Guarded Trust (Part 10)

On the transport, Riddick and Carolyn kept quiet. There were a few other passengers aboard, all headed to various transport ships at the docking bay. Riddick had done a scan on all nearby commercial passenger ships that were soon to dock on the pleasure planet. One, the Morning Star, had agreed to take them on board.

The Morning Star was a class G commercial passenger transport ship. Smaller than the Harbinger had been, but it followed the same guidelines. Class G ships normally responded to planets where many messages to board had come through. Riddick and Carolyn had just lucked out on getting it. Once aboard, Riddick would find out all nearby stops on the list, and he and Carolyn would choose the safest. The rest would have to be played by ear. "Docking for ships Night Watcher, Sun Rays, and Morning Star, bay 16-T" an announcer came over the intercom. Riddick stood up.

"That's us then." He stepped toward the doors, Carolyn following closely.

The doors slid open and a small crowd got off the transport. Once out, Riddick stopped and looked around. The small transport vehicle sped off to its next destination. Carolyn pointed off in one direction to a rather large, gray, ship.

"The Morning Star, that's it over there." She said. Riddick turned, nodded and walked towards the ship. They soon came to the docking zone. A husky security man approached them.

"Boarding the Morning Star?" he asked. Riddick nodded and held up the pass that had been scanned to him when his message got through. The security man nodded and waved the two past him. They slowly walked up the ship's entrance ramp.

Inside was chaos. Loading crew hustled by with various objects, passengers looked around confused as to where to go next. Riddick and Carolyn joined them in the search for the room assignment post. After a few minutes and a brief walk down the corridor, they found the post and waited in line until it was their turn.

"Yes? One room or two?" the computer buzzed out mechanically.

Riddick cleared his throat, "One." There was a whirring noise and a few clicks, and then a room key was thrust out of a slot. Riddick grabbed it and the assignment paper that followed.

"Level five, room 12-B." he muttered and looked up for a map of the ship.

"Alright, up two levels, come on." He said after scanning the map briefly.

He again slung the bags over his shoulder and walked toward the transport shaft with Carolyn following. They soon found their room. Riddick slid the key through and the door opened. The couple stepped inside.v "Lights." Riddick said softly. They blinked on. The room was smaller than what they were accustomed to, but neither complained. Carolyn walked around the quarters to get a feel for things. She found a kitchen and a bathroom connected to the bedroom.

"Is this alright?" Riddick asked. She nodded in response. He sighed and set the bags down on the bed.

"Okay then." He paused briefly, "Did you see a monitor or anything in here?" he looked at Carolyn.

"Uh, yea, it's in the kitchen." She pointed to the door. Riddick nodded and disappeared into the next room. Carolyn rubbed her forehead and sat down in a chair.

"Oh boy." she whispered. She slumped down in the chair and tried to relax.

'Why did this have to happen now?' she thought to herself. Now the police back on the pleasure planet would post descriptions and wanted posters of Riddick around the near galaxy, and other policemen would be on the lookout for him, not to mention bounty hunters. They were in for some tough times. She shook her head and stood up. Walking over to the kitchen, she thought of what Riddick must have been thinking. He had been so sweet and caring, and now what? He might want to leave her, for both of their protection. Or he might just turn hard again, like he had been before.

Once she was in the kitchen, she found Riddick typing something into the message screen on the wall.

"What are you doing?" she asked hesitantly.

"Finding out where this ship is going, and deciding when we're getting off it." He responded without looking up. She nodded and walked back out to the bedroom. She unzipped her bag and began to unpack her few belongings. She had soon put everything away and was left with nothing to do. She paced the room up and down for a few minutes, before deciding to try to go to sleep. She lay down on the bed and rolled over to face the wall.

No sooner had she done so than Riddick walked into the room and began speaking, "Alright, I know where our next stop is." Carolyn groaned and sat up.

"And?"

"Venar Heights."

"Why there?"

"I think it's a safe distance from Star Field. We should be alright there. Do you have a serious objection to it?" Carolyn shook her head, "When do we get there?"

"Five days." She nodded and lay back down. Riddick sighed and walked over to the bed. He put his bag on the floor and lay down next to her. He put on arm around her waist.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

"You already said that." She whispered back.

"I know." And he kissed her lightly. She closed her eyes, but didn't fall asleep. Riddick kept his eyes open, but he did take his goggles off. The two didn't move for a long time, both just lay there, thinking.

The next night, Riddick told Carolyn he needed some time to clear his head. She agreed with him, saying that while he was gone, she could think as well.

Riddick now sat in a bar aboard the ship. It was filled with people, music, talking, and laser lights. It was called "Dark Paradise" and was supposed to be the best bar on the ship. It was more like a dance club than a bar, but Riddick didn't complain. He just drank. And thought. He was well aware of the dangers he and Carolyn now faced. And he regretted that Carolyn had been pulled into the situation. He should have just left her alone. Maybe he could make up for it and leave her now, leave her safely. No, he couldn't.

Even if they both wanted him to, he was sure he could never leave her. A strange feeling surprisingly interrupted his thoughts. A feeling of being watched. He shifted his shoulders. He could sense where it was coming from.the back left corner of the club. He turned in the direction his senses pointed and came to rest his eyes on a dark shadow of a man. The man kept his stare locked on Riddick. Riddick looked past him, or appeared to by turning his head, but his eyes stayed with the man, who got up and began to work his way across the room to Riddick.

"Hey there." He said as he sat down next to Riddick at the bar. Riddick nodded and looked down into his glass.

"Nice club, huh?" the man smiled. Riddick snorted and got up to leave.

Outside the club, Riddick hid in the shadows to see if the man was going to follow him. He didn't come out of the dark, music filled room. Riddick slowly made his way back to the cabin he shared with Carolyn.

Back inside the club, just inside the door, the stranger waited until Riddick left to follow him. He knew Riddick couldn't and wouldn't see him watching him. He was good like that, rumored to be the best at his job. The man smiled at the thought.

He followed Riddick back to his cabin, wrote down the number of his room in his mind, and headed back to his own. Once inside, he shed the long coat he was wearing, revealing a large handgun on his belt. He threw the thing carelessly on a desk and went into the kitchen.

Carolyn jerked her head up as soon as she heard the door open. The sound was followed by that of Riddick's heavy footsteps, and she relaxed again.

"You here?" Riddick asked out loud.

"Yeah, in here" she responded. His body soon appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. He looked at her, sitting there watching a news program.

"They've done an update on your story." She said quietly. Riddick cocked an eyebrow up.

"And?"

"The hooker was back up there saying she hadn't seen you lately, so they suspect you've left."

"Great." His mouth formed a thin line.

She got up, "Do you think they'll find you?" she walked over to him. He hugged her briefly for comfort.

"I'm not worried about the police, it's bounty hunters that worry me slightly." He mumbled. She nodded.

"What time is it?"

"Around ten."

"I'm gonna go try to get some sleep." She said, looking at the floor. "This has really got you upset, doesn't it?" he half-smiled. Carolyn looked up into his face.

"Yes."

"Oh baby, please don't worry over it so much. I mean, I know why you do, but I don't like it all the same." He rubbed her shoulders. Her hand went to his, and their fingers entwined. He led her to the bedroom and laid her down. She looked up at him, her whole body protected by his. He slid the goggles off his face and bent down to kiss her. He caressed her body with his hands, running them up and down her back and arms. She groaned despite herself. Her fingers latched onto the hem of his shirt, and pulled it over his head. No sooner was his shirt gone, than the rest of their clothes ended up on the floor and bed, scattered about.

She lay down and scratched her nails down Riddicks back. His arms slid under her, and wrapped up around her, from the back. He eased into her, already fully aroused, and this time she didn't cry out. She bit her lip, but only half because of the pain. He pushed into her, plunging deep into her. She sucked air in and held it for a moment, before letting it out deeply. He grunted as he sunk into her again, and she scratched harder on his back, leaving marks.

As her enjoyment increased, Riddick's roughness did as well. He pushed in and out harder and faster. Carolyn was moaning and breathing heavily, and Riddick was almost to the climax. But he held it off the best he could, he wanted her to first. To give her some pleasure in this trying time. He could see it building up in her face, her eyes closed, mouth open. He plunged in again, her core was almost soaked. She gasped again, urging him further. He knew she couldn't hold it anymore, he pushed again, even deeper than before, and Carolyn screamed. He held her body tightly as she shivered and relaxed slightly. He smiled at her reaction, yet kept pushing. It was his turn now.

Carolyn got a grip on herself as she realized he was still going. Now she could pleasure him in return. She sat up to kiss him. As their tongues lashed at each other's, she pushed him back until he was lying down. She straddled him, placing his erection back into her wet, throbbing core. She pushed and moved slightly and urged him deep again. She rode him as he pushed slightly. His hands slid up her back and came to massage her hardened breasts. She rocked back and forth, moaning and panting to arouse him more. He took hold of her hips tightly and she knew he was coming. He pushed a few more times, harder than before, until he groaned heavily and relaxed his grip on her.

She sat there a moment longer, savoring it, and then rolled off to lie beside him. "Carolyn?" Riddick whispered.

"Hmm?" she replied, smiling.

"I think I am in love with you."

For two days, the two kept to the room, not leaving it hardy ever. Then one night, Riddick asked if Carolyn wanted to go to the dance club with him.

"What would I wear?" she smiled.

"You look good in anything." He replied. She chose her black leather pants and a tube top Riddick had bought her.

"Ready?" he asked when she came out of the bathroom. She nodded and he took her hand and the two left the room.

Once in Dark Paradise, Carolyn and Riddick were inseparable. Riddick refused to leave her side, for fear that something might happen. They danced, drank, laughed, and talked. They were on the dance floor yet again when Riddick saw the stranger he had met in the club before. Again, the man was watching him. And this time, he was watching Carolyn as well. Riddick instinctively tensed up, but realized what he was doing and focused on Carolyn to relax.

They stayed at the club until well after two in the morning. They got back to their cabin and almost immediately fell asleep beside each other.

When Riddick woke up, Carolyn was gone. He shot up in bed and looked around. He smelled eggs. Walking into the kitchen, he found her eating quietly at the counter.

She smiled. "Morning."

"How did you get up without waking me up too?" he asked, puzzled, but grinning.

"I guess all those drinks took their toll on you, huh?" she teased.

Riddick smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her. "Want something to eat?" she asked when he pulled back. Riddick nodded. She walked over to the auto-chef and within a minute, bacon and eggs appeared. Riddick ate them slowly. When he was done, he put the plate away.

"So, ready to get off the ship?" he asked.

Carolyn shrugged. "Doesn't matter." She half-smiled. "Well, I am." Riddick snorted.

Carolyn wrinkled her brow. "Why?"

"This guy in Dark Paradise keeps actin funny around me, I don't know, he just gives me a bad feeling."

"The one that bumped into you last night?"

"Yeah, I don't like him much."

"Do you know who he is?"

"Nah, but it doesn't matter."

"Yea.." she trailed off.

Riddick came up to her and hugged her, "Only one more day though, right?" he said, not specifically to her.

"Yea," she replied, "I'm gonna go clean up or something, I'm getting restless, alright?" she smiled. Riddick nodded and kissed her lightly before letting go.

Carolyn walked into the bedroom and began to pick clothes off the floor. She hummed a tune softly. A shirt here, a shoe here, she picked up Riddick's pants.

"He's so nervous now." She sighed to herself, "I hope he calms down when we get on Venar Heights." She looked down to get one of Riddick's shirts and saw something on the back of it. Puzzled, she looked at it a moment before picking it up. She stretched the fabric smooth in her hands and looked at the little metallic chip on the shirts' hem.

"Riddick?" she called out, still looking at the thing. He came up behind her.

"Yeah?"

"What exactly is this?" she held the shirt so he could get a better look at it.

She looked over her shoulder to look at his face. It was lined with thought, and anger. "Shit."

"What?" Carolyn got worried.

"It's a tap. Some one put a tap on me!" he grabbed the shirt with hostility. Carolyn jerked back, and took a step back.

"Sorry." He said. She nodded in response.

"Damn." He muttered, "Who the hell put this thing on me? And when?" he looked up at her.

"You didn't say anything into it? About where we're going or anything, did you?"

She shook her head, "No, well, I was talking to myself about it, but I was being really quiet, I don't think it would have picked it up. But I don't know." She bit her lip.

"How far away from it were you?" Riddick asked.

Carolyn backed up a few steps, "About like this maybe."

Riddick shook his head, "The tap would have picked your voice up from there. Damn." He clenched his fist.

Carolyn looked scared. "I'm sorry! I didn't know it was."

"Shh..it's alright, I'm not mad with you." He cut her off. His fists clenched with anger and he began to pace the room.

"Well, we gotta get rid of it, now. Before we say anything else stupid into it. Whoever planted this thing on me had a reason for it, and I doubt it was anything nice." Carolyn bit her lip uneasily and nodded. Riddick peeled the chip off his shirt and dropped it on the floor, then stomped on it. It broke in half. He bent down and picked the pieces up and threw them out into the hallway. He discarded the shirt on his way back into the bedroom.

"Well," Carolyn hesitated, "we've only got one more day on the ship, I mean, what could happen to us in one day?" she was clearly trying to make the situation seem better.

Riddick shook his head, "A lot." He sighed. Sinking onto the bed, he groaned. "Perfect timing."

Carolyn walked over to sit beside him, she scratched his back lightly to comfort him, or try to anyway. "You wanna go for a walk?" she asked softly.

Riddick shook his head, "Whoever planted that thing on me could be waiting for us to leave the room now. The tap probably had a tracing mechanism on it, so now he knows which room we're in. We should just stay put. Is that alright?" He looked at her. She nodded, halfheartedly. Riddick lay back on the bed, Carolyn followed his lead and rested her head on his chest.

"Do you really think something will happen?" she asked.

"There's unfortunately a good chance of it. I'm so sorry, I never should have kidnapped you or anything."

Carolyn jerked upright, "Don't say that, you said you were in love with me, you mean to say you never should have fallen? For all the bad consequences in the world, for all the danger and fear, I wouldn't give this life up. I wouldn't even think about it. My life is more close to perfect than it's ever been now that I'm with you. I'm glad you decided to take me with you, I couldn't stand missing out on all this. Riddick, I love you." She bent over and kissed him. He smiled and rubbed her arm lightly. "God I love you." He whispered.