Author's note: Sorry about the long wait, I had so much homework to do! This chapter was difficult to write… hope it's ok… Enjoy!
"Teresa? You alright?"
James Lisbon walked hurriedly up to the cold metal hospital chairs where his sister sat, crying into her hands.
"Tess?"
James sat down and put an arm around Teresa's shoulder; she looked up with watery green eyes.
"He's gone James…"
Teresa sobbed and covered her face, feeling insecure about showing so much emotion in front of her younger brother.
"Who? Patrick? What do you mean?"
Teresa spoke between sniffs and tears.
"Patrick… he said he didn't want to hurt me, said he… he couldn't be with me… James he's gone… oh god what am I going to do?"
James pulled his sister into a tight hug and shushed into her hair.
"It'll be alright Reese. Minnelli says Kristina's in room twelve. Which way did Patrick go?"
Teresa looked up with concerned eyes.
"Down the hall that way. Don't do anything stupid James…"
Teresa's maternal instinct returned for the brother she saw as a son.
"Don't worry Reese. Go to reception, Minnelli will be there. Go home and rest. I'll be home in a bit…"
James stood up and began to walk down the corridor. Teresa grabbed his arm, giving him a look which showed concern. James nodded and walked purposefully away.
…
The lift beeped as it reached the third floor. The dull grey doors slid open, Cho and Wayne walked out and almost bumped into a rough looking Teresa.
"Teresa! What's wrong?"
The concern in Cho's voice made Teresa remember how good her friends were.
"Don't worry Cho… Its Patrick… he's… I'm worried about him… he doesn't want to see me…"
Teresa sighed and pressed the sixth floor button in the lift. Wayne stopped the door with his hand. Cho looked at Teresa.
"What do you mean?"
"He says he doesn't want to hurt me…"
Wayne looked confused as Cho enquired.
"What? Does he not realise this is hurting you!?"
Cho showed a rare display of compassion by placing his hand on Teresa's shoulder. She squeezed it hard; wiping her eyes frantically with her other hand. Cho stepped away, concerned for his friend.
"What room is Kristina in?"
Teresa shrugged.
"Uh… room twelve I think. You think Patrick will be there?"
Wayne looked at Cho.
"I hope so, you want to come?"
Teresa shook her head and wiped her eye to stop a threatening tear.
"No… no… I can't…"
Cho nodded as the lift doors slid closed. The young Asian turned to his taller friend.
"Let's go…"
…
James stopped outside room twelve. The white blinds were closed over the glass windows; he looked up and down the empty corridor before pushing the door handle and walking in. Patrick turned his head from the bedside and looked up at James. Kristina was sat facing forward, with no emotion or reaction. Patrick stood up.
"James?"
The younger boy walked towards Patrick and stood in front of him, despite the year age difference, James stood as tall as the blonde boy.
"What do you want?"
Patrick's voice was concerned more than threatening. James could see he had been crying from the redness around his eyes. Patrick looked at him fully whilst he fiddled with his thumbs. James spoke.
"Why did you do that?"
James' voice was inquisitive. Patrick looked down at the floor before regaining eye contact with the younger lad.
"Do what?"
"You know bloody well what!"
James had moved closer to the boy's face, redness creeping into his cheeks. Patrick shook his head.
"James, I don't know what I've done…"
The young Lisbon grabbed a fistful of Patrick's shirt.
"You're a cold hearted bastard! Do you know how much you've hurt her!?"
A tear rolled down James' cheek.
"She thinks you don't love her! You've broken her heart, you said you can't be with her and you don't think that would hurt her at all!"
James was shouting into Patrick's face, who had made no movement, just standing silently listening to the sharp words. James let go of Patrick and stepped backwards as Cho and Wayne walked in the room. Cho simply stood as Wayne shook his head at the blonde boy.
"How could you do that?"
Patrick breathed in deeply, looking at the faces of the three disgusted boys in front of him who clearly cared about Teresa and her welfare. His breathing was heavy as he looked at the ground and mumbled in realisation at what he'd done.
"Oh god… I'm sorry…"
He looked up at the three boys.
"Where did she go?"
James' facial expression remained hard and emotionless.
"To see Minnelli on the ground floor."
Cho looked at the younger boy confused.
"No, she pressed the button for the sixth floor."
James turned around to face Cho.
"What?"
Cho looked over at Patrick whose eyes were darting around in thought.
"She went to the sixth floor. Why, what's there?"
Patrick looked up frantically and barged out of the door. The boys followed, only just catching what Patrick next said. All their eyes opened in fear and they quickened their pace.
"That's the roof…"
…
Teresa stood, letting the breeze flow around her head, making her hair flow behind her in waves like the sea; the wind was cool on her damp eyes. She let herself drift into the breeze but was sharply awoken by the loud metal creak of the door. She turned her head around to see Patrick run forward followed by James, Wayne and Cho. She stepped up onto the ledge in front of her, swaying slightly at seeing the sheer drop to the concrete below. Patrick stopped short, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Teresa, please. Step down; I need to talk to you…"
The girl looked down at the pleading boy.
"So now you want to talk?! Jesus Christ Patrick you do know when to pick your moments!"
Patrick never took his eyes off the swaying figure of Teresa. He held out his hand slowly.
"Teresa. Listen… I know I was a jerk… more than a jerk in fact, I was a complete asshole and you have every right to hit me and hate me, but you won't get the chance to do that unless you come down…"
Teresa looked at the outstretched form of the boy's hand, flicking her eyes from his desperate face to the concrete ground below. Patrick stepped forward cautiously.
"Please Teresa… I love you… I was trying to protect you and didn't realise how stupid and selfish I was being. Let me make things right, I know you won't trust me straight away again, please, just give me a second chance."
Patrick's tears glistened in the dim light of the moon, the breeze was picking up and Teresa's unsteadiness increased.
"Patrick…"
"I'm sorry Teresa; I love you and always will, here. It was our week anniversary yesterday; I got you this but never got the chance to give it to you…"
Patrick stepped forward slowly, the tips of his feet touching the ledge, he held out his hand to Teresa's shaking one, who took it and stepped down slowly, collapsing the safety of the roof floor. Patrick fell beside her and wrapped his arms round her tight. Teresa felt something move into her hand, she gripped it tightly as she kissed Patrick in the lips. He looked fondly into her eyes.
"I promise I will never leave you again Teresa, everything will be alright now…"
Teresa nodded, slightly annoyed at how easily she could fall under Patrick Jane's spell. She smiled, looking down into her hand in the dim light. Patrick grinned as her face lit up. On Teresa's palm, shining in the light of the full moon, was a beautiful golden cross…