"A forbidden love"
Chapter 2. Of fathers and daughters.
(Flashback)
'You're here', she repeated as she drank her glass of wine, contemplating him as if he would vanish in front of her.
'I am', he confirmed, smiling openly at her, not losing sight of her neither.
He's been released just a few hours ago, after he accepted the deal of the FBI. They have decided to meet in her new house, in Austin, to celebrate the beginning of a new era, a new team.
He has missed her so much, he couldn't stand not being close to her. He was drowning in her perfection and he didn't mind it at all. And she, who still looked a bit confused with the whole situation couldn't hide her happiness at being by his side.
Just like old times.
'So, tell me Lisbon. Tell me everything about these last two years', he asked her.
'I told you I've been working…'
'Everything, my dear. I want to hear each detail of your life… by the way, I love your hair', he said as he caressed it with his fingers, 'You know I'm never leaving you, right?
She looked away a bit embarrassed, of course he had read her mind so well. The truth was they share the same fear. They were terrified of losing each other, once more.
'Teresa, I promise you, I won't leave you again. Never again if it is what you wish', he confessed to her and her shy smile was answer enough.
(End of flashback)
He has been sitting on his couch for more than three hours, most of that time he's been watching Lisbon who was immersed in her research. She looked drained and he knew better than to disturb her.
For 12 years they have worked side by side, knowing each other's defects, failures, virtues and so on and so forth. He wants to believe he knows her better than anyone. Certainly, she knows him better than anyone even himself or even his dear late wife, Angela.
And to be quite honest, he's been daydreaming about a future with Lisbon for a long time now. He never dared to think about his future, their future whereas Red John were still alive, even if he knew that Lisbon was the most important person in his life. But since he had killed the psychopath, he couldn't stop himself, he longed for a life of peace and comfort along his partner in life, Teresa Lisbon.
He's accepted a long time ago that he's over heels in love with the brunette, he couldn't imagine waking up knowing he won't see her ivory face, her honest eyes. No, he couldn't imagine a life without her by his side.
One could say it him like an epiphany.
But no, he embraced that feeling.
It meant he was alive and ready to feel again, to live life to the fullest.
He looked again at the centre of his thoughts, who looked more anxious with each hour it passed by. Her curly hair, completely disheveled, her clothes a mess even if she was sitting on a chair not doing anything more than typing on her computer.
He got up from the couch and moved to her desk, sitting on it, his back to the rest of the FBI and contemplating the views from the enormous windows of the quarters. She looked a him for a moment before returning to her work.
'I think you'd be an excellent mother', he said.
She stopped working and looked at him as if he has just lost his mind.
'I've been thinking about our years in the CBI, you've spent most of your time caring, worrying, protecting and raising each one of the members of the team. Thanks to you, they are all honourable, loyal and respectful people. Thanks to you, a team became a family', he said as he took a chair, sitting next to her, looking at her deeply, trying to convey with his eyes what he was expressing with his words, ' I think I have never told you that, and I admire you so deeply for that, you're like mamma bear with her cubs'
'Why are you telling me this, Jane?', she asked him, forgetting about the task in hand.
'Just thinking', he said, leaning closer to her.
The light of the sunset coming from the window making her glow, her eyes shining with a light he has seen in rare moments, her face slightly reddened.
God, she looked more beautiful each day.
'You've been doing that a lot, lately', she whispered, leaning unconsciously closer to him.
They got lost in each other's eyes for a minute before they realised they were in the FBI quarters, he missed dearly her old office when they could talk and spend time alone without being noticed or disturbed.
'Should I worry about it?, she asked him moving apart from him but still looking at him.
'No.. I told you, I'm just thinking about life, you know. How precious it is', he whispered leaning closer to her again, caressing her left hand, making sure they were covered by her computer.
To anyone else, it would look as if they were just talking about a case.
To them, it was an intimate moment, their connection now stronger than ever.
'It takes my breath away, you know? To see how precious it is', he mumbled, praying that she would catch his underlying message, 'I've been blind for so long, Teresa'
'Jane', she whispered, her eyes with unshed tears, her hand trembling beneath his own.
'Let's run, Teresa, run away with me, we can start over ', he begged her, not caring about anyone else or their surroundings.
But she, the ever rational one of both of them, thought better. They couldn't get carried away by their feelings, not yet. Not when the Blake Association was targeting them, it was too dangerous.
'You know we can't, I wish we could but…', she took her hand away from him, ' You know I wish I could, but we have so much work to do… there are other lives at risk, Grace, Wayne, Maddie…'
He bowed his head at her, respecting her wishes, thankful that she was able to think straight. Unlike him, who was utterly lost loving her. He felt as if he was 15 years old, terrified and yet, excited at the feel of being in love.
He didn't need to ask her about her feelings for him, although he would be so pleased to hear it from her. On the other hand, he hasn't confessed his feelings for her yet, but he hoped she could see through his actions.
'You've always been the rational one', he said as he moved away from the chair, trying to maintain the calm, trying not to kneel in front of her, trying not to confess his love for her to everyone, trying so hard not to kiss her lips as he has wished to do for so long.
Then, she surprised him.
She stood up and moved to him, taking hold of his hand, caressing it slightly, looking around once more, making sure no one else could notice her gesture.
She looked at him as if she wanted too, to say something, but he knew she couldn't. Not yet.
He caressed her hand lovingly, drinking on each inch of her face, smiling at her.
She moved away then, bowing slightly at him, looking away shyly.
And he almost broke into tears right there.
…
'It's been a long time, Patrick'
He's been called into Abbot's office the next morning, he was not surprised to Wylie already there talking to their boss. What surprised him was to see Virgil Minelli standing there, after so many years without seeing the man.
He's been the best supervisor they had ever had.
And he knew the man cared deeply for Lisbon, he looked at her as if she was his surrogate daughter. Jane knew the feelings were mutual. Teresa admired him deeply.
'Virgil', he muttered surprised, extending his hand towards the older man.
'Well, now that we're all here, let's talk. I have sent Lisbon and Cho away to talk to a man, Vincent McCain, who as we have looked into our computers, it's the last person who has seen Fisher. He may have relevant information', explained Abbot, 'Here, Virgil Minelli, retired agent from the CBI, Wylie. He was the supervisor of the team, a long time ago'
'I've come to you, hopefully, to help you with the investigation', said Minelli as he sat after shaking hands with Wylie, ' All of you, including the Rigsbies are in danger, as you all know. It is my intention to defeat these assholes for once'
The man hasn't changed a bit, he thought. Respectful to his people, yet, always in charge.
Abbot didn't seem to mind.
But Jane knew better, the man was hiding something.
Minelli looked at him straightforwardly.
'You know the main targets are you and Lisbon, right Jane?', said Minelli as he leant forwards.
'Well, that's pretty obvious. It was their plan which managed to defeat Red John', said Wylie nervous looking at the three men in the room, the young man was clearly intimidated by them.
'Not only because of that', said Minelli gesturing to the blonde man and looking back at Abbot and Wylie, ' This man has been in love with agent Lisbon for a long time, agents. They both are so in love that it's almost disgusting. And this fact makes them more fascinated for our attackers'
Abbot didn't look surprised at all.
But Wylie turned his head to Jane as he has grown ten heads.
He, not a bit embarrassed, looked to Minelli, smiling at the man.
'You've known all this time', he stated.
'Of course, I did', said Minelli, ' But let me tell you something, Patrick Jane, if you ever hurt her again, as you used to hurt her back in the CBI, I will shoot you'
…..
They arranged everything so the three of them could have dinner together, Minelli, Lisbon and him. He looked at Lisbon who looked excited as a teenager, pleased to see her old boss, who cared for her as her own father should have done.
'Easy, woman', he said as he moved to her.
She was trying to gather all her staff in her bag, so they could go to the restaurant.
'Let me', he whispered helping her as she touched her hair once more, then, he leaned into her ear,' You look perfect. Let's go'
He was sure she blushed until they reached the restaurant.
They were led to a private table, surrounded by bamboos and a big window showing them the spectacular sights of Austin. It was one of the most extravagant, yet, exquisite restaurants of the city.
Minelli stood up as soon as he saw them, shaking hands with him and going to Teresa to hug her.
She returned the hug, almost trembling, looking happy to see the man.
The three of them sit in the table, just enjoying each other companies for a while.
'Look at you, Teresa', said Minelli looking at her in awe, 'FBI, eh? I knew you'd do it. I'm so proud, so proud'
Teresa smiled back at him and looked away shyly to look at the menu.
'Try the number 3', both of them said in unison.
Lisbon laughed at them.
'Am I so predictable?', she asked them in shock.
Both men looked at each other, shaking their heads.
'Virgil, I'm so pleased to see you, you've got no idea how much we've missed you', she said biting her lips.
'I've missed you too. Not you', he corrected gesturing to Jane, he laughed a bit at that, he knew better. He knew that even Minelli could care for him, he would always love Lisbon more. In fact, he felt as if he was trying to impress his father's girlfriend when he was around these two.
'But… I'm surprised too', said Lisbon, catching their attention, 'I thought you were away, the last time we spoke you told me you were in Europe, in Spain'
'Yes, I was'
'But then?'
'I heard about some incidents related to the Blake Association, and I knew I could not stay away this time', he said as if apologising for not being there when they defeated Red John, ' What's more, recent events have made me realise I wanted to do something more in this life I have been given, Lisbon. I can protect you, and I will'
Oh.
Now, he knew what was wrong.
Lisbon, so naïve, hasn't still caught up with the situation.
'How long, Virgil?', he asked with pity to the man.
Lisbon looked at him confused, then back to her old boss, who looked at her with tears in his eyes. The older man took her hand, and looked at her.
'What? I don't understand, what's happening? Virgil?', she asked anxiously, looking as if she was a young girl who couldn't understand why her father was going away.
'I have cancer, my girl', he stated, looking away, to hurt to see Lisbon looked so defeated, so terrified by his impending death, ' I have some weeks left, the doctors say, enough to arrange some stuff, enough time to help your team…. Lisbon, Teresa, don't be sad…. I have loved and I have being loved throughout my life… and I can be satisfied knowing that you're loved too, my girl', said Minelli looking at her now, 'I'm so proud of you, Teresa, you cannot imagine how much'
Lisbon was looking at their hands, then she looked at Jane.
The sight of her feeling so devastated hit him like a punch in the stomach.
'Do me a favour, will you?, asked Minelli, 'Don't waste any more time, both of you, for God's sake. Be careful, after all we are in a war against the Blake Association, but be smart. What you too have is magic, don't let it go away'
Lisbon and him looked at each other, determined to find a solution to their current situation. Minelli looked at them, and he smiled to the waitress who has brought them their plates.
They continued talking throughout the dinner, easier stuff, everyday stuff.
By the end of their dinner, Lisbon looked more calm, yet, so sad.
Minelli hugged her as they say their goodbyes.
'I have loved you the best I could, Lisbon. You have always deserved better than what life has given to you, you deserve much more, never forget that', said the older man looking at her with so much pride, and joy.
' I love you, too', she muttered back into his embrace, ' We'll see you soon, okay?'
'Of course, you will', said Minelli moving to him now.
He has stayed away to give them some privacy, wondering briefly how Lisbon's father had looked when he was alive.
'Jane', said Minelli extending his hand to him, 'I care about you, but remember, I will hunt you down if you mess this up. Even if I had to do it from the afterlife'
'I'm sure you will', he said shaking hands with the man.
Lisbon and him looked at Minelli, as he moved away, into the desolated streets of Austin.
Then, he looked at her, who looked exhausted and drained.
'Come on, I will take you home', he muttered.
He wasn't surprised when she linked her arm with his own, both of them walking down the street, trying to find a refugee in each other's arms.
To be continued