Disclaimer: Mentalist - not mine. Story - all mine.

Lisbon is on her way to freedom, if all goes well. Jane however, is in dire straits. Nothing short of a miracle will ensure his survival.

And Their World Came Tumbling Down

Chapter 9 The Valley of the Shadow of Death

The sky was overcast and rain threatened to come at any moment. Rain was a commodity fervently hoped for in drought ravaged Texas, but also feared as well. Because the land was bone dry, a heavy rainfall did not soak into the ground, but instead bounced off the hard ground and ran to the lowest point. Flash floods were common and made driving treacherous. A flash flood would also form through parkland, forcing the gathering swells of water to look for a place to run to.

Patrick's breathing was shallow, his pulse weakening. He had not awakened since falling unconscious in the morning. His body was losing the fight against blood loss, shock and infection in his bullet wound. He hovered in a state between life and death. The first rain drops fell unnoticed, so deep was his sleep. Soon the rain fell in torrents, warm at first, and refreshing after the heat of the morning. But soon the non-stop deluge turned cold, and the parkland near the canyon had reached its' maximum ability to hold the water hitting it full force. Gradually the pools of water raced towards the edge of the cliff, ultimately tumbling over the lip and cascading down the rock face. As the water roared past the ledge where Patrick lay, he felt the cold wetness slap him in the face and body, waking him up rudely. He gasped from the shock of the cold water, and then recognized it for what it was - water! Something to drink! He held out his hands and stuck out his tongue, trying to catch a few precious drops on his tongue, easing his parched throat. It was a losing battle, but the small amount of water he did manage to drink went a long way to easing the burn in his throat.

As suddenly as it began, the rain stopped. The waterfall over the cliff slowed to a trickle, and Patrick lay back, wet and cold, and miserable. The sun came out from behind the storm clouds and for once, he was glad to feel the heat. The chills that he had felt after the rain soon left, leaving him exhausted.

Jane was now clearly delirious. His blood pressure was dropping, his body wracked with fever. Every once in a while his eyes would open, searching the sky but not really seeing anything. He was no longer searching the cliff edge above him for faces looking down at him. He was far beyond thinking of rescue now. Instead, his faltering memory palace was sputtering, throwing out images and memories from long ago and recent days. All of them involved Teresa.

Between fitfully dozing and waking up sporadically, he started to talk. Not to anyone in particular. It was a random, senseless conversation that only made sense to him. His voice was very weak and scratchy, and often it failed him entirely. Patrick wrapped his jacket closely around himself and tried to get comfortable, no longer considering getting overheated. Logical thought was escaping him.

He gradually became aware of the fact that he was no longer alone. Patrick felt a soft hand on his hot cheek, and a gentle kiss on his lips. Smiling, he opened his eyes and gazed into the lovely face of his beautiful wife.

"Teresa" he whispered. "Where have you been? I missed you so much."

Teresa spoke softly to Patrick, caressing his face. "I'm sorry I took so long to find you" she apologised. "I'm here now. I fixed everything so we can leave here together."

Patrick smiled in surprise. "Did it all work out? Are we safe now?" he asked.

"We are safe Patrick. Don't worry anymore. Relax. We're together now Patrick."

Patrick reached out and stroked Teresa's face with his fingertips.

"I tried to see your face in the stars Teresa. I could count all your freckles, one by one, each one like a tiny star" he smiled.

"I remembered so many good times we had over the last 14 years Teresa."

"What do you remember?" she asked.

Patrick closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Opening his eyes, he gazed into Teresa's face and grinned.

"Remember the time you did magic tricks at that men's club in the woods? You were so good!"

Teresa smiled back at Patrick. "Yeah, that was fun. But I had a good teacher."

"Thanks, I try" Patrick blushed.

"Do you remember running away from a tiger that got loose?" Teresa teased.

"A tiger? Are you sure?" Patrick whispered.

"Yep. We were working a case and were told we had to run because there was a tiger on the loose. You said you didn't have to be the fastest runner, just not the slowest!"

"Oh yes, I remember."

"That was a crazy day."

"Sure was."

"Do you remember standing on a street corner singing "Kansas City"?"

Patrick looked at Teresa, thinking hard.

"Oh yes. It was the case of the murdered army medic. She had a tattoo of "Kansas City" inked on her skin. We sounded pretty good, singing together. I like singing."

"You do? Patrick, I didn't know that about you!" Teresa said in wonder.

"I didn't say I was good at it, but I do like to sing. I'll sing to our baby Teresa, every night at bedtime."

Teresa took Patrick's hand and leaned into kiss his lips.

"You will be such a wonderful father."

She held his hands in hers and stared intently into his eyes. They had been whispering their whole silly conversation. She was now serious.

"Are you scared Patrick?" she asked very quietly.

"Scared of what?"

"Of leaving. We are leaving soon. You won't have to be here on this ledge much longer."

"Why?"

"You time here is almost done Patrick."

"Oh, okay. No, I'm not scared Teresa. Just stay close to me, OK? As long as I'm not alone, I won't be afraid." He grabbed her hands tightly.

"I'll never leave you Patrick. You will never be alone again. I came back to get you and lead you home. "

Teresa held his face in her hands, her voice so soft he had to strain to hear it.

"You can let go any time you want Patrick. You can just let go and come away with me."

Patrick felt Teresa's warm arms embrace him in love, and he relaxed completely. He felt her heart beat against his arm as she snuggled up close to him.

"I love you Patrick."

"And I love you Teresa. Is it time to go home now?"

"Soon my love, soon. Just lie here with me, until the end comes."

Patrick sighed deeply and felt the love coming through his body from Teresa's embrace.

"Can I sing to you?" Patrick asked, his voice barely audible.

"I would love that."

"I have a favourite song Teresa. Whenever I heard it when I was way from you for those two lonely years, I sang along, dedicating it to you. It is our song now."

"I'd love to hear it. Thank you Patrick."

Jane closed his eyes and breathed more easily now. With a smile he warned Teresa, "don't laugh. I sing with love, but maybe not much talent."

"Oh hush. It will be beautiful."

Patrick lay still for a long time. Had he fallen asleep? Or did time not hold onto him as tightly as it once did? Patrick had a sad smile on his face when he opened his eyes.

"Okay, here goes."

Gradually he began to softly croon to the lady he loved more than anyone or anything in his life.

"Oh…

My Love….

My Darling…..

I've hungered for your touch. A long…. lonely time…."

He fell silent again, smiling to himself.

"And time…..

Goes by…..

So slowly…

And time can do…. so much.

Are you, still mine?"

Patrick lay still, relishing the feeling of Teresa in his arms, softly singing one of the most moving songs of love and loss he had ever heard.

If anyone had looked down from the cliff above, they would have seen a frail, solitary man, holding his arms out into the night air, as if embracing someone, or something, while he quietly hummed a melancholy song.

A dying man singing his way out of this life, and into the next.

I hope you can figure out the tempo of this amazing song. It is "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers. There have been many copies of this song, but this particular version, the original, is still considered the very best. If you don't know it, I am sure it is on Youtube. Give it a listen. It is wonderfully sad.

There must be some way for someone to help Patrick! Maybe next chapter?