Author's Note: This chap's really short, I know. Oh well, it is what it is.

Chapter Twenty


"Come here," he beckoned for her. Riddick was standing on the lip of the roof, the heals of his boots hanging over the edge. Carefully, Jack joined him, facing the expanse beyond. Her balance wasn't as good as his. He pivoted expertly to face the same direction. He placed his hand millimeters in front of her belly, just in case she slipped. She bit the inside of her cheek, weary of her present surroundings. "Close your eyes."

Showing a tremendous amount of trust, she did so with out hesitation. For a moment she rocked on the balls of her feet. He twisted his fist into the hem of her shirt to steady her. When she was stable, he gently let go, letting her stand on her own. "What's it like?" he asked.

"Empty. Like I could step off and fall forever."

"Is it good?" He scanned her face. Her features revealed everything before she said anything.

"It's scary," she said flatly.

He nodded. "Good." It felt that way every time he took a leap. Just knowing that if he fell short he'd fall down for good was enough to drive him into focus. Fear helped him to center himself. It was some how comforting to know that standing on the brink made her feel the same way. One more connection to humanity.

"I wish I could fly," she said absently, eyes still held shut. His own irises traveled to the sky, but he didn't say anything.

"Jack!" Imam had once again been forced to search for her, and when he discovered her on the roof, practically poised to jump, he was shaken and couldn't help but call out.

He had surprised them both. Jack lost her balance and jerked forward. Riddick set his jaw and caught her reflexively, pulling her to himself. He glared at Imam, who was rushing to them.

"Riddick, I have been-"

"Tolerant. I know."

Imam escorted Jack away from the edge to the center of the roof. "Please," he begged her, "Do not come up her any more."

She pulled away from him, "I will if I want to."

"No," said Riddick, "He's right." She hadn't been in any danger, not until the holy man had decided to sneak up on them, any way. Even so, they were in his house. Imam could call the police any time he wanted to. If he felt it was time for Riddick to go, he would have to go.

The tunic-clad man turned to him and smiled greatfuly, "Thank you." He laid an assuring hand on Jack's shoulder that did not linger, then retreated down the fire escape.

Riddick swallowed. Another window had just been opened. Imam respected him. He'd shown it, plain as day, in his smile. Maybe saving a man's life really did count for something. Once again, his understanding of his fellow man was rattled.

Jack nodded in the direction of the stairs, "We don't really have to do what he says, you know?"

Riddick shook his head, "We should."

She ran up beside him and peered over into the ally way below, "It's not that far."

"Far enough."

She looked up into his face, searching for an answer to her question before she asked it, "Why?" He shrugged and turned, striding towards the escape. She was on his tail. She reached out and caught the back of his shirt, "Why'd you wanna show me that?"

He halted and spun around. She bit her lip expectantly. He held up his palm in front of her, "Give me a punch."

She raised an eyebrow, not sure if he was serious. Apparently he was. She shrugged, what the heck? She balled her fist and took a swipe, landing it smack dab in the middle of his hand. When she made contact he closed his fingers over hers. Her hand completely disappeared in his.

He bent down slightly, "You'll have to work on that," he said, dropping her fist. Then he was gone, down into the house.

x.X.x

"Helion Prime," Will commented, spirited. "What's in the bag she left for us, Dawn?"

The team was rolling through space towards the Helion system. Will was piloting the craft, Fuse sat beside her. Dawn unstrapped herself and swept the duffel bag into her lap. She shuffled through its contents rapidly, "Looks like hard copy files and some notes. A folder for Riddick and one for some guy named Abu Imam al-Walid. She's also got a thing here on a kid. I'll look it all over before we touch down. Oh, and what's this?" She pulled out a stack of paper credits, "Something to wet our appetites?"

"Whoa," Wake reached out for the money, but Dawn held it out of his reach. "No private party ever hands out creds in advance."

"This chick's serious," Will noted.

"We all ready for cryo?" asked Fuse, "Puppy's geared up for supra when ever we wanna make the jump."

"I'm ready," affirmed Dawn, "But bring us out early so I can read all this stuff and we can get aquatinted with these three boys in the bag."

They hooked themselves in, individually shoving the IVs that carried the cryo juice into their own arms. As soon as their eyes fluttered shut it seemed like they were opening again. The trip felt instantaneous. The ship woke them gently, letting them know they were drawing near to the desired destination.

Dawn read the files and Kali's notes out loud to the crew. When she was done they went about discussing a strategy. "No, we can't do that," scoffed Will, plowing down a stupid suggestion from Gatback. "We need an in. We've got to get to him. We know he won't come quietly, and we all want to get out of there in one piece."

"The kid..." said Mac quietly, almost to himself.

They all perked up and turned their full attention on him. "Now there's an idea," nodded Will with a smile.