Immunity - Chapter 5


Disclaimer: Same as before


Richard Riddick groaned, trying to open his eyes. His body felt like it had been hit with a ton of bricks. Remembering last night, he opened his eyes fully and saw what he suspected: Ailis was gone. He didn't think she was running away. She had always been an early riser wanting that first drink of coffee. Now she was just giving them both a chance to think. Groaning again, he closed his eyes. Memories of the night before came flooding back to him.

0o0o0o

Looking down at her, he was slammed with instant lust. His animal was waking up. Two years of not having this woman had taken it's toll.

Ailis touched his shoulder. It was like a rush of electricity through his body. He shivered and she dropped her hand.

Reaching up, he cupped her chin, bringing his lips to hers. She pulled him deeper and he was kissing her feverishly, desperately. He could smell her and it was intoxicating. When the kiss broke, neither could breathe. When she moved and touched his chest, he growled. Low and dangerous. Looking at her he tried to gain control of himself. He was losing control. SHE was making him lose control.

He saw her eyes were dark with desire. She reached up to touch his cheek and he gasped. The skin on his face and neck tingled as if someone had set a live wire to him. It was such an overwhelming sensation that it hurt. Not pain but pure, animal pleasure.

"I can't control this." His voice was a low, bass growl that sounded less human, more animal. He could smell her desire and it was driving him to the brink. He grabbed her arm and pushed her roughly down. "I told you I'm losing control." His voice sounded dangerous, monstrous.

Ailis looked into his eyes and saw something slide behind them. Riddick's beast was in there, waiting to get out. It was looking at her through his eyes. It saw it's mate, it's alpha female.

He pulled at her clothes, tearing them. Getting to her skin was his first priority. Finally, they were both naked, heat rising from them both. Growling, his eyes raked over her body, taking in everything. Her desire was rising.

She reached up and pulled his face close to hers. "Please." She whispered before she kissed him again, hungrily. Her power poured through him, like some warm electric liquid.

Groaning again, he covered his eyes before getting out of the bed. He needed to find her to assess the damage he may have done last night. He knew one thing though, he had found his mate. She had met his beast. She did not run from it, but had embraced it. He knew his beast wouldn't let him survive another two years without touching her.

0o0o0o

It hadn't been hard leaving Riddick's bed without waking him up. Ailis had known that he would sleep soundly, barely moving. Last night had taken much out of him. Flexing her shoulders, she knew that last night had taken much out of her, too. Gingerly, she reached up and touched the bite mark on her shoulder. She could already feel the welt begin to grow. She really didn't want to leave him, but she had some things to take care of. And she had some serious thinking to do. Being in the same room with that man was not conducive to proper thinking. She needed a hot shower to clear her head. And coffee, she needed coffee.

Seeing him like that last night had almost been scary. ALMOST was the operative word. She was surprised at how she had responded to him. She had been told time and time again, that Richard Riddick was an animal. In fact, he had told her that himself. She was surprised that his beast had seen some of that animal in her. Hey, who knew she had it in her. She couldn't wait to tell Sam. And maybe Jack. Just to get a rise out of him.

Entering her quarters, she saw the note right away. It simply stated that she was needed in Embassador Gaius' office to meet with him and Steven. Placing the note aside, she went immediately and took the hottest shower her body would allow.

After showering, Ailis made her way to the cantina before going Embassador Gaius' office. She knew they were expecting her, but they could wait. She wasn't quite sure what this was about, but she could guess. Maybe they had answers that she didn't. But first, she wanted coffee. The hotter, the better.

A soft knock granted her entrance to the large office.

Smiling, the Embassador looked her over. She was a small woman, not much taller than five feet. She had on a black tank top tucked into black jeans. She was wearing big, black work boots. To top the outfit off, she had her Browning hi-power 9mm in a hip holster. She had never been one to adhere to a dress code. And seeing as how she traveled to different prison systems, he figured she could dress comfortably. He preferred to dress more for business, a nice suit did that. "You look like those convicts you represent, dressed like that."

She gave a huge smile. "Sorry, Sir. Must blend in, you know." He smiled and motioned Ailis to sit down.

After taking the empty seat beside Steven, he reached out and gave her arm a quick squeeze. "Are things better?"

She gave him a small smile, shrugging her shoulders. "I'm not sure yet. I may have put him in danger."

Steven nodded. He knew what she was referring to. "We'll talk about that later." He faced the Embassador again. "We have other things to discuss."

Embassador Gaius gave a slight bow of his head. "Did you find who you were looking for, Ms. O'Neill?" He didn't use her title as he was the elder in this case. With much more experience than she.

"Yes, Sir. I did. Imam is very interested in going home. He wasn't aware of the search for him. He hasn't left the station before because he hasn't the funding. I assured him that it has been taken care of. When he is ready, he will be contacting you."

The Embassador nodded. "Very good. Very good. Now as to why Dr. Daus is here. Do you know?"

Ailis blushed. "It's Richard Riddick isn't it?" She wasn't too sure where this was going. She was almost afraid to know. Official meetings about Riddick tended to NOT go well.

Gaius nodded. "We need to find a way to safely get Mr. Riddick off this station."

Ailis looked up sharply. "You're not going to extradite him, are you? Has he done something wrong?" She was getting a bad feeling about this.

"No. No, dear. He has been a model citizen for this past year." He paused to see the surprise in Ailis' face. "Dr. Daus has informed me of your colorful past with him."

Ailis glared at Steven. "Is nothing sacred with you?" But she wasn't angry with her friend.

He shook his head and Ailis chuckled. "You know it isn't. Anyway, it was amazing luck that you came here when you did. That man is going crazy here. Being stuck on this tiny bucket of bolts could do that to anyone. We've been awfully lucky that he hasn't cracked yet."

Ailis looked at Steven with confusion. "But I don't understand what it has to do with me. I can't legally help him. He's a fugitive."

Steven started to argue, but Embassador Gaius interrupted. "But there is dear. YOU, have full diplomatic immunity. You cannot be detained, arrested or subpoenaed as a witness. You cannot be prosecuted. You have not committed any serious crimes."

Gaius could see her guilt all over her face. She lowered her eyes. "But, Sir, I have."

Both the Embassador and Steven started laughing. Steven caught his breath first. "Ailis, who you love is not a crime."

She snorted. "It is when it's WHO you love." Both men laughed harder. They were not making this any easier for her. She started laughing herself, it was kind of funny. In a strange way. "Okay, stop laughing at me. Tell me how I can help him. What does my diplomatic status have to do with things?"

"As his sponsor, he would have the same rights as you. Here, traveling, on Earth and the Helion system. He's not committed crimes in those areas." Gaius was hopeful. He needed to find a solution to this problem. He was starting to feel the heat as he had given the young man safety on this station though there was no legal reason for him to do so. He had given Riddick a second chance and so far it was working. But, he was fast coming to the end of what he could do. Ailis just may be the only solution. And if they played their cards right, there were many governments who would pay Richard B. Riddick well for his talents.

Ailis gave the Embassador a hard look. "But, Sir, the only way for me to sponsor him would be to...oh...you mean I have to...?" She suddenly found that she couldn't say more. Marriage to Richard Riddick was never something she considered. Not for one second. He'd never go for it.

Gaius gave her a warm smile, trying to comfort her. "Yes. As long as he is a recognized family member he has the same legal rights as you."

Steven decided to put in his two sense. "Think about it. You travel alone. You need the muscle. He's got that. He'll protect you with his life. You know that." He reached over and took Ailis' hand. "You are his sanity. You wouldn't believe how much he needs you and relies on you."

Ailis was uncertain. "You'll have to convince him of that." She got up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some thinking to do."

As Ailis rose, both men did also. She almost made it to the door before Steven stopped her. "Ailis, what's that?" He reached out and touched the welt lightly. At was large, red and already starting to purple. He could only guess how she got it.

Ailis flinched at the light touch. It smarted. "Ouch. Don't touch it." She hesitated before she turned around again. She really wasn't ready for a lecture.

She looked at both men, daring them to open their mouths. Embassador Gaius was smart, he stayed silent, his face neutral. Steven was not so smart. "He did that to you last night, didn't he?" There was a hint of anger in his soft spoken voice.

Ailis put her hand on Steven's arm, "Look, Steven, don't ask because I'm not going to tell you. I'm 34 years old. I think I'm a big girl now."

Steven looked to the Embassador for support, but found none. He faced Ailis again. "You are not a big girl, but he most certainly is a big boy." Riddick may be his friend, and he knew that he hadn't even looked at another woman in two years, but that didn't give him a right to use Ailis' body like this. "You may not be fragile, but you WILL break."

Ailis huffed. "Oh, come off it, Doc. In all the years I've known him..." She looked him directly in the eyes, angry. "He has not, I repeat, NOT done anything I haven't let him. Besides, I'm sure I left a mark or two."

She turned away and was out of the door. But not before she saw Steven's jaw drop. He could do nothing but stare at the closed door. He saw in her eyes what he had seen in Riddick's eyes; pure, animal attraction.

Steven heard a soft chuckle behind him. "I told you she was a spitfire. I think our boy Riddick has finally met his match." Gaius couldn't help but smile. That young woman had an energy that he couldn't begin to fathom. He could see why Richard Riddick was so drawn to her. They were suited in so many ways.

"I guess you're right." Steven said as he flopped down in his chair again. He took a huge breath and let it out. "Do you want to fill him in or shall I?" Steven asked.

Embassador Gaius thought. He really didn't want to be in Riddick's shoes when Dr. Daus confronted him about the mark on Ailis. "I think that I'll let you do the honors, my friend."