Simple Diversions

A/N: OK... you guys are probably going to HATE me when you reach the end of this chappie, but don't worry, things will brighten up. I beg for mercy from your wrath as I am going for an operation on my wrist tomorrow... Which may also be a reason why I won't update as often. Thank you sooooo much to everyone for supporting this story :)

Disclaimer: I don't own the Mentalist or any of the characters or ideas... But my birthday is on the 29th, so maybe I will get a little surprise...

Chapter 15

Jane pulled his eggshell-blue Citroen into the parking lot of the farely large appartment block.

He stepped out of the car and walked to the room that was crawling with police officers and crime scene personnell.

Lisbon was talking to Cho when Jane walked in and the first thing he saw was the taunting, red smiley face.

"The body is in the master bedroom." Lisbon murmered as she saw the look on Jane's face.

"Thank you," Jane replied faintly as he started walking towards the bedroom.

Jane entered the dim room that smelt of stale blood. A wave of sadness and rememberance washed over him as he remembered coming home to the bodies of his mutilated wife and child.

Jane cautiously walked over to the bed and expected the typical slashings of Red John's handiwork.

He was expecting the victim to be a young blonde woman, but was surprised when he saw curly reddish-brown hair similar to that of a certain someone.

Jane was somewhat puzzled, yet worried as he saw the blank hazel eyes of the victim.

Another odd similarity.

Jane noticed that the victim was holding something in her right hand.

Jane carefully opened her cold fingers and saw a bloodied piece of paper.

He carefully took it out of the woman's hand and unfolded it.

He nearly dropped the note in shock of what he saw typed on it.

You seem to forget Patrick,

I make the rules and control the future.

I decide when and how you move on.

You are simply my puppet in this game.

Take this as a warning of things to come if you don't watch youreself.

RJ

No... This could not be happening. He would not let Red John take another person away from him.

Jane hurriedly stuffed the note in his suit pocket and pulled his cell phone out and flipped it open.

He hurriedly dialed the all too familiar number and impatiently put the phone to his ear.

"Come on Mia," Jane said impatiently. "Pick up."

After the third ring the phone was answered by Mia, who sounded somewhat breathless.

"Mia Black," Mia answered.

"Mia, are you alright?" Jane asked with concern.

"Patrick?" Mia said as she realized who had called her. "Yeah, I'm fine. I jut ran to get the phone, that's all."

"Good," Jane replied as he took a deep breath to calm himself. "Where are you?"

"Um, I'm still at home," Mia replied with confusion. "I was just about to grab a bite and head over Sac PD."

"Listen to me Mia," Jane began as he started organize things in his mind. "You need to skip breakfast and come to CBI right now, OK? Don't stop anywhere, just come straight here."

"Why?" Mia asked. "What's wrong?"

"I'll explain when you get here," Jane said as he started leaving the master bedroom. "Just come to CBI as fast as you can."

Jane heard shuffling on the other side of the phone and he guessed that Mia was grabbing her keys and locking up.

"OK, I'll be right there." Mia replied and ended the call.

Jane hurriedly made his way past all of the people who were doing their jobs right where he needed to walk.

Jane burst out of the door and bee-lined straight for his car.

Lisbon had been standing on the front lawn talking to one of the of the forensic guys when Jane had sped past her.

"Woah, Jane, is everything OK?" Lisbon asked worriedly as she saw Jane get into his car.

"I'm perfectly fine Lisbon," Jane replied hurriedly. "I'll see you back at CBI."

Jane sped off at a speed that would surely earn him a parking ticket and Lisbon just stood by and watched.

She knew something was wrong with Jane... She just didn't know what.

xxxxx

Jane arrived at CBI before Mia, because he was closer. He was standing in front of the elevator pacing up and down. He jumped every time the elevator dinged.

Sadly Mia wasn't among the agents that bustled out of it.

Eventually Jane was desperately impatient and was about to dial Mia's number when the elevator dinged and a familiar head of curls appeared.

Before Mia could even exit the elevator Jane had engulfed her in a tight hug.

When Jane pulled away he asked, "Mia, are you alright?" as he put his hands on her cheeks.

"I'm fine," Mia replied with a small smile. "Now what's gotten you all hyper?"

"I'll tell you upstairs," Jane replied as he started pulling her up the stairs towards his attic. "This is private."

Jane pulled Mia hurriedly up the stairs with him until he made it to the large door.

Once he and Mia were safely inside of the attic Jane shut and locked the door.

"What's going on Patrick?" Mia asked with confusion.

"Here's the thing," Jane began as he turned to Mia.

xxxxx

"Wait, so your telling me that Red John is hunting me?!" Mia asked angrily, yet worriedly.

"Well, no," Jane replied as he sat across from Mia on an old, wooden chair. "Not exactly. I only received this note so far."

"But you said the victim looked just like me." Mia retorted.

"Not one hundred percent," Jane reassured Mia. "But there were similarites."

"Great," Mia huffed as she stood and started pacing. "Your serial killer has now become my serial killer."

Jane walked over to Mia and stopped her mid-pace. He looked into her eyes and gave a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry," Jane murmered as he ran a hand down her cheek. "I'll protect you."

"How Patrick?" Mia asked with a trembling tone. "You couldn't protect Angela and Charlotte, or Kristina Frye. What makes you think this time will be different?"

Jane gave a sigh as he saw the truth in Mia's words. He hadn't been able to protect his family from the monster, so how would he protect Mia?

Then a light bulb went on in Jane's mind.

Jane walked hurriedly over to the desk that sat in front of the old, misty windows.

He yanked the first drawer open and pulled out a wooden box that he had received as a gift not too long ago.

Mia walked over to Jane with curiosity as he started opening the medium sized box.

The object insided glinted in the faint sunlight and Mia gasped as she realized what was in the box.

Jane lifted the gun slowly and held it in both of his hands as he admired the weapon.

"Patrick," Mia said in awe. "Where the hell did you get that thing?"

"A suspect on one of the cases we did a while back gave it to me." Jane replied. "I never though I'd use it, but now..."

"No," Mia replied stiffly. "You are not going to become a murder."

"This is the only way I can keep you safe." Jane replied as he put the gun away and turned to Mia.

"Well, if that's what you feel, then I'm sorry but I can't do this anymore."

Mia turned to leave, but Jane grabbed her arm and stopped her.

"Please Mia," Jane said desperately. "Don't go."

Tears started falling from Mia's eyes at Jane's words.

"I'm sorry Patrick," Mia sobbed. "This is just too much."

Mia started walking down the stairs and Jane stood frozen as he struggled to swallow the fact that Mia was leaving.

No... He wasn't going to let her go.

Jane ran down the stairs as fast as he could. Luckily the old elevator was running slow, so Mia was still standing at the bottom of the staircase.

"Mia, please wait," Jane began as he walked over to Mia.

"I'm sorry Patrick," Mia said as she wiped some tears from her eyes. "I just don't wanna take that risk."

The elevator doors whooshed open and Mia was about to step inside when Jane grabbed her and spun her so fast that she landed against his chest with a thud.

"I promise I'll protect you no matter what." Jane said as he put his hands on Mia's cheeks and wiped away her tears.

"I'm sorry Patrick," Mia said with defeat as she pulled away from Jane. "I'll see you around."

Mia got into the old elevator and the doors closed in Jane's face.

His heart had been broken... again.

But this time, not by the hands of a serial killer, but by the hands of an angel.

Jane moaped into the bullpen and headed towards his couch.

Grace was still sitting at her desk as she hadn't accompanied the others to the crime scene.

"Hey Jane," Grace began cheerily, but at seeing Jane's look of defeat her tone changed. "Is everything OK?"

"Yes, thank you Grace," Jane replied simply as he collapsed on his couch with his face hidden in the warn leather of the backrest.

At first Van Pelt thought that he was upset because of the new Red John victim, but deep down she knew it was something else.

OK, I totally understand if you guys are busy readying your tomato cannons... But leave a review and maybe you can get some inside info on what's gonna happen next... :)