*360 Degrees of Change*

          Riddick was laying in bed silently but his mind was going 90 to nothing.  The past two days had been near bliss, Jack and he had actually somehow managed to co-exist.  Amazing.  He turned his head to look at Jack, her eyes shut over her beautiful eyes.  She was awake.  Ever since she'd pointed out her insomnia if he was awake he'd known that she was too. 

"Jack. . ."

"Yeah?" Jack answered her eyes still tightly shut.

"What are you thinking about?"  He turned on his side to better face her.

"Nothing."

"Gotta be thinkin' about something."

"Not really, just Mandol and the troops,"  Jack opened her eyes and turned on her side to face Riddick.  She observed him carefully, she knew he resented how close she and Mandol were.

"What about Mandol?"  Riddick felt a pang in his chest; she wanted Mandol.  Not him. 

"Well, um. . .his little sister is supposed to come live with him."  Was that relief in Riddick's face?

"So?"

"Yeah, no big deal.  But his little sister is a little whore as well and a crack addict, a wild one.  He doesn't know if he can deal with her and if he can't she'll be sent to some foster place for little wannabe badasses."

"Sounds like you a long time ago."  Riddick's face turned into a goofy lopsided grin that only she'd probably ever seen.

"Hey!"  Jack slammed her fist into his chest.  He made a 'ooof' sound in response.  "Sorry."

"You pack a lot of power in your punches there little lady." 

"I know, and it's all for you baby boy!"  Jack joked winking her eye. 

"Seriously though, she's going to be a rough one for him.  I'm worried he'll kill her."  Jack laughed and then turned serious, "And then there's my troops which I wish Imam's god would strike dead.  They are dumb asses, Riddick.  If they aren't stricken dead I may kill them off myself."  Anger flashed briefly in Jack's shined eyes but soon disappeared.

"You know it's because you're a woman."  He was right.

Did he just call me a woman?  Jack pushed her hair from her face and sighed, "I know.  Like I said. . .dumb asses."

"Jack. . ."

"Yes, Riddick?"

"Tell me about your relationship with Mandol and Corigon."  Why'd he want to know?  It wasn't that special.  Well, yeah. . .it was.  But why'd it matter to him?

"Nosey aren't we?"

"Just wondering, you're so close to them.  Closer than you'll let me be."  Riddick's voice had a tinge of longing to it. . .odd.

"It's different, Riddick.  What we have is deeper than what's between them.  Well, no, I can't say that because serving with them has given me a great sense of respect and a bond with them.  It's just different between those guys and us.  You can't compare the two,"  Jack waved her arms around absently.

"So tell me."

"I'm getting there impatient one,"  Jack rolled onto her back, "Mandol and I have been together since Ranger training."

'Together,' Riddick didn't like that word.  He and Jack were TOGETHER not Jack and Mandol.  "So you've known him all this time?"

"Yep, we trained together throughout Ranger school and we ended up combat partners.  We were the best together; nothing could penetrate us.  Riddick, I wish you could have seen it. . .we were fucking unstoppable!"  Jack's face lit up as if she were talking about her high school crush.  Riddick's heart sank.  "So anyways, we both ended up transferring to the Black Knights."

Riddick's brow furrowed for a moment, "Why isn't he a Sergeant Major like yourself?"    

"Um. . .because when we first got into the Black Knights he had just been promoted and he got piss drunk to celebrate but one of the other soldiers were trying to get him to fight him.  Mandol accepted the fight since he'd always had a terrible temper, and he killed one of our superiors.  He got demoted back to where he started but he worked quickly, he's actually about to become a Sergeant Major.  They should have dishonorably discharged him and put him in prison but I fought for him and besides, he was too valuable an asset to lose."

"That's all that's between the two of you?"  Relief in his voice?

Yes, just say yes.  No one knew about Mandol and Jack and she didn't plan on anyone knowing now that it had been long over.  "Yes.  That's it, why?  You jealous Dickey?" Jack teased.

YES!  Indescribably jealous.  No!  No!  Not jealous!  "Hardly.  So where'd Corigon come in?" 

"He joined our little combat team when we joined the Knights.  We were even more invincible- if that's even possible-with him added to our team.  It's like we were meant to be in the same team.  Between the three of us, we're the most high regarded and valued soldiers in the military system."  Damn, did Jack enjoy blowing her own horn to Riddick.      

"That's pretty impressive, Jack."

"It is."  Not a question, a statement.  She knew it was impressive.

          The next few moments were spent in silence, both just being content with the other's presence.  Jack's eyes slowly fluttered shut but she was greeted with a ghostly sight and they quickly snapped open.  Damn those beast, damn that planet, and damn the ghost that used to haunt her dreams.  Jack looked at Riddick again.

"Riddick?"

"Hmm?"  Now his eyes were closed for the moment

"Do you ever think about that planet?" 

Eyes open now. "All the time."

"What about it?"  Jack's curiosity got the better of her.

"I think about how I could have died, how it changed me, and what never would have happened in my life if I hadn't returned for you and Imam.  What about you?"

"Think about it more than I'd like to.  The doctor's said it has quite a bit to do with my insomnia but I wont talk about it.  I'd rather live with the sleeplessness.  I'm pretty productive when I can't sleep.  I don't know. . . I think about how scared I was, all the people that died, why you came back for me.  But I guess I'm grateful for that."  She looked so vulnerable.  So. . .human.  Riddick had hardly thought of her as human since they'd been back together.  She seemed so much set apart, like himself.  Odd.

"You guess?"  He faked hurt in his tone.

"I am.  But you would have left me had it not been for Caroline."

"True," He nodded in agreement.

"I'm grateful for her too.  Truth was I was jealous of her."  THAT was TOO honest for Jack's taste.

"Jack, why'd you choose me out of everyone to idolize?"  His head was cocked to the side in question.

"I felt safe with you.  Even though you were the most dangerous motherfucker in the known galaxy I felt that I could trust you.  Honestly, you're the only person I feel COMPLETELY safe with. . .ever."

"That means a lot."  Now he was the one with the vulnerable face.

"It should.  I don't know, I don't know what I would do with out you Riddick."

"Sure you do,"  he smiled mischievously. 

Jack's gaze had suddenly become quite sensual "But I couldn't do this." 

Jack craned her head upwards and kissed Riddick full on the lips as she straddled his hips.  Riddick's hand's instantly went to rest on either an ass cheek or her slender but graceful hip.  Their mouths sharing the most intimate of intimate things.  Things were starting to get real hot and heavy when surprisingly Riddick stopped Jack.

"Jack, are you really ready to do this?"  He asked her like she was a virgin or something. 

Jack looked down on him, she wasn't.  He knew and he didn't mind.  Her heaven sent angel.  "No, I'm not."  Jack hung her head in something near shame.

"Don't worry about it.  I understand Jack."  He was so tender, gentle, sweet.  She adored this side of him.

"Thank you."

She rolled off of him and to the side where Riddick pulled her to his chest.  She was safe once more.  She trusted him.  Hardest thing for Jack to ever say and the hardest thing for Riddick to ever hear.  

*********

Something nagged at Jack's insides as she lay trustingly by Riddick's side.  Her instincts.  What was wrong?  Just her instincts protesting the fact that she'd given in.  That's all it was, right?  Was it something more?  We're they trying to tell her something was wrong?  No, that's all.  Protest.  Natural defense.  That's all. 

Jack had given in completely and totally to the man she-without realizing-loved and hated most.  He'd be the end of her.  She could deal with that, as long as he'd never leave.

Jack sighed, she just might sleep almost peacefully tonight.  Riddick was by her side. . .all would be okay.  

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*AN:  So hey everyone!  It's been a while this I know but here's the next chapter.  I hope you enjoyed it, I had one HELL of a time writing it and I don't mean that in a good way.  You see, when I receive little feedback the voices in my head have no incentive to talk.  I pour my heart and soul into each and every one of these chapters and for what?  THREE reviews?!   Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate each one but PLEASE I beg of you. . .just take two seconds to write a review that says, "I like."  or "I don't like."  Whatever, just a little something.  A little encouragement that this story at least counts for something other than passing time.  Okay, I'm done begging.  Hope you like the chapter, the next should be out in the next few days.  Action packed, it's gonna be a whopper.  Lots o tension.  See yall laters!  Love, Peace and Chicken Grease!*