Steal My Life
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye!
Chapter Sixteen
Jackson Rippner grudgingly sat in the waiting room to see Dr. Donovan. Craig Smith had ordered him to see the psychiatrist when he had thrown a fit after someone rearranged his desk. He had suggested that he be medicated before returning to work.
Had it been anyone else, he would have disobeyed and not shown up for the appointment. But since he respected the older manager and his judgment, Jackson was impatiently taping his foot in the cushy waiting room instead of poring over job files and staring at his laptop screen.
"George King?" called a soft, female voice and he stood up. "Right this way, please."
Finally, it only took how long?
He followed the receptionist down the narrow hallway and finally entered the indicated room. A man in his 30s, with nearly black hair similar to his own, looked up from his desk and smiled.
"Come right on in, Mr. King. Have a seat and make yourself comfortable."
Stiffly, Jackson sank down into a chair seated opposite the psychiatrist. He saw no reason to sit on the cozy-looking couch or the plush chair next to it. There was no sense in being comfortable around the very man who was going to try and pick his brain apart. He loathed doctors, especially shrinks.
"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice," Jackson said politely, playing to the man's ego.
"Oh, it was no problem. Mr. Smith and I have known each other for quite some time."
No wonder you're the shrink of choice. You've probably poked around in his head too…
"So, I guess he's told you all about me then."
"He speaks of you most highly. He says you have a promising future, if you can learn to control your 'problems' as he calls them."
"My compulsions," he specified sourly. "My obsessions with perfection and order."
"Yes, that's correct." Dr. Donovan nodded in agreement. "Do you find these urges distracting?"
A glimpse of red hair in the light… Lisa…
"Yes."
"How distracting? Do they impede your work?"
A camera in hand, a stack of surveillance photographs…
"Very distracting. I have trouble focusing on the job at hand," he admitted.
The psychiatrist was hastily jotting down notes. "Uh huh. This is very typical of what is known as obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD. I was suspicious of it when Mr. Smith was talking to me, and what you have told me reinforces the likelihood of you having the disorder. I'll have to conduct some tests, but medication should calm these urges."
"That's good news," Jackson said with a half-smile.
But it won't make me forget you, Lisa…
"I miss you already," David said with a sigh as he stood in the airport with Lisa. They were in front of his gate, where he would go through on his way to customs and his flight.
"Me too," Lisa said distractedly. "I don't want you to go."
"Believe me, if there was any way in the world I could get out of this trip, I would. But I can't, Leese. I have to go. It's my job."
She nodded, hanging her head as she did so. He cupped her chin gently and she blinked at him as their eyes drew level.
"I will come back to you. I promise you that I won't leave you. I'll always come back."
"I know, but I—"
David cut off her protests with a passionate kiss. "I love you, Lisa," he whispered when their lips parted.
Once again, all she could manage was a choked sob. I can't say what I don't mean. It's not fair to him. I can't lie to him…
"Good-bye," she breathed as they broke apart and he walked towards the gate.
When he turned back to blow her a kiss and wave good-bye, Lisa was already gone, headed at break-neck speed for her car.
Only once inside the safety of her small car did she dare curse her stupidity for ignoring her husband. David had given her everything without asking for much in return. Only an idiot could miss the love he held for her. He loved her unconditionally while she was still hung-up over a man who had most likely forgotten her and was mourning his deceased wife.
I'm a stupid woman… I shouldn't have run like that. I should have just lied and told him I loved him. He wouldn't have known it was a lie.
Lisa laid her head on the steering wheel for support; her small body shaking as she cried. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks, staining the pale skin and causing her green eyes to glisten and turn red.
What was I thinking?
Author's Notes:
Well, Jackson's finally getting some help, not that it'll do much good. In the next chapter, we'll learn of David's fate and Jackson will work on another job. Thanks for reading/reviewing! I hope everyone has a good holiday!