Disclaimer- I don't pretend to own anything related to Red Eye or Beauty and the Beast, etc. Duh. If I did, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be sitting here writing fanfiction to live out some lost fantasy :P

Sorry this chapter has taken so long to be posted, but I was without power for two days… I'm also trying to work on my other fanfic, Differences Aside, as well. :P That story is wayyyyyy overdue for an update. So, be grateful I've updated this one first XD

Now, with that situation handled, I present to you, ladies and gents, Chapter Six!

Enjoy! :D

Chapter Six

"Human Again" – Beauty and the Beast (Broadway)

"We'll be dancing again! We'll be twirling again! We'll be whirling around with such ease when we're human again! Only human again! We'll go waltzing those old one-two-threes.We'll be floating again! We'll be gliding again! Stepping, striding as fine as you please! Like a real human does! I'll be all that I was on that glorious morn when we're fin'lly reborn and we're all of us human again!"

Lisa had finished drying her hair when she heard the knock on her door. She walked over, still running her fingers through the curls, when Melissa opened the door and let herself in.

"Where's that list of things you wanted?"

Lisa furrowed her eyebrows and then she remembered.

"You guys are letting me stay here?"

"Well it seems that I have to go run errands by myself. Jackson has to make a few business-related phone calls and you didn't want to go anyway."

"Correction," Lisa said with a simple smile. "I didn't want to go if he was going."

"He's not going anymore, and neither are you."

"Why not?"

"Because I won't be back until late tonight. As it happens, I have to go handle some business of my own."

Lisa felt herself frowning. That would mean an entire day spent alone with Jackson. Surely she could find some way to entertain herself in this huge house without running into him very often, right?

"I guess I have no other alternative, do I?"

Melissa smiled.

"No, you don't. Look, I just came to ask for your list and let you know that you have free reign over the grounds." When she saw Lisa's hope, Melissa smiled. "We're hoping you'll honor your deal… you behaved well this morning in the pool."

"Before I was so rudely interrupted."

Melissa laughed and handed Lisa a clipboard, pen, and paper.

"Well, from what I heard, you looked like you had hit your head and were drowning. We don't need a dead body to dispose of."

Lisa glanced up at Melissa from the paper where she was scribbling down random items.

"This is Jackson's money, right?"

Melissa smirked and nodded. Lisa began to write more feverishly.

"Take it easy. He's not going to care. This house barely made a dent in the money that man has saved up."

Lisa snorted and passed the paper back to Melissa, who inspected it and laughed.

"If you say so…" she murmured as she turned to leave.

The door was unlocked. Lisa heard a car off in the distance and assumed it was Melissa's. So now she was finally alone… alone. She wondered if "free reign" of the grounds included the numerous rooms inside the house. She started her investigation in some of the nearby bedrooms upstairs, but quickly became bored. They were just bedrooms… nothing interesting. When she arrived at the kitchen, she was startled by an elderly woman wiping down the marble countertops. She turned when she heard Lisa enter.

"Well hello! You must be Miss Lisa!"

The woman shuffled over to Lisa, her wrinkled hand extended.

"Yes, I am… and you are?"

"Peggy Patterson."

"Are you trapped here, too?" Lisa asked, barely above a whisper.

Peggy laughed so hard that her eyes squinted shut.

"Heavens no. I've worked for Mr. Rippner since he was a child."

"A child?"

"Yes," she said, continuing with her task of cleaning the marble. "Babysitter turned maid, I'm afraid," she commented, still smiling warmly.

"And do you approve of this?"

"This being…?"

"Me! Held here…"

Peggy laughed again and tossed the rag to the sink.

"Honey, honey. I've been trapped in this house for going on 28 years now. It's not nearly as bad as it once was, and he's not nearly as bad as he seems."

"I hear that a lot."

"Perhaps it's the truth!"

Something about the elderly woman's smile made Lisa relax. She had survived living with a killer for nearly 28 years. Lisa could deal with living with Jackson until he got bored, right? Of course. It wouldn't be a problem.

"Could you…"

Peggy looked up at Lisa, curious.

"Could I, what, sweetie?"

"I'm bored. Melissa said I could go wherever I wanted to on the property. Do you have any ideas for something entertaining?"

Again Peggy laughed. She placed her soft hand on Lisa's shoulder and gently steered her out into the main hall and to a white door. She opened it revealing a dark staircase leading to what appeared to be a basement.

"Entertainment? Head on down to the basement. There are all kinds of things to get into down there."

Lisa nodded and as Peggy turned to leave, she stopped her.

"Do you live here?"

Peggy peeked around the door to look at Lisa who was down a few stairs.

"Yes. Over in the guesthouse. Why?"

"Just wondering in-case I'd like some company…"

Peggy smiled and it reminded Lisa of her grandmother. She had to hold back the painful frown from the reminder. Peggy shut the door and Lisa eased down the rest of the stairs, waiting for some sort of trap. Then the room exposed itself. It was gigantic. A huge couch was set up in front of a large plasma-screen TV. On the right was an extensive collection of movies.

Lisa gasped and nearly flung herself forward to get at the movies. There were all of her favorites, some she had never even seen, and some that were never even released. Some were autographed, even, and Lisa inspected them in the light to be sure they were real. How Jackson Rippner had managed to get a copy of "Creep" autographed by the main star, Chelsea Scott, amazed Lisa. She placed it carefully back on the shelf and ran her hand over the rest of them.

Finally she found one of her favorites, King Kong. Something about the black and white classics from the 30s always managed to get to Lisa. When she pulled it off the shelf and opened it, though, she found the box to be empty. She frowned and set it down, and then she walked over to the DVD player, hoping to find it in there. It was and she smiled.

The hours blurred past as she lost herself in the movies. Then she heard the door open at the top of the stairs and smiled to herself. Maybe Peggy had finished whatever chores she had been assigned and was coming to join her. Surely Peggy would enjoy a good movie or two, right? She paused the movie and hustled over to the base of the stairs. It was Jackson. Of course, Lisa thought.

"I see you haven't tried to escape yet," Jackson stated as he slowly descended the stairs.

Lisa shrugged.

"With a movie collection like this I could-" She stopped herself. She had almost said, "stay here forever." "I could lose track of time easily. I think it's about time for another attempt, don't you?"

Jackson caught her hesitation and he stopped on the last step, blocking her way out.

"Well? I'm waiting," he said when she hadn't tried to attack him or blow past him.

"But you're expecting it right now. What kind of prisoner would I be if I tried to escape while you were watching and waiting for it?"

"Good point."

He stepped down so that now he was standing in the small space at the base of the stairs next to her.

"Weren't you supposed to be doing work?"

"Finished it."

"And you're here, why?"

"Because I figured that I'd come down and watch a movie. In my house. It still is my house, isn't it?" Lisa felt herself blush. "But, if you've taken control of my movie room, I guess I'll just have to go find something else to do, like ride a horse."

Lisa's heart wrenched. She wanted to ride horses.

"I never said you couldn't watch a movie."

"Just not with you."

"Hey. Peggy let me down here. I assumed you would be doing work."

"You were hiding," he said with a smirk, leaning ever-so-slightly towards her.

"Not very well apparently. Look, Casablanca is almost over..."

"Well that makes it easier."

"That makes what easier…?"

"You decision to come riding with me," he said, smiling a cocky smile.

"Who said I was coming riding with you?"

"You're too easy to read, Leese. I'll be out at the stables, unless you decide to make your great escape when I leave…"

"I guess you'll just have to see."

He turned and left without another word and Lisa leaned back against the wall, confused. What was this game they were playing? Why hadn't she tried to escape lately? And why hadn't he tried to kill her? You would think that the man would be enraged at her for his injuries. Still, he was being playful… and now he had asked her to go ride horses with him? Now was the time she could make her escape. No Melissa to stand in her way… Peggy could hardly put up a fight if she tried to intervene, and Jackson would be out with the horses. Even he couldn't catch up to Lisa before she found help…

Jackson continued to brush Aurora. Her golden locks shone brightly in the afternoon sun. He had been hoping Lisa wouldn't try to escape. That'd just be back to square one. Then again, why did he care? Even if she ran and screamed to get help, he'd be freed by the police and disappear again. He'd be sad to have his home combed over by the police; the home he had worked so hard to buy. At this moment, he could see Lisa sprinting down the road toward civilization. He heard footsteps and continued to brush Aurora.

"Don't waste the time going after her," he nearly spat.

There was no answer. He drew a knife slowly from his coat pocket as he continued to brush Aurora. The footsteps approached and he waited for some kind of cop to shoot him or threaten to do so. Instead, a slender hand inched closer to the horse's nose. Aurora lowered her head, wanting to be pampered further. Jackson turned and it was Lisa.

"You wouldn't come after me if I left?"

He looked over at her, but she had her eyes glued to the gorgeous horse. It was as if she had been thinking aloud. Suddenly her hand inched over to his where he had it resting on Aurora's mane. He tightened his grip on the knife as Lisa tried to pull it from his hand. They locked eyes for a moment, and then Jackson found himself releasing his grip. The knife slid slowly from his hand and Lisa held it in hers, the two of them still staring at one another. She raised her hand and Jackson closed his eyes, waiting for the pain. Was he giving up finally? Resigning? He'd rather it be by Lisa's hands then the hands of the company he worked for.

He heard a small giggle and then a scuffling as Lisa tossed the knife onto the floor. He opened his eyes and she was smiling at him, one eyebrow raised. It was impossible to believe that they were standing her, both of their free will, about to ride horses. They had both come from hating each other and wanting to punish the other to playing mind games.

"Gotcha," she said softly, placing her hands triumphantly on her hips.

"You didn't 'get' me if I handed you the knife. Now, if you had stolen it from me and snuck up behind me… that'd be a different story."

Lisa rolled her eyes.

"You drawing you knife to begin with is me succeeding. I had you ready for a fight; expecting some sort of attack."

"I'm always ready for a fight."

Lisa frowned. With Jackson's lifestyle, she knew it was the truth. He probably had all sorts of hidden weapons laying around the house and secret escape routes… everything.

"Well I'm ready to ride horses," Lisa said, easing her hand toward Aurora again. The horse pressed its nose against her hand and Lisa smiled. "What's its name?"

"Aurora."

"Like Princess Aurora?"

He nodded.

"She sleeps a lot."

Lisa laughed and he smiled. It was the warm smile she had seen in the airport and the smile she had seen when he threw her into the water. It was genuine and it reminded Lisa that Jackson was human. Reserved, yes, but human nonetheless.

"So, who am I riding?"

She leaned back, around the stable, to catch a glimpse of other horses.

"You'll be riding Aurora. She seems to like you."

"And you?"

Jackson disappeared and picked up his knife on the way over to a stable in the back.

"I," he called, "Will be riding Stitch."

Lisa laughed quietly. He had named his horses Aurora and Stitch? If Aurora was like Sleeping Beauty… Stitch must be like…

"Hey, boy!"

Lisa peeked around the stable to take a look at Stitch. He was a huge black horse. He seemed nervous, or hyper, though he was nudging Jackson's shoulder with his nose. Jackson stroked the horse's deep black mane and patted him on the nose. Stitch pranced over and continued to weave back and forth next to Jackson while he brought Aurora out for Lisa.

"Their names suit them," Lisa said as he placed saddles on the horses.

"Need help getting up?"

Lisa looked at Aurora who was just staring back at her.

"I think I can handle it."

She mounted Aurora easily and watched as Jackson did the same with Stitch. Stitch, on the other hand, weaved back and forth excitedly until Jackson stroked him again.

"He's just one big ball of energy, isn't he?"

"Yeah. They're polar opposites. But," he sighed, making Stitch trot forward, "You'd never guess that Stitch here, is a charmer when it comes to Aurora."

Lisa laughed.

"She likes him?"

"Oh yeah. That's why I have to keep him down on the end. We'd have a bunch of baby horses running around if I let them be together without supervision."

Lisa felt her cheeks grow hot, so she turned her head and led Aurora down toward the beach.

"You're so easy to get, Leese," she heard him call from behind her. She glared at him from over her shoulder and he smiled again. "See what I mean?"

She turned around quickly and dug her heels into Aurora's sides, making the horse wake up and take off down to the beach. Jackson's blue eyes grew wide and he did the same to Stitch. They caught up to the women quickly and Jackson pulled Aurora to a stop. Lisa hurled herself from the horse and into the rocky sand. Jackson cursed and flung himself down from Stitch, who was now pacing once again. He tied the two horses to a nearby tree and took off after Lisa, still limping as he sprinted through the sand.

"Lisa! Get back here!" he hollered.

"No!" she screamed.

But then she began to laugh. As she did, her running slowed until she was barely jogging next to the water's edge. Jackson caught up to her and pulled her around by her arm. He was ready to yell at her when he saw her face. It was red from running and she was smiling so large that you could barely see her green eyes. She was… laughing?

"What's so funny?" he growled.

"You," she wheezed, still laughing, "Thinking I'm so easy, when you're just as easy."

She pulled her arm from his hand and plopped down in the sand. The water lapped up over her toes and the slipped back across the sand and back out again.

"I didn't want you stealing my horse."

Lisa frowned at him over her shoulder.

"I thought you never lie, Jack…"

He scowled and so she smiled and patted the sand next to her.

"You don't want to keep playing this game with me, Leese…" he warned.

Lisa simply shrugged, staring out at the water. Jackson groaned and approached hesitantly. He sat back a few inches from her, keeping his legs drawn back against his chest. Lisa eyed him and then groaned.

"What?" he asked.

"You. Do you always wear those stupid suits? And come on. You're on the beach. Take off your shoes. Or do you think there's someone hiding in the bushes that could come and attack us at any moment and you'll need those shoes to defend yourself…?"

"I know there's no one in the bushes."

"Then live a little. For someone who is 'always ready for a fight', you sure don't act like today could be your last day."

"It won't be."

"So what!" she shouted, frustrated.

Jackson cocked his head to the side, confused about why she cared. She placed her head in her hand for a moment, just as she had on the plane, and Jackson knew he was pressing her buttons. Suddenly she nearly threw herself at him and pulled off his suit jacket. She was up on her feet and backing away from him before he could hoist himself up. He was still sore and all this activity was taking a toll on him.

"Lisa. Act your age."

"No. How about you act yours."

She walked out into the water, letting it rise up to her kneecaps. She held out the suit jacket, letting the bottom come precariously close to touching the saltwater.

"Don't you dare," he growled.

"Then come in and get it."

"I told you we'd ride horses. Not once did I mention putting my feet in the sand and getting into that water…"

He grimaced slightly at the end of his statement, as if the water repulsed him.

"Well, plans change, Jackson. Now, if you don't want your jacket to smell like saltwater and crabs, I suggest you do as I say."

She smiled. For the moment she was in charge. Jackson was losing, again, as Lisa made him extremely uncomfortable.

"I'm wearing pants," he said as he slowly took off a black dress shoe and placed it carefully next to him in the sand.

"Roll them up," she called from the water.

"I know what you're doing," he said suddenly, a smile spreading across his lips.

Jackson approached the edge of the water and stopped, smiling devilishly. He placed his hands on his slender hips.

"And what are you doing?" Lisa asked cautiously when he hadn't entered the water.

His hands wandered slowly down to his belt buckle.

"I told you that you shouldn't keep playing this game with me… I'll win."

"I don't think so."

Lisa lowered his jacket and Jackson froze.

"You drop that jacket and I'll be in that water so fast-"

"And if you drop those pants, your jacket will be in this water so fast you won't have time to save it."

The two scowled at one another. How was it that they could push each other's buttons so well?

"Stalemate?" Jackson asked, still ready to mortify Lisa.

"For this round," she grumbled.

She tossed his jacket over her shoulder and walked slowly back to shore as Jackson refastened his belt. Lisa found she liked the smell. It was spicy, but not too prominent. Woody and clean. She held it out for him and Jackson took it, slinging it over his shoulder just as she had.

"But you still have to put your feet in the water."

Lisa looked down at his feet. He was still wearing his socks.

"What are you afraid of?"

He laughed, but Lisa could see it was a cover.

"It's rocky sand. I've felt much better."

"Come on. I haven't tried to escape yet. The least you could do is take off your socks and come out into the water."

He frowned.

"If you want to swim, we can go back to the house and-"

"I'm not asking you to swim. I'm asking you to walk out into the water with me."

Lisa quickly closed her lips. She had just asked him to do something… with her. He still seemed hesitant though he began taking off his socks and playing them carefully in his shoes. Then he stood before her, barefoot, with the ends of his pants rolled up to his knees.

"See?" Lisa asked with a relaxed smile, "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

"Seriously, Lisa. What joy do you get out of this? I know you've been on better beaches in Florida…"

She shrugged and stepped into the water again.

"Sand is sand. Florida sand has shells and such just like every other beach. This sand," she said, picking some up with her toe, "Has character. See all the little rocks?"

"And sticks and plants," Jackson continued.

Lisa rolled her eyes.

"Don't be a baby, mister big-shot assassin."

"I'm not an assassin."

"Fine. How about I make you a deal?"

That piqued his interest. Jackson placed his hands in his pants pockets and cracked his neck as he thought.

"Depends. What do you have to wager?"

Lisa thought hard. She was here against her will and had really nothing special to offer him. He was obviously rich.

"I'll…"

"I'm waiting," he called, taking a step back from the water's edge.

"I'll dance with you."

That, too, caught him off guard.

"Dance with me?"

She smirked.

"I mean, if you don't know how to dance then…"

"Of course I know how to dance," he groaned. "You don't give me enough credit."

"Well. Do we have a deal, or do I have to come out of the water and ride Aurora back to the house."

Jackson thought about it for a moment and then nodded.

"Fine. It's a deal. But we do have to head back soon. It's going to be getting dark."

Lisa looked out over the water and sure enough, the sun was setting. She frowned. Why couldn't she have ridden horses with another man? Why couldn't she be on the beach with another man? Why did it have to be Jackson Rippner…?

Suddenly he was next to her. She turned, startled, and nearly lost her balance in the water. He laughed and turned to look out at the water, too.

"You'd better appreciate this," he remarked. "I have a pool for a reason."

Lisa snorted and put her hands up on her hips. Seconds later her hand was swept up and she stepped back, startled. Jackson was holding her hand in his.

"What are you doing?" she asked, clearly uncomfortable.

"I'm in the water, as my part of the deal. Now it's time for your part of the deal."

He gently tugged Lisa closer and she reluctantly obeyed.

"There's no music."

"I wasn't aware that there had to be. The deal was one dance…"

He pulled her closer and Lisa gulped nervously. He had his hand gently on her hip and she had her hand on his shoulder, near the base of his neck. They swayed gently in the water until Jackson suddenly stopped.

"We're done?"

"You need to relax. If you think I'm going to kill you or make some kind of move, you're wrong."

Jackson had considered it, but decided no… She trusted him enough to let him hold her this close, he wasn't going to break it. Lisa was fragile, though she was a fighter and a considerable threat when she put her mind to it. No, Jackson simply wanted to dance with her because it had been a long time since he had danced with a woman without having to kill her later that night as part of a job.

And Lisa figured Jackson had a good point. He had plenty of opportunities to kill her. And how many times had she gotten to do what she had done today? Who cares if it was with Jackson? Maybe she could just learn to enjoy it. Fine, she thought. Then she gave in. Lisa took a step forward and closed the space between them, putting her hands up around Jackson's neck and placing her head on his shoulder. Now it was Jackson's turn to be tense. He wasn't sure if he should put his arms around her.

"Are we going to dance, or what?" Lisa asked, as if on cue.

Jackson hesitantly put his arms around her waist, letting his hands rest on the small of her back. Lisa noticed that dancing with him wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. The quiet lapping of the water was relaxing. There was no witty banter, no fighting, and no fear. Lisa could almost forget the evil Jackson had shown on the Red Eye flight to Miami.

Lisa sighed and nuzzled further into Jackson's chest. He resisted his urge to pull away from her. He realized how much he actually wanted this. A companion who saw him for who he was and loved him regardless. Not someone like Melissa. A real woman that he could touch and love without fearing that she would be killed on some sort of mission or that he would have to kill her eventually. Lisa involuntarily shivered against Jackson and he pulled apart from her.

"You're cold," he stated softly.

"The water's not as warm in the dark," she remarked.

Jackson could sense a bit of embarrassment in Lisa's voice. He, too, felt embarrassed. Had he just let his guard down?

"Come on," he said strongly, trying to regain his composure. "I don't know about you, but I could use some food."

He turned and trudged out of the water. As he picked up his shoes, he heard Lisa pad out onto the sand near him.

"I would like to ask you for something…"

He looked at her over his shoulder. He curls were tossed sloppily from the breeze playing across the water. He tore his eyes from her and focused back on the fidgeting form of Stitch. His black body stood out against the sand and water. Poor Aurora looked exhausted, of course.

"What's that?" he finally asked over his shoulder, a heartbeat later.

"A second chance."

Jackson nearly froze in the sand. Instead, he slowed his pace, allowing Lisa to catch up just as they reached the horses.

"A second chance?"

"That's what I said. Don't rub it in."

Jackson smirked as he plopped down in the sand and hurriedly slid on his shoes.

"I wouldn't dream of it," he teased. He saw Lisa purse her lips in the dimming light and then she turned towards Aurora and hefted herself up onto the horse. "Oh come on, Leese. I'm just pushing your buttons."

"You always have to push me, don't you? You can't just have a serious moment without playing this game."

Jackson climbed up onto Stitch and trotted alongside Lisa and Aurora. He could see that he had embarrassed her. She had allowed herself to be vulnerable with him, and now she was asking for a "second chance."

"It's how we are, Leese. You've done it to me." She still faced forward, so Jackson groaned. "Why would you need a second chance anyway? When was the first one ruined?"

She breathed out heavily, and turned slightly towards him.

"I've been horrible. I thought…"

"You thought I was going to be some big bad boogey man out to kill you at the first chance."

"Yes," she spat, facing him while the horses led them back to the stables.

Jackson found the singular word to sting him more than he'd imagined. Sure, they played and he teased her, messed with her mind, but to have her actually think of him as so horrible… why did it matter? He could care less what anybody else thought of him. Lisa's opinion, on the other hand, seemed to be more and more relevant.

"But I was wrong," she continued. "And I've been horrible." Jackson laughed and Lisa narrowed her eyes at him. "You haven't been exactly saintly, either."

"I've been trying," he defended.

"Which is why I'm asking you for a second chance. This is my final time asking, too, I hope you know."

Yes. He knew. When she turned away from him again, Jackson knew Lisa's pride wouldn't let her sacrifice herself like this. If she was rejected by him? It'd break her heart. She was obviously already struggling with the idea of humbling herself to him.

"Not a problem, Leese."

She turned slowly back to face him. He was now the one staring straight ahead into the distance, though she knew he could see her out of the corner of his eye. Had he really just been understanding? Jackson Rippner was giving her a second chance…?

"Would you go for a swim with me after dinner? In the pool?"

A/N: Long one… sorry. I just got in the mood and kept on… hahaha. So I just HAD to end it or it'd never get posted.

And this chapter was based off of "Human Again" from the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast because I love the part where Belle asks for a second chance :P Plus, it's showing Jackson changing and becoming more "human" in Lisa's eyes…

Anyway, I hope you guys have enjoyed it. Please review and whatnot, and possibly even check out my other series.