Authors note: I still own nothing… of value. Sure Aurora's mine but there is no money to be made off her and no one to lust after her. I'm still terribly sad about it.

Chapter 4

This whole situation is fucked, Vaako thought yet again. Bracing his hands on either side of the view port he struggled with himself. Nothing like staring into the vastness of space to put things back into prospective; space was large and in comparison his shit was small. Grimacing, head tilting to the side, he was forced to admit; insignificant or not in the grand scheme of things, that slave was a problem. A huge one, and he didn't have the first clue what to do about it. Good thing that bastard's not around to enjoy this.

Hearing the minute change in the slave's breathing as she came awake, he decided keeping his mouth shut and adopting a wait and see attitude was the best course of action. Turning back to his musings he waited for her to make the first move. After a few moments of nothing doing, it became obvious that approach was going to get him absolutely nowhere.

Maybe the Envoy was telling the truth. The darker part of him hoped the girl was mute, and that realization had him grimacing yet again. He wasn't about to examine the why's of that thought, so like most shit concerning the girl lying on his couch, it got pushed to the back of his mind. Just another thing in the 'deal with later' category, and if he had his wish, 'later' would never come.

Feeling her eyes on him, he shifted before calling out in what he hoped was a soft tone. "There's food on the table." Silence from the couch was his only answer. So much for the convenience of a mute slave, he thought ruefully rubbing a hand over his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. Just when he was ready to give it up and face the girl a loud rumble broke the quiet of the room. He couldn't keep the corner of his mouth from twitching. So she speaks… somewhat.

The first thing Aurora noticed when she started to come around was her head throbbing like someone had gone to town on it with a two by four. The next, she was lying on something soft. That had her eyes flying open, despite the protest her head put up, which led to her third realization, and this one was the real kicker; she wasn't in her cell. Barren was a good word to describe that particular slice of Heaven. Small worked too, and this place was neither, so it didn't take a genius to figure out shit was off, way off.

It didn't take Aurora long to realize that her problems went deeper than not knowing where she was. She didn't have the first clue what the hell had happened, either.

Searching the shadows across the way, her eyes were immediately drawn to the man standing there, arms braced against the view port. Broad shouldered, powerfully built, from the back he could be any number of men, but it felt like she should know him. Squinting as he shifted, she saw light glint off the ebony beads adorning his hair. When his voice rumbled out from the darkness that sense of 'knowing' intensified.

Deciding it hadn't been heard the first time, her stomach let out another loud protest making her wince. The noise seeming to echo around the chamber, apparently it never got the memo about discretion being the better part of valor.

Turning at the noise, Vaako looked over to see the slave still rooted to the spot. Lifting his eyebrow, voice low and even he clarified, "Eat."

Seeing his face as the timber of his voice washed over her again, sent everything crashing into place, the Envoy, fighting the Lord Marshal, the struggle in the Med Bay. She could see him leaning over her as the world faded out, those dark eyes piercing deep. 'Get that fucking collar off her.' Unbidden, hope flared in her chest. The memory was so damn fuzzy, the edges of reality and dream blurred. Shaking her head to clear it; she felt the weight of the collar bite into her neck. Good job asshole, of course it was the drugs talking. Being a glutton for punishment, she reached up to touch the cold metal, letting it knock her ass firmly back into reality. Hope really was a bastard.

Keeping her eyes on the man in the shadows, Aurora stood carefully, taking stock. As her body checked in, she decided to amend her earlier assessment. Apparently that two by four didn't stop with her head; it took a whack at her entire body. How very thorough of it.

Crossing to the table her mind was hit by a huge disconnect. The statement 'there is food on the table,' didn't accurately describe the situation. The table was positively overflowing with the stuff and everything looked like heaven on a plate. Saliva pooled in her mouth as she eyed each offering lovingly. If Hope was a bastard, than Longing was its kid sister… and what a bitch that one was.

Aurora had spent the better part of her life serving the Envoy. There was a twisted comfort to be found in knowing what to expect. New situation, new rules, new tests. Better safe than sorry, she thought, sighing inwardly. Shooting her eyes back to Vaako she grabbed a thick chunk of hearty bread and backed away. Crouching down with the wall to her back she tore into it with a watchful, ravenous hunger, barely swallowing the moan of pleasure that bubbled up.

Vaako didn't miss the way her hand strayed to her throat, or the cold finality that entered her eyes when she felt the collar. Its better this way, he thought. There were no guarantees the Techs would figure out how to get the damn thing off considering they still had their thumbs up their asses trying to figure out how it worked.

The covetous way those eyes passed over the richer offerings, before her hand settled on the simplest fare didn't escape him either. Now that she wasn't drowning in those robes, it was obvious just how painfully thin she was. He wanted to slit the Envoys throat all over again.

As he crossed toward the table and picked up a roast chicken leg, wary eyes followed his movements, fixating on a drop of grease as it snaked its glistening way down his thumb and across his hand.

Moving toward her slowly, he eyed her position on the floor. Curled up in a little ball she seemed to be cowering. It was, he decided, an impressive act. He might have bought it if he hadn't seen her fighting Riddick. Only the tensing of her thighs gave away her flight readiness. Not bad, he thought. Back guarded but not boxed in. The first thing a warrior learned when they began their training was how to get their ass handed to them. The second, was to watch their back and avoid getting cornered. If they wanted to keep their ass attached they learned that lesson quickly. Stopping in front of her, he knelt down and held out the meat. "Eat your fill," he ordered quietly.

As soon as her dark gaze rose to meet his, he knew he'd been right. Those eyes had been to Hell and back, survivor's eyes, cautious, world weary and stubbornly defiant. Here was the fighter that took on the Lord Marshal. He didn't know whether or not to be grateful. That helpless look she had going on in the Med Bay had been disturbing to say the least, but weak he could dismiss. This strength just complicated things.

Aurora studied him carefully, looking for signs of an ulterior motive before reaching out to take the chicken. Taking a bite, eyes going half mast, she couldn't have stopped the blissed out expression that crossed her face had she tried. Rich, flavorful, this sure as hell wasn't slave fare. She couldn't remember the last time she had tasted something like this. Eyes narrowing, she considered the man kneeling in front of her, and was struck again by that sense of 'knowing'.

Vaako was fascinated watching her eat. White teeth flashed before they descended, tearing delicately into the flesh. Something deep and primal stirred in him. Unrecognizable at first, it took him a moment to figure out what was doing. When he finally did, he almost dismissed the thought on principle. Damn him, but he liked that she ate from his hand. He liked that she was gaining sustenance from him. He fucking liked it… Disgusted, he stood quickly. I need to get the hell out of here.

"There is a bathing chamber through the door to your right. Make use of it while I'm gone." Waiting just long enough to watch her nod an affirmative, he made good his escape.

Aurora carefully picked the bone clean of every scrap of meat only hesitating a moment before going for more, this time sampling a little of everything. Finally full, she drew in a deep breath, savoring the sensation, before letting it out on a contented sigh.

It wasn't until she stepped into the bathing chamber that she realized clean clothing was in short supply. Looking down at the hospital gown her lip curled in disgust. The last thing she wanted was a reminder of the Med Bay, but when it came to picking the lesser of two evils, the choice was clear. She'd wear the damn thing until it rotted off her body before she'd even consider strutting around 'his' room naked.

She didn't bother wasting time studying the chamber, just found a towel and got the spray going in the shower, cranking the water up to just this side of scalding. Dropping the gown she stepped in and for the second time that day knew true bliss. The water pressure was like a thousand hands massaging the knots from her sore shoulders. Turning her face into the spray she let her thoughts drift.

Turning, she picked one of the bottles lining a tiled alcove at random. Popping the top, she sniffed the contents carefully. The scent was dark and masculine, clean and herbal, and she was grateful for it. That shit the Envoy used was sickeningly sweet, so cloying it seemed to stick in your nose and cling to the back of your throat.

The bottles weren't cluttered with anything so useless as labels to distinguish shampoo from body wash. She could tell it wasn't conditioner… and that was all. Eh ,it's all the same shit anyway, she shrugged philosophically. Squeezing a large dollop into her palm she got to work, scrubbing the dirt and the stench of pain and fear from her body, her mind going on auto pilot, wash, rinse, repeat. Eyes fastened to the wall she methodically worked her way down. She was more than familiar with the train wreck her body had become over the years. There was no point in adding insult to injury by checking out the kaleidoscope of bruises she was now sporting. A good shower was like a good meal, hard to come by. Why ruin it?

Stepping from the shower, wrapping a towel around herself, her mind came back online in a rush. Soft and fluffy, the damn towel was just as luxurious as the meal and the shower. She felt it grazing her toes. Glancing back at the hospital gown she was loath to put it on. Looking down, realizing the towel covered more anyway she picked the gown up, resisted the urge to trash it, folded it neatly and laid it on the counter.

Stepping back into the main chamber towel gripped firmly against her she braced herself. When nothing but blessed silence greeted her, relief hit in a rush. Glancing toward the couch she noticed something dark lying across the back that definitely hadn't been there before. Soft material brushed her fingertips as she gathered it up. A gown… Aurora didn't know what to think. This whole thing didn't make sense and as much as she had enjoyed the ride up to now, she couldn't help waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Quickly shedding the towel, she drew the gown over her head, appreciating being fully covered once again. Turning mouth dropping open in shock, she finally noticed the other articles of clothing on the couch. I'll be damned, he provided knickers. She didn't know whether to be grateful for his thoughtfulness or mortified that he'd given her underwear.

What is he playing at? Climbing back up onto the couch, legs tucked under her, she decided this shit was so far out of her range of experience, it was better just to let things come as they may. Easier said than done, but since when did over analyzing things get her anywhere?

This is getting old quick,

Vaako thought as he stepped out into the hall, the relief he felt was immediate and staggering. Chased from my own damn room, irritation followed that thought, intensifying when he realized he'd have to find clothing for her to wear. He couldn't have her traipsing around his quarters in a towel or worse that dirty Hospital gown that barely covered her. Fixing that problem was the work of a few minutes giving him hope things were finally looking up.

She was fed, soon she'd be clean, and now that there was an Initiate's gown waiting for her along with… other items, the clothing problem had been solved, he was good to go. Pulling out his communicator to ascertain the Lord Marshal's where abouts, he thought better of it. There were three places Riddick chose to go on a regular basis, his quarters, the gym, and to visit Kyra. He'd lay money he was in the stasis chambers this time.

Striking out he couldn't help feeling sorry for the poor bastard. Two months and he didn't seem any closer to an answer.

Reaching the stasis chamber, he paused a moment before entering silently, remembering the day they brought her here. After taking care of his Dame he had looked toward the new Lord Marshal, relief and a feeling he didn't recognize as empathy until later swirling through him. Riddick had given him his life, and allowed him to retain a small measure of his self respect. He was opening his mouth before he had a chance to think better of it.

"My Lord, there is a chance she can be saved."

Riddick had turned to him, eyes narrowed and burning with intensity. "Don't play with me Vaako or you'll be joining your wife."

"In this, I would not." Vaako had seen something in Kyra's eyes as she lay dying. It was something he realized then, had never graced his Dame's face. So that's what love is supposed to look like, he'd thought. That kind of devotion went beyond death.

"There are stories of people being brought back from the Underverse."

"How?"

Head bowed Vaako truly wished he had an answer." I am not privy to the knowledge my Lord, but perhaps it can be found in the archives."

Turning his head toward the closest Purifier Riddick's voice was harsh. "Is this true?"

Bowing low, the Purifier answered in a serene voice that really grated considering the situation. "It is said Lord Marshal Covu brought his consort back from the Underverse. The specifics are unknown, but perhaps they could be found in the Lord Marshals private journals."

It was something, and that was enough for Riddick. Vaako watched a spark of hope flare in those silver eyes.

Voice booming out Riddick called for a stasis pod, gathering Kyra tenderly into his arms so he could place her in it personally.

Hope, Vaako mused, was a dangerous thing. God help them all if he had given Riddick false hope.

Mind coming back to the present, he called out in a soft tone. He knew Riddick was aware of his presence. Nothing seemed to get past him, but the solemn air in the room demanded respect. "Have you made progress with the journals?"

Riddick didn't turn toward his First. His eyes stayed fastened to Kyra's face. "Not yet, it's just been more of the same old shit." Covu had been fastidious in his personal logs. Riddick could tell you exactly what the bastard had eaten for breakfast and what he had worn on any given day. Reading that Narcissistic BS just pissed him off, guy was way too into his own shit.

"Perhaps I could help shift through the logs for pertinent information."

That earned Vaako a wry smile. "Sure you want to volunteer for that?" Vaako's overly solemn nod gave him away and Riddick's smile became genuine. "Want to get away from the slave that bad?"

Busted, Vaako though, deciding blunt honesty would work best. "Yes."

That made Riddick chuckle. "God, you're such a puss. I really am insulted, Vaako."

Bristling, tone scathing, "I am not afraid of her, I would just prefer not to spend more time in her company than necessary."

"See, I don't know about that." Riddick drawled. "You know the saying Vaako, 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer'. Might want to keep an eye on that one, girl's handy with a shiv." And I'll get to watch you flounder.

Mouth tightening, Vaako said nothing.

Fuckin spoil sport, "Looks like you're getting a little soft if you're scared of a girl. How 'bout we take your pansy ass down to the gym and get a little practice in."

The rumbling growl that came from Vaako's throat was music to Riddick's ears. Striding toward his First he clapped him on the back. "Come on, sooner we get to it, sooner we can have the Med Tech's patching you up."

"I trust they did an adequate job patching up your ribs." Vaako responded, voice deadpan.

Fucker. Riddick barely managing to keep the grin hidden by his scowl.

What the hell crawled up his ass,

Riddick thought as he dodged another punch. He hadn't seen his First this focused and hell bent on self annihilation since Miss. Priss took a swan dive into eternity. Ducking low under another of Vaako's furious strikes, Riddick came up leading with his left, powering it into the other man's jaw. That'll leave a mark. Remembering his earlier fight with Aurora he couldn't help smiling. Awwww, how sweet, they'll be a matched set.

Vaako had lost control, he knew it. And worse, Riddick knew it, the bastard. They had been at it for an hour and it had done nothing to dull the raging inside him. Seeing a big ass, shit-eatin' grin spread across Riddick's face just pissed him off more. Stepping back, he drew in a ragged breath. "I believe we should call it a night, My Lord."

Vaako despised the dark goggles Riddick wore. By the way his skin crawled; he had a pretty good idea where those silver eyes lay this time. Riddick wasn't just studying him, he was dissecting him.

"Yeah," Riddick finally rumbled out.

When nothing else was forthcoming Vaako felt some of the tension ease inside him. "Then I will bid you a good night."

"Not so fast Vaako."

Those four little words had him tightening all over. Shit. Turning back to Riddick he forced his voice to remain neutral. "My Lord?"

"Bring the slave by my quarters tomorrow. I think a meet and greet is in order."

"What time?"

"Well if we're gonna get friendly; we should probably do it over Dinner." Watching Vaako's shoulders ease again Riddick shook his head in amusement, one day in and the girl was already throwing the man completely off balance. The poor guy was practically squirming in discomfort. Dinner and a show, Riddick thought with an evil smirk.

Vaako just nodded in agreement his thoughts already lost to matters more important than feeding that guy's appetite for drama, like what the hell he was going to do with the slave tonight. Riddick was right; she was handy with a shiv. In a fight, he wasn't worried. But asleep, what was to keep her from slipping a blade between his ribs. Dame Vaako, as it turned out, had been a stone cold killer. Vaako's lips curled in a derisive snarl at the thought of his beautiful wife bloodying her perfectly manicured hands bumping him off. No, if not Riddick it would have been someone else. She was nothing but a vainglorious coward.

Aurora, on the other hand, was a different beast altogether. Riddick definitely wasn't her first mark. It wasn't a question of whether she killed before but how many times, and in what ways. The Envoy wouldn't have been so confident if she had brought an untried assassin. So what was he going to do with her? There only seemed to be two options. Stick her in a cell, or chain her up.