Title: Archangel

Author: Tareena Langford (Renegade87)

Chapters: Prologue + 28

Rating: M, language, adult situations

Pairing: Riddick/Cara (OFC)

Feedback: Hell yea! I didn't post this thing for my health.

Disclaimer: I do not own Riddick ::damnit:: or anything else from the Riddick universe

Author's Note: TCOR is completely disregarded.

Summary: Before Jack there was Cara. Riddick's friend he was forced to abandon. Years later they happen to meet, but is she who he remembers?

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Prologue

She was 17 when they hooked up. He was 19. Fresh out of juvie…a bad boy. Her weakness. But there was more to him than just the record.

Cara had followed him into an ally, pissing him off, and had gotten herself cornered. He had her pinned against the wall when she realized that she was following him for more than just the fact that he was gorgeous. She just knew there was something about him.

She wanted to know him.

He scared her. He was at least twice her size and could easily beat the shit out of her with one hand behind his back.

But somehow she knew he wouldn't.

He had had his tree-trunk of a forearm across her neck when she choked out, "What's your name?"

That had thrown him off.

He was expecting some pickpocket, or hooker or something. Not an honest question.

"What?"

"What's your name? Look, I'm not trying to rob you…not that I could…I just wanted to talk."

He laughed, another chick just 'wanting to talk.' Having no idea what she was getting into.

"What bitch?!"

Ooh, she had an attitude…fun. "Riddick."

"What kinda name is Riddick?"

"My last name."

"You're called by your last name?"

"What is this? Twenty Questions?" He asked turning to walk away.

"Maybe."

"Fuck off."

"Sorry, I'd rather get off." She said to his retreating back, he turned around and smiled at her.

"What's yours?"

"Cara."

"Interesting."

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That was the day her life had started. She had gotten through the legendary Richard B. Riddick's shell and he became the only person she cared about.

Ever.

They lived together for the next two and a half years. They were best friends…inseparable. Riddick taught her how to fight, how to kill, how to shoot. He was her only friend, mentor, trainer, big brother, family, life.

Everything.

A little over two years didn't seem like a whole hell of a lot of time to become as close as they did. But they just clicked. Riddick trusted her, and she trusted him.

And that's all that mattered.

They lived in a small one-bedroom apartment, which forced them closer together anyway…but they didn't mind. Every night after Riddick would get off of work they'd eat dinner and go chill in the living room and watch old movies. He'd give her backrubs because he knew she liked them, and almost always before the movie was over, she'd fall asleep with her head in his lap, and he'd carry her to bed.

Then come the weekend they'd go out to bars or clubs and just let loose. But if they ever wanted to hook up with someone, they had to be approved of. Riddick and Cara hadn't sat down and thought of that rule…it just kinda fell in place. A kinda 'if I'm gonna sleep with you, my best friend has to approve of you first' thing.

A couple times Riddick would get drunk off his ass and drag some silicone chick over to Cara, and she would just laugh in his face and drag his pathetic butt back home. And in the morning through the fog of a hangover he'd thank god for that little pact they had.

They used to joke around like teenagers too. Riddick would wait till she was pissed at him for something and then attack her, tickling her till she couldn't breathe. She'd feign anger, but it always made her get over whatever little tiff they had.

Riddick would also by her presents whenever he had extra cash. Nothing fancy, but stuff he knew she'd like, a blade here, a choker there. Just little stuff to show her how much he cared. She was his only friend, his family and he was going to make damn sure she knew it.

They were about as close as you could get. But they weren't lovers. Not that the thought hadn't crossed her mind. She just was happy to be his friend. And that was ok.

He was her first kiss though. One night sitting around, drinking beer, just talking about life. She had asked him if he would be her first kiss. He gave her that smirk of his, but had relented.

It was amazing.

It sent liquid fire coursing through her veins. The feel of his lips against hers, and the way his tongue danced in her mouth, sent shivers down her spine.

She had yet to find someone better.

But then it all went downhill.

It was during one of their weekly outings to the local bar. Cara decided to flirt with the guy at the other end of the place, not knowing he was an asshole. He bought her a drink after she winked at him and they had begun talking.

She caught eyes with Riddick, their signal to come over and approve, but when he got there the guy thought Riddick was trying to stake claim, and, stupid for him, threw a punch.

Well after Cara stuck a knife in his arm he went berserk. Riddick had to pull him off her, after she had sustained a black eye and broken nose.

And when Riddick saw the blood trickling out of her left nostril, that signed the guy's death sentence. Things got outta hand and before Cara could react the asshole laid on the ground…throat wide open.

Watching the blood pool around the lifeless body, she knew it was the end of her and Rid. He was a felon as it was and another murder on his hands was going to force him to leave.

It was her fault. Her fault he had to run.

She cried all the way home that night, knowing her worst fear was coming true…she was losing him.