Chapter X: Difference of Welcomes and Families
Imam welcomed Jack with open arms as Liege stepped back into the shadows of the door. This was a strange family, but one nonetheless and she knew she did not have a place there.
Jack finally finished hugging Imam and turned to introduce her friend when she saw that Liege was off somewhere else, her eyes clouded with thought.
"And this statue here," Jack said, startling Liege as she grabbed her arm and dragged to her side, "would be Liege."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Liege." Imam offered his hand in greeting and Liege took it and shook his hand.
"As it is to meet ye as well."
Stepping back, Liege once again observed Jack in her joy of being home. She was happy and excited to be back with her family, whereas Liege felt relieved not to be even within the same system as hers.
"So, Jack, take your friend up to the rooms. I made her a loft in your room so you two can share. And Jack, where are all your possessions?" Imam asked, looking at Liege's bag but not seeing any of Jacks.
"Ye see, sir, this here Jack acquired a tad too many clothes 'n such trinkets when she was away at school. So, she 'ad them shipp'd here." Liege explained, seeing Jack's face turn red with blush.
"Well, I suppose you'll get your clothes later then. Go on now! And wash up for dinner!" Imam shooed the two girls up the stairs.
Riddick listened to the conversation going on downstairs then backed away from the door as he heard the two girls walk down the hallway. He figured he had to make his presence known to Jack somewhat soon, but he didn't know what to do about this other girl, Liege.
"Imam! This is delicious! I miss your homecooking so much! This is so much better then that shit-"
"Jack!"
"Oh, sorry. Then that horrible stuff they serve at school. Don't worry, Imam, Liege didn't get me into that habit. Although she does have a fiery temper herself…" Jack trailed off, glancing at her friend who had barely spoken a word over dinner.
"Liege, if you don't mind my asking, where are you from?" Imam supplied conversation, hoping to get Jack's friend to open up more.
From upstairs Riddick could hear and feel the tension when Liege was asked that question. His mind wandered back to the conversation he had with the merchant. Perhaps she was a criminal of sorts…then why would she be at school?
"Well, originally my family is Irish, and we're spread out now all over these systems, hence the accent." Liege replied, a quick grin visible between bites of food.
"I see, and your parents…or guardians, what do they do?" Imam asked, just out of curiosity. He missed Jack's intense glare from across the table and continued to serve himself some salad.
"Well…they run businesses…and we like to help other people who aren't as fortunate as us." Liege answered, feeling uncomfortable at Imam's questions.
"So! Imam! How was the religious retreat?" Jack cut in, saving her friend from embarrassment.
"Great! I started so many schools of religion, I felt that we really…" and from there the night continued, Imam telling Jack and Liege stories about other planets he had visited on religious retreats.
When Jack began to yawn, Imam ordered the two girls to bed, insisting that after a long journey and a full year school they needed proper rest. Liege sat cross-legged on the loft bed and watched as Jack washed up and readied herself for bed.
"Liege, why does it bother you when people ask about your family?" Jack questioned, splashing her face with water.
"Why should they know? I think if I want to keep me family private, then it be kept private. Thanks for that rescue, Jack." Liege said softly.
"Any time. We should probably get to sleep. Goodnight, Liege." Jack said as she slipped between the covers of her old bed.
Liege listened to her friend snuggle down for the night and between yawns bid her friend goodnight as well.
Riddick listened from the next room as the girls settled down and their breathing evened out. He wanted to talk to Jack and he wanted it now. He knew Liege was very alert at all times so he couldn't sneak in the window or simply pick Jack up and take her to his room.
Growling softly, he went towards the door to at least view Jack from the hallway. As he opened the door, he felt a cool night breeze drift down the hallway. Grateful for this, he cracked open the door and slipped in, not bothering to close it behind him.
Taking off his goggles, he saw that Liege was deeply asleep, but that could mean anything. Noiselessly padding to Jack's bed, his breath caught as he saw her spread out, her hair undone and pooling around her. She wore the same shirt she was wearing when he left her and it was wellworn by now and still fell off one shoulder, exposing her collarbone and neck.
He growled at the dormant feelings beginning to stir within him and matters weren't helped when he saw Jack's mouth slightly open and her tongue slip out and wet her lips.
Riddick moved to the edge of the bed and went to lean over Jack when he felt a blade tapping the back of his calf. He glanced down and saw the hand that belonged to none other then Jack.
Her bright eyes glinted at him as he rolled his and took the knife from her hand. Motioning for silence, he pulled Jack out of bed and began to lead her to the door.
Both breathed a sigh of relief when they successfully left the room. Riddick led her down the stairs and into the living room where he turned and closed the doors behind him as Jack looked for a comfy spot to sit.
When he turned around he was face to face with a smiling bunch of Jack. Before he could even greet her she leeched onto him in what would've been a bone-crunching hug for most people, but for Riddick it felt exactly like a leech.
Pulling back Jack headed back towards the couch she planned to occupy. He followed her to the couch but sat on the opposite end, knowing he would be filled with confusion if he sat too close to her.
"Hey, Jack."
"Riddick."
"…"
"Well, fuck me sideways, yer sure responsive." Jack commented, pulling the blanket closer around her. Riddick frowned, seeing how Jack was chilled by the night air.
"And you said Liege didn't have a bad influence on you…" he replied, smirking as Jack's mouth hung open.
"You were here the ENTIRE time!" She raised her voice just slightly then suddenly glanced to the door, making sure there was no movement behind it.
"Yes, I was. And you're freezing." He noted, growling at the open archways that let in the night breeze. Helion Prime was more of a desert climate, blazing hot during the day and freezing at night.
"Yeah sure, whatever. So tell me more about where you went for the past half decade." Jack demanded, pulling the blanket even tighter if was possible.
"First you get your scrawny ass over here." He ordered, feeling a sudden urge to keep Jack warm and protected.
Jack seemed confused at first, but not seeing any future danger or warning in Riddick's silver eyes, she scooted across the couch and sat next to him, but with a clear few inches still in between.
"Idiot," Riddick mumbled as he lifted his left leg and laid it across the couch and behind Jack's back and let his right dangle over the edge. Ignoring Jack's curious stare, he leaned over and easily wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her against his chest where she stiffened almost immediately.
Both cared to not notice how perfectly they fit against one another but soon Jack was relaxed by the body heat and rested her head on Riddick's shoulder.
"So, you want to know what Big Bad, Dark and Evil did while you went to school like a good little girl?" Riddick asked, smirking at Jacks huff of dignity at being called a good little girl.
"Yes. I would." She snapped back, snuggling deeper into Riddick's massive chest.
He talked through the night and he pretended not to notice how Jack held one of his hands and with both of hers and from time to time, subconsciously rub it. When she began to drift off to sleep, he lowered his voice to a volume where it put to her sleep almost instantly.
Riddick knew it would be best if he put her back in her own bed right then, but the other part of him decided he could risk it, besides. Her bed would be lonely and cold.
