Heya everyone. It was officially my last ever day of school today. I thought i would be sad, but i'm waiting until prom for that. I now have 3 months of summer holidays, so i hope to be able to write more often than i have been able to as of late.

Before we get onto the next chapter, i would just like to say thank you for all the lovely reviews you have left me; they really do make my day. A special thank you goes to xXCoral-RoseXx, Amri91, and Jisbon4ever for sticking with my story throughout the chapters.

Now, onto the next chapter. Here lies the long awaited return of Patrick Jane. I hope it does not disappoint.

Of Many Things
Chapter Seventeen

When Jane had entered Lisbon's room for the first time in almost five hours, he was terribly shocked by the change in her appearance. Her skin was a sickly pale shade underneath the light make up that Grace has expertly applied. Her hair, it's uncontrollability usually a great source of his amusement to him, had slipped out of the bun it was earlier twisted into, and now hung limp about the off-white pillow. The machines connected to a whole array of pipes, tubes, and wires that came from Lisbon made her small frame all but disappear beneath them. It was not a sight that Jane had ever wanted to see, nor one that he would ever forget. The only woman, other than his beloved late wife, that he would ever love lay broken and crumbling before his very eyes. Maybe it was the deep slumber that she was in; too close to the reality that would be her's that very night. Maybe it was the ever increasing weakness that devoured her. Whatever the exact reason, Jane wasn't quite sure, all he knew was that Lisbon didn't really look like Lisbon anymore. She was, to him at least, the most breathtakingly beautiful woman in the entire world, and she would always remain that way. But, she had lost that sparkle. The unnamable essence of Teresa Lisbon that made every woman on earth pale in comparison. He just hoped that he would be able to return it by the end of their night. To see her in the full wonder of life once again.

Lisbon was acutely aware that there was, yet again, someone else in her room, and this time she was certain it was Patrick Jane. The unmistakable tread of his shoes echoed out across the room. The scent of his sun kissed skin, mixed with something she couldn't quite place invaded her senses. He was clattering about in that way one does when trying not to make any noise. It's like the mere thought of being quiet is enough to make the simplest of tasks ten decibels louder than they usually are. Not that she minded of course, Teresa Lisbon had been waiting for what felt like years for the very man that was now clumsily rummaging about by her bedside to return. She shifted a little, secretly hoping that he would notice she was awake and turn his attention to her. And being Patrick Jane, the moment she shifted an inch he knew that she had returned to the waking world. Just as her eyes began to peel open she felt the glorious sensation of warm lips being gently pressed against hers. She looked sleepily into the blue eyes of Patrick Jane and felt more whole than she had perhaps in her entire life. Nothing would prevent her from joining in on the date that he had planned for them that night, not even her impending end.
'It's about time,' she whispered against his lips, 'i thought you weren't going to make it in time.'
He pulled back from her lips, and cupped her delicate face in his hands, 'Don't ever think that i won't make it in time. I wouldn't miss tonight for the world.'
Lisbon could feel her breath hitch in her throat; never in her life had a man said such beautiful things to her. She wasn't ever the girl that men fell in love with. She was the one they leered at as she passed them in the street. The one they scoffed at for being a cop. The girl in high school who heard her name whispered a hundred times a day, and knew that not one was anything but mean and vindictive. And yet, here she was, staring straight into the soul of a man who spoke the most loving words she had ever heard, and would only get a single night in his arms. It was a bitter sweet reality, and she was sure it was one that would break both of their hearts by the end of her final breath.

Lisbon was again sat tight against Jane's chest, her head listening to the strong beat of his human heart. His hands drawing love hearts and flowers across her shoulder blades. She itched away from him slightly, just enough to see into his eyes, 'So Mr. Jane, tell me about this wonderful date you have planned.' As she smiled up at him, Patrick Jane saw a little of the true Teresa Lisbon return.

'Well, my little glow bug,' he began brightly, 'i thought that we would start with dinner...'

As always, thank you ever so much for reading. All comments are greatly appreciated. Updates shall be arriving soon. Katie.