Title: Bloodletting

Disclaimer: If I owned The Mentalist, characters would find themselves in trouble more often. However, I do own the rights to Kristina Saffron, Lewis Charles and James Bertram.

Thank you to Guest and Frogster for reviewing! It's seriously appreciated!


Jane heard Cho scratching his quill into the pages of the logbook, as he steered the Scarlet Oasis toward the Cannibal Cove port. He kept his attention divided between the choppy waters of Cannibal Cove and the behaviors of Bertram and Kris, who both stood together below the quarterdeck.

"She looks happy," Jane idly commented, before he heard Cho's quill pause. He didn't turn around to glance at Cho. "I…"

"No," Cho interrupted and Jane grimaced. "You're going to stay here, steer the ship, and lead us safely onto Governor Stiles' island." The scratching of the quill returned and Jane turned to stare at Cho, who had his head tilted toward the aged logbook.

"I need to confer with my first mate."

"Your first mate doesn't want to confer with you," Cho said, still writing in his logbook. "She's still upset with you and Rigsby." Jane continued to grimace. His and Rigsby's little squabble hadn't done anything to Lisbon, aside from ruin his engagement to Kris and forcing her closer to James Bertram. "And I'd stay away from James also, Jane."

Jane eyed Cho. "What do you take me for, Cho? An idiot."

"Yes," Cho replied. Jane turned to focus his attention on the water again, clenching his hands against the wheel tightly. "If you truly loved her, you wouldn't have pushed her toward James." Jane's knuckles went white. "If you had truly loved her, you wouldn't have started a fight with Lisbon there." He heard Cho slam the logbook shut and Jane rolled his eyes, waiting for Cho's lecture. "You not only jeopardized your relationship with half this crew, you also risked the relationship between Kris and Lisbon. All of us are committed to helping Lisbon overcome her issues at the present moment, while you only seem bent on destroying our progress."

"Lisbon's fine," Jane dismissed, rolling his eyes again. "She's already starting to bounce back again, see." He removed one of his hands from the wheel to motion toward Lisbon, who stood next to Lewis.

"Doesn't look fine to me," Cho answered. "She, like Kris, looks exhausted." Jane took another glance at Lisbon, before he glanced to Kris.

"I don't see anything wrong."

"She's also not eating again," Cho said. "You can't expect her to train Van Pelt if she's losing strength and energy, Jane." Jane remained quiet. "Also, steer the ship. I'd rather we not damage the ship any further."

Jane quickly moved his eyes toward the choppy waters and the port, which he narrowly avoided ramming the ship into with a long jerk of the wheel. He cursed under his breath and heard Kris calling out orders from below.

"At this point, Jane, you're only going to push her further away." Jane ignored Cho's words, as he focused his attention on the crew heeding Kris' yelled orders from down below. He eyed Lisbon again, noticing that she had moved closer to Bertram, who had wrapped his arm around the ex-first mate and kept her close to his chest.

Well, look at that.

If he weren't trying to seem focused, he would have smirked at the budding relationshipbetween Lisbon and Bertram. Although, he didn't approve of the closeness between Bertram and Lisbon, he could see the value in having them both occupy the other. If Lisbon was engaging in a sexual relationship with Bertram, he knew he wouldn't have to worry about Bertram touching his woman. James Bertram was many things, in his opinion, but he had too high of a moral system to cheat.

While Kris had tossed away his engagement ring three months ago, the crew didn't know that he and she had continued being intimate for at least six weeks after her entire scream fest. He had instigated it after profusely apologizing for his behavior and she had taken him back, because she needed him. Of course, she refused to discuss the terms of their "relationship", which to her were apparently over; the idea of their possible engagement was dashed and beyond a little casual sex, Kris didn't want anything else from him.

"…go around hounding her, she'll walk away," Cho finished and Jane swiftly directed the ship into the port. He did not intend to listen to Cho's lecture, as it reminded him of Rigsby's angry words earlier to him.

I'd be angry if I was exhausted too though, Jane thought with a slight smirk. Kris's decision to strip Rigsby of his right hand status had caused the former crewmember to become practically a swabbie with no title, what so ever. He did all of the jobs that Bertram had previously done, which left Rigsby with very little free time for his girlfriend and for his own personal needs.

"Welcome back, Patrick!" Jane heard Governor Bret Stiles' voice from the port and he stepped to the railing to glance down at his good friend. "I have to be honest with you; I was quite surprised to receive your letter asking for amnesty, especially for killing someone that you've been planning to kill for years."

Jane beamed down at Stiles. He knew his crew was quite weary with the idea of returningto Cannibal Cove after Red John's demise, but Bret Stiles had asked them all to come back after they had found Lisbon. "How are you doing today, Bret? Finding the gift I sent along with the letter to be quite enjoyable, I hope?"

Stiles laughed. "I am excellent and of course, Patrick! Not many people appreciate fine cannibalistic art anymore." Jane felt Cho's gaze on him, which made him chuckle. "Allow for me to step aboard your lovely vessel, my friend. My eyes are not as good as they used to be and I need to see why amnesty was required."

"Let him onto the ship," Jane ordered, as he hurried down the steps and stood atop the main deck. Stiles joined him moments later, smiling and shaking his hand with enthusiasm in his usual suit.

"Congratulations are in order for you having killed Red John," Stiles said, while Jane continued to beam. "I didn't think I'd see a world without Red John in it, to be quite honest with you."

"I knew I'd eventually kill him, Bret," Jane answered, smiling. "However, I never anticipated one of my own crewmembers becoming involved in the entire mess." He moved his expression into a frown and Jane watched Stiles turn to face Lisbon, who seemed comfortable within Bertram's arms.

"Teresa, my dear," Stiles greeted, extending one of his hands out toward her. Jane watched Lisbon move from Bertram's grasp and take Stiles' offered hand with a small smile. "How are you doing? I was horrified to hear about your treatment at the hands of Red John, Teresa."

"I'm doing fine, Governor…"

"We've been over this many times, Teresa. Please call me Bret." Jane furrowed his brows in confusion. In all of the visits that they had made to Cannibal Cove, Stiles had never once requested Lisbon to call him by his first name. "We are, after all, on the same side of things here."

Jane caught sight of Lisbon's slightly larger smile. "I suppose we are, Bret." Jane watched Stiles nod and smile, as Stiles kept hold of her hand. "Please allow me to introduce you to our newest crewmembers, Bret." Lisbon turned toward Bertram, who smiled tightly. "This is…"

"Governor James Bertram," Stiles interrupted, still with a smile. "My, how you've grown! The last time I saw you, you were this tall." Stiles placed his hand against his chest and Bertram nodded. "I can't say that the mention of your name in Patrick's letter didn't catch my attention. Your father was, aside from Captain Red John, one of the antagonists to the Scarlet Oasis."

"I'm here for my sister, sir."

"Ah, yes. The lovely Grace Van Pelt," Stiles said, before he glanced around the deck. "Where is she?"

Jane watched Lisbon bite her lip. "Grace is downstairs, Bret. I can…"

"Nonsense, Teresa, you are still recovering. You need your rest," Stiles interrupted again, smiling. Jane continued to furrow his brows. The improved relationship between Lisbon and Stiles wasn't expected, but he had a feeling he could use this to his advantage. "You clearly aren't eating enough, my dear. You and I will need to discuss your eating habits later on, as I am sure that Kristina is worried about you…"

"Obviously I'm concerned, Bret," Kris replied from next to Bertram. "She's my best friend." Jane saw Stiles turn to Kris next.

"Kristina! You look lovely, as always," Stiles complimented.

"I work out, Bret; it certainly helps," Kris answered in greeting, which caused Stiles to laugh. "How is the cannibal business going since Red John is no longer around?"

"Very well, actually. The navy enjoys sending prisoners to our island, so we always have something going on around here."

"Well, that's nice to hear," Kris said and Jane could hear the uncertainty in her voice. "I suppose you aren't hungry then?"

"I could do with a little snack," Stiles replied. Jane watched Kris's eyes grow wide, as she took a step back. "Calm down, Kristina. You all are under my protection, so none of you will become the appetizer during your stay." A collective sigh went through the group, before Stiles turned back to Jane. "How is your relationship with Kristina?"

From the corner of his vision, Jane watched Kris walk away. "She and I are doing quite fine, Bret. I proposed to her…"

"And I last heard that she rejected you, as she's done before," Stiles gave, "It's not easy to keep a woman like that, especially when you only offer her one thing." Jane blinked in Stiles direction. He had offered Kris more than sex, but apparently, engagement didn't matter to anyone anymore. "Don't worry though, Patrick. There are plenty of fish in the sea; you will find another woman worthy of your time, trust me. She just wasn't your match." He watched Stiles glance down at Lisbon, before glancing back up at Jane.

Jane eyed Lisbon. "You're right, Bret." He smiled slightly at Lisbon, who only stared at Stiles.

"How was Ms. Haverstraw, Mr. Bertram?" Stiles asked Bertram. Bertram turned to glance at Stiles.

"She's dead, sir."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Bertram," Stiles replied, frowning. "I heard she was quite fond of you, even with everything between you and Kristina." Jane watched Bertram cross his arms against his chest. "I'm sure you'll also find another woman; she might even be right here on the ship." Stiles glanced down at Lisbon again with a smile and Jane grimaced. Was Bertram trying to take every woman he had interest in away from him? First Kris and now Lisbon? Jane had to get rid of the ex-governor and staring at Stiles and Lisbon, he knew he'd use their relationship to accomplish a few goals. He'd not only get rid of Bertram, but he'd also get Kris back.

"Why are you greeting us yourself today, Bret?" Jane questioned, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice. "Usually, you have your right hand meeting us. Is something going on that we're not aware of?"

"I was under the assumption from your letter that you all needed asylum," Stiles said. "Governor Bertram is hunting for you all, especially as you kidnapped his daughter…"

"You did what?" Bertram asked, turning to stare at Jane.

"We didn't kidnap her," Jane explained. "Rigsby found her…"

Jane heard Rigsby yawn from behind him. "I did find her. Her father threw her out onto the streets, Governor."

Stiles frowned. "You look exhausted, Wayne." Stiles turned back to Jane. "Do none of your officers sleep anymore? The only ones who look rested are yourself and Kimball."

"Good genes," Cho answered, which had Stiles chuckling.

"Always one for the humor, Kimball," Stiles gave.

"I try."

"Anyway, Governor Bertram is looking for information on you all. Your request for amnesty has been granted, which means I will keep mum on telling your location details to other governors."

"So, no letters to Governor Wainwright?"

"No letters, unless you specifically want them," Stiles replied. "I'd rather keep you all safe, as I do genuinely like you all."

Jane beamed again. "I always knew you were a good person, Bret."

"Thank you, Patrick. I appreciate comments like this," Stiles said.

"Alright, ladies," Jane heard Kris renter the conversation from behind him. "Are we staying here? Or are we going onto the island?"

"I'm quite insulted, Kristina…"

"Suck it up, Governor," Kris snapped. "Since you all enjoy discussing my sexual exploits with each other, I'm sure you all can carry my luggage." Jane watched Kris gesture toward a pile of trunks. "Half of those are mine, half of those are Lisbon's. Get to work." Kris left the ship, grabbing Lisbon's hand and taking her away from Stiles.

Stiles stared down at the trunks. "Hm. It seems you all will have some heavy lifting to do."

"I suppose Bertram and Rigsby do," Jane ordered the two men, motioning them both toward the trunks. "Go ahead men. It's about a five mile hike to the Governor's manor, and we'll need to make it before nightfall." Rigsby shot him glare, as Bertram stepped over to the trunks and lifted one up from the floor. "Bret, how will living arrangements work this time around? You've always given rooms to the officers, but Lisbon…"

"Teresa is under my care now," Stiles interrupted again. Jane opened his mouth to interrupt, when Stiles threw up his hand and continued. "I have already prepared the rooms for Teresa, the officers, Mr. Bertram and Ms. Van Pelt, Patrick. I knew you would be arriving shortly, so this wasn't any trouble at all."

"Kristina won't enjoy this," Bertram replied and Jane eyed him, begrudgingly agreeing with him. Kris had taken it upon herself to take care of Lisbon, and Kris most certainly wouldn't enjoy being replaced by a cannibal. "Teresa has been under her care for the past year or so. If you take Teresa away from her or me, you'll have a fight on your hands."

"I don't plan on harming Teresa, Mr. Bertram. Much like you and Kristina, Teresa's current state of wellbeing concerns me. If you worry that I'm going to eat her, Mr. Bertram, you should be made aware that I tend not to end my wards." Stiles flashed his teeth toward them all and Jane eyed Stiles, grimacing. "I also have a master suite set aside for Teresa, who could use a little pampering to get back to her usual self. Don't worry about her; she's in good hands."

"She doesn't need any more stress," Jane said. "If you hurt her, you'll be dealing with several swords."

"And here I was," Stiles started, "believing you didn't care about her, Patrick. I've heard stories of your antics in the wake of her disappearance and let me tell you, I am not very pleased with you." Jane blinked. What antics? He had only slept with Kris. It wasn't as if he had killed thousands of people. "In order to keep Teresa calm, I ask that only Mr. Bertram and Kristina be allowed to visit with her."

"Bret! You can't be serious," Jane exclaimed. "I'm her Captain! She needs structure…"

"She needs a good vacation from you, Patrick," Stiles argued. "I very rarely step into your ship affairs, but this is an emergency. Several individuals are concerned with Teresa's wellbeing upon this ship and with her being so…fragile…I would hate to see her parish, much like Red John. Someone deserves a happy ending here, Patrick. Wouldn't you agree?"

Jane gritted his teeth together. "Lisbon is fine, Bret."

"She isn't fine, Patrick," Bertram challenged and Jane stepped closer to him, clenching his hands together. "She's frail, thin, and she's scared. Your fight with Rigsby did more damage than you think it did…"

"She's not that weak considering your activities with her, Bertram," it was Jane's turn to argue with a smirk. "I'm not the problem; it's obviously you." Jane continued to smirk. "How do you think Kris will feel about that, Bertram? Your presence already frets on her mind, but now you're doing this? Some friends you two are." Jane turned to Stiles, who seemed perplexed. "Bret, you are making a grave mistake. If you care for my first mate, you would do best to change your mind."

Jane watched Bertram furrow his dark brows. "Of course, this is about you and your sexual drive with Kristina. She left you, get over it." Jane lost his smirk to glare at Bertram.

"She left you also," Jane shot back. "At least I never left her." Jane watched Bertram set down one of the trunks. "I'm sure Kris will appreciate us fighting. Maybe she'll even strip you of your title again and you'll be like Rigsby; worthless and pathetic."

"Hey!" Rigsby exclaimed. Jane watched Bertram glance at Rigsby.

"Ignore him, Wayne. He's only trying to start a fight, so Kristina will come back to him. Pretty low for a pirate captain, who apparently killed Red John." Jane bared his teeth in anger.

"It's pretty low that you resorted to listening to Daddy for three years," Jane told him, he wasn't caring that Stiles was listening or that the crew was watching. Nobody questioned his part in Red John's death without repercussions. "It is pretty low that you falsified your love for Kris and left your sister to rot in a room, where she was continuously beaten. It is pretty low that you became your father's spawn." Jane smirked. "It is pretty low that you've gone from a wealthy governor to a deckhand, who takes orders from pirates; pirates, that by the way, killed the man your father worked for. That is what is pretty low, Bertram." Bertram fell silent. "On second thought, Bret. Amnesty is no longer required for the Bertram's, I'm sure they can handle themselves."

Jane said nothing more, as he hurried from the ship.

Jane—1, Bertram—0, Jane thought, knowing he had won that round with the ex-governor.


"I'm home!" Kris heard Jane cry from the foyer of Stiles' Governor Manor. Kris rolled her eyes from the sitting room that one of the help had presented her and Lisbon with upon their arrival to the home. She stood up slowly from the couch, hoping not to wake Lisbon, who had fallen asleep shortly after their arrival and she hurried to meet Jane. "Hello, Kris!" Kris watched him try to wrap his arms around her, which made her step backwards.

"Will you keep your voice down?" Kris asked him, annoyed. She didn't want a hug from him. "Lisbon's trying to sleep and I'd rather her be fully rested, as your little argument with Rigsby has messed up her sleeping patterns."

Jane waved off her. "Meh. Lisbon will be fine." She watched him step closer again, as he extended his arms toward her in another hug. She crossed her arms against her chest and glared at him. "I'm sorry that I lied about our relationship to Stiles. I just didn't want him knowing that we weren't together anymore."

"I don't care about that," Kris informed him. "I don't want to be hugged right now. I've had a long walk and I'm exhausted, and you smell." Kris crinkled her nose at the scent of sweat hanging off him. "What did you do? Go for a bath in the swamp? You need to clean yourself up."

"How about you help me?" Jane asked her, wiggling his eyebrows. Kris pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. Everything with him had to be a sexual comment; she was bad, but he just wanted sex from everything with two legs. "I hear conserving water is good, Kris."

"Jane, cut it out," Kris said. She had no plans on going back to Jane, as he had destroyed their relationship with the fight between himself and Rigsby. "Where are the others?"

"I don't know," Jane offered with a shrug. "They're coming, I guess. I left them with your luggage…" Kris waved him off and turned on her heels to return into the sitting room, where Lisbon had curled into herself. She heard Jane's footsteps behind her. "Please, Jane. I want Lisbon to sleep; she's already frightened of you."

"She's frightened of her own shadow, Kris," she heard Jane argue from behind her, quietly. Kris rolled her eyes and glanced at him again, still crossing her arms against her chest. "If you want her to heal, you need to stop babying her. She's not five, she's…"

"You're an ass, Jane," Kris threw, trying to keep her voice in a bare whisper. "She was kidnapped by Red John and all you can do is parade yourself around like a martyr." She shook her head with a snort. "I'm glad I decided not to marry you, truly. I can't even imagine how you would have treated me if I had become Mrs. Jane." Jane lost his smile.

"I truly loved you, Kris…"

"Stop it, Jane. Just stop it. I'm sick and tired of you saying, "I love you". I left you for a reason, and you need to move on. I'm not coming back…"

"You said that before and what happened next? You ended up in my bed, crying out my name. Give it another week and I'm sure you'll be back."

Kris narrowed her eyes. "Who said I wasn't faking it? Everyone has a low moment in his or her life and that was mine. Sorry, Jane." She turned back on her heels. Fighting with Jane wasn't something she wanted to do, especially within Stiles' home. She did believe in the idea of decorum, even if Jane thought decorum was arguing with everything.

"That's not what you said in my bed the other night, Kris." Kris bit her tongue to keep from shouting at him for his lies. She knew Jane enjoyed stretching the truth, but sometimes, his stretching was completely ridiculous and it made her want to kill him. "How about we have a repeat performance, Kris?" She felt his touch at her shoulder and she yanked herself away from him.

"Don't you fucking touch me," Kris spat. "I don't want you around me right now. Go away, before I decide to make good use of my sword." Her hand went toward her scabbard, before she moved from the sitting room and stepped back into the foyer, only to run into James. James held one of her trunks and eagerly, she took it from him and set it down on the floor, before she felt Jane's hand on her rear. "Get your hand off me. I wasn't kidding about using my sword on you, Jane."

"You heard her, Patrick," James said and Kris nodded her thanks toward him. Being her right hand man, their relationship had certainly progressed into a tentative friendship and while she couldn't completely trust him yet, she knew he had her back. "If Kristina doesn't want to be touched, you need to listen to her…"

"You didn't listen when she told you to leave."

Kris clenched her fists together. "We are not on the ship anymore. Both of you cut it out. You can squabble later, but for now, we have more important things to do."

"Yeah, like you," Jane commented and Kris pulled out her sword.

"Kristina," Kris heard Stiles from behind her. "I would prefer that you not get any blood on my new rug, especially as cleaning said rug would be more than your ship is currently worth." Kris glanced down at the white rug with a raised brow.

"Doubtful," Kris dismissed him. "It's an ugly rug; I'm sure red is all the rage in cannibalistic decorating." She slowly put her gun away and turned to face Stiles, who crossed his arms against his chest. "What?" The blue stare from Stiles unnerved her, especially with the odd smile on his face. She couldn't understand why he was smiling at her, but she had a feeling that she'd know soon enough. "Did I do something odd and nobody told me again? Damn, there goes my creditability."

"Nothing like that, Kristina. I'm just glad to see us all back together again, especially after a harrowing last few months," Stiles responded and his smile made her wonder if he was lying. She had never been good at detecting lies, but something about the Governor wasn't setting right with her. His earlier buddy-buddy status with Lisbon had put her on edge and his comment, "we're on the same side" had made Kris wonder what side. The side of keeping Lisbon away from Jane? Or the side of killing Red John? Either way, Kris knew she had to keep an eye on Stiles and Lisbon. She wasn't so much worried about Lisbon, as she was about Bret's influence in Lisbon's life. "Where's Teresa, Kristina? I'd like to give her a tour of her new bedroom…"

"She's currently sleeping and you can leave her alone until she wakes," Kris said. "I'm sure the couch is just as comfortable as a new bed."

"I'll just lift her, Kristina. She most certainly looks light enough."

"Hell no," Kris argued, stepping close to Stiles. "If you lift her, she'll scream! Red John's methods, if you hadn't noticed, completely did a number on her; and I refuse to let her be traumatized anymore."

Stiles waved her words away. "Nonsense. Teresa and I have an unspoken bond and while on this island, she is under my protection…" Kris snorted again. Stiles was an idiot for suggesting that anyone other than herself or James could take care of Lisbon. Instead of moving away from him, she stepped in his way and pulled out her sword.

"I'm not kidding, Stiles," Kris told him. "You touch her; you'll be cleaning your own blood from your carpet."

"Touchy, touchy," Stiles gave. She watched him throw his arms up in the air, as if he were surrendering to her threat. "Before you cut off my hand, Kristina, you should be made aware that I have interest in Teresa's wellbeing. I never wanted Red John to kidnap her, as I've always been fond of her." Kris stared at him. "You and Mr. Bertram have done an excellent job, but there is only so much you can do. Teresa needs more help and unless you allow me to provide it to her, she'll fall into a pit of despair."

Kris continued to eye him. Stiles had a valid point. They had tried everything to return Lisbon back to her state prior to Red John's kidnapping, but so far, they kept running into the same wall repeatedly. Lisbon's refusal to discuss what had happened to her on the Red Rum. She quickly glanced at James, who mirrored her expression. "What did you have in mind, Bret?"

"I'm glad you asked, Kristina," Stiles replied, brightly. "I've drawn up several plans for Teresa, don't you worry. I've bought her a new wardrobe, which she will fit into by the end of her stay with me. I've had a sword custom made for her, which means she can give her old sword to Ms. Van Pelt." Kris wasn't about to ask him how he knew Lisbon was training Grace, as she doubted she was ready for the answer. "My chefs are also prepared to place her on a liquid diet, as her stomach is probably too sensitive to handle real food. And lastly," his eyes went to hers, "I've asked to keep everyone away from her, aside from yourself, myself and Mr. Bertram. All three of us will need to help her recover, as I'm afraid Patrick is out to ruin her."

"Ruin her?" Jane asked. "I've done everything I can to possibly help her! I've given her food, I've given her a room, and I've given her a job…"

"You've also given her several ulcers and a reason to fear us all," James interrupted. "So, on both of our behalves, Governor Stiles; thank you."

Stiles nodded, smiling. "It's no problem, Mr. Bertram. I'm just a concerned friend, who believes Teresa needs better than what Patrick Jane can give her."

"I'm still in the room, just so you all know."

"Oh, we know," Stiles responded. "I just don't care." He stared toward the sitting room and Kris hurried after him, her hand still on her sword. If Lisbon screamed, her sword would meet his chest. She watched him carefully bend over and pick Lisbon up from the couch; the young woman merely stirred in his arms, opened her eyes and rested her head against his chest. Kris's jaw almost dropped. "I'm told I have a certain charm about me, Kristina. You shouldn't be so surprised that Teresa is quiet around me, especially as she trusts me to take care of her. Now, if you'd all like to follow me, I can show you to your individual rooms."

"Sure," Kris said. She didn't want to argue with Stiles either, especially as the argument seemed rather pointless. Stiles seemed to know what he was doing with Lisbon, but until she could trust him completely, she knew she'd be lingering around and trying to figure out what Stiles apparently knew. "But we all head to Lisbon's bedroom together. She needs her sleep more than I need a bed, Bret."

"Of course, Kristina." With Lisbon in his arms, Bret led them all up the spiral staircase and swept them all down one long hallway. Kris hurried to keep up with him, as she tried to survey her surroundings. Stiles kept his home warmly decorated, which was an odd thought to her; most cannibals, she had always assumed, had sparse items and lived in caves. Stiles had to be the only civilized cannibal, oddly enough. Stiles stopped at a door located at the end of the hallway, before he opened the door and revealed another set of stairs.

"Do you really think she'll be able to climb all of these steps?" James inquired and Kris nodded in agreement. Stiles turned his head to glance at them, his foot already on the first step.

"Teresa needs to rebuild her strength. She needs to start climbing and building muscle in her legs again, as I'm positive that the Red Rum didn't allow for her to use her legs." Kris furrowed her brows. "I know the methods of torture on the Red Rum, Kristina. I'm sure you saw how small the brigs were; do you think Teresa spent any of her time standing up? Or rebuilding the muscle in her legs?" Kris shook her head slowly, remembering the strong stench of urine within the brig and the sight of what they had all thought to be Lisbon's faceless corpse. "Red John favored psychological torture, unfortunately. He enjoyed using your own mind against you; as he could turn almost anyone against themselves."

"Lisbon's shown no signs of psychological torture," Jane commented and Kris turned to glance at him. "She's scared, yes, but she doesn't seem to scream someone who suffered psychological torture."

"I have to agree with Jane on this one," Kris agreed. Lisbon's behavior, for the most part, reminded her of someone who was trying to get over the memories of whatever the twisted crew had done to her. Her behavior wasn't showing any sign of a woman, who had gone through a psychological hell. "David said his punishments were derived from the Scarlet Oasis, which translates as the Red Rum. He never used psychological torture on me, Bret."

"Ah, but Teresa's reluctance to discuss her experience on the Red Rum has you all troubled. She's quiet and more withdrawn, isn't she? Something you never went through, Kristina? Mr. Bertram?"

"My father," Kris heard James quietly explain. "He enjoyed using any item he could wrap his hands around to punish me as a child." Kris opened her mouth to say something to him, but he continued before she could say anything more. "Grace and I learned to respect him through fear, not because he could psychologically pollute us."

"Red John was never that talented and Craig O'Laughlin was an idiot, working for a spineless pirate captain," Jane gave. "O'Laughlin knew nothing of Red John's methods and Red John thought he knew how to manipulate the feelings of others." Kris watched Jane shake his head. "You are intelligent, Bret. However, Red John is gone; thus, his attempts of a so-called brainwash should be gone also. Lisbon, once her strength is back, will be fine."

Stiles, in Kris's opinion, seemed unsure. "If you doubt Red John's skills, Patrick, you're quite foolish. Red John knew more than you ever did, my friend. He was a master of constructing words and poisoning others. Teresa doesn't discuss her time on the Red Rum, yes?" Kris eyed Stiles in surprise. Had Jane mentioned Lisbon's silence in his letter to Stiles? Or had Stiles already known how this whole situation was going to play out? She clenched her fists together and narrowed her eyes on Stiles. "She's traumatized, Patrick. She believes she is still on the Red Rum and unless you fix this, she will forever remain in this state. If you care about your previous first mate, you'll allow me to help her establish a baseline of reality."

Kris almost scoffed. "A baseline of reality? What is that? Where you sit her down and tell her that she's truly on the Scarlet Oasis, over and over again?" Stiles chuckled.

"Not at all, Kristina," Stiles replied, still chuckling. "Teresa needs to relearn her environment from someone, who isn't biased. To her, the Red Rum and the Scarlet Oasis are the same entity."

"We don't punish her," Kris pointed out. "Shouldn't she understand how different the Red Rum and the Scarlet Oasis are from that?" Kris glanced at the still sleeping Lisbon in Stiles' arms and she smiled at the peaceful expression on her best friend's face.

"If someone wasn't punishing her aboard the Scarlet Oasis, I could possibly agree with you," Stiles commented and Kris furrowed her brows. "You mean, you haven't noticed? She looks far worse off now." Kris scowled. Stiles was fishing for information on their treatment methods of Lisbon and she wasn't about to give him anything. Whatever they did to help Lisbon was within their own business and Stiles had no right to the events on the Scarlet Oasis. "Ah, silence. It tells more than you think it does, Patrick."

Kris glanced at Jane, who grimaced. "Just hurry up, Bret. We're all tired." Stiles smiled and nodded.

"Very well, Patrick." Stiles continued up the flight of six steps with Lisbon in his arms, before he pushed his shoulder against the door at the top of the landing and sunlight filled the hallway. Stiles entered into the room, followed by James, Jane and herself. "What do you think, Kristina?"

Kris's eyes scoured the master bedroom; Stiles had given Lisbon an airy space, all painted in white. Several large windows, obscured by white curtains decorated the areas adjacent to Lisbon's queen-sized bed, which remained covered with a drapery of black.

"It's okay," Kris lied. The bedroom that Stiles had provided for Lisbon was better than the tiny bedroom that Kris had given up to her, and Jane's dumbfounded expression told her that he was most likely thinking the same thing. "Lisbon might not enjoy her bedroom, but it's because her tastes have never been expensive." Kris watched Stiles move toward the bed, before he brushed the bed curtain aside and moved Lisbon onto the bed.

"Come now," Stiles stated, quietly. "Teresa needs her sleep. You and Mr. Bertram will have plenty of time to discuss her dislike of this splendid room later on, my friend." Kris eyed Stiles. They weren't friends, they were acquaintances and she wanted to keep it that way. "Allow me to show you all to your rooms next. I'm afraid that Teresa has the largest bedroom, as she will need the room to recover." Stiles turned on his heels and Kris continued to eye him in mistrust. She didn't know the relationship between Stiles and any of the crewmembers prior to her first meeting with him, but she had a feeling that Stiles had never taken a personal interest in Lisbon before.

Jane's expression told her he found it odd too.

"Has Stiles ever given Lisbon her own bedroom before?"

She watched Jane nod. "Prior to you and Grace, Lisbon was the only non-male crewmember. Bret did provide her with a bedroom, but it wasn't this one." She watched him shake his head. "This room, however, I'm not sure what it means."

Kris almost wanted to roll her eyes. While she was suspicious of Stiles and his closeness with Lisbon, she wasn't suspicious of how nice a room was. "At least he's not providing her with a closet-sized room. After all, I'm sure Lisbon isn't supposed to feel like a prisoner." Jane said nothing and Kris stepped in front of him, while James followed behind Stiles.

"First, I will show Mr. Bertram to his room," Stiles said, sweeping them back down the staircase and leading the group of three to a room adjacent to Lisbon's set of steps. "Go ahead and open the door." Kris glanced at James, who nodded, before he twisted the brass doorknob and opened the door to his bedroom. Kris moved to stand on her tiptoes to see past James's shoulder, only to find that his room contained a single couch and a fireplace.

Jane snickered from behind her. "Sleeping light, Bertram?"

"I don't sleep well," James explained.

"I wonder why, Mr. Bertram," Stiles commented, before he closed the door to James's room. James said nothing and Kris followed Stiles to the second door, which sat beside the door to James's room. "Go ahead and open the door, Kristina. This bedroom is yours." Kris opened the door and stared inside the medium-sized room; a bed and side door greeted her at first glance and she looked to Stiles for an explanation. "When I had this room designed years ago, I had made a minor mishap with a door placement. I was not amused, but that door is just for decoration. It does nothing and although it looks quite tacky, I thought it fit the decorum of the room later on."

"Thank you, Bret," Kris replied, moving toward her queen-sized bed. "You didn't have to house us."

"Alas I did, Kristina," Stiles answered, as he waved her words off. "You and Teresa are important. It would be ridiculous to make you all sleep upon your ship, especially with half of you being officers."

"Lisbon isn't…" Jane started.

"Teresa," Stiles began, a slight smile across his face, "needs to recover, as I know her Captain has tremendous plans for her." Kris glanced to Jane, who nodded and smiled brightly. "Now, Patrick, come along. I want to show you to your room and I think you will enjoy it." Stiles turned to exit the room with Jane on his heels, leaving James and Kris alone.

"Do you trust him?" Kris asked James, after Stiles had shut the door behind him and Jane. She met his gaze, before he slowly shook his head. "I didn't think so." She glanced away from him.

"I'm sure you've heard stories about the Governor, Kristina." Kris slowly nodded. "You and I both know how much we can trust him."

"I just hope I'm not putting too much trust in him for Lisbon's sake," Kris confessed with a frown. James said nothing and she glanced at him; he had one of his hands on his scabbard, and she nodded. Without words, she knew that he would do anything to protect Lisbon and she felt better already.