A/N: Firstly, thanks to Divinia Serit for having a quick look-over this part.
Thanks also to: Viktorija, Frogster, Penelope Louise, NellietheMarvelous, WildDaisies10, Country2776, PhoenixWytch, yaba, Chiisana Minako, mtm and ch19777 for reviewing part one.
I'm sorry, I have nothing particularly witty to say.
x tromana
Part Two
One Week Ago
Lisbon glanced nervously across at Jane, her eyes sliding across to take in his features, when strictly speaking, she should have been watching the traffic light like a hawk. But she had a reason to be agitated; she always was whenever she heard that a child, especially a girl, was involved. Though she couldn't comprehend just what it was to lose a child, what with society's constant reminders of the meaning of family, she did know what it was to lose someone. Several someones, in fact. She just wished that he'd let her reach out to him, if only just a little bit more. His self-imposed barriers were ridiculous, though she knew she was being slightly hypocritical for thinking that. Jane had people who cared about him and despite the fact that she tried to remind him of it, he still seemed virtually blind and immune to the mere concept.
The light changed from red to green and they were on their way once more. Rigsby was snoring in the back seat, obviously suffering from the fact that it was still only five a.m. But murderers rarely act on a convenient timescale and the sooner they were at the crime scene, the better. It meant that precious evidence was more likely to remain intact rather than having been destroyed by the oft-hapless LEOs. She hadn't received much information, literally just the bare bones and had been told that the coroner would inform them once they arrived.
"Jane?"
"Mhm?"
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
She nodded slightly, not quite sure why she'd felt the need to ask him again. As they pulled up onto a modest driveway, Rigsby jolted from his nap with perfect timing. Lisbon hadn't much looked forward to the idea of waking her gentle giant. She smiled briefly when she saw that Cho and Van Pelt were waiting for them at the door. When she reached Cho, he quickly caught her arm and stared pointedly into her eyes.
"Boss."
"Yes, Cho?" she enquired, the line between her eyebrows becoming more pronounced as she frowned.
Suddenly, he found himself lost for words. He cared about Lisbon, he really did. She was like an older sister to him and if anything happened to her, he'd never forgive himself. And what he'd found out from the coroner minutes before her arrival meant that he was worried about her. She didn't deserve this; it seemed like the world was determined to never give her a break. Cho liked to think, compared to the rest of the team, he was in an enlightened position when it came to her. Lisbon had certainly opened up to him more than anybody else, even Jane, despite public appearances indicating the contrary. Though, since the blond was attached to her team, she seemed to have closed off again, like she was scared that if she told anybody anything, Jane would find out and use it against her, or anybody else involved.
"I think it might be…"
He stared at her beseechingly, hoping that his eyes could convey his meaning. They usually did, but he wasn't quite sure how to say who he thought was responsible without coming out with it. But then again, this was Lisbon's business and he didn't want to go broadcasting it to the rest of the team. She was the one who deserved control of the matter as it was her past. Not his. And if Cho knew anything about Teresa Lisbon, it was just how viciously private she could be except with those she trusted implicitly.
"Yes?" she queried, cocking her head to one side slightly
He opened his mouth to murmur his suspicions when the coroner approached, looking relieved to see that the entirety of the team sent from the CBI had finally arrived. The woman wore a harried expression as Lisbon introduced herself, Rigsby and Jane and quickly fell in step behind her as the woman led all five of them upstairs. Lisbon winced as she hit a creaky step and somehow, the whole situation suddenly felt rather ominous.
It didn't take Lisbon long to have her fears confirmed. Yes, there had been the death of a child, which was already a terribly sad thing, but no, it wasn't a Red John case like she had been suspecting, especially after Cho's hesitant attempt to warn her. The rest of the team filed inside the girl's bedroom, pushing past her while she remained frozen to the spot in the door frame. She could see all she needed to from where she was.
She glanced at Cho and he nodded at her sorrowfully.
This was what he'd been trying to warn her about. She was grateful, but it didn't stop the nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach, nor the shiver down her spine. Staring at the body of a twelve year old girl made Teresa Lisbon feel like she was that age herself and reminded her just how tremendously lucky she had been.
But still, they should never have let the bastard go.
TBC…