Disclaimer: I do not own Red Eye, or any characters originally involved. Any OCs are, of course, my own.

Chapter Nine:

Boundaries

Jackson and Lisa wandered the deck in silence. Both of them considered the silence, but neither minded. For once, neither was fighting, nor did either have the urge to pick a fight. For once, Jackson was at a loss for words. For once, Lisa was without questions. The silence between them, while thick and brooding, was welcomed. It carried with it the burdens of their respective pasts, the past that they both shared, and what the future might hold for the two of them. Would Jackson kill Lisa? Would Lisa kill Jackson? Neither could tell what the other was thinking, but Lisa broke the silence first, causing Jackson to smirk while they continued to walk.

"What are we doing?"

"Well, walking, Leese."

Lisa couldn't help but let one short chuckle escape her. She had asked him a pretty obvious question. Normally she'd call him a smart ass. Egg him on. But, in light of the peacefulness currently between them, she decided to let it drop and re-phrase her question.

"I mean, why aren't we fighting?"

Jackson shrugged, finally leading them over to the farthest bit of railing on the back of the ship. He leaned against the railing and looked over the edge at the black water beneath them.

"Would you prefer that I strangle the life out of you, Leese? You're kinkier than you let on, Leese."

He tsked as he turned to face her. Lisa was grateful for the lack of lighting because she could feel her cheeks grow hot. She supposed some part of her did subconsciously enjoy the fighting with Jackson. It was always a thrill. Some new battle to be conquered. He was exciting and unlike any other man she had met… aside from one. Lisa vigorously shook her head.

"No," she commented roughly.

Lisa turned away from him and propped herself against the railing, staring down at the dispersing group of people near the pool and hot tub area. She felt that rush of adrenaline within her once more as she realized that she and Jackson were slowly becoming more and more alone out on this deck. Anything could happen, and that made Lisa's heart race.

"I was kidding," he murmured softly. "When will you ever stop falling for this bullshit?"

"Ah, so you admit. It's all one big show."

"Now, I never said that," he warned. "But you're so… touchy."

As if to emphasize the word, Jackson reached out and lightly grazed his fingers on Lisa's exposed shoulder. She breathed in sharply and instinctively pulled away from him. Jackson held his hand in the same position for a second before he lowered it to his side.

"See what I mean?"

"And you," she began, adjusting her posture and returning to her position gracefully, "You get off on this… torture."

Jackson threw back his head and laughed, gripping the railing with iron fists to prevent himself from tipping overboard. Lisa grabbed his arm, hauling him upright and away from the railing and the edge of the ship. Their laughter slowly died down as they both realized where her hands lay, one on his upper right arm and the other on his left wrist near his hip. Lisa slowly let go, willing herself to not seem so strikingly afraid. Even in the dark, though, she could feel the intensity of Jackson's glacier eyes bearing down on her. He was going over a few questions of his own. He was trying to hold on to the feeling her skin touching his had brought him. And after what seemed like forever, Jackson finally asked her.

"Why do you care? Scratch that," he said, motioning to himself through the air. "Why… why are you always trying to be the hero?"

Lisa thought about it while Jackson started slowly walking once more, leading them back towards the pool area. Why did she care? As Gabriel had pointed out so many times before, Jackson had tried to kill her. He had threatened not only Lisa's life, but the life of her father and innocent children. For all intents and purposes, he was the boogey man and a source of pure evil. And yet, Lisa couldn't bring it upon herself to genuinely hate him. Sure, she fought him, tooth and nail, and at times she was disgusted by him. But, maybe it was the alcohol speaking here, Lisa thought maybe there was a human side to Jackson Rippner. Some part he had locked away long ago due to some trauma. Lisa chuckled to herself.

"Doctor Phil," she muttered.

"I'm sorry?" Jackson asked, looking down at where she had matched his pace.

Lisa dismissed his question with a flick of her wrist and Jackson smirked.

"Nothing… Honestly?"

"Honestly."

"Well, it's like I told you before. I think there is always more to a person than what they like to show. Maybe even more to someone as despicable as you, Jackson Rippner. Behind all of those masks, maybe you're just a scared child with father issues, or you've shut out the sweeter side of yourself due to some trauma."

Jackson stopped walking and glared down on her.

"Do yourself a favor and don't try to psychoanalyze me, Leese. We both know that your little self-help books are no good with me and we're in the middle of the Atlantic. Give it a rest, will you?"

"Alright, alright," she muttered, hands in the air in surrender.

Jackson's face held a contemplative look for a mere flash of a second before he turned stoic once more and continued on to some unseen destination.

"Look. I just think everyone has some sort of heart in them somewhere. I happen to have a strong one. A good sense of right and wrong."

"Oh, do you?"

"Yes, I-"

Jackson stopped and began stripping off his shirt casually. He watched Lisa's frozen expression and smirked.

"Hot tub. Care to join me?"

"I… no."

Jackson pushed out his lower lip in a pout as he pulled down the shorts he had been wearing to reveal his swimming trunks from earlier. He didn't miss Lisa's startled looks as she noticed the scars from not only her attacks, but the attacks of many others. She seemed torn and saddened as she took them in. Lisa felt a twinge of regret for the angry pink scars she had inflicted on Jackson, and she felt a deep sorrow that he lived a life that constantly left its mark on him. She wondered where he had gotten them. Had he almost died? What would life be like if he had died and Lisa had never met him? She would be stuck in the same rut she had been stuck in for two years now…

"Suit yourself, Leese. But it's mighty warm…" Jackson teased, pulling her back to the present.

He climbed in slowly, teasingly, feeling the prickle of her eyes scanning him. He knew precisely how to get her. Maybe he shouldn't. Maybe killing her would end everything. But like Gabriel had suggested, Jackson needed to have some fun on this vacation. What would be more fun than conquering the unconquerable? Making Lisa, little miss high and mighty vision of good, fall for her idea of the devil incarnate? He dunked his head under the water for a brief second, and emerged, swiping his hair back from his face and slinging water onto the deck behind him. Lisa shifted uncomfortably where she stood, just at the edge of the deck, still watching him carefully.

"C'mon, Leese. The heat will do you some good… You're too tense."

She clenched her fist nervously, wishing she had some way to express her anguish that wouldn't reveal her. This went against all of her rules. This was horrible. Lisa shouldn't even be talking to him. She should have gone to the police from the beginning, crazy or not. But, here she was, going on a tipsy stroll with him on a cruise, and feeling compelled, and drawn, to get into a hot tub with him. Was she a teenager again?

"No."

The words came out weaker than Lisa had wanted as she had been unable to put her whole heart into mustering the force she needed to convince him. Jackson smirked, shifted slightly, and held out his hand.

"No," she managed, with slightly more force than before.

Jackson's face twisted into a mixture of a frown and a scowl as he stared at her. She crossed her arms, bringing herself comfort, and hopefully showing him that she meant business. Unfortunately, Lisa barely saw him move before she was flooded with a wave of warm water. She squealed out in horror, jumping back and pawing at her eyes to restore her vision. Jackson was leaning half-way out of the hot tub and smirking at her with drowsy eyelids. He looked completely pleased.

"Now you'll have to come in," he purred. "You're already wet."

Lisa scoffed, wringing the water out of her shirt. This man… was infuriating! Lisa knew quite well that he was trying to be charming. He was trying to use sexual innuendos to bring forth her anger, pushing her to her limits, or to make her embarrassed. Lisa couldn't recall the last time she had a man pursue her like this.

She looked up at him, fully intending on shouting a few obscenities at him and giving him a piece of her mind, when all of her anger melted away. It was the most she could do not smile and force her face to stay contorted with rage. He was clutching his sides, barely breathing, because he was laughing so hard. He maintained his grip on the side of the hot tub; it was the only thing keeping him in. But his blue eyes were hidden behind those high cheeks as bout after bout of laughter escaped him.

"It's not funny!" Lisa shouted, placing her hands on her hips.

She was breathing deeply to try to restrain her own laughter. It was hard to remember the horrible things Jackson had done, or even imagine the other crimes he had committed in the past, when he was laughing like a child. He pointed a finger at her and Lisa couldn't help but snicker as he tried to speak.

"You… You look like a drowned rat!"

Now Lisa couldn't handle it. She, too, found herself giving in to the moment and laughing so hard that she was doubled over where she stood.

"Well, you're one to talk!" she shouted back.

The two of them paused, and then continued their laughter at her poor insult. Jackson motioned once more for her to come over, his laughter dying down. He took a few deep breaths, and then he was back to his usual composure, only now he wore a calm smile.

"Come in."

It came out as a soft pleading, and Lisa found herself giving in to the temptation of him. She took off her clothes at a decent pace. She didn't want him to think that she was desperate to join him in the hot tub when, in reality, her speed was attributed to the fact that she didn't want to chicken out. But, Lisa didn't strip quickly. She wanted to tease him as he had teased her and it seemed to be working. Lisa watched Jackson watch her every move. She was so intimidated. This moment seemed too intimate for her liking and now she was just going to hop into the tub with this… this killer? Lisa pushed the fogging thoughts to the very depths of her mind, hiding them from herself for the time being. She could blame the alcohol. What would a little fun hurt in her quest to get to him?

Jackson watched her approach and scooted to the side to allow her to have room to sit next to him. Lisa, on the other hand, had different ideas. She got in and sat herself promptly across from him. While she was going against all of her own rules by even talking to him, and certainly something inside of her had snapped when she brought herself to getting into the hot tub with him, Lisa was determined to show some restraint. She hadn't gotten this far by giving in to every one of his whims and she certainly wasn't about to let herself get deeper into trouble. She would not let her judgment become clouded. Jackson laughed.

"Really?" he questioned.

"Yes," Lisa replied coolly as she splashed a bit of water on her hair and pushed it back from her face. "I happen to have a good sense of right and wrong. I have boundaries. I have rules."

Jackson laughed again.

"You're serious? Impeccable sense of right and wrong you have there, Leese. Not turning me into the police… not even mentioning me or Gabriel to another person… having drinks with me and going on walks. I can see how strongly you're willing to fight for those convictions!" Jackson shouted with a fist in the air for emphasis. "But you've been convinced to get into a hot tub with me…"

"I've… had a few drinks."

"Sure. Blame it on the alcohol, Leese. Let loose. Have fun! If this was your last night alive, which it is, wouldn't you want to be spending it having a little fun?"

He gave her a smoldering look and Lisa chuckled.

"Not with you."

"And just why not?"

"Because you're a killer!" she whispered harshly.

Jackson reclined in his seat, swirling his hands around on the top of the water between them.

"And we're back to this," he muttered. "I'm just saying, Leese, you're not too convincing when you decide to hang around with a killer."

"Fine," she commented, standing, "I'll leave."

Their feet became tangled beneath the water and while Jackson tried to move out of Lisa's warpath, she was simply too flustered to watch her step. She tripped over his lanky legs, overcorrected herself, and toppled backward.

"Woah!" Jackson shouted.

His hands shot out to protect himself from the damage her limbs and weight would cause him if she landed on him. He grabbed at her hips, the closest part of her to him, and while he didn't completely break her fall, he did direct her to a course that didn't involve her falling from the tub. Lisa plopped down half on Jackson's left leg and half on the seat beside him. Her head, unfortunately, hit the edge as she fell into the seat leaning back. A young couple off in the distance giggled at the spectacle, but continued on without a second glance. Water rocked in the tub, splashing over the edges, and both of them were re-soaked at the wave brought on by Lisa's drop. Lisa clutched her head, eyes pinched shut.

"Are you alright?" Jackson asked.

Lisa thought she could almost detect a hint of worry laced in his voice. She took a few deep breaths and then nodded, opening her eyes.

"I think next time, you shouldn't have so many drinks," Jackson murmured.

Lisa rolled her eyes.

"I'm not drunk. Your legs got in my way."

Still, she wasn't entirely convinced. And it was just then that Lisa realized how close the two of them really were to one another. His hands were still strong and steady against her hips and his legs were brushing lightly against hers beneath the water. She scooted herself from his lap, sitting now completely in the space beside him, but not standing just yet. Her head was still reeling. Jackson caught on to her movements and released his grip on her, though he didn't move his legs. They stared at each other in silence while Lisa caught her breath. Jackson reached up from the water and brushed back a strand of Lisa's hair that now clung to her cheek. Lisa felt butterflies well up in her stomach telling her to flee. Not because of what Jackson had done. Not because he was a killer or because he was violent. No, Lisa's instincts were telling her to run because this man was getting too close. Mentally and Physically. His hand never left the side of her face. The contrast was sobering. Could his soft touch erase the horrible memories of his rough touch from before? Lisa closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm herself. She didn't have much experience when it came to men either way. She always pushed them away. And wouldn't it figure that one who seemed to want her had such a troubled past? She opened her eyes a heartbeat later and Jackson was terrifyingly close. The mask he was wearing now was one Lisa had never seen him wear before and it scared her. She knew that look. Lust.

"Don't kiss me," she breathed, no force or conviction behind her voice.

"Why?"

He smirked at the question, but didn't continue advancing. Lisa didn't try to pull away. She wasn't sure that her body agreed with her mind in any sense. If it did, then how did she end up here? How were they this close? She could feel his warm breath on her face and the pad of his thumb slowly making move against her jaw line. The combination of liquor, the warm water swirling around them, and the warmth building within her, made Lisa want to stay here forever.

"You scare me."

Lisa felt his fingers stop moving and everything seemed to stop. After a few seconds and Lisa's fear that she had enraged him subsided, Lisa saw him smile. It was a charming, childish, smile like the ones he had given her over drinks at the Tex Mex. Then he became serious once more and his fingers resumed their motion. Lisa couldn't even fathom what he was thinking. He was so… mysterious. The layers of him never ended. Could she forgive herself for this in the morning?

"You lie, even to yourself," he whispered. "If I scared you, you would have been long gone, or at least attempting to gouge my eyes out."

She watched his eyes wander down to her lips once more and then back up. She wondered how long he had wanted to kiss her. He knew so much about her and he had watched her for so long. Perhaps he had gotten attached somewhere along the way. Anger would explain his rash actions before, but… attachment. Obsession… could those explain his odd behavior now? His lack of conviction in killing Lisa? He inched closer once more and Lisa stayed still.

"Don't kiss me," she whispered once more.

And, just like that, Lisa found that all of her "conviction" and her "rules" flooded from her body. Right now, she didn't have a care in the world. And, just like that, Lisa found that Jackson was right. She did lie, especially to herself.

Jackson ignored her command and closed the gap between them. He pulled her in gently with the hand he had kept near her jaw and pressed his lips tentatively against hers. Lisa didn't move. She was shocked. Scared. Confused. But, her body knew exactly what to do. She leaned in further, pressing her lips against his to match the force. He moved his lips against hers and Lisa reveled in the softness of his touch. He could certainly surprise her with his hidden gentility. And in an instant, Lisa decided she, too, wanted to surprise him. She reached up and laced her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer to her and scooting herself nearly into his lap once more. She felt, more than heard, Jackson chuckle at her movements. He pulled back from her and smiled.

"I told you."

"And I told you not to kiss me," Lisa seethed.

"Oh shut up, Leese."

Jackson wrapped one arm around her waist and he brought the hand from her jaw down to the small of her back and hauled her up completely onto his lap. Lisa's eyes widened in fright, but Jackson held her tightly. He had wanted this since… he couldn't remember when. He had never known another woman quite like Lisa. And now, she was all his, at least for now.

He attacked her mouth with such force that Lisa thought he would suck the air right from her lungs. She was surprised when he kept his hands at bay and down on her lower back, keeping her pressed against his chest. She was surprised again when she felt Jackson nip at her bottom lip. He released her for a mere second to see her reaction and to take a look at his handy work. Lisa touched her lip, and satisfied that there wasn't any blood, smiled and captured his lips once more. She had never felt this hungry before or this enticed. Jackson's tongue came next and she greedily accepted it, tightening her grip on his hair. Jackson's hands tightened on Lisa's hips and he pulled her over to a position where she was now straddling him. He released her for air, and pulled her close, keeping her pressed against his chest. Lisa was now feeling the buzz. The buzz of being thoroughly kissed. The buzz of the alcohol and the buzz of a probable concussion. She could stay here forever. Jackson pulled her forward, resting her head on his shoulder. He was content for the first time in years.

"C'mon," he murmured. "Let's get you to bed."

A/N: Thanks to CloverX11… you must have sensed that I was stuck, but you certainly gave me the inspiration and the push I needed to continue! I'm sure you recognize your influence. Thank you!
And, thank you to everyone for continuing to read and review! I'm terribly sorry for the time I've taken between posts. I keep hitting masses of writer's block, and then I go to work on my novel. I appreciate you all sticking with me through this and I hope it didn't disappoint!