Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry for taking so long to update! I was hoping to have a chapter 18 up a long time ago, but writer's block and laziness really put a wrench in that hope. Also, I was out of my mother-country for two weeks, visiting a friend-MyDreamsForYou(hello, friend!). That was a good time. Anyway, I got this all written and stuff, so I'm finally posting chapter 18! Yay! Thank you all for your reviews, favourites and follows! They mean a lot! Hopefully I get 19 up a lot faster! *fingers crossed*
Disclaimer: You know the drill.
"Will you tell me where we're going now?" Lisbon asked, playing with one of her dangling earrings.
"No." Jane chuckled. "It's not a surprise if I tell you before we get there."
"Come on." Lisbon rolled her eyes. "You said we were almost there. Close enough. I hate surprises. Make an exception. It is our fifth wedding anniversary. Spoil the surprise."
"I'll give you a clue and you can guess." Jane caved a little.
"Fine. What's the clue?"
"You've eaten there before and thoroughly enjoyed yourself."
"What kind of clue is that?" Lisbon huffed. "I've eaten at a lot if places." She folded her arms and sat back, looking out the window. She was wearing her favourite black dress and her best heels. Jane had told her to dress up so she had. She figured that the least he could do is tell her where they were going.
Jane smiled at her reaction. He had expected her to be grumpy, but she was cute when she was grumpy and he knew that she wouldn't be grumpy when she saw the restaurant. A few minutes later they pulled into the parking lot if their destination and it took Lisbon a moment, but she remembered it.
"Patrick." She gasped, looking over at him
"I guess that means that you like this surprise." Jane grinned at her as he parked the car and turned off the engine.
"You know I love this place. You brought me here for our first anniversary."
"Yes, I know." Jane smiled and opened his door, getting out. He hurried over to Lisbon's side and offered her his hand as she was getting out.
Lisbon blushed slightly, but smiled and took his hand.
Jane shut the door after she was out and locked the car as they headed toward the restaurant. He rested his arm on her waist and opened the door for her, letting her step inside first. "Reservation for Jane." He told the hostess.
She smiled at them and checked the list. "Your table is ready." The hostess picked up some menus from behind the desk and led them to their table that was next to a large window with an amazing view. She told them about their specials and informed them that their waiter would be with them momentarily before she left them to their menus.
"It looks exactly like I remember." Lisbon smiled and looked around the restaurant again.
"It's a nice place. There was never anything to change." Jane placed his hand on the table, palm up and Lisbon placed her hand in it.
"That's true."
"What are you going to order this time? I think we should go for the same wine we had first time."
"That was some nice wine." Lisbon agreed. "But it was really expensive."
"We're celebrating."
"I know. But it's still really expensive."
"It's worth it, Teresa." Jane assured her.
Lisbon sighed. "You spoil me too much."
"Not too much." Jane grinned. "Just enough."
Lisbon just shook her head but smiled.
"You should know this. Of course I'm going to treat you tonight."
"Hush." Lisbon told him, blushing. "I would have been just as happy with take out and you know it."
"Yes, but I can't admire you in that dress with take out."
Lisbon smiled self-consciously and her cheeks darkened.
"So, what do you want to eat?" Jane smiled, picking up his menu.
-Mentalist-
"Maybe we should order some dessert when we get back to our table." Jane whispered in Lisbon's ear as they slow danced on the dance floor with some other couples. "That chocolate cake slice looked really nice."
"Mm." Lisbon murmured. "It did look good."
"There's a 'but' there somewhere. I can hear it."
"I am so full from dinner."
Jane chuckled and kissed her shoulder, rubbing her back. "Maybe I can order it to go and we can eat it later."
"That sounds appealing." Lisbon smiled against his neck.
"How's the night so far? You seem satisfied to me. Especially for someone who started the night off complaining."
"Shut up." Lisbon smacked his shoulder lightly. She lifted her head off his shoulder to smile at him. "I did have a good time. Thank you." She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.
"So, can my reward be me being able to kiss you more at work?" Jane asked when Lisbon pulled away.
"Nice try. No."
"Aw. I'll have to take advantage of this time then."
"I think we're getting a little old to be acting like honeymooners."
"I don't feel old. You shouldn't either."
"Melody is eleven now. I think I saw a grey hair the other day."
"Don't be ridiculous. You don't have grey hair. I would have seen it. You've got time before you get grey hair."
Lisbon smiled and kissed him again.
When the song was over they went back to their table and sat down.
"How about that chocolate cake? To go, of course."
"That sounds-" Lisbon was cut off by her phone ringing.
"Don't answer it."
"No one would call after 10 at night if it wasn't important. And it's not work calling." Lisbon picked up her phone. "Lisbon."
Jane watched as Lisbon's body tensed. A worried expression appeared on her face.
"No. No. Is she-? Okay." Lisbon put her hand over the mic of her phone and looked at Jane. "Go cover the bill."
Jane didn't ask any questions. Whatever was happening, it was very important. He got up and hurried to find the waiter for their bill. He met Lisbon on her way out. "What's going on?" He asked as they headed out to the car. "Who called?"
"Margaret."
"Hospital nurse Margaret? Why?"
"Melody."
Jane unlocked the door as his heart sank. "Why?" They both shut their doors and did up their seat belts as Jane started the car.
"There was a fire. She got stuck. Something about a dog." Lisbon tried to stay calm.
There was only one hospital where they knew nurses by name and Jane drove as fast as he could, silently wishing they had taken an official police vehicle because those sirens would have been really useful. He parked the car as quick as he could and they headed into the hospital.
"Teresa, Patrick." Margaret approached them quickly. She was the head nurse. An older lady with curly greying hair.
"Where's Melody?" Lisbon asked.
"She's going into the emergency now."
"Is she going to be okay?" Jane asked
"I'm not sure about her condition yet. They just told me the basics. Come with me." Jane and Lisbon followed Margaret through the halls.
"How did you know it was Melody if she wasn't even here yet?" Jane asked as Margaret let them into an empty waiting room.
"Sandy called me. Please, take a seat."
"No, thank you." Lisbon declined.
"Teresa, do yourself a favour and take a seat. Those are nice heels, but I'm sure they're not the best for exercise." Margaret told her.
Lisbon hesitated but sat down, Jane taking the seat next to her.
"What happened?" Jane asked.
"I got a call from Sandy. She told me that they were waiting for an ambulance at the house where Melody and Ellie were sleeping over."
"Yeah. One of their school friends was having a big sleep over." Jane nodded.
"Well the house somehow caught fire and the parents were getting all the kids out of the house."
"And Melody got left behind?" Lisbon was mad.
"No. Sandy had Ellie explain it to her. Apparently Melody heard the dog in it's cage and ran back to go get it."
Lisbon shut her eyes and took a deep breath. "She ran back for the dog."
"Sandy is on her way as well. She and Andy had to stay with Ellie."
"Thanks for the call." Jane said.
"Not a problem. Sandy had me pull Melody's records so they would have them when she got here. I'm sure she'll be here soon if you want to talk to her."
"Have you called James?" Lisbon asked.
"No. I wasn't sure if you would have wanted me to. I don't think they would let him out of the care centre and I didn't want to have him woken up for this kind of news."
"Thank you." Lisbon nodded.
"You're welcome." Margaret replied. "I can stay a few minutes if you'd like."
"No, I think we'll be okay." Jane told her. "Thank you. Just let us know what's happening."
"Of course." Margaret nodded and left.
Lisbon and Jane sat in silence for a few minutes, neither sure what to say.
The door soon opened and they looked up to see Sandy entre. "Hey."
"Hey." Jane responded, his arm around Lisbon as she leaned into his side. "I thought you were with Ellie."
"I asked Andy to keep her busy to give us a few minutes. I wanted to take her home first, but Ellie was adamant that she come and see Melody."
"That's very sweet of her." Lisbon tried to smile.
"They're best friends. I guess it's to be expected." Sandy responded with her own attempted smile which lasted only a moment. "I'm sure Margaret told you what happened."
"Yeah. Was everyone else okay?" Jane inquired. "Ellie is okay, too?"
"She's just a little upset and frightened. I did a rough test to check for smoke inhalation and she seemed okay. I'm going to keep an eye on her, though. I'm going to check on Melody in a moment. I just wanted to come and talk to you both first. Andy and Ellie will come sit with you."
"What happened when Melody ran back in?" Lisbon asked.
Sandy looked at her, unsure if answering was a good idea.
"Please." Jane said.
Sandy took a deep breath. "I got there right after the fire fighters did and everyone was waiting outside. I found Ellie but not Melody and Ellie was almost too upset to be coherent, but I made out what she was saying. The ambulance showed up right before they brought her out. She was unconscious, but she was breathing. There was a cut on her forehead and her shoulder looked burned. I can't tell you any more than that. I don't know how serious it is or how much time it'll take to heal, but I'm hoping for the best. She's young, strong and healthy so that's always good. If it's any consolation, the dog made it out, too. I know that's not going to help her heal or anything, but at least she accomplished her goal."
There was a soft knock on the door before it opened and Ellie and Andy joined them. Ellie still had tear tracks running down her cheeks and she was sniffling. She had some black dirt on her, probably from the fire, though it looked like she's cleaned her face a bit.
"Is Melody okay, Mommy?"
"I don't know yet. I'm going to check on her now."
"Okay." Ellie whimpered.
"It'll be okay, sweetie." Sandy kissed Ellie's head. "Just wait here. I'll be back soon." She gave her husband a kiss and then left.
"Let's sit down." Andy ushered Ellie over to a seat and then sat down next to her.
"I'm really sorry." Ellie reached over and put her hand on Lisbon's arm. "I really tried. I told her not to go back. I went to go get an adult..." Ellie's eyes watered.
Lisbon sat up and put her hand on Ellie's head. "It's okay. No one is mad at you. Thank you for trying."
"You're welcome." Ellie sobbed.
"Sshhh. It'll be okay." Andy rubbed her shoulder.
"Melody will be happy to know that you're okay." Jane put in. "She'll be really happy."
-Mentalist
Ellie had fallen asleep by the time Sandy returned.
"What's the news?" Jane asked.
"She should be okay. She inhaled a lot if smoke so she's going to be on oxygen for a while, but she should recover from it. Her left shoulder was burned, but it doesn't seem fatal. It will hurt, though. There was a cut above her right eyebrow. She was probably hit in the head by debris and knocked out. She'll be in the hospital for a few days at least, but she should recover."
"That's so good to hear." Lisbon sighed happily.
"Can we see her?" Jane asked.
"Yeah. She's down the hall. The staff will let you stay the night. Knowing a few hospital nurses and doctors comes in handy sometimes, huh?"
"Thank you." Lisbon stood up, attempting a genuine and gave Sandy a hug.
"Not a problem. I hope she makes a quick recovery. I'll be back tomorrow to check on her. Dr. Thorson will look after her for the 's new, so you haven't met him before, but I've seen what he can do and I can assure you that he's very good. If there's anything else, you have my number."
"Thank you." Jane nodded.
"Would you mind if we let Ellie see her before we leave?" Andy asked. "She'll be really upset if we don't wake her up and let her see Melody before we go."
Jane and Lisbon looked at each other, silently communicating their thoughts.
"Of course she can." Jane nodded.
"Thank you." Sandy smiled.
Andy gently shook Ellie awake and they all walked to Melody's room. Jane and Lisbon entered first, holding back worried noises when they saw Melody lying in the bed with a big bandage on her left shoulder, an oxygen mask on her face and a bandage over her right eyebrow.
They continued in and stood at the side if Melody's bed as the Fallon family followed them in. Ellie got up on the bed and looked down at Melody, still visibly upset. Ellie placed a gentle hand on Melody's good shoulder. "Wake up and feel better soon." Ellie whispered to her best friend.
"She'll be okay." Sandy rubbed Ellie's back. "But we have to go home and let her sleep. Teresa and Patrick will stay with her."
"You'll call?" Ellie looked at Lisbon. "When she wakes up? If something happens?"
"Of course." Lisbon nodded.
"I'll be coming back tomorrow to check on her." Sandy assured them.
"Okay. Have a good night." Jane said, trying to keep it light-hearted.
"Thanks." Andy nodded. "You guys try to have one, too."
"We'll try." Lisbon responded and the Fallons shut the door behind them as they left.
Lisbon sighed heavily and sat down on the edge of Melody's bed. She gently brushed a stray hair from Melody's forehead, wishing that she could wake Melody up right now to make sure she was okay; however, Lisbon knew that Melody needed to sleep for now.
"What's the plan?" Jane said gently from where he sat next to Lisbon on the side of Melody's bed. "How much trouble are we going to have her in?"
Lisbon leaned against Jane's side, feeling his support. "I don't know. Why must she always do things like this? She needs to learn to stop putting herself in constant danger."
"Sounds like a certain someone else that I know." Jane teased lightly, though a part of him was being serious.
"Are you going to give me grief about that for the rest of my life?" Lisbon turned to look at him, a little annoyed. "How many times do I have to tell you that it's different?"
"It's not different."
"Yes, it is."
"How?"
"We've been through this too many times already."
"You've never given a good enough answer for me to stop."
Lisbon pursed her lips, looking at him. "I'm not getting into this with you again right now. It's different. That's it. No more about it now. She's in a little bit of trouble once she gets better. I can't be mad at her when she's injured like this. She was trying to save the dog-as stupid as that was of her to do."
"Don't let the animal activists hear you say that."
"I'm not saying that I wanted the dog dead, I'm happy it was okay. But, I'm saying Melody shouldn't have made it her job to make sure it lived. That's what firefighters are for. And that dog damn well be grateful."
Jane smiled slightly. "Agreed."
A little while later, the door to Melody's room opened and a nurse entered, pulling a cot with some folded hospital clothes on it.
"I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong room." Lisbon said.
The nurse looked at her, confused for a moment. "You mean to tell me that you want to sleep in a visitor's chair and in that dress?"
Lisbon blinked, looking down at herself and remembering that she was still in her anniversary date outfit, blushing. "I guess not. Thank you."
"No problem." The nurse smiled politely and then looked at Jane. "We're bringing another one in for you, sir."
"Thank you." Jane nodded.
The nurse was good on her word and another cot with hospital clothes in for Jane. He and Lisbon quickly changed, settling into their sleeping arrangements.
Lisbon lay on her back, staring at the ceiling and rubbed her hands over her face.
"What're you thinking?" Jane asked, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of his cot.
Lisbon looked over at him. "Nothing. This just isn't how I imagined this night to go. It's not very romantic. Well, the ending isn't anyway. We can't even have a normal anniversary."
Jane slid off the side of his cot to stand next to hers. "When have we ever been 'normal'?"
Lisbon rolled her eyes, returning his gaze. "That's not the point."
"No, but it is true. Besides. Being 'normal' isn't the point, either."
"Tell me, then, what is the point?"
Jane leaned over her, looking her in the eyes. "It's our anniversary. We've been married five years as of today. The point is, I love you." He took one of her hands in one of his. Even if we're in a hospital and it's not glamorous or romantic, if it means that I'm with you, there's nowhere else that I would ever want to be." He leaned forward and kissed her lips passionately.
"Thank you." Lisbon smiled up at him when he pulled away. "I love you, too, Patrick Jane. Happy anniversary."
-Mentalist-
Jane got up in the very early morning to use the washroom and returned to see a nurse checking on Melody. He took the opportunity to ask the nurse how Melody was doing and was relieved to be told that she was doing well. He thanks her before returning to his cot and falling back asleep.
When he woke up again the sun was shinning and he noticed that Melody was awake. Well, he thought she was since she was sitting up in her bed, but her head was turned away from him and her hair blocked his view of her face. Jane saw that Lisbon was still asleep and kissed her forehead as he made his way over to Melody.
"Morning." He said in a cheery manner, sitting on the side of Melody's bed, trying to get a look at her face. He knew she was awake because she shifted slightly at his closeness. He waited for her to reply and when she didn't he said, "you know, I know you're awake and sitting still won't make me disappear."
Melody slowly turned her head to look at him and Jane could see that she was nervous.
"Are you feeling okay?" Jane asked.
"Yeah." Melody replied very quietly, looking up at him with her turquoise gaze.
"That's good to hear. I bet you're kind of sore, though."
"A little."
"Melody. If you need something, you can let me know. Why are you acting so shy."
"Aren't you mad at me?" Melody whispered.
"Mad?" Jane blinked, shocked. "No. Why would I be mad at you?"
"I ruined your anniversary. You had to come to the hospital for me on your anniversary."
"You didn't ruin anything. The fire wasn't your fault, right?"
"Yeah."
"So, it's not your fault."
Melody glanced past Jane. "Is Teresa mad?"
"No. She just wants you to be okay. We all want you to be okay."
"I'm really not in trouble?"
Jane chuckled. "Okay, you're in a little bit of trouble. But that's for after you heal. You'll have to do with no dessert for a little while. No more running into fires."
Melody gave him a small smile. "I promise. But, I didn't get into a fist fight. Can that make me not be in trouble? And I did it for a puppy. A puppy!" She coughed dryly and her hand went to her throat.
Jane pushed the button for a nurse and rubbed Melody's back as she got her breathing under control again.
Lisbon shifted and sat up on her cot, rubbing her eyes and remembering where she was and why she was there. She got off the side of her cot and walked over to stand next to Jane at Melody's bedside.
"Morning." Melody rasped out, becoming a little nervous again.
"Are you okay, Melody?" Lisbon asked.
Melody nodded.
"I rang for a nurse." Jane told Lisbon, and as if that was a cue, one of the nurses stepped in.
"Is everything all right?" The nurse asked, approaching the bed.
"Can I have some water?" Melody asked.
"Yes, I'll go get you some. Are you having any other problems besides the dry throat?"
"My chest feels kind of heavy."
"Like an elephant heavy?"
Melody shook her head. "Like a big book."
"I'll put the oxygen mask back on you, then." The nurse told her, going to get the item in question.
"Actually, it's not that bad!" Melody coughed again.
"Don't work yourself up. I know you don't like it, but you have to wear it." The nurse politely gestured for Jane and Lisbon to move, which they did, and the nurse fixed the oxygen mask on Melody's face. "I'll be right back with your water."
Melody huffed as the nurse left.
Lisbon looked back at Melody, causing the young girl to fidget.
"I'm glad to see you awake." Lisbon said.
"Thank you." Melody replied.
"Do you want me to call Sandy?" Lisbon offered.
"Mrs. Fallon already visited. You guys were asleep." Melody told them.
"Where'd she go?" Jane asked.
"There was an emergency and she had to leave. They said the other doctor might not make it in time, so they wanted her instead since she was here."
"well, maybe we'll see her later." Jane said.
"Maybe..." Melody nodded. "So, about that dessert..."
"What dessert?" Lisbon sent Jane a look.
"I was just explaining to Melody that after she gets better, she might have to go without dessert for a while as punishment for running into a fire."
"But!" Melody held up a finger. "Technically, I didn't break any rules. It wasn't a fist fight. And I did it for a puppy, so I think that I should still get a little dessert."
Lisbon laughed. "Nice try. No dessert."
"But, it was a puppy."
"That's not a solid defense." Lisbon shook her head, still smiling.
"Not even a little dessert?"
"No."
"Well..." Jane said contemplatively.
Lisbon elbowed him in the side. "No."
Melody smiled. "I'll take that as a maybe?"
Lisbon huffed, shaking her head again.
"First you have to get out of the hospital." Jane told Melody. "Maybe you can try again then."
Melody smiled wider.
The nurse returned with some water for Melody with the doctor right behind her.
"Do you want us to stay with you for the doctor?" Lisbon asked.
"No." Melody shook her head. "You can go eat."
"You sure?" Jane asked.
Melody nodded.
"Okay. We'll see you after." Lisbon kissed Melody's forehead and so did Jane, then they both left.
"I don't know if I'll ever get over this. This is not how I expected to wake up after my fifth wedding anniversary."
"Me neither." Jane agreed, wrapping his arm around Lisbon's shoulders to pull her closer. "But, you have to admit, it's going to make for some way more interesting stories. All the stories we're going to tell at her wedding whenever she gets married, she won't know what hit her."
Lisbon laughed as she leaned into his side and they made their way to the elevator. "I guess you're right about that." She pushed the button, turning her head to look at Jane. "I do love you, you know."
Jane grinned. "I know. I love you, too." He leaned forward and kissed Lisbon on the lips. The elevator doors pinged the arrival and they both entered, pushing the button for the floor with the cafeteria.
Author's Note: Well, that's it for now! Thanks for reading! I'll let you guys know that there will be a time jump and Melody is going to be twelve in the next chapter. Also, I've been getting the question of whether or not Jane and Lisbon are going to have a kid. I don't know what's going to go down on the show and stuff, but they're not going to have a baby in this fic. I'll probably write one later where they do, but not in this one. Sorry, guys. MyDreamsForYou has some, if you're looking for some :). I still hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a review!