Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Red Eye.

Chapter Eleven: Homegoing

Lisa awakes. Her head is pounding; she attempts to rub her forehead where it aches. However, when she employs a hand to touch its destination, she discovers her wrists are bound. She is horrified to learn she has been handcuffed to the bedpost.

She tries to free herself by frantically shaking the cuffs, in a failing hope to either break them or the post, but to no avail. She then tries to scream, but she finds her mouth has been taped shut. Tears stream her cheeks as fear overcomes her.

"It is in your best interest to calm yourself. Tears will not help the situation," Jackson says. He is right, tears will not help, but perhaps her anger will. Lisa narrows her eyes at the man, who just the night prior, was the cause of great joy and passion. She had opened herself to him, told him about her traumatic past. They had made love, finally putting to rest any ill feelings she had about him being a bad person; only to learn he is more dangerous than she ever could have imagined.

She is angry, not only towards him but herself, for being so foolish to ignore the warning signs so apparent to her now. Yet, she refuses to indulge in self-pity; she must keep her mind sharp if she is to survive.

"Lisa, I know I'm the last person you want to speak to," Jackson says as he sits down at the foot of the bed. Lisa shifts over as much as she can, without the cuffs biting too harshly into her wrists. Jackson winces as she does so, she hopes she has wounded his feelings.

"I got pain-meds for your head," He then reaches over to the nightstand by the bed. He holds in his hand a glass of water and two pills already freed from the bottle. To say Lisa is mistrusting is an understatement; she has no intention of accepting anything from him.

"Do not be ridiculous by not accepting my help. If I wanted you dead, I could have achieved it while you were asleep."

First, it is laughable he chose to say she was sleeping and not knockout by the headbutt he delivered. Second, she cannot argue against his logic. Truly, he had multiple chances to kill her during her slumber, but here she is alive and well; somewhat.

She mumbles, the tape over her mouth prevents clear speech. He stares at her briefly, before leaning closer. "Lisa, listen carefully. I will remove your gag, but you cannot scream. Screaming will end in an unpleasant result. Nod if you agree."

Another stream of tears escapes before she nods. He carefully removes the tape from her lips. She stretches her mouth trying to remove any tightness from the glue. He then presents the pills, to which she allows him to place into her mouth, a sip of water follows.

She turns her face away from him, not able to bear the sight of him. He begins explaining the reason for his behavior, which is nonsense. He says it is for her protection, that by calling the hotel to say anything about the odd encounter with the suspect would be dangerous.

Scoffing, Lisa reminds him of her being headbutted and chained. Again, his face scrunches, as if he's wounded by her hateful words. Nevertheless, she's unmoved. She has been in dire situations before. However, her last attacker wasn't as lucid as Jackson in his objective. So, she dares and asks the one question she truly wants to know.

"Are you going to kill me?"

"No," Jackson replies with irritation. As if he was insulted by her question. "I would nev-"

"Never hurt me," Lisa finishes with a sad chortle.

"Lisa," She hears him saying, but she doesn't look right away. "Please look at me."

Perhaps, it is hearing him saying the word "please," or the sadness in his voice; she feels compelled to honor his request. His eyes are soft, whatever walls he usually has in place are down. This is Jackson the man who she fell for, the man she wishes to return.

"I cannot change the past. Though I wish I could. Please believe me I never meant to hurt you. I tried to stay away, but I was too weak to commit to what I knew would be the best thing for you. I will mend things and make it so that your life is restored fully. Then I'll leave and you will never have to see me again."

Good, Lisa thinks, but why did her heartache at the thought of him vanishing from her life? She shakes the ridiculous notion away from her mind. Foolishly she is still holding onto a dream that was never real. Choosing survival over any affection for Jackson; she decides to play whatever game he sets before her to gain her freedom.


Jackson watches Lisa carefully as she considers his words. If he knows her and he thinks he does, she is scheming as to how she is going to survive this ordeal. A thought process he cannot blame her for, but it hurts to think she is plotting against him.

Nevertheless, he meant his words. He will regain Lisa's life for her. However, he must deal with Sever and ensure that he never bother her again. While she was sleeping, Jackson investigated more into Sever's contracting. Contractors are never aware of the identity of their clients. Usually, it is for the best. Nevertheless, Jackson needs to trace the source to this mess.

The mission had been canceled. Why send Sever? If Sever is to be believed, which Jackson doesn't, he was there to keep tabs on him. Yet, if that was true, they would have sent someone more crafter and subtle. Recalling his initial research on the subject he hadn't turn up anything concrete to indicate Sever's involvement being sanction by an unseen force. Then the answer becomes clear to Jackson. What if none of this has anything to do with business? What if it is personal?

If indeed Sever has set his sights on Jackson, for some morbid form of entertainment, then this is serious trouble. Sever is obsessive and volatile, ridding Sever from not only his; but Lisa's life may prove difficult.

"What's your wonderful plan to fix this situation?" Lisa asks in a sarcastic tone.

"I am formulating a plan."

"Great, so you don't have a clue." Lisa admonishes. She is quiet for a while before her expression softens, she asks, "Javier had a wife and a kid in college. I want justice for him."

"I will get that for him. I promise," Jackson stands and begins collecting their belongings. He can feel Lisa's eyes on him; he says, "We're leaving. It is only a matter of time before he finds us."

She asks where they are going. He thinks about his next move but there's only one. He needs to go somewhere that predates his employment with his organization. He needs to go back home.

A/N: Well here's another installment. Sorry for the long wait. I hope this gives you something to read during these dubious times. Keep your head up we're going to get through this! Blessings!

Concrete Lily.