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Chapter 10 - Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry

Last Chapter...

I gave up one final attempt to maintain consciousness and slumped into the pillows, eyes shutting. My head made contact with a shoulder, and having no strength left in me, I expected him to move. But Jane settled further into the warm covers, and before I could worry about anything else, the warmth and secureness off the room enveloped me, I finally drifted off to sleep.

Maddy's POV

A steady drip, drip, drip hit my nose, and I rubbed it sleepily. Groaning slightly, I realised my neck was incredibly stiff, but I couldn't be bothered moving. I was warm for the moment, and my eyes were refusing to open. The drip hit my face again, and I tried to think of a reason for it. My mind was still in half asleep mode, and wandered aimlessly, until a larger drip hit me square in the eye.

I forced my eyes to open, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. The source of my sore neck was the fact that it was balanced on Jane's shoulder. The consultant was snoring softly, leaning against the head board. His face was serene and calm, and I sat for a minute, not wanting to wake him. Then another drop hit my head.

I looked up to the roof, and found the source of the water. The roof was leaking, and badly, the sound of rain hitting the window panes. I groaned as the drips increased, and shook my head. Deciding it was time to leave, I made to get up. I failed miserably, and realised that Jane's arm was snaked around my shoulders. I was glad he was asleep, as I was blushing so furiously I looked like a tomato. After gathering my wits, I decided to wake him up.

"Jane," I whispered, prodding his shoulder, "Jane, wake up,"

He grunted awake, blinking sleepily before yawning. To my great relief, he removed his arm, stretching out and ruffling his hair. A large drop of water splashed onto his face, running down his cheek. He jumped at its cool touch, and I gave a tired laugh.

"I think your roof might be leaking,"

"You think?" He gave a grin, wiping his face with his hand.

We sat in silence, trying to wake up fully. I finally stood up with a yawn, stretching to the roof. I threw on my jacket, bracing myself for the weather outside. I stopped, hand on the door knob.

"Please, don't tell the others yet," I asked him, but he looked unsure.

"Lisbon should know,"

"Well, can we at least wait until we're back in Sacramento? Please?"

He nodded, and I let out a sigh of relief before opening the door. The rain was thundering down, and I looked out at the gloomy sky. Jane came to stand at the door, looking out at the puddles that covered the car park. I jumped out, running down the pavement to me right, dodging puddles and trying to stay dry. I was still pretty wet when I reached my room.

An hour later, I emerged from my room, feeling much better after a warm shower. My jacket was pulled on, and my bag slung over my shoulder. The rain was still extremely heavy, and I skirted a large puddle on my way to the SUV. After reaching it, I chucked my bag in, and headed to the office to hand the key to my room in.

By the time I got back to the car, I was soaked again, but thankfully, Rigsby turned the heating on. We all dried out soon enough, and pulled out of the parking lot, onto the now muddy road home. The cars splashed through large puddles, and the trees were dripping large drops onto the front window. I looked behind us, but the mountains had disappeared under a wall of cloud. I wouldn't see them again before I went home.

Feeling a tap on my arm,, I turned around. Jane was holding my phone is his hand, and I realised that I must have left it in his room last night. I took it from him quietly. It was switched off, and I made no attempt to change that. I would pretend nothing had happened, at least until we got home. I tucked into my pocket, not wanting to look. It now seemed to be the center of everything evil. I might even buy a new one when I got home.

The roads were slippery with mud, and the SUVs had to take it slowly, as the rain pounding down on the windows made it hard to see. By the time we reached the little diner we'd stopped at before, it was already 3pm, and I had the feeling we wouldn't be back until dark. There was no question of sitting on the wall while eating, so we all crammed into the one available table. The free time in the car was taking its tole on me, and I had begun to worry about my stalker again. My appetite was soon gone, the sandwich I'd ordered lying half eaten on the table. I settled for the cup of tea I'd bought, taking small sips.

"You're not hungry?" Rigsby asked from across the table, stuffing his own face

"Nah, not really, I didn't sleep well last night, " I replied, trying to sound light hearted, "Have it,"

"Don't want it going to waste," Rigsby grabbed the sandwich and started eating it, while Van Pelt who was crammed in beside him rolled her eyes in disgust

"How can you eat so much?" she asked, sipping her coffee

"Mmm 'unrgy," came the muffled reply from his mouth

"Rigsby would eat his own grandmother if he was hungry enough," Cho said dryly from Van Pelts other side

I swilled the last dregs of my tea around the cup. It hadn't been great, in fact it looked as if they'd scooped it from a puddle outside, but at least it was warm. I rested my head on my arm, while I looked out of the window beside me, tapping my fingers restlessly on the table. I just wanted to go home, but Rigsby had insisted on a full lunch. I was beginning to wish that I'd sat at the end of the table, so I could retreat to the car, but I was squashed in beside in the window, with Jane and Lisbon blocking my exit. And to make matters worse, Jane was watching me. Very carefully.

He'd kept his word and kept his mouth shut so far on our journey home, which I was grateful for. I hadn't even been in the job a week, and I didn't want them all thinking I was some coward.

Rigsby finally finished, and we returned to the SUVs after paying the overpriced bill. Unlike the journey up, sleep refused to come, and I spent the remainder of the road staring out at the bleak scenery. The rain refused to stop as we made our way to the outskirts of Sacramento, the SUVs turning their lights on to see in the premature dusk the weather was causing.

It happened in a split second, and if it hadn't been for Rigsby's quick actions, I wouldn't be here to tell the story. A large red truck came screeching across the junction we were pulling out of, aquaplaning on the rain soaked road. Rigsby put his foot on the accelerator, swearing wildly as the SUV screeched into action. Lisbon was clinging to the dashboard, knuckles white, shouting something that I couldn't hear over the screeching of tires. The truck missed us my centimeters, clipping the back bumper and sending the car spinning across the road. The drivers side smashed into a wall, windows shattering and spraying Rigsby and I with glass.

For a few seconds, there was silence apart from the sound of blood pounding in my ears, and our panicked breathing. The sounds of the world around us returned, the hooting of car horns in the background as there was a large crash. The sound of a car stopping near by brought me back to earth, and was followed by Cho and Van Pelt's frantic shouts. They tore the passenger side door open.

"My God, are you ok? Is anyone hurt?" Van Pelt was trying to keep calm, but had a hysterical edge to her voice.

Lisbon clambered out, nodding and looking around, "I'm fine,"

I followed Jane in a daze, my door unable to open, and looked at the car's other occupants. Lisbon and Jane were unhurt but shaken, and Rigsby had a jagged cut on his left cheek, but was otherwise unharmed. It was a miracle that none of us were not more seriously hurt.

"Oh Rigsby your cheek!" Van Pelt started fussing, taking out a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbing the small amount of blodd on the mans face. "That was some driving," she complimented him

"Well, you know, it was just a reaction," Rigsby replied modestly, wincing slightly at the touch but obviously enjoying the attention from Grace. I smiled despite the situation.

"I'm gonna go check on the truck driver," Lisbon told us, motioning to the other side of the road.

The truck had flipped on its side, and passers-by were hauling the driver out of the door. Even from this distance it was obvious that he had hurt his leg; it was hanging awkwardly at an angle. He let out a moan as they pulled him clear, lowering him to the ground. I began to make my way over to the truck, ready to lend a hand, when Jane stopped me in my tracks.

"Wait, you're bleeding," he used the corner of his sleeve to wipe a stray line of blood.

I put my hand up, wincing at the cut on my forehead that was beginning to swell. I don't know how I hadn't noticed it before. The glass from the shattered window must have cut me on impact.

"You sure you don't want to sit down?" he asked

"I'm fine. How about you?"

"Just dandy," he smiled, but still seemed a bit shaken.

We made our way across the truck. It was a mess of smashed metal and glass, debris littering the ground. We reached the other-side of the truck, and the sight before us stopped us in our tracks. Scored into the red paint, was the large smiley face of Red John.

Hmm, there seems to be two recurring themes in this story. Tea, and Rigsby's stomach :P

Oooh! Exciting!

Hope you liked it, review please!!!!!