Later that night Claudia woke up encased in warm, hard muscle. Looking up, she saw Riddick above her, he was holding her in his arms. His eyes opened and he looked down at her, a small smile coming to his face.

"Hi." He said and she smiled back.

"Hi." She said sleepily. Putting a hand behind her head, he pressed her cheek against his chest and put his on the top of her head, smoothing back her curls. He kissed the top of her head and released her.

"How'd you sleep."

"Okay."

"That's good. You hungry?" he asked.

"Thirsty."

"Lets get you something." He got off the bed and held his hand down to her. She put her hand in his and he picked her up. In a quick move his hands wrapped around her waist and he threw her up in the air, catching her easily.

"I can walk."

"I know, I just like carrying you."

"Why?" she asked and he shrugged.

"Because you're so little, and I can't carry Jack, she's too big." He said as he walked out of his room. She rode on his back again as he climbed down the ladder and he set her down in a chair. "What would you like sweetheart?"

"Milk?"

"Coming right up." Riddick took a small glass from the cabinet and got the milk out of the small fridge. He poured the milk into the glass and handed it to her. She sipped it slowly and after he put away the milk and secured the safety lock on the cabinet (it is a ship after all), he sat down across from her, leaning back in his chair. She finished and smiled.

"All done!" he took the glass from her and put it in the dishwasher.

"That's right, Richard B. Riddick. No I don't know why he took her! Yes I'm positive that it was him. Okay, okay, thank you officer." Alex hung up the phone then looked up the number for the Mercenary Guild. He punched in the number and held the phone to his ear. It rang a few times before someone picked up.

"Mercenary Guild how may I help you?"

"Hello yes, I'd like to hire someone to find my daughter."

"Have you called the police Sir?"

"Yes."

"How did she go missing?"

"She was kidnapped."

"Can I have a description please?"

"Sure, five-years-old, red/gold ringlets, blue eyes. Has a birthmark on her left elbow that looks like an upside down butterfly, if that helps."

"For the safety of our employees. Do you have any ideas who might have taken her?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

"Richard B. Riddick, he was in my house, I watched him carry her out." there was a long silence on the other end.

"Are you sure it was him?"

"Tall, tan, bald head, welders goggles on over his eyes. Strong as an ox, deep voice."

"That'd be him. Please wait while I transfer your call to our Riddick Department, a branch that deals only with his cases."

"You guys have an entire department on him?"

"He's a busy guy. Now may I have your name?"

"Alex McKane."

"Please wait one moment." He was put on hold, Bach's Concerto for Two Violins playing softly in his ear. It was cut off abruptly.

"So? Big evils got your daughter huh?" a gruff voice asked.

"Who is this?"

"Names Toombs. I'm the only bastard in this department that would take the job. What's your daughters name?"

"Claudia McKane."

"A five-year-old huh?"

"Yeah." Alex said and heard Toombs snort.

"Never figured the big guy for a pedophile."

"Please do not even suggest that theory."

"Sorry, long space runs tend to fuck up your people skills."

"There's something else. She won't want to leave him."

"Kid stupid or somethin?"

"No, she's very intelligent. It's just that…"

"Spill it guy."

"He's gained her trust. Made her believe that they're friends."

"How the fuck he pull that one?"

"From what I can tell he's been visiting her over the past weeks or so. Playing with her, telling her bedtime stories." Toombs snorted again.

"I'd just love to hear those stories, probably gave the kid nightmares. Now about price…"

"It's negotiable upon delivery of my daughter safely and unharmed into my arms."

"Negotiable huh?"

"Yes."

"What about the Killin Villain? What do you want me to about him?"

"Kill him."

"Whoa guy, he's worth a lot."

"Then bring him to a prison of your choice and get them to pay. I just want to make sure he won't come back."

"Deal. Mr. McKane, you got yourself a merc. I'll be over at your house soon to sort out any other details."

"Don't you need my address?" Toombs laughed.

"Nah guy, our systems traced this call the moment the receptionist picked up."

"Oh."

"See ya soon." The line went dead and Alex hung up the phone.