Notes:
Thanks to:
NightmareWeaver
Kat
Blondevor
Tweety
----yes the plot is deepening and I make threats like that all the time, where'd ya think I got 'em?----
Chapter XXI: Liege's Legacy
Nodding again, Liege slipped into the shadows of the buildings and began to make her way home. Crossing now-empty streets, she had her senses on full alert, praying she wouldn't hear any footsteps behind her.
Feeling relieved when she jumped the garden wall, Liege slipped into the house through the kitchen, where dinner was being cooked but no cook was present.
She moved to the stairs and almost thought she had made it out and back without anyone noticing. But how could anything possibly for that well for her?
"LIEGE!" She heard Jack shout from behind. Turning around she was faced with an angry Jack. "Thanks for the note, but where the HELL have you been?"
"Out." Liege answered shortly.
"Clearly. You scared the shit out of me. Seriously, where did you go?" Jack asked, sounding more human.
"Jack, I should break it to ye now. I might not be here soon. There be many…issues in me family goin' on right now, and I might 'ave to be present." Liege explained, glancing at Riddick who had appeared on the top of the stairs.
"Jack. Here. Now." He ordered, and Jack gave one last final sad look at Liege before she joined Riddick, leaning into his side.
"Liege. I think it's time we had a little…chat." Riddick said, sounding no less sinister then he looked. She could feel the glare coming through his goggles.
"What is it ye be wantin' to know?" Liege asked, sitting in a chair across from Riddick and Jack, who were sitting on a couch. She noted the absolute no contact between the two, and wondered whose idea that was.
"I'm quite sure you know what that is." Riddick was no kind man, and Liege knew this was going to happen so she put her best on. What her father taught her.
"Is that so? But, yer no idiot, ye would've already dug up information on me, so why don't ye be tellin' us? Let me guess, the short merchant? Sellin' the same goods as Khan? Tha' damn bastard couldn't keep 'is mouth shut and he's dead now. All cause of ye pokin' around in other people's business." Liege started, noticing how Jack was becoming uncomfortable and uptight.
"I was doing it for Jack." He replied, not looking the least bit phased by Liege's new attitude.
"Well, ye want to know? Me family be one of the most prominent families in organized crime in all known systems. We be strictly Irish, so no one can enter unless they're related. Or Irish. There's been an overthrow in power, and they be runnin' after me, wantin' me to be the new boss. Me da was the old one and I've got me suspicions. Happy now?"
"Oh Liege, I'm sorry. Where is your dad now?" Jack asked, instantly accepting all of it. She care for the older girl, who, on countless occasions, defended Jack at school.
"I don't know yet, but I've been told he has been locked up somewhere. First I need to find him, then I can plan from there." Liege replied, glancing at Riddick who hadn't said a word.
"Jack, go upstairs. I'll be up." Riddick suddenly said, his voice leaving no room for argument. Jack obediently went up but not without smacking the back of his head first.
"Don't you be ordering me around now, you hear me?" She asked, already up the stairs before he could answer.
"Liege. You can't just get up and go." He started, standing up and walking over to her, where she stared up at him from her seated position.
"They saw Jack. They know I know her 'n tha' I 'ave some sort of tie to her, puttin' her in danger. The sooner I go to them, the less time there will be for either 'er or you to get hurt." Liege argued, rubbing her eyes.
"You realize that Jack will convince me to go after you if you do leave?" Riddick asked, amusement in his voice.
"I'll talk to 'er. The last thing tha' lass wants is to get messed up in this family tha' ain't 'ers." She stated, standing up as well. Sliding her hand down one leather-covered arm, she sighed.
"She will go regardless."
"She can't. Ye of all people know is stupid. She will get 'urt if she goes. There be higher chances of 'er gettin' killed than bein' hurt. These people, they don't like to ransom, or be patient. They plan, they kill. Tis the way of life for 'em." She explained, her hand motions becoming more and more vague.
"Jack's done a lot of stupid things and this one will just add onto the ever-growing list." Riddick said, knowing that is was incredibly dangerous.
"Look, I'll be 'ere for a few more days, but if it gets intense, 'm packin' up 'n goin' home. Jack can't get 'urt, I'd be devasted if she was. Tha' and I would go ballistic 'n murder every single one of those bastards." Liege compromised, closing her eyes in exhaustion. "Can ye do something for me?"
"Name it." Riddick ordered, observing the tired form of a young woman who had been through too much for her age.
"Ye take care of Jack, 'n these next few days, ye do yer best to keep 'er mind off of me. If she sees me worried like this, she might as well call up Falc 'n Rick to keep me tied 'ere." Liege asked, knowing defeat was a possibility, she closed her eyes and began to drift to sleep.
"I will." He consented, lifting up the body in his arms, he walked up the stairs and into Jack's room, where he laid her down on Jack's bed.
He took off his goggles as he left the room, knowing it was safe for him to wander around in the dim light of the house. Closing the door behind him, he turned into his room where he found Jack half-asleep on the bed.
Smirking to himself, he crawled on top of her and wrapped her up in his arms, where she snuggled herself against him. Both content, they too drifted off to sleep.
Sighing, he put away the food, knowing they could eat it tomorrow. Imam knew there was bound to be unrest in the house, so he sent his wife away to keep her safe. He too was tired and shut off the lights as he made his way to his study.
