Shorter than my usual work, but I thought that I ought to post something before the Holidays. And Holly (Brown Eyes Parker) also helped this little thing to be written merely by mentioning something on Twitter. Also, go read her stories, please. Especially her Christmas ones.

Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I probably ever, own The Mentalist.

Hushed Assertion

In a state of partial shock, Teresa Lisbon did not know what to say to him. He, Patrick Jane, had crossed the line once more. He refused to admit it, and that is the sole reason as to why the tension in the air was so thick, Red John would be able to slice his knife right through it.

Gripping the steering wheel of the Chevy Traverse tighter, she glanced over in Jane's direction. He wasn't looking at her, but through the windshield with an empty expression. It was as if he was angry with her for something, too. Though, she didn't see any reason as to why he should be angry with her in the first place.

As he started to turn his head towards her, apparently sensing her eyes on his, she snapped hers back to the road. At the feel of his gaze on her, it made her entire being stiffen and the slight guilt of yelling at him earlier started to creep up along her spine.

After a few moments, his eyes had not left her, and she could feel them burning into her. Out of the corner of her eye, she flicked her gaze towards him. Her breath stopped in her throat and she pulled her eyes to the road again.

Within her chest, she felt her heart start to beat like a drum. It was rather distracting, to say the least. Flexing her fingers and sliding them down the steering wheel a little, she heard him say something.

"I am not sorry, you know that."

Swallowing, she nodded in affirmation. "Yes," her voice croaked.

His voice had cut through the tense air, and her body felt jumpy because of it. And his statement of not being sorry made her not only grip the wheel tighter once more, but also feel a sense of slight anger.

He would never be sorry. They were all his marks. And he was just using them all along.

As to what Jane did, I'm leaving it up to you guys to decide. Let the creativity flow!

Happy Holidays!