Collision

Summary

Takes place five years after the terrifying red eye flight. Lisa now has a child, a husband, and a steadily paying job. But when her husband and daughter's lives are at stake, she must do anything to save them – including recruiting the help of the man she swore to never see again – Jackson Rippner.

Lisa woke at the sound of a crash downstairs. Groaning, she pulled herself out of bed.

What the hell did she do now? She thought grumpily, wishing she could just go back to bed. It was seven o'clock in the morning. Work didn't start for another three hours. It was Michael's job to deal with this, but she could faintly hear the sound of the shower running across the hall. She grudgingly dragged herself down the stairs.

What she saw was less than she had expected, but more than she wanted to deal with. Pots, pans, and some other various kitchen items were strewn across the floor. Sitting in the middle of the mess, not to Lisa's surprise, was her two-year-old daughter, Madeline.

"Boo-boo," She said, giggling ferociously.

Lisa sighed. "Mattie," she said, trying to hide her anger, "this is a no-no. Okay?"

Mattie looked shocked that she did something wrong. A little more forcefully, she said "boo-boo!"

"Yes, I know," Lisa said quietly, "I'll clean it up." She stooped to the floor and started picking up the pots with as much vigor as she could muster. Just then, her husband, Michael, walked into the room.

"Hey, hon, you're not supposed to be up this – oh," he said, looking foolish. "Sorry I wasn't here."

"No, no, it's fine," Lisa said, walking over and kissing him, "I needed the early morning exercise. Lord knows I don't get enough of it at work."

Michael laughed. "Well, you go back to bed," he said, smiling. "I'll get Mattie to day care."

"Okay," she said. "Bye-bye, Mattie," she said, hugging her daughter.

"Bye-bye, Mama," Mattie said.

Lisa rushed up the stairs. If there was one thing she had learned to handle, it was being able to pretend to not be disappointed. It came with the package when you had a two year old. Not to mention a husband who had a God-given talent of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. She let herself fall into the covers of her bed. Just before she could get some sleep, Michael walked in.

"Um, sorry to bother you, Leese…" he looked highly upset.

Lisa noticed the look on his face. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"It's about…Rippner…" he fumbled with his tie.

"What?" She asked, interested now.

"Well, um, I was just watching the news, and…" he trailed off again, clearly not wanting to have this conversation.

"What?" Lisa asked, more firmly this time.

Michael seemed to realize that the best way to say this was fast. "They're letting him off on good behavior," he said as fast as he could.

Lisa stared at him for a full ten seconds. Then she leaned over, put her face in the pillow, and screamed as loud as she could.

"Leese, I'm sorry, I tried to talk Judge Crawford out of it, but…" He shook his head helplessly. "It's not really good behavior they're letting him off on. He has information on a terrorist group that formed uptown. He's revealing it in exchange for early release."

Lisa looked up at him, tears forming in her eyes. "I can't handle it, Mike," she said, crying. "I don't know what I'll do…if he comes looking for me…"

She started to sob. Michael crossed over to the bed and took her in his arms.

"Lisa," he said, "I'll tell you this: I won't let him anywhere near you." He looked her in the eyes. "I would never let anything happen to you. Understand?"

She nodded. This is why she had married him. Because of these moments that showed how brave he really was.

"I have to go to work now," he said, smiling. "I'll call you later, alright?"

She nodded, unable to get words out. He kissed her, then walked out and closed the door.

Staring out the window, Lisa quietly pondered what Michael had just told her. She believed every word he had just told her, but…a small part of her thought of how easily he had tricked her before. What was the difference this time?

Lisa quietly hoped that five years in jail had really changed him.

Well, folks, that's the end of chapter one! I'll update as soon as I can. Please R&R. Remember, this is my first fanfic, so be nice!