Disclaimer: See Chapter one.

Chapter Three

Riddick was very curious as to whom he was sharing this ship with, but the computers had been down, so he couldn't find her file and she wouldn't tell her anything. He had to admit, he like the whole mysteriousness of the woman and he was becoming more and more attracted to her as time went on (though he would never admit that). But, he reminded himself, getting attached can be dangerous…

Finally, on the seventh day of their journey, Riddick got his chance. He had just fixed the computers, and Quinn was taking a shower. Riddick sat down in the pilot's chair, now realizing this was his only chance. He didn't want to find her file while she was near him, and she took quick showers.

He typed in her name, and pulled up her photo. She really was a gorgeous girl: shining mahogany hair, slightly tanned skin, and, oddly enough, silver eyes with flecks of lavender. Riddick read the words underneath her picture:

Name: Harley Quinn Winchester (Quinn)

Age: 21

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 115 lbs.

Occupation: underground fighter

Fighting name: Harlequin

Arrested: June 14, 5612

Sent to: Butcher Bay

Bounty: 130,000 credits

Dead or Alive: Alive

Quinn Winchester, daughter of famous president of Winchester Industries, was convicted of killing at least fifteen men in the underground fighting circuit. She was sent to Butcher Bay on June 17, 5612, and escaped a few months later. She was last seen on September 27, 5612. An "X" is burned into her left bicep, as well as the tattoo of a diamond on her lower back.

Riddick gave a low whistle. "So that's Harlequin… I've heard of her." He was quite impressed. Butcher Bay? She was sent there a few weeks after he had escaped. "She's been on the run for a little over a year…"His sharp ears picked up several thuds in quick succession. "The punching bag?" he wondered aloud. Leaving the pilot's chair, he walked down one of the halls.

:-:

Taped knuckles slammed into the punching bag, with the occasional kick. It was pitch black in the room, but Quinn could hear where the bag was. No doubt Riddick's figured out who I am; the computers are fixed now… And he'll be asking me questions about the underground circuit, my dad, the… She couldn't—She wouldn't think about that.

:-:

Riddick watched Quinn make mincemeat of the punching bag. He had to admit, she was fast. And he had a feeling she was holding back. There was more than meets the eye to this girl… He opened the door as quietly as he could.

:-:

Quinn's knuckles were now bleeding, even with the tape. She fell to the ground with a thud and pounded the ground angrily, tears threatening to spill down her face. Suddenly, she heard the door open. "Riddick," she muttered, turning her back to him. "What do you want? To ask me questions?"

Riddick said nothing, but Quinn felt the air shift behind her. She swept her leg along the ground, and tripped up the man. He almost fell, but caught his balance at the last minute. He still said nothing, but sat across from her. Damn, she was gorgeous. Even though her hair was everywhere, most of it had fallen out of her braid. She was wearing nothing but a muscle shirt and a pair of short shorts. Her lithe, toned body was sweaty and shaking. He could still smell that vanilla. "Why did you become an underground fighter?" he asked softly.

Quinn cursed silently as the tears fell down her cheeks. Damn you, Riddick… "Why did I become a fighter?" she repeated, her voice shaky. "Because I couldn't help it! I had to fight! You think it was my choice? I had it all: men, money, beauty. Riddick, do you even know what Winchester Industries is?" All she could see were those silver, glowing eyes.

"No," he whispered.

"It's an experimental facility! They experiment on people! Like me! MY OWN FATHER EXPERIMENTED ON ME!" she screamed, sobbing at the same time. Riddick reached out, but she shrank back at his touch. "Don't touch me!" She sprinted out of the room, leaving Riddick in the dark.

"Patient number 700234 is progressing rapidly. Her speed and agility are now surpassing the other patients. Her strength is already two times more than an average woman her size. She can now respond to several triggers, and has killed three men in approximately thirty seconds. When placed in a fighting ring, she automatically switches towhat we have named the'primal mode'."

Needles…prodding...stabbing…pain…needles…pain…stabbing…knives…prodding…pain…needles…knives…pain…

Riddick frowned; she had been like this for at least two hourse.Quinn was panting and her entire body was covered in cold sweat. She kept muttering, "No, not the trigger. Please, Dad, don't make me go into the ring anymore… primal mode…" She screamed and sat up, shaking.

"Quinn, you're safe. You're here with me in the ship," Riddick said, touching her arm softly.

Quinn flinched at his touch, but didn't pull away. "I know, I know. I justget nightmares sometimes… nothing special."

"You were talking in your sleep, said something about 'primal mode,'" Riddick said, handing Quinn a cold glass of water.

She took it with a shaky hand. "Thanks." Quinn drank it thirstily. When she was done, she explained. "Primal mode… um, you see, when I'm in a fighting ring… I don't really know what happens… something comes alive inside me, and I turn into this… this fighting animal. I can think of nothing but blood, beating my opponent's head in, and just doing as much damage as possible." She lowered her head. "I just, I can't help it… I don't know what they did, but I can't stop it..." Tears spilled down her face again.

Riddick said nothing, but moved from his chair onto the edge of her bed.

Was he watching over me the whole time? This psychopathic killer has a soft spot? He wants to protect me? Or he may just find me attractive. Or both... Riddick pulled Quinn close to him, and wiped away her tears with his thumb. He breathed in that sweet vanilla scent and looked at the "X" on her arm.

As if she knew what he was thinking, she whispered, "Yeah, it hurt." And she fell asleep like that, wrapped safely in his arms.

If, by some miracle, Riddick hadn't become attached to Quinn up to this point, he sure as hell was now.

A/N: Aww… how cute! Lol. This may be the longest chapter yet, so you know what to do! (Psst: R&R!)