*disclaimer to the song Fantasy by Nadia Ali*

The bar owner had done everything humanly and computerized possible to save Jack, but she had slipped into a coma, now it was just a waiting game. No brain damage, just her eyes, that had looked like acid was poured or sprayed on them from her temple to temple.

Jack had slipped into a dream of the past when Riddick had stayed with them and when they were on his ship.

How do you always know what I will say?

You seem to know me in the clearest way

"So, what do we tell them about you?" Jack, a ten-year-old kid asked the big con she had idolized.

"Tell 'em I died somewhere on that planet." Riddick spoke clearly. Jack leaned back in the copilot chair and sighed, he put his hand on her shoulder,

"Get some sleep kid." Riddick commanded.

(Scene switch)

She had had a nightmare of those monsters and it was the first time she had snuck into Riddick's room at the holy man's house. Carefully she had closed his door and leaned against it, she slid down to the floor, trying to be quiet with her labored breathing. Riddick could smell the cold sweat pouring from the kid, he sat up and turned those mercury silver orbs in her direction. Jack looked at him, only seeing those eyes and a faint outline of his upper body, he was gorgeous.

"The monsters after you kid?" Riddick asked in a low voice, she subconsciously licked her dry lips,

I want to run and hide

Keep you from finding me

You shouldn't see what is my mystery

"Yeah." Jack sighed, Riddick simply held up the covers, inviting her into his bed, no more questions asked, slowly she got up and walked over to him and crawled into bed. He could feel her little body shake, she snuggled up against him, he put an arm under her pillow and it curled around her back as she faced him, his other arm wrapped around her small waist, pulling her closer to him.

"I've got you kid, you are safe." Riddick breathing her in as they fell asleep.

(Scene Switch)

Jack was reaching for a glass in the cabinet Riddick had came up behind her and leaned against her back and got the glass for her.

"Thanks." Jack mumbled,

"Sure, breakfast is on the table." Riddick walking away. She stared at the glass, he turned to look at her,

"Jack?" Riddick staring at her back,

"Don't leave me." Jack whispered; he knew it had to be because of her nightmares. He came up behind her, he moved his huge hands to her shoulders and moved them down both of her arms, she closed her eyes, his arms, that was safety. What would she do when he left her?

"Can't stay Jack, you know that." Riddick resting his chin on top of her head, he pulled a shiv out, he had made it himself, just for her. He slipped the hilt of the shiv into her palm.

"Its to protect your ass when I'm gone. I'll show you how to use it before I leave. You are safe here Jack." Riddick mumbled in her ear. A lone tear rolled down her face, she nodded silently, they walked over to the table and had breakfast.

(Scene switch)

Riddick was out in Imam's fenced in backyard and he was showing Jack moves with the shiv,

"You need to work out and eat right and you'll get that strength, you gotta follow through with the blade every time." Riddick showing her different strikes, Jack imitated his moves, he smirked,

But with the timing right

It could be paradise

"You're a quick learner." Riddick giving her a nod.

"I got a good teacher." Jack giving him a small smile.

"Three days of training Jack. You will be able to protect yourself." Riddick explaining in his own way that he would leave in three days.

"Not that day please." Jack begged, Riddick raised a brow,

"It's a good of a day as any other." Riddick shrugged, Jack was quiet, she looked down at the shiv,

"Jack, give me a good reason not to leave on that day." Riddick raising her chin, she stared into his goggles,

"Its my birthday." Jack quietly explained. Riddick stared into her eyes, he nods,

"I will leave the day after." Riddick giving her a smirk. Jack's eyes were glossy,

"The day after." Jack nodded.

To do this now

Would not be right

(Scene Switch)

Jack was crawling in his bed and curling up to him again,

"Jack." Riddick knowing how painful for her that he was leaving.

"Just give me this, please." Jack whispered, he nodded, again wrapping her in her safety net of his huge arms. Every time those big beefy arms wrapped around her, she melted into him, all her fears and worry just melted away.

(Scene Switch)

It was now her birthday. Riddick and Imam had set up the whole surprise party for her, mainly Imam since Riddick didn't know about birthday parties. Riddick had made another shiv for her, this one had Riddick's initials and Jack's initials engraved into the hammerhead bone handle.

"Your training has come along well kid." Riddick explained,

"Thanks Riddick, for everything you did for me." Jack hugging him. Riddick hugged her back, holding onto her for a few minutes.

"Couldn't feed ya to the monsters Jack." Riddick pulling away. That night Jack again came to his room and crawled under the covers.

"You have to know before you leave me forever…" Jack being interrupted,

"I'm sure we'll bump into each other again. I'll come back and see how well you grew up." Riddick giving her a crooked smile,

"Don't make a promise like that if you don't intend to keep it." Jack's brow etched in pain as her voice dripped with sadness. Riddick put his hand to her cheek as those mercury silver eyes stared into her eyes,

"I promise I will come back Jack." Riddick spoke clearly in his deep commanding baritone voice.

"You are loved, I love you Riddick. Don't ever forget that." Jack seriously explained as she choked on her tears. Riddick stared at her, he opened his mouth to say something, Jack hugged him, her lips next to his ear,

"You are worth it, never think you're not." Jack curled into him.

I was just fine yes I was fine I thought

I didn't think that I would get so lost

"Why do you think I have to go? You are cared for a great deal Jack. Get some sleep kid." Riddick wrapping his arms around her to shield her from the monsters that threaten to eat her alive.

"Don't forget me." Jack mumbled into his naked chest,

"Never Jack." Riddick's eyes closing as her tears soaked his chest. Jack fell asleep, but when morning was gone, she woke up shivering, looking by her side he was long gone.

To have and not to hold

And to pretend I'm cold

It tis a lie

Because I melt every time