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Nine

He walked next to Lisbon, keeping it slow just for her. That morning she had asked if she could visit Ray, he needed her most at the moment and she wanted to make herself fully available to her young nephew, she could not do that in her hospital bed. She had argued slightly with her nurse, arguing over the fact whether she was well enough to walk around, Patrick had told the nurse he would watch her and make sure she would be fine. It was now clear to him that Teresa Lisbon did not like hospitals, he did not blame her, and he himself could do without doctors.

As they walked through the hospital corridors, both remained silent not quite knowing what to expect when they were to see Ray in his current state. The doctors had said he was healthy, not a scratch on his body. The young boy had severe night terrors, however.

"I'm scared for Ray," she broke the silence first. She was rarely ever scared, if she was, she would never show it, "He lost both parents so early and he saw all the blood," she stopped, not wanting to continue.

Patrick nodded in acknowledgement, "He thinks a Mister Patrick did it," Lisbon turned towards him, "When Maddie called me to tell me that Red John was in that house, he heard her call me 'Mister Patrick' and now he automatically thinks I killed his family."

"You specifically?" she raised an eyebrow hesitantly.

He shook his head, "No," he paused, "Another 'Mister Patrick'," he took in a deep breath, "I would never-," he could tell Lisbon knew what he was thinking of. He was remembering his family once more, torn apart before his eyes, crimson red blood coating the white walls in a sickening smilie face that appeared to be crying. The image alone could turn any sane person into the exact opposite that they were before they encountered Red John.

"Ray knows that," she placed a hand on his shoulder and the other on her swollen belly, "He trusts you," she gave him a soft smile, "I can tell," a small smile crept across his features, he nodded his head and reached his hand to grasp her smaller one in his hand. He ran his thumb over the back of her hand; it felt smooth to his touch, so delicate and yet so easy to be ripped away from this earth.

Her gaze was focused on her hand in his, and then it traveled up towards his. His eyes were full of sorrow and fear…hatred. She took in a deep breath and immediately felt his gaze shift to her face. She felt the blush appear in her features as she felt her pulse quicken. He gently placed his other hand over hers on her belly, taking her hand and entwining it softly. He then smiled at her, giving her a light squeeze. Warmth flooded into his eyes once more as the Patrick Jane she knew to no end returned to her.

"You have no notion to how I would have dealt with this if you had died," she nodded lightly, "I will not leave you again, I need you to know that," once more, she felt herself nod her head slowly, understanding evident in her eyes.

He smiled once more, he was definitely back, "Fantastic," he moved away from her slightly, "Let's go see Ray," he then took the lead towards Ray's room, Lisbon following behind him, mind still working in overdrive in vain attempt to process the moment they had just shared.

…

Ray was improving, a nurse around the pediatrics ward would lead him through the corridors, and eventually the young boy found himself playing with some of the other sicker children. Ray's doctor would nod in approval when he would see the young boy share with the other children; use his manners, and the occasional smile when he interacted with the other young children.

That was where Jane and Lisbon found him, playing with another young boy. The two had been piling up a large block tower, trying to see how large they can construct it without it falling over.

Lisbon was quite shocked by this improvement, not normally did children start up somewhat of their regular routines, but when Ray was alone, that was when he would get upset, cry out as if he was scared to be the last person on earth. His doctor would stay with him for a period of time, before she would be sure he would fall asleep. Immediately everyone was falling in love with the young boy's charms.

"Ray?" Lisbon called out to her nephew. He turned his attention to her, accidently ruining his block tower. He quickly got up and ran to her, arms outstretched.

"Auntie Tessie?" he whispered in her shoulder, "Y-you're n-not um, with the angels?" she looked down at his eyes; they were full of innocence, who could hurt a child?

"No," she cupped the back of his head and he wrapped his arms further around her neck, "I will take care of you."

He pulled back slowly, "P-pwomise?" she smiled at him and ruffled his messy dark hair.

"I promise."

"Does um, the Good Mister Patrick pwomise?"

"Yes," Lisbon turned to see Jane, she did not know he was behind her at that moment, but she appreciated it, that he would help her nephew during this hard time, that he would promise to be there whenever he would need him, "I promise," Ray moved away from her and quickly moved towards Jane, embracing him tightly, "I will never leave you," Jane said into the boy's shoulder before moving away and placing a kiss on his head.

"Good," Ray nodded, "Um, Mister Patrick, Auntie Tessie," he looked around at everyone, "Would you, um, like to pway with me, Sam, and Michael?" he pointed towards where the block towers were being built, only one boy was there, "That's Sam."

"Where's Michael?" Jane chuckled at Lisbon's question.

Ray leaned in closely, he was extremely serious with the way he did so, "Shhh," he brought his fingers to his lips then brought them back down again, "He's really really invisible, b-but he don't know it."

Lisbon looked at Jane; she had not been expecting that. She was pulled out of her thoughts when Ray pulled on her hand, moving her towards Sam, 'Michael', and the blocks. Jane followed both of them, a smile evident on his face once more.

They were safe for now, the only question at the moment was how long.