Chapter 8
"How do you feel this morning?"
"Mm. I don't know. A tad better, maybe. My head still hurts like hell though".
Jane caressed her fingers affectionately.
"My dear Lisbon, what do you expect? Your survival has all the doctors amazed. Your recovery will probably take some more time".
"You said the guys have caught our suspect?"
"Yeah. And Cho had him pay for that blow on your head. You can bet on that".
"They had him suspended then?"
He smiled at her concern. Always the mother hen of the unit – even from her hospital bed.
"You don't have to worry. Rigsby backed him up. Anyway, the jerk got away with just a broken nose. That's far less than he'd have deserved".
"Jane…"
"Well, he's lucky I'm not the one who went after him. I'd have cut him into pieces, you know".
She snorted. "And you'd have gone to jail. No way out of it this time".
"Yeah, maybe I'm lucky too".
There was a long silence. Jane was desperately trying to man up for what he had to tell her. Lisbon, on the other hand, was cherishing the feeling of his thumb gently circling on her wrist.
Guilt got the better of her at last, and she pulled back her hand.
"Where's Grace?"
Jane looked up at her, surprised. "I have no idea at all. What do you want her for?"
"Come on, Jane. She's probably waiting for you. You'd better go".
He stared at her aghast. Was she really thinking that he and Grace…?
"Lisbon, look at me".
She complied, somehow managing to gather a smile.
"Grace is only a friend. Nothing more".
She shook her head in disbelief. "You don't have to be ashamed of your feelings, Jane".
"I'm not. It's just… she's not the one I've feelings for".
"Who's the lucky woman then?"
He held her gaze for a moment. "Promise me this is not going to affect our friendship".
"Of course not, Jane", she reassured him – though she felt her heart sinking.
"You're the one, Teresa".
She blinked repeatedly. "Pardon me… what?"
"I am in love with you. Hope that's not a problem for you".
Lisbon felt her eyes filling with tears. She let him reach for her hand again and entwine his fingers through hers.
"You sure?", she double-checked at last.
"Absolutely".
"And what about your wife?"
He hesitated just for a moment. "I think she'd be glad of it".
"I'm in love with you too".
"Really?"
"Weren't you the mind reader, by any chance?"
"Oh, shut up, woman".
And slowly, taking his own time, he leaned forward and kissed her.