As Jane sat and watched Lisbon sleep, he thought of all the time they had spent together and his mind kept going back and forth between arguments and laughter. If only she would wake up and smile at him. The rest they could deal with in time. Her bandaged hands lay at her sides still and marked as useless. Jane was sickened thinking about Lisbon's thumb almost being cut off, and her other hand burned and covered in abrasions. He desperately wanted to hold one of those hands, but he could only lightly stroke her forearm. Teresa murmured slightly in her sleep but did not wake.

For his part, Cho almost felt like an intruder. There was definitely a connection between the two that only they understood. He was just as worried as Jane, but he stood at the foot of Lisbon's hospital bed willing her to wake. He'd never admit it, but in his mind he silently prayed that she would revive and they could then work to figure out who had hurt her. He wanted his tough yet diminutive boss back, and he wanted to make whomever had hurt her pay.

"Jane." He said quietly. The blond consultant looked at him with a blank look, his right hand fingers still gently stroking Teresa's arm.

"I'm going down to the cafeteria. Can I bring you anything?"

Jane shook his head no, his focus back on Teresa.

"No, Cho. I just want her to wake up."

"Ok," Cho nodded. He turned and left the room quietly.

Jane realized he was now alone with Teresa and the beeping IV machine providing rehydrating fluids to her. He rose from his chair slightly and leaned his head near Teresa's resting his head lightly against hers and placing his lips near her right ear.

"Teresa. It's Jane," he whispered. "You're safe and no longer in danger. Cho and I are here with you, and it's time to wake up, sweetheart."

The endearment came so easily.

She did not stir and continued to be deeply unconscious. Jane's lips brushed her temple lightly and he sat back down, his hand continuing to rest on her arm. Why wouldn't she wake up? One of the doctors had mentioned that it could be a type of psychological coping. Obviously, she was exhausted, but not wanting to actually "deal" with reality could have been part of it too. It was easier to stay asleep.

Jane sighed and realized how tired he was too.

He leaned his head against his hand which still rested on Teresa's arm. He begged her silently to wake. Someone watching might even say it looked as though he was praying.

Lisbon's POV

Something heavy was resting on her right arm. She tried to open her eyes, but for some reason they felt glued shut. Her mouth felt like it was full of sawdust or cotton. Teresa couldn't figure out what was going on; her mind was spinning. Think. Where was she? She tried to open her eyes again, but it felt like cement blocks were sitting on them. What was that weight on her arm? She just couldn't think straight. She felt herself sinking back into blissful darkness again.

Suddenly, she felt the heaviness on her arm move and then it was replaced by a rhythmic stroking. It felt good, gentle and soothing. That was it! Someone was gently stroking her arm. Somehow she managed to open her mouth and tried to lick her rough and dehydrated lips. So thirsty. She still couldn't open her eyes.

She faintly heard her name.

"Lisbon?"

She tried lifting her eyelids again but to no avail.

"Lisbon, come on darlin'. You're safe. Everything's going to be ok." The rhythmic stroking of her arm continued.

Who had said that?

She felt like she should know, but she just couldn't seem to find a na...wait a minute... Jane? He did not call her 'darlin'. It almost sounded like Patrick Jane, but he was in Texas. Wasn't he?

Her confusion made her whimper, but she still didn't open her eyes. She pulled away from the hand on her arm.

Finally, with as much effort as she could muster she opened her eyes. The room was dim but the little bit of light shining from the bathroom felt like pin pricks in her brain. She closed them again with another whimper.

"Hey...hey," Jane said soothingly as he pet her hair back off her forehead. She flinched at his touch.

"Theresa, it's me, Jane. You're ok. You're in the hospital, but everything is ok."

It was Jane she thought. But, how could that be? She was so confused. She wanted to open her eyes to see if it really was Jane, but even the smallest bit of...

"I'm going to get a doctor or nurse." She heard Jane whisper. "Hang tight." She felt the stroking weight of his hand leave her arm.

Minutes later, the room filled with medical professionals as Teresa was poked and prodded and her vital signs were checked. Jane and Cho stood back by the door out of the way while the doctors and nurses worked. Jane kept his steady gaze on Teresa who looked disoriented and confused, but who had finally opened her eyes and touched her bandaged hand to her temple.

"Doc..tor." She whispered. Suddenly, she seemed to perk up, and she said a little louder, "Jane?"

"I'm here, Teresa." Jane said moving toward her bed and only having eyes for her. Two nurses parted slightly so that he could get in closer.

She seemed to relax a little when he stepped further into the light of the room.

" How are you here? What...what happened?" She asked in a soft shaky voice. Jane placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. The doctor and nurses continued working and watching her response.

"You're in the hospital in Oregon, Teresa. Do you remember how you got here?"

Teresa wracked her memory. Nothing. It was blank.

Jane looked to the doctor for reassurance and when she nodded he continued.

"What's the last thing you do remember?"

Her brow furrowed in consternation. She shook her head slightly.

"I can't..." she trailed off clearly distressed.

"Do you know how old you are?"

"36."

"When were you born?"

"October 13, 1984."

Jane nodded and the doctor jumped in.

"Do you know what today's date is?"

June 30th?

Jane nodded.

Dr. Simms, the psychologist, spoke up. "Ms. Lisbon. There's no need to rush anything. You've suffered some trauma, and I think your mind is blocking it out. Your memory will likely return after rest and time. I think the best thing to do for now is rest. The police are very anxious to talk with you, but you need rest. We will all let you get to that." She smiled with encouragement. The nurse finished her last check and they both left the room.

Lisbon sighed looking at Jane with tired and sad eyes. "Why can't I remember?" It was just she and Jane in the room.

Jane sighed and pensively tapped his lip. "It is perplexing...but-" and with this he smiled and patted her shoulder again. "It will come back."

Lisbon sighed again.

She raised both of her bandaged hands.

"Can you at least tell me what happened with these?"

"Be patient. All you need to do is rest and heal." He looked at her with love in his eyes and for a moment she was confused. He saw it on her face and his shield fell back in place.

"Now, you need to do what the doctors told you, and rest."

If she could have reached out a hand to him, she would have. Instead, she whispered. "Stay?"

She looked so small and forlorn against the sharp white sheets and blankets of the hospital bed that Jane realized he would never be able to turn her down for anything ever again.

He pulled a chair back over to her bedside.

"Of course," he whispered back and lightly touched his lips to her forehead. "Sleep now, Theresa. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. You're safe."

And with that Teresa closed her eyes and she was soon fast asleep.