Summary

It's been two months since the red eye flight, and Lisa's life has almost returned to normal. But she soon finds herself fleeing for her life when Jackson escapes from the hospital. What she doesn't know is that there is a connection between her and Jackson's new target, a connection even Jackson doesn't suspect.

Chapter One

"Mr. Rippner, you have a visitor."

Jackson looked up at the nurse in surprise. He never had visitors. The only visitors he had had in the last two months were a police officer and a psychiatrist. And Lisa. But she didn't really count, because she had only stood in the hallway. He had only caught a glimpse of her when the door opened. He had felt more hatred for her in that moment than he had ever felt for anyone else. For her to have the nerve to come anywhere near him was unbearable.

"Who?" he asked, his voice raspy.

"A...Mr. Phillips?" she said, making it sound more like a question than anything.

"I don't know him," Jackson said.

"Well, he knows you," she said, "and he insists on seeing you. Should I let him in?"

Jackson thought a moment. "Go ahead," he said.

The nurse nodded and opened the door wider. Standing in the doorway was a man in his fifties. He had fair hair, and beginnings of wrinkles on his drawn, tired face, most of which was covered up by a large pair of glasses. He had a long overcoat on, and a large briefcase in one hand.

"Mr. Rippner," he said, a tone of amusement in his voice.

Jackson examined him. "You Mr. Phillips?" he asked.

The man nodded. "Ma'am, could you give us a moment?" he asked, turning to the nurse.

"Oh, of-of course," she said, sounding flustered. She hurried off, closing the door behind her.

Mr. Phillips smiled. "I swear they're getting younger every day," he said, still looking at the door. Then he turned to Jackson. "I've heard a lot about you, Rippner."

Jackson smirked. "Like what?"

"That you're one of the best assassins in the U.S. That you've taken out more men than a single man can count." Phillips smiled slyly. "That you got your ass kicked by a cute little hotel clerk."

Jackson groaned. "Thank you, I remember that well enough." He looked at Mr. Phillips. "What do you want, anyway?"

"Let me lay it out straight: I have a job for you."

Jackson motioned to the hospital room. "Not much I can do here, is there?"

Mr. Phillips chuckled. "No," he said, "but I could get you out of here, in exchange for one thing: Cooperation in an assassination."

Jackson pointed to the security camera. "I'd be careful what you say," he said, "because whatever it is, they'll hear it."

"I doubt it." Mr. Phillips took off his glasses. "If my associates have acted properly, every guard in this building is either dead or close enough."

Jackson's smirk vanished. "What is this about, Phillips?" he asked suspiciously.

"Well, you see," Mr. Phillips said, a sly look on his face, "I'm kidnapping you, Mr. Rippner."

Jackson took a moment to grasp this information. Then, he smiled in realization: He was getting out of here.

And the first person to realize that would be Lisa Reisert.

---

"Are you serious?"

"Yes! He proposed to me last night! Can you believe it?"

"I didn't even know you were going out with someone! Why didn't you tell me?"

Lisa Reisert was talking on the phone with her good friend, Cynthia, who had just announced that she was getting married. She twisted a strand of her red hair on her finger excitedly.

"You know you're gonna be the maid of honor."

"Oh, please. I'd probably trip over myself going down the isle."

"Of course you wouldn't. I have to go. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Okay. Love ya!"

Lisa hung up the phone. She couldn't believe it. Cynthia was actually getting married! And she had even managed to keep it a secret from everyone else at work that she was dating someone. When Lisa had been going out with her first boyfriend, everyone knew about it before she had even hung up the phone, accepting their first date. Everyone at work was ridiculously involved in everyone else's lives. And here Cynthia was getting married to a guy no one at work knew about. Lucky girl.

Lisa nearly jumped when she heard the phone ring again. She looked at her caller ID. It was Cynthia again. Must be calling her with wedding plans. Rolling her eyes, Lisa picked up the phone.

"What's up?"

"Lisa," Cynthia said, sounding horrified, "turn on the TV."

"What-?"

"Now!"

"Okay, okay," she said. Weirdo, she thought, shaking her head and smiling. She turned on the TV.

To her shock and horror, the picture she saw on the television was of Jackson Rippner. She started to listen to the newswoman.

"...Mass killing at Kingsford Hospital believed to be connected to this man, Jackson Rippner, a patient and known criminal, who was missing when police arrived. Authorities have asked the people of Miami to assume that this man was involved in the mass murder, and that he is armed and dangerous. If you see this man, call police immediately. Now back to..."

Lisa turned off the TV, stunned. She sat down heavily on the couch, staring at the television screen. No, she thought, he can't have escaped. But deep down, she knew it was true. Of course he escaped. It was Jackson. If anyone could escape, it was him. But who had helped him?

The phone rang. Lisa jumped, then calmed herself down. Only the phone, she thought, feeling ridiculous. She checked her caller ID. The screen read "unknown caller." Probably telemarketers, she thought. She sat back on the couch and waited until they hang up. But they didn't. Finally her answering machine picked up.

"Hey, this is Lisa, I'm not here right now, so leave a message and I'll call you back. Bye!"

There was a "beep!" then silence. For a few seconds, no one said anything. Lisa was about to jump up and hit the 'delete' button, but then a voice:

"It's been a long time, Leese."

The voice made the hair on the back of Lisa's neck stand up. It's him, she thought, her insides shuddering. He knows where I am.

"I'll be waiting for you."

The phone hung up. Lisa looked at the phone in horror.

He knew where she was.

Lisa leaned against the table, her hand to her head, and passed out.

Hey there! Sorry the first chappy was a little rushed, but I'm working on two fics at the same time, so it's a bit difficult. I promise future chapters will be more detailed. I'll probably update tomorrow, and I PROMISE you, you will figure out where the story is going by chapter three, most likely. Anyway, loves to you people, and I will update as soon as possible. Bye!