THINGS CHANGE

CHAPTER SEVEN

"Where are we off to?"

"The coffee shop" –Jackson said swiftly

"Which one?"

"There is a coffee shop nearby, right?

"Oh, yeah, right!" – replied Lisa, still somehow perplexed by what was going on. While she looked through the window, she had to remind herself that the only thing that mattered was staying alert no matter what. Jackson, on his part, said absolutely nothing and started the engine. He had arrived at the hotel ten minutes early, and on his way to the Lux, he had noticed the aforesaid coffee shop just around the corner.

Lisa was about to get off the car on her own in order to prevent a gentlemanly Jackson from opening the car door for her when she suddenly saw a familiar figure sitting in the coffee shop…

'Oh my God Alex!'

Indeed. Alex was in the coffee shop, chatting up with a friend. Lisa wondered when he had left the hotel, and how on earth she hadn't seen him passing by. Perhaps she had been too distracted to notice. Jackson was about to approach her and lead her in, but suddenly Lisa turned on her heels and accidentally collided into his chest

"I'm sorry" – she said nervously

"Never mind Leese" –Jackson whispered right next to her ear. "Shall we go in?"

"Mhmm, you know what, why don't we go somewhere else?"

"What's the matter?" –Jackson asked with his head cocked to the side in confusion

"I think… we should talk in a less crowded place"

"Oh, ok then–Jackson agreed – Where do you want to go?"

"There is a park nearby, let's go there"

"Yeah, sure… let's go" – he replied before heading back to the car, and he would have gotten in but Lisa stopped him

"Mhmm, actually Jackson, I think I'd rather walk"

Jackson was getting confused again, yet he accepted "All right, it's fine by me" He was absolutely set on acting like a gentleman complying with all her requests and commands.

Lisa started walking and Jackson followed her, both were seemingly 'distracted' however they were kind of unsettled. Jackson was preoccupied about what he would say, while Lisa was rather nervous about having just 'escaped' from Alex, though at the same time she felt relieved that she had prevented him from finding out her lie. Lisa couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if Alex realized that she had pretty much ditched him to go out with another man instead of having dinner with her dad. She couldn't help but sigh in relief once again, even though she was in the company of her blue-eyed former 'threatener'.

About a minute later, Lisa's mind gradually went back to focus on Jackson and their impeding conversation, and after walking for about three minutes, they arrived at the park. The time had come for her to start questioning Jackson Rippner.

"OK Jackson, what do you want to talk about? What do you want from me?"

Jackson continued walking for a few seconds before he stopped ant turned to look at her right in the eye. He cleared his throat and started talking "Lisa, I know you have reasons to hate me, loathe me… hell, you even have reasons to kill me, but despite all that – Jackson paused and took a breath – I plead with you to listen"

Lisa gave him permission with a look and nodded her head

"Lisa, I am here to offer you an apology. Please forgive me for everything that happened in the past" – He said gazing at her intently as he spoke.

Lisa was absolutely taken aback at his words. She hadn't expected him to get to the point so fast. It took her approximately a minute to answer, completely beside herself "Sounds easy, doesn't it? You almost kill Keefe, my father and me, all because of your goddamn fucking job! You made me go through hell, and then you just come back asking for an apology, like you just committed a traffic infraction or something like that! – Lisa was in a frenzy of rage - Tell me Jackson, do you really think that's enough to fix everything?!"

"No, it's not. But it's a start, don't you think? – Jackson replied calmly

Again, Lisa wasn't expecting that, so she kept quiet for a moment to assess the situation. She needed to speak assertively and keep her temper in check.

"Listen – Jackson continued – I've made many mistakes in my life, mistakes that I deeply regret. The worst of all is that, whenever I try to fix them, everything is so fucked up that I find myself in an abyss with no way out. I'm just sick and tired of ending up there. I want to start a new life, one that makes me feel good about myself – He paused for a moment to breathe in deeply – please Lisa, help me change my life for the better, help me be a better person. I just don't want you to be one of those mistakes without solution, those mistakes that only bring more pain and torment into my life.

The last bit truly got Lisa's attention. Still, she shook her head in disbelief "Jackson I cannot change you, or anyone for that matter! You want to be a good man after such a nasty streak of animosity, please! Who would believe that?! – Lisa asked while she regarded him skeptically –most of all, what reasons could you possibly have to become a better man? You know your past deeds pretty much define who you are as a person. Plus, you said it yourself, you need my forgiveness to feel better and avoid bad feelings. Those are really selfish reasons if you ask me. And finally, what good would it do me to forgive you?!" – She had raised her voice as she became more and more upset at him

Shit. Ok calm down Rippner, you knew this would be hard, so get hold of yourself and the situation

"You would save a complete asshole like me from the depths of the abyss. Leese, not a single damn day has gone by that I haven't regret what happened between us and what I did during that flight– Jackson said while he started getting closer – and I know that asking for your forgiveness seems to be somehow stupid, but I don't regret that. Like you just said, I needed it to feel better about myself, but perhaps my true reason for doing this is perhaps one of the most human motivations there are, something I have avoided my whole damn life!" – Jackson exhaled before he regained focus and continued – You may not need an apology from a jerk like me, you have no good reason to grant your forgiveness, but I do need you to forgive me Lisa, I truly do... Hell, if all you need to forgive me is to see me behind bars, I'm willing to turn myself in to the fucking FBI, have them lock me up, anything for you to trust enough and finally say that you forgive me"

By the time he finished speaking Jackson's face was mere centimeters from Lisa's, just like the time they'd been locked together in the plane's bathroom, but once Lisa realized how close together they were, she pushed him back with all her might

"How the hell dare you…? I mean, what is your problem Jackson, have you lost your freaking mind?! I can't forgive you just like that; this is insane you are one f..." Lisa stop herself from cursing when she remembered what Jackson said few moments ago 'perhaps my true reason for doing this is perhaps one of the most human motivations there are, something I have avoided my whole damn life' She had to find out what he had meant.

"What are those human motivations to ask for my forgiveness?"

"What?" – He asked, taken aback

"You said that there was a human motivation for doing this, something you have avoided your whole life. What did you mean Jackson?"

Jackson regarded her for a moment before he replied "I was talking about feelings, I had always avoided them"

Both stayed silent for a few minutes while she thought on his words and what they implied.

"You had?" – Lisa asked raising an eyebrow

"Yes, up until a few months ago, when I allowed myself to feel again. Lisa"

Jackson looked at her intensely and Lisa couldn't dare to question him any further for fear that he would say something more significant. Few seconds later and much more at ease, Jackson continued "You know Leese; I would have loved to meet you under different circumstances. I… I truly regret what happened, my life is pretty much beyond my control and I don't know what to do. Asking for your help was in fact the craziest thing ever since it's pretty clear that you hate me. But I reached for you because I know that you are a good, honest and decent person. The right person to help me through this"

Jackson chose that moment to cup her chin gently, tilting her face up – "Many times, people need a second chance, a chance they aren't always lucky to get. I guess that's my case but I really hope you get a second chance when you need it Leese. I already offered my apology, and I can't do anything else. It's up to you to take it or not."

Once he was done, the silence became unbearable. Lisa didn't know what to say. Jackson had let go of her face but he still held her gaze with his, which only unsettled her further. When she couldn't take the silence anymore, Lisa finally manage to respond dryly, looking down at the ground "I'm sorry Jackson, I just don't think I can deal with this"

Jackson only rewarded her with confusing gaze that seemingly revealed sadness, before he spoke again "Then I guess there's nothing left to say Leese… I'm leaving now, for good"

Lisa raised her head to look at those blue eyes, only to find them staring deeply into her own hazel ones. Then, very slowly he parted from her and turned to leave. Deep within himself Jackson knew that Lisa would stop him. It was simply a matter of time before she yelled at him to stay. If she didn't do it, he would be clearly disappointed and would have no choice but to come up with a new plan to get close to her. On the other hand, Lisa was thinking hard on what to do next. At that moment, she didn't know what was going on with her own mind, but as she was watching Jackson getting further away, for some inexplicable reason, she knew she had to stop him

"Jackson!"

Lisa had to run to catch up with him. Jackson smiled knowingly before he turned to look at her. He kept looking at her when she started talking

"Don't go, I… I gave it some thought and – she paused for a moment to catch her breath – I've just decided I want to try to help you after all"

"What? Do you really mean it?" – He responded feigning surprise upon hearing her words

"I do. I never lie about things like this"

"Ok, well. Thank you Lisa"

"Sure" - she nodded doubtfully, still agitated from running after him.

"Are you alright?"

"Yep" Or so I think

"Are you sure?"

Lisa raised her head and shot him a threatening look. It had been a while since she had heard that question uttered from his lips. She took a deep breath before she confirmed

"Yes, I am FINE Jackson"

"All right, I believe you" - Jackson replied sarcastically

"And… now what"

"Now, it's kind of late. What if we just get started tomorrow?"

"Ok – she agreed, still feeling bewildered - What time?"

"8 PM"

"Sounds alright"

"Great then, may I take you home?"

Now, she just hadn't been expecting that.

"No, no, no, I actually prefer… You know what; I'll just hail a cab"

"Lisa, come on, it's nearly 11. It's a dangerous time to be out. Besides, you wouldn't want to face another situation like last night, would you?"

Lisa fixed him with a long careful stare. She had to admit that he had a point. It was pretty late and she didn't want to face such an unpleasant situation ever again. And, as much as she hated to admit it, he was showing a 'knight in shining armor' side to him, so… What wrong would it do if she accepted his offer?

"OK. Thank you" she accepted, still somewhat wary

"No problem. Let's walk back to the car"

Jackson started walking yet he made sure that Lisa led the way. Lisa remained pensive and as they were nearing the coffee shop, she remembered that Alex may probably be there. 'Dear God, let him be gone already' she mentally prayed for a moment. Jackson, on his part, decided to end any further gallantries. He'd realized that Lisa wouldn't appreciate them, and he could risk intimidating her. Since he wanted to avoid further awkwardness, he let her get in the car on her own, a detail that Lisa felt glad about. Just before she got in, she turned to look at the coffee shop one last time, and lucky for her. Alex wasn't there anymore.

The drive home was really silent. Lisa discreetly observed Jackson while he drove. He was definitely an excellent driver. At first, she had thought he would be one damn crazy wild driver, so she would have to be wary of him while she gripped onto her seat to avoid 'flying' out of the window. The drive to the coffee shop had been too short for her to notice his skills. However, on the way to her house, Lisa realized that not only did Jackson Rippner drive at a steady rate, but he respected all traffic signs, something she hadn't expected. Will the surprises ever end with this man?

Jackson, on his part, remained focused on the road. He really wanted Lisa to relax and had tried to make small talk at the beginning, but alas, she remained guarded and quiet all the time

When they finally arrived, Lisa calmly got off the car, and so did Jackson

"Thanks for dropping me home" – she said as she turned to look at him once again

"You are welcome"

"Well… I'm going in"

"Very well"

"Bye"

"See you soon" – Jackson said, looking intently at her one last time

Hello! to all lectors a new chapter has been posted finally.
All reviews appreciated, thank you! I like to know who is following this! More chapters coming sometime soon.