AN: I said to myself I'd write longer chapters but alas I don't have time for that so enjoy a short chapter with a fair bit of tension that ends in soft cuteness.

Trudi, I know it's been a hot minute but I hope you're okay. I really really do. I worry about you a lot and I miss you a lot. I hope I finish this story one day, so you can see it wrapped up and with a happy ending. Will everyone be alive for that? Not likely, because you're on the right track with thinking Blake and Jackson gonna fight. But there will be a happy ending and I want you to see that.

It's late, Lisa is likely in bed already. But there's still a light on in the living room. Jackson then, must still be awake. No doubt working on his plan to kill Saxon. Filthy psychopath. Blake shakes his head, shoving the less than kind thoughts from his head. He approaches the door, but hesitates. What if it is Lisa that's still awake? What will he do then? His goal was to come interrogate Jackson, just as Danny had suggested he do. But... if he sees Lisa he can't imagine what he'll do. Maybe he'll freeze, maybe he'll go ballistic. He hates how right his friend was about him being a bit... ill tempered. He can't imagine he would ever do anything to hurt Lisa... but ultimately he has. That's what got them into this situation. He was too protective and it cost him his marriage, his wife, everything good he had in life is gone. He hates it. He hates Jackson. If Jackson hadn't been around then this never would have been a problem.

Finally he takes a deep breath and knocks on the door. It takes a minute, but he does hear shuffling, quiet steps as someone nears the door. He could almost swear he hears a laugh, then the door is opened. The screen door remains closed, Jackson even making a show of locking it so Blake knows he's not allowed in. "Now to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Jackson asks, leaning casually against the open door.

Blake looks over him, scowl on his face. Jackson's dressed casually in a pair of black lounge pants and a t-shirt. Overall the outfit seems so odd... so wrong, for Jackson. He's always been so uppity, so fancy, so classy. Seeing him in... pajamas just feels wrong and indecent. "I want to talk to my wife."

A smirk crosses Jackson's lips at the title. "Oh? You're wife? I didn't know you'd remarried. Congratulations!" Jackson says, fake joy mocking the cop. "She's in bed already. If you wanted to talk to Leese you should have come earlier. If she'd even be willing to talk that is."

He recognizes the taunts. It's Jackson's style. Calm and smooth, but knowing exactly how to get the upper hand. Blake knows too well that the man can read him, he knows Jackson can and will use his temper against him. On top of that Jackson is apparently aware Lisa hasn't been answering his phone calls. "I just want to know- why is she so willing to be with you? What do you have that's so much better than me?"

There's a smirk that crosses Jackson's lips, pride that he has the upper hand. They all know it, and his enjoyment in that fact is clear. It's all too easy to get Blake riled up, and he relishes the chance every time. A simple little thing that never gets old. "Control of my emotions for one, and I let her live her life. She came to me of her own free will. She could leave just as easily, once this job is done of course. But I know her, she won't."

"What makes you so sure of that?" Blake spits back.

The smirk grows into a grin as Jackson steps forward, nearly against the door now. "Because she's carrying my child." His words were smooth, calm. They rolled from his lips like water. But the reaction it prompts from Blake is the exact opposite. His fist flies towards the door, knuckles bashing on the metal bars across it. The screen door rattles, and Blake curses at Jackson. There's blood dripping from his knuckles now and Jackson merely 'tsks' at him. "Such brash behavior. I certainly wouldn't trust you being a father. Run home now, you wouldn't want to wake an expecting mother with your outbursts would you?"

Blake opens his mouth to respond, but the door is shut in his face. He slams his hand into the screen door again, as if the repeated hit will change what happened. Every cell in his body is screaming to break in, smash a window and beat the life out of Jackson. How dare he touch Lisa! How dare she allow it! Nothing about the situation was acceptable, but beating Jackson wouldn't actually help. It would certainly relieve some stress, but if Lisa saw... she'd be turned against him forever. He lets out a short yell of anger before storming back to his car.

Tonight would be a long night, and he needs to drive until his car runs out of gas, or he calms down. Most likely the former.


Jackson turns around and quietly walks up the stairs to the bedroom. The door creaks quietly as he opens it slowly. Lisa is in bed, blanket pulled up to her shoulders and music playing softly so the room isn't silent. He smiles softly at the sight as he moves over to lay down next to her. He scoots close to her, wrapping his arms around her to hold her close. There's a sleepy hum from her as she instinctively snuggles closer, not that there's much space left between them. "I love you Leese."

The words returned are muddled with sleep, but he can tell what she says. "Love you too Jackson."