Chapter Fourteen

Lisa rocked her son and daughter on a warm day in May, one week after the twins' five-month birthday. Jonathan looked more and more like his father everyday. Not only did he have his eyes, but he had his dark hair; only it was a little bit curlier. Kathryn's hair was dark as well, but longer. Her eyes were green. They were no longer small like they'd been at birth, but had grown quite nicely. They were the joys of Lisa's life.

She looked at the airplane mobile on the ceiling and smiled, though the memory was bittersweet. How she'd come to love that man, she'd never know.

Michael still came around, just to help out with the kids. Lisa had cut off romantic involvement as soon as they'd gotten home to Miami; she couldn't be 'unfaithful' to Jackson, even though she wasn't even sure if they had a relationship to begin with. Michael was shocked, but was too much of a good guy to push the issue. He thought that given time, she'd come around. But, deep down, he had a sinking feeling that it would never happen. This Jackson had a firm grip on Lisa, no matter where he was.

When they'd fallen asleep, Lisa placed them gently in their cribs and turned on some quiet jazz music. She made her way into the kitchen to make a sandwich. Her heart jumped when she saw him leaning against the counter.

"How are they?" he asked smoothly.

"Sleeping. Shhh, they're quiet. It's nice," she said matter-of-factly, "It's about time you came back. They just had their five month birthday."

"I had some things to attend to." Lisa could tell from the darkness in his eyes that she didn't want to know what things they were, "But, I'm here now. I brought them some presents." Jackson motioned to the bags on the counter. He watched her open them; there were beautiful silver engraved spoons, rattles and pacifiers.

"These are beautiful, Jackson."

"They better be for what I paid," he laughed. She rolled her eyes.

"Always the charmer."

"Ya know, you haven't welcomed me properly yet…" he reminded her. His eyes were shining mischievously. He wiggled his brows.

"I'm too tired to welcome you properly, mister...two infants, no help, remember?" He came up behind her as she attempted to make her sandwich.

"I'll just take what I want then," he mused. He leaned in from the side and kissed her. His arms wrapped around her waist. She moaned against his mouth and dropped the butter knife. She turned around and pressed against him.

"I've missed you…so much…everyday I spent away from you guys…" he sounded so tortured.

"Shhh…it's ok." They kissed until they were both breathless. Lisa looked at him curiously.

"So, what exactly does this mean for us? I mean, you can't tell me you're sticking around…you're not a domestic."

"No, I'm not. I found a job with a European agency. Less risk involved with this one."

"Still illegal activity?"

"All a matter of opinion, Leese. It pays well…Jon and Kathryn will never want for anything."

"I thought you said you were quitting."

"I DID quit. This is a different operation. I don't have to kill anyone. I promise. I always keep my promises." He kissed her again.

"You can't just kiss me and make it better."

"Really?"

"Yes. Really. It's not how relationships, work, Jackson."

"So, we have a relationship?"

"Well, what do you call it? I'm certainly not your fuck-buddy."

"Nah, you're far too bitchy to be that," he chuckled. She shoved him.

"Not funny. This is a big deal. I don't know why I even allow you in my house, let alone allow you to kiss me."

"Maybe you're just as crazy as me," he sighed. Lisa hung her head and drew in a slow breath. Her life would never be easy again. Nothing would ever make sense.

"When I look in your eyes, I am. I can't explain these feelings I have…I've been seeing a therapist. I shouldn't be in love with you, Jackson. You tried to kill me! You took me and people I loved hostage. You're a complete sociopath. You're unstable. I just…I'm in over my head…" her voice started to shake. Jackson attempted to comfort her, "Don't. Let me finish, please…"

"Ok."

"Can you honestly tell me that you don't love me?"

"No."

"Well, why can't you quit these insane jobs…do something normal. Be here with me and the kids. You said you wanted to be a father."

"That was when we were secluded away from everyone... That plan got screwed up."

"You were gonna keep me and the kids locked in some cabin in the woods...like some country hicks? Are you shitting me, Jack?"

"I was there putting a plan in place, Leese. The police were still looking for me…and now….Jesus, I was SO lucky to escape a second time. I owe these people a favor for helping me. Besides, I can't just come back here and live like life is normal. I'm on the FBI's most wanted list. People in my old company want me dead. If I stay here, I could endanger you and the kids; hell, you're already in danger because those kids are mine. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place, Lisa. What the fuck do you want from me?"

"Go to the police...confess…tell them that these people made you do it. Rat people out. We'll tell them that your only involvement this time was kidnapping. And I won't press charges…you can't live your life a fugitive."

"I can't quit right now, Leese. I can't have a normal job like a normal person. It's just not in the cards for me."

"Then you're completely full of shit. You were the one who insisted on being part of these kids' lives!"

"I already explained that to you, Lisa…things are different now."

"Whatever, Jackson, you are just so fucking selfish!"

"I am NOT selfish…if anything, you're selfish! You want me to turn myself in so you don't have to 'love a criminal'!"

"That's not it at all!"

"Well, NEWS FLASH, I'm going to be put in jail… and then I'll never see Jon and Kathryn!"

"At least you'll be doing what is RIGHT for once!"

"You are so RIGHTEOUS sometimes that I cannot stand the sight of you!"

Lisa's retort was cut off by the sound of the twins' cries.

"Good job, asshole," she muttered, stalking out of the kitchen and then up the stairs.

"Like I was the only one shouting!" he argued, following her up the stairs.

"Be quiet…you're going to upset them!" Lisa snapped. She entered the nursery and went to Kathryn's crib. She cradled her daughter in her arms and sat in one of the rocking chairs. Jackson stood still for a moment. He looked at his son, then back at Lisa and Kathryn. Lisa looked at him, wide-eyed.

"Well…pick him up, Daddy!" she urged. Jackson took Jonathan carefully into his arms and sat next to Lisa. He rocked gently, extremely unpracticed at this foreign art called parenting.

"Shh, stop crying," he said flatly. Lisa laughed at him.

"It doesn't work like that. Here, take Kathryn." Kathryn had stopped crying. Jackson rocked her gently and watched a Lisa cooed at Jon and hummed gently. Jon stopped crying. Jackson decided at that moment that Lisa was magic.

"How did you do that?" he asked, almost awestruck.

"I'm their mother," Lisa said simply. She smiled at Jon, whose eyes were slowly closing, "Now let's get them back into their cribs." Jackson rose from his chair carefully so as not to disturb Kathryn and placed her gingerly into her crib. He pulled the blanket Lisa had knitted over her.

"Do you have any pictures?"

"Of them?"

"Of you and them."

"Yeah, of course." She rummaged through a book for a moment and pulled out two. One was of her and the twins on the beach and the other was just of them sitting around the house. He looked at them intently before looking back at Lisa.

"I'm sorry."

Lisa regarded him for a moment before coming forward to kiss him. He placed the pictures on the dresser without parting from her lips then reached for her waist. He pushed her against the wall kissing her harder, trailing down her neck and collarbone.

"We can't wake them again…" she gasped. In response, he lifted Lisa up and carried her into her bedroom. Jackson dropped her on the bed, shut the door, and then rejoined her, nipping at her earlobes.

"I hope you can be quiet…" he whispered.

"I'll try." His hands found their way inside her shirt and tugged at her bra. Lisa lifted herself up slightly so he could unhook it. He did so, ripping it off. Her shirt soon followed, buttons flying every which way.

"Mmm…oh God…" Lisa sighed as Jackson's mouth found her breasts. Her hand pushed his head down without even meaning to. Their hips were moving against one another's impatiently. The feeling of his arousal against her thigh made Lisa's head swim.

" …you've got to take off your pants…" she gasped.

"Take off your skirt then…" Jackson groaned. He moved down the length of her, kissing a trail down her stomach, past her bellybutton and her hip bones. He slowly pulled off her skirt. His tongue ran along the beginning of her panties.

"We're so beyond teasing at this point, don't you think?"

"Ok, ok…" he laughed. His mouth ran over the spot that most begged for attention. She was so hot already.

"No…no…I can't take it! I want you inside…" she barely managed. He looked and her and laughed softly.

"Oh, you're no fun…but ok…later perhaps." He lifted himself up and undid his pants, throwing them across the room. His underwear soon followed. Lisa hands were pulling at his shirt, trying to get it over his head.

"A little HELP!" she whined. Soon, the shirt and Lisa's panties had joined the pile in the corner. Lisa kissed all over his bare chest, savoring the way his skin tasted. The first time it hadn't been this intimate; and now she was going to savor the feel of him.

"Now you wanna take it slow, huh?"

"A little bit, but I still want-" Lisa gasped as Jackson pushed inside of her, "Oooooh…"

Jackson sucked in his breath; he was inside her and there was no struggle. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. She loved him.

"Faster…please…" She wanted to take it slow…but not lethargic. Lisa placed her hands on his hips and moved hers to give him the message. Jackson got it and moved faster. He looked down at Lisa: her eyes were closed tight and her hair fell wildly about her face. Her mouth was open just a little, and the only sounds leaving it were the soft, high pitched moans that he elicited from her.

"Leese…" Jackson managed through his panting. His head dipped down to kiss her; and his hands now held hers above her head. Lisa felt her body getting close and she moved faster against him, going at an intense speed. Her eyes popped open to see Jackson staring intently at her. She lifted up to kiss him once more and wrapped her legs around his waist. Jackson's mouth became planted on the side of Lisa's neck and then moved up to her ear so she could here his harsh breathing as he came.

"Lisa…" was the only thing utterance he could make and he released inside of her. She followed not long after with a cry of his name and wrapped her arms around his neck. They shared a long, deep kiss before rolling into a spooning position. Lisa relished the feeling of Jackson's arms holding her.

"I love you, ya know," she whispered.

"I know."

"…I changed Jon's middle name…it's not Michel. It's Jackson."

Jackson turned Lisa to face him, "I love you too."

Lisa woke up hours later after she and Jackson had fallen into one of the soundest sleeps she'd had in a while. She could hear that Jon and Kathryn were ready for their dinner.

"Want to help me-" Lisa rolled over expecting to see Jackson, but he had gone. He didn't appear to be in the bathroom. She got up, put on a robe, and headed downstairs to look for him. He also wasn't anywhere downstairs. His car was gone.

Jackson had left her again.

Lisa could feel the tears stinging in her eyes. How could he come back and then just leave again so abruptly? She pulled herself together enough to make two bottles for the twins and bring them upstairs. Once they were settled, she went back into her room and collapsed on her bed. The pillows and sheets still smelled like him. She wanted him back so badly that she felt for certain her heart was going to shatter into a million pieces. And yet, she was seething at his complete lack of compassion. Had he only come back for sex? She wondered. If so, Lisa was sure that Jackson was nothing but a heartless bastard who'd just fed her the biggest load of bullshit she'd ever heard. As she reached for her phone to call Cynthia, she noticed a note on her nightstand. Her heart skipped a beat as she read:

Lisa,

I know you're flipping out right now, but please try not to. I'm sorry I had to leave the way I did; but if you had tried to convince me to stay, I might not have been able to leave. Please understand that this is something I have to do. I kissed Jon and Kathryn…kiss them again for me. This is not goodbye. I promise.

I'll be seeing you.

Jackson

PS-Thanks for the pictures.

Lisa did her best not to cry again, but a few tears managed to escape. She knew that he was right. He usually was. He would come back just like he said he would.

And she would be waiting for him.

AN: Last chapter before the SHORT epilogue! Sorry, I couldn't update sooner...I lost internet for two days :cries: But, I'm now up and running. Hoping for a little "R N R" (you know what I mean) Lots of love!