Hi guys! So this is my first Mentalist fanfiction. Very excited to be writing one! I have recently(like within the last couple of weeks) become obsessed with the show. I have never seen episodes prior to season 7, although I did see the ending of the season 6 finale. That got me interested! LOL! Lisbon and Jane are the cutest and I that kiss made me go AWWWWW! Sad to see the show end. I will continue to write other stories(if you guys like this one) even though the show is over. Anyway, I really hope you like Brand New Start!
It was a cool, rainy Tuesday evening. Jane and Lisbon lay snuggled together in the bed of Jane's Airstream, enjoying the warmth and comfort from each other. These were the moments the couple loved the most: being able to enjoy the closeness they could now share, neither one having to hide feelings for the other. Lisbon sighed contentedly, snuggling deeper into Jane's embrace. Jane tightened his arms that were wrapped around Lisbon's waist, placing a soft kiss into her hair. Neither one said anything. They didn't need to.
Their quiet solitude was broken by loud banging on the Airstream's door, followed by panicked screams.
"HELP! PLEASE, SOMEONE HELP ME! LET ME IN PLEASE!" The voice screamed. The banging sounded desperate. Jane and Lisbon woke with a start, not expecting this. They looked at each other before Jane crawled over Lisbon and hurried to the door. Jane opened the door and was surprised at what he saw. Standing on his doorstep was a young 15 year old girl, around 5 feet 2 inches tall. She had long, wavy blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and a cute button nose. She was dressed in black running shorts, a dark pink Nike running short sleeve shirt, and pink and gray running shoes. She was slightly surprised when someone actually opened the door. She was a little skeptical of someone actually living her, but she was desperate. She stood on the doorstep of this stranger's home, shaking from the cold and exhaustion.
"Lisbon, get me a towel please." Jane said to Lisbon as he helped the young girl inside. Lisbon got out of bed and was shocked to see the girl. She quickly went to the bathroom, retrieved a fluffy blue towel, and returned the front of the Airstream. She handed Jane the towel. He took it from Lisbon and draped it around the shoulders of the frightened and shivering teen. He led her over to the island and had her sit on a chair. Lisbon pulled up a chair next to the girl and began rubbing her back, trying to help her calm down. Jane poured water into a kettle and worked on making tea. He grabbed three mugs from the cupboard, poured the water in and put the tea bags in, and gave a mug to Lisbon and the girl. The girl stared at the mug in front of her for a moment before reaching out with shaky hands to pick it up. She took a small sip from the mug and sighed, enjoying the feeling of the hot liquid warming her from the inside out. The trio sat in silence for a while. It was Lisbon who broke the silence.
"I'm Teresa Lisbon and this is Patrick Jane. What's your name?" She asked the girl quietly, not wanting to scare her. The girl stared into her cup of tea, not saying anything. She was a little fearful of the two strangers. Jane picked up on this. He put his cup down and knelt beside the girl, getting on her level
"We're not gonna hurt you. We just want to help you." He told her, tapping a finger on her knee. She sighed and looked at Jane, then glanced over at Lisbon.
"I'm Nadia. Nadia Sharpova." She quietly responded, looking down at her hands in her lap. Jane got up and took a seat next to Lisbon.
"Nice to meet you Nadia. Beautiful name." Jane replied, giving her a smile. Nadia gave a small smile back.
"Thanks. It means hope in Russian."
"Are you from Russia?" Lisbon asked, picking up on her Russian accent.
"Um yea. I was born and raised in Moscow." Nadia said with a smile
"When did you come to the U.S.?" Lisbon asked.
"About 3 years ago."
"How was the transition?" Jane asked, leaning back in his chair.
"Tough. Two very different cultures. Plus I had to learn English and the English alphabet. Russian is very different. Our letters are very different than yours." Nadia replied, "Do you have paper and a pencil?" Jane nodded his head and rummaged in the drawers for the paper and pencil. He handed them to Nadia, who began writing. When she was done, she slid the paper over to Jane and Lisbon. "This is your name Patrick in Russian: Патрик Джейн. And this is your name Teresa: Тереза Лисбон." Jane and Lisbon looked at the paper in shock and awe.
"Wow, talk about confusing. Are these even letters?" Jane mused, eyebrows knit together in concentration. Nadia laughed.
"Yes, they are letters. So you can imagine my confusion when I had to learn English. Your letters looked weird. But, my parents helped me out a lot with studying and practicing. They insisted I had to learn and be completely fluent in English." Nadia then went silent. She looked at her empty mug of tea and her lip began to tremble. Tears stung the back of her eyes. She took a shaky breath.
"You alright Nadia?" Lisbon asked, worry evident in her voice. Nadia shook her head no and started crying. Jane got up and enveloped her in a hug. She started sobbing harder, causing his shirt to become wet with her tears. He rubbed soothing circles on her back. Lisbon laid a comforting hand on her arm. After a while, Nadia's sobs were reduced to hiccups. She pulled away from Jane, wiping at her eyes.
"Sorry," Nadia apologized. Lisbon handed her a tissue and Nadia smiled at her gratefully.
"No need to apologize sweetheart." Jane said. "So, what happened?"
"Well, I was in my room doing homework," Nadia started to explain, "and my parents were downstairs in the den. I was stuck on a math problem and started for the stairs to get help. There was a loud crash and someone burst through our front door. H-h-he had a g-g-gun and he shot at my mom and then my dad. That man killed them! I quickly ran up the stairs and climbed out my bedroom window and ran here." Nadia was shaking again when she finished her story. Jane and Lisbon looked horrified. Why would someone kill this girl's parents? Why would they leave her an orphan? A look of sadness and pain flashed over Jane's face, then anger. He stood up and stalked out of the Airstream, slamming the door behind him. Lisbon now looked shocked. Nadia looked sad and scared. "I'm sorry," she weakly apologized.
"Why are you apologizing honey?" Lisbon asked, turning her attention to Nadia.
"I, I obviously said something wrong. Why else would he storm out like that? Maybe I should go." Nadia removed the damp towel from her shoulders and stood up, preparing to walk out. Lisbon grabbed her wrist.
"You did nothing wrong Nadia, ok? You simply told us what happened. Jane-" Lisbon paused, choosing her words carefully. She didn't want to tell Nadia about Angela and Charlotte. She figured Jane should be the one to disclose that information. "Jane is complicated to understand. He went through some stuff a while ago and it still haunts him sometimes. He's not mad at you, I promise. He's probably madder at what happened to you and your parents' deaths. Just give him a minute." Nadia nodded her head in understanding. "Why don't you go take a hot shower? You must be freezing."
"But, I don't have a change of clothes." Nadia replied.
"I can throw them in the dryer for you if you'd like." Lisbon offered. Nadia shook her head yes. "Ok. Here, let me show you where everything is." Lisbon led Nadia to the bathroom. She grabbed a towel and washcloth out of the small linen closet. "You can use my shampoo and body wash." Lisbon showed Nadia which was hers. "When you undress, throw your clothes outside the door and I'll dry them, ok?" Nadia nodded her head. Lisbon gave her a small smile and walked out of the bathroom. Nadia quickly removed her clothes and gently tossed them outside the bathroom door and closed the door. She stepped into the shower and turned on the water, letting the hot water run over her exhausted body. She couldn't believe that her parents were dead. Why? Why did someone have to rip them from her life, making her an orphan? She rested her head against the shower wall and let the tears flow. These weren't sorrowful tears; they were hot, angry tears. She did not deserve this! She has done nothing wrong and neither have her parents. Whoever did this is going to pay! She angrily swiped at her eyes and quickly washed her hair and body. She shut the water off, grabbed the towel, and dried her hair. She stepped out of the shower and dried the rest of her body off. She wrapped the towel around herself and tentatively stepped out of the bathroom. "Jane's still outside." Lisbon said, seeing Nadia cautiously come out of the bathroom in her towel. "Your clothes are dry. Let me get them." Lisbon retrieved Nadia's clothes and handed them to her. Nadia retreated back into the bathroom and changed. She hung her towel up and walked out of the bathroom. On her way out, she grabbed a hairbrush she assumed was Lisbon's.
"Do you mind if I use this?" Nadia asked Lisbon, showing her the brush.
"Nope, go ahead." Lisbon replied. Nadia walked over to the couch/foldout bed and sat down next to Lisbon. She began brushing her hair, a comfortable silence between the two.
"Do you have any hair ties?"
"I think so. Let me go see." Lisbon got up and returned a second later with a black hair tie. Nadia took it from Lisbon and put it around her wrist. She then proceeded to put her long hair into a simple braid down her back. She tied the braid off with the band and turned her back to Lisbon.
"Does it look ok?"
"Yea, looks fine." Nadia turned back around and sighed.
"Should I go talk to him?" Nadia questioned, peering out the window.
"If you want to. Can't hurt." Nadia nodded and got up off the couch. She stepped outside, noticing the rain had stopped. She saw Jane sitting at the picnic table in his yard, elbows resting on his knees and his head in his hands. She slowly walked over to him and sat down next to him. He looked over at her, not saying a word.
"Are you ok?" she asked quietly. Jane sat up and peered over at Nadia.
"Not really," was his simple reply.
"Care to elaborate?" Jane sighed and turned to face Nadia.
"My wife and daughter were murdered a few years ago by a killer named Red John. I hunted him for years until I finally found and killed him. Death and murders are a very sensitive topic for me. I just don't understand how innocent people get murdered!" Jane stopped and looked down. Nadia felt tears in the corners of her eyes. Someone killed his family too. He understands the pain she is going through. She tentatively laid a hand on his arm. He looked up at her, seeing pain and sadness in her eyes. He sighed and took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb soothingly across her knuckles. "But this is not about me. This is about you. Come on, let's go back in." Jane stood up, offering Nadia his hand. She accepted it and stood up.
"Jane?" Jane turned around. "Um, if you ever need to talk, I'm here to listen. It's not good to keep your feelings bottled up inside. You keep them in, one day you'll drown in them. You'll push those close to you away until they become unreachable. That's what my parents always told me." Nadia looked up at Jane, giving him a comforting smile. He smiled back and led her back inside.
"Everything ok Jane?" Lisbon asked as she stood up.
"Yea. Just needed fresh air. It's late, we should try to get some sleep."
"We can't stay here the night Jane," Lisbon stated.
"Why not?" He asked.
"There's not enough room for all three of us. Come one, we can go to my house. We're gonna have to stay there for a while anyway." Lisbon grabbed her jacket and put it on, grabbing her keys off the counter.
"Ok," Jane responded, "let me get some clothes first." He quickly packed a weekend bag and put on his shoes. He put on his coat and headed for the door.
"You guys don't have to go somewhere else on my behalf. I can sleep on the floor or outside." Nadia told Jane and Lisbon, feeling bad that she already intruded on their time together.
"Oh, it's no trouble Nadia. We don't mind. Right Jane?"
"Of course not! We are your unofficial designated bodyguards and are here to protect you?" Jane said as he puffed out his chest. Nadia started giggling and Lisbon just rolled her eyes. The three made their way out of Jane's Airstream and got into Lisbon's SUV. Nadia rested her head against the window, gazing out the window. How could a simple Tuesday turn into such a horrible, disastrous day? She will never get to eat a home cooked Russian meal again, never play catch with her dad or knit with her mom. She will never sneak in on her parents dancing to a romantic song in their living room, both looking so happy and in love. Her parents. Her role models. The two people in the world who always had her back and let her pursue her dreams. A tear slipped down her cheek and she took a shaky breath. Jane turned to Nadia and rested a hand on her knee. Nadia looked up at Jane, her vision blurry. Luckily, they arrived at Lisbon's house. Jane got out and climbed into the back seat with Nadia. She took one look at him and the tears began to flow again. Jane enveloped her in a hug and let her cry. He rubbed soothing circles on her back, whispering it's ok and him and Lisbon were here for her. She held onto him as if her life depended on it.
"W-why did they have to d-die!" Nadia sobbed. Jane looked up at Lisbon, tears present in both their eyes.
"I don't know Nadia." Jane whispered, "But we're gonna catch whoever did this. Don't worry kiddo. Lisbon and I are here and are gonna do everything we can to protect you." He only met the teen an hour ago and was already growing to deeply care for her. He hated seeing her like this, but he knew the feeling. Soon, Nadia's sobs were reduced to hiccups. She pulled away from Jane, wiping at her eyes.
"Thank you," she choked out.
"Anytime kid," Jane replied, squeezing her hand.
"Alright, let's head inside and try to get some sleep," Lisbon said, getting out of the car. Jane got out and helped Nadia out. She never let go of his hand as they walked into Lisbon's house. Lisbon gave Nadia a quick tour of the house and showed her where she was going to sleep. Lisbon then disappeared into her room and returned moments later with running shorts and a t- shirt. "These might be little big, but they will give you something to sleep in." Nadia took the clothes and thanked her. "Is there anything else you need Nadia?" Lisbon asked. Nadia shook her head no. "Ok, if you need anything, my room is right down the hall. Goodnight Nadia. Try to get some sleep." Lisbon gave Nadia a hug goodnight. Jane appeared in the room and did the same, pausing before kissing Nadia's hair.
"Night Nadia. Sleep tight kiddo," Jane told her.
"Night Jane, Lisbon. Thank you." Nadia replied. Jane and Lisbon smile at her then left the room. Nadia quickly got changed and crawled in bed, shutting off the light.
In Lisbon's room, Jane and Lisbon were getting ready for bed. When Jane emerged from the bathroom after brushing his teeth, he noticed Lisbon sitting on the bed, looking at her hands. He slowly walked over and kneeled in front of her. She looked up at him and gave him a weak smile. "I'm fine Jane."
"No you're not. Teresa, you don't have to lie to me. It's been a tough and exhausting evening. Whatever is bothering you, and I have a pretty good idea of what is, you can talk to me about it." Lisbon nodded and pulled Jane up onto the bed next to her. He put his arm around her and she snuggled into his side. They sat in a comfortable silence.
"I just feel so bad for her. She's just a kid and now she lost both her parents. What's going to happen to her Jane?" Lisbon asked, pulling away to look at him. Jane sighed and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze.
"I don't know, Lisbon. Right now, we are going to find the killer and protect Nadia. We are gonna show her the love and support she deserves. Then we'll go from there. Ok?" Lisbon nodded her head. "Come one, let's try and get some rest." Lisbon and Jane climbed under the covers. Lisbon rested her head on Jan's chest and Jane put his arm around her waist, pulling her close. He kissed her hair. "I love you Lisbon."
Lisbon smiled, "I love you too Jane." The couple drifted off into a peaceful sleep. A while later, they were woken up to rapid knocking on their door.
Jane? Lisbon?" Nadia weakly called from the other side of the door.
"Come on in Nadia," Lisbon tiredly replied. Nadia cautiously opened the door and stepped in the room. Jane turned on the bedside lamp and sat up.
"What's the matter Nadia?" Jane asked, looking over at the teen.
"I had a nightmare," Nadia choked out, tears falling. Lisbon sat up.
"Do you wanna try and sleep her honey?" Lisbon asked. Nadia nodded her head yes. Jane and Lisbon scooted away from each other to leave space for Nadia.
"Come her kiddo," Jane said, patting the spot between him and Lisbon. Nadia walked over and climbed onto the bed. Sighing, she rested her head against Jane's shoulder. Jane put his arm around her and rubbed her arm.
The three were silent for a moment until Nadia spoke up, "Sorry I'm such a mess. I'm 15 and here I am acting like a 5 year old."
"Don't worry about it Nadia," Lisbon replied, running a hand over Nadia's hair, "We are her for you. No matter what time it is, we are here. We are gonna protect you and care for you while we figure this out. You don't have to be sorry." Nadia glanced over at Lisbon and gave her a smile.
"Thank you. Both of you. Knowing I have you guys makes this whole situation not as scary."
"Why don't we try to get some sleep. We are going to have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Lisbon said. The three of them laid down, with Nadia snuggled comfortably in between Jane and Lisbon. Jane kissed Nadia's forehead and leaned over to kiss Lisbon on the lips and then shut off the light. Within minutes, Nadia was fast asleep and Jane and Lisbon soon followed.
Soooo, what did you guys think? I would love, love, LOVE for you guys to review! Give me feedback, any kind of feedback. If you have suggestions, I want to hear them. Can't wait to continue