Sometimes…
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye!
Chapter Four
Jackson Rippner had been rather surprised and amused to see Lisa Reisert again, especially in the same hospital in which he was currently confined. The best part of the situation was even though he knew it was her; she had no clue who he was. According to what he had overheard from other nurses during his afternoon stroll, Lisa had suffered unknown head trauma and her brain had shut down her memories. There was no identification found on her—purse, wallet, and keys were all missing. Nothing with even the slightest clue to her identity could be found.
He limped into his room, thanks to the goddamn high heel shoe that she had stuck into his left thigh. That one had left a rather intriguing scar, not to mention the rival one located on his throat. Oh, she had been resourceful alright—he would give her that much credit. He still wanted to hurt her as retribution and repayment for his injuries and the hell he would endure for falling his job.
But where was the fun in that when she had not the vaguest idea as to his identity? She had no clue of her own name; let alone what had transpired between them. He would have fun messing with her mind. He would be avenged one day, once she remembered.
If she ever remembered…until then he could use this situation for his own twisted desires. He had no future with Lisa Reisert, but then again this was not Lisa. This woman had no name.
There could be a future with her now, even if it was only for a short period of time. Jackson needed to get his wandering mind off Lisa Reisert and who was better suited to the job than a memory-less Lisa? He would never be in love with her because it did not serve him and his ice-cold heart. He could fake emotion, love, kindness, and care. It would never be real and she would never know until he was finished toying with her.
He held all the cards and he was enjoying it very much. This time, Lisa Reisert would not be getting away. Now, he just needed to find her and come up with a name…
Luckily for him, Lisa Reisert was standing right in front of him—in his room. His job had just gotten easier. Not to mention that the nosy nurse had dragged him over to see her.
"So, uh, how are you feeling? Does your head hurt much?" he questioned.
"Thinking when you should be acting will only make your head hurt."
She visibly flinched at the familiarity of the words. Jackson mentally kicked himself. He needed to think before he spoke more carefully, lest he spoil the game before he had his fun. "Yeah, kind of like when you've had too many drinks," she smiled.
"I know what you mean," Jackson replied with a smile. This was going to be easier than he had thought.
"You do?"
"Who hasn't had a hangover or something similar in their life?"
"True," she started to nod her head in agreement, but he reached out to steady her head, stopping her.
"That's probably not a good idea."
"Thanks, I'm having a hard time getting used to it. The injury and not knowing who I am."
Jackson sighed. Where to begin? Oh, how about a nice little story…
"I can't believe you're here—alive," he remarked, feigning astonishment.
"Why wouldn't I be?" was her puzzled response. She knew that he was holding back information about her. Information that she craved. He would give her information—false information that would serve his own ends.
"You disappeared shortly after our engagement. You've been missing for five years, Amy. Five whole years…" he shook his head in amazement, dark hair swaying.
"What did you call me?" she asked in shock. He had let a name 'slip out'.
"Amy," he continued, creating his fiancée, the love of his life. Not the woman he wanted to harm. "That's your name. Amy Alison Adams."
"It doesn't…feel right," she sighed.
"You've always said that," reassured Jackson as he slowly sat on the edge of her bed. "You were going to have it legally changed."
"Why does it feel so odd?"
"You're adopted, Amy. You don't know anything about your birth parents and your name was something else, yet your adoptive parents refused to let your name stay the same and kept your birth certificate hidden."
"How do you know all this?" Lisa was still in shock.
"You told me. Amy, you told me all of this a long time ago. I don't know if you ever found anything out because shortly afterwards, you disappeared. I thought for the longest time that you had died."
"What's your name?" she wanted to know.
"Jackson. Jackson Rippner. Never Jack."
"Why not?"
"Amy, we don't really want to get into my past, now do we? We've been down that road before and nothing good comes of it."
"But I don't remember anything, Jackson."
Jackson felt a tinge of pleasure as she said his name. He had her right where he wanted her—eating out of his hand. Lisa Reisert was finally under his control and obeying him. She was being a rather obedient dog at the moment. Hopefully it would last long enough for him to have a little fun with her.
"That's okay, Amy. We've got all the time in the world. I'm not letting you disappear again," he said with a wide smile as she sat down beside him and he slipped an arm around her shoulders. "I'm never letting you go without a fight."
Author's Notes:
Jackson's got a plan for Lisa. I can assure you that he is up to no good. Thanks for all the kind reviews! The next chapter should be up on Sunday. Enjoy!
