crazy. Riddick, on the other hand, was just content with no being chained and able to take a piss whenever he pleased.

After making everything was secure and safe Riddick opened the hatch without a word to Laura, who sat still strapped in the copilots chair just watching. The planets warm air filled the ship as well as the bright rays of its two suns. Laura unbuckled herself and set her eyes on the bustling people and booming town that was just feet away. Her feet were numb from being cramped up under her and she thought it was time to stretch them out. She headed to the hatch making sure she had her credit chip, which was still hanging from her neck.

"Where are you going?" Riddick stopped fiddling with the ship's air filter, turning his full attention to her.

"To get some stuff, need anything?" She said, was the truth except she forgot to mention she wasn't coming back.

"Nah, I'm good. Don't be gone to long." His warning was clear, but it didn't stop her.

"Thank you Riddick." Laura whispered hoping he didn't catch it when she walked out, never turning around to see if he was watching her. Sweeping her hand through her hair she pulled out her list and smiled, 'one more time.' she thought before vanishing in the mass of people. Riddick's eyes stayed glued to her until she was to far to see, knew she was up to something. The way she said it made him think she wanted to say something else.

It wasn't until dark that Laura finally crossed everything off her list. Satisfied at her progress she decided to take a break and found a nice bar to drown herself in. It wasn't like the ones she was used to the little hole in the wall filled with scumbags. No this one was a little ritzy so to say. Dressed in all black she stuck out like a sore thumb but didn't mind, made her harder to spot in the darkness, easier to slip away. Sitting down on one of the stools she was helped right away and thought an ice cold beer would do the trick. The cool liquid ran through her putting her at ease. She smiled, her ship was waiting in B dock all stocked and ready to go. New clothes filled its drawers, books on the shelves, exercise equipment in one of its many rooms, gas in its tank, and of course the weapons were safely locked away down in the cargo hold. Well not all she was carrying many assorted knives ranging from 2 to 10 inches. Although she didn't find someone to hire to drive the damn thing, but she could always do that tomorrow.

Enjoying her beer was the only thing on her mind when the Vid caught her attention. The news was on and they seemed pretty excited over a new discovery of some sort. It wasn't until she heard the number that she started listening.

"Yes we just got word that Mercenary ship SSI742, carrying the notorious Richard B. Riddick has just docked right here on Zeblen Major. Nathan Peterson, the owner and captain of the ship is currently docked at E dock. There is a total of eight who helped capture the most wanted criminal, seven guys and one woman. As you already know the ship was reported missing shortly after taking on the mission, no one having heard of their status or progress on this danger bounty….." The news reported went on babbling about the event but Laura was already lost in her thoughts. 'Shit definitely going to be surprised when they see Riddick up and walking around!' The screen then filled with all their pictures with their names under them and that the local authorizes would report to the ship taking Riddick to the nearest triple max security prison. 'Time to go.' Laura thought and ran out of the bar.

'Fuck Riddick probably doesn't have any idea. He'll think I turned him in, shit!' She ran faster never once stopping until she reached the docks.

Cops, reporters, people were everywhere, all looking to catch a glimpse of Big Evil. They would alright but just not in chains like he was suppose to be. Laura caught her breath before walking the rest of the way to the ship. Everyone with a badge was all over it looking for the killer and the Mercs. Making sure the reporters didn't see her she snuck around the back of the ship, still no sign of Riddick. Ships were everywhere as well as cargo still in its crates, it would be like finding a needle in a hay stack, unless he found her. So she started looking between ships every so often away from all the commotion. Still no luck.

"Where the fuck are you Riddick?" She asked herself not expecting an answer.

"Right behind you." He answered when she turned around.

"You got to stop doing that! Going to give me a fucking heart attack." She whispered and calmed down a little.

"I thought I told you not to be gone to long?" He raised his brow.

"You're not my father Riddick, came back for ya didn't I? You're in a world of shit unless I help you." She explained not caring what he thought.

"Think so?" She remember these words well.

"I know so." Laura shot his words back at him. "Follow me." Turning her back on him wasn't the best idea but it was all she had. He followed without a word as she led him to her ship, which she bought earlier that day. Punching in a code, the ramp lowered letting them both inside and she huffed, 'Guess I won't be hiring someone after all.'

"Thinking of leaving Laura?" Riddick asking walking briskly to the cockpit.

"Thought has entered my mind. Luckily for you I didn't." She followed strapping in beside him.

"This is Finding Freedom, requesting permission for take off." Laura spoke into the speaker, while Riddick got it ready.

"Negative Finding Freedom, docks are all under lock down, permission denied." The control tower answered.

"Fuck!" She swore, "Now what?" She turned to Riddick who was strapping in.
"Turn that off." He told her before firing up the engines. "We're getting the fuck out of here."

"Copy that." The engines roared as the ship came to life then flew off soon after but not before getting shot at by a couple of dock fighters. They were lost soon after star jumping was completed and after Laura let out a shaky breath. It wasn't until Riddick put the ship on autopilot and closed his eyes when she began questioning him.

"Don't you ever get tired of running Riddick?"

"Yea but with the bounty on my head I don't have a choice."

"Ever thought of surrendering?"

"No. Never will either."

"Can't run forever, no matter how much you might want to."

"Guess I'm the exception." This time she laughed, sure was cocky.

"Guess so." His voice took on a new tone.

"What's in the dark that scares you so much Laura?" She didn't hesitate.

"The unknown, my memories, my nightmares, people who made me the way I am. Take your pick. I feel vulnerable in the dark, I don't like that feeling." Her thoughts got away from her.

"You know when I was little and I heard my parents fighting or felt alone, which was usually often, I would play a game. I'd take a piece of paper and write down all these things in different categorizes. Then I would close my eyes and take the pen and make little marks till I said stop. I'd count through all my choices before all the others were crossed out and I was left with one in each. Never did it hint at the situation I am in now, no the outcome always made me smile. Married living on a beautiful planet with three kids a house great job and even a dog. I use to sit and wonder if what I found out would ever become true, even started thinking about what I would name the dog. Stupid huh? I wonder what I could of done differently so maybe my life would of turned out how I wanted it to. The only answer I could come up with was run! Should of ran when they came, not sure how far I would of got or how I would of survived but maybe things would have been different. Seems I can't get out of this shitty rut I'm in. But then again I would of never of met you." Riddick was silent listening to her story having his own thought on the matter. Didn't open his eyes till she got up and he heard her in the kitchen. Laura decided that if she was going down memory lane she sure as hell didn't want to be sober when she did it. She saw Riddick in the doorway and plopped down in a chair.

"Want a drink?" She offered sipping her shot of vodka, her favorite.

"What ya got?"

"It's all in the cabinet to your left, take your pick." He shifted his position a few times before walking to the cabinet and taking out a bottle of Whiskey. Walking over to her, he pulled out a chair and turned it around before sitting in it. Took a long pull not bothering with a shot glass.

"Who were they?"

"Rogue warriors looking to make a name for themselves. Pissed off a lot of people, lot of planets, they were just looking to start something that they couldn't finish. Course luck would have it that they had to start with our planet first."

"Their the ones that raped you." It was a statement not a question though she answered.

"Yes, many times. Showed me what hell really looked like. They may of used my body but never my mind, see that was my escape. In their I was living what the game said. Not anymore though. Every time I lie and think now, always drifts back to the times on the ship, chained in the dark waiting…..waiting for the next person to walk through the door." She didn't bother refilling the shot glass this time instead she followed Riddick's example and took a big gulp from the bottle.

"That why you were leaving? Trying to follow your dreams?" His eyes peered through hers, but they were empty, dead almost.

"I was thinking about starting over, maybe I'd have more luck on a tropical planet. Thought it was a better move for the both of us. My dreams? No just trying to have a normal life, well I guess you could call that a dream. Keeps being shut in the dark though. Maybe someday."

"Normal life? Shit I wouldn't know how to act." He huffed leaning a little more against the chair.

"Sure you would, just take a little time getting use to. Not having to look over your shoulder all the time, going to a legitimate job, smiling when your wife came home, wondering what was for dinner, making love under the stars….." Her voice trailed off, Riddick was all ears. Saw how her eyes lit up at her brief description. He wanted to ask her how many "normal" people she knew but didn't.

"So Riddick, since I'm very drunk right now why now share some of your past, your stories. I know you have some." He glanced at her bottle, half empty.
"Not much to tell. I killed, people died, got thrown in Slam, escaped….." He finished off his bottle feeling like a new man. He had to be careful where and when he drank, never knew who was looking over his shoulder.

"That's not what I read." She countered looking him dead in the eyes.

"You were an Elite company ranger stationed in the Sigma Galaxy, became a sweeper, then promoted learning the fine arts of killing before you finally realized how fucked up they were. But it was to late they knew that you knew, you took the fall for their fucked up little games. Got sent to a place where light didn't exist, never heard of. Didn't take you long before you escaped killing 2 guards and a pilot in your wake. Then you became the most wanted criminal in all the galaxies. Forever on the run, fighting for the freedom that was stolen from you. Aren't I right?"

"Left out the part about my stay in Slam." A slow smile spread across her face, her eyes barely open.

"So tell me Riddick." His name came out as a purr then she waited.

"The chains weren't so bad when they led me in or the blind fold, not like I needed it couldn't see a damn thing anyway. It was the horse bit that made me feel like a real animal, pissed me the fuck off. Four guards took me to my cell, having to drag me the whole way, took the chains off and released me into hell. My eyes were trying to cut through the darkness, trying to figure out if I was alone or not. Seeing three pairs of glowing eyes gave me my answer, except they already knew I was there, already knew what they had in mind. Ten minutes was all it took for them to drop, giving me time to explore my new home. Course I was reprimanded for my actions the next morning and put into the hole. Bout 20 foot down, dark, damp, cold, maybe three feet all a round. Down there for I think was a week before I was put into another cell but this time there was no one to bother me. I didn't play well with others. It was dark alright but not quiet. Sleeping was never my strong point and in a place like that you couldn't afford to close your eyes so I lied awake just listening. Screams, moans, bars being clanged, people dying, guards laughing, all of it could be heard through the darkness. Nothing else to do but listen and wait. Learning to rely on my senses was new to me but not foreign. My instincts also were what kept me alive. I was in there a year before they let me see the prison's councilor, fucking joke. Once a week they'd chain me to a chair and run tests, perform experiments, seeing how much I could take, how far they could push me. Soon after word got around about my 'Fight or Flight' response, that I had an advantage over everyone else, that I should be kept on closer watch. They were right. Passing the time, I started making shivs. You could get anything in that place as long as you had what someone needed. From sheets of metal the shivs came alive, the guards took them, I made new ones. My killings climbed, see they thought I would be someone's bitch. Should of known better. It was a year and a half when I finally had enough Mental Kools to get my eyes shined. Awake the whole time, no Anastasia, nothing but a rag to bite down on. Took a while before I could open them again having to rely on my senses that I've built up to keep me alive. My eyes were the last thing that made me what everyone thought. An animal. Can't tell you how many times they've saved my ass, finally I was the biggest dog in the pen, the one everyone feared, no one fucked with me unless they had a death wish. Started working on my escape plan soon after, took about another year till I carried it out. Not two days after did I become the most wanted man alive. Had to smile at that, quite an accomplish……" Tears streaked down Laura's cheeks as she listened to what she thought should be out of some sick nightmare. But it wasn't, it was Riddick's life, well one part of it anyway. She couldn't even imagine the others.

"You're not an animal Riddick." Her voice was faint when she leaned over the table grabbing his hand. He flinched pulling away not use to physical contact.

"You don't know shit about me." He told her coldly.

"Oh really? I may be drunk Riddick but not stupid! I know more than you think." She stood up furious at his accusation.

"What's so wrong with having someone you can trust, talk to? Hmmmm answer that one Big Evil." He sat quietly watching her little outburst, silently amused at her temper.

"Trust kills." Was all he said and she gave up.

"There's no winning with you is there? Why do I bother? Another unsolved mystery I guess." Grabbing her bottle she headed for the doorway not wanting to listen to it anymore.

"Freedom." Was all Riddick had to whisper to get her to stop.

"Finding it is the bitch, should know that by now." She mumbled not in the mood for his mind games.

"What if I could teach you how to hold on to it?" His deep voice was all it took for her to turn around, and his proposal of course.