Disclaimer: The Mentalist, gone but not forgotten. And still not mine.
The drama in the courtroom had been well planned by Beau. He knew right from the start of the trial he would not be cowed. Federal prison was not an option as far as he believed. It would be freedom or death, nothing less.
And Their World Came Tumbling Down
Chapter 29 I'll See You In My Dreams
In the end, he got just what he wanted. Freedom from rules, freedom from all constraints and expectations. A true outlier. He had thumbed his nose at acceptable behaviour all his life, seeing it as a useless constraint on his talents and proclivities. After living a life just outside the accepted societal norms, he slipped away into whatever comes next after this life. The bullet had done the maximum damage possible and siphoned off his remaining minutes of life as steadily and relentlessly as a tsunami rolls over a beachhead. The end result was just as devastating.
Beau was dead. He never did leave that courtroom, having bled out on the floor in front of the Judge's podium. He swore he would not spend one night in a Federal prison on Death Row, and he got his wish. In the coming days, no one came to claim his body. He died a coward's death.
The enthusiastic security guard who had rushed out and recklessly shot at Beau, and in turn, caused Patrick to be shot, was taken into custody and interrogated. His actions would be hailed as heroic by some, stupid and misguided by others. It would be up to a court to decide which it would be ultimately. Either way, his short career in law and security had come to a screeching halt.
As the guard was vainly explaining his take on the whole drama in the courtroom, the ambulance containing Teresa and Patrick Jane raced through the streets of Austin. Waiting for them at the hospital was a team of doctors and nurses at the ER entrance. Dr. Maxwell would be shocked when he saw who his patients were.
On the way to the ER, Teresa tried to keep her gaze on Patrick's pale face, partially hidden under his turban-like bandages. His arms were firmly strapped down at his side, preventing her from reaching out and holding his hand. She was trying so hard to remember why she found herself in an ambulance. It didn't make any sense to her. Was she in labour? If so, she felt no pains in her abdomen. And why was Patrick on a stretcher with a bandage on his face and head? She searched her memory and found it to be a hazy, screwed up mishmash of random images. Drinking tea in a cafe with her husband, driving to the courthouse, saying goodbye to Cho, sitting by the pond and seeing the lamps turn on in the laneway. What did any of that mean? Trying to sort out all of these thoughts just made her more dizzy and nauseous. She closed her eyes and tried to block out all extraneous noise and motion, as all of it made her sick. Her EMT took careful note of Teresa's confused state and monitored her carefully. Eventually Teresa slipped into a light sleep, worry fading away from her even as her husband fell deeper and deeper into a black hole of unconsciousness. The EMT's kept a continuous watch over Patrick, checking his respirations and blood pressure, which had started to fall as his head wound continued to bleed. His pupils were unequal and slow to react to light, showing a possible brain injury. Scans at the hospital would reveal if his skull had been fractured from the impact of the bullet. The distance to the hospital was mercifully short and within 10 minutes the ambulance pulled up into the ER bay and the doors were flung open. Patrick was removed first as his injuries were the most serious, with Teresa's stretcher following closely behind. She was taken to one examination room, and Patrick was taken to a larger trauma bay. Teresa had a moderate concussion, and would soon be feeling the full effects of it. But for now her drowsiness was overtaking her. The team assigned to her case were concerned about Teresa and her baby. Patrick had fallen heavily onto Teresa and her large belly. She was checked for abnormal bleeding, as there were concerns the placenta could have ruptured due to the fall. If so, both she and her unborn baby were in danger. An OB/GYN was called to do a full exam in case the baby had to be born early. While they were working on Teresa, Dr. Maxwell was attending to Patrick. The large bandage was carefully removed and the doctor examined the ugly furrow across the side of Patrick's head caused by the bullet. A portable x-ray machine was brought into the exam room to check for broken bones. Remembering Patrick's recent back surgery, Dr. Maxwell needed to see if the metal rods in his back were damaged in the fall to the floor. The hustle and hum of activity around his still body proceeded with practiced efficiency. At no time did Patrick wake up, his brain jolted and angry from the rude intrusion of the projectile that had seared through his scalp. After the x-ray was taken and no further injuries were found, Patrick was stable enough to be taken for an MRI scan. A buildup of pressure in the brain was a distinct possibility if indeed his skull had been fractured. An undetected hematoma would do further damage. All signs of hidden dangers needed to be found.
Cho arrived at the ER and waited for word on his two friends. His earlier lapse into fear and sadness had been replaced with tightly controlled anger that this could happen in the court where their tormentors had just been found guilty of their crimes. This would be a long night. Cho went in search of strong coffee and faith.
The gurney holding Jane arrived at the MRI department with his doctor and nurse in tow. Patrick was prepped and slowly eased into the MRI machine . His head was inside the tunnel-like cylinder, firmly secured to prevent any random movements he might make. The giant device whined and clicked, producing clear, layered slices of images of the interior of his skull. These images would be stored and poured over to detect any bleeds or swelling which could cause further damage. 40 minutes after they began, Patrick was removed and sent to the ICU to await a diagnosis and further treatment.
Teresa had regained consciousness again, as she drifted in and out of a strange sleep. The side effects of the concussion were now taking hold, as the room was spinning so quickly, so she thought, that she felt she would fall off the bed. The nurse watching her recognized the signs and checked her eyes again. The pupils were large, dilated and unequal, the spinning in her head making her nauseous. Reaching for a basin, she helped Teresa to throw up. The headache that had been threatening to hit all evening finally arrived with a vengeance and Teresa moaned with the overwhelming pain of it and the spins it created. She was unable to lie down, as that only increased her dizziness and vertigo. Pushing several pillows behind Teresa's back, her nurse stayed close to her, watching her carefully for any new signs of trouble. Between bouts of nausea and the spins, Teresa cried pitifully for Patrick, not understanding that he was facing his own fight for life.
"Why am I here?" Lisbon moaned. "What happened to me? Where is my husband?" she managed to squeak before she threw up again.
"Shhh shhh now, just relax and let it all out. We can talk soon. Just lean on me and I'll take care of you" her nurse cooed.
Teresa gripped the nurse's' hand, feeling that she would tip over with the spins if she didn't anchor herself to something or someone. Medication was on it's way to help her feel better, but for now, she felt like death.
The only good news so far was that her baby was still safely snugged up inside her, untouched by the tragedy of the day. The placenta was intact and there seemed to be no damage to the baby or the watery bubble of life it was floating in.
XXXXXXXX
Up in the ICU, Dr. Maxwell examined Patrick. Greatly saddened at seeing his former patient back again with such serious injuries, Dr. Maxwell read the results of the x-rays and the MRI. No broken bones, the metal rods in his back were intact and holding firm, his shoulder was fine, no further damage there. But the MRI revealed a different story. A crack in Patrick's skull showed around the area of the bullet wound. It appeared to be just a crack through the skull, and not a compression fracture, which would have pressed inward, damaging the brain. As soon as Patrick woke up, Dr. Maxwell would be better able to judge how severe his symptoms were. Loss of memory, nausea, confusion, difficulty walking or weakness on one side of the body were a possibility, as was irritability, anger, blurred vision and balance issues. So many things could show up, or nothing at all. Only time would tell. For now, Patrick needed rest more than anything. Dr. Maxwell checked his eyes once more and then left his patient in the capable hands of the ICU nurses.
Cho was waiting outside the doors of the ICU when Dr. Maxwell strode through them. Recognizing Cho, he came over right away.
"I remember you, you're a friend of Teresa and Patrick, yes?" Dr. Maxwell said, extending his hand.
"Yes, Kimball Cho, friend and co-worker. How is Patrick doctor?"
"I'm sorry we have to meet again under such circumstances Mr. Cho. Mr. Jane has a fractured skull and a very serious laceration to the scalp caused by the bullet. He remains unconscious at the present time. We are monitoring him for a buildup of pressure under the skull. He is a very lucky man actually. If the bullet had just been an inch farther over to the left, he would not be with us anymore. So we should be grateful for that small miracle."
Cho digested this information with a blank face, as usual, not betraying the swelling of emotion he felt.
"Could I see him for just a moment?"
Dr. Maxwell could see the concern on Cho's face. He agreed to let him in for a few minutes.
"Thank you doctor. Do you think he will be awake tomorrow?"
"We expect him to awaken some time during the night or tomorrow, barring any negative developments in the next few hours. Come and see him again in the morning, and maybe he will be awake to visit with you."
Cho thanked the doctor, then headed through the double doors and down the hall. He found his friend's room and entered quietly. He walked stiffly to the bed and looked at the sleeping man. An inch had been the difference between life and death. Cho shook his head at the randomness of it all. Patrick might be awake and chatting in the morning, or quite the opposite. Yes, it was all so random. Cho examined the large bandage covering Patrick's head, remembering the ugly bullet wound he had seen earlier in the day. The left side of his face was swollen and blackening, and his left eye was swollen shut, dark as charcoal. He was currently sedated and in no pain. Cho stood at the side of the bed, so deeply saddened that he could not formulate any words of comfort to say to his sleeping co-worker.
Every bad thing that had happened to Patrick and Teresa over the course of the summer, due to the Three Amigos, welled up in Cho and he was overcome with emotion. There were few times in his life when Cho had cried. His stoicism was legendary. But not tonight, alone in this small room. Tears came once again, without shame, cried for a unique man and an wonderful woman. Cho put his hand on Patrick's arm and gave it a squeeze, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. Cho hung his head in sadness. Maybe tomorrow he could smile again, feel hopeful again, maybe even show some righteous indignation. But not tonight. Tonight Cho was just plain empty. Taking a last look at Jane, Cho turned and left his room.
Tomorrow would come soon enough. He exited the ICU and took the elevator down, on another mission before he let himself sleep tonight.
XXXXXX
Cho descended to the first floor and sought out someone to tell him how Teresa was doing. A familiar face went by and Cho asked the nurse if she knew where Mrs. Jane was. Directing him to a hallway and the nurses station there, she turned and continued on her way. Cho found himself in front of a night nurse and showed her his FBI identification. Explaining who he needed to see, she led him to a small room close to her station and peeked in the room. Teresa was sitting up in bed with her nurse close by. After exchanging a few words, the two nurses nodded at Cho and let him come in. After leaving him alone with Teresa, they shut the door and gave him time to visit with her.
Taking her hand, Cho leaned in and looked Teresa in the eyes.
"How are you doing Teresa?" he asked with concern. She had been medicated and the nausea and spins were receding somewhat, replaced with a massive headache.
She looked into Cho's compassionate eyes and risked a small smile.
"I'm a bit better. Still feel like death, but Ok I guess. The baby is fine, so that is the main thing."
She looked at her dear friend and dared to ask the questions no one would answer her.
"Cho, how is Patrick? Why is he here? I can't remember what happened to us. No one is telling me anything. Why is that?"
She paused and took a deep breath, continuing.
"Did he die Cho? Is that why no one is telling me anything?" she said, tears coming quickly.
"Teresa, Patrick is not dead, but he was injured today, just like you. Do you remember we were in court for Beau and Colton's verdicts?"
The concussion came with many side effects. Memory loss concerning the actual injury was common, and was plaguing Teresa now. She thought hard and tried to remember. She saw the courtroom in her mind's eye, and saw the jury foreman standing, speaking.
"Yes. We were in court, Patrick and I. I Something happened in court, didn't it Cho?"
He nodded, giving her time to remember more.
"I remember the verdicts being read Cho" she said. "They were guilty on all charges, weren't they?"
"Yes, guilty as hell. They will never hurt anyone ever again. Can you recall what else happened in court yesterday?"
She searched his face for answers, then relaxed and let her mind click on. She sat up a bit straighter and seemed to be seeing the scene unfold in front of her.
"I was getting ready to leave. We were waiting for our turn to exit the row of chairs…"
"Yes?"
"And then he shoved me…. he shoved me onto the floor!" she said in amazement.
"Patrick told me to stay down. It was so strange! He had his arms up in the air, like someone had a gun on him…" she said, eyes as big as saucers.
"Do you remember what happened next Teresa?"
She thought hard and saw her husband facing forward, talking to someone out sight.
"He was talking, talking to someone… Someone we knew... "
She looked at Cho in shock. "It was Beau!"
"Yes, that's right. Beau was standing at the front of the room talking to Patrick."
"Then what happened?" she asked.
"Beau overpowered his guards and got his hands on a gun. He made some demands. Took over the courtroom" Cho said in his usual clipped manner.
"He made demands." She repeated to herself. "Why didn't someone just take him out?"
Cho looked at her and decided it was better to just tell her than to let her worry and anguish over Patrick without answers.
"Teresa, he had his gun on Patrick, and demanded that he hand you over to Beau. Beau figured that you would make the perfect hostage. I guess he thought he could somehow get out of there if you went with him. No one would try to shoot him if you were his shield."
"But? What happened?" she prodded.
"He kept demanding that Patrick pick you up off the floor, where he had pushed you for safety. He refused, even if it meant that Beau would shoot him instead. Beau was pretty keen to finish what he had started with Patrick, make him his final victim."
"So Beau shot Patrick?"
"No. Some over-eager wannabe cop snuck into the courtroom and went all Rambo on Beau, trying to end the hostage taking. He shot Beau, but Beau's gun went off and Patrick was hit. Teresa, Beau is dead."
Teresa was quiet and had to let all this news settle on her. She had flashes of memory now coming back. She remembered being rudely thrust by Patrick onto the floor and landing hard. She saw his frightened face and upraised arms. His rambling conversation with Beau, and the sudden end to everything, when she hit her head and lost consciousness.
'That is why he did that, to save me', she thought.
"Is Patrick OK Cho? Can I go and see him?"
Cho had to judge how much to tell Teresa, but if she went to see him as he was now, just the look of him would terrify her. Better to tell her the whole truth.
"Teresa, he got shot in the head."
She gasped in shock, her hands flying up to her face. "Oh God no!"
Cho took her hands in his and looked her hard in the eyes. Willing her to be strong. In his best Cho-in-command voice, he continued.
"He has a fractured skull and is still unconscious. Dr. Maxwell, you remember him?, he is taking good care of Patrick. They are monitoring him to make sure there are no further complications. He is alive Teresa. You aren't well yourself, so why not just rest tonight and maybe tomorrow you will be allowed to go and see him."
"But shot in the head, my God Cho!"
Teresa searched Cho's face to see if he was telling her everything. But he was Cho, as honest and blunt as ever. Seeing him there, telling her these harsh truths, she realized Patrick was somewhere in the hospital, still alive. She relaxed finally, knowing that if Cho said Patrick was alive and doing OK so far, it was the truth.
"He's Ok…" she whispered to herself like a soothing mantra.
"Teresa, you need to get some rest. You take it easy, take care of the baby, and we'll go together to see Patrick tomorrow, OK?"
She looked up into his wonderful face and nodded her head in agreement. He said his goodbyes and finally allowed himself to go home. He was exhausted both physically and emotionally. Tomorrow would be better. He expected nothing less.
Once she was alone in her room again, Teresa leaned back into the pile of pillows. So Patrick had been shot by Beau, and Beau was dead. But Patrick was alive. Patrick IS alive. She would repeat that to herself all night if necessary. That was all that mattered. She would hold onto that thought to get through this interminable night until the dawn brought a more hopeful day.
XXXXXX
Ugh, how much can that little family take? Stay tuned for more. Thank you to all my reviewers. You know how much it means to know someone is out there reading. I get a warm fuzzy when I read reviews!
