Same disclaimer as always, I don't own TCOR, Riddick or Vaako but I take solace in their smexiness

Sorry it has been so long. Thank you to all those that reviewed the last chapter. Your support got me through rough times that might have kept me from writing.

Chapter 6

When the familiar rap of his First's knuckles sounded, Riddick grinned in anticipation. Opening the door, striking the kind of casual pose he knew pissed Vaako off, he took in the man's battered face, tight lips, and tense jaw before swinging his eyes to the girl, noting the new metal she was sporting.

Without moving from the frame he drawled, voice lazy, "You're late."

"There was a problem at the armory." Vaako responded, face remaining impassive.

I just bet there was, Riddick thought. "So you're telling me, cause you can't handle a little girl, I've got to eat cold food?"

Eyes flicking to the girl in question, Riddick caught the evil grin that flashed across her face. Split second and it was gone, but man was it fuckin beautiful. Girl's got spunk, and she's pissed, this was going to be better than he'd hoped. Stepping away from the door so they could enter, Riddick couldn't keep the evil smile from spreading across his face.

As far as Vaako was concerned, that little comment was too close to the mark for comfort. Eyes narrowing, he tried to figure out whether it was just a lucky shot in the dark, or if the man actually knew what had gone down. Guess or not, that grin made one thing abundantly clear, this wouldn't be the relaxing meet and greet he'd hoped for, and unless his eyes were playing tricks on him, the little witch had actually smiled at Riddick. Nope, he was definitely fucked.

Looked like Riddick would be indulging in his favorite past time tonight. At least he's in good company, Vaako thought dryly. Somehow, being mute didn't stop the slave from doing one hell of a hack job on his ego when he least expected it. The little side trip to the armory was just case in point, and to think the morning had started with such promise.

Walking in he'd been relieved to see she didn't possess Riddick's skill set with restraints. That would have been… an unfortunate complication. Taking the time to study her closely, he'd noticed the bruising under her eyes had actually darkened from the day before. Obviously she hadn't slept well, and wasn't that always a mood killer. Riddick, damn him, popped in to his mind to mock him from a distance, 'Wish in one hand, shit in the other Vaako', snorting, Vaako decided the saying was accurate, so much for hope.

Her eyes, when she finally looked at him had been dark and flat, whatever he'd been expecting, that nothingness wasn't it. Might as well be dealing with Riddick's goggles.

Undoing the restraints he readied himself for another fight. Instead she sat up slowly, rubbing her wrists and working her way up the muscles of her arms and over her shoulders. Looking back up at him, eyes still flat, she gestured to the bathroom, and that was all. Nodding dumbly, he'd stared after her before pacing restlessly around his quarters trying to figure out what the hell had just happened. She continued to throw him off balance and he didn't like it.

With the meal, came texts from the archives accompanied by a note written in Riddick's lazy scrawl. 'Figure out what Sarins' up to.' Snorting at Riddick's usual lack of clarity, Vaako crushed the note, eyeing the stack of books dubiously. A smart man would be up Riddick's ass trying to figure out how to get Kyra back, not doing clandestine research. But Sarin wasn't a smart man.

Riddick didn't do things without a very clear purpose in mind. Unfortunately, Vaako couldn't decide if this was a show of faith, a test, or just another way for Riddick to fuck with him. He'd offered help last night, albeit for the wrong reasons, and for all intents and purposes, Riddick had turned him down. Looking from the books to the slave, he was leaning toward the third option. Having them sent to his room made sure he couldn't get away while he 'helped,' sly bastard. It was a neat bit of maneuvering and Vaako was actually impressed. Unfortunately, figuring out what Sarin was up to from a pile of seemingly random Necro texts would be tedious at best.

After they ate, Aurora cleared the table and resumed her seat on the couch, legs tucked up under her. If he didn't look at her, it was easy to forget she was even there as he poured over the texts. Riddick would be disappointed to know his plan backfired Vaako thought smugly.

The whole day had been relatively peaceful. That alone should have warned him it wouldn't be smooth sailing when she found out what he had planned. It wasn't that he had any illusions that she'd just go along with the program. He'd just been hoping she'd accept it… with a minimal amount of persuasion.

When the notification came that the modifications had been made to the restraints, he checked the time. There would be just enough to get them before meeting with the Lord Marshal. Gesturing for her to follow him, he watched her rise slowly eyeing him warily.

When they reached the armory's outer room, curiosity was shining in her eyes. When the tech walked in holding the modified grav-restraints he saw that curiosity die a quick, violent death.

Taking the cuffs in hand he carefully inspected the leather lining, feeling for rough edges. When he had removed the restraints this morning he had been displeased to see bruises covering her wrists. Giving the cuffs another once over he nodded his head in satisfaction.

"This can be as easy or as difficult as you choose to make it," he said, voice carefully modulated.

Vaako was no expert at lip reading but he was pretty sure she had just mouthed 'fuck you.'

The hard way it is then. Leaping for her, he decided against a gentle take down. Crashing into her he sent them both sprawling to the floor. Grappling, he dodged the fist aimed at his nose, grabbing her arm mid-air and directing it back to the floor. Shifting up, he placed his leg over it to hold her down as he reached for her other arm, snapping the cuff over it.

Deciding it was demonstration time, he activated the gravity field watching shock and rage transform her face as her arm was sucked to the floor. Smirking, he took the opportunity to snap the other cuff into place.

Leaning down close to her ear he whispered. "There will be no repeats of last night."

The sweet smile she shot him was the only warning he got before her knee sailed up into his crotch, driving the air out of him in a huff. I'm gonna kill her; he thought as he rolled away, gasping in a breath as nausea and pain rolled over him in waves.

The meal was cold Aurora noted, but it was still some of the best food she had ever eaten. The company though, was making her antsy as hell. The Lord Marshal grinned like a cat with cream and Vaako glowered like he wanted to kill someone but couldn't decide whether to start with the Lord Marshal or her. She didn't know which man made her more nervous.

Leaning back in his chair Riddick stretched, lacing his fingers behind his head, biceps bulging. Cocking his head he looked Vaako over. "That jaw is coloring up nicely," he said with a devilish air. "But I don't remember catching you in the nose."

"You didn't." Vaako bit out tersely.

Riddick watched as amusement flashed through Aurora's eyes, and decided to play dumb. "Then who did? Come on Vaako, you can tell me." Grinning hugely he added, "Tell me and I'll beat 'em up for you."

The huffing coming from Aurora had Vaako cutting his eyes toward her. "You are not helping matters" he hissed.

Apparently getting clocked by a girl had burned Vaako's ass. That explains the new restraints. Seemed like overkill to him, but it was a hell of a talking point. "You know Vaako" he began slowly "next time you want to get a girl something nice" with that he nodded to her restraints, "make sure the bracelets match the necklace." Giving his First a wink he smiled. "Girls like shit like that. Makes them feel pretty."

Now they were both glaring at him. Don't I feel special?

Turning his attention to the girl he decided to get down to business. Giving her a shrewd look his eyes flicked to the collar. "You weren't born mute were you?"

A shake of the head was all he got for a no.

"So it's the collar?"

This time Aurora looked at Vaako briefly before nodding an affirmative at Riddick. What the hell is she looking at him for?

"Can you read?"

Another nod in the affirmative… This yes, no shit was getting old quick.

"Do you remember how to speak?"

Puzzled eyes flashed to his, head tilting slightly like he was crazy before she mouthed 'yes.'

"Well thank Christ, one sided conversations bore the shit out of me." Leaning lazily against the arm of his chair, Riddick twirled the blade of a shiv against his knee.

Mouth opening and closing in shock Aurora couldn't gather her thoughts quickly enough. 'You read lips?'

Twisting his lips up in a smirk, he tapped the side of his head with the blade. "What do you think?"

Blinking in surprise, she shook her head. 'You want a conversation with me?' The look on Aurora's face was incredulous.

"Yeah," Riddick rumbled out, as far as he was concerned it was end of story on that line of questioning.

Placing her hand on the table she leaned slightly closer. 'Why?'

"Why not," He responded exasperated. As soon as her mouth opened, he cut her off, "Don't answer that, I can guess your answer, and it'll just piss me off."

Aurora's face beamed at his answer.

Vaako's head had been wiping back and forth during the exchange. He wasn't shocked Riddick could read lips. That shit could keep a man alive in prison. What shocked him was the surge of jealousy he felt seeing her smile for someone else.

Dragging his thoughts back to the conversation at hand he realized they had lapsed out of the simple one word answers he could follow and he was left trying to guess what she said by Riddick's responses. He resented the hell out of that. The smirk Riddick sent his way without breaking stride in the conversation told him the man knew it.

"What did the Envoy hope to accomplish?"

'You keep what you kill.' Aurora said simply.

"Yeah, I get that, but that would have put you in charge, not her"

She simply motioned to the collar.

"How much control did she have?" Riddick asked leaning forward, suddenly completely serious.

Shooting her eyes once again to Vaako, Aurora hesitated before answering, 'almost absolute.'

Why does she keep looking at him? Suddenly the pieces clicked and he could have kicked himself, so control was transferable, and she didn't know whether Vaako had it or not.

Deciding that conversational gem would have to wait till Vaako was absent. Riddick changed his line of questioning to something more entertaining.

"So is Vaako as much of a tight ass in his quarters as he is here?"

Priceless, the look on both their faces was absolutely priceless. "You know, don't answer that one either, I think I already know." He said with a huge smile.

Leaning forward, he gave her a conspiratorial wink, "so what'd you do to get him so riled up?"

The warning growl that burst from Vaako's throat, and the nervous look Aurora cast his way, just peaked his interest. Oh, this is gonna be good.

Standing abruptly, Vaako bit out, "I believe it is time to retire, I bid you good night My Lord." Grabbing Aurora by the arm he marched her to the door pushing her out before she could mouth a word.

Riddick grabbed Vaako's shoulder stopping him before he could follow Aurora out the door. "What's doing with the restraints Vaako?" He rumbled out softly so she wouldn't hear. "Slave collar wasn't enough?"

"Would you prefer I throw her in a cell?" Vaako's voice growled equally low, making it perfectly clear he didn't want to have this conversation.

What's the matter Vaako? Don't want to talk about it… tough shit. Eyeing his First he finally responded with a snort and a shake of the head. "Hardly, but that doesn't mean you have to tie her up."

"Then you sleep with her; see if she's as handy with a blade as you claim she is."

Really Vaako, you make this too damn easy sometimes. Voice oozing repressed sexuality, Riddick moved to look past Vaako at the woman in question. "Maybe I'll take you up on that offer." Biting his lower lip, as his eyes swept her from top to bottom, he let out a low, rumbling growl. Turning back toward Vaako, he smirked at him. "I'll just have to make sure she's too… tired to try anything before I go to sleep."

Vaako knew what Riddick was doing; the bastard had barely looked at another woman since Kyra died. Knowing this was just another of the man's sick mind games didn't stop the surge of rage that welled up inside him at the thought of Riddick taking his woman… Christ, my woman? She's a slave.

Catching Riddick's knowing smirk just made it worse. He wanted to punch something, preferably Riddick's smug-ass face. Forcing his hands to unclench and his voice to remain low he growled "Fuck you," biting out each word.

Turning on his heel, the sound of Riddick's deep rumbling laughter mocked him the entire way to his quarters.