1Author's Note-So, my computer has been down and I'm using my mother's, but I just wanted to thank everybody who's reviewed so far. You guys are awesome. Seriously. I just caught a really crappy flu and had to stay home from school today, but the plus side is I can run up here and type a chapter, then run back downstairs and retch. Brilliant. Here they go.

Jackson nailed Jess with a swift kick in the shoulder. Jess crumpled again, muttering choice words.

"You're a fucking prick, know that?" Jackson hissed. "How dare you do that to Rory! Do you realize how degrading that is to her, to you, your pride?"

Jess grunted, "Yeah, but I broke her, didn't I?"

Jackson got him in the stomach as he tried to stand again. "Not in the way you want. Now she'll never willingly be yours."

"And Lisa will?" Jess scoffed.

Jackson tensed, his shoulders stiffening terribly. When he spoke again, his voice was morbidly low. "She has before. At least I haven't ruined my chances."

"Yeah, drown her and she's fucking swooning. Thanks for the tip."

Jackson backhanded Jess and pulled him to his feet by his neck. Jess tittered. "Let me get one thing straight, Jessica. I am your superior. If you wish to keep your organs inside of your body, you do as I say, not your hormones. Is that clear?"

Jess frantically clawed at Jackson's hands. He released him. "Yes," Jess gasped. Jackson smirked.

"Peachy. Now go finish packing. I've got to go clean up the mess you've made."

Jess sullenly skulked to his room, slamming the door behind him. Jackson chortled, once again reminded of Jess's teenage immaturity.

He strode quietly to Rory and Lisa's room and rapped on the door. Pushing it open, he found Lisa twisted awkwardly on her arms, talking to Rory. Both girls' faces were slightly tearstained. When they saw him they froze.

"Room service," Jackson grinned and held up a first aid kit.

Lisa's face grew hard and cold when he looked at her, and her eyes refused to meet his. That amused him.

Rory shrank back as he approached and knelt on the floor next to her bed.

"Get. Away. From. Me," she ordered, and he detected a parcel of fear embedded in her voice.

"Enjoy walking?" he asked lightly. Rory frowned and slightly nodded. "Then I need to set your ankle." She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.

"Why not?"

Lisa sighed, indicating the size that she'd concluded on for Jackson's brain. He looked at Rory. Her eyes were dewy. It dawned on him and he looked again, but softened his expression.

"Rory, I know I'm not exactly Joe Good citizen," he spoke. "But what Jess did was flat out wrong. He neglected to heed everything dear to you and stripped away what was so important. I hate him for that. He lowered himself to indescribable depths. Men who do things like that to women are pigs. And I know you think I'm no better, but I am. I won't do that to you, Rory." A thought hit him and he slowly turned to Lisa. "Or you," he added softly. "Never." She looked away.

Rory nodded and seemed to feel a bit better as she let him study her leg. He sighed.

"This is going to hurt," he admitted. "And although I know how you value your pride, don't try to be tough and hold in a scream. You'll end up biting down on your tongue and you'll inevitably puncture it, which will add embarrassment to your already shitty injury. Ready?" She didn't look it, but she closed her eyes, balled her fists, and nodded.

Jackson bent it back into position and she screamed, but not as loud as he'd expected. He set it into a makeshift cast and bandaged it, then pointed her towards the bathroom to clean up. He uncuffed Lisa and soundlessly moved towards the door. Lisa's voice stopped him as she sat up and massaged her wrists.

"Jackson?"

He turned. "Mm?"

She looked into his eyes. "I just wanted to-um-well, I-I wanted...thank you."

He smiled. "Anytime."