Make the Call

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye!

Chapter Ten: Leaving

"Please, please leave me," Lisa found herself crying, finally gathering the strength and energy to fight Jackson's comforting embrace. Her heart was torn—part of her wanted him to suffer for what he had done and die a painful death and the other part wanted him to never leave her side. She knew that she needed some space for the time being at the very least.

"Leese," his raspy breath was warm on her neck and sent little chills down her spine. "I'm so sorry."

She bit her lip and tried to fight the tears that begged for release. "Me too…Now please, leave…"

She could feel his pain and see it written clearly upon his face. He was hurting just as much as she was. But she could not take it any longer. Jackson had to leave before she went insane and did something that she would later regret. Seeing her father's dead body had unhinged her.

"You'll know where to find me," Jackson told her, blue eyes staring into her hurt green ones. He slowly let her go; his movements reluctant and forced. She found herself wanting to bury herself in his arms and never leave his side. He had protected her and tried his best to save her father. But his best was not enough. Because of him, her father was dead, murdered in his own home.

She nodded. He was giving her a chance to sort things out. He held feelings for her as well, but he would not force her to be with him. That was more courtesy than any man had ever shown her. He was truly a kind and caring person deep inside. Why he hid it, Lisa knew not.

Lisa could not bring herself to say good-bye as Jackson walked away, walking out of her life as suddenly as he had purposefully entered it a few hours ago. He did not say good-bye either.

She managed to reach a phone and numbly dialed 911. Her legs collapsed near her father's body and she fell onto the floor. She sobbed openly as she waited for someone to answer her call.

"911 operator, can you state your emergency?" asked a pleasant, calm voice. Lisa's voice used to sound that way, when she was talking to patrons at the hotel and before Jackson had forced his way into her life. She numbly wondered if her voice would ever sound that way again.

"Yes, my name's Lisa Reisert. My father—he's dead—murdered. I'm at his house, on the second floor. 9321 Blossom Palms Lane in Miami. Please hurry…" she cried before hanging up the phone and lying down on the floor.

Sobs wracked her frail body and the sounds of approaching sirens filled the air shortly. Lisa remained unmoved on the floor in shock. The EMTs loaded her onto a stretcher as well and took her away to the hospital, just to have her checked out in case. She could barely answer the questions posed and she had no recollection of them.

All she could think about was Jackson and his emotion-filled blue eyes.

Jackson hated leaving Lisa alone, but he knew that it was for the best. She needed her space and time to recover. He respected that.

Respect. That was a new word for him.

Then again, so was love. And he was so sure; as sure as he was that his eyes were blue, that he was in love with Lisa Reisert. Which should not have even been possible for him. Managers were not supposed to fall in love with their victims. Lisa had been just another victim, or so he had lied to himself, until he realized how much he was hurting her and just how much that hurt him.

He sighed as he stumbled into his rented hotel room. He had to stay as far away from Lisa as possible at the moment. Word had already gotten out that he had turned on his employers. It was only a matter of time before everyone was after him and he refused to put her life in danger again.

Jackson would have to disappear soon, but not without saying good-bye to Lisa, even it were from a far-off distance.

He would leave her because he had to, not because he wanted to, and he would break his heart. But he would not bother her. She told him to leave and he left. Did it make him a fool to listen to her? Should he have protested more and refused to leave her? Should he have told her that he loved her?

None of it mattered because in the morning, Jackson Rippner was moving on and he was going to leave Lisa behind. He was going to disappear, never to return. He would never hurt her again, no matter what.

He loved her too much and it was the price he had to pay for his emotions.

Author's Notes:

That's the end of the chapters. All that's left is the epilogue now. It'll be up later today.