A/N: hi dear readers. As my first chapter was very short, here's another one, longer. I'm so glad you liked that first chapter and I hope it will be the same with the new one.

I wanted to let you know that that fic is not a death fic.

I also wanted to thanks those you left me a review: Marcia Santos, phnxgrl, guest, Guest, Jane Doe51, des, virihu and Jazz248.

I hope you will like chapter 1.

Sweety

When the Shadow crept over Lisbon's life, Jane tried to bring back the Sunshine in it. Will he be able to help her through the darkest time of her life?

Chapter 1

Lisbon got up after a good night sleep. She got dressed then headed to work as if this dark secret never happened. She arrived before everyone as usual. She was always the first in the office. She was relieved that she would not have to face immediately the looks and questions from her colleagues because of her absence from the previous day. The questioning looks she could handle with a 'none of your business it was personal' answer.

Most of them would respect her privacy but not Jane. He would know that answer would not satisfy him. Besides it was not a very good one either. Though, when it came off her lips he had been silent. That was what frightened Lisbon. If he was acting like that, there was a good chance that he would start digging in her life. He would pester her even more than he had done in the past. He would discover the truth that she was confident. Though, it was something that she absolutely did not want, at least not yet. She wanted to wait a little longer before releasing the bomb.

Lisbon put her bag on the couch and her jacket on the back of her seat as usual. She sat down behind her desk then turned on her computer. She consulted her emails with a distracted eye. She was not paying much attention. Her eyes fell on an email from her doctor that she opened hesitantly. She was afraid of what she would discover. It possibly could not be worse than what she had learnt the day before. Though, she was gripped in fear anyway and with trepidation she read the message. Her heart sank when she had finished. It was just more information on the treatment she would have to follow. It was the listing of the various appointments that she should need to go to in the coming months. It was a full schedule and very detailed.

She let her thoughts go back to her youth. It was at a time when she had seen her best friend die of this same horrible disease. She still remembered the pain she had felt when Sofia had told her the news. The anger she felt suffuse her. She had felt so angry against the world because that girl so sweet and kind. Yet she had to suffer.

Sofia had always been there for her. Her younger self had decided to do the same. She had been her rock. She had accompanied her to all her appointments. She watched helplessly as she had held her hand in difficult times. She had been her shoulder to cry on, the ear to listen and the arm for comfort. Once that final day had arrived, she had been a friend to accompany her, as difficult as it was to the bitter end. And today, Lisbon found herself in this same situation. Only this time she was alone.

How could she impose all this to her family while she had work so hard to support herself? How could she ask them to accompany her, to hold her hand and to comfort her? It was impossible. She could not do that to them. She would not impose such suffering and so much pain to anyone. She preferred to be alone in this adventure of which she already knew the outcome. She knew she would not survive.

The disease had gained too much ground for it to be otherwise. She could only blame herself. Her body had told her for a long time that something was wrong. She had been more tired than usual. But she had not listened. She had preferred not to think about it. She wanted to act as if all was well when she perfectly knew that this was not the case. Now she must pay the price for such foolishness. She should have listened to her body earlier. She should have paid more attention to her health and gone to the doctor when she had felt weaker.

She looked up when she heard noises in the bullpen and saw Cho come in. He sat at his desk without a word. He did not pay any attention to his boss even if he had seen her. This moment of kindness made Lisbon grateful. She would not talk to anyone, not yet. She still needed a moment to compose and chase away the pain. She did not want her colleagues to worry as they certainly would especially Van Pelt. The redhead was too sensitive. She always felt it when Lisbon was not doing well. It was something that the brunette had a hard time understanding. How could she know? How could she read her so well? Lisbon knew that if Grace suspected something, then it would be the same for Jane.

And speaking of the wolf, Jane came in the bullpen with a wide smile on his face. He bounded immediately toward her office. Lisbon's heart began to beat faster. Oh no, he should not come now, not yet. She was not ready to see him. But unfortunately for her, the door opened then her consultant laid down on the white couch. He pushed her bag out of the way then he looked up at her. His smile faded as he leaned on one elbow still staring at his boss with worried eyes.

- "Are you okay Lisbon?" He inquired.

- "I'm ... Perfectly well Jane," she replied in a low voice. "And you?"

- "Do not change the subject Lisbon. I can see that you are not well. You can tell me you know." He said with a very serious tone in his voice.

- "I'm fine and I have work to do" she said again being exasperated to cover her growing fear.

Jane already knew she thought. That was not good. I can not stall him for long.

- "No need to get excited Lisbon, I'm concerned, that's all," he whispered while looking down for a moment before looking at her straight in the eyes. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here, don't you ever forget it."

- "I ... thank you Jane, but I'm fine." Lisbon asserted much too strongly.

- "Okay, I'll leave you alone Lisbon." Jane said as he rose from the couch then walked to the door.

Before leaving, he sent one last look at the woman which he knew was uncomfortable, sad and angry. There was something wrong. She did not want to talk about it. He knew she would not say anything to anyone. He also knew that if he tried to force her that she would close herself off even more. He certainly did not want that. He would give her time. All the time she needed. He would be there when she would need him. One last smile and he exited leaving her alone at last. He closed the door sadly his good humor had vanished after he had seen her.

Jane went into the small kitchen to make tea. He needed to think about something else and only could think of one thing that might help. Tea had always been good choice when he was not well or when he felt sad or had an argument with Lisbon. What made him sadder was to see the woman so bereft herself. It was as if she had just received the worst news of her life. He did not know what it was? Though, he would eventually find out. He would not leave her alone to deal with whatever that bad news was.

- oooo -

Still alone in her office, Lisbon tried not to think about everything that happened to her by filling out all her overdue reports. It was now more than two hours and she was still working. No new cases had come and she began to regret it. She would have liked to have something to occupy her mind. It would have been something that could make her forget this bad news. But no, it was as if all the killers were on leave today. She really was out of luck. She would have done anything to be able to leave this place, to get out of the office and go into the field.

She observed her colleagues through the window. Seeing them smile and laugh. She envied them so much. She so wanted to be able to have fun, to watch Jane do magic tricks and forget all her problems just a few moments. She knew she could not. She could be overwhelmed quickly by this situation. She never knew when she would breakdown next. She had to keep herself away from them. She did not want to spoil their joy and good humor.

Her phone rang and she picked it up out of habit with her eyes not leaving her consultant whose smile warmed her heart.

- "Lisbon," she replied. "Yes ... well ... where did it happen?"

She cradled the receiver and a smile appeared on her lips. There was finally a case. Now she was able to get out of here. She got up and went to join her colleagues who were still gathered around Jane.

- "We have a case" she said. "…a murder in a small town south of Sacramento."

- "Oh good, a new case…" said Jane said enthusiastically.

- "Jane, you should not be happy over someone's death" growled Van Pelt.

- "But it's our job…Why should I not be happy?" asked Jane.

- "Enough playing Jane…We have work to do" interjected Lisbon. "Van Pelt, I want you to stay here and research Chloe Gibbs, her friends, family and job. Get me everything you can find."

- "On it boss…" She said turning to her computer.

- "Cho and Rigsby, you go to the crime scene. See what you can find on the victim." Lisbon ordered.

- "Got it," said Rigsby who followed Cho exiting the bullpen.

- "What do you have for me Lisbon?" Jane asked with anticipation.

- "You come with me to see Chloe's husband" she said as she walked toward the elevator with the Mentalist quickly on her heels.

- oooo -

The duo entered the elevator car it was empty other them. When the doors closed, Lisbon felt uncomfortable to be alone with her consultant. Would he ask her again about her health or would he leave her alone and simply do his job? She regretted taking Jane with her rather than Cho or Rigsby. Van Pelt also would have been better than him. The young woman would not dare ask her anything, unless it was about Jane.

Lisbon tried to think of something else to occupy her mind, like the new case. But it was an abrupt movement of the elevator that made her lose her balance to fall into Jane's arms. She had tried to catch herself but found nothing. It was Jane who came to her rescue. He had prevented her from falling on the floor. He did not let her go right away either. He noticed that she was pale and seemed really tired. Lisbon pulled away quickly before he could see how bad she really was. She turned her back to him but Jane put a hand on her shoulder and made her turn to him. So she came face to face to Jane and she lowered her head, refusing to meet his gaze. Then Jane placed his hand on her chin and made her raise her eyes.

- "What is wrong Lisbon?" he asked softly. "I know you are not doing well. Please tell me what's wrong."

- "Jane, I'm fine" she replied brusquely. "Please, stop with your questions."

- "Stop lying to me Lisbon and tell me the truth," he forced himself to calm his voice.

- "Jane, please, I don't want to talk about it now" Lisbon implored.

- "I know, but ... I know you and I don't like to see you weak, tired and sick." Jane persevered.

- "I'm not sick I'm ..." Lisbon said faltering to finish that sentence.

- "You're sick and there is no shame in it. What is it?" Jane asked.

Lisbon was silent, she would not tell him, not now, it was still too early. But with the insistence of Jane and his concern for her how could she keep silent in front of his sad eyes? She did not know if she could lie to him for long. It was much more difficult than she had imagined. She did not want to hurt him. However she did not want to burden him either. If he found out by himself, what would she do then? He would blame her that was for sure. Then she found the solution. She would tell him something just not the whole truth. It would be something that to could calm his anxiety. Lisbon turned back to him then took a deep breath before raising her eyes to him. She prayed that he wouldn't be judgmental that he would believe what she would say.

- "I felt sick last week, you remember?" She began and Jane nodded. "I went to see the doctor and he told me that I was a bit overworked."

- "Just a little…?" Jane said as he tried to lighten the mood.

- "Okay, a lot," she admitted. "Anyway, he advised me to rest and soon everything would be better soon."

- "So…Is there nothing more?" Jane asked suspecting she was not completely honest with him.

- "That's all." Lisbon replied knowing Jane knew she was lying.

She hoped Jane would not pursue this any longer that this answer would satisfy his curiosity for the moment. She knew it would not last long though. She felt bad for lying to him and looking him straight in the eye. She was afraid for a moment that he would see through her lies. But if that were the case, he did not let it be seen. He just gave her a soft smile and released the hand he had taken during their exchange. He seemed satisfied with her answer and she breathed with relief. They exited the elevator and went to the car.

- oooo -

In the car that led them to the crime scene, Cho and Rigsby also had questions about Lisbon. They both have noticed that their boss was behaving strangely. That she was more distant with them. She never came with them in the evening when they went out for a drink. In addition, she seemed more tired than usual and pale too. They did not like to see her like this. She was not the same as before. Rigsby turned to his colleague wanting to know what he thought about it.

- "Don't you think that Lisbon is no longer the same as before?" Rigsby asked

- "She's tired" Cho replied while concentrating on his driving.

- "But she does not go out with us anymore. She goes home early before she has finished all her reports. I find that weird. That is all." Wayne stated

- "You're right. She is not longer the same since her absence" he admitted.

- "I want to know what happened. I don't want her to be sick." Rigsby stated having a feeling that Lisbon was truly ill.

Cho thought about Rigsby's words he too wondered for a moment if she was not really sick. It was true that Lisbon was not the same and he too was worried about it. He decided to not show his concern. She was his boss and if she would not tell him he would respect her privacy. He decided to forget about Rigsby's words and what they represent for the moment then focus on the case.

They arrived quickly on the scene and began to work immediately. They found the body near the sheriff and began to ask him questions about the victim. They needed to know if anyone had seen or heard something. As usual no one knew anything. Chloe was found by a walker in the early morning who had contacted the police. They came immediately. After discovering the identity of the woman, the police had preferred to call the CBI. Chloe was the step daughter of a very good and very famous lawyer in town.

Nothing had been stolen since she was still wearing her jewelry and she still had her purse on her arm. None of her clothing was ripped or torn either which meant that she had not been sexually abused or at least not in appearance. They only needed the coroner's report to confirm but Cho already had a motive for the murder. He just wanted to find suspects. It had to be someone who had something against her. It seemed that this was a crime of passion.

The two officers stayed until forensics finished with the body. Chloe was taken to the morgue and then they returned to the office. They had everything they needed. They only needed to wait for the autopsy report to confirm his thoughts. Jane and Lisbon were still with Chloe's husband. He would have to wait until they return to find out more about her situation at home.

Once in the office, the two agents found Van Pelt still at her computer. She raised her head and smiled seeing them. She let them know that she got a call from Lisbon who told her what Chloe's husband had told them.

- "I have news on Chloe Gibbs. She had a suitor before her marriage, a Matthew Olsen." Van Pelt stated.

- "What do you have on him?" Cho asked.

- "He's an old friend from high school who did not really succeed in life. He's been arrested several times for armed robbery." Van Pelt read off her screen.

- "Not a brilliant life…" commented Rigsby.

- "He had been back in Chloe's life for a few months trying to woo her. She was married to Jordan Gibbs. From what I know he was very insistent. The boss told me that Chloe and her husband had to ask Chloe's stepfather for an injunction. He was barred to come within a mile." Van Pelt said.

- "He did not listen I guess…" said Rigsby while sitting behind his desk.

- "Not at all, according to the husband said he came back a week ago and had threatened them both if Chloe did not go with him." Van Pelt replied.

- "Where is this suspect now?" Cho asked.

- "No one has heard from him since that day." Van Pelt stated.

- "Well, keep looking and put out a BOLO on him." Cho ordered.

Van Pelt went back to work trying to trace Matthew Olsen. The rest of the team excluding Lisbon and Jane reread the preliminary scientific reports. The three agents knew that this case would be resolved quickly. Chloe had been killed by her former suitor who was now in hiding. They just have to find him and let Jane do the rest in interrogating him. They were sure he would wrangle a confession out of their suspect once caught. Jane was very good in getting murders to confess their crimes.

- oooo -

Jane and Lisbon were on the way back after speaking with Chloe Gibbs' husband Jordan. The man was devastated to learn of his wife's death. He was very cooperative and been really helpful in cracking this case.

Lisbon was more silent than usual on the way back in to the CBI. She had not said a word since they left the house. Thinking back Jane noticed it was actually when Jordan Gibbs had told them about his wife illness and her battle against it. He stated how happy they were to learn that all was over. She was finally cured. Then now this happened to crush his happiness. It had seemed to hurt Lisbon. Jane had seen her wiping a furtive tear. He had pretended to not see anything. He didn't want to embarrass her, not today.

Now they were both on the way toward the CBI and Lisbon had still not say a word. She merely fixed the road with her eyes. Her hands strongly gripped the steering wheel and refusing to meet Jane's eyes. He suspected that the subject of the disease was sensitive to her. Perhaps a family member or friend had once been sick or perhaps even herself. It must have affected her some way. He noticed it made Lisbon sad and angry to know that the woman had beaten it and not the person dear to her. He was trying to see all the possibilities that could explain her unusual behavior.

He did not know or believe that it was a member of her family. Then a friend…? He was convinced it was certainly that. Now Jane had a problem. How could he approach the subject without her closing herself off even more? That was the most difficult part. Jane knew Lisbon enough to know she would not speak easily. He would not forget about it. He did not want see her so sad and do nothing. He knew that talking would do her good. She may be reluctant at first. Eventually, she would realize that she would get better by doing it. She needs to relieve the fears and anger all bottled up inside her in a loving and caring environment.

- "You are very silent Lisbon" he said.

- "It is because I have nothing to say" she replied sharply.

- "You know…You don't have to be so mean. Especially when I have done nothing wrong this time" complained the Mentalist after being affected by the tone of her voice.

- "I'm sorry Jane I have a lot on my mind that is all. I'm so sorry I took it out on you." Lisbon apologized.

- "Apology accepted…Though I can see this hurts you badly…It would do you good to unburden yourself." Jane said.

Lisbon turned to him with a sweet and guilty look and it pained Jane. Something was really wrong and he would not let this go.

- "Look Lisbon…Pull over…We can talk…You need to let it out before we have a wreck." Jane implored.

Lisbon realized Jane was right she was driving erratically. She pulled over after a slight hesitation to his astonishment. Lisbon was never that accommodating. Once on the side of the road and the car came to a complete stop Jane placed his hand on her shoulder.

- "Tell me everything Lisbon" he whispered moving his hand down her arm as if he was petting her.

- "It began when Mr. Gibbs spoke of his wife's illness ... it reminded me of my friend Sofia" she began, "I was fifteen at the time when she got sick."

- "She did not get better?" Jane asked searching Lisbon's eyes.

- "No, she died only a few months after being diagnosed" she admitted.

- "I'm sorry Lisbon." Jane said wrapping his arm around her shoulder and drew her near.

- "I stayed with her until the end. I held her hand until the last moment and her last breath. She was my best friend…my only friend." Lisbon said as she began to cry on Jane's shoulder.

Jane comforted her as much as he could inside the cramped car.

Lisbon shed a few tears, but did not even hide it. It hurt too much to think about Sofia. She had suffered as had Chloe Gibbs. This woman had suffered from a disease then won the battle and someone had taken her life. Why life was so unfair? Why were good people always the ones to suffer more than others? Why should she be sick when she had not really made her life?

She raised her head off of Jane's chest to look at him. He had been silent and she saw that he was on the edge of tears too. She did not like to be this weak. This time everything had gone wrong and she could not stop crying. It was no matter that Jane could see her cry. He had already seen her in such a state. He had not judged her at that time and she knew he would not do it today.

Jane felt unprepared and did not know what to do for a moment. Then he put his arms around Lisbon's waist and squeezed her tighter against him. When he did this simple act of kindness Lisbon began crying even harder. He buried his nose in her hair while inhaling her scent. The fact that she had spoken to him so easily about this time of her life could only mean one thing. Lisbon had problems. She would never open up to him if she did not. Now she was in his arms, crying and he did not know how to comfort her. He knew there was more, but he would not push her today. She needed a little more time before talking to him, because she would, he knew it.

After crying out Lisbon looked up at the Mentalist. She seemed confused to have broken down in front of him. She saw in Jane's eyes not pity but understanding that reassured her. He had not judged or said anything to her. He just offered her a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen and arms to console. It was just the same as she had done to Sofia. And at that moment, she blamed herself to have misled him earlier. She had chosen not to tell him the whole truth. She felt Jane's hand tenderly on her cheek as he dried her tears and she let him do it while blushing slightly. Once he knew Lisbon was back under control he took his place on his seat. The moment of weakness had passed and she knew he would not ask her any more questions today.

- "Let's now continue our journey" he said with a smile.

She drove away as if nothing had happened being very grateful for Jane being there for her. Though, she probably did not deserve his kindness. She loved that he had offered it anyway.

TBC…

A/N2: that was it. Let me know what you thought of it and I'll try my best to update soon.