Author's notes: A big thank you to everyone who has reviewed, followed and favourite'd this story. Your wonderful support is very appreciated, it makes my day!
The smoke is stinging Lisbon's eyes as she searches for Jane. She sees silhouettes coming out of the smoke, but straight away she can see that none of them are Jane, but then she sees him. She runs towards them. Jonathon and Matt are carrying Jane between them. His eyes are closed and his clothes burnt and black with smoke, Jonathon's and Matt's are the same way. She's relieved to note that he looks in on piece.
"Is he all right?"
They lay him gently on the ground. Lisbon can see fresh blood from a deep gash in his hairline.
"We managed to pull him free just in time but the force of the blast knocked us off our feet and we were unable to protect him, he was hit by debris."
The paramedics arrive and push everyone out of the way. Lisbon hovers anxiously, urging her partner to wake up. They place an oxygen mask over his face and insert an i.v. then lift him on to the gurney. They secure him and rush him to the ambulance. Lisbon follows. Cho has caught up with her. She gives him instructions.
"Secure the scene and find out what Rigsby and Van Pelt have found . I'm going with Jane."
"Sure boss."
Lisbon manages to jump in the ambulance before they close the doors. She sits looking at her consultant. Now that things have settled down, the knowledge that she has him back is sinking in. She prays that he won't be taken away from her again, she doesn't think she would be able to withstand losing him a second time.
They whisk him away as the ambulance come to a stop and Lisbon is left to wait.
The doctors are concerned as Jane hasn't regained consciousness yet. He has bruises on the face and head, that look a only a few hours old, and the hit on the head from the explosion would only exacerbate any damage that may have occurred earlier. His lungs also sound sluggish, he's inhaled a lot of smoke, his nostril hairs are singed. X-rays are taken and he's put on a nebulizer and they continue with the oxygen. The X-rays show some slight swelling of the brain and an hairline fracture. They get him ready and he's transferred to ICU.
Lisbon is staring into her cold cup of coffee. She's trying to distract herself by going over the case and trying to find a way that they can get Volker. This is definitely a problem for Jane. There he is again sabotaging her efforts not to think of him. She stands up to get rid of her coffee, as if she can walk away from the memories that threaten to overwhelm her. She looks towards the doors to the A&E department as they open once more. Finally the call is for relatives for Patrick Jane. She stands up and the doctor walks towards her and she takes out her badge.
"Jane doesn't have any relatives that he keeps in contact with. I'm Agent Lisbon with the CBI. He works for us as a consultant, he's my partner".
The doctor has treated a few cops over the years and understand the bond between partners. He pleased that he can give the woman hope. So often his task is more difficult. He leads her back to the chairs and sits down, inviting her to do the same.
"Mr. Jane's being taken to ICU. He hasn't regained consciousness yet which is worrying but the X rays only show a hairline fracture and slight swelling in the brain, so, I expect him to wake up once the tablets have done their job and reduced the swelling. There should be no lasting damage. He has multiple bruises on his face and head that occurred hours before the explosion, it's looks like he was beaten."
"He was kidnapped a few days ago and we presume he was beaten by his captors."
"Sounds like Mr. Jane is lucky to be alive. He's inhaled a lot of smoke and I've put him on a nebulizer, and it's a matter of wait and see. There is no way to predict how his recovery will go. Most patients make a full recovery but a telling percentage succumb to the effects. If you go up to the ICU unit when he's settled a nurse will take you too him. Visiting hours are limited I'm afraid but, hopefully, he shouldn't be in there long."
"Thank you Doctor."
Lisbon makes her way up to ICU trying to digest what the doctor told her. He sounded quite positive but there seems there are some unknowns to worry about.
After an hour she's led into his room. Machines surround his still form. He's almost unrecognisable as the bruises and swelling from his beating have become more pronounced, with the addition of stitches and another nasty lump. She only has a few minutes.
"Jane, come on you need to wake up. You're safe now, you're in the hospital."
He doesn't stir and she sits down in the chair beside the bed. She takes his hand that's laying limp on top of the covers. She feels drained, it's been a long roller-coaster morning and she relishes this quiet moment. Things may still be unresolved but he's here and she can touch him and watch him breathe. Right now that has to be enough. A nurse enters the room, looking at all the read outs and jotting down the information they relay. She gives Lisbon a smile.
"He's doing very well. Nothing to be concerned about his vitals, his temperature is normal, so no signs of a lung infection, he just needs to wake up. If he's still unconscious in half an hour we will do another scan to check that the swelling isn't increasing. I'm afraid you can only stay a few more minutes."
"Thank you nurse."
"Call me Wendy."
"I'm Teresa."
"Do you think you could keep the noise down, my head is pounding and I'm trying to sleep."
Author's notes: One to settle the nerves but we're not finished yet!