Disclaimer: I don't pretend to own anything involving Red Eye… I can only lay claim on certain new characters, of course. Though I wish I was involved with Red Eye… Psh.

Let's get down to business.

And no, not to defeat the Huns, though I was thinking the same thing… ;)

Chapter One

Prom Night

"Let me see how it looks on you!" Jasmine called from outside of the bathroom. "I'll let you know if his jaw will drop…"

Lisa popped the door open just a crack, hiding the rest of her body behind the door.

"I don't know Jasmine…"

"Lisa. Let me see."

Jasmine pushed the door open to reveal Lisa in a dress that she had picked out for her after Lisa mentioned she was unsure of what to wear on her date.

"Oh, sweetie… I'll be surprised if he makes it through dinner without tackling you."

She let out a cat-whistle as she let her eyes scan Lisa from head to toe. Jasmine noticed that she had covered her scar, but that was fine. She looked gorgeous. Just a hint of white shimmer powder had been brushed over her eyes, making her glow.

"You don't think it's-"

"I happen to think it's perfect. I did, after all, pick it out. It looks wonderful on you."

The dress made Lisa's auburn hair stand out. Jasmine eyed her once more. She was missing something, though she couldn't quite place what. Then she snapped her fingers and dug through the closet.

"You have one of those lacey shawls in here, right, Leese?"

Lisa smiled at the name Jasmine had taken to calling her along with Jackson.

"Yeah," Lisa said, gesturing blindly towards the closet. "Somewhere… I think it's on a hanger."

"Found it!"

Jasmine emerged and wrapped it gently around Lisa's shoulders.

"We wouldn't want you to get chilly out there… Don't forget the white heels."

Jasmine reminded Lisa of her mother when she was a child. It was as if this was the first day of school for Lisa and Jasmine was bothering over her outfit to make sure she was presentable and gave a great first impression to her teachers.

"Thank you, Jazz," Lisa murmured as Jasmine set the heels in front of Lisa's feet.

"Oh, it's not a problem sweetie."

"You've just always been so nice…"

"That's because you're sweet. You have never treated me with any disrespect."

The two women smiled at each other and Lisa, for some strange reason, wanted to cry. Then Jasmine patted her gently on the shoulder and ushered her towards the door.

"Well, you'd better hurry. Knowing him, he's been waiting out in the lobby for the past ten minutes."

Lisa laughed and exited the small apartment that she barely spent any time in, aside from dressing and showering. All of her time had been spent in Jackson's hospital room until he was well enough to stay in the room across the hall from her. Even then, Lisa spent the nights with him and during the days she had training and reports to file. Jackson called it "grunt work" which always made Lisa laugh.

Tonight was a celebration. The doctors down on the medical floor had finally given Jackson a clean bill of health. He was now perfectly able to go off on some sort of adventure, if he so pleased. Instead, he had asked Lisa to a dinner date, claiming that he wanted to show Lisa his refined side. To that, Jasmine had laughed.

Still, butterflies consumed Lisa's stomach as she approached him. Jackson's back was to her as he was talking softly to Pop's sometimes-assistant, Henry Chapel. He had cut his hair. It was now slightly shorter than it had been during the Red Eye flight, but it suited him. Of course he could hear Jasmine and Lisa approach, so he wheeled around, looking happy, then suddenly serious.

"You're… beautiful," he stammered.

Lisa blushed and Jasmine nudged her forward.

"You're quite handsome yourself, Jackson," Lisa said with a shy smile.

"Hey, Lisa," Henry commented over Jackson's shoulder.

He was a young one. A fresh recruit, also doing "grunt-work." That was how he and Lisa had met to begin with. He was sweet, but Jackson hadn't exactly taken to liking him. He'd talk to him, but the second he messed up…. Jackson was sure to let him know it.

"Hey, Henry."

"Have fun on your date tonight," he said with a mischievous grin.

"Do you know something I don't?"

Her eyes flashed from Jackson's face to Henry's. Jackson was sighing, his eyes closed. The boy had given Lisa a clue to a surprise. Jasmine also seemed to be grinning.

"Oh, big secret, huh? And here I was led to believe that this was a spur-of-the-moment thing you came up with this morning…"

Jackson smiled calmly and then held out his arm at an angle. Lisa looped hers through his and gently curtsied towards Jasmine.

"Now you two behave, tonight! I don't want to have to come down there and see you two in a car with the windows all fogged up!"

Jackson just waved at her over his head, never turning around.

"I mean it, kiddos! Midnight curfew!"

"Yes, mom," Jackson called, his voice laced with annoyance.

Lisa looked back and saw Jasmine leaning over the desk, laughing hysterically. Lisa giggled too and looked up at Jackson.

"She's such a mom, though. In all honesty."

Jackson pressed the button to the elevator and the doors popped open immediately.

"How come she doesn't have kids with Cole?"

"She was pregnant once."

He sounded saddened.

"Oh…"

"Yeah. There was an emergency that needed to be taken care of and she thought she'd be fine. Well… the target put up a bit more fight than she anticipated and she ended up losing the baby. Hasn't been able to get pregnant since."

"Oh god. That's horrible."

The elevator doors slid open nearly silently and Lisa was glad that the lights inside the house were turned on now. She hated when she came in and everything was pitch-black.

"Yeah. She keeps saying she'll adopt… but I think part of her hurts because of it. To not be able to have your own kids…?"

"Yeah. I'd… I'd die."

His BMW had finally been repaired, courtesy of Rader, so now it waited for them outside of the house on the cement driveway. They climbed in and Lisa felt awkward. She had to ask or it was going to nag her until she did or until Jackson dragged it out of her.

"Have you ever… do you want kids?"

He glanced over at her from the driver's seat and smiled.

"Yes. Someday."

She nodded and stared straight ahead. Good.

"Why are you asking?" he asked, still smirking though he stared ahead just as she did.

"Do what?"

That caught her off guard. She wasn't sure why she had asked. She was just wondering. The conversation had already been started and the idea had simply crossed her mind.

"I was just wondering," she stated calmly. "So… where are you taking me on this magical mystery date?"

"It's a surprise."

"Really…?"

"Yes, really."

"Can I have a hint?"

Jackson sighed but once he looked into her innocent eyes, a smile spread across his lips.

"Fine," he moaned as he rolled his eyes. "One hint. A small hint. It involves you meeting someone who's been dead."

Lisa's heart jumped. Still, she knew he couldn't mean her father. That was impossible. Improbable. And he wouldn't have waited until now to tell her that he was alive. This would only serve to make her angry.

"Well that narrows it down."

"Here," he commented, pulling his silk handkerchief from his pocket. "Put this on."

"What? Why?"

"Lisa. It's a surprise. You'll love it. Trust me."

"Trust you? You?" she teased.

"I know. It's hard. Now put on the handkerchief or I'll hold you down and do it for you."

Lisa smirked at him and he smirked back. After a few seconds hesitation, she gently pulled the cloth from his hand and tied it around her eyes like a blindfold. About ten minutes later they stopped and she heard Jackson leave the car. When he opened her door, he gently pulled her up from her seat.

"We're going to walk just a little ways and then we'll be there."

"And where's there?"

"You'll find out. Stop with the questions," he said as he chuckled.

"You like my curiosity," she rebutted.

"What have I told you before?"

"Curiosity killed the cat," Lisa groaned out.

She could feel him smiling. Then she could feel him stop.

"We're here," he breathed into her ear.

It sent a shiver down her spine though the air around them was warm. She could hear traffic off in the distance somewhere, but other than that, crickets were all she heard. But, as Lisa reached up to take off the blindfold, Jackson caught her hand gently and put it back down at her side.

"Just one more thing…"

She felt him usher her up a few stairs and then adjust her shoulders. He tilted her chin upward and she laughed.

"Why do I feel like this is some sort of elaborate trap from a cartoon?"

"Only to trap your feelings…"

Then the blindfold dropped from her and she opened her eyes. President Abraham Lincoln sat before her, lights glowing on the white marble. She inhaled deeply. What if they got caught?

"I pulled some strings," Jackson stated quietly from behind her, almost as if he had read her mind.

"Jackson… how did you know I've always wanted to come here?"

"A little birdie told me."

"Daddy…"

Jackson nodded and then took her hand in his as he stood beside her.

"I wish I could've met him."

"Lincoln?"

"Yeah. He was remarkable. I hope you don't mind that he's going to be a third-wheel on our date…"

Jackson edged Lisa sideways until a small table appeared. Red candles set atop of the red-silk table. A man slightly older than Jackson stood, wine bottle in-hand, as he waited for them to sit.

"This is… beautiful."

"Beautiful dinner for a beautiful woman," he regarded with a wink as he led her to her seat on the edge of the large marble steps.

"How long have you been planning this?"

"Since I woke up."

"Liar."

"Nope. Not lying. I thought," he began as he sat down. "I needed to show you how much you mean to me. Then, later, I figured out what that would be."

"Well, I love it, Jackson."

"I love you, Leese."

She blushed.

"I love you, too."

It was amazing to Lisa how easily the words could be said now. They still made her feel like a teenager again, and that she attributed to Jackson's remarkable charm. Maybe also to his stunning looks and gorgeous eyes. Now she was getting carried away as she stared at him and recounted some of the things she found most amazing about him. He smiled and then leaned across the table.

"You're staring," he whispered as if he was concerned.

"No, I'm just observing. Where's the menu?"

Jackson sat back and folded his hands in his lap.

"No menu. Whatever you'd like is what they will fix you."

"Really?"

"Eggs… a seabreeze… whatever. I've told them of a few things you like, so they're prepared. Do your worst, Reisert."

Lisa laughed.

"I'd feel silly ordering eggs… this is so… fancy."

"Bring her the scrambled eggs."

"And hot sauce."

Jackson cocked his head at her.

"Hot sauce? Since when do you eat hot sauce?"

"I tried it once after training," she laughed. "Just as you suggested. It was good…"

"I'll have that too, then," he laughed. "There you go," he said as the waiter bowed away, "surprising me again…"

"I'm a dynamic woman," she said with a wink.

Then the silence consumed them. At first, it was completely natural. They each took their time eyeing the scenery until their eyes met. They both giggled and Lisa felt her cheeks turn hot.

"Look at us," she laughed. "We both work for this secret company that does all of these assassinations and insane jobs, and here we are, acting like two high school kids on prom night."

"My prom night was pretty wild," Jackson said.

Lisa wasn't sure, but she could have sworn that he blushed at that statement.

"I wouldn't know," Lisa said, smirking at him.

"You never went to prom?"

Jackson's voice had gone up in pitch slightly. He was genuinely surprised. That was one thing that, now that he thought about it, he had never heard Joe mention. It had simply never crossed Jackson's mind.

"That's just sad, Leese," he teased.

Lisa scowled.

"I was busy!"

He grinned across the table at her and she folded her arms across her chest with a disapproving "humph."

"We'll just have to reenact it," Jackson said, straightening himself in his seat.

"Sure. When we go back, I'll put on that blue dress Jasmine gave me and-"

"But you look beautiful just as you are," he said as he took her hand.

She blushed again and cursed him for being so damned smooth. How could he reduce her to this when he was just a man? Just a man was not doing him justice, though.

"You're just saying that."

"Only because it's true." Suddenly Jackson was up and next to her, her hand still clasped in his. "Come dance with me."

Lisa felt embarrassed.

"Jackson…" she whispered. "Think of what Honest Abe would think…"

Jackson laughed and tugged her up, pulling her close to him.

"I don't think Abe would care about a gentleman asking a lady to dance. Would you Abe?" Jackson regarded the statue over his shoulder and then turned back to Lisa. "See? No objections there…"

"Keep in mind, he's chaperoning this dance."

"Oh, I know. I just couldn't stand to see a pretty woman like you being a wall-flower. And on this, the night of the prom…. Do me the honor of this one dance and then you can go back to chatting it up with the wall, alright?"

Lisa giggled and placed her hand around his neck, preparing to dance.

"Fine," she murmured, "Just one dance Mr…. I'm sorry. I don't believe I've caught your name…"

"Rippner," he stated in a fake James Bond accent. "Jackson Rippner. And one dance is all I'll need."

"All you'll need for what?"

"To make you fall in love with me."

He slid his hands down to her hips and his eyes locked with hers. He was stunning. Lisa thought he belonged here with Abe and the statues. He was gorgeous. He was something out of a painting or some kind of work of art. Then again he belonged in her arms just as much as she belonged in his. She couldn't deny the chemistry any more than he could. They simply "fit" and it was that basic.

She leaned her head against his chest and listened to the steady thrumming of his heart.

"But, I already do love you," she commented into his chest.

His heartbeat quickened at the words.

"I love you too, Leese."

Lisa nearly giggled, but she didn't want to ruin the moment. It was so easy for him to hide her effects on him, while Lisa usually gave herself away. At the same time, his heart couldn't lie to her. She wondered if, though he rarely blushed, he was just as embarrassed as she was if she caught him in the morning with his hair all a mess. She wondered if the great Jackson Rippner felt the butterflies as she did or face the nervousness she had to whenever he was around.

The waiter had returned and he politely cleared his throat. Jackson took a step back from Lisa, still holding her hand gently, and bowed. They ate, still taking in the scenery around them. Lisa couldn't believe that Jackson had managed for them to have a private dinner at Lincoln's feet…

"This has all been so wonderful, Jackson. Honestly."

He smiled sweetly.

"I'm more than the stone-cold killer," he commented, his brows furrowed in mock hurt.

"Yes, you are. You're a great man."

Lisa waited until they pulled into the driveway once more before she baited him.

"So uh… prom was wild, huh?"

Jackson laughed as he got out and opened Lisa's door for her.

"Well. Not the prom, really… it was the after prom party that was a bit unrefined."

He opened the front door for her and pressed the button on the elevator.

"Shall we reenact that too? Give me the full experience?" she asked with a smirk.

"Well I'd hate for you to miss out on the full experience, but I'm not sure you could handle it."

He reached a hand up and grazed it past her cheek. She wanted to melt right then and there.

"Give me a great memory," she whispered.

"What do you think this was?" Jackson asked as he laughed lightly, bringing his hand down to graze her bare shoulder.

"Oh Mr. Rippner," Lisa said in the James Bond accent, "Are you trying to seduce me…?"

"Maybe. Is it working?"

Lisa looked up into his eyes just as the elevator doors opened.

"Absolutely."

Jackson kissed her hard, pushing her into the elevator.

"Then yes," he managed to say.

They were kissing like Lisa had never kissed him before. It was "hot and heavy". He was touching her, she was touching him… Every bit of her yearned for him and she could only imagine the need that he was hiding from her. Then she stopped his desperate kisses and pushed him farther into the corner. He kept his hands on her hips as they both panted. He smirked mischievously at her and pulled her close, kissing her neck.

"I sure hope your prom didn't end in an elevator and it ended in a bed…" she commented as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"My prom night ended in the back of a police car."

"Oh… I'm sorry."

His blue eyes seemed conflicted and slightly sad as he recalled the night that Joe had found him and brought him into the company. He'd tell Lisa that story some other time. She kissed his cheek gently, if only to distract him for just a second. His eyes refocused on her face and he smiled.

"I'm not."

"Well, let's just end this prom on a lighter note!" she said laughing.

The doors dinged open and Jackson held Lisa close, still.

"Can I still bring the handcuffs?" he asked close to her ear.

Lisa smacked his arm and he threw back his head and laughed. It was the hardest she had ever seen him laugh.

"I'm kidding," he managed to squeak out.

He reminded Lisa of a child who thought he had just told the best joke. Lisa couldn't help but shake her head and laugh along with him. It was adorable. He liked to pretend that he was such a stone-cold killer with little to no emotion. Maybe he was. But Lisa knew of another, deeper, side to him' a side of him that was human.

"Your place or mine, Larry?"

Jackson stopped laughing and cocked his head at her.

"Three Stooges reference?" he questioned innocently.

"Yes."

"You and your old shows…"

He shook his head and then grabbed her hand.

"Let's try your place for a change."

"As if we've met before the prom, Mr. Rippner… Have you been stalking me?"

Suddenly he was on her, tickling her until she cried out and tears swarmed the corners of her eyes. Pop simply watched them with a knowing smile on his wrinkled face. Jackson reached down and swung Lisa up into his arms and hurried off towards Lisa's room before Jasmine would emerge and discover them. Little did they know that Jasmine had been behind the desk watching them on the security camera the entire time. When she stood up and faced Pop she laughed.

"One of these days I'm going to stop that elevator."

Pop looked confused and Jasmine giggled like a younger woman.

"Well, I certainly wasn't going to do it tonight! We all know what would've gone down in our tiny elevator… that's just not fair to the rest of us who would have to use that thing after them…"

Pop laughed hard now, shaking his head. Jasmine hugged him and clicked down the hall towards the shooting range. It was late, but she had energy to burn if she wanted to sleep tonight. A little concentration on something other than the adorable couple that had just sauntered in would do her well.

A/N: The next chapter will be rated M for obvious reasons. If that makes you squeamish, please skip it and head on to Chapter Three. I'd hate to offend. Thankies.