Does she know it's Christmas
A „The Mentalist" – One shot
Christmas was coming closer. Lisbon was staring out of the window, observing the whirling snow flakes behind the glass pane. Her thoughts weren't with her family or friends but with one particular man. The man who was now sitting behind bars, being harassed by his inmates and desperately wishing to break out was the only person she could think of. All the traditions, the tree, the gifts, and the sumptuous dinner – all these things seemed to be so far away. She had never felt more in a cheerless mood than this year. Everything had taken a turn for the worse, there had been no way out. Jane had been brought to prison; legitimate self-defence was out of question.
For him Christmas had long ago lost its value and meaning. He plucked the orange trousers, ran through his hair and faced his roommate. "Anyone coming?" Jane asked. The suntanned prisoner shook his head. "Except for the dude from the interrogation, nope" Zach answered. "What about you? Isn't your girlfriend coming?" Zach wondered. Jane looked at him in a surprised way. "You know…that brunette…" Jane smiled. "She's by boss, not my girlfriend" he declined.
"I can understand that you're worried because of him but unfortunately we can't do anything to get him out there before New Year!" "But Sir, isn't there the slightest chance for a short visit? Do I have to kill someone first?" the whole situation started to drive Lisbon crazy. Criminals too deserved to take a day off their structured life as delinquents. At least that was her opinion.
"Mr. Jane, get yourself a shower and then show up in the common room, there's someone waiting for you" a voice said. Patrick raised his eyes. It was definitely not visiting day. Someone must have thwarted the plan. He hastened to the rest room, cleaned his face while non-stop thinking that this must be a bad joke. Or was he already too confused and too long in jail to keep the days apart?
When Jane entered the common room he spotted a young woman waiting in suspense to hold him in her arms again. "Lisbon, what are you doing here?" he embraced her. "I cancelled the meetings, cancelled the diner at my brother's flat. There was just one thing I wanted to do on Christmas" a soft smile appeared on her face. Her green eyes sparkled. "Why? You could have enjoyed a wonderful get-together with people who adore and appreciate you" Jane said, asking her to take a seat. "Right, and here I am" she answered. "But, you deserved to be in a place full of Christmas spirit, joy and delight" Jane went on. Lisbon looked around. Of course, there was no decoration in this grey and abandoned cell, no tree emitted a lovely scent of security and no music echoed through the halls. Still, Lisbon thought that the spirit of Christmas meant more to her than glitter balls, cookies and carolling. It meant to spend the holy day with a beloved person, no matter how shabby the surrounding and no matter how bleak the situation.
She took his hand. How Jane had missed the soft touch, her warm skin. "I'm sorry for having caused you even more trouble" he sighted, his eyes pointed at the floor. "I believe you, it was self-defence. Unfortunately" she stopped "there was nothing to do, they decided against you."
It was an indescribable feeling sitting there with Lisbon and for a moment Jane forgot about his destiny.
"I've got a little gift for you" she took out a brown paper back from her purse and handed it over to the blonde consultant. Before she could say anything the guard called her out. She waved Jane goodbye and disappeared.
Patrick opened the paper back and laughed.
A Christmas-Spice-Muffin.