A short update. I had another plan for this chapter, but then I started wondering about some logistics, lol, and had to do this one. It's a bit short. :D Sadly, I can't live up to Tromana's update rate, which is insane (so everyone should go read her stories).

Thanks for all of the support. I have to say that I wrote another chapter because of xxxBekaForEvaxxx's prompting. Sorry if this has been disappointing for any of you (due to my slow updates).

Chapter Fourteen: Footprints

Jane lay facing the wall, back to Lisbon as she took her turn with a sponge bath.

He really couldn't wait to take a shower when they got out. And they would. He was grimly determined. He couldn't let Lisbon stay here for much longer.

Now he just had to figure out how to get out.

The sound of water and rustling was almost hypnotic and he felt himself drifting away into his thoughts, comforted by the mundane movements of Lisbon behind him.

He looked down into sparkling blue eyes that peeked out from a cap of curls.

A giggle echoed through the air and suddenly he felt warm, as if he were curled up on a couch with a blanket and hot chocolate.

Strange. He hadn't felt that in a long time. He knew something was wrong here…

He blinked and the child in front of him was gone. He felt panic creep in as he frantically searched the room around him.

The wall in front of him gave way as a wave crashed into it, leaving him standing on a beach. Small footprints on the ground in front of him, leading away.

He couldn't remember what he had been looking for a moment ago. Something important…

He wanted to follow the path of the footprints, but his feet couldn't move. He tried to lift a foot, but it was heavy—as if chained to something. The panic was getting overwhelming and he wondered if he would stop breathing.

He needed to find it. Him. Her. Find something. What was that? He needed to remember what was lost.

He needed…

He felt a soft touch on his forehead and his lungs seemed to expand, losing that tight feel. The smooth hand left his face and slid into his own hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

He opened his eyes.

"Jane."

Jane blinked up into Lisbon's green eyes. He couldn't believe he had drifted into slumber. That wasn't like him.

"Yes, Lisbon?"

She looked at him silently for a moment. He wondered if she knew he had been sleeping. For once, he wondered what she was thinking.

He needed to get out of here. Look what it was doing to his observation skills.

She opened her mouth to respond, and then shut it abruptly. He furrowed his brow, about to question her. She cut him off. "Your turn to wash up."

He was almost positive that wasn't what she was going to say.

He let it go.

Because he was also pretty sure that she was the one who held on to him.

And her hand in his—even if it was a dream—was enough for now.