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 having fun just like everyone else around here.
Author's note: When I started to write "Soul Mates" I said to myself that I was going to try my best to do a great story. So I thought about the characters and the plot for many hours, days and weeks. My goal was to have a lot of reviews. But over the weeks, something changed inside of me, and the more I wrote, the less important that goal was. I don't know why, but I have the powerful sensation that this story is changing me; it's turning me into another person, I hope that it's into a better person, and I have to confess that at the beginning I was scared to death. I've been throwing all my fears, my hopes, my dreams, my feelings and my emotions on this story during months. Now, after such intense chapter and the way you have answer to thoes feelings and emotions, I have to confess that, like someone said more or less (sorry I don't know who) the important matter here, it is not to reach the end, but to make the journey. So…I only will say that thank you for make possible that I would be able to walk along the path with all of you as exceptional witness. Thank you very much.
njrd
K, my lovely beta, on our way to the end, hon. Sad, but true. Thank you very much for your support, love. It's being a hell of a trip here, lol.
M, mi musa, Has sido la luz que ha iluminado mi camino desde el primer día. Aunque pudiese vivir 1.000 años y escribir infinitas palabras, nunca sería capaz de agradecerte tu apoyo incondicional, tu protección y tu amistad. No existen palabras inventadas o por inventar para describir lo que siento hacía ti, mi querida brujita. Gracias es sólo una palabra, pero quizás la mas sincera de todas cuando se dice desde el corazón. Así que, gracias, M.
dog-demon-emiko, glad you like it, hon. Thanks, lol.
ren3017, Really I don't know how you do it, but you always manage to strick me dumb! Jesus, love. Your reviews are more than just a shot of self esteem; they always inspire me to improve on my writing style. Thanks, Renee.
unknown, If I can make you teary eye reading something that I wrote, that's certainly the best compliment for an author. It makes me think that I had had to make some good along the way to have such gift. Thank you, hon.
Nikita1506, one more week and you are still here with me.Thank you, kitta.
BatPhace, you made me laugh. I could see the vision in my mind. I'm glad you love the story so much. It's a pleasure to have such wonderfull reviews. Thank you, Batty.
Fitmama, Welcome on board, honey. I hope to find you here from now on. Honestly, I have to confess that I just created Tess because I wanted to give Riddick a past. But maybe you're onto something there. Maybe you gave me an interesting idea for another story. One OFC/Riddick. Maybe….. who knows? Thanks, honey.
anon, I'm not sure if those repercussions will be in a long term, but you have shot close to home there. Thank you.
Wildfire6962000, ok, love. If that's your only request, then you can be sure that you'll be satisfied. Well, that's of course if I meet your expectations. Thanks, sweetheart.
lamyka, I'm going to tell you a secret, hon. I really pass a hell writing Ch. 31, but if I have to be honest with you, I have to say that I spent nearly three weeks writing Ch. 32. I don't know why but I still have the feeling that the next chapter is like a second part of "Waking Up". I really hope to meet your high expectations. Yes, I really do. Thank you very much, love.
NightmareWeaver, I hope you would be able to escape from Alcatraz in one piece, honey, because I'm waiting eagerly a new chapter of "Dawn". I'm glad to know that you like flashbacks, they are really difficult to write for me though. How to capture and explain just with an escene years of one character's past? Certainly, really difficult for me to write them, but funny as hell at once. Thanks you, honey.
Goldun, Honestly, every time I read that I made someone teary eye with one chapter I can feel my heart skip its rhythm inside of my chest, I swear to you. I take a seat on my chair in front of the computer, put on some music and start to type the keyboard. I let thoes feeling and emotions run freely and almost always I end sobbing silently in front of the screen. Afterward, I always wonder if I'll be able to touch your feelings the same way, and when finally I read a review telling me what you did. I know that I'm on the right way and I say to myself: "Yes, you did it, Nuria. Yeah, you did it, bitch." And it's like each and every time I made that, sometimes painful, journey inside of that part of my soul, it's more than worthy. Thank you, love.
FluidDegree, Sorry, Fluid, but I'm afraid that Tess died one night fifteen years ago, but I'm not sure by now if we're going to read more things about her and Riddick. However, Tess is one of thoes character that I really, really love just like Alain. At the beginning, I just wanted to use thoes words she said to Riddick to explain why Riddick is so reticent to say "I love you" and why he can't understand the meaning of love, but at the same time I wanted to describe why a woman could think that way. Now, I'm not sure anymore what to do with her. Maybe we'll see something more in the future. Maybe here or maybe I'll write and OFC/Riddick fan fic with both of them. But I guess that future will tell us so…. Thank you, love.
Ok, with that said, how about we try to clear some things up and get our "happy couple" back on track.
Chapter 32 Clearing the airConsidering how they had been spending their time together lately, and taking into account recent events, it was supposed that everything was once again ok between them. That was far from the truth however. They had just slept for a few hours, no sex this time, and after eating something, they had parted ways. Riddick was in the cockpit and Jack at the gym. One way to describe it would have been "a bizarre situation". One minute they were kissing each other; the next Jack climbed off the bed and headed toward the kitchen. A lame excuse was all that she gave him, and Riddick didn't know why the hell he let it go, but he found himself nodding in agreement.
Now a few hours had passed and they were both thinking about their feelings for the other. Now there was not only a physical distance between them, but an emotional one as well. Both of them knew, even though words weren't necessary, that they needed a little space alone, without the other around.
Many things had happened over the previous days, and neither of them had had time to think about things without the sexual tension and the pressure of their current situation. Things like their first time together, Alain Morris, The Firm's secret experiments, revelations about Dr. Morris, mercs, ex-soldiers… too many events to deal with at one time; even for two people like them. They were both ready and able to face anything at this point, and more than used to dealing with dangerous situations. Nevertheless, it seemed as if the self – imposed loneliness was currently the only way to clarify all those emotions and feelings, and at the same time, to recall what would follow.
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Riddick was crouched on the floor and surrounded by several tools and small components. He was replacing the old ones for newer ones of better quality. They were the ones he had bought from Alain. He had half of the main panel scattered on the floor. It was taking him more time than he had originally thought it would. It was an easy task, even with two fingers of his left hand bandaged together. That had been the result of his little mess in the gym where he was beating the shit out of the punching bag and the hull of the ship. His wound was silently killing him and he hadn't been sure if it had started to bleed internally again until he had checked it with a small scanner. Nevertheless, he was spending more time on replacing the parts because he couldn't focus his full attention on it.
Riddick had fixed the punching bag, replaced the broken mirror in the bathroom, checked the power cells, and run a test on the entire engine system of The Darkveil. Anything he could come up with to stay out of her sight, at least until he could figure out what was happening. Riddick had been trying to keep his mind busy with other things in a lame attempt to distract himself from Jack's strange behaviour over the last two hours. It seemed as if she was avoiding him. He wondered if he was seeing ghosts where there weren't any, but once more, his gut instinct was telling him something completely different.
Completely oblivious to Jack's thoughts, Riddick suspected he knew what was now bothering her and how Jack was feeling right now. He had felt much the same way after he had killed the fucker who had wanted to use him as his fucking sex toy in slam. Riddick was sixteen years old back then and he had been both scared and full of rage. He couldn't even remember the details; after fifteen years, it was just a blurry memory. Riddick had been killing ever since, but always in self-defence. He'd never understood the reason why, but the galaxy was full of motherfuckers ready to make themselves famous on his account. Riddick couldn't understand why the hell they insisted on fucking with him, even when it wasn't any of their fucking business. It was clear that they were never going to learn the lesson that on the one hand, was simple, really. Don't fuck with me. And never touch what's mine, he thought, chuckling.
He was almost completely sure that Jack was feeling guilty right now, because she had to kill those fuckers. And it had been all his fucking fault. Fuck, Rick. You made her kill them, asshole. Now deal with it, fucker. His scolded himself. Riddick knew full well how the guilt and regret could destroy someone in a blink. If he wanted evidence of that, he only had to think about Jack's reaction.
Riddick had been listening to Jack punch and kick the punching bag in the gym. He didn't need to watch her to know exactly how she looked. Riddick could easily picture Jack in the gym, sweating, panting and completely immersed in her thoughts. He could even describe every move she was making, just by the sound of the punches and kicks. Unconsciously he grinned, full of pride. She was kicking the shit out of the bag; using each and every move he had taught her. Riddick understood that it was better if he kept his mouth shut until she was ready to talk about it. Maybe she would need a little more time to assimilate what had happened at the spaceport on Zul.
Riddick then thought about what Jack had told him about the "Firm" man on New Mecca who she'd claimed to have killed. Her words echoed faintly inside of his brain. "... At least I killed one of them…" Riddick grinned when he remembered the evil smile that had graced those sensual lips of hers when she told him about it.
Of course, neither of them knew that the man wasn't a soldier; he was the merc Damien, and he was still alive and kicking. Jack's last vision before her mind had turned blank had been the words of the others saying to leave Damien there to die. She had also seen him fall to the ground after she had stabbed him with her shiv, directly in the sweet spot, just how Riddick had explained to her.
That's my girl, he thought, mimicking that evil grin. Yeah, my woman, he added and his grin grew wider. At that point, Riddick's mind spread to a vision of Jack firing her automatic weapon, and he couldn't help it when his heart skipped its rhythm when he recalled how she had been grinning an evil smile while killing those bastards.
Riddick suddenly frowned, he wasn't sure if he liked to see that expression on her face. Certainly, he always had been aware that Jack had in her a side that was much like his own, but to be made consciously and physically aware of that side was a completely different thing. It wasn't that Riddick didn't love to realize that Jack had a dark side too, but he still had to admit to himself that it had been at least a disturbing revelation.
Riddick loved that little Jack who could grin as evilly as him, but he loved even more the little Jack capable of showing such gentleness and tenderness. The only woman who had been able to sooth his inner beast, just using her "lethal" weapons. Riddick chuckled at his thoughts. He had been the first one devoured by her green eyes full of desire, love and passion. Jack's smile could light up the entire galaxy in a matter of seconds, if she had been able to bring some kind of peace at his dark soul all herself alone. Maybe that was the main reason why she was in love with him, because they were similar in more than just one way. He grinned, lost in thoughts about his brave woman, Jack B. Badd, no less. He thought as he found himself smiling.
Riddick was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't realize that he'd stopped working on the main panel. He couldn't believe that he actually would have said the words to her. The fuck you did, Rick. His own voice retorted suddenly, scolding him. He grunted deeply as he narrowed his eyes, recalling his actions. He had said the fucking words, hadn't he? Come on, asshole. She wasn't exactly there to hear you, Rick. His own voice resounded in his brain. Well, that was true too. Riddick had felt absolutely out of place saying those words to her. He never thought that words were so difficult. Riddick almost chocked on his own saliva just remembering. It has to be enough for now, he stated as a deep growl escaped his lips.
Riddick chuckled when he considered how he had recreated the scene between them, just like the very first time they had made love. Only difference had been that they were fully dressed, but still the emotions had overwhelmed him, making him wonder for the first time in all his damned life why the fuck he was doing such a thing? Maybe it had been the words of Alain, that had a deep effect on him, turning out his world, making him loose almost his own sanity. But then, Tess' words echoed inside of his brain at the same time, fighting to be heard over the old man's words. That bizarre mix almost made Riddick loose his own sanity, and it had made him wish, even just for one second, that Jack had never crossed paths with him. This made him fight against himself with such fury that it had almost killed him.
Then, without warning, Jack's words were imposed upon everything with the force of a hurricane, destroying any other feeling in her path, leaving behind just her love for him. As if that was the only thing that really mattered in the galaxy. And exactly at that point something came to life inside of him. Something that had been dead for so many years that Riddick almost had forgotten what it was. Suddenly, all it seemed to make sense. All the questions that had been bothering him during the last two weeks, found an answer at that exact moment. And he saw it as sure as he was still breathing. He loved her as much as she loved him. Richard B. Riddick was in love with his little Jack. He cursed himself silently and gave thanks that they were alone; otherwise, he might have to kill the witnesses. And then, then he had said the words… Aw, fuck it. Words are just that, fucking words, he stated silently, still slightly annoyed with himself.
Riddick definitely wasn't ready to repeat those words to her, at least not right now, and not with Jack there listening. He still wasn't so sure that her love for him would have been what had caused her to fall into a state of shock, keeping her mind out of reality. Riddick needed more time, and sure as hell, he needed to be sure that she wasn't going to freak on him again the way she had already. It wasn't that Jack needed to hear the words though. It seemed to him that she was completely sure about his feelings for her, wasn't she? A new, deep growl, escaped his lips, but this time because he was thinking about the possibility of loosing her forever.
Riddick shook his head, and frowned slightly when he heard her kicking the punching bag in the gym. He then hurried with his task, and after a moment, he had completely reassembled the main panel. Riddick then got to his feet and after he had cleaned the mess, he headed toward the gym in search of Jack. Maybe it was time to talk to her about what had happened at the spaceport and her strange behaviour.
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Jack had been acting weird for the last couple of hours and she knew it. Just like she knew she had been avoiding Riddick, and for a second, she didn't care if he was aware of it. Jack was so pissed off with herself that she couldn't deal with Riddick right now. She had been punching and kicking the punching bag, punishing herself for, in her own words, "an unforgivable mistake". Jack had been playing over and over the scene in her mind, trying to be certain about in which exact moment she had lost her concentration and Riddick had been shot. Before the events occurred on Zul, she had always thought that she was the perfect match for Riddick, but after what had happened, she wasn't sure anymore.
She frowned deeply as she thought about how she had felt when she had seen him lying there motionless on the concrete, covered in his blood and with no sign of life. Oh, shit, Jack. You almost lost him, she said to herself as she shuddered. You didn't stay focused and he was shot, woman. Jack shut her eyes, gasping as her fist connected with the bag one, two, three times. Jack's big scratch and bruises were a little less painful, but they still burned like a bitch. In spite of it, here she was sweating all over, with every muscle screaming in pain, but still determined to train at any cost.
Oblivious to Riddick, Jack continued with her line of thought. Of course, Jack had never considered herself a killer, but she didn't give a shit about those mercs. In the end, they were trying to hunt Riddick, and who knows what they had in store for her. Jack was sure that they would have raped her and used her just for fun, while they decided where they would drop Riddick. After that, they would collect the bounty and probably would have sold her as a slave, or just killed her when they'd decided that they were bored of playing with her body. It had been a question of survival, just that. The mercs or them. Pretty clear to Jack what the answer to that question would be. She hadn't survived this long just to be raped again or killed by mercs. She was more determined than ever to survive anything that would come in the future.
Jack frowned deeply at the thought of the future. It wasn't that they were going to live in a world apart from the rest of the galaxy. Riddick was a convict, with a bounty on his head, and that fact wasn't going to change, much less after what they had discovered about The Firm. Quite the opposite, Richard B. Riddick would be hunted more than ever before, as well as herself.
Jack chuckled silently at the thought. When she was a kid, she wanted to be like Riddick; she had even shaved her head and, for a few weeks, she really wished for a shine job. Jack had been so bewitched by Riddick's magnetism, that she wouldn't have cared about a bounty on her head. That definitely, under her fifteen years old perspective, would had made her worthy enough to share Riddick's life; she would be able to make a real match with him.
Jack sighed as she circled the bag, kicking it. Yeah, like that old movie. What was the name? Ah, yes. Bonnie and Clyde. Jack grinned for a second, until she remembered how that movie ended. Both dead. Jack certainly wasn't planning to die. A new shudder crossed her spine and Jack came to a stop, lost in thoughts. Without being aware of it, she grabbed the necklace Alain had gifted her. That Clyde wasn't Richard B. Riddick.
Jack once again grinned lost in thoughts about her man. A vision of Riddick telling her that he loved her filled her mind. "…I love you, Jack…" in his deep, low sexy rumble that always caused the same effect on her. She had looked at his silver eyes and she had found love reflected in them. It had been in her dreams of course, but for a second, his voice had sounded so real and his eyes had reflected the emotion so clearly, that she wished to live inside of that beautiful dream forever. He had looked hesitant and almost mad, when she had asked him to tell her again. Jack giggle silently. Sure as hell, Riddick would rather be killed than say that to me, she told herself, grinning. All of sudden a vision of them making love appeared in her mind. Sex and love. Jack suddenly thought. Not exactly the kind of things that are going to help him to survive, Jackie. She sighed deeply and continued kicking and punching like there was no tomorrow.
In spite of their current situation, Jack couldn't help but wish for a normal life with the man she loved. She wished that they had met under other circumstances, and in a different place far from there. Yeah, sure, Jack. As if you were gonna have a house with a white picket fence, and a bunch of kids laughing and running around you and a fucking pet, girl. She told herself. Get a grip, Jackie, she scolded and was once again absorbed by her own thoughts.
Jack punched the bag a few more times and then collapsed against it. Her breath was ragged and her heart was beating fast. She heaved a heavy sigh and turned around to pick up a bottle of water. It was then when something caught her attention. Jack fixed her gaze on one of the walls of the gym and stepped up to it, mesmerized. She stared in complete amusement at how Riddick's fist had been engraved on the hulk. There were at least twelve bloody marks on the surface. Jack lifted one hand, and slowly, she traced it with the tips of her fingers, were wide.
"Is that because of me?" She asked herself aloud, narrowing her eyes. Had Riddick been punching the hull with such fury because she hadn't been up to cover his back? She was sure that her life had arrived at its end. All of sudden, Jack felt not only annoyed, but ashamed.
They were in danger, and she didn't even know if they'd survive much longer. Jack couldn't push outs of her mind the idea that Riddick was going to need someone like himself, and not someone like her. Jack was sure that Riddick's wound had been entirely her fault. She could train 24/7 for the rest of her life non-stop, and she would still never be a perfect match for him, or that was what she thought. With every second that passed, Jack was more sure about that until an idea crossed her mind. What if Riddick realized that she wasn't tough enough to stay with him? Snap to reality, Jack. You're just a weak woman. She told herself, annoyed at her line of thinking. Who the fuck do you want to fool? She added as she felt how her anger against herself was rising fast.
That was it. Riddick was going to drop her in some hole, far away from him. Jack couldn't blame him, even though she would have liked to show him that he was wrong, but she couldn't. She knew full well he was right. If she wanted evidence of that, she only had to think about her reaction when he had been shot. You weren't there to take care of him, Jackie girl. You were too fucking busy doing other things, huh, Jackie? Just the first time he goes and asks you something, and you directly go and fuck it up. Jack shook her head as she felt tears rising faster than ever. "I'm sorry if I'm not that strong, Riddick." She muttered in disgust, clenching her teeth as she forced her tears back. At that moment Jack whished to be like him with all her might. Her tears were just another sign of how weak she was. Don't you fucking dare cry. Jack heard her own voice scolding her. Not even a fucking tear, bitch. Jack couldn't forgive herself; she had made an unforgivable mistake, dropping her guard, losing her concentration. It had cost her too much. Riddick had almost died.
Jack swallowed hard and turned to continue with her self imposed punishment. She punched the bag, wincing slightly. She was starting to feel her hands turn numb, but still she refused to end her "training".
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Riddick reached the gym and went motionless. Jack was circling the bag while kicking and punching with all her strength. Her technique was perfect even though she hadn't trained in years. Riddick grinned slightly when a vision of his little Jack spread in his mind. Back then she was fifteen years old and her blows were erratic, but now, now she was perfect.
Jack kicked the bag and felt how her muscles betrayed her. This caused her lips let out a small yelp. Riddick then narrowed his eyes in suspicion and focused his gaze on her. His inner beast lifted its head in silent alert. She was panting, her breath ragged. Her body was covered in a thin veil of sweat that made it glisten in the dim light. It seemed to him that she had been forcing her body to unnecessary exhaustion, at least during the last hour.
Riddick shook his head and went to her side. "What are you doing?" His voice sounded harder that he would have like it.
"Training." She retorted angrily, as she kicked the bag. Jack didn't bother to look at him.
"It'll be better if you wait until you're completely healed." He said as he stopped just a few feet from her, watching how she was panting. Jack chuckled and continued with her task. Riddick knit a brow as he stared at her. "Why are you in such a hurry, Jack?" He asked as he headed toward her.
Jack swallowed hard and slowly looked up him. "Just because you can't train doesn't mean that I can't you know?" Jack retorted, annoyed, as she kicked the bag again, harder than before. This caused Jack to wince slightly in pain.
Riddick's brows arched completely at the tone of her voice and her words. Then, in one fast move, he closed the distance between them and grabbed the bag, making Jack move back slightly and take a deep breath to calm her heart, which was still racing. Riddick then looked down at her fists. They were bandaged the way he had taught her, but he could also see a few drops of blood around her covered knuckles. Riddick felt his beast stand on its legs and start to rumble its cage. "I think that's enough training for today, Jack." He said as he stared at her fists.
"I've wasted five years." She replied as she followed his gaze from the corner of her eye, gasping at the sight of dried blood on her hands. "I'm not gonna make the same mistake twice." She muttered as she launched her fist against the bag. Riddick's hand got in its way and caught her right fist before it connected with the punching bag, wrapping it inside of his as he knit a brow, tightening his jaw. Jack gasped, surprised, she hadn't seen him move.
He didn't like where this was heading one bit. Riddick didn't even know the reason why, but he was starting to get pissed off. "I said it's enough for one fucking day, kid." Riddick growled seriously as he turned her wrist to take off the bandages. Jack narrowed her eyes when she heard him called her "kid", and cursed herself silently. She'd never cared before that Riddick used that word with her. She knew that he was still using it as a nickname more than any thing else, but suddenly, it made her feel annoyed. Yeah, Jack. That's what you are now for him. Just a scared "kid", the voice was insistent inside her brain. Jack rolled her eyes and tried to release her hand from his grip, but Riddick grabbed the other one and pulled her to him.
He then locked eyes with her. "Been there before, Jack." He growled as he started to unwrap her fists. Jack looked down as a tiny hiss of pain escaped her lips. Riddick frowned slightly as he elaborated. "I was sixteen years old the first time I killed someone. I was at slam city, and scared shitless, but it was him or me, and I wasn't gonna be his fucking…" Riddick stopped and heaved a hard sigh, trying to clear his thoughts. "I did what I had to, to change his fucking plans." He growled as he continued unwrapping the other hand. "I know how you feel right now, Jack." Riddick added, narrowing his silver eyes as soon as Jack's bloody knuckles came into view. Aw, Jesus, Jack. What are you doing to yourself? He heaved a hard sigh as the beast within let out an angry roar.
Jack's eyes went wide when she saw her hands covered with blood. She shut her eyes as a small whimper escaped her lips. Jack tried to release her hands again, but Riddick lifted them to his lips and started to kiss her knuckles one by one. Jack bit her lower lip as tears of anger were shed without being noticed. She swallowed and found her voice. "I… I saw him, Riddick. And…and I focused my gun's sight. That fucker was aiming a weapon that I haven't seen in all my life and then…then…" She trailed off. She couldn't say it aloud. Just thinking about Riddick's death was making her feel sick. Jack took a deep breath and continued. "Shit, just a few seconds, just that, seconds and…. and…" She trailed off almost in a whisper. Then Jack shook her head and elaborated. "You don't have to try and make me feel better, Riddick. I suspected that you'd think that way." She swallowed the knot in her throat and took a deep breath. "You deserve better than me, and…" she cut herself off. She couldn't talk anymore; it was too painful for her.
Riddick frowned deeply. What the fuck is she talking about? He wondered completely lost. "Come again." He growled, puzzled. He wasn't sure if she had said what he had heard.
Jack finally released her hands and turned around to give him her back. Riddick frowned deeply as he stared at her. Jack shut her eyes tightly and forced her tears back. She then lifted a hand to her cheeks, cleaning the tears. She swallowed hard and finally she found her voice again. "I said…. I said that I'm not the kind of woman to stick with, Riddick." Jack's words had sounded colder than she expected. She swallowed hard and sighed. Riddick's eyes went wide at her words and a deep growl left his lips. All of sudden his blood boiled in his veins and the beast went on high alert, lifting its paws.
"What the Fuck are you talking about, Jack?" He asked, his voice deadly serious and cold as ice.
Jack winced at the tone of his voice and suddenly, she turned on her heels facing him and swallowed. "I'm talking about you and me, Riddick. I'm talking about our situation and the fact that I'm not the woman you need at your side." She spoke slowly, fixing him with a gaze full of banked anger against herself.
He had been completely sure that she had been acting weird because of what had happened on Zul. Riddick had come to tell her that, unfortunately for both of them, it wouldn't be the last time that they'd have to kill someone to save their own lives. And now…. "WHAT?" Riddick roared as he stood toe to toe with her. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. After all the shit they had been through, and here she was, talking about leaving him? No fucking way, Jack. No after all the shit we've been through. He added silently. "Is this because that fucker on the fucking building who you killed on Zul?" Riddick asked as his eyes flickered to hers.
Jack's thoughts were dancing around a whole completely different idea, but Riddick wasn't a mind reader either, so how was he supposed to know about what was really bothering her? Jack frowned. What the hell…? She felt her anger exploding from her in a matter of seconds. "What…?" She asked as she moved backward. "I'm not that weak, Riddick! For God's sake!" She retorted as she rolled her eyes, annoyed now with him as well.
Riddick arched his brows, completely lost. Now he didn't know what was happening anymore, but sure as hell, he was going to find it out. "Fuck, Jack. Then, what?" He asked. If she wasn't feeling guilty about killing someone, then he didn't have a clue. "Why are you acting ad if you'd felt guilty for killing those motherfuckers?" He raised his voice and grabbed her hands. The beast roaring in its cage. "Why the FUCK are your hands bleeding, Jack? WHY?" He shouted as he fixed her with his mercurial gaze. His eyes flashed banked anger.
Jack struggled to release herself. Riddick let her go, but his eyes were piercing her soul. Jack could feel them, hard and cold, staring at hers. "Because I'm the one responsible for this!" She exclaimed as she pointed at his wound. "It was my fault, Riddick. For God's sake! You almost died and it had was all my fucking fault, DAMNIT!" She yelled as angry tears rolled down her cheeks. Riddick's eyes narrowed as comprehension dawned. She feels guilty because I've been fucking shot? "I'm not your woman, Riddick. Not anymore." She whispered softly. Riddick's eyes were wide open. "Jack B. Badd is a fucking shit." She muttered in disgust as went to run to pass him.
In two seconds, Riddick had her on her back on the floor and he was straddling her hips. Jack's wrists were under his hands. Jack shut her eyes and swallowed hard. Riddick bent his head over and stopped just a few breaths from her face. "Open your eyes, Jack." He growled coldly. Jack nodded no slowly and sighed. In spite of the fact that he was annoyed, Riddick grinned. He'd always loved that part of Jack who was always trying to unnerve anyone around her with her stubbornness. "Fine. I don't need to see your eyes to speak with you." He muttered through clenched teeth.
Riddick sighed and started to speak in a cold voice that made Jack shiver. "I've been alone all my fucking life. Nobody gave a fucking shit for me, ever, not even my own fucking mother." Jack felt her heart break at his words and fought the urge to open her eyes. She didn't want to admit to herself that she was acting like a small child with her actions. Riddick growled as he continued. "I've spent almost all my fucking life locked in juvies and slam. I've been hunted by mercs since I can't remember when. I've been in Special Forces, and I've seen men dying and killing. And not once have I seen a woman firing a gun the way you did, Jack. You…" Riddick cut himself off as soon as he saw tears rolling down her cheeks. He then shook his head. For a second Riddick wasn't sure if this was going to lead him to some place, but he was determined to fight for the woman he loved. He then continued. "I've survived more shit that anyone my age, and believe me Jack, I'm not that old. And now you have the balls to look at my shined eyes and tell me that you're not a match for me? That you're not my woman anymore?" Riddick asked annoyed. "I don't think so, beautiful." He chuckled.
Jack swallowed hard and locked eyes with him. "Riddick… I love you, but you need someone better than me." She cut herself off as she noticed how his hands were tightening their grip around her wrists. Jack let out a small hiss of pain, but continued speaking. "You asked me to help you, and I failed you. I'm not a match for you, Riddick. I'm too weak for you. I…"
Riddick cut her off and spoke almost without thinking about what he was going to say. "Bullshit, kid!" He roared. "You're a perfect match for me. You should have seen yourself, Jack. You were all business, firing at those fuckers, focused, concentrated. No hesitation, no fear. Just fucking perfect, Jack. I can't believe all the shit you're talking about. After the hell we've been through. For fuck's sake, Jack! I've been living the last five years just wishing to be free. And you want to know why? Cause I was waiting for you, Jackie girl. Since the very first time I laid eyes on you, I knew someday you would be mine. I'm not gonna let you get rid of me so fucking easily, kid. You're fucking dreaming if you think, just for a fucking second, that I'm gonna leave you behind. Not anymore, Jack. No fucking way. You're my woman, damnit! I love you, Jack. I'm not going back and neither are you, got it? You're my fucking woman and I don't give a fucking shit if you don't think the same. Period." And with that said, Riddick crushed his lips against Jack's.
Jack had been listening to his little speech with wide eyes and her mouth hanging open, until she heard him say "the words" to her. In that moment Jack's eyes almost popped out of her head and her brow knit, almost touching her hairline; but when she was about to answer him, Riddick's lips were pressed against hers. She struggled under him to release her mouth, but Riddick deepened the kiss even more, setting part of his weight on her. Finally, Jack gave up as relaxed under him. After all, she could wait a few more seconds to speak, couldn't she? Finally, after what seemed an eternity to Jack, Riddick release her lips. They were gasping for air, staring at each other with their eyes reflecting their feelings. Love.
Suddenly, Jack's mind went blank. She couldn't think of nothing more than Riddick's words and his silver eyes flashing at her with a mix of anger, pain, desire and love. Jack was sure that he probably hadn't realized what he had said to her. A couple of seconds later Jack's lips spread into a broad smile. Riddick frowned deeply. "What's so fucking funny, kid?" He asked, annoyed.
"Tell me again, Riddick." She purred softly as her eyes flickered to his.
Riddick arched both brows in amusement. "What the fuck do you mean?" He growled as he felt his beast start to relax.
Jack's evil grin widened. "Don't play dumb with me, big evil." She teased as she released one of her hands, stroking his cheek. "I said. Tell. Me. Again. Riddick." Jack repeated slowly, punctuating each word.
In response, Riddick was puzzled for a second, until he recalled all the things he had said without breathing and almost shouting. "…You're my woman, damnit! I love you, Jack and you're not gonna…" His own voice echoed faintly inside of his brain. Aw, Fuck! Riddick shut his eyes. Shit. You're fucked, Rick. No way out this time, asshole! He exclaimed silently as heard Jack giggling. Where's a fucking bell when you really need it? Shit! He scolded silently as a devilish smile graced his lips. "You little bitch." He muttered, chuckling. Riddick knew full well what she was talking about, but he still had to fuck a little with her mind. "I said many fucking things. I don't now what the fuck you're talking about, kid." He teased her as he released her other hand.
Jack's eyes narrowed as she encircled his neck, pulling him to her. Their lips just a breath away from each other. "I do hate to repeat myself, Riddick." She said as her legs wrapped around his waist. She then pressed up slightly. "Say it." Jack demanded. When Riddick's body tensed but no words left his lips, Jack grunted and rubbed herself against his groin, feeling the familiar bulge starting to grow. "Say it, Riddick. Or you're gonna have to get rid of that on your own." Jack murmured in a low sexy voice.
Riddick grunted deeply and made himself comfortable between her legs. Jack gasped as soon as his erection made full contact with her. Grinning, he fixed his mercurial gaze on hers. "You determined to kill me here, woman?" He teased as he lifted a hand to stroke her hair.
Jack nodded yes slowly in response and brushed her lips against his. "Say it to me, Riddick." She murmured seductively.
Riddick heaved a heavy sigh and cleared his throat. He then swallowed hard, and dropping his voice to the deep sexy rumble he knew she loved, Riddick plunged ahead. "I love you, Jack."
In a matter of seconds, Jack's eyes filled with tears and her throat closed completely. He said it, Jackie. She told herself silently. Swallowing hard she found her voice. "I love you, Riddick." Jack said as she closed the distance between their lips.
In the mean time, a blinking light located on the main panel of the cockpit came to life, signalling that a message was waiting to be received. Minutes later, a repeating beeping sound started to echo in The Darkveil.
Riddick broke the kiss and lifted his head. "FUCK!" He roared. About fucking time, motherfucker, he growled silently. Two fucking minutes before would have been useful, not now, he added thinking about the beeping and his actual situation.
Jack frowned, disappointed. "Shit!" She exclaimed annoyed. "I'm starting to hate that fucking noise." Jack muttered in disgust, rolling her eyes. Riddick laughed and got to his feet, pulling Jack with him.
"Let's see what the fuck it is now, so I can fuck the woman I love." He growled as he slapped her ass. Jack jumped slightly and headed toward the cockpit, followed by Riddick. When Jack started to climb the stairs, he couldn't help the deep groan that escaped his lips at the sight of her bottom. "Jesus, Jack. I swear that killer ass of yours is gonna be the death of me." He teased as he tried to grab it. Jack's laughter echoed along the hall way as they entered the main cabin.
Grinning, Riddick took his seat in the pilot chair and checked the message board. He growled, frowning as his inner beast let out a roar. Fuck! He exclaimed silently. Jack looked at him; she could sense the beast rumbling in its cage. Jack narrowed her eyes and went to his side. She put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing slightly. She knew full well that Riddick only had this reaction when something was wrong. "Riddick? What's that?" She asked as she stroked his arm.
Riddick tightened his jaw as the message appeared on the screen. "That's The fucking Firm." He growled as he fixed his silver gaze on the screen. Jack frowned and her puzzlement increased the pressure on his shoulder. Riddick took her hand and motioned her to take a seat on his lap. He then sighed heavily and read to himself. Security protocol NJRD06031971/VD. Riddick's knuckles closed into fists. What the fuck? He grunted as he narrowed his eyes, his mind racing for a second. Interesting. Riddick then inserted a disk and started to type on the keyboard. A few seconds later, the code turned into letters.
"Top classified message. Target." Jack read aloud as she looked at Riddick. She suspected what the meaning of those words were as soon as she read the word "target". She guessed that this was the way that The Firm used to contact Riddick, to send the Intel about his targets. But he had said that she was his last target, so what was The Firm up to? "I thought I was your last target." She said as she frowned slightly.
Riddick stared into her eyes. "That's what I thought too, Jack." He said as he entered the codes to download the attached file. A few seconds later a picture was on the screen and under it a blinking name. DR. MAURICE MORRIS…
Jack's eyes were wide open, and she gasped as a shudder crossed her body from head to toe just looking at Dr. Morris' picture. Riddick noticed and started to rub her back. She made herself comfortable on him and he continued stroking her. "Then, why…?" She asked puzzled.
Riddick encircled her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "My last target, Jack." He growled as he sighed heavily. Jack bit her lower lip. She didn't like what was about to happen a bit. "You want to know something funny?" He asked as he turned her to make her look at him. Jack nodded even though she wasn't sure anymore if she wanted to know. "Nobody has the sign of my ship. And when I say nobody, I fucking mean it." He sighed as he stroked Jack's cheek. "They're waiting for us, Jack. It's a trap." Riddick added, narrowing his eyes and lost in thought.
This just meant that The Board had been aware of every little move he had made the last two weeks. Thalion, Jack. Zul. Everything. With out a doubt, they were going to be waiting for them, and surely, it wouldn't be a nice welcome. The Firm was ready and able to fuck Richard B. Riddick up. He felt his anger rising and locked eyes with Jack. Fuck, beautiful. I can't loose you, Jack. He said to himself. I won't loose you, babe. It won't happen. He added as he stroked her cheek gently, their eyes still locked.
Jack bent her head, making their foreheads press together. "Now, what?" She asked softly as she encircled his neck with her arms. Riddick shut his eyes and growled deeply.
"We're gonna oblige." Riddick stated as he encircled her waist. Jack's eyes almost jumped off her face and she shivered. He noticed and tightened his embrace. Riddick then tilted his head back and stared at her eyes. "Do you trust me, Jack?" He asked, concern on his face. Jack nodded, grinning. "Good. Let's see who's the best fucking killer." Riddick added as a devilish grin graced his lips.
"Richard B. Riddick is the best fucking killer." Jack said with no trace of doubt as she mimicked his evil grin. In response, Riddick nodded and his devil grin widened.
"We have two weeks travel ahead of us, so let's move on." He said as he stood, pulling Jack with him. "We have a lot of things to do." Riddick added as he grabbed her hands gently, turned on his heels and headed to their bedroom.
"What have you got in mind, big evil?" Jack asked as a giggle escaped her lips. Riddick spoke over his shoulder without stopping.
"First of all, I'm gonna take care of your hands. Then, we're gonna have a long shower together." He cut himself off as he looked at her, winking. Jack laughed as she grabbed his bottom. Riddick growled and turned around, pressing Jack against the wall. He then bent and pressed his lips to her ear. "After that, we're gonna spend our time training, eating, sleeping and fucking each other." He murmured as he nibbled her earlobe. Jack shivered as a moan escaped her lips. Riddick grinned. "And not exactly in that order, Jackie girl." He added as he grabbed her bottom, pressing her into him.
Jack moaned against his neck. "I love you, Riddick." She purred as she traced a path to his bottom from his shoulders; deliberately slow, enjoying the deep growl that resounded in her stomach. Jack grabbed him and pulled him to her, causing a strong moan of anticipation to escape her own lips.
Here we go again. "I love you, Jack." Riddick whispered against her skin as his lips brushed her neck. Fuck, Rick, you're going soft, asshole; he heard his own voice scolding him. Yeah, I don't give a shit. She deserves it, he told himself as his inner beast let out a rumble in appreciation.
Yup, a new twist in the story. Tell me what you think about it. You know how this goes. First, I write a chapter, and after send it to my beta reader, I post it here. Then you read it, and afterward you press that little f button that says (submit review, GO) So, come on. Follow the protocol and do it, damnit!
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