Chapter XXXIII: The Aftermath
Riddick shifted as he felt feather-like touches across his chest. Cursing for sleeping so deeply he looked down to see it was Jack's eyelashes that were the feathery sensations. Appreciative of the amazing view, he decided to enjoy it as much as possible before the little beastling woke up. She really was terrible in the mornings.
At some point, he had carried her to their bed, amused by the fancy sheets that Jack must've made the bed with. Quickly slipping in after her put her in, he wrapped himself around her, wanting to feel all of her.
His eyes traveled, and he tried not to make a noisy intake of air as he saw how the satin sheets pooled around her hips, just showing enough to make his inner beast wake up. Her hair was mussed and her parted lips made his throat go dry.
'Why does she have this sort of…seductive…power?' Riddick asked to himself as he drew back to get a better view, only to have Jack whimper as the loss of heat.
Smirking he watched as her eyes slowly opened, blinking rapidly and then narrow on his arrogant form, he smiled at her.
"Mornin, Jack." He growled deeply, making her smile back and trace her fingers down his chest. He covered her smaller hand with his large one and brought hers up to his mouth where he began to tenderly lick her fingers.
She replied with a quiet moan and moved closer to him, realizing he was on the edge of the bed. Keeping her eyes trained on his, she lowered her hand and pressed her lips against his, filled with an unnamed elation as he gently responded, pushing her to the pillows and pinned beneath him.
When they broke apart he sat up, instantly turned on by how Jack was at his mercy, held down by his legs yet she wasn't afraid. She had her arms arched around her head, her hair spread over the pillow, even silkier than the cloth. Her tongue slipped out to slowly test her bruised lips and she kept eye contact with him, her dragon eyes glinting in the morning sun.
As he took note of the shadows beneath her breasts, he didn't miss how Jack observed him. It wasn't a critical judgment stare, like the ones he was used to, but a simply curious and wondering look. Riddick decided right then and there that he was the luckiest man alive.
He moved down and off Jack and simply laid as close as he could to her without being directly on top of her. He could tell she was surprised by this move, and even tensed when he nestled his head between her neck and shoulder.
Jack relaxed soon enough and pulled Riddick's arm over her stomach and interlaced her fingers with his, feeling endless amounts of security by just being so close to him.
Thoughts of pushing him off the bed abandoned, she kissed his head and pulled him closer. They laid like this for quite a few minutes until there were audible sounds of an argument going on downstairs.
Riddick was up in seconds, pulling on clothes so fast that Jack didn't even see him naked. Following him, she was out the door five minutes later, braiding her hair quickly as she walked down the hallway.
"Out of my house, merchant!" Imam shouted, pointing towards the door.
"No! I must speak with Jack!" The merchant shouted back, knowing that a life depended on this. "You must let me speak with her!"
"No! Not under my roof! You will-"
"Are you Khan?" Riddick's gravelly voice came from the entryway, closing it behind him, preventing escape from the main route.
"Yes, I am." He replied, not terrified yet still respectful of this man.
"What do you want with Jack?" He growled, making Jack back up the stairs, knowing that is where Riddick would want her to be.
"That is the lady's business alone. Where is she?" Khan said coldly, following orders. His body was shining with the sweat from the walk in the early morning sun. The scars glinted in the morning light and his usual jovial face was hardened into stone.
"You think I'm going to tell you?" Riddick snarled, stepping forward. He knew why Khan was here, but he was being a bit too arrogant.
"I will not fight you." Khan stated, crossing his muscled arms over his chest.
"You will if you keep-"
"Riddick! That's enough." Jack called, coming down the stairs. He quickly moved to her side, not letting anyone near her. Especially not Khan.
As Khan slowly approached Jack, Riddick growled in natural defense. He was surprised when he felt her gentle hand apply pressure to his arm, as if to tell him it was ok. Understanding this, he stood to full height instead of battle position and waited for the scene to start.
"Ah yes, Jack. You still wear that ring." Khan said, motioning his hand towards her chest. "I bring an offer of partnership in this battle you are about to wage."
"We don't-" Riddick was cut off by Jack.
"Thank you, Khan. We will be needing ammunition of sorts. I've already thought of two people who can help us. Is Liege alright?" Jack asked, keeping perfectly calm.
"Fine, as usual. She and this man McKellern are quite close, though." He noted, a flash of distaste and annoyance crossed his face, noticed by both Jack and Riddick.
"Wait, how did you know we were going to try to attack O'Calhern's ship?" Jack quickly asked, instantly suspicious of this knowledge.
"I met with Liege more than once and she predicted it. She was always good at such things. Now I am here to help. You say you have people that can help?" Khan asked, feeling slightly more relaxed at Jack's smile.
"Yes, and including you, that would make a team of five people." She said, slipping her hand into Riddick's suddenly relieved to feel him grip it gently.
"Not nearly enough. I can contact old loyals to her father to help us. Liege would be happier fighting with people she fought with as a younger girl." Khan commented, shivering slightly as the cool breeze cooled his drying skin.
"Fine, but they're under my control." Riddick growled, his arm slipping around Jack's waist.
"You mean our control, Riddick." Jack corrected, not leaving any room for argument. He twitched at this, wondering where and when Jack became a little more demanding.
"Just like Liege, it is clear you have spent a lot of time with her." Khan said, smiling. "They will be glad to know she is alive and well."
"When can you have that done?" Jack asked, hoping they weren't running out of time.
"As soon as possible, there are always a few strays in close systems and we only have six days. So I hope you can bring your allies as well?" Khan said seriously, suddenly doubting if they could pull this off. They had to, he wouldn't leave Liege in the hands of O'Calhern.
"Six days?" Jack shouted, pulling away from Riddick. "How do you know?"
"Liege told me that O'Calhern gave her nine days to make her decision. It is a tough one, but if we pull this off, she won't have to." He replied, suddenly depressed. It was indeed one of the hardest decisions of her life if she was forced to make it.
"What do you mean?" Riddick asked him.
"O'Calhern kept unbelievably secret tabs on Liege. It was figured out that you were in relation to her. And Jack to you, as well. They told her that if she doesn't give up the strategy for capturing you, they will kill her father. And she knows fully well that there is only one strategy." Khan ended, feeling that Riddick would know.
"Jack."
She looked at him sharply when her name was mentioned and soon she too realized what he meant. Closing her eyes she growled fiercely, furious that Liege would be forced into something so horrible.
"Yes, it is her. That is why she wanted you to keep an extra eye on Jack. They are close, this I know. If it ever succeeded and Jack was caught, well Jack isn't of Irish blood, so they would treat her horribly."
"You would know." Riddick softly said, alarming Khan immediately.
"Don't worry, Khan, we'll figure this out. We will storm the ship and we save Liege. She's saved my ass dozens of times so it's high time I return the favor." Jack said, completely determined to succeed.
"I hope you are right, child. Now the sun it high and it is time for the day to begin. Khan, you will keep in touch?" Imam asked, silent up until this point.
"Of course. Good day to all of you." Khan said as a farewell, dipping his head briefly before he turned and walked out the door.
Jack sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted. Deciding she was going to contact Falc and Rick, she turned to go upstairs. Riddick didn't follow her, still caught up in his own thoughts.
Opening the door to their room, Jack was nearly drowned in memories at the sight of all of Liege's belongings. Moving to her desk, she quickly turned on her com.
Dialing in a code, she waited for it to connect. Sitting down she played with her braid, hoping she could reach both of them. It was imperative that she did.
"Jack? Is that you?" She heard Rick's deep baritone over the speaker and looked at the screen. Shirtless, he looked exhausted.
"Yeah, it is. I need to pull in a favor."
