Lisa opened her eyes to the faint glow of sunlight streaming through the partially closed curtains of the motel room. Having only vague memories of the night before, she attempted to stretch hoping to disengage herself from the somewhat awkward position on the mattress only to find herself trapped between two arms that were wrapped firmly around her waist.

What the hell? We didn't… Lisa glanced down and felt some reassurance at the fact that she was fully clothed but the truth remained that Jackson's disconcerting embrace caused a rampage of emotions to traverse through her. She instantly reacted, unwilling to sort through the reemerging conflict within her. Struggling to break free of Jackson's grasp, she instantly panicked when the arms around her tightened.

"Where's the fire, Leese?" He whispered to her mockingly.

"Let go of me." She demanded, gasping from effort as she amplified her efforts to dispel the unyielding grip from the arms that encased her.

"No. I'm sorry Lisa but I'm doing you a favor." He replied. "Sooner or later, you are going to need to trust me."

"Please…I can't….can't breathe."

Pressing her back further against him, he stroked her forehead. "Just relax, Leese. Close your eyes. There's nothing to fear." He said soothingly after she reluctantly allowed herself to be guided back to her original position on the mattress.

He could feel her trembling in his arms and he loosened his grip slightly, still holding her firmly around the waist as his other hand grazed her temple.

"Why are you doing this?" She whispered.

"Why do you think?" He asked her. She didn't respond, doubting her own instincts as she tried to piece together what happened the night before that led her into this position.

"If you spend your life afraid of taking risks, thinking every man that approaches you is an enemy, could you really say that you are always looking forward, Leese?" He inquired.

"Some risks aren't worth taking, Jackson." Lisa murmured softly.

"And why is that?"

"Look what happened over the past few days after I decided to take a chance rather then play it safe. Just look at where it got me."

"Leese, what happened that night was inevitable. There was no way to avoid it or run away from it as you've done for the last two years. The only control you had was on the outcome." He said.

"Does that make you blameless, Jack? How many have died under your direction?"

"None specifically under my direction, Leese. My clients make that call and I never said I was above blame. In life, there are winners and there are losers."

"You're not saying…." She started to laugh though she found nothing humorous of the situation. Frustration engulfed her and the sole amusement she found was her own futility. Taking advantage of his loosened grip, she yanked her body forwards as she turned to face him.

"So, that's how you sleep at night by making some lame ass excuse for why you aren't responsible for what your superiors pay you to do. That's a load of absolute bullshit and you know it, Jack. Maybe it's time you accept responsibility." She retorted.

His face had contorted in fury as he struck her suddenly with such force that she fell off the bed, onto the floor. She put her hand to her cheek and winced at the sting of a fresh cut left as a remnant of the blow he dealt her. Instantly, she was on her feet running to the door and was attempting to disengage the deadbolt when his arm wrapped around her pinning her arms to her sides.

He dragged her backwards despite her tenuous efforts of resistance as he forced her to sit in one of the wooden chairs perched near the bed. Jackson released his grip on her arms and she flinched involuntarily as his fingers grazed her injured cheek. He shook his head despairingly as he took her chin in his hand turning her head to face him.

"I didn't intend for this to happen, Lisa. I'm sorry."

"Why bother offering me empty apologies, Jack." She spat at him. "Do you really regret anything you do or are your brief sojourns in humanity just an act? Maybe that's why you detest deceit because your whole life has been a lie."

"I never…" He started to say.

"Yes, I know. You never lied to me. That's getting old Jack. So what compels you to never lie? Have you ever thought about it? Is it the fact that's the only decent quality you can possibly retain while you spend your life debasing and murdering others but then again, they can rest assured of the fact that you never lied to them once. Excuse me when I say that's a cold comfort."

He stood up, opening his first aide kit, pouring some alcohol onto a wad of cotton. Approaching her, he paused in deep thought while staring at her intently.

"You're right." He told her softly.

Lisa was started by this sudden revelation as she searched his face for any hint of his previous deception. "What?"

"I won't say it again." He replied as he reached over and dabbed the cotton on her injured cheek.

"You don't have too." Lisa said, standing up to make her way to the bathroom. As she passed him, she put a tentative hand on his shoulder and he glanced up at her, startled from his moment of reverie. "Something's got to give, Jackson. You know that."

His expression remained stoic in response to her statement and in a simple gesture of affection; his hand covered hers as he squeezed her palm gently. They lingered in that position, resting on the comfort that one another provided.

Finally Jackson stood up, releasing her hand as he headed over to his duffle bag in the corner of the room. "You better get cleaned up and dressed, Leese. I need to meet with our contact for our passports in Dallas and we still have a long way to go."

Yes we do. Lisa thought as she headed to the restroom. A very long way to go but at least the end is in sight.

I want to thank all the reviewers who have taken the time to review. I appreciate them a great deal. Also want to say thanks to Royalty09 for being a very patient sounding board!