Jackson always had been...rash. And not referring to an apply twice-daily to affected area kind of rash, either. He acted on his anger. When his temper rose so did his violence and stupidity of his actions.

He shouldn't have gone after her. Well, she should've, but he should have been more careful. He should have kept a sharp eye out for her dad, or at least killed him to begin with. Damn the Reiserts. Damn them all.

After his short hospital tenure he was transported to federal prison. Jackson almost laughed at how easy it had been to get his guys in to help him. They'd only had to kill one guard, actually...it shocked him. Unfortunately they'd had to also murder his cell mate so he wouldn't speak as a witness to the escape.

Once he was cleared of the jail he'd met with the Company. Of course they knew he'd have to go on the run, but they weren't going to fire him. Demote him slightly, but not even really enough to say so. Dock his pay a couple of hundred dollars, that was all, really. He was too far up status-wise to be let go of. His boss had once said he was the best employee the Company had ever had.

Jackson realized something. He could either use his much-accumulated sick time now and seek revenge with Lisa...or he could start work on another job. He chose the latter. He needed the money. Well, not really. He was just a bit greedy.

Hell, maybe they'd cross paths on the way and he could have his fun.

He didn't know exactly how twisted their paths would become.

Jackson looked up at the road sign in disgust after the bus dropped him off. Stars fucking Hollow. The population was about a speck of what Miami's had been. He couldn't believe the Company had placed him here.

He was supposed to be recruiting this time. Some kid...what was his name...Jess...something. He couldn't remember. Another little brat who might be cut out for the job

of an assassin.

"Didn't think he'd be a small-town hick," he grumbled and made his way down the street.

It was dark, the only light coming from inside the shops and houses. Jackson's lip curled in distaste as he realized the quantity of shops devoted to unicorn figurines. It reminded him of a postcard. It made him want to throw up.

Luke's Diner. It looked fairly deserted. A good spot for him to get directions and something to eat. Maybe they'd have nachos...though he doubted it. After that he could find a place to stay. He doubted anyone would recognize him here. They'd be expecting lies. He wouldn't fulfill that.

The door opened with a bell. Another thing that annoyed him. The two women and the man sitting at the front bar turned. He set his bags on the floor.

"This is a diner, right?" he said coolly.

"Well, that would explain the sign out front," one woman said. Jackson started as he looked at her. Lisa? She looked...her facial features were almost the same, her eyes a bit darker, same as her hair. It had to be her. Damn her, trying to disguise herself...

"Lisa," he growled, moving forward.

"Um...no," she laughed, sounding a bit nervous. "Lorelai."

"You'd think you'd make yourself a little less conspicuous with the alliteration and all," he snarled.

"What are you talking about?" the man stood up. Jackson looked him coldly in the eye.

"Who are you?" he snapped.

"Luke Danes. Who the hell are you and should I be beating the crap out of you right now?"

"I'm Jackson Rippner," he answered, and then turned back to "Lorelai". "And this is Lisa."

"No," she said irritably. "I'm Lorelai."

"She is," the other woman, or girl, nodded vigorously. "She's my mom, you narcissist."

"Your...what?" Jackson shook his head, confused.

"Listen, man, what's your problem?" Jackson blinked and took a second look at Lorelai. It wasn't Lisa. He needed to snap out of it.

"I...sorry," he apologized. "I was looking for a friend. You look a bit like her. That's all."

"It's okay," Lorelai beamed. Obviously she wasn't one to hold grudges long.

"I...so this is a diner?"

"Again, as the sign says out front."

"It says Williams Hardware."

"Oh," Rory laughed. "It used to be that."

"I see. Well, are you open?"

"We close in about half an hour," Luke stood up. "Here's a menu."

Jackson scanned it for a moment. "I'll have a Caesar salad, thanks."

Lorelai raised an eyebrow. "Ew. Really?"

"Yes," he said defensively. "What's so wrong with that?"

"It's kind of um..." she gulped. "Healthy."

"And?"

"That's it exactly," Rory joined in. "We are the world's staunchest supporters of unhealthiness."

Jackson eyed their slim figures. "You don't look like it."

"Yeah, well," Lorelai shrugged and chewed her hamburger. "We are also the greatest medical marvels."

Jackson laughed lightly. So far, so good...the more people he could charm the better.

"So I was wondering," he got right down to business. "I need three things."

"Shoot."

"Okay," he began. "One, I need a job. Two, I need a place to stay. And three, I'm looking for someone."

"Okay," Lorelai mimicked. "One, ask Luke for a job. Two, you can stay at my Inn. And three, who are you looking for?"

"I'll do the first two," Jackson answered. "And I'm looking for a guy named Jess Mariano."

Silence. Lorelai glanced quickly at Rory, who stood up rapidly from the table and left the diner. Jackson frowned at her retreating back and turned to Lorelai.

"Um..."

"Listen, asshole," she snarled, her voice low. Jackson shrank back a bit. "Who do you think you are, bringing him up?"

"What are you talking about?"

"He broke her heart," Lorelai explained. "How do you know him?"

"I...I don't," Jackson said quickly. "A friend is looking for him. Not me. Someone I know."

Lorelai paused. "I don't know where he is. Ask Luke. It's his nephew."

Jackson ran a hand through his long hair. This town was so fucked up it was unbelievable.

"So what, is everybody related in one way or another to someone in this town?" he shook his head. Lorelai stood up.

"No. But if you want to see the Inn come now before I kill you," she snapped. Jackson raised an eyebrow and got his food to go. Lorelai shouted a quick goodbye to Luke (who Jackson gathered was her boyfriend) and they left.

Rory seemed to recover as Jackson saw her run up to a boy on the streets. He had about the same hair and build as Jackson did, though much taller. It was sickening how lovey-dovey the two were. He rolled his eyes as Lorelai led him to a quaint bed and breakfast-type building several blocks down.

"This is the Dragonfly," she said cheerfully as they entered. "One room?"

"No, two, the other one is for my imaginary friend," he rolled his eyes. "What the fuck do you think?"

"Sorry," Lorelai snapped. Jackson sighed and lifted his bags as she handed him a key.

"Enjoy, pay large sums of money, and then get the hell out of here," she grumbled as she left him. He raised an eyebrow and found his way to his room.

Room 16. How...cute. He groaned as he tossed his bags to the floor and crawled into bed. Work would have to wait until tomorrow. Trying to be nice was harder than killing people, he noticed. He drifted off to sleep to the sound of a woman sobbing next door.