It took some time for Lisa to wake up the next day. The pills had worked apparently too well, when she looked at the clock, it was 8:00 am. 'Damn! Now I'll be late for work' she cursed as she promptly got up and made it to the shower, to start getting ready.

Just as she was eating a quick breakfast, Lisa heard the doorbell ringing, so she hurried to the door right away, wondering who would look for her this early.

"Good morning, Miss. Lisa Reisert?"

"Yes, that's me. How can I help you?" She replied, looking at the stranger at her door.

"I'm Michael Harris from the District Attorney's office…" the man explained extending his hand, which Lisa shook firmly "I'm sorry to bother you, but I've come here to discuss Mr. Jackson Rippner's. Can I have a minute of your time?"

Lisa blinked at him for a few seconds before replying "With all due respect sir, what am I supposed to know about that? The last time your people showed up at my door, I specifically told them that I wanted nothing to do with that man, in fact, I told them to leave me alone"

"Yes, I'm aware of that Miss Reisert, but the situation is rather complicated at the moment, not to say desperate. May I come in, so I can explain myself better?

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she let Harris in, while thousands of ideas were floating around her mind, making her feel more and more apprehensive. But since had come to terms with the fact that she wouldn't get to work on time that day, Lisa finally asked.

"Very well Mr. Harris, could you please explain me what's going on?"

"Mr. Rippner is facing a bench trial, and so far it looks like he and his attorney have resourced to visibly corrupt methods. The defense is claiming that he was mentally unstable at the time of the attacks and, long story short, it looks as though Mr. Rippner is about to be released" Harris explained.

"What! How is that even possible? "Lisa protested

"I believe, we're not naive enough not to realize that Rippner's attorney has bribed the judge"

"And how comes you've done nothing to stop him? Are you actually telling me that the bastard who tried to fucking kill me and several innocent people is just going to get away with it?!" Lisa snapped.

"All the evidence we've presented has been worthless. Miss. Reisert, the last and only evidence we have, is your testimony" –Harris paused to look at her gravely before he continued– "You are our only hope to prevent this injustice, we need you to testify against Jackson Rippner"

Lisa sat frozen for a few seconds, as her mind went back to that horrible ordeal. She'd done everything she could in order not to relive those moments. But then again, could she ever find peace of mind again if Jackson Rippner was to be released? Just as she was pondering those thoughts, Harris continued

"Today is the last day of testimony and final arguments. The session starts at 9:00 a.m and we need you there. I plead with you to help us Miss Reisert" – insisted Harris, emphasizing the importance of her attendance to court

Lisa was thinking about it, still visibly upset. Her mind kept spinning for a few seconds, but she just couldn't help but saying yes

"Okay" – she said – " I just need a few minutes to get ready"

"Very well Miss Reisert, I'll be waiting for you in the car" said Harris as he marched outside

Once in the car, Lisa phoned Cynthia to explain that she'd be late for work and the reasons for her delay. Her friend understood and sympathetically, told her to take all the time she needed wishing her the best of luck.

Upon reaching the courtroom where the meeting would take place, Lisa noticed a huge lot of people from both parties; several police officers, agents, and federal investigators… all of them clearly siding with the law, some men in dark suits sitting on the defendant's side. And of course, the press was there as well, media reporters, photographers. Lisa stayed as close to Harris as she could, since he was the only person she felt she could trust. She sat by the aisle, in order to make her way to the stand more easily when she was required to.

Maxwell, Rippner's advocate, was quite surprised to see Lisa at the courtroom, knowing the threat she could pose to his plans. He'd barely acknowledged her presence before he rushed to make a phone call before the session started.

Harris discreetly observed Maxwell, noticing his surprised expression when he saw Lisa and his hurried departure. He assumed he was onto something. Then, the D.A noticed Lisa, who was pretty much on needles and pins. He knew that was normal since she was about to see the bastard who had tried to kill her, but when he tried to calm her down, it was useless.

Jackson entered the courtroom with Maxwell at nine o'clock. His hands were cuffed, and he was dressed in his signature look, a classy dark suit and white shirt. Maxwell had a look of arrogance and self-confidence that worried Harris, who figured he had probably arrived to an arrangement with the judge. Just as he was thinking about it, the judge entered the room as well.

Jackson on the other hand was just nearing his seat when he saw a familiar face he hadn't seen in a while. Her milky complexion, the curls of her hair, the curves of her hips, everything was unmistakable, yet it took him a few seconds to realize that it was Lisa. The sight of her froze right Jackson right there, while Lisa, who had been adamant on avoiding his gaze, just couldn't help herself and turned to the side, finally allowing her eyes to meet his.

Jackson had stood for a moment, mesmerized by Lisa's incredible green eyes, completely forgetting where he was, before Maxwell snapped him out of it "Jackson!"

"What?" – he snarled back.

"Sit!"

Still visibly shocked, Jackson remembered he was on trial, and took his place. Apparently Maxwell had barely had time to talk to the judge, but he couldn't tell Jackson that Lisa had turned up in the courtroom.

"No need to worry about her Jackson, trust me, nothing can go wrong now"- Maxwell reassured him

"Did you know she was here and you didn't tell me?" Jackson replied quite upset

"I barely had any time to alert the judge Jackson, will you shut up now? The session is about to start"

Jackson sat there pretty annoyed. He just didn't appreciated being caught off guard, especially by Lisa. The only satisfaction he got was that she looked just as affected by him, as he was by her.

"Morning counselors, are we ready to begin?"

"Yes, sir"

The hearing started with what seemed to be another expert witness testimony, a forensic psychiatrist who had diagnosed Jackson with post-traumatic stress disorder. After cross-examination came to an end and he left the stand, the time finally came for Lisa to testify"

"Your honor, the prosecution calls Lisa Reisert to the stand"

More nervous than ever, Lisa blinked at Harris, who encouraged her with a look. She rose on trembling legs and made her way to take the stand. For a second she thought she would fall right there in front of everyone, and her fall would be broadcasted on TV 'Now that would be the icing on this disgusting cake' She could feel everyone's eyes on her, the agents', the counsels', but especially Jackson's. She had never imagined how hard this could be, but it was too late to get cold feet. Once she got sworn in and sat down, the prosecutor walked towards her and proceeded to question her

" Miss Reisert, what is your occupation?"

"I'm a manager at the Lux Atlantic Hotel"

"Miss Reisert, describe the circumstances under which you met Mr. Rippner and what happened afterwards.

Lisa proceeded to tell the court how she had met Jackson, a seemingly friendly stranger who meant no harm, while they were waiting for a flight in Dallas. She had to force herself not to choke, once she started recalling her experience during the flight. Lisa had begun her testimony looking bravely at Jackson, but once she reached this point, she just couldn't hold his gaze anymore and had to look away to avoid a nervous breakdown.

"I perfectly remember the moments of anguish, pain and excruciating fear I experienced. I remember feeling powerless and worthless at the hands of this man who hurt me deeply –said as she bravely looked at Jackson – "He made me the victim of an inhumane, vile and cruel action on his part, forcing me to abide to his will. He dragged me into the worse hell I could possibly imagine. Taking advantage of my position as hotel manager at the Lux, he forced me to make a phone call in order to change the suite of Charles Keefe, an important politician and a guest of ours. He was intent on it, to grant the Keefes' annihilation by a missile pointed at said suite. He threatened to kill my father if I didn't do it"

"Did he succeed at making you his accomplice?"

"Oh no sir, he did not. I kept trying to get free of his manipulations in every way I could, and after many attempts I managed to help prevent the horrible atrocities he had planned" – Lisa proceeded decidedly, until she couldn't help but exchanging glances with Jackson again, he had never stopped looking at her with those unearthly intense blue eyes of his, while he listened to every single word that came out of her mouth. After pausing for a moment, she appealed to the judge "All I ask your honor, is for you to consider your decision carefully, since such a man does not deserve his freedom" then she regarded Jackson one last time.

The judge feigned reconsidering the events on Lisa's request, before addressing Maxwell

"Defense Counsel, you may cross-examine the witness"

Maxwell gladly took this opportunity, and he set on to bring down Lisa.

"Miss Reisert, in my hands I have Mr. Rippner's clinical file. Do you have any idea of what it says?

Visibly offset, Lisa nodded "No"

"Well, allow me to enlighten you. The report indicates that my client had sustained serious life-threatening injuries before he was admitted. Among said injuries, there are 2 gun shots, and 2 rather deep gashes. Have you got any idea about how he got them?"

Lisa's eyes had widened in surprise as Maxwell shared this information, and couldn't help but nodding yes.

"And while my client had to undergo medical treatment for several weeks in order to fully recover, isn't it true that you, 'his victim' emerged relatively unharmed from the whole incident?"

"Yes, but I only attacked him in self-defense. He tried to kill me!"

"Objection your honor, it is Mr. Rippner who is on trial, not Miss Reisert"

"Your honor, what I'm trying to demonstrate is that the witness' actions nullify her testimony, since my client's life was in serious danger in her hands during the quarrel that took place between them"

"Objection denied. Are there any further questions counsel?"

"No further questions your honor"

"Thank you Ms. Reisert. You may step down. The court will take a brief recess before the closing arguments"

Lisa felt enraged at the huge pile of bullshit she had just heard. How could she have just stood there and done nothing?

'He was going to kill me, he threatened me, all I did was fighting back and now I'm the bad guy!

She could see Harris, visibly upset. He just hadn't being expecting such a nasty trick on Maxwell's part. He also felt sorry about Lisa. He could tell she'd been through enough shit, and he had never wanted to make her more vulnerable. Now, it even seemed that the press would have a field day with this, if they were to question her actions during and after the flight.

In the meantime, Lisa had just decided to give up trying to change the course of events. It was just helpless in such a situation. She would rush out of there if possible, but she wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her defeated. She needed to calm down and stay at ease.

Once the recess was over, they proceeded with the closing arguments on both sides, and the time arrived for the judge to pronounce the final verdict

"Mr. Rippner please stand" – both Jackson and Maxwell stood, not before exchanging complicit grins – "Having gone over the evidence, you clearly acted out of impulse as a result of post-traumatic stress disorder. As for Miss Reisert's testimony, the witness is impeached on the ground of bias due to a quarrel with the accused. I'm also certain that Mr. Rippner suffered more injuries than she did through the whole ordeal" – the judge paused for a second to clear his throat before pronouncing the dreaded words " I pronounce the defendant not guilty on the ground of mental illness. The defendant is to seek treatment in order to cope with the traumatic events. Court is adjourned. Mr. Rippner, you are free to go"

Who were they trying to fool? The whole charade was plain obvious, and Lisa knew it perfectly. Jackson was not mentally handicapped, he was in full command of his faculties, but the district attorneys had failed to present evidence that proved the contrary. And now, there nothing anyone could do. Nothing! Lisa's mind kept going over these facts as intense anger boiled inside her. She felt like running to Jackson and hit him with all her might for everything he had put her through, but she had to hold herself back, since giving into the temptation would only make her look like the villain. Hell, that Maxwell dude took care of that, already! Now she could finally leave, actually, she desperately needed to, otherwise the feeling of suffocation would finally take over her, besides, now she would have the press to deal with, and it looked as though those reporters were interested in approaching her for interviews. As Lisa was leaving, Harris approached and thanked her for her cooperation albeit things hadn't gone the way they had expected.

Once she left, she hurried to hail a taxi to go to the Lux. Just as she was fastening her seatbelt, she felt someone staring at her. Lisa turned instinctively and looked out the window… it was Jackson. She couldn't help but freezing under that powerful gaze, as his eyes told her a very clear message

'I'm coming for you'