Chapter 8 - Green Giant

"So, what's Malakarr supposed to be like?" Jack eased the ship into one of the many ports.

"Loads of people. You get all walks of life there, but mostly the illegal I-want-to-kick-your-ass-for-no-reason type." Riddick changed into clean clothes and armed himself to the teeth with weapons.

"Oh, you'll fit in perfectly." Jack gave a big smile as her body lurched forward announcing the safe landing. She walked next to Riddick. "I dunno. I may have issues getting around." Jack joked sarcastically.

"You're not coming." Riddick took her pack that she had gotten ready.

"What?" Jack stared at him like she was deaf.

"You. Are. Not. Coming."

"Oh, I heard you the first time. Why the hell am I not coming?"

Riddick winced, knowing she was going to be pissed. "It's too dangerous."

"It's to- Are you out of your fucking mind? If I can handle a triple max, I can handle this."

"This is different. You have guards at a prison. Here, there is no law enforcement. The people are the police." Riddick didn't really give her the whole story, but just enough so that she would ease up, but -just like he knew- she wasn't going down without a fight.

"You aren't going to stop me, Riddick." Jack gave him a steely glare. She didn't whine or complain, she was telling him.

"You're not getting off this ship."

"Hey, listen buddy. Just because we have some great sex and you are my idol, doesn't mean I'm going to follow you through and through."

Riddick knew she wasn't serious. He knew she would go to hell and back if he was there with her. "Jack-"

"No, you listen to me Riddick. I don't want you to get this idea that I'm going to be your little sex slave, or, worse, a precious jewel. That's not how I've been living my life and that's not how I'm going to live."

"You would rather be my sex slave than a jewel." Riddick sniggered.

Jack gave him an effortless punch on the arm.

"All right. All right. You can come, but you're sticking with me. I want you by my side at all times." Riddick pulled her by the waist. He looked down into those deep brown eyes and kissed her.

There was a burst of people that overflowed the streets as Jack and Riddick set out through the port. Fake trees loomed over the glass ceiling. Jack latched onto her bag for dear life while shoving her way through. She heard the calls of side vendors selling anything from fruits to drugs to weapons. Everything legal and illegal in the universe.

She tried to keep up with Riddick's long strides with difficulty. Riddick's built easily pushed away shoppers, parting the sea of bodies so Jack could get through. But she couldn't. The second Riddick passed, people crowded themselves, making it nearly impossible for her to get around. If this kept up, Jack would loose Riddick.

Sure enough, five minutes later, she did.

"Great," Jack grumbled. She knew she could take care of herself, but Jack had never been on this side of the universe. She pushed her way forward slowly. She took her time looking at the trading goods while staying in the same direction.

She paused at a small vendor. The place was covered in lots of silks. It wasn't like the rest of the open-aired booths. There was a small opening. Curiosity got the best of her. The tiny room was dark, only lit by a few sweet-scented candles. There were two large crimson-red pillows that matched the gold, red, orange, and yellow fabrics that filled the room. There was a small girl siting on the pillow. She couldn't have been older than eleven. Her elbow-length, flat-as-a-board black hair was some-what of a contrast to her dark olive skin. Jack didn't see any adults around. Why was this child here? Alone?

"Hello," Jack smiled and sat indian-style on the pillow opposite the girl.

"Hi." Her voice was soft.

"What are you doing here alone?"

"My parents are away for a while, but I can read your future just as good as they can."

"Oh, I didn't-"

"You need to tell him."

"Tell who what?" Jack looked up in surprise.

"What you are."

"What I am?" Obviously, this little girl was crazy.

"The lost race. A furian."

How'd she know? "I- I-"

"He won't trust you if you don't."

"He doesn't trust me now." Jack finally caught on to what she was saying.

"Yes, he does."

"He does?" Jack raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Then why wouldn't he tell me about himself?"

"He's scared you'll leave."

"Scared?" Jack questioned. "Why would he be scared. He's the one acting like he's calling all the shots. He doesn't care that much about me that he would be scared."

"He will try to keep you away. He doesn't like getting too close. Don't be frightened of an old friend. You will see soon."

"What?" Jack jumped at a loud bang from outside. Jack turned to see the commotion. She turned back to the little girl, but the girl was gone.

Jack didn't worry about it for a second longer. She ran outside to see what had happened. The loud bang sounded very similar to a gun.

A crowd had gathered around. Jack pushed her way through. She felt some of the people grab at her, but she ignored them. Out of the thousands of criminals at this station, she knew this incident had to do with Riddick.

Jack then felt a sharp blade against her back. Jack tried to turn, but a strong arm held onto her and thrust her into the circle.

"Hey!" Jack growled. Sure enough, Jack saw Riddick in the center of the circle. A scrawny man who had probably never seen a shower in his life was sprawled across the warm concrete. The blood from the dead stranger was slowly slipping from the body, forming pools of crimson by his side.

And sure enough, Riddick was standing at the edge of the circle. Many of the people had already gone back to their daily routine, but there was still a pretty big crowd. Riddick stood next to a tall red-head.

Her wavy hair barely brushed against her shoulder. She wore a skin tight black shirt with a flowing black mini skirt. The shirt and skirt had streaks of red randomly placed. She had on leather knee-high boots and too much make-up. Her bright green eyes contrasted with the string of tiny pearls around her neck and the sparkle dust around her eyes. Everything about her stance and attitude screamed whore.

"I found another follower tracking 'im down." The man had a wheezing voice with a thick accent from God-knows where. He pushed Jack farther into the circle.

"What the fuck?" Jack growled.

The tall woman took a few steps and aimed the gun right into Jack's face. "If you talk again, I will shut you up for good." She tried to lower her voice and make herself sound much scarier than what she was, but she failed miserably. Jack smiled and wanted to laugh.

She moved her head around the freak-show to see Riddick's smile. He was going to let her play along without intervention. That little swine. Jack turned back at the wannabe whore, stared her straight in the eye and spat on the ground.

"Try me bitch." Jack knew she was going to have to leave some kind of mark if she was going to get around this hell hole.

The woman cocked the gun, but Jack was too quick. She bent over while reaching for the woman's gun. A small, sleek, black handgun. But instead of getting the gun, Jack grabbed onto the woman's manicured wrists and held tight. She twisted with all her might and the woman moaned in pain.

This is too easy. Jack smiled at herself for doing such a great job. "So, Richard, is this a personal friend? Or can I kill her now and rid the world of one more unimpressive whore?" The woman took Jack's words personally and breathed in hard, trying to look brave.

"Actually we're old friends, Jack." Riddick's deep tone told Jack that she couldn't hurt this other woman.

"How old?" Jack knew she was just playing, but Riddick became defensive.

"Let her go Jack. She's important." Jack looked back at Riddick, squinting as if that would help her figure out his motives.

Jack let her go, but before the woman could grab her gun again, Jack pulled it from her and took out the clip and magazine. She then dropped the two into the pool of blood next to her.

The woman was pissed, and Jack knew it. But who was she?

"Jack, this is Mona." As if Riddick could read her mind.

"Ah, Mona, yes, I've heard nothing about you." Jack mock saluted her before picking up her bag. Mona shoved her way through the crowd and Jack was left to follow the two.

"You know, I've not heard anything about you either, Jack." Mona was now going to use words to try and bring Jack down. You can try, oh pretty whore, but you'll never win the word game with me.

"Yes, well, I'm a new addition to the Riddick and company." Jack joked. If this woman knew anything about Riddick, then she would get it.

She did. And laughed. "What are you doing with such a boyish name?" Mona had a high-pitched dumb-blonde voice.

"My parents picked it out of a hat." Jack rolled her eyes. When Mona turned to give her a wide-eyed stare, Jack was about to go ape-shit on the idiocy of some people. Instead she explained, "Well, when you're running away from anyone and everyone, a boy name sometimes comes in handy." Now it was Riddick's turn to stare at her. Jack shrugged her shoulders.

"Oh," Mona obviously didn't understand. "So, how do you know Riddick?" She asked playfully while touching Riddick's arm. Jack swore to herself that she wouldn't get all freaky and kill someone just over a little green giant. It was kind of sickening to watch Mona walk along Riddick's side. Jack stayed right behind them, not wanting to lose Riddick again.

"Um. We go to the same gym." Jack loved how she became so sarcastic when she was angry or jealous. Or very jealous.

Mona laughed and Jack hoped never to make her laugh again. It was too sweet. Too pure. Disgusting.

"I remember the first day I met Riddick." Oh, great, story time. "He spotted me in a club that I was working at. He then bought me a drink and that was the beginning of a very long friendship." Riddick stared at Mona and Jack could feel the blood drain from her face. Ew, Jack knew Riddick would have had other female companions before her, but just hearing about it made her want to rip people's heads off their bodies. Not only that, Riddick looked like he was going to eat out of the palm of her hand.

But that would be like Riddick. What are you saying Jack! Riddick wouldn't just call you a 'great fuck' and then move on with life. No, Jack couldn't believe that.

"Man, that was one hell of a night."

Ok, maybe Jack could believe it.

Riddick's eyes glazed over as he walked down memory lane. "I got so drunk that night."

"We were both drunk." Mona shrieked with laughter as they entered some kind of warehouse.

But it wasn't a warehouse. "I can't believe this place is still here," Jack heard Riddick whisper. Great, a club. No. The club. Well, as long as they had a bar.

The clubs' lighting was a huge contrast to that of the outside world. But that didn't make it any less crowded. The entrance was full of neon lighting. Bright pinks, blues, greens, oranges, and yellows flashed into Jack's eyes. Jack blinked a few times to get used to it.

The bar was strategically placed in the club. In the back, dead center of the building. That way, you would have to walk through the crowd and the whole club in order to get a drink.

The music thumped and pulsed through Jack. Her heart soon felt like it was beating to the music. Catchy. Jack smiled. There were studies being done on how music can affect a person's emotions and you could even control someone's emotions if you wanted to.

This crowd was easier to move through. These people had no where to go, so the minute you gave a small nudge, they parted into a different dancing spot, usually changing their beat as well.

But even with the upbeat music and the happy people and the sight of alcohol, Jack was pissed. How could Riddick not tell me? She knew Riddick would have a past anywhere they went, but she thought she should've known about his personal whore before they landed on the planet that his little friend lived on.

His little friend led the way to the bar. Jack didn't wait for their "host" to order her drink. She pushed her way past the little wench and slapped the counter.

"Beer. Now." Jack commanded. The bartender smiled, flashing abnormally white teeth due to the heavy black light in the room. He was hot. You didn't even have to look into those bright blue eyes. You could tell by the half-dozen girls drooling over him at the seats around his bar.

"Don't think I've seen you here before." He had a thick southern accent and didn't even try to hide it. That was Ok. His looks made up for it. All of it.

"I'm just passing though." Jack smiled. Anything to piss off Riddick. He was acting like her parent rather than her partner in crime. It would almost be cute if she wasn't so pissed off for a number of reasons all ending with Riddick. Almost.

"Two beers," Maya rudely interrupted their eye staring contest. He looked at her with a semi-glare.

Riddick stared at her angrily. He watched her down her alcohol and shot of vodka with a scowl. It took Jack a matter of seconds before she really wanted another beer to satisfy her hunger. However, she would love to drive a nail into Riddick's egotistical and empty-headed brain.

Jack then pushed herself away from the bar. She was sick of this game and didn't need to play it. He could go on his merry way alone.

Jack turned to look back, but Riddick looked like he was engrossed in a conversation with Mona. Then I guess he wouldn't mind if I just danced for a bit. Jack thought bitterly.

Jack did exactly that. She let the music flood her body. She must have danced with ten different people, swinging along before the beer started to wear off. It was Ok because, apparently, the bartender was on his break because he walked to her. Instead of his nice collared shirt, bow-tie, and slacks, he had on a pair of jeans, flip-flops and a electric blue collared shirt that matched his eyes. He had popped the collar and unbuttoned it to the middle, showing off a tan and muscular chest.

His fan club followed, hoping to get a dance in with him. Instead, he grabbed Jack by the waist and slid her body against his. She smiled. He didn't even have to ask. He did what he wanted. She could tell by the way he held her that, if she wanted to, she could just walk away. There was no possessiveness that Riddick had.

He was completely different. He didn't calculate every move, but did what he wanted to do and, if it didn't work out, so be it.

"Got a name?"

"Bartender," the man flashed his million-dollar smile. "Vance."

Vance then pulled her hair tie, letting loose all her curls. "You shouldn't put your hair up. You've got killer curls." He raked his hand through them. Jack shook her head, letting the curls drape over her shoulders.

She leaned in, "Do you get any cheesier?"

He looked surprised, but not hurt. "It's been a long time since I've danced with someone with brains." Jack laughed. Cute.

"So, what's with the over-obsessive boyfriend?" Vance gave a nod to Riddick who was still at the bar. Jack hadn't looked at him since she left the bar. He was still in his conversation, but now Mona was laughing as if they were talking about the past.

"Oh, you could tell he was somewhat of my boyfriend. Well, apparently he can't tell." Jack growled as Riddick whispered something into Mona's ear, making her giggle.

"He kept looking back at you if that makes any difference."

"Not really. He's probably just making sure I don't make a fool out of myself." Jack rolled her eyes and brought her attention back to the real situation.

"If you went out with me, I'd never leave you for a really well-paid hooker." He brushed his lips against her ear.

"Don't get your hopes up, buddy. I'm just passing through." Jack pulled on his shirt, bringing him closer. "I guessed whore, but I guess hooker is Ok too."

He gave a skeptical look.

"She really is a hooker?" Jack laughed.

"Yeah, and one of the best on Malakarr."

"Well, too bad I didn't do my homework. She sounds... interesting." Jack let her sarcasm get the better of her.

Vance moved them away from the bar. He was an amazing dancer. Obviously. You get a great looking guy who can make you laugh, so, of course, he has to be a great dancer. It comes with the package.

"She's been in the business for over ten years and she hasn't aged a bit. She's the highest paid hooker in this 'verse." Vance held her close as the techno music suddenly got softer. "Your friend has been here before. He's usually never here for more than a week, but whenever he's here, she cancels all of her appointments and takes the week off from her work."

Jack breathed in, knowing inside that this was so very true. "I don't want to talk about her now."

"Then let's make your boyfriend very jealous." He smirked.

"Aw, you won't feel jealous when I end up with him?" Jack meant it for real, but it came out in a cute and joking manner.

"Hey, I got to dance with you. I think that's good enough. I can't ask for much more." He smiled and meant it.

"Why can't there be more men out in this world just like you."

"I'm one of a kind, baby." He yelled as the music changed into something very sensual and upbeat. Vance dragged her out into the middle of the action. "But, hey, you know where to come if he gets too boring!"

Jack smiled at how light-hearted he was about the whole thing. He was even willing to make Riddick jealous. Sounded good to her.

If Jack thought Vance could dance, it was nothing compared to the moves he pulled now. Even though Jack hadn't been clubbing in, what seemed to be, forever, it didn't matter. Vance pressed his body against hers, showing her the way. If he wasn't staring into her eyes, he had his eyes closed. But he stared at her. Not her breasts, or her body. Her. She let him move her body at the same pace as his. Fast, but sexy and smooth.

They weren't dancing as if they were having sex like most people around them, but they were just about. They were just in their own little world.

Until she felt those cool eyes staring at her. Jack turned around, back against Vance's stomach and chest. Riddick was staring at her. There was no word to describe how angry his eyes looked. But, at that moment, Jack really didn't care. She knew part of him was looking at her as if he wanted her to do those moves around him. Only him. But, hey, if he wasn't going to be a one-woman show, then neither was she.

"Seems pretty angry," Vance whispered in her ear, tickling it with his peppermint breath. Jack glanced at him over her shoulder.

"Oh, yeah. He's beyond pissed."

"Then you've done your job."

"What? Making him jealous?"

"No, showing him who's boss." Vance smirked and Jack returned the smile. That was what she wanted to achieve.

"Now the hard part."

"What's that?"

"Do we want to break him?" Vance asked her.

"I don't know."

"I guarantee he won't touch that whore again."

"That and you get an amazing dancing partner."

"Hm. I think that's a total bonus."

"Eh, you're not too bad yourself." Jack turned back to face him. She ran her hands down his chest.

"So I can give my conniving idol a kiss?"

"Yeah, but you won't get one back." Jack rolled her eyes.

He took her up on the offer. Her body was plastered against him and the only thing in the way was her tank top and his half-buttoned collar shirt. He kissed her on the nose, and then on her hands as he pulled on them, never touching her mouth.

And then, without warning, the song ended.

Jack pulled away from the closest thing to a drug that she had ever had. She looked into Vance's eyes. They had a twinkle of humor and knowledge. He was cute. And too clean. She would never go further than this dance with him, but he definitely gave a good name to the male race.

He gave a mock bow and Jack mimicked him with a curtsey. He kissed her hand. "A pleasure."

"Oh, shut up." Jack rolled her eyes. "I think your little fan club is happy to know that I'm done with you."

"You're done with me?" He walked her back through the crowd. "You mean I'm done with you?"

"I think we're just about done with each other." Jack laughed as she said it, knowing the truth.

"Don't worry about them, they'll be back tomorrow." Vance waved his hand. "It's actually getting on my nerves." He ordered her a beer.

"Thank you." Jack took the beer, but they both knew the thank you was more than just the free beer.

"Anytime." Vance left her there. Jack sat on the turning stool and moved herself back and forth, not really making a complete circle. Thinking was probably a dangerous thing to do at this time, but she did it anyways.

cue end of chapter

GEEZE, this was a hard chapter to post. Or to write. I just have so much going on right now. SAT 1 and 2, ACT, AP testing, state tests, and final exams... GAR! Tests are stupid!

PS- When I wrote the dancing scene, I was listening to Goldfrapp if that helps any in what kind of music was playing.

K-Marie-K- Ya! You agree! Thanks for the review. I think becuase it took me so long to write chapters, I lost my readers. That's the only problem with You get to write, but if you take too long, you loose your reviewers.

A- I heart you! I mean we love sex, but the plot is what brings it all together!

Lamyka - Thanks! I'm trying to update faster, but with all of school crap... it sucks...