Thanks, Cumberland River Relic! You're the best beta!
Go check out "It's a Mystery" that CRR just posted. You'll really enjoy it! Completely in character and the humor matches the show. Gotta love Jane/Cho interactions!
I never have, currently don't and never will own The Mentalist characters. I'm not making nuthin' off these writings I'm posting.
When Patrick's evening meal was brought in, Van Pelt, Rigsby, Ae Cha and Cho decided to go for dinner together and return in the morning. As they prepared to leave, Rigsby snatched a cherry tomato from Patrick's salad but was out of range before Patrick could smack him.
"Your chicken smells good," Teresa said, closing her eyes. "If I had any kind of appetite, I'd try to talk you into breaking some rules and sharing with me."
"Oh, I would never break the rules, Teresa. The doctors know what's best for the patients, after all."
She grinned and waved her hand. "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?"
It was a clichéd joke but he laughed anyway. And it was true, after a manner. Not like 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' obviously, but he felt like a different man than when they first were married. Apart from being extremely happy, he finally felt satisfied with life, less driven to grab the gold ring. He didn't recall such a transformation after marrying Annie. They were dumb, carefree kids, and they had no idea what they wanted out of life.
Now? He knew exactly what he wanted. Every morning would start calm, with Teresa in his arms, his heart warm, his head light. Every day could be peaceful and safe because Red John was gone. His followers would be rounded up for documented crimes or would scatter in fear because their leader was gone.
He set down his fork and stared at his plate a moment.
"Teresa…I have to ask you a question."
"Can I dodge the answer like you do to me all the time?" She gave him a cheeky grin. It looked familiar.
"Ha ha, funny. You must be feeling better. Your zingers are starting to land again."
"I am feeling better. So what's your question?"
"How would you feel if… if I resigned from CBI?"
Her grin faded although her beeping machine sped up. How easy mentalism would be if everyone were connected to an EKG machine!
"Quit?" she said softly.
He pushed his overbed table away and climbed from under the sheets. After sitting at her side, he reached over to attenuate the alarm and then met her gaze. Her eyes were huge and her pupils were pinpoints with fear.
"About a year ago, the Feds approached me about becoming a consultant for them in counter intelligence. At the time, I didn't even consider it because…well, you know why not. And I—"
"Who? Who asked you?"
Her hands were cold when he took them in his. He rubbed them a little before encasing them in his. "The CIA."
The color in her face – already pale – grew whiter.
"They told me there would be very little travel. They'd set me up with a cover, secure computer, secure phone, even a new identity if I wanted. I think I'm in a position to even dictate some terms."
"But I don't want to leave CBI!" she blurted.
"I would never ask that," he said calmly. "You are meant to be a CBI agent, Teresa. I predict that you will turn down promotions so you can be in the thick of some murder investigation."
"But…why would you want to leave CBI? Don't you…like what we do?" She looked around the room, like a rabbit looking to escape the wolf.
"I…Well…To be honest, my dear, the only thing we get called for is murder among of the rich and connected. And they're not even very clever about how they're killing each other anymore."
"So you…you were only staying because you wanted to get Red John."
Shame stayed his tongue and he found he couldn't meet her eyes for a moment. They both knew of his desire for revenge and he didn't want to go back over his desire to gather minions.
"I've promised to be honest with you about our relationship, so yes, Red John was a very big reason I stayed with CBI."
Her face fell along with a single tear.
"But another reason I stayed was you. And I will if you ask. Ultimately, my life is about you."
Again she glanced around as if looking for escape. "Now how can I possibly ask you to do that? You just told me to do what I want. How can I ask that you do what you don't want?"
"Because if you lie about what will make you happy, I will be truly miserable."
The dam broke. The tears flowed. Patrick swallowed hard and crawled into bed with her, holding her from the side as best he could.
"Stay with me, Patrick. I can't… deal…"
"I'll stay, my dear. As long as you need me to, I'll stay with CBI."
To be continued...