Questions never get you answers

'You thought we could be decent men in an indecent time. But you were wrong. The world is cruel, and the only morality in a cruel world is chance.' (Dark Knight)

Name: Jackson Rippner

Age: 28

Residence: Unknown

Social security number: Unknown

Other alias: n/a - Presumed none

Job: Unknown - Manager....

After glancing at Mr Rippner's details, he couldn't help but be curious. The man was an enigma and an enigma he wished to solve, like most issues that arose, Mr Keefe became fixated, some would say obsessed, until he followed through. That's why he's good at what he does. That's why he's director of homeland security. He held massive regard and honour to Lisa Reisert's actions that night that he is certain, he will be forever in debt for but he also held a strange respect for the man who she conquered.

He glanced at the photograph of his family, it appeared small and out of place amongst the top secret files, letters and documents, but then again, they were out of place for the high-powered politician that he was, that he is. Many in his end of the hierarchy would say the same about their own families but it is their women and children that make them, his family was everything in his life. A safer country, meant a safer family. That is what he worked for. The smiles of his wife and children lightened his mood as he contemplated his predicament with the Red Eye situation.

From statements given by Lisa, he was curious about his actions that night, the drinks before, his chivalry in the check-in queue and the comments made by staff and some passengers. What was his true motives? Who was this man and why did some of his behaviour towards Lisa contradict him so. Except for the huge cheque he would receive, what was in it for him? Left with nothing now, what made the man tick? Charles Keefe became all the more interested in the man and he wanted answers.

Jackson awoke, similarly to the days previous but today was different. He could sense a presence in the room. A silent and intent gaze was on him, tingling his senses and making him uncomfortable. A laboured movement and the feint scent of a man's cologne along with the heavy aura the man brought to the room, left no suggestions to who it could be. Charles Keefe. Director of Homeland security and previous target, stood quietly on the other side of the room, next to where he lay.

"Mr Keefe." Jackson stated with slight voice cracking at the use of his, still, injured throat "What a surprise to find you here of all places." He turned over to face him fully, his cool gaze intent on the middle aged man before him.

"Mr Rippner, I can see through your act and I know that you know of the situation you are in." Keefe replied calmly. He felt the side of his mouth tilt up but not without noticing Keefe's appearance. Instead of a suit, he found the politician in a beige jumper and dark slacks, an unusual outfit to piece together. To meet with your assassin.

"I know of the kind of questions you will ask, so lets get this over with." Jackson stated in a bored tone. His attempts at appearing in control were slipping quickly, especially with the cough that his pierced throat betrayed as he finished.

"Those can wait." Keefe replied automatically. Upon hearing Jackson's voice falter Keefe added. "If you are not up to this, we can do this later." Jackson met his gaze squarely then, his eyes cold.

"Don't use false compassion, Mr Keefe, men in our career's don't have the luxury." He gave an empty chuckle, void of humour. "Unless they are a fool." He added boldly. Keefe's eyes narrowed as he walked closer to Jackson.

" Lisa mentioned you were quick and ruthless with your words, I can see she gives an accurate description of you. I may not be compassionate to your current - predicament- but she gives you hers." A brief silence followed.

" Lisa and her father are both fine, as far as I can tell." He finished positively. From Jackson's observation so far, Keefe did not lie in order to get what he wanted and so far it seemed he had been telling the truth, yet at the mention of her name, Jackson felt himself tense, suddenly defensive. He broke eye contact and gazed at the ceiling.

He lay there, gazing at the ceiling, his chest burned with each intake of breath, lodging in his throat, making him gag slightly. He was powerless and defeated as he lay on the panelled flooring of Joe Reisert's residence, he gazed at her then, rather than a smug victory, her face only offered relief.

"Come on sweetheart..Come on." He heard Joe Reisert say softly, pulling her up carefully from the ground. She glanced at her father, her features tight before caressing his arm and releasing his hand. Turning her intent gaze on him, he could still see the relief on her soft face and buried beneath was compassion.

Even as her killer lay on the floor of her home, alive ,she still exhibited the extraordinary humanity that he never knew possible. The pain was immense and the compassion, the compassion she held for him hurt all the more. A single tear rolled quickly down his temple to bury in his hairline, before his eyes sealed shut and the darkness stole him.

"What do you want Mr Keefe?" He asked between clenched teeth as he gazed at the ceiling, absently rubbing his suddenly aching chest.

"I want your help, Mr Rippner, I know you have information and I need it in order to protect my family...And Lisa and hers." He added with a pause. Jackson's cold gaze snapped to Keefe, his memories forgotten whilst resting his arm back to his side.

"You throw around her name so easily, as if she is a bargaining chip for emotional blackmail, which is almost laughable!" He laughed coldly, adding darkly, "especially given the circumstances, so I think you'll need to make a better offer. Lisa has no power here." He bit out the last part. Turning to gaze at the ceiling once more.

"Is that what you tell yourself?" Keefe added humorlessly, the comment holding cruel insinuations. He looked to Keefe, glaring at him dangerously.

"All the same, Mr Rippner." He continued, the previous comment seemingly forgotten, "If you help me, help our government, you can save many lives-"

"So let me get this straight, your asking your assassin to be a gallant white knight, turn to the light and save the world?" Jackson interrupted with sarcasm. "Well, your talking to the wrong guy."

"I can offer you protection, a well paid job. Safety from those that hunt you." Keefe offered hopefully.

"Who is it that is supposed to be hunting me, Deputy of Homeland Security? You offer me your protection? For someone like me that's laughable. You have no idea how infiltrated your true and noble government is. We have people everywhere." Jackson admitted without remorse, yet lacking in pride.

"Infiltrated?" Keefe asked.

"Yeah, like cockroaches." He replied lightly. "If you want to find them Mr Keefe, you'll have to dig deeper."

"I will personally see to your protection, Mr Rippner, as long as the names you give can be prosecuted in court, assist us in any way, give information required of you, including the knowledge we know you possess, we offer you freedom, within boundaries, given your situation of course and you will be under surveillance and often working with other agents."

"What you and your agents? Sir?" He spat. "How do you think we got all our information? They could be anywhere and everywhere, connections, colleagues in all the right places. It could be the agents outside, guarding the door, the agents assigned to protect your wife... The nurse." He whispered viciously. "You cant protect me."

"Is my family in trouble, Mr Rippner?..Am I?..Are you?...Lisa?" He asked calmly, Jackson however, was unsure about The Companies motives, he had yet to gain contact from them. The room was filled with tension, almost suffocating.

"I don't know." He replied honestly.

"You know you will be locked away, don't you? You have nothing now Rippner, except my offer and you know it." Keefe stated. After a long silence, Keefe gave up with questioning.

"Good day to you, Mr Rippner. I must visit with Lisa. We'll speak soon." Jackson cocked his head as he watched Keefe leave, contemplating the man and their conversation.

A/N

So, heres another one, because of how I left the last chapter, This one had to involve Keefe. Its not fantastic but necessary in understanding what will happen next, one of those boring in between chapters that no-one likes to read but has to to get to the next good bit! :D Try and bear with me, I'll try to include Lisa in the next. Please review if you wish, even if it's a smiley, just to let me know how im doing. I want this to be relatively decent! Thanks to all my reviewers/alerts and even favourites!

MythStar Black Dragon (Maria) - Hello again! I often see you on alot of other Red Eye stories I read. As to your question, technically he has been arrested but due to his health he has to be hospitalized, dure to the situation, he is in private and hopefully this chapter will explain why he's in a special unit, hope to hear from you again! :)

chussiee93 - Thanks so much! It was your review that pushed me to write this next part, writing style is difficult when dealing with the thriller genre, especially given the romance of JxL to cover as well, but Im glad I got it right for you. Its not as effortless as it seems ;) I hope this one was just as good. I appreciate your patience, some of my most favourite stories remain unfinished too :( I start school again next week, but I will update, I promise! Im pleased you favourited!!

BlossomingGDfreak - My loyal reviewer! I hope this stays with your expectations of the story, it is difficult to invent new JxL now and there are less stories published :( which is also a shame but they are still my most favourite pairing. :D

rusted - Hi There, thanks for letting me know, sometimes when uploading documents, the docX sometimes deletes words and punctuation : I do try to check but I looked really carefully in this one, so I hope you don;t find anymore, Ill edit the previous chapter soon, I read through it and saw them too and will fix shortly. So this is more of Jackson's recovery, Lisa will feature again soon! Im a little afraid of writing the scene when she wakes up, I dont want it to screw up now! Im only on chapter 3 and it will be difficult keeping them in charecter, as Im sure alot of other writers find, in 'Lisa waking up from being kidnapped' scenes! Im glad you favourited, thats always good news!

Medialuna - :D Thanks!

Love to hear from you all again soon! Many thanks to my other alerters!