Author's Note: Sorry, if this chapter kinda sucks. It's just sort of a gap-filler between the previous chapter and where I need to take things in the next one. Hope you'll keep reading, cos I've got some good stuff up ahead.

"Until you agree to come with me," Riddick told Jack.

Jack simply stared. And stared. Who was this man? Riddick sure didn't say these things – to admit that he wanted something, that he was willing to give an effort. This just was not the Riddick Jack knew! Maybe he really isn't the same man, and maybe that can be a good thing…

Jack was so confused. That's exactly what she told the man. "Riddick, I'm too tired for this right now. I can't talk about all this with you. There are so many things I should try to explain to you, but I know you wouldn't understand! And I'm not ready for some heated argument or to reason with you …about what I have become…"

Riddick didn't move a muscle. She did look exhausted. Guess the performing wasn't such an easy task after all. But Riddick didn't want to leave just yet. He wanted to observe her, grasp everything he could about his Jack. He wasn't going to quit. Ever.

Jack kept on going. "I know we sort of made a deal to talk about … our lives again; and now would be the time for it. But I never promised that I'd come with you again, or anything like that! You've got to understand that I have found something very important for me here! Shit, Riddick! You've been on your own for the whole year – wasn't that better than to drag my lousy ass around?" she asked desperately. She needed him to go and not give her the choice to go with him. She didn't want to choose…

Riddick was casually leaned back. He cleared his throat before giving his answer, trying to win some time. "Jack, things could be different for you and me both. I mean - maybe I could give you all that shit you found important here, too," he offered. His low voice echoed back in the otherwise silent apartment.

Jack's mouth was hanging open yet again. "You? Offer me stuff? Riddick, I ain't talking about credits or …" she said and jumped up from her seat. She paced around her living room, hands flying in the air as she said: "It's about … God, I don't know what this is about, but you sure as hell can't offer me all that!" The air was thick with tension.

Riddick chew his bottom lip a bit. Complicated situation, huh?

Suddenly, Jack spoke again. "Why you want me back anyway?"

Riddick didn't look at her. He hadn't thought this through, and he wasn't very quick-witted at the moment. Too much relying on his words and all...

"I… Couldn't you just come with me? See it for yourself?" he asked when he couldn't find any words to describe the emptiness within himself that Riddick had become to hate; the way he had started to actually SEE himself; the way the brutal killing had become his way to relax. With Jack Riddick felt better, just as simple as that.

Jack shook his head. "I've got too much going on. I can't just take up and leave only to give us a chance. Riddick, that's what I'm talking about! That I have something permanent here, people need me. Me!" she said. "Do you even know how good it feels?"

"Yeah," Riddick said sadly. There was a time you needed me.

Jack sat back down. She rested her elbows on her knees and stared into Riddick's silver eyes. "There was a time when I would have given everything and even more to hear about what you think of me. But right now, Riddick – I am a whole different animal. I ain't gonna stand being in someone's shadow, doing someone else's bidding. And I thank you – you saved my ass so I could end up here. You taught me to survive, and survival is the main theme in show business. But as I said it – none of what you might say can change the fact that I NEED to be in charge of my life."

Riddick didn't feel that disturbed by Jack's major speech. The girl had always had a way with big words, just look at her songs. Words are only words. He stood up.

"Kid, I ain't a big bad wolf you should be afraid of here. I'm not out here to hurt you, I never did. I'll stay and give you some time to start trustin' me again," Riddick said.

Jack couldn't get a word out. She wanted to shout that she didn't fear anyone. She wanted to explain that the trust isn't the issue. But Riddick was already heading towards the door. Jack decided to let it go this time. Maybe it'd be cool to just hang with your childhood hero and be like equals.

Jack walked to the hall and watched as Riddick opened the door already. "I guess I'll see you around then," She told him.

Riddick looked back and smiled that crooked smile of his. "You can bet on it, kid," he replied.

Before Jack could tell him once again not to call her kid anymore, the door was closed.

After leaving Jack's apartment, Riddick headed over to his ship and not to his hotel room. He wanted to use his computer to do some background search. This Trevor guy might be a serious security risk for both Jack and Riddick. But not only that. Riddick wanted to find out every damn thing about Trevor that there was to be found, before he goes to have a talk with him.

Finding information was easy. There were many articles about the respected doctor. All of which seemed too good to be true. Cum laude from the galaxy's best university, bla-bla, family heritage since old-Earth times, bla-bla…

It was downing by the time Riddick leaned back in his chair. He had a reason to smile with victory, but he didn't do that. Jack had been right to question him still being the Riddick she knew, because he wasn't. He too had changed. Now Riddick didn't care only for getting what he wanted. Jack. He would have wanted to win in some better way.

Riddick got up and started his way over to Trevor's family villa. They needed to talk.

Jack woke with a jolt. She hadn't even noticed when she had fallen asleep. She had a lot to think about.

After Riddick left she had tried for hours to figure out how her life had turned into his soap opera. Birth, nice family, then being thrown into orphanage, end up as a runaway at age of ten. Three years later she had met Riddick, survived something more than everyday-horror, gained a hero / friend / protector / whatever only to be disappointed. And finally be thrown into this new society with her dream-job and boyfriend, now finding the past sneaking up on her.

"Aargh!" Jack sighed with frustration. Too late to change anything now, Jack reminded herself and got up. She had a whole new day up ahead. Need to get ready for it.

Across the town two men were having an argument.