Beastly Bonds

Chapter XII

Yes, this is the chapter you've been waiting for.

Thanks to these reviewers:

XinnLajgin – Sorry I didn't thank you in the last chapter, I had posted chapter XI before you reviewed X. But here! Thank you for reviewing and yes, this is the chapter of Riddick's appearance.

ren3017 – Thank you, Ren, but I'm unsure of what the 'good' refers too. Is it supposed to be 'God'? Is it because I update so quickly? Whee for quick updating, I enjoy making the reviewers happy.

audran – Indeed, Jack needs more friends. I might incorporate some of those ideas in your review into the next chapter, crediting you of course. He learned that lesson with Neunzhen, but you'll see he just can't keep out of that claw range.

Iridescent Twilight – Good, I was hoping that someone besides me would like the Krent/Meth. It's pretty sweet, I think so too. Yeah, Riddick can be a real asshole. Read the warning too before you start the chapter. Here's your fix.

Warning to those of you who've kept up with this fic:

There is some strange mood changes in this and it isn't as sweet and cute as it starts out. I rewrote this chapter twice because I wasn't sure how to go about doing it. Yeah and also, Riddick feels a little sad and lost in this. He may be Riddick, but it doesn't mean he is unaffected by emotions.

/Riddick's thoughts./

Jack's thoughts.

Now, onto the story.

Somehow she had felt better after meeting with the elder, so she let Litman and Tipner go back to their bungalow and then had quite a long conversation with both Krent and Meth about the possibility of a future relationship. A direct threat towards the older man was made warning him that if he hurt Meth there would be hell to pay. It ended with earnest hopes of luck and relief from the two men.

As Jack walked back through the forest she knew it wasn't long. He had to show up sometime and it wasn't his style to keep sneaking around like this. The hellhound patrolled in front of her, taking moments to paw at something in the ground or sniff around. She knew Neunzhen must be having a field day with the entirely new environment so she let him wander completely. If anyone stupid enough to sneak around was actually there, well, it would be their fault entirely if something happened to them.

She reached the base of one of the tress that held up the bungalow that was her bedroom. Vivid curses flowed from her mouth as she realized she would have to climb a tree to get back up. Calling Neunzhen over, she sharpened her shivs, knowing they could get dulled in the manner she was about to use them in.

"Why don't you go wander for a bit? Map out the island. Feel free to hunt and roam. Don't get yourself into trouble." She said, rubbing the top of his muzzle with her thumb. He licked her hand in thanks and turned around, heading off into the trees, most likely to find a meal.

Rubbing her hands she apologized to the tree before she slammed her shivs into the trunk, using them to pull her up. It was a long haul up until she got to the branches. Using those as she did before, she swung up each set until she reached her deck, where she swung off and gracefully landed on the wooden planks, not making a sound.

As she stepped into her bedroom she waited to listen for someone or something but finding it quiet, she changed back into her pants from prison, easy to move in and plenty of pockets. She had washed them that morning and was glad to see she didn't need to sew them up. She left the black tank top on and went barefoot to the bathroom, where she immediately stopped.

The problem was that she couldn't smell anything. Disinfectant was all she could make out, maybe with some rubbing alcohol. Someone had been wounded and came into here. She softly opened the cabinets to find that indeed the first aid kit was missing. She backed out slowly and without any noise moved to the door that led to the other bungalows. Stepping out onto the deck she caught the unmistakable scent of the man who had been with her all this time but had she had refused to accept it. She was downwind of him, which made it easier for her to creep along the planks of the ramp. Jack knew he was there, she could almost feel the pulse of the other beast in the air.

She stopped in the middle of the bridge, a figure catching her eye on the deck of the next bungalow. He stood in all his majesty at the end of the deck, leaning against the railing in front of him as he clenched his jaw, trying to clean out a wound. On closer inspection she recognized the claw pattern of a hellhound and knew that Neunzhen had gotten him just earlier that day. Seeing as the sun was setting, his goggles were hanging off his belt, glinting in the remaining light. He wore his uniform – black pants and black wife beater, accompanied by his military-like boots. Smiling at this, she stayed as quiet as possible, moving smooth and slow. Deciding to come up behind him, she entered the bungalow and went through it, looking out onto the open porch she was filled with a feeling of relieved joy.

Whatever anger she had held for him was gone, replaced with a sort of animalistic tenderness and appreciation. As she approached him she saw the contents of the first aid kit were scattered around the porch. He was completely engrossed in his wound and she jerked her head slightly when she heard him hiss through his teeth.

Jack was almost a foot away from him and as she walked to the side of the wound, the wind suddenly changed and as her hand touched his forearm he smelled her. It was like she had appeared with the new gusts of wind.

They held eye contact for a few silent minutes, the blood from the wound on his upper arm slowly streaming down his arm, covering Jack's hand with his blood.

The figure in front of him was undeniably Jack, her scent, her movement and just her being was everything he had dreamed of and imagined. She had grown into a beautiful woman, strong, confident and unafraid. Riddick felt a torrent of emotions tossing everything he had felt about her out the window. Jack had become a beast like himself, where the smallest of touches of sounds meant changes in fate. None of this was visible on his face and Jack's thoughts were just as secret.

That image of him broken she had seen in Crematoria shattered, there were no dulled silver eyes staring at her, his strength and control was complete. Yet she was just as strong now, she didn't need to depend on him for protection. To her, this was the perfect idea of spending her time with him, they were equal in the eyes of the nature.

"Jacqueline." He spoke her name and she felt instantly at peace and accepted by him.

Slipping around, she stepped in front of him, one hand still on his arm. As her hand raised he didn't flinch away, he didn't turn his head, he could have a basic instinctual trust in her. A light touch of her fingertips grazed his cheek and he felt himself being pulled towards the bungalow. He was gently shoved into the hammock and sat in the center, sitting horizontal to the shape of it.

He watched Jack gather the medical contents of the first aid box he had taken from her bathroom. Setting up them up a foot or two away from the hammock, she carefully took the half-empty bottle of rubbing alcohol and poured some disinfectant in it. Mixing it she applied it to a strip of untouched cloth. Without words she mounted the hammock, sitting on it with her legs hanging over both sides. She faced his side where the wound was on his arm and looked at him for the ok.

They caught eye contact again and with his clean hand he reached over and pulled up one of her legs onto his lap, leaving one behind him to dangle over the edge. As she cleaned the blood off of his arm, she subconsciously tightened her leg and it ended up around his waist, holding him tightly to her. When she reached the wound she reapplied the mixture and brought it up to his arm and firmly held it to the claw wounds.

He tried pulling away and the leg kept him anchored and with a few small touches to his back, she had him calmed. She knew it hurt, Tipner had used it on her in Crematoria. Medical supplies had been sparse but somehow he always managed to come up with something.

As she worked, carefully cleaning each claw mark she was just as engrossed as he had been minutes before. He rested the hand of his uninjured had on her leg, able to feel the well-

trained muscles beneath the cloth. As she leaned back on the hammock to reach for the needle and thread, her shirt pulled up, exposing her thin and muscled stomach. As she returned to her seated position, she easily threaded the needle and carefully began to work again, still oblivious to Riddick's looks. He began to think deeper on this progression of…Jack's growth as she moved onto another claw scratch.

/She's the same kid but another woman altogether. Nimble fingers, deft movements and a very calming aura, something she needed to find for herself. God she's beautiful.

Can't smell any attraction on her, but she's a beast now, too. Hiding feelings, emotions to keep the pack safe. Survived Crematoria, even broke out of it and somehow she's still viewed as human. Wonder how I missed that chance.

I can't help it, why did I chase her down? Wasn't it to make sure no assholes were going to hurt her? Devil knows what it turned into. Those nights alone on the dark skiff, seeing, imagining and dreaming of her. So I tried to be the knight in shining armor, but it got me a scar from a hellhound and the 'maiden in distress' tending to me. Second part isn't too bad, I guess. I could handle some more loving from her. But jump ahead and I could really fuck this up.

Christ, Jack, what have you done to me? Somehow you've blurred the line between addiction and adoration./

Finishing the last stitch, she tied it off very well and discarded the needle and thread to the floor. She picked up the gauze and peeled the tape off the first roll. As she curled her hand around his arm to bring it out to wrap it she felt the muscles beneath her fingers twitch.

"Relax, I've got you." She spoke, the first thing she had said to him. And somehow that burned into his mind. A gentle command and a three word phrase was all it took to realize he couldn't just get up and leave after this.

When his arm was wrapped, she dropped her hands and looked at his profile. To her he was a god, regardless of looks. He could be scarred beyond recognition and she would still…

What? Worship him? Hasn't that changed into something else? Follow him? You know that isn't right. Admit it already, you've always loved him.

He began to move and she wasn't to sure what was happening but somehow that didn't matter. They were together and accepted one another. Her legs still dangled over each side, the one on his lap slipping down when he moved. He lay down, resting his head on Jack's stomach. His arms lay over the edge, each resting on one of Jack's legs. In turn she laid her hands on his shoulders, sometimes lightly touching his neck.

"Riddick?" She questioned aloud, making him feel the gentle blow of her breath on his head and the minor vibration of his name in her body.

"Yeah, what's up Jack?" he asked, wondering how she wasn't raging at him for leaving her with Imam all those years ago, but she clearly a reasonable woman now.

She was silent for a few moments, her fingers stroking his neck. Jack herself thought she was going to slit his throat the day she found him, but now all she wanted was to be with him. Undead, preferably.

"Jack?" He asked again, turning his head so he faced out the hammock and he saw the sun was just about gone beneath the horizon.

"Explore with me tomorrow?" She asked, sitting up and pulling back from him. He sat up as well, his back to her. As he ran a hand over his shaved head she scooted closer to him, cautiously laying her head on his back and molding her front to his back. She was surprised when he took her hands and guided them around his waist, but she didn't ask.

"Sure. Tired?" He asked, his voice rumbling through her body.

"Wouldn't mind some rest." She mumbled, attempting to get out of the hammock. She began to rock it and soon stumbled out, caught by Riddick who easily got out of it. As she looked at him, her thoughts ran amuck.

This is surreal. I'm going to wake up in Crematoria tomorrow, still being the prey of the hellhounds. Why is he so docile?

Riddick's head wasn't empty, either.

/This is too easy, she's being so level-headed. Isn't like her but why can't I accept this/

Riddick, why can't you yell at me for something? Have we both wanted this for so long we just don't have it in ourselves to let loose and beat the shit out of each other?

She stepped closer to him and now that she was facing him, buried her face in his chest, hugging him to her. He held her as well, feeling the oncoming of tears in her body.

/Well, fuck. Had to happen sometime, right/

Why? Why this, why now? I'm not ready, am I? I just accepted my family being dead or lost and he appears, just like those happy endings. Why couldn't of this happened in Helion?

/C'mon, Jack, let it go./

Fuck, I lose my family and then he saves me from being killed on that planet. Could I have avoided being a convict altogether if he hadn't stepped into my life?

/Oh shit, she's getting that look. She ain't gonna be sad for a while, better prepare myself for that lash of fiery wrath. What's that saying? "Hell hath no-/

"This is what I am because of you!" She shouted, pushing him away from her. Her eyes blazed in a way that hadn't been seen since Crematoria. She was furious.

"Jesus, Jack, explanation wouldn't hurt!" He snapped back, now missing the content mood they had been in just minutes ago.

"I could be looking for my family right now if it hadn't been for you! From that fucking planet I could have fled and looked for them! Not fuck up my life and end up in Crematoria! It's your fault!" She yelled, furious.

"JACK! Who the hell would've saved your ass back there, huh? Imam? Fry? Without me, you'd all be digested snack food right now! Even if you wanted to do this shit of 'looking for your family', why the hell didn't you do it after I left you in Helion?" He shouted back, confused by this outburst. She had family?

/Family, Riddick. What are you to her? Replacement, that's what./

"Fine, so I couldn't go looking for them after you left. Imam had me under his wing. How would he feel if I told him I had a real family out there?" She asked, not realizing what she was doing to him.

/How he would feel? Jack, I thought you and I…/

"You have family, do you?" He asked, quieting like her.

"Yeah, I think so. Slim chance but at least it's something. I wouldn't be alone anymore."

/Alone? You heard her, she's feel alone, even in your company. You're nothing to her, you've been used./

"Jack, then what are you doing here?" He asked, ignoring the fact he had had a hope only hours ago that she had come here to tempt him. To give him a chance to appear and be with her. Maybe forever.

/No, not now. She's all I've got left./

"Hiding, waiting for threat to pass. He was killed, Riddick. My dad, protecting me and my mom and unborn brother. All because he served in an army and was sent to war. He's gone, they're probably gone and I'm left. One last Laurent, all fucking alone." She trailed off, sinking to the floor of the porch.

Riddick approached her, his silver eyes suddenly glinting. She pushed images of a furious Neunzhen cornering prey in the prison from her mind. He understood, he wouldn't be angry at her. He knelt down, whispering in her ear.

"You might be the only living person who has successfully used me and broken me."

And with that, he was gone.

He watched from a few tree tops away, the way her shoulder suddenly slumped and her body began to shake. It's true, this wasn't the way it was supposed to be. But it was her fault, wasn't it? He was about to turn when her wailing cry pierced the night air, freezing him in his tracks.

He had been wrong, she didn't use him, she was just without family. Jack must've been coming to terms with it as she was escaping from Crematoria.

/Fuck, she really will be pissed now, but I'm not leaving her like that./

Her whimpers made his inner beast cry out in anger. He had hurt her. The unfamiliar feeling of guilt tormented him. He had thought she had threw him out, not wanting him anymore.

/And what, start from scratch? Risk your own neck by returning? Get out, now/

He wasn't dealing with this now. Soon, but not yet. He turned to walk across the tree branch, which would lead further away from the bungalows.

Yet as he looked up, he was met with a sight that he was sure would greet him at the gates of hell.

Jack's hellhound, Neunzhen, was waiting at the end of the branch, scales raised to their full extent, burning harder then any sun he had ever seen. His rippling snarl was accompanied by the unsheathing of claws that scraped the bark off the branch.

Jack's cries were muted as a bellowing roar was released from the angry animal, charging forward. He stepped back only to miss the branch. He tried to catch part of the tree to hold himself up, but a snarling mass of claw and canine was there, pushing him off the tree.

As he fell he realized that this was going to be a shit way to die, fucking up Jack's feelings and dying from falling from a tree? Yet as he continued to descend, he saw a purple figure in trees, definitely human. It dropped farther below then him and as he looked to see where it was, his head was smashed into a branch, making him black out. But the last thing he was someone grabbing him and preventing him from dying by hitting the ground. Slipping into darkness, a small breeze blew the scent of his rescuer past his nose.

/Jack, glad you didn't let me go./