Thanks to a certain someone, I'm out of angst mood (the concerned will recognize herself xP). Needless to say this chapter was hard to write…as will be Red Healing (for those who read that one, be patient please).

I had Kashiou from Gankutsuou OST as musical background, and I swear just listen ONCE to this music on video (while reading this chapter, since the tune inspired me the scenes 8D), the melody is just so beautiful and sad…just like the anime but it's not the point here lol.

Anyway, here comes the conclusion of the RJ case. Await a bloodbath, since I had no better idea to get them inoffensive u_u". I hope it won't be too tricky to understand, since there is no real fixed pov. The chapter is slow too, since nothing extraordinary happens...and compared to the previous one it seems so off :p

Thanks to: Simonisthecuttestmentalist; leelou09; raquelvalente91; TNBC; rigspeltforeverxx; autumnftw; Iloveplotbunnies; Frogster; 13 Jo ; chocolateymenta; Jisbon4ever; Jbon; lucyyh; Lizzybeth93; RavennaNightwind; Lauri-mentalist; Chiisana Minako; Sabrina2808; yaba; Mosie; MK (well it ends here...hope you'll like the outcome); allanon9 (your wish shall be granted xD) for their reviews, thanks for the alerts and favourite too (each time I check the numbers my eyes get wider and wider 8D)

Disclaimer: I don't own Mentalist, I don't earn money on those fics and I don't deny having an obsession with AUs. My English grammar isn't the best, hope you'll enjoy it anyway :D

Slave 21

Red John's features became grave in turn, almost solemn.

"Say hi to Tennessee for me" he snarled.

A sparkle of pure hate lightened his eyes before he plunged the knife in the tender flesh…

POW

-S-

The gunshot sound made everyone froze.

Red John became rigid. A trickle of red liquid started to slip along his temple from the reddish and brownish hole that was just dug in his temple. His eyes became unfocused, and his hand left the handle of the knife, falling alongside. The weapon freed itself from the wound it had caused and hit the ground in a soft 'thump'. The criminal fell on his knees and dropped lifeless on the reddening grass. No-one moved for what seemed an eternity, before the attention was brought to the shooter.

Emma was standing in the doorway, a smoking firearm in her two hands, pointed at the now dead criminal. If her whole body betrayed how terrified she was, her arms were not shaking. She was just staring in shock at the man lying down, consequence of her recent action.

Everything moved in a blur.

Rebecca forgot immediately Teresa and ran to her dead lover, screaming his name. Van Pelt took advantage of the confusion to pinch Oliver's knife and stab him in the stomach before taking his pistol to prevent Jared from coming closer to her and Rigsby. Her disgust for firearms could wait, their safety was at sake. Sensing that the turn of events wasn't in his favour, the last capable henchman took off, not wanting to stay at the place any longer. He started stepping back slowly, keeping a wary eye on their former hostages. When he was sure no-one would move, he turned back and started to run.

Unfortunately, Rebecca wasn't of this opinion. Her eyes grew darker at the sight of the man flying away and an angry expression budded on her face.

"You are betraying him!" the black-haired woman shouted, indignant. "He is down and you run away? You are nothing but a deserter! A traitor!"

She pulled out her gun and aimed at the man without second thought.

POW

Jared fell on the spot, a crimson hole in his grey shirt. The woman's attention went back on Emma and her features hardened. A thirst of revenge was burning in her eyes.

"You killed him, little bitch!"

The firearm was raised once again and this time, aimed at the blond teenager. But Emma didn't realise it. She was still focused on the corpse lying in the woman's arms, lost in a stunned trance. It was her first kill, she who never harmed anything. Involuntary tears began to flow out of her eyes and her hands started shaking for good. Her breath became rougher and whimpers due to the recent shock made her body tremble.

"Die!"

Before Rebecca could pull the trigger though, a weak foot shot in her hand, startling her enough to be distracted.

"Emma, out of the way" a frail yet authoritarian voice ordered.

Jane, hand pressing a bleeding cut on his neck, was still leaning against the wall. At his demand, the blond girl woke up from her trance and backed up behind the wall. Rebecca glared at him in turn and was about to say something when Emma's silhouette reappeared once again in the doorframe and shot a second time.

The bullet dug its way in her skull and the woman fell over her lover's body.

Cries and yells erupted from the other side of house. Relief fell upon every faces when they recognized Cho and Florin's intonations. The blond girl got rid of her weapon on the kitchen floor and ran to Teresa. The young woman's eyes were set on her master's unsteady frame against the wall. The man let himself slide down and closed his eyes, wincing, when he hit the ground. Emma untied her with shaky hands and both rushed at Jane's side.

His skin had paled considerably, probably due to the loss of blood, and small drops of sweat were appearing on his forehead. His eyes had become intensely concentrated, result of his fight to stay conscious. The blade hadn't been very deep, but enough to provoke a mess. Teresa's hands lowered to her skirt and tore a large piece of clothing. She pressed it against the wound and chocked to bite back a sob when she saw the dark material quickly tainted in red.

"Please stay with me" she whispered, a hand brushing his cheek, dampened with sweat. "Stay with me."

He didn't speak, merely nodded, and their gaze crossed.

Once again, just like every time he looked at her like that, she was falling into a pool of deep, worried, loving blue eyes. The temptation of kissing him right here and there, to show him she was at his side, to tell him she wasn't going to let him down nagged her for a second. She pushed the idea away. If their lips brushed, just only a second, she would fear it was as good as saying goodbye. Jane smirked bitterly, knowing what was going though her head. In a way, he always knew.

The Asian and the horseman strolled into the garden, each holding a pistol. When they noticed only Oliver was still struggling on the ground, Cho ran to Rigsby and Florin to Jane. Behind them, a medium-height man dressed in a grey jacket with two or three others entered the scene as well. Teresa's attention drifted a second to analyze the newcomer and deduced it was the detective guy Minelli. He barked orders to his subordinates, orders she didn't listen to. Her only focus was the blond man who, at her utter horror, had closed his eyes while she had looked away.

-S-

The silent was unbearable, the soft sobs of Emma whose head was buried in Florin's chest being the only sound around. Teresa's fists tightened and relaxed. She was barely breathing, waiting with anxiety for anything; any single sound, any single hint that would inform them of the current shape of their master. But all she could hear was silence; and it was killing her because she needed to know if he was all right, if he will survive, if he will smile again, if…if he meant it. If the three words he mouthed before the blade opened his throat were sincere.

Teresa closed her eyes and leant back, refusing to surrender to the temptation of falling into tears. If she did, the small control she still held on herself was going to shatter. And breaking down was the very last thing she needed to do right now. She still hadn't changed clothes and her outfit was still torn and tainted with red traces of his blood.

"Hi guys."

Julian appeared in the corridor, his left arm well enveloped in a tight bandage. Teresa's lips tightened in a firm line and she nodded and stood up at his arrival. Florin jumped out of his chair and Emma was on her feet in seconds.

"How are you?" Teresa forced herself to ask, wanting to focus on something else if only for a few minutes. The cook shrugged and immediately winced as the movement of shoulders twisted.

"I'll be okay, if I rest it a few weeks. It should heal nicely. Got to clean it every day though. How about you guys? Emma, I heard you shot Red John?"

The blond teen's eyes lowered and she looked away, ill-at-ease. Despite Minelli praising her for her courage and lack of hesitation in the action, she admitted she hadn't thought at all when she grabbed the gun from the drawer and aimed it at her two victims. Her family was in danger, and just like the others, she wanted to protect the place she had under Jane's wing. Teresa knew the teen would despise firearms for the rest of her life. To avoid further awkwardness from each part, she changed subject:

"It's a chance you and Florin managed to find Cho and Minelli so quickly."

"They were on their way back already" the cook replied, not shrugging this time. "Elise had a bad feeling, so she hurried them. Woman intuition, I swear…How is Rigsby by the way?"

"Cho is extracting his bullets in another room" Florin replied. "They said he was damn lucky nothing vital was touched. Apparently he will just need a lot of rest. Van Pelt is with him…"

They stood there for a few seconds, trying to make a conversation, but not having the heart for it. When nothing else was to be added, they all sat back on the benches in front of Jane's door; and waited in silence.

-S-

Rigsby hissed painfully as Cho used two iron pins to pull out the first bullet. His hand was crushing Van Pelt's, but she ignored the pain and stroked his hair gently, trying to soothe him. Despite putting him in a slight trance like Jane taught her, he still felt the hurting. The Asian man sighed and stared at her.

"Talk to him. It will distract him."

The redhead nodded and gazed at her lover. Fear, relief and anger were freshly mixed up in her head, and she couldn't think of anything else but:

"Next time you decide to play hero, don't do it in front of a madwoman okay? And don't get shot in front of me, you idiot."

Despite the arches, Rigsby couldn't help but chuckle.

""Hey, it was you and the baby or me. You should be thankful."

Van Pelt hit his head playfully and he winced.

"He's damaged enough Grace" Cho complained deadpan. "Don't make him worst or I'll have extra work to do."

"You know what? I feel so loved right now."

"At least you're in better shape than Mr Jane" the Asian man replied. "You'll get over it for sure."

Rigsby's sarcasm melted like ice in the sun. He glanced at his lover worryingly. The redhead's face wasn't smiling anymore. He knew then she was sick worried for their master.

"How is he?"

"Red John cut his throat deep enough" the young woman stated coolly. "Even if Elise is a very good nurse, I don't know if her skills will be sufficient to save him. The others are on edge and I can't stand staying with them…"

"Why? He's your only family. You should be the first one waiting for news."

It wasn't a reproach. He was glad she chose to remain by his side but Jane was always there for her. Since the moment he took her in, the blond man had acted like a protective uncle to his charge. The housekeeper shook her head.

"No. My presence won't change a thing, and I'd rather be here with you and feel useful than wait in vain. Wayne, you are my family too" she added with a small smile, her thumb stroking the back of his hand. The tall man smiled gratefully. What she didn't say though, was if she went there she would go berserk, and loosing control was something Van Pelt always dread and didn't need right now.

The sound of iron against iron made her raise her head. Cho had just extracted the second bullet and let it fall on a plate. The man reached for antiseptic and disinfected the still opened wound. The redhead sighed in relief and squeezed her lover's hand once again, silently congratulating him for his behaviour. Rigsby still winced as the cotton full of liquid brushed his injuries, but the relief in his eyes was obvious.

"You didn't answer me" he suddenly said. That caught Van Pelt's attention and she frowned at him in wonder. "My proposal, you didn't answer me."

Cho almost dropped whatever he had in hand at his words, and the redhead's eyes opened wide. Rigsby had to congratulate himself on stunning them both –something that happened very rarely. He cleared his throat and asked again, almost shyly:

"Marry me?"

A wild smile grew on Van Pelt's face, and she leant to kiss his forehead.

"Of course you idiot. I will."

"I'm not an idiot" he protested teasingly, raising a hand just a little and cupping her cheek.

She leant closer to him and brushed his lips gently.

"True, but you are my idiot" she whispered before kissing…

"I said talk to distract him, I didn't mention making out" Cho suddenly voiced deadpan, remembering them he was still in the room.

The two fiancés pulled apart immediately, blushing furiously at their display of affection in public. The Asian man smirked and shook his head in amusement. He finished bandaging the taller man's chest and left the room, leaving them alone. Van Pelt took advantage of her colleague's intentional absence and lay down next to Rigsby, making sure she didn't touch his injuries when she cuddled him. She closed her eyes and listened to his heartbeat.

Alive.

A soft sigh escaped her. If Mr Jane survived, she would never ask for anything else.

-S-

Teresa sighed again, her hand holding an immobile one. Days, weeks had flown since the last attack of Red John, and while Rigsby's condition improved, Jane's state remained unmovable. Stuck in a coma. He hadn't opened his eyes, his breathing slow and sometimes irregular, but at least he was alive. And she was by his side. Since the very moment Elise had walked out of the room, ordering that someone needed to stay to keep an eye on him, Teresa volunteered immediately.

"I think the others are having serious doubts about us" she suddenly spoke, her hand gently brushing his forehead.

He looked so peaceful, when he was asleep. His features were relaxed and soft, free from the usual worries of the day, from the fears he shared with her at night. A small smile formed on her lips, and she let her fingers trace the outline of his face. What would she give to see him open his eyes…Her smile vanished as quickly and she breathed in deeply. Elise had said that despite his stationary state, he could hear people talking around him. Teresa hadn't the courage to voice her thoughts next to him up till now. She didn't know why today was different, but she didn't repress her sudden need to have a one-side conversation.

"I miss you Jane" she whispered, squeezing his hand a little. "Everyone misses you. Minelli made sure that guy, Oliver, had a good sentence. Can't believe he was a friend of Red John" She laughed bitterly and went on with a different subject. "Julian's arm is healing well but he still has to supervise the cooking. You should have seen him today, when he went berserk after Emma. She managed to burn the rice till it turned completely black; the pan is out of order. I think Florin never laughed so much since that day…Van Pelt is going okay too. You hid me she was pregnant" she added on a chiding tone. "Rigsby and she are going to marry, but they want you to the ceremony too. They will wait for you to wake up first…" her voice trailed off and she paused a second to admire his rested features once again. "Cho and Elise are managing your estate for the moment. Mash…I mean Walter and Brooke are taking over your place in the Triad while you're out. Will you believe me if I told you he is starting to court her? You were right when you said they'd end up together, it's so obvious now…but then again, when are you wrong?"

Only silence was her reply. Teresa cleared her throat and went on.

"Mrs Miller came over too. She left yesterday morning because she had business to attend" she paused and whispered: "We talked a lot while she was here. She told me about my mother when they were at school, about you, when you were younger" she smiled lightly before her eyes darkened with slight anger. "Why you were so mad at her and Mrs Frye…I…I understand Jane. I understand and I'm sorry it happened. I just…Please wake up."

She paused again and shook her head in disbelief. This was so awkward and painful. She felt pulled back years prior, when her mother fell ill and she would be the only one giving news of their family. Her mother died a few weeks later. She just prayed Jane wouldn't follow the same path.

-S-

Van Pelt was resting in the garden, sitting on a bench, taking advantage of the firsts real sunbeams announcing the soon ending of winter. Her stomach was starting to show off, and she had to announce her pregnancy a few weeks ago. Emma had been thrilled and Julian and Florin slightly wary, understanding why her mood swung so easily. Elise and Cho knew already, and Teresa just congratulated them. The redhead closed her eyes. The poor woman hadn't left Jane side other than for eating or change clothes or wash herself. A sad smile spread on her lips, as she started to wonder what will become of them if their master was to die...

Emma's sudden presence in the garden interrupted her thoughts. The blond teen was looking around, searching for her probably, on the edge of panicking. When she spotted the housekeeper, she ran to her.

"Miss Van Pelt, you need to come at once!" the blond teen almost shouted. "Mr Jane…" she suddenly burst in a series of coughs, having swallowed a fly on the road. Van Pelt's eyes widened worryingly. What was happening to their master? She didn't speak thought, letting the young one catch her breath once the undesirable bug was spit out. A huge grin blossomed on her face:

"Mr Jane's awake!"

Truth be told, I considered Rigsby's death for a while, but afterthought, a grieving Van Pelt is more uh complicated to imagine in those circumstances. And I'd have to bear the curses of some people I guess xD.

Thanks for reading so far!

Next chapter preview (lot less angst):

She closed the distance by leaning forward and kissed him slightly on the lips.

"Yes" she whispered back. "I will."

Can anyone guess what's the previous question? (not too hard lol)