Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Feedback: Yes, Please!

Author's note: I have read and been inspired by several good stories in the Red Eye fandom. Any similarities with other stories are completely unintentionally. Some scenes have been written so many times by so many authors that in the end some of them may look a little like each other. If you think you recognize something you've written in this story, feel honoured; you've inspired me. If you find it too close to what you've written – e-mail me and we can compare and discuss it on a friendly basis. The story in its whole is still not ours no matter how much we all wish it was!

Thank you all who read and took the time to review my first chapter. It is highly appreciated.

I am now posting each of the chapters again, betad version. Enjoy!

-

Chapter 2 Jackson Rippner – Pleased To Meet You

Her Bay Breeze had arrived and even though she didn't even remember how it tasted, she needed the vodka in it. The pressure of the upcoming flight and the insecurity she still felt, sitting here and talking to this handsome man, was a little too much to bear.

She could feel his blue eyes on her as she tasted the drink. She made a barely visible face as the taste wasn't what she had expected. Way too sweet with sugar on top would be the best words to describe the experience.

"That taste OK?" he asked lightly, but his eyes seemed to coax her to tell the truth. No, it didn't really, but she wasn't going to reveal herself that easily to him. Jeez! He'd just read her like an open book. It was worrying, but at the same time oddly comforting, like he knew her. Just don't come to close.

"It's fine," she nodded, speaking equally lightly.

"You sure? 'Cause we can always get you that Sea Breeze." He smiled and tipped his head towards the bartender.

How come he is so sure of what I want? She was puzzled and, to be honest, she found it slightly disturbing.

"You sound like my dad," she began, and was met with a laugh.

Lisa continued. "I say I'm fine, he says 'are you sure?'." She looked at him and tried to sound confident. "I'm sure."

"OK, I believe you."

"Good."

Maybe it was the vodka, or maybe it was the mention of her dad, but she leaned back in her chair and began to relax. This was actually nice. She could begin to see herself doing this again. Perhaps with this man? Does he live in Miami? She had noticed that he didn't wear a ring. Why did I even think of that?

He must have felt something similar because he stretched his hand towards her.

"The name's Jackson, by the way."

She shook it, noticing several things at once. For someone so lean he had a really firm handshake, and his hand was so warm… and smooth. No rough labour there. Then there was his eyes… glacial blue, unnaturally blue combined with that dark hair. For the first time, she really met his gaze, and shivered.

"Lisa." She tore herself away from the moment.

"Pleased to meet you."

Lisa smiled inwardly; she was very pleased to meet him as well.

"Is it Jack for short?"

"No," he answered firmly. "I haven't gone by Jack since I was ten years old."

Curious, she studied his face. Exactly since ten? What happened?

"Last name's Rippner," he added, emphasizing 'Rippner' and gauging her response closely.

"Jack Rippner." She tasted the name. "Jack…the… OH!" She blushed slightly as she realized she'd probably been tactless, asking him that to begin with. Jack the Ripper--- Oh my god, poor guy!

"There you go," he nodded with a disarmingly friendly smile, sounding like he'd heard that response a million times before.

"That wasn't very nice of your parents."

"No. That's what I told them – before I killed them," Jackson answered lightly, looking serious for a moment; just as if he really meant it and still it didn't bother him the least.

"What?" Lisa flinched slightly, but realised he was joking and made a face at him, making him laugh.

Drinking some more of her Bay Breeze, she nodded to herself. It had been a good decision to take him up on his offer; she found that she was enjoying the unfamiliar warmth of the increasing intimacy between them.

"Well, if it's any comfort, my middle name's Henrietta."

"Henrietta…" He tasted the name slowly, and in his mouth it sounded like something you'd WANT your parents to call you. …or a lover… Where did that come from?

"But that's my grandma's name, though. Was..." Lisa frowned slightly and shook her head at the thought that her darling grandmother was actually dead.

Then Jackson said something that made her heart melt completely. "Well, here's to Henrietta, whose spirit is very much alive." He lifted his glass and Lisa did the same. Drinking a lot more than a mouthful, she thought about the upcoming flight, the recent death, and this lovable stranger.

Not such a stranger anymore – Jackson…

-

-

Jackson enjoyed their chat. There was a lot more to her than his surveillance had shown. She had seemed to be such a professional, an ice queen, never letting anyone close.

Except for her dad.

Daddy's little girl.

He was rarely wrong, but Lisa was one exception to that rule. He was enthralled and charmed by her smile and her dark green eyes that flashed with unexpected emotions. She was intelligent and had a good sense of humour.

In any other circumstances…

Jack the Ripper… He'd had to force himself to smile there. He NEVER let anyone call him Jack anymore. If someone did, he made a point of showing it didn't please him.

He looked at the watch on his wrist. There was still time. If the plane by chance didn't leave on time, he'd have to play it here, at the airport. It'd be do-able.

"So… What is it you do at the Lux Atlantic?"

"Oh. Just… managing our guests… complaints, special needs. Stuff like that. Nothing much." She shrugged nonchalantly and smiled before taking another sip at her giant drink.

She was lying – again. Why? He knew for a fact that she did so much more. That she in fact was in charge of the whole staff and customer relations. The hotel manager herself was sitting in front of him.

"Sounds tough. Do you like it?" He smiled, but added a little frown, as if worrying that it was too much work for her.

She nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I do. It's… I work all the time, but it's a great compliment when our guests return, or when they recommend us to their friends or colleagues." She was babbling, obviously liking her job a lot. He almost envied her.

"I can see that."

She turned more to him. "So, what do-" They were interrupted by the announcement that their plane was ready for take-off. People around them burst into spontaneous applause. Lisa and Jackson looked surprised at each other. It was almost as if the announcement came a little too early, like they'd needed some more time. Then they did what any two normal people would do; smiled and joined in.

-

-

"I guess that's us." She felt almost regretful. Perhaps she wouldn't see him again.

"Wonders never cease," he smiled, and raised his eyebrows in a slightly sarcastic grin.

"Yeah." She glanced at her drink. Jackson immediately caught the hint.

"Ahm, let me get this." He stood to get his wallet.

"Oh, no. No, Please." She still didn't want to be in debt. It felt too awkward.

"I got it. I got it." He was already having it taken care of, being a total gentleman. She realised she was being stupid. This is a perfectly normal behaviour, Lisa. You've been out of it for too long!

"Thanks."

"Well…" he said. "So…" They both stood for a moment too long, looking at each other as if not knowing how to end this. Suddenly a cell phone rang in their vicinity.

He went for his pocket. "Can you hang on? I'm sorry."

"M-hm."

"Hello? Yeah." While he spoke, he made funny faces towards her like they'd known each other for years. It made her giggle. She already felt slightly light-headed from the rather strong drink, and this unexpected flirtation with a very handsome man accentuated that feeling.

Jackson continued into his phone, "Can you just hold on?" Then he turned towards her, pointing at the cell phone in his hand, looking slightly embarrassed. "Ahm, I gotta take this. I'm sorry."

"It's OK."

He shook his head regretfully. "It was SO nice to meet you."

"It was so nice to meet YOU," she replied, smiling, while her heart was sinking at the prospect of losing him before… Before WHAT, Lisa?

"Have a good flight. Bye-bye."

"You too," she said.

Then he turned and left without another glance in her direction. Lisa sighed. If it seems too good to be true… then it probably IS too good to be true… And she wouldn't be seeing him again.

Jackson Rippner…