OH ZOMG ANOTHER UPDATE IN THE SAME WEEK? IS SHE MAD?
Yeah, I feel kinda bad for leaving you guys hanging, and I'm on a roll now so...update anyone? Thanks for the reviews for the last chapter, I hope you're enjoying it :D Things will start getting rather frustrating from here on :D
I listened to My Immortal by Evanescence while listening to this, it was very helpful :)
The Mentalist belongs to CBS
Maddy belongs to me.
Chapter 5 - Heartfelt
Last chapter...
I looked up, and spotted more bodies, both dead and wounded on the ground around us. A dumpster sat mere meters away. I shuffled forward and heard a groan behind me as I pulled Jane again. I froze, and turned around. Blood was soaking into Jane's trouser leg, just above the knee, he was holding it stiffly with both hands, the colour drained from his face.
You see scenes like this in movies, where the hero or heroine bravely runs through a field of bullets, missing each one and saving the day, brave, bold, selfless. I was slightly less brave however, but I pressed on. I didn't run either. I crawled, hoping that the two gangs would be so busy shooting each other that they would miss me. I'd gotten about half way when they eventually did spot me. And they stopped shooting for a second. Maybe they wouldn't shoot a girl, maybe they had come to their senses. I was wrong, they'd just been shocked into silence for a second. They then reloaded and continued.
A bullet hit the ground by my left hand, and I realised that I too was becoming a target. Another whizzed past my head, and I even felt the wind of its movement. Time to get out of the firing range. It was then that I picked myself up and sprinted for my life to the other side of the alley. Bricks showered dust onto my hair as stray bullets sunk into the walls about me. Another gang member fell to my right. And then I felt a searing, burning pain on my left arm as a bullet grazed the skin and kept going. I bit my lip to stop myself crying out, stumbled forward and grunted something hard and rectangular stopped my fall. The door of the SUV. Ignoring the pain, I jumped inside and slammed the door. The front windscreen shattered as a bullet hit the glass, and a squeal escaped my mouth.
The radio sat in the middle of the dashboard, and I grabbed it, slamming my finger down on the button.
"Control, come in control, this is Agent Clark, I need urgent assistance, man down, I repeat, man down,"
There was a tense moment of static before I heard the calm voice of the man on the other end.
"Received Agent Clark, please confirm you're position,"
I gave a relieved sigh, "We're in the 2nd Alley on Havers Street, gang fight in process,"
"Uniform is on they're way," Came the reply.
I chanced a look out of the window and froze. One of the gangs were moving to cover. And behind that cover lay the injured consultant. If they found him, there was no telling what they would do...leave him, or kill him?
I started the engine of the SUV and tried to get further down the alley. The sound of metal scratching against brick told me I was as far as was possible. There was a ping, the left hand wing mirror flew off, landing under the car. I swore quietly under my breath and went to open the door. Nothing. I was wedged to far into the alley. I closed my eyes for two seconds, and then the idea hit me. I stabbed at the button, the sirens shrieking on. The gangs flinched and started running. Some disappeared into a building on the right hand side of the alley, the others...well the others started heading the only way they could. Towards the SUV, guns drawn. Panicking, I flung the gears into reverse and put my foot down. With another shriek of metal, the SUV rocketed backwards down the alley, heading for the entrance. Another bullet flew through the already broken window, embedding itself in the passenger seat head rest. Finally I cleared the alley, but just as the coast was clear, a marked police car appeared, swerving out of the way just in time as the SUV flew out of the alley. With a squeal of brakes, I finally stopped and flung the car door open.
The remaining gang members were being arrested by the newly arrived police, and my own safety had been forgotten. I sprinted back down the alley, ignoring the pain in my arm, and ducked behind the dumpster. A small pool of blood had appeared around Jane's leg, the the cold sweat was dripping off his face. He was still concious, but only just.
"Jane?"
His eyes darted to mine, the pain he was suffering evident straight away. He attempted to smile, but it turned to a grimace.
"You m-made it back alive," He whispered, still trying to be light hearted. I gave a weak smile back, trying to stay strong.
"You're turn now,"
His eyes flickered shut briefly, and the sound of my rapidly beating heart grew louder in my head. I gently picked his head of the ground, resting it on my knees.
"Hey, come on you, stay awake," I urged him, ruffling the golden locks. He didn't reply, but opened his eyes again. I could still feel him shaking.
"Y-you're bleeding," He noticed.
"Just a scratch, don't worry about," I'd almost forgotten about the graze on my arm, and it throbbed as I thought about it.
The sound of more sirens punctuated the gloom, and an ambulance pulled up at the end of the alley. The paramedics climbed out, and I called them over.
"What happened here?"
"Gunshot wound the the leg, I don't know if its a through and through or not," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. The paramedic just nodded, and they began to work.
I sat beside them through it as they secured a proper tourniquet to his leg. I sat as he cried out when they lifted him onto the stretcher. I sat as they attempted to stop bleeding. I sat as they bound my arm before they led me after the stretcher to the ambulance. By the end, my strength had gone.
I cried freely, my tears growing with each of Jane's groans.
I jerked awake in my seat, feeling the hand that I was clutching move. Funny how things had come full circle. A year ago Jane had sat at my bedside, waiting for me to wake up. Now the tables had turned, but for some reason, I felt even more alone. The events of that night had left me feeling empty.
Jane was dreaming, his eyelids twitching, his mouth curled in a frown. I could hear him muttering, his heart monitor picking up pace.
"My fault...my fault,"
The beeping increased, and I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. It had no effect, and he began to toss and turn, becoming more agitated. The nurse came in the room, hearing the machines sounds, and pressed a button. More pain relieving drugs were administered, and Jane settled again. I gave a sigh. This wasn't going to be easy.
"Clark, can I have a word?" Lisbon appeared at the door, and I followed, puzzled. I'd already explained the details of the fight, what did she need to know now?
"Minelli's just been on the phone, we've got a problem,"
My heart began to sink. "He think's I'm to blame,"
Lisbon nodded. "You're going to be issued with a written warning this time. One more strike and you're out,"
"But it wasn't my fault!" I began to protest, but she stopped me
"I know. But Minelli wants someone to blame for this, one of his best men in hospital, a damaged CBI vehicle, and dead suspects. You just happen to be in the firing line,"
I clenched my fists together and ground my jaw. This was going form bad to worse.
"I'm doing my best to keep your job, but you need to help. Just try and be careful from now on, okay? You're a good agent, I don't want to loose you,"
I nodded. "Thank's boss. It's much appreciated."
She gave a small smile."No problem,"
And with that I returned to the room to continue my vigil.
It was late at night. I can't tell you what time, because I had no idea, but it was late. I could feel my eyes starting to droop again, and the gentle breathing of Jane's drug induced slumber was slowly soothing me to sleep.
I watched him lying there, his face calm, serene. And I ached. The one man that I trusted with my life, who made me feel better, like it was worth living and he didn't want me. All of the so called "signs" I thought I had saw were nothing but him being friendly. I'd not only lost hope, but made a fool of myself doing it. A sigh escaped my lips. And suddenly I found myself talking to Jane's prone body.
"I thought this job was a dead end to begin with. And then I actually met you and I realised how much better it could be. If those...events...had never happened last year, my life would be pretty much perfect now. Apart from this,"
I gave a small, weak laugh. "I don't know of you've noticed, oh what am I talking about, of course you have. You're all I have. I couldn't bare to lose our friendship. It's going to be painful. I want so much more...but I know it can't happen. And I'm...I'm okay with that. But my god you drive me crazy some times! You're frustrating, and rash and foolish, and possible the greatest man I have ever met. You make me feel like a school girl again sometimes. Some days, you even make me forget any of last year ever happened, at least just for a second."
I bit my lip for two seconds, pondering my next thought. Jane's eyes were tightly shut together, still sleeping peacefully. He wasn't hearing a word of this. And maybe it would make me feel better.
"I suppose what I'm trying to say is...you might never be able to reciprocate it. But the fact of the matter is...I think I love you Patrick Jane,"
My voice wobbled slightly, but oddly, I did feel better. He would just never know why. Standing up, my throat dry, I went to get a drink.
The woman left the room, unaware of the patient behind her. Jane's eyes flickered open, having listened to her footsteps fade as she left. He bit back the lump in his throat, emotions in turmoil, head an aching mass of conflicting thoughts.
"Maddy..." he muttered to himself.
Yes. Patrick Jane had heard it all.
DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUUN.
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