Author's note. Here we go, one more week. In the next chapter were going to read many things about feelings, thoughts and emotions. A realization, a kiss, DELETED BY BETA, COUGH, LET'EM FIND OUT ON THEIR OWN! From now on, Jack B. Badd is definitely back and, and she's mad. There's nothing more dangerous in the world than a woman who's very pissed off. But, of course, we are dealing with Richard B. Riddick here, so...
K, what a week, K! Today I honestly don't know what to tell you, hon. More than ever you have shown me your support, so I could only say THANK YOU! "Chapter 19 has been more painful than childbirth, I swear." NJRD say to her beta, grinning.
M, Si no fuese por ti todavía estaría anclada en el capítulo 25. Joder, M. Esto es mas difícil de lo que yo creía en un principio. Gracias por estar ahí para mi casi 24 horas al día. ¿Me pregunto cómo podría agradecértelo? Gracias tía. Te quiero.
Aleigh Walker, Oh honey, you can be sure that Jack is going to exploit each and every one of Riddick's weaknesses. You'll find out in the following chapters. Thanks for your review, lol.
Arrna, Nope, it's not you, honey. Definitely, the sexual tension is getting worse, and this is only the beginning. Thanks, honey.
Shamrock920, You're going to find out about some of his thoughts in this update. They are going to be together, but in next update. I think that all of us are waiting for it, though, so I oblige. As always, you know how I feel when I read your reviews. Thanks, honey.
SueBe, and that's only the beginning. Riddick doesn't know what's coming for him. Thanks for reviewing, lol.
FluidDegree, Yeah! I knew you were going to enjoy Riddick's shower. You're great, sweetheart! Jack is going to do much more that just jump onto him, Fluid. Also, I'll tell you that she's going to realize about her feelings sooner than you think, babe. Stay with me, and I'll show you in next update. Oh, girl, my self esteem grew a couple of degrees after reading your review. Thank you, Fluid.
Wildfire6962000, I have to say that sometimes Riddick acts like a jerk, but, well, I love him anyway. I agree with you, he deserves what is coming to him. Thanks lol. I'm waiting for your next review eagerly.
Tini243, I'm glad you like the way I show our couple here. Welcome to my little family. I hope you like the upcoming chapters. Enjoy them, lol. Waiting your opinion. Thanks for leaving your review, honey.
Well, children. Let's make ourselves comfortable, and enjoy a new chapter in our lovely couple's life. I sincerely hope you like it. It has been more difficult than usual, so please tell me what do you think. Thanks to all of you.
Chapter 19: Revelations
Jack had made herself comfortable on the crouch in the living area. She felt a little tired after her short, but intense, training session. She was lost in thought about what Riddick had told her. The idea that someone would wish her dead had been the last straw for her already too bursting brain. The reason why The Firm wanted her dead was something she couldn't fathom. She had been working for them, in one way or another, for the last five years. She had been a good employee. She never gave them problems; never complained about anything. On the contrary, Jack had always tried to contribute with her ideas for the good of the company. She was always on time for work, she'd never once been late or absent from her job. With the exception of her medical appointments with Dr. Morris, which were excused.
Apart from that, who was she, anyway? Jack was just a grain of sand in the middle of the Galaxy. She was harmless. She wasn't a killer or a hacker. She didn't know any secrets that could be revealed. She frowned as she thought about herself and her life. She didn't have credits; she didn't have power or a family name. Jack realized that she didn't even know if she was going to see Danielle or Imam again. They had been, to her, as close as a family could be. She almost didn't have any clothes now. Jack chuckled at her last thought. She was no one. Jack sighed when she realized that almost no one would give a shit about her. Just three people would mourn her death. Danielle, Imam and Riddick. Yes. She had Riddick. But for how long? Jack looked around and frowned. Where's Riddick? She realized that she hadn't seen him for a long time. Certainly The Darkveil wasn't a small ship, but there weren't too many places to go on it. From where she was sitting, she could see the kitchen, the hallway that lead to the bedroom, and the cockpit. Jack stood and went in search of him.
Riddick had been avoiding her as much as he could without making her suspicious. He had been successful because Jack had been so lost in thought; she hadn't realized he wasn't around. He had spent almost all his time in the gym or in the cockpit, trying to put his thoughts in order.
Riddick had been sitting on the floor of the cargo hold for the last two hours. He was in the darkest; far corner, and leaning with his back to the wall. He bent his knees and brought them up to his chest, resting his arms on them. Letting out a deep growl, he leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. He didn't know what to do with Jack now that she was back in his life. He had made a lot of mental notes, to take care of a lot of things; things that he didn't want, or hadn't the time, to deal with before. But now the time had come, and he honestly didn't know how to solve all the things that he had been postponing.
Sooner or later, Jack was going to ask him again about the kiss and his intense glare at her; about why he had left her; about why he hadn't came back to her. She had made it clear with the tone of her voice when she had said I'm done for now. Riddick shut his eyes and shook his head slowly. He knew that he was hiding from her down here, like a fucking coward, but he needed some time alone to put his thoughts in order. He needed to, just so that he could explain to her about all these foreing feelings he was having. Riddick never was too good with words and feelings. When had he had feelings for someone, though? This entire situation was too new to him. Riddick admitted to himself that he just simply didn't know how to deal with this new Jack. She wasn't the kid he remembered and missed; she was a woman. And what a woman, he said to himself, grinning.
He frowned when he thought about the women he had known before. With the exception of Fry, Shazza, and maybe a couple more, they were all whores. He had spent a lot of time in whorehouses during the last five years. Jack was quite different from all of them; they were as similar as day and night. Riddick had realized that fact as soon as he had laid eyes on her, for the very first time, on T2. The way she looked at him with those beautiful, green eyes, eyes full of questions. Jack seemed to always be able to unnerve him with her many questions about everything. Always glued to him; always around him; always ready and able to learn whatever he would decide was important for her to know. Since she was a kid, they had always had some kind of connection. She had lived a tough life, at her young age, just like him. They had been discarded from society, forced to find their own way to survive. He thought about fate. Fate, he echoed in his mind. His mind went back over all the questions that fate had put before him in the past. He started to wonder if he had made the right choices, what could have happened, instead of what was. Like what would have happened if Johns hadn't captured him? What would have happened if she wouldn't have looked at him the way she did. Or, if he had left her to die on T2? What would have happened if he didn't get those damned dreams, and abandoned her on New Mecca? What would have happened to her if he hadn't accepted, five years before, the offer from The Firm? The most important one now, was what would have happened if he couldn't have gotten her back in his life? Riddick closed his eyes and thought about all these questions; and the more he thought, the more he came to the same conclusion. I would be alone if I wouldn't have found her, he heaved a deep sigh. With his eyes still closed, Riddick bent his head and rested it on his crossed hands. Jack. Why couldn't he deserve a woman like her? Why couldn't he dare dream about her? They were made for each other. But Riddick didn't want to risk her life. It was too precious to him. If the only way to keep her alive was to renounce her, he would be more than ready to sacrifice his own dreams and his life. Which he had already done once before, and just look where that got him.
"Riddick? Are you here?" Jack asked from the doorway of the cargo hold, staring into the darkness.
Riddick didn't move or breathe. "Yeah, kid", that's all he said as he stared at her silhouette.
Jack saw two mercurial orbs appear in the darkness and hesitantly headed towards them. She gasped when saw them disappear for a few seconds when he blinked. She took a deep breath as she went few more steps in his direction. "Are you ok?" Her voice was almost a whisper. She could feel his tension even through the darkness, and it caused her to go motionless. "Talk to me, Riddick." She said softly, as she stared at his eyes. At the sound of her words, Riddick felt his guard drop, unconsciously and just for a moment. Showing an emotion that he didn't know he had in him. Jack narrowed her eyes while staring at his mercurial ones, gleaming in the darkness. She would have sworn that for a few seconds they showed loneliness. Then Riddick blinked again, and the sensation was gone. Jack thought about it for a second. Suddenly it seemed as if Riddick was lost and needed help to find his path again.
Riddick watched her from his spot in the corner. She was standing there just looking at him; waiting for an answer. "Never was too good with words, Jack", his voice sounded even, maybe too cold for her taste, he was hoping to hide any kind of emotion that might have shown.
Jack felt overwhelmed by his coldness. She could feel how Riddick was trying to keep his distance from her; not only in a physical way, but more importantly, emotionally. She had just found him a week ago, and she didn't want to lose him again. "I've got no one but you, Riddick. If you leave me I'll be alone." She said, her voice sounded touched.
Riddick got up and walked to her side. He then slowly lifted a hand to her cheek. Jack's body tensed, just for a second, as she closed her eyes; then she relaxed. Riddick sighed heavily as he pulled her tightly up against his body. "I'll be right here for you." He said in his deep voice. Not as I'd like to be, but I'll be here, he added silently.
Jack pressed her face against his chest. She could hear his heart beating fast, she frowned when realized that she had never heard it beating in that way. Jack raised her head and locked eyes with him. Then without thinking, tiptoed on her feet and kissed his lips softly. Riddick tensed all at once and tilted his head back. Jack frowned, disappointed for a second, but did her best to hide it from him. "Riddick… tell me we're gonna stick together and fight the Galaxy if it's necessary." She put hear head back on his chest and tightened her embrace, murmuring. "Tell me you're gonna help me to deal with my fears, so I can help you find a way out of this situation. If you stay with me, I'll be able to take care of you. You'll never be alone again, Riddick." Her voice was firm. She meant every word and made sure that Riddick knew it. He did, and for the first time, he went dumb. Riddick closed his eyes and tightened his embrace. His heart skipped as he thought about her words.
Suddenly Riddick felt small in front of her, but at the same time, he felt stronger than ever before in his life. It struck him again that she was already a part of him. Realization dawned, he wanted, no needed, Jack in his life. But at the same time, he knew he couldn't have her. Riddick was positive that he wouldn't be able to live without her. It seemed he was at a dead end. No matter what his decision would be, he would lose Jack. One way or another he wouldn't be able to keep her with him, at least not forever. Riddick was more determined than ever to fight for her; to kill for her; to die for her. But what about Jack? What about her life, future, and feelings?
Riddick let go of her and stared into her eyes. Jack smiled at him, gently. "Come on, big guy. You look tired. Let's go to bed." She said, as she turned on her heel and headed to the bedroom. Riddick followed her in complete silence, still a bit shocked by her words and his thoughts.
They reached the bedroom without saying anything else. Riddick just stared at her. Jack climbed onto the bed and patted by her side. Riddick snapped back to reality. He couldn't sleep with her. As much as he wanted her, he simply couldn't and wouldn't do that to her. Riddick felt he had lost control on the situation, and that was something that couldn't be allowed to continue. That second of weakness had cost him; he knew he was feeling things he didn't want to face right now. "I'm not tired. I'll be in the cockpit." He said as he turned to leave.
Jack looked at him, surprised by his sudden change in attitude. He had been letting her in, and was now shutting her out again. "Why are you so afraid, Riddick? What's so dangerous that you keep away from me?" Jack sat up on her knees on the mattress. "I know that something is bothering you, and it's got nothing to do with The Firm." She said firmly.
You're right, but you wouldn't understand it. "I've got things to do." He growled as he went to leave again.
Jack raised her brows, amused. "Like what? Hide in the cargo hold?" She asked as she stared at his broad back, noticing that he was suddenly breathing heavily. "I wonder if you are avoiding me?" She asked, with a hint of reproach in her tone.
"I'm not." He growled, his voice a little higher than he would like to admit, and little too fast to be true. Jack frowned and climbed out of the bed. Yes, you are, Rick, he argued with himself. He thought that probably he had made a mistake letting her get so close. Riddick screwed his face up as he rubbed his head.
Jack froze when saw how he was acting. It seemed to her, that at this moment, he had built a wall around himself; and left her outside of it. "Riddick?" She asked as she moved forward. Riddick stood there, paralysed, with his back to her and frowned. Why was he acting like this? Why was he shutting her out? Why did he insist on keeping her at a distance? All these questions popped into Jack's mind at once. "What? Are you afraid of me?" She narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
Riddick's body tensed as soon as the words came out of her mouth. Was he afraid of her? Riddick wondered as his inner beast let out a chuckle. He thought about her naked body and his little ride in the shower. He thought about his life and his demons. "I don't want to hurt you, Jack", he said deadly serious as he moved forward, still trying to leave the room.
"What are you thinking? That I'm gonna break? I'm not made of glass." She retorted a bit annoyed.
Riddick took a deep breath and looked at her over his shoulder. His gaze was cold and hard. He had built his wall around himself and he felt safe again. "Whatever, J… kid." He growled in his deep voice and finally headed toward the cockpit.
Jack opened her mouth to say something, but understood that it was useless. She knew that the conversation was over, and nothing she could say or do at that point would make him talk to her, unless he wanted to. She growled, frustrated, and collapsed on the bed. Jack grabbed the pillow and punched it with her fists. Fuck, Riddick, she froze.
Flash backImam hurried his steps when he heard her screaming. "Allah, My Lord, show me the path, give me the strength to help her." He murmured to himself as he opened the door of Jack's and Riddick's bedroom. His eyes widened when he saw her. "Jacqueline?" He asked hesitantly.
Jack was as if possessed. She was screaming obscenities like a maniac, and the bedroom was in complete chaos. All the furniture was shoved from its place, and her things were scattered all over the floor. Jack didn't notice that she wasn't alone anymore. She took the pillow in her hands and began to punch it with all her strength. "I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU!" Her face was red with rage and showed the tracks of tears. Imam shut his eyes and took a deep breath. "Jacqueline!" He asked as he entered the room, trying to not stumble over things on his way to her side.
Jack froze and turned around. Her eyes red and her hands in fists. "WHY!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, as she threw the pillow against the wall. Imam sighed heavily and closed the distance between them. Jack collapsed on the floor and began to sob as she covered her face with her hands. Her body was shaking hard as she cried tears of rage.
He kneeled down in front of her and hugged her as he stroked her back and head. "Shhhhh, my child." Imam whispered. "Don't cry. Everything will be fine soon. You will see. Do not cry my child. Shhhhh, do not cry." His voice was gentle, pleading with her. "You are strong, Jacqueline. You will soon feel better. I am here, my child. I will take care of you." His whispers only served to increase her rage.
"YOU!" She pushed Imam and stood. "You knew it!" She yelled at him, as she pointed at him with a stiff finger. "You, fucking, holy man, you knew it!" She cried out as she moved back from him.
Imam got to his feet and went to hold her. He tried to make her understand that Riddick had left her for her own good, he didn't know how to make her understand that this was probably one of the most difficult choices that Riddick had probably ever had to make. "Jacqueline, he thought that it was not safe for you to stay with him. His life is chaotic and mercs are looking for him. Mr. Riddick cares about you. This was a most difficult thing for him to."
"Bullshit!" She yelled. "Don't touch me, you didn't want him to stay with me!" She took a book and threw it at him. Imam dodged it and sighed. "You convinced him to leave me here on this fucking planet!" Her voice was hoarse from screaming. "I hate you. You hear me? I hate you and I hate him!" She yelled as new tears rolled down her cheeks. "Fucking bastard!" She cried out. Imam grabbed her arms gently and held her. "He promised me. He promised me. Riddick fucking promised me, Imam!" He hugged her tiny body tenderly. "The bastard told me he would stay with me!" Her rage was fading as her pain was increasing. "The son of a bitch made me believe that he cared for me, but it's not true!" She collapsed on the floor. "He's just a fucking, selfish, bastard!" Her voice was teary as her throat closed with pain.
"Jackie, listen to me." Imam raised her head slowly, and locked eyes with her. "He does care for you, that is the reason why he had to leave you, not because he wanted to, but because he had to. He wants the best for you." Jack relaxed a bit, and Imam used the opportunity to explain to her. "You are so precious to him, that he wants you to have a normal life. Jacqueline, you deserve a better life. You have seen things that no one should see at your age. Mr. Riddick may have horrible things in his past, but now he has changed, and he wanted to make things right, even if that means that he had to leave the only thing that he has loved in his life." At this point, Jack was sobbing in Imam's arms. Imam's eyes were filled with tenderness he stared into Jack's eyes, which were filled with tears. "You are like my daughter in blood, and I love you my child." He stroked her cheeks. "I know you are angry and sad. I know that you feel your heart has broken; that you are sure you are never going to be happy again if you are not with him." Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks at Imam's words. "Allah knows that mine is broken also." He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "But, my child, you have to forgive him, and go on with your life. Keep a place in your heart for him, if you want, but keep a place in it for an old holy man too." He let out a deep breath and smiled sadly at her.
Jack took a deep breath. "Someday, I'll find him, and I'll make him pay for this." She said between sobs. Imam shook his head in denial, but didn't say anything. "I swear to you, Imam. I'll find that selfish bastard, and I'll fucking show him that no one fucks with Jack B. Badd." She muttered through clenched teeth as she roughly wiped at her eyes.
End flash backJack lifted a hand to her cheek and noticed that she had been crying. The puzzle in her mind was now complete. Those were the pieces that were missing. With all the chaos that had been in her life and mind during the last days, she forgot to ask him why he wasn't with her, and why it took him five years to come back into her life. She had assumed that maybe he had promised to look for her when she was eighteen, but that it took him more time than he figured because she was in another system. She had assumed that he had spent more time than he wanted looking for her, because her memory loss only made it more difficult for him in his search. But what she hadn't assumed, was that if it hadn't of been for The Firm's order, he wouldn't have gone to look for her, at all. Riddick had been living his fucking life, on his own, without thinking about me, not even one fucking time, she thought to herself, as she wiped her eyes roughly with the back of her hands. I don't want to hurt you, his words echoed inside of her mind. The fuck you don't. You already did, Riddick, she retorted silently. "You fucking bastard." She muttered through clenched teeth as she climbed off the bed.
Riddick was training in the gym. It seemed for him the only place where he could find some kind of peace lately. While punching and kicking at the punching bag, Riddick thought that maybe he should tell her about his dreams, and explain to her why he had left her in New Mecca. He had to explain to her the reason why he hadn't contacted her in five years. Of course, he had thought about Jack, but he simply couldn't go back to her. It would have been too risky for both of them. Riddick realized that he was trapped in his own chaos. If he told her about his dreams, she would probably be terrified and would leave him. If he didn't say anything to her, she would be mad and would leave him. But if they were to stick together, at least for a while; he realized that he had no other choice but to tell her. When he found out who his last target was, he thought that he could first save her, and then later, just leave her on some planet far out of The Firm's reach. But now, everything had changed. Riddick wanted Jack in his life, by his side, forever. Of course, he knew only too well that that wish would only be an act that a selfish bastard would carry out, but fuck it if he wasn't already acting like a selfish bastard.
Riddick dried his sweat with a towel and went to take a gulp of water, when his inner beast grumbled in a silent alert. Riddick froze and slid his eyes to the door of the gym in time to see a shiv flying directly at him. Fuck, she's good! he thought, as he moved quickly to one side. He had been so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't noticed her presence. The shiv was stabbed into the wall at the level of his groin. Fuck, Rick. That was fucking close, he grinned. He grunted as he narrowed his eyes. He then carefully turned his head to her and arched a brow.
Jack stared at him with her face contorted with rage and pain. If Jack's intense glare could kill, Riddick would have fallen to the floor dead, then and there. She then raised her chin defiantly and waited for any kind of reaction on his part. Riddick slowly went to the wall and pulled the shiv out of it.
She followed him with her eyes as she growled deep. "I just need more training. Maybe next time." She muttered in disgust.
Riddick stared at the shiv in his palm. It was the one he had gifted her with when she was fifteen. He raised his head and locked eyes with her. Riddick then saw his little Jack with her head shaved, her too big clothes, and her little black bear in her arms, while staring at him with her eyes full of rage, sadness and bitterness. He felt his heart stop dead and his soul consumed by her cold eyes. "And that was for…" He trailed off as he moved towards her.
"You're smart enough, big evil. I bet you can figure it out." Her voice full of bitterness as she turned on her heels and headed to the bedroom, running.
Riddick threw the shiv to the wall with inhuman force. He grunted as he shut his eyes. Too fucking late, Rick, he said to himself. She already figured out everything, he shook his head. Yeah, now you can be fucking sure that Jack is fucking back, man, he said to himself as he headed after her.
Riddick was walking in the direction of his bedroom when a beeping sound alerted him. They were in the orbit of one of the planets that were inside of the Alhaur System. He growled, frustrated, and headed to the cockpit. As much as he wanted to make up with her, they had to land first.
Ok, I know, I know. Damned Cliffhanger!