Immunity - Chapter 4


Disclaimer: Don't own anything.


FitMama: I'm glad that you like it. I wondered if it would fly.

blondevor: I'm glad you think he's in character. I tried. But you may not think it by the end of this. And thank you. Ailis is my first character. She's actually a Stargate character. And I've got plenty of her and Riddick. I just have to post them. AU is a wonderful thing.


The cantina was dark, murky. Riddick didn't much care for the place except that it was easy on his eyes. He didn't have to wear his goggles here, they sat perched on top of his head.

Scanning the room, he finally spotted who he was looking for. He took the time to take in the sight of her. She looked the same. Her hair was shorter, cut to right below her ears. It showed off her long neck. She had no jacket on. She was wearing a black tank top which showed her USMC tattoo on her left arm. He smiled at that. He sometimes had trouble picturing her as a Marine. Her arms were toned and tanned. She had seen the sun, something that he actually missed being in. And she had her gun. A Browning Hi-Power 9mm. Being an Embassador, she was allowed to carry a gun, something he envied of her.

She sat calmly drinking what he knew was coffee. She would drink coffee in her sleep if she could. The 'Elixir of life,' she called it.

Walking slowly towards her table, he suddenly hesitated. It had been two years. What if she didn't want to see him? She was expecting Daus. Giving his head a quick shake, he continued to her.

She looked up just as he approached the table. She couldn't believe her eyes. He was dead, wasn't he? She could feel her jaw drop and did nothing about it. Gawd! Her heart slammed into her throat. He hadn't changed. No. No. No. No. No. This isn't supposed to be happening. It must be a dream. It HAS to be a dream.

Riddick sat in a chair opposite her, unsure of how to begin. "Hi." It was no dream.

Ailis took a deep breath. "Hi, yourself. Are you real?" She felt the tears well in her eyes, but didn't let them fall. He reached over and placed her hand in his. 'Oh, God, this is real.' Her mind screamed. She snatched her hand back and got quickly to her feet almost knocking her chair over. "I'm sorry. But, you're supposed to be dead. Not here. I'm sorry." Her voice sounded so tiny. She turned and fled the cantina.

Riddick sat there, stunned. 'What the hell just happened?' He had one thought, and one thought only: 'I hurt her.' He got up quickly and followed her. He wasn't going to lose her now.

0o0o0o

Ailis ran. Ran away from a ghost she had thought was in her past. She didn't stop running until she was at the infirmary. And once inside, she pushed her way into Dr. Steven Daus' office where she collapsed.

Steven rushed over and pulled her up, seeing her tears falling. Guessing that her meeting with Riddick didn't go well, he pulled her close and moved toward an exam table where he sat her down. She sobbed into his chest. Two years worth of tears were coming and there was no stopping them. He let her cry.

Next came anger. She lifted her head up and gave Steven a look of death. "Why didn't you tell me he was here on this station? Huh? Why? Didn't think I needed to know? Didn't think I would see him? What were you thinking?" She yelled as she pounded his arms. He let her get it out.

Finally she collapsed again, this time sinking into Steven's arms, where he held her. She was shaking so badly and Steven gave her time to calm down. Finally she did.

Settling beside her on the table he took her hand in his. He brushed a light kiss into her hair. "Why was it such a shock to see him?" He whispered. This wasn't supposed to happen.

Ailis pulled away from him. "Because, he's supposed to be dead. He's safer dead."

Steven brought his head down so he could look her in the eyes. "What? Why is he safer dead."

Ailis let out a sob. "Because...because there's someone after me because of the marker I have in my DNA. There's a merc on my ass who thinks that I know where he is. I couldn't bear for him to be caught again. He was safer when I thought he was dead. That way I couldn't be lying when I said that." She let out another sob.

"So. You are in trouble. Who's the merc?" Wheels started to turn. He had to think. A mercenary on this station after the two of them wasn't good.

"Marcus." She whispered.

"That piece of crap? Well, he's not going to get far here." Ailis looked up at him, her red, swollen eyes questioning. Steven gave her a gently hug. "Look, Embassador Gaius took pity on him when he arrived here. He's granted Riddick temporary immunity on the condition that he behaves."

Ailis was surprised. "Really? You mean he's safe here?" Relief swept through her.

Steven nodded. "Really. He's safe for the time being. You'd be proud of him. He's taking good care of Jack and behaving." He jumped off the table and pulled Ailis down with him. She was still shaky, but was able to stand. "Come on, you two have a lot of talking to do."

Steven led her out of his office and wasn't surprised to see Riddick blocking their exit out of the door. He stood there, staring at her. Steven knew that he would be here, that he would follow her.

He only hoped the younger man had heard everything. Their eyes met and he knew that he had. Good thing. Without a word he handed Ailis over to Riddick and the two of them left. Hopefully to put together some pieces of the puzzle that was their lives.

Riddick had a tight hold of Ailis' hand and he wasn't letting go. He was practically dragging her along the corridors of the station. Ailis was running to keep up. Neither one said a word.

Swiping a keycard into the reader, the door opened up to his quarters. Pulling her inside, he almost missed Jack who was sitting on the couch, reading. 'What the hell was she doing here at 11am?' She was supposed to be in class. It didn't matter. Not yet anyway, he had more important things to do.

Jack looked up and started to speak. Riddick held up his free hand. "Not one word." He finally stopped moving when they were safely in his room with the door closed.

Jack looked at Imam, who happened to catch a glimpse of Ailis as she was dragged into the room. "Who was that?" Her eyes were huge.

"That, my dear child, is the reason our Mr. Riddick is still alive." He came to Jack and lay a hand on her shoulder. "Let us go have our meal in the cantina. Let them have privacy."

As the two of them left, Jack couldn't help but have a smile plastered on her face. She had never, EVER, seen Riddick like that. She had a feeling things were about to change.

0o0o0o

Richard Riddick stopped dead in his tracks, his hand still clutching Ailis O'Neill's. His heart was hammering in chest. It felt like it was going to jump out any minute. Catching his breath he turned and looked at the woman in front of him. She was absolutely beautiful. Reaching for her, he placed a big hand on the back of her head and drew her in. Bending to kiss her, he looked into her eyes and saw what he so desperately needed to see. Love. He took her lips in such a kiss that when they broke, it was hard for them both to breathe.

Catching her breath, Ailis looked up at him. He looked exactly like she remembered him. Beautiful. She reached up and caressed his face. Remembering again how his skin felt. Suddenly her knees gave out and he had to catch her. Guiding her to the bed, he sat them both down. He still had her hands. He didn't want to let her go.

They sat there in silence, neither wanting to speak, knowing that so much had to be said. Finally Ailis found her voice. "I thought you were dead."

"I thought I was too. Almost was. A few times."

"Who was that? Out there?" Ailis was trying to change the subject. Mainly to calm her racing nerves.

"That's Jack. It's a long story. Let's just say that I've become her guardian." He chuckled. "Imagine that. Who woulda thunk it?" He brought her hand to his lips and brushed his lips across her hand. "But I don't want to talk about her yet." He pulled her closer.

Ailis shook her head. "No, I'm sure you don't."