Chapter 10

"You're here to kill me…" Lisa shivered. Jackson stared smugly into her terrified eyes.

"I thought I told you I'm a terrible shot," he countered. He couldn't stop his voice from trembling.

Lisa's body deadened. Her breath strained to escape. Tears glittered in her eyes.

"Then… what do you want with me?" she sniffed. So much for moving, Bruce, the gun, karate… Jackson's observation echoed painfully in her head, it was beyond your control.

"I…" Jackson started, but his voice fell short. His cold expression melted, and he deteriorated before her eyes. He dropped his gaze and stepped closer to her.

Her eyes widened, horror-struck. He stopped as he noticed her tense. His eyes timidly traced to her face again, back into her frightened stare.

"I've… scarred you," he breathed.

"What?" Lisa whispered. Tears rolled from her eyes.

Jackson stepped closer once again, ignoring her escalating dread. He raised a hand slowly and delicately traced her unnaturally blonde hair with his fingertips. Her hair, soft and elegant, fell gracefully over her face. She turned her cheek, wincing as if struck.

"Jackson… why are you here?" Lisa whispered insistently.

His hand dropped slowly. He turned his back to her, wounded. His breath shuddered.

"I don't know," he stated. Lisa's aching heart captivated her. "I thought I wanted to kill you, but I don't know anymore," he breathed.

"Wh-" Lisa started, but Jackson whirled, furiously cutting her off.

"Months of therapy, learning how to walk again, how to talk again. And when 'their' doctors are finished with me, they call me out to have me executed in the desert. Needless to say, because of you and daddy, I'm out of a job, and my life is in danger!" he shouted, angry tears stinging his eyes. Lisa blinked. Stop gambling with your father's life… Suddenly she realized, 'gambling with her father's life' meant gambling with Jackson's as well. Suddenly the truth had come to light. Suddenly, she felt ill.

"It doesn't matter anymore…" Jackson remarked. "I've scarred you… I've done my damage. I'm no better than the man who attacked you in broad daylight four years ago." The comment seared Lisa. She quietly stroked her trademark scar from atop her shirt.

"I still don't…" Lisa started, still shocked by Jackson's dispute.

"All of this. Moving up here in the middle of fucking nowhere. The dog. The gun. Not all scars are flesh, Lisa. That new job of yours, which, by the way, doesn't suit you. None of this suits you Leese. It's not who you are."

Tears streaked her frozen cheeks. "How would you know who I am?"

"I know you're not the same Lisa. You've changed yourself so much, and for what? Because of me? Because of what happened to you? You didn't just move on, you moved out."

"People change Jackson…" she cried bitterly.

Jackson laughed. "What are you gonna do? Become a crazy recluse? Manage a seedy motel east of bumfuck Egypt? Or, how about marrying Mary Sue's son… what's his name, Donald? Have a few rug rats? Fetch his beer for NASCAR? Then die at the ripe old age of forty from stress."

She sobbed hysterically. The sadistic attacks overwhelmed her. He ceased fire. Remorse gripped his throat as he watched her crumble.

Her strength failed her. All the training, the psychotherapy, and the self-help books meant nothing if her own heart could defuse her like this. He still saw through her with those piercing blue eyes. He was right. Lisa's knees wobbled and folded, tossing her face to the gravel. As she started to sputter and choke on her tears, Jackson swept down to catch her. Lisa nestled in the gentle warmth of his arms.

"I'm… sorry…" she shuddered. She lifted her face to him and pulled her hair back. Her fingers softly stroked the scar on his neck. Jackson flinched slightly. His own feelings of dread for this woman hid behind his logic, his aggression, and his fading need for retribution. With her this close… He cupped his hand over her curious fingers and gently caressed her skin. His eyes were tender, honest and intense.

Jackson rose, pulling Lisa to him.

"Come on, we have to talk, and I should show you how to use that gun."