Chapter Five: Recognition
Food was brought to her in less than half-an-hour. She knew this because she could finally look at her watch again. More time had passed than she had realized. They began their excursion at 10:45 or so in the morning, and, glancing now at her watch, she saw that it was 7:23 in the evening. She hadn't been hungry until the food was brought in for her.
The lock clicked, and Lisa felt herself tense automatically, whether for flight, defense or attack she wasn't sure. A shadow entered quickly and shut the door behind him. Lisa relaxed when she saw the state of her visitor. He was a thin, balding man with wide eyes and a mousy face. He held a small food tray in his hand. His eyes dashed about the room until they met Lisa's, and he seemed to shrink beneath her gaze. Obviously, Jackson had told the others what had happened to the smiling man. She didn't pretend to know what he had said, but she imagined that Jackson ruled like a dictator: through fear of punishment and the rewarding for good service.
The mousy man set the tray down on her side table, looking at her with quick sidelong glances.
"What, did he tell you I'd claw your eyes out?" Lisa asked boldly. The man fidgeted as he walked backward toward the door. He looked as if he had been told not to speak to Lisa. She rolled her eyes. Men were so pliable, even by so small an influence. He left as quickly as he had come, locking the door behind him with a sharp click.
Lisa stared down at her rations: a club sandwich, a paper cup filled with water, and a small bag of pretzels. She ate the sandwich in what felt like three bites, and washed it down with the entire cup of water. She stared at the pretzels, and suddenly wished she hadn't finished off the water. She stowed the bag under the bed, perhaps for a midnight snack.
She threw herself backward onto the bed, laying one cold hand on her warm brow. With a slow exhale, she closed her eyes. She lay still in the warm folds of the blankets and slowly tried to piece everything together now that she had a load of free time on her hands.
They had been gone from the hospital for about eight or nine hours, depending on whether she rounded up or down. As far as she knew, Jackson hadn't called anyone to demand any sort of ransom. She knew from all the crime dramas on TV that when a ransom isn't posted, it's usually curtains for the victim. She mentally rolled her eyes. Jackson seemed to be the "just for kicks" type. But he had never made a direct threat to her life. Sure, he'd made vague allusions, but his eyes-
She cut herself off from that line of thought. She didn't want to think about his eyes. The eyes that seemed to flash with bursts of emotion. One moment they were a placid sea, then suddenly they were frozen to ice by a mere suggestion. Lisa sighed and rolled over onto her side.
There she stayed for another hour. She wondered if anyone would be sent to the room to deliver a bullet in the chest, or maybe Jackson himself might not come to put an end to the waiting. She let her mind wander, thinking of her father, the fateful flight to Miami, her grandmother's funeral. She thought about the hotel, which was being managed by Cynthia in her absence. She wondered how the girl was holding up, and whether she had noticed her boss's sudden disappearance. She wondered how many messages were on her machine- Dad asking if everything was okay.
No. Everything was not okay.
She had seen a man die, then been kidnapped by that man. She had been bound in the back of a stolen ambulance. She had mentally, verbally and physically sparred with her captor. A man had tried to molest her. That man had been killed in front of her.
It had not been the best of days.
She rolled over again, staring at the dim lamp standing solemnly on a nearby desk. She wondered absently when Jackson would be back to claim his room.
More long minutes passed with nothing but silence interrupting her thoughts. Eventually, she pulled the blanket up to her chin, burrowing her face in the pillow. He would probably practically drag her from the room when a new one had been made up for her. She breathed heavily and turned to face the wall, closing her eyes against the world.
Before she drifted into a restful sleep, she was finally able to identify that smell that had escaped her in the hospital room. It had hit her so strongly then, and now it surrounded her, and, strangely, comforted her.
It was Jackson.
"-reports that a countywide alert has been put out on 27-year-old Lisa Reisert."
She blinked the sleep from her eyes, listening ponderously.
Missing for 24 hours, she was last seen in Baptist Hospital of Miami at 10:30 AM yesterday morning. One witness, Carl Jensen, a custodian for the hospital, claims that he helped Lisa Reisert find the room of a friend she planned on visiting while in the hospital."
Lisa began to sit up in the bed. A small black-and-white television was sitting on the desk in the middle of the room. A smartly-dressed anchorwoman was listing off witness's descriptions of Lisa Reisert. Her eyes focused in the semi-darkness on a pair of shoes propped up beside the TV. She followed the thin legs in black trousers until the met the body of a still smartly-dressed Jackson Rippner. His eyes were fixed on hers, a smirk on his lips.
"We're on TV, Leese," he said jovially.
"What-"
"Shh," Jackson prompted. "You'll miss the best part." He turned his eager eyes to the TV. Lisa followed their gaze.
"Official reports from the hospital show that Lisa Reisert entered room 3066, where Dr. Robert Lamb was working with an unnamed patient." A pause. "Dr. Lamb's body was found later at 12:49 PM yesterday afternoon, his neck snapped and body looted of important patient information."
Lisa hung her head. He would mumble no more.
"Three doctors, choosing not to release their names, claim that they entered the room to resuscitate the unnamed patient, who died only minutes later. Controversy over the identity of this man is flying due to the papers looted from Dr. Lamb's body. One of the doctors claims to remember the name 'Jack Rippner'."
Jackson winced.
"Authorities at the scene have been quoted as saying, 'We have reason to believe that Lisa Reisert was kidnapped by the missing doctor.' Our station had found the identity of this doctor to be Dr. Randall Collins, who disappeared from the hospital at the same time as Ms. Reisert."
"Now they've gone and spoiled the fun," Jackson muttered. Lisa figured that this Randall Collins was the enigmatic Dr. Jones.
"Evidence has been found that faulty equipment may have pronounced-"
Jackson reached forward and switched off the TV. It blinked out of existence, throwing the room into darkness. She hadn't realized that it had been supplying the only light. She remained perched on the bed, using the blanket as a shield. The bed sagged near her feet.
"How'd you sleep, Leese?" His voice penetrated through the darkness.
She didn't answer. He shifted slightly, suggesting he had given a shrug.
"Well, no matter. It's time to do your duty," he continued. Lisa backed away until her back was against the wall, afraid of what he could have meant by it. Blue light was thrown across his face as he opened up a cell phone. She calmed a degree. His fingers nimbly pressed the toned buttons with a smile lighting his face. He held the cell phone out to her, taking the light from his face. It was ringing on the other end.
"Just say what I tell you to say," he said lowly. The phone was ringing.
"What if I refuse?" The phone rang again. "You don't have someone watching my Dad again, do you?"
"No," Jackson said with amusement in his voice. He lowered his tone to nearly a whisper. "You don't do what I say, and your late night encounter with Gerard will seem like a walk in the park."
Someone picked up the phone.
Lisa's shaking fingers took it.
"Hello?" A small voice- a woman- was on the other end.
"Tell her you know where her brother is," Jackson whispered, suddenly beside her.
"I- I know where your brother is," Lisa said with a quavering voice. Jackson had sidled up next to her, his own ear near the cell phone and dangerously close to Lisa's face.
"What!" The girl on the other end suddenly turned frantic. "Who is this? Where is he!"
"You work for an undisclosed organization," Jackson said into her ear. "As long as she listens to you, Christian will be perfectly safe."
"It doesn't matter who I am," Lisa said with false strength. "All that matters is that you listen. Christian won't be hurt if you keep listening,"
"How do I know you really have him? How do I know he's safe?"
"He has a scar between his shoulder blades from the day she pushed him off of the swing." Jackson breathed quietly.
"He-" Lisa cut herself off, voice unsteady, and covered the phone with her hand. "I can't do it, she whimpered.
"Remember, Lisa," Jackson said. One hand snaked through her curls. She tried to jerk away from his touch, suddenly frightened. "I never go back on a promise." His fingers persisted.
"He has a scar," Lisa began again, closing her tear-rimmed eyes to ignore his fingers playing in her hair. "It's between his shoulder blades, from the day you pushed him from the swing."
The woman on the other end began to cry.
"I want to talk to him," she blubbered.
"We are willing to negotiate," Jackson spoke softly onto Lisa's cheek, his finger drawing a small circle on the back of her neck. "Christian's life for two million, in 20 dollar bills." Lisa glared sickeningly at him.
"Christian will be fine, as long as you can come up with two million dollars-"
"Anything!" The woman cried.
"The drop-off will be tomorrow," Jackson cooed, pleased with himself, "in front of Christian's house. Two million in garbage bags piled at his mailbox."
"You'll need to have two million in 20's in front of Christian's house tomorrow, all of it in garbage bags and piled at his mailbox." Lisa shook her head to try to rid herself of Jackson's hand.
"By tomorrow?" The woman's tears were evident in her voice.
"Please," Lisa begged, an edge in her voice. The woman gave a small gasp.
"Oh my God, they've taken you too, haven't they?"
Lisa's eyes filled with tears. Jackson reached for the phone, but Lisa tore herself away from him. She rolled heavily off the bed.
Before she could cry for help into the phone, Jackson was on top of her, wrestling the phone from her grip. He pinned her wrists to the ground, knocking the phone from her hands and quickly hanging it up with the press of a button. He was breathing heavily, his breath only catching a slight rasp.
"That was stupid of you," he breathed, his face and inch from hers. "Funny, I know you're not a stupid girl."
"Why did you need me to call that poor woman?" Lisa spat, trying to free herself, to no avail. "Why couldn't one of your lap dogs-"
He jerked her slightly, her head thumping against the ground.
"You haven't figured it out yet?" Jackson coughed. "You don't know why I risked my life to bring you here?" His voice and grip were escalating. "You don't know why yours was the first name that leapt to mind when this job cropped up? You're more ignorant than I thought!"
He leaned down and pressed his lips violently against hers.
The world around her suddenly dropped away into the darkness. She struggled against his grip for a short moment, and then she suddenly stopped. His grip on her had eased, and one hand was suddenly behind her neck, pulling her head forward. Her next movement was involuntary as she brought her hand from the floor, up around his neck and into his thick hair. He broke contact suddenly, glancing at her in the darkness.
"You're going to make the pick-up," he added, as if the last few moments had been deleted from history.
She felt a great fear, hatred, betrayal, weakness, and great fragility, but also a strange sensation low in her stomach. She knew she had never felt such a feeling before, and realization dawned on her like a runaway train.
Oh, God, I wanted that?
"I hate you," she said thickly, unable to think of anything else.
"I know," Jackson answered. He leaned in again to seize her lips with his.
AN: AH! I did it! AH! No, it's not finished yet. I'm just happy I finally got to the freakin' kiss! AH! Okay. Sorry. Getting all fan-girl-y there. I'll stop now. I have so many freaking reviews! I had no idea that it would get this popular! I love everyone who reviewed, and even those who read and don't review. Everyone get's equal Shoeless One love! And, uh... e-peanuts? Now, for some special announcements:
No One Mourns the Wicked: Still a long name... Ahem... THANK YOU! Sorry, had to get that outta my system. I totally know where you're coming from with the whole lazy thing- that's me all over. I usually don't update this fast, but I am so into this fic right now. I thank you kindly for all your compliments, although I'm not sure I deserve them all... And I swear I had the Jackson-smell idea before you reviewed, but you can take credit of you want -tee hee- I hope there was enough L/J action in this to keep you happy. Love!
Bimefl: I use a variation on it too! I actually say, "I'll castrate you with a wooden cooking spoon." but I didn't think that's a Jackson thing to say. Sure he didn't seduce her, but I hope this chapter has the next best thing. Bwahaha! I'm just so hyper now that I actually write it down! Woo hoo! Thanks for reviewing, and help yourself to e-peanuts!
Ayumi Omoide: I love you too! You give me hope and strength to write, you and other wonderful reviewers like yourself. Don't think you're unworthy: I'm really not worth most of those adjectives you used in your review. But I love that you love my fic! It brings me joy to see your reviews. Oh, and Jackson IS a sexy-fine man. I hope I updated fast enough. Half of my week is computer-less. Thank you so much for your wonderful wonderful reviews, and I look forward to hearing more from you! Love and cheers!
Rashida: There is no shame in dancing with cardboard Legolas's. Indeed, there is much fun to be had. "Jackson is making one thing very, VERY clear to those he is working with: No one lays a hand on Lisa." This made me giggle incessantly, which is a good thing. Lisa is his girl, there's no two ways about it, She can't help it. Fact O' Life. Thankee for your wonderful reviews! Happy reading/writing!
Eccentric Banshee: Congrats on the longest review I've ever had! -throws another freakin' e-party- I simply love that you think this is the best out there. I'm sure it's not THE best, but I am so flattered that you say it is. It really makes me gleeful. I love making Jackson a jerk, because that's when he's his sexiest. I am so weird... Oh, and speaking of sexual tension... TAHDAH! I hope this chapter fulfils some expectations, albeit not all of them. Then I'd have to change the rating (muahahaha). I'll see you on the flip side!
A.R. Bellance: Hey, no biggie on missing the update. I'm a little too quick for my own good sometimes. I love random NPCs just walking in and out with no real purpose. (see: mousy man, Ch.5) And why would I want these two to have a relationship that is in any way normal? It's too much fun to screw around with those two. Oh, how I love it... Thankee for your reviews!
SpadesJade: I think Jackson's intentions are a bit clearer in this chapter here. If it's not, I think I need to stop my career as a writer this instant. Heheheh... I hope this was enough Lisa/Jackson stuff, but not an overload. I tended to make Jackson kinda... funny... in this chapter. I dunno... Thank you for your reviews! I look forward to them! E-peanuts?
Roony: I am very glad that you are one of my regular reviewers, because, while I love that people love my writing, you tell me what needs to be fixed or looked upon in later installments. I love constructive criticism, and I strive for it. As for your comments to Jackson's little gang, there was a bit on it in this chapter, and also, his "talks" with these fellas aren't in the story to kinda leave them to the reader's imagination. But I thank you profusely for your words of wisdom, and I'm looking forward to more.
To all those that didn't get a shout-out: LOVE YOU TOO! Just because you don't get a shout-out doesn't mean I don't love your reviews. I do, I do, I dooo! -hands out e-peanuts and throws a big party for non-shout-out-ers- I hope that I handled the L/J stuff in this chapter all right. If not, tell me and I'll fix it! Love everyone! Tootles for now!