Author's Note: Thank you all for your wonderful reviews! Thanks for all the advice you gave me as well! I hope you like how I wrote this chapter and how I made things turn out. And sorry about taking it so long – with school and work it can get really hard sometimes to write…

Riddick did seem really sorry for what he had done earlier. Riddick did seem want to make Jack happy again. Jack could see all that. But does it matter anymore? she asked herself. It's not about the rape anymore, it's the whole ´ME – the biggest, toughest guy in Galaxy; YOU – little worm thing. Jack just didn't know if she could respect herself anymore if she forgave it all so easily.

Jack desperately wanted to give Riddick another chance. Life with Riddick was the only life she knew! Despite all the shit flying around, it was the safest and best life she had known in her 18 years of life! But can Riddick really change? Will Jack settle with all the both mental and physical abuse just because life without Riddick is even scarier than life with him?

But Jack had agreed to give him one more day. What else did she have to loose? She was wondering if she even hated him deep down inside, in the far corners of her heart. I mean, I did run after that gang when they captured Riddick, without even thinking about it. I did put my life on line and I did mean all the things I said to Pillar about loving Riddick. So maybe, not now, but one day, I could forgive him, Jack asked herself over and over again.

And it would be easier to go, knowing he had been given another chance. Easier for the both of us. If Riddick fucks this one up too, then… I haven't lost anything, but one day out of my life. Jack wasn't sure if she had done the right decision. That made her very edgy.

So they landed on Pluralis. It was a nice place, where many people chose to spend their vacation at. Jack had to admit – if she's going to split, then this was a much better place to settle down at.

Riddick didn't show any emotion about how he felt about Jack's agreement to give him the extra day. He just didn't know how to feel about it. It had forced him to swallow his pride just to ask for one more chance. And that is a very hard thing for any man, but especially for a man like Riddick. Nevertheless, he was also happy, and angry, and nervous and confident – all at the same time. He wasn't much of a drama queen, so he just decided to enjoy the day even if it would be his last happy one.

Riddick went up to Jack after they had docked. "I can do nothing about the papers, but the clothes are waiting," he said to her. His voice carried the ease he didn't feel.

Jack turned to look at Riddick and caught up on his attempt to lighten the mood. "Yeah, but if I really need the papers, then I'm sure I can work out some kind of a deal with the studio. I'm not sure if I want to do it though," she said casually, but not with the same fondness in her voice it used to carry. "And I remember all my songs by heart."

Riddick nodded. It felt like the two of them had agreed upon temporary peace. After all – how else could they enjoy the day? Bitter remarks do not make the best conversation…

Soon the stepped out of Mortimer Nova and cruised down the streets. There were shops and cafés everywhere, crowded with tourists. Nobody paid attention to Jack and Riddick. Maybe the rich folk was so determined to not let two figures so out of their element to ruin their holydays that they pretended to not even see Jack and Riddick. No matter what, the criminal and the rockstar had good time together.

Since Riddick was sort of a color-blind and didn't give a damn about different labels and styles, he agreed with every choice Jack made. She mostly preferred her usual stuff – black and white simple and comfortable clothes. But then she saw IT. IT was hanging on the window. Jack just stared, hungry look in her eyes.

"Would that look good on me?" She asked form Riddick eagerly and pointed to the window.

"What – the blouse? Yes, it's nice" he gave his automatic response.

"No!" she told him. "The mini-skirt!" Jack explained. It was faded dark denim, low cut and sexy skirt. Riddick couldn't see anything but the fact that it was short. Too short.

Riddick didn't like it. Jack wearing shorts was bad enough, but a mini-skirt… Then again, she like it and Riddick was supposed to play nice today. "It's … cute."

Jack beamed. "And I could wear it to the bar tonight."

Riddick only groaned, but he did it so silently, that Jack missed it in her excitement completely. She pulled him inside and after that there was no way of keeping her from buying the skirt.

Once she stepped out of the booth, Riddick had to admit it though - Jack looked good in it. Hot. And he stood by - frowning, but shut - as Jack bought the damn thing.

Finally they had purchased all she needed for immediate survival. Riddick felt tired. A man who had once escaped Butcher Bay was now worn out by a little shopping spree. The only time he had gotten some rest during the past three hours, was when Jack went to the lingerie store. Both of them had liked the silent agreement that Riddick would wait outside, on the street. Riddick was sure he wouldn't have been able to see Jack waltzing around in underwear and not take her. My, my, aren't I now just what the holy man used to preach about, Riddick thought to himself grimly. Also, Riddick knew fully well that Jack would have been highly uncomfortable because of…everything.

Yesterday had been Jack's birthday. Riddick knew it, but didn't say a thing. He just didn't know how to be this cheerful and carefree guy Jack seemed to want him to be. Riddick didn't do heart to heart confessions about his feelings. He didn't do soul-searching and sure as hell he did not do birthday parties. Maybe because he himself had never felt like celebrating his birth. Being thrown to the trash bin as an infant can do that…

Yet, all this was waiting for him now – a day after Jack's big 18th. Riddick knew he had to somehow explain everything he has been going through. That was the only way to convince Jack to stay.

Now, they dropped the boxes and bags onto Jack's mattress. Riddick had an uncomfortable feeling that it was his time to speak. He watched as Jack played with her new stuff like a kid, both of them smiled. Then Riddick took a big breath and started.

"I want to talk to you, Jack."

"Yea? What about?" she asked casually while turning her attention back to her new guitar. It was a newer version of what she had before. Riddick had insisted upon buying a better one.

"About…how I've been acting," he said very constrainedly.

Jack looked up at him sharply. "Riddick," she said carefully as if walking on thin ice. "Could we do this later? This conversation might go bad… Hell – I am pretty sure it will! But… Let's just enjoy the day and we can talk after we come back from the bar."

Riddick exhaled slowly. He nodded and a lot of his built up anxiety wore off. He was crateful. Maybe all this will be easier for him after few drinks?

"I'm gonna take a shower," Jack told him.

"OK," Riddick replied. For a moment there he felt like everything was back to normal, or how it should have always been. It had been hard to even say that he wanted to talk; now he was happy to find that it hadn't been that hard at all to look weak in front of Jack. Maybe I really could do this…

Jack was ready to hit the bar. She had been in the bathroom for a whole hour. Now she looked at herself for the final check. Jack had applied some mascara and eye shadow, making her eyes smoky. She didn't have a lot of make-up nor was she that good at applying it. So, her face was rather neutral except for the dark eyes. It only brought out her natural beauty even more. Jack's hair was left down, the dark waves danced across her back.

Jack stepped out of the bathroom and went to the main room. She knew that Riddick would be there, cleaning his shivs again or something like that. Without a word she stepped into his line of view and turned around in front of him many times. "Watcha think?" Jack asked.

If Riddick wouldn't have been so in control of his actions, then he would have dropped the shiv he was sharpening. He looked at the smiling Jack and couldn't tear his eyes away from him. She was wearing that mini-skirt, her regular combat boots and a tight little white t-shirt that showed a little of her toned belly. Her outfit wasn't really all that special, but somehow Jack managed to look absolutely irresistible in it. The hair and make-up only emphasized her uniqueness.

"You look good, Jack," Riddick said and was surprised by his own ability to hide the impact Jack had made on him.

Jack's smile grew even wider. "Thanks, but don't you really think I don't look too plain or something?" she asked worriedly. "I don't know what people wear to bars these days. Maybe I should show more cleavage…"

"No, you're perfect," Riddick answered honestly. Also, the image of Jack showing off all she got, was a bit nerve wrecking. This time though, Jack could see his truthfulness. Jack smiled warmly at that.

"So, are you ready?" Jack asked eagerly. Jack couldn't wait for another minute. In her excitement she had completely forgotten all the problems she had with her companion.

"Yes," he answered. "Do you carry any?" he asked and fiddled skillfully with a shiv in his hand.

"Yeah, two in my boots, plus a pocket-knife," she said. Jack had already understood that Riddick would never let her leave ship unarmed, no matter what. She fully agreed with his reasons too – no need to be stupid.

"Let's get going then," he said and opened the ramp. Riddick placed a protective arm around her waist as they walked through the city. It was dark, but the streets were full of people anyway, as it's common for the tourist traps. Both of them found the closeness very comfortable, but didn't talk about it. Instead, Jack chit-chatted about this and that, Riddick was happy to listen. They were so happy, looking like just about every other couple on the street.

They chose a bar a little off the main street. They went in. It was rather dark big room with a long bar and the dancefloor. Riddick led Jack to the bar and they sat. Riddick ordered drinks.

"Whiskey for me and… What do you take, Jack?" he asked. Riddick was hoping she would choose lemonade or something.

"The same for me, thanks," Jack told to the bartender.

Riddick sighed in surrender and paid for them. He looked around the bar. "That's not that bad," the ever optimistic man said.

Jack smiled wickedly. "Safe enough for me?" she asked.

Riddick smiled. "Only as long as you keep that skirt from hitching up too high," he replied in the quite same manner.

Jack laughed at that. "Cheers!" and they both raised their glasses before taking a sip. Jack started to cough the moment the whiskey went down. "God, it burns!" she said in-between breaths.

Riddick patted her a little on the back and said: "You'll get a hang of it, kid."

And the time passed on. Jack had a great time. Riddick was the only man in the whole galaxy she wanted to spend time with anyway; and this new, more laidback Riddick made it very easy and fun. As minutes and hours passed, Riddick himself was surprised to find that he had relaxed and enjoyed being out with Jack. She would tell him all sorts of things – both about her past, but also like snappy comments about other people. Riddick naturally kept one eye open and all his senses alert for any trouble. But thankfully everything went smoothly.

"Wanna dance, sunshine?" a man stepped up to Jack and asked her slyly.

Jack looked him over. He was all right, for just a dance that is. Jack looked at Riddick as is asking for his approval. Inside Jack felt stupid for caring about Riddick's "permission", but she was just so used to it after all those years. Also, she didn't want to ruin the night by provoking him.

"Yeah. Go, kid," he said quietly and touched her shoulder. Jack smiled happily and turned to go.

When Jack had turned her back to the bar, Riddick sent a death-glare to the sleazy guy. And he saw it. For a moment he seemed confused as of how or why he had dared to steal a girl from a man like THAT anyway. The guy stepped back and looked warily at Jack. Since she hadn't seen the exchange, she light-heartedly placed her hand on the guy's bicep and they went to the dancefloor.

There were many couples dancing to the cool pop music. Jack found it so easy to move her body, the beat was great and the lightshow made her loose any shyness she possessed. Her partner was good enough – didn't grab her or come too close. After two songs Jack went back to Riddick.

"Don't you want to dance? Sunshine?" Jack asked Riddick and laughed loudly.

"No, that ain't my thing," he said gloomily.

Jack sat on her stool again and took his hand in hers. "What's wrong?" she asked worriedly. The alcohol had already started to kick in, making all of her emotions run wild.

Riddick shrugged. "Nothing. Who was this guy?" he asked instead.

Jack gaped at him. "So that's what this is all about? That I danced with someone?" she asked, stunned.

Riddick shook his head. "No, of course not. You're a grown-up and… Happy birthday, by the way."

Jack frowned. She ignored the b-day part and told Riddick: "You can't keep watching over me all the time."

Riddick took a big gulp of his drink and didn't say anything for a while. And when he did, he sounded so sad. "That's something I wanted to talk about."

Jack leaned back a little. She knew it was that talk, the one he had wanted to have on the ship already. Even though Jack was really afraid of its outcome, she needed to hear what Riddick had to say. "Go ahead," she said quietly.

Riddick didn't know where to begin. Suddenly he had so much to say, that he didn't find the words for it all. "Because I do know that. That I can't keep watching over you anymore. That you have grown up. And that fucking freaks me out!"

Jack didn't understand. "Why, Riddick?" she asked.

Riddick sighed and looked into her beautiful eyes. "Lets go back to the ship. Lets buy a bottle and lets get drunk on Martimer Nova. There are too many people here," he said. Riddick looked to be in some sort of bad mood again.

So Jack asked suspiciously: "Are you trying to buy time?"

"No! I just can't talk about it here," he explained.

Jack thought a bit. "OK," she said. Jack knew it must be really, really hard for Riddick. And all those strange people milling around didn't help at all.

They left with a bottle of whiskey in Riddick's hand. His other hand automatically found its natural place at Jack's waist. They reached Mortimer Nova without any trouble in sight. Riddick sat on his bed and Jack – with two glasses in hand that she had brought from the kitchen – sat down besides him. They drank in silence. And although Riddick had been right telling Jack she would get used to the whiskey, she didn't particularly like it.

Riddick was deep in thought, staring in the darkness. Jack's patience was wearing thin. "Well?" she finally asked.

"Well, what?" Riddick asked back, startled from his thoughts.

"Why are you freaked out by my growing up?" she asked again.

Riddick still didn't look at her. He couldn't look at her, when he was bearing her his soul. He said: "Because you are a grown-up and therefore you don't need me anymore. Now, you don't have any reason to stay with me. I don't have any reason to make you stay with me. That freaks me out. You are such a … special person, Jack. Beautiful inside out. You have so many opportunities now. There is a much better life out there just waiting for you, kid," Riddick said sadly with his quiet voice and motioned to the whole wide galaxy outside. He didn't say anything else and Jack was too shocked as well to ask for anything yet.

After collecting herself, she asked in bewilderment: "You would be sad if I left? Really?"

Riddick looked as if Jack had suddenly grown second head. "Yeah, I would! Why do you even need to ask this?"

"Because you never told me that you like to have me around!" she told him accusingly. "I have lived the past five years fearing for the day to come when you kick me out!"

Riddick asked: "Why would you think that?"

"Because! I always mess up; and because you were never really happy; because I only hold you back…" Jack said.

Riddick shook his head. "Got it all wrong, Jack. You know I'm a selfish SOB – I never offered you a chance to go with holy man. I knew then as I do now, that you are the best part of my life. And… I have also always known you deserve something much better than life with me."

Jack couldn't understand this sudden new course. "You never acted like it."

Riddick shrugged again and this time he spoke very slowly. "Maybe I was trying not to let you too close. I always knew you would go one day."

"I wouldn't have wanted to go if you hadn't jumped on me in the cargo hold!" she told him sarcastically.

Riddick took a big gulp. "Yeah," he said. "I fucked that one up, that's for sure."

Silence fell upon them. It was a delicate subject that neither of them felt comfortable talking about. Finally, Jack opened her mouth, carefully avoiding looking at Riddick. "Why did you do it?"

Riddick didn't answer right away. His usual low voice sounded so tender when he said: "I am really sorry for it, Jack. I don't know what came over me. One moment I just thought that you want some guy to fuck you. I could see it in my mind – some guy touching you, being in you. Rage took over me and all I could think about was making you mine. Claiming you mine."

Jack didn't dare to breathe. This moment was so easy to break, and Jack didn't want Riddick to close up again. Slowly she whispered: "Do you want me to be yours?" Jack couldn't believe she had really dared to ask this, so she blamed it on the booze even though she had never felt so alert in her life.

Riddick hesitated. This was an answer that could make him or break him in his own eyes. He felt it deep in his bones. He needed to be honest one more time. After some time, still avoiding any contact with Jack, Riddick stated simply: "I have wanted you for a very long time, Jack. But even I know I'm no good to you. Wanting you is wrong of me, and I am sorry for that, Jack."

Jack listened in darkness and hope in her rose again. She had to be brave and talk to him! "So, if I tell you that I want you too, then you would turn me down?" she asked hesitatingly.

Riddick turned to her sharply and asked: "What games are you playing, Jack?"

"No games! Just that – you want me and I want you… Do the math."

Riddick's shiny eyes were flaming. He did the math. He did imagine how things could be. He shook his head and said: "You're only dreaming, you don't know what you're talking about… There are millions of men out there who can give you all the things you need. Make you happy and all that shit. I know I can't."

Jack was angry. Why did Riddick have to be such a crazy damn ducker? "This doesn't make any sense!" she told him furiously. "Why do you think that?"

"Because you haven't even seen what life has to offer. You have stayed with me and missed out on a lot! You don't even know what to ask for in life!" he explained passionately.

"I was a runaway!"

"As a kid! You'd see things differently now!"

Jack looked at him, her eyes wide and mouth hanging open. "Since when did you start being so damn caring?"

Riddick smiled unhappily. "Since I found out what love is, I guess."

Jack looked at him a while longer. She didn't know what to say. Never ever had she thought a day like this could come! A day when Riddick would act as if his body had been abducted by aliens. When she would feel like something more dreadful than the monsters from Hell-planet is coming nearer and nearer.

"I'm going to bed," she said instead. She grabbed her boxers and wifebeater and changed into them in the bathroom. When she came out Riddick was still sitting on his bed the same way she had left him. Riddick's face was as if cut from stone. There was only a determined, yet unbelievably lost look in his eyes.

Jack climbed under the covers and hugged her pillow. Just as she was about to fall asleep, Riddick said quietly: "After all this, I still wish you'd stay, Jack. Will you?"

Jack listened to her heart. There was only word she could answer. "No."

THE END

But what about a sequel? wink