Hehe... I don't think she would mind either... but it's still a bit too early. Besides, his successful seduction of her is another story +grins+

Ah, darkjewelledassassin - trust me, I would cave in, too. :D

Thank you very much and - here's your next part! :)

FIVE - Tough girl

Missing scene, set between the second last and last scene of "Redwood"; would also work as Episode Tag, but I liked it better this way.

As often as she was in dangerous situations, and as much as this was part of her job - Teresa Lisbon knew that she was never going to get used to it. And she also knew that it was good that she wasn't, because getting used to the danger and such situations would mean getting used to a routine that wasn't there, and that could end fatally.

Every case that was solved meant a great relief; it took some weight off her shoulders. She felt responsible for the victims - therefore she had become police officer and then CBI agent in the first place. Too many people died a senseless death and if she could at least catch some of the men and women who presumed to decide about life and death of a person, it made her believe that she at least had done something, anything.

She loved her job. But unlike many of her colleagues, she didn't love the thrill. She only wanted a case to end soon, to solve cases fast so they could take care of the next one.

"Hey, tough girl," she heard a gentle, barely audible voice that was well-known to her, behind her. "You alright?"

With her thoughts ended so abruptly by him and a bit confused by the way he had addressed her, it took her a moment to realize that those words had been followed by a question.

"Yea, sure I am. Bad guy is caught, couldn't be better." Even she didn't believe it and she knew that he wouldn't either. Damn him and his knowledge of human nature.

"I'm glad you didn't get hurt," he told her, and she thought she had never seen his face more serious than in this moment. She knew that he cared about her, as she did about him, but this was the first time she really saw it.

"Me too," she smiled and briefly rubbed his arm. "Thank you."

"Mind if I take you back to the hotel?"

"No. That would be very kind," she answered politely, already lost in thoughts again, and he looked critically at her, but in the end decided to remain silent. His hand on her back guided her to the car and held open the door for her; then he got in himself and started the engine.

Every police officer and driving instructor would have been proud of the way he drove this time. Normally being more the "time is money" kind of driver - or maybe he simply liked driving fast, she had no idea - he was now driving strictly to rule. So strictly that it almost outraged her. But only almost.

He didn't say a word, waited for her to say something, to signal him that she maybe wanted to talk. She appreciated it. She appreciated the way he knew when to just wait; silently showing that he was there if he was needed - as a friend, as someone to talk to. But right now, she wasn't going to take the silent offer. There was not much she needed to talk about; it wasn't that the situation had been that disturbing. But looking possible death in the eye was never something she could cope with easily. Right now, all she wished for was a nice hot shower and her warm, soft bed. She wanted to sleep, to leave the day behind her, knowing that in the morning, everything would be alright again.

Noticing that she didn't want to talk, he too, remained silent. She wasn't the one who would talk about what had just happened to her and he respected it. He wasn't going to push her; he knew her too well to do something like that. She was probably just waiting for a shower and her bed, to grab some sleep, to clear her mind of the day's events. He also knew that she didn't need someone to watch over her, but then he understood that even she needed a little reassurance from time to time that someone was there if she would need someone. And he was willing to be the one. Because as strong as she was, he couldn't help but feeling that he needed to take care of her. Not that he would ever tell her so.

They arrived at the hotel twenty minutes later. Still not saying anything, he escorted her to her door and waited for her to open it. But instead of doing so, she turned to face him.

"Thank you," she simply said the two words that were so fraught with meaning at this moment. Because they both knew that she was thanking him for a lot more than just driving her back to the hotel.

He placed a light kiss on her temple.

"You're welcome. If you need anything, just call me," he told her, giving her a reassuring smile.

"I will. Good night - Patrick." His name was not more than a whisper that fell from her lips.

"Good night, Teresa."

END