1Jackson sat at the kitchen counter, sipping coffee and looking at a Bridal magazine. His face brightened as she entered the room.

"Hey, Leese," he said cheerily, standing up. Lisa's entire body tensed considerably but Jackson just walked over to the oven. "Have a nice rest?"

Lisa glared at him and folded her arms over her chest. He pulled an ovenmitt on his hand and reached in, grabbing a pan of something completely unrecognizable.

"Hungry?" he asked her. It was only now she realized that it was already dark outside.

"Oy ve, he cooks too," Lisa answered him, sighing.

"I waited for you," he offered, reaching into her cupboards and pulling out two plates. It creeped her out that he knew where everything was.

"Well, I appreciate your chivalry," Lisa rolled her eyes and sat tenderly down at the counter.

Jackson chuckled and slid her a plate. "Jalapeno-chipotle sauce macaroni and cheese. See, that's another benefit. High-class meals every night. I know how little you cook, Leese. Scrambled eggs are your only specialty."

Jackson handed her a fork.

"Thanks, Jack," Lisa said pointedly, putting a strong emphasis on his abbreviated name. "But I'm not hungry."

Annoyance flared up in his face once again, but he just took a bite of his own and said, "Try it."

Lisa took a forkful and raised it to her lips. It was very good, and she had to control herself from eating too quickly. She hadn't eaten all day, but she wouldn't give Jackson the pleasure of knowing she liked something about him.

However, Jackson, his observant skills kicking in, smiled to himself.

After the plates were cleared, Jackson threw himself down on the couch and clicked on the tv. He patted the seat next to him.

"Have a seat Leese," he said in a friendly tone. "I won't bite. Just want to watch some tv."

Lisa stiffly, tensely, moved to sit on the couch, but far away from Jackson Rippner.

Jackson sighed. "Leese, as your fiancee, you're going to have to learn not to be afraid to be close to me. Come on. I'm not going to do anything."

Lisa tolled her eyes. The nerve.

Jackson gave up and finally pulled Lisa next to him. She tensed up her whole body as Jackson put his arm around her.

"Jackass," she muttered under her breath. Funny how his name fit perfectly into that insult.

"Sticks and stones, Leese," Jackson laughed, clicking through the channels. "Preference?"

Lisa remained silent as Jackson finally landed on HBO.

"Your favorite," Jackson sighed, settling back into the couch as Casablanca began to play.

Lisa was shocked. Casablanca was her favorite movie, and she wondered how Jackson could possibly know that.

"I followed you for six months, Leese," Jackson said, as if he were reading her mind.

Lisa, uncomfortable as she was by Jackson's arm on hers, gradually began to drift to sleep. As much as she didn't want to admit it, it was nice to know that the warm body next to her would keep her secure.

When Lisa awoke an hour later, she found herself being lifted into Jackson's arms. Without realizing it, she leaned onto his chest. Jackson's quiet laughter brought her back to reality and she looked up at him, scowling, as he dropped her on her bed. Without saying anything, he pulled the covers up to her shoulders, clicked off the light, and left the room. Lisa had started to drift into uneasy sleep when Jackson reentered the room dressed in pajama bottoms and a tshirt. He slowly pulled off his socks and climbed on top of the blankets on the bed. Lisa jumped up and folded her arms over her chest.

"No," she cried. "No. I'll eat your food, watch tv with you, but you are NOT sleeping in the same bed as me."

"Lisa," Jackson said quietly, rubbing his head. "You're going to have to get used to sleeping in the same bed as me if we're going to get married."

Lisa began sobbing uncontrollably, her shoulders heaving up and down. Jackson climbed out of bed and took her in his arms.

"Leese, calm down, I am not going to hurt you," he said gently. "I promise. And Jackson Rippner always keeps his promises, right?"

Lisa gulped her tears. Jackson took her hand and led her quietly back to the bed. She pulled the blanket tightly over her body and slept as far to the edge of the bed as she could.

The next morning, sunlight streaming into her room, Lisa awoke, her head feeling uncharacteristically clear. She stumbled out of bed and into the kitchen where Jackson sat reading the paper.

"Hey," he smiled. "Sleep ok?"

Lisa nodded, plopping into a dining room chair. Jackson stood up and slid a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon to her. She looked up at him.

"Gotta eat, Leese," he told her. "We have a big day ahead of us. Time to break the news of our nuptials to your family."

Lisa swallowed back her tears and gingerly lifted a slice of bacon to her mouth.

She ate in silence for a few moments, until she finally looked up at Jackson. "What am I supposed to tell them? You're the man who made my life a living hell."

Jackson thought for a moment and then grinned his cocky smile. "Tell them you've always been madly in love with me. That I've...what's the word...changed."

Lisa finally let the tears trickle down her face. It just wasn't fair.

Jackson sighed. "So, I was thinking a spring wedding, probably next week. I've already planned most things. What do you want the colors to be?"

Lisa looked up, surprised. "Why are you letting me choose?"

Jackson shrugged. "Your wedding."

Lisa sighed, giving in. If she had to do this she might as well make it enjoyable. "Pink and yellow."

"Perfect," he smiled, taking in Lisa's choice. They went over the rest of the details for the ceremony and reception, and Jackson made a few calls.

"It's all set," he said, sitting back down. "Now for the honeymoon..."

"Wait a second," Lisa cried, jumping up. She knew what happened on honeymoons. "No."

"Lisa," Jackson was getting annoyed again. "How many times must I tell you, you will do what I want, and personally I'd prefer it if you didn't succumb under the influence of pain."

Yet Lisa wouldn't give up this time. She bolted from the room, slamming and locking the door behind her. She raced into the garage and into her car, starting the engine and quickly backing out of the garage. She saw Jackson in his freshly pressed suit, darting down the stairs, and with a face full of anger, whip a cell phone from his pocket.

"Shit," Lisa sped off down the street as quickly as she could, searching for refuge. She drove a few miles into town and darted into the grocery store. She pulled a winter coat from the trunk of her car and pulled her hair into a thick, messy braid. She then walked inside.

Grabbing a basket, Lisa wandered the aisles, trying to act as calm as possible. She scanned the shelves, pretending to think about what to purchase. Suddenly she turned reflexively to see a neatly-combed brown-haired head behind her. Her chest seized up and she quickly turned down the aisle and strolled up to a salesperson.

"Uh, sir, how much are the grapes?" she asked him, catching her breath. The salesman looked at her strangely, but replied, "$3 a bunch."

"Oh, thanks," Lisa replied, continuing to walk down the aisle.

As she turned down the next row, a strong hand grabbed her and covered her mouth with his hand. She struggled against him, but he secretively pulled her out the door into the dark alley between the grocery store and the bank. Jackson slammed her against the wall and grabbed her neck.

"Nice try, Leese."