Authors note: Thanks to everyone that reviewed! Ok, so, I have a vague idea about where this story is headed, but I'm really interested to see what you all want out of this! This is my first fanfic so I'm still getting used to the whole process, so constructive criticism is appreciated!
Well here's the second chapter anyway.
And as always, read, review and enjoy!!!
Disclaimer: ha! I wish I own the mentalist!!!!!
"Where's Lisbon?" Grace asked.
"Bathroom." Patrick replied.
"Again? That's the third time within the last hour! Is she ok?"
"Food poisoning I think. She won't let me take her home. And it's her sixth actually."
"I'm going in to make sure she's ok." Grace said walking out of the room towards the ladies bathroom. She knocked on the door before entering, to show Lisbon that she was there.
"Boss? You ok?" she walked into the bathroom to the sound of dry retching.
Lisbon groaned.
"Van Pelt?" she mumbled, flushing the toilet and walking out of the cubicle.
"I'm worried about you." Van Pelt said. "So is Patrick. He's just too proud to say so."
"I'm fine."
"No you're not. Seriously. Come off you high horse and let Patrick take you home! For Christ sake Lisbon! You're not fine!"
"Are you finished?" Lisbon asked.
"Oh... umm... I'm sorry. I just―"
"Don't worry about it. You're probably right. I feel like crap." She walked over to the sink and looked in the mirror. "I look like crap."
"Lisbon?" she had turned green.
She leant over the sink expelling more of her stomach contents. She coughed once and then sighed.
"This is disgusting." She complained, turning on the tap to wash the remains down the plug.
Grace walked over to her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "All the more reason for you to allow Jane to take you home."
"I know. But I can't exactly ask him to now can I?" It was more of a statement than a question.
"I'll ask him for you if you want. Just put up a bit of a fight, so he doesn't suspect too much."
Lisbon smiled slightly at the junior agent. Seeing the worry in her eyes, made her think that she did genuinely care.
"Thanks Van Pelt."
She answered with a small nod and a smile.
They slowly walked out of the bathroom together.
"Make yourself look sick." Van Pelt whispered.
"It's not that hard." Lisbon replied.
"Stay here" Van Pelt said pointing to a chair. Lisbon nodded .
Van Pelt walked away in the direction of Jane's couch. Lisbon sat down and put her head in her hands. She could feel the heat radiating off of her skin, from the fever.
As Van Pelt neared Jane's couch, she noticed he was asleep. She thought about turning around and taking Lisbon home herself, but she just had so much work to do. And besides, Lisbon had trusted her with convincing him, and right now, she was still at the point of proving herself to her boss. She walked up to Jane and put a hand on his shoulder, gently shaking him awake.
"Van Pelt? What's wrong?" Patrick asked sitting up, looking a little worried.
"Oh, no, there's nothing wrong. It's just that... I just walked into the bathroom and Lisbon was vomiting again. She really needs to be driven home, and she's in no fit state to be driving. I would take her home myself but I have so much paperwork to do... and Rigsby and Cho are out talking to witnesses, so..."
"You want me to take her home?"
"Well yeah... if you're not too busy."
"So... she finally came to her senses did she?"
"About what?"
"Going home. I tried to convince her to let me drive her earlier, but she refused."
"I'm not asking on behalf of her. I'm asking you to do it for... well... me. And the family of the murder victim. She could slip up and arrest the wrong guy, because she wasn't paying proper attention." She was surprised at how easily the lies came. But then again, both of them had some form of truth behind them.
"Ok, ok. I'll take her home then. But you need to help convince her."
"Sure." Van Pelt let a small smile play on her lips. She had succeeded in making Patrick Jane think that this was coming from her... and not her boss.
They walked over to where Lisbon was sitting. Patrick flashed a small uncertain look at Van Pelt before kneeling beside Lisbon.
He looked at her properly for the first time that day.
Her face was pale, minus the dark circles under her eyes and the faint green tinge that tinted her cheeks. She held her head in one hand, her eyes closed, and held her stomach with the other. Her breathing was coming out in harsh, ragged gasps, as though she was trying to keep the pain she was experiencing to herself.
"Hey there Lisbon. Van Pelt and I are worried about you. We think it best if I take you home now."
Lisbon looked up. Van Pelt had actually managed to convince him that it hadn't come from her. She would have to thank her later.
"Ummm, maybe that's not such a bad idea." She replied. Patrick held out a hand to help her up.
"Ok, there we go." Patrick said, grabbing onto her shoulders as she swayed. "Now now, we can't have you falling on the floor now, can we?" he tisked at her and then lead her towards the elevator.
"Get better soon boss." Van Pelt said with a small nod.
"Thanks Grace." Replied Lisbon returning their silent conversation with her own nod.
When they arrived at Lisbon's home, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. One because home, involved her bed.
And two, because the drive over had been rather painful. Patrick had spent the whole time asking her if she was ok.
As she was getting out of the car, Patrick turned off the ignition and ran around to help her. She looked questionably at him.
"What?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing."
"You don't mind if I come in, do you? Just to help you get yourself sorted." He added.
"Oh... um... I guess not." She replied startled at the unexpected comment.
"Good!" Patrick smiled and ran up ahead towards the door.
"Keys?"
"Doormat." He replied bending down and picking up the spare key and unlocking the door.
Lisbon sighed, but let this one pass.
She walked up the steps and into her apartment with only one thing in her mind; bed.
She dumped her briefcase on the dining table, walked straight past Patrick and ventured up the stairs.
She reached her room and didn't even bother to change. Shrugging out of her jacket and stripping her pants off, she got into bed and snuggled down into her pillows.
Patrick walked into the room and placed an empty bucket on the floor, beside her bed.
"Safety precaution... in case you can't make it to the bathroom in time."
"Thanks." She mumbled, half asleep.
"Make sure you stay hydrated. I'll be back to check on you in the morning."
He brushed her forehead with her finger, she was hot to the touch. Dam fever. He really didn't want to leave her like this, but for once, Patrick Jane didn't want to invade on her privacy. He walked out of the room unsure if she had heard him say about the hydration.
Walking into the kitchen, he looked in a few cupboards, pulling out a clean glass and filling it with water. He returned to her room and placed it on the bedside table.
"Get well Lisbon." He wasn't sure if she had heard him, but he was pretty sure she was already asleep. Silently as he could he walked out of her room again.