The Return
Carolyn was on the floor playing a card game with the girls when Sulaco burst into their quarters.
"My lady, you're going to want to come with us."
She stood up gathering the children, calling for Aereon who appeared instantly at her side. "Something's happening" she told her as they followed the guards hurriedly down the hall. The halls of the Basilica were strangely empty and there was no one to comment upon their passing. The guards eased them in near the back of the throne room close to a pillar but with a surprisingly good view of the floor.
They arrived to see Riddick battling the Lord Marshal. Carolyn shoved the girls behind the pillar so they couldn't see Riddick being beaten to what appeared to be an inch of his life.
She watched the Lord Marshal physically try to take Riddicks soul, however, in true Riddick fashion, howling in pain and outrage he somehow found the strength to break free. He managed to get back to his feet only to be driven across the room with the broken edge of a spear. Throwing him to the floor the Lord Marshal attempted to strangle him as he had once tried to strangle an infant.
Carolyn couldn't believe her eyes when she realized that it was Jackie shoving a spear into the Lord Marshal's back. She cried out as she saw the girl go flying across the room to smash into the protruding spikes of a column. Her head was spinning, that was her daughter; her little girl, and she needed Carolyn and Riddick to protect her from the monsters. Aereon and Prowse grabbed onto her arms holding her back.
"This has to play out," Aereon hissed at her. "It won't help him to know that you're here." Carolyn knew she spoke the truth and watched helplessly as Jackie's eyes widened as she slipped off the spike and fell to the floor no longer moving.
Time seemed to slow after that. Watching Jackie not move, Vaako jumping into the fray with Riddick as he struggled back to his feet. The next thing a stunned Carolyn knew was that Dame Vaako was screaming in rage and the Lord Marshal lay dead at Riddicks feet. She surged forward wanting to get to Jackie only to be restrained once again by Prowse. She could see Riddick holding Jackie and Carolyn slid to her knees as she watched him lay her down and slump on the throne.
It was unnaturally quiet as she rocked back and forth on her knees. Carolyn watched as Vaako approached Riddick on the throne with an axe in his hands. "Oh please no, oh please no!" she whispered desperately over and over almost in hysterics. Everyone in Necropolis knelt before the new Lord Marshal including her guards who understood the importance of what was happening. The thought of Riddick being their new Lord Marshal never entered Carolyn's mind. She had to go to them; she couldn't stay back any longer. Not pausing to think as she went crashing through the crowd, there were cries of "Breeder" and hands trying to catch her, as she plowed her way through the kneeling bodies. Butcher and Chode got to their feet chasing after her, while Prowse and Kilo each grabbed a frightened and crying child to keep them from following their mother. Sulaco and Kestrel drew their weapons holding their ground waiting to see where they would be needed.
Carolyn sunk to the floor upon reaching the throne and Jackie's body. She pulled the girl onto her lap, stroking her face and talking to her. Riddick, still slumped in his chair, had yet to open his eyes. Butcher and Chode finally reaching Carolyn, stood in front of her, pulling their weapons discouraging anyone from approaching her. Vaako and every other Necromonger in the hall watched the scenario play out in front of them.
Dimly, Riddick recognized Carolyn's voice and when she lifted her hand and reached back towards him she felt his fingers close strong and secure around hers. He slid off the throne to slide in behind her cradling both her and the girl's body that she had clutched tightly to her breast. He was shocked to see her. He had no idea that she would be here on the necro ship and after seeing what they had done to Kyra for the first time in his life he was actually frightened of what he might find. He gently put a finger under her chin turning her face towards him. She was wearing Necro clothing and he had to know if they had turned her into one of them. "Carolyn," he whispered and her eyes flickered up to meet his. He closed his own eyes momentarily when he saw nothing but pure grief in hers.
Carolyn turned away from him ignoring the hundreds of intent eyes that were fastened on them following their every move and found the person she was seeking. "Vaako, please" she begged indicating the Necromongers surrounding them.
"The Lord Marshal must give the order to dismiss," he said harshly.
Riddick's neck snapped sharply to look at Vaako as Carolyn looked away from him leaning her head against Riddick. "Please, do this for me. Let me mourn this child in peace." Her voice was ragged with desperation.
Riddick turned back to Vakko who was now standing. "Clear the room" he growled at the man. Vakko nodded and slowly turned relaying the order, making his way to the group at the back of the room. He eyed the soldiers caring for her children but no one said a word other than quiet mummers to reassure the girls.
"That includes the two of you," Riddick told the soldiers standing in front of him.
Chode turned to him. "We will not leave Dame Riddicks side."
Carolyn laid a hand on his arm. "They stay," she whispered and turned back to Jackie tuning everyone else out. Riddick's eyebrows shot up as his eyes moved back and forth between Carolyn and the soldiers.
Finally deciding that he would worry about that later, Riddick turned his attention back to Carolyn. His sorrow ran as deep as hers. He never wanted something like this to happen but despite his best efforts things had spiraled out of control. Locking her slim form in his arms and shielding her with his body they cradled the child they had failed. Carolyn sobbed into his chest and he whispered how sorry he was into her ear. Aereon and Vakko continued their distant vigil, unobserved and unnoticed but both intensely interested, while her soldiers continued to watch over them all of them.
When Carolyn's sobs had been reduced to racking shudders, Riddick squeezed her shoulders and kissed her temple. He stood and motioned Vakko over. "Is there some place can we put the girl's body until we can bury her?"
"I can take you there," Vaako told him. Riddick nodded and turned back to Carolyn and squatted in front of her. He ran a hand down her cheek to get her attention and she leaned into his hand. He looked down at Kyra and took her from Carolyn's arms lifting her into his own and standing. Carolyn stood as well swaying on her feet. Grabbing her arm before she went back down Chode handed his weapon to Butcher and scooped Carolyn up into his arms. She moaned and he readjusted his arm on her back whispering his apologies in her ear. Riddick growled and eyed the solider for daring to touch what was his. Chode merely blinked and waited to follow the new Lord Marshal.
They made quite the parade walking through the halls following Vaako to what he called a preparation room. While Vaako directed Riddick where he could place the body, Chode sat Carolyn on a nearby bench and the girls rushed to her side as soon as their feet hit the floor. Taking up position at her side Aereon tried to give the younger woman comfort as she placed her hand on her shoulder. The Necro/Furyans took a position behind staying between them and the door.
Riddick brushed a strand of hair out of Kyra's eyes as Vaako gave the attendants instructions to ready the body for burial. He was standing quietly over her body watching Carolyn and her entourage when Vaako approached him.
"What are your orders?" Vaako inquired.
"Do you have rooms for us?"
"Of course. The Lord Marshals chambers are now yours."
"And the children?"
"There are adjoining rooms for them and the Elemental."
Riddick walked over and crouched down in front of Carolyn who had her arms full of little girls. "Carolyn, do you trust her with the children?"
She looked at him blankly for a moment. "Yes, of course I do" she responded placing a hand over Aereons. "She's been a tremendous help since we've been here."
Riddick looked up at Aereon. "Sister"
"Riddick" she smirked back at him.
He held out his hand to Carolyn. "Will you come with me?"
"I'd like to say goodbye first. If that's alright." She whispered in a broken voice he had only heard once before on a planet far away from here.
"Of course it is child," Aereon said walking around to take the two girls hands. "Take your time. We'll be right here."
Riddick stood and Carolyn took his hand. He walked her over to where Kyra lay. Carolyn brushed the girls hair back away from her face. "She's so beautiful. Look at all this hair," she told Riddick looking up at him. "I haven't seen her in such a long time. I've missed her so much," she sobbed while trying to straighten the girl's robes.
His heart breaking for this woman, Riddick stepped up behind her and held her shoulders. "It's time to go Carolyn. It's been a long day for everyone." She nodded and placed Jackie's hands across her waist bending down to kiss the girl's forehead.
Carolyn turned back to Riddick who scooped her up into his arms. She gasped but then settled wrapping her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest. He rubbed his cheek and nose against her hair. "Lead the way" he instructed the Commander. Vaako took them to a set of quarters on the second floor located directly behind the throne area of the Basilica floor.
He pointed to a single door. "These quarters are directly adjoined to the master suite. There should be more than enough room for the Elemental and the children. I'll send someone up with food and to assist" he told Butcher who was holding the door open waiting to usher his charges in.
Carolyn pulled back. "Riddick. Put me down, please." He stood her gently on her feet and she knelt down in front of the girls. There was suddenly an explosion of blond and brown hair, sniffles, whispers, hugs and kisses. Looking around Riddick saw a smile on each of the soldier's faces and Aereon's as well. The look on Vaako's face was a bit more interesting. He turned back to the scene in front of him. He knew Ziza. He had been the one to send her to Carolyn after her mother was murdered. He had rightly assumed that Carolyn would be close to the girl. He had his thoughts about the little blonde hair girl that kept staring at him but kept silent. There would be time later for questions and answers.
Carolyn finally stood and thanked Aereon for watching them, telling the girls to "go with their Grandmother and Uncle Butch." Finally being able to shepherd his flock into the room Butcher soundly shut the door in their face and Prowse moved to stand in front of it.
Carolyn sagged back against Riddicks chest and Vaako watched as Riddick slipped his arm around her waist turning her to him. Vaako opened the next set of double doors and waited for them to enter. Holding on to Carolyn, Riddick entered with Chode and Kilo trailing behind.
Vaako stood in front of Carolyn and bowed his head slightly. "Is there anything you need Dame Riddick?"
"A doctor, food and clean clothes." He nodded. "I believe I heard about a doctor among the prisoners we were holding. I'll check into it and have food and clothing sent up."
"Whose rooms are these anyway?" Riddick asked following Carolyn to where she had stopped at the end of a very large bed staring at it and breathing heavily. Chode, having witnessed what had taken place here walked over and laid a hand on her shoulder breaking her out of whatever flashback she had been having. Riddick was not happy and the look on his face showed it. Carolyn nodded at Chode and patted his hand. That seemed to be the cue for he and Kilo to leave the room closing the massive doors behind them.
Carolyn moved over to Riddick and started removing his armor like this was something she did everyday. Riddick just watched her for a few moments lifting or moving whatever body part she was currently tugging at. He turned his attention back to Vaako.
"They are the Lord Marshals quarters," Vaako answered sullenly.
Moaning, Carolyn began backing away from the bed shaking her head from side to side. Grabbing her arm before she could flee, Riddick pulled her back to him keeping a firm grip so she couldn't bolt.
"Where's the bath?"
Vaako pointed to the corner of the room.
"I don't like the smell in here. Have the room cleaned including the sheets on that bed by the time I've returned."
Riddick dragged Carolyn in the direction Vaako had pointed. He was worried about her reaction. Was it sleeping in the bed of the man who had killed Kyra or was there more to it than that? They entered the room and Riddick shut the door finally letting Carolyn's feet touch the floor again. She seemed to have gained her composure by this time and moved about the large room gathering soap and cloths and setting them inside the shower. He undressed while watching her, throwing his clothes into a pile at his feet. She finally came to a dead stop in the middle of the room. Her eyes went wide and her mouth moved but no sound came out. Riddick eyed himself up and down. "It's just the usual battle wounds Carolyn. Nothing that won't heal," he said approaching her and tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. She reached her hand out and placed it directly on top of the aura like handprint on his chest.
He cocked his head with a quizzical look on his face then set about exposing her to his aching eyes. As her neck was exposed he saw the mark he had put on her had left a small scar. He leaned in to kiss it as he dragged the dress down her arms, finally letting it slip over her hips and to the ground. He pulled her to him and wrapped her in the security of his arms and just simply held her. Her head fell forward resting on his chest a moment and then taking a deep breath she stepped out of the dress and slowly turned towards the shower.
He had her against the wall in a second. "How!" he ground out.
"Please, Riddick!" she cried.
"Don't fuck with me Carolyn! Those soldiers out there obviously know!"
"Tell me!" he said shaking her.
She went limp against him and clung to his arms where they were wrapped around hers, tears streaming down her face. "It was the Lord Marshal."
Riddick took her face in his hands. "What did he do?"
Carolyn looked in his eyes and then looked down at the floor. She couldn't bear to look at him as she told him about what she had suffered in this room. Riddicks etched features remained as impassive as marble as she told her story. When she had finished, seeking a release for his frustration, he turned away from her and slammed a fist into the nearest wall.
Once his breathing had returned to normal she took his hand and led him into the shower. Carolyn washed him taking care to inspect each bump and bruise. He had a nasty gash on his side that would need a few stitches. He returned the favor, taking his time as touched every inch of her body. Besides the damage to her back he noticed small changes to her body. Changes that he hadn't taken the time to notice the night he had marked her. Having been lost in thought he realized she was crying when he circled back around to her front. He pulled her to him.
"Why?" she cried looking up into his eyes. "Why!" Clinching her fists she weakly pounded them against his chest. He let her pour out her grief for a few moments before sinking to the floor and pulling her down to straddle his lap.
"Shh," he whispered in her ear while stroking her sides. He could feel her fragile sense of security threaten to shatter around her. He began to kiss her neck and brought his hands up to her shoulders as his mouth made it's way down to her breast. Clinging to him as if he were a life raft Carolyn began to respond.
"Promise me you'll never leave me again" Carolyn demanded holding his face in her hands.
"Never."
She nodded, satisfied with his answer.
He slowly stood standing her on her feet. "Let's go see what Vaako has been up to."
They found clean clothes on the counter closest to the door. "Pussies" Riddick drawled. Carolyn had been given another high-necked dress and Riddick commented on it as he zipped her up admiring the fact that Necros evidently had no use for undergarments.
"It's Vaako," she responded meeting his eyes in the mirror. "He seems to have an issue with your mark," her fingers going to the spot on her neck.
"Really?" he growled. "How interesting."