Wow-weeh children! It's been a loooong time since I updated this, but I must remind you that I did warn you in the prologue that I stick at updating. The reason for this lull is simple; college and working. I go to an extremely hard college that focuses on group work, speaking, writing and self analyzing so I had plenty of homework to go around. When I wasn't doing homework, I was making money. I can also blame it on the discovery of bands such as Hot Hot Heat, We Are The Fury, The Moog, This Providence and The Bigger Lights and the movie by Syfy, Alice. They also distracted me. So blame them…. Or listen/watch them instead.
I would like to thank ahhelga for reminding me to get my butt back on this and updated.
My musical inspiration for this chapter is from my all time favorite band The Killers.
And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me
The cold-hearted boy I used to be
Over and out, last call for sin
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
All These Things That I've Done
" Ms. Reisert, this," said Braun walking over to 'Ripper' and putting an arm on his shoulder "is Jackson Rippner. He is one of my finest men I've ever had the pleasure to find. He's going to be taking care of your job."
Jackson looked at Lisa. His expression was unreadable. Lisa felt uncomfortable being under his gaze. It was the eyes that really did it. They shone as they analyzed her. He seemed to take in her appearance as much as she did his. Lisa, not only impressed with his features, really thought he dressed nice. Who would expect a criminal to have a sense of fashion? He wore a navy blue suit with a white shirt. It fit him perfectly.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Reisert. And what is it I'm going to be helping her with?" asked Jackson.
"Great," thought Lisa. "His voice is sexy too... I can't believe I even thought that. Most men repulse me, now. What makes him so different?"
Lisa found it was best to ignore his physical appearance. Focus on the mind inside that beautiful head. He's probably killed many people and was highly dangerous.
"Yeah but that makes it all more fun."
No, it didn't. He is probably insane for doing things like that.
"Well, that would make two of you."
Ignoring the ongoing battle in her head, she focused on what was happening and remember that she hated men. Jackson was listening patiently to Braun as explain what was happening to him. The look on his face showed deep thought. He was extremely interested to hear that she was from Miami. He mentioned that the man could be from the group before Braun did. Greatly impressed, Braun explained what was going to happen and the proposition that he gave Lisa.
"I want you to find this man for her and then use her knowledge of Miami to find the rest of the group," explained Braun. "Your first priority is always going to be to protect her."
"I understand," said Jackson. "When will we be leaving?"
"Ms. Reisert, when does your plane leave?" asked Braun with a smile.
"I leave in two days at six in the morning. Flight 1231, I believe," responded Lisa. "I think the flight is booked though because the person who I ordered it from said I had the last ticket. I don't think we would be able to fly out together if that is what you wanted."
"That won't be a problem, miss," laughed Braun. "Nothing can stop Jackson when he puts him mind to it. Don't worry. He'll be on that flight."
That is not exactly what she was worried about. She did not want to embarrass herself on the flight because of her fear. Especially to a man she was apparently going to be seeing often. She wondered how often she was going to see him. It probably would be seldom as he would be hard working. Where would he stay? That was no problem. She could use her power as an assistant manager and get him free nights at the Lux. That would be good because she would be able to keep in touch with him easily and it would not be suspicious if there were seen talking. Lisa smiled at herself for her brilliant plan.
"Well, it is almost four," continued Braun looking at his pure gold watch. "I have an important phone call I must take soon. Jackson, I want you to take particular care of this girl. She's been through a lot and I have an attachment to her and her case. Ms. Reisert, I thank you for agreeing to aid me in my war. I would also like to say I am so extremely sorry for you misfortunes. I'm not worried that your case will not be solved." He walked over to Jackson and gave him a smile. "Jackson will be able to take care of the job. I have full faith in him. You're in good hands. Good bye, Ms. Reisert. Jackson. Matt."
With that Braun exited the room, leaving the others in silent. Braun seemed to be the one doing most of the talking and without him an awkward stillness. Lisa did not know how to break the ice to an assassin so she chose to be quite, waiting for either Matt or Jackson to break the silence. Wishing the person to talk next was Matt, Jackson decided to talk.
"So, Ms. Reisert," began Jackson looking at her with a hint of a smirk.
"Oh, please call me Lisa," declared Lisa. She preferred it that Braun called her 'Ms. Reisert' because she wanted to make it seem like they had as little of a relationship as possible. He was a very powerful man and she did not really want to be on extremely close terms with him. He was very friendly, but Lisa could imagine him not being so nice as well. This Jackson on the other hand was not as powerful as him. He might be as dangerous and be extremely skilled, but he did not have that air of importance that Braun had. He could have been a friend like Matt was.
"Well, then Lisa, I have a couple of questions for you" continued Jackson. Maybe she could have made him keep calling her 'Ms. Reisert' because she was not completely comfortable with him calling her by her first name. It was not so much him, but the way he had said it. It was very alluring. Reasoning with herself, Lisa decided that it was because he was dangerous. It was that that had made her heart skip a beat. Solely because of his criminal past and it made her nervous. Yup, that was why. "The first one is how many rooms are there in your apartment or home?"
"Excuse me?" exclaimed Lisa. Did he really need to know that?
"How many rooms are there in your home?" repeated Jackson.
"Um, there are two rooms in my apartment," put out Lisa. Lisa's heart beat increased tremendously as she grew extremely suspicious.
"Do you have a roommate?" was his next question.
"No, but what does this all pertain to?" questioned Lisa. Really, that was not his business. Ok, maybe it was but why was that the absolute first thing he needed to know.
"Well," said Jackson "it would be pretty hard to explain me to a roommate and it would be extremely awkward if I would have to share a room with you."
Lisa blinked. There was no way he was saying what she thought he was saying. No possible way, but she had to ask. "What are you implying?"
"I'm implying," he said in a smooth voice "that I will be staying with you in your apartment. I do need a place to be stationed and be able to maintain constant contact with you."
"That doesn't mean you have to stay at my apartment!" said Lisa quickly. She might have found the man kind of attractive but that is no way means she was going to allow him to invade her home. "I'm the assistant manager at the Lux Atlantic. I can get you a room for free. That way you can still see me regularly and I'm there more than I am at home."
Oh God! The last thing she needed was to have a man living in her apartment. Men completely repulsed her. She shivered thinking of Pat O'Connell. But then again she gave Matt a hug openly and shook Braun's hand. She knows Matt very well though and she needed Braun's help to solve the case. She also thought she would never find another man attractive, but here was this strange blue eyed man whom Lisa found extremely good looking. What was wrong with her? Maybe the only men she could get along with are in this particular strange group of criminals.
But really, this group was just like the man from Miami. Well, Braun rejects rapist. That was a good thing. That could be the possible source of trust with these people because they do not do what she hates the most. Other than that they are probably exactly the same. There was just something about this group that made her fell like she fits in. That was going to be a problem.
"That could work," said Jackson as Lisa sighed in relief "for the rest of the team when they come."
Crap. "Why do you need to stay at my apartment?" she asked. Really… why?
"Because," replied Jackson. "It's the boss's orders. He said he wanted me to keep an eye on you. That is the best way I'm going to do it. I know you are having hard times trusting men, but you can trust me. I promise I will not do anything to harm you."
"How can I be sure?" wondered Lisa aloud. At least he understood the problem.
"He never lies," put in Matt. Lisa looked at him. Matt's eyes held honesty in them. "He doesn't need too. And if he did do anything, I'll do more than just punch him in the face."
That made Lisa feel a little better.
"You know I could take you," chuckled Jackson.
Maybe not.
"Not if I had my gun," argued Matt "and you had yours. We all know who would win then."
The two of the bantered back and forth trying to decide each scenario where they would win. Jackson would win in a physical or manipulation fight while Matt would win in a fight with a weapon where you need aim. He then asked Lisa a few more questions about her so he would not be at a complete loss when they started the job. After that, Lisa and Matt left the hide out and went to explore New York.
When Braun told Lisa that Jackson need to keep an eye on her, he also must have told Matt the same thing because he spent the next day with her as well. Not that she did not appreciate the company because she gladly accepted it. Matt had her back.
He also dropped her off at the airport on the day of her flight. She was to meet Jackson there. She wondered if he managed to get a ticket. She said her good bye to Matt.
"Yeah, I'll be seeing you soon," said Matt.
"What do you mean?" asked Lisa.
"I'm going to be going to Miami once Jackson finds him and makes a plan. I'll be one of the 'henchmen' if you will," explained Matt. He then saluted and drove off.
Lisa suddenly felt very alone. She tried not to let it show when she walked into the airport. It was fine she kept telling herself. When an older lady brushed past her arm she almost out right screamed. How did she let herself get this bad? The whole time she was with Matt nothing bothered her. She needed to start recovering and fast.
That's when it happened. She could feel someone walk behind her. He pressed too close to her and put his hand on a spot that they did not belong. "Hey babe," he rasped "Wanna see what else I can do?"
Lisa stiffened too frightened to move. Oh God, it was going to happen again.
Suddenly the hand was gone. Lisa turned to see Jackson like a knight in shining armor waiting to rescue her. He had the scumbag's wrist in his hand. He was holding it so tight that he hand was changing colors.
"That is no way to treat a lady," Jackson asserted. His eyes bore into the man with an anger Lisa has never seen before. It was commanding, threatening, and somewhat beautiful. She was pretty sure that people on the other side of the airport could see how bright they were.
"And who are you to tell me what to do?" asked the violator. He said it with conviction but did not look in his eyes. He was angry and scared. He had to have been about forty something with greasy hair and dull brown eyes. He tried to give his best sneer, but failed.
Jackson did not answer the question, only tightened his grip. The man screamed out in agony. He was on his knees and Jackson released him. He rubbed his wrists in pain. Jackson was about to turn to Lisa when the man attacked him. He tackled him to the ground. Just as he was about to throw the punch, Jackson kicked him off sending the man flying. He landed against a wall.
Lisa could not believe what she was seeing. Jackson, this criminal that she barely knew, was fighting for her. She wanted them to stop but there was no way she was going to go near the fighting. The security did though. Breaking up the fight, they asked what was going on. Once Jackson explained what happened, they let him off. He walked up to Lisa when she was done being questioned.
"Are you ok?" he asked. He put a hand on her shoulder and looked her right in the eyes. It was incredible how different they looked now. They were clear and full of concern. It was also incredible how comforted she felt with his hand on her. An old lady; terrifying, but an assassin; that is completely fine. Something was wrong with her.
"I'm ok," she told him. Yeah ok, despite the on-going battle in her head about all the things that were complete messed up with her. "Thank you."
"Not a problem," he smiled. "That is what I am here for." He adjusted his suit jacket and cracked his neck. Lisa noticed some dried blood on his lip and that he was not bruised at all. When she told him about the blood, he wiped it off and looked just as he did before the attack.
"Let's go," he told her.
The two of them walked together through the terminal. Jackson had about three bags in which help lots of equipment and his clothes. Lisa does not know how they got past the metal detectors with all the technology he had with them.
They could not board the flight for another half an hour so they sat in the terminal waiting. There were few words spoken between them. Lisa found the silence awkward and felt like she needed to converse with him. He was going to be living with her after all so they might as well get to know each other. Instead Lisa watched the rain clouds form. She hoped that they would be gone before they left.
As they got in line to board the plane, it started to rain. Lisa could feel Jackson watch her as she looked outside. She really hoped that they would not have any turbulence. Lisa was wrapped up in thoughts when Jackson asked "Fear of flying?"
"It's not so much of the flying as it is the weather," she told him. He must think that she was the most worried person in the world. "I don't like turbulence. It makes me extremely conformable and my imagination goes wild with stories of things that could happen. I'll be happy once we are on the ground."
"Understandable," he replied. At least he was being polite.
As they got closer to being checked in, there was a commotion. A man started yelling at the stewardess.
"What do you mean this ticket doesn't work?" yelled the man.
Lisa gave Jackson a look in which he smiled in reply to. He winked at her and showed her his ticket.
They had to call security in order to get the man out of the airport. He did not go quietly. Before they left, the security came up to them and apologized again. It seemed like this was going to happen where ever they go.
"Is it always like this with you?" asked Lisa as they made their way to her seat. He managed to get the seat right next to her. Jackson followed behind her. His only carryon was his laptop while Lisa's was a book.
"Like what?" asked Jackson. She could hear the smile in his voice.
"Always filled with commotion and the authorities need to be involved."
They were in their seat now. Jackson gave her the window seat.
"Well," he began. "Normally, I try to avoid authorities as much as I can, but I do cause mayhem where ever I go."
"Great," she replied.
"Don't worry," replied Jackson. "I'm not here to make your life miserable, remember? I'm here to make that bastard's life miserable. And it's not all that bad- the chaos I cause. The police sometimes don't even notice the things we do."
"Do you think the police will be involved in our job?" asked Lisa suddenly worried. If they were, would they be able to trace it back to her? If it did, then her father would fine out and he can never find out! She would end up going to jail and losing her job and everything she worked so hard for. Her mind filled with stories things that could happen.
"Lisa," breathed Jackson. "You're really a worry wart, aren't you? Calm down," –as he said this he slowly leaned in –"everything is going to be fine. I'm not going to get caught. You're not going to get caught. The only person who is going to be caught is the man who made you this way. Take a deep breath and relax." His voice was soothing. Lisa closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. "I'm a professional. I know how the system works. Everything will work out like we plan it. Are you better now?"
Lisa nodded yes. The little therapy session he just put her through really worked. She kept her eyes closed until she felt her heart's beat decline at the pace it is suppose to be. With one last deep breath, she slowly opened her eyes. She held her gaze out of the window not wanted to see the expression on Jackson's face. It seemed that she could not stop humiliating herself in front of him. Who know what would happen next.
"Are you sure?" he reinforced. Jackson was unlike Matt in many ways. For one thing, he dressed better then Matt. Matt's clothes were baggy while Jackson wore nice tailored suits. Second thing was that Jackson was a lot more sociable and adaptable then Matt. The major difference, the one that bothered Lisa the most, was that Matt knew what made her tick and Jackson violated the one thing that made her absolutely tick. "Lisa?"
"I'm fine," she said reluctantly. "It's just that I can't stand that question; 'Are you sure?' My dad always asks me that question. It makes me feel like he does not trust me. When I say thing, I mean them. He has yet to stop asking me either. It's worse now that he is retired. He has more time to worry about me."
Jackson nodded with understanding. It will definitely be strange getting to know him.
"Welcome aboard American Airlines," rang the captain's voice over the intercom. "My name is Paul Bays and I will be your pilot for this morning." He went on to tell everyone about his successful flights in the past. Either he was trying to make everyone feel safe or extremely cocky. Lisa was going to the later because she did not feel any safer. Once he mentioned that they might have a little trouble with the weather, Lisa felt the exact opposite of what the pilot wanted. As they buckled up and headed for the air, Lisa gripped the edge of her chair.
The way up was better then what Lisa thought. It was smooth despite the rain thundering down on the plane. They might even make it without turbulence.
She was wrong.
As soon as she got her hopes up for a turbulence-free flight, the plane started to shake. Lisa could feel her hand stiffen and she closed her eyes tight in fear. She could hear a group of kids somewhere behind her. They were whispering to each other excitedly. Idiots. They were actually enjoying this.
"Lisa, your knuckles are turning white," Jackson sighed next to her.
Thank you for letting me know this now let me go back to worrying in peace.
Jackson did not let her go back to worrying in peace. Instead he worked on prying her hands off of the seat. Lisa did not understand why it was so important that she had to let go of the seat, but Jackson worked hard on getting it off. Giving up on her hands, Jackson worked on getting her eyes open. "Leese," he said in a soothing voice. "Can you at least open your eyes? I don't want any vessels breaking."
What did he call her?
Lisa could feel her face scrunch up. Slowly she opened one eye followed by the other. She gave him a curious look.
"That's better," he said almost patronizingly. He gave her a smile, well more like a smirk. The kind you get when you're on your way to solving a hard puzzle.
"What was that name?" she asked him.
"What name?" he said curiously. "You mean Leese?"
"Yeah." She paused. "Huh, no one has ever called me that before. They normally call me Lissy. I think I like Leese better though. It's different."
"Leese it is then," smiled Jackson. They smile made his eyes brighter.
Suddenly, the turbulence stopped. Lisa sighed in relief as it died down. Jackson face was glowing. It seemed like he found a new game; How Distract Lisa When She Is Worried. He was winning and Lisa was thankful for that.
"What about you?" Lisa asked when she found her voice. "Nick-name wise, I mean. Do people normally call you Jack?"
"No," he replied. Lisa was sure she saw his eye twitch. "I haven't gone by that name since I was ten. My last name's Rippner, remember?"
"Yes," said Lisa. She had to sound it out. "Jack Rippner. Jack the- oh!"
Jackson nodded his head. "I don't particularly like it," he told her. "Braun thinks it's hilarious. 'It's like you were born for this job.' I had to beat up a lot of kids for calling me that. Eventually, I lived up to the name."
"That wasn't very nice of your parents," Lisa commented not being able to think of anything else to say. Did he have parents? Well, obviously he did, but was he in contact with them?
"That's what I told them when I killed them," he claimed. The seriousness in his face concerned her. What had Matt said again? He never lies? Lisa was way in over her head. She tried to not let her panic show through but that was not happened. Lisa looked at him straight in his face. A smile broke through the façade. He started laughing. Not the evil sinister laugh that you would expect after a declaration like that but a kind, joking laugh. Another new game; Freak Lisa Out. Lisa hit him on the shoulder.
"Don't do that to me!" she exclaimed. This man really was trying to kill her.
"I never really knew my parents," he informed her. "Well my mother at least." Lisa could not help to shake her head at him. He really knew how to freak her out. Her former curiosity increased though. Who was this Jackson Rippner? "I suppose you would like to know about my past."
He's a mind reader as well.
"It's only fair," she told him. "You probably know all about me from Matt… and besides you will be living with me. I don't want a total stranger crashing into my apartment."
He sighed because she was absolutely right. "Alright, I'll tell you as much as you need to know." He looked around to see if anyone was listening. After staring down a man kiddy-corner from them, he turned to Lisa and told his story.
Jackson was born in the great state of New York. His mother died when he was only three from a fatal car accident. The oncoming car was aimed at Jackson who was in the back seat and she managed to swerve the car so that it would hit her instead. She died two hours later and Jackson made it out with only a scar on his arm. His father was devastated and found remorse in alcohol. He became so unstable that his grandmother decided to raise him. He was brilliant in school and loved his grandmother very much, but when she died he refused to be brought up by anyone else. He fled to New York City and quickly taught how to manage by himself; though a life of crime. He, at age fourteen, was robbing an electronics store and running away from security when he ran into someone. He hid him from the police and took him in. It was Braun. Braun sent him to school to become a master at computers, math and an all around proficient student. He exceeded Braun's expectations and became one of his most prized employees. When he took over the business, he made Jackson his right hand man and he's been taking care of him ever since.
Lisa listened to his story with great interest. It was incredible to think that he had known Braun for such a long time and the trust that he puts to him. Lisa was pleased to know that she was going to be taken care of by the best. It was also interesting to see the side that talked about his grandmother. He definitely loved her and missed her, you could tell by his voice.
"Do you regret it?" she asked him.
"No," he said after some time. "This life might be treacherous but it was the life I was born to live. I don't regret it; all these things that I've done."
Sorry for any errors. I'm my own beta and I was too lazy to do it thoroughly. I also feel like I'm losing some of my original writing style. I need to get my muse up and back in order. Hopefully I can accomplish this. *sigh*
A thanks to my other new readers; MythStar Black Dragon, nk2000 and MikkiANNE and to my old ones as well. Love to read your comments (which you should do again… comment I mean). I like comments. It keeps me motivated.