-Chapter 17: The Kiss

Author's Note: A lot of you may not understand parts of this chapter or the next unless you have read the book or seen the Director's Cut of Chronicles of Riddick. Just thought I'd let you know so you don't think I'm totally insane. :)

Riddick heard muffled thwacks coming in lightning fast succession. Walking closer to the practice room he began to hear the soft expulsion of air and quiet grunts Kyra let out every time she hit the bag.

Entering the room he watched her through his goggles, admiring the way her muscles worked in perfect harmony and the easy coordination she exhibited. Kyra was so involved in her routine that she didn't see him. As he continued to watch he began to notice a slight drift with her left elbow as she snaked her fist out to make the punch, this was causing her wrist to compensate in order to make a solid hit; it was only a matter of time before it caused some serious damage to her wrist.

Riddick stepped forward, drawing Kyra's attention.

Kyra's heart leapt when she saw him, as always, but her defenses went up instantly as well. She wasn't going to let him put her off balance this time. Watching him out of the corner of her eyes suspiciously, she continued her strikes. Riddick walked around to stand closely behind her, slightly to her left. As she threw her left arm forward, Riddick lightly tapped her elbow in towards her side, causing her light jab to rock the heavy bag.

"You let your elbow drift when you use your left, keep it tucked in when you jab." Riddick said softly right into her ear, sending shivers running up and down her spine.

Shaking it off and ignoring his close proximity, Kyra nodded and continued her routine; jab, jab, power, jab, jab, right hook. "Like that?" she asked.

Riddick smiled slightly to himself as he stepped closer so that his chest rested against her back. "Here." He said, he reached around and gently held onto her small wrists with his hands. He could feel her breath catch in her throat. Slowly he followed her routine, keeping her left elbow tucked in properly with his own; jab, jab, power, jab, jab, right hook. "Like that." He said, reluctantly letting go of her wrists. Unable to resist, he leaned slightly farther forward and slowly breathed in her smell.

"Like THIS?" Kyra said and suddenly elbowed him in the gut. All the air was knocked out of him, and her sudden action left him momentarily stunned. With a quickness that amazed him she spun and hooked the back of his knee with her foot and pulled, landing him on his back. Kyra instantly jumped back so she was just out of reach of his legs so he wouldn't be able to kick hers out from under her as he lay on his back.

Riddick jumped to his feet in one fluid, powerful movement. They faced off. Riddick could see that she was ready to kick his ass or die trying. He could also see the anger, frustration, and longing mixed with doubt shining from her eyes; doubt that he really meant what he had been subtly telling her with his actions over the past week, doubt that he could ever want her or even think of her as something more than some kind of annoying little sister.

Pain and anger stabbed through him: Pain that she was so tore up inside; pain at the thought of her doubting that he could want her; anger at himself for ever leaving her in New Mecca in the first place; anger that he had had too; anger a the bastards who had made her so full of fear, doubt, and antagonism; but more than anything, anger that she felt so alone.

Stepping forward so quickly Kyra didn't have time to respond, he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her off the ground so that she was at eye level with him, he shoved her lightly against the padded wall. She would no longer doubt him, she wouldn't be alone; she was his, and he would do anything for her. Tearing off his goggles, he threw them onto the floor. He looked straight into Kyra's eyes as he held her against the wall. Holding her gaze he slowly leaned forward and gently touched his lips to hers. Little by little her eyes closed and she lifted her hands that he had freed to the back of his head, drawing him closer.

Feeling her respond to him sent a wave of emotion through him like he had never experience before. He closed his eyes as the wave washed over him; humility, pride, hope, protectiveness, possessiveness, love.

As the kiss deepened, a pale blue light began to fill the room. Suddenly Kyra stiffened and gasped, she opened her eyes which instantly met Riddick's silver gaze. With a slight exhalation of breath, she went limp.