*Slow Like Honey*
The tall, dark man stepped away from the soldier. It didn't look as though it had been a pleasant meeting. From their looks it definitely wasn't a 'so how's the wife?' conversation. Definitely not one of those. No it had been far more intense. Deathly dark. The orders were set, time to carry them out.
*********
The gym was empty all except one form, one extraordinarily graceful, beautiful form. Jack bounced around the punching bag as Riddick sauntered over to her. He knew she knew he was there, she just didn't want to acknowledge him. Well, it was about time this childishness ended. It had been two days of completely silence between he and Jack, she only spoke to him-and it wasn't even to him-when she addressed the troops. He couldn't deal with it anymore. . .
Riddick leaned against the cool metal wall, "How long are we going to play this game, Jack?"
Jack, never stopping her task, replied, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"No bullshit, Jack. You know exactly what I'm talking about. The silent shit? C'mon how childish is that? Regressing to 5 years old Jackie? That's low."
"Fuck off, Riddick."
Jack punched the bag extra hard sending it into Riddick's stomach. Did she want to fight again? Well, he'd definitely show her. Riddick caught the punching bag and threw it back at Jack she dodged it ducking under one side and coming out in front of Riddick, she made a throw but stopped mere centimeters from his head.
"Ready to rumble, Dickey?" Jack's smirk was unearthly, deadly even.
Riddick didn't even answer just came at Jack like a bull who'd been taunted with a red cape. He gave a quick left, landed. A right, landed. A left hook, no luck Jack blocked. A trickle of blood fell from Jack's nose, she surely didn't notice it. She pushed forward. . .two rights, blocked. Left right combination, landed. A drop kick, DEFINITELY landed! The kick sent Riddick sprawling onto the ground, he was helpless for a few moments as he tried to regain his vision. When Riddick could finally make out figures he saw Jack's foot only moments before it connected with the his left cheek, shit that hurt. Jack was playing for keeps. Well, Riddick would too. . .in his own way.
Riddick pulled an arm out and flung it into the crook of Jack's knees, within a moment's time she was on the floor next to him. This scene was too familiar. Somehow they always ended up on the floor, beating the shit out of each other. He hastily rolled on top of her, holding his shiv to her neck.
"Get that thing off my neck!" Jack spat, fearlessly.
She spoke the same words Caroline Fry had, they were in the same position. The only difference was he cared about Jack immensely. Sure he'd cared for Caroline but only as much as a recently escaped convict can care, which really wasn't caring at all just pretending to get a piece of long awaited female ass. No, things wouldn't happen like they did on that God forsaken planet. . .never! This was going to go down much differently. He cared about Jack. Suddenly Jack wretched her hand up from between their bodies and punched Riddick hard in the face, his goggles flying off, making him blinded. Jack rolled up into the corner, now standing once more. This wasn't what he'd anticipated when he'd come into the gym. Of course he hadn't expected her to go hands down but this was getting hard. Riddick fumbled for his goggles finally finding and adjusting them back onto his head, this wasn't going to last much longer-he'd make sure of it.
The back of his hand connected with a loud smack against Jack's face. Oh man! That blow had been quite a bit more powerful than he'd wanted it to be. Jack, not skipping a beat, countered with her own attack. She suddenly flew into the air in a round-house kick that sent Riddick to the ground once more. Shit! That was going to hurt a whole hell of a lot in the morning! She was really pissed. Riddick once more managed to get Jack onto the ground, but now she was on top of him, her hands planted firmly around his neck. He'd let her think she was doing damage for a moment and then he'd strike. Riddick pushed Jack's body upwards with all his strength, and threw her off of him. Without any hesitation he was planted on top of her, her arms pinned beneath her.
"Jack," Jack struggled against him trying to free herself, "JACK! Listen to me!" She stopped moving, a fierce look on her face. "I didn't come here to fight you. . .I came to make amends. I, well, shit. Jack, I want to take you to dinner. Will you go out with me on a date?" Shit, he couldn't believe he'd said it.
Jack fist suddenly flew out from under her, once more slamming into Riddick's already battered face. Riddick, infuriated, lifted his fist in pure reflex. . .
"Yes." Jack whispered, but it had been more than loud to Riddick. "I'll go."
"You will?" His hands dropping to his sides.
"Yes."
Riddick smiled, "Good, I-"
"I'm sorry, Richard." Which caught him off guard more? The softness of her voice? The use of his name? Or her saying sorry? "I'm sorry, Richard. . . that, that, I've been so cold to you. I don't mean to, it just happens."
Riddick's features softened into the most open look Jack had ever seen, "It's okay. It's not your fault." He pushed his lips to Jack's in a simple but significant kiss.
They may not be bestfriends but at least they were on speaking terms once more. This was a good thing. A very good thing. Now. Yes, that's all that mattered. . . now. The future was destruction; the future was deception and betrayal. But now. . . yes, now, was paradise.
*********
She'd said yes. How could she have said such a thing? Jack wanted to kick herself in the ass for that one. Now she was sitting in her small, suffocating room thinking the one thought she never imagined would cross her mind. 'What am I going to wear?' Shit! This couldn't be real. She was having a dream-no a nightmare. Jack pinched herself. . .nope, it was definitely real. Damnit! No, she could do this. She would do this. This would be fun, wouldn't it? It had to be. This was Riddick, she didn't have to impress him. She wouldn't try to anyways, would she?
Fuck it! What's in the closet?
********
He'd actually done it, actually asked her on a date. What the hell was that? He was nervous. Damn emotions, he'd been feeling too much of them since he'd been around Jack. But now. . .damn, they were actually going to go on a date. Yippee! He guessed this is how he would have felt had he ever asked a girl on a date in high school. But he'd never made it to high school; by that time he was locked away in a jail cell in what was practically the pits of hell.
Riddick looked down at himself, somehow he'd mustered the courage to go ask, of all people, Mandol to let him barrow a suit. He tugged at the jacket a little in self-satisfaction, it fit quite nicely and he looked damn good too. He then averted his eyes from himself to the clock. . .shit, they were going to be late.
"Jack, c'mon we're gonna be late." Riddick yelled.
Along with the suit, Riddick had asked Mandol where a nice restaurant was. . . he hoped Jack would like the place.
"Jack! Put a rocket under your ass and light it! Let's go! C'mon, Ja-"
Jack emerged from her room decked out in a white top that tied around her neck, a large slit extending from the neck down between her breast, and a tan leather skirt. She had traded her combat boots for a pair of tan leather strappy high-heels. Her hair was down except for a hallow of braided hair going about the crown of her head. Her makeup was white shimmer eye shadow, frosted pink lip stick, and a bit of shimmer powder. Beautiful.
"Wow, you. . .you look gorgeous, Jack."
Jack smiled a truly genuine, white tooth filled grin, "Thank you."
Riddick extended his arm to her, "Shall we?"
*********
Jack took his arm into her own. She was ready, she was putting herself out on a limb but that was okay. . .she could trust Riddick, couldn't she?
********
Well, the date had gone quite well if Riddick didn't say so himself. They'd gone to a beautiful restaurant on the planet's moon. It was spectacular. The food was utterly delicious and the view was perfect. They had even danced, now THAT had made Riddick laugh. Two big tough soldiers which seemed to hate each other so much. . .dancing. Waltz, foxtrot, the whole nine. . .now that was some shit. The night had gone way better than either could have planned. Jack and he now laid in bed groping each other, his jacket and shirt off and hers soon to be the same way. His body atop hers once more, this time there'd be no leaving. This was real.
*********
Riddick reached for the tie of Jack's shirt but she stopped him just short of untying it. Hell yes, she wanted this. . .so badly, but no. Just plain and simple no. They had to take this slowly, slow like honey. Thing had gone so well, she didn't want it ruined. Plus. . well, she was a little apprehensive about having sex. She'd only had sex with Mandol and maybe one other person, but she'd been so drunk she still had trouble remembering if it'd gone that far. That was all besides the point! the point was, she wanted Riddick to be perfect. Not now. Not like this. She had to know he truly cared. Of course he cared, he'd always care but. . .just not now. She wanted to be ready.
"Riddick, no." Riddick lifted himself enough to look into her eyes a questioning look. "I, let's wait. I mean, well. . .the evening went so well, let's not ruin it. Please?"
His eyes fluttered shut for a moment but he smiled gently, "Okay. I can handle that."
Jack smiled with relief, "Thank you."
Riddick said no more, just rolled over next to her. He pulled her to his chest. So he wasn't upset? Good. He was a good man. Her good man. Jack's special, perfect, beautiful, good man. He was her now, her special moment in time.
Jack's eyes fluttered shut. She was more than content hearing Riddick's heart beating and his deep breaths. She. . .she lo-
I. . .I. . .what? I what? Take it slow, don't get hurt Jack. Take it slow. Don't go giving your heart away. Slow, Jack. Just remember. . .please be careful. This is your long guarded emotions you're dealing with. Take it slow. Slow like honey.
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*AN: So, yeah. You enjoy? You like? Review please. I have to keep the voices happy and you know how to do that? REVIEW! Yay! Okay, thanks to those who have reviewed I appreciate it so much! You are all such gifts! hehe. Okay, maybe a chapter tomorrow or the next day! Thanks again! Buh-bye.*