Author's note: this fanfiction doesn't follow the events as narrated in my other stories. It's a kind of AU considering my own Mentalist universe - which is different from the show, anyway. This story could be seen as taking place some time before the end of the third season, or standing on its own.
Only Time
Chapter 1
She curled up on the sofa and closed her eyes. This can't be happening, she told herself for the umpteenth time.
Up to that moment they had been reasonably happy – as happy as two broken people like her and Jane could ever be. But now…
She tensed, hearing the front door opening. Jane had finally come home. She couldn't postpone her confession anymore.
"Hey, darling – what's wrong?"
He sat down next to her and gently rubbed his hand on her back. As she slowly looked up he could see that she had been crying.
"Come on, Teresa, it can't be so bad".
She drew a deep breath, then blurted out: "I'm pregnant".
Jane suddenly froze. There was no hint of joy into his eyes – just fear and pain.
"Are you sure?", he whispered after a full minute of silence.
Teresa nodded. He let his hand drop, averting his gaze from her face.
"I… I can't…"
"I'm sorry, Patrick".
The quiet desperation in her voice was more than he could bear. For a brief moment his fingers grazed her cheek, then he was gone.
When the door closed behind him, Teresa buried her head into the cushions and wept again.