Heya I'm back xD ! Say, did I mention GA had powers in this fic? Cause they do :P

Nothing much to say, so I'll let you read : )

Thanks to Blue; AlejandraO; 13 Jo; Fallon the Coyote Pirate ; Viviskilener-jisbonist4ever ; Eliza ; leelou09 ; Jbon; Jisbon4ever ; TNBC; STVVGHPDWMfan (Amy) for their reviews D thanks for he alerts and favourite too :3

And thanks to NAVAR for beta-ing this !

Disclaimer: I do not own Mentalist, I do not earn money with those fics and I don't deny having a thing for AUs. Hope you will enjoy this (won't blame you if you don't ;D)

Guardian Angel

13.

When Cho first told him Grace was beating up John's acolytes, Jane was hoping she didn't put on some grand strength demonstration to the dealer. Once at the scene, he was not disappointed; she did even worse. For some reasons, the redhead had gone wild and wasn't content in simply putting her adversaries out of service, she was literally destroying them. And he hadn't understood why until he caught the shining gun lying in the grass.

Oh shit.

It wasn't in his habits to swear, but this time was a great exception. Grace loathed guns since that day and never restrained herself trying to prove it. Thankfully, not many people were out viewing the scene. Most of the students had hurried for lunch and the remaining ones had fled when Red John's name had been pronounced. Jane did not need more witnesses around, so he stretched his arm to the side and, with a swift wave of the hand, sent a bunch of negative vibes around to keep people away. Even Cho froze when he got hit by his aura and walked away, feeling uneasy all of a sudden.

After allowing himself an amused smile, Jane turned back his attention on his next priority. Grace. No normal human could stop her now. He needed to intervene his own way…using his angelic powers. The blond man grunted reluctantly at the thought; he always tried to lock them in his mind, preventing his humanity completely disappearing. But this was a serious case. So, raising a hand to his forhead, he focused on the young woman and sent a neutral wave in her direction. As he half expected it didn't work completely. Her arm froze midway, just at the time Teresa was reaching to stop it. Instead of relaxing, he intensified his concentration, trying to get to the redhead's mind as gently as possible.

Grace! He called out. Grace, can you hear me?

He saw the tension dissipate from the relaxing of her shoulders and the anger evaporate slowly. He tried to reach to her again:

Glary?

Don't call me Glary, blondie; was her weak reply. And Jane sighed in relief. He was still far from them, but through the connection he shared with Grace, he could hear Teresa calling her name repetitively, then…

'Grace you're bleeding?'

Jane's breathing accelerated slightly. Oh dear, please let it be minimal damage, please let it be minimal damage, he repeated in his mind, walking closer to the scene.

I…I need to go; she said, her voice starting to get on edge. Take a few days…

Then go now, he ordered, watching her a little bit sadly taking off immediately. I'll call you.

He was there in time to catch Teresa's shoulder and pull her backward. Simple precaution, he still made sure he was in 'positive vibes' mode when he touched her to help her relax.

"Leave her alone Teresa, she'll be fine. You need to worry about yourself right now." The touch made its effect and he knew in a matter of seconds that she would follow him without resisting.

"Come with me."

As they passed Red John, the young man shouted threats to the teenager, he couldn't care less about. Right now, his priority was to find out what he could do to limit damages for everyone, placing Teresa's safety above all. Grace could take care of herself all right. For the moment, his charge needed him more than she did.

-GA-

As far as she remembered, Teresa had only been twice in the headmaster's office. The first time was because of the rumour spreading that she and Red John were a couple. Minelli had asked her for confirmation, she didn't deny, and instead of kicking her out of the school like she had expected him to do, he had merely nodded and thanked her for her honesty. The second time had been because of her skipping class too much. Thanks to the accumulation of odd jobs, Teresa was barely able to stand straight during the day, even less walk to school to attend classes. Once again, the older man had accepted her excuses and had told her not to overwork.

The brunette never understood why Minelli had been so comprehensive about her situation. Headmasters usually cared about the results of their students, the efficiency of their building. For some reason, the older man had a soft spot for her; but not in the romantic sense of the term obviously. She figured he knew about her situation and did his best to relieve the burden off her shoulders, at least in the academic domain. But when she found herself sitting in front of his desk, she knew what was awaiting her this time. The genuine helplessness in his features told her everything she needed to know.

"I'm sorry Teresa, but you can't really come back to school now. Not this school anyway."

As much as the words created a pang in the teenager's chest, Teresa understood. If she stayed, if Red John was seeking revenge, then nobody was really safe. She had already seen him taking innocent people to pressure his enemies. Apparently, Minelli had understood that too and his priority as a headmaster, was to protect his students after all.

"I will still ask for the teacher to provide copies of their lessons and keep you a seat for the graduation exams. From now on, I believe you will be…home schooled? I'm sorry, I don't know what I can do else for the moment." he added on an apologetic tone.

"It's okay" she replied on a quiet tone. "Thank you."

Teresa had a hard time biting back bitter tears. She knew she shouldn't be mad at Minelli for his proposition. In fact, that was the best outcome for the school in general, and the best she could get for the moment. She didn't doubt that any other headmaster would have kicked her out of school in the following seconds; but somehow, the older man didn't seem to fit the profile. A little bit like Jane, perhaps. They were obviously different, but somehow in their ways of speaking and acting around people, or the way she felt around them –secured and protected…

"I will stop by your apartment tomorrow. That will be all, Teresa. You can leave. And good luck for the rest."

"Goodbye sir." she replied quietly.

Teresa stood up and walked out the door, closing it softly behind. She had barely reached the third corridor when the need to lean against something hit her hard. She let herself fall back against the wall and closed her eyes. The corridors were empty and silent, since most of the students were in class and she was thankful for it. She needed the calm and the peace. She needed to think a little but then again, someone up there must have decided that thinking was the last thing she should do today. She recognised Jane's footsteps before she opened her eyes.

"Teresa," he called out gently. The petite teen turned towards him, wondering what he could possibly want. "May I have a word with you?"

She nodded and followed him wordlessly in the closest classroom. He closed the door and stepped closer, worry clouding his features.

"If you need to change place for a while, you and your brothers may come live at my place. I won't ask for anything in return." he offered.

The brunette smiled gratefully. He was sincere in his words and there were no undertone in his whole posture.

"Thank you for the offer, but I will decline. I still think I can manage on my own for the moment. I promise I will call you if anything wrong happens."

"Are you sure? You still have my number right?"

Teresa nodded. She had memorized it just in case, because leaving an unknown number on her cell –especially if John decided to check her contact list- was not a good idea. It had been the same for Grace and a few others.

"Good. I'll trust your word then" he added with a sigh.

Teresa smiled bitterly; it was the least she could do to keep him at bait. If Red John really planned something wicked…

"Teresa?"

She barely noticed when Jane called her name. He really was one of the most handsome men she had ever met. A chuckle distracted her from her contemplation; he was laughing.

"Did I do something funny?" she asked, puzzled by his reaction. The dazzling smile she had in response turned her mind blank for a few seconds.

"I think I told you to be more discreet when you ogled me." Her cheeks flushed immediately, especially when he leant closer and brushed her temple tenderly with his lips: "But I am still flattered by the interest."

He was so close, she realised, heartbeat racing like crazy. So close, and perhaps way too close for her. Especially if she leant just a liiiittle closer, she could actually smell his cologne and something that was just…him.

"Anything wrong?"

His voice was as much enchanting and she really, really needed to get some fresh air before doing something stupid.

"N…no I'm good. Uh…goodbye sir."

Damn those lips, she chided herself, trying to avoid that particular zone. Since she got a little loose in that nightclub, he couldn't stop plaguing her mind. Granted nothing had happened –and perhaps that was best –how was she supposed to remain cool and calm when he offered such a good view and was probably as good in…

You do not want to go there, she warned her brain.

She was caught off guard though when Jane grabbed her elbow and pulled her against him. His arms surrounded her shoulders in a gentle hug and she found herself resting her head against his chest. Teresa closed her eyes, knowing that was exactly what she needed for the moment. A friendly embrace…Only a few facts managed to get to her mind before she lost any notion of time and sank in the comfort of his hug; he was warm, definitely smelt good, and she fitted him…well. The right height. Okay, this was not turning friendly anymore she realised, a bit embarrassed now.

"Minelli had a daughter once." Jane said suddenly.

Teresa tensed slightly. What did the headmaster have to do in here?

"She was about your age when she disappeared. And she looked a bit like you." He pulled back slightly, enough to watch her face. "He will help you if you ask him to."

"I know" the brunette replied absent-mindedly. "He already did."

His eyes were mesmerizing. Beautiful. The darkness within held so many feelings she understood. Like the loneliness…

"You'll be fine, I promise."

What was happening to her, she wondered. She was captured by his magnificent eyes, couldn't move –and didn't want to move- and just wished he would lean a little bit and just…do something. Kiss her, pin her against the wall and have his way with her, make her feel anything at once instead of acting so ambiguous with her. One second, he would act like he was trying to help her out, the next, seduce her, and then back off.

And she didn't think she had the guts to make the first move. Something inside her was screaming she shouldn't even try; that he was way above her reach; that he wouldn't let her anyway. But these warm hands on her back, holding her against him, the caring gaze…Someone had to happen before she really did something stupid. His breath was like a gentle caress against her lips. His hold was tender-like. And his eyes…

If she didn't do this now, Teresa decided, she would never do it again.

So, her hands slowly crept up his shirt, rested over his chest and she tiptoed to press her lips against his.

-GA-

When she came home that afternoon, Teresa didn't even bother hiding the smile on her face. Her brothers had spotted immediately her excellent mood and asked her about it. She had brushed away their questions with a shrug and offered to cook crêpes for dinner.

Jane had kissed her. Jane had kissed her. Or rather, she had kissed him first, then he had responded. Her heart was racing with the rise of adrenaline and she felt her cheeks flushing. At the mere thought of it, she giggled. His lips were soft. Another grin broke over her face. His hand had slipped in her hair and stroked them slowly, and she had never felt so relaxed in a man's arms. He had kissed her…and pulled back right after.

Her smile faltered a little at the memory of that precise moment. When she had spotted the guilt creeping in his eyes, when he had cleared his throat and looked away, released her from his hold…A small pang in her chest was hurting, but she wasn't surprised. She hadn't expected him to response at first place, let alone reply so gently. It was just a crush, she repeated herself, staring at the pans, it wouldn't have gone much far anyway. But still, he had kissed her, she reminded herself with a smile. No matter what he actually felt at the moment, he was there, with her, and she would keep that memory buried inside her mind.

Someone rang at the front door.

A quick glance at her watch informed her it was already past seven. Who could that be? she wondered, putting the frying pan down. Minelli did not mention coming that evening, her father was snoring upstairs and her brothers in their room. Her good mood evaporated in seconds when, after opening the door, Teresa recognised the visitor.

"Tommy" she greeted coldly.

The thirteen years old teenager had almost disappeared from their lives; not coming back at night, not eating with them anymore, not phoning them either to get some news of his family. In Teresa's mind, he had deserted them.

"Because of you I'm getting my ass put in jail! That's what John told me!" he spat as a hello. He jostled her when he crossed the threshold and stood in the corridor, arms crossed. "Just go back to him and apologize! I don't want to spend the rest of my life in there!"

In spite of herself, Teresa busted out laughing. It wasn't cheerful, but extremely bitter.

"You did something wrong Tommy. You pay the consequences now" she retorted. "I told you many times to leave him and you didn't listen. You thought you'd never get caught right? Well let me tell you it always comes to bite you in the ass one way or another."

"I was never meant to get caught! It was just a stupid slip and now the cops are starting to watch me." the teenager sighed nervously and glanced at her with eyes filled with hope. "I was having fun with John; its easy money to win, girls, booze and parties all the time! I'll give you money if you want, I'll buy you anything! But just go and talk to him! I don't want to go…"

Teresa had a hard time believing this was her brother speaking. John couldn't have turned him into such a stupid, selfish brat could he?

"Are you even listening to me?" Tommy snapped, glaring at her. "Like always, you never listen when I'm talking; at least, John does…"

"I am tired of being raped night after night to get John to keep your ass out of jail!" she suddenly yelled. "Do you have any idea what your family is going through right now? What I have been going through the past years? No, because you are never there! You're not the one who needs to clean up after dad when he breaks everything, you're not the one who constantly watches over your brothers and worry every minute when they are at home that they're not being beaten to death and you sure aren't the one working your ass off to pay the bills and make sure we have food in the fridge!"

"If it's just a question of mo…" he started, irritated. But Teresa cut him mid-sentence:

"I don't want your dirty money!" she growled, narrowing her eyes at him. "You have no idea how hard I tried to give all of you a decent –respectable- life after mom died! Why did you have to join that son of a bitch! Get out of my house!"

"But…but Teresa I'm your bro-"

"Like hell you are!" the young woman snarled. "You have no idea how much I wish I could just walk away and live a normal life, go out with friends and have a decent boyfriend unlike him! I have a family to look after Thomas Joel Lisbon, and you have not been part of it lately. Now OUT!"

The teenager stared at her with a hurt and undignified expression on his face. Perhaps a few months earlier, Teresa would have sighed and consented to meet John. She didn't have anyone else to hold on to, had no expectations anyhow. But since she met Jane and Grace…she didn't feel so alone anymore. Going back to John, especially after what had happened earlier that day, would be like denying everything she had gained lately. She had a friend, she had support she could rely on. She didn't need to go through this alone whatever the young man did to her, and she was tired of keeping an eye on him. As she watched Tommy walk out the door, Teresa felt it was time for her brother to learn what it meant to make mistakes, and pay for them afterwards.

Liked it? didn't like it? please tell me again :3

Thank you for reading so far!