Chapter TWO

Riddick's POV

So you're walking away now. You'll follow the rules. You'll have too. Damn, kid. You threw my own shiv at me. I knew you'd miss. Your arm wasn't cocked in the right position to do any harm when you let go. That's what caused the aim to be way off. I'll fix that though. You need to learn to throw with precision. I look over at the shiv. It's embedded at least a couple of inches in the wall. Took a lot of strength to do that. Especially since the wall is metal and all.

You're not a kid anymore. I know that. I do. You've got that survival instinct too. You look me right in the eye when I threaten you and you don't even flinch. I like that. You're a woman. Who knew that you would grow up to have a body like that? Tall. Lean. Right amount of muscle. I shake my head as I walk to the workout room. Kyra, are you a woman who would want me though? I'm not the kind to settle down. Then again, neither are you. I want you physically, there's no denying that, but is there something else? Punching something will clear my mind. It always has. I stop at the doorway. Fuck. Look at all of these weapons. A guy could have some fun in here. Too bad there is nothing to hunt, the animal inside me says. There is no need to hunt anymore, the human in me says.

I run my hand over some battle axes, and the animal in me gets excited. They're sharp. Good weight too. I swing them nonchalantly through the air. Just the right amount of weight, I decide. Those necros make good weapons. But a battle axe? Not exactly the least conspicuous weapon of choice. Shivs. Now those are ideal. Light, easy to throw, but deadly. The animal in me likes killing up close. More personal. Cleaner too. Don't want to carry around ammo for a gun. Shivs. They make you rely on yourself. That's all you really have, yourself, the animal in me growls.

The human in me knows that I have someone now. I've had someone for a long time. That someone is you, Kyra. From the moment you shaved your head to be like me, you etched yourself on my heart. Didn't know I had one until I met…Her. She's changed since then. Become what I need. An equal. Well, almost an equal. I can still take you Kyra. You'll have to train, can't help that. Don't want to hurt you though. Bruises, broken bones…those are to be expected to become a more efficient survivor if you plan on sticking with me. I know that you'll stick with me. But will you understand that I will have to hurt you to teach you to become like me?

Like me. What the hell does that mean? I'm moving around the gym now, perfecting my routine. Stretching my body and straining my muscles. It feels good. I'm thinking deeply, and this is new. Do I want you to become like me – An efficient killer. Sure, I kill when I have too. It's how I've survived all these years. But you Kyra? I've seen it in your eyes. You have the animal inside, deep inside. It shows on the surface through your rage, and then, there is the thirst. Can I break that? You've opened me to doubt. A new emotion I've been dealing with. Doubt is causing a strain in my decision process. Usually, I can tell straight away what's best. Of course, it has always been what is best for me. Never really had to think about another person before, or, how to help them. Doubt makes me angry, so I focus my mind on my workout and concentrate on how I am going to fix You. You need fixing. I need fixing too.

Kyra's POV

I'm hungry. For food that is. Good, there is a food replica on this beast. Wow. Real food, not the slop they pass off as food in slam. Edible. Sure that slop was edible, but it wasn't exactly great tasting. Now here is some good shit. Pizza. Haven't ever had that stuff. Old Earth food. Let's see. Pepperoni, bacon, sausage, spinach, mushrooms, and extra cheese. Yup, that'll do. What the hell? Your meal will be ready in 40 minutes. I guess they had to add the timeframe to make the pizza experience that much more authentic. Whatever. I'll wait. It's real food after all. I pick up the headphones I found in the bedroom and put them on. Music starts playing. I love Old Earth hip hop. Well, I guess I do. I mean, I've only heard it for about five minutes now, but it's all good. I don't know where you are Riddick. You'll show up when you're least expected though. So, I'm gonna sit at the table facing the door. Don't want any more surprise encounters. 40 minutes is a long time.

Bored now.

Riddick's POV

Smells like you've found the food replica. The smell of food is everywhere. We'll reach the planet within the next hour. You won't like it, but it's just a stop over to cash in some favours, and then we're off to my destination. That's new. Thinking about Her feelings like that. Must mean that you really do matter (I smirk), in a big way.

I stink again. Then there is the smell of food. Screw it. The stomach always comes first. I'm at the doorway now. You're asleep, listening to some loud obscene music. Don't ever let your guard down like that Kyra. You've got to learn. Hmm…Foods almost done, and there is enough to eat. How touching, you must have thought of me after all. Guess she's not mad anymore.

"Move that ass of yours, Kyra."

You're awake now. Somewhat. Hmm. Reaction time slow. I'll fix that.

"Pick another chair, Riddick," you say sleepily.

"That one faces the door."

"We're the only fuckin' people on this beast of a ship Riddick. What difference does it make where I sit?" You say this a little more forcefully than I would like.

"Move."

Why is it that one word sentences really make a difference when speaking at Kyra. I mean to her. Fuck. I'm speaking at her? Is there a difference?

"Make me."

Looky here. You have bigger balls than some of the men I've killed. Make me, God would I love too.

"Is that right?" I say as I bring my face down to your level. Shit. We're inches apart, looking each other in the eyes, and all I wanna do is take you right now. Calm the fuck down you beast, I say silently to my animal side.

She's not even flinching. This could be real fun. Fun for me anyway. We'll see how fast this woman can run. One more chance, Kyra.

"I'm going to change. When I come back, I'm going to be sitting in that chair and your ass will be out of it."

I head out. I'm not really changing. Got nothing to change in to. That's why we're stopping on the planet. Clothes. More for her, I like mine. They're broken in enough, and their black. I can hear a chair being moved. I win. Good. I like winning.

What the FUCK?

"KYRA."

Kyra's POV

You're yelling now. Maybe I pushed too far. No. You were the one who messed with me Riddick. Move, you say. Your orders ain't fuckin sitting well with me Riddy. There're four fuckin' chairs. What, like you couldn't have picked one of the other three. Have to have things your way, do you? Well so do I.

"What did you with them?" your booming voice echoes throughout this beast. I'm not going to answer and reveal my spot.

Do with what? Oh right. The chairs. Lets see. I hid them. You'll find them of course, dumb ass. There's not that many rooms on this ship. But it's worth the hassle to picture you playing my game of hide and seek. I'm hiding of course, with the pizza. I'm in the workout room and it smells of a very distinct odour. A male odour. One that is distinctly you Riddick. Wow. Is it ever strong. Oh shit. Not good.

"The pizza good?" you ask calmly. Why are you so calm?

"S'okay," I say with a big piece in my mouth. "How's your seat, Riddick?"

I'm up against the wall, again. You've pinned me to the wall, but my feet are still touching the floor. A slight improvement this time. Duly noted.

"Move," I say, trying to use the same tone you used with me. You're smirking now. I can see where this is going.

"Make me."

"Okay." I can see you thinking Riddick, as you cock an eyebrow at me.

"Lights 100," I say calmly.

You're blinded. I see my chance and I grab it.

I walk over to you and gently put your goggles over your head to cover your eyes. The heat coming off you is shocking. I guess I can make you tick. You're really still, and you haven't said a word. I take a breath and continue.

"Rules Riddick," I say. "There's going to be rules. You wanna treat me like shit, I won't ever hold back. Sure, you can take me on. But you ain't ever going to break me Riddick. I'm too strong for that. So rule one: treat me like a worthless kid and I'll be up all in your face, even if you have to knock me down. The choice is yours. Rule two: No more pinning me to the wall. You're a heavy fucker and while the front side of me is all toasty and warm, the back side of me is cold, and well, I don't like any of it. Don't touch me like that! Rule three, and this is the most important one: start using longer sentences. No more one word conversations."

You've been quiet for about one minute now. Still showing no expression. Of course, you do have your goggles on so I can't see what your eyes might be saying. If they have ever said anything.

"How would you like me to touch you, Kyra?" you say in the deepest voice I have ever heard.

"That's all you got from that whole fucking conversation!" I scream.

Is he kidding? How would I like him to touch me? "Piss off, baldy."