(Well my finals are finally over…thank God. If I did badly, I blame it on all the good Riddick stories and their authors who have helped me procrastinate. Anyways, as always, thanks to the ppl who R&R, pls continue. By the way, I have to share a discovery with you guys. I am sure some of you will think that I am silly for not figuring this out before. But I just realized a few nights ago that there are "R" stories. You have to look for them in the search bar on top of the Pitch Black/ Riddick page…I am so happy about this, and I hope other people have been there too, unless you are less than 17…du-uh…warning: eventually this story will become "R"…ahem…)

Riddick. How can I tell him that I want to stay with him without sounding like I care? Without sounding like I would die if he said no? I think we should stay together because we are part of an almost extinct race. The Furyan race. And also because I want to be with him.

Jack. I said I would take you with me, but do you want to be with me? Do you want to spend the rest of your life just running away from Mercs? Never having a home. Losing touch with humanity. Because if you spend all that time with me, you will definitely lose touch with humanity. I am nothing but a man with animal instincts. I cannot give you anything that you deserve. I cannot even try to give you a normal life.

If there is one thing that I figured out a long time ago, it's that I will never have a normal life. And it doesn't bother me at all. I don't want puppies, and kids, and a home, and a job. I want to live Riddick's life. And I can handle it. In fact, I would love to handle it.

I am watching him from the corner of my eyes and I can tell that he is in deep thought. I better say something or else he will stay silent forever. That's another thing that I figured out when I was a kid.

"What is the plan Riddick?" Jack asked as she sat on the floor, her back leaning on the warm rock wall. Her legs were crossed and her arms were folded on her lap. She looked calm, but her eyes were showing hints of nervousness.

"Crematoria has 52 hours in a day. So in about 26 hours, between day time and night fall, we will leave."

"Where are you going to drop me off?" she asked with sadness in her voice. Riddick could deal with an angry Jack, but not a sad Jack. He went and crouched in front of her to look into her eyes.

"I thought you wanted to stay with me," he said.

"I do. But you won't want me. You didn't before."

Riddick got mad when he heard her say that. He gripped her shoulders and brought his face right in front of Jack's. "You better listen carefully kid, because I am only going to say this once." He squeezed her shoulders even more for emphasis. "I left you because I did not want you to have the same fucked up life that I did. You deserved better. And you still do. Would it make you feel better if I told you that I didn't want to leave you?" Riddick asked angrily.

"Yea," whispered Jack.

"Then feel better," Riddick growled and got up. He stared down at Jack.

"Where are we going?" Jack asked with a little smile. Riddick had not seen her smile in years. He was afraid that she lost it in slam.

"Where do you want to go?"

"Can we stop by Imam's place? I just want to thank him for trying to take care of me. Too bad I messed things up." Her smile crept up again.

Shit Jack. I didn't tell you that Imam is dead. How the hell am I going to tell you? He was the only person I trusted. I trusted him so much that I left you in his care.

Why did his face and demeanor suddenly change? I know that look. It's the same as the one he had when he came back to the ship. Without Fry. Imam…

"Jack…he's…" Riddick crouched in front of her again. "He's dead. I killed his murderer, but I couldn't save him."

"I can't believe Imam is dead," Jack whispered as if she saw a ghost. Tears welled up in her eyes. She shot up and walked away from Riddick.

Imam was the closest person I had to a father. The only one who tried to make me enjoy life, but I kept on fucking things up. I never even gave him a proper chance.

Shit. I can't cry. I can't let Riddick see me cry. I can't look weak. I should know about death. More than everyone, except Riddick. The minute you are born, you start dying. It was going to happen to Imam eventually, and I knew that. So why am I hurting?

Jack. I know you are crying. You don't have to hide it from me. If only I could cry for Imam. I don't think I know how to anymore. I want to pick you up and hold you. I want to take away all your pain.

I walk up to her and see that she is shaking. I want to take care of her. I have never felt that for anyone else.

Riddick. He is behind me. I should turn around and look him in the eyes and tell him I am fine.

When I turned around, putting on my plastic face, I saw Riddick's face. His goggles were off. And his look killed me. His face was unmasked. There was no disgust on his face from seeing me cry and seeing me weak. He was actually looking at me tenderly. At that moment, all doubts that he didn't care about me disappeared. I knew from that look that I meant a lot to him. His face only made me cry more. And not just the tears crying. I had the big sobs crying.

At first, he looked so confused. I don't think he ever had to comfort someone. Then, he came close to me and slowly wiped my tears with his fingers. His hands cradled my cheeks as he came even closer.

Jack. She put her arms around my neck and hugged me. Her head rested on my chest. Her hug was fierce, like if she never wanted to let go. And I loved it. I wrapped my arms around her waist, my hands touching her hips. I wanted to hold her even closer. With my hand, I removed her hair from her left shoulder.

Riddick. He just snuggled his face into the hollow of my neck. His mouth is almost tickling my throat. His warm breath is actually giving me goose bumps. Who would have thought that the most wanted convict could make me feel better. I held him even closer and more fiercely as I stopped crying. It allowed me to not think about Imam's death. Especially since Riddick started rubbing my lower back with his thumbs. I felt so good in his embrace. So safe. It is much better than what I remembered or even dreamt about. I started smirking when I remembered what else I dreamt about.

I can't just start massaging her back. And I definitely should stop thinking about her like that. She is a kid. She is Jack. I should not think about my hands on her hips and back. About her body on mine. About her grown up body. When did Jack become more than my little wannabe sidekick? I better control my animal instincts before I go too far. I slowly pulled away before lust took over my mind. And we just stood looking into each other's eyes.

Suddenly, Jack looked at me with huge angry eyes.

"Did they kill Ziza? Because if they even touched Ziza, I will kill them. And I will make them pay by killing them slowly," Jack said menacingly and mercilessly.

"No. Well, not while I was there."

"We have to see if she is okay Riddick. We have to. I have to make sure she is safe. Or else I will fucker every single weird ass on Helion Prime." She glared at Riddick. "We have to go back."

"And do what? We can't save the world. It's not our war," Riddick growled.

"Are you afraid that you might die?" Jack asked furiously.

"No. I am afraid that something might happen to you. I didn't get into this hellhole to find you and bring you to another hellhole."

"Riddick please." Jack's loud voice had become a faint whisper. And that plea made Riddick agree. With a slight nod, he turned and went into the ship.

Jack. People say that I am the most dangerous man in the universe. That I am evil. Then how can I change all my plans in a second when you want me to, without even a fight. The things I am ready to do for you Jack will get us in a lot of trouble. Again.