A/N Thanks for the reviews. Ugh, I have a long day at work but I figured I would post this before I went in.
Part 8
Van Pelt told Lisbon to go and that she would bring Sadie back to the car. Lisbon didn't argue and sprinted towards the emergency room entrance. Her heart was racing and her feet weren't moving nearly fast enough. Finally making it to the ER, Lisbon avoided the awkward glances of those in the waiting room. Arriving at Jane's room in the ICU, Lisbon went in and was met with Cho, Rigsby, Emily and the doctor. This could not be good.
"What's wrong?"
The doctor looked at Lisbon. "I was just about to tell your friends here that Mr. Jane's temperature spiked this morning. I ran some tests and I'm afraid he's come down with pneumonia. It's always a risk with patients who are on the ventilator and it is also common with recovering hypothermia patients."
"But he looked fine this morning, better actually." Lisbon couldn't believe what she was hearing. Thinking back, she tried to remember if she noticed anything. Had she mistaken a feverish Jane for a color improvement? Should she have noticed it earlier?
Lisbon walked closer to Jane's bed where the change in Jane's condition became apparent. His face was flushed in fever and beads of sweat now adorned the consultant's forehead. He was trembling slightly."
"Is he shivering?"
"Yes, although coma patients don't respond to outside stimuli, they still can shiver in cases of extreme temperature fluxuations."
"So what does this mean exactly? Can you give him something?"
"I have given him some antibiotics for the pneumonia. All we can do now is try to keep his fever down. I'm going to be completely honest with you. This complication considerably lowers his chances of survival. We're going to do everything we can but you guys should probably prepare yourselves."
Lisbon looked to Emily, hoping she would offer something more encouraging.
Instead, Emily moved to embrace Lisbon. "I'm so sorry."
Van Pelt chose this moment to enter the room. She was out of breath from running.
"What's wrong with Jane?"
Rigsby met Van Pelt as she entered the room and quietly explained the grim situation to her. Lisbon watched as Van Pelt's legs gave way beneath her. Rigsby had to support the woman as he guided her to the nearest chair.
The doctor looked at the all-too-familiar devastation on the faces of the group in the room. "I'll give you guys a few minutes but unfortunately, hospital rules won't allow all of you to stay in here."
Lisbon was trying really hard to keep her composure. "Rigsby, why don't you take Grace out of here. Get her and yourself a change of clothes and make sure she gets some sleep. Find a hotel close to the hospital that will allow dogs. Just call me when you have the name of the place."
"Ok boss." Rigsby said sounding equally exhausted.
"No, wait." Van Pelt insisted, as she wiped the still flowing tears from her face. "Give me a sec guys."
Van Pelt walked over to Jane. Lisbon and Cho moved to the side of the room by Rigsby to give the red-head some privacy.
Van Pelt spoke in a hushed tone that was just out of ear shot from the others in the room. "Jane. It's uh , me, Grace. I don't really know what happens to people in comas but I would like to think that you can visit with your family wherever you are. If you can, give your beautiful little daughter a hug for me but then explain to her that you're needed here. I'm sure if you tell her that you need to take care of Sadie that she'll understand. You may not think so but we need you Jane and no I'm not just talking about closing cases. Boss needs you. If you leave who's going to get coffee for her every morning? Who is going to make her smile even when she's sad? I mean the guys and I will do our best but no one can make her smile like you can. I certainly have no expertise in origami." She smiled at this.
Lisbon watched as Van Pelt spoke her peace to Jane. Although she was just out of hearing range, Lisbon watched a range of emotions cross the woman's face from sadness to finally a small smile. Van Pelt finished by lifting Jane's hand to place a small kiss above his knuckles. She left the bed and went into Rigsby's welcoming embrace as he guided her out of the room. Though the two were no longer officially a couple, the feelings shared between the pair were unmistakable. The sight made Lisbon feel extremely lonely. She turned to Cho.
"You should probably go with them. I'll be alright here."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"All right." Cho got up to follow Rigsby and Van Pelt but paused at the door. Cho's eyes went to the object in his hands.
"Here." Cho handed the book to Lisbon. "We were on chapter six but I don't think he'll mind if you start over."
"Thanks."
"Call me if…"
"Yeah."
Cho gave Lisbon's shoulder a reassuring squeeze and then left. Cho was replaced with Emily walking into the room with a pan and a towel.
"We already have Mr. Jane on a cooling pad for the fever but I figured you would want something to do so I brought you this." She handed the items to Lisbon. "You can fill that just outside the door." Gesturing to the pan.
"Thanks."
Lisbon filled with pan with cool water and then brought it back into the room. With the pan on the bedside table, Lisbon dipped the towel into the water and began the delicate task of wiping Jane's face. Lisbon went slowly, imprinting every feature into memory in case these were her last moments with him. Face done, she moved to his hands pausing only slightly when her fingers touched cold metal.
With her task complete, the full weight of the situation hit Lisbon like a wave and she began to shake. Silent sobs racked her body as the emotional strain finally overflowed causing Lisbon to break. Lisbon reached for the cross around her neck, holding it in her grasp as if she was hoping to draw strength from the object.
Slowly, with shaking hands, Lisbon reached for the clasp on the necklace and unfastened it. She held it in front of her face. This was the first time Lisbon had taken the necklace off since her mom had died. Taking Jane's hand in hers, Lisbon placed the necklace in his palm and closed his fist around it.
"You need this more than I do right now and although I know you don't believe, I'm getting pretty desperate here."
Lisbon grabbed a tissue and blew her nose, attempting to get her emotions under control. She then picked up the book on the table and glanced at the cover.
"Hmm…Looks like we're reading the newest James Patterson novel. Hope you like this."
Lisbon read to Jane the whole afternoon only stopping once when Cho came in with some food and a fresh pair of clothes.
"We weren't sure of your size but at least they're clean."
"How's Van Pelt doing?"
"She's sleeping. Sadie was in obvious distress so Van Pelt tied to comfort her. I think they ended up comforting each other and fell asleep soon after."
He had stayed a few minutes, giving Lisbon the opportunity to change. It was late when Lisbon finished the book. She yawned and placed the book on the table before lowering the bed rail and assuming her new sleeping position.
When stars fall, and ground breaks,
You're sinking, 'cause it's too late,
I'm right here, I'm right here
Just stay with me
.
.
The End.. Just kidding ;o) By the way, the lyrics at the end belong to a song called "Hard to Believe" by David Hodges. It pretty much fits this chapter perfectly. I listened to it on repeat while writing this. You should listen to the whole thing. Oh, and pleaassse review. Thanks!
