The Mentalist "Numb" (FanFiction) Disclaimer: I do not own The Mentalist or any part of it, this is strictly Fan Fiction.
Chapter Seven
Lisbon's POV
Lisbon jumped out of the cab after paying the driver and made her way to the alley. She had hoped, the entire ride over, that the blond haired, blue-green eyed, suited man, that went by the name of Patrick Jane who was in a confrontation with the man who hurt her brother was just an amazing coincidence. She rounded the corner.
Shit.
No such luck. Jane leaned against the building while he whistled. Whistled! Lisbon saw red and stomped toward him.
Jane saw her coming and dropped his foot back to the ground and pushed off the building.
"Teresa!" His face lit up like a Christmas tree and if she wasn't mistaken he was going to hug her.
Lisbon held up her hand and he stopped. She closed her eyes and tried to find her patience but her feelings got all locked up when he called her Teresa. She searched for a semblance of control and when she found some she opened her eyes and stared into hopeful Caribbean colored ones.
"What are you doing here, Jane?" She gritted out. "I thought I told you to go home."
"Now Teresa, I once told you that I would always save you whether you wanted me to or not. This isn't any different."
Lisbon tried to regain a hold on her temper because it was slipping.
"That is crazy. I don't need to be saved!" She half shouted the last part and clamped her mouth shut to keep from screaming.
"On the contrary, I believe you do need saving."
Lisbon saw the sincerity in Jane's eyes. He meant what he said, which meant he was going to dive, head first, into her problems. A headache pressed behind Lisbon's eyes. She didn't want to deal with this right now.
"Go home, Jane."
"No."
Stubbornness shone brightly next to his sincerity. He wasn't going anywhere. Even though she wanted to scream she also felt a twinge of comfort knowing he wasn't going to leave but she ruthlessly squashed that feeling. He had already proven that he can't be trusted.
"How did you even know about this place, or Frank, for that matter?"
"I spoke to Annie this afternoon. She gave me the names and I had VanPelt run them."
He spoke so nonchalantly that Lisbon wasn't sure if she heard him correctly.
"Let me get this straight." She began evenly. "You took my niece out of school, interrogated her for information, then broke CBI procedure, called VanPelt and had her use CBI resources to gather information on a non-CBI case?" Her voice vibrated with suppressed rage.
Jane looked thoughtful and then smiled.
"I wouldn't put it that way, but yes, in a small misshapen nutshell, that is what I did," he paused, "basically. Though I have to point out that I did not pull Annie out of school, she was sneaking out. I just happened to be sitting outside, spoke with her and then I sent her back into school with a suggestion not to do it again."
Lisbon thought her head was going to spin right off her shoulders.
"Annie snuck out? Why didn't you call me?" She hit his arm.
"Ow." Jane rubbed his arm and looked annoyed but Lisbon could see the laughter in his eyes. He was enjoying himself. Well, she was glad someone was.
"Wait," she narrowed her eyes, "you said you sent her back into school with 'a suggestion' not to do it again, right?"
Jane nodded.
"Did you hypnotize my niece?" Aghast, she noticed the laughter slipping from Jane's gaze.
"Yes."
Lisbon threw up her arms and paced away.
"Look," Jane continued, "I thought you could use a little help. She is an extremely headstrong child and wasn't going to listen to you and I knew you have been worried about her. I was concerned that she would track down the wrong person and get hurt or worse, so I gave her a few suggestions that she does as you tell her and not to skip school, then I told her to have some hope regarding Tommy. She seemed to need it."
Lisbon felt her anger thaw, a little, she was still plenty pissed but she had to admit that she had been having trouble keeping Annie from running out and playing in heavy traffic because that girl was bound and determined to find Frank, and Lisbon was sick of having nightmares about just that.
Of course it seemed depraved to hypnotize a teenager.
"Turn it off, Jane. You never should have hypnotized her."
"I will just as soon as Tommy wakes up and gets home I will break the suggestion but in the meantime I think you should let it remain. When Tommy wakes up won't he want to find his daughter, whole and happy and not hurt or worse?"
"I don't know. I don't like knowing you did that against her will."
"It's not like I told her to go rob a bank or bark like a dog. I only asked to listen to you, not cut school and to have some hope, though if it bugs you I will break it immediately."
Lisbon rubbed the bridge of her nose. Did she think she was getting a headache? Try a migraine.
She sighed.
"Just let it ride for now but if I think it is affecting her negatively you are to stop it, got it?"
Jane nodded.
"Good." Lisbon mumbled. "It will be nice to have her listen to me because I sucked at getting her to do anything I asked. I'm not cut out for parenthood."
Jane's eyes sharpened at her remark and stepped closer. He lifted a hand and brushed a piece of hair from her face.
Lisbon caught her breath. What was he doing? His gentle touch was so unexpected she found herself leaning closer.
"I think you're wrong."
She snapped back to reality at his words.
"When don't you think I'm wrong?" She asked caustically.
Before Jane could answer Lisbon turned and walked away. Frustrated with her verbal battle with Jane and her internal struggle, she walked over to Jack.
"Sorry about this. Jane is my partner with the CBI. He thought he was helping."
"He's a CBI agent? Why did he lie and say he was a wayward tourist?"
"First he isn't actually an agent. He's a consultant. Next, no one knows why Jane does what he does, least of all me." She muttered the last part.
"Okay." Jack said as he looked over at Jane with new competitive eyes. "Well we're done here. Torres and I are going to head back to the station. I noticed you arrived by cab. What happened to Tommy's truck?"
"It's at the hospital. It wouldn't start."
"Did you need a lift?"
"No, I'm fine. Thanks," she started to turn away and then swung back around, "and thanks for not giving me the riot act over Jane's cowboy stunt."
"Hey, if my partner were in a similar situation I might do the same thing."
He and Lisbon looked over to Torres who was talking to Sandy. She was small but compact. She looked like she could handle her own in a fight from the neck down. From the neck up she looked like she belonged on a runway.
Teresa raised a hand in greeting and Torres waved back. For just a moment she caught something in Jack's gaze. Ah, she thought with a smile, so that is the way the wind blows. Why in the world would he keep hitting on her when he had a thing for his partner?
"Jack, let me ask you, does CPD have a policy against dating partners?"
He looked perturbed before shaking it off and giving her a rakish smile.
"Now, Lisbon, we aren't partners so you don't have to worry about that." He wiggled his eyebrows.
Lisbon laughed, something she desperately needed to do, before turning away.
"See you around." She called over her shoulder.
"See ya, Short Stuff. Call me if you want to get that drink."
Lisbon waved without looking back.
Jane's POV
Jane watched Teresa smile as the Cowboy Cop flirted with her. He clenched his jaw while his new green-eyed friend came to sit on his shoulder. His jealousy was telling him to hit the Cowboy Cop or in the very least go over and stake his claim on Teresa. Maybe he should walk over and plant a kiss right on her mouth of course she would, in turn, plant her fist in his face, but again, it would be worth it.
Once again she turned away from the Cowboy Cop and waved goodbye and Jane could see the complete mental and physical exhaustion in her face. He felt a little guilty for making her come out here and deal with him but he knew that if the rest of his strategy came together as planned then she would get a good night sleep. One thing she wouldn't be able to deal with is his jealousy issues so he took it and tucked it away.
"So Tommy's truck isn't working." Again Jane felt a twinge of guilt, but it was part of a bigger picture.
"Nope."
"Well, I rented a car. I'll take you home."
"Fine."
Jane smiled at her easy acquiescence. It said something that she would turn down the Cowboy Cop and not him. He felt his gait get a little lighter as he led her to the blue Corolla.
She didn't say much as she settled in the passenger seat and still less as Jane began to drive. Jane kept expecting an interrogation on his behavior but all he got was silence so he tried to draw her out.
"You look tired. Have you been sleeping well?"
She simply shrugged and looked out the window.
"How do you feel about being back in Chicago?"
She shrugged again.
"Are you going crazy without work?"
Shrug.
Jane was beginning to hate that gesture. He understood that she just didn't want to talk so he settled into the drive and tried to control his frustration. She was shutting him out and that hurt. She may have been stingy with the details in the past but she had never cut him out so completely and Jane didn't like it.
He pulled up to Tommy's apartment and shut off the engine. Lisbon got out of the car and Jane followed suit. He came around the car and started to follow her in but she turned in his path and he pulled up short.
"You don't have to walk me to the door, I'm fine."
"Okay." Jane smiled. "Thank you for going easy on me Teresa."
She seemed perturbed by his using her name. He noted that he should do it more often.
He watched her go up the stairs and he went back to the car and popped the trunk to retrieve the items he had purchased earlier that day.
Lisbon's POV
Lisbon climbed the stairs to the second floor apartment slowly. All she wanted was food, a hot bath and a bed. She groaned to herself. Ugh, she had to think about dinner. What was she going to make? If it had just been her she would have thrown in a microwaveable meal and been done with it but she had a growing teenager to feed. Ugh.
She opened the apartment door and was assailed by delicious smells. She walked into the kitchen and saw Annie stirring red bubbling sauce on the stove. Lisbon could have kissed her feet.
"Hi, Aunt Teresa! I made dinner, spaghetti and garlic bread, I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all." She wandered to the stove. "It smells great."
"Thanks! I'm going to put the water for the noodles in a minute."
"Okay, can I help?"
"Could you take the salad to the table?
Lisbon nodded, grabbed the salad bowl and walked to the table. Dinner smelled amazing and she was thrilled that she hadn't had to make it. She only wished she had a little wine to go with it. She set the bowl on the table and noticed that it was set for three.
"Are you expecting someone for dinner?" She called into the kitchen.
"Yeah, I…" The doorbell cut her off.
"Oh, that must be him now. Can you answer the door? I'm going to put the water on for the noodles"
Him? Did Annie have a boyfriend she knew nothing about?
Lisbon opened the door to a smiling Patrick. He held a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.
"Hello, Teresa. You look lovely."
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Really?
She looked Jane over. He had a smile on his mouth and his eyes were full of apologetic charm.
At least he brought wine.
"Hypnosis?" Lisbon asked, confirming her suspicion.
Jane shrugged and smiled and waited for Lisbon to step aside and allow him in.
Lisbon looked at Jane for a long moment. She knew she would let him in, whether he hypnotized an invitation or not, but she wanted him to sweat for a minute. Finally, she stepped back and let Jane enter.
Annie came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel.
"Hi Jane!" She said brightly.
Jane smiled and held out the flowers.
"These are for you."
Annie blushed deeply and accepted them. Teresa was pretty sure it was the first time a boy had given her flowers. She felt herself warm toward Jane another degree for making her sullen niece smile.
Jane looked at Teresa.
"This is for you."
He handed her the bottle of wine because, as usual, he read her mind. She knew it would be good. Jane had excellent taste in wine.
"Thanks." She gestured to the living room as she set the wine on the table. "Make yourself comfortable. I have to call the hospital and check on my brother."
Jane nodded and wandered around the small neatly shabby living room. She watched him and knew he would pick up every detail. He stopped and admired the framed photos on the false fireplace mantel, lingering on the one of her and she tried not to feel anything, but a twinge still got through her defenses. He touched the photo lightly and moved on. She knew he would notice the well worn furniture with throws placed strategically to cover tears or stains, everything clean and neat but second hand. He would know it was homey room full of love.
Lisbon left him to his perusal and walked to Tommy's bedroom, turned on the bedside lamp and pulled out her cell phone to call the hospital. They said there was no change. Lisbon thanked them and hung up and sat on the bed.
She felt helpless and she hated it. The last month had been completely brutal. First what happened with Jane and then the call from Annie telling her that Tommy was in the hospital and the doctor's weren't sure if he was going to wake up. She felt like she had been running on raw emotion and it was exhausting and hopeless.
The more she thought about it, the more thankful she was that Jane gave Annie some hope. It was easier to live with hope than despair something Jane would know better than anyone.
Jane, Lisbon laid back on the bed, Patrick, who was twenty feet away in the living room. Patrick who occupied more than her living space, he occupied her mind and no matter how hard she tried to evict him he refused to budge and it was very confusing.
She thought, after he left her that note and she heard nothing from him that he was done and was moving on. Now he was in Chicago trying to help her, in his very Jane way, and he was weaseling his way into her living space and if she wasn't careful he would knock down the wall around her heart and barge right was she going to do about it?
Jane's POV
Jane was concerned about Lisbon. She went into the room to call the hospital over 20 minutes before and she hadn't come back out. Either she was avoiding him or she got bad news and didn't know how to tell Annie.
"Dinner will be done in a couple of minutes. I'm just browning the garlic bread. Can I make you some tea, Jane?"
"I'll have some after dinner, thank you." Jane said as he moved off the couch. "I'll go get your Aunt."
He walked to the bedroom and knocked softly on the door. No answer. Slowly he turned the handle, cracked the door and smiled as he slipped silently into the room.
There was a third reason she hadn't come out. She fell asleep.
Jane knelt next to the bed and very carefully so he wouldn't disturb her, he removed her shoes and set them next to the bed. She mumbled and turned over. Jane pulled the corner of the comforter up and over her. He leaned forward and placed his lips on her brow.
She smiled softly.
"Patrick." She whispered his name with sleeping lips.
He loved hearing her use his first name. It always reminded him of their "night". He brushed her hair back and lingered for a moment before leaving her to her dreams. He shut off the bedside lamp and left the room, then walked into the kitchen.
"Your Aunt fell asleep so it looks like it will be just the two of us for the delicious dinner you prepared."
"I'm not surprised. She's been really tired lately. I'm afraid it's my fault." Annie looked at the bowl of garlic bread she held.
"Annie," he waited until she looked up at him, "it's not your fault. The situation you and your Aunt find yourselves in would drain anyone and unfortunately your Aunt has had more than just this to deal with. I caused her some problems before she came to Chicago."
"You did?"
"Yes, I did. I didn't mean to but I did and I'm afraid I've made everything that's happening now harder on her than it should have been."
She studied Jane carefully.
"Do you like Aunt Teresa?" She looked him in the eyes. "I mean really like, her?"
Jane smiled and pulled a chair out for Annie.
"Yes, Annie, I do."
She smiled big.
"Then, I guess we should be extra nice to Aunt Teresa so she'll forgive you, huh?"
Jane laughed.
"That would be a good start but I think it's going to take more than being nice to get your Aunt to see how I feel."
Annie nodded.
"Yeah, she can be pretty stubborn." She said thoughtfully. "So you want some help?"
"I would love some help." Jane smiled delightedly and rubbed his hands together. "Well, let's dig in and talk strategy."
