A Kid Like Her (A Riddick - Jack Romance/Adventure Story)

Bringing Home Baby

Aereon stared wistfully out the window as they passed by her home planet. Jack was standing a few feet behind her and sensed shades of her sadness.

"Aereon? It's not too late you know. We can still turn around and take you home."

Aeron turned and smiled. "No child. I wish to return to Helion Prime. I left people there and I have a duty to them, to bring them home if they are still alive. They were not among the ones captured and converted and I cannot return without them or at least without the knowledge of their fate. That and I find myself quite anxious to meet your daughter. It isn't everyday that one has the honor of witnessing the rebirth of a race of people."

Jack's hand went protectively to her stomach. "That's a lot of pressure to put on the shoulders of a baby. There are more of us out there. There has to be."

"More of us?" Aereon questioned her speculatively. "I would appear you have embraced your Furyan side and taken it to heart. As for their being more of you, time will tell, my dear. Time will tell."

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Helion-5

Jack peered over Riddick's shoulder, or rather was hovering over it, to check their progress annoyingly often. "How much longer?"

"We'll land when we land. Now plant your ass in that chair before I tie you to it!"

She completely ignored his order, choosing to pace behind him instead, which only further aggravated him. "Damn you're grouchy."

"I wonder why," he drawled gruffly. "Could it be that every time I got even close to falling asleep, you rolled outta bed to check our proximity to Helion-5?"

"Oh, come on-."

Not nearly finished, he held his hand up to halt her. "Or when you decided to try and sleep, you tossed and turned so much I'm bruised from where you elbowed me."

"Now you're exaggerating."

"Sure about that?"

His smile was anything but warm as he pulled up the side of his shirt to show a couple of bruises she had dealt him along his rib cage. Jack frowned at her handiwork and lightly ran her fingers over his bruised skin. Their eyes met and his sour expression softened given how ashamed she looked.

"I can't believe I did that. Although I do remember telling you I wouldn't be able to sleep."

Her last comment didn't sit too well with him and he jerked his shirt down. "So what was I supposed to do? Leave my own fuckin' bed?"

Ever since they came within two days of Helion-5, she had been so focused on making plans for their first few days home that he'd been almost totally ignored. Up until that point, most of her attention and time had belonged to him, and he was more than accustomed to the routine. Counted on it even, but did not utter word one about the change. Not that he would since it wasn't manly to fuss, but his attitude spoke volumes as it had taken a serious downward spiral.

She sighed knowing some serious damage control was in order and quick. The last thing she wanted was a pissy Riddick when they landed. Facing him, she propped her hands on either side of his head and leaned forward. She nuzzled and kissed her way up the side of his throat to his ear and could tell by his posture that he was making an effort to remain impassive.

"Will you give me the chance to make it up to you?"

"Like what?" The sourness in his voice made her cringe. It was worse than she thought.