Chapter Five
Sitting in the waiting room of the emergency room, Lisa pretended to read a magazine. All though it appeared she was fixated on her reading, she could only think of Jackson. The way he had let her go, when he had her under his thumb. Why would he release her just so she could go and complicate his job? It wasn't Jackson at all.
After six hours of worry, crying, and no sleep, Lisa still waited for news about Adam's condition. Doctors and nurses rushed around the hospital, going about their duties, caring for patients. A little girl wept in her mother's arms, her face pale and damp with tears. Across from Lisa, a young couple snuggled in each others arms, whispering to each other. The small television in the corner of the room, displayed a news channel. On the screen was the Lux Atlantic, crime scene tape wrapped around the entrance, while several cops came in and out of the scene, ducking under the yellow tape each time.
"Miss. Reisert."A blonde woman, holding a clipboard walked up to where Lisa sat. Quickly putting the magazine down, Lisa stood up to shake the doctor's hand. Her cheeks stiff from crying, "Yes...is Adam going to be ok?"she said, tripping over her words in her eagerness.
"He has lost a lot of blood, but he survived the surgery, and is now in recovery."She had a faint smile on her face, just enough to try and comfort the frantic Lisa."We think he should make it." she added.
An overwhelming sense of relief enveloped Lisa. Adam was alive, maybe not in the best condition, but he survived. Jack, you failled... She felt an answering smile for the doctor. She left, but soon returned saying, "Would you like to come with me? Adam is asking for you."
"Um...yes. Of course."Lisa answered, and followed behind the doctor through a serious of halls. Finally, the doctor stopped in front of a door and opened it for Lisa. On the hospital bed, Adam layed, smilling up at her. She ran to his side.
"Adam!"Her smile was wide."You're ok."
"I'm sorry, but you will have to leave in ten minutes. Mr. Hawk needs some rest."The doctor said, then walked out the door, leaving Adam and Lisa to talk.
"I'm sorry Lisa."He held her by the arms.
"What? Why are you sorry?"She was a little confused. He had been nearly killed and he was apologizing to her.
"I put you in danger. You could have been killed because of me."Lisa's eyes widened at his words."And i'm sorry."
"No, no. Don't be sorry. I'm fine, besides, I should be the one apologizing."She put a palm on his cheek. All she cared about was that he was alive, and she wouldn't have to have the burden of his death on her shoulders.
"I should have known better. These are dangerous men, and could have-"He was cut off by Lisa.
"Sssh...it's ok, we both made it. Once your out of the hospital, we have that dinner to go to. Remember?"She smilled at him. Adam returned the favor, then closed his eyes.
"You should go home and get some rest then."He said, looking back up at her."You probablly haven't slept in day's."
"Are you going to be ok here, alone?"
"Yes. You have already done so much for me. Thank you, Lisa."Lisa could not talk, so simply nodded at the weak detective. For awhile longer, she waited till he fell asleep, then she left for the front desk.
"May I borrow your phone. I have no way of getting home."She asked a man behind the counter.
"Sure, here you go."He said, passing a phone to her."Dial nine first."
She nodded in appreciation, and dialled in her friend, Cynthia's number. Almost imediatley the line picked up.
"Hello?"Cynthia asked.
"Hi, it's me Lisa."She loved Cynthia as a sister. They had been friends since Cynthia was hired at the Lux Atlantic. Which hadn't been very long ago, but Lisa had grown attachted to Cynthia.
"Lisa!"She yelled happily. But a hint of worry showing in her voice."I was so worried about you. Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. Can I ask a favor of you?"
"Of course, anything."She assured Lisa.
"I am still at the hospital, and well, I have no way home."Lisa laughed a little.
"I will be right over, just meet me in front."Lisa could hear Cynthia scurrying around."See you in a minute."
"Ok, bye."Lisa hung up and handed the phone back to the man."Thank you."
"Can I have a bay breeze..." Lisa told the bartender at the Tex Mex.
Leese...why are you lying about what drink you want? It's just a damn drink! He thought to himself. Over the eieght weeks he had watched Lisa, he had never seen her order anything but a sea breeze. Jackson went along with Lisa though, sighing in dissapointment, then shaking his head.
"Impressive talent, though. Very close."Lisa smilled at Jackson. Making him feel weak inside. He loved her smile. It was loving, and always so warm.
"You know...breaks the ice."He added, shrugging his shoulders.
"Yeah."Lisa turned her head smilling still.
"So...are you headed home."Jackson asked. Even though he already knew where she was going.
"Yes, trying."She said. Jackson looked at her, she was a beautiful girl. He had invited her for a drink to get to know her better. Get her to trust him a little more, so she would be more open to him on the plane.
"Flying is so much fun these days."He kept his eyes focused on Lisa. They had been waiting for their delayed flight to Miami for quite some time now.
"Fun for me is just getting off that plane in one piece."She confessed
"Fear of flying?"Jackson asked, a little interested, since this he did not know.
"Yes, just a little."Lisa indicated a little with her fingers.
"Are you in Texas on hotel buisness?"He pretended to wonder.
"No..my grandmother died."Lisa said, a little sad. They talked awhile longer, chatting about Lisa's middle name, Henrietta. Lisa had recieved her drink, and Jackson asked her if it tasted ok, seeing her reaction to the strong taste, also knowing that she had probablly never tasted it before in her life. She told him not to worry.
Jackson remembered he had not introduced himself properly. This whole time, he had just assumed she knew, since he had followed Lisa for two months, and had gotten to know her more than probablly even her own father.
"The name's Jackson, by the way."He held out a hand to Lisa.
"Lisa."
"Pleased to meet you."Jackson told her, it all true. He had wanted to meet her face to face ever since he layed eyes on her.
"Is it Jack, for short?"Lisa asked, intrested in knowing more.
"No. No, I haven't been called Jack, since I was ten years old."He shook his head a little, noticing her look at him with a questioning look, he explained."Last name's Rippner."
"Rippner? Jack Rippner...Jack...the...oh.."She smilled then turned back to her drink in front of her.
"There you go."Jackson said, telling her that she was right.
"That wasn't very nice of your parent's."She told him while laughing a little.
"No, thats what I told them. Before I killed them."He watched Lisa laugh, and he let out a small laugh himself. Dear ol' mom, can't say that I miss them... He thought.
They continued on talking for another few minutes, till it was announced over the airport, that thier flight was now boarding. It took a minute to convince Lisa to let him buy their drinks, but he finally won. Her smile was the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen. And wished he could see more of it before the flight, which would erase that smile away. His whole point of meeting Lisa for a drink, was to try to convince himself that he was not obsessed with her, and that he did not want her as much as he really thought he did. Meeting her in person, only made it worse, it only convinced him, that he wanted her worse than ever...
The smell of rich coffee filled the room along with Jackson's body, snapping him out of his thoughts. He lifted the blue mug up to his mouth, sipping down some of the hot substance. Today, Jackson wore a pair of dark colored jeans, and a white collar shirt. Last night had been difficult on him. After getting the call from Rupert, verifying that Adam Hawk had been taken out, he went home. Where he tried all night to fall asleep, and never could. Memories of Lisa haunted his thoughts and dreams. He had thought about before they had met before the flight, and then how he had tried to kill her when she had gotten away from him.
At the airport, when he had been chasing Lisa, he had lost all his control. All that mattered, was that he got his hands on her, and made sure she didn't get away with what she had done to him. He had never reconsidered what he was doing, and now, he wished he had. Maybe if he had stayed under control, and alert at all times, maybe things between him and Lisa would be different. They might have both gone their seperate ways, and he would not have been nearly killed by her.
Oh well, what's done, is done... He tried to tell himself, but he wanted to set things right with Lisa. Even if she would not forgive him. Who could blame her? He had almost killed her, and her father. If he could, he wanted to find a way to have Lisa to himself. That option was brushed away quickly. She would never want him, and even if he had her to himself, she would never love him back.
"I can't take it anymore."He said aloud, setting the remainder of his black coffee on the table. Jackson stood and grabbed a set of keys off the small coffee table, where he had set them the night before, when he had layed on the couch afterwards to try to get some much needed sleep. Opening the front door, a sudden rush of cold, humid air engullfed Jackson. It rained hard the night before, and everything was damp still, because of the storm, and also because of the morning dew. The sun was just barely rising over the tall mountains in the distance, but enough light to shine a bright glare off his black BMW, straight into his eyes.
After a few minutes of driving, Jackson pulled onto the street where Lisa's small house was located. Her car was in the driveway, and there were no lights in the house.
Jack...you're crazy. Don't do this to yourself. You're just asking for trouble... He tried to talk himself out of it. Passing the house a few times, Jackson debated on wether going in or not. He had caused her so much pain, what would she do if she saw him again? Maybe I should come back another time...
His heart couldn't take it. Seeing Lisa would only make him suffer more. Jackson pulled back out on the main street, and decided to go stop at a small bar on the way home.
Inside the bar, it was dimly lit. Hardly anybody there, for it was still early in the morning. A young waitress scrubbed down the barstools and counter, preparing for the day. Jackson walked up to her, and took a seat next to her. She smilled back at him.
"Good morning."She greeted him cheerfully."Can I get you something?"
"Uh, yes...can I have a Scotch?"He desperatley needed something to drink.
"Sure thing. Just a second." The waitress went to work and served Jackson his order."Here you go."
"Thanks."He took a swig of his drink after swirling the liquid around in his cup.
"Hmm...What brings you here so early?"The waitress placed her elbows on the counter, cupping her chin in her hands.
Jackson thought for a moment, thinking of Lisa. "Well, it's complicated."He gave her a smile, that sent shivers down her back and she suddenly found herself not wanting to know what he meant, seeing the dangerous looks in his secretive, blue eyes.
"OK, well, I have to get this place ready for the rest of the day."She tried to pull herself away from his stare. When he looked at her, she felt vulnerable, and she did not like that feeling.
When she could not see his face, he smirked. He loved his power and control over people. The waitress didn't talk to him much the rest of his stay there. A few more customers had come in and were sitting a few chairs away from Jackson. One was an older man, the other looked like he was just barely old enough to be allowed in a bar. Jackson assumed they were father and son. It sounded, from the way they talked, that the young man had screwed up a relationship with a woman, and dad wasn't happy. Why are woman so difficult to please, and way to easy to offend? Jackson shook his head.
"Son, if you love her, and you want to make her happy. Then you need to show her, that you would do anything for her, even lay your life on the line."The older man said, placing a hand on his son's back.
(Flashback)
"Leese, what are you doing?" Jackson asked her, from in his car. Lisa was walking down the street in a hurry, looking over her shoulder at something. The whole day, Lisa had been in the Lux Atlantic, her work took up most of her life, and the free time she did have to herself, she spent it at home watching classical movies.
"That's the wrong way. You're going the wrong way. You parked your car over on the other side."He was begining to worry, she seemed scared, and was starting to jog. Then he saw why, just a little behind her a man was jogging after her. Getting out of the car, Jackson walked across the parking lot towards the two.
"Why are you running?"The man screamed at Lisa, not noticing Jackson.
Lisa moved to a run, it was late, and there was no one else in the parking lot. Jackson saw the man catch up to Lisa and grab her, trying to stop her from screaming. An anger that Jackson had never felt before, surrfaced. No one touches what belongs to me! He screamed angirly in his mind. He ran faster than before, and slammed himself against the man, forcing him to let go of Lisa.
She fell to the pavement, but quickly got up and backed away from the two men.
Jackson pulled out a gun from under his jacket, aiming it at the man who know was holding both hands above his head.
"Hey man, I-"The frightened man began to plea.
"Why were you running after her?"Jackson interupted
"I-I, i'm sorry."He couldn't say anything else, afraid of Jackson pulling the trigger.
Jackson looked over the man, then was able to bottle his anger. Feeling a little pity in the man, who had sunk so low into trying to hurt another. Not that his line of work was any higher. Lisa was trembling, frozen where she stood, also afraid of Jackson.
"Get the hell out of here, or you will be sorry."At Jackson's permission, the man fled the other way. Looking over at Lisa once, Jackson put his gun away and turned quickly. Shit! I hope it's dark enough for her not to see my face... Jackson didn't look back, not wanting to blow his cover, if he still had one.
"Wait!"Lisa yelled after him. She caught up to Jacksons fast pace, and grabbed his arm, turning him towards her."I just want to thank you."
He kept his face hidden by looking down, his brown, flowing hair covering his eyes."You're welcome" He curbed back a little bit of irritation.
"Is there anything I can do for you?To show my appreciation. Maybe we could get a drink or something-"Lisa was cut off by Jackson ripping away from her and walking back to his car.
"Don't worry about it, but right now I have somewhere important to be."Jackson could hear Lisa take a breath in, and he felt angry at himself. She hadn't done anything wrong, and was trying to thank him for helping her out. And what did he do, yell at her, run from her. No, you can't feel sorry for her now. Don't blow this operation by letting her find out who you are...
"I'm sorry."Jackson apologized, still turned from her."I just have to go. Try not to get in any more trouble."
He hopped in his BMW, watching Lisa walk back to her car, and get in. She was safe again. For now at least. What the hell just happened. Jackson thought, combing his hair back out of his eyes with his fingers. His head was pounding, why did he feel so angry, at her being touched by another man? This shouldn't be happening.
(end of flashback)
The man's words, made Jackson realize, that this whole time, from the very begining, that Lisa was more than a job to him. All these feelings that she caused, feelings he had never had before, never experienced. It was love. Jackson loved her. Loved her more than anything in the whole world, and he would die for her.
Jackson pulled a twenty out, and set it down on the bar, then sprinted to his car. Lisa may hate him for what he had done, but he would tell her how he felt, even if it was the last thing she wanted to hear from a killer. After all this time, he knew how he felt about Lisa. Even if she always had him on his toes. She was perfect, and he had been searching for her his whole life. He could never have anyone else but her, and only her.
Lisa tried to sleep on the tan couch in her living room. On the wall clock, it showed 8:00 a.m. The last weeks events kept her awake most of the night. And the six hours waiting on word for Adam's condition, helped keep her awake. How did this happen to her? What did she do to deserve this?
Getting up off the couch, Lisa went into her room where she chaged into a black dress. It went down to her knees, and the sleeves were short. She had decided she would go to the hospital and see how Adam was doing. Bring him something to eat. Give him some company.
Lisa ran a brush through her hair, getting rid of all the tangles. After washing her face, and applying a fresh coat of make up, she went down to the kitchen where her car keys were lying next to her purse. It was quiet in the house, nothing but the sound of Lisa's light footsteps on the tiled kitchen floor.
Placing the strap of her purse over her shoulder, she reached for her car keys. Turning for the door, she stopped, backing into the counter. Jackson put both hands on the counter, trapping Lisa where she was. He was almost touching Lisa's face with his.
"Miss me, Leese?"He said with a teasing voice, he wanted to tell her how he felt, but found himself unable to. So he covered his confusion, by doing what he did best. And taunted her with his words.
"H-How-"She stumbled with her question. How did he get in? How come I can't ever be free from him?
Jackson reached his hand up to her face, moving his body in closer to her. She held her ground, scared at what he would do.
"Lisa, I...I think i'm in love with you."Jackson confessed. His voice soft and calm. Lisa stopped breathing. What...did he just say?
He moved in, pressing his lips up to hers. Lisa closed her eyes, everything left her mind. She forgot about who he was and what he had done, and let him kiss her, let him be so close to her. All she could think about was what he was like when they had laughed together, smilled at each other. Before they had boarded the Red Eye to Miami. When she had so much feelings for the man who almost killed her.
He wasn't going to let go of her now that he had her. His love for her was so powerful. He didn't care if she loved him back, but he wanted her to know that he loved her. That's all that mattered.
Wow! Yeah! Maybe a little to early, but he truly loves her and it was coming eventualy. Anyways, hope it wasn't a horrible chapter. Thanks for all the reviews for chapter four and hope to get more for this chapter. Especially this chapter. Hope to get chapter six up soon.