Disclaimer: I don't own Pitch Black's universe or any of its characters, but the ones you can't recognize are all mine. I'm not making money on this. I'm just having fun.
Author's note: WOOHOO! More than 200 reviews. If this isn't worth the time and effort, I don't know what is. ¡De puta madre! I feel so overwhelmed that I don't know what to say. Honestly, I never, ever, thought that I would be able to see this day come. This is all your fault though. Thanks to all of you that are making this crazy dream an awesone experience for me. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
K, my lovely beta, he, he, he. We did it again, honey. Yeah, we rock!
M, mi musa, el capitulo 32 está terminado. Por fín. Gracias, chiqui.
Nikita, 1506, Glad you like it. Thanks, honey.
ren3017, certainly the next chapter has been one of the hardest, so I hope you like it. Thank you very much for your review, lol.
dog-demon-emiko, who doesn't, honey? Probably the most horrible experience for anyone. Thanks, for your review.
lamyka, hey, hon! I have to give you a huge THANKS. You really know how to give compliments and at the same time be a critic all together in a review. Honestly, I have to confess that I feel a little overwhelmed by your words. You always make my day, sweetheart. Gracias, cielo.
Arrna, I'm sorry to hear that you had been grieving, but I'm glad that you're better now. I think almost all of us have been through something similar. Thanks for leaving me your review, honey. I think that maybe this hasn't been a good time for you in your life.
SG18, oh, hon. I know it's wrong, but what can I do? I needed him wounded for the next chapter, but hey! I haven't killed him or his woman. Glad you like the fighting scene certainly the hardest for me to write. Thanks for being there one more week, lol.
Saismaat, I really appreciate your advice, honey. You can count on me taking good notes about them for future fan fics. Glad you still like the story. Thanks for leaving me your review again, sweetheart.
Wildfire6962000, such an angel and since the vey first chapter too! You always make me want to write more and more, honey. Your reviews are like a self-esteem shot. Thank you vey much, lol.
InanasChild, Hi, hon. Welcome to Soul Mates' family. Sometimes I have felt exactly just how you describe it, honey. I'm glad that you like the story so much. I hope to find you here again. Thanks for you review, lol.
Unknown, well, honey. Since that's your only request I wonder if I should oblige, ja, ja, ja,…. Ok, love, I'll try to do my best. Thanks for leave your opinion, lol.
BatPhace, first of all, welcome on board of "Soul Mates" ship. I'm glad you like the story and I hope to see you around on more than just one occasion. I like your story. Thanks for the compliment and your review, Batty. I do appreciate them.
bima, yeah, honey! Everywhere like God and exactly as welcome as always. And, you're not getting old, lol. Thanks, sweetheart.
NightmareWeaver, oh, Jesus, are you for real? My god, I feel overwhelmed with your review, honey. I love your stories. Thanks for your compliment. Yes, I agree with you, they never would be able to kill Riddick, otherwise, many of us would go and kick them where it hurts more…. He, he. In Soul Mates, Jack is a very conflicted character with a deep interior life, I figure like the most of us. I'm glad you left your review, honey. Thanks, lol.
Ok, with that said, how about a little man to man chat?
Chapter 29 A wake up call
In the dinning room, Riddick remained motionless; he had fallen unconscious from a combination of loss of blood and the effects of the HPW shot. Alain stared down at him.
There had been only two occasions in his past were he had seen people who had been shot with those damn guns. All of them had fallen to the ground in seconds, unconscious. But Riddick had remained conscious for a few minutes. Alain couldn't help but wonder if Riddick was human. Of course, he knew he was, but Riddick had certainly survived things that most people wouldn't have dared to dream of; not even in their most horrible nightmares.
Alain had spent quite some time following the events of Richard B. Riddick's life. He had to admit himself that the "tiny-boy" was quite interesting. That kid he had met fifteen years before was a continuous source of news. Of course, news always came weeks, months and even years delayed to planet Zul. Some times he traced them, but for the most part, they came by mouth to mouth, usually just rumours from the people who landed there. Alain always suspected, however, that most of them had been exaggerated, just to further The Firm's own interests. But on the other hand, Alain also suspected that Riddick never gave a shit about the rumours. He would be too busy trying to survive.
To begin with, Riddick had survived Slam city for two years and then he had become the first inmate to escape from that forsaken place. He had also been in the Special Forces for almost five years, where he had found himself on the worst and most dangerous missions in the different systems. Then everything went down. After that, as if at that point that wasn't enough, Riddick had survived T2 and its hammerheads. Not to forget that in between imprisonments he had always been hunted by mercs.
Alain knew that Riddick had been sent to Butcher Bay; that he had shined his eyes and had broken out again from that max security prison. Alain didn't need to be told but he knew full well who had shined Riddick's eyes. There was only one doctor in the galaxy with enough balls to carry out that surgical job without The Board's express consent. Alain wondered why in hell Riddick had accepted The Firm's offer, and a more bizarre question, why The Board, when it had the opportunity, hadn't just sentenced Riddick to death?
It seemed to Alain that The Board had to have a special interest in keeping Riddick alive during all these years, in spite of his uncivilized behaviour. Alain narrowed his eyes in suspicion. But why? He asked himself. It wasn't just that they considered him a worthy property; there had to be more behind it than that motivation. It also wasn't money. Riddick was an orphan, he had no credits at all when he was born, and definitely, if his name was famous, it wasn't as a result of a family name. Apart from that, all his credits had been made while he had been working for The Firm; with the exception of a small amount of it that was secure in an untraceable account. Alain grinned thinking about the person that Riddick had used to keep his credits safe from The Firm's dirty hands. Abu al-Walid. Alain couldn't help but chuckle just thinking about the irony; a convicted murderer trusting all his money to a holy man. If that cleric only knew how many credits Rick had there, he'd probably have a heart attack, Alain laughed silently. Of course, he suspected that when Riddick had deposited all that money there, he was thinking about Jack's future and not about himself. Even The Darkveil's ownership remained under a woman's fake identity: Jacqueline Fry.
Alain guessed that Riddick had been using The Firm's credits only to buy things to develop his new "job". The most expensive thing Riddick had bought was "The Darkveil", along with all kinds of high tech shit for her. At least the reason why he had spent the last five years of his life killing people had been more respectable than just for money. For a man like Riddick, who had spent nearly half his life locked in juvies and prisons, Alain figured that the most important thing to him would be freedom. There definitely had to be more behind The Firm's interest in Riddick.
Alain had hacked The Firm's classified files and had found everything regarding Richard B. Riddick. His criminal records, his bio, psychiatric reports, all kinds of things were listed there. Everything was there with the exception of Jack and the months he had stuck with her in New Mecca. Alain thought for a long moment about the intel in his criminal records, and his eyes widened when he remembered that his first reported murder had also been his first cellmate back in Slam city. The realization shocked Alain. Why'd you end up there in the first place, tiny-boy? Alain wondered, narrowing his silver eyes, he made a mental note to ask Riddick before he left Zul. He was still lost in thought when Riddick awoke with a start.
"Jack!" Riddick growled as he tried to get to his feet, but what felt like a ray of fire stabbed his right side. Alain shook his head, blinking. "Fuck!" Riddick roared as he grabbed his torso.
"She's….ok, Rick." Alain's voice came from over by the doorframe. Riddick jumped to his feet, ignoring his pain, and in one fast move he rushed to Alain who had remained motionless. Riddick grabbed Alain's neck and squeezed lightly. He fixed Alain with a cold gaze, his eyes flashing death. Alain swallowed hard as he locked eyes with Riddick. The room was in shadows and neither of them had their goggles.
"Where's my woman, old man?" Riddick growled through clenched teeth, blocking the pain in his right side. His voice was at its most menacing.
Alain grabbed Riddick's wrist, trying to get enough air to breathe. He knew that one of the side effects of the serum he had injected into Riddick was a temporary loss of memory, just during the first few minutes. At the same time Alain cursed himself silently and begged for his own life, waiting for the side effect of the serum to pass. Riddick snapped to reality and all of sudden remembered the events, causing a deep groan to leave his lips. Just like Alain expected, Riddick released his grip and Alain coughed, forcing air into his burning lungs.
Alain then took a deep breath and swallowed hard one more time. "Jack's in the cargo hold. She's…"
Riddick didn't let him finish. Growling, he stormed out of the room and ran to the cargo hold with his teeth clenched. He was blocking out the pain in his torso and the beast within was alert in spite of the wound. When Riddick reached the room his eyes went wide and the air was knocked out of his lungs almost painfully at the vision in front of him. His heart sped in its rhythm and his beast let out a pained roar.
Jack was curled in a ball on the floor and there were fresh tracks of tears on her face. Her eyes were fixed and staring blankly while she hummed an old song.
"Oh, Fuck, Jack." Riddick hissed as he rushed to her side; his pain now completely forgotten. He kneeled in front of her, holding her against his chest. "Hey, baby. Look at me, Jackie girl. It's me, Riddick. I'm here. It's over, kid. Everything's ok now." He growled gently, waiting for any kind of reaction from her. He stroked her back up and down, like he had done hundreds of times in the past. Nothing. Jack didn't react to the sound of his voice or his gentle caress.
"She's been like that for half an hour now Rick." Alain's voice sounded sad as he watched Jack, concern written all over his face.
Riddick shut his eyes, sighing as he tightened his embrace around her trembling body. Oh shit, Jack. What did I do to you, kid? "Come on, kid. We got to get out of here. Come back to me, Jackie girl." He growled, his voice was still gentle, yet demanding. In response, she just stopped the humming. Riddick growled, frustrated, as let go of her. Not again, Jack, he thought. I can't go through all that shit again, kid, he added shaking his head. Not anymore, beautiful. His inner beast started to grumble, extremely agitated. He then grabbed her arms and shook her body almost violently. "Fuck, Jack. I need you with me, now. Damnit!" He yelled, growling through clenched teeth. His voice, as cold as ice and as deep as the ocean, sounded hoarse, with a strange mix of anger, pain and frustration.
"Riddick…." Alain whispered almost to himself, frowning.
Riddick ignored Alain as cuddled her body once again, lifting her from the floor effortlessly. She didn't complain, nor move a muscle of her body. Her eyes were still wide open and her body completely limp. Riddick kissed her lips gently. In response, Jack murmured some words that Riddick couldn't understand, so he bent closer to her and frowned. "Hey, baby. What did you say Jack?" He asked softly.
Jack's eyes filled with tears. "I killed him." She mumbled as she continued to hum. Riddick narrowed his eyes in suspicion. You killed him? He echoed in his mind. You killed who, kid? Riddick thought for a second. Fuck, Rick. Who knows? She killed a few of those fucking bastards, his mind scolded. Obviously, she was shocked about killing someone. I knew it wouldn't be a fucking good idea. I should have left her inside the ship. Riddick then thought about the merc on the building. Maybe Jack was talking about that fucker. Riddick didn't even consider the possibility that she was talking about himself.
Inside Jack's mind, she had been the one responsible for Riddick's death. If she had pulled the trigger earlier, he would still be alive. The thought kept torturing her, along with the sight of Riddick lying dead. Killing her slowly and painfully, just the same way Jack was sure she had killed Riddick.
Growling, Riddick shook his head and headed to the bedroom with her in his arms. Fuck, Rick. You're poison to her. Alain followed him in complete silence, lost in his own thoughts.
When they reached the bedroom, Riddick laid her gently on the bed, kissing her lips once again while Alain blinked away fresh tears. Riddick sighed hard and watched her with concern written on his face. He almost didn't remember how fragile Jack could look like when she had been going through her withdrawal and the seizures. His mind had replaced those visions with new ones, where Jack was laughing, humming old songs and full of life. Riddick shook his head slowly and shut his eyes. I'm sorry, Kid. I should had known this was gonna happen. He told her silently, growling. His inner beast let out a pained roar. I can't change what I've done to you, kid. I've been a selfish bastard all my fucking life and this shit is just the confirmation. He added, sighing. I can't go back, Jack. No after all we've shared. He told himself, closing his hands into fists. His knuckles turned white in seconds. The beast let out a roar full of banked anger. You can't stay with me, kid. Riddick crouched beside the bed and took her hand in his, groaning. I have to let you go for your own good, Jack. He added, letting out a heavy sigh. Riddick then closed his eyes.
"Rick…" Alain called to him from the doorframe. Riddick tensed his body but didn't move. Alain sighed hard. The wound had started to bleed again. "You're still bleeding." He said as he moved forward just a step. Riddick glanced at him over his shoulder. "Let me patch you up." Alain added as he looked down at Riddick's chest.
Riddick grunted as felt the wound painfully burning him from inside. But that pain was nothing compared to the pain that was squeezing his heart. "Why old man?" He growled as he stood. Alain locked eyes with him, puzzled. "What the fuck do you think?" He fixed Alain with a dangerous gaze. "That I give a fucking shit about this?" He asked as he grabbed his shirt, gripping his fingers around the fabric, drenched with his blood and the blood of others. Alain gasped and his eyes widened. He was sensing Riddick's beast starting to rise up. "Do you think that right now I fucking care about my fucking wound?" Riddick snarled bitterly, exhaling through his nostrils.
Alain moved back, suddenly scared of Riddick's next move. "Yes, Riddick. You should be worried about your fucking wound, cause if you don't let me patch you, you're going to bleed to death." He retorted as he closed his own hands into fists, his voice was full of reproach, causing Riddick's body to tense in high alert. The animal within roared with anger, ready to attack. Alain was sure that Riddick's behaviour could turn dangerously unpredictable. Then he looked down at Jack, and his fear turned to rage. Alain moved forward until he was nose to nose with Riddick. Later he would think about that move. He didn't know from where it came. Alain tightened his jaw and fixed his gaze. He stared at his eyes, pointing at Jacks' body and spoke.
"That woman lying there is the only fucking good thing in all your fucking life, Riddick." Alain muttered in disgust. He couldn't believe that Riddick would be able to just stand there, frozen, looking at her and not doing something to help her. "I know that Jack would be fucking ashamed of you if she could see you right now. You're a fucking survivor born. You've always been." He added, all the time fixing him with his eyes full of anger and pain.
Riddick clenched his fists and grunted. "You don't know shit about her, old man. Don't you dare tell me what the fuck I've got to do with my fucking life." He hissed through clenched teeth as he moved forward.
Alain shook his head and continued, raising his voice. "For God's sake, Riddick! Here you are, just looking at her, waiting until you bleed to death. As if she was already dead, but Jack's not dead yet. She's in danger; her life is in fucking danger! She's out of this world right now because she's sure that you're fucking dead!" Alain yelled, annoyed. In one fast move, Riddick rushed to him and trapped Alain against the wall.
"Who the fuck do you think you are?" Riddick snarled. "Don't even think for a fucking sec that I won't kill you, old man. Cause I'll do it without a second thought and you know that too damn well." He hissed, nose to nose with Alain.
Alain swallowed hard. Of course he knew that Riddick could kill him in a blink, but he was more determined than ever to speak. So Alain took a deep breath and calmed down. "Don't you see? Jack needs you now more than ever before. You're not alone anymore, Riddick. What's going to happen with her if you die? Who's going to take care of her? Who's going to protect her? There's only one thing she loves and cares about. And that damn thing is you, Rid"
Riddick cut him off, grabbed his neck and squeezed. "She'll be better without me." He hissed tightening his grip around Alain's neck.
Alain didn't know what was racing inside of Riddick's mind, but he was sure that if he didn't do something right now, Riddick was going to destroy everything around him, even Jack, and that was something that Alain wasn't going to allow him to do. He gasped for air, but continued. "You say that I don't know her, well I'll tell you something about Jack. You don't deserve a woman like her. Jack loves you, and fuck it all if I understand the reason why, but that's the fucking truth." He hissed through clenched teeth, all the time fighting for breath. Riddick released him with a hard push, grunting. His beast continued to pace with agitation.
"Don't push your luck, old man." Riddick growled. His voice was cold as he fixed Alain with a menacing stare. "Don't forget who you're talking to." He added as he pulled out a shiv from nowhere. Alain's eyes were full of fear, but he swallowed once more and stared at Riddick's silver eyes, and rubbed his neck.
"I know who you are. You're Richard B. Riddick, escaped convict, murderer and scared shitless about Jack and her feelings for you. I know more than you think, Rick. I know the meaning of love. Her heart is broken now and you" Alain cut himself off, gasping as soon as the cold blade of Riddick's shiv was pressed against his already injured neck.
"Careful, hacker." Riddick growled in a low tone. "I'm not a man to mess with." He warned Alain while the blade slowly slid from the neck down until it was pressed against Alain's chest, at the level of his heart. "Her heart is ok, old man." He said, his voice as cold as ice. "It's her mind that's left for good." He added as his lips showed a devil grin. His eyes flashed death when his beast roared, raising its paws, caged. Riddick then let up a little on the shiv and smirked. "What the fuck do you know about love? You've been locked in Slam city for most of your fucking life." Riddick spoke slowly in a menacing whisper. "What the fuck does someone like you know about fucking love, feelings or whatever shit apart from computers, hacker?" He asked Alain, his voice full of sarcasm.
Alain shuddered in panic, causing the beast to roar pleasantly. He shut his eyes tightly as his heart beat faster in his chest. Alain then opened his eyes and looked at Riddick's. "What do I know about love?" Alain asked chuckling, his voice was full of bitterness and sorrow. "I'll tell you, tiny-boy." He smirked sadly as he elaborated. "Love is when you leave the only thing that matters to you in your life for her own good. Love is when you're ready to sacrifice your own life just for her. Love is when you think about your life and realize that it didn't make sense until she arrived in it, and you are sure that you'll die if she leaves you. Love is when the only thing that pushes you to live is her smile and her beautiful green eyes. Love is when you realize that you would be dead if it wasn't for her." Alain was exhausted after his speech. He felt tears rising and let them fall. "I know exactly how she feels right now. Jack is alone and scared in a place full of pain and anger. Just like you, Riddick." Alain had been alone all his life because he hadn't been man enough to fight for Mariel.
Alain's breath was heavy and his heart was beating fast. Right now Alain wasn't sure if he would be able to see the following sunrise, but honestly, he didn't care. Riddick went silent for a long moment, thinking of the meaning of Alain's words.
Alain took a deep breath and cleared his throat, as he continued his voice was gentle. "I've been there before you were born. So don't tell me shit about this, tiny-boy. It's time to move on. It's time to face your fears, Rick." Riddick grunted deep as he fixed Alain with his gaze. And it was then that he saw the tears on Alain's cheeks. Alain looked at Riddick. It seemed as if he was out for a minute, his dangerous eyes looking to a spot only Riddick could see. "Please, Riddick. Let me help you…" he trailed off, staring at him.
Riddick shook his head and blinked, he then looked at Alain again. In spite of his words, it seemed as if Alain was waiting for some kind of permission to move forward. It was then that Riddick realized that he had moved back, releasing Alain without even noticing the move, and Alain was now close to the door with a med kit in his hands. He had been so lost for a moment and exactly then, Riddick thought that maybe, just maybe, Alain was ….. what? Right?
They looked at each other in complete silence for a long moment. Suddenly, Riddick dropped his shiv and pulled out his t-shirt, exposing his injured chest. In response Alain closed the distance between them and leaned down, inspecting the wound.
After a long moment he spoke. "It was a shot from a HPW gun, Rick." Alain let out a heavy sigh. "The bullets of which burn its path, sending your main nerve system an electrical shock. Just like a paralyses gun, but ten times more powerful. That's why you passed out." He explained as he frowned slightly. Riddick tightened his jaw, letting out a deep groan. Alain continued. "They didn't want you dead at all. You're a lucky bastard, Rick." Alain said, pressing his ribs. Riddick winced slightly and let a hiss of pain escaped. "There's no vital organ damage. The bullet passed through your body. A clean wound and a nice, little, scar." Alain added as he turned around, grabbing a utensil which form was similar to a hair dryer.
Riddick narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He had seen one of those before, and he had always told himself that one of these days he might get one of them, just in case. Alain smirked, looking at Riddick. "The best high tech shit in the black market to patch an ex-con's wounds." He said, smirking slightly. "I'm sure you've seen one of these before, tiny-boy." He grinned as he started to clean the wound. The bullet had passed near the lung, not quite touching it.
Riddick hissed, clenching his teeth. "Yeah. It'll hurt like hell, but it'll close the fucking wound."
He knew that it would regenerate tissues and muscles, but it would hurt like hell, as if the wound had been stabbed with a bar made of red, heated steel, closing the wound from inside to outside. He wouldn't need stitches, just a bandage, and after a couple of days, it would be as if he had never received a gunshot wound at all. Riddick didn't want to use sedatives; they always keep his mind blurry. Right now he needed his mind completely clear. He had a lot of things to think about after listening to Alain.
Alain pulled out a syringe and started to load it when Riddick grabbed his wrist. "Don't." He growled. Alain looked at him puzzled, but kept silent.
Riddick climbed onto the bed and lay beside Jack. He took one of her hands in his, and after he kissed it, he entwined their fingers. Alain watched with concern. Afterward, Riddick closed his eyes, took a deep breath and concentrated. After a few seconds, his mind flew free, out of the present, far from the reality that was surrounding him. This was a technique that Riddick was taught when he was in Special Forces. It was similar to yoga; an ancient method used on old earth long years ago, but required much more concentration. The technique kept your mind out of your body, really effective if you were under torture. Alain let out a hard sigh and shrugged his shoulders.
A long moment later, Alain had finished with his task. When Riddick opened his eyes, blinking. his side hurt like hell, but when he raised his head and looked down, there was just a scratch covered in dried blood and already starting to bruise. Alain put the utensil back in the med kit as Riddick got to his feet, wincing.
"You better take some painkillers." Alain said and frowned. Riddick chuckled at that.
"There's no fucking painkillers for this." He growled as he looked at Jack, concerned.
Alain turned his attention to her. She had been completely oblivious to them. Jack wasn't humming anymore and her face was now wet with fresh tears. He then stared at the necklace on her neck. Alain heaved a deep sigh and shook his head. "I need something strong." He said as he looked up at Riddick. Riddick just nodded. Alain then headed toward the door of the bedroom and went to the dinning room, where he found a bottle of JD on the table.
Riddick crouched beside the bed; he lifted a hand and winced. He stroked Jack's cheek slowly with the side of it, cleaning away her tears. Time seemed to stop around him. They stayed like that for a long moment. He then sighed deeply and stood. "Wait for me here, Jackie girl. I'll be back in a minute." He growled gently. "We need to talk." He added with a smile.
Riddick bent over and after kiss her lips softly, he closed her eyes. He turned on his heel and went in search of Alain. Riddick found him in the dinning room, with a shot of JD in a glass. Riddick took a seat, wincing as he grabbed the bottle and refilled Alain's glass, sighing.
"For Jack." Alain said as he gulped the shot in one swallow. Riddick frowned slightly, looking at the bottom of the bottle. Memories of the first time he saw her drinking from that same bottle of amber liquor popped in his mind. Rubbing his chin, Riddick grinned and raised the bottle.
"For Jack. B. Badd, readyandabletobeattheshitoutofme and a real woman." He growled, grinning as he gulped the liquor in one fast move. Alain nodded and grinned also as Riddick stared down at the floor.
They went silent for a moment and then Alain cleared his throat. He wasn't sure if this moment was the best to ask the question that was echoing inside his head, but he couldn't wait any longer to know the answer. "Who was your first victim, Rick?"
Riddick raised his head and looked at him. "Why do you want to know that, old man?" He asked slightly annoyed at the question. More than fifteen years had passed since that night, and he had stopped thinking about it a long time ago. Bringing that memory back right now wasn't going to be useful at all. At that moment he was really worried about Jack's state and how he was going to deal with this new situation.
"Just curious. You know that there's nothing about it in your records, Rick." Alain answered, a little nervous. He had seen the effect that just the question had caused to Riddick. "And….I,….I wonder why The Board didn't just sentence you to death." Alain added, playing with the shot glass in his fingers.
Riddick slowly arched a brow. "None of your fucking business." He answered as he stood. Alain got to his feet and left the glass on the table. Then he looked at Riddick. "Time to leave, old man." Riddick said as he headed toward the door of the room. Alain went motionless, frowning.
"Rick?" He asked softly. Riddick stopped in his tracks and looked at Alain over his shoulder. Alain rubbed his head, sighing. "Let me tell her good bye." He said almost in a whisper. Riddick narrowed his eyes, but nodded yes. Riddick suspected that Alain was up to something, but he couldn't figure out what exactly.
Alain entered the bedroom and went to her side. He stood there for a few seconds in complete silence, staring at the necklace. Jack had her eyes closed and when he kneeled in front of her, he realized that she had fallen asleep. Alain took one of her hands in his and carried it to his trembling lips, kissing it tenderly as he swallowed the knot in his throat. He could feel Riddick's intense gaze piercing his soul, but Alain needed to say something to Jack, and damnit it all if he was going to let her go without telling it to her. Alain sighed sadly.
"Jack B. Badd. The strongest woman I ever met." He grinned, staring at the necklace. Only two strong, beautiful women had been allowed to carry this green stone. Alain couldn't help but think that if Mariel and Jack had met, they probably would have had many things in common to talk about. He then took one last deep breath and spoke. "I know where you are now, beautiful, but there's nothing for you in that place Jack." Alain whispered gently to her. "He needs you more than he would like to admit, even to himself. Your love for him will be your only anchor against the fucking galaxy, beautiful. Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't let anyone take him away from you, not even yourself Jack." Alain kissed her cheek softly and continued. "All you love is here, waiting for you. So you'd better come back, Jack, Cause you're the only one who can save Riddick from himself." He said sadly. In response, Riddick arched a brow, grunting. His inner beast roared.
Alain then turned his attention to Riddick. "I think we're even now, Rick. I have arranged your launch window for any time." Alain told him, smiling as he turned to leave. "Good luck, tiny-boy."
Alain reached the end of the ramp and sighed sadly. He wished with all his might that Riddick was ready to face his most dangerous enemy. Himself. Otherwise, Riddick would end up damned forever like he was.
"Hacker?" Riddick called after him. Alain froze and turned. His eyes were wide as he gasped in surprise when he found Riddick's hand extended to shake his. Alain frowned slightly, but he couldn't help the grin that graced his lips. Riddick looked at him for a long moment and then suddenly, and catching Alain in surprise, he plunged in. "Thanks, Alain." Riddick said, his voice sincere.
Alain nodded and his grin widened. "It's nothing, Richard." He chuckled and shook Riddick's hand back, lingering on that shake of hands, which meant for Alain more than the air he was breathing at that very moment. Then he turned on his heel and looked at Carl who was waiting for him.
Carl turned his head and looked at Riddick. "Rick." He said and grinned, handing to Jack's black shiv Riddick.
Riddick narrowed his eyes, grunting as he took it. "Carl." He growled as in one fast move he rushed to him, punching his jaw with all his strength. Carl's head turned violently from the impact and slowly he looked at Riddick again, chuckling as he spat a mouthful of blood. Alain's eyes were brimming with amusement. Riddick fixed the ex-soldier with his silver gaze. "If you call my woman little bitch again, I'll kill you, Carl." He growled in his most menacing tone of voice as he winked at him. Carl nodded, still grinning, and turned on his heels.
"Gentlemen," He said coldly. "We have some business to finish." Carl added as he looked at Alain. The two men turned and headed toward the city, where a merc was waiting for them.
Riddick narrowed his eyes as he looked around himself, grunting. The area around The Darkveil had been cleared. All the corpses had been removed and the blood on the ground only remained as evidence of what had happened. He then turned and entered the ship. Riddick headed directly to the cockpit, and after receiving the coordinates and codes to leave Zul in seconds, he took off from and entered the coordinates for his next destination. Scorpion system. Planet Onix.
Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope you'll be happy with your families and friends. Oh, and I expect that you behave yourself, so Santa will be able to bring the things you asked for. I have to wait until 6th January for that (three wise men, you know) but anyway, I think I'm going to ask Santa for you to stick with me until the end. Do you think Santa is going to give me that present? Do you think that I behave'd myself? Let me know…
njrd