If at first you don't succeed…

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Red Eye, only any original characters that I create.

A/N: Okay, this is the first fanfic I have ever written, so I hope you like it. : )

Cleaning Up

Staring down at the sprawled out body of Jackson Rippner Lisa wondered how everything had turned out so wrong. What happened to the kind and charming man that she had meet at the airport? She had been so flattered that a guy like him had expressed so much interest in her. He was the first guy since the incident two years ago that she had actually thought of in a romantic way. He was so sophisticated and proper, now he looked anything but sophisticated with his blood soaked dress shirt.

"Lisa, what exactly happened last night?" Her father gently inquired while placing a comforting arm around her shoulders.

Startled out of her thoughts she turned to face her dad. Lisa knew she needed to tell her father all that had happened, but it just hurt so much to talk about it. Looking down at Jackson all the fear of that night came rushing back at her. The fear of being trapped on the plane and not being able to move or get away. Shaking her head in an attempt to clear it she turned her watery eyes up to meet her father's.

"Daddy, please… I just… I don't know if I can talk about it right now." Tears started streaming down her face. She was surprised that there were any tears left to shed. It seems that all she had been able to do on the plane was cry. She hated people seeing her cry, and Jackson had seen plenty of it. But he had underestimated her because of her tears and thought she was weak. After thrustinga pen in his throat he had slightly changed his perception of that.

"Lisa, honey are you okay? Do you want to go sit down on the couch?" Her father once again prodded while pulling her closer.

Okay, am I okay! I almost got Keefe's family killed, along with putting my dad's life in danger; I was trapped on a flight from hell with a man who terrorized me the whole way. Said man then proceeded to chase me with a knife and threw me down the stairs. Am I okay, what kind of question is that!

Of course she would never say this to her father though, it would only make him worry more. And as for going to sit down in the living room, she knew it sounded illogical, but she felt as though the moment that she left he would spring to his feet and come after her again.

"I'm fine Dad, it's all over now," she said while whipping away the reaming tears, "I should really head over to the Lux and try to straighten things out over there. Cynthia's probably having a heart attack without me."

Before her father could protest the loud blare of a siren filed the room. Well that was quick Lisa thought as the small ambulance pulled itself in front of the house. The ambulance looked a bit different from the other ones that she had seen in her life. It was unusually small and appeared as though the vehicle had been another color and that someone had just painted white over the top of it.

Three EMT's quickly jumped out of the ambulance. Two went straight to Jackson and the other went over to where his dead associate lay. Hesitantly Lisa walked towards the two EMT's that were carefully placing Jackson on a stretcher.

Barely finding her voice Lisa whispered, "Is he going to be alright?"

"Well, he obviously isn't in very good shape," the youngest one crisply remarked without looking up," but I guess being stabbed and shot several times can do that to a guy."

The young EMT then raised his gaze to meet Lisa's and glared up and her. Why would he be angry with her? Before Lisa could ask any further questions Jackson and his associate had already been securely placed on the stretchers and were being loaded in the ambulance.

The same EMT that had glared at Lisa started back towards her and her father. He was about the same height as Lisa and had brown curly hair with dull brown eyes.

"Mrs. Reisert," he said with venom as he stood in front of her, "you're going to have to come to the hospital with us and answer some questions."

Lisa was a bit startled by that statement, she expected being questioned by the police, but why did she need to go to the hospital? Besides she had promised Cynthia that she would be at the Lux.

"I'm sorry, but I'm needed over at the hotel, I believe that the police need to talk to me ov"

"I don't think you understand, you're coming with me" He interrupted grabbing her by the elbow.

" Now wait just a minute, you let my daughter go!"

"Jason!" One of the other EMT's yelled, "Get in quick! The police are almost here!"

With one final glare at Lisa he dropped her arm and sprinted back to the ambulance, jumped in the back and while closing the doors said, "We'll finish this later."

Lisa didn't know what to think. This day just kept getting weirder and weirder.

"Lisa, honey are you okay?" Her father worriedly questioned while grasping her shoulders.

"Dad," she sighed, "I'm fine, but why would they care if the police are coming?"

"I don't know. They all seemed a bit odd." He remarked.

Ring Ring! Jumping slightly at the unexpected call Lisa strode over to the counter and grabbed the phone.

"Hello." She said tiredly.

"Lisa, oh my gosh where are you. The police are looking for you, and they keep asking me questions that I don't know you really need to"

"Cynthia, calm down" she interrupted, "I'm on my way right now."

Hanging up the phone Lisa grabbed her purse and keys then walked over to her father.

"Dad I'm heading over to the Lux, the police want to talk to me."

"I'll go with you." he stated and walked over to grab his coat of the rack.

"No dad." She sighed, "The police will be coming here as well; you should stay and try to fill them in as much as you can. If they need me you know where to fine me."

Letting out an exasperated sigh he placed his coat back on the rack and then pulled Lisa into a tight hug. "Just be careful Lisa."

" I will dad." Placing a quick kiss on his check she pulled out of his grasp and headed for her car.

Just as she was pulling out of her driveway the sirens of the police cars announced their presence while racing to her father's house.

"I still can't believe that you just said that to them. Have I told you recently that you are my hero?" Cynthia gushed while linking arms with Lisa.

"Only about a thousand times in last five minutes." Lisa replied laughing. After having the flight from hell it was nice to tell those two off. She never liked them but always had to pretend like she did. It was nice to finally tell them what she thought.

Feeling a light tap on her shoulder Lisa turned and found herself staring up at a very tall police officer.

"Excuse me Miss Reisert, my name is Officer Caldwell. I need to ask you a few questions."

Lisa nodded in compliance; she knew that she would eventually have to repeat the horrific events that had happened.

"Hey Cynthia, I'll give youa call later," she said and disentangle her arm from Cynthia's.

Cynthia nodded and as she was leaving mouthed the words, you are so my hero. Lisa chuckled at her friend's antics then turned back to face the officer.

"If you'll just follow me, then we'll make this as short as possible." Said Officer Caldwell. Yeah right, I'll be lucky if I get out of here in five hours.

Lisa followed the officer into one of their many conference rooms, flipping on the lights as she walked inthen sittingdown across from Officer Caldwell. He looked like he was probably in his late forties with black hair speckled with gray strands. He was extremely tall and had dark brown eyes.

"Okay Miss Reisert, if you could just start by" RING RING!

"Excuse me." he said while flipping open his phone. "Caldwell speaking."

"What?" He asked with apprehension in his voice. Lisa's heart started thumping. Something was wrong.

"You're certain... okay… bye."

Regarding Lisa with slight apprehension he asked, "An ambulance came to your father's home before the police arrived, correct?"

"Yes," she stated hesitantly.

"Could you please explain to me exactly what the ambulance looked like?"

Where was he going with this? She wanted desperately to ask him what the matter was, but felt that she should answer his question first. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear in a nervous motion she answered.

"Well, it was a bit smaller then most of the ambulances I've seen, and it looked as though the vehicle was originally a different color and had been painted over. I didn't really get to notice anything else, they left so quickly."

" I see." He said while leaning back in his chair and massaging his temples. Lisa felt like she has just been head butted, again. Her fear that something was wrong had just been confirmed.

"Officer Caldwell," she questioned silently, "what's wrong?" He stopped massaging his temples then slowly raised his gaze to meet hers.

"Mrs. Reisert, the only ambulance that was dispatched to your fathers home arrived with the police. And as you know when the police arrived the two men were gone."

"Officer Caldwell, what exactly are you saying?" She questioned with fear evident in her voice.

"What I am saying Mrs. Reisert," he said while leaning forward in his chair, " is that we have no idea where that ambulance came from. We also have no knowledge as to the where abouts of the man who attacked you."

Lisa gasped and put her hands over her mouth. Shaking her head slightly. No, no it can't be. But it was true, and the next thought she had filled he heart with dread and fear.

Jackson Rippner was still out there.

A/N: I know this chapter doesn't have too much action in it, but I promise that it will get much better. Please review and let me know what you think. Lena : )