Author's Note: Heeeyyyyy! So, got this chapter all done! Special thanks to MyDreamsForYou for encouraging me to go with my idea for this chapter. It's about a week after the last chapter and most of it is a dream, just to let you all know so you're all not super confused until the end. Normally I would write dreams or flashback sequences in italics, but since it takes up most of the chapter, I didn't want to do that this time. The xxx is the beginning and end of the dream. Thank you all for your favourites, follows and reviews so far!
Disclaimer: :/
Lisbon groaned as she sat down on the edge of the bed, casting a look down at her swollen ankle. Everything was going fine until the perp had knocked some little metal pipes behind him to try and slow her down. She had caught him anyway, tackling him to the ground even with the pain in her left ankle. The doctor said that she had come very close to breaking her ankle and that it would be swollen for the next few days. Lisbon grabbed the bottle of painkillers from her nightstand. She really didn't want to be taking them, but the doctor had insisted on the prescription and she knew Jane wouldn't let her not take them because he wanted to make sure she was in as little pain as possible. It was sweet of him, but it was also very annoying.
Jane walked in with a glass of water for her and set it down on the nightstand as she tipped a pill out of the bottle and into her palm. "How's it feeling?"
"Fine." Lisbon tried to shrug it off.
Jane rolled his eyes, knowing that she was lying, but not wanting to argue with her about it.
Lisbon placed the pill on her tongue and took a swig from the glass of water that Jane had brought her, swallowing the pill.
Jane then helped her get into bed before getting into bed himself. He turned off the light and snuggled close to Lisbon. "Good night, Teresa."
"Good night Patrick."
xxx
Lisbon woke up, snuggled against Jane as she normally did. She felt refreshed and ready for the day.
Jane mumbled as he also woke up and then smiled at her. "Should I get breakfast started for us?"
"Can we have pancakes since we're up early?" Lisbon grinned.
"Whatever you want." Jane pulled her close ad kissed her deeply.
"Okay, now go make me some pancakes." Lisbon pulled away.
"Can't even give a man time to kiss you. Gotta have your pancakes." Jane teased, getting out of bed. "But you're getting Melody up."
"Not a problem." Lisbon stretched and sat up as Jane headed downstairs to the kitchen. She threw the covers off herself and padded into the bathroom for a quick shower before she went to wake up Melody.
Lisbon walked into Melody's room after she'd showered and changed. She stopped for a moment, looking at the room. It wasn't right. The walls were beige, the colour they'd been before they'd redecorated for Melody. Lisbon shook her head, there were more important things to do. She had to get Melody up to drop her off at school and then go to work. She could hear Jane in the kitchen making pancakes. "Hey, Melody. Time to get up." Lisbon gently shook Melody's shoulder.
Melody squeaked and yawned as she stretched.
Lisbon blinked for a surprised moment. Melody was five? No, Melody was thirteen, wasn't she? But Lisbon was not looking at a thirteen year old right now. What was with this?
"Time to get up?" Melody rubbed her eyes, bringing Lisbon out of her thoughts.
"Yeah." Lisbon nodded and smiled at Melody. "Time to get up."
Melody sat up and stretched again.
"Patrick is making us pancakes." Lisbon told Melody. "Because we all got up early."
"I love pancakes!" Melody clapped.
"I know you do, sweetie." Lisbon kissed her head. "Lets get you dressed, hm?"
-Mentalist-
"What are we all going to do at work today?" Melody asked as she stuffed her face with pancakes.
"You're going to school." Lisbon looked at Melody, confused.
Jane and Melody both gave her weird looks.
"I'm on summer break." Melody told her. "You said I could come with you to work today."
"Why would I-?"
"Teresa, we did tell her that." Jane said. "She likes the FBI."
"The FB...I?"
"Teresa, are you feeling okay?" Jane asked, getting out of his seat.
"I'm feeling fine. I just don't understand."
Jane came over to her and placed a gentle finger under her chin to tilt her head so he could examine her. "You don't seem injured..."
"I'm not injured. I'm fine." Lisbon swatted his hand away.
Jane still looked at her oddly, but sat down and the remainder of breakfast was eaten in quiet.
Stepping outside to leave, Lisbon got another shock. Her front yard wasn't her front yard! Her street wasn't her street! All her neighbours houses were different! Jane's blue deathtrap (as Lisbon liked to call it) wasn't parked in the driveway.
Jane locked the door behind them as they left, carrying Melody in one arm. "It's such a lovely day, isn't it?" Jane wrapped his free arm around Lisbon waist after he'd locked the door.
She smiled at him as he pulled her tightly against him. "It is. The sun is nice."
Jane grinned, kissing her on the lips.
"Eeeeeewwwwwww!" Melody covered her eyes with her hands.
Jane and Lisbon both chuckled and kissed her head. They went down to Lisbon's car and got in, strapping Melody into the car seat. Lisbon backed out and started the drive. Truthfully, she wasn't sure where they were going, but she somehow just knew where she was going.
"Maybe we can go to the park during lunch." Jane turned to address Melody.
"Yeah!" Melody waved her arms. "I want to go to the park!"
"You'll have to convince Mommy to take an extended lunch break, then."
Lisbon almost hit the breaks. Mommy? Mommy!? What game did Jane think he was playing!? They weren't playing doctor. That had been done a long time ago. And there was no one there to pretend for. She decided not to say anything at the moment, given the odd looks Jane and Melody had already given her not long ago at breakfast. She didn't want anyone to try and send her to a loony bin. But this wasn't right! This didn't make any sense! What was going on!?
About a half hour later, Lisbon pulled into a parking spot in front of a large white building.
"Work sweet FBI." Jane said, undoing his seat belt and getting out of the car.
Lisbon followed suit, trying to make sense of her surroundings as Jane got Melody out of the car seat.
"Mommy?" Melody asked, snapping Lisbon back to the present.
Lisbon turned her head to look at Melody who was perched on Jane's hip. Jane was standing right next to her, concern written on his face. Lisbon ignored this and addressed Melody. "Yes, sweetie?"
"Why do you look scared?"
"I'm not scared, Melody."
"Then why do you look scared?" Melody held out her arms to Lisbon, indicating that she wanted Lisbon to take her.
Jane handed Melody over as Lisbon took her.
Melody hugged her tightly. "It's okay, Mommy. You don't have to be scared. We have each other."
"Thank you." Lisbon kissed her head, still not correcting her. Jane was still looking concerned. Lisbon met his eyes.
Are you really okay? Jane mouthed at her.
Lisbon just nodded, trying for a smile. "Lets get in to work!"
They headed into the large white building, Jane's hand comfortingly at Lisbon's back where it normally sat.
"Hey!" A brunette woman around Lisbon's age greeted them as they exited the elevator.
Kim. Lisbon thought. Her name is Kim Fiscier...How do I know that?
"Kimmy!" Melody squealed, throwing her arms in the air.
Kim put her mug on the closest desk and hurried over to take Melody from Lisbon's arms. "Hey, cutiepie! How's my favourite little honourary FBI agent?" She gave Melody a kiss on the cheek.
"Good!" Melody giggled, hugging the older woman.
"I'm glad." Kim then looked at Jane and Lisbon. "How are you guys? Well rested from the weekend?"
"Very." Jane nodded. "Got lots of sleep. How about you?"
"I did, too. That Darlington case, huh? What a case that was."
Jane nodded. "Tell me about it."
Lisbon ventured no comment, still confused and trying to process everything.
"You okay, Teresa?" Kim asked. "You don't seem yourself."
"She said she was okay." Melody said. "But she forgot I was on summer break."
"Sometimes it is hard to tell summer from all the other seasons in Texas." Kim teased.
Texas!? Lisbon was in Texas!? Why was she in Texas!? Why-no, how was her house in Texas!? Lisbon swallowed hard. What alternate reality had she stumbled into? "I guess I just didn't get as much sleep as I thought I did." Lisbon shrugged, trying to take the attention off herself.
"Hey guys!" A younger blond man hurried over to them. "How are you?" He was wearing dark dress pants and a white button up shirt.
"Wylie!" Melody cheered.
"Melody!" Wylie threw his hands in the air and took Melody from Kim. "Guess what!"
"What?"
"I found a new computer game for you!"
"Yeah?" Melody's face lit up.
"Mhm. It's Hello Kitty."
"I love Hello Kitty!"
"I know!"
"Can I play it?"
"Of course! Come on, I've got it at my desk!" Wylie headed off with Melody in his arms.
The three other adults watched them go.
"She's such a sweetie." Kim smiled.
"We know." Jane nodded, grinning. "You and Cho could have one of your own, too."
Kim frowned, looking back at Jane. "Cho and I are not together."
"But you both could be if you stopped holding out. You two were so cute together."
"We went on one date."
"Two." Jane corrected. "You went on two dates."
"You tricked us into that first one!" Kim protested.
"And you both had such a great time that you decided to go on a second date all of your own." Jane reminded her. "But then you both decided to hold out on each other and the rest of us and not go out again."
"Teresa. Could you please?"
Lisbon understood.
"Oh, come on Teresa. You-ow. That wasn't very nice." Jane placed a hand over the spot Lisbon had just smacked on his chest.
"Stop hassling our coworkers." Lisbon chided.
"I am not hassling." Jane protested. "I'm just pointing out-"
"Well stop it."
"So authoritarian." Jane grinned.
Lisbon glared at him and then looked back at Kim. "How about we grab some coffee? We'll leave Jane to think about what he's done."
Kim smirked. "Sounds like a plan. I could use a refill."
"Don't I get a kiss first?" Jane pouted jokingly.
Lisbon turned to him, hands in her hips. "Not at-"
Jane quickly stepped forward to steal a quick kiss before he headed over to his couch.
"Damn it, Jane!" Lisbon yelled after him. She heard him chuckle and shook her head.
"What a pair." Kim shook her head as well. "I'm surprised you haven't killed him yet."
"I'm equally surprised." Lisbon said, following Kim into what she took to be the break room.
They both poured themselves some coffee, mixing in their sugar and cream.
"So, how was your weekend?" Lisbon asked, to try and shift attention away from herself. "How is your mother?" Why did she know she should ask about Kim's mother?
"It was good." Kim smiled. "My mom is doing good. She wants to come for another visit. It's been a few years since she came down. You remember? She came down for Christmas when Melody was two."
"Yeah." Lisbon smiled and nodded, even though she had no idea what Kim was talking about. "That was really nice."
"She still loves Melody. She's even started trying to get me to have kids." Kim rolled her eyes. "You know how family is."
"Tell me about it." Lisbon agreed, taking a sip of her coffee to give herself time to think of a good change of topic.
"Are you guys going to have a second one? You both said you were considering it a while ago."
Lisbon nearly choked on her coffee. She put her mug on the counter as she sputtered and coughed, trying to catch her breath.
Kim placed her own mug on the counter and patted Lisbon's back to try and help. "I guess that's a no, then." She tried not to sound too amused.
Lisbon finally caught her breath and leaned on the counter. "No, we're not." She said as calmly as possible after almost choking to death on her coffee.
"That's too bad." Kim picked up her mug.
"I guess we'll all just have to wait for you to have a kid, then." Lisbon raised a brow teasingly, taking another tentative sip of her coffee.
Kim snorted. "Please. Don't hold your breath. You might end up choking."
"Haha. You're so funny."
"Who knows." Kim shrugged. "Vega and Wylie might be the next pair."
"Vega?"
Kim gave Lisbon a confused looked. "The rookie from Quantico? She got here last week? About half a head shorter than you? Michelle?"
"Oh, right. Vega." Lisbon feigned remembrance, even though she had no idea what was going on. "Yeah, right! They started going out?"
"No, but you've seen Wylie. He's crushing on her really hard. It's sweet to see, but also really embarrassing to watch."
"Young love, huh? But I'm sure he'd be sweet to her. I mean, he's really good with Melody and he's nice in general."
"Yeah." Kim agreed. "I'm sure Vega doesn't want an office romance, though."
"Smart girl." Lisbon mumbled.
"This coming from one of the most successful office romances of the FBI."
"Don't make me choke on my coffee again."
Kim laughed.
"Morning ladies." A dark skinned man with thick framed glasses entred the break room.
"Morning, Abbott." Kim greeted.
"Morning." Lisbon smiled. Who the hell is this?
"I hope you both had a nice weekend."
"Sure did." Kim nodded. "How's everything with the wife?"
"It's good. We went to dinner and had a nice time."
"Glad to hear it."
"And, Lisbon." Abbott looked at her. "I know you've got Melody here, but I'm going to need those files you said you requested from Austin PD. For the final wrap up of the Darlington case. If you could have them on my desk for noon, that'd be great."
"Sure thing." Lisbon nodded.
"Thanks." Abbott smiled and grabbed himself some coffee before leaving.
"Better make sure those files came through. We'll talk later." Lisbon said to Kim.
"Of course. Talk to you later." Kim gave Lisbon a little wave.
Lisbon greeted Cho on her way to her desk. She wasn't sure how, but she knew which one was her desk. She sat down and went through all the files that were there and then checked her email. The entire time she was aware of Jane on his couch right behind her. After going through the files, she checked her emails. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Melody playing on the computer with Wylie. After a while, Jane got up and took Melody from Wylie so that he could get some work done. She smiled as she watched Melody pat Wylie's head before Jane took her to the break room, probably to get her a snack. Grabbing the files that she assumed Abbott wanted, Lisbon got up and headed to his office. It wasn't hard to spot him through the glass wall of his office and she knocked before going inside.
"Lisbon. You got the files?" Abbott looked up from his paperwork.
"Yes, sir. Here." She stepped closer to his desk and handed him the folder.
"Great. Vega should be in soon. She had a meeting with some of her superiors up in Quantico. Hopefully we'll have a quiet Monday after the chaos of last week."
"Yes, sir." Lisbon nodded and headed back to her desk.
Jane and Melody were sitting on Jane's couch. Melody was munching on some carrots.
"Hello." Lisbon smiled at them, detouring to kiss Melody on the head and then sat at her desk again.
"Hi." Melody beamed.
Lisbon pulled out a little tablet and placed it on her desk. She couldn't look anything up on her computer with it being so easily read by Jane from his couch. She logged into the FBI database on the tablet and began her research to try and figure everything out. Starting with why Melody thought she was her daughter. Lisbon typed Melody's full name into the people search bar, frowning at the result she got.
Melody Teresa Lisbon-Jane.
Lisbon clicked the profile to see what it said. The birthplace was the same. Melody's date of birth was right. Her weight, gender and medical history was all the same. Everything except for her parental information and the added last name. Even the database was telling her that she and Jane were Melody's parents. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, opening her eyes to look at the names again. Nope. They were still there. She clicked her own name and pulled up her own profile. This was all too weird. She signed out and tried to get back to work.
"Incoming." Jane announced from behind her as she felt Melody get placed on her back.
Lisbon turned her head, finding her nose rubbing Melody's.
"Hi." Melody grinned.
"Hello." Lisbon situated Melody on her lap. "Did you have a nice snack?"
"Yes. I like carrots."
"I know you do." Lisbon hugged her tightly.
"Do you need any help?"
"No, I think I'm okay. I'm glad you're here."
"Me, too!" Melody kissed Lisbon's cheek.
-Mentalist-
Lisbon was back in the break room making herself a cup of coffee.
"Hey, excuse me."
Lisbon turned and jumped backwards, gasping at the young blonde girl with curly hair that stood literally right behind her. "Oh, my god! Please don't sneak up on me like that."
"Sorry." The teenage girl giggled. "I forget how quiet I can be. I just wanted to come say hi to my step mom and my little sister." She looked at Melody who was on her hip.
Lisbon looked at the girl in shock and then looked at Melody. "I'm sorry...? Who are you?"
"You don't recognize me?" The blonde girl tilted her head. "I guess you only saw pictures from when I was little. I'll forgive you. I'm Charlotte."
"...What?"
"Charlotte." Melody repeated. "My older sister."
"I...you...what?" Lisbon stammered.
"Charlotte? Charlotte! There you are! You can't go running off like that." An older blonde woman walked into the break room that Lisbon recongized as Angela. Lisbon started to feel dizzy with confusion. What was happening!?
"Mom, I'm 16. I can find my way around places just fine."
"That's not the point. We don't have long."
Charlotte rolled her eyes.
"And give the poor woman back her daughter."
"Can one of you please explain to me what is happening?" Lisbon shook her head.
"You're dreaming." Angela said.
"I'm dreaming." Lisbon repeated.
"Yeah." Charlotte nodded. "No way is this real life. We wouldn't be here if it was."
"Okay...then why are you in my dream?"
"You tell us." Charlotte raised a brow.
"Charlotte, don't be lippy with Teresa." Angela chided. She then spoke to Lisbon. "We're here because you need to know something from us."
Lisbon's brow furrowed. "What do I need to know?"
Angela smiled gently. "You know what it is, but I'll tell you anyway. But first, Charlotte, give Melody back to her mother."
"No, see, if you two are in my dream - and you know you're in my dream - then why are you calling Melody my daughter? You should know that's not true."
"It is true." Angela said. "In a way. She's not your daughter genetically, but she is in every other way. Charlotte, what did I tell you?"
"Fine, fine." Charlotte scoffed, handing Melody to Lisbon and stepping back.
Lisbon took Melody, smiling at her.
Angela stepped closer and touched Lisbon's arm. "I'm happy for you. You and Patrick. I'm glad he finally found someone and that he's happy."
"You're funny." Charlotte added. "I like you."
"We're not mad at either of you." Angela continued. "I know Patrick is a handful, but please stick with him like you have so far. He really loves you, even if you sometimes doubt it. Trust me." Angela gently hugged Lisbon and Melody. "And your mother wanted me to say hello and that she's proud of you for everything. And your father says that he's sorry."
"Grandma and grandpa?" Melody asked.
"Yes." Angela nodded, poking Melody's nose. "Your grandma and grandpa. They love you all very much."
"Tell them I love them, too." Melody smiled.
"Will do." Charlotte said. "Come on, mom. You're the one who said we need to hurry. We gotta get out of here."
"I'm coming, Charlotte. Goodness. You want to hurry up now." Angela grinned at Lisbon. "Teenagers, am I right? Anyway. It was lovely seeing you. Maybe we'll be back. Goodbye, Teresa."
The pair was heading out the door when someone blocked their exit.
"Yeah, I think you two are forgetting something."
Lisbon's heart stopped. O'Laughlin was at the door, holding a gun at the two blonde women. She held Melody tightly, turning to use herself as a shield for Melody.
"We were leaving anyway." Charlotte told O'Laughlin. "You can't actually hurt us, you know."
"But I serve a purpose here, don't I." It wasn't a question and then O'Laughlin pulled the trigger. The two women vanished into a puff of air, two bloody smiley faces left on the floor where they had been standing.
Lisbon tucked Melody against her and pulled out her gun to point it at O'Laughlin.
"Come on, Lisbon." O'Laughlin laughed. "You don't scare me. I've already shot you once, don't you remember?"
This is a dream. Lisbon thought to herself. She pulled the trigger, the gun went off and shattered one of the glass walls.
O'Laughlin dodged, ducking behind a table.
Lisbon ran out of the break room. She had to get someone to help her. She had to get Melody somewhere safe. "Cho!" Lisbon yelled, running into the bullpen. "Oh, my god!" Bodies lay across the bullpen. Kim, Abbott, Cho, Wylie, Jane and some other agents she hadn't talked to.
"Mommy, I'm scared." Melody nuzzled her face into Lisbon's neck.
"You're okay." Lisbon bounced her a little bit. "I'm right here, sweetie." She caught sight of the stair doors and she ran towards it. She pushed on the door, but it didn't budge. She pushed harder and still got nothing.
"Going somewhere?" O'Laughlin was suddenly right behind her.
Lisbon turned her back to him to keep herself between him and Melody. "Go away. I have nothing for you. Grace isn't even here."
"You really think I want Grace? No. You have something I want."
"I don't have anything for you."
"For me, no. But Red John..."
"I don't have anything for him, either. You already got Patrick."
"Give me the kid."
"No."
"Give her over."
"No."
O'Laughlin reached out and grabbed Lisbon's hair, yanking hard and stepping backwards causing her to fall to the floor. She still clutched Melody close to her chest.
"You really are stubborn." O'Laughlin placed the gun to Lisbon's head.
Melody was crying.
Lisbon breathed heavily, trying to hold back sobs of her own. She closed her eyes tightly. This is a dream. This isn't real. She heard the click as O'Laughlin cocked the gun. It's not real.
BANG
xxx
Lisbon flailed and sat up, a sharp pain coming from her ankle.
"Teresa." Jane was there with his arm at her back, supporting her, sitting up himself. "Teresa, are you okay!?" He placed his hand on her cheek, getting her to look at him.
"Patrick." She breather. "Oh my god!" She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
Jane hugged her, rubbing her back with one hand. "I'm right here. It's okay. What happened?"
Lisbon panted, trying to calm down. "It was just a dream." She told herself.
"Shhhh." Jane kissed her shoulder. "What happened?"
"My ankle is killing me."
"I'll get you some medication."
"No!" Lisbon held him tighter. "Don't."
"Okay." Jane kissed her head. "Okay, would you like me to get you an ice pack?"
"Just stay here. Please."
Jane nodded, shifting them to lay down. "Must have been some dream. Teresa, are you okay?"
"I'm okay." Lisbon nodded, letting go of Jane and rubbing her hands over her face.
Jane pulled her hands away from her face and their gazes met. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not right now."
"How about that ice pack?"
"Please."
Jane kissed her thoroughly before getting up to grab her an ice pack from the freezer in the kitchen. He returned quickly, placing the icepack on Lisbon's ankle.
Lisbon hissed slightly, but sighed after the ice pack was settled.
Jane climbed back into bed and held Lisbon close, rubbing her hip with his thumb. "So?"
"I told you, I don't want to talk about it."
"Teresa, you were terrified. You even kicked me in your sleep. You were practically crying. We need to talk about this."
"It was just a bad dream."
"You were talking about O'Laughlin. I think it was more than that."
"Look, it was just a really weird dream."
"I want to know what it was about. Please."
"I...It...We were working for the FBI."
"Seriously?"
"I know." Lisbon sighed. And we got up like normal, but Melody was five again and instead of being James' daughter, she was ours. And we took her to work with us. I...I wasn't the boss anymore. We had a different team. Rigsby and Van Pelt weren't there. We were in Texas."
"What an odd dream." Jane kissed her forehead.
"It gets weirder. You tried to set Cho up with one of our new team members."
Jane smirked. "I'm sure I was right about it."
"Shush. It ended with someone breaking in and stuff."
"You mean O'Laughlin. He broke in."
"Yeah..."
"What else aren't you telling me?"
"Nothing."
"Teresa, I can feel your heart rate."
"It's just scary to think about. He killed everyone on the team and wanted me to give him Melody, but I didn't. He was going to shoot me and that's when I woke up."
"He's gone, Teresa." Jane reminded her. "He's never going to hurt you again."
"I know."
Jane held her gaze as they lapsed into silence.
"I love you, Teresa."
Lisbon bit her lip, smiling. "I know. I love you, too."
With that, Jane kissed her again. "Get some sleep." Jane told her when they broke apart. "I'm sure that dream was just the medication."
"I didn't want to take it. You insisted."
"It did help with your pain. You said so, yourself. Now, go to sleep."
Lisbon closed her eyes as Jane peppered her hair with light kisses and she fell back asleep.
Author's Note: That's it for now! Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think in a review! I'll try and have another chapter up as soon as possible!