Disclaimer: Do not own Riddick or any characters, places, events associated with him. Only Rowan is my own creation as well as any unfamiliar characters. Warning: This story includes elements of Celtic Mythology, paganism, witchcraft and associated themes. If any of this is offensive please turn back now. Contains foul language, violence, sexual situations.

The Chronicles of Riddick Original Fan Fiction

Part One: Escaping the Storm

Chapter One: Beasts in the Night

The mud demon rose up, it's venomous tail appendage waving in the dark like a flag of death. Boss Johns was running out of ammo once more as he fended off wave after wave of the amphibious creatures that charged at him hoping for an easy meal. He spun around quickly, wondering why it suddenly seemed so quiet. Riddick stood limply, his chest impaled by the vicious creature, unable move, or breathe, or think. Fuck me! So this is how it ends. The thought crossed his mind as Johns blasted the creature with his powerful shotgun, sending it flying backward against the rocks. The huge tail spine still protruded from Riddick's side; he pulled it out a little way but replaced the gruesome memento realizing without it he would bleed to death. Johns stared at him blankly, glancing around for another wave. He could hear the beasts moving around in the dark and the muck. They were close, he had to act quickly. Riddick fell to his knees, weak and in pain. R.J. He thought sullenly of the young woman waiting for him on the merc ship, waiting for him to return. Before he'd left on this hell bound mission to retrieve the power cells and get them off the demon infested rock, Jenna had insisted on accompanying him. Riddick would have none of it, the dangers they'd face were staggering. He'd held her arms and leaned his head against her own, telling her he'd be fine, that he'd come back to her. Looks like I broke another promise to someone I care about. Riddick considered as he flopped down on his back, bent painfully over the power cell. Johns tossed a grenade behind the rocks, luring several of the creatures to the glowing object. He pressed his body over Riddick's moments before the blast came, disintegrating anything in the immediate vicinity and spewing chunks of super heated rock.

Johns pulled himself off of Riddick, carefully rolling him over onto his side. Pain shot through him where the barb still jutted from his side. Riddick winced but avoided crying out, he would not show weakness in front of this man. Johns quickly worked the straps that held the power cell in place, eventually removing it from Riddick's stiff arms. Wordlessly, he lifted himself off of the ground and disappeared into the darkness. The sound of his boot falls in the thick mud was swallowed by the deafening pounding of the relentless rain. Riddick groaned and closed his eyes, thoughts of Jenna floating through his head. At least his last thoughts would be of her. She'd saved his life, if only for a little while. Riddick crawled slowly through the mire, cold and sticky against his skin. Pulling himself onto his knees, Riddick scooped a handful of mud from the ground and carefully lifted one of the flaming rocks. He pulled the barb out slowly, tossing it away with disgust. Riddick was panting heavily as he lifted the smoldering stone toward his gaping wound. This is gonna fucking hurt! Riddick thought to himself as he braced the rock against his wound, searing the flesh and cauterizing the hole. Riddick lifted his head into the air and howled out in pain, an animalistic, otherworldly sound.

Dahl watched the screen for any sign of their tracking devices. A red blip showed up and Dahl cried: "I got one incoming." She lowered the ramp of the vessel, watching a figure slowly emerge from the rainy darkness. Johns stumbled and fell against the ramp, one power cell attached to his back and the other clamped firmly in his hand. "Is it just you?!" Dahl called loudly as Johns struggled to his feet. He pushed the power cell into her hands forcefully. "Slam this thing in and make sure it still works!" Johns ordered as he made his way further into the ship. "Where's Riddick?!" A voice, laced with anger and irritation, called from behind him. Johns turned slowly, his constantly pained look gave no hint of an answer. He faced the fiery, auburn haired girl whose golden eyes burrowed into his. Johns turned away from her without answering and shouted at Dahl. "Let's get this thing off the ground. NOW!" Dahl was hustling with the power cell, shoving it powerfully into it's slot. The lights in the ship sprang to life indicating they would be able to evacuate the planet and not be a meal to the things outside. Jenna was burning with fury. Johns hadn't answered her and she had no doubt in her mind that he had taken the cells and left Riddick to die, if he hadn't already killed him himself. Jenna flew at him like a banshee, screaming madly, and pushed him against the wall of the vessel. Her small blade, the one Riddick had made for her himself, pressed tightly against his throat. "You fucking son-of-a-bitch! I should kill your cowardly ass for this! What'd you do, huh? Did you leave him out there to die or at least kill him first out of mercy?!" Jenna was face to face with Johns, ensuring her point got across loud and clear. He tried to swallow, but feared any movement would cause the blade to knick his flesh. "He was still alive when I left him." Johns grumbled, rage in his voice, as he pushed the young woman back and adjusted his vest. Jenna turned her attention toward the rainy darkness, she knew those things were out there, but so was Riddick. "I'm going after him myself. If you wanna get outta here so bad, gimme the other cell and go." Jenna cried as she watched Johns step in front of the cell to the other ship. "You're not goin' anywhere." He growled, emotion suddenly flooding his face. Unfortunately it was rage. Jenna had to resist the urge to spit at him, flexing her unarmed hand beside her. She felt an odd tingling sensation and a sudden rush of heat. With all the power she had in her she slapped him in the face. Johns winced at the sudden action, which would have been considered quick even by Riddick's standards. His cheek burned with pain as if a hot iron had been placed against it. Johns reached up slowly and felt the tender flesh; blisters were beginning to form and he could feel the dry, blackened flesh that surrounded it. What the hell did she do to me?! In his shock, Johns nearly lost the girl as Jenna rushed toward the ramp in a desperate attempt to find Riddick and bring him back safely. With his great height, Johns took two lunging strides toward her and pulled her back by the collar of her shirt, tossing her hard against the wall of the vessel.

Jenna winced in pain, her spine screaming from the impact. "Luna, watch her. If she tries to move, shoot her kneecaps out." Johns growled as he made his way to the pilot seat. Dahl closed the ramp quickly, turning back toward Jenna and gazing at her with something that seemed like pity. Dahl was not only a woman, but also very smart. It didn't take much to see there had been something between Jenna and Riddick. Silently, Dahl raged at Johns for abandoning Riddick to be a meal for those things. Girl's got a right to her anger. The tall blonde woman considered to herself. Dahl heard her name called and rushed toward the cockpit as the vessel pitched and rose into the air. Jenna turned her acidic gaze toward Luna, her golden eyes full of bitter hatred. "I'm sorry." He said quietly, but Jenna only turned her pained gaze away so he wouldn't see the tears that formed there. Jenna had never much liked Luna. His constant preaching and praying had gotten on her last nerves more than once. Silently, Jenna fondled the tourmaline pendant that hung on her neck, weaving a spell of protection and hoping she hadn't been too late. The words, ancient and filled with a heartfelt plea, spilled from her lips silently. I weave this thread of protection to one whom my heart is given. Morrigan, hear my plea.

Riddick watched the darkness before him as cold rain fell against his skin and soaked through his clothes. The creatures closed in quickly, the scent of their meal strong in the air. Riddick turned quickly and clamored up the slick outcropping of rock behind him. His feet slipped on the saturated stone and his fingers fought to keep their grip. The beasts ascended behind him, the sharp claws of their muscular legs digging deep ruts in the rock. Jaws snapped around him, filled with venomous teeth and their barbed tails sliced through the darkness narrowly missing the struggling Furyan. Riddick slid partially downward before leaping to another ledge to avoid the beast that descended on him from above. His side burned with excruciating pain as it struck the side of the rock, but he ignored it in his desperate flight for life. If these things wanted to kill him so badly he was certainly going to make them work for it. Riddick made his way further up the outcropping, the summit only feet away. He rolled away from another attack, his back now facing the rock as he beat the onslaught of beasts with his improvised weapon. His blade sliced through flesh and bone until finally breaking off in the neck of one of the creatures. Left with only a blunt weapon, Riddick knocked back wave after wave of the creatures with no end in sight. Above him, a large mud demon loomed, it's tail poised to strike. Riddick panted heavily, exhausted and spent; he would not last much longer. He held onto the vision of Jenna's face in his mind, he wanted his last thought to be of her; the woman who saved his life after his arrival on this hell hole. R.J. I'm so sorry…

The giant beast sliced at him with it's dagger-like talon, narrowly missing Riddick as he rolled from side to side to avoid being speared. The beast, tired of this game and eager for it's meal, leaped on top of him, it's jaws snapping at Riddick's face. Riddick held the animal's head only inches from his face, struggling with what remained of his strength. Suddenly, green orbs descended on the outcropping, blasting the ascending wave of creatures as well as the one Riddick clung to for dear life. The beast was shot three times before it's body fell away, leaving only the head in Riddick's hands. Riddick tossed the thing away and turned toward the rock wall, gripping it and pressing his body as closely as he could to the rock wall to avoid the barrage of projectiles. Riddick closed his eyes tightly, still holding the vision of Jenna in his mind. Her auburn hair that glinted gold in the sun, her shining golden eyes, her soft pale face. The sound of her voice, a lilting, musical tone that sunk to the deepest recesses of his soul whenever he heard it. The beautiful, red-haired vixen had made her way into his heart and he was going to be damned if he left her all alone in the world.

The onslaught of green orbs stopped, leaving Riddick the only thing alive on the rock ledge. He rolled over, eager to ease the pain in his wounded side. Looking up into the droplets of rain, Riddick watched as Dahl descended on a line and landed roughly on him to attach a harness. She tightened the strap with more power than was necessary, apparently for the lascivious jibes he had directed at her earlier. Dahl gave a thumbs up to Johns in the cockpit and they slowly ascended away from the wet, demon filled planet.

The line was drawn up and the pair clamored through the small access hole, trying with some difficulty to get to their feet, tethered together as they were. Dahl released the straps on Riddick's harness before tending to her own. Riddick could feel her eyes on him, piercing him like slivers of sunlight. He slowly turned, meeting Jenna's unusual, gilded eyes. Jenna stood against the wall of the vessel, leaning with her hands braced against it. Her face bore a mixture of relief, anguish and….rage? Riddick suddenly felt a little sheepish. Slowly, Jenna pushed herself away from the wall, walking toward Riddick in a slow, deliberate fashion as he remained rooted in place. Riddick studied her face, willing to take whatever punishment she was going to dole out. Upon closer inspection he could see her eyes were red and swollen, with tears still streaming down her cheeks. Jenna seemed passive for a moment, standing with her eyes fixed on his muscular chest. With all the fury she had bottled up inside of her she unleashed herself onto his chest, pounding it with her small fists. "Don't you ever fucking scare me like that again! I should kill you, you son-of-a-bitch! I should kill you!" It wasn't hard enough to hurt, although she could have if she wanted to. She was strong for someone of her small build. Riddick let her unleash her worry and anger on him for a few moments until she seemed to calm, only placing intermittent blows against him that wouldn't have even stunned a fly. Riddick wrapped his arms tightly around her, ignoring the pain in his side as he pressed her body against his. Jenna's body was wracked with sobs of relief. "Shhhhh…R.J. I'm okay, see. I'm alive. I'm right here, R.J. I told you I'd come back." Riddick soothed her gently as he spoke, leaning his head against her soft hair. His breath ruffled a few unruly strands allowing him to reacquaint himself with her scent. It was a heady mixture of earth and herbs and something akin to smoldering cinders. Riddick pried himself free of her and held Jenna at arm's length, cupping his hands on either side of her face. Using his thumb, Riddick brushed away the last of her justified tears. "I'm right here, R.J." Riddick whispered a moment before his lips crushed down on hers.

Riddick tasted her then, for the first time. He could no longer count the number of times he'd watched her smooth, pink lips with fascination and wondered how they'd taste. He'd always imagined they'd match her smell and taste a little like berries and wild plants. Riddick was not disappointed, allowing his tongue to trace the inner contours of her mouth and relish in the tang that was only hers. Jenna gasped at the demanding contact as their lips met, but melted into him within moments. She'd imagined how he would taste….feel. Riddick reminded her of leather, and musk and wild things. It was similar, she considered, to the air on an autumn day. Jenna willingly allowed him entry between her lips and felt his tongue dance with hers. Like a wild mating ritual, their tongues twirled and tasted, relishing in one another. Reluctantly, Riddick released her, relinquishing her lips now swollen from the attacking kiss. He leaned his forehead against hers, panting and trying to drive back his need. He could feel the prying eyes of the mercs around him but he didn't care. "Still mad at me?" Riddick whispered teasingly. Jenna's mind was still swirling, but she had heard his words and the mischievous tone. She lightly slapped his shoulder, barely the whisper of a touch. "Aye, ya big ass! But not as much as before." Jenna lifted her eyes to his and offered him a smile that seemed to draw unnatural light from her face. For a moment, Riddick could have sworn she glowed.

Beside them, Dahl cleared her throat and tossed the harness aside. "If you two are finished sucking each other's faces off, let's get you to your ship." She stated sarcastically as the vessel banked lightly, returning toward the merc outpost and the unoccupied ship. Jenna blushed with embarrassment and something else, as Riddick's hand glided up her arm to rest on her shoulder. His recent brush with death left him with a feeling that he was unable to keep his hands from some part of Jenna, comforted by her closeness. Riddick guided her to a seat and sat down beside her, his hand never leaving her arm. The return trip only lasted moments and Jenna gripped Riddick's hand tightly as the vessel touched down on the ground with a lurch. Riddick stood, clutching Jenna's hand tightly, and watched the ramp slowly unfold and descend. Johns had removed himself from the pilot's seat as soon as the vessel had touched down. Riddick could hear his heavy boot steps on the metal floor. He turned his silvered gaze toward Johns, who held the other power cell out to him. "Remember how this went." Johns said, sounding distinctly like a warning. Riddick would have growled at the man, but Johns had the fortunate place of being someone who had saved his life. That was something Riddick would not soon forget. With the cell in one hand and Jenna's own gripped firmly in his other, Riddick stepped off the vessel and into the rain, rushing toward the empty ship and the only other way off that rock.

Riddick lifted off after a few systems checks and just as the first rays of dawn were breaking over the horizon. The rain showed no signs of stopping anytime soon, so it was likely the group would not have lasted the night if they tried to sit it out. Jenna gripped her seat, although the belt held her firmly in place, as the vessel lurched and ascended into the air. Riddick broke through the cloud cover after climbing slowly toward it. Above, the sun shone brightly, oblivious to the hellish conditions below. For once, Jenna was grateful to be off of the ground. She removed the restraint and stood carefully, relieved that the vessel had leveled out after the steep ascent. The pivoting jets allowed the ship to remain level during most of the ascent, but it had still pitched a little giving Jenna an unsettling feeling. She strolled slowly toward the bald headed man in the pilot's seat, still trying to get her "space legs". She leaned against the seat, her breath warm on his ear. Riddick turned his head toward her, his silver eyes meeting her golden ones. The vessel shifted briefly causing Jenna to nearly fall. Riddick spun the seat around to face Jenna, who braced herself against the wall. "Need a place to sit?" Riddick asked her with a mischievous grin as he patted his hand on his lap. Jenna smiled with amusement and settled down on one of his muscular thighs, careful of the wound in his side. She'd have to heal that later; while he slept, of course.

Riddick glanced out the small side window, watching as Johns' vessel passed him and turned abruptly to face him, hovering gently. Johns' face could be barely seen through the glass protecting the cockpit. "I don't know if I want to believe you about what happened on M6-117.…guess I'll always see my son in a different light. Fatherly love and all that. Still, you kept your word so I had to keep mine." Johns told him via the com unit. Riddick's face remained passive, he didn't exactly like the man but compared to the last Johns he'd tangled with the man had earned a small iota of respect. In this family, apparently, the apple did fall pretty far from the tree. "You just keep that strong spine, Johns." Riddick offered by way of some advice. Johns managed a wisp of a smile knowing Richard Riddick didn't offer compliments lightly. "Hey Johns, tell Dahl I send my apologies but I'm taken. Hope I didn't break her heart." Riddick said trying desperately to disguise the chuckle that reverberated in his chest. The hand that was wrapped around Jenna's waist closed tighter around her as if to affirm the comment in Jenna's mind. She glanced at Riddick briefly, noticing his eyes were already on her. Those eyes could always make her shutter. "I'll be sure to let Dahl down light for ya. You take care of that girl, Riddick." Johns replied in a scolding manner, betraying his concern for the young woman on Riddick's lap. Riddick smiled broadly, briefly recalling the events that had brought them together. "So far, it's been the other way around." Riddick replied. Johns turned his attention to Jenna, his next comment directed at her. "Jenna, keep him outta trouble and I don't think you'll have to worry about seein' me again." Jenna forced back the sarcastic comment that was eating away at her mind. "Sure." She said pointedly. "And, Johns….sorry about your face." Johns had no response, but took the apology for what it was worth. He had the distinct feeling Jenna didn't much care for him. "Where to now?" Johns inquired but quickly corrected himself. "On second thought, I don't wanna know. Just stay outta trouble and I won't have to come find you." Johns slowly turned his vessel away from Riddick's and breached the atmosphere with a powerful ignition of his thrusters. We all gotta go home sometime.

Riddick hovered the vessel in the air for a moment, suddenly realizing he had no idea where to go next. Jenna turned slightly to face him, her fingers tracing lightly along the back of his neck and stubbly head. "That's a good question." Jenna began. "Where are we going?" Riddick paused for a moment, his eyes drifting toward the nav computer. He had no true destination in mind and the only place he really wanted to go he couldn't find. "Guess we'll work it out as we go." Riddick stated blankly, turning his gaze back to the woman in his lap. "You should belt in, might be a bit of a rough ride." Jenna slowly stood from Riddick's lap and let out a startled shriek as he playfully slapped her behind. "Go, woman!" Riddick commanded with a mischievous grin. Jenna smiled back playfully, this game of joking flirtation had gone on for some time and she felt it would be remiss if they stopped now. Truthfully, she'd always enjoyed his little jibes as well as firing back with a few of her own. Riddick would slowly learn not to mess with a red head. Jenna returned to her previous seat and strapped herself in as Riddick punched the secondary boosters and hurtled them into space. The G-forces flung Jenna against the back of her seat and caused her stomach to do back flips. The was gonna be a long ride.

Chapter Two: Dark Ascendant

The darkened halls of Necropolis were relatively silent except for the heavy footsteps of Lord Marshal Vaako. He strode through the halls with purpose, rage contorting his otherwise emotionless face. He had a few words for his commander. Vaako entered a large room furnished only with a long table and a few chairs. On one side of the room was a round table that served as a display board when military meetings were in session. Necromonger technology was the most advanced in the universe giving them the ultimate edge in their quest to convert or kill everyone in the known universe. They had shattered world after world and showed no signs of stopping. Only while Riddick had taken the roll of Lord Marshal had there been any peace. There had been dissent among the ranks during his short reign due to his refusal to take the pledge or lead the Necromonger masses to their beloved Underverse. Vaako paused in the darkened room and called for the lights to raise to thirty percent. The room illuminated slightly, casting odd shadows in the corners. "KRONE!" He called loudly, his voice reverberating between the gray walls. The immense, bald headed commander entered the room, a look of defiance set firmly on his scarred face. "Lord Vaako." He growled, not even trying to hide his annoyance. Krone hovered in the doorway of the room for a moment before stepping forward, drawn by Vaako's dark gaze. "You told me he was dead!" Vaako snarled, pounding his armored fist on the table. Krone narrowed his gaze at his angry leader, unwilling to be scolded by this man. Lord Marshal or not, Vaako was a corrupt little man who would do anything to retain the crown he had lusted after for years. Krone did not consider him worthy of it, but he hadn't considered Riddick worthy either. Why was the crown not on HIS head?

Krone knew there was no way anyone could survive that fall, let alone the tons of rock that had fallen with him. He had done Vaako's dirty work for him and watched as the insignificant man before him had reaped the rewards. "Explain this to me! And if you call me LORD Vaako one more time you will be immediately promoted to full dead!" Vaako's voice was laced with poison, the light in his eyes performed an angry dance. "There is no chance he survived that fall. If that didn't kill him then the rocks should have. You are becoming just as paranoid as Zhylaw!" Krone stood only inches from Vaako's face as he snarled his retort at him. Vaako remained unmoved, not willing to show one ounce of weakness to this pathetic man. "Well, the man's a walking miracle, then. The tracking device I had implanted under his skin shows he has left that ball of death you dropped him on. I had hoped the planet would finish what you started, but Riddick seems to have a bad habit of surviving. I want his head on a platter!" Vaako screamed loud enough that others in nearby rooms had begun to hear. His wife, Dame Vaako, had heard his raised voice and cringed at the sound. She feared that the sounds of his paranoia and the news of Riddick's survival would reach the ears of people who would wish to depose her husband. She had to do something quickly.

Dame Vaako made her way toward the meeting room, her long black and silver gown trailing on the ground behind her. She stopped in the doorway, the sound of the shifting fabric of her gown drew their attention. "Will you two be silent!" She whispered in a heated tone. She strode forward until she stood between the two armored brutes. She turned to Krone. "YOU will continue to do what your Lord Marshall tells you or I'll have YOUR head on a plate!" Then, she turned her venomous gaze toward her husband. "YOU will deal with Riddick for the final time! He will NOT escape you again. We are walking on razor blades, your crown is still not secure and I will not have all of m…our hard work go to waste!" The Dame's dark eyes burrowed into her husband's; her long, slender finger only inches from his face. "The Lord Marshall acts as if he has never let Riddick get away. I recall a certain burning planet six years ago….Vaako." Krone challenged, a wicked grin stretching across the marred features of his face. It took all of Vaako's composure not to draw a blade and slice open his thick neck. Dame Vaako had quite enough of the childish squabbling. "ENOUGH!" She snarled, her voice carrying much further than she intended. "You are both incompetent fools and you will both be responsible for bringing Riddick back here in pieces." Lord Marshall Vaako had heard just about enough of this and grasped his wife's arm tightly, spinning her around and striking her in the face. "Know your place, woman! If you ever speak to me in that manner, you and Riddick will share the same fate!" Vaako growled at her, pinching the flesh of her thin arm with all the strength he could muster. Dame Vaako felt no pain, but sneered at him anyway. She wrested herself free of his firm grip, reminding herself not to spit in his face. She'd save that for later.

Dame Vaako tore through the halls of Necropolis, heading to the expansive chamber she shared with her husband. She screamed and tore the pillows from the neatly made bed. Grasping a decorative bottle from the nightstand, she tossed it across the room at the opposite wall where it shattered and rained pieces of pottery onto the floor. "Who does he think he is?!" She fumed out loud. "He isn't even the Lord Marshall so long as Riddick lives. My husband doesn't deserve this crown, he's wasting it!" Dame Vaako strode about her chamber, her mind reeling and her blood boiling. She had to do something quickly to salvage the situation. Even if her husband managed to finally kill the infamous Riddick, there was still the chance that the Lord Marshall would be faced with the same dissention as Riddick. Dame Vaako began to think her wicked thoughts. You keep what you kill….

Lord Marshall Vaako boarded a Sarcophagus Class vessel with a contingent of thirty six Necromonger soldiers. A second vessel, with Krone at the head contained the same number of soldiers. Vaako would take no chances and ordered three additional ships to accompany them. Richard Riddick was going to the Underverse whether he liked it or not. There was quite a distance between himself and Riddick's current location. The Sarcophagus Class ships weren't known for their speed, or their ability to travel well for very long in deep space. It may take a while to intercept the Furyan, but as far as Vaako was concerned, the man's days were numbered. He strolled slowly toward the rear of the vessel, a long aisle that stretched the length of the transport. Vaako glanced down at his greatest achievement, an ascension protocol bomb. Not nearly as powerful as the Conquest Icons, the bomb, none-the-less was capable of leveling a large city and rendering it to a lifeless wasteland. Let's see Riddick escape this. Vaako mused to himself as he stroked the three headed weapon as if it were a secret lover.

Chapter Three: Remembering

Riddick remained seated in the pilot's chair, suddenly aware of a sickening sound from the rear of the vessel. He had not yet decided on their next destination and engaged the autopilot, allowing the vessel to coast through the vastness of space. Riddick unhooked the restrained and stood up stiffly, having spent nearly three hours in the same position. He turned away from the control panel that had begun to make his head swim and strode toward the rear of the vessel. Jenna was just stepping out of the small washroom, wiping her mouth and looking not at all well. "You okay, R.J?" Riddick inquired, although the sight of her distress was enough to answer his question. Jenna smiled gently, trying to hide the uneasy feeling in her stomach. "Yeah, I'm fine. I hate space travel, I always get sick like this for the first few hours. I like to keep my feet on the ground, it's where I feel at home." Riddick felt sympathy for her, looking green as she did. Truthfully, this was the first time he'd ever seen her sick in the ten months he'd known her. Jenna rooted through her pack, sorting through the large collection of healing herbs she always carried with her. "Shit!" She cursed loudly. "I'm outta ginger root and peppermint!" Jenna turned her gilded eyes toward Riddick. "Guess I used all up while you were sick from the demon venom." She sighed and tried to keep back the bile that threatened to rise up in her throat again. Her throat was raw and sore from constant vomiting and her stomach felt as though someone had forced her to eat a ton of rocks. Riddick felt a strong pang of guilt. She had nursed him while he built a tolerance for the demon venom, forcing him to drink down several strong smelling teas. The warm liquid had done wonders for the nausea and stomach pain, making the experiment tolerable. Riddick glanced at her, his face awash with shame. "Sorry." He mumbled. Jenna rose to her feet and shrugged. "I'll deal." She said as she had a million times before.

Riddick slowly wrapped his arms around her, pressing Jenna against his chest. "Let's get you laying down, maybe you'll feel better." Riddick escorted Jenna to a small pull out bed and laid her down gently upon it. He pulled a blanket over her as she nestled down into the pillow, a welcome change after so long sleeping on the hard ground. "Thank you, Richard." Jenna mumbled softly, finding herself much more exhausted than she had realized. Riddick smiled at the young woman, letting his hand stroke her soft, red-gold hair. "Mmmmm….that's nice." Jenna said in her soft voice, letting Riddick's stroking hand lull her to sleep. For some reason, it had never bothered him that Jenna always called him by his first name, something no one had ever done. "Well, it's your name, isn't it?" She had told him so long ago. "As the ancient Earth writer once said: What's in a name? A rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet." Jenna had smiled at him then, a smirk of wisdom that seemed beyond her years. Riddick had heard a bit of Shakespeare in his time, although the origin of the quote was lost on him. Jenna had had him at that moment and he never corrected her on his name again. In time, her use of his first name instead of his last had grown on him, making him feel a little more like a human again. Riddick watched her sleeping face, she seemed like some otherworldly being brought straight from the land of mythos. He let his mind wander into the memories of the time they met.

Don't know how many times I've been crossed off the list and left for dead. Guess when it first happens the day you were born, you're gonna loose count. So this, this ain't nothing new. That thought raced through my mind as I lay broken and bleeding on the ground of another shit hole desert planet. I crawled toward a water source, dragging my broken leg behind me. Well, fuck me if it wasn't undrinkable. Sounds behind me, predator sounds. Predator knows a predator. Some kinda hyena things trackin' me, I fell into the water and waited till they went away. Eels slithering through my armor, biting at my battered flesh. I ignored them, a minor nuisance. I can hold my breath for thirty minutes, guys, keep waiting. They left and I pulled myself out of the festering pool.

I had to set my leg, get the bone back into place. I put it between two boulders and forced the bones together, hurt like a bitch! I limped toward a rock, couldn't go any further. Another one of those hyena things on the other side of the pool. It charged me, biting at my leg and arm, fucker got me good. I beat it back with a bone, it was intent on killing me. Kinda like the rest of this fucked up universe. I stood up, tore a disc off my armor and threw. The hyena whimpered a moment and gave chase. Dumb fuckin' dog. I had to find a sanctuary, I had to hide. There are bad days, and then there are legendary bad days. This was shaping up to be one of those. Whole damn planet wanted a piece of me. Can't stay in the open. Can't risk another attack. It's always the punch you don't see comin' that put's you down. But why didn't I see it? But why didn't I see it? Of course they were gonna try and kill me. Death is what they do for a living. The question ain't "What happened?" The question is "What happened to me?" I knew the answer to that one. Somewhere along the way, I lost a step. I got sloppy. Dulled my own edge. Maybe I went and did the worst crime of all….I got civilized.

Flashback: First Meeting

Riddick had no idea how long he lay in the cave, drifting in and out of consciousness. His silver eyes glowed in the murky darkness of the hollow. His leg ached terribly, sending shooting pains throughout his body; it was all Riddick could do not to cry out and draw attention to himself. Guess this is where I die. This deserted shithole will be my tomb. Fucking figures. The thought passed through Riddick's mind as darkness claimed him again. The girl had been watching him from a distance, beyond the rocks that loomed tall opposite the cave that he had nestled in. She'd followed him while he dragged his injured leg and fought off the dog beasts. His will to survive amazed her. She hadn't gotten a good look at him, just as a figure from a distance. She bravely traversed the expanse of open ground as she made her way to the cave to get a closer look at the first human she'd seen in six months. She crouched at the mouth of the cave, watching the sleeping figure, studying his muscular build and wondering what lay beneath the armor that he wore. Life and power thrummed off of him, a strong pulse of energy that sent her head swirling. Who is this man? She considered as she watched him shift and awaken. Riddick could feel something watching him, studying him. He wondered if the hyena things had come back to finish him off. He feigned sleep for a few moments, scenting the air. It didn't smell like an animal, but there was something primal about it. Riddick slowly opened his eyes and turned his head, an ache in his stiff neck screamed but he stifled any outward sign of distress. When his silver eyes fell on her, she gasped. Wow! Those eyes! They reminded her of an animal in the darkness, reflectors collecting all available light allowing them to move about in darkness as if it were daylight. Riddick could make out the figure of a young woman against the setting sun behind her. Her red-gold hair was tied in an unruly braid that was flung over one shoulder, resting on the swell of one breast. Her head tipped quizzically to one side as if trying to decipher what he was. Then there were her eyes. Riddick couldn't make out their true color with his shined vision, but he caught the ghost of a glow about them, as if two small suns had nestled in her eye sockets. The girl stood slowly, stretching out her long, slender legs clad only in shorts and bare to her ankles where a pair of dirty socks poked out passed the tops of her boots. Wordlessly, the girl disappeared from his view, leaving Riddick to contemplate whether or not it had been a hallucination. She'd smelled real enough though.

Riddick spent the cool night in the sanctuary of the cave, drifting in and out of sleep. Tomorrow, he knew, he'd have to assess his leg and find a better hiding place. Otherwise, this world would be the death of him. He awoke as the sun still remained low in the sky, late morning he assumed. He tried to readjust his position and as his hand pressed down to brace himself against the sandy earth it brushed against something. Riddick glanced down a found a bowl that contained what must have been food. My haluci-girl must've been here. Riddick mused as he lifted the bowl and sniffed at it. It smelled sweet and spicy and he came to the assumption that she had placed herbs in it. Riddick was starved and ate with gusto, eliminating the contents of the bowl in mere moments. Riddick placed the bowl aside and returned to his attempts at shifting his position. A sharp pain coursed through his body, flaring outward from his broken leg. He grimaced and trembled, finally slumping back down and falling into unconsciousness. Riddick felt something dripping on his face, followed by a sweet, herbal smell. Something moist touched against his head moments before he reached up with the speed of a cat and grasped her slender wrist. The girl tried to pull out of his vice-like grip, but it was no use. Injured as he was, this man was still deceptively strong. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He growled, something akin to the sound a cornered beast might make. "Tending to your wounds." The girl spoke in a lilting fashion, desperately trying to mask an accent. Sounds Irish. Riddick mused as he kept a firm grip on the girl's wrist. He took another deep drought of the girl's scent. It was slightly masked by whatever she'd put in the water, but there was an earthy, green quality about it. "I don't need your help." Riddick grumbled, defiantly. It wasn't true, he knew, but he wasn't going to subject himself to the ministrations of this mysterious woman he knew nothing about. He released his grip on the girl's arm, much to her relief.

She knew her wrist would most likely darken into a bruise later, but it was a small price to pay for doing the work of Brighid. Goddess, why have you set me on the path of this vexing man? She sent up her silent prayer, her eyes fixed on the injured man before her. She pressed her lips into a hard line and tossed the moistened rag into the water, splashing some of it onto the ground. "Well, if you don't want my help, fine." She rose to her feet, a silhouette against the sun. Riddick let his gaze linger up the length of her slender body, cursing himself as he did so. "There are healing herbs in the water, use it if you so choose. I don't have many left, so I hope you don't waste 'em." The girl turned on her heel and disappeared again, quickly and as silently as she had come. Riddick laid his head back against the rock, mentally kicking himself for having offended her, probably the only other person on this rock. Absentmindedly, he wondered if she'd come back.

The girl knew she'd have to return the following morning. She didn't stray far, nestling herself in a small alcove, using her pack as a pillow and only a blanket of stars to cover herself. The night air was cool, but she relished the feeling of it against her body. She dreamed, as she always did, of times long passed from another age and another place. She had dreamed, thusly, since as far back as she could remember. Clashing swords rang in her mind, battle cries, screaming horses. A crackling fire rose high into the air, white robed people, their sexes indistinguishable in her vision, danced around it. A woman, separate from the others, drifted in and out of the shadows. Her eyes were the color of silver moonlight, with two dark pupils in their centers. Her pale face searched the flames for a vision, a sign. A familiar face formed in the flames just as the girl's eyes shot open in the dark. It was a portent, she knew, it's meaning cryptic to her. It wasn't the first time The Morrigan, her patron Goddess, had visited her in her dreams, but the pull had become stronger of late. The pull to join the dance and claim her destiny.

Riddick pulled himself out of fitful slumber, feeling eyes on him once again. The girl knelt at his side, seemingly oblivious to his presence. She took a fistful of dried plant matter and sprinkled it over the water. Holding her hands over it she whispered cryptic words before retrieving the rag again. Not another religious zealot! Riddick thought to himself. He had no room for religion or God in his life. Many years ago, the hoodoo holy man, Imam, had tried to get him to pray on another God-forsaken, desolate planet. With monsters lurking in the shadows, just as they were here. It's pointless. I absolutely believe in God….and I absolutely hate the fucker. The words crept through his mind along with the memory now ten years old. If only he knew how much he'd grow to like the holy man, and learn to mourn his senseless death. Riddick watched the girl warily as she gently cleaned his wounds. He'd learned to bite his tongue, although he hated to feel so helpless. Riddick contented himself with watching her fluid movements, everything was deliberate and restrained. She pulled a white vial out of her bag and opened it, scooping out a handful of a thick, goopy substance. Gently, she smeared it across his more superficial wounds with the gentleness of a passing breeze. Riddick's skin tingled for a moment but suddenly, the pain had nearly vanished. "What is that?" Riddick wondered aloud, to break the silent tension. The girl managed a half smile. "A mixture of horehound, myrrh and plantain. It will relieve the pain and prevent infection." She said matter-of-factly. Riddick let the information set in, trying to decipher if he'd heard of any of the ingredients. "Where'd you learn to do this?" He continued his inquisition. The girl settled back on her knees, glancing once at the leg she knew was next. "My mother taught me, she was a great healer." The girl admitted, hoping he wouldn't press for further information. Riddick turned his head away, satisfied for the moment.

The girl sighed, preparing to treat his most grievous wound, the broken leg. "I'm gonna take a look at your leg now. I'll have to get that armor off first." Riddick turned a baleful look at her as she moved to his other side and began to assess the bindings of his armor. She reached her hand down, but Riddick pushed it away, preferring to do this part himself. He groaned in agony as he removed the pins and unfastened the bindings, slowly lifting off the plate of armor. The girl hissed through her teeth at the sight of his mangled leg, but immediately put herself into healing mode. It's pretty bad, I'm gonna have to use a healing spell or he'll be laid up for weeks. She thought to herself. The idea of using magick in front of him didn't please her in the least, she'd have to wait until he went to sleep. Luckily, she had something in her pack for that. The hidden, ancient magicks of her people were something of legend for most people, and something that instilled fear in others. Her new patient seemed as if he belonged to the latter.

She pulled out several dried sprigs of Calendula, Golden Seal, and Horehound. She saturated them in the water for a moment, before carefully placing them against the open wound. She heard him make a hissing sound and glanced up to see his eyes were closed and his face awash with pain. "I'm sorry. I'll work as fast as I can. You've already set it so the worst part is over. You'll feel better soon." Riddick was shocked by her change of temperament. Yesterday she had been full of fiery rage and today she was gentle and caring. Of course, I haven't done anything to piss her off yet. Riddick mused between arrows of stabbing pain that erupted from his leg. The girl tore a large piece of cloth from the tattered remnants of the underclothes he wore beneath his armor. She smeared a thick, yellowish substance on the makeshift bandage before placing it against the saturated herbs to hold them in place. She held her breath as she carefully lifted the injured leg to wrap the bandage around it. She hated the knowledge that she was causing him more pain than she was alleviating, sharing in the agony he felt. Such was the gift of Brighid, the patron Goddess of her mother. "Almost done." She muttered, hoping he didn't punch her when this was over. His hands were enormous. She tied off the bandage and gently set his leg down, keeping it as straight as possible. "I can use the leg plate to hold your leg in place, I just need to find some way to attach it." She mentioned as she reached for the plate that was subsequently snatched up by Riddick. He placed the plate over his injured leg and slowly pushed the pins that had held the armor in place into his flesh to brace the broken bone. The girl grimaced as she watched with fascination. "Or…you could do that." She said with slight sarcasm.

Riddick laid his head back against the rock, panting with exertion and waiting for the pain to pass. The girl sat back, holding one of her knees to her chest, watching him with a scrutinizing eye. Riddick sorted through his thoughts, hoping to be able to form something that resembled human speech. "What's your name?" He asked in a deep baritone voice that still escaped his lips as a hoarse whisper. Slowly he turned his metallic gaze toward her, awaiting his answer. "Jenna Clark." She said, holding out her hand. Riddick slowly lifted his tired arm and shook her hand. She had just saved his life, after all. "Well, my real name is Rowan Jennifer Clark, but no one has called me Rowan since my mother. She had a thing for trees. My friends call me R.J. Well, they would, if I had any." Jenna said as she breathed out a light chuckle that did little to hide the sadness in her voice. She glanced up at him, gauging his reaction. Riddick managed a slight smile, the first one she'd ever seen. The name was pretty, like her, and suited the earthiness of her. "Okay." He said at long last. "R.J. it is." Jenna smiled, a beaming grin that made her face light up. "And you are…?" She inquired, feeling that calling him "Big Guy" might seem a little rude. Riddick's face suddenly became sullen and Jenna feared he meant not to answer her. "Richard B. Riddick." He breathed as if the words had some curse attached. Jenna worked the name over in her mind. It was a good, strong name….a warrior's name. "Okay, Richard." She said plainly, enjoying the way it sounded on her tongue. Riddick cut her a look of disdain. "Just Riddick. No one calls me by my first name." He virtually growled as he scolded her. His tone didn't phase her as she stared defiantly at him. "Well, it is your name, isn't it? What's in a name? A rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet." Jenna smiled as if she'd accomplished some great feat. Riddick kept his firm gaze on her, but she remained as stoic as himself. What harm could it really do? If it makes her happy…. Riddick thought to himself. "Richard's fine." He stated plainly. Jenna's face erupted into another beaming smile, which Riddick found infectious. He grinned at her as she stated she was going to find some more food.

Jenna returned after a couple of hours, and placed a bowl in his hands. "Thanks." Riddick said, although he sounded more petulant than he intended. Jenna sat beside him, her legs scissored and her arms wrapped around them, watching Riddick intently. For some reason she found a certain peace wash over her when she looked at him. This man, she could sense, was full of rage and fury but he never frightened her even with his unusual eyes. Riddick ate with gusto, tasting the same herbs she'd used before. He glanced over and noticed she didn't have anything for herself. "Where's yours?" He inquired, suddenly feeling a little guilty. She treated his wounds, bound his leg, and brought him food but had done nothing for herself. "I'll eat later." Jenna stated simply, hoping he'd drop the subject. Riddick finished another mouthful and handed the bowl to Jenna who promptly waved it away. "There's healing herbs in it. You're the injured one, not me. Eat up and get your strength back." Riddick tore his gaze away from her and back toward the bowl, slowly bringing it back to himself. Truthfully, Jenna had added Valerian Root, hoping it would help him sleep allowing her time to work a spell on his injured leg. She wasn't about to get sleepy before working magicks.

Riddick finished his meal and lay his head against the rock again, his pillow for the past several nights. "I could help you lay down, it might be more comfortable." Jenna offered. Riddick grumbled something and waved Jenna off when she tried to assist him. He probably would feel better laying down, but he'd be damned if he was gonna let some woman coddle him like a baby. Riddick grimaced at the pain in his leg as he tried to move. Jenna fished some extra clothes out of her pack, pushing her hands passed the bags of herbs and vials of ointments as well as other miscellaneous things. She withdrew an old shirt, torn at some point during her stay on this planet. She folded it quickly and placed it on the ground before assisting Riddick the rest of the way down. Riddick grumbled at the assistance, but realized it was, unfortunately, necessary. He also wasn't going to complain about the unintentional view he had gotten of her pleasant looking cleavage. Jenna laid him on the folded shirt, letting her hands slide out slowly from beneath his stubbled head. It was smooth and warm and sent a tingle through her fingertips. That's odd. She thought.

It didn't take long for the valerian to take affect and soon Riddick was sound asleep. Hopefully he'd stay that way. Jenna had to work quickly as the sun was beginning to set and she would need it's powerful rays to work Brighid's magick. She took a freshened bowl of water and placed into it drops of lavender, lemon, heather and wisteria oils as well as a few dandelion heads. Her willow wand sat in her lap along with the owl feathers. Crystals surrounded her in a sacred circle as she called forth to her mother's Goddess. "Goddess of hearth and sun, I call to you as evening closes in. Send me the gift of healing that the afflicted might be made whole; bless the hands I lay upon him that they may knit flesh and mend bone." Jenna slowly dipped her hands into the water, letting the oily liquid adhere to her flesh. Slowly she lifted them, letting the remaining droplets fall back into her makeshift cauldron. A breeze passed through the cavern, a sign that the Goddess was with her. The scent of green grass and wildflowers filled Jenna's nostrils, and she smiled at the familiar feeling of home. Jenna lifted the wand with her saturated hands and asked for the blessing of healing fire. The tip glowed and sprang to life like a slender candle. The tongue of flame rose into the air, never touching or scorching the wand itself. With owl feathers in the opposite hand she waved the tiny tendril of smoke over his affected leg, whispering words of healing her mother had taught her long ago in the ancient language of her people. Dousing the flame with a wave of her hand, Jenna laid the wand aside along with the feathers. She could feel the power flowing through her, her hands settling over Riddick's injured leg. She continued the prayer, willing the power into the limb and envisioning the flesh and bone returning to their previous state. Jenna's hands glowed with the light of a thousand suns as she chanted softly, willing her energy into the prayer itself. Exhausted and drained, Jenna slumped over drifting into unconsciousness.

Flashback End

Chapter Four: Musings of a Caster

Jenna shifted and awoke slowly, her stomach feeling no amount of nausea. She sighed, grateful for a little relief. She hated space travel, but it was a wicked necessity. Jenna belonged on the ground with soft earth beneath her feet. Sand, dirt, grass, mud, moss. It didn't matter, so long as it was solid and thrummed with energy. She'd always preferred the wild places, uncharted planets with an abundance of new energies and life. The last one hadn't really been what she was searching for; then again, she hadn't planned on being abandoned there, either. Fucking mercs. Jenna tried to roll over, but found herself brushing against something warm and firm. She shifted over and gazed at the peacefully sleeping Riddick. A wisp of a smile passed across her face. He always seemed so different when he slept, all of the tension and wrath was gone from him and in its place a strange form of serenity. It had always marveled her. Now, Jenna lay with her head propped up on one elbow studying his form which was already locked away in her memory. Still, she enjoyed looking at him. His firm, muscular chest, the piston-like muscles of his arms, the defined abdomen that moved slightly as he breathed. Her golden eyes drifted up until they fell on his face. His silver eyes were hidden behind his lids, his soft cheeks and the gentle curve of his lips that she finally knew the taste of. It was just as she'd always imagined.

Jenna had spent her time with him on the abandoned planet, growing closer day by day. It almost seemed that destiny had brought them together, some strange work of the Gods. She'd felt a strange pull to him, even as she watched him distantly when he'd first appeared. Something tugged at her and would not let her drift far from him for long. As it grew stronger so did her feelings. A strange fluttering of her stomach whenever he stood near, an ache spread throughout her body and fire ignited on her flesh whenever they touched. Jenna had felt his eyes on her from time to time and often wondered, catching him in the act once or twice. The gaze was intense and tiny fires burned in his mercury pools. Jenna's breath would catch in her throat and she was always forced to turn away. Jenna drifted off, remembering how this burning desire had begun….

Flashback: Settling In

Riddick's leg had almost completely healed within a couple of weeks. As an Alpha Furyan that would not have seemed that unusual, however he'd never healed from a broken bone THIS quickly before. "I dunno what you put in here, but it works wonders." Riddick had told Jenna, his way of being grateful. Jenna only smiled knowingly, keeping her dark secret to herself. "Like I said, my mother taught me well." He smiled at her, an act that still seemed so odd to him but something about this young woman made it come easily. He handed her a bowl of food, finally glad that he had a chance to take care of HER for a change. "Thank you." She stated with her melodious voice. Jenna whispered a few words over the bowl before she ate. Riddick made some noise of complaint as he dove into his own meal. Jenna turned to him, one eye brow raised. "Something wrong?" She asked blatantly. Riddick shook his head, waiting to finish his latest bite of food. "Just hopin' you don't go all holy on me." He stated. Jenna laughed, a light tinkling sound like raindrops on a window sill. "No. I was thanking the animal for it's sacrifice. It died so we might live. My mother always said what comes from nature is a gift and should be treated with reverence." Riddick took in her answer, it made sense he supposed but still sounded religiousy to him. There was a short silence before Riddick spoke again.

In the short time they'd lived together, much of it spent getting Riddick well, neither one of them had learned much about the other. Riddick had no desire to get into the details of his past, but found some fascinating interest in Jenna. "You talk about your mother a lot. You must've loved her very much." Riddick's eyes had turned to Jenna whose own face now bore a mask of sorrow. "Yes, I did. She was a great ca….woman. She taught me a lot about healing and nature and the powers of such things. My grandmother had been the same way. Full of wisdom and grace." Riddick caught a glimpse of something glistening on her eyelid, but Jenna turned away to dispose of the offending tear. Suddenly he felt a little sheepish, fearing he'd offended her in some way. "I'm sorry." He said in a voice much quieter than Jenna was used to hearing from him. "How did she…..I mean, what happened to her?" As soon as the words left Riddick's mouth he regretted uttering them. "I didn't mean…." Riddick began as Jenna cut him off. "It's okay. There was a storm, a lot of wind and rain. My mother was in one of the larger structures, treating the wounds of people who'd been caught in it. The storm grew worse and….." Jenna paused, forcing back the lump in her throat. It had been many years, but she recalled it as if it had only happened yesterday; the event burned forever in her memory. "The building she was in collapsed. Only three people survived, my mother was not among them." Riddick felt the oddest desire to wrap an arm around her but contented himself with placing a hand on her shoulder. "I know the feeling." He said quietly. Jenna turned her gilded eyes to him, tears now freely falling down her face. She forced a small smile, reading a personal pain on Riddick's own face. "I was supposed to and assist my mother with the wounded, but there was a flash flood near my home and it wasn't safe for me to go. Sometimes I think the flood was sent to save my life." Riddick placed a finger on her cheek and brushed a tear away. "Well I'm pretty glad it did." Jenna's breath caught in her throat at the comment as well as the gentle touch of his finger. She turned away from him to hide the sudden redness that bloomed in her cheeks.

Riddick kept his gaze fixed on her; he never tired of looking at her. Jenna was lithe and graceful, moving as though she were a reed on the wind. Even the simplest of actions seemed a poetic dance. He noticed something then, something he hadn't before. A long scar that ran across the side of her neck curving along it and nearly meeting her throat. With rapt fascination, Riddick brushed his fingers along the length of the light brown blemish. "Did this happen here?" Riddick asked as Jenna pulled away from his touch. Jenna never looked at him, keeping her face trained on the ground. Riddick could have sworn he saw shame wash over her. "No. It's the reason I'm here." Jenna spoke with a hint of sadness in her voice. Riddick adjusted himself to get a better view of her face that she kept hidden from him. "What's that supposed to mean?" He inquired, desiring answers but unsure if he'd pushed too far. He knew a thing or two about things that were better kept to one's self. Jenna sighed as the traumatic memory flashed through her mind; perhaps confiding in this man would bring her some closure. "I bartered transport with some mercs. Just needed a ride and I had plenty of creds so I figured it was a good situation for both of us. I just wanted them to take me as far as Andoria Seven. The captain was a slimy, weasely man with an accent. I could feel his eyes on me since we left the space port, it made me more nauseas than the space travel. He attacked me, said I'd been teasing him. He held his huge knife at my neck and tried to rip my clothes off. I managed to kick him away and proceeded to introduce him to a new world of pain. I left him in a bloody heap on the floor of the ship; that's when I noticed the cut on my neck. None of them messed with me after that but we landed here, some kinda merc checkpoint. Everyone got off the ship, including me. It was a dumb move and I didn't realize how bad I'd messed up until two of them jumped me and beat me unconscious and left me here. We were nowhere near this supposed merc checkpoint, just this deserted hell hole. It took me several weeks to heal myself and I've been here ever since; just surviving."

Riddick listened intently as Jenna recounted her harrowing story. God damn mercs! Only good one is a dead one! Riddick thought ruefully to himself. It only seemed to reaffirm the reason he killed them on sight. He could always smell a merc. "How long have you been here?" Riddick inquired, interested to know how much time she'd spent on this rock. "Six months." Jenna stated blatantly. Riddick quirked up one eyebrow, his fascination in her peaked. "Those fuckers tried to rape you and then left you to die in this place?! For six months?!" Riddick knew the cruelty of the people in the universe but sometimes even HE could be surprised. Jenna only nodded, feeling her survival a small accomplishment. She was a child of the earth, she could survive anywhere. Suddenly, Riddick felt a new type of respect for this young woman.

Both of them knew that staying where they were wasn't an option. On the other side of the cliffs lay a much different land. Grass and trees and water were in abundance. Presumably, too, better hunting. The only problem was "the gatekeeper" as Jenna had dubbed the mud demon that guarded the only known pass to the promised land. Riddick had to find a way to kill the thing in order to get across. Both of their lives depended on it. Riddick and Jenna made both of their own preparations. Riddick immunized himself and his foundling hyena pup with the beast's venom, something Jenna refused to take part in. "I'll deal." She'd said, giving her the first taste of Riddick's anger. He growled and spew a lengthily series of expletives and reprimands at her. Jenna defiantly stood her ground, barely fazed by his infuriated words. "I have my own way and I don't plan on getting that close to the thing." She'd stated before seating herself back down and continuing to work on the long staff she was fashioning out of a piece of now petrified wood she'd found. Riddick grumbled and turned away from her, quickly learning not to argue with a red head. Women! He considered to himself.

It took a few days for Riddick to come to terms with the fact that Jenna had refused a preventative measure that would save her life. She was seated beside the makeshift cage that contained the whimpering pup. Jenna would speak soothing words in her strange language and the pup would quiet instantly. Riddick couldn't understand what she was saying but one word kept repeating. "What's Madadh (pr. Mada)?" Riddick inquired, to end another night of awkward silence. Jenna turned to him, her eyes sparkling the low light of the fire they'd managed to build. "It means dog in Gaelic, the ancient language of my people. My mother taught me. You insist on calling him dog, so I put a prettier spin on it. I think he likes it." Jenna smiled broadly watching the pensive expression on Riddick's face. "Madadh….huh. If you insist." He said in his usual passive manner. Jenna's grin grew broader. She returned to her tedious work, carving into the long weather whitened staff. With a final stroke she cried: "All done. A weapon fit for a warrior." Jenna studied it for a moment before slowly lifting her eyes to Riddick's, hoping for some sort of approval. Riddick stared at the long pole she held in her hands like a sacred thing and made a sound that seemed like condemnation. "Doesn't beat a good, sharp blade." He sneered. Jenna narrowed her eyes at him and slowly rose to her feet. Riddick fixed his silver gaze on her, a smirk touching his lips. He always enjoyed getting her hackles to rise. She was full of fire and fury when she grew angry, something he found utterly desirable. Jenna strode toward him, keeping a safe distance and began to swing her newly made weapon, attacking an invisible opponent. Her movements were like liquid, flowing effortlessly as she spun and jabbed, twirling the staff around her neck and tucking it against her side.

Riddick wasn't often impressed, but he had to admit that her abilities warranted it. Interesting. Riddick thought to himself. Feeling mischievous, Riddick rose to his feet, standing quite a bit taller than her and outweighing her by at least eighty five pounds. "How about a real opponent?" Riddick asked, a wry grin on his face. Jenna quirked a brow, keeping her golden eyes fixed on him. "I won't heal your bruises." She commented, her muscles tensing and preparing for his attack as a smirk stretched across her face. This is gonna be fun. Riddick thought to himself as he applied a more relaxed stance to throw her off guard. Jenna never let her gaze leave him, locking out all other sounds and distractions as she had been taught. She centered herself and kept only Riddick in her gaze. They remained in a stand off, wondering which would attack first. Riddick had begun to think she was having second thoughts. Without warning, Riddick lunged at her with the speed a ferocity of a wild animal. Jenna parried the attack with a smooth, twisting movement and brought her staff across his lower back causing Riddick to wince in pain. Riddick spun to face her, flames of wrath burning in his eyes. "Lucky shot." He growled, some of the playfulness gone from him. Jenna cocked her head to one side, a smirk playing across her face. "Uncle." she purred. Riddick smiled again, hoping this interlude would lead to a much needed distraction. "If you insist. You give up too easily." He teased. Jenna spun the staff above her head, waiting for his next attack. She was certain it would end like the first. With the staff tucked under her arm and stretched behind her back so that it was horizontal to he body, Jenna reached out her free hand and made a "come on" gesture with her fingers. Riddick feigned a worse injury he than he'd actually received from her staff, holding his back and moaning some half-hearted protest. Jenna made no movement except to bring her feet closer together, she wasn't falling for this ruse. Riddick spun to attack her as he reached her side and she rolled forward quickly, avoiding his attack and throwing him off balance enough that he pitched forward onto one knee. He felt slight pressure against the back of his neck and glanced up from the corners of his eyes to see Jenna standing over him with her staff poised at the back of his neck. "Touché." She said with a wide grin.

Riddick had never seen skill the likes of which she displayed. She moved and dodged his attacks as if she were made of air and hadn't even fallen for his false injury. Interesting. He thought to himself, still in his half kneeling position. Riddick reached up with his arm using otherworldly speed and pulled the staff, causing Jenna to loose her balance and fall only to become pinned under Riddick's weight. "I win." He growled above her. "Never underestimate your opponent." He reminded her, lingering only inches from her face. Jenna swallowed hard as his warm breath caressed her face. She stared into the deep silver orbs that served as his eyes, loosing herself in them for a moment. Memories of his topless form floated through her mind and she felt a tingling heat suffuse her body. Her breath came in short gasps as she tried to still the fluttering in her stomach. Riddick could feel her slightly squirming beneath him, her hips grinding unintentionally at his quickly hardening member. Jenna's lips parted as if she meant to speak and Riddick found himself mesmerized by the rosy pink mouth only inches from his own. It would take only a moment to close the gap between them, a quick movement to join his lips to hers. Jenna's breath quickened, a sure sign of nervousness, and Riddick pushed himself away from the vicinity of her inviting mouth. A memory flashed through his mind that only served to inspire his libido further. He had once caught her washing herself beneath the waterfall, still clothed, although he could make out most of her features through the soaked fabric. Riddick swallowed hard and lifted himself off of her, turning away slightly to hide his raging erection. He held out a hand and lifted her up with ease as if she weighed no more than a handful of flower petals. Jenna let out a staggered breath and slowly retracted her hand, trying to set her mind to rights after the amorous encounter. Her whole body seemed as though it were on fire and she desperately hoped he couldn't make out the flush of her cheeks. Could he see that? She wondered, thinking of his shined eyes. "That was fun." Riddick teased with a wide grin. "We should do that again." He winked at her and proceeded back into the cave hoping the blood would eventually cool in his veins.

Flashback End

Chapter Five: Destiny Awaits

Jenna groaned and awoke slowly, finding herself in an otherwise unoccupied bed. She lifted her head slowly and glance around the vessel, finding no sight of Riddick. Unless he got sucked out of an air lock, he's gotta be here somewhere. Jenna roused herself slowly, pulling the blankets away. She felt as though she'd slept for three years, wondering to herself how long it had actually been. Jenna's feet were bare and she winced as they touched the cool metal floor of the vessel. When did I take my boots off? Jenna wondered for a moment before she recalled Riddick gently removing the muddy footwear before laying her down for some much needed rest for her weary body and upset stomach. Jenna ignored the cold metal floor and strolled toward the cockpit hoping to find Riddick at the helm. Besides the steady thrum of the vessel and an occasional beep from the controls in the cockpit, Jenna was surrounded by only silence. Her bare feet padded silently on the cold, metallic floor as she crept slowly toward the pilot's seat, the top of Riddick's bald head barely visible. "Sleep well?" Riddick chimed up in his usual baritone voice before Jenna had even reached the seat. He'd always amazed her with his otherworldly senses, seeming more like an animal than a man. Perhaps that's why I like him so much. There was a feral, primal quality about Riddick that had always stirred deep feelings within Jenna and she'd felt a connection with him nearly from the moment she first laid eyes on him. Of course, it did help that he was wickedly handsome.

Jenna made her way to the side of his seat as Riddick swung it around to face her. "Yes, I did." Jenna stated simply, feeling a blush creep into her cheeks as Riddick studied her. How the hell could he always do that? Riddick grasped Jenna's hand tightly and pulled her into his lap, a wicked grin plastered on his face. His hand trailed up her arm toward her shoulder and eventually her neck. The large appendage wrapped around the back of her neck and pulled her toward him for a passionate kiss. Jenna sighed as she parted her lips to allow him entry, savoring the feel and taste of him. Riddick's unoccupied arm wrapped around her waist to draw her closer to him, almost as if he wished to meld their two bodies together. Deepening the kiss, Riddick allowed his hands to explore the slender curves of Jenna's body that he had been fantasizing about for months. Sparks of fire ignited where Riddick's fingers grazed the flesh beneath her top, journeying upward toward her breasts. His mouth descended in a slow trail down Jenna's chin and toward her exposed neck, nibbling gently at the soft flesh. She could feel the hardness in his pants, pressing against her thigh. A surge of moisture flooded the area between her legs and Jenna felt nearly faint with the suddenness of these new feelings. A sudden beeping sound from the console brought them out of their lustful encounter, to the chagrin of both parties. "Fuck!" Riddick growled, having, again, been denied the secrets of Jenna's body. Riddick turned toward the control panel, studying the nav computer carefully. Something wasn't right. "What the fuck!?" Riddick growled angrily, studying the computerized images of the planets of the system they had just entered. "What is it?" Jenna inquired, worry in her voice. "We're way the fuck off course. I have no idea what happened. This is all wrong….FUCKING WRONG!" Riddick's booming voice reverberated off of the metal walls of the ship causing Jenna to jump a little and tense up in his lap.

Riddick felt as though he wanted to punch something but held the feeling at bay. How the hell had this happened? Riddick checked and rechecked his calculations, having finally laid in a course for a small collection of planets in the Ularan System. His calculations were correct but Riddick had no idea how they had drifted so far off course, and in so little time. It had only been a few days since they left the deserted planet. "Fucking hell!" Riddick cursed again, studying the circular view screen in the middle of the control panel. "Richard, what system is this?" Jenna asked in a small voice, her eyes studying the distant planets before them, now only small dots in the vastness of space. The pull she had been feeling was getting stronger, causing an uncomfortable tightness in her chest. Jenna placed her hand over her solar plexus, bracing against the pain. Looking up at the sight before them, Riddick answered: "The Terran System. That little dot ahead of us is Earth. Well, it's called Old Earth now." Jenna's breath came in short, labored gasps. She felt as though a heavy weight was seated on her chest, constricting her breathing. She watched the small dot in the center of the open space before them, a barely perceptible blue and green marble amidst the blackness of space. The pull was stronger now, a tug drawing her toward the distant planet. There, on that seemingly turquoise mass, was the ancient land of her people. A pounding began in Jenna's head, the sound of distant drums. Riddick could hear Jenna's distress and glanced at her, his eyes suddenly awash with concern. "Jenna, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Riddick spoke in a soothing manner that still seemed unusual for him. Jenna's eyes never left the dot that slowly grew larger in the view of the glass shield. "Richard….I have to go there." Jenna breathed at long last, almost sounding distant. Riddick narrowed his eyes at her, confused by her sudden change in demeanor. "What? Why?" He asked, not prepared for the sudden detour. Jenna turned her golden gaze toward him, her eyes filled with certainty. "I….I don't know. I just know I have to go there." She sounded desperate, almost frightened. Was there something there that scared her? Riddick remained silent, unsure of what to make of the unusual change in Jenna's behavior. "I don't care if you drop me there and leave, I just know I have to go there. I'm supposed to." Jenna spoke with a pleading tone, her assurity plain to see.

She reached down toward the nav screen and enlarged the computerized image of Earth, waiting for the rotation to give her an exact location. Jenna enlarged the image again, a view of the British Isles, focusing her attention on the small island to the left. The view enlarged again, allowing the island to fill the entire screen. She placed her finger against it, an area to the west near the coast. "There, County Meath, near Newgrange." Jenna paused a moment, looking almost dreamy. "The Hill of Tara. That's where I have to go. It's calling to me." Jenna's eyes seemed glassy, as if she were drifting in and out of a dream state. Riddick glanced at the nav computer, staring at the image of the island Jenna insisted on going to. His eyes narrowed, focusing on the area she'd pointed to. He could feel her body tense, she was still staring out through the glass toward the slowly growing mass that was the origin of the human species. Her breath still came in short gasps and she could feel the tightness in her chest growing. Riddick glanced at her for a moment, watching as she desperately tried to catch her breath and worried she may pass out. Whatever was "calling to her" as she put it was hurting her and Riddick wasn't about to take her someplace that may harm her. Jenna tore her gaze away from the planet to meet Riddick's concerned gaze. It actually caused her more pain to see his worry for her. "I don't expect you to understand…." Jenna spoke quietly, almost as if in defeat, before she rose from his lap and disappeared from his view.

Jenna sat herself on the bed again, too afraid to lie down in case the pain in her chest grew worse. She focused and steadied her breathing, feeling the pain lessen with each passing moment. Jenna could hear Riddick's heavy boot steps as he approached, probably for another lecture. He leaned against the wall of the vessel, his arms folded across his chest looking stern and forceful. "Well…." He stated sharply. "Help me understand." Jenna slowly turned her gaze up to meet his, Riddick's shined eyes were intent on her. So much for secrets. He'll probably be afraid of me now….or disgusted. Jenna mused with a deep sigh. She lowered her eyes away from his, not wanting to see the look on his face when she confessed her dark secret. "Do you ever wonder why your leg healed so fast?" She inquired, her voice soft and fearful. Jenna couldn't see as Riddick shrugged his shoulders. "I just guessed it was the herbs." He answered truthfully. Jenna shook her head slowly. "Not completely. While you were asleep I performed a healing spell on you. I called to my mother's Goddess and she gave me the power to heal you. The herbs alone weren't enough." Jenna slowly raised her face to him, wondering what Riddick's reaction would be; hate, fear, a combination of both? Riddick seemed little more than pensive as if he were trying to process the information. His eyes searched the floor of the vessel as if the answers lay there. "You're talkin' spells….like magick?" Riddick inquired, chuckling at the sound of the strange word that had come from his mouth. Magick, right! "I'm afraid you're gonna have to try harder than that." Riddick told her, feeling this conversation was about to get silly.

She could feel the pang of defeat and shame strike at the very heart of her. Jenna felt sick all over again, how could she explain her complicated world to this man who only believed what his senses would tell him? Jenna sighed, choking back the tears that were slowly emerging. She might loose him now, forever. "I'm a caster, like my mother before me and my grandmother and countless generations of my family dating back thousands of years. For me, magick is an everyday thing. I am surrounded by it, suffused in it. It's in my blood, Richard." Jenna felt a small amount of relief at her confession, at least she wouldn't have to hide it anymore. However, the chance she would loose Riddick's trust or affection may have been too high a price to pay. Maybe it's best he just leave me there and go. Jenna thought, sadly. Riddick watched her carefully, letting her words set in and wondering if she looked any different to him now. Slowly, he began to wonder about little things. The relative ease with which she built a fire, her healing abilities, the burn marks left on the faces of Santana and Johns. Suddenly he realized Jenna was trembling and he could smell the faint odor of fear. Was she afraid of him now? Did she hate him for doubting her?

Riddick stepped forward, slowly, and settled on the bed beside her. He longed to reach out and touch her face, her back, her hair; however, he feared she may shy away from him. "I won't pretend to understand, but I think I have to believe you. It's the craziest damn shit I've ever heard, but I haven't exactly had a normal life either." Riddick wondered if his attempt at comfort was having any affect, he wasn't exactly good at that sort of thing. Jenna turned toward him, forcing a smile across her lips that Riddick could instantly tell was in genuine. Riddick's own expression remained unchanged, a permanent mask of passiveness. A sudden notion occurred to Jenna, something that may salvage the situation; or doom it forever. "May I do something? It may help you….understand." Jenna asked timidly, the first time Riddick had ever seen that side of her. He wasn't exactly sure he like it. Riddick preferred the fiery tempered woman who always stood her ground even when faced with insurmountable odds and even against him. Riddick nodded, unsure what it was she planned to do. Slowly, Jenna reached a hand toward the cauterized wound in his side that she had, as of yet, neglected to heal. She placed her palm against it, feeling him wince against the contact. It was still tender and sore, even after several days. Jenna let the power flow through her, muttering a prayer to Brighid, the healing Goddess of her mother. Slowly, a soft glow emanated from her hand, warming the wound slightly and causing an irritating tingling sensation. Riddick fought the desire to pull away from the slightly uncomfortable feeling. He glanced at Jenna's face for a moment, watching her lips move in silent prayer as her eyes remained closed in concentration. It was fascinating and alarming all at once. Riddick turned his eyes downward, as the tingling increased and he watched the flesh slowly return to normal as if he'd never received an injury. HOLY FUCKING SHIT! His mind screamed as he watched the miraculous event unfold. The glow ceased as the last of his flesh returned to normal and Jenna dropped her hand away from his healed wound. Feeling drained and exhausted, Jenna was unable to remain upright and fell forward as Riddick caught her in his arms.

Fear suddenly gnawed at Riddick, who worried she may have hurt herself. Jenna lay, nearly unconscious, in his arms as Riddick wracked his mind as to how best to help her. For once SHE was the one who was helpless. "R.J! What happened?! Come on, wake up!" Riddick spoke in a serious tone as he gently shook the young woman who lay in his arms. Jenna slowly opened her eyes, glancing up at Riddick's concerned face. She could feel her energy slowly returning, having used up so much of it to perform the healing spell. Jenna pulled out of his embrace, still feeling fuzzy and tired. "Sorry. I had to use my own energy to work the spell. It takes a lot out of me." Jenna explained, glancing at Riddick with a slightly embarrassed look on her face. Riddick's intense gaze burrowed into Jenna as he tried to figure out exactly who…or what….she was. In the back of his mind he wondered what other surprises she had in store for him. "I think I believe you now." He breathed out at long last. To his surprise, Jenna gave him a sparkling grin, one of the ones that always made her seem to glow. "You don't hate me?" Jenna wondered aloud, trying to assess how her confession would alter their relationship. Riddick gave her an incredulous look. "No. I'm the last person to judge anyone for keeping secrets. Besides, you're too sexy to hate." Riddick grinned at her watching as the redness rose in her cheeks. Damn that sexy smile! Jenna turned away from him briefly, but felt his finger pull her back toward him. Riddick leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers and any idea that Riddick despised her for being what she was melted away. After a few, brief moments, Riddick reluctantly tore himself away from her, leaving both of them momentarily breathless. "We'll have more time for that later, I already set in a course and we'll be there in a few hours." Jenna kept her eyes on his, her gratefulness apparent in her gaze. Riddick rose slowly to his feet, letting his hand trace a smoldering trail across her cheek.

Jenna waited until more of her energy returned before she made the journey back to the cockpit. She stood beside the pilot seat, feeling comforted by Riddick's hand that laid against her own. They remained silent as Jenna watched the blue and green ball grow larger by the moment. The pain in her chest had lessened, but the pull was still there. Their destination came into view, slowly growing larger with each passing moment and Jenna began to hear the beating of ancient drums in her ears matching the beat of her heart. Jenna was coming home.

Author's Note: Brighid was a Celtic Triple Goddess and one of the Tuatha de Dannan. She was the patron of bards, healers, poets and magicians. As a Solar Deity her attributes are light, inspiration and skills associated with fire. The Rowan tree, from which the main female character derives her name, was sacred to her.