Always Look Forward

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

Chapter Nine

"Jackson?" Lisa's voice trembled, unsure if she should be happy or worried. Was it Jackson who was holding her or Jack pretending to be Jackson?

"It's me, Leese," he reassured her, his bright blue eyes boring into her deep brown ones. "I'm really here."

"Are you okay?" she questioned quickly. "I feel so bad about hitting you with the car…"

"I'm fine. A little sore, but I understand what happened. I forgive you."

"Oh, Jackson, I was so worried that Jack had won! I thought that you were gone for good! I was wondering what I'd tell Henrietta and JR—" Lisa babbled until Jackson silenced her.

His lips were on hers, kissing her gently at first, and then becoming rougher and more passionate. Her back hit a wall and she wanted nothing more than to cling to him, melt into him, and never leave his side again. She focused her brown eyes upon his crystal blue orbs and noticed an icy edge—a sudden, startling coldness—creeping into them. Lisa quickly tried to back away and escape his grasp, but he stopped her. She was trapped in his embrace, which was anything but comforting.

"Good-bye, Leese," hissed his raspy voice, when they stopped kissing for a brief moment to breathe.

Pain erupted in her side. She cried out and fell to the floor. Lisa touched a hand to her side and it came away sticky and wet with her own crimson blood.

It had almost been too easy.

Lisa had never suspected anything. He knew that timing was essential. Timing was part of the reason Jack had allowed Jackson temporary control over his own body. He used Jackson as a lure to catch his prize. His prize had been Rippner's wife and his latest victim.

Jackson had been lucky to be allowed to spend a few moments with Lisa before killing her…

Jackson fought Jack's controlling hold. The look in Lisa's eyes—that haunting, accusing look of betrayal—had unnerved him. He loved her and he had sworn never to hurt her again, yet he had just driven a 12-inch blade into her spleen and now she lay bleeding to death on the stone floor at his feet.

'Give it up!' hissed Jack.

"No!" insisted Jackson. He would never give up while Lisa still had a chance at life.

'Finish it… Let me finish it!'

"Daddy!" screamed Henrietta, bursting from her hiding place to run to Lisa's side. She regarded Jackson with fear, shaking ever so slightly as he faced her. She had seen him stab Lisa. "Why did you hurt mommy?"

'And the party begins… Let's have some fun…'

"Henrietta, please sweetie, don't be afraid," Jackson said soothingly to his only daughter. "I'm not going to hurt you…"

'Yes you will…' hissed Jack. Jack could not wait to make Jackson kill his children. It would be more fun than killing Lisa was.

"You hurt mommy!" accused the little girl, growing braver as the seconds passed. She clearly took after Lisa was usually never afraid of anything.

The look on her face matched the one Lisa had given him. Betrayed; he had betrayed them both. He had given Jack just what he had always wanted.

"Stay with me 'etta," Lisa whispered hoarsely, placing her left arm around Henrietta's shoulder. "Stay with mommy."

"Lisa!" called Jackson, surprised that she was still conscious.

"Stay away…" growled Lisa, shakily aiming her gun at him. "Stay away! I won't let you touch them!"

Jackson opened his mouth to protest, to tell her what was happening, when JR came racing over to Lisa's side and Jack grew hungry for blood. Jackson felt his arm raise the knife, aiming to strike at his children.

Bang.

Lisa shot him in the right shoulder, causing him to drop the knife. He felt Jack's anger and hatred towards Lisa grow.

He had to do something.

Jackson pulled his cell phone out and called for an ambulance. Lisa was glaring at him from her position on the floor. Both of her arms were wrapped around her children and he knew better than to try to help her. The bullet in his shoulder was proof of that. She would not hesitate to shoot him again.

'Give it up! She's going to die. You did it. Your hands have her blood on them…' Jack hissed.

"No! I love her!" insisted Jackson, fighting the monster inside him that had caused so much pain and damage to his family.

'You want her dead. She ruined everything. She has to die.'

Anger flared within Jackson—anger towards Jack. How dare Jack say such things? He never wanted to hurt anyone. Not since his parents' murder…

When he first met Jack.

Jack had first appeared after he killed his parents. Jack had urged him into revenge—into killing—and changed his life until he met Lisa and the events of the red eye occurred.

Lisa. Her murder would put Jack back in control. He had to stop Jack.

'You can't stop me, Jackson. I'm part of you," taunted Jack.

"I created you…" Jackson realized with a start. It all made sense now. Jack had been intended to help him cope with his grief, but now he was out of control. "I can stop you."

'Not without bringing me back. You killed her, just like your parents...'

"Shut up! Lisa's still alive. I won't let her die. I won't ever give her up. Get out!"

'I'm ashamed of you… Really…'

"Leave me alone! You've done enough!" raged Jackson.

'You killed her. Blood on your hands…'

"She's alive and you're dead. I want you gone!"

Lisa moaned in pain. She could not stop the bleeding and the pain was intensifying.

Jackson fought harder. He was not going to let Jack hurt Lisa or any of his family ever again.

'You can't win… You've already lost…'

"Jackson…" whimpered Lisa, knowing that the end was close and that Jackson was still somewhat there.

Hope. She was still hanging on. He had to keep fighting for her.

Jackson was overwhelmed with emotions. He could feel Jack cringe. Jack could not stand emotions. Emotions were the key—good, powerful emotions—to stopping Jack. Emotions had created him and now they would destroy him.

Jack shrieked in pain as Jackson tried to find as many emotions as possible. He looked towards Lisa, struggling for her life, and his children, scared and shocked. Jack was losing the battle.

'I'll be back!' promised Jack, before Jackson felt him disappear.

Jackson almost fell over in shock. Jack was gone. Jack was gone!

Lisa!

Jackson stumbled towards Lisa and pressed his good hand upon the bleeding wound that he had inflicted. "Hang on, Leese," he cried. "Hang on."

Sirens filled his ears. Help was close.

"Jackson… so sorry…" whispered Lisa, tears falling from her eyes.

"No, Lisa, I'm sorry."

"Take care of them… please…" Lisa pleaded, looking to Henrietta and JR, frozen in shock.

"Stop talking like this Leese. You're going to be fine. We're going to be a family again."

Lisa smiled sadly and then shook her head.

"I love you, Jackson…"

"No!" Jackson protested, feeling Lisa start to give up. "Fight it, goddamn it! Fight it, Lisa!"

Lisa reached up with her bloody hand and touched him on the cheek. Tears streamed down his face. No, this could not be happening. Lisa could not be dying.

Lisa's hand fell to the ground beside her as a group of EMTs rushed into the room.

Author's Notes:

Evil cliffie! Who thinks that Lisa is going to live and who thinks that she is going to die? I'm curious to know what you think is going to happen. Don't worry, this story isn't over yet. Jackson still has to come to terms with Jack and his past. Enjoy!