Of Many Things
Chapter Thirteen
Wayne Rigsby was in a position that he had never expected to find himself. A thought so terrible it would never had entered his mind. Saying goodbye. It was something people did everyday. It was something he did everyday. But, unlike tonight, he had always known that come the next day he would see the person again. Work with them. Eat pizza with them. Pass them by as he crossed the road. This was different. This was final. He didn't know how to do this. There were so many things that he wanted to say. Emotions he wanted to share. But which were the important ones? He had never been a man of great words; even less so in times of pain.
'She loves you, you know.'
'Who?'
Teresa had decided that saying goodbye meant a lot more than most people would ever know. She needed, for her own piece of mind as much as anything, to leave the world with a little part of her. To each of her wonderfully brave agents she would give a truth that she had always been too scared to admit. Tell them something that they needed to hear; but she was once afraid to say. There was no fear left in her life, because there was no life either. It was heartbreaking, but it also brought her a kind of freedom. The courage she had always lacked to just speak her mind. Nothing could hurt her now. Nothing bad could come of it. And she believed that it might just be a way to the greatness she had always desired. To make another life better, even if she was losing hers. A final act of hopefulness. A sign that the world isn't as terrible a place as many people believe it to be.
'Wayne, you know who i am speaking of. I see the way you look at her, and i see the way she looks back. Grace VanPelt is head over heels in love with you. She just fears for her career; something i know of all too well.' The last part said with a deep sadness.
'I.. i, she is.. we're just friends.' Rigsby was left a little speechless by Lisbon. She seemed a completely different person to the guarded agent that had left work yesterday evening. Ever great, but now speaking with such freedom.
'Friends don't look at each other the way you two do. I used to think it was dangerous; feeling like that in the work place. Now i see how wonderful it can be. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be with the woman you love because of stupid office legislation. Make sure she knows how you feel.'
'I can't. She doesn't love me.' It was true, Wayne Rigsby loved his auburn haired colleague with all of his heart; but a beautiful woman like her would never love a bumbling fool like him.
'Trust me on this one. Ask her out on a date. Kiss her in the break room. Wayne, it doesn't matter how you do it, just make sure she knows how you feel. Before it's too late.' Rigsby could see right into the soul of Lisbon. Something that scared him a little. 'The worst that can happen is you go out for coffee, and realise that you aren't meant to be. Alternatively, you could get all that you have ever wanted.' And he feared that she was staring right back into his. A look of joint agreement passed between them; Rigsby vowing to act upon the conversation he'd held with his boss on her last ever night. Maybe that same day. Maybe next year. He would find the time. The right time. To show Grace just how much she meant to him.
It was funny, they both knew that this would be the last time they would ever see each other. Something that made the embrace shared between Teresa and Wayne an incredibly difficult one to break. A worded goodbye was never to be expected between them. The tight hug all that they needed. Rigsby would never forget the woman in his arms. A faithful friend for so many years. So much more than just a boss to him. Tears running freely down both their faces; now was not the time for hiding such things. As they pulled apart a little, he placed a kiss on her cheek. Teresa nodded her head, a sad smile on her lips. A sign that it was time. That nothing else need be said. No actions need be done. It was time for her to say goodbye to the man who she regarded much like a younger brother. A big softy once you got to know him. Just as his hand reached the door she spoke up, 'Don't wait too long.' Both knowing that she again spoke of his future love. And as he stood in her doorway, not knowing how to feel, he turned for a final time towards her. 'I won't.'
Thank you for reading. I hope i am still doing a good job.
Katie