I Promise by AndromedaMarine
Chapter Four
I promise to protect your heart.
Wayne knew Jane usually stayed the latest, but after seeing Lisbon and Jane head to the elevator together with their shoulders closer than normal, Wayne knew Cho's assessment was correct. The boss liked the mentalist. But the relationship between agent and consultant didn't bother him – what bothered him was Van Pelt, still at her desk, with her head in her arms as the last few people left for home. Rigsby hated seeing Grace so raw and vulnerable, especially right after a case like the one just closed.
He didn't know how to approach her, even after being honest with her for a few weeks. Wayne stood by her desk, his hand hovering over her shoulder unsure of his actions. He finally just let his palm rest on her shoulder. He felt her freeze beneath his touch, but instead of lift his hand away he ran it down her back.
She shuddered. "Wayne," she said to the desk in a voice so heart wrenching the man didn't know what to do. "You should go home and get some rest," she finished, still not lifting her head to look at him.
Rigsby didn't want to leave. So he pulled up a chair and sat next to her. "Not unless you do," he said plainly, surprised at his own lack of nervousness. He felt confident. "You don't have to cry to a desk, Grace. I'm here."
Grace lifted her head, and Wayne saw he'd been accurate. Her eyes were red and blotchy, and the mascara she'd so delicately applied that morning ran in streaks down her cheeks. She sniffed. "That's sweet, Rigsby. I just need to be alone."
"If you needed to be alone you would've been the first to go home," Wayne pointed out softly. "I hate seeing you hurt like this," he said quietly. Grace at first wasn't sure if she'd heard him correctly or not. "It doesn't take a Patrick Jane to figure out how close to home this one hit."
"You're not going to turn into Jane, are you?" she asked with a weak smile.
He shook his head. "Nah. But if you'll let me, I promise to protect your heart. Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on, Grace. I'm offering mine." For a moment he thought that Jane would be proud to know the agent was building confidence around her. But the thoughts drifted away when they rose at the same time and Rigsby enveloped her in his arms.
Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on. After all, if he was hers he wouldn't have to fight off guys like Dan the lawyer.
I promise to protect your heart.