Author's Note: Sorry bout the wait, didn't know where to go with it! Ah I hope you guys like this chapter took awhile to write. Ideas for this story would be gladly accepted! Oh and this song is by Taking Back Sunday - This Photograph is Proof…not mine! Read on!
Well, I'll wait till you listen
I wont say a word
To follow your instincts
Just never worked for me
Your silent but strong, (yeah, I'm playing that card)
And your noticing nothing again
The violent night sky didn't hold any promises. Clouds floated restlessly through it only bearing water which fell with a grace many didn't appreciate. Jack noticed. With her hair swishing past her hair, clothes soaked clinging to her body she walked. She felt like she was one of the dew filled drops. Falling, falling, falling until she hit something and exploded by the time she went to get back up and try again, she was slipping, becoming forgotten. The way it usually went.
Now I'm lying on the table
With everything you said
Keeping mind the way that it felt
When the most I could do was to just blame myself
Puddles of murky water were everywhere the eyes could see. Stopping by one she gazed into it hoping to see some light, something clear. Instead all she saw was the ripple effect like her life. One unknown unanticipated varible thrown into the mix could be deadly mess everything up. Jumping in it her frustrated tears mixed well with the rain. It was all her fault!
(Yeah, I'm playing that card)
When the most I could do was to just blame myself
And I know you know, everything
I know you didn't mean it
I know you didn't mean it
She cursed herself for being weak, for not expecting him, the situations. Hell she was happy he was dead wasn't she? Now she could forget him and move on couldn't she? It's been almost a month since she got there though and the memories flooded her mind daily. Though it felt like it was the calm before the storm. Although technically the storm was already here.
I know you know, everything (drop everything)
I know you didn't mean it (start it all over)
I know you didn't mean it (remember more then youd like to forget)
It didn't take long for the Mercs to figure out who it was that supposedly killed Riddick. And when they found out that it was little Jackie the one that was on the same planet as Riddick their hunt began. See they thought Jack was in on, helping Riddick. That it was all a hoax and they didn't buy it. So the ones with more balls than brains set out to find her and see if they could flush their paycheck out.
So, we're talking forever
And you almost feel better
But, betters no excuse for tonight
You see, it's never been enough
Just to leave all you gave up
But, its never good enough to feel right
Jack had a feeling she wouldn't be left along, not for long anyway. And with that she had to step it up no more of regretting her decisions or thinking what if. No it wouldn't do any good and it was clouding her head. She knew she had to be on the top of her game if she was going to survive what was to come. Not only did she smile, she looked forward to it. It's what she always wanted, to be one of the big dogs.
Now I'm lying on the table
With everything you said
It will all catch up eventually
Well, it caught up and honestly
The weight of my decisions
Were impossible to hold
Everything just seemed off like there was something she wasn't getting. All her life she was tossed around, beaten, lost. It was her turn to show them all that she wasn't one to be screwed with that she picked up a few things from Riddick even if they were his bad habits. Her hands clenched into fists wanting to hit something. Oh yeah she was ready, bring it on!
Today we'll never know
Today we'll never know
Well I, know you know, everything
I know you didn't mean it
I know you didn't mean it
While Jack was having a rediscovery of herself, Marie was trying to keep things going. Working constantly she made sure Jack had a safe place to come home to and wanted her to be able to live like she never had before. Course most of the jobs acquired two people to pull off, though she managed herself. She had a feeling Jack was just taking a break, she deserved it.
I know you know, everything (drop everything)
I know you didn't mean it (start it all over)
I know you didn't meant it (remember more then youd like to forget)
Finally setting herself straight new thoughts coursed through her mind for the first time in a while. She welcomed them and thinking them through she decided to go with them. To be able to happen she would need a lot of credits and one hell of a will . Knowing she had the second she figured that the jobs her and Marie were into had to step up a bit in order for her thoughts to come true. Jack didn't want there to be anymore runaways, no more innocent kids without homes or people to love them. She didn't want them to go through what she has, to hide shut off the world and learn to live unnoticed. No that had to stop. Marie saved her and she'd be damned if she wasn't going to try to save them. They needed a future and Jack was going to try and give it to them. The only problem was where to put them?
Drop everything, start it all over
remember more then youd like to forget x2
Would you like to forget
Would you like to forget
As the stormy weather lightened , Jack turned the other way and started home. Running her idea by Marie was first hoping she would go for it and help her out. Jack had a feeling she would but as she got closer instincts kicked in. She was able to peer in the window to see a faint light coming from the kitchen. Getting a better view Marie's head was lying flat down on what looked like plans probably for the next job. Her shivs were drawn before she took another step. Shit! She was only gone for an hour.
Drop everything, start it all over
Well, drop everything start it all over (would you like to forget)
Drop everything start it all over
Start it all...
Lightly she headed to the back door wanting to see if what she feared happened to marie or if she was just being paranoid. Her answer sprang out of a bush to the right of her. Seeing it in time she was able to avoid the body. Dropping to the ground the unknown intruder slammed into the house turning on her heels she sent both shivs into the back of his knees. His yell was music to her ears but when she lied flat on her back and sent a swift kicked in between his legs was the cherry on top. Another appeared soon after leaving no time to think, only react. She was able to get to her feet before her attacker had time to cause any damage. He swung at her leaving his ribs to open, seeing the opportunity a sidekick seized the moment. Finishing him with a roundhouse to the temple he fell and she watched as his head bounced off the unforgiving land. Applause came from a rugged figure in front of her.
"Well done, now we can talk."
Well I, know you know, everything
I know you didn't mean it
I know you didn't mean it
I know you know, everything (drop everything)
I know you didn't mean it (start it all over)
I know you didnt meant it (remember more then youd like to forget)
He came closer until she could clearly make him out. Just the way he moved, the air around him she could tell he was a predatory. She relaxed on the outside giving nothing away wanting to see what he would do. Like she predicted he circled her looking for a place to move in for the kill.
"Your quite impressive, young Jack. He teach you those moves?" He stopped in front of her starting to reveal his cards. She spit at him not saying anything, words always got you in trouble.
"Ah the quiet type. Well I suppose you are a good listener then.." He never got to finish.
"Get the hell out of here or I'll shoot you! I will not tell you again. Five, four…" Marie stood at the back door with a gun held steady in both hands a little red dot was beaming on his forehead. Jack smiled always there to bail her ass out of trouble. This guy didn't not know who he was messing with. With his hands held high he retreated but not before giving Jack something to ponder.
"I think we could help each other out. I'm sure I'll be seeing you again real soon. By the way the name's Vince." As he disappeared chills roamed Jack's body, that guy was trouble. Plain and simple.
"You alright Jack? Who are these guys? What he want?" The questions flew but she barely paid attention.
"Yeah, I think I am alright." She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth, she was just fine.
I know you know
I know you know...you know, you know, you know...
Jack was right the storm was a sign of things to come. Unknown to her a ship by the name of Eternal Darkness crept in one of the many spaceports clearly trying to remain undetected. It's roaring engines powered down giving the thunder back its glory. There was only one person on that ship, only one controlling the beast. The most feared in all the systems…Riddick.
The back latch of the ship lowered revealing him scanning the area for potential threats. Finding none he stepped out into the rain with only one thing set in his mind. He had to find Jack. He was sure she got the news of his "death" but in all reality he's been planning it for a while. And she well, it all lined up and he went for it. Course it's only temporary until someone spots him or goes after Jack not believing it. Only time.
Faking a death wasn't hard although Riddick had a tougher time. See when you're the most wanted man, you have to pay attention to detail. The planet where he first encountered grown up Jack is where his plans were unraveling. Getting a body was no big deal, he went after the biggest one he could find. A bouncer from one of the many clubs worked just fine. But finding someone who could fix all the details was a little bit harder. Riddick was a killer not a hacker nor was he a computer geek. That's where Jed stepped in. A runaway running a back alley joint in one of the bad parts of the city. Credits were all it took for the kid to agree and he sat down getting to work. Riddick didn't like that the kid knew who he was but in order for him to pull if off it had to be known. The main way of checking identity was an eye scan and then a blood test to confirm the scan. The kid was good and definitely worth the credits. Scanning Riddick's eyes he could make lens from his computer and simply slip them into the eyes of the victim. Like contacts except when scanned they would show it was Richard B. Riddick S.N. -199832. Jed hacked into the criminal database and was able change Riddick's blood type so it matched the body he picked. It took a long time for everything to be put together and done right. After Jack shot him, it seemed like it was the perfect time to leave the body in his hide out and light it up. Local police found it reported it, figured out who it was. And it was broadcasted all over the universe. He was really a free man at the moment but he had a feeling it was all about to change.
Jack's POV:
"Go,go go! It's all clear." I yelled into the mic watching the monitor for any intruders. The job was simple. Break in without setting off any alarms, unlock the safe, grab the diamonds, get out. So far we were in. I was able to knock out the security system while Maire slipped in through a window. But she had the crack the safe on her own, I could only keep an eye out for the guards. The house was one of richest around. Our payday.
"How much time do I have?" Marie's muffled voice was steady as she reached the safe.
"Three minutes and counting before they make their next pass. Move you ass!"
"Yeah yeah." She bit back going to work at cracking the numbers. Her breathing was heavy as time slowly ticked away.
"Two minutes and counting."
"I got it, now how do I get out of here?"
"Down the hall to your left, there's a bedroom. You have to go through the skylight, I can't kill the systems anymore. Have a minute until they're on to you."
"Here we go. Watch my back."
"Will do." I leaned back against the gate of where this was all taking place. We've been staking out this place for days, though having a connection helped a lot. No names were ever asked and faces never seen. Someone wanted them diamonds and in turn we got half. So with all the floor plans and how to tap into the security systems it was a snitch. Yeah there was a use for greedy people in the world after all.
"There is no skylight!" Her voice was starting to get panicky.
"What, its on the plans? Shit! Okay you have thiry seconds till the guards make a pass and everything comes back on. Backtrack to the window where you first entered. Wait five seconds until you got out it and stay on the roof for another seven and I'll see what I can do."
"Alright." I was about to lose my connection, about to leave Marie stranded in a house with 10 armed guards. Not on my watch. My connecntion was severed exactly thirty seconds later when I saw Marie coming out the window through my binoculars. She still had to get off the roof across the yard and over the gate. Shit! Tapping back in I was able to set off the motion detectors in the front of the house.
"All clear, start running." I urged not sure how much time it would buy. Getting off the roof was a bit tricky but in the cover of darkness she was able to make it across the lawn and over the gate.
"Skylight my ass Jack!" She roped her arm around my neck squeezing. I picked the laptop up and we started a light jog away from the place where it almost went wrong.
"Read the plans, what it shows."
"Yeah well next time I'm watching the damn screen while you run in there!" She joked wiping the sweat off her brow.
"Sure if you can figure out how to turn it on." I teased handing it to her.
"Very funny."
"Look I'll go drop this half off, you take the rest home. I'll be no more than an hour."
"You sure Jack? I'll go with you if you want."
"Nah you did your part tonight. It's fine." Slinging the sack over my shoulder while Marie turned the other way heading home.
The night sky was clear with its two moons shining what looked like a path in front of me. My steps were light and each was delivery placed. I was always on the look out for something that was out of place or didn't belong. Habit I guess but it was better safe than sorry. Course my mind was never quiet on my walks it did provide some comfort from the eerie silence. Coming up on an apartment building I ran up the three floors to number 317 knocked five times left the package and headed on my way. I thought everything went fairly well. Although when I came back down someone was waiting for me.
"Ah Jackie, it seems we keep bumping into each other." The voice fit the face when I saw who it was, Vince.
"Stay the hell away from me." I warned not in the mood for shit.
"Not until you hear me out." I kept walking.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
"I want Riddick. I'm sure you can figure out who I am." He smiled and that's when I saw his gauge. Nothing but a no good Merc. Should of known.
"He's dead you jackass. Didn't you hear? You want him try the morgue, check the body backs."
"Already did, isn't him. You didn't kill him, it's a set up." V caught my shoulder stopping me in my tracks.
"I know what you want Jackie and if you bring me him I'll give it to you." His whisper sent chills threw me.
"Yeah and what's that?" Interested. He caught my attention.
"A planet for runaways." How did he know? My face must of gave it away.
"Heard you talking about it with your friend. I could make it happen if you give me what I want."
"Okay but how am I going to find a dead man?" I laughed Riddick was dead I shot him, this guy was a loon.
"Oh I'm sure he'll come to you, just wait. And when he does," He took out a pen and scribbled something down on a piece of paper. "you can reach me here." It was a number.
"Sure." Stuffing it into my pocket was all I could do.
"Think about it, you could finally have what you wanted and be rid of your old mistakes. Bring him to me and I won't have to kill your friend or you. Then again there are worse things than death."
"Don't threaten me asshole! I'll do what I damn well please." My shiv was out and at his throat but he just stood there.
"Don't make this any worse than it has to be. Be a good girl and do what your told and no one has to get hurt." His laughter sounded in the distance as he backed away from the sharp weapon.
"Get a new hobby. Riddick's dead. I killed him." No! I would not think about that ever again. You can't change the past and I wasn't going to try.
No One's POV:
Marie's light snoring was a sign she was dead to the world. The sad thing is she didn't even make it to the bedroom. Jack got a good laugh at her position on the couch she was only half way on it. She trusted that the bag of goodies was safely tucked away in their usual spot. Yawing, she strolled to the fridge not bothering to turn on any lights. In the dark everything was okay felt right. After grabbing a snack and covered up Marie she made her way up to her room for some shut eye herself.
It wasn't until days later did Jack find out that her past was really coming back to haunt her. Unaware of what was to come she carried on her daily routine getting closer and closer to her goal. She wanted to make a difference for once instead of just causing trouble. To travel in the other direction for a change.
After returning from a late night jog Jack came home to find the house empty. Bells went off but when she spotted the note on the table they stopped ringing. Something about a new client back by morning don't wait up. For once she actually felt tired though going to bed, well that was another story.
"You always come home this late Jack?" The voice was unmistakable but it couldn't be. Spinning around she caught him in the corner of her eye sitting lazily in a chair. Oh god them eyes.
"You're dead! What? No!" Jack kicked the cloest thing that was near here sending it across the room.
"Gee Jack you sound disappointed. You really thought I was dead? That you could kill me?" He laughed at his own little joke but Jack was enraged.
"Get the hell out of my home! You're an asshole, I wished I would of never met you! You're nothing to me, not anymore."
"I'm a lot of things. Though you never minded before." Riddick stood up and glided towards her. Confusion were all that her features showed. His fingers tangled in her hair and pulled her flush against him.
"I would love nothing more than to rip your head off right now!" She fumed trying to pull away. His voice was so cold when he whispered in her ear.
"Go for it." Wasting no time Jack threw her knee up cathing him in the groin. He let go and she backed up going for her shivs. Before she could attack again he kicked her legs out form under her and the floor became their new smashing ground. Riddick easily overpowered her, climbed on top and was able to hold both of her hands in one of his. Trailing his hand down her cheek he smiled she had no where to go.
"So soft."
"I'm not your whore Riddick! Get the hell off." He cringed at her words remembering exactly what he said to her a while back. He was only trying to protect her by keeping her away from him. Hurting her emotionally was the only way he knew how.
"We need to talk." Ah Riddick wanting to talk? What a rarity. He let her hands go and stood up walking to his previous chair.
"I have nothing to say to you. As far as I'm concerned I'm delusional and talking to a ghost."
"You're not safe here."
"I'm not safe anywhere. Besides when did you start to care? Better yet, don't! Forget about me Riddick, forget it all I don't care." She huffed thowing both her shivs at the wall totally frustrated.
"What I said the last time…"
"It's over and done with Riddick. You made it quite clear that you want nothing to do with me and that I'm trash. I'm sure you know where the door is." Standing up her mind was set, it was a lie.
"Jack-" He tried again but it was no use.
"No! Get out." She turned around so she wouldn't change her mind. Depite all that has happened a part of her still wanted to forgive him, climb into his lap and let him chase the nightmares away. But she was a big girl and didn't need anyone to do that for her anymore. By the time she turned back around, his twin orbs were gone and the back door was ajar. A slight breeze floated through the house signaling the retreat of the man that started it all.
Trying to shake off what just happened, a beer was the best course of action at that moment. A cold one out of the fridge would do it. She quickly twisted the cap off and downed it hoping to forget all about tonight. After her fourth things were starting to become blurry and numb, she was almost there. Walking up the stairs to her room she hit one of her dressers while trying to make it to the bed. Something fluttered off onto the ground sending Jack reaching for it. The number. Oddly enough, it was the number Vince had given her. Strangely she kept it not exactly sure why. But here it was, she was holding it in her hands. He was right Riddick was alive. Her eyes traveled to the phone how bad did she want her dream to come true? It was now or never. Getting to it seemed like it took years, like everything slowed down. Riddick was nothing to her now right? She didn't care what happened to him did she? Hell she knew if it ever came down to him or her he would save his own ass. And she learned from the best. It was time to look out for number one.
Finally reaching the phone she picked it up waiting until she heard the dial tone in her ear. Looking at the paper one last time she began to dial…