Chapter 4

Riddick made sure he kept an arm around River's waist as they arrived in the cargo bay. Shepherd Book blinked when he saw them and River's brother scowled. The tall black woman he'd seen before tilted her head slightly as she got a glimpse of him but she didn't comment. The captain was standing near a woman who Riddick recognized. River had been right; the woman's... attributes... were impressive if that was all you were interested in. But she'd always smelled like lies to him and despite the interest she'd displayed in him on Triumph he'd made certain to avoid her.

The Shepherd, Book, got right to the point, albeit with a bit of bemusement, "We've met Richard though what he's doing here is a mystery. But who's the new recruit?"

That led to another storm of cursing from Simon until the Captain ordered him to shut up. "Bì zuǐ! Doc that can wait." Riddick wondered if this ship was always this chaotic or if this was a special day. The Doctor didn't seem to respect the chain of command, the Captain seemed utterly confused or irritated by turns and no one but the dark woman had any sort of respect for authority. It was a distinctly odd group, made stranger by how they treated his wife, with condescension and affection in equal proportions.

The dark woman had a commanding air about her, he had to admit that, as even the captain seemed to respect her. With a loud whistle she drew everyone's attention, "Everybody, I want you all to meet..." Knowing her audience she paused dramatically, "Mrs. Reynolds."

Riddick ignored the mechanic's excited gasp and the smell of hurt anger coming off the companion to look down at his wife. She smelt like she was amused but also very displeased. "Not good," She murmured for his ears alone. He nodded his understanding and filed away the Captain's last name now that he'd heard it.

The mechanic was happily exclaiming to her captain, "You got married?"

Riddick found the Captain's discomfort more than a little amusing but he was more interested in what River thought of Saffron. The doctor was fumbling for a response, "Well, that's, uh... Congratulations?"

It was the pilot who actually distracted River enough that she giggled. Riddick couldn't help the chuckle that echoed her laugh. "We'd always hoped you two kids would get together," The light haired man in the strange shirt exclaimed happily. Without missing a beat he looked at the Captain, "Who is she?"

"She's no one!" The captain snapped irritably and Saffron burst into tears.

Riddick tugged River into the circle of his arms, letting her back rest against his chest as the dramatics played out before them. The mechanic was reprimanding her captain, the captain wanted his bride to stop crying, and the pilot was making witty remarks. Then the mechanic was trying to comfort the bride by calling her captain a monster. The gun hand was laughing, which was a reaction Riddick was considering himself. And then the captain wanted the ship turned around.

That discussion was of considerable interest to both he and River, to judge from her scent. Riddick moved closer to the two men, River's hand tight on his forearm as they listened.

"Can't," The pilot shook his head in response to the Captain's demand.

"That's an order," The taller man pointed out.

And still the pilot shook his head, "Yeah, but can't."

Riddick sighed and looked at his wife who stretched up on her toes and murmured into his ear, "Alliance ship on Triumph. Can't go back unless we all want to be arrested. Not recommended."

Riddick felt his mouth pull into a half grin, "No, not really." He agreed and tugged her back into his arms. The pilot was chuckling at the captain and Riddick tuned back into that conversation.

"...And you...enjoy your honeymoon." The pilot told his captain with a grin.

The captain was obviously in denial, "This isn't happening." He glared at Saffron, "Would you stop cryin'?" Riddick really couldn't blame him. If he'd gotten drunk and someone had up and decided to marry him he'd be plenty pissed about it. He glanced at River and wondered if he'd be reacting the same if River hadn't decided to be honest.

His beautiful little wife actually pouted up at him, dark eyes hurt, "Would never do such a thing against his will." She murmured. "It would make her dǎ xiǎo suàn pán. Like the Captain's bride."

The Companion, Inara, was scolding the Captain, whose name it turned out was Mal, but Riddick ignored her. "I know," Riddick bent down to keep his voice for River alone. "My wife. I know. Just thinkin'... might be if it was you, waking up with you...might not have taken it so bad as your Mal."

"Would have been furious with the deceit even if he had liked her after the fact," River told him quietly. "No way to begin a marriage." Riddick nodded his agreement and tugged her closer so she was snug against his side.

And now the Captain was yelling, "I'm not married!" He paused a moment and looked at his new bride, "I'm sorry. You...I'm sure you have very nice qualities, but I didn't ever marry you."

The shepherd was holding an encyclopedia and reading from it. At Mal's denial he looked up, "I believe you did. Last night."

Riddick couldn't help the chuckle that burst from his lips as the Captain turned to the gunhand and asked, "How drunk was I last night?"

The gun hand shrugged, "Well I dunno. I passed out."

Riddick sighed slightly as the shepherd read the Triumph settlers marriage ceremony to the crew. Why'n the hell they didn't just ask him was a mystery. He guessed all this had happened after he'd taken River back to his cabin. He vaguely recalled Saffron dancing with the others but he'd picked her out more so he could avoid her than anything else.

The captain had listened to the whole spiel about the marriage and finally asked the question Riddick had figured he would. "What's it say in there about divorce?"

Saffron tried to run from the cargo bay but he and River got in her way. Riddick grabbed her by the shoulders and River stared her down, "Running will solve nothing."

The mechanic was berating the Captain in Chinese and in return the Captain was snarling that she should mind her own business. Riddick rolled his eyes, "Your wife, your business." He commented keep hold of the curvy woman's arm so she couldn't run off. "Guess you're better off with her in the bay, rather than running all over the ship." He paused and eyed the woman he was restraining. He did not like the scent coming off her, manipulation and guile and sex. "Getting into god knows what."

"He speaks sense," River nodded and he saw her eye the captain pointedly. "Would not let me into the engine room and I mean no harm. Captain has no idea what she intends."

"How can she have intentions?" Zoe was frowning, "If she was given as a bride in payment?"

"You got her word for that," Riddick grumbled. "That's all you got."

River looked at Saffron and he could smell her dislike and disgust with the other woman, "She is a liar and a thief and no good will come of her."

"No, I'm...I'm not," Saffron was weeping, false tears that reeked of manipulation not sorrow. "I...I'm just..."

"Oh you poor thing," The mechanic was way too soft hearted for Riddick's taste and he rolled his eyes. The first mate and the captain seemed to understand what he was saying though. That was something at least.

"River, you an' me, we're gonna have us a little talk soon. 'Bout your new...friend," The Captain was frowning. "Meanwhile, you show him around the boat. An' you," He looked at his bride, "You c'mon with me. Show you where you'll be sleepin' an' then you c'mon up to the galley an' have somethin' to eat."

"I'm Saffron," The girl Riddick was still holding spoke up to do something other than cry, finally.

"Lie," River quietly echoed what Riddick was thinking. "Born with a different name, took many as masks." No one paid any attention to her words though. It was as if they didn't believe she could speak sense. He looked down at her and she shrugged, apparently this was the norm.

Riddick waited until the Captain was close enough to keep the woman from running before he let go of her. "She wasn't on Triumph long," He commented before he scooped River up into his arms. "You deal with your bride. I'm spending some time with mine."

Riddick inhaled deeply and smiled. His pretty little wife was warm and sweet in his nose and the little dorm smelled like her body and his together. "Think I might shower," He murmured. "You wanna join me?"

"Shower is too small," She murmured. "Will set up your shaving gear though." Those dark eyes looked up at him, "May his wife shave her husband? Take care of him?" She turned on her side and stretched against his body like a cat. "He takes such good care of her."

"Yeah," Riddick stroked his wide palm down from her collarbone to her thighs. She deserved to be taken care of. She'd tailed Saffron all through the ship, observing the woman and her strange behavior. Riddick had done a bit of the same. When Mal'd found his bride again they'd taken the opportunity for a little nap. "Yeah, I'd like that." He pressed a kiss to her throat and had to force himself out of the bed, "And after that..."

"She will shower and get clean for him," River murmured. "He will enjoy mussing her up again?"

"Wanna do it again right now," Riddick chuckled.

"But he won't?" Her hands skimmed over his chest, sliding around his back to pull his body towards her. "Please?"

He grinned and pulled her tightly against his body, already wanting her again, "Long as you don't mind me not smelling so pretty." He rubbed his hand over her warm mound and kissed her neck again. She smelled so good, desire, affection and trust, it was a heady combination.

"My Richard smells like my husband," Her gentle voice was a near moan. "Love how you smell. Want you inside me now. Take you in and feel you, hot and hard, deep, please..."

Riddick groaned and pulled her over so she was astride his body. She hadn't ridden him much but each time was a revelation of how good sex could be with her. The exquisite feeling of her body sinking down on his, taking his cock inside and how her muscles clutched and quivered around his hard flesh. He waited until they were fully joined before he palmed her breasts and began to tease her with sensations. Her little hands flattened on his chest as she rose and fell on his cock.

Riddick groaned and sat up, one hand squeezing her gorgeous ass and the other supporting her back. He couldn't wait this time, his hips drove upwards and his hands pulled her body down. River cried out in pleasure and he groaned again. "So, fucking, perfect," He bit the words off, punctuated with thrusts of his hips. He felt her body gather itself, erotic tension winding through her and coiling tight around his cock.

And then... He couldn't talk, couldn't think, could only feel and kiss and touch his lovely young wife. Her lips under his were hot and delicious as she screamed into his mouth. Her body tightened once more and convulsed. A hot flood of honey around his cock and he forced his body up and pulled hers down. His jaws snapped shut around her shoulder as he lost control and his own orgasm erupted like fire through his veins and body.

Her hands were gentle, stroking his scalp and jaw and neck. "My husband," She crooned, pressing kisses to his hot skin. "So good to her."

"I'm not nice," He reminded her, his tongue lapping at the bloody bite mark on her shoulder. "But I take care of my wife." Riddick helped her lift her body off his, her trembling legs unable to support her body. She sprawled against him and he chuckled, "Maybe too well?"

"When you touch...cannot help myself," River smiled up at him. "Handsome, gentle, fierce, and possessive. Warrior. Even faults are attractive."

Riddick chuckled and grabbed a clean pair of pants along with a towel, "Gotta admit, feel the same way about you." He looked through his belongings for his soap and tried to remember where he'd packed it.

River pointed at a pocket on the backpack, "Plastic box, soap inside." She pushed herself up, pale flesh against a dark blanket. She was so beautiful. Her dark hair tumbled over her shoulders, nipples rosy as her lips, dark curls between her thighs and smelling so good. But she winced a bit as she stretched and he frowned.

"Thanks," He found the soap and perched on the edge of the bed. "You try to catch a nap. We should hunt down some lotion or oil; give your muscles a rubdown. Or stretch some. Keep forgetting you were pretty untouched 'til yesterday."

"Shave you when you return and shower myself," River promised. "Hot water eases aches."

"Yeah," Riddick nodded and stroked his hand over her hair. "Gonna take care of you River." Her hand lifted and her palm pressed to his chest over his heart. It felt like fire was seeping through his skin at her touch. "You know that right?"

"Husband is honorable. Even before marriage, wished to take care of her," She murmured gently. "She trusts him as she would no other. He is deep within her, bound to her, and she to him. More than words could ever say."

"Yeah," He couldn't believe after the shit life he'd had that he'd gotten so lucky. He'd lost everyone and everything he'd ever cared about or known. But now he had her. And all he had to do in order to keep her was be himself. Because that was who she wanted. He had the damndest luck. "I better go shower before I crawl back in there with you."

"Hmm...tempting," She giggled. But her scent had threads of fatigue through it and he did need to shower.

The Furyan sighed, "Lock the door behind me." He cautioned as he stood.

He heard the bolt slide home after he shut the door behind him and moved down the hall and through the lounge to the passenger showers.

He'd been on enough ships to know that water was a finite resource no matter how much recycling was done so the shower was quick. Drying himself off didn't take long either. Being clean thanks to hot water and soap was a pleasant feeling. Anticipating a shave by his woman and then watching her shower had put him in a agreeable mood

That good mood that faded abruptly when he saw the Saffron woman leaning against the lounge wall as if waiting for him. "Hello," She greeted him in tentative voice that matched nothing he scented on her. "We didn't exactly meet earlier."

"Didn't need to," Riddick told her brusquely.

"No," She agreed as he moved out of the head's doorway. "I've seen you, back on Triumph."

"Yeah," The Furyan nodded. He moved towards the dorms and Saffron moved in front of him.

"Big man like you, stuck on a little boat like this, only a little girl for company..." The woman moved closer and pressed her curves to his chest. "You're not a little bored? Tired of catering to a virgin? To someone who doesn't have what you need?"

The snarl that vibrated through his words should have clued her in that insulting River wasn't the right tack to take if Saffron wanted to get on his good side. "She married me the same as you married Reynolds. Difference is my wife isn't a scheming whore."

"I'm no one's doxy," She pretended affront but her words couldn't change her scent.

"Bullshit," He wasn't going to waste his time on this bitch. In another second he'd go with his gut instinct and use violence to get past her and back to his wife.

"Richard is taking far too long to return to his wife," River's elegant voice spoke from the hallway.

Like iron to a magnet his eyes snapped towards his woman. River hadn't bothered to dress. She'd pulled the dislodged sheet from the bed and wrapped it around her body. Her fist held the sheet closed between her breasts and her legs were more than half revealed by the opening of the sheet. Her hair was messy from his hands and he could smell the scents of their sex still on her body. Dark eyes almost glowed up at him as she leaned against the wall. "Is he coming back to bed? Or does he wish to converse with the jiàn huò for longer?"

Riddick pushed past the woman in his way as he strode the short distance to his wife. "What do you think?" He pulled her into his arms and kept walking down the little hall to their room. River's giggles were like music as his hand slipped down to cup her ass.

He was feeling more than a little irritated when River woke him up from another nap and whispered that Saffron was planning to cripple the ship. Catching up with the deceitful whore hadn't been hard and thankfully he'd made it before she'd gotten to the bridge. He guessed she'd been ready to do something to the captain because she was poised to descend into the bunk River mentioned belonged to the tall man.

Dragging her into the galley wasn't exactly hard, her hair made a nice handle, especially since he didn't care if he hurt her or not. River had come along a few minutes later, trailed by the Shepherd and her brother. Shepherd woke up the crew while Saffron spat abuse at him and River regardless of his hand using her wavy hair as a leash.

"What are you doing? What have I done to you," She was wailing when the Captain came in the room.

"Uh, Richard, care to explain why you got an innocent woman by the scruff of the neck?" Mal asked carefully.

" That'd be because River says she's a thief and a liar and no good'll come of her," Riddick growled. "Not to mention I saw her sneaking round the shuttles and she was up to no good when I caught her. River says she's gonna do something to the boat and I believe my wife. This one stinks of lies." He glared down at the woman, "I got things to do and following this bitch around isn't one of 'em. But you've got this weird idea she's helpless."

"She shows great familiarity with ships," River agreed. "And she plays many parts. Acts the innocent with the Captain. Plays the temptress oh so sweetly with Richard. Twitches her hips at Jayne and makes eyes at Inara. Doesn't notice me watching her."

"Little one you ain't known for bein' reasonable regarding such things," The Captain reminded the slender Core girl.

"She has a tube of lipstick in her pocket that applies a narcotic compound to the lips of any man she's kissed," River pointed at the pocket in question. "What would a girl from the Maiden House want with the 'Good Night Kiss'?"

""And why's she so comfortable wandering around?" Riddick added snarling at the woman whose hair he was still holding. "If she's never been off planet she should be nervous as hell. But she isn't. Acts all shy and sweet but when she thinks no one's looking she struts. Pleased with herself."

"This is all speculation," Book suggested. "Have the two of you any proof?"

Riddick narrowed his eyes at the man and the preacher tilted his head towards Saffron's pocket. River caught the thought from the two of them and grinned pulling the tube out of the wench's dress. "Here," She tossed it at Kaylee who caught it easily. "Put it on and kiss Simon." Kaylee's eyes widened but she applied the lipstick. River pushed the Captain behind her brother. "Be prepared to catch him please."

"Yeah, all right little one," Mal shook his head and waited for Kaylee to kiss the doctor.

Riddick couldn't help it; it was the funniest damn thing he'd seen in a while. The mechanic latched onto the doc with a lotta enthusiasm and the boy appeared to semi-enjoy it, right up until he passed out. He couldn't stop laughing as the mechanic began pouting unhappily. "Better wash that off Miss," He suggested between chuckles.

Saffron picked that moment to elbow him in the gut and he sighed and tightened his grip on her hair. "All that'll get you is a black eye. You're irritating River; she'll hit you a lot harder than you can hit me."

The bitch he was holding actually sneered at River, "That scrawny little jiàn huò? Honey please. She's plain and skinny as a rail to boot. Why in the world did you bother with her?"

Riddick growled and his fist tightened in her hair, "River, I'm about ready to change my policy on hitting women. You wanna do it so I don't break her neck?"

His little wife was looking at him in confusion, "Apart from the expletive she has said nothing but the truth. It is known that the girl is plain and skinny."

Riddick nearly lost his temper at that. "That's it," He slammed the curvy woman's head forward so she hit the table top hard. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head and she slumped to the floor. "Lock her up before she does something to the boat. I see her again I'll fucking kill her."

He moved towards River with a frown on his face and grabbed her up in his arms. He turned and looked at the limp woman on the floor and the doc who was slowly regaining consciousness. "You had better toss her out the airlock or I'll do it for you," He told the Captain. "She's nothing but trouble."

Ignoring audience at his back, the convict carried his wife down to their dorm. Riddick scowled at his mate before he pressed her back against the closed door, "Let's get something straight." He snarled furiously, "You're not crazy. Seeing and hearing what other folks don't isn't crazy. Hell I do that and I'm mostly sane."

When she gave him a nod Riddick jerked his head in reply. "Second, you're not plain. Got skin like white silk, eyes that look right into me and a mouth I can't get enough of. Told you you're pretty. I'm not much with words but you know damn well what I think of you. Fucking love looking at you. All these contrasts..." He actually lost track of his words for a minute as he traced a finger over her eyebrows and touched the soft locks of her hair, tangled though it had become while she'd been following Saffron. She was so goddamn beautiful.

Remembering what he'd been saying he looked down at the gorgeous swell of her breasts pressed to his chest, "An' I seem to remember some damn compelling evidence that you're not skinny." He reminded her flatly. "Just because people gave you clothes three times too large and you're built on the slender side doesn't mean you're skinny. That bitch looks like a gorram cow. It's a wonder she doesn't fall over. Never liked her. Wouldn't let her near me with a wreath if I was paid my weight in pure platinum."

His wife nodded again and Riddick stared at her, "Now, what'd I do when you brought me your wreath?"

"Smiled at her and was pleased she'd chosen him," River murmured for his ears alone. "Danced with her and drank all the wine so there would be no doubt of his intentions."

"Damn right," Riddick nodded.

He'd kept River in their bunk while everyone else was occupied and they'd passed the time in as pleasurable a manner as he'd ever experienced. Riddick listened to the sounds of the ship and the cries and struggles of the woman in an upstairs hallway. He couldn't tell exactly what they were doing with her and he didn't care so long as it didn't endanger him or his wife. River murmured something from within his arms and he chuckled. She was half-asleep and completely incomprehensible but she was still the prettiest woman he'd ever seen. Objectively he knew there were probably more beautiful women, the Companion for one, but he still liked looking at River more.

Riddick grinned when he saw the brush on top of her bureau. Reaching across River's slender body he snagged the brush and began to indulge his Animal by grooming his mate. Above him he heard the sounds of a shuttle being launched and hours later it returned. By the time River woke up he was practically purring. "Husband likes to play with his wife even when she sleeps?" Her drowsy voice was like a caress to his skin.

"You needed the rest, what with that bitch on the boat and me keeping you up half the night before," He bent and pressed a kiss to her lips. "I really should've just killed her."

"Cap'n doesn't like cold blooded killing," River stretched in his arms and made a face as the edge of the mattress dug into her back. "Bed is too small," She observed in irritation.

"Yeah. If we can't get a bigger room maybe we can put a wider bed in this one," Riddick wasn't thrilled with the tiny room and the small bed, reminded him of a slightly nicer cell. How his woman had put up with this tiny space for so long was unbelievable.

She giggled at him as she Read that thought and shrugged, "Not in my right mind. Room seemed larger and smaller at the same time." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him enthusiastically. "My husband could experiment with how flexible his wife is," She suggested and he grinned down at her wickedly.

He was enjoying the sound of her moans and mews of pleasure at the feel of his cock sawing slowly back and forth when the door opened. The captain was lucky that River was pretty much covered by her husband's body or Riddick would have fired the gun he'd grabbed. "Out!"

The Furyan had one good look at Mal's deathly pale face before he shut the door. River had shut her eyes in momentary denial that her Captain had seen her naked and moaned her dismay. "No, we aren't stopping for him," Riddick growled down at her. "My wife," He reminded her and she nodded. Slow was replaced with hard and fast, and soon they were wrapped up in each other. His arms had slid beneath her body, holding her close beneath him. River's arms and legs were locked around his waist and back, clinging tightly as they continued what the Captain had interrupted.

Riddick rolled them over so that River was on top of him and stroked his hand down her hair. She was his. He might have to deal with the fact that every lecherous hump on this boat had seen his wife naked as a jaybird once but that didn't mean he had to tolerate it again. Something about men walking in while his woman was in bed just set off every possessive alarm bell he had. If this happened one more time someone was going to end up with a shiv in their gut and it wouldn't be he or River.

His wife pressed soft little kisses to his face and chin and neck before the door opened again. Riddick roared and threw the knives under his pillow at the doorway. Only Jayne's quick hands saved Simon's stomach and liver from impalement. But even that didn't keep Simon from exclaiming in horror, "What have you done to my sister?"

Riddick looked at his wife in confusion. River was frowning, clearly she didn't understand either. "Simon what do you mean?" She shook her head and tried to reach her drawer for something to wear.

"You have bruises and bite marks and... Buddha only knows what else," Simon told her as he reappeared in the doorway only to be jerked back out of it by a more practical Jayne. "I need you in the infirmary now. What if he's permanently damaged you? Bad enough you've been sullied in such a way but this..."

"Out!" Riddick nearly roared the word before he looked down at his wife. Before her idiot brother opened their door she'd been happy and giving him kisses. Now she smelt worried and her face was buried in his neck. "Hey, you know I'd get innocked before I touched you if there was anything could get you sick, right?" He offered what reassurance he could in a low voice. "But my marks on you? I won't apologize for that. Wouldn't mind if you left a few more on me."

She looked up at him with wide, hopeful eyes and Riddick nodded soberly. "Best husband in the 'Verse," River proclaimed happily and kissed him hard on the mouth.

"Hey Moonbrain, Mal wants you an' your...whatever up in the galley. With clothes on," Jayne's voice prevented Riddick from reciprocating.

"Close the fucking door," Riddick demanded. Before he could get up and do it himself a large hand slid the thing shut.

"Must wear the new dress my Husband gave me," River said happily. "Look like a wife and not a child in clothes that are too big."

Riddick chuckled and helped her get out of the bed without getting tangled in the blanket or kneeing him in the jewels. She splashed water on her face and rummaged through her drawer for panties and a bra. He tilted his head and smoothed a finger over the fabric covering her ass. He wondered if it was just him or if her underthings were a little young for her. Wasn't like she was less of a woman under them but he got the impression that she hadn't chosen her own clothing.

"He is correct," River nodded in response to his mental musings. "Simon chose all my clothing. Or it was given to me by the crew. Too big, too young, or very old," She shrugged. "Parents chose my clothing before. Academy kept me in 'subject' clothing. The dress is the first garment I've been allowed to choose. Perfect wedding present for his bride."

Riddick took a deep breath. No use getting worked up over how things were before. She was his now, and he was hers so there'd be some changes. The Animal was set to get all irritated but River pulled on her new dress and happily spun around so the skirt flared which quieted the Animal down again. He didn't know what color the dress was, something that resembled purple to his eyes. It hugged her upper body and hips while the skirt flared out around her upper thighs. Gathers and pleats teased his eyes but they made the most of her pretty curves. The neckline was a simple V but the sleeves looked comfortable. Kinda like the skirt, they belled out at her elbows. The whole thing was trimmed in some sorta soft yarn looking lace and River grinned at him.

Taking his hand she ran his finger over the lace that adorned the V of the neckline. It was soft against her skin, not scratchy like other lace he'd seen. Digging through his pack he found a clean pair of pants, the buckskin soft and stretched to accommodate his body. One of the tanners had dyed it darker for him and it was near the color of River's hair. Once he'd done up the bone buttons River handed him a shirt and he pulled it over his head. It was automatic to push up his sleeves and begin to secret knives around his body.

River watched him for a moment before she twisted her hair back in a neat plait and wound it into a bun at the base of her neck. It did more to make her look adult than the dress and he would never have thought her only a girl if he'd seen her like this coming off the ship. He might have just asked her to go walking with him, begun courting her, she was just that beautiful. She smiled at him in her mirror, "He thinks the loveliest things."

"'S the truth," He finished with his knives and grabbed his goggles in case the lights were too bright in the galley. For now they were fine on his forehead. "You know I'm not nice. Not civilized and I'm for damn sure not a good man. But I won't have anyone treating you bad. Guess you been trained enough that you can stand up for yourself. Still, I won't be able to help wanting to gut anyone hurts you."

"Don't care about nice," River told him. "Civilized is overrated. And my husband is a good man. Wouldn't have chosen him otherwise. Just doesn't always follow the rules other people make up. Like that you stand up for me. Like that you let me stand up for myself. And no one is allowed to bad mouth you either. I'll skin them alive if they try."

Riddick watched as she put on her boots and shook his head. Now he just wanted to take her back to bed. Between the way she was dressed and her saying she'd skin someone alive he was feeling more than a little interested in hearing her scream his name.

"Afterwards," His little wife was smiling at him wickedly and he grinned. Damn she was fun. "Would like to see if they can keep Simon awake the whole night."

That got him chuckling evilly as they climbed the three flights of stairs up to the galley.

Author's Note: So it was mentioned by another author that Riddick's voice is a little off in this and that she thought it was the Rim speak. I've gone back through and corrected his language a bit and I'm hoping he'll sound more like Riddick to all of you. His language won't be perfect but I've made a conscious effort to keep him from sounding like Jayne or Mal. The gist is the same so if you don't feel like reading the chapters over you won't miss anything.

How do you like the way he and River dealt with Saffron? I figured she'd definitely come on to him and that he wouldn't have much patience for it. Plus this is a man who's newly married. Why waste time waiting for Saffron to do something when its obvious to anyone who looks that she's up to no good?

So next chapter Mal finally gets to have that little talk about River's marriage. I don't think Simon is going to take this so well. What do you guys think?

Chinese Translations:

Bì zuǐ - Shut up!

dǎ xiǎo suàn pán - lit. to count on a narrow abacus - idiom; petty and scheming selfishly / concerned with petty interests / selfish and uncaring of the interests of others

jiàn huò - bitch