Lisbon's always been shaken by someone with cancer. Here's my take on it. Kind of inspired by My Sister's Keeper.
This isn't going to be long, as I can't really think of anything else to pad it out with. Ah well, it's for the better.
I'm going straight into this, no mucking about. So sorry if it doesn't have much detail in it. It may seem pretty sudden but that's really the best way to do this I think.
Dedicated to wisher93 for letting me be her beta. :)
Spoilers right through.
If anyone has any ideas or comments please review.
My Best Friend's Keeper
Normal day, normal case.
Life for the team was beginning to get mundane. No leads on Red John, and nothing really complicated. Jane was setting new records on how fast they could close cases and the only interest was watching Rigsby and Van Pelt try to hide their newly blossomed relationship. Not that everyone didn't know already.
The sun had begun to set, spreading some pink and orange flashes across the Sacramento sky. Jane was on the couch, Lisbon typing away in her office. Taking a sip of her coffee, she strained to hear anything from the bull pen. Hearing silence, she presumed Jane was the only one left. Rubbing her eyes, paperwork swam before her. Pushing away her mug, she slipped out of her chair to grab her coat. The building was almost in darkness and when she flicked off her desk lamp, it plunged her office into shadow. She cursed when she stubbed a toe on the edge of her desk, and when she began to sway dangerously, the chair looked like a much better idea for a good nights sleep.
Hearing Lisbon curse from her office, Jane padded over to the door, peering through at her into the darkness. Her saw her stumble, before sitting back down and resting her head on the back of the chair.
"All-nighter?" He spoke quietly. "I'll drive you home if you want."
Lisbon couldn't help but just stare wordlessly. This routine had been becoming more and more frequent, Jane helping her when she became ragged and exhausted. She smiled and accepted her coat from his hands. Lisbon shivered when Jane's hand took it's place on the small of her back, but she didn't walk out of it. They sat in comfortable silence, Lisbon passing her keys over to him without argument. He smirked and made a comment about how tired she must be. In response, he got a world class eye roll.
"Not too tired to be you I guess."
"Just drive Jane." She closed her eyes, the rhythmic, hypnotic effects of the passing street lights taking it's toll.
Reaching her apartment, Lisbon offered Jane her couch. And just like every other time, he politely declined.
Little did she know it was getting harder and harder to say no.
Opening her door, she was left by a small rub on the arm, before watching Jane's retreating form down the stairs. He glanced back over his shoulder, throwing her a small smile, his eyes shining, however darker than usual, in the dim glow of the hall lights.
She couldn't help but let a smile grow over her face, laughing silently to herself as she shut the door behind her.
Shedding her coat and boots, Lisbon collapsed onto the sofa. In her tired state, she didn't even see that the kitchen light was on, someone fumbling in the cupboards.
Someone emerged from the room and stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Her blonde hair was pulled back, loose strands falling around her face. She wore sweats, an oversized CBI t-shirt and tan slippers.
Lisbon opened her eyes when a shadow obscured the light from the kitchen. She reached for her gun, finger on the holster, but by the time she had stood and drawn her weapon, she had no need for it.
The woman had pulled her into a hug, and the gun hit the floor, safety still on.
"Alice." Lisbon mumbled against the woman's shoulder.
"Hey sweetheart."
"You're back, I can't believe this. Why are you here?"
Alice and Lisbon had settled on the sofa, both of their exhaustion long forgotten. Each clutched a steaming mug of coffee, and a half empty plate of fresh cookies on a cushion between them.
Lisbon munched and she spoke, her face lit up by the sweet taste of the cookies. Alice picked at a cushion absent-mindedly.
"You said I could come whenever I wanted. Hence the key." Alice smiled, stealing the last cookie from under Teresa's nose.
She opened her mouth to protest, but closed it when Alice shoved the cookie into her mouth.
"How have you been?"
"Good. I guess." Lisbon sighed, leaning back into the cushions, tucking her legs beneath her.
"You guess? Work not going so well?"
"No, it's not that." She picked at a loose thread on the blanket that was draped across the back of the sofa. "So much happened at once. Now there's nothing. I just wish everything could even out. Maybe I would be in better condition." She laughed bitterly.
"I heard." Alice said quietly.
"About what?"
"You know what."
"Oh."
She pulled her into a second hug, discarding the plate.
"One good thing about you Alice. You're a woman of few words."
She pulled away and cocked an eyebrow at Teresa, laughing lightly.
"Alright then."
"No, you are. I've been getting big long speeches on how to cope with loss and all that." She sighed, closing her eyes. "You're like Jane."
"Who's Jane?"
Something twisted inside Lisbon, and she thought about how difficult that question really was. She settled with the obvious, less incriminating answer.
"My consultant."
"Is she nice?"
Teresa full on laughed at that.
"What?" Alice slapped her on the arm to bring her back.
"Jane's a man. Patrick Jane." She breathed through giggles. She wiped away a couple of stray tears bidding her chest to stop heaving from the laughing fit.
"Oh. I'll change the question then. Is he cute?"
She felt her cheeks tint and cursed.
"That's a yes. See, you're a woman of few words too."
"Your hair's so long." Teresa muttered suddenly.
Alice's face dropped immediately, her eyes becoming sallow and empty, all sign of happiness quickly washed away with such a innocent comment. She fiddled with a loose lock, ringing it between her fingers, and watching it glint in the light.
"Yeah." She said, barely audible.
"You looked better with the red hair."
"Which one? Bright red or auburn?"
Lisbon chuckled. "The auburn was lovely. The bright red washed you out."
Alice looked up, and caught her emerald gaze.
"Is this why you're here?" Lisbon choked.
All she got in return was a nod.
They sat in silence, the clock ticking past 3am, but neither could force themselves to sleep.
"Tell me about this consultant of yours."
"Tell me how long you've got." Lisbon retorted.
"You first. I want to know I'm leaving you in good hands." She smiled in an attempt to lighten the tension mounting in the room.
"He looks after me."
This'll only be 3 or 4 chapters. Any comments are appreciated. :)