Never…

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

Chapter Seventeen

"Good morning, daddy," Amy mumbled to the gravestone as she stretched upon the damp bed of grass beneath her. "Thank you for keeping me from him."

"I just wish I could have come sooner," a voice responded behind her.

Amy jumped up suddenly. Is that his ghost? God, I've really lost it now.

"Dad? Is that you?"

"Yes, Amy, it's me," Jackson Rippner's voice said.

"Where were you when I needed you? Where were you when he was tormenting me and I needed you to stop him! Why did you leave Mom and I with him?"

Amy heard him sigh. "I'm sorry, Amy. I never meant to hurt you or Lisa. I love you both. I wasn't made aware of what a creep Jon was until it was too late. I'm so sorry…"

"Did he kill you because you tried to protect us?"

"It's a bit more complicated than that…"

"No, it's not. Did Uncle Jonathan kill you? Or was it really mom?" Amy demanded. It was time for some real answers. I have to know the truth.

"Lisa thinks that she killed me and Jonathan encouraged it. But I was never really dead."

"What do you mean? I'm standing at your grave!" Amy was confused. Was his spirit insane as well?

"Look behind you," he said softly. Amy whirled around and came face to face with him for the first time. They had identical blue eyes and brown hair, but his was the face of the man she had come to fear.

Amy screamed and immediately reeled backwards into the headstone. He's going to kill me! Jonathan found me!

"Amy, please don't scream. I won't hurt you. I would never hurt you…" Jackson's melodious voice was soothing and Amy wanted to trust him but Jonathan had betrayed her far too often. This was most likely another trick he so relished playing on her.

She was shaking violently. A pained look crossed his face. "Trust me, Amy," he told her. "I never lie."

"You're supposed to be dead! How is that not a lie?" She finally managed to ask.

"It was to protect you and Lisa. Jonathan convinced me to disappear for your benefit and he assisted me in the cover up. But it was just a ruse for him to get to you and Lisa. He was never concerned with helping me. Jonathan tricked me just like he keeps deceiving you."

"I don't believe you, JONATHAN!" Amy spat, swinging her bag at Jackson's face to throw him off balance as she started to dart away. He has to be lying! Jackson Rippner is dead!

Jackson was momentarily stunned, but he quickly recovered and tore after his runaway daughter. He had to protect her from Jonathan. I can't let him hurt her again! I have to find Lisa!

"Amy, you can't hide from me!" Jackson called after her, making his way through the cemetery in search of her.

She knew that he was right. She could only manage to evade him for a short period of time. If she could just make it over the gate, then she could hide in the car. She knew that once there, her chances of escaping Jonathan would increase.

"Amy, just relax." he pleaded. "Stop running. I just want my family back. All I want it for you and Lisa to come home."

Was he Jonathan? Or was he Jackson? How am I supposed to tell?

Amy clamored over to the gate. She could hear the sound of raspy breathing and she turned to see that he was right behind her and he was gaining on her with every stride. She fumbled with the car keys to unlock the door, her sweaty palms making her attempts clumsy. He finally caught up to her as she tried to open the driver's side door and he grabbed her arms, turning her around as he slammed her back into the car door. She cried out in pain as she fought wildly against the firm grip he had on her arms.

"Don't fight me, Amy. I don't want to hurt you and I need you to trust me. I'm your father. My name is Jackson Rippner. I'm not Jonathan. I swear."

"Liar!" snarled Amy, struggling against his hold. I'm so close! Let me go! Get away from me! Let me go while I still have a chance!

"I never lie, Amy. NEVER."

"I don't believe you," she said, shaking her head.

"Do you want proof, Amy? Is that what you want?"

"Yes," Amy mumbled as she finally ceased her struggle. Despite whoever he claimed to be, she knew he was far too strong for her to fight in her weakened state.

"You'll have to come with me. So, Amy do we have a deal? Will you get into the car on your own or am I going to have to force the matter?"

"I can do it myself," she snapped bitterly.

"Peachy," Jackson smirked, as he gripped her chin, lightly caressing her cheek in a manner reminiscent of how he had done so to her mother's all those years ago.

Amy cringed at his touch and slid into the car after he opened the doors. She knew that she should escape, but she had little doubt he would catch up to her again and probably hurt her in the process. She would have to play along with his game for the time being. When she had a chance, she would take it and get away permanently. Jonathan won't catch me.


Jackson pulled Bruce's car up in front of a neatly kept house in downtown Miami just a few minutes away from the airport, which she determined by the distant sound of planes taking off overhead. It was evident that Jackson had been here before, but somehow she could tell that he did not seem to live here.

"Don't get cute, Amy." He warned as he helped her from the car, holding her arm tightly. If I lose her, I'll lose Lisa as well. I can't lose them both.

He proceeded to drag her across the front lawn despite her repeated protests and rapped sharply on the solid oak door. The door did not open right away, but the sound of footsteps left little doubt that someone was checking to see who they were.

"Yes?" a man's voice inquired.

"It's just me, Joe. It's Jackson. Could you open the door?"

"Why? So you can kill me too like you did Lisa?" The man responded and Amy noticed that Jackson was rolling his blue eyes.

"She's still alive, Joe. Your daughter is still alive. I promise."

"What reason would I have to believe you?"

"Ask your granddaughter. She's standing right here. I'm sure Amy wouldn't dare lie about whether or not her mother is alive, though I'm sure she'd beg to differ about her father…"

"Amy?"

"She's with me, Joe. Can we come in?"

Something Jackson had said did the trick. The front door swung open and Amy caught her first ever glimpse of Joseph Reisert. For all of these years, she had believed that her only family was her mother and Jonathan. But now, her 'father' was alive and now she discovered she had a grandfather.

A family? Is it really true that I actually have a real family?

Author's Notes:

Okay, I managed to get this up tonight. One less thing for me to worry about tomorrow. Enjoy and I'll try to have the next chapter typed and ready to go for Thursday morning. We'll see. It all depends on if I can actually get anything done on our 4 ½ hr bus ride tomorrow up and then back. Ah, the joys of high school trips. Thanks again to emptyvoices!