A/N: Sorry for not getting this up last night. I was almost literally falling asleep at the computer desk at 9pm. I'll try and get the final chapter up tonight or tomorrow morning, especially as it's already partially written. Hooray.

This is for Madaboutthementalist (just because) and twin (because I promised you this would be up sooner and I feel guilty still!)

Thanks go to: theresa366, Divinia Serit, Frogster, Penelope Louise, WildDaisies10, Ebony10, Madaboutthementalist, Habeous Corpus and PhoenixWytch for reviewing. You guys totally rock.

One more thing: I hate future tense.

x tromana

Chapter Three - Future

"Hopefully, I'll visit you again in a week, Jane."

She hated saying those words, mainly because another week meant another seven days with no change in his condition. Lisbon quickly brushed the tear away from her eye. It was ridiculous just how easily tears sprung at the moment and she hated feeling so out of control of her emotions. She pushed the door open and Cho greeted her with the faintest hint of a smile. Jane had been unconscious for too long for Lisbon to feel entirely comfortable, but then again, any period of time was too long in her opinion. She knew, medically speaking, they had had to induce the coma. His body needed time to recover, though she dreaded the state his mind would be in if, no, when he woke up. That would be a hurdle that they would have to overcome in the future she decided, with a heavy sigh.

"Still the same?"

"Yeah."

"Somebody call the media, Jane's being a well-behaved patient."

If she wasn't quite so used to Cho's sense of humour, she would have been furious with him. Instead, she simply had to swallow down the choking feeling and smile weakly in response. They fell into a restive silence, both taking comfort from the fact that they knew how each other worked and simply being in one another's company.

"You worry too much, boss. He'll be fine," Cho continued softly. "Do you want me to take you home?"

"No, I'd rather go back to work," she replied, not needing to thank him. "I have a pile of paperwork waiting for me."

Cho shrugged as he unlocked the car door. He knew that she would reject his offer of taking her home, but he had to try. The poor woman looked practically dead on her feet and if Lisbon didn't slow down soon, she'd fall down.

***

The first thing Jane will appreciate is the ability to move again, even if he still cannot speak.

It will come as a surprise to both of them when they eventually give into lust and fall into her bed together. Neither of them will be quite what the other expects, but that won't matter as it will be so much better than what they could ever have hoped for. Lisbon will manage to forget her control issues for a while and Jane will leave his arrogance at the door. The gentle caress of loving hands and catching her lips for urgent kisses will make the wait he has had to endure worth his while, even if he will not realise that he has been waiting for this at all. Once sated, Lisbon will curl up in his arms and enjoy the sensation of lazy fingers running up and down her side. They will both wonder what it is they have actually done and whether or not they can survive taking their relationship in this direction. When she asks just that, Jane will refuse to answer but will press a firm kiss to her temple instead and squeeze her fingers reassuringly. He won't feel comfortable questioning the future when he barely understands the present, after all.

"I'll be back as in a minute."

Her voice will be little more than a whisper as she grabs his shirt from the undignified heap of clothing on the floor. There will be something undeniably sexy and undeniably her about the way she pulls the item of clothing over her head in the morning leading to her wearing just that and her underwear. With a sly grin, she will saunter away from him and his eyes will train on the swish of her hips as she leaves the room. Leaving for work an hour later in separate cars will feel slightly odd to Jane, considering he will have just spent the night in her bed, but questioning her fiercely private streak would be a task best left to braver men than him. Instead, he will choose to indulge in more lingering touches and lustful looks than ever before once they're both at work.

When he intercepts a Red John file, telling him the exact location of his nemesis, he will wish he was able to tell her. Despite, or maybe because, of the new-found depth of their relationship he will keep it from her and head out alone. While he travels to his destination, Jane will still be fairly certain of his desire for revenge. He'll know that at the very least that he won't want Lisbon getting caught in the crossfire. This will be what he and Red John will have been working towards for so long and though it's her job to deal with criminals, he can't have her dealing with this specific one. Besides, what if vengeance is not what he wants anymore? Because of her? He won't want her in the way to cloud his judgement. Jane will know this is a decision he needs to make on his own.

As the serial killer falls to the ground in a bloodied heap, Jane will realise just what a grave mistake he has made. It will be partially due to the fact that Lisbon will come skidding around the corner, bringing herself to a sudden halt as Jane pulls the knife out of Red John's body. When she feels sad, rejected or simply humiliated, her automatic reaction, like always will simply be rage. It is, after all, Lisbon's protective defence. If she is angry, no one will be able to see how much it hurts her and she won't appear weak. Her eyes will flare as she clicks the handcuffs around Jane's wrists roughly. At her indication, Rigsby will approach tentatively to drag him off to the SUV, allowing her a brief minute or so of solitude, to recollect her thoughts, to give her to time to prevent the onslaught of tears and potential breakdown. Like always, she will be cool, calm and collected Lisbon. Except at this point, she won't be his anymore. He will have chosen revenge instead.

He will welcome the inky blackness, like usual, but not so much the sensation of being choked. Although, even that will be marginally better than the look on Lisbon's face.

***

"Cho!"

"Yes, boss?"

Cho looked up from his desk inquiringly as Lisbon marched into the bullpen, one arm already in the sleeve of her jacket. She jerked her head towards the elevator wordlessly and began to leave. Taking immediate note of her agitation, he was up on his feet at once and following her before he had even started wondering why they were hurrying out of the CBI headquarters. He felt no need to question her as they both climbed into the SUV and she started the engine wordlessly. It wasn't until they had actually hit the roads that he turned to face her and ask where they were going and why.

"Jane's waking up," she answered, before breaking out into a bright smile. "They think he's going to be okay."

"That's great news," he replied almost instantaneously. "Does Minelli know?"

"I told him we'd be leaving."

"Good."

When they reach the hospital, Cho insisted that he would park the car and catch up with her later. With a grateful smile, Lisbon slid out of the driver's seat and ran all the way to Jane's room, not even stopping when angered hospital staff shouted at her to slow down. Her heart was metaphorically in her throat as she stopped at the door and nervously pushed it open. A nurse she vaguely recalled from previous visits beckoned her in and she rushed to Jane's side and immediately took hold of his hand.

"When will…" she started.

"Not much longer, love," the nurse replied. "Talk to him."

TBC...