Disclaimer: I don't own the Mentalist or any of the songs I might use in this one. All I own is my imagination. :)

A/N: Okay so I have this dedication to Tokio Hotel. It's not an obsession I swear! If you don't know who they are I suggest listening to a couple of their songs. I really like them, but I also understand that different people have different tastes in music. Anyway. This is basically a bunch of stories deriving from the lyrics of songs off the album 'Scream'. If enough people like a certain chapter I may use it to start a story. Enjoy.

Promising everything you never asked for,
And one day It'll be too late,
And you'll beg for more.
--Scream by Tokio Hotel

Patrick Jane found himself waiting in the small drab room, painted solid white and filled with uncomfortable chairs. Hospitals were not his thing, and yet here he was waiting for some news, any news. Thinking back on the events of the day, he let his mind recall the way her eyes lit up that morning when he brought her coffee. It had become his way of apologizing for any damage he might do during the day and although most of the time she'd still be angry at him, he still brought her in a cup each morning. Sometimes he'd left it on her desk so it would be there when she walked in like the first time he had done it. Their little moments, the banter and bickering, all of it. Was it gone? He didn't want his mind to go there, but it did anyway.

It just wasn't fair. He'd lost his wife and daughter. Now they wanted to take Teresa Lisbon from him too? Would he ever get to have one phase of his life that didn't lead to regret and anger? People had told him, promised him, that he'd find happiness again but he never believed them. They were promising things he didn't want -- at least he didn't think he wanted it at the time. Now sitting alone in the crowded room he realized maybe he did want it. Was it too late?

"Any news?" Jane looked up from his sitting position to see Cho, Van Pelt and Rigsby staring down at him. Had they been there the whole time? He could've sworn he sent them all home hours ago or maybe it had only been minutes.

"Nothing. I thought I sent all of you home."

"You think we're going to just leave when our Boss, our friend is in surgery?" The unmistakable smooth even voice of Cho never wavered and for a few minutes Jane sat silently. Grace made herself comfortable in a chair to his left and never protested as Rigsby accompanied her and cautiously slipped his hand into hers. If the situation had been different Jane might've smiled and made a teasing comment, but guilt was coursing through his veins. No matter how hard he tried he just couldn't hide the worry and guilt.

"This is my fault." Grace laid a comforting hand on his arm but couldn't seem to find the words to make it any better. They all knew that it was indeed his fault and no matter what they said it wouldn't help. Everyone knew how well Patrick Jane could hold onto guilt and anger. Sitting in silence didn't make the time go any faster. If anything it only seemed to crawl making every minute feel like an hour but finally the doctor came out to update them. As they stood to hear the news, all Jane wanted to do was scream or beg if he needed to. She had to be alright. He needed more time with her, it wasn't like he had asked to fall in love again. It had just happened and she didn't even know.

"I'm Dr. Graham. Teresa Lisbon is one lucky woman. The bullet missed all the major organs. Minimum damage was done. She'll need to take it easy for a while but she will make a full recovery. Anesthetic should be wearing off any time, but I ask that we keep visitation at one person at a time." The man was older, grey headed and tall. Lean but not overly so. Jane came to the conclusion that he liked him, probably only based on what he just said.

"We can see her?" The doctor nodded at the young red headed woman who had asked the question.

Everyone's gaze fell on Jane, they all knew he wanted to see her the most and silently agreed to let him. As if on autopilot he followed the man in the white coat down the hallway and into recovery.

The sight of Lisbon's small body occupying a hospital bed was not something he was used to. No he was used to the spitfire that never backed down from a challenge with sparkling green eyes. Instead he got a pale lifeless form that looked like her. Walking over to the bed he debated with himself whether it would be okay to hold her hand. They were friends and that's something that friends would do right? He let his fingers brush the back of her hand softly before finally wrapping his fingers around her small fragile looking hand.

"I'm sorry." His own voice shocked him. It was soft, barely a sound at all. "I'm so sorry." The movement of muscles in her face followed by the fluttering of her eyes brought back the reality of the situation. She was alive and in the process of waking up.

"Mmm. Jane..." Brushing her hair back from her face, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief and worry.

"Are you in any pain?"

"I was shot in the stomach. I'm going to hurt." He gave her some credit for trying to smile. The way her lips turned up was adorable but it quickly turned into a wince when she tried to adjust her position on the bed.

"This was my fault Lisbon. I'm so..."

"Don't say you're sorry. I knew what I was doing when I jumped in front of you." The sparkle in her eyes was gone. It had been replaced by the pain etched into her features. He should be the one lying there, not his Lisbon.

"That bullet was meant for me. All because I pissed off the wrong person. I'm sorry."

"You never listen to a word I say. Don't beat yourself up." Every fiber in his being was telling him to man up and just tell her what he was feeling. He felt her tug at his hand pulling him closer and leaned over her until his face was only inches from hers.

"I can't lose you." The warm puff of air that she exhaled against his lips only made his need intensify. He expected to see confusion in her eyes or maybe even a little anger but the only thing staring back at him was warmth and compassion.

"I'm still right here." Her free hand made it's way up to caress his cheek, making him lean in those last couple inches and seal his mouth to hers. In this moment it was only them that mattered. Something inside of him made it feel like he could explode at any second -- something that made him feel. Something that made him believe. It was love and as she responded to his kiss by moving her lips against his sweetly he realized that the urge to scream was gone.

A/N: There's the first installment. The next one should be up shortly and I promise to update my other stories soon too. ~ Rina :)