"The whole flight?" Luke repeated, shaking his head in disbelief. "Wow."

"Trust me, it doesn't end there," Lisa groaned. "Anyway, he was sentenced to jail but he wasn't there for long. He got out and I just...my fight or flight kicked in and guess which one I chose?"

Luke smiled grimly. "And you found this place. Speaking of which, how did you stumble across Stars Hollow?"

"My grandmother's...lover...has a kid here," Lisa shrugged.

Luke's ears perked up interestedly as Lorelai set three slices of pie on the table. "Really? Who is her 'lover'?"

"His name's Duke," Lisa answered, then added with remorse, "Well, not anymore. She passed away a while back. I believe his kid's name was...Kirk...something or other..."

"Oh my god!" Luke laughed hysterically. "You're related to Kirk!"

"No, actually," Lisa r3eplied defensively. "They never married, just...fornicated."

Lorelai laughed as she added three mugs of coffee to the cornucopia. Lisa sipped it as Luke flipped the diner sign to CLOSED.

"Anyway, back to the story," Lisa requested as Luke resumed his seat.

"Oh, yeah. I came here to hide out but all I succeeded in doing, really, was giving my problem to you guys as well. I really screwed up this time. I should have just stayed in Miami, let him find me, have his fun, and kill me." Lisa shuddered and looked away. Lorelai took her hand warmly.

"Sweetie, I'm glad you came," Lorelai assured her firmly. "You don't deserve to handle this alone." She patted Lisa's palm comfortingly. Luke nodded reassuringly.

"I don't deserve to have friends as good as you," Lisa corrected. "You barely know me, yet you've taken me in like a sister. It means so much to me, especially now...when it seems like the world is closing in on me."

"Its no problem," Lorelai assured her again. Lisa almost laughed at the irony, because of course it was a problem.

"Jackson is so dangerous though," Lisa said urgently. "He'll stop at nothing to get his way."

"What exactly does he do?" Luke questioned. "You know, for work? I mean, he asked me for a job, but now I'm pretty sure that was for a cover."

"Government overthrows, flashy high-profile assassinations," Lisa quoted flatly. "But he says now he's on recruit."

"Assassin recruit?" Luke said in puzzlement. Then his face went white. "Jess."

"What?" Lorelai snapped.

"He was looking for Jess. He's recruiting my nephew."

"And by the way Jack works I doubt he'll take no for an answer," Lisa said with frustration. "Whether by means of threats, blackmail, or bribery."

"What should we do?" Lorelai pressed.

"There's nothing we can do," Luke answered. "Jackson's proved that he can't be stopped, and Jess won't do what I say even if he has a choice. We don't have the best of relationships," he added to Lisa.

"Nor do we," Lorelai sighed. "He dated my daughter and broke her heart. Jess is trouble with a capital T."

"Rory," Luke cried suddenly. "He's still head over heels for her! Maybe she can..."

"No," Lisa interrupted sadly. "This has to stay among us three or you two will be killed. And my dad," she added quietly.

"So that's out," Lorelai shrugged and furrowed her brow in thought. "What else is there to do?"

"Nothing," Luke surrendered. "Absolutely nothing. Just lay low, let this asshole finish his job, and watch him leave. We just have to make sure he doesn't hurt you, us, or anyone else other than himself."

"I told myself I wouldn't let this happen again," Lisa said angrily. "I wouldn't let him slide through my fingers again. Now here he goes."

"I'd rather your pride be hurt than you, Leese," Lorelai said seriously. "He'll die eventually. Everyone does."

Lisa looked at her. "You can't die if you don't have a soul." There was a few moments silence before Lisa spoke again.

"He tried to kiss me," she softly said. "Back at the hotel."

Lorelai licked her lips uncomfortably. "Um...why?"

"I don't know," Lisa shrugged as Luke rose to clear the table. "Because he know s he can and there's nothing I can do about it." Her phone rang suddenly, so she pulled it from her purse and walked to the other side of the room for better reception.

"Lisa Reisert."

"Gossiping about me, Leese?"