A/N: Okay, wow, I have to admit I did not expect this kind of response. Thank you, I really do love reading reviews! I liked how some people picked up on Rohen's bad vibes.

cybercat08: Nice catch, that line was meant to be a tip off.

GSRFanatic123: Maybe standing up to Hardy was genuine?

lgmtreader: Rohen isn't red in a different language, at least none that I know of. And yeah, I did chose to ignore the shooting of the other Deputy, that was my bad.

To the rest of you that were surprised, sorry for the deceptive nature of the whole chapter. When I first had the inspiration to write this fic, I was aiming for a fluffy but angsty piece and ended up with this monster. I'm still not sure where I'm going with it but I'm hoping it'll be worth the adventure. And I'm having a serious case of 'uh oh, where do I go next' syndrome, so if this chapter is kind of boring, my apologies. One last thing to keep in mind, Rohen might be RJ or he might not be RJ, one never really knows the mystery that is Red John... Enjoy!

Spoiler: One word, S1 FINALE! Go watch!

Warnings: Yes, bad words are lurking and some violence. Oh and Rohen, he's creepy.

Disclaimer: Poor student, I own nothing.


Chapter 2 – Jane Was Saving Her

Jane stared down at the orange in his hand, the present from Lisbon. He thought that this orange was more perfect in every way than the one he had picked. He had been genuinely surprised and touched by this gift from her. He had thought he had discovered every nook and cranny in that pretty head of hers. Clearly, he was wrong, wrong by a long shot. He didn't deserve her kindness. Hell, he didn't deserve her.

From the road behind him, he could hear the sound of another vehicle driving by. It was only car in the past two hours. He had told Lisbon he would hitchhike back. A bitter laugh escaped his lips. He hated himself. He hated that he had to hurt Lisbon the way he did. It wasn't that he wanted to. He had no choice. He had to walk away. He had to break free while he still had the chance. Only, it wasn't nearly as satisfying as he would have liked it to be. He wasn't sure he could do it but he knew exactly what he was doing. Every cutting word had been carefully thought through. Every word, down to the letter. At first, he hadn't expected it to be so easy. In fact, it was too easy. He just pretended he was someone else, a skill he picked up in his days as a fake psychic. His plan went along swimmingly. That is, until she gave him the orange.

Unconsciously, he moulded his hand around the fruit's smooth peel. Lisbon really did know him better than he wanted her to. The boundaries he so desperately built up around him have been crumbling for a long time now and the last couple of days had the effect of a wrecking ball. He didn't like being so weak and helpless, not in the least bit. Every time he noticed her concerned look thrown his way, there was a faint pang in his heart. It was a reminder from that dark place in his mind, to stay on the steady path in accomplishing the plan. The ultimate goal. Red John. Red John should have been the only one at the centre of Jane's attention, no one else. But when he saw Lisbon in Hardy's crosshairs, terror written in her eyes, he felt a ripple of fear. Not because he didn't think he could take Hardy out, rather he feared he was straying from the plan. His feelings for his raven-haired boss would cost her, her life. He really couldn't care less what happened to him. He had told her that and quite simply it was the truth. He had even rationalized that it wouldn't matter if Lisbon never spoke to him again. None of that mattered. She would be alive and she would stay alive. He was going to do everything in his power to keep it that way even if it meant he had to cut himself from being a part of her life. He wasn't going to let her suffer the same fate as his beloved family.

Shutting his eyes, he snatched the half-eaten fruit beside him and hurled it across the field. He needed to get out of this place. It was probably unhealthy that he was taking his anger out on citrus. Gathering his jacket and slipping Lisbon's gift into his pocket, Jane made his way to the side of the highway. He fished out his cell, his finger automatically hovering over the two key. He didn't want to risk hearing her voice so soon, so he pressed three on speed dial instead. It rang only once.

"Cho."

"Hello, Officer. It seems someone took off with my ride and I need a big strong policeman to bring me home."

Seamlessly, Jane appeared to have slipped back under his mask.

"Where are you, Jane?"

There wasn't even the slightest hitch in Cho's voice.

"Oh, a block away from the Plasket's."

"What are you still doing there?"

"I think Lisbon just forgot about me."

His voice barely wobbled as her name rolled off his tongue.

"What did you do?"

The question had been anticipated and an answer was prepared.

"Why is it always my fault?"

A little voice in his head answered, 'Because it always is.' The line went quiet for a while. He could hear Cho's hushed voice and Van Pelt in the background.

"Hi, Van Pelt."

"What did you do to Lisbon?" she repeated Cho's question.

From the slight echo in her voice, Jane guessed he was now on speaker phone. He didn't want to answer that question again.

"Nothing," he simply said, infusing the word with a childish whine.

"You sound like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar."

"Would someone just please pick me up?"

There was a laugh from Van Pelt. Suddenly, Jane wanted to hear Lisbon's laugh.

"Hold your horses, Rigsby's already on his way."

"Good, I hope he's speeding. I'm getting sunburn."

"Quit complaining Jane, you deserve it."

He could feel a faint smile creep on his face. He still had his friends. It seemed Lisbon hadn't shared a word of their last conversation to her team. She really was too good for him. He was starting to become convinced he did the right thing.

"Did Lisbon send you over to make fun of me while I'm stranded in the middle of nowhere?"

Trying to keep the desperation from his voice, Jane genuinely wanted to know if Lisbon was alright.

"No, she hasn't come in yet."

Jane immediately sensed something was amiss.

"She's not at the office?"

"No," Cho spoke this time. "Why?"

"She should be there."

"Not everyone sleeps in the office like you," he replied, curt.

"Trust me, she should be there."

"Well, I'm telling you she's not."

"Call her."

So much for not being desperate. There was a beat of hesitation from Cho.

"Alright, but if she wants to tear someone to pieces for waking her from her beauty sleep, I'm handing you over on a silver platter."

"Fine."

Jane heard Van Pelt key in Lisbon's number on a different line. Ring. Ring. Damn it, Lisbon, pick up. Ring. Ring. His hand was going numb from holding his cell way too tightly to his ear. The small grasp he had on his emotions was slowly slipping. Ring. Ring. Click.

"Hi, you've reached Teresa, I'm not home at the moment, leave…"

Van Pelt hung up, followed by a long uncomfortable silence. Jane didn't want to think. He wanted to go back. He wanted to stop Lisbon from leaving. He reached into his pocket and brushed his fingers against the orange. He could feel her hands on his. He could see into those heartbreakingly green eyes. He refused to believe the thought that popped into his head. He tried to push it out but it just sat there, mocking him. The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

"He's got her."


An overpowering metallic scent was what roused Lisbon into consciousness. Her hands were cuffed firmly behind her back. She had a rag shoved in her mouth, tasting of jasmine and honey. Faint music was also playing in the background. She tried to open her eyes and kick her legs out from beneath her, but even the slightest movements caused a sharp pain to explode from inside her head.

She had been so stupid. She had let her guard down, again. And now, she was alone, trapped God knows where. She refused to believe this was the doing of Red John, refused to believe that the thoughtful man who had driven her for hours the other night could be that psychotic killer. There was no way. Oh Lisbon, you can be so naïve… Forcing Jane's voice from her mind, Lisbon struggled to focus. There was no time to analyze. Right now, she had to stay alert and survive. She wasn't going to make it easy for this sick bastard. She was going to fight. Willing her lids to open, she took a few moments to adjust to the light before the room came into focus.

Across from her was a wall, filled from floor to ceiling with numerous portraits. Squinting, Lisbon tried to make out the faces. There was only one girl featured in every photo and Lisbon instantly recognized her billowy red hair. Rosalind. Her eyes darted between the mix-matched frames. Rosalind on the swings. Rosalind by the Eiffel Tower. Rosalind riding on a horse. Rosalind eating an ice cream cone. The only one that was different was the picture in the centre. A black and white Rosalind was smiling brightly into the camera, her face taking up half of the snap shot. The other half was occupied by another familiar face, Deputy Rohen. Rosalind had lied to them and they bought it hook, line and sinker. Lisbon suddenly wondered if the woman was actually blind when she spotted someone from the corner of her eye.

"I see you're awake, Agent Lisbon."

She turned her head towards the source of the voice, ignoring the dull throb rippling beneath her temple. Standing in the doorway was the devil himself. Rohen was still in his deputy's uniform, hands folded behind his back. A sickening grin was spreading across his face as his cold unfeeling blue eyes travelled from her to the wall of Rosalind.

"Isn't she just stunning?"

Lisbon watched as he lightly traced Rosalind's face in the photo closest to him. He stopped abruptly and returned his attention on Lisbon. He casually strode towards her, the wooden floorboards squeaking after each step. She suppressed the panic rising in her chest and forced her body to stay still, as he got nearer. He hunched forward on the balls of his feet, his face inches from hers. He was so close that she could feel his hot breath against her skin as he grazed the back of his fingers across her cheek. Instinctively, she recoiled from his touch. She now understood Jane's obsession with cutting this man to pieces. She would gladly do the deed herself when she had the chance. The grin on his face grew as he stood back and retrieved a porcelain tea cup from the table to her right. He took a seat on the only chair available and sipped his drink absent-mindedly. After returning the cup to its original place, he casually leaned back. He looked positively smug. If Lisbon had her hands free she would have wiped that look off his face.

"You know, I meant what I said to you. I really am sorry you got caught up in this mess," he paused and chuckled. "It is a shame I have to kill you. It really is. But it'll give me great pleasure knowing that when the great Patrick Jane finds you, it'll cause him unspeakable pain."

Anger coursed through her body as she struggled with her restraints, desperately trying to free herself. She didn't want to die. More importantly, she didn't want Jane to suffer.

"Oh my pet, have I upset you?"

Rohen pushed himself onto his feet and hurried to her side. She thrashed about and slammed her shoulder into his chest. He fell back, momentarily stunned, before he roared with laugher.

"You are feisty."

He scrambled up and pinned Lisbon against the wall, crushing her with the length of his entire body. Another agonizing wave of pain radiated from the back of her neck, but she continued to twist under his weight. Lisbon whimpered as he pressed his lips to her ear.

"Don't move and I'll try to be gentle," he whispered almost melodically.

She saw the silver glint of the knife before he even pulled it out. The cold blade went straight to her neck. Surprisingly there were no tears. Her thoughts were filled with a certain blond consultant. The last conversation they shared felt like a distant memory. She truly was sorry it had to end this way. Just as she was anticipating the knife slicing into her skin, Rohen lowered the blade. Lisbon looked bewildered when she felt a low rumble emanate from his chest, a maniacal laughter taking a hold of him.

"Did you really think I would just end it like that?"

Lisbon tried lunging at him but couldn't move more than an inch, yelling at him though her gag. Sighing, Rohen threw her aside, like a discarded toy. Lisbon landed hard on her knees. He bent down and pulled the rag from her mouth.

"There, that's much better," he patted her on the head. "You can scream all you want now."

Glaring at him, she used all the strength she had to kick him. The man did not seem intimidated, he just continued to laugh.

"You are quite something, Agent Lisbon."

"Go screw yourself," she bite back.

"Now, that's not a very nice thing to say."

Before she could react, he dug the blade across her thigh. She bit her lip to prevent herself from crying out loud.

"Don't test me. I might not be so nice next time."

"Then why don't you just kill me," she challenged.

He grabbed her chin and stared her straight in the eyes. From this close, Lisbon could see the man had no soul.

"What fun would that be, hmm?"


TBC