Author's notes. I've figured out that many of you are eagerly waiting for the real, final encounter between Riddick and Jack, but I want to ask you once more for a little patience. In the following chapters, not only these two new ones, but a few others also, you're going to see how Jack fights her own demons and how Riddick deals with her. I think it is essential to keep the right line of action in the story. I think I first need to make Jack be herself again before having them be together. But anyway, you're going to find a tiny surprise in this update.

K, you know I love you. I love to work with you on this story. It's a privilege to know you. I still remember the day you decided to give me a chance as a writter. I can get used to your more than amazing work with your help and support. THANK YOU, K!

M, mi musa. A partir de ahora te necesitaré mas que nunca, así que cancela todas tus citas, chiqui. Tenemos trabajo por hacer. GRACIAS, M!

Shamrock920, damn, girl. Your reviews make my day. Honestly, I don't know what to tell you. After reading your reviews I always feel very happy, and it makes me want to write more and more, so at this point I have no words for you but THANK YOU!

Saismaat, glad you still think that my story is good. About the coma and quotation marks, well nobody is perfect, but I honestly appreciate your efforts to help me on that matter, so thank you, lol.

Suebe, cliffhanger. Nice word. I didn't know what it meant until my beta told me. I really love it when I write it, but I know that sometimes it isn't cool when you're reading one, so thank you. I guess that my version of J/R probably isn't how most of the fan fic describes, but I love it and I'm glad you love it too. Thanks for your review, honey.

ren3017, great phrase, huh? I love it too. Welcome to Soul Mates. I hope you continue reviewing the story, it will be great. Thanks, lol.

Wildfire6962000, somebody had a doubt? We're dealing with Richard B. Riddick here. I hope you enjoy the following chapters. Thanks for your support, love.

FluidDegree, do you want to know something funny, Fluid? Your reviews create addiction. I mean it, it's true! I'm a junkie for them. Please give me a new shot next week! I love it when I check my email and find there your review, flashing for my eyes. Thank you very much!

Arrna, glad you like the story, here you have more chapters to enjoy, thanks, hon.

Thanks to everyone else who has left a review, I really appreciate your feeding of the bea cough , er muse.

Ok, now. 3….2….1….0 Let's read the new chapters!

Chapter 15: Painful memories.

Jack closed the door to the bathroom and collapsed onto the floor. Shit, shit, shit, she was chanting now. He'd done it again, she thought to herself as she rubbed her forehead. Jack couldn't push out of her mind visions of Riddick's body. Her mind was determined to torture her with them. She sighed hard and gave up trying to stop her thoughts. She grinned as she thought of how those well built muscles flexed under the tight, black tank shirt, and her imagination flew free; full of memories of his body.

Flash back

Shazza had asked Jack to help her repair the Sand Cat. Jack just nodded and went to her side. All the adults had decided to remove the cells from the HG, to load them on the skiff. Jack wasn't paying attention to Shazza's request because she was thinking about Riddick. She couldn't believe that a man's body could be so perfect. Of course, she had seen many men before. More than she had wanted, or whished to, at her young age; but Riddick was definitely unique. No one could hear him unless he wanted them to, including Johns. Jack wondered how the merc had captured him. She knew that Johns was a merc before the rest of the survivors, Riddick had told her when he realized how Johns looked at her. It was obvious that Riddick was a bigger mouthful than Johns could chew. Jack remembered a book she had had with pictures of animals from old earth. Riddick moved like a panther, slowly, with feline grace, and deadly fast when it become necessary. He had muscles where she never suspected a man could have them. Riddick was just a few metres away, carrying the cells over his shoulder. His body was glistening with sweat under the hot suns of the planet, all three of them, and it made his body even more attractive to her; if that was possible. Jack just couldn't believe that neither Fry or Shazza were not aware of his beauty.

Shazza smacked the back of Jack's head, just a love tap. "Hey! What the hell...?" Jack cried out as she rubbed her head.

"Stop staring at him Jack," Shazza warned her.

"I'm not," Jack said annoyed.

"Yes, you are. He's a dangerous killer," she hissed. "Don't even think I'm gonna let you be near him, even for a minute." Shazza said, trying to calm herself.

Jack turned her head. "You're not my mother." She retorted angrily, and then looked at him again.

"You're right. I'm not your mother." Shazza put a hand on Jack's shoulder. Jack struggled to get away from her touch. Shazza pressed harder. "Riddick is a convict and who knows where he was when Johns captured him," Shazza said as she turned Jack to face her. "You're a fifteen year old girl," Shazza stroked Jack's recently shaved head, then sighed sadly. "You know what he can do to you if he discovers that you're not a boy." Shazza voice sounded concerned.

In seconds Jack's mind filled with painful memories of her past, and her eyes filled with fear. Shazza gently rubbed Jack's arms up and down. Jack tried to get rid of the memories as soon as they came. She just didn't want, or need, to think about that right now.

"I'm not afraid of him, Shazza." Jack said as she broke away from her. Shazza frowned. "Somehow I know Riddick won't hurt me." Jack added as she turned to leave.

"Why are you so sure Jack?", Shazza asked with a hint of bitterness.

Jack glanced at her. "Cause he already knows I'm a girl." She explained to her.

Shazza's eyes widened. "You told him?", she asked, her voice rising.

Jack smiled at her. "No. He knew." She said calmly.

Shazza shut her eyes and shook her head. She couldn't believe that Jack was too blind to see that Riddick was just a dangerous killer, and that he didn't care about anyone but himself. Shazza was completely sure that he wouldn't hesitate for a second to slash Jack's throat, or anyone else's for that matter, if it meant his own survival. She hoped that Jack would be smart enough to stay out of Riddick's sight for her own good. "Jack?", Shazza called to her. Jack stopped and looked at her. "He's an animal." She hissed.

"He's just a man." Jack replied as she took a deep breath. "An escaped convict? Sure. A killer? Probably. A dangerous man? Absolutely." Jack then turned her head in Riddick's direction. "But an animal? Definitely not." She put as much confidence as she could into the words.

Riddick noticed Jack's stare and turned his head to look at her. Jack tensed and shivered when she felt Riddick's eyes, as if they were going to pierce her, even behind his goggles. Riddick then rested his eyes on Shazza as he tilted his head to one side and licked his lips. He stared at Shazza's body as if it was the last piece of meal. Shazza gasped, and in response she looked at Riddick as if he was the most disgusting thing in the entire Galaxy. Riddick smirked at that, and looked again at the girl. He had been listening to our conversation, Jack thought. Jack found in some part of her mind enough strength to do what she did then. Jack pulled down her own goggles as her lips curved in a big smile; all the while she continued to stare at him. Riddick arched a brow, and after a few seconds he grinned back.

End flash back

Jack brought her knees to her chest, holding them there and laying her head on them. She thought about Shazza, Fry and the others. She remembered how she wanted to be like them, they had been strong and independent women. Fry was a pilot, and Shazza was on her way to the frontiers with Zeke. A strong shiver passed through her body as she also remembered the creatures. Jack gasped and shut her eyes. She thought about Johns and how he tried to make Riddick kill her. Riddick had told her after she had awakened screaming from a nightmare. The fucking coward didn't have the balls to kill her himself, and Jack gave thanks to Imam's God that Riddick was the man she suspected, otherwise she would've been dead long ago.

Jack opened her eyes and frowned when she saw a red ampoule. It was on the floor of the bathroom, in the far corner. It must have fell from the box when Riddick snatched it from my hands… She picked it up and stared at it. How can such a small thing be so destructive? Jack realized that without them, she should start remembering everything in her past, not just memories of Riddick. Jack wasn't sure anymore if she wanted to remember everything about her life. She suspected that maybe that would be too painful for her. Standing up, she looked at her face in the mirror. It was a little flushed and her eyes were red with tears. She hadn't noticed them being shed while she was thinking about the people she had met on board the HG, and how they died so violently on that planet.

Jack raised her hand and stared again at the little red ampoule. It means the difference between life and death for you, Audrey, she recalled Dr. Morris' words. Why? Because what I can't remember can't kill me? She squeezed the ampoule between her fingers until the red liquid poured out along her slim hand. Can't kill me, my ass, she said to herself, and felt suddenly angry. It'll kill me if I can't remember him, she was thinking about Riddick. Jack finally realized she was ready, and up to the challenge of facing the memories of her past. "It's worth the risk." And with her words she realized she absolutely meant it. For the first time her voice sounded firm, and with no trace of doubt.

Jack undressed and stepped in the shower, adjusting the temperature and standing under the spray of warm water. She began to rub her skin with the soap and took a deep breath. Her muscles relaxed and her eyes closed. Suddenly she frowned and snapped them open when her hand touched a small scar on her upper arm. When she looked at it, Jack froze, and began to shudder with a vision she couldn't dispel.

Flash back

There were three men that had landed in New Mecca last week, and during that time they had been watching Jack. Watching her, after all, was part of their job. They were supposed to find out were Audrey Jacqueline Travis was, and once they did, they were to bring her to their paymaster safe and sound. Two of them worked for The Firm, but the third one was a merc. The merc's name was Damien, and he provided the other two with the intel they needed to find Jack. In exchange for Jack's location, he would join the two other men in her capture. Damien didn't care about Jack; he was interested in a bigger bounty. Richard B. Riddick.

Damien had actually had Johns as a business partner, until Johns decided that Riddick's bounty was something he didn't want to share. He hadn't minded at the time, he figured that Riddick would more than likely kill Johns. So he decided to just sit back, and wait for his own chance; which had finally arrived. It took him almost a year, but Damien had picked up Riddick's trail and found that he had left New Mecca a few weeks ago. He didn't care. At least he had this little bitch, and for now that had to be enough. He was sure that Jack would know where the "Big evil" had gone, and that he could use her to find Riddick.

------------

Jack walked along the street with all five senses on alert; this was something that Riddick had taught her. She had decided to pass the weekend at a friend's house. After realizing that Riddick had left her behind, she was determined to act like he/it didn't matter to her. It wasn't working, everything kept reminding her of him. Jack shifted her handbag on her shoulder as she became aware that someone was following her. She could sense it. Under the cover of adjusting the bag; she slowly reached for the shiv Riddick had given her. After getting it from her inside jacket pocket, she turned around and faced whoever it was behind her.

"Well, well, well, look what we've got here. Riddick's little bitch," the merc said as he stared at Jack, looking her over from head to toe.

Jack gave him a disgusted look. "I'm no one's bitch, you fucking asshole," she retorted as she started to circle the man.

Damien's laugh echoed throughout the alley. "I knew it had to be you, when I took the job," he said as he pulled out his shiv. "The boss is eagerly waiting for you with his arms wide open. I think he missed you terribly, but I'll bet he didn't know who you were with, Jack. Or should I say, Audrey," he continued as he moved forward. "On the other hand, I know all about you, little whore. I knew that big evil liked them young, but not that young. I'm sure you're a great fuck.," he hissed nastily.

Jack frowned. "You don't know shit," she hissed as she revealed her own shiv. She concentrated on the merc's movements and tried to keep her breathing even, just like Riddick had told her millions of times during their training sessions. But her heart was racing, and a few drops of perspiration had formed on her forehead. Stay focused, Jack, she tried to maintain control of her body.

The merc's eyes widened in surprise. "Black steel," he said. "His style, no doubt," he added as he brandished his shiv in front of Jack. After a second he rushed her. Jack turned around herself and sliced him. "Little bitch!", he cried out as he looked down at his chest and touched his injury. Damien never considered that a fifteen years old girl could be a serious adversary. "You'll pay for this." He hissed as he saw his own blood on his fingers. He definitely had underestimated her and had paid for the mistake.

Jack didn't bother to answer. She had learned too well that her victory depended on her concentration. No need at this point to talk with a merc. Jack just stared at him with an evil grin, unconsciously mimicking Riddick. She felt adrenaline running wildly through her veins, and shifted her grip around her shiv in anticipation. The merc rushed her again, Jack crouched in front of him and kicked his leg in the process. The merc fell to his knees and Jack kicked him again on his back. The merc rolled to one side, getting back to his feet. It was time for Jack to attack, so she rushed him from behind and stabbed him. Damien cried out in pain and fell to the ground, his eyes wide. He couldn't believe that this skinny little girl had hurt him twice. Damien made up his mind and decided that he wasn't going to let this little fucking bitch live. Jack's eyes were wide open with a mix of panic and exultation.

She then thought about Riddick's words. ... remember, kid. Sometimes you must kill to survive. You sure you'll be ready to do that when the time comes?... Jack took a deep breath and made up her mind. She jumped onto the merc's back, but she didn't kill him. Suddenly Jack felt an indescribable pain pass through her tiny body; she fell to her own knees with her eyes wide open in panic. She then looked around and saw two more men staring at her. One of them held a paralyzing gun in his hand.

The man with the gun looked down at her and kicked her side viciously. Jack's body rolled to one side as the air was knocked out of her lungs. "Bastard," she hissed in a faint voice as she grabbed her sides.

"We've got to take you back alive, but no one told us not to beat the shit out of you first, or enjoy your sweet company," he hissed as he kicked her again. "We've got plenty of time to fix you before we reach Gemini system," he added in a sarcastic tone that sent chills through Jack's body.

Jack shut her eyes tightly and concentrated on just simply breathing. You promised, she thought, and braced herself for what was to come. She then heard the other man. "What about him?" he asked as he kicked Damien's nearly dead body.

"Forget him," the man with the gun said as he grabbed Jack by the arm and dragged her limp body along the alley.

After a moment Damien rolled to his side and got to his feet. He stumbled along the alley and disappeared. As he walked away injured, he made a promise to himself. No matter how much time he had to wait. No matter if it would take him years, he would find her and make her pay for this. Now it wasn't a question of money anymore; it was a question of pride. He had patience, a lot of it, and time to plan how to pay that little bitch back. This day was seared into Damien's mind with fire. Someday, I'll find you Jack, and not even the big evil Riddick himself will be able to save you, he thought with an evil grin on his now pale lips.

End flash back

Jack leaned her back on the wall and slid to the floor. Bringing her knees to her chest, she held them and rested her head there under the fall of water. Her eyes fixed on a spot only she could see. Jack was trembling hard and her hands were shaking uncontrollably. Silent tears were rolling free, they mixed with the water and the cold sweat that covered her body. Jack's heart was racing at this point and her nose was bleeding. Her face paled and her mouth opened to scream, but no sound came out. Her throat was closed and her vision blurred. She couldn't hear anything except a buzzing. In a second she felt a ray of pain run through her vertebra, and her head seemed to explode into millions pieces. A seizure! her mind screamed. With the little sanity she had left, she thought of one name. "RIDDICK!" she screamed out as her mind went blank.