Lisa was trying to gather her senses. More than anything, she wished to strike out at Jackson and hurt him in some way, even if it just meant pulling out a chunk of the hair he loved so much. But she told herself to focus, focus on the every bump and curve of the road. They'd long since pulled off the highway, they now were on what Lisa took to be a dirt or gravel road.

Lisa sighed. This was boring, and it wasn't getting her anywhere. She suddenly had inspiration. "Jesus, Jack, can't we at least listen to the radio?" she tried to conceal the hint of desperateness in her voice.

"Nope. Radio gives out a location. Sorry." Damn.

Lisa began grumbling. "My, don't we think of everything. Don't you think people are going to freak out if they see a blindfolded woman in a car with a man who's face was recently plastered all over the media?"

"FYI, Leese, they don't care," Jackson smirked at her. "People are far too absorbed in their own little lives to care about some poor whiny kidnapped woman. And face it: The cops first priority with kidnappings is missing children. After a certain period of time I wouldn't be surprised if they gave you up for dead."

"FYI, Jack, some people have souls," Lisa spat.

"Maybe, but if that's so, then how come even though your missing person's ad was right behind on the bulletin board of the gas sation no one said anything?"

His words hit her like a rock. "I-they probably-"

"I'll tell you why," Jackson cut her off. "They know I'm part of a major terrorist organization, or whatever you call it. They know, however vague in their minds, that they love their families, and that we eliminate any obstacles who come forth in our plans. Any obstacles, any accomplices, anyone who convicts us. They care more about their own skins than they do of some stranger's."

Lisa froze. "El-eliminates anyone who convicts them?" Um, yeah, that'd be her.

Jackson glanced at her, and jumped slightly as he picked up on her vibe. "Oh, yeah, but don't worry. I swear, Leese, if you behave, I promise I won't let them kill you. It was hard enough after the Red Eye screwup, took a lot of persuading, but I could probably do it again."

"Why would you do that?" Lisa asked, confused.

Jackson paused. Lisa could practically feel the tension hanging in the air. "I...I don't want you to get hurt."

There was a long silence before she spoke again. "Why not?"

"Because, Leese, I...I care about you, okay? And no, not in that way."

Lisa felt slightly annoyed, although she didn't know why. "Why?"

"Why what?" Jackson grumbled irritably.

"Why do you care about me?" she snapped. "I almost killed you and if I had the choice now I wouldn't hesitate to." Ouch. She regretted saying the words as soon as they were out of her mouth.

Apparently Jackson felt the same way. Another long silence, then, "That was harsh, Leese."

"It's the truth," Lisa said. She was glad she couldn't see his face, but she could feel hers, and she knew by instinct she had a crimson blush creeping up on her. Damn her redheadedness! "I do believe it was you who said that they don't lie, was it not? I'm just following your Samaritan example. And obviously...I mean, Jack, you tried to kill me."

"I wouldn't have."

"You say that now."

"Lisa, come on," Jackson sighed. "Why does it have to be this way? Why can't we be friends?"

"God, Jackson, you're so stupid," Lisa snapped. "You aren't friends with a man who's holding you hostage. It's like a Jewish person being friends with Hitler. Just stupid and unheard of."

"Yeah, not usually," Jackson contradicted. "But we're not generic. I don't know if you've noticed, Leese, but both of us are pretty damn far from normal."

"You and I?" Lisa replied stiffly. "We have nothing in common. Nothing."

Jackson shrugged. "If you say so. But back to the subject. All I want is to be able to have a decent conversation with you."

"It's kind of hard to discuss the weather with an assassin," Lisa snapped.

"First of all, Leese, I've seen weirder shit happen," Jackson sighed. "And second, you keep talking about my job as if it were this horrible thing."

Lisa pretended relief. "Oh, so you mean there's something truly beautiful and moving behind blowing people up?"

Jackson sighed and shook his head. "You know what? I won't judge you and you won't judge me."

Lisa thought. "Fair enough."