The car finally pulled up in front of the beautiful hotel and Jackson gave it to the valet to park.

"Ladies?" he said, politely opening the door. Sarah stared at him in disgust.

"He has frequent mood swings," Lisa explained, linking her arm around Sarah's back for support. Jackson took her other elbow, a gesture Lisa resented but knew was necessary for her to walk on her own. "Enjoy it while it lasts."

They went inside and Jackson ushered them into the gold-plated elevator. Sarah looked confused.

"He's just trying to show off how much he gets paid for killed people," Lisa rolled her eyes with a sneer. Jackson smiled curtly at her.

"Nah, I just want to show you how I feel," he said sweetly. Lisa shoved him hard in the chest.

"Shut the fuck up," she growled. Sarah stared at them in confusion as the elevator doors dinged open.

"Leese, why so cold?" Jackson said, mocking hurt. He led them down the hall to room 482.

"Home sweet home," he said, stepping aside to allow the girls in. Sarah stopped and let Lisa rest against the wall.

"Just how long are we going to be here?" she asked cautiously.

Jackson seized her chin and patted her cheek playfully. "As long as it takes for your daddy to wisen up," he answered. Sarah shrank back. Lisa limped forward.

"Don't you touch her," Lisa said again, raising her arm to slap him yet again. He slammed her up against the wall and pinned her arm over her head.

"I'm getting a little sick of this thinking you're in charge, Leese," Jackson snarled. His hand wrapped around her throat, but then he thought better of it and released her with a sharp yank. She tumbled to the floor and winced as her ankle twisted violently again.

"Now, let's set a few ground rules, shall we?" Jackson sneered, opening a briefcase he'd brought in and pulled out a length of gauze. He moved to Lisa and before she could move began wrapping it tightly around her twisted ankle. She flinched. "Sarah misbehaves, Lisa gets hurt. Lisa misbehaves, Tanya dies. Got it?" Sarah and Lisa nodded sullenly.

"Now, by misbehave, I mean no leaking of the job, no writing secret messages, no violent spasms, no mouthing off. Do we understand?" Jackson asked sweetly.

Lisa looked at the floor as he tore off the last strip of gauze. He grabbed her chin and forced her eyes to meet his. "Do we?"

"Good. If you two just do what I say, we can try to pretend this is just a charming little holiday," Jackson grinned. Lisa glared at him.

"Oh, by the way, while we're here, Leese, you're going to be my quiet wife Laura. And Sarah, you're our-erm-daughter, Stacey," he sneered. Sarah's lip curled in distaste at the name but she said nothing. Lisa spoke up.

"I'm twenty-eight, Jack. If she were my kid, I'd have hd to have had her when I was twelve," Lisa informed him. Jackson laughed.

"Pretend she's younger, then."

The girls said nothing for a moment.

"Now what?" Lisa muttered. She surveyed the room. It was large, with two queen beds, a television, a table, four chairs, a desk, and a large closet. There was also a balcony and a bathroom, but Lisa, in her weakened state couldn't yet see them.

"Just try to relax, watch some tv or something," Jackson shrugged, shoving the suitcase into the closet.

Lisa weakly pulled herself up and limped over to Sarah. Her face was lined with fear.

"Come on, honey, what did I tell you?" Lisa asked softly, taking the girl's hand.

Jackson flopped down on one of the beds and patted the space next to him. "Care to join me, Leese?"

Lisa curled her lip up in disgust. "Sure, when hell freezes over." Jackson laughed.

Sarah and Lisa sat down on the other blue-sheeted bed and Jackson clicked on the tv. He skimmed through channels, finally coming to rest on a movie channel playing Pearl Harbor.

"Listen, it's bad enough that we have to be stuck here, but do we have to watch garbage war movies?" Lisa complained. Jackson smiled his cocky grin at her and tossed her the remote.

"Your Majesty," he said promptly. Lisa glared at him, then turned to Sarah.

"Sarah, what do you want to watch?" Lisa asked kindly. Sarah was laying on the bed, her face still upset and her appearance disheveled. Her long blond hair, which had once been in a perfect ponytail, had frizzed-out pieces escaping the ends and curling around her ears. Her baby-blue chemise was wrinkled and one of the sleeves was slightly ripped. The white pants she wore had various grass stains, tears, and dirt. Sarah just shrugged at Lisa's question.

Lisa sighed, flipping through channels and finally stopped at the WB.

"Gilmore Girls?" Jackson wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"Aw, c'mon, Jack, it's my favorite," Lisa pouted.

"Gilmore Girls?" he repeated incredulously. Lisa sighed.

"Thought I was supposed to be on vacation," she mumbled. He sighed and leaned his head back against the plethora of pillows.

"Fine."

"Yaaay," Lisa cheered quietly. Sarah finally cracked a smile.

Lisa leaned back and tried to relax. It was her favorite episode, the one where Luke admits his feelings for Lorelai at the opening of the Dragonfly Inn. Lisa sighed. If only she were Lorelai, who seemed to have it made. Perfect kid, perfect life, perfect self...perfect boyfriend.

Lisa caught Jackson tossing her sidelong glances and after tolerating it for a bit finally snapped, "What?"

He quickly looked away. "I-uh-nothing."

Lisa rolled her eyes and continued watching the episode.

"You ever wish you were someone else?" Sarah muttered suddenly, as if reading Lisa' s mind.

"Yeah," Lisa laughed and pointed to the screen. "Her/"

"Why?" Sarah asked in confusion.

Lisa said, "Because, I mean, she's got it made. She's a gorgeous woman with an awesome house, awesome kid, awesome boyfriend..."

"But Lisa, you're more like her than you think," Sarah argued. "I mean, you both run hotels. And I think you're really pretty. And I'm sure someday you'll have a great family."

Lisa sighed as Jackson tossed her another glance. "Thanks, Sarah. But...why did you ask?"

Sarah laughed. "I want to be Sookie! She's awesome! Everybody likes Sookie!"

Lisa laughed. "Hey, you know what'd be cool? Being stuck here with Jackson the vegetable guy instead of Jackson the assassin!" They both erupted in fits of laughter, almost falling off the bed.

"But, but, Lisa," Sarah laughed, tears rolling down her face. "He is an assassin! He murders vegetables!" They laughed even harder for several more minutes until Jackson said,

"As soon as you're all done."

Lisa laughed once more and wiped the tears from her face. She turned back to the tv and realized the episode was over. She looked at Jackson.

"Aw, Jack, you're such a spoilsport," Lisa grumbled.

"Yea, well," he shrugged. "Remember, I don't grow vegetables." Sarah smiled.

"So, um, you guys want to go get dinner?" Jackson offered, clicking off the tv.

Lisa stared at him in shock. "You mean, we're not eating here?"

"No, and as long as you two behave we don't have to," he snapped.

"Don't you think they'll recognize her?" Lisa jerked her head towards Sarah.

Jackson cocked his head at her and smiled coyly. "We're in England. They don't care."

Lisa sighed. Sarah did, too. Jackson raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Lisa just shook her head. "I want to go home," she muttered. Jackson just rolled his eyes and grabbed Lisa's arm, pulling her to her feet.

"Quit acting like a four-year-old and go get changed," he grumbled. Lisa snapped her fingers in his face.

"Newsflash, I don't have anything to wear," she snapped. He pulled a bag from the closet.

"This just in, I got some from the house before we left," he responded, thrusting it at her.

"What about Sarah?" Lisa pressed. Jackson took in her ragged appearance and threw his hands up in defeat.

"I don't know...give her something of yours, I guess," he solved. Lisa just took Sarah's arm and limped into the bathroom with her.

It was quite large, with a shower, Jacuzzi, double sinks, and toilet. Lisa once again marveled at the grandeur as she set her bag on the counter.

"Alright," Lisa said, pulling out a light blue scoopneck shirt and white flowered skirt for herself. She reached back into the bag. "Sarah, I don't know what'll fit you, but do you prefer skirt or pants?" Sarah shrugged.

"Whatever."

Lisa sighed, and pulled out a long pink skirt and white top for her.

"Here," Lisa handed her the clothes and a makeup bag. "Take a shower, get dressed, I'll go after you." Sarah nodded as Lisa turned to leave but a sudden almost strangled gasp stopped her in her tracks. She turned back around to see Sarah sliding down to the floor, her head in hands, her body shaking with sobs. Lisa wrapped her up in a huge hug.

"Honey, sweetie, what's wrong?" Lisa asked worriedly. Sarah sobbed into her shoulder.

"I lied," she whispered.

"About what?"

"I'm scared," she looked up into Lisa's eyes. "I'm scared."

Lisa locked her eyes with Sarah's. "I am, too."