Thanks to my reviewers- I am doing much better. :)

trudes193- Caleb's smart. He knows that if he sticks his nose where it doesn't belong, he might get it punched off. :)

Medisha- Oh, I loathe Katy Perry, but the sentiment is there. :) Caleb and Jackson do have a tricky little relationship, and it's going to get more complicated as we go. He's definitely not a throwaway character. I make no promises one way or another about his wellbeing, though. You'll just have to wait and see what I have planned for him. A little "trivia" for you- Caleb is the baby twin. Jackson's the big brother/protector.

Brunette bulma- I don't think Jackson knows how to be a lovesick puppy. lol She really did look like his mom at least. Still a good movie.

Jesscah- Welcome home! I really enjoy reading your stories, so that compliment was taken with more than a bit of squealing. :D And as you'll see in this coming up chapter, you are absolutely correct about hot tempers.

Mes amis, l'aventure commence!

Chapter 9: Play With Fire

Lisa stared out the window. They had been on the road for three hours. Minnesota was boring. She sighed and lolled her head toward Jackson.

"I spy with my-"

"No."

"-little eye-"

"Stop."

"-something beginning with 's'." Jackson sighed, and said nothing. Lisa continued to stare.

"Sky," he finally guessed. Lisa smiled.

"No." Jackson rolled his eyes.

"Snow?"

"Yep." Lisa nudged him. "It's your turn," she said. He glanced at her and turned back to to the road. "Well, if you don't want to play, we can do something else." She leaned toward him. "Why did you take the Keefe job from that other manager?"

Jackson clenched his jaw. "I spy with my little eye, something beginning with 't'."Lisa sighed, but remembered what Caleb said.

"The truth?" she asked. No harm in a little pushing...

"Nope," Jackson replied pointedly. Lisa turned back to look out the window again.

"Trees," she said, dejected. They sat in silence again.

"Did Caleb tell you?" she heard him ask. She tried his tactic, and said nothing. She knew that when he said nothing, she had a tendency to keep talking. Maybe he was the same way. "Well?" When she didn't reply, Jackson sighed. "Let's just say that Robert and I have differences in opinion, and I didn't want him in charge." Lisa turned to look at him.

"Robert? He's the other manager?" she asked, frowning. Was she stuck in the middle of a long-running grudge? "What was the difference in opinion?"

Jackson ran a hand through his hair, falling silent again. Lisa sighed. "Jackson, we are going to be here for a long time. Are you going to just ignore me?"

"We could play the alphabet game," Jackson replied sarcastically. She stared at him, completely unamused. "Fine," he said, sighing, "Make you a deal. I'll tell you what happened if you tell me how far you'll willing to take this." Lisa furrowed her eyebrows. "Your family will think that you're dead. You will never see them again. You realize this, right? Are you going to go all the way, and completely trust me, or bail?"

Lisa turned to face the front, sighing. She wished she could avoid her death and prove that she was innocent, but she knew that someone like her stood zero chance against the US government. She basically had three options: fake her death and remain a traitor, dying trying and remain a traitor, or turn herself in, and either die or rot in prison as a traitor. She couldn't prove her innocence unless she...turned in Jackson. As quickly as the realization hit her, she dismissed it. It didn't make logical sense, but she knew that she couldn't betray him like that. Her mind drifted to her dad. How would he feel about her right now? She knew that he gave himself up for her. How would he feel if he saw her now, willingly traveling with the very man who had caused it? Would he be disappointed in her? Would he understand?

"Leese?" she heard Jackson ask, but she remained silent. Did she even understand? In the last week and a half, up until a few days ago, it would be laughable to think that she could really trust Jackson. Even more laughable to think that she could trust him with her life. It was occurring to her that sometime over the last few days, the man next to her had gotten to her in a way that she never expected.

She glanced over at Jackson out of the corner of her eye. Here they were again, side by side in an enclosed space with no escape. She was making her decision between fight and flight- walk off that plane when it landed, have a latte with Jackson, let the Keefes die, and hope for the best, or save the Keefes, risking her life and the life of her father. Another moment of truth. The results were reversed this time, though. Flight meant that no, she didn't trust him, and he would likely drop her off somewhere and drive out of her life, leaving her for dead. Fight meant staying with him, and hoping for the best.

The male-driven, fact-based logic that Jackson seemed to like so much said in its condescending little voice that she couldn't trust him. He was an assassin, a cold monster. Period. He was probably setting her up for something. She had found him too quickly, and the Rippners had accepted her far too easily. The female-driven, emotion-based logic flailed around and insisted that she had nothing to fear, that Jackson's thirst for revenge had been short-lived, based solely on the fact that she had betrayed him. Not that she had thwarted his plans, because he hadn't known when he chased her down that the Keefes were alive. Just like in the bathroom- the real rage came when she had lied to him about a personal matter, not a business one. She crushed the male logic, reminding it that she had solved this question already without even realizing it- Jackson was drawn to her. She knew in her heart in addition to explaining his behavior on the plane, it meant that he was going to protect her, and she also knew that he was taking a big risk to do so.

"I trust you," she said, her voice unwavering. She had thought that Jackson might question her, doubting that she was being completely honest- especially since it had taken her forever and a day to answer- but he made no comment. It wouldn't surprise her if he could somehow tell what she had been thinking.

After another moment of silence, Jackson took a deep breath. "I helped Robert with the Keefe job. He worked things out with the Russians, and I watched you, analyzing you. Trying to find your weak points." He paused, and Lisa waited. He had given her time, and she would do the same for him. "I found out that his plan was to threaten your life until you made the switch, and then to kill you after anyway." Lisa turned to face him, her eyes widened. She waited, but he didn't continue.

"So you took the job from him?" she asked. He just nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. "Why?" Jackson didn't reply. She sighed. "Is it so hard for you to admit that you didn't want me dead?" she muttered, still watching him.

He turned, giving her a condescending look. "No Leese, I didn't want you dead. It wasn't necessary," he replied.

"Is that the only reason?" she asked quietly, turning to look him in the eye.

He turned back to the road. "What other reason do you want?" he asked.

"I don't know...you didn't want me dead because you cared?" she offered. Jackson shrugged.

"Is that what you think?" he asked.

"I do," she replied. She was not nervous. She didn't doubt herself anymore, and she knew there was nowhere for him to run this time unless he was planning on kicking her out of the car. That would be a tad too excessive for his style.

"Then you don't need me to say it," he said coldly. Lisa leaned forward.

"I want you to say it," she told him, holding her ground.

"Why? Some kind of female need to constantly be reassured?" he asked mockingly. She wasn't fooled this time. She could see that this was an exit strategy, that he was trying to get her to pull away first.

"It doesn't matter. I want to hear you say it."

Jackson slammed his open palm on the wheel, swerving onto an exit ramp and pulling into the parking lot of a gas station. "Christ, Leese! I didn't want you to die because I care about you, alright? I want to kill the man who gave you that scar! I can't stand that some asshole fed shot you! I'm sorry that I tried to kill you, but you stabbed me with a fucking pen! Is that what you wanted to hear? Does that make everything all better?" He threw open the car door and got out, quickly walking away from the car.

Lisa bit her lip. I guess that's what Caleb would call 'kicking and screaming,' she mused, but she knew it wasn't funny. Did she push him too hard? Was he going to close up even more now? She wasn't sure if she should follow him or not, so she stayed put. Within a few minutes, Jackson got back in the car, looking much more composed.

Jackson just sat there, leaving the car off. "It's true, alright?" he said softly, "I was attracted to you, but you were still a job. I couldn't just let you die, even though I knew there was no chance of...us, I guess." Lisa stared at his jacket pocket, processing all of the information. She knew she was supposed to say something. 'No Jackson, there is no chance'...'Of course there is a chance'...'There is a definite possibility that there maybe could be a chance'...

"I-I'm really hungry," she replied. Jackson nodded shortly, and turned the engine over, suddenly all-business again. Lisa took his hand in hers. "I need time," she said. He gave her hand a small squeeze, and then pulled away.

"So, what's the plan?" she asked as they pulled into the parking lot of a Culver's. "I don't think I can do the all night driving, and Caleb said you shouldn't drive for long periods of time."

"I guess we'll have to stop somewhere," Jackson responded. "I need some painkillers soon, so you're going to have to take the wheel. Think you can make it a few more hours?" Lisa's wrist was starting to throb again, but she pushed it out of her mind. She wasn't going to be a weak link anymore than she already was. She nodded.

"Yeah. Is two okay?" she asked. He nodded and reached back for his bag.

"I have something for you," he said, scanning through the items. He pulled out a glasses case. "Here. They're Cheryl's, actually. Surprisingly good at changing appearances."

Lisa pulled the glasses out and put them on her face. She was surprised to find that she could see perfectly through them. "Really? Glasses make that big of a difference?" He nodded.

As they walked into the restaurant, Jackson reminded her to act naturally. It would draw more attention if she was evasive.

"No one will recognize you," he assured, opening the door for her. Lisa nodded. She knew that a smile would be forced, but she could at least do neutral to hide her terror. Jackson kept his hand on the small of her back as they ordered, which calmed her. It also helped them blend in- just another couple in a restaurant. He escorted her to the table, where they sat in silence.

Jackson leaned in closer to murmur in her ear as though he were whispering sweet nothings. "You need to get it together, Leese," he said as Lisa turned her head toward him slightly, "Just relax, and we will be out of here soon. Alright?"

She nodded and nuzzled his cheek with her nose. She could play the game just as well as he could. She grinned as Jackson pulled away quickly. Not much of a sport, Jack. What happened to the great actor? Jackson's expression was unreadable, but Lisa didn't have time to ponder. Their food came, and the two quickly ate. Lisa hadn't realized how hungry she was- she had gotten a few bites of breakfast before Jackson had his little tantrum, and that was almost nine hours ago.

Lisa glanced around and noticed that many eyes, especially the girls' eyes, were on Jackson. She smiled, wondering if he was ever able to blend in. On the plus side, if they were watching him, then they probably wouldn't be looking at her. She knew that they should make small talk or something to keep up appearances, but she had no idea what to say to him. Fortunately, Jackson was on his game.

"You know what we should stop to see on the trip, Becks?" he asked, eating a few fries. She furrowed her eyes at the nickname, but decided he just gave her an alias, complete with his own familiar nickname. She thought about the question, and shook her head. She had never been in any of these states. "Nothing," he deadpanned. "There is absolutely nothing to see for the entire drive."

Lisa giggled. "Isn't there some fascinating farm land and some cows to see or something?" Jackson shrugged.

"Yeah," he said, "But you know, you see a handful of cows, and you've seen them all. Then you stop for a burger and think about all those cows you saw. It's all very depressing."

"So switch to chicken," she replied. "Or become a vegetarian and mourn the plants you pass." The short duration of the meal passed in this fashion, and they soon left.

"Becks?" she teased as Jackson took his painkillers with the bottle of water he had gotten from the gas station. "You can't even handle two-syllable names, can you Jack?"

"Nope," he replied, leaning the seat back a little. Lisa pulled out of the parking lot and headed back to the freeway. The two drove in silence until Jackson turned on the radio. Lisa groaned. She was so sick of classic rock. It was like there was a requirement for men to love it after they reached the age of 14.

"Can't we listen to something else?" she asked, "Some oldies or something?"

Jackson rolled his eyes. "Hippie music," he replied. "Alright, compromise." He scanned the stations until he found one playing 80s music. "Hopefully it's something that we'll both hate."

Lisa didn't have the heart to tell him that she didn't mind 80s music. He probably didn't, either. She drove, listening to a staple of 80s music, Soft Cell. Isn't that always the way? she mused, singing along with "Tainted Love" in her head. 'Oh my god, this song is about me!' she mocked internally. Girls had that ability to listen to any song about any kind of relationship and somehow make it fit their scenario perfectly, but Lisa refused to make any connection to Jackson and the word 'love', for either of him.

She wasn't entirely sure how she felt about Jackson, but she knew it wasn't love. Attraction, sure. Interest, maybe. Not love. She also knew that if she asked Jackson if he loved her, he would laugh in her face and probably comment on the female-based, emotion-driven logic of taking the word 'care' and turning it into 'love'.

You still went straight to thinking about Jackson when you heard the word 'love', you female.

Lisa smirked. Her little inner voice was starting to sound like him. It probably shouldn't have amused her, but it did. She glanced at Jackson out of the corner of her eye. He was slumped in his seat, staring straight ahead. It was like this man had stuck a crowbar in her head and pried his way in, immediately declaring himself the master, claiming her mind in the name of Jackson. Every thought she had had in the last two weeks had found its way to him, especially in the last few days. She could see why he was so good at his job. There was no thinking clearly after he had planted his little flag.

Lisa turned her gaze back to the road. She had told him that she needed time before she could answer, and she knew that he would give her all she needed. Hell, if she decided that there was no chance, he would probably rather she never brought it up again.

Was there a chance for the two of them? Lisa frowned. She really didn't know. What kind of relationship starts 'boy stalks girl, boy threatens girl's dad's life, boy makes girl set up assassination of government figure, girl stabs boy in throat, boy tries to kill girl'? Ignoring the fact that it was unconventional to say the least, she wasn't sure it was even possible. They weren't even friends right now. They were two strangers who depended on each other to stay alive. It was a bond of twisted convenience, nothing else.

Still...Lisa couldn't pretend that there wasn't a part of her that wanted to stretch that bond. She wanted to know this man next to her. He was fascinating and frightening, like a thunderstorm. She had spent so many years of her life playing it safe.

It was odd. Jackson was decidedly unsafe, and yet she felt more secure in this car with him than she had in a long time. From what she could tell, he was very successful at his job. She wondered if she was the first person in at least a while that had actually thwarted his plans. If that were true, then teamed up, how could they go wrong? Besides, admitting that there was a chance did not mean that she had to jump right into a relationship with him, right? She could just say that there is a chance that sometime down the line their bond could become much more than it was now. It didn't even mean that they were ever going to be together, just that there was a chance.

Lisa tightened her grip on the wheel with resolve. She was sick of second-guessing herself. She was tired of avoiding the issues that she needed to deal with. She was no longer going to avoid the truth. There was a chance that she was going to die. There was a chance that Jackson, Caleb, and Cheryl were going to die. There was a chance that her family thought that she was a terrorist. There was a chance for something with Jackson, and she knew it.

So, each chapter has been named after a song (as well as the title), but I usually don't pay attention to how much the lyrics of said song actually fit the content of the chapter. That said, the title of this chapter was chosen deliberately because there is a repeating line (I don't think you can technically call it a chorus) that fits both Jackson and Lisa incredibly well:

"So don't play with me, cause you're playing with fire."

This chapter is a turning point. It is the final in a series of self-discovery chapters for Lisa. I hope that I've done a good job so far in letting her come into her own, and show once and for all that she is no one to be messed with. She was a little shaky at the start- yes, she is praised for showing her strength at the end of the movie, but I always thought it was more of the strength of a caged animal that is finally lashing out, not a true inner strength. Now she knows who she is and what she has to do (maybe not the details, but definitely the general attitude). I had reservations with the timeline in that it has only been a few days since she left Florida, but I think with the amount of time she has had to spend on her own coupled with the information flying from all sides that she is allowed a sped-up journey.

Starting with chapter 10, the next few chapters will switch to a Jackson-centered point of view. We will finally get to really see how he is feeling about all of this.

/end author babbling

Reviewers get little Jackson brain flags!