A/N: Thank you all so much for your reviews! It is so encouraging to know that people are interested in the story. Thanks again!

As the story progresses, more will be explained about Jackson's motives and why Kaylie is involved in all of this – this is largely told from Kaylie's POV, so things will become clearer as she gets more involved.

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The hotel room was small, with barely enough room to walk between the two single beds that jutted out from one wall. A table and chair stood next to the window. A clock radio on the bedside table displayed the time in neon green: it was now 10:30 PM. Leroy hurried to check that the curtains were drawn, while Jackson guided Kaylie to one of the beds. She watched him anxiously as he conferred briefly with Leroy, who then disappeared out the door. The car engine came to life and then rapidly died away.

Jackson turned to Kaylie, who was sitting awkwardly on the bed, watching his every move.

"Make yourself comfortable." He grinned. "We're going to be here for awhile."

She scowled, but took his advice and scooted back to lean against the wall. He stretched out on the other bed, propping himself up on one arm to return her gaze. After a moment, Kaylie spoke.

"What do you want from me?"

"What's with all the questions?" he asked, cracking a smile. "I'm not just going to spill all, you know. Never been one for killing the suspense." Ignoring her dirty look, he went on. "All you need to know is that you're going to be with us for awhile, so you might as well accept it. I was serious when I said that you'll be fine… if you cooperate."

"Cooperate with what?" she pressed, unable to keep the edge out of her voice.

"With me," he replied. "Which for now means sitting tight and behaving yourself."

"Can I go to the bathroom?"

Jackson's eyes met hers and she got the sense that he was trying to tell if she was up to something.

"Ok," he said finally.

"Um… I could use my arms," she said hopefully, extending her bound wrists in his direction.

"Oh no," he replied, sitting up. "I don't trust you that much."

"Jackson…" she began.

"Don't start," he warned. "Go…and make it quick."

Groaning under her breath, she stood up and found her legs rather shaky beneath her. A hand grabbed her shoulder in assistance, but she pulled herself from his grip and made her way slowly to the bathroom. Once inside, she locked the door and slid down to the floor, head falling into her arms. The tears that had been floating at the edge of her vision spilled over and she found herself suddenly trembling. How did I get into this mess? What does he want from me?

The tears stopped after a couple of minutes, much sooner than she had expected. I have to find a way out of this, she repeated to herself. I need to hold myself together. Pulling herself to her feet, she looked in the mirror. The bump on her head was not visible through her hair, though it still hurt to touch. Otherwise she looked ok, though a bit teary-eyed and frazzled. She splashed cold water on her face and gulped down a few handfuls. Knowing that he would be suspicious if she was away too long, she dried her face and hands and turned to the door.

Opening the door, she found herself face to face with those piercing blue eyes. He stared at her for several seconds, before gesturing towards the center of the room.

"After you."

She walked back to the bed and sat down, as he returned to his sprawled position.

"Jackson?"

"Mmhm?"

"Who are you people?" She pushed on as he opened his mouth to reply. "And don't recite your names again, I got that the first time."

He chuckled.

"You're a funny kid. So you want to know who we are…" He studied her for a moment before continuing. "Let's just say we're part of a larger puzzle. We have a role to play, a role that is a necessary step in fulfilling a larger purpose."

"What larger purpose?"

He actually laughed. "If I told you that, I'd have to kill you. Not that it would really matter, since there's no one here for you to tell, but I'll take precautions just in case."

"What does all of this have to do with my dad?" she asked, trying to ignore the fear that was welling up in the pit of her stomach. Breathe, Kaylie, breathe.

"Your dad had access to some information, information that was strictly confidential. We needed to make sure he understood that."

"So that's why you were at my house."

"That is correct."

"And were you…successful?" Kaylie asked.

Jackson paused for a moment, as though debating whether or not to answer.

"Yes," he finally replied. "Your father was quite cooperative, not that he had much choice."

"But if you got what you needed, then why am I here? And what happened to my dad?" Kaylie was getting more and more agitated by the minute. "Will you please tell me what the hell is going on?!"

Jackson sat up, his blue eyes staring into hers. "Business had to be concluded, Kaylie. Not all arrangements can be wrapped up with paperwork."

Again those horrific images flashed through Kaylie's mind, her dad on the kitchen floor… he was immobile, unconscious…the blood…

"No," she whispered, her chest tightening, as his meaning hit home.

"Sometimes bad things happen to good people." Jackson shrugged. "Just a part of life."

Kaylie glared at him as her vision went blurry with tears, unable to move or speak. My father is not dead, he isn't, he can't be… I won't believe it…he can't be…" Kaylie realized that she was shaking, but it was with anger, not fear. She stared at Jackson, ignoring the tears running down her cheeks, ignoring everything but the sudden urge to cause him as much pain as possible.

"You didn't," she growled, forcing the words out between clenched teeth.

"Well, clearly I didn't," he retorted. "I was with you, remember?"

"That was your job then," she spat. "To keep me distracted? While he…he…"

Fresh tears spilled over. Jackson simply watched her.

"You bastard," she screamed, launching herself off the bed in his direction, hands reaching for his throat. Anything to make him hurt, to make him feel a fraction of what she felt. Caught off guard by her sudden explosion, Jackson fell back on the bed as her weight hit him. He regained his composure almost instantly, flipping her off of him before her hands could grab a solid hold. She landed on her back on the bed and he was on her within seconds, straddling her waist, one hand holding her still bound wrists.

"Now, now, we'll have none of that," he said reprovingly. "We had a deal, and I would hate to have to break it."

"There was nothing in the deal about me hurting you," she shot back.

"I think that would fall under the category of causing me trouble. And I don't want any trouble." Jackson stared down at her sternly. "So are you going to be a good girl, or not?"

"I hate you," she spat, trying to wriggle out from beneath him, but he was too heavy and too strong.

"I'm not letting you up until you answer the question," he warned.

She glared at him.

"Fine. I won't try to attack you."

"You better not." He used his free hand to wipe away her tears, before getting to his feet.

"Stay there."

She did as she was told, while he reached for the rope and bound her ankles together.

"I don't want you trying anything in the middle of the night," he said, as he scooped her up and returned her to her bed. "Now get some sleep."

Kaylie nearly laughed out loud at the thought of actually sleeping, but the sound caught in her throat. Did he actually think she would sleep at a time like this? Her father was probably dead and he actually thought she would fall asleep in the same room as the man responsible? I fell asleep in the same car as the man responsible… Kaylie gritted her teeth at the memory.

"You're not going to be very comfortable like that."

Jackson's voice pulled her from her thoughts and she turned to find him grinning at her. She shrugged and turned away, leaning back against the wall.

"Suit yourself." Jackson hit the light switch, plunging the room into darkness. Kaylie could hear his bed creaking as he lay down. She hugged her knees to her chest, keeping her eyes on her captor. It was going to be a long night.

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"I've just spoken to Parker." There was a brief pause before the voice continued. "He wishes to congratulate you on your handling of this…situation."

Jackson drummed his fingers on the tabletop. "But?" he pressed.

"He also hopes that you will deal with the girl in the same discreet and efficient manner – I believe those were his exact words." The voice sighed. "He would also like proof."

"What, does he suddenly doubt my capabilities?" Jackson gave a short laugh, stifling it quickly as Kaylie shifted in the bed on the opposite side of the room. He watched her for several seconds, scanning for any indication that she might have woken. "Alex," he said finally. "I do not intend on killing this girl."

"What, have you suddenly grown a conscience?" Alex retorted. "Parker is expecting this to be taken care of."

"And it will be," Jackson returned. "You need to trust me – killing her is not the way to do it."

"I do trust you, Jackson. You're one of our best." He sighed. "This is your call, but if you decide to compromise your position, you do it alone."

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Kaylie awoke to the sound of chirping birds and running water. The peaceful noises were soothing and she rolled over to go back to sleep…then her eyes shot open as the memory of the previous night crashed down upon her. The room was dim, with only a faint trickle of sunlight peeking through the curtains. She sat up slowly, as Jackson emerged from the bathroom and, seeing her awake, shot her a grin.

"Sleep well?"

Kaylie rolled her eyes and ignored him.

"Fine, don't be social." He crossed to the foot of her bed. "But it's six AM and time to get a move on."

Kaylie nodded, refusing to meet his gaze. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and ran her fingers through her hair, tangled from sleep. She didn't know how long she had been out, but it felt significantly less than what she needed.

"Before we go," Jackson said, taking a seat on the opposite bed. "We have to talk."

Kaylie didn't respond. She didn't care if she ever spoke another word again.

"Not speaking to me?" Jackson nodded. "Well, that's understandable."

Forcing the tears back, Kaylie met his eyes for the first time all morning, her expression etched with anger. "And how would you know?" she retorted, voice laden with sarcasm.

"And she speaks." He smirked. "That's the key to making you talk, is it? Just piss you off?"

"Shut up." Kaylie attempted to stand, but Jackson caught her wrists and pulled her back into a seated position.

"Ok, enough games," he said in a more serious tone. "You can hate me all you like, but it's in your best interest to listen to what I have to say."

Kaylie was silent. She had no interest in listening, but knew that he was probably right. She wasn't going to get anywhere by arguing, that was for sure.

"In a few minutes," he began, "we should be departing for our next, more permanent, location. Same rules apply: you don't cause trouble, you don't get hurt. With me so far?"

Kaylie was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Good." Though she refused to look up, Kaylie was sure he was smirking. "My associates and I have business to attend to and don't have time to deal with any escape attempts. To the contrary, we might be able to use some help."

"Help?" Kaylie was unable to keep the contempt from her voice as her eyes shot to Jackson. "What makes you think I would help you?"

"Well," Jackson replied, matching her tone. "It's not like you have anything better to do."

Kaylie's eyes narrowed.

"Let's get one thing straight, buddy. The only thing I'm interested in is when I'm going home."

"Home?" Jackson raised his eyebrows. "I wouldn't recommend going home. First of all, there's no one there… sorry about that… and secondly, it's not particularly safe."

The reference to her father made Kaylie want to cry, scream and wrap her hands around his throat, but his second comment made her stop short.

"What do you mean, it isn't safe?" she demanded. "Are you trying to tell me that I'm in more danger out there than in here?" She laughed.

Jackson didn't.

"Actually, yes," he replied. "I've already told you my conditions for your safety. You play by the rules and you're free and clear. But out there… out there is only one rule: leave no witnesses."

"So what, you'll shoot me if I walk out the door?"

"No. I won't. But there are people who would. And once you're out of my sight, I can't stop them."

"Jackson, will you quit being so vague?" Kaylie demanded.

Blue eyes stared back into hers, and then he spoke.

"Let me lay it out for you. I get hired to do a job. All goes well, except there's a witness." He gestured to Kaylie. "That's a liability. You know something, something you shouldn't know. And you could tell. So the minute I let you walk through that door, you're going to have some of the best hit-men in town on your tail, eager to reestablish their insurance policy."

Insurance, Kaylie thought. Figures.

"So why don't you just kill me, if I'm such a liability?"

"Kaylie, Kaylie, Kaylie… do I look like I would kill an innocent girl?"

"You killed an innocent man," she fired back, unable to keep the edge from her voice.

"Let me rephrase that," Jackson returned. "I kill for business and business alone. You saw something you shouldn't have. Not your fault. You shouldn't have to die for it."

"But I can be held prisoner for it?" she asked bitterly.

Jackson leaned forward and grabbed her wrists.

"Do you understand that if I let you leave, you die? Leroy and I don't have any interest in hurting you, but our employers don't give a shit. When this all blows over, maybe we can crack a deal. Until then, you're stuck with us. You don't have a choice. Not if you value your life."

"So what, you're keeping me here to protect me?" Kaylie stared at him in disbelief.

"Is that so hard to believe?" Jackson released her wrists and leaned back, studying her expression.

"From you, yes."

Jackson looked mildly offended. "I've never lied to you." The silence that followed on the heels of his remark was suddenly punctured by the ringing of a phone. Jackson started and stood up quickly, reaching his hand into his pocket to retrieve his cell. Kaylie watched him retreat into the corner of the room and thought about his words. I've never lied to you. It was true: from what she could tell, Jackson had not lied to her. So was he telling the truth about those hit men, about the fact that she was in danger, about the fact that he was actually trying to protect her? She couldn't quite grasp the fact that the man partially responsible for her father's murder would be trying to protect her, but did she have a reason to doubt him? She could hate him for what he had done, but as of yet he had been honest and had kept to his word.

"Kaylie." Jackson's voice broke into her thoughts. "Time to go."