Day-to-Day

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye!

Chapter Four

"Well, you're welcome to stay—just not in my bedroom," Lisa said a while later, finally bored of the silence.

Jackson seemed disappointed and she could not tell if he was faking it. Why would he think that she would let him stay in her bed anyways? The hotel had been a one time only deal. She still was not sure about what she thought of him.

She would never forget that he had once tried to kill her, but could she find it in her to forgive him? Had she already forgiven him? He had saved her life and she had saved his. Were they even?

"I'll sleep on the couch," Jackson offered. "How's that sound?"

"Fine. Just don't bleed on it. It's new."

"So was the suit," he grumbled, picking at his blood-stained suit jacket that lay on his arm.

"Not anymore," she snorted and stuck a hand through a large slash in the jacket. "You really should be more careful."

"Well, excuse me for trying to forget you. I wanted to leave you alone—you deserve a normal life. But I can't give bring myself to leave," he sighed deeply, knowing that he had exposed his weakness to her. She was his weakness.

"I shouldn't have been waiting—but I did. Anyone else would have moved on and killed you when you showed up. I should have killed you…"

Lisa was frustrated and confused. Logic told her to kill Jackson and end the nonsensical feelings now. Emotion told her to open her heart and let him stay with her for a while at least. Until they both figured out what to do.

"Hey, don't beat yourself up. We should have never teamed up. Normally, I would have left you to die in that elevator; not helped you."

"I would not have shot someone to save you, or gone back to find you," Lisa admitted sourly. This was not a time to make smart remarks or funny jokes. This was serious.

"Now that we're clear on that…"

"Yeah."

"Why did you—?" they both began, then laughed at each other. It was a brief pause in the seriousness; a break from the dreary.

"You know why, Lisa. I've told you before why I couldn't let you go. But what about you? Hmm?" Jackson inquired, answering first.

She bit her lip. How was she supposed to say what she thought about him? How was she going to say that she might…?

"Leese, you can ell me," Jackson whispered, grabbing her chin forcefully in one hand and stroking her cheek with his thumb.

She was surprised that she did not flinch at his sudden touch. His hands were warm and gentle and she could feel his soft breath on her skin. There something comforting and reassuring about him. Could she really tell him?

"I…" she started but stopped. No, she could not tell him, could she?

"Hey, it's just me. You can tell me."

Lisa nodded. She wanted to tell him and confide in him as he did in her. She really wanted to. But could she?

"Come on, Leese. What is it?" he was still whispering, his lips dangerously close to her ear. "What are you so afraid to tell me?"

His voice was calm, sincere, and soothing. It held a near hypnotic quality. She knew that the moment of truth had finally come. She could no longer hide it.

"I… I love you Jackson," Lisa whispered, wondering instantly if she had done the right thing in confessing.

Lisa loved him back? Lisa Reisert actually loved him? When the hell had that happened?

"Are you sure?" he questioned, in a state of complete and utter shock. Had he really heard her say those words?

"I've never been surer in my life," was her solemn reply. Her green eyes glanced down at the floor, unable to look at him.

"Look at me, Leese, I don't bite."

He titled her chin up with a slender finger, having dropped his controlling grip after her stunning confession. She seemed distrustful and wary of him. He would have to be careful around her. One wrong move and he would lose her for good.

"Well, I do," Lisa teased, a slight smile crossing her lips.

Jackson smiled back. "Okay, I bite a little," he admitted. "Only when provoked though."

Lisa was still smiling at him. She trusted him enough to tell him her true feelings. They were connecting on some level. This was a good sign for them and their future. If they had any type of future together, that was.

"Jackson, what are we gonna do?" Lisa sighed, lightly leaning her head on him, her soft curls brushing his face. "This can't ever work—we can't be together."

"I know, Lisa, believe me, I know."

He wanted to keep her locked up somewhere, a place where she could stay safe and where she could always be his. Jackson was obsessed with Lisa and it drove him to possession. He wanted her. No, he needed her to live. He could never truly let her go. Now that she admitted her feelings, there was no choice left. They belonged to each other; bonded fast by the circumstances of their relationship and by hate and love.

Author's Notes:

Just a quickie. It was originally going to be two different chapters, but it seemed to fit better together. So that means that the next chapter will be a flash forward again, and some more insight into what happens to Jackson and Lisa will be revealed. Enjoy!