Author's note: I need to stop saying I'll do things in X amount of time it never happens. Also I'd like to apologize for timeline errors, I lost the notebook with my written timeline for this, so I'm just improvising at this point. I know how I want it to end, don't remember the details on how to get there.

Also this just in: I love how much I've damaged Blake. He was so nice at the start of this, and he's so not now. Oops I broke him

Trudi, I am forever amazed by your dedication to this story. You've been here since I started You Don't in 2012. I was in middle school when I started this, and now I'm in college. I'm not lying when I say I am p much writing this for you. I just hope the ending lives up to your expectations.

Jackson lead Lisa into the restaurant, one hand resting lightly on her lower back. He gave a charming smile to the hostess as he stated his name. The young woman nodded, marked them off the list, then lead the couple to a table. Jackson pulled out Lisa's chair for her before taking his seat next to her. Lisa let out a sigh as she looked around the room. All the patrons of the restaurant were dressed formally, just as Jackson and Lisa were. The sigh earned a look of concern from Jackson. "What's wrong Leese?" he asked.

She shook her head, as if denying that there was a problem. Despite that, however, she spoke, "It's nothing. I'm just nervous. What if this doesn't work?"

He raised a hand to brush over her cheek, a feather light touch to avoid messing up her makeup. "It will be fine. This is just a meeting with a client. If it helps, act like you're servicing someone at the hotel."

Lisa nodded, though she was still not totally convinced. Jackson had finally given her all the details on the job. The target was a runner up for state representative named Jonah Saxon. He and his wife had two children, a boy and a girl, ages four and six. As far as Lisa could tell they were a normal family, undeserving of what she knew would happen to Jonah. That never did bother Jackson though. Lisa asked why someone wanted him dead, and all he could tell her was a guess that someone didn't like his politics. The plan was to befriend Jonah and his wife, get close enough that it would be easy to poison his meal. But not this meal, this was far too soon.

This dinner was merely an introduction. A way to meet the target, and establish a friendship. This job would be a long haul, and the farther into it they got the more dangerous it became, for everyone involved. Lisa's pregnancy would of course play a part in that, the nature of the job was always a hazard, and the fact that they were up against Blake and Danny. The latter being the biggest problem. Jackson hadn't forgotten his run in with Danny, but since then the younger man had been oddly silent.

Shortly after a waiter had arrived to take their drink orders Mr. and Mrs. Saxon arrived. Jonah wore a standard black suit, and his wife wore a stylish black dress. Both had red hair, although his was much darker than her ginger hair. Jackson rose to introduce himself and Lisa. When Lisa was mentioned she rose as well, politely shaking their hands when prompted. Both men did their introductions in the same style, Jonah saying his name and following with Merideth's, though she insisted upon being called Meri. Then Jackson of course introduced himself, and then Lisa. They all sat down together, and began discussing the menu.

Through the course of dinner the formalities were high. Lisa didn't expect anything less. Jonah's head of security was recently given a leave of absence, following his wife being diagnosed with cancer. As such, this dinner was an interview for Jackson to take his place. Being on their best behavior was simply their only choice. Lisa made small talk with Merideth, and Jackson talked business with Jonah. It went well, and Jackson had secured his position as head of Jonah's security detail.

Danny tapped his finger against the table. Blake was running late, and Danny could only hope it's because of work. Finally though, the cop enters the bar and walks over. "Got stuck in the office. Captain wanted to talk to me."

"Oh? What'd the Cap want?" Danny asked, an eyebrow raised in question. Blake is a good cop, but he's never been one to get attention from the captain.

Blake shook his head, "It's nothing important. What've you got on Jackson?"

The younger man made a pouting face at him for a moment before speaking, "He's going after Jonah Saxon. They had supper together tonight so it looks like he's playing the long game."

"What do you mean they? Is he bringing Lisa into this?" Blake asked, frowning at Danny.

With an eye roll Danny responded, "Calm down Johnny, he may be a psychopath but he wouldn't put her in danger. He cares about her too much for that. It was just dinner, he's just trying to get close to Saxon. From what I've dug up Saxon needed a new security guy, and Jackson volunteered for that role."

Blake turned away slightly, catching the attention of the bartender to order a drink. "Listen to yourself, saying a psychopath can care about anyone. That's nonsense."

Danny shrugged, taking a swig from his own drink. "You say that, and yet you border that line yourself."

"Like hell I do!" Blake burst out, a hand involuntarily slamming on the bar top.

A finger is pointed at Blake's hand, then down the bar at the couple that looked up at him during his outburst. "Johnny, you've always had a temper no matter how well you hid it with Lisa. I'm helping you because you're my friend, but honestly I can't blame her for leaving you. One psychopath for another. What's it matter if he's got brown hair or black hair?"

When Blake followed Danny's finger to the staring couple he sighed, forcing himself to relax and flatten his hand against the bar top. "I didn't hide it. She made it better."

"Either way, Rippner won't hurt her. He's being surprisingly gentle honestly. Maybe part of the plan to look married- well to be married but..." he trailed off his sentence, bringing his drink to his lips again.

"But what?" Blake asked, calmer but still obviously irritated.

Danny watched the bartender finish Blake's drink and hand it to him before responding. "But there might be more going on. If you can talk to Lisa, it might be worth seeing what you can learn. I expect she won't talk to me anymore. Rippner's no doubt told her we're after him."

Blake stared down at his drink, watching the light reflect off the bronze liquid. "I'll try. She hasn't been answering my calls though."

"Then go visit, you know where Jackson lives, his place is on record at the station."