Author's note: Thanks to everybody for their kind reviews. Here's what you've all been waiting for grins

Chapter 6

„Welcome to Washington, Ms. Reisert." Keefe stood up and walked around the desk to shake her hand. "Thank you for coming."

Lisa gave a little sigh. "I guess you're welcome."

The Chief of Homeland Security introduced her to one of the bustling sharp-dressed clones that seemed to populate these corridors. "Ms. Reisert, this is Marc Whitley. Jackson Rippner is his main responsibility and he will take you to him."

She couldn't really pinpoint why, but Lisa felt uncomfortable in the other man's presence. The smile he gave her seemed genuine enough, but there was something slightly imposing about Marc Whitley.

"Ms. Reisert, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I must say, you are something of a celebrity around here." Whitley nodded at his superior. "Right away?"

"That's up to Ms. Reisert," Keefe answered.

"Right away. I'd prefer that." Lisa's hand instinctively went up to tuck at some strands of her hair when she sensed Whitley reach out to guide her from the office. She was fairly certain he had noticed as he shot her a quick glance, followed by what could have been a smile, could have been a smirk.

"Ms. Reisert, Jackson Rippner will be chained to a chair, there is no chance for him to touch you. I have personally checked his restraints, he is practically immobile."

Lisa looked at him. Yes, Marc Whitley seemed like the kind of guy who would be good at … restraining people. Probably rattled the chains a little, too.

Again, he appeared to know what was going on in her head. For a moment she thought he might address it, but his voice was neutral when he went on. "The meeting will be held in a special room with guards posted in front of the door and me in the next room behind a glass wall. You are entirely free to terminate the conversation at any time."

In silence they walked down several corridors until they arrived at a thick door flanked by two men in suits. Whitley put one hand on her back and the other one on the doorknob, politely ushering her towards the room.

"Wait." Lisa's eyes were fixed to the floor. Whitley folded his arms, took a step backwards and was about to give her an encouraging speech, no doubt, when she lifted her head. With her chin up, Lisa turned the knob and stepped into the room, closing the door firmly behind her.

"Hello Leese."

Jackson was slighter than she remembered, paler, and a dark bruise marked his cheek.

"Hello Jackson." She sat down, thankful for the table that separated them.

They regarded each other carefully for a few seconds and Lisa was determined not to be the first one to talk. Instead she concentrated on returning his blue-eyed gaze evenly. It took every ounce of strength she had not to fiddle and she felt a flash of anger that he could still affect her like that.

"You're awfully quiet."

"I came here because I was told you wanted to talk. So talk." Lisa was surprised at how indifferent she sounded.

"Jeans, turtleneck, sneakers … do you intend to do some running today?"

"No, it's comfortable."

"That's a beautiful ring you're wearing. A present?"

"Yes."

"Who gave it to you?"

"My mother."

Lisa realized that since they had started, she had been pressing her back into the chair. With a little shake of the head she leaned forward and rested her hands on the table, fingers entwined.

"Uncomfortable?"

"Yes."

"I like that new act of yours. Very defiant, in a less dramatic way. It suits your haircut."

Jackson's posture, on the other hand, had not changed at all. He sat very upright, the arms at his sides pulled back by restraints. It couldn't be anything short of uncomfortable, yet he gave off an air of relaxed confidence that irked Lisa. And just for good measure, Jackson winked at her.

"But the shirt that sticks out from underneath that conservative black turtleneck is a little loud, don't you think?"

"My friends gave it to me."

"I'm surprised you have any."

Lisa shrugged. "You'd be surprised about a lot of things."

"So I've heard."

Again, they lapsed into silence, studying each other until Lisa felt she had enough of their little game. "What do you want, Jackson?"

"I just want to talk to you." He sounded like a friendly neighbor offering to carry that bag of groceries.

She snorted in return. "You just want to talk to me?"

"Leese, when did I ever lie to …"

"Jackson, if you give me any of that 'I never lie to you'-bullshit, I'm going to clock you." Impatience radiated from her voice.

"Well, when did I?"

"Pretending to be someone you're not is just as much a lie as saying one out loud."

For the first time, he leaned back on his chair. "Point taken." He smiled. "Just for the sake of discussion, though, when did I pretend to be someone that I wasn't with you?"

Lisa just stared at him. Bastard!

He brought his voice down to a soothing whisper. "Answer me."

"The TexMex." It sounded angrier than she had intended it to do.

"Ah … good times. We had fun then, didn't we?" Perky. Amused. How did he do this?

"I'm asking you again. What is it you want, Jackson?"

"I already told you."

"I thought I had made myself clear when I answered that with a …" She snorted again.

"At the risk of repeating myself here … I want to talk to you. Know how you've been, what you've been doing. Just catch up."

Lisa gave a laugh that was devoid of all humor. "Allright then. I'm actually doing very well. I spend time with my parents and my friends. I was maid of honor at my mother's wedding. I got promoted. I go out. Satisfied?"

"Now we're getting somewhere, although I think you're leaving stuff out. Am I right?"

"That's none of your business." Lisa turned to the glass wall. "Mr. Whitley, you told me I could break this off at any time. Now is that time."

She looked back at Jackson. "Good bye."

He shot forward as far as he could and smirked when he noticed her taking the tiniest step back. "See ya around, Leese."