Not Tonight

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye or Daybreak!

Chapter Four

Jackson bolted awake, drenched in sweat. His breathing was harsh and ragged, his chest heaving, as he tried in vain to catch his breath. His heart was pounding and all he could think about was the explosion ripping through Dallas International Airport—a bomb which had taken Lisa's life.

Why would they blow up the airport if they are trying to kill Keefe? Surely their plans would change with the explosion. Is it no longer about Keefe?

He buried his head in his hands, using his fingertips to keep his heavy head from snapping his neck. Normally, hanging your head would not kill you, but after the past few days, anything seemed possible.

Lisa… I can't believe it. I promise that I won't let you die. I'll save you if it's the last thing I do.

Jackson dressed, grabbed his belongings and rushed to his rental car. Tossing his bags in the backseat, he put the car in gear and sped off to the cemetery. He would have to stick very close to Lisa in order to save her this time.

Before Lisa could trip in the hole, Jackson rudely brushed against her, causing her to spin around and chase him.

"Hey! Hey!" she called angrily as he walked briskly towards his car. In the distance he could see the dark Lexus lying in wait.

Come on you bastards, give me your best shot!

She grabbed his jacket sleeve as he reached the middle of street, just like she had yesterday. "What's your problem? What are you even doing here? This is a private funeral."

Before Jackson had to reply, he heard the Lexus' gears grind and tires squeal as the driver gunned the engine and drove straight for them. Not very creative, are you?

Without a warning, he grabbing Lisa and pulled her tight against him and threw them both out of the destructive path of the speeding car. Once again, Lisa shrieked and fought against this grip until she noticed the car speeding past them—blowing right through were they had been standing only moments before.

"What just happened here?" she asked as he helped her stand.

"Those people just tried to kill us."

"I don't believe you."

Thunderclouds rumbled overhead and the skies opened.

"Do you have a car?" he asked her.

"No. Why?"

"'Cause mine's right over there and I could give you a ride to wherever you need to go. This is going to be a storm and a half," he said knowingly. "Plus, I'd hate to see you as a pancake on the side of some road."

"My mother told me to never except rides from strangers—even if they did save my life," she taunted, outstretching her hands and tilting her head back to enjoy the refreshing rain. She let out a girlish giggle that touched his heart.

"My name's Jackson Rippner," he offered, holding out his hand for her to shake.

"Lisa Reisert. Are you sure we haven't met before?"

"I would have remembered you," Jackson said with a wide smile that caused her to blush. Thunder sounded and she jumped. "Now, what do you say we get out of the rain?"

She nodded and they ran to his rental car. Jackson opened the passenger side door for her and closed it after she had climbed in. He raced around to the other side and hopped in.

"Now, where to?" he asked politely.

"Are you sure you don't want to come in? There's a bathroom that you could clean up in," Lisa offered when they pulled up in front of her mother's house, glancing at his ruined clothes.

"If you don't mind. I don't want to be a burden—"

"Oh, no it's fine. After all, you saved my life…"

Not yet, but I will. I will save you, Leese. I promise.

Jackson grabbed his bag and an umbrella from the back seat. He then helped Lisa out and covered her with the umbrella as they ran to the front door and entered her mother's house.

"Mom!" Lisa called, unstrapping her ruined shoes and slipping out of her mud-stained coat. "Mom, I'm home!"

"Wait a minute," he warned, shoving Lisa behind his back as he withdrew a gun from his jacket pocket. "Ssh."

Making sure that Lisa was safely behind him, Jackson checked the house for intruders.

"Put the gun down Rippner, or we'll shoot the girl," called an unfamiliar voice.

He swiveled to face Lisa, who had a red dot dancing above her heart. Her green eyes were wide in shock and she was chewing on her lip nervously. He slowly raised the gun, then dove for Lisa, knocking her to the floor and turning to fire three shots at the man behind him with a gun. Jackson cradled Lisa against him as he continued firing.

Five bodies lay on he ground when he had finished. Lisa was shaking in his arms.

"Ssh, it's okay. You're safe now."

I hope…

Jackson convinced Lisa to miss her flight. He stayed with her all night, trying to comfort her and explain what had just happened. She was alternately afraid of him and unable to leave him.

As the afternoon of August 20th rolled around, he began to think that he had finally beaten the curse. He was unharmed, not in a hospital room, and Lisa was still alive. But as he drifted off to sleep, a nagging doubt filled his head.

Why did they stop?

Author's Notes:

Well, he's finally managed to save Lisa, but he still has to figure out exactly what's going on and why he keeps reliving the flight. Sorry about the long delay, but I was really busy with school and several other stories. Thanks for reading/reviewing!