Author's note: All right, I'm quite nervous about this story. Didn't actually want to write it down, but I simply couldn't help it.
I hope it doesn't sound too weird or too out of character. I apologize in advance to anyone who's going to be disappointed about it...


At the turn of the tide

Chapter 1

She closed her eyes briefly, pinching the bridge of her nose as if to release some tension.

Then she took a deep breath and stepped inside the interrogation room.

"How nice to see you again, Teresa. It's very kind of you to come and visit me."

Biting her lip she resisted the temptation to wipe that self-satisfied smirk off the other woman's face.

"I'm here to ask you a favor, Lorelei."

"Oh, really?"

"You know Red John very well, don't you?"

"Maybe. Why should I tell you anyway?"

Her eyes were as cold as steel as she asked her next question.

"Is there anything that he'd be willing to accept in exchange for leaving me alone?"

Lorelei looked momentarily taken aback. That was the last thing she was expecting from the thoroughly selfless agent Teresa Lisbon.

"Are you really letting your friend Patrick down? I can't believe it."

Teresa shrugged. "I have my reasons. Now answer my question."

"You'd never betray one of your friends – just as I'd never betray mine."

"Lorelei. Answer my damn question."

Lisbon's demeanor was so very different from the last time they had met. It wasn't about her unusual pallor, or the dark circles around her eyes.

She looked so weary, and yet so very determined at the same time. And there were also subtler changes about her – changes that could mean one thing and one thing only.

"You're carrying his child!" Lorelei almost cried in her utter surprise. "That's the only reason why you'd want to get away."

Lisbon didn't even dignify her with an answer. She rose abruptly and bolted out of the room.

The younger woman stared at the closed door for a long time – suddenly very deep in thought.