AN: So this chapter is long over due and I am so sorry it took me so long to post it. As always I own nothing and constructive criticism is much appreciated.
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The next few days passed in with relatively little changing. Everyone shared meals together, laughed at stories, and generally enjoyed each other's company. When they finally reached Persephone, it was almost as if the long ordeal several of them had went through was a distant memory.
River, Riddick, and Book stood on the gangplank saying their goodbyes to Monty, Paris, Shazza, and the rest of the crew. Monty had agreed to take Paris and Shazza on to New Mecca, and so Book, River, and Riddick would be parting company with them here.
"Remember that if you ever need something you can wave ol' Monty you hear?" Monty said as he embraced River in a tight hug.
"Affirmative, promise to keep in touch." She said with a warm smile.
"And if Riddick get to be too much of a hard-ass you let me know."
"Like she would really complain." Riddick says with a chuckle as he moves forward to shake his old friend's hand goodbye.
XXX
River's POV
After the trio had departed company from Monty they had quickly acquired a room at one of the more 'colorful' establishments near the Eavesdown docks. Once they had reached their room Riddick and Book quickly checked for hidden surveillance equipment. It was amusing to see the similarities in how the two men operated, but the girl had to chuckle at the fact they even needed to check for anything in this establishment. When the girl could see the two men were assured that there was no surveillance bugs she they began to discuss the plans for the next 36 hours.
"First order of business is procurement of necessary funds. Monty suggested the Gem Saloon as a possible place for said procurement." The girl says as she flops down onto one of the beds.
"You have something in mind already?" Book says as he takes a seat on the other bed.
"I do," and I offer him a smile. "The girl can count cards and plans to clean out the poker table."
"And how are you planning to get the seed money?" Riddick asks.
"You really should pay more attention Orpheus; you might learn a thing or two." She says as she holds up two pouches that jingle with the sounds of credits and platinum.
He can't help but smile, "Why you little thief." The girl just smiles back coyly.
"So what are Riddick and I going to be doing while you fleece the unsuspecting cardsharks at the table?" Book asks.
"They will provide tactical support should a barroom brawl break out." She says with a smile as she thinks about the delicious possibility of a fight.
XXX
Riddick's POV
A few hours later, I'm seated at the bar of the Gem as Book walks in. River had suggested we split up an hour or so ago so as to avoid anyone thinking they were pulling a con and I had taken up position before they had arrived so I could have a clear vantage point of the room.
Book walks over to the other end of the bar and orders a drink and then proceeds to move towards the poker tables. She wanted him to find a high stakes table so that she didn't have to spend as much time looking for the right table to mark.
I can see her enter the bar now in the mirror above the back counter. But this isn't the same girl that left me an hour ago, there's a noticeable difference, and it isn't just the change of clothes she has on. Her scent, the way she is carrying herself, everything about her has shifted. She's in her element and I cannot help but smile at the criminal mastermind masked as the unsuspecting girl that is River Tam.
She's got a long coat on. She had said that she needed to run an errand before making her grand entrance and I had shrugged it off at the time but part of me is curious to know what she's got underneath that coat.
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River's POV
She can feel Riddick's interest spike as she gets closer to where he is located and cannot help but smile. She may have left a few more key elements of her plan out when she had told Riddick and Book her plans earlier, but it just made it all the much more fun for her.
She had pilfered another wallet after splitting up from them and proceeded to go to the nearest clothing store to create an ensemble for the night. She had chosen a long black coat to conceal the outfit underneath and could not wait to feel his reaction when he finally saw it on her. There were two possible reactions she could calculate and she smiled with glee at the possibility of either of them.
She is now standing just inside the doors of the Gem and takes a deep breath as she unties the belt of the coat and begins to slide it off. The minute the skin of her shoulders is uncovered she feels a wave of agitation from Riddick and grins as she walks further into the bar.
XXX
Riddick's POV
Gorramit all to hell that girl is trying to drive me crazy. I know what she's doing, and I don't like it, I don't like it at all. She probably thinks it's funny to tease me like this, knowing that I have to sit here and watch as she strips off her coat to reveal what she has underneath.
Not only is the dress...if one can call it that… extremely short, only hitting her mid thigh, but it barely covers any of her chest. The black material drapes around her long neck and down the front of her, down into an extremely low neckline.
But what really pisses me off is what I see when she walks towards the other end of the room. There isn't any material covering the milky white skin of her back.
She should not be doing that in a place like this. She should not be wearing that in a place like this. Gorram tease is going to get in trouble dressed like that in here.
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River's POV
It's show time.
I survey the room and see that Book has already found himself a seat at a card game and I walk up to the bar to order a drink before I put my plan in motion.
"What'll it be." The barman says as his eyes travel down the girl's front. This one's new.
"Double shot of tequila please."
He eyes her a little in disbelief. "You sure about that sugar?" Girl her size will be on the floor after one drink.
She smiles a little at his concern. "I can handle what I order."
He shrugs and turns to pour her the shots. As she waits for her drink she can hear another man begin to approach her.
"Hey there poppet, all by yourself tonight?" The man asks her .
She doesn't even turn to face him as she answers. "Not interested."
"Aww don't be like that poppet, ol' Badger is just trying to be sociable." He says but she just continues to ignore him.
"What's your name poppet?"
She rolls her eyes at his persistence and decides to have a bit of fun. "Don't seem likely I'd tell it to you now, do it? Anyone off Dyton Colony knows better than to talk to strangers. You're talking loud enough for the both of us though, ain'tcha?"
"Do I know you from the old town then?" He says slightly confused as to how she would know where he is from.
She looks him up and down before answering, literally sizing him up. "I've known a dozen like you. Skipped off home early, running graft jobs here and there. Spent some time in the lock down, but less than you claim. And you're what? Petty thief with delusions of standing? Sad, little king of a sad, little hill. ...Not really."
The man is utterly flabbergasted and doesn't know what to say. She smiles at this and pays for her drink. "Call me if anyone interesting shows up." And with that she walks away from the man who is now scratching his head in confusion. It's show time.
XXX
Riddick's POV
I can feel my blood begin to boil as the slimy little man approaches her. It amazes me that he even thinks he has a chance of chatting her up.
I can see she's getting irritated by his presence and I am just about to go over than and tell him to shove off when I see his face pale slightly and his eyes go wide and I stop myself.
Whatever it is she said to him has shocked, and it's gorram hilarious to see her do that and walk away. I'm still going to have to have a talk with her about that dress though. She wouldn't be having to deal with creeps like that at all if she had worn clothing.
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River's POV
My body rocks a rhythm
You beat my drum hard
I might just kick it kick it
You wanna lick it lick it ….
"Is this seat taken?" I say as I stand behind the empty seat at the table Hermes is seated at. The men at the table all glance up from their cards and some actually double take at my presence. I smile ever so slightly at them.
…This one sure is cute…Great now I'll have something to look at…Interesting…
"Not at all," one of them says to her as he motions for her to sit.
"Why thank you." She says as she sets her jacket and purse down next to her. "What are we playing gentleman?"
…I like the way you smile
I might just bite your lip
I see you talking talking
Your hands are talking talking…
"Texas Hold-em, do you know how to play sugar?"
"I think so, that's the game where you get new cards after you bet right?" She says trying to play up the airhead cover.
…I like that-
I like your dirty mind
mine's on it all the time
oh let me shake it shake it
I'll polaroid it shake it…
…Oh this should be fun…Like taking candy from a baby…
"That's a different game sugar, here let us teach you how to play."
"Oh why what a gentleman you are." She says as she bats her eyelashes in the man's direction.
"What's your name darlin'?" A smaller man to her left says.
…My body rocks the rhythm
You beat my drum hard….
She turns and smiles to him now. "Marie."
"Well Marie, I'm Harry, that one there is Jim, the older fella there is Derrial, and that ugly one there is Tommy."
"Hey! I ain't ugly!" Tommy says as he deals out the cards.
…I like that-
I love the money money
I'm dripping dripping gold…
She giggles a little at his and takes her cards after they are dealt. "It's nice to meet you all."
…oh *F*cka f*cka* you
your dressed to kill me kill me
so if I die tonight
at least you thrill me thrill me…
XXX
River's POV
An hour later and it is just her and Tommy left in the game. The others are chalking up her unbelievably good streak of winning to beginners luck, but she can tell Tommy may think otherwise.
Harry has left to go get another drink and Jim and Hermes are watching as she and Tommy battle it out for the rather considerable amount of money on the table. She had folded early in the last game to try and assuage some of his suspicion but it doesn't seem to be working as well.
The cards are dealt out and the flop reveals the queen of spades, ten of diamonds, and eight of spades are on the table. Tommy smiles and proceeds to take a sip of his drink and she knows she has him fooled into thinking he is going to win.
"One thousand credits." He says as he moves the chips into the center of the table.
She doesn't want to give away too much and bites her lip nervously to play up the act. "Call." She says and moves the chips in.
The river reveals the six of spades, and Tommy blanches a little but his pride won't let him stop now.
"Two thousand." He says, half hoping she folds.
She bites her lip nervously again. "Well I only have twenty five hundred so why don't I just go all in and get it over with." She says.
"Are you sure you want to do that Marie? It seems awfully risky." Book says as he watches the game unfold. She refrains from rolling her eyes and bites her lip again.
"She said it so she must be sure!" Tommy says almost triumphantly. "I'll call that with all in too." He says hurriedly so as to make her stick to the bet. The girl cannot help but smile.
Tommy flips his cards to reveal the jack of hearts and the nine of diamonds. "Straight!" He says with smug satisfaction.
River flips over her cards to reveal the jack of spades and the six of hearts. "Well I've only got two pair." She says with a bit of sorrow in her voice.
"It all comes down to the last card then." Book says as he watches her flip the run over. It's the Ace of spades.
"FLUSH! I win!" River says with barely containable glee. Tommy's jaw just drops open as he stares at the cards. As she begins to pull the chips towards her, Tommy grabs her arm.
"YOU LITTLE CHEAT! THERE IS NO WAY YOU COULD WIN THAT!"
Just before she is about to say something she feels Tommy release her arm and she looks to see that Shepherd Book has grabbed Tommy's free arm and yanked it behind his back.
"I don't think accusing her of cheating is a good idea son. We all saw the game and she won…fair and square. Understand?"
He doesn't reply at first but as Book twists his arm higher he squeaks out that he understands.
"Come on Marie, let's go." Book says as he guides her away from the table and out of the Saloon.
XXX
The first accusation of cheating catches his attention, and as he looks over the railing to the floor below he is even more alert. Al Swearengen did not like surprises, and while the commotion down below would not usually be surprising, it was when he saw that the person causing such a commotion was a young girl whose face he knew very well.
"Get a hold of our friend. Tell him we need to talk."He says to his henchman as he continues to watch as one River Tam and unknown man disappear into the crowded street outside.
XXX
Riddick's POV
I beat them back to the hotel. I am standing at the window looking out to make sure they weren't followed as I hear them unlock the door.
"Ah, sweet victory." River says as she enters the room and flops onto the bed giggling.
"I don't understand how you can be so giddy, that man caused quite a commotion." Book says as he closes the door.
"Irrelevant. Such a commotion such as that is commonplace in such an establishment. The girl's plan was flawless and we reaped the profits."
"What was the final take?" I ask.
"Six thousand five hundred forty two credits." She says as she takes out the wads of cash from her coat pockets.
"Enough for decent equipment, a few changes of clothes, and passage off this rock."
"Affirmative." River says with another giggle.
"I think I am going to wash up and then get some sleep. I forgot how tiring it was to pull off a successful con." Book says as he walks into the bathroom and closes the door.
I wait a minute until I hear the shower turn on and then turn towards River.
XXX
River's POV
"We need to talk." His gravelly voice rumbles out.
"Irrelevant."
"Like gorram hell it is" He says as he approaches the bed.
She rolls her eyes, men can be such boobs. "What the girl chooses to wear is not his concern. The girl is capable of taking care of herself."
"No YOU are my concern. No one should be seeing that much of your skin except me? Dong-ma?
"No."
"No?" He says in disbelief.
"The girl is her own person and will wear what she sees fit. You would do well to remember that Richard." She says with an icy glare.
XXX
Riddick's POV
"Fahng-tzong fung-kwong duh jeh! What you're wearing isn't even a dress, it's a piece of cloth.."
She grins wickedly as she answered. "Yes it is."
"Says who?" I growl.
"Umm…Calvin Klein?" She giggles.
"You're not wearing that."
She can barely contain her laughter now. "Says who?"
"Says me, gorramit."
"Too bad I like it." She says smiling.
"I can throw it out." Riddick growls.
The girl proceeds to throw one of her trademark glares at him now. "The girl likes it, and paid her hard earned stolen money for it, don't you dare or you will have a lot more than you bargained for to deal with."
I'm about to test her on those words when the bathroom door opens and the Shepherd walks out. You just got to love that man and his timing.
"Did I miss something?" He says as he glances from River to me and back.
"Negative. Girl was just going to take a shower." River says as she jumps off the bed and darts into the bathroom.
"Lover's quarrel?" Book asks with a slight smirk.
"One of these days that girl is going learn to not run away when we are having a conversation." I say as I go and lie down on the bed to get some sleep. Tomorrow should be an interesting day.
XXX
Al Swearegen could not believe his luck today. Not only did the bar and 'fixed' poker tables make him a considerable profit, but the most wanted girl in the verse walked into his very bar. After his little chat with his 'friend' he felt considerably content to know that a rather large finder's fee would be coming his way shortly.
"Why on earth-that-was she would be traveling with a Shepherd is beyond me." He says to himself as he takes another sip of his scotch. "Should be real interesting to see how the preacher and her fair against Dobson."
XXX
Riddick's POV
The next morning is relatively uneventful. Book says he needs to run to the local abbey in order to take care of a few things before we continue on our way. After that the girl announces that we also have errands to run and proceeds to drag me out into the bustling streets. Twenty minutes later and River and I are wandering around the Eavesdown Docks rather aimlessly.
"Do you even know where you are going girly?"
"Affirmative."
"Doesn't seem that way."
"Well then just wait and let her find her way." She says as she continues to weave through the crowd.
She finally stops in front of a supply store that looks more like a junk heap "Here we are."
"Doesn't look like much."
"Well the girl will just have to prove you wrong." She says as she walks in.
Doesn't look like the girl has the right place when we walk in, it's just a bunch of recycled machine parts and crap around. She walks over to the old man at the counter.
He looks at River curiously as she approaches him "Nin hao, qing wen wo neng ban nin ma?"
"Hello Mr. Wu. We require weapons, ammunition, and knives," she says rather bluntly.
"We don't sell those types of things here." He says somewhat surprised.
"Oh yes you do. There is a room in the back filled with them." She says with a smile.
"How did you…"
"Monty." I interject.
"Stupid cocksucka should learn to keep his mouth shut."
"We can pay." She says pulling out one of the pouches from earlier.
"Why didn't you say that? Right this way!" And Mr. Wu is now leading us to the back room.
When we get back there we are greeted with the sight of racks of guns, knives, body armor, ammunitions, grenades, and other 'toys.'
"What's your preference?" Mr. Wu asks.
"Everything." River says and she looks like a kid in a candy store with the biggest grin that lights up every inch of her face.
XXX
River's POV
After twenty seven minutes choosing weaponry, the girl and Orpheus regard their selections.
For his personal weapons he has picked two curved blades with saw teeth over the curved side, a set of throwing daggers, a boot knife, and a small plasma pistol. He did not want the pistol but the girl insisted that diversity was more efficient.
For her arsenal, she has gathered a broader array of weapons. Two antique 9mm H&K USP Match pistols, a set of throwing knives, and two katanas. He didn't approve of the guns but the girl liked them.
For their shared inventory they selected some grenades, sawn-off shotgun, and PGM Sniper Rifle. Light weight body armor, holsters for their respective weapons, fiber wire, flash bombs, gloves, a small flashlight, a tool kit, and sedatives rounded out their purchases.
"Please come any time. Your business is always welcome here." Mr. Wu said as he was packaging up their weapons in two duffle bags.
"Good to know." Riddick grumbled.
"Thank you Mr. Wu." The girl says as they depart to the front of the store and back out onto the street.
XXX
Riddick's POV
I am lugging the duffle bags out of the store and trying to keep up with River skipping down the street as a rather tall man bumps into me.
"Watch where you're walking bèndàn." I say as I turn back towards him.
"Whatcha call me?" He says.
"You heard me."
"See now that isn't the best thing to say to a man like me. I'll kill a man in fair fight…or if I think he's going to start one."
"Orpheus hurry up!" River calls from a few yards up.
"Yeah hurry up Orpheus!" The man says mockingly.
I grit my teeth and walk away, no need to cause a scene before we even leave this hello hole. The man just turns and laughs as he walks into Mr. Wu's store.
XXX