Lisbon let out a groaned. She lifted her head slowly as she opened her eyes. She surveyed the small room she found herself in. It was damp and smelled of mildew. The only source of light was from a thin crack in the wooden boards about her that made the ceiling. She was sitting in the only chair and the only other piece of furniture in the room was a small cot in the corner. There were no windows and the floor was covered in dust. Though the crack in the ceiling was small, she could see the blue sky and what looked like leaves of a tree.
She took in a deep breath as she tried to regain her memory of what had happened. She sighed when she could remember nothing but leaving for a jog through the park. The duct tape that bound her to the chair was uncomfortably tight around her wrists and ankles. Each wrist was taped to an arm of the chair. This frustrated her because she could hardly move let alone get the tape off each one.
She struggled against the tape and it dug into her arms and hands, but she tried to ignore the pain. She had been through worse. After minutes with nothing to show of it, she stopped and took another deep breath. She found she was thinking of the team. When would they realize she was missing? Had they already? What about Jane? Did he figure out what had happened? How long before they would come? Would she make it that long?
That thought angered her. Of course she would make it. She would. She had to. She became very tired and felt her eyes close. She welcomed the sleep that fell upon her in hopes that by the time she woke up her team would have found her.
Her eyes snapped open. She couldn't mistake the sound of a car pulling up outside or the sound of the door open and close. She worked hard to calm herself as her kidnapper opened the door.
"Well, well, well, Teresa, you're awake. I'm so glad. I have been waiting all day to come back and see you."
She looked up to see it was dark outside. There was no longer light coming in through the space between the boards. She wondered how long she had been asleep.
"What do you want?"
"Why, Teresa, that's no way to talk to me. I am your everything now. If I so decide, you will die."
'He is my everything? What the hell is that supposed to mean?'
"I'm not afraid of death," she managed, trying to hide both her fear and confusion.
"That's too bad. It just means this will be an even bigger hell. That's good for me though," he said with a smile.
He walked up to her and reached out his hand to touch her cheek. Using the back of his fingers he traced the outside of her cheek, down her chin and to her chest where he grabbed the necklace she wore and pulled it off. She tried not to show how much that hurt her, but he saw it anyway. It was the one Jane had given to her last Valentine's day because, according to him, everyone needs a valentine, even her.
"I'll be taking this," he said as he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "And I'll be seeing you later."
She shivered involuntarily at what he had whispered in her ear. He smiled at her as he walked to the door and walked out. She listened as he got in his car, started it up, and drove away. That was when she let the tears fall. It surprised her at first. She hadn't cried since she almost lost her job and was framed for murder. Her tears turned into violent sobs that shook her body.
It had finally hit her. She was being held captive. She was in a strange place. There was a chance she would be killed. And though she would never admit it, she was scared.
Grace walked back into Jane's room with three cups of coffee. She set them on a small table and took off her sweater. She handed a cup to Cho and one to Rigsby.
"How's Jane doing today?" she asked as she sat down on a chair next to his bed.
"The doctor says he's doing better than yesterday."
"Good. That's good," she said as she glanced at the man in the bed next to her.
"Did you find out anything about Lisbon?" Cho asked.
"No, there are no leads yet, but it's only been a day. She will be fine," she said more so to comfort herself than anyone else.
"I know. Lisbon is strong."
"They are going to have a press conference though to see if anyone else might know anything," Grace added.
"I'm glad," Rigsby told her.
"Yeah, me too."
Her hand found his as she once again turned to look at Jane.
It was still dark outside when Teresa woke up again. This time she didn't even hear the truck pull up. It was when he walked through the door that she realized his presence. She was exhausted.
He walked up to her. "Hello, long time no see, my sweet Teresa."
"Why are you doing this?" she asked him sounding much more calm than she felt.
"Why? Well because I can. And because you both deserve this. Well, he doesn't deserve it anymore. It's hard to deserve something when you are dead, wouldn't you agree?"
She froze. She stared at him with a look of horror on her face. She knew it was what he wanted, but couldn't help it. Who? Who did he hurt? Who did he kill?
"Oh, did I forget to mention? Your dear Jane was on his way to rescue you when out of the blue, a car crashed head on to his. Poor guy. I doubt he suffered as much as I would have liked him to, but I'll take what I can get. You, however, will die painfully, if I do decide to kill you," he said touching her cheek again.
"No, you're lying. I don't believe you," she said trying to contain her tears.
He pulled a Polaroid out of his pocket and held it in front of her face. Sure enough it was Jane's car. It was taken too far away to see if anyone was in it, but how could anyone walk away from that kind of crash? She doubted it was possible.
"Now, don't try anything stupid, or I will kill you," he said as he started to free her wrists. As one came free she brought it to her chest. She felt no will to fight. Jane was dead. It was hard enough to see him sent to jail, and now to have him taken from her, it was heart shattering. It only made it worse that he died on his way to save her.
Her other hand was freed and she stared at where the duct tape had dug into her skin. He pulled her to her feet. She needed a little help balancing because they were still taped together. That was another reason she couldn't fight. She would never be able to outrun him.
He ran his palm over her shoulder and down her back. It took all she had to keep from shivering. He kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes. She did all she could to get out of the moment. She went somewhere else.
"Hey Lisbon. What's wrong with you?"
"None of your business, Jane. Go away."
"Not until you tell me why you are so upset," he told her defiantly.
"It's Valentine's Day. I hate Valentine's Day. Now, get out."
"Alright, alright, I'm going," he told her as he held his hands out in front of his body as if to show he was surrendering. As if. He never surrendered. Never. He would be back. Of that she was sure.
Two hours later she heard a knock on the door. She looked at the clock and sighed. Only one person would still be here at this time. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Come in."
He opened the door and then closed it behind him. He stood there with his hands behind his back. She rolled her eyes at him.
"Yes?" she asked him annoyed.
He just stood there and smiled.
"What, Jane?" she asked again growing more impatient with each passing second.
"Hey, at least I knocked," he stated innocently.
"What do you want? A medal?" she asked sarcastically.
"Actually I was thinking… Ah, never mind. Here," he said as he held his arms out in front of him.
She eyed the little gray box that he held carefully.
"What is it?" she wondered aloud.
"Take it, take it!" Jane said as he nodded his head.
"You act like you're five giving your mom the present you made in art class."
"Lisbon, come on…" he almost whined.
"Fine, as long as you shut up," she said as she warily took the little box.
She opened the top of the box and she stared at what was inside.
"Jane, why? I mean, I… no… I can't take this."
Teresa finally took her eyes of the gorgeous necklace and her eyes met his.
"Why not? You said you hate Valentine's day. I just wanted to make it a little better. And, even though you don't think so, everyone deserves a Valentine. Even you. Especially you. Please take it. I won't take it back. Please?"
How could she reject when he smiled at her like that? She smiled at him.
"Jane-"
"Lisbon, for once do something for yourself. You work too hard and you are not appreciated like you should be," he told her as he walked around her desk to stand beside her.
"Really?"
"Yes. Here I'll help you."
He gently took it from her hands before she could say no. He clasped it around her neck and grabbed her hair so the chain was resting comfortably on her neck. His hand briefly brushed her neck and she blushed. He released her hair as she turned around. She knew she shouldn't do it, but when he saw him smiling at her like he was she couldn't help it. She leaned against him and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.
"Thanks, Jane."
She didn't expect him to hug her back so she wasn't surprised when he just stood there. When he did wrap his arms around her too, she was shocked. She let go of the embrace and smiled at him again.
"You should go home and get some sleep, Jane."
"Look who's talking," he joked.
"Fair enough. I'll see you in the morning."
He followed her out of her office and shut the door. He started towards his couch when he felt her hand on his arm.
"Jane, I mean it. Do try to get some sleep, though I know it'll be hard."
"We'll see."
They shared one more smile and then she turned and walked towards the elevator. She was still smiling in the morning when she woke up.
All errors are my own... This chapter is dedicated to Simonisthecutestmentalist because she is wonderful! Thanks to all of you who have reviewed... you all make me very happy! I will post again as soon as I can find the time to finish another chapter... probably in a week or so. I would appreciate hearing anything you have to say. Thanks for staying with me!
