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

To Ally: Well, it means a lot to me that you guys take the time to review! So, of course I will thank you guys! A little criticism or even a "Great job" goes a long way and I adore it. Like I said last chapter, you guys motivate me to keep going and you guys help me to make the story and my writing better. I always appreciate comments.

That being said, I'll thank you guys again for reviewing. Again, I'm sorry for it being so short, but I'm short on time. And yes, we're getting closer to some of the inevitable plot points from the Disney Version, so prepare yourself for some action!

-Jesscah

Chapter Eight

"Forget About Love" - Aladdin

"Forget about romance. Forget about the way your heart begins to dance. Then you feel the blush when he's spouting out some sentimental mush. Love really is revolting! It's even worse than when you're molting. Enough of this fluff! Just forget about love!"

Jackson was out into the water before Lisa. She was overly worried about her appearance when she heard the double doors downstairs open up. She crept out onto the balcony and peered down. Jackson was there, placing his towel gently on one of the chairs. He stretched for a moment, a blue twinge reflecting onto his pale skin and fresh scars.

She quickly backed away from the balcony and grabbed her towel. Jackson's confidence amazed her. How was it that he could be so confident about himself when Lisa could hardly stand the sight of her lone scar in the mirror? She frowned at it slightly, wishing she could erase the scar and the memory that came along with it. Lisa heard a splash from below and took one last look. Jackson was swimming back and forth, doing laps. She shouldn't keep him waiting.

She turned and left the room, feeling oddly at place here. Finally, she thought to herself as she bounded down the stairs like a teenager hyped up for a date. The doors were left open, allowing the breeze to blow in. Lisa snuck out and hung her towel on the same chair as Jackson's and edged over to the side of the pool. He was lying on his back, floating on top of the water, with his eyes closed. If Lisa hadn't known better, she would have assumed he was asleep… or dead.

Lisa stood there on the edge of the pool and watched him for a few seconds. He hadn't even moved except for the motion of the water easing him farther from her. She had never seen him so calm and so peaceful. Even out here in the open, where he had claimed he was always "ready for a fight," he was somehow letting down his guard. That would be his fatal mistake.

With a large grin, Lisa took a few steps back from the pool edge and then launched herself forward. She used her speed to fling herself up off of the edge of the pool and into the air, shouting, "Cannon Ball!" Jackson managed to open his eyes just as Lisa's rounded form plummeted into the blue water and sent a giant wave hurling over him. He quickly righted himself, letting the water rise and fall just beneath his collar bone.

Lisa popped back up again seconds later, her auburn locks now deep brown as they stuck to the sides of her face. She pushed them back to see Jackson glaring at her. She frowned, suddenly worried again. The water was a dangerous place to be with a pissed off, expertly trained, killer. Just as he had on the plane, Jackson held his cruel demeanor, but then he broke out into a grin, laughing. Lisa cocked her head to the side.

"Why are you still scared?"

"Am not."

"Yes, you are, Leese."

As if to emphasize his point, he inched forward. Lisa, out of reflex, took an equal step back, keeping the distance between them. Jackson raised his eyebrows as Lisa blushed.

"See?"

"I'm not afraid of you, Jackson."

He laughed and stepped closer. This time, Lisa didn't move.

"Prove it," he growled, suddenly very serious.

"I'm here. That's proof enough."

Then, out of nowhere, there it was. That genuine smile from the Tex Mex. The charm of this guy, Lisa thought to herself.

"Sure, sure," he commented, flinging himself back in the water.

Jackson splashes Lisa as he threw himself back and began swimming away from her. She wiped the chlorine from her eyes. He was swimming around on his back again, gently stroking the water to push himself in a circle. Lisa sank down in the water, disappearing silently. She'd show him she wasn't scared alright…

"Oh c'mon. Don't be all pouty," Jackson called, standing up in the water.

Jackson looked around. Lisa was gone. There were no wet footprints on the edges of the pool and her towel was still there. He smirked to himself.

"Oh that old trick again?"

He folded his arms across his chest and waited for her to run out of air. Instead, he jumped when he suddenly felt her next to his legs. She sprung up out of the water and gave him a little push. He retaliated by reached forward and grabbing Lisa by the back of her neck. She gave a little squeal in fear and then bit her lip. Jackson smirked, but he was extremely gentle.

"I thought you weren't scared…"

"I'm not."

"Don't lie," he grumbled, tugging gently on her hair to enunciate each word.

"Okay fine. Hardly. Can you blame me?"

"Not at all. It's good to have it in the open."

"You're not as 'evil' as you like to pretend you are, Jackson."

He chuckled, shifting his fingers in her hair. She liked the feeling. He was surprisingly gentle. Sure, she was vulnerable and feeling slightly awkward, but she didn't care at this point. Neither did Jackson. He loved the way her hair felt, even though it was wet. He could also see Lisa relaxing as he moved his hand. That's how to get you calm down…

"Besides," she murmured, feeling dreamy, "I don't think I'm the only one afraid here."

Jackson looked down at her, confused.

"I'm not afraid of much, Leese, let alone you."

"Not me, per say, but the idea of me. What I bring. What I do to you."

Lisa wanted to erase the words almost immediately, but it was too late. Jackson's fingers stopped moving and he let the words sit in his mind.

"You're scared," she pushed, "of someone actually seeing you. It's why you have these absolutely charming moments and then you have moments where you try to intimidate me away. But look. I'm here. I haven't tried to run in a while now. You can keep trying to push me away or you can let me in."

Lisa couldn't help but feel nervous. He hadn't moved an inch and his face seemed contorted. Was he angry again?

"We don't have to be afraid of each other anymore, Jackson."

She inched forward and stood up straighter while simultaneously placing her hand in his hair just as he still had his in hers. He stared at her and she finally just did it. She pulled him forward and leaned up, pressing her lips against his. Her mind fogged all over again. Jackson, on the other hand, was perfectly clear. He was absorbing every little detail of the moment. How could this simple woman be so right?

Several long seconds passed before Lisa pulled away to take a breath of air, but Jackson would have none of it. He tightened his grip on her hair and used his other hand to pull her body flush against his own. She let out a small gasp in surprise, but gave in quickly.

"So much for pushing you away," he mumbled against her jaw before kissing her lightly again.

"So much for you being the 'bad guy'."

"Well it's hard for me to resist when you basically throw yourself at me, Leese."

Lisa was almost offended, but then he smiled and she instead ran her hand up and down his lean arm.

"I wasn't throwing myself at you, I was taking initiative."

"Whatever you call it, Leese."

Lisa considered her last statement as she floated aimlessly along with Jackson. Taking initiative was what she had called it. But was she really? Or was she simply submitting? She enjoyed the feeling; there was no denying that. But taking initiative would be getting home to her father where she truly belonged. She could always return to Jackson, couldn't she?

"What's wrong?" he asked, seemingly sensing her internal battle.

"Do what?"

"I asked you what is wrong… you're all lost in thought. If I made you uncomfortable-"

"No! That's not it. I really liked that…" she stammered. "It's just. I… never mind."

He placed his hand under her chin and forced her to look at him.

"It's your dad, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Would you like to call him again?"

"Very much so."

"Well come on, then. I'll give you the phone and you can give him a call."

Jackson turned to climb out of the pool, but Lisa turned him back around. She kissed him deeply once more before letting him go.

"I meant it, you know."

"I know," he said softly, helping her out of the pool.

"So, looked to me like you two were getting pretty cozy out there in the pool…"

Jackson sighed and looked up at Melissa.

"What, were you watching me?"

"A little," she laughed. "I was helping Peggy with the dishes and saw you two from the window."

"When you first came here, didn't I give specific instructions that I was to be left alone unless otherwise specified?"

"Yes."

"Then…?"

"Then I shouldn't have watched you."

"Exactly."

"Well, if it's any consolation, I think it's great."

"You think it's great because now Brooke Kenzie won't come up here and have us all taken out."

Melissa held back a gasp.

"How did you know?"

"Please, Melissa," he commented sadly, looking down at the cell phone on the corner of his desk. "It was only a matter of time before she came here to hunt me down and tie up loose ends from the botched Keefe job. I'm grateful to you for stalling her."

"Well, she might not be completely stalled, you know. I told her that Lisa was just what you needed and to just give you time."

"She sent those people to kill us, Melissa. She won't stop."

"Oh yes she will. I'll make her."

Jackson chuckled grimly.

"That'll be the day."

"We'll get through it. Look, don't worry about it right now. Just… go be happy. Go make Lisa happy."

Melissa picked up the cell phone and unplugged it, holding it out for Jackson to take. He took it somberly. Something didn't quite feel right to him. It wasn't something Lisa had done, but he had this feeling in his gut that something bad was going to happen soon. His gut feelings were usually spot-on.

"Fine," he said with a sigh, heaving himself up from the chair.

"Here you go," Jackson said with a gentle, but forced, smile, as he handed Lisa the phone.

She beamed with happiness. On the flight, Jackson could've cared less if Lisa was happy or not, but now he found himself constantly wanting her to be happy, especially with him. He'd never needed the approval of many people in his life, but she was definitely one of them.

"Thank you so much, Jackson. I really appreciate it."

Lisa quickly dialed her father's home number and waited whiled the phone rang and rang. She looked up worriedly at Jackson.

"Is he not answering?"

"No…"

Lisa hung up the phone and pressed redial. She knew her father wouldn't miss a chance to speak with Lisa again to ensure she was okay or to somehow decipher where she was being held. On the last ring, the phone clicked as someone picked up.

"Hey daddy," she said with relief.

"Lisa?"

"Gary? Detective Quinn? What's going on?"

"Lisa! Where have you been?"

"Did something happen to my dad?"

"Lisa. Are you safe…?"

"Very."

Lisa stated the statement so surely as she looked up at Jackson that he could feel the truth emanating from her voice.

"Then you need to come home."

"What?"

"Come home, Lisa. Your father's not well. He's been… poisoned."

Lisa held her breath. She placed her hand over her mouth and struggled to hold back a scream that desperately wanted to force its way out.

"Lisa? Are you there? Did you hear what I said?"

"By who? How?"

"A man who wants revenge for the Keefe failure. He blames you. It doesn't matter. What matters is he needs you. You need to find way to come home."

"I… I can't."

Lisa pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed her eyes shut. She was more comfortable with Jackson, but she didn't want to cry in front of him like this. Not like this.

"You have to. I've been helping with him, but he's slipping, Lisa…"

A tear slipped from her eye. Jackson yanked the phone from her hand and held it up to his ear.

"She's coming home."

He snapped the phone shut and Lisa looked up at him, surprised.

"What are you doing?"

"Sending you back to Florida. Go pack your things."

"But Jackson-"

"No. Go pack."

"Jackson!"

"I'm not blind, Lisa. You need to go home. So go. It's fine."

"I thought you didn't lie," she murmured softly.

He looked out the window towards the darkened forest.

"It's best if you leave. Now."

"Are you really doing this?"

"Yes."

She looked up at him, hurt and relief both fighting for dominance in her eyes.

"Goodbye, Jackson."

"Bye, Leese."

With that, Lisa pushed past him and trudged up the stairs, torn between her father and the man she was finding herself falling in love with. Her resolve had broken. She was now crying freely. With any luck, their goodbye would be the last she'd see of him until one day he'd beckon her back and she'd return of her own free will. Hopefully he'd want her back and wouldn't keep pushing her away…

A/N: Whew! Long-ish one! Lisa's leaving. :( She's slightly relieved to go see her father, but doesn't want Jackson to push her away, which he is, even though he's doing it for her benefit. Gah! I love them. Anyway, please review, and I apologize for the super long wait. I'm hoping to be more productive when it comes to this FF as we're obviously coming to a close. Let me know what you guys think and thanks in advance for the comments! Xoxo