Notes to:

Scouse – Yep, you're right this is definitely going to be a Jack/Riddick. It will just take a few more chapters…and by a few I think six or so. But it will definitely get there. Sorry about that age problem, it does come up in a later chapter but in school Jack turns 18 and Liege is 19. Thanks for the review!

Bluerose – Thanks for the review, hopefully the plot will keep you interested.

Fan – thanks for the review, as well. Glad you liked it and I think it still stays catchy, but I can only hope.

Chapter II: Not So Safe After All

"Liege to Jack. Liege to Jack. Jack, are ye there?" Liege's accented voice sounded confident over the intercom.

"Jack here. How is the situation?"

"Quiet. Loaded?"

Jack double-checked the ammunition. "Fully. You?"

"Same. The enemy is centered between us. Rick 'n Falc are meetin' up with us halfway round."

"Rick to Liege and Jack."

"Good to hear ye, Rick. Falc?"

"Falc in. Clear shot of the enemy now."

"Lock and load. Jack 'n I will be up soon."

"Confirmed." The male voice cut off over the intercom.

Risking a glance over the rubble that was once a wall, Jack saw the signal. Locking the safety, she bent low and ran across the cracked pavement. Not disturbing one pebble, she almost glided to the taller, abandoned buildings.

Liege ran through the jagged edges of rock and stone, keeping the building in sight and her finger on the trigger. Reaching the building, she found an open window and jumped it, landing gracefully in the darkened room.

She glanced up as she saw a cloud of dust arise and saw Jack had done the same. Nodding briefly, Liege stood and ran to the back room, which was occupied by a pile of broken tables and chairs.

Jack carefully weaved through the broken pieces of wood, careful not to catch on anything. Arriving in the back, left-hand corner she grinned as she saw the hatch that matched almost perfectly with the floor.

Removing a titanium knife from her boot, Liege tapped the blade to the wall, causing Jack to glance up. Tossing the knife, Jack caught it single-handedly and got to work.

Liege stood at the door of the room, looking out for anyone else. Looking back she saw Jack had wedged the hatch open with the knife and was now checking for clearance.

Hearing three taps on the wall, Liege backed up and ran to the hatch, jumping over a broken table. Motioning for Jack to get in first, she dropped through, pulling the hatch closed behind her.

They didn't need light because they knew the route with their eyes closed. Finally after ten minutes of a fast jog, they reached the end of the tunnel.

Liege motioned for Jack to switch spots and as they did, Jack passed the knife back to her. Holding the blade, Liege tapped the hilt of the weapon on the ceiling in a pattern. Jack breathed softly and began to grin when she saw the ceiling being removed.

Blinking at the daylight, Jack was grateful for the strong arm pulling her up. She saw that it was Rick who had let them up this time.

Readjusting the light, she was on the lookout as Rick and Liege covered their tracks. Soon the trio was sprinting through the forest that the tunnel ended up in.

Coming to the edge, they saw Falc crouching over the cliff-side, watching the activity below. He stood and pointed down, where Liege and Jack took in the scene.

"Three snipers, four body guards." Liege confirmed, scanning the area.

"This won't be too hard, they're expecting a ground attack. Let's take out the snipers as quickly as possible then the four body guards." Rick suggested, checking to make sure his ammunition was ready to go.

"Jack, Falc, ye agree?" Liege asked, still watching the ongoings of the enemy.

"Fine by me." Jack replied, seeing Falc nod.

"Good. Falc, yer with me. Rick, Jack ye be together on this one. Falc and I will get the snipers, ye two take out the guards." Liege ordered.

"Let's make this quick and as clean as possible." Rick added, and soon he and Jack were making their way through the forest to a hidden path down the cliff.

The mirror reflected a troubled man, one who was unsure of his past decisions. Just in the other room, he was housing a criminal, a criminal who cared about a girl planets away.

Growling, Riddick splashed his face with cold water, washing away the hair he had just shaved off. Cleaning his shiv, he dried off with a towel. Stalking to the bed, he sat on the edge, his face in his hands.

"Riddick?" A small voice stopped him in the doorway. Cursing silently, he turned to see Jack dressed in one of his shirts. Completely oversized for her, it hung off of one shoulder.

"Go to sleep, kid." He growled. This is exactly what he had been trying to avoid.

"You're leaving, aren't you?"

She was met with silence as the murderer turned away, not wanting to face the small girl.

"You want your freedom, I know. I would like it someday too. You can and will go, but will you come back?"

Silver eyes snapped open at this statement and he turned to see Jack still standing where she was before. This girl was smart. Too smart to have it ruined by following a mass murderer around the universe.

"C'mere, kid."

Jack padded across the rug and stood in front of Riddick. Not too close, not too far, just how he liked it. 'Damn this kid knows me well.'

"Yeah, I need my freedom. But freedom comes in many different forms. Remember that, Jack." He said, crouching down in front of her.

"Will do. Bye, Riddick." She whispered, turning her face away so he wouldn't see her cry.

Resting his hand on her head, he stood up and turned to leave when he suddenly felt two small arms wrap around his waist and a face buried in his back.

Twisting his head to see Jack holding onto him, he smirked. Shifting, he picked her up and held her balanced on his hip. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him hard.

"Kid, if I'm gonna come back, I need to breath."

He was strangely pleased to see her smile as she pulled back.

"I'll miss you, Riddick."

'You and only you will ever miss me.' He thought to himself.

"You behave for holy man, got that? Watch that temper of yours and keep your mouth clean. I don't want to come back to some shit-spewing teenager. Are we clear?"

"Crystal, sir." Jack mock-saluted him as he put her down. "Bye."

"See you around, Jack."

Riddick found himself reclining on the bed when he shook himself out of his memories. That was one of the few good ones he had.

He wanted to find Jack and take her with him. They would make a great team, especially if he trained her. Nothing could stop them.

Resolving to discuss it with the holy man in the morning, Riddick looked out the window into the brightening sky. Nothing like sunlight ruined a good mood for him.