Thanks to Anna, allanon9, MentalistLover, Elizabeth, and Maxiem for the reviews. I appreciate your support and welcome your input. I'm struggling with this a bit. If you have any insight, please let me know.

The Hospital Administrator

"Jane?" He knew that worldly sweet voice. Lisbon.

"Hum?" The cool cloth against his skin was heavenly.

"Why won't you take the pain meds? I would think in your condition, you'd be screaming for them."

He knew she cared and he desperately wanted to please her. He couldn't take a chance on anyone knowing his tenuous grasp on reality. The only unconditional love he knew was that of his wife and little girl. He wouldn't give up the comfort of their voices. He needed them. He held on to the guilt. He deserved this punishment.

He shifted and sighed. "The meds make me sleepy."

Lisbon sat down in the chair next to him. "Look, we need to find a compromise. You can laugh at me, but this hospital thinks the CBI is involved in some conspiracy against you."

Jane moved his head so she could see the mirth dancing across his face. "Lisbon don't make me laugh, it hurts."

She couldn't fight the smile tugging at her lips. "The Hospital Administrator has some bug up his ass and thinks we're threatening you and withholding pain meds."

Jane sputtered and coughed. He couldn't stop a painful chuckle. "Lisbon, please… stop torturing… me."

"Jane, that's not funny!"

"Sorry".

"How did you manage to create havoc between the CBI, and an entire hospital while sleeping? That kind of mayhem takes real talent, so I concede, I give up, and you win!"

Jane choked out. "Thanks. Where's my prize?"

Lisbon thought for a moment. "Your prize is, me not shooting you."

"Oh, please stop it." Jane was almost in tears from the pain and the joyful banter he loved.

The door banged open. "What do you mean by not shooting him? I heard him beg you to stop."

Lisbon's reaction at the loud noise was her hand to gun. Jane's reaction was choking to the comedy unfolding. He chuckled and sobbed from the pain gripping his ribs.

Lisbon relaxed moving her hand away from her weapon. "And… you are?"

The small blond man, with comb over hair, straightened to his full height. "I am The Hospital Administrator, Ken Noble."

Jane tried to sooth his breathing, gasping, holding back painful laughter. The little man complex and bad comb over, literally made him want to laugh all over and it really hurt. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see Lisbon. If he did, he knew he would cough up a rib. He held the sheets close and swallowed back the laughter gurgling up, tears brimming. This is priceless!

"Mr. Noble, I'm Teresa Lisbon of the CBI." She glanced back at Jane. He clutched the sheets looking away. "We need to take this conversation to your office." She nodded at Jane, then the door.

Listening to the anger in Lisbon's voice and tomfoolery of "The Hospital Administrator" he struggled to relax against the angry pain engulfing his body.

Mr. Noble stood his ground studying the pale man in a hospital bed. His patient's distress was obvious. The poor man was shaking and holding back tears. Lisbon glared at the annoying bureaucrat.

"Mr. Jane should be aware of any conversation involving his care. Do you not agree Agent Lisbon?"

Lisbon took in a deep breath and sighed. "Sure. I'd like for his doctor to be here for this conversation."

"He is due to arrive very soon. Mr. Jane, do you need anything?"

She followed his gaze back to the bed. Her heart almost stopped. In less than a minute, he went from chuckling and uncomfortable, to tremors and his face twisted with pain. She grabbed the cloth and dabbed his brow soothing the creases. His eyes looked distant and unfocused.

Pat, honey, please don't do this. Take the medicine.

I can't control myself. I miss your voice and I need you. What if they find out? They'll put me in there again.

No honey, there's a difference now. You hear my voice because you need to listen to reason. You're safe and they will help you. You know that. You know you're safe.

"Jane. Jane, can you hear me?" He grumbled at Lisbon's gentle urging. He finally focused on her face. She felt someone else behind her. With quick glance, she saw a doctor and nurse arrive. A dark young man in contrast to his white coat, rushed to the monitor display frowning at the vital signs.

Mr. Noble began rambling on and gesturing. The doctor shot him an icy stare, and the hospital administrator sputtered into silence.

Lisbon liked this doctor immediately. He seemed terribly young, yet he shut up his superior with a simple look.

Jane kept his eyes locked on Lisbon, while the nurse tenderly moved her aside to assist the doctor. He fully expected the doctor to ask her to leave, but the doctor acknowledged the connection, moving on to focusing on his patient. The doctor began checking injuries. The young man carefully removed the arm slings and pulled back the bandaging inspecting the stitches and inflammation. Lisbon froze at the damaged shoulders and arms. She saw the pictures in his case file, but they were nothing compared witnessing the full effect of his suffering. They gently moved his arms from the chest to his sides. Jane gasped and let out a small whine. Before she could react the doctor whispered, "I know it hurts." Softly touching the undamaged hand, "I have to check your wounds."

Jane pulled his attention away from Lisbon to the doctor. The pout was endearing. The lack of color and pain in his face was heart breaking. The doctor explained his shoulders needed to be immobile for another day or two, Ice therapy should continue until the heat and swelling goes away.

The nurse pulled back sheet and blankets exposing him from the waist up. Whelps, bruises and bandages completely covered his torso. Lisbon fought tears but couldn't stop herself from shaking at the sight. She heard Mr. Noble draw in a deep breath and say a small prayer.

The medical duo worked swiftly, examining wounds and replacing the bandages. With an occasional glance at Lisbon, the doctor quietly explained how the deep lacerations cut through abdominal muscles, thankfully not hitting any organs. At this stage of recovery, it's very easy to pull the stitches out. The doctor moved to the foot of the bed while the nurse covered up her patient.

Lisbon watched Jane groan, his body tense as the nurse placed his arms back into the slings. The doctor removed the covers from his legs, explaining his legs would heal nicely, but again due to the deep tissue damage he must be careful. The nurse joined the doctor and they finished up quietly.

The doctor and nurse spent a few minutes discussing treatment and putting notes in the medical file. While waiting, Lisbon rinsed the cloth in the sink with cool water and dabbed Jane's forehead. She spoke in soft quiet tones. "You need to stop being an idiot. Let go of trying to control everything, it's time you trusted us to take care of you. One of us will always be here to watch over you." She could tell she was making some headway by the way his eyes watered. "You wanted my trust, will here's a way to earn it without some psycho babble trust fall."

The doctor looked up from studying the chart. He walked over to the bedside next to Lisbon. Mr. Noble stepped up to the foot of the bed. "Mr. Jane, I reviewed you charts, at this point in your recovery I can't recommend stopping pain meds. Your request for Tylenol won't even help with the inflammation. I recommend propoxyphene for your pain medication. I think you will find it more to your taste than morphine. Please understand that it will not be as effective for pain management. I will remove sedatives as long as you remain stable and take the medication as I prescribed."

Jane looked to Lisbon who nodded, then glared at Mr. Hospital Administrator. "Thank you."

TBC

AN: Reviews are a greedy need. Please give me a fix!