First off, many many THANK YOUS to all my reviewers! God I love you guys. breaks into song You are the wind beneath my… oops, sorry, hehe. DOUBLE THANK YOUS to everyone who has stuck with me from chapter 1! I'll be the first to admit this chapter is kinda boring. It's necessary though so stick it out and Chapter12 is already in the works, I promise. Most of this is in Jonas' POV, not saying Jonas is boring, he'll have his shining moments later on.

As always, review review review! Oh yeah, and REVIEW! (Please?) I need feedback, like if I could do anything differently, what would it be? I tend to miss my own plot holes, so if you find any let me know so I can fix them!

Another note, and I'm sure you guys are tired of my shameless self advertising, but there's a brand new topic on my Riddick forum that I would love to see replies to! ;o)

Okay, that's enough from me. trumpet sounds On with the show!

Disclaimer: I just own the plot, and Jonas, and anyone else you may not know from the movies. PLEASE DON'T SUE ME! It wouldn't be worth it :oP.


Jonas noticed a few things about Kyra and Riddick since they'd come to. One was that his traveling companions regarded each other differently now than before they had gone under. There was still an uneasiness between them, but the immeasurable tension that had plagued them before was no longer so apparent. Another thing was that they were both much worse company now, keeping to themselves mostly and barely uttering two words in his direction. After four months of being for all intents and purposes alone, all Jonas wanted to do was talk, especially to get feedback on why he felt this overwhelming anxiety about going back to the only place he'd ever called home. It wasn't much help that all the two of them wanted was to be left alone. This left him in a quandary; how to talk without taking his life into his own hands.

On the last day before arriving at Ajilon, Jonas found Kyra lounging in the copilot's seat, cheerless eyes distantly following the tiny bit of thread she twirled between her fingers. He thought about just leaving her be, but when he turned to walk away she spoke up.

"I don't bite, you know," she said without taking her eyes off the thread.

"I know, I just thought you'd want to be left alone. That's all both of you have wanted lately." His voice betrayed his dejected state of mind. Kyra looked up at him and nodded at the pilot's seat, inviting him to sit. He took the invite and sat down, giving Kyra his full attention. It took her a moment but finally she spoke.

"I feel strange, like there's something about what I saw while I was under that I should remember distinctly. Like I'm missing something. Something significant, you know?" Jonas nodded, unsure of what to say, he just let her keep going, "It's something to do with Riddick and it's important, I can feel it whenever I look at him. It's really frustrating, like it should be obvious and it's not." She never took her eyes off the thread out of fear that Jonas might see the tears confined in her eyes.

The way she spoke told him she didn't expect an answer, she just wanted to let it out. He didn't have a good answer for her anyway. There was silence for a moment, then Jonas sighed, and then sighed again a little more exaggeratedly.

"What's on your mind?" Kyra finally asked, getting the hint.

"Well, I'm having conflicted feelings about going home, actually," Jonas answered hastily, happy to finally be able to get it off his chest. His uneasiness about returning had been pent up for so long it just kind of rushed out of him all at once as he spoke like the air out of a cut tire. Kyra looked up at him surprised.

"I would have thought you'd be ecstatic about it."

"Well, part of me is, but the other part is terrified of all the people I'll see and the memories it will dig up." Jonas said sadly. Kyra thought on it for a moment.

"A wise man once told me-" Jonas gave her a funny look, "I'm serious, he really is a wise man. Anyway, a wise man told me that memories are the reminders of who we are, and where we came from. They remind us of the things we've been through so that we know what we can take on in the future. Does that help?" She asked, a little amazed at how wise she herself sounded. 'Thank you Imam,' she thought. Jonas chewed on her words for a moment.

"Yeah, I guess. Thanks."


The next day they were within contact range of Ajilon, so Jonas decided to call ahead to reserve a bay for the Gash (Get Away Shit Heap, affectionately abbreviated since the thing had gotten them out of more than one pinch relatively unharmed.) He went to hail the docking bay at Ramistad, the capital city from which they would commute to his rebuilt hometown, but he hesitated. He had looked very different growing up on Ajilon, and that was the man they would expect to see now. This was going to suck.

Kyra heard a cry from the front of the skiff and dropped the diagnostic screen she was working with to check on Jonas. She could hear breath coming in short bursts between pained groans. She was stunned as she came upon a blonde head sitting in the pilot's seat. She almost went for her shiv.

"Jonas?" she said cautiously. He turned his head slightly toward her and she gasped.

He was sexy! Longish blonde hair, the same limpid blue eyes, his skin was darker as well and you could see the tone of his muscles beneath it now. He was taller too, it seemed. Kyra's eyes went wide.

"Wow," was all she could manage.

'Shame on you,' she scolded inwardly.

'What?' she defended, 'It's not my fault he's hot now.' She shook the reaction off as she realized he was obviously still in pain.

"Are you alright?" she asked, moving to his side.

"Ahh, yeah." Even his voice was different now, richer. "It hurts a bit when I extend my bone structure, especially when I've been one height for a while. I gotta do the other leg though." Kyra looked down and realized that one leg was indeed shorter than the other by about two inches. The sight of it made her stomach flip flop a little.

"Is there anything I can do?" she asked, seating herself in the copilot's seat next to him. Jonas smiled a little; Kyra noticed that it was a much more attractive smile now. 'This could be interesting,' she thought.

'Bad girl,' she scolded again.

"Yeah actually, just sit with me. Unless you have a weak stomach." Jonas grinned. Kyra nodded. It was a simple enough request.

"Like I could have a weak stomach hanging out with him." Kyra answered lightly, referring to the convict in the back. Jonas grinned, and then closed his eyes and took on a somber expression, like he was deep in thought. Suddenly he grimaced and clinched his jaw, and Kyra cringed a bit as she heard the unmistakable sounds of bone breaking.

"Ahhh SHIT SHIT SHIT!" Jonas swore. There were more pops and cracks, and Kyra's stomach turned a little more as she watched as his left leg extended to match the length of the right. Kyra watched his knuckles turn white as he gripped the armrest of the pilot's chair. He growled deeply. There was another sickening crunch and he let out one last sharp cry, then relaxed, panting heavily.

"God, is it over? Are you okay?" She asked cautiously.

"Yeah, it's done, the bone just has to finish knitting and I'll be okay." He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Damnit, I'll never get used to that."

"I thought it didn't hurt anymore?"

"Not when I soften up. When I have to alter my bone structure, that's different. That hurts like hell. That's the crappy part of being only half Changling. Almost complete molecular control, almost not painful." He winced again, as if to prove his point.

"Why did you have to change anyway?" she asked curiously.

"This is what the Jonas that grew up here would look like now. What few people are left that I grew up around wouldn't recognize me otherwise. There's only one person on this planet that knows what I am. She was my best friend up until the day I left." Kyra nodded. She thought she saw Jonas' bright blue eyes darken a bit but she caught motion out of the corner of her eye and turned to see Riddick emerging from the back of the skiff. He stopped short when he saw the blonde hair, and looked at Kyra questioningly.

"It's Jonas, I swear," she told him with a smirk. Riddick only grunted and turned back around toward the back of the skiff. Jonas noticed a troubled look cross her face briefly.

"You guys will figure it out, I know it," he told her quietly. Kyra smiled a little, knowing he was probably right. It hurt a little in the meantime though.

Soon after, Jonas got on the horn.

"Attention Ramistad docking station, come in." Suddenly the vid screen popped on and a chunky older man appeared.

"This is Ramistad docking command, Anisi speaking, what can we do for you?" The man's voice was gruffer than Kyra would have thought.

"This is Jonas Salazar of the Gash giving notice of intent to dock in minus five hours. Can you have a bay ready for us?"

"Ah, negative Gash, we are all full up, you'll have to redirect-" the man was suddenly pushed out of his seat. There were sounds of a scuffle in the background, some yelling, and suddenly another man appeared on the screen. He was thinner than the first; red hair, big gray eyes, with a neatly trimmed beard and mustache framing a small mouth. Said gray eyes were alight as he stared into the vid screen with wonder. Jonas and Kyra only looked at each other.

"Jonas? Jonas fucking Salazar? Is that really you?" Jonas thought the man looked familiar but couldn't place him.

"Yeah. Who are you?" The man grew even more excited.

"Hot DAMN! I never thought I'd see your ass ever again! It's me, Soli!" Jonas' eyes lit up instantly.

"Holy shit! Soli it is you, isn't it?" Jonas was obviously happy to see the man. Knowing someone on a docking station generally made things go more smoothly. Especially with their 'special' circumstances. Soli had been one of Jonas' closer friends growing up, not the closest, but closer than most.

"What the fuck are you doing at the docking station?" Jonas asked astonished. Soli took on a haughty expression.

"It's my docking station, I'm the senior controller here. All the departures and docks go through me." Soli sounded entirely too proud about this fact.

"No shit! They must've really been hard up for people if they put you in charge." Jonas poked at him. The two only laughed. "So what's up, are you guys really full up or is there room for one more?"

"Ahh, we can squeeze you in, what's your ETA?"

"Maybe five hours, probably less. We've got some body damage, and only one engine. Got a mechanic on hand?"

"Yeah, I can rustle one up. How many on board?" Kyra shot Jonas a look. It's not like he could tell this man exactly whom he had on board. That might not go over so well. Little did she know Jonas already had it covered.

"I got two friends with me. They're migrant workers taking a break. Thought I'd come home for a while, show 'em the sights. You know."

"No prob, they'll have to go through clearance, but we can talk about that when you get here." Once again, Kyra shot Jonas a look. Jonas squirmed uneasily.

"Yeah, we need to have a little conversation about that, out." And with that Jonas cut the signal.

"Clearance?" Riddick's voice came from behind Jonas, nearly making him jump out of his skin.

"Don't worry, I got it." Jonas was sure he had it, he just wasn't sure how yet.


They were cleared for landing four and a half hours later. Their final approach to the docking station nearly took Kyra's breath away. She had never seen so much green on one planet. It was dotted with lights from the smaller towns and cities and it was even more beautiful in the rising sun. They passed a mountain range and nestled in the valley beyond was a huge spread of lights, Ramistad. The lights twinkled up like the stars themselves were being mirrored in a jeweled lake. 'Beautiful,' Kyra thought. It was reminiscent of her first landing in New Mecca, but she couldn't afford to think about that now.

They docked at the designated bay without incident and Jonas lowered the ramp and stepped off the skiff into the awaiting fist of his old friend.

"OW! Soli what the fuck was that for?" he asked, putting a hand to his jaw.

"THAT was for leaving eight years ago, THIS is for coming back!" Soli threw his arms around Jonas giving him a much-needed hug and pat on the back. 'It's good to be home,' Jonas thought absently. Kyra stepped out of the skiff next, much to the surprise of Jonas' friend whose big eyes and little mouth gaped open.

"Heeelloooo," Soli was all but drooling on himself at the sight of her, "And who might this lovely lady be?" he asked, quickly letting go of Jonas and offering a hand to Kyra as she walked down the gangway. Jonas only grinned knowing she would surely set him straight.

"I am lovely, but I'm no lady. The name's Kyra." She shook Soli's offered hand, making him wince a little with her grip.

"Ah, I like strong women," Soli was in love… and then came Riddick. His eyes went wide as he looked over the massive man before him.

"And this is…?" He asked eyeing Jonas suspiciously.

"Yeah, this is the little conversation we need to have… in private?" Jonas nodded toward Soli's office.

"Yeah, I can see that. Uh, make yourselves at home; there are coffee and pastry type things over there. After you Jonas." Soli motioned for Jonas to lead the way. The two walked briskly to Soli's office in the corner of the docking bay.

Soli shut the door, making sure to bolt it behind them so as not to be disturbed. He sat behind his desk folding his hands on the surface authoritatively.

"Well, you look good Jonas." Soli began lightly.

"Yeah, eight years does a lot." Jonas ran a hand through his now blonde hair and almost giggled at the thought that six hours ago he'd looked very different.

"Yeah it does. Did you ever accomplish your mission? You know, the whole revenge thing?" Soli asked. Jonas looked down.

"No, actually. Something else got to Johns before I could." Jonas left out the part about wasting the last four years.

"Too bad. At least he bit it, though, even if you didn't get to do it." Jonas nodded. There was a moment of silence between the men. Then, Soli spoke up again, obviously not happy.

"So what really brings you back, Jonas? And who the fuck is that enormous man out there who oddly resembles someone I've seen on a wanted bulletin before!"

"Calm down Soli. You don't need to know who he is officially, just that he's a friend, a very good friend." Jonas looked down. "Look, we're in some trouble with someone nasty. We just need to lay low, figure out a game plan. A month, that's all I ask. Give me that, Soli, please." Soli rubbed at his eyes wearily.

"You're asking me to go out on a limb that isn't here anymore, Jonas. Is he dangerous? Because if anything happens shit rolls downhill, ya know! I could get arrested for even letting him pass through my station without telling someone. And I would hate to end up in a shit storm because of you after all this time." Soli sighed, "I still love you like a little brother Jonas, but goddamn it things just aren't the same anymore. In fact, they're so different it's like a whole other planet now." Soli seemed deeply troubled by this, Jonas noticed. There was quiet for a moment.

"Have you seen Sariah lately?" Jonas asked hopefully. Soli chuckled.

"I wondered how long it was going to be before you brought her up. She was here in Ramistad for a while going to school. Last I heard she dropped out and went back home and was getting married. Not to you, obviously." Jonas grunted.

Sariah had been the only person to whom he'd entrusted his secret. They had been inseparable when they were little and for years afterward. They looked out for each other and had vowed that some day after Jonas was a military hero and Sariah was a famous scientist they would get married and live happily ever after. 'So much for that,' Jonas thought bitterly. She had begged him to stay after the massacre, but he just couldn't. He had to find the fucker that destroyed his life… all their lives.

He thought of her yelling at him at the transport dock before he left.

"Jonas dammit! Do you think this is what she would have wanted? Her son being controlled by his thirst for vengeance? Stay with me, please, help us rebuild and help quell your anger with what we create in the wake of destruction." She sounded so desperate, but all he'd done was sneer at her.

"You talk about her like you know she's already dead Sariah! There's a chance she's still alive, I have to take it!" He turned to walk down the passage to the transport shuttle.

"If you leave here, Jonas Michael Salazar, I swear to everything holy and true that I will never forgive you! If you go, don't ever come find me again." Her words had made him pause for a moment in the passage. He knew she meant it by her tone, but he didn't care. If she couldn't understand, it was her own damn fault.

"Yeah, she's turned into a power whore, I don't even know her anymore." Soli brought Jonas back to the present.

"Watch your mouth, man. How could you say that about her?" Jonas was amazed at the callousness in Soli's voice regarding their old friend.

"It's true! Tobias Rothchild's dear old dad practically spoon fed him the whole goddamned town when he died and she's right there next to him eating it up."

"What do you mean?"

"You know how Toby's dad was one of the chief Council members, right? Well, he died shortly after they finished rebuilding, and he left his seat on the Council to Tobias. Big mistake, he was waaaaay too young. The power went straight to his head. He abolished the Council by convincing the people that it played a major hand in the massacre, even his dad. He planned it so he ended up being declared Dictator in the end. He's practically got his own damned religion now." Jonas' jaw fell.

"You're shitting me."

"Fuck, I wish. He controls everything, trade, labor, farming, mining, you name it. That's why I moved here, I couldn't take it anymore, but he's got his eye on the Capitol House too. He's into some dangerous shit man, he's fucking untouchable."

"Like what?" Jonas asked. Soli looked around as though someone might be listening. He leaned in over his desk a little.

"I don't know all of it, but it's bad, whatever it is." Soli leaned back, obviously uncomfortable with the subject, so Jonas changed it.

"So they did finish rebuilding though?"

"Yeah, no thanks to you. They renamed the town Lazarus like it's some tribute." Soli snorted.

"I-" Jonas started but Soli cut him off.

"You know, Jonas, everyone lost someone that day. Some lost more than others, but everyone… lost… someone." Soli rose from his seat and headed for the door but stopped and looked at Jonas, "You've got as long as the repairs take, probably two weeks. No more, no less. Then you're on your own."

A moment later the two men emerged from the office, Soli headed one direction, and Jonas headed back toward the skiff.

"What do you think?" Kyra asked Riddick quietly. He thought for a moment. Though Jonas and Soli tried to be hush about their conversation, words like 'dangerous' and 'arrested' had still drifted into Riddick's ears.

"I think you should be ready to grab the shiv I know you've got on you somehwere, just in case." Riddick muttered anxiously.

"Well there's good news and bad news. Which do you want first?" The look Jonas got from both of them said it didn't matter. "Okay, he'll take care of the clearance matters, but…" he paused for effect, "we've only got two weeks covered, then it's out of his hands, if you get my drift." Jonas could tell this wasn't what Riddick wanted to hear.

"What all did you tell him?" he growled ominously.

"Relax, I told him that we got into some trouble and needed to lay low for a while." Riddick didn't look convinced. "Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth, okay? Soli's a good guy, he'll do right." Riddick was still obviously not pleased, but he held on well considering. Soli came back.

"Here," he handed Jonas three clearance cards, "They're good for two weeks. If you guys get into trouble," Soli leaned closer to Jonas "you did not come through here, alright?"

Jonas thanked his friend profusely, knowing it would be the last favor he would ever get from Soli.


Pssst… Review! Just a reminder ;o)