Lorelai went back upstairs as Tana and Paris were putting on their jackets.

"We're going to go," Tana said nervously, her eyes wide in fright as usual. Like a skittish little mouse. "Since you guys have Ms. Reisert on your team now. We kind of feel dormant. We aren't much help, just sitting here, but if you need anything we're just a phone call, and, well, an hour's drive away."

"Oh, yeah, that's fine," Lorelai nodded. "We love having your company, of course, but don't feel obligated to stay. We'll call you with any news. 'Till Sookie and Lisa get back, Cynthia and I can definitely hold the fort down." She smiled and hobbled back to her spot in a kitchen chair with her bad leg propped up on Luke's bed.

Paris and Tana left and Lorelai was left sitting in a mid-afternoon lull (I'm surprised I can feel this sense of boredom when Rory is in danger) with Cynthia, who actually reminded her a bit of Tana.

Cynthia was a nervous young woman, but she looked positively elated that Lisa was home. She finally spoke with a jittery grin. "I'm very happy, that Paris is gone, beg pardon. That girl really makes me edgy."

Lorelai laughed. "She start spouting off about how Shakespeare wasn't really as smart as we make him out to be?"

"No," Cynthia giggled. "I'd have liked to hear that one, though. Sounds scary. No, she was ranting about Tana's pacing. Poor girl."

Lorelai chuckled and sipped her beer. Rory, sweetie, get home. I can't think without you here. She must have darkened as she reflected because Cynthia sounded sad when she spoke.

"Rory's your daughter, right?"

Lorelai rubbed her eyes. Thank God she hadn't applied makeup today. "Yeah."

"I'm really sorry," Cynthia whispered sincerely. "But I really have a feeling that she's going to be okay."

Lorelai forced a smile. "No offense, but you don't know Jackson Rippner. And even though I thought I could predict Jess Mariano, he proved me wrong."

Cynthia licked her lips. "I don't think you can really read anyone, you know? I mean, everybody has a different personality than what it seems. Like Lisa. The Lisa I knew would have upgraded Jackson Rippner to a suite after she stabbed him in the neck. 'A night on us for your troubles'." Lorelai smiled for real. "But she didn't."

"Nope," Cynthia sighed and swigged her drink and reflected dreamily. "No, she pretty much kicked his scrawny ass."

xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX xX

Lisa screamed as Jackson spun her against the wall. She began spasmodically moving practically every part of her body in an effort to get away. This isn't happening. I got away from him already!

"Sookie," Lisa gasped. "Sookie, help-"

"Calling for a pregnant woman's help, Leese?" Jackson rasped. "Funny, I thought you were above that."

"I am a pregnant woman," Lisa hissed as he twisted her hands into her back. She cried out in pain and gasped, "What did you do to her?"

"I didn't do anything, Leese," Jackson intonated innocently. His eyes flashed. "You really think I'm that low to hurt an eight-month pregnant woman who's never done shit to me? She's not here." He waved a note easily in her face and recited it mockingly in a high-pitched voice, while still managing to keep her hands bound behind her back. "'Leese-I went to Doose's to get some hazelnuts. I'm making baklava! I hope you like baklava! I locked the door and should be back in a few. Help yourself to anything.' What a nice lady, Leese."

"What do you want?"

Jackson pulled her to his chest and she whimpered. "Let go," she pleaded.

He ignored her desperate request. "You know what I want. Rory does, too."

"What the hell does that mean? What did you do to her?"

Jackson dragged her yet closer, his hot breath forming beads of sweat on her already damp forehead. He hissed in her face. "If I did something Leese, if I killed her, it would only be your fault. It was you, not me, who so selfishly ran away."

"Could you blame me?" she begged with a cracking voice. I hate having to beg to him. Like a dog being punished. "For not wanting to spend my whole life virtually enslaved?"

"Actually, yes," he growled. "This is my game. You're playing by the rules or you lose a turn."

Leave it to you, Jackson. Fucking analogies. Lisa rose her eyes and noticed something."This isn't a game, Jackson! This is life! Snap out of your dream world and face reality. You can't just kidnap people and expect them to love you and follow at your heels forever."

"I'm not asking anything like that, Lisa," he snarled. "I'm demanding it."

"There's another difference, Jack," Lisa voice bit sarcasm. "You didn't let me finish."

He tightened his grip on her wrist but Lisa held her ground even as his nails drew blood. "Yeah? What's that? Enlighten me, o' great one."

She braced herself. "You're not going to win."

He laughed. "Oh, yeah, Leese? Says who?"

"Says me." Sookie brought the heavy table lamp crashing down on his head and Lisa darted out from behind him as he fell.

Sookie was trembling. "I think I killed him. Oh God, Leese, what if I killed him?"

"He deserved it," Lisa panted, grabbing Sookie's numb hand. "Come on, we have to go in case he wakes up!"

Sookie was staring at his body. "I've never killed anyone before…oh, God…I'm going to go to hell, or prison!"

Lisa grabbed both of Sookie's hands and glared into her eyes. "Sookie, I'm really sorry, but you won't be in trouble eternally or legally for this. It was defense. Now come on. Would you rather be gone or here when he wakes up?"

Sookie nodded and they broke into a slow jog, Sookie moving as quickly as she could for a pregnant woman. They stopped halfway down the street and Lisa asked Sookie for directions.

"The diner?" Sookie bent over with her hands on her stomach, trying to regain her breath.

"No," Lisa decided. "Jess will be there and it'll be Jackson's first stop when he wakes up, no doubt. We have to get somewhere else, where we'll be safe but can call Lorelai to get out of there. Police station?"

"Don't…have one," Sookie panted. "Closest is Hartford…"

Lisa swore. "How handy. Where can we go, then?"

Sookie thought and then her eyes lit up. "The school. It's Saturday, soccer practice just finished up. It won't be locked and there's a chance that someone might be there. Even if not, there's still phones and plenty of places to hide. Rippner won't think to look there."

Lisa nodded vigorously and helped Sookie to her feet. They took off for the quarter mile in a brisk walk.

They passed the diner and hid themselves behind shrubbery as they passed. No risks here.

Lisa noticed something as they passed and gasped loudly.

"What?" Sookie whispered loudly.

"That car," Lisa paled. "It's Jackson's. Jess is at the diner. With Rory."

"We have to go, then!" Sookie cried.

Lisa thought briefly. "No. Jess can't do anything without Jackson's okay. And Lorelai can beat him. If we get to the school and call the cops, we'll have a chance."

Sookie nodded worriedly, her face blotchy with worry. "'Kay."

It was when they were running into the school that they heard a shrill scream pierce the evening air.