The sudden stop of the trickling of water in the bathroom brought Lisa back to her senses. She pushed roughly away, breathing in deeply and staring at Jackson in horror.

"Oh God," she cried, mortified. "What the hell am I doing..." she ran a hand through her frazzled hair. Jackson smiled a half-smile at her.

"Kissing me."

Lisa rolled her eyes. "No shit, Sherlock, but...why...am I? You...you're a jackass. I hate you, what am I doing?" she repeated, shaking her head.

Jackson took her shoulders. "Why does everything have to be black and white, Leese? Why do you never just let your emotions take hold?"

Lisa began to cry. "I can't, be with, you, Jackson!"

"Why not?" he demanded.

"Because, you kill people for a living, you almost killed me and you are fucking HOLDING ME AND A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL HOSTAGE IN A HOTEL," she answered. Jackson's eyes flickered at the numerous prosecutions but he remained calm.

"But I won't hurt you anymore, Leese. I love you," he told her. "Ever since I first lay eyes on you, I felt. First I didn't know what it was, but I see now, I see. I love you." Jackson's voice was desperate, tender, something Lisa had never heard from him.

She sighed, her eyes filling again with tears. When she didn't say anything, Jackson took her hands.

"Please, Leese. Give me a chance. That's all I want," he begged. "And I know you want it too."

Lisa bit her lip and looked into his eyes. "This is nuts."

"I agree," he whispered. "But you can't fight feeling."

Their eyes then locked, blue and brown becoming one. Jackson gathered her up in his arms and Lisa cautiously yet involuntarily pressed her head against his chest, feeling his warm heartbeat against her cheek.

Suddenly the door to the bathroom opened and Lisa sprang away from Jackson as if he were on fire.

"Sarah," she choked out. Had the girl seen them embrace? She didn't think or hope so, as Sarah just handed Lisa the makeup bag.

She looked much better, her hair blow-dried and hanging loose, her outfit fitting her slightly loosely but nicely all the same. She'd thrown on a bit of eye makeup and lipgloss, too.

Lisa quickly grabbed the bag and stuttered, "I-I'm going to go get ready." Sarah nodded and Lisa avoided looking at Jackson as she limped quickly into the bathroom.

She peeled off her gross pajamas and pulled herself into the shower. Lisa let the hot water slide down her back as she washed her hair, her brain still feeling foggy.

What was going on? She thought Jackson was right. It had taken her so long to get him out of her head. It was a nagging feeling that had crawled its way up her chest and was permanently lodged there now. Lisa had never been in love, hadn't experienced the symptoms. But she'd read a hell of a lot of romance novels and this is what it was shaping up to be.

Was it lust? She didn't think so, although it had been a while since she'd even just kissed a man. But she didn't just want Jackson's body, she wanted something...more. Him. Jackson. The assassin.

Assassin. That was another thing. He was a murderer, no matter which way you put it.

But then...no one was perfect, really. No one could be. Lisa herself sure as hell wasn't.

Jackson wouldn't hurt her. That's what he said. But he already had. No matter if it was for her own good. That thought still lingered there.

He could quit. Quit being a manager.

But that won't change who he is, a voice in her head told her. Lisa scrubbed furiously at her scalp. He won't quit.

Maybe. Maybe. Maybe. Anything was possible. But all she could do for now, as Jackson had said, was to stop fighting feeling.

Lisa grabbed up her dirty clothes an hour later, her hair pulled into a tight knot, her face freshly accentuated by a small amount of makeup. She pulled a pair of baby-blue boots to go with her outfit and prepared to leave the bathroom.

She heard voices in the room and she listened for a minute behind the solid cherry door.

"...unbelievable."

"I know."

"What did she say?"

"Same."

"But...why? You're a freak."

"Thanks. You're charming."

"No, but...you're an assassin, not to mention the world's biggest asshole."

"Again, such a sweet, sweet girl you are. And I don't know, okay? But you can't fight what I know both of us feel."

"I guess. You better not hurt her, though."

"I don't plan to."

"What about your stupid company? She's not going to be with an assassin who's holding her hostage."

"Yeah. But I won't be holding her hostage when this job is done."

"She still won't be with you after. Quit now."

"Dammit, you're so naive. I can't."

"Why?"

"Trust me, you are far too young to understand."

"I'm not a child!"

"I know. But you're still too young."

Lisa's ears perked up. Quitting...if she could convince him, there was hope. But she told herself no. She couldn't be with him if he killed Keefe. It would have to be her way or the highway.

She stepped out of the bathroom and they stopped talking, looking up at her.

"Please, Jackson," she looked at him firmly. His eyes softened. "Please."

He sighed. "Give me time."

Lisa thought. No, she willed herself to say. Your way or the highway. "Okay."