Ties of Emotion
She laid in his arms, she was tired, but goodly so. The air was heavy around them and she felt it was covering her like a warm blanket. His gentle breathing washing over her neck. His strong arms around her. She knew it was wrong to be with him, but some how it just felt right. Looking up into his dark eyes, she lovingly stroked his cheek.
Her eyes fluttered open as the last of her precious memory left her. She gazed forward not really seeing anything. Mentally slapping herself, she pushed her back up off the soft mattress of her white clad bed. She had been in this ship for a short week now, and was slowly adjusting. Standing up, she stretched then abruptly she stopped. Something had changed, something was wrong.
Shaking her head, as if to clear it, she walked over to her closet and got dressed. Although the feeling stuck with her. Something was wrong. She felt it standing in front of her own face, so clear, and present. Her heart rate was slightly irregular, yet she didn't know why.
Entering the kitchen it got worse, so intense that she felt like she was being strangled. She felt it crawl on her skin, and flow freely through her blood. God, what had happened last night? She wondered warily.
She was alone in the overly white and bare kitchen. Even in the semi-darkness everything felt too bright. The room had an odd chill to it, as if someone had turned on the air conditioner to full blast. The sound of a swoosh cut through the air, as a door opened. She saw a glimpse of black fabric and tanned skin, turning her head quickly she saw it was Riddick. Despite his fluid movements his features were extreme and ragged. He looked like he was cast in stone. His jaw was clenched, and every muscle in his body was pulled tight. In this moment he was terrifying.
He passed by without acknowledging she existed, which she was greatly thankful for. She had a very strong inkling that when Riddick was upset, even the devil himself would be a fool not to be scared. She heard the doors close behind him, and let out a breath. But it was choked off prematurely when Jack walked into the room.
The young girl looked horrible. Jack's clothes were wrinkled, and out of place, it looked like she had dressed in the dark. But that was the least of her problems. She walked around in a haze, almost as if she had been drugged.
Jack looked like a ghost. Her skin held no apparent color. Her complexion was maybe two times lighter then usual. The only color evident was in her semi-red cheeks, that in some spots were pinkish from her tears that had dried. Her brown doe-eyes were half closed, they seemed to be transparent, all the light disappeared. Leaving them flat and endless.
Minx's heart ached. She had seen that in herself recently. But who could it be that did this to Jack. Riddick you bimbo. She realized absently. "Jack?" Minx asked softly touching the girls forearm. But Jack backed away quickly as if Minx just burned her. She said nothing and walked over to the food processor and ordered some warm milk. She just stood there unmoving and slumped over. When she felt Jack, her arm was clammy and cold.
The warm milk appeared in the door of the food processor as Minx's chrono gave a small chirp signaling it was time for Minx to join Riddick in the cargo hold, where they would be doing some repairs. Hocks had told her about it yesterday. Naturally she could care less about that at the moment.
"I'll be fine Minxjust go." Jack whispered weakly. Minx was almost startled to hear her voice. She didn't expect anything. Nodding she turned to leave. But stopped half way to the door. "Jack if you need anything just call me." She said matching Jack's quiet tone. Looking into the kitchen she was startled when she didn't see Jack. She heard a muffled breath, and a slight gasp. Crying.
Minx followed the noise, and found Jack on the white tile floor of the kitchen. Her head on her knees, her hands at her feet. She was shaking slightly. Without missing half a heartbeat she lowered herself onto the floor, and pulled Jack to her side. Jack pulled away, and got up from the floor in a flash of movement. She didn't say a word as her pale form disappeared into the hall. Minx followed at her heels. Jack took a sharp left into her room and shut the door, in her face.
Minx put her hand on it. The metal tingling under her finger tips, her heart racing, her mind and thoughts of logic in a torrid whirl. Running her hand threw her hair, she scrambled to think about what to do.
There were only two times in her life that she had witnessed first hand that pale and sinking feeling. Those two times were enough for her: the news that her parents weren't coming back, and when Deo had died. She remembered the first morning she had woken without him. She looked in the mirror and saw that she was a ghostly white, those transparent brown eyes staring back at her, and felt the cool sticky skin, that all belonged to her. It took her a couple of days for her skin color to return to normal, and her temperature to go back up, but eventually she was okay. She just hoped that Jack would be too.
~~~~~~~Jack
Running into her room she leaned against the solid wall. Her mind was blank and she was doing things on impulse. She wanted to let Minx console her but for some reason she had decided to run. She knew what she looked like and knew how she must have come across to Minx. She felt someone at her door, and guessed without a mini doubt that it was her.
Jack felt hopeless, and tired. She felt like shit because of what happened last night. This morning she realized it had been a total and complete mistake, that she would surely never make again.
"Jack?" She heard Minx's semi-calm voice through the intercom on her wall that was tacked up next to her door. She didn't know if she could answer, her throat was sore from all her gasping and crying. She was exhausted. Letting her head fall back to rest on the cool dry wall, her eyes slid over and gazed at the door.
~~~~~~Minx
Minx let her eyes fall shut as she received no answer from Jack. Damn, what am I going to do? She thought frantically. Quickly she ran though her memories of Raven. Minx remembered an incident very similar to this one that happened several years ago, in a whole other life time. Only it was her in Jack's place and Raven was the one talking to the door. I was so young. So miserable and confused. Minx reflected sincerely. Wondering if that was the way Jack was feeling right now. She decided to try again.
Minx pushed down on the speaker button on the intercom by the door, "Jack?" She called calmly. And was relieved when she heard a muffled sound vibrate through the speaker. After a moment her speaker clicked off and was followed by Jack's very annoyed, but very weak voice. "Yeah, I'm here. So, go away! I don't wanna talk to you." Minx almost obeyed, but the hurt in Jack's voice made her hold her ground.
"What's wrong?" She asked as casually and calmly as she could. There was a long pause. One that was uncertain. Minx shifted her weight to her other foot, and waited.
~~~~~~~Jack
Jack paused. Her eyes flooding up with a new set of tears. She knew that she would probably like this all day. Jack pressed her speaker button on the intercom. ""What's wrong is none of your business Minx." She said as coldly as she could, not knowing how much longer she could keep this act up. She felt so broken-hearted, and emotionally bruised.
"Look, I know that we've only known eachother for a short time but" She began, but Jack rolled her eyes and cut her off. "Your just saying that bull shit to make me feel better, well you know what? I still don't wanna talk to you, and it ain't making me feel better!" Jack said into the speaker.
Apart of her felt the need to be held and comforted. But that part of her was weak. She could get though this by herself, she didn't need any ones help. Not hers, nor Riddick's. Especially not Riddick's. She decided to be stubborn. Something she knew she was good at.
~~~~~~~Minx
Minx took a deep breath. Man, was I always this difficult? She wondered cryptically. Shrugging it off, she returned to the task at hand. "I just wanna know what's going on with you." She said. Not knowing how she came across, and almost not caring. She was just worried. And to tell the whole truthin Minx's eyes Jack was like a little sister to her, therefore she cared. But how could she say something so emotional and syrupy to very a pist teenage girl?
"I don't believe that." The speaker said shortly. Minx had to admit that she felt funny arguing with a speaker. She decided to get stubborn, she wasn't about to loose a fight with a teenager. "Fine, since you don't believe me there is only one thing left to do." She said stopping purposely, hopping that this little trick would force Jack to finish the sentence for her. And to her surprise, she did.
"And what would that be?" She asked sarcastically. Minx gave a slight smile at her small victory. "I have to convince you." She said a little lightness in her voice. At least she got Jack to speak to her, that was something anyway. Now the next step was to get her to let her in. That wasn't going to be as easy.
"And to convince you we're going to play a little game." She said calmly. Taking a chance. She had no clue what she was going to do if this backfired. Maybe I'll just ram the door down. She thought, hopping that it wouldn't come to that, because she didn't know if she was strong enough. "Alright?" She asked. There was no response. She decided to push her luck even farther, feeling rather confident. "Alright, kid?" She knew that would get to her.
~~~~~~~Jack
At the sound of Minx calling her kid, Jack cringed. She sure knew how to rattle her, but just how exactly did she know, was Jack's question. "Kid?" There she went again. Jack clenched her fists. "I'll play your stupid gamejust DON'T call me kid." She ordered furiously. Hoping her anger radiated through the door.
It wasn't really directed at Minx. Mostly at herself, and some to Riddick. Jack noticed the sudden quietness. But it was gone before she could enjoy any of it. "Here's the way it's going to work. You take four steps away from the door. And for every time I say something true about how I think your feeling you take one step towards the door. And for every time I say something wrong you stay where you are. If I get the four right you will find yourself at the door and you'll have to let me in and tell me what's wrong. If I loose, then I leave you alone, and ask no more questions." She said simply.
Jack considered it for a moment. "What if I don't play your little game?" Jack asked smartly, pleased with herself, and just waiting to see how she responded. "I'll get Riddick and he'll break the door down for me. And then you can tell us both what is wrong." She said not missing a beat. Damn, she's tough! Jack thought rolling her eyes. "I'll play." She said reluctantly, already feeling easily defeated.
"Wise." Minx said with a slight smile in her voice. Jack's fists clenched tighter, as she took four steps back. "Alright, ready?" She didn't wait. "Good." There was a slight pause. "Here comes the first one." She said calmly. "It's about one certain guy." She said.
Jack's eye brows shot up slightly as she took a step forward. Only three more to go.
~~~~~~~Minx
Minx was hoping like hell she was right about this. She was only half sure of herself when she threatened to get Riddick. She wasn't quite sure that he would listen to her. She shook her head and did the next one.
"You feel miserable." She said, knowing that this one was plain as day. But it would get Jack at least one step closer to the door (she hoped). Waiting a moment she pressed on. "Your blaming yourself." She really didn't know if her little plan was working.
Before she could open her mouth to say another word, the door opened. Standing there she was face to face with a teary eyed Jack. Minx could help but reach out and touch her shoulder, she was surprised to find that this time she didn't pull away. A second later her tears spilled over onto her cheeks. Minx threw an arm around her and walked into her bedroom.
Jack sat on the floor, and she followed her down. Their backs rested against the bed.
The air around them was filled with the sounds of her almost quiet sobs. She held onto her as Jack cried. Minx's heart wrenched. She felt like she was fourteen again. She rocked her, and smoothed her hand up and down her back. After a few minutes her crying let up a little. "Shhh, its okay." She whispered softly.
Minx closed her eyes, and lost herself in the moment, and in the young girl in her arms. After a while Jack stiffened, and pulled back. "I guess you won, huh?" She asked. Minx shook her head. "Nah." She said, this was a game that had no victory. "I guess I should tell you what's wrong." She said slowly. Minx looked at her for a moment, for the first time noticing she was still cold and pale. "Only if you want to." Minx snagged a blanket from the top of the bed and pulled it around Jack shoulder's, as she rested against the bed, looking worn out, like a tattered rag doll.
~~~~~~~Jack
"You were right it is about a guy. One guy." She said slowly. Knowing that if she didn't tell someone, she was sure to explode, sooner or later. "It all started yesterday when I got a call from a friend of ours, named Imam. Riddick is sending me to live with him. That's why were on this ship." She said, her breath catching on Riddick's name.
Minx was silent as she nodded. Judging by the look in her eyes, Jack guessed that she knew what was coming, or had a very clear hint. "But yesterday I learned that I'm going to have to go to the planet a month early." She said with a distressed sigh. Minx yet again nodded. "But the thing is I don't wanna leave him. And live on that horribly safe and dull planet. It's just that I" She trailed off.
"You love him." Minx stated softly. Jack nodded. "Yeah. And I wanna be with him." She said, relieved that no more tears seemed to be coming. "He told me that he loved me." She said her voice going down to barely a hair above a whisper. "So, last night I came to the conclusion I wanted to tell him I felt the same way, that I" she paused to swallow and regain some of her composure. "Loved him, like he had said he loved me." She said, feeling Minx move slightly closer. Jack appreciated it, even thought she hated to admit the fact that she felt amazingly weak at the moment.
"I got to his room and sat on the bed." She said pushing herself. "That woke him. And with out really thinking about it I blurted out that I loved him." She said. Seeing the night before fresh in her mind like she was there again. She almost felt like her body was being sucked backwards. "He started to say something but I stopped him. I" She paused to ashamed to go on.
Minx didn't say anything. She just waited patiently, gently pulling the blanket around her shoulders. It was several long minutes before she could even begin to find her voice.
~~~~~~~Minx
She watched as the girl in front of her looked away, and hung her head. Burring her face in her hands. "Ikissed him." It came out muffled, but Minx understood. Minx put her arm around her and looked at Jack. She was trying so hard to be strong, and she was exceeding more then she thought. It took so much to admit something like this, and to almost a complete stranger. Jack didn't cry again, but hit her knee with her fist, while abruptly jerking up.
"GOD!!!! How could I have been so blind?" She wondered out loud. Not talking to Minx, but more to herself. "After a moment, he told me that he loved me like he did his daughter. And that he didn't mean it that way. He said he was sorry. But it" This time Minx decided to help her. "But it didn't seem to help things, it only made it worse." She said solemnly, looking at her. "Jack I have to tell you. I did the same. I thought that the man I had been secretly loving, loved me too. Only like a lover not a daughter. It really hurt." She said, watching as she saw Jack nod and understand.
"So, what happened?" Jack asked after a moment of studying her hands, Minx gave her a smirk. "I did the stupid thing. I ran away, and almost got killed. Deo saved me and slowly we got past the fact that he didn't love me that way. It was a long time before I got over that. And you'll get over it too, I swear you will." She finished, already feeling like she said too much.
~~~~~~~Jack
Jack let out a long slow breath. She had gotten it all out, and suddenly the adrenaline had worn off. She yawned. "That's what happened, Minx. My biggest act of stupidity for my entire life." Minx gave her a small laugh. "I could identify with that." She said. Jack could tell that Minx was sad as well. Her shoulders were drooping slightly. And she looked tired herself.
"Look, just get some sleep. If you want, you can take a bath in my Jacuzzi." She offered kindly, a pain in her brown eyes. Jack felt a slight sadness wash through the pit of her stomach for Minx. It must hurt loosing your boyfriend like that, so sudden. Jack shook her head, stopping herself from asking about him just yet.
She yawned again. "I think I'll do that." She said heading towards the hall. Minx followed, they entered her room, then walked into her bathroom. Flicking on the light, the bathroom was flooded with a warm bronze glow. She pulled back the curtain and started the water. "The controls are very simple for the Jacuzzi." She said casually. Pointing them out to Jack. After turning it on, and explaining briefly, she opened what looked like a small closet in the bathroom. Jack raised her eye brows when she realized it led to her walk in closet. She returned with the plush white robe Jack had secretly loved.
"Here, you can use this. The towels are over there. And some of my Jasmine bubble bath rocks are in that dish. Enjoy." With that she disappeared through the door to her walk in closet.
The bath was just what Jack needed. Sinking in, she felt the bubbling suds attack her cold and aching skin. Her head felt light, but her eyes felt heavy. She let out a contented sigh. After about twenty minutes she decided to get out before she fell asleep. Over all she felt better. But she was still cold and her body still ached.
~~~~~~~Minx
Sinking down into the loveseat against the wall Minx gazed absently at the door to her bathroom. She felt so happy that she could help Jack out. Then a thought popped into her head. Oh My God! She never showed up to work. She knew that Riddick and Hocks would be pist at her, but screw them, Jack was in the middle of having a mini-breakdown. It was definitely more important that she help her, then work on some damn machine.
She knew that Jack must be feeling better, but for the life of her she still couldn't shake the feeling that there was still something wrong. What else could it be? She wondered. Concentrating to the max of her present abilities. She had to admit, going through it with her, made Minx rethink her life and love as well. And she came up with one very simple and depressing answer. She had nothing. No real life, and her love was gone. Drawing a shaky breath she closed her eyes to stop the threat of tears.
The Jacuzzi shut off, and there was a whoosh of sliding door, in came Jack. Wrapped in her white robe. Quickly and quite frenzied she struggled to regain her control. Fortunately doing it just in time, she looked up and gave Jack a small and warm smile. Jack didn't need to be burdened with her problems, Jack had enough of her own as it was already. Jack returned the smile.
Immediately Minx noticed that Jack was still rather pale. "I think you should get some rest." She said, knowing that food might not be the best thing right now for the girl's sensitive stomach, or sensitive anything. Jack gave a small nod and headed to her own room. Minx followed just to make sure she would be okay. Her movements were still slightly off and shaky.
After she had helped get her into bed she went back to her room and changed into something a little more warm and comfortable, before heading to the kitchen to get some food. The mood in the apartment had changed from intense to tranquil and peaceful. Like a tomb. She reflected, waiting at the food processor for her eggs, pancakes, and bacon. She made herself some coffee. A few moments later she sat down at the table and ate in silence.
She ate slowly, knowing that it didn't help to eat in a rush when she was in mood such as this one. It was a combination of relief, stress, and slight case of optimism. Sitting there she began to wonder what she would tell Riddick when he got back wondering where the hell she had been all morning. She was dreading that, but was fully prepared to go toe to toe with him. Even if it meant getting into dangerous waters with him, she'd do it, because she had a damn good reason. She knew he loved Jack. She saw it the first morning she had been in this kitchen.
He changed around her. He was almost human. Smiling slightly she drank the last of her coffee, and put the dirty plates back into the food processor. It was about either late mourning or mid-day. Time seemed to either stop or change when you go threw an event so emotional, the lines blur between eternity and a second. So she had no idea what time it was, all she hoped for was that it wasn't time for Riddick's lunch break. Just then logic kicked in, (and for that she was very thankful), If Riddick was so upset he probably wouldn't come back to the apartment. There was a chance that she might be right. She didn't know quite how to handle him yet.
He was very interestingRichard B. Riddick. He was quiet and had the movements of a panther. He was like the wind. It could surround you, and give you conflicting feelings. His cold presence made her shiver, and wonder what he would do next.
But yet whenever he was around Jack, he was so warm and loving. Yet all those feelings could be gone in the blink of an eye. Like the wind that ruffles your hair and caresses your face, but then dies to never return. It goes somewhere (that wind), she always wondered where, like she did when she saw his emotions disappear so quickly.
Walking into the hall she decided to check on Jack. Holding onto the open button while opening the door she effectively slowed it down. She was relived to find a comfortably sleeping Jack. Except she was still somewhat pale, gently feeling her forehead, she was happy to find that her body temperature was back up. Taking one last look at her she turned and exited the room, leaving without a trace that she was ever there.
Returning to the kitchen to get a glass of water, a medium sized, bright tan package caught her eye. It was propped up on the coffee table. She walked into the livingroom, not taking here eyes off the package. As she neared the coffee table, the scrolled handwritten letters became clearer and clearer. When she was practically right on top of it, she looked down and saw her name dead center in the middle of the envelope.
Cautiously she picked up the package holding it at it's edges using only her finger tips. Her heart skipped a beat. If you took the slant out of the letters, they'd be practically identical to Deo's handwriting. Boy, I just see him in everything. Even when he's not there . She thought as she ran her hands over the lettering.
Turning the package around to face the back, she slowly peeled the flap up and away from where it was joined to the paper. The package was light, and she couldn't yet see exactly what it was, she knew it was soft. Looking inside her eyes widened, until they felt like they were going to fall right out of their sockets. It can be! It couldn't, could it? She took out the maroon and soft orange and pink sunset colored silken scarf. A flicker of white caught her eye, as a piece of cream cardstock fluttered down towards the glass top of the coffee table. She watched it, almost reluctant to pick it up, for the fear of what it had to say, made her hands seem to lock up.
She turned her attention back to the scarf. She ran her fingers threw it, familiar with it's softness, and it's texture. It was as soft as a baby's skin, so perfect, as if you some how made a cloud real and rolled it out flat into a piece of fabric. It was hers, from her seventeenth birthday. Deo had gotten it from his great, great grandmother, to give to a special lady. And he had given it to her. It had been a touching moment in her young life. One of happiness and sheer triumph over everything, when she realized that she was finally loved by another. Getting up the courage, her shaky right hand picked up the folded cardstock.
It was heavy and brittle under her fingers as she flipped it open and began to read. Although what she read made her whole world grind stop.
My dear Em,
I miss you so much. Even though we are not together, and you don't feel that you know mewe do know eachother. I've had this scarf in my possession ever since you dropped it in the drain that one Halloween night. I knew you'd love to have it back, even thought I was reluctant to give it up. I realized that the scarf mean nothing if I couldn't see you wear it. And soon I will. We will be together, and I'll take you away from where ever you are. Remember that I love you. Don't ask how, or why. Or even who I am. I feel like we've known eachother for the longest time.
All My Love.
She read it again three more times. Who was he? She wondered. How did he know about Deo's pet name for her Em. When he first took her into his home she was so scared that she wouldn't tell him anything even her name. He said that she looked like an Emma, so he started calling her Em. Then there was the thing about her loosing the scarf on Halloween night. She was so confused, she didn't know what to think. She jumped abruptly when the sound of heavy metal hitting the floor with a crash made her snap out of her hypnotic state.
Racing to Jack's room she burst in, and saw that Jack had just turned over and knocked off the clock. Putting it back on the nightstand she looked at Jack. She noticed she was still pale, and that her breathing was coming short, and shallow. She felt Jack's head and she was cold. Swearing she turned sharply and punched the numbers of the key pad quickly. Dialing the only person she could think of, Hocks. Hocks picked up on the first ring. "Yeah Minx?" He asked worriedly. "Hock get up here now. Something's wrong with Jack, she needs to get down to the medical ward right away." She said quickly. "Hang on." He hung up.
Minx turned her attention back to the girl, her breath was even but she still had all the other symptoms. A moment later Hocks came in. Wordlessly, he scooped up Jack and they were out the door. "Take her, I'll be right there I just gotta leave a not for Riddick." She called after him. "Right." He yelled over his shoulder. Minx scribbled a note. And raced after him. But found that he was already gone. She waited for the next elevator, and took it to the medical ward.
Once there, she saw Jack on the bed. An older male doctor looking over her. Doing the usual. She bit her bottom lip fiercely, as tears began to fill her eyes. She felt Hocks put a tight arm around her. Funny how the rolls reversed from only just a half an hour ago, now she was the one that needed consoling. "God, please let her be okay." She said in a hoarse and strained voice. "She'll be alright. I won't let anything happen to her." Hocks reassured her. Maybe it was desperation, maybe it was sheer optimism, and maybe it was hope. But whatever it was, it made her believe him entirely.
"Go find Riddick he needs to know." Hocks said softly. Not even thinking about that he might sill be mad, Minx turned and headed for the double doors. But before she could, the doctor came up to Hocks. She turned on her heel and ran up to the two men. "What's wrong with her Doc?" She asked passionately, her eyes filled with tears. The doctor looked at her with a surprised expression. One that she ignored. The look on her face must've been something like, horrified crossed with sadness, which was exactly what she was feeling. She couldn't loose Jack, she couldn't take another person in her life dying. She held her breath and waited.
"Jack will the fine, she's just had an allergic reaction to the man made oxygen the ship puts out. I gave her a shot of Foleem. It's an antibiotic that'll make her comfortable and restore her health. Heath meaning: her breathing, temperature, and skin pigment."
"Then I can go ahead and treat her for the allergy. Very simple. Just two shots and in two to three days she'll be fine. But it was a blessing that you got her down here, she could have gone into a coma if you hadn't." He said mostly talking to Hocks, but also paying attention to Minx. She let out her breath, as tears of happiness started to fall.
She turned to Hocks. "Go find Riddick now. She'll probably want him here." He said softly. "I donno." Minx hesitated. "They got into a fight last night, really bad, Jack was crushed." She said softly. And for some weird reason Hocks seemed to understand. "Bring him in here anyway." He said calmly. Minx nodded, finally heading out the sliding doors. The hall outside was quiet, no one traveled it.
Walking up to the elevator she pushed the button and immediately the doors opened, and standing in front of her was a deadly looking Riddick. Before she could even blink, she was pinned against the elevator wall and the doors were closed. Damn he's quick! She thought in horror. And strong. She felt the death grip on her wrists, and it was beginning to hurt. Not to mention her head, the back of it had been slammed against the wall while he had pinned her.
She slowly opened her eyes, and a shiver of horror ran through her. That endless goggled stare, and that blank cold expression. If looks could kill, she would have been dead before she even opened her eyes to see that face. She felt her limbs begin to shake, and her body begin to seat. There was fear welling up inside of her even before he spoke. Which didn't mean that he needed to, he was striking the fear of god into her already. It was choking her throat and racing through her veins.
"What happened?" He asked quietly. His tone calm, detached, and colder then anything she could ever imagine. Struggling to even remember if she had a voice she could only just blink at him. "Idonno." She said faintly. Out of no where a silver glint of blade came to rest right beneath her jaw. "Oh, I think you do." He whispered. Before she could answer, the doors opened, and larger hands grasped Riddick, followed by a Hock's voice. "Riddick!" He said harshly. Minx slid back down to the floor, her heart beating in her ears. She was hopping for her own sake that this day didn't hold anymore surprises.
~~~~~~~Jack
Jack awoke to a gray ceiling, and Minx's soft face. "Hey." She said weakly. Jack could only give a faint smile. She had tubes running into her arms. Her vision was blurry, and her head felt light. Not to mention her mouth was dry, and her skin felt like it was vibrating, and moving on it's own. She felt outside of her own body, like her spirit was just floating in space.
The air was warmer now, she felt it dance at the tip of her nose. Her mind and heart were flying, as she realized that this almost apparent stranger had just saved her life. Jack took Minx's hand and gave it a light squeeze, it was all she could do to thank her. Minx seemed to understand.
She closed her eyes for a moment, and intended to open them, but was taken back into the calming and picturesque universe that was her dreams. Some time, she felt a familiar hand hold hers. She knew it was Riddick's. She saw his face then the hospital room behind him came into focus.
She saw his lips moving, and his silver shined eyes glinting. The soft rainbow of her medical equipment reflecting there. His skin seemed to glow. "I'm sorry Jack please forgive me. I didn't mean to hurt you so much. You gotta understand.." But she cut him off, now hearing her own voice, as if wasn't coming from her.
"I do understand Riddick. Knowing you love me at all is enough. Listen to meI'm getting soft." She said. He gave her a rare smile. "Your not " His hand moved to stroke her cheek and in that moment, it was like she had just woken up, and it felt so real. " The only one." He finished his sentence, what followed was a sweet and forever endearing silence. She was so happy, that if she wasn't completely rid of all her energy she would have cried. She had two people that cared for her. Riddick and Minx.
This was just an amazing day. When she opened her eyes again, she was in her own bed, surrounded by the comforting darkness, that had once been a nightmare. Sighing lightly she let her eyes roll closed, as she snuggled into her fluffy sheets, and pillows. She couldn't help but feel that never again would her life be the same.
