Chapter 3

Emma awoke to the sound of the newscaster on the TV. The reporter was announcing the senator's meeting, something about a law in question.

"Good. Your awake. I was starting to think I killed you." Emma followed the voice to the doorway leading into the kitchen. The man with blue eyes stood watching her, eating one of the cookies she and Maria had made. Jackson she reminded herself as she stared up at him questioningly.

"Hows your head?" he asked still leaning against the door frame. Emma just started at him silently. Eyes fixed on his. "Not talking to me now?" he said with a slight joking sound, but after no response he straightened up and stalked closer. "Fine then." He said. "Look. Here's how this is going to go. We're going to wait here, quietly till I get my orders. Either...they'll say to leave, and you can cry for help, or you won't be able to cry ever again. Is that clear." Emma just started at him defiantly. Jackson let out a frustrated sigh. "Emma..." his hand flew out wrapping around her neck tightly, leaning in close, his voice a rough growl. "Do yourself a favor, and answer me when I talk to you. Now. I said. Do. You. Under. Stand."

"Yes!" Emma chocked out, tears pouring down her checks as she clawed at his hands. "Good. Remember that your in my hands now. I'm the one in charge." Emma nodded as best as she could, trying to get him to let go. Finally after what seemed like ages, he let go and she collapsed back into the couch sobbing and gasping for air.

"I'm sorry. I am. I understand your scared, but think of this. What would Maria think if she came down stairs to find you crying, and bloody? I'm sure she'd be a little frightened. But if we can avoid that...well then. All the better. Are you hearing me Emma?" he asked grabbing her by her shirt and pulling her back up into a sitting position.

"Emma...?" he asked again.

"Ye...yes" she chocked out between sobs.

"Then, reel in the emotions, stop the crying and relax."

"Okay..." Emma stuttered out, flinching as Jackson wiped her hair from her face, and wiped away the tears. "There...your eyes are such a pretty shade of green, can't see them through all those tears." Emma's body tensed up more the longer he stayed close to her.

"Don't worry Emma, this doesn't have to involve you. Its about the Senator, and his family. But...until I talk to the ...Manager.." he said the word with hint of disgust, "and figure out what to do with you...you don't leave my sight. Sound fair?"

"No." Emma answered getting a slightly angered, and confused face from him.

"What was that?"

"No. I don't think its fair. I don't have a choice in our fate, and your threatening a 6 year old. So no. It doesn't sound fair."

Jackson smirked in response. "Honesty. Not much of that around these days. Its a nice change. Still, watch what you say, don't ask a question you don't want the answer to, and I'll promise not to lie to you either."

"Okay." she nodded. "Deal"

"Right. Deal" he said smiling and finally stepping back from her. "Now get up, so we can go get you washed up. You've got a cut on your head." Jackson stretched out his hand but Emma pulled away refusing his offer of help.

"Fine." he said stepping back watching as she stumbled to her feet. Standing vertical though, must have been a bad idea, because her vision blurred instantly as pain fogged her vision.

"I can't..." she whined "My head it..." but she couldn't get he words out before her legs threatened to give out from under her.

"Sit" Jackson ordered as she wobbled on her feet, but she refused to sit back down although more out of fear then defiance. "I said sit." Jackson said nonchalantly forcing her back onto the couch. "I don't need you unconscious again." he said pulling her hair back to look at the cut where the gun had hit her. "Little worse then I thought." Jackson straightened back up.

"Don't move, Or I drag Maria out of her bed and down those stairs."

"Fine." she muttered, glaring up at his sarcastic smile, watching her as he backed out of the room.