Thought Police

Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it's not mine. This story is on an AU track.

Chapter 13: In the Hunt

"You wanted to talk to me?"

The man in the lobby fixed Alex with an intense stare. Actually, she noted after a moment, everything about him seemed to radiate that same intensity. His body, his posture, even the clothing that all but screamed 'rugged outdoorsman'.

"You're in charge of the case involving the abduction of Don Eppes and two other federal agents?" he said after a long moment.

"I'll tell you that," she replied coolly, "as soon as I know who you are and why you want that information."

He considered for a moment, then tossed back his head and laughed. "I think I like you." He extended a hand. "Agent Ian Edgerton."

"Edgerton," she repeated. "You're the fourth team member."

"That's right."

"So let me get this straight. You're fully aware that every other member of that team has been abducted, meaning you're likely to be the next target, and your first move is to head directly for the city where they're hunting?"

He laughed again. "Now I know I like you. And as for your question, I'll admit it might be a bit...unorthodox."

"Reckless."

He continued as if she hadn't spoken. "But I'm sure Don's team will tell you, I'm the best in the country at finding people who don't want to be found. And right now, you seem like you could use someone who can do just that."

"I still say it's a bad idea." She sighed. "But I get the feeling that you're going to go looking for Don and the others no matter what I say. And if that's the case, I'd rather have the lines of communication open so I can make sure you don't run into trouble yourself. So...welcome aboard, Agent Edgerton."

"Thank you -" only then did he seem to realize he'd never gotten her name.

"Alex Eames. Lieutenant Alex Eames."

"Thank you, Lieutenant Eames."

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Colby's eyebrows raised slightly when he saw the new arrival. "What's Ian doing here?"

"He just showed up and informed me he's working the case. I know," Alex said, holding up a hand to forestall the agent's protest, "I said the same thing, but he won't be deterred. And the last thing I want is him running around the city on his own. Which would undoubtedly happen if I didn't bring him in."

"That I can believe," he admitted. "'Stubborn' is far too weak a word to describe Ian. He once intentionally got himself put in prison and then broke away from the guards, all just to prove a point."

Alex laughed at the recollection. "Y'know, after meeting him...I can believe it. Did it work?"

"It worked all right. But the prison officials were furious. Even after he exposed a corrupt guard, they were still steaming. Somewhat understandable, I suppose. Ian did throw the entire prison into chaos for several hours."

She raised an eyebrow. "Sounds to me like there might've been grounds to have him arrested for real."

Colby chuckled. "You know, so much crazy stuff happened that day that I don't think anyone actually thought of it. Lucky for Ian." He shrugged. "But honestly, I don't think anyone on our team would've done it, and we were the only ones with the authority. Given everything he'd done for the team, Don was willing to cut him a little slack - just that once, I'm sure, though thankfully we never had to find out."

"Great. So now I've got two loose canons who have been allowed to get away with crazy stunts on my hands. That's really going to make my job easier."

Colby laughed, but shook his head. "I wouldn't worry too much about Ian. He has his own style, but when he's working with a team, he works with them. He'll fall into the command structure just fine. And what's the big deal with Jane anyway? I mean, wandering off without telling anyone might be annoying, but it's not like he did something to jeopardize the case."

"Yet," Alex sighed. "What gets to me is the disdain he shows for the whole process. Like he's too good for it, but he's going to hang around anyway to help us poor plebes out. And," she admitted, "I did a little research. Wandering off is one thing, but that's on the mild end of the stunts he's pulled. He was known in Sacramento for bending the rules to suit his own ends - almost getting over a dozen cases tossed on technicalities over the years. He has literally gotten away with murder. The bottom line, I guess, is that I don't trust him not to do something that will jeopardize the case. By coming down hard on seemingly innocuous things, I was hoping to convey to him that I won't tolerate that kind of behavior. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked. He's been allowed to get away with this behavior for so long that when I tell him to stop, he thinks I'm the one with the problem. And I've got three lives hanging in the balance, I don't have time to play Patrick Jane's games."

Granger chose not to comment on the Lieutenant's rant. "Well, Ian might be...odd... but most of the time, he's not one for game-playing. The prison incident was a one-off situation that was way out of character; usually he'd be accused of being a little too forthright if anything."

"Now that is one personality trait that I've never had a problem with. Actually, Don and I were just talking a few days ago about how refreshing it can be to have someone around who tells it -" She stopped abruptly. "God, it feels so surreal. Both him and Carolyn. They were just...there, and now they're not. I'm sorry," she said after a moment. "You're the last person I should be unloading all this on. I know you and Don are close."

He laid a gentle hand on her arm. "Don't worry about it, Alex. There isn't a person in this room who isn't affected in some way by this mess. If we can't talk freely to each other, who can we talk to?"

She gave him a shaky smile. "Thanks, Colby. Oh, and that reminds me, have you seen Robin anywhere?"

"Robin? I heard her asking for directions to the locker room about twenty minutes ago. Why?"

"I just want to sit down with her for a few minutes. She doesn't seem to be handling the situation very well, and I think I should check in."

Colby gave an audible sigh. "That may not be a bad idea, but tread carefully. She was dealing with a lot even before Don disappeared; it's all kind of piling up on her right now. On both of them, really."

"I got that sense," Alex admitted. "Don never said it directly, but there was something in his expression every time he talked about his marriage...made me think all wasn't necessarily well. They've been having problems?"

"You could say that," he replied cautiously. "But...well, it's not really my story to tell, but suffice to say that I'd call their marital problems a symptom, not the cause. That said, I'm sure that the fact that this happened while she was fighting with him isn't helping her state of mind any."

"I can imagine. Don't worry," she assured him. "I'll be gentle."

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Robin was sitting on a bench in the locker room when Alex walked in, staring into space much as she had done in the airport and for the entire car ride. The lieutenant sat down beside her, but the taller woman didn't even react.

"Ms. Brooks?"

Robin jumped, turning to face Alex. "Where did you - never mind. I probably wouldn't have noticed a heard of elephants crashing through." She tried to keep her tone light, but Alex could hear clearly that it was forced. "How can I help you?"

"Actually, I was going to ask you that question," she replied kindly. "You've seemed very lost ever since I met you at the airport. I wanted to know if there was anything I can do?"

"It's a nice offer." Robin tried in vain to smile. "But I don't think there's anything - the only thing that would make this better is getting my husband back. Do you have any idea what this is like?"

Alex hesitated a moment, but Robin's question had been a genuine one. "Actually, I think I do a little. About sixteen years ago, I lost my own husband in the line of duty. It's not exactly the same, but when he was in the hospital and we didn't know what was going to happen, I'm pretty sure I had the same look in my eyes that you do now."

Robin made a soft sound that might have been a choked sob. "Losing him isn't even the worst part."

"I know. It's the waiting, never being sure what the next moment might bring."

She shook her head. "No. I mean, yes, that's killing me, but that's not even the worst part. The worst part is, the last time I spoke to Don, we were yelling at each other." Another stifled sob escaped her throat. "And it didn't even have to be this way! He's called me so many times since, asking for forgiveness, begging me to just talk to him, and I ignored him. I missed so many chances, and now I may not get another one." She rubbed roughly at her eyes. "God, I don't know how much more of this I can take. You don't know what I've been through already."

"Colby mentioned there was a lot going on for the two of you," Alex offered.

"Colby is a master of understatement, then. It's been hell for us." She buried her head in her arms. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to vent all this at you."

"It's okay," Alex assured her. "I said I'm here to help you. If you think talking about it will help, then talk to me."

"I - I didn't think it would," she said after a moment. "But as soon as I started talking, I just couldn't seem to stop."

Alex laid a tentative hand on the other woman's shoulder. "Tell me."

Next chapter, we finally get to the root of what is going on between Don and Robin.

The chapter title is a play on Ian being a tracker (as well as a sniper, but his tracking skills are what the team will need).

The mention of Jane literally getting away with murder is a reference to the episodes Strawberries and Cream and Red John, both of which involve Jane killing a man (in a situation other than self-defense/defense of others), only to be let off without punishment in subsequent episodes. It's one of those inconsistencies between the Mentalist universe and the L&O universe that I felt like needed to be addressed, so I thought the best way to do it would be to acknowledge Jane's...unusual relationship with the law while making it clear how strange that would be for someone like Alex.

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