Title: Past Lives
Vindom: Pitch Black
Rating: M (for bad language)
Summary: Riddick re-lives his time in SLAM….
Disclaimer: Riddick doesn't belong to me, nor do the events of PB, however much I wish they did. I do own Lena, and the situations I put her and Riddy into. I'm doing this for love, not money so please don't sue me, as I'm skint enough already :grin:
Author's notes: Found this and thought I'd put it back up
6. The execution of William Johns
Striding back into her treatment room, Lena caught herself just as she was about to slam the door. Taking a deep breath, she quietly closed the door behind her and glanced over at the exam table, a smile playing at her lips as her eyes met Riddick's. Neither moved nor spoke for several minutes, remaining still and silent as they studied each other carefully. Finally, Lena smiled and moved slowly towards her desk, breaking the tableau.
"How are you this morning, Mr Riddick?" she asked softly, her voice filled with a genuine interest in his well-being.
"Better. You drugged me…" Neither question nor accusation, it was merely a statement of fact.
"Yes, I did. Your body needs sleep in order to heal."
"So, guess I'm back to my cell now huh?"
"Not just yet, no. Another day or so and you'll be released from my care, then you go back to your cell." Her soft laughter drifted to his ears, making Riddick smile in response. She turned back to her work, leaving Riddick to his own thoughts.
Eyes narrowed slightly, Riddick watched the doctor sit down at her desk and pick up a patient file. He wasn't sure she was being wholly honest with him, but every moment he was out of his cell gave him a little taste of the freedom he would enjoy when he finally managed to escape. Life without shackles, without a horse bit in his mouth and broken bones, courtesy of William Johns. He'd spent most of his life behind bars, whether physical or metaphorical, so freedom was something of novelty. His time at the Tangiers Penal Colony had been vaguely amusing, especially the way he had almost managed to get one of the female guards to help him escape. Then Johns had turned up, spoiled his plans and transported him here, to Ursa Luna, aka Slam City. And now, here he was, being treated by a woman who seemed to hate Johns as much as he did.
The irony of the situation was not lost on him.
Sighing softly, he lay back against the cool leather of the exam table and closed his eyes. A faint rustling caught his attention, combined with a sudden feeling of mild fear in the air. He stayed still, outwardly appearing totally relaxed while every inch of his body was ready to react in a split second, should the need arise. A slight pressure on his chest made his eyes snap open and he reacted instantly, curled his fingers around the delicate hand laid against his skin. His mouth curved into a predatory smile as he focused on the good doctor, his eyes scanning her quickly. His breathing quickened as his gaze moved over her, noticing the top two buttons of her blouse were undone. The angle of her body, as she bent over him, caused the fabric to part, giving a glimpse of ample breasts. One eyebrow arched upwards as he raised his eyes and met her gaze, the hunger in her ocean blue eyes matching his own. He eased his grip on her hand, allowing her to continue her caress as one arm snaked round her waist, the other slipping around the back of her head. He needed to apply no real pressure as he pulled her head down, claiming her lips with his, as her hands continued to explore his naked torso.
Releasing her for a moment, he swiftly rose to his feet and turned to face her. Placing his hands on her hips, he lifted her easily and sat her on the exam table, pushing her back until she was laying flat. Slowly moving above her, he placed his legs on either side of her hips, straddling her as he reached down and expertly undid the remaining buttons on her blouse. Parting the fabric, he smiled appreciatively at the sight which greeted him, his hands moving hungrily up her torso. "A front fastening bra…" he thought smugly, undoing the tiny clasp with ease. His hands moved the bra away quickly, coming back to claim his prize. With a gentleness no one would believe him capable of, he tenderly caressed her breasts as his head came down and his lips claimed hers once more…
A faint beeping sound snapped him back to reality and he sighed quietly, a mysterious smile on his lips as he wondered if he would ever get the chance to make the fantasy a reality. He was a little disappointed when he saw Lena check her pager, then get to her feet and head towards the door.
"Going somewhere Doc?"
"Yeah. I have to go to a disciplinary hearing. I'll be back in a few hours. Try to get some rest," she advised, the smug look on her face piquing his curiosity. Nodding his agreement to her request, he watched her leave and wondered who the person being disciplined might be.
Taking a seat at the oak table in the small meeting room, Lena looked at the older man to her left and inclined her head in greeting. A quick glance around the room allowed her to acquaint herself with the other parties who were to be involved in this hearing. The man to her left was Chief Inspector Richard Shea, head of the Police force in this sector of space. Beside him sat General Colin Anderson, head of Special Forces. Next came Thomas Marks, Head Warden of the Ursa Luna facility, and finally there was Faith Larnia, the Acting Chief Warden of Tangiers Penal Colony. The other four members of the disciplinary panel had already been given her report, but still wished to clarify her assessment before they proceeded.
"Dr Jacobs," Faith began, "can you tell us the exact extent of Mr Riddick's injuries please."
"Certainly. His injuries consist of five broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, dislocated left shoulder, severe bruising to his entire torso and a hairline fracture of his pelvis."
"Could these injuries have been sustained during transit Doctor?" Shea wanted to know.
"No, these are all recent injuries, sustained within the last 36 hours. As Mr Riddick has been in this facility for 48, he can only have gotten them here."
"Record show that the prisoner was in the holding pen for approx 12 hours, and then transferred to his cell. Are you telling us that these injuries were sustained once he had been moved to his cell?" General Anderson asked, his eyes boring into her.
"Yes General, they were."
"Very well. Thank you Doctor," Shea said, turning to the rest of the panel. "So, severe injuries sustained after the prisoner was moved to his cell, combined with the testimony of a well respected guard, who tells us Officer Johns deliberately inflicted them while the prisoner was still in restraints."
"Regardless of who the prisoner is, this kind of behaviour cannot be condoned. We have only one choice," Thomas told them. Turning to the guard at the door, he issued his order. "Please bring in Officer Johns." All five people watched as William Johns entered the room, giving a crisp salute to his commanding officer, and also to his previous one. Coming to stand in front of the table, opposite CI Shea, he stood at ease and waited for them to speak.
"William Johns, it is the finding of this panel that you have acted improperly towards an inmate of this facility." Shea told him, his tone formal. "Regardless of who the prisoner is, we cannot condone your behaviour. On the charge of conduct unbecoming a Law Enforcement Officer, we find you guilty. As of this moment, you are relieved of your position, and all the privileges associated with it. You are ordered to surrender your badge and your weapon immediately."
"Yes Sir," Johns replied, taking his weapon from its holster and laying on the table, his badge placed beside it a moment later.
"Please escort Mr Johns from the facility," Thomas advised the guard at the door, watching as the former police officer left the room. "Thank you for your time, Dr Jacobs," he finished.
"Gentlemen, Ms Larnia." Nodding to the others, she took her leave and headed back to her treatment room, satisfied that William Johns would be causing no more trouble for Richard B Riddick…