The ghosts that we knew

Chapter 17

~Love was kind

For a time

Now just aches

And it makes me blind~

They were laughing as they walked into the mess hall together causing several people to watch the two blondes, who had their heads together, namely the two men they were talking about.

After Sam introduced her to "Cookie", they took their trays and settled in at the table.

"Everything alright?" John asked looking between the two women as Riddick reached around squeezing Carolyn's hip. In turn she laid a hand on his thigh, giving him a smile before picking her cup of coffee.

"Everything's fine, John," Sam told him with an innocent look as she tackled her lunch and Carolyn grinned into her cup.

"Uh huh." John said with a dry look at Riddick picking up his own cup.

Shortly after, a man walked up to John speaking quietly in his ear. John nodded and the man moved off.

"When Carolyn's done eating we've got a place ready for you."

"I'll bring over a few changes of clothing for both of you in the morning," Sam said looking at Carolyn.

"That would be wonderful, thank you," Carolyn replied with a smile as John watched the exchange like they had both grown two heads.

Getting to his feet he grabbed his tray, "I don't even know who the two of you are," he said stomping away.

"Are you finished?" Riddick asked Carolyn who was yawning.

"Yeah, I am." Taking both of their trays she put them away with Sam before joining the men.

Sam took John's hand and they chatted quietly as Carolyn and Riddick followed slowly taking in the sights and sounds of their surroundings.

They stopped in front of a small prefab home. "If you need anything just grab one of the kids and send for us, the mess hall is open twenty-four hours."

John gave Carolyn a kiss on the cheek before shaking Riddicks hand, as Sam gave them a smile. John wrapped an arm around her waist as Carolyn and Riddick watched them go.

"Are they….?" Riddick asked.

"Are we really in a position to judge?"

"Mmm" was the only thing that came out of his mouth.

Carolyn opened the door going into the house. It had a small living area with separate sleeping quarters. It was clean, light and airy. Carolyn had seen worse.

Stripping, she left a trail of clothes as she made her way into the bedroom crawling on the bed, plopping down spread eagle. She heard the front door close and tugged a pillow under her head as she watched Riddick stand at the bedroom door stripping.

"You promised pillow talk," she said with a sigh as Riddick made his way up her body with his mouth.

"We'll talk after you stop screaming."

Carolyn moaned as his hand wrapped around her waist. "Promises, promises."

Riddick snuck up behind her, swooping down, attaching his lips to her neck, causing her to squeak even as she jumped. "Well, hello to you too," she said with a grin as she picked her pen back up and continued writing.

"Almost finished?" he asked.

"Just now," she replied.

Carolyn had helped out in the little hospital since their arrival. Riddick was usually with John doing repair work around the camp or whatever it was that they did during the day.

"Have you eaten?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Came straight here, so we could go together."

Carolyn smiled setting her work for the day aside. "I'm ready."

Riddick took her hand and they slowly made their way to the mess hall talking about their day. Carolyn smiled to herself as she listened to Riddick talk about some of the problems he and John had run into that afternoon.

Coming here had been a better decision than she could have ever imagined. They had settled in quite nicely and had been accepted by the community. The best part was that Riddick had actually relaxed somewhat and was a bit more laid back. Nor did Carolyn feel like her life was in danger every second of the day.

Finding seats at the same table as Sam and John, they joined in the conversations going on around them as they ate their dinner.

She had been talking to Sam, but Riddick's quiet questions about a strange man in town poking around got her attention. Turning her head she listened to John, Riddick and a few of the other men as they talked. At one point Carolyn caught John's eye and was puzzled by the look it held. There was no way he could know what she did from a simple conversation.

He's going to leave. She knows that as much as she knows anything and she can't help but hate him for it. Hate him for the way he makes her feel. Hate him for the fact that she's not enough for him.

But in all fairness to him, she knows that no one or thing would ever be enough and she's filled with self loath at the thought that she, Carolyn Fry, Survivor of the Planet from hell, Furyan captive, Necromonger Queen and overall bad ass extraordinaire, in her own mind at least, considers herself lucky that he's stayed with her as long as he has.

Losing her appetite, she excused herself from the table. Sam's eyes flew back and forth between the two of them before she looked at John who had a strained look upon his face.

As the mess hall door slammed shut behind her, Carolyn made a beeline for their home as Riddick stood, excusing himself from the table. He felt Reapers eyes burning a hole in his back as he took his tray, returning it to be washed.

Walking out of the mess, Riddick took a deep breath and turned towards his home.

He found Carolyn on her knees in the bathroom emptying the contents of her stomach into the toilet. Wetting a cloth he crouched down beside her, pulling her hair back as he handed her the cloth.

"Thank you," she whispered wiping her face as he helped her shakily get to her feet. Waiting for her to use her toothbrush he led her into the bedroom helping her to undress before undressing himself and crawling into bed beside her. Not a word was said as he reached for her in the dark.

She went to him willingly.