Chapter Eight

Lisa woke up to someplace that wasn't her bedroom. She looked at the clock; it was 10:00 am already. She felt like she could stay in bed the entire day; she didn't want to have to face Jackson after the display she put on last night. Pushing herself into a sitting position, she surveyed "her room". Truth be told, it was a nice room: lots of paintings, a chaise lounge and a gorgeous four poster bed. She also noted the changing table next to the bed and plopped her head back down onto the pillow. Her hands found her belly and began to massage it.

"How did we get ourselves into this mess?" she whispered. For the first time since she'd seen Jackson again, one of the babies kicked. It made her think they were listening and that it was their way of comforting her. She couldn't wait to hold them in her arms. Perhaps she could be thankful that Jackson had given her something.

Lisa got out of her bed and began unpacking her suitcase. She was in the same clothes she'd left her house in the other night and she felt gross. She pulled out a pair of black yoga pants and a green long sleeve shirt and laid them out on her bed. She looked at the pants and laughed.

"I can't wait to be a size four again," she sighed. After setting some underwear on top of them, she eagerly went to take her shower, locking the door after her.

Jackson heard the water in the shower running and smiled. Sleeping Beauty is finally awake. He set down his book and went to the kitchen to start cooking breakfast. He was craving pancakes, bacon and eggs; and he knew Lisa would be starving. Turning on the small radio he kept hidden, he heard a song that reminded him of Lisa. Of course, mostly every song those days reminded him of Lisa, but this one seemed to have struck a chord: I saw your face, in a crowded place, and I don't know what to do…'cause I'll never be with you. He cracked an egg into the pan bitterly. He knew that deep down Lisa felt something for him; he was certain of it.

The last pancake had just finished when he heard Lisa rapping on her bedroom door. Jackson removed it from the pan and put in on a covered plate. Then, he hid the radio.

"Coming darling…" he practically sang. He stopped outside of her door, "If I open this, do you promise not to hurt me?I have my cell phone in my hand…"

"Yeah yeah…just let me out…I'm hungry and I can smell the bacon." He punched inthe code and opened the door. There Lisa stood, in a radiant green top with folded arms resting on her protruding stomach. Her wet hair was pulled back in a pony tail; something he rarely ever saw on her. She wore no makeup except for some chapstick and mascara.

"You look well rested," he mused, leading her into the kitchen.

"I am."

"Glad to hear it. Sit down and I'll bring you your breakfast. How many pancakes and pieces of bacon can you eat?"

"Um…two and six."

"What do you want to drink?"

"Milk. Preferably whole."

"Big glass or small glass?"

"Just bring me the whole carton." Jackson quirked his eyebrow.

"Ok…then." Jackson brought her plate and the entire carton of milk and set it on the table.

"Thank you." She began to eat, but then got up and went to the refrigerator.

"What now?" Jackson laughed. He watched as she began to gather miscellaneous condiments and bring them back with her. He looked at the bizarre assortment: A-1 steak sauce, strawberry jam, and whipped cream.

"Please tell me you're not putting all those on your food…and then eating them."

"Yes. And?" Lisa said plainly, spraying the whipped cream over the already syrup-drenched pancakes. She took a big bite.

"That is disgusting, Lisa."

"Piss off. I like it." She then started to dip her bacon in the strawberry jam and poured the A-1 on her eggs. After consuming a bite from each, she filled her glass full of milk and drank half of it in one gulp. Jackson just stared, dumbfounded. He'd never seen her (or any woman for that matter) eat like this. He was beginning to feel the tiniest bit queasy.

"God…this is SO good."

"Well, I'm glad you like my cooking…" Jackson replied, trying not to look at Lisa's plate but watching a she downed her second glass of whole milk.

"Guess I'll need to have a bunch more of that milk delivered," he laughed.

"Yep. Ahhh…" Lisa agreed, wiping her milk-mustache off.

After breakfast, Jackson put their plates and glasses in the dishwasher and began to wash the pots and pans.

"Would you like some help?" Lisa asked. She felt a little bad for making him do all the work.

"How chivalrous of you," he chuckled and handed her a pan to wipe off.

"So, what are the hostage activities today? Arts and crafts?" Lisa asked dryly.

"I thought we could go for a walk in the snow."

"It's fucking freezing outside, Jack."

"There are warm jackets here. C'mon…the fresh air will do you well. And when was the last time you saw snow? You live in Miami after all."

"And you actually trust me to be outside? What's the catch? Am I gonna be tethered to a ball and chain?"

"Nah, I trust you…somewhat. Besides, you aren't gettin' anywhere fast there, Fatty," he laughed and motioned to her stomach.

"Hey- YOU try carrying around two kids and see just how slender you are. Besides, YOU are the one who put them there in the first place!" To Jackson's surprise, she was laughing as she said this, teasing him. He flashed her a grin and handed her the last dish.

"Well…I'm certainly not gonna say 'I'm sorry' about that; it was a damn good time." He didn't meet her eyes as he said this, but out to of the corner of his eye he could see her blushing furiously, "Now, c'mon, let's get dressed and you can go make a pregnant snow angel." Lisa punched his arm lightly before heading back to her room to change. Jackson pulled on a sweater over his long-sleeve shirt and then added a heavy coat, also picking out one for Lisa. He wrapped a scarf around his neck and pulled on some leather gloves; he couldn't bring himself to wear a hat. Before leaving, he noticed his digital camera on top of his dresser and grabbed it.

"Are you almost ready?" he called.

"I need a coat!" she reminded him and he rummaged through the closet to find one. Lisa came out and put it on over her shirt and two sweaters. She completed this look with a scarf and a hat and then looked in the mirror. She then began to cry.

"I'm so fat!" she wailed and fell back against the wall. Jackson tried so hard not to laugh at her. He felt somewhat bad, but knew that this was most likely just another mood swing of hers.

"Leese, as you said to me earlier…you're carrying two children…you're not fat. You're pregnant. There is a difference," he explained in his calmest, most soothing voice possible.

"Look at me! LOOK! I'm huge…I don't even know why you're attracted to me…" she sniffed. Jackson cupped her face in his hands.

"You're beautiful…and the fact that you're carrying my children makes you even more so." He kissed her lips gently and then released her.

"C'mon let's go."

Lisa didn't know quite what to do, but said nothing and followed him outside.

The afternoon was awkward, to say the least. Jackson knew that Lisa was freaked out by his surprising tenderness, and by her inability to fight him off. Perhaps this meant she was finally giving in, he thought to himself. When he'd asked her to let him take a few pictures, reasoning that she would want some of her pregnant, her only reply was that she wouldn't want to remember being held captive. That comment of course prompted another fight between the two and Lisa started bawling her eyes out and demanded to be taken back inside. She sat on the couch for the remainder of the afternoon, finishing her knitting and watching a sappy love movie.

Jackson watched her from the kitchen as he cooked dinner for the two of them. Lisa had gotten tired of knitting and was no focused on the movie. It was Moulin Rouge, one of her favorites. Jackson wasn't much of a musical fan, but he dared not tell her to change it. At least he could make her feel like she had some control.

"I have dinner…" he coaxed, holding out a plate of macaroni and cheese to her (and a tall glass of whole milk). She looked at him with a blank expression.

"Thanks," she said quietly. They ate in silence, except of course for the never-ending singing from the movie. Once she was finished, Lisa set her plate aside and reclined back on the couch. A few minutes later, a slight look of discomfort spread across her face.

"Ooooh…" she touched her stomach softly, "Guess you guys don't like mac and cheese, huh?" she laughed softly.

"Ohhh oww…chill out guys!" Jackson gave her a strange look this time.

"Umm…?"

"They're playing around in there. They keep…OW…kicking me,I don't think they like your cooking." Lisa half chuckled. Jackson gave her an amused smile and moved next to her on the couch. There was a look in his eyes. She drew in a breath and didn't understand why she did what she did next…

"Would you like to feel, Jackson?" he nodded silently. She took his hand, pulled up her shirt and placed it on her stomach. She felt the babies give another thud; she closed her eyes, then opened them just in time to catch Jackson smiling. He put his other hand on her abdomen as well and moved them around, feeling the place that encased his unborn children. Jackson Rippner hadn't really felt paternal until that very moment. He locked eyes with Lisa. She looked beautiful. It was when she touched his fingers did he snap out of his reverie. As much as he wanted to give in to everything, he knew his emotions were getting in the way again, and he couldn't let that happen. He looked down, avoiding her eyes and focused on what he was doing. Lisa brushed his hands away, pulled her shirt back down, and then walked to her room.

When Jackson was sure that Lisa was finally asleep that night, he made a call to his boss, who was one his way to Joe Reisert's house at that very moment.

"Caldwell."

"It's Rippner."

"Ah, how is everything going? The bitch cooperative enough for you?"

"Lisa is fine. Don't be so degrading."

"Yeah well, 'Lisa' gave us the wrong set of keys, Rippner."

"What? Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure I had Shane go test them out today!"

"Well…shit. I will talk to her about it in the morning. I'm sorry about this, John, I didn't know."

"You damn well better. It's important that we get those fucking keys, Jack."

"Jackson."

"Whatever. We'll have her father go over to the hotel, escorted of course, to get them. I'm sure she'll need to call for his clearance first though. Have her call here in the morning, got it?"

"Yes. How is everything else going?

"According to plan. Mr. Vaughn's wife and children will arrive in two days as expected.

"How is everything with Lisa's dad and that Michael guy?"

"Mr. Reisert and Mr. Foster are being held at Mr. Reisert's home…they have been told that Lisa is alive and unharmed, and that it will remain that way if they cooperate and try not to escape."

"Not that I would touch her."

"Of course not. That's not the point, Rippner. Jeez. What's your deal lately? She's a job…quit getting so involved."

"It's a little late for that, Caldwell."

"Jesus, Jackson…pull yourself together. For one thing, she's not going to want YOU, a cold-blooded killer in those kids' lives and secondly, you're not the fatherly type. You have too much going for you and don't need to be tied down right now. Forget about being a happy family. It's not in the cards for you."

The realization of Caldwell's words stung Jackson. He was a killer. He would never have a white house with 3.5 kids. But, there again, did he really want it? Did he want to be settled down with a 9 to 5 job? Jackson could have Lisa whenever he wanted as far as he was concerned…he would always follow her…she was his obsession…his job…his…well HIS. He'd followed her for close to 6 months. He knew more about her than maybe even her own father. Hell, she was carrying his children. If that didn't entitle him to something…

But what DID he feel for Lisa Reisert? It wasn't love. Lust. The feeling of her body against his was exhilarating. And, he saw in Lisa his female counterpart; the yin to his yang perhaps? She could be as sneaky and underhanded as he could and she knew how to keep a person on his toes. She was strong, and stubborn as all get-out. She didn't allow anyone to dominate her and she feared no one. Except for Jackson. He saw the look in Lisa's eyes when he got close to her; it was a mix of lust and fear with a touch of curiosity. He loved her little bouts of defiance, because it made his victory all that much sweeter. He enjoyed the smell of her hair. He loved those...things…those traits.

But he was certain that he didn't love Lisa.

Jackson Rippner didn't know how to love.

Lisa tossed and turned in a fitful sleep. She'd been having nightmares ever since the Red Eye incident, and, with the pregnancy, they'd become even more intense. This time, she was in a hospital giving birth. From her position on the operating bed, she couldn't make out the face of her doctor. Her vision was blurry and she could only see that he held both of her newborn babies in his arms.

"Let me hold them," Lisa managed with a weak smile. She struggled to pull herself up. He made no reply.

"Doctor, can I see-"

"Shh, Leese, it's ok, they're just fine with me." It was then the "doctor" turned around. His face was covered except for those piercing blues.

"No! Give them to me, Jackson!" Lisa cried out. He again ignored her and kept rocking the. Another man whom Lisa did not recognize took hold of her arm and injected her with something. She felt her heartbeat begin to slow and as much as her brain told her to get out of the bed, her body would not respond. She watched in horror as Jackson walked out with the twins in his arms. She couldn't move anything-all she could do was scream.

"Jackson, no-please! Jackson, don't!" tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Lisa…" he sounded so far away.

"Bring them back…please don't take them from me…" she sobbed.

"Lisa!" She woke with a start to see Jackson next to her, his arms on her shoulders in an attempt to shake her back into the land of the living. His eyes were just as intense as they'd been in the dream.

"Are you ok?" he asked, with a gentleness that seemed unfitting of Jackson Rippner.

"I'm fine," she sniffed, rolling over so she didn't have to look at his face.

"I heard you say my name…what happened?"

"I told you 'I'm fine'. Go away." She heard Jackson let out an irritated sigh.

"I'm only trying to help!" he barked.

"Well, you're only making it WORSE! If you wanna help me so badly, let me go!" she pleaded.

"Why do you ask me things that you KNOW I can't do, Lisa?"

"Can't or won't…" Lisa whimpered. Jackson sighed again and turned to walk out of her room.

"I hope you die before the children are old enough to ask about you. That way I won't have to lie to them," she spat, her voice full of venom. Any feelings of pity Jackson was experiencing up to that point dissipated and were replaced with feelings of hurt and resentment.

"If you don't watch your mouth I'm gonna be the one doing the explaining. Don't fucking test me, Lisa. I can make things very difficult and painful for you."

"You won't kill me Jack. Don't make idle threats."

"Not now, but once you've safely delivered and this operation is over I won't need you. After all, you stabbed me in the neck, beat me with a stick, shot me and left me for dead. Turnabout is fair play." And with that, he made his exit with the slam of the door.

AN: Man, I don't even want to think about the amount or errors that are probably in this chapter. But, it's almost 1am and I have to work tomorrow...and I really wanted to get this chapter up for you guys. There is a lot of different emotions in this one, I hope you can keep up! I also hope it's meets expectations. One more thing: The song that is used is "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt. I saw this in another story the day after I'd written it in mine...so, if that author happens to be reading this, I ain't stealin yo shit. This happened to me LAST time I posted...someone had used the code thing. If it happens again...I really don't know how I'm gonna talk my way out it. Anyways...how I do ramble on. Enjoy and review!