Author's note: Song for this chapter is Plastic Soul by This World Fair
I tried to put some action into this chapter but Danny was too calm.
Trudi, I continue to hope you get better soon. I miss seeing your reviews and it really saddens me that you're sick. I look forward to hearing from you again.
Disclaimer: I own Danny & Blake, everything else belongs to Wes Craven (I think)
A week after Lisa's encounter with Jackson she was walking into the courthouse. Blake hadn't agreed to the divorce, but Lisa was going to file for the divorce anyway. If need be she could force the matter and get the divorce without Blake signing it. Blake had continued to express the opinion that the divorce was unneeded, however Lisa wouldn't listen.
As she filled out the paperwork she thought about her reasons for this. Part of her was doing it for Blake, to keep him safe. However another part of her was doing this for Jackson. While he was gone her life had been peaceful, boring even. Her life had gone back to how it was before she met Jackson, but it didn't feel right anymore.
After the paperwork was done Lisa went to the café to meet Jackson. Just as he'd said he was waiting for her. She took a deep breath and walked over to Jackson's table. Lisa sat down and looked at him. For several minutes she didn't speak, merely studied his face. When they talked outside the hotel she hadn't been able to get a good look at him. He hadn't changed much but after five years it was just weird to see him again. Finally Jackson sighed and asked, "So how's the divorce coming?" effectively breaking the silence.
"I've filed but it'll take time, especially since John won't agree to it." Lisa responded.
Jackson nodded, picking up his cup. "Do hurry. I'm on a time limit." he said.
Lisa sighed and looked away from him. "It's a long process. It could take up to a year."
Jackson put the cup to his lips, taking a drink. "If you'd like I can help speed the process."
Lisa shifted her gaze back to Jackson, glaring harshly at him. "I'm doing this to protect John. Not because I want to help you." she told him crossly.
He sighed and put his cup down. "Well it's either you let me help or fail to meet the deadline and I forcibly end your marriage."
"I don't want your help Jackson." she said, trying to keep calm.
Jackson leaned across the table and spoke in a low voice. "Perhaps you aren't catching my meaning Leese. Finish the divorce in three months or I will kill Blake." he leaned back in his seat and returned his voice to normal. "It's your choice Leese. Let me help or run the risk of Blake getting killed.
"I caught your meaning. It's not hard to see when you're threatening my husband." Lisa said bitterly.
Jackson clenched his fist under the table, not letting Lisa see that he was getting frustrated. "I'd suggest you stop calling him that. You're getting a divorce after all." he said.
"Why are you doing this Jackson? Why can't you just let me go?" Lisa asked, her voice a mix of confusion and perhaps desperation.
"You made a fool out of me. You got me locked up. You made me fail a job. You single-handedly made a mess of my life. I will not let that go. You messed up my life, I'm just returning the favor." He said, his words very pointedly unforgiving.
"Didn't you do enough five years ago?"
Jackson shook his head, leaning towards Lisa again. "You recovered from five years ago so obviously not. What I plan to do to you this time will have a much more lasting effect. If I have to I will kill everyone you love." he threatened.
Lisa bit her lip for a moment before standing up. "If you're going to kill everyone I love then start with yourself." she said before turning and leaving.
On her way out the door she noticed Blake's coworker Gunther sitting at the bar. She debated going to talk to him but decided against it. Her method of ending discussion Jackson would leave him stunned for a moment but it wouldn't last. Once outside she hurried to her car and drove off, headed to her house. She knew Blake would be at work for another hour or two so she wasn't concerned when the house was empty. Lisa set her purse on the coffee table and sat down on her couch, starting to think maybe she shouldn't have told Jackson to kill himself. That comment had probably shocked him then angered him. It slightly surprised Lisa that Jackson hadn't followed her, although he wasn't the type to act without thinking. That was probably why he didn't follow.
Lisa's comment had left Jackson slightly stumped. If you're going to kill everyone I love start with yourself. "Well now Lisa, didn't know you still had feelings for me." he commented to himself. He'd told her to tell Blake she loved him in order to get a divorce, but hadn't imagined it would be true. If she still cares that much about him then his job might be quite a bit easier. Lisa was still resisting him, obviously not about to give up the life she has. However if her feelings for Jackson are real then she's not just doing what he says to protect Blake. Some part of her wants to be with Jackson, and Jackson would poke and prod at that part until she's wrapped around his finger.
Taking the last gulp of his drink Jackson stood up to leave. He left some cash on the table before walking out of the building. Rather than heading straight home he decided to go for a walk. Lisa would soon be his and no one could stop that from being true. Blake could try all he liked, hire whoever he wanted, but they'd never catch Jackson. Five years out of the game or not, Jackson was convinced he was still at the top of the food chain. In his arrogance however he failed to notice the man trailing him. It wasn't until Jackson turned to go back to the café that he noticed his tail. He led him around a couple blocks, just to be sure he was the target. Jackson mentally cursed himself for being so sloppy. Deciding to confront him out of sight Jackson led him into and alleyway. He made sure it was an alley that was open on both ends, cornering himself would be stupider than letting himself get trailed.
Jackson turned to look at whoever was following him. It was a man, about twenty-six years old if Jackson had to guess. He had dark hair that was cut above his eyebrows and off his ears. It was sunset by this point so Jackson couldn't clearly see his eyes but he could tell they were dark. "So you're the cop that Caraline was dating. She mentioned you'd been hired to kill me. You were at the station after I broke out."
"So that was all to aid your escape? Boy you sure know how to make a mess of things. I've barely had time to look for you outside the office." Danny said, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"Seems you found me anyway." Jackson pointed out.
Danny nodded, "It was pretty easy, all I had to do was follow Lisa."
Jackson clenched a fist when he heard that. "Stay away from Lisa." he warned, trying to keep his voice even.
Danny chuckled, "Well you look possessive. The moment I mentioned Lisa you tensed up. I'm sure John would love to hear that you're so possessive of his wife."
Jackson folded his hands behind his back to avoid Danny seeing him react again. "She has nothing to do with this. What I want to know is why can't you people stay out of others business?" He asked.
"Well normally I would, but I'm sure you're familiar with the fact that a job is a job. Right now my job is to take you out, so your business is mine." Danny said.
"If you're supposed to kill me why take the time to talk to me?" Jackson asked.
Danny idly started pacing. "Because this is all a game right? A game to see who will kill who," Danny said, sounding like a kid getting ready to play their favorite game.
"I certainly won't be on the receiving end of the killing." Jackson said matter-of-factly.
Danny chuckled. "We'll see about that. Let's make a bet shall we? If you can beat me I'll turn myself in. If I win, well, you'll be dead," he suggested.
Jackson nodded, "Deal, although you may end up dead rather than incarcerated."
Anther laugh escaped Danny's lips. "You're so optimistic," he said, pausing slightly before saying, "for someone so far out of the game."
Jackson gave Danny a bitter smile. "You talk big for someone so new to the game," he retorted.
Danny paused his pacing in front of Jackson, giving him a harsh glare. "I've been in this game for ten years. Don't act like I'm a kid."
"Ten years? You must have looked up to me as a role model. Jackson taunted, trying to provoke Danny.
"Are you trying to get into a fight? I'd be happy to oblige, at another time. Your messy prison break has gotten me into a lot of fights lately. Half the guys there had a personal beef with me," he said before turning and leaving.
The thought crossed Jackson's mind to pull out his pocket knife and stab Danny in the back, but decided against it. As Danny had said, it's a game, and a stab like that would end it too quickly. Once he was sure Danny was gone he walked out of the alley and back to his car.
Half an hour later Blake walked in through the garage door. "Sweetie I'm home," he called out.
"I'm in the living room." Lisa responded, not having moved off the couch. When Blake walked in Lisa spoke again. "You're home early. I didn't expect you home for at least another half an hour."
"Truth be told I got off a while ago," Blake admitted." Lisa gave him a confused look but let him talk. "I was getting too stressed so Mensu told me to go home. I took a detour to get a drink at the café. Why were you there talking to Jackson?"
The confused look Lisa had had on her face was quickly replaced with a look of shock. "You took a detour to the café? John were you following me?"
Blake sighed and nodded. "I'm worried about you Leese. You're barely talking to me. wanting a divorce and now going to see Jackson. Please talk to me."
Lisa shook her head, standing up to look down at him. "John I've talked to you but you won't listen. This divorce has to happen. I can't keep this up. You're in danger! Jackson will kill you!" she said forcefully.
Blake stood up as well. "Lisa I'm just trying to understand what's going on. Why were you with Jackson?"
"Jackson is back, I still love him, you broke your promise and I don't know what to do! That's what's going on!" She yelled at him, trying to keep tears from falling. "As for why I was talking to Jackson it's because he told me to go talk to him once I filed for a divorce." She said, forcing herself to calm down.
"You filed for divorce? Lisa you know I'm not going to sign it," Blake said.
Lisa nodded, "I know, but I won't let anyone die on my account,"
"Lisa I'm not going to die. You're worrying too much," Blake said, trying to put his hands on Lisa's shoulders.
She pulled away, "No. You admitted there's a reason you never caught Jackson. Until the Keefe case you couldn't even track him. Jackson is way above the police force. You can't find him without breaking the very laws which you swore to uphold,"
"Then how did you find him? You're so against breaking the law but you found Jackson. How?" Blake asked, trying not to yell.
Lisa sighed and leaned against the couch armrest. "He told me he'd be waiting for me."
Blake gave her a confused look. "You mean you knew he's be there and didn't call the cops?"
Lisa hesitated before nodding. "The though didn't cross my mind. I've had a lot on my mind lately,"
Blake sighed and sat down in his desk chair again. "Lisa, please I don't want to lose you," he said, begging her to stay.
She shook her head, "I can't stay here. I won't let anyone die because of me and that means I have to play along with Jackson's game."
"What is his game? Why does he want you so much? It's not like a psychopath has any real feelings for you," Blake asked, trying to understand what was going on.
Lisa shrugged, moving towards the hallway. "He has a job and needs me for it. He wants revenge for me messing up his job five years ago," she said before walking out.
Blake stood and followed. "Lisa wait, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to stay somewhere else," she said, pulling out a suitcase. "Jackson is already telling me to stop calling you my husband. It's best I just leave now,"
Blake walked over, forcing Lisa to stop packing and look at him. "Leese, I'll wait for you okay? If you ever need to talk about anything, I'm still here for you," he said.
Lisa pulled away suddenly, going back to packing. She didn't say anything, so Blake didn't know that he'd quoted what Jackson had said five years prior. The first time that Lisa saw him after the breakup. Slowly Blake left the room, knowing that he couldn't convince her to stay.