A/N: I have been so ridiculously busy lately that I didn't have time to write, but I've found some extra time now and decided to write another fic. Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a review, they're greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Mentalist or any of its characters.

The snow fell in thick flurries as Veronica drove cautiously. Just a few miles from her house she noticed a grey SUV rammed into a tree. Beside it a dark crimson, stark in contrast, seeped into the untouched snow. Immediately Veronica's prior experience as a nurse took control. Without hesitation she pulled over and ran to the crippled car. The snow dampened her calves as she trudged toward the SUV. The glass was shattered, as Veronica peered in she saw a young woman in the driver's seat. Her dark brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, her skin was pale and her nose red. The lady's body fell limp against the moistening seat, a deep red seeping from her petite figure. Veronica took out her phone to dial 911 but found that there was no signal because of the snow storm. Taking action, Veronica opened the door and placed her hand on the lady's wrist, beneath her fingers she felt a dull beating. Veronica rushed to her truck and drove it down the icy hill to the SUV.

As gently as she could, Veronica lifted the woman and laid her on the back seat. The snow storm became heavier and Veronica realized that there was no way she could make it to the hospital. Within a few minutes and with the help of her husband, Henry, the woman was lying on a make shift bed in Veronica's guest bathroom. Veronica had begun washing the woman's wounds when she heard a quiet knock on the door.

"Sammy?" Veronica asked.

"It's me." Called a little voice.

"One sec."

Veronica washed her hands and met Sammy outside the bathroom.

"What's up?"

"I was wondering if I could help you?"

"Of course honey, but I have to warn you, it's a bit bloody and she's really hurt so we have to be very careful. Sure you want to help?"

Sammy nodded, "I can do it." She declared confidently.

"Alright then, come in."

After putting on some rubber gloves she found in the garage and explaining a few things to Sammy they began working. Veronica undressed the woman to her under garments and washed her wounds. From what she saw Veronica surmised that the woman would survive.

"Hey Sammy, I've got something you can do!"

"Really?" Sammy inquired hopefully, her eyes brightened with excitement.

"Yep! Could you take her coat and look for anything we can use to identify her?"

Sammy nodded dutifully and took the clothing, 10 minutes later she called out.

"I'm finished."

"Great! What did you find?"

"Her ah wallet, a phone, and a badge."

"Is there a driver's license in the wallet?"

"mhhhmm, it says Teresa Lisbon."

"Well we've got a name, any other information?"

"Her badge is for the CBI, what's that?"

"I don't know sweetie, let's try to find out."

...

Once they had cleaned all the wounds, bandaged her up and reclothed her in a pair of warm pajamas Veronica had Henry carry Teresa into the guest bedroom. They laid her on the bed and placed a fuzzy blanket on her.

Just as the sun was setting the family gathered for dinner around a large wooden table.

"So I heard you were a big helper today, Sammy?" Henry said.

Sammy nodded enthusiastically, "I helped Grams figure out the name of the lady and I helped grab clothes and bandages."

"Nice job Sammy!" He replied, giving her a high-five.

"How is she Veronica?" Henry asked.

"She's not in the best of shape, but she will live. When she wakes up she's going to be in a lot of pain though. She has a pretty deep cut on the back of her head, probably a concussion, what appears to be a bruised rib, and a sprained wrist." Veronica replied.

"Yikes, at least she'll be okay. Did you figure out who she is?"

"Sort of, Sammy helped me figure out that her name is Teresa Lisbon and she works for the California Bureau of Investigation so she must be some kind of detective. I think she's in her late 30s. But what I don't understand is why she was around here and what caused her to crashed. Hopefully she'll wake up soon."

...

An hour later a soft rustling came from the guest bedroom.

"I think she's up!" Veronica said.