We had gathered everything we needed, Imam and his boys were carrying some strange metal thing that looked a lot like a giant screw, but Fry told me it was really a power cell. There was a sled full of a bunch of random crap, most of it was Paris's stuff, and Paris himself was also carrying some booze. I was tying the stuff on the sled down when Shazza came up behind me.

"Look, I'm sorry for what I said, and for kicking you. I was- I was wrong," Shazza grit out with some difficulty.

I finished my knot and turned to look at her. "Nah, 's all good! You were in a bad place, and I know you were just emotional, but its not me you need to apologize to," I said, jerking my head towards Riddick when I said the last part. I walked past her, smacking her on the back as I left. But before I got too far, I shouted over my shoulder, "I mean it Shazza, you should apologize."

I'm fairly sure I heard some angry curse words after that, but I ignored it. I walked over to Aria, and after a last minute check to make sure we had everything, we set off. I now had first hand understanding of why traveling is done in montages in movies. It was long, boring, and most of all tiring. I constantly had to pull Aria into 'important' conversations so she wouldn't go frolicking over to Johns and follow him around like a lost puppy. Sadly, I had run out of things to discuss with her and I sighed while I watched her bound over to Johns with a stupid smile on her face. At least Shazza was over there too, so maybe I had nothing to worry about.

I was only slightly behind them, listening to -or should I say carefully monitoring?- their conversations. After a few minutes of boring conversation, Shazza finally said something worth listening to. "So, just snap your fingers and he's one of us now?" she questioned Johns.

He looked over at her and responded, "I didn't say that, at least this way I don't have to worry about y'all, ah, falling asleep and not wakin' up."

Jack walked over to them, breathing from one of the air things, and asked, "So I can talk to him now?"

"No!" they said in unison. Jack hung his head but kept walking, while I slowed down until I reached the very back. The caboose to our train, choo-choo.

I walked next to Riddick, watching him pull the sled, it's rope pulled across his broad chest. "So what's the deal with you and Johns, he sure doesn't act like a police officer."

"He's not," was all he said. There was no in-depth explanation or tearful, heartfelt confession, just 'He's not'. I guess I really shouldn't have expected more, he does seem more like the 'man of few words' type, or whatever. I huffed in aggravation.

"What is he then?" I pressed. Riddick looked at me, and I looked at him. I pleaded for answers with my eyes, but he still didn't say anything. "Oh, come on! Its not like it really matters if I know!" I gasped. "Unless Johns is some ultra creepy stalker who follows you from galaxy to galaxy, hoping one day you will return his love." I could have sworn I saw the tiniest of smiles, like a fraction of a millimeter smile. "If I have to keep up this one-sided conversation then I'm gonna think he really does love you. It would explain a lot, and I would have a reason to keep Aria away from him."

"He's a merc, tryin' to take me to some slam for the pay. He's just a greedy bastard," Riddick explained. I felt like there was a lot more between the two, but this was probably all I'd get out of him. I was really grateful for just this little bit of info, but I don't know what a merc is. It sounds like a short version of mercenary, and that would definitely work in the context of our conversation. They must be like bounty hunters, taking people to jail, or a slam, for the payday. The way Riddck said it made me think that they were bad people, but maybe they were just not well liked in the criminal community.

"Why'd you stand up for me anyway?" I looked over at Riddick in surprise, that was unexpected. He continued on walking as if he hadn't just said something totally contrary to the person I thought he was.

I cleared my throat, trying to find a way to explain the impulse and then the strange confidence in his innocence. "Ah, that's a tough one to explain. I dunno, my instincts just screamed for me to help you, I guess. Just the thought of them hurting you sent me into a panic, and I don't even know you! Its like I could feel you were different from what they described you as, like they just didn't understand," I finished. I was looking intently at my hands, afraid I would see him laughing at me when I looked up. I pushed through the fear and my gaze met his, and I felt this inexplicable pull towards him. My heart fluttered and I thought that maybe, just maybe, we were having a moment. And then Paris ruined it.

He had dropped one of his precious alcoholic beverages and turned around to retrieve it. Riddick stooped to pick it up, grabbing the bottle just as Paris was about to grab it. Paris looked absolutely petrified, but quickly shook himself, standing up with Riddick and wiping his hand on his robes. "Paris P. Ogilvie, antiquities dealer, entrepreneur," he introduced himself, reaching his hand out for a handshake.

Riddick smiled and took his hand, "Richard B. Riddick, escaped convict, murderer." He then proceeded to open the bottle and bring it up to his lips.

"That-that's a particularly good sharaz, its a lovely drop," Paris stuttered out. Riddick began to chug the drink and Paris protested, "It-its very expensive." But Riddick continued to drink it. Paris sighed in resignation, "By all means, help yourself."

I couldn't hold my mirth any longer, and I giggled as Paris retreated in fear. "Good to see you have a sense of humor, Richard!" I exclaimed. Riddick threw the now empty bottle onto the ground and kept on moving

"At least my name is better than Chara."

It took me a moment to figure out how he knew my name, but I guessed that Aria probably called out to me sometime. I shrugged my shoulders and responded with, "That's true, but it makes me special." I laughed and walked over to Aria, dragging her away from Johns with a parting snarl at him.

We walked for another long way, but now my mind was occupied with thoughts of a certain well toned someone. I admit he is very attractive, but he also has this natural charm about him. He seemed like a leader, someone people looked to in times of need and uncertainty, and I'm sure that if he didn't have a criminal background, and was less intimidating, he could be a politician. Of course all politicians have their heads up their butts, but Riddick does have that natural charisma that would swing voters.

Now you may be wondering why I was thinking of elections, and that is simple, I'm trying to distract my mind from how indubitably hot he is. Like just thinking about him was enough for my cheeks to flush. It was a miracle that I could hold myself together last time I talked to him, instead of melting into a bubbling pile of attractive goo. Yes, I would be attractive goo. I was really in trouble here, to have a stupid schoolgirl crush on Riddick, Riddick of all people!

All those years in highschool, and I was never attracted to anyone, no one at all, and Riddick just looks at me and suddenly my heart realises how to overrun all rational thought with romantic ones. My head was this big mess of deep, dark, unknown right now, and I couldn't believe I even thought we had a moment. What was I, stupid? We probably didn't even make eyes contact, but I couldn't tell because of those damned goggles. I didn't even know what color his eyes were!

I pulled Aria behind everyone, as far behind Riddick as I thought was necessary. She gave me a questioning look, but I couldn't form the words to ask her. I probably looked like a gaping fish, my mouth opening and closing in indecision. She finally became fed up and yelled at me, "Spit it out! What?"

"I totally think I like Riddick," I mumbled out as fast as I could. She didn't seem to catch it and just looked at me like I had grown two heads.

"I'm sorry?"

"I SAID, I think I might, y'know, possibly, um, like Riddick?" I said, blushing madly. Her eyes said I just grew a third head, and now she was impersonating sea life. "Oh, don't look at me like that!"

"Are you serious?" she asked incredulous.

"Well, I don't know! Maybe! You know I'm not good with stuff like this!" I exclaimed, trying to keep my voice low. My arms were flailing about, and my face was as red as a tomato. I looked over at Riddick to see him staring at us, and I swear to God I saw a smirk. I really hoped that it was because I looked like an idiot, and not because he heard me. I forced Aria a bit farther back, just in case, but if he did hear then the damage was already done.

"Dude! Why couldn't you like all the guys I introduced to you, or the ones that always ask for your number, why the mentally unstable murderer?"

"I don't know, they just never really caught my attention," I said, my voice drifting off at the end. I really hoped she would get over her aversion to the idea soon so she could actually help me.

"If they robbed a bank and killed the teller would you be interested?" she asked sarcastically. She threw her hands up and huffed in annoyance. "Seriously Chara! You may be all street-smart and all that crap, but you have horrible taste."

"Hey! Coming from the girl who follows Johns around like a lost puppy!" It was her turn to blush, and it seemed we were at a stalemate.

After a while she finally responded, "Alright fine, we both have awful taste in men, happy now?" I nodded my head and she continued, "You obviously told me this because you know I have more experience in the dating world then you do."

"I have no previous dating experience," I butted in.

She glared at me for the interruption, but kept going. "I know. What I don't know, is what you want, 'cuz to be honest with you, he doesn't seem the relationship type."

"I just-I just want to know how to keep my emotions in check so I don't make a total ass of myself in front of him. I just want to know how you have so much self control, that way I can act normal, and when we get home I'll finally try dating one of the guys you always introduce me to."

Aria squealed in delight and hugged me. "Really?" Her eyes sparkled with hope and I nodded my head, unaware of the danger I probably just put myself in. "Good, because you really do need a boyfriend, and if me teaching you how to ignore your girlish fantasies will finally make me a godmother, then I will teach you everything I know."

Aria proceeded to tell me all of the secrets of being a cold and distant lady, and I absorbed it all like a dry sponge. She gave examples and questioned me on how I should react in certain situations, I guess all she was missing was a final exam. She taught me all she could, and soon I was confidant I had mastered the art being a cold-hearted bitch, that was until I looked over at Riddick and became a pile of goo again. I am in some serious trouble.

I really have a lot of trouble trying to keep Riddick in character! It takes me forever to think of how he would respond, what he would say, and if any of you have any tips, they would be SUPER welcome! Please review!