" Jane never gets sick!" Thats what everyone thought until one day it really happend. Fill in scenes from episode " Black Market" s7e04 Lots of h/c
Chapter 1
Patrick Jane felt sick. At the first symptom he thought it was just the beginning of a cold, but now a couple of hours later, he wasn't too sure anymore. It felt more and more as if the flu had come to bite him in the ass. He had a fever and felt a bit queasy. The flu had ravaged others at the CBI and the way he was feeling right now he suspected he was the latest victim. The sickness was hard and even the sturdy Cho became the victim for this dreaded bug. Lisbon had caught the virus a few weeks back. Jane had been taking care of her and since there had been all kinds of bodily fluids involved, he was sure that he would become sick. But nothing happend. Assured that he was once again immune to the flu he had declared a bit too confidently that "no small flu bug could get to him." Words he now regretted deeply.
Fever chills made him feel weak and it didn't help that it felt like someone punched him repeatedly in his head with a sledgehammer. His muscles ached in that same way as it always did in the beginning of an illness. Moaning, Jane wrapped his arms around his stomach in a vain attempt to feel better, yet it did nothing for his discomfort. His stomach churned uneasily and it felt like a lump was stuck in his throat making him clear his voice ever so often.
Nausea lurked and Jane scanned the room in case a trashcan would be needed. When he found the wanted item close by Cho's desk he let out a sigh relief. It wasn't too far out of sight in case things would turn ugly. Knowing Jane's luck, situations had a habit to turn bad rather fast.
Lisbon sensed that not everything was alright with their consultant when she looked at him; a worried expression on her face. She mouthed the words "Are you ok?"
Feeling the need to be in control and try to ease the situation Jane plastered a fake smile on his lips and at the same time nodded. This movement was something he instantly regretted since the world took a 360 degrees spin and he all he could do was to grip the couch he laid on in an attempt to stave off the dizziness. This action did nothing to convince Lisbon that he was fine and he knew as soon as the meeting was over he was in for questioning.
His stomach decided to show who was the boss and he had to fend off a gag. Assured that his body had calmed down after the event he once again curled up into a ball, position his arms around his stomach and closed his eyes.
Jane regretted more and more not listening to Theresa and taking up on her offer that he could rest at her apartment. Unfortunatly his own need to always be at hand had taken over and he'd reassured her that he was fine. To his own defense he didn't feel nearly as bad as he did now. With hindsight he should have called in sick the first thing in the morning instead of trying to act as if nothing bothered him. His headache and itchy throat combined with that he had a restless sleep was talking its own words, yet he'd acted stubborn as always. Having no appetite he had to down the tea and half a sandwich before Theresa came and picked him up. She hadn't said anything about his dishelved apparences which made him think that he was off the hook.
They were undercover, working on a case regarding a jewelery theft. False cut diamonds were sold on the black market. Lisbon and Cho were the ones working undercover while Jane and the jewelery consultant they had hired were waiting in the car. Janes part in this case was to get the suspects to talk and as always using his mentalist skills that hopefully would lead to a confession. For the first time he was actually happy he didnt have to go undercover, not that it would have been unpleasant no, it was more that he'd lacked the energy that was needed to work on this case. The prospect of playing Lisbons fiance' had been tempting' yet it had been the agent who got the assignment which turned out to be good. He wasn't very talkative this morning and when all of Jane's words had been uttered in short sentences the female consultant in the backseat had stopped asking questions.
He found himself wondering when this undercover operation would be over and was constantly looking at his watch. The fatigue washed over him like waves and he had a hard time not falling asleep. Once the work was completed and they were back at the office Lisbon had instantly asked him about his health. She'd told him that he looked really pale and should go home. He'd dismissed her concern with this nothing that a cup of tea with honey wouldn't fix and that he was feeling well enough to stay on the job. When Abbott had commented on his pale appearance he thought that maybe staying at his work was not an such great idea after all. On top of everything did his tea taste strange and it made him feel queasy. The worn out well-known leather couch in the office had been calling his name and he'd set his pace to lay down.
It was in this position Jane was now. Listening to his collegues talking about the case and the murdered man Kirk Upton. Normally Jane would do his best to come up with all kinds of thoughts and ideas but right now his head ached too much to think about anything and he found his thoughts drifting on and off all the time. Agent Abbott, Lisbon and Wylie had Cho and Vega on the line and they were together discussing how to continue with this case.
By an outsider it looked like Jane wasn't listening when he suddenly spoke up to give his theories on the case. His theory was that there needed to be at least two to commit this crime and that the who ever murdered the man had gotten cold feet and were afraid to be discovered. He concluded his words that whoever did the murder also committed the jewelry theft and to find that person they could solve two crimes at the same time. His collegues listened but Jane's voice was weaker and less energetic as if it was a pure effort to talk. This together with Jane's pale yellow complexion alerted the team that not everything was well with their consultant. Agent Abbott was the first one to speak after the phone call had ended and after drawing conclusions he'd shared the tasks with his employees. It was only when Jane's name came up the sick man opened his eyes, became alert and sat up, holding one arm to support his frame on the couch.
"Yes?" Jane was always ready, even at situations like this when he felt under the weather.
"Go home!" His boss gave him a friendly smile.
It was not an order but merely a suggestion which Jane of course didn't listen to." What? And miss all the fun?" He snorted, letting himself lay back on the sofa.
This comment got a displeased frown from the director before he left the room. He acted concerned over his consultant. As soon as Abbott left, Lisbon turned her attention to him.
"Jane, it's very clear that you're not feeling your best. Why dont you head home? The earlier offer still stands you know."
They were used to talking in riddles so that the rest of the team wouldnt suspect anything. Both Jane and Lisbon knew that their collegues had their suspicions but right now they decided not to tell anyone that they were more than collegues since they had not taken further steps into their relationship. Jane would more describe them as loving friends than a couple. They had strong feelings for each other but were also a bit reluctant to go public as a dating couple. It was different when they were in Beirut playing as an undercover couple, there they were out of view range from others. But here in the office it was different. Here they had to maintain a professional side too.
"Yeah, I know." Jane was one stubborn soul and didnt fold back. Curling up on the couch he did his best to provide some warmth as well as keeping him grounded. He couldn't afford to show weakness. " But I'm staying."
With that he closed his eyes, dismissing her. Lisbon sighed. She knew when not to press on further. Standing up she collected her papers and put them in her briefcase. She had to get ready to go out in the field. "Alright. But if you start to feel worse, dont hesitate to call me. Ok?"
Jane, who listened with an ear what his partner was saying mumbled back something not understandable. Not being content with the lack of answer she hunched down beside him and put her hand on his forehead.
"Oh Jane," she said feeling the warmth radiatate from his skin. "You're hot!"
Jane, never being one to miss a chance for a joke, cracked open an eye, grinning in the process "Well thank you Lisbon. So are you."
"Jane! Lisbon snapped, pulling her hand back as if she was burned. Blushing she corrected herself, "I meant, I think you've got a fever..." Annoyed she looked at him. "Did you listen to anything I said?"
Jane had closed his eyes again, his smile long gone. "Yeah, yeah..." he paused, swallowing hard, wincing in the process. His throat felt like cracked glass. "Call you. Got it!" With a dismissing gesture he mumbled, "Bye Lisbon."
This earned a snort and if she hadn't been in a hurry she would have pressed on further. Yet she knew this was about the limit of what she got out of the sick man on the couch.
"As if thats ever going to happen?!" Turning to Wylie she instructed him " Call me if he gets any worse, especially if he admits that he needs to go home."
Wylie, who had watched the conversation between the two collegues in silence, nodded. "Sure, I'll do that."
"Good." Lisbon picked up her briefcase and walked out of the room. Stopping she called over her shoulder, "Wylie, don't believe him when he insists that he's fine and he can manage. Its then he really feels bad..." She paused, adding, "And if he wants to go home...then he must be close to dying!"
With those words she left the office, leaving a sick, but mostly stubborn, mentalist on the couch.