Just for warning; I might not be able to publish before a few weeks –vacation time, vacation trip, and leftover homework (exams are in a liiiittle bit more than a month, so I think I'll be a bit more on revision and all). I wasn't really satisfied by this chapter, but after re-writing if for…(lost the count) I figure this one was the best version.

Thanks to BFangz, Jbon, Mosie and Steph-Schell for their reviews! I've been 'awwwing' each time I got one. My computer neighbour gave me a weird look (niark)

Steph-Schell: I've being distracted by my own work lately. Weird feeling to be called 'child'. Haven't been for a while XD

Anyway, here's the next chapter

Same warnings:

Warning 1: you don't like AU and Mentalist together? don't read

Warning 2: my English grammar isn't the best. I voice it better than I write it. Hope you'll still enjoy (won't blame you if you don't lol)

Wanderer

After thirty minutes of fast walking, the man allowed themselves to slow down. Grace and Connor were out-of-breath; even if they were used to endure long distances, it was still hard to keep a certain speed with their backpacks. He was worried about Grace, mostly. Her face was unusually pale and her teeth were chattering, even though the weather was pretty warm. At second glance, her eyes were half-way closed and the usual bags under her eyes had grown deeper. The man knew she wouldn't complain if she wasn't feeling good, so he ordered a halt and they sat on the sideway. The redhead appeared so relieved to stop that he really started to worry. Once she was on the grass, he kneed next to her and stared at her directly in the eye. She'd never dare lie to him when he watched her like that.

"Are you feeling all right?"

Connor's head shoot up at the question. The teenager lifted quickly her eyes to meet his and shook her head.

"I'm fine, father. Just a little tired. Don't worry."

As if to prove her point, she yarned, barely hiding her mouth behind her hand and closed her eyes, an exhausted expression on her face. She wanted to reassure him, but it wasn't really working. The man's lips tightened into a thin line and he patted her head gently.

"Why don't you sleep a while? Connor and I will repeat the tricks and you can rest. I'm sure he and I will manage something all right. And once you're better, we'll go down town."

The boy next to him nodded eagerly:

"Yeah, that's a good idea! You won't even have to do your gymnast things!"

She protested weakly, blinking slowly. Oh boy, the man thought. Is she sick?

He pulled out his fingerless gloves and touched her forehead.

"Damn it Grace!" he swore, eyes widening under the surprise. "You're burning! When did you catch such a fever?"

The redhead coughed and shook her head stubbornly, repeating she was fine. Connor put his bag down and kneed next to his elder, gazing at her worryingly.

"I…I was a little bit cold tonight" she confessed, lids half-closed. "It was okay this morning. I'm never sick father, I'm just tire…"

Her voice faded as her body literally slumped. The man caught her as she fell and laid her carefully on the side. Connor eyed her cautiously, touching her forehead in turn.

"Is she real sick father?" he asked in a low voice.

"I'm afraid so, little one. Don't worry, we'll figure out something" the man put his backpack down and opened it. Due to their non-stop travelling, they had become quite resistant to any kind of disease. It was rare that either of them got sick. Thankfully, Connor had fever a few months ago and the man still had some of the medication somewhere. He had got it from an herbalist he knew, who swore the potion would still be efficient for some time.

While he was searching for the needed object, he ordered to Connor to get some covers for Grace to lie on. Once he finally found the phial, he moved her on the thick blanket and gave her the medicine. She swallowed it and just laid still. The man felt reassured when she didn't reject the lotion. Right now, she needed rest. Connor came closer and observed him expectantly.

"We have to wait" the man said. "Here, sit next to me."

The boy didn't move.

"We still need to go around town to do Showtime, don't we?" he asked, balancing backward and forward. "I mean, are we going to go there and take Grace with us? Are we going to leave her somewhere else or…"

"We don't have enough money to afford a room right now" the man replied on a low tone. "We'll wait until she's able to move alone again. If we had a fourth person, I'd let her here and you'd come with me in town, but unfortunately that's not the case."

Connor sat next to the man and huffed, trying to act like he was already bored.

"Can you teach me a few tricks?" he asked eventually. "I know I'm good at telling stories, but you taught Grace to hipotize people –"

"She's still learning, Connor. And it's hypno…"

"-and to read in minds-" he went on, jumping on his feet, ignoring the man's comment.

"Actually, it's rather reading their feelings but –"

"And a lot of other cool stuff too!" the boy was pouting now, crossing his arms. "I don't want to be the 'assistant' anymore, I wanna show too!"

The man half-smiled. Connor was a brave kid. He had noticed the slight shaking of his hands when he was talking, and he was gesturing more than usual. The boy was scared but was trying to hide it behind his pouting and protesting.

"Grace is going to be all right little one" the man promised, and shuffled the boy's head. "Right now I can always teach you a few cards tricks…"

"Eh…Excuse me, sir?"

An unknown voice made him and Connor turn round. Behind them, a tall young man was shifting uncomfortably on his feet, biting his lower lip.

"I…sorry, I was just passing by and I heard you talking…Are you really artists?"

The newcomer was a young man in his twenties, the man judged. Strong frame, dark short hair and eyes. He looked a little gauche and shy, if the man read correctly his slightly twisting hands.

"More like entertainers" the man replied calmly. "We perform magic tricks, I read minds, my son is a storyteller and my daughter is an acrobat. Things like that. How can I help you?"

"Well…I happen to be an organiser of the village's annual party that will be hold tomorrow night. I was wondering if you hold a stand or something. You'll be paid" he added quickly. "I'll make sure of that."

The man knew the newcomer was looking for a rarity. It looked like the village he came from didn't receive many visitors. He glanced back at Grace's immobile form. The young man followed his gaze and his eyes widened at the sight:

"O…OMG, w…what happened? Is she all right?"

The man didn't answer immediately. The teenager's face was slowly sweating more. He had to act, and quick.

"What's your name, young lad?" the man asked eventually, looking back at the stranger. "And what's the name of the village?"

The young man shifted on his feet uncomfortably. The man felt he was reconsidering, but too polite to spit it out loud. Or too embarrassed.

"Rigsby, sir. Wayne Rigsby. This place use to be Sacramento."

The name made the man frown. Sacramento? They were really back there? The town he killed Red John. How ironic. He wondered if this good old Minelli was still alive. But then, he chased the thought away.

"Well Rigsby, I accept your offer under one condition. I don't care about the money. My payment will be a warm room for my daughter, a place to rest for my son and some food for a couple of days. If you can assure that, I'll perform as many tricks and tours you wish as long as your whatever village party lasts."

--

Teresa was starting to wonder what had she ever done wrong to be in this position. It was a little before lunchtime, when Cho and she had made their road back to Bosco's office. They had confirmed that the waterfall was indeed made of untamed water, and there was enough for the village in case of need.

"Thanks, both of you" the mayor had said, before adding: "Cho, would you mind going to Minelli's office alone? I want to have a word with Lisbon."

And, having to obey his superior, the Asian man left, throwing a worried glance at Lisbon. As his closest friend, she had told him everything; the man, Bosco's advances; her brother's eagerness…And now here she was, waiting to confront a man who loved her but couldn't have her. When was the drama about to stop?

"Teresa" he started. "Your brother came to me earlier. He told me you were a little upset this morning."

The woman crossed her arms and stared at him, holding back his gaze.

"He and I had a kind of argument, thanks for worrying."

"He's concerned about you, you know" Bosco continued. "He says you hadn't any romantic relationship for the last six years."

Teresa glared at him, fists itching.

"I did have a few boyfriends, but nothing serious. What's the concern with my love live? I still have the right not to date anyone."

Bosco sighed loudly and shook his head.

"I won't push you anymore, Teresa, I swear I won't. But can you be honest, and tell me why?"

His tone was sincere, so she decided to do the same.

"You're a good man, Sam, and I like you and respect you. But I will never consider you as a potential lover, or husband for the matter. Truth is, I met this man, a few months before the Dark Night, and I can't forget him. I'm sorry."

Bosco sat on his chair; a sharp laugh escaped his mouth.

"So I am rivalling with a ghost?" he asked, half heartedly. "I see. I'm sorry Teresa I didn't understand this earlier." He paused, and looked at her in the eye. "You must really love him, to wait for him this long."

The statement made her blink. Love? How could she love someone she didn't even know? Teresa felt safer keeping the comment for herself though.

"That's all I wanted to say, Teresa. Can I still hope to be a friend?"

"You are a friend, Sam. You've always been a friend."

They both smiled shyly to each other, and Lisbon walked out of the office. One thing was done.

-

When Teresa opened the door of her house, Ray was there, arms crossed, an upset expression on his face. She didn't bother looking at him too long. She was tired right now; she didn't feel like fighting him. He, on the contrary, looked rather upset.

"I heard about you meeting Bosco. You said you wanted someone" Ray whispered quietly. "We've lived together since the Dark Night, and I never saw you with another guy you really liked. So who is he, Teresa? Who's the son of a bitch who's preventing you from being happy!"

His last words were laced with pure anger. The dark eyes he had inherited from their father made her shiver, but she held on. In six years, they had never fought, never argued. If they started now, she didn't want to be the one to back up. A look of disgust crossed her face:

"Ray, you've pushed too far this time. You're certainly not going to order my life around like I'm a two years old kid. I'm twenty six for God's sake!"

"That's the problem Teresa" Ray replied bitterly. "You are twenty six and alone. Just…just open your eyes! Bosco is the man for you! Everyone can see it, even I can see it!"

"Shut up Ray!" she barked angrily, starting to walk out of the main room. "You're freaking out because I'm starting to age? That's it? I don't find to find someone else! I already know who I want, and he's not in this fucking town! Now you leave me alone! If you start harassing me again, I'll leave the village, got it!"

"Don't go!"

His cry froze her in tracks. There was desperation in his voice, mixed up with pain and anxiety. Teresa shivered again, eyes widening under the surprise. The last time she heard that tone was when…

"I don't want to lose you Teresa" his voice was on the edge of tears. "We've already lost Dad, and Tommy and Chris. I don't want to lose you too."

Lisbon bit her lower lip but didn't turn back. She knew he was sincere, but something in her was itching. She couldn't keep him around her right now.

"Ray, listen to me. You're my only family left, and I care for you too."

"You've grown cold, Teresa" Ray whispered bitterly. "You act like you don't want happiness; you built walls around yourself, even with me. A few years ago, you'd have turn back and hugged me! I promise; I won't bother you on the matter anymore. But one day you'll realise you've missed the only occasion of being truly happy. And you'll hate yourself for waiting for an imaginary prince charming."

She rolled her eyes and went to the kitchen. But Ray wasn't done yet.

"I'm sure it's a great thing, living in a dream" he added sharply. "I'm sure you're there with your guy, and dad and Tom and Chris are still cherry and alive. See like you miss them so much."

Teresa froze on spot again. She turned heels and walked straight to him. He should have known better than making her angry. Her fist met his nose in a loud 'crack'.

"You big asshole!" she yelled as her brother hit the floor, a hand on his face; his nose was pouring blood now. "Get out of my house right now! I don't want to see you again!"

As soon as she slammed the door behind him, she ran her fingers in her hair, trying to fight the tears upcoming.

How dare he! How dare he say such a horrible thing! He saw her. He saw her crying for nights after the loss of her brothers and father. Christopher was only five years old during the Dark Night. Ray and she had been out of town that night for reasons, and when they came back in panic after the earthquake, there was nothing left. They only found the body of their father and one brother, Tommy. She'd give anything to see them again! He was the first one to know.

The only thing that made her think was his comment on the man's absence. Was she making a mistake by refusing Bosco's proposal? She didn't know anymore. She wasn't sure she loved the man. She just knew somehow; and she promised him. Why was she still waiting, like an idiot, for someone that had certainly died, or even forgotten her a long time ago?

For once, she didn't find any comfort thinking about him. Just a bittersweet taste of anger against herself, for not being able to move on.

Should I make them meet next chapter? I'm still wondering…in the meantime, there's always a green button to push. Thanks for reading so far!