Of Many Things
Chapter Twelve

Cho, Rigsby, and VanPelt were stood outside the same window as they had been hours before. A morbid sense of familiarity growing over them. It would never feel right to be stood there; looking at the broken body of Teresa Lisbon, but it was becoming normality. The sight less of a shock. The hope all but gone. This time though, her body looked more complete than it had done before. Like life wasn't such a distant memory. Curled up in the arms of Patrick Jane. Raven hair met sandy blond. His arms tight and protecting around her. Jane and Lisbon. It was something that their colleagues had always expected to happen. An inevitable destination. A path they were destined to take.

None of the three wanted to disrupt the scene before them. Peace seemed to have washed over both their boss, and consultant. But they had news that needed to be shared. Information that Lisbon was craving. Cho, gaining confidence in his new role as the head of their team; at least professionally, took the lead. He knocked gently on the door; not wanting to startle the pair too much. Waiting for his invite to enter.
Jane was faintly aware that he was being watched; unsurprised to see Cho at the door to Lisbon's hospital room, he had suspected that the team would arrive back soon. He motioned to his friend to wait a second, and Cho knew that Jane would have to awaken Lisbon. A cocktail of pain medication, and complete exhaustion had allowed sleep to envelop her far sooner than she would ever admit. 'Teresa.., Teresa,' Jane whispered ever so quietly into her ear, shaking her arm a little, 'Tessy my dear, you have visitors.' Lisbon's eyes fluttered open briefly, before she clamped them tight against the harsh light. Jane couldn't help but think how adorable she looked, and, acting upon impulse, gently pecked her on the lips. The beautifully chaste kiss encouraging Lisbon to awaken from her sleep ridden state. Not realising that her team were watching, Teresa leant into Jane, intending to deepen their kiss a little. She was a little put off when instead she was met by the warm hands of Patrick Jane, instead of his kiss. 'Now, now my honey badger, we wouldn't want to put on a premature show for your visitors.' Lisbon was confused to say the least, until she saw the wide eyed expressions of her team, that was. Jane, expecting Lisbon to kick him off of her bed now that they had company, began to move before she had a chance. 'Stay with me? I.. i like you being so close.' A deep blush was already creeping up her cheeks, but she need Patrick too much to care. Jane, warmed by her sentiment, tucked her even more so under his arm. He beamed up at the three agents, who had been waiting patiently outside, effectively giving them permission to come in.

Jane and Lisbon waited with baited breath; desperately wanting to know what had come of the lead. Cho, in a moment of total freedom, smiled at his beloved friends, 'We got them.'
Lisbon felt like she could breath again; a great pressure lifting from her chest. 'Who... who did it?' she asked, not sure if she really wanted to know.
Cho, turning back into the stoic agent that he was so well known as, took it upon himself to relay all that they knew to Lisbon; fearing the others might not be able to hold it together long enough to do so. God knew he was struggling. 'Two brothers; James and Mathew Cookson. Thought that shooting down innocent members of the law enforcement would revenge the death of their father, who had been shot 8 months ago. The bullets matched an outstanding case, and finger prints on the casings matched to Mathew. He soon folded on his elder brother when we took him in; family loyalty not as strong as they made out.'
Lisbon was overwhelmed. Of course, she had wanted to know. Needed to before she could be at peace. But to hear it, then and there, the names of the men; if you could even call them that, responsible for her death. A death that hadn't really seemed real until now. Everything began to feel too final. Too close to the end. Wanting to be strong, but her entire body screaming out weakness, hot salty tears began to tumble down her cheeks. 'Why me?' Lisbon's words were chocked with tears.
Cho had been dreading this question, of course he knew she would want to know, but the truth was a vile one. One that he, nor Rigsby or VanPelt, would ever forget. One that Lisbon should be protected from. The husky drawl of James Cookson ringing out in Cho's ears as he interrogated him; 'Why her? Why your special little boss? I'll tell you why. An ass that fine shouldn't be wasted on the law. That's a fiery little one you have there. Needed taking down a peg or two. Teach her to walk around like she was better than me. I bet the bitch didn't even see me watching her. Following her to the crappy little store. Allowing her to do the shopping. Waiting for my chance. My time. And then, bang! No more Agent.' A wicked laugh had followed his statement, and Cho felt nothing but disgust towards the man sat across from him. No, Lisbon didn't need to hear that. Hear the ramblings of an animal. She deserved one last hope for humanity. 'Being an agent was all that they needed. These were delusional men Lisbon. Anyone with a badge was a target for them.' Cho's steady voice not giving away his lie. Rigsby and VanPelt catching on as soon as he had begun to speak; them too believing that Lisbon was better off not knowing the truth. Creatures like James Cookson didn't deserve a voice; much less their words repeated.
Lisbon wasn't sure of what to say. Was there really anything that she could say? Yes, there was. If not about the brothers that had selfishly decided when she would die, then in appreciation for those that she loved. 'Thank you.' was all that she needed. It saying more than she could speak if had a thousand years.

Sorry for the longer time it took me to update this time; school gets it the way a little. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. There will be more tomorrow, if i get a chance :)
Thank you for reading,
Katie