Hi everyone! Guess I will fail my exams after all if I go on writing like that (next chapter is half done already). Meh, I won't sleep tonight I guess xD
Nothing much to say, just that this chapter is veeery long. The longest I ever made for Slave yet…No more rambling now!
Thanks to: Frogster; Iloveplotbunnies; Chiisana Minako; leelou09; chocolatefan; Simonisthecuttestmentalist; dwennie; DanniGaGa; LOLY POP XD; Divinia Serit; Irises4ever for their reviews!
Same warnings: I do not own Mentalist, I do not earn money over those fics, and I definitely don't deny having an obsession with AUs xD! warning: my English grammar isn't the best. Hope you'll enjoy the story anyway –won't blame you if you don't ;D
Slave
9.
Van Pelt stirred in bed. A peek of sunlight had pulled her out of her deep slumber, and the tiredness due to her late night activities didn't make her feel like getting up early. She snuggled under the covers and went back to her beauty sleep. A few moments later, the man lying next to her pulled her against him with an arm around her waist, back against chest, and kissed her denuded shoulder tenderly.
"Say Grace" he murmured in her ear. The housekeeper groaned in return, unpleased of being awakened. "Why did you tell Lisbon about us, the other day?"
The redhead kept her eyes shut and shrugged.
"Dunno" she replied in a sleepy voice. "It was an impulse. I felt it would be funny to embarrass her. And you. Both in fact."
"…funny?" he repeated, puzzled.
"Uh…yeah. It was funny; that's the word" she rambled, still dozing off. "You were so cute with that frown between your brows. And very, very hooot."
Rigsby had to sigh at her statement. That's why she had been eyeing him shamelessly, like if he was a very appetizing dessert…Not that he minded, the sex had been great.
"What if she tells Mr Jane?" he went on. From that moment the bodyguard had only one obsessive fear; that the younger woman report to her master what she knew.
"Mr Jane doesn't care, Wayne" Van Pelt cut, turning to face him and resting her head on his shoulder. "He knows we've been sleeping together for the past four months. Fact is I bet he knew since the very first day. Why do you think he asked you to bring me back in my room, the night Red John came back?"
The silence that relieved her statement almost made her chuckle. Van Pelt just loved the stunned expression on her lover's face. He was so cute without even trying.
"He knew? And he hadn't said a thing? But Julian…"
"Julian's a flirt, we are steady, there's a difference. I told you, he doesn't care" she chided with a smirk. "As long as we do our job correctly he won't bother us. We're his family, and he doesn't want to see us upset over something." She paused a second before frowning at a sudden thought: "Speaking about that, I think she has a crush on him."
Rigsby blinked. The redhead had to repress another smirk. Her stream of thoughts was a mess, so when she debated out loud about an idea with her lover next to her, he was lost. The sudden change of subject confused him, once again.
"Who has a crush on whom?"
"Lisbon. I think she has a crush on Mr Jane."
"Say what!" the tall man popped on his elbow, trying to catch the expression of his bed partner, wondering of she was really serious or just teasing him. Van Pelt rolled on her back and stared at the ceiling, a frown of wonder on her face. She lost herself in an inner debate, ignoring Rigsby this time.
"She likes him, that's for sure. And I think he likes her, but I won't bet anything. Jane is hard to read sometimes..."
"Like as in love? Man, Grace you're worrying me here."
"It's plausible you know?" she carried on, thinking out loud again. "For some times she couldn't trust anyone; and here she is, thrown among us with a very handsome, caring and understanding master. I can't blame her; I use to have one on him at her age too. As for him…she's exactly the kind of woman he'd look at. Not really like Mrs Sylvia, but I'm sure he's attracted to her somehow."
Rigsby's expression was priceless. He was stuck somewhere between shock and amazement, his eyes and mouth wide opened. She wondered what flabbergasted him the most; the fact Lisbon had a soft spot for Jane, or that she suspected the feeling being reciprocated. She trusted her instincts, and he knew she was often right. She had been trained by Jane himself after all.
"What…what will happen? I mean, what do you think will happen? If she only stays for a few months…"
"My bet? They are going to sleep together, that's inevitable" she blurted, shrugging. "If they don't during the trip, it will be somewhere around the fourth month, after Christmas; unless something happen in between and push them over the edge. I don't know who'll make the first move though."
She knew the taller man looked over the other maids like an overprotective brother –Emma being the clueless but sweet sister and Teresa, even if they only known each other for a month ago, like the stubborn yet insecure one. And Van Pelt had to admit, herself had grown quickly attached to the brunette. More than once, when she wore that cute puzzled expression on her face, the housekeeper had to restrain herself from squealing like a teenager over a furry kitten and hugging the girl. Contrary to Rigsby, she didn't feel uneasy at the image of them being together. In fact, knowing most of Jane's history and guessing pieces of Teresa's, she was pretty sure they'd be a good match.
"But I thought…isn't he acting like he did with you?"
"Nan" she shook her head. "It was more about cheering me up and trusting me into some work to keep me busy. At the time he just had to deal with a depressed and suicidal kid, not a terrified and abused young woman."
She suddenly tensed, regretting her words as soon as she let them slip. Rigsby knew about Teresa's condition because he was there, but she had never deepened her own history with him. And of course, he had to notice the detail.
"Wait, wait, wait…what do you mean by suicidal? You told me Jane bought you because he needed a nurse for his baby girl!"
Van Pelt sighed and closed her eyes. Memories flowed in her head and she had to repress the single tear threatening to fall. Rigsby lay down next to her and took her in his embrace, sensing she heeded comfort. The housekeeper couldn't repress a small smile at his attention.
"Jane wasn't even married at the time" she said slowly. "I made up that story so you wouldn't dig further. I'm not proud of it Wayne" she continued on a sad tone. "I was only twelve and tired of life. Tired of being treated like a slave. It's ironic don't you think?" she laughed bitterly. "In the end, I was sold exactly like a slave."
"For the best Grace!" Rigsby replied forcefully, facing her and staring at her in the eyes. "You have Jane, the family, me…it was for the best" he repeated, kissing her forehead.
She closed her eyes gratefully and snuggled closer to her lover's body, seeking comfort from his warmth.
"I just hope she'll realize what she has to gain, if she decides to stay" she whispered her last thought. "And I hope he'll realize what he'll lose if he really let her go."
-S-
It was late, but Teresa was still reading in the bed. She had started the novel earlier that day since she had nothing else to do -Rigsby and Van Pelt had been locked in their cabin all day again, Mashburn had eventually let go of her –he still managed to slip a 'you have such a devastating beauty' or a 'I wish I found a fiancée like you' from time to time and Jane just disappeared- and she didn't regret her choice; the story was quite entertaining. Yet if she was really honest with herself, she would recognize that the story of that girl kept prisoner in a dark castle by some bad guy wasn't thrilling. The plot had been used thousands of times and the writing –however good- didn't enchant her much. If she was still awakened at past eleven, it was because the other side of the bed was still empty.
The next few days after her latest nightmare, she had barely seen Jane. If not at all. She would wake-up alone, spend her day with her colleagues, acquaintances from the boat or bear Mashburn's teasing with amusement now, and once at the cabin, fall asleep in minutes. The only sign was when she woke up in the middle of the night and sensed his presence in the bed. Otherwise, even his close friends or the housekeeper could tell her where the man disappeared all day.
Teresa even started to think he had found a mistress on board and frowned before slapping herself inwardly. That was none of her business. She wasn't even his real wife! Just a slave he bought to free, and playing a role for when she'd be at that Lord's house. It still unnerved and unease her not knowing. She thought he trusted her enough to tell her. But then again, it wasn't her business.
The door cracked open and she blinked at the sight of him sneaking in the cabin. His grey suit was covered with black spots –was that soot? –and he smelt like burned coal or something. Had he been in the machine rooms? He was curious after all.
"Oh good evening Teresa!" he greeted cheerfully. "You were waiting for me? That's very thoughtful of you me dear" he added with a wink.
"Uh…" was her only reply.
"I talked to the captain today" he went on, taking off his dirty jacket and unbuttoning his shirt while walking towards the bathroom. "We should be arriving in the next few days."
He disappeared behind the door, finishing undressing she guessed.
"Already?"
"Don't worry my dear" he replied chuckling. "You'll have as much time when we'll sail back home."
Home. Yeah, right, home she thought with a twinge of guilt in her stomach. Faces of her family suddenly surged in her mind, and she bit her lips to make them fade away. She hadn't thought much of them since she was living with the Jane's crew. Her brothers, her father, her…she inwardly cringed at the last person she listed. The latter apart, she missed them. She missed them when her mind wandered away when she was bored. When she had nothing else to do. The realisation scared her. The first months she had been sold, it tore her apart to just think of them. It still hurt when she was back at Elias. But since she had been under Jane's care –around a month by now?- the hurt was fading away. She felt she could speak of them, mention them. She wanted to talk about them. To anyone, so they could see, understand how wounded she had been inside. And how grateful she was to have them.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize Jane had come back and was sitting on the bed now. Only when his hand brushed her shoulder, she remembered she wasn't alone.
"Hey, Teresa, are you all right?" he asked in a soft voice.
Caring eyes and sympathy, almost like he knew what was going through her head. Jane didn't scare her anymore. She considered Van Pelt, Emma, Rigsby, Cho and everyone else like friends. Perhaps the closest friends she ever had. Strange, she thought, how a month among honest people could change her.
"I'm fine" she lied, turning her face away. "You need something?"
She knew Jane didn't buy it but he wouldn't push it. Instead, he just rubbed his hand on her shoulder in comfort before pulling away.
"I wanted to tackle the subject tomorrow, but since you're awake, I just need to point out a few details. About our 'marriage'."
She nodded. He took a velvet box out of the drawer of the small desk next to his side of the bed and opened it before her. Two wedding rings were shining inside. Golden, perfectly rounded rings, with a small but elegant diamond on the edge. Her eyes opened wide. She hadn't thought of that part.
"This one will be yours" he said, taking out the smallest and finest one and handing it to her. She took it with great precaution and observed it closely. It was quite ancient but it good shape. Very expensive too she noted. She looked up at him uncertainly. Was she really allowed to wear such beautiful jewellery? Even for a masquerade?
"Family heritage, it's a tradition" he explained. Under his gaze, she slipped it on carefully. The ring just fitted perfectly. A wave of nostalgia washed over her.
"You need to know something else too" he went on with a more serious tone, distracting her. "I was married once" she blinked in surprise before slapping herself inwardly. The pity in Van Pelt's eyes and the soft tone he had used when he mentioned Byron's situation should have tipped her off. "She died five years ago, along with my daughter."
His features had saddened in seconds. For a moment, she saw real hurt in his whole body language. Shoulders down in defeat, eyes spacing away, a soft sigh…she impulsively put her hand on his arm to wake him out of the flow of memories. He and her were maybe more alike than she expected. Both knew how to hide their scars, if not pretending.
"I'm sorry" she whispered sincerely. The man must have been an attentive husband and a good father. The regret in his expression was heartbreaking. He merely shrugged and cleared his throat:
"It's the past. Just for you to know, so you don't learn it from somebody else by accident. Oh, and I might be more affectionate" he added smirking, changing subject. "Hold you close, kiss your cheek more, compliment you…not that it will be difficult for me, you are very desirable."
Her cheeks reddened again and she looked away, uncomfortable with his appreciative glance at her. When he spoke again, his voice had softened:
"I'm sorry Teresa, to put you through this."
"It's okay" she replied. "No harm done. Should I give you back the ring?"
"No, keep it for now, you need to get used to it" he paused, then added. "We'll have a busy week once we're in London. Better go to rest now."
Teresa nodded and lay down. Jane blew out the lights and settle next to her. After a last wary glance at the ring on her finger, she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep peacefully.
-S-
The boarding day, the weather was mild and even if chilly, still agreeable. The outlines of the English borders in sight had raised excitement in the crowd of passengers, looking forwards to be on land at last. Teresa had stood at the guardrail the whole time, fascinated by the new environment. Dirty houses, people walking on the side, sometimes waving at them, the Thames and its –she had to admit half-heartily- bad smells, the different weather and atmosphere, the bridges crossing the river, farther more in town roofs of buildings -was that the infamous Big Ben over there? Oh yeah, right, they weren't inside London yet- dim light of the narrow streets, animals running around…
It took the entire day to reach London port and a few hours for the people to tighten the ship to the dock and set the stars for the passengers to walk on land. As soon as the first foot was set, Teresa felt dizzy. Jane explained it was due to her being used to the instability of the sea. They were quickly joined by Mashburn and the other couple. A few men carried their luggage to two carriages and off they went to Harper's temporary residence.
During the travel, Teresa couldn't help but stare outside, feeling as excited as a child, hands on the border of the carriage. Sounds of merchants, horses, craftsmen, people walking, yelling, horses neighing, dogs barking, everything seemed to move so fast it was impressive to her eyes. She was coming from the countryside after all, and her only experiences in town were with…well being sold and everything. She didn't pay attention to what was said, neither to the others reactions. In her eyes, the drive into town was disappointingly short, and soon they were heading to neater and cleaner residences. They stopped in front of a tall, neaty house. Immediately, Teresa missed the warmth she felt when she first laid her eyes on Jane's manor. It was an agreeable building, but very cold. Very different of the colored one she wazs used to now.
Past the white formal fences, they were lead in a hall by a maid, coats taken off and finally brought in a large dinning room. A woman wearing an elegant and smart red dress, hair tied up in a sophisticated way, two bangs framing a cute and mischievous face greeted them.
"Patrick, Walter" she said at first before turning towards the domestics: "Grace, Mr Rigsby, I hope you had a nice trip. I haven't the pleasure to know you yet" she ended, glancing at Teresa. Jane introduced her:
"Teresa Lisbon. She is going to pose as my wife during our stay."
A curious expression passed over her features. Harper looked rather intrigued and stared at her. Teresa held her gaze defiantly and stared back. The woman frowned at her before looking back at Jane, not even trying to lower her voice and hide the scepticism:
"Are you sure of your choice Jane? She seems a little…young? Won't she be intimidated by Byron? I mean, the guy is an ass and a seducer, and he loves young women. I heard that when slavery was still legal, he liked buying sex-slaves. He was very clear towards me too, even though I'm the supposed fiancée of one of his potential associates."
The blond man just chuckled at her disgusted tone and took Teresa's arm under his, after throwing her an affective glance. The young woman hardly noticed, too busy glaring at Harper. She didn't even know her and was already judging her because she seemed a little young?
"I think I can manage on my own, thank you very much" she snarled at the older woman. "And I don't think Jane needs your consent to do whatever he wants to. I believe you're not his nanny ."
Van Pelt and Rigsby glanced amusedly at her, while Harper stared again, stunned this time. Jane chuckled and Mashburn burst out of laughers.
"She knocked me down and punched me the same day, even knowing I was going to be her boss" the blond man added with a smirk. "Don't worry for Teresa, she is stubborn and smart enough." Was it pride she heard in his voice? She wondered. A warm feeling spread in her stomach when he glanced at her with a soft smile, and she grinned back.
In the backstage, Van Pelt smirked knowingly. If she trusted her instincts on this one, things promised to be so interesting.
I wasn't planning on the Van Pelt/Rigsby part at first. But then, a friend told me they should have some space too, and I wanted another little Grisby moment. Not sure about the dizziness after sailing (each time I'm on a boat, I'm seasick. Even fell asleep in the toilets after taking two medicines in a too short interval of time) But it does leave an impression of waving for an hour or two (for me at least-does it to you?).
Anyway I'd like to hear your opinion, I'm not very satisfied with this chapter…any hints on what you'd like to see next? I have an idea but other options are always welcomed xD
Thank you for reading so far! XD
Next chapter preview:
"I mean" Mrs Byron went on, ignoring the warning looks of her husband. "A lot of people marry for money or the pride of having a beautiful companion…"
The last sentence erased the last bit of tolerance she had towards the pompous I-know-everything woman.
"The day I met Jane was a blessing! Stop insinuating something ill in our relationship" Teresa snapped angrily. The table became silent, but she didn't care. Her glare was set on the now shocked woman. Jane told her she could act upon her feelings? Well she wasn't going to pray for it. "He's maybe arrogant, mocking, invading, nosy and never acts like he is supposed to in society but he's a good man! We married for a reason, Mrs Byron, and even if there was something else that is certainly none of your business."
