Dear reader,

I know I haven't updated this story in over a year, for those who've read this story and wanted more I'm sorry I couldn't update sooner. But this chapter was almost lost when the disk it was on got destroyed, the other day I founda copy of it somewhere else and I thought I'd post it.

My reason for it was because I already have an idea for a sequal, the sequal takes place after the Chonicals of Riddick and fits perfectly.

This is the second to the last chapter in this story, and depending on how many people want to read more I'll finish this story. Again sorry for the long wait, I hope you enjoy...

Jacks 1st Goodbye:

Waning, fuzzy bleakness, red fire, blue throbbing pain, a blurry nothing. Bolting up right in her bed her eyes flew open only to be met by darkness. She looked around the room, and for a moment she couldn't remember where she was.

Suddenly her head grew heavy then seemed to lighten as her world spun. Groaning she slowly lay back in bed and put her hand over her eyes. "Oh, holly shit." Minx said quietly, suddenly hearing a chuckle somewhere from in front of her.

"Now I know you are alright." Jack appeared at the side of her bed as she said this and then moved closer to study her.

Minx laughed gently, but her head throbbed in pain. A small hiss left her and she felt Jack's worried gaze. Once the pain stopped Minx reopened her eyes and sat up slowly.

She breathed heavily out and returned her gaze, "What's wrong girl, you got that deer in the headlights look again."

Jack snapped out of it and shook her head, "Hey, I was just worried about you that's all." She shrugged like it was nothing but Minx could tell that there was more to it than that.

"How long have I been out?" She found herself asking slowly; suddenly feeling like her body was made of lead.

"Oh, about twelve hours, that's all." Jack answered cynically, making her laugh, although it hurt her head to do so.

"Well excuse me for getting thrown into a wall." She fired back; Jack smirked at her in return and then toyed with the comforter underneath her. There was a moment of silence before she heard a sniffle, then another and another.

Slowly she sat up and tried to look at Jack's silhouette, "Jack what-"

Jack sighed and leant against her, "I've been worried about you. And today's the last day before I leave."

"Oh shit, really?" Minx asked softly, feeling her throat lock up with emotion. She hadn't expected it to come so soon.

"I don't wanna go to damn Luna 7." Jack groaned quietly.

Minx knew that Luna 7 was no place for a restless teen age girl like her, she knew that Jack wouldn't be happy but more importantly she would be safe. And Riddick was right to put her in a safer environment, even though she knew he would miss her too.

Minx shook her head, "You think you got problems, I feel like a ninety year old woman."

She giggled a little louder with a slight smile, just then Minx heard a familiar voice from the hall, "Jack?"

"In here Riddick." She responded.

Minx's stomach convulsed quickly as her door slipped open once again. Riddick's large frame filled the doorway and unknowingly her fist gripped the blanket.

She let a breath go and tried to calm her heart, knowing with out one doubt why it was fluttering like mad. "She's awake and swearing, I think she'll be fine." Jack said lightly, breaking Minx's trance.

"Great." Riddick said cynically, a slight smirk playing on his full lips. At her lazy description Minx shook her head as if to clear it but it did little to no good.

Riddick stayed at the door way as Jack still sat on her bed. In the next moment Jack turned from Riddick back to Minx and continued watching her, "So how are you feeling, I mean really?"

"Uh Jack…Imam's on the c.o.m for you in my room." Riddick said suddenly.

Minx saw Jack roll her eyes, "Alright, that holy man never leaves me alone." She trudged across the room and almost glared at Riddick but didn't as Minx watched her go.

Jack disappeared around the corner and Riddick moved to let her pass. There was a moment of silence before anyone spoke, it seemed to be hesitant and uncomfortable, Minx hated it.

She couldn't tell where his eyes were resting. He had those menacing goggles on, and with those in place she never knew what was going on in that mind of his. She knew for a fact that the rest of this day was going to be more than awkward.

Riddick nodded and left the doorway. Minx slowly got up off of the bed and felt her body stiffen in pain. Crossing the small room she opened the door into the small bathroom to find a shower stall and a toilet, nothing else but a small sink and one towel hung on the wall.

Opening the door to the shower she turned on the water and stepped inside. She let the water run down her body and wash away the fog of unconsciousness from her senses. She stood there motionless for the longest time, willing the knots in her body to go away.

She hated feeling stiff, it always made her feel vulnerable and weak. Sighing she leant her back against the cold tile and let her head fall back gently. Her hand absently went to her wrist to check the gaping burn that she remembered from the day before, but instead of a wound she was met with a slightly damp strip of gauze.

Looking down she saw the neatness of it and how perfectly it was done. Secure and almost water resistant it was wrapped about five times around her wrist with extreme care and skill.

She then moved her eyes to the burns and cuts on her arms and found they too had been perfectly taken care of, and were now almost cured. She ran a fingertip down her left arm and found that each of them were mended in the right way.

Suddenly her exploration stopped when she realized who must've done it all, "Riddick?"

(Riddick)

He stood alone and motionless at the counter in the small kitchen off of the cockpit. His breaths left him in slow calculated moments as he willed himself to calm down, but it was no use.

The whisper of a gushing shower filled his ears and his body started to warm to the thoughts of Minx that were running through his mind; feelings and images that had ceased from the moment he started to care for Jack.

They weren't friendly, but a lot more than that, less innocent than that. He couldn't hear Jack's voice speaking to Imam, so Jack couldn't bring him back to reality, but soon the distant close of a door did.

The shower had been shut off and now a full silence filled his ears, allowing him to think even more. The night before he hadn't slept at all, didn't think to dream, just closed his eyes and continued to breathe.

He remained in bed till the lull of his chrono-watch's alarm raised him from his bed. He kept the ship dark until Jack awoke and then he resumed flying the ship, getting lost in the stars and programming set course to Imam and the holy land of New Mecca.

He was lost in the stars till he heard Jack's loud laugh from down the hall, it was then that he snapped out of it. When he came into Minx's room he found her not only awake but watching him.

"Jack tells me she's going to Luna 7 today," Riddick's thoughts were shattered as he turned to see a slightly healthier Minx standing in the doorway, "how much longer till we reach this holy world?"

He looked at her for a long moment and saw that she looked stronger than when she was in the bed the night before; he silently thanked god that she was okay. As the desperate thought passed he made sure to keep his face blank. He turned fully to lean against the counter and crossed his arms; "We'll reach it in about four or five hours."

Minx's eyes seemed to carry a slight sadness as she nodded and dropped her gaze, "Alright."

She walked forwards into the kitchen and Riddick sealed himself for whatever was going to happen. When she stopped five feet from him she was close enough that he could see her in more detail.

Her once slightly oily hair was now soft and shimmering, her skin clean of dirt and bright under the minimal light. She was observing him just as he was her, she seemed to run her eyes over his face and keep them there as if trying to read him.

She looked like she wanted to say something but she remained silent. The food processor chimed with his breakfast as she ran her hand through her hair. He left the plate in the food processor and refused to drop his eyes from hers.

He was waiting for her to speak, to say something, and this time he didn't have to wait long, "Thank you for saving my life." She said softly, pausing to intertwine her fingers with each other and raise her eyes back to his face.

He saw her face was genuine, but even with his feelings for her, somehow he couldn't find a way to be sincere back, "I can't let that Merc ghost my ass, he didn't work hard enough." Once he said it he felt like kicking himself.

Her face remained emotionless but her eyes flashed quick disappointment. Minx nodded her head softly and turned to leave, "I understand." Her voice was hollow but quiet as Riddick felt himself grab her hand to stop her.

She froze as he did and remained with her back to him. His chest felt tight as he pulled her back, hesitantly she went but still didn't look at him as he turned her around to face him.

Riddick raised her face to his and felt the corners of his lips tip into a slight smile, "Plus, I couldn't let that bastard hurt you." He said quietly, holding her chin steady he as his thumb lightly ran over her bottom lip.

His hand moved to the side of her face as he pressed his lips to hers none too softly, feeling her return his kiss with the same desire. Her hard breath and soft lips pushed against his own, sparking a want in him he wasn't used to. Before he could kiss her back he felt her draw a sharp breath and pull away. His eyes flew open and the moment was broken, every tender feeling he felt disappeared into the darkness of his mind, and anger quickly took its place.

Riddick disregarded the hurt look on her face or the sparkle in her honey eyes as he brushed past her and went into the cockpit. He took his seat and forced himself to stay there, he'd be damned if he went back in there to ask her why.

(Jack)

"Well my child I hope to see you soon. Everything is ready down here and the Shieldra's can't wait to meet you." Imam said gently, she could do nothing but put on a smile and fight back the threatening tears.

"The Shieldra's are a type of nun right?" Jack asked vaguely, remembering that she read something about them a while back, liking their name but not their purpose.

She watched the Imam on the screen bow his head slightly, "Bless them, they are. Shieldra's are here to be a mother to the children at the convent; making sure that they get everything they need, do what they need to do, stay healthy, be at peace. You might mind it at first but in time you'll see that they're not so bad."

Jack refused the urge to swear or roll her eyes, knowing that in due time she could never swear again, "Well I do my best Imam, but I donno how got that is." She said plainly, "I don't know very much about living your life."

"I understand Child. But you'll be fine if you accept it." He replied patiently, "Well I must go and pray, but I shall see you soon, I wish you vigor."

Then the screen went blank and with a beep Imam was gone. When she was sure the c.o.m was off she sat back in her chair and closed her eyes, "Holy mother of Plato." She breathed loudly, "How am I gonna swallow that shit every day?"

Lifting herself out of the chair she pushed it in and turned, but then stilled. She stood for a long moment in the realization that she was in Riddick's bedroom. She stood motionless while looking down at the big bed before her. With a quick realization and a little imagination her heart started beating faster and faster.

Down casting her eyes she pushed the thoughts away and forced her legs into motion. They carried her into the darkness of her room; suddenly emotion consumed her, flinging herself to the center of her bed she let the tears finally fall.

Some time later she opened her eyes to find them burning and dry, but she couldn't even feel the pain as the hot tears hit her arm and slipped down her skin. Into the mattress her tears went as she lay still except for the random quake of her body every now and then.

She cried for a while longer, by the time her eyes reopened her skin felt clammy and warm. Sighing tiredly she pushed herself up and sat with her legs crossed Indian style with her feet folded tightly over her knees.

With another breath she got off of her bed again and found herself crossing the small room and heading out the door. But once in the hall she stopped. Where was she going in such a hurry anyway?

Her brow furrowed in thought as she looked down the hall one way then turned her head and looked in the opposite direction. She knew she had two completely opposite options, yet she chose the one she knew she needed.

Her feet turned and walked down the hall, her bones tensed a little not knowing what to expect. As she reached her destination she began to chicken out, but she knew she needed to speak her mind, and this was the only way to do it.

Slipping in to the empty chair she cast her eyes to the left of her, they landed on him, the only 'him' that she knew. She crossed her legs then held herself completely still. He seemed not to see her at first but after a long while he stirred and looked to her blankly.

She took a short breath and met his goggled stare, "I know it won't be long now. But, Riddick I'm asking one last time…" Jack paused to summon all her courage then she spoke again, "Let me stay with you a while longer, I won't be any trouble, you don't have to raise me anymore, I can't take care of myself."

Riddick returned his gaze to the infinity of space before them and slowly shook his head, "I can't. I'm sorry Jack, but you know my reasons."

Jack was surprised to hear the raw emotion in his voice; it was sincere and heavy, thick and filling. She never could run from that voice, but now that it held life and feeling, she knew that it would haunt her for the rest of her days of that dust bowl of a planet.

She looked to him with a clouded glaze and nodded, "I understand."

When she said this Jack noticed that Riddick's hands balled up into fists so white that it startled her, "What's wrong?"

But he didn't look at her, his jaw just clenched and unclenched tightly as he reached across and snapped in his restraint, "Strap in kid." His voice was back to being cold and she missed the emotion already.

An invisible force hit the ship head on and with a jolt a vibrant yellow hue surrounded them. Her eyes screwed shut as she hoped like hell that she hadn't just been blinded for life. Now her own hands were balled up into fists as the ship heaved and twisted through the atmosphere of New Mecca.

With a sharp jolt the violent light and shakings ceased, replaced with a vast skyline of an ancient world utopia. Tile red domes and tan earth walls made up a planet of holy palm trees and dust, all under a clear blue sky that held three suns and two moons.

The sight did take her breath away, but then again seeing the blazing fires of hell would probably have the same breathtaking effect on her. Riddick pivoted the ship over the city just as the cockpit's smaller c.o.m. Microphone beeped and a voice emitted from the speaker, "Welcome to New Mecca Mr. Laughton. Please state your business here."

"Visiting friends and bring in a new resident. I have no cargo and no business here." Riddick reported evenly.

"Very good sir, please enjoy your stay and dock in Port 563. There is a gentle man by the name of Imam, rector Imam, are you expecting him as your welcoming party Sir?" The man asked.

"Yes I am." He said simply.

"Very well." The voice spoke no more and the c.o.m clicked off. Jack felt the swoop and jerk as they pulled into the busy port. Just as they did she heard footsteps from behind her.

Turning in her seat she saw Minx coming from the small hallway. She stood up and rushed forward, throwing her arms around Minx in a hard embrace. Minx hugged her back and breathed shakily, sounding as if she was crying. Jack could tell because she was crying as well.

"I'm gonna miss ya girl." Minx said softly, "You made these last months of hell fun."

Jack pulled back to look at her friend, "Same here Minx. I'll miss ya too." She paused to hug her again but Minx broke the hug and stepped back about a foot.

Jack watched her draw out a beautiful sparkling bracelet. Without looking twice Jack knew it was the one that she saw the night that Minx let her use her Jacuzzi on the ship. It glistened all the colors of the universe, making Minx's brown eyes reflect all the light that the bracelet held.

She held it out to Jack but Jack shook her head, "I can't-"

But Minx cut her off with a slight smile, "I want you to take this. Raven gave it to me when I was around sixteen. She said to give it to someone the same age that wouldn't betray me. I've got to keep up the tradition so I'm giving it to you."

Jack hesitantly let Minx slip it onto her wrist. Jack watched her do it and noticed that Minx's painted fingernails still matched her own. Taking a sharp breath they both smiled and comically shook hands.

It was then that Minx stepped back again and Jack knew she had one more person to say good-bye to. It was then that she turned to Riddick. He didn't remove his goggles but he embraced her as tight and loving as she'd ever been shown.

She nearly died of happiness and sorrow in his arms in those few moments that were only hers. She locked her arms around his waist and clung to him as he straightened and kissed her forehead briefly.

She opened her eyes just as he pulled back to looked down into her face. His hands still gripped her shoulders as he drew a breath and let a sigh be known, "Take care of yourself Kid, remember what I taught ya, even here in this peace hole."

Not being able to speak she could only manage a nod as she put her hands over his and gave them a slight squeeze. Holding her breath she looked at him for one last moment, "'Bye Riddick."

"G'Bye Jack." He said finally. Something told her that it was time, so she let his hands go and stepped back too. She turned and walked towards the door, sadly knowing that neither Riddick nor Minx could follow for it was too dangerous.

So she glanced at the door for three seconds before pushing the green button to the side of it. With a blink the door opened and her feet moved forwards, taking her into the blinding yellow sunlight of New Mecca.

Walking down the small plank down into the runway she blindly met Imam and his family where he waited at a safe distance. She didn't look back until she heard the familiar roar of Riddick's engines, knowing he was gone.

Well now it is up to you, please tell me if you want to continue, if I don't get any I might just post anyway...I'm trying to decide, I'm still proud of this story, so I might just want to finish it.

Anne