A/N: Hey guys! Woah thank you all so much for your reviews to the last chapter! It's finally time for you to meet "Teresa" in this one :) I'm so thankful for all your continued support and very sorry this chapter took again somewhat over 2 weeks, but university started... You all know this feeling, right? Since I'm spending 3 hours per day in the train from now on, I hope to be able to write some scenes in there, but I hope you'll excuse if it takes me longer than a week.
Now... this new season is mind blowing! And I can't wait until we get to see who Red John is. We all have our theories, right? ;) I really hope it's Haffner. The scene in the hospital with him and Lisbon totally freaked me out! :D
Enough of this! I wish you lots of fun with the new chapter! If you're looking out for another great story, please check out Nerwen Aldarion's new story "You're In My Veins" it's totally awesome!

Thanks to the lovely totorsg and Nerwen for their betaing :)

(4)

Jane hadn't slept for more than two hours on the quite comfortable couch in his hotel room, when he was woken up by a noise coming from the area where the bed was located. Yawning, he pushed his elbows up, to look over the backrest of the couch, seeing nothing unusual, except for the small woman in his bed.

A glance at his watch told him it was only past seven and yesterday he had agreed to meet with Cho around ten in the lobby to go back to LA. The noise came again and this time he stood up, slowly stepping around the couch and walking over to the bed. The blinds of the room weren't closed, so the early morning sun lightened it up in a soft shade of orange and red.

Trixi was wrapped in one of the hotel's bathrobes, wrapped tightly around her petite frame, the blanket tangled around her. She seemed to be struggling with it in her sleep, trying to kick it off and push it away, so Jane decided to help her and pulled it off. "Don't", she mumbled, "I don't want this… Don't touch me."

"I'm not touching you", the businessman answered confused but realized she must be still asleep. Her face looked worried, her forehead frowning. "Poor thing", he mumbled and carefully touched her shoulder. "You're safe with me."

Jane discovered with surprise that she wasn't wearing the red wig anymore. Her long wavy hair in the color of dark chocolate was resting in her shoulders and her heavily breathing torso. Slowly, he put the blanket over her frame, waiting for her breathing to calm down. She must have had some kind of nightmare.

He brushed a strand out of her face, watching her innocent beauty for a while in the light of rising sun, when he caught the alarm of her phone going off in the corner off his eye. The phone started to vibrate, but Jane set it off, hoping to be able to give her some much needed sleep before she had to get up.

Maybe he would call Cho and wait until she was awake and had breakfast. He also needed to know how things turned out with the blonde woman named Summer they saved yesterday. Seeing Trixi snuggling back into the blankets triggered a pang in his chest. He didn't know why, but this woman deserved better than she did right now… and he was determined to help her.

With a smile on his lips, he rushed into the bathroom to take a super hot shower that would help him prepare for the upcoming long day.

It was past nine when he sat at the dining table with a huge breakfast, reading the newspaper, hearing the rustling of blankets and tapping of blank feet behind his back.

"Good morning", he said without turning around. The steps stopped for a second like she was debating on what to do or say next, but she went with a soft "Good Morning" herself.

"Have a seat and some breakfast", Jane ordered, putting the news on the site, "I ordered plenty of food since I don't know what you like. Would you like tea or coffee?"

"Coffee", Trixi answered, her cheeks a little blushing. She sat down on the free seat next to Jane, taking a blank piece of toast and nibbled on it. Jane put a cup of fresh brewed coffee in front of her.

"I added a little milk and one piece of sugar… You should try the strawberry jam on one of the croissants; it's homemade and very delicious. I hope you had a good night?" She nodded and saw with surprise, how he took the liberty on taking the piece of toast out of her hand and putting the recommended croissant and jam on her plate.

"Uh… thank you?" It sounded more like a question than anything else. "I'm sorry I didn't hear my alarm clock… I usually don't stay for breakfast."

Jane gave her an understanding smile: "I figured, but one time is always the first. I turned your alarm off after you had a nightmare. I thought you could need the rest. Do you want to tell me about it?"

"What?", she asked surprised blushing furiously. Trixi didn't seem to be comfortable with him knowing she had a nightmare last night, so instead of answering him, she put a big piece of croissant in her mouth and kept her eyes straight on the plate in front of her.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I just know from experience that it sometimes helps to talk about it… You didn't tell me you weren't an original red head either."

The woman almost choked on her croissant and had to take a large sip of coffee to suppress the tickle in her throat. "I'm sorry I thought you figured. As much as you figure everything."

Well he gave her that one. Seemed like the little woman wasn't a morning person, so he decided to let her have her coffee and breakfast, before he approached the topic he really wanted to talk to her about. At least she didn't seem at loss for a witty remark in the morning, he thought smiling.

He gave her a well deserved "Touche." and went on with reading the economic and financial news.

Trixi suspiciously watched him out of the corner of her eye, chewing the jam and croissant combination – which Jane was right really tasted good – and thinking about the man in front of her. Why was he so… nice to her? She was a hooker for god's sake, scum of Las Vegas' streets! She sells her body to pleasure others, so why the heck would a rich and fine man like Patrick Jane ask her up to his hotel room, doesn't want sex, pays her for the whole night and now orders breakfast just for fun?

He said he'd turned the alarm on her phone off for god's sake, just because she had a nightmare. The hooker blushed again, trying to hide her reddened cheeks behind the big cup of freshly brewed coffee. Hell this stuff tasted like heaven.

She didn't know why she had this stupid nightmare. Sometimes they just came and usually she woke up, feeling worse than usual. This time it'd been a little different. Something had told her she was safe, followed by a feeling of warmth and comfort. Had it been him?

If she looked at him more closely, she noticed his attire from yesterday night had changed a little. He wore a dark blue three piece suit without a tie, his hair still a little damp from the shower he must have taken earlier.

"I told you you'd look better without a tie", she grinned.

"So do you without a wig", Jane answered, neither denying nor confirming if he left the tie just because he wanted to or because she suggested it yesterday. Either way he looked especially handsome and good, whereas she...

Trixi quickly finished her croissant and stood up, pushing the chair back to the table. "Uhm… thanks for the breakfast… I should go and change, I have to go soon."

"You're welcome to take a shower", he grinned. For a second she wondered if he suggested this because he wanted to join her and have his way with her after all, but she caught the mischief in his eyes and gave him one of the looks her brother's always feared when they were little. It seemed to work.

"Thanks for the offer, but I should really leave." She vanished into the bathroom, closing the door behind her back. Her clothes, the wig and small purse were lying perfectly folded next to the basin, an extra toothbrush and a towel beside it. Okay, she could think of him what she wanted, but he was actually kind of sweet.

Trixi got dressed, not bothering to out up the wig again, since Jane already knew she had brown hair – and also complimented her on it. The only thing left were her shoes, but they must still be lying next to the couch somewhere.

While she was getting dressed, Jane debated on what to do now. He had the two hundred dollar bills already lying next to his wallet, but he wasn't sure if this was the best good bye for them. After this night, the businessman wasn't sure on anything anymore and he felt something he hadn't felt on a long time.

A little bit of hope. The one who gave that to him was none other than the little woman that for the first time since it happened, felt challenging to him. She surprised him and even if it turned out to be nothing, he really enjoyed her company.

Perhaps he was wrong, but she didn't seem to be content with her situation either, so Jane decided to act upon a sudden impulse, determined to not only give her the money for this night, but to actually make her stay. He needed a date for the dinner with Mr. Minelli and his stepson anyways and since he didn't want to end up with one of Walter's on-call-bunnies, this seemed like a better solution to him.

Just then, Trixi emerged out of the bathroom, being all dressed up for business. He already missed her rumpled attire and sleepy eyes as well as her blushing cheeks. But if things turned out well, this wouldn't be the last time for him to see it.

Jane waited for her to put on her over-knee heels, before she stepped closer to the table, waiting for him to say something. Her gaze was already lying on the money, but her expression seemed rather bitter than happy about the cash injection.

"Before I give you the money", the blond started, "I have an offer to make. Please hear me out before you judge me or freak out or anything, okay?"

"If you think you can pay me less than on what we agreed, you are wrong!", Trixi said immediately, but Jane shook his head, pointing over to the chair opposite to him.

"This is not about the money. Well in some way it is, but I asked you to hear me out first. After yesterday night and this morning you should know I'd not make you do anything against your will. So please let me finish before you cut in."

By now he was used to the distrustful look she gave him, but her nod was the sign to continue. "What would you say if I offered you to stay with me until next Friday? I'd pay you well of course. I have to go back to LA today and there are a few occasions where a beautiful escort like you would come in handy."

Trixi's jaw dropped: "Are you serious?!" She couldn't believe he offered her something like that. It sounded too good to be true. One and a half weeks with Patrick Jane in Los Angeles, Hollywood, the city where dreams came true. The problem was just… she couldn't leave just like that. She had a contract that bonded her to work for Red John until the five years were over and as much as she knew about him, he wasn't known to let his girls off the hook this easily.

"Of course I am. What are you saying? Will you come with me?"

This sounded like her only chance to get out, but if someone recognized her, Red John would send his men after her to bring her back. Trixi knew how these things went. For a second she thought if this was a test of her boss, but one look in Patrick's sincere eyes told her it was not. Hell, she wanted to go so badly.

"I see, you're hesitating. Is it about the money? I'm willing to pay any price. Just tell me how much you want."

"I want five thousand dollars", she answered casually, knowing he wouldn't agree on this and she was off the hook.

"Fine. Five thousand dollars cash if you stay with me until Friday next week. Of course you'd need some appropriate clothing for the occasions, so once we're in LA, you'll have to go shopping. Don't worry I'll pay for this as well."

The hooker stood there, stunned. He couldn't be serious, could he? Why the hell would he do this, offer her an job as his escort lady, willing to pay all incoming costs? "It's not that simple, Mr. Jane… Patrick. I would really really like to go with you, but my boss…"

He seemed to be a little desperate: "I will talk to you boss and then you can come with me… please. I promise this is no trick; I would just like to enjoy your company for a little while longer. After Friday, you can go wherever you want, you don't have to see me ever again."

Oh god this sounded so tantalizing… Trixi took a deep breath, calculating the pro and cons of the offer. If she stayed, she'd have to wait until the rest of the five years were over by working as a barkeeper and hooker. But if things went well, she could earn enough money to stash away during that time, to start all over, once Red John let her go.

If she went with Patrick, she'd have three quarters of the money she needed already – including what she saved in this one year working here – and could start over earlier than she thought. Maybe go back home and visit her brothers she hadn't seen in years, telling them she'd been busy earning money and sending some of it to the oldest of her three brothers, to finance a part of his medical studies. The problem was, if she really ran off with Jane, Red John would come after her. She knew he didn't like if anyone broke the contract and although Trixi had never seen him, she feared him. If he would find out she was gone, hell would break loose. He'd have people everywhere looking out for her. The question was just if he'd be able to find her if she changed her name and attire well enough to hide from him. This was one of the reasons why nobody knew her real name.

"Trixi?", Jane asked carefully. He didn't like the crease between her eyebrows. She seemed to be thinking very hard about something. His suggestion must have overstrained her. "If this is about the money…"

"No, no it's not", she managed to say. The woman sighed and closed her eyes. Don't be an idiot; he's not going to find out. This is your chance, so take it!, she told herself. "I'd be happy to stay with you, Patrick." She managed to smile, trying to forget her fear of what could happen if things didn't work out.

Jane flashed her the brightest smile he had in store for her: "That's fantastic! I swear, you won't regret it. I'll have to talk things through with my driver, but we can pick you up at your house…"

"No!", she said in terror, trying to remain calm, "I mean no that's not necessary, really. I'll meet you back here. There are a few things I have to pack first though."

"Of course." He stood up and held the money out to her. "I would have paid you more, you know…"

Trixi took it and stored it safely away inside her corsage: "I would have stayed for less." The moment their eyes met was so intense; she held her breath, until the businessman broke the silence again.

"Now that you are going to stay with me for about two weeks… what shall I call you?" She raised an eyebrow, confused over his question.

"You know my name is Trixi."

Jane smiled and leaned next to her against the table: "No. There is Trixi the hooker and Tammy the barkeeper… Who are you my dear? Why is it that you wouldn't tell me?"

"I don't want anyone to know my name and I don't know why it would be important to you to know it. Call me what you like."

"If we are going to spend so much time together and have to convince people we are "together" in a way, it should be real. I can guess your name if you want me to."

"Please don't… Listen, I should go…" The panic in her eyes was incredible. She stood up and went over to the door, Jane following her.

"You always chose names beginning with "T" as your alias names, so I figure you real name begins with "T", too. It's nothing modern like Tatjana or Taylor, no… You're a Christian, catholic I suppose because of the cross that you are wearing about your neck." He saw her stopping at the front door, touching her necklace.

"Please…" She opened the door, walking over to the elevators, hammering on the button like her life was on the line.

"I suppose your mother was the one that taught you the religion, so it's likely you carry the name of a saint beginning with "T"… a name to be proud of… like Teresa." He watched her head and shoulders fall, while she pressed two hands hard against her face. Was she… crying? Oh no, he hadn't meant to do this, he thought she was just shy and playing with him…

The elevator doors opened, but she didn't step inside, instead, she sunk down on her knees, trying to keep her shaking body under control.

"I'm sorry, Teresa." She sobbed, when she heard him saying her name. "I… I'm sorry." He knelt down next to her, pulling her close into a comforting embrace. She didn't hug him back nor said anything, until she wiped her face dry with her hands and took a few deep breaths. This was ridiculous. She shouldn't cry just because he'd guessed her name right! But he'd just taken her off guard, because her name was something her mother had always told her to be proud of. That's why she'd changed it once she decided to go down the path Red John had offered her.

Perhaps it was better this way. A feeling told her she could trust Patrick, something she hadn't felt in a long time either. So why should she worry about him knowing her name? She wanted to change it anyways once they were in LA, so it'd be harder for someone to find her.

"I didn't think it would hurt so much to hear this", Teresa whispered, "I haven't heard someone calling my name in a long time."

"If you want to talk about it…"

Why did this man always want to talk? She wasn't good at talking, about her problems; running from them was much easier!

"No! No… Maybe later… I have to go now and pack my things. Can… can we meet at the hospital instead of the hotel? I want to say goodbye to Summer." Her only good friend she ever had in her time here. She owed it to the blonde sweet young woman to say goodbye and wish her luck.

For a second Teresa thought about if her friend could join them, but it was too dangerous and Summer seemed to be happy with her job… at least for now. She couldn't tell her what she was about to do, because she didn't want her to lie for her and get in trouble herself, but she wanted at least to see her one last time… if things worked out or not.

"Of course we can", Jane smiled. He was still eyeing her a little warily, because of her sudden outburst. There was more behind this story than just the fact she hadn't heard her name in a long time. He helped her up and pushed the elevator button again, so it would come and bring her down.

"If… if you don't want me to call you Teresa, I can…"

"No, it's okay… It sounds nice the way you say it. I'll meet you there around ten." The elevator doors opened and she stepped inside; forcing herself to give him a smile he knew wasn't one from the heart. "I'll see you there…"

"Goodbye." He waved her, right before the doors closed and stepped back. Well, that'd been weird.

It was quiet in the house with the red brick wall. The women living inside were either asleep from their long shift in the club or still outside somewhere with a client. They weren't allowed to bring anyone here for reasons.

Teresa entered it, adrenaline pumping through her veins and ran up the stairs, not caring whether anyone would hear her or not. This was her chance to get out. Sending a quick prayer up to God in heaven, wishing for his protection for her scheme, she rushed into the hallways where her room was located. Until now, no one had seen her and she hoped it would stay like this.

She had to pack her things and leave this hell of a place. Fate gave her the chance in form of the handsome looking businessman Patrick Jane and she'd be damned to not take it. Of course there was the thought in the back of her head that things could go very wrong, but she pushed it aside. Teresa was sure she wouldn't survive the rest of the five years she had to be here anyways, so where was the point in staying in this hellhole?

She opened the door of her room and closed it, taking a deep breath. Although she wanted to leave as quickly as she could, she had to prepare for her absence and made it look like she was still around somehow, so Lorelei wouldn't get suspicious. It was time to think things through.

You need a plan, she told herself, a very good plan. You must not screw this up or it's over.

Her gaze fell on the framed picture of her and her brothers on her bedside table. They needed her, even if she'd been gone for so long. She was all they had left after her mother died and her father killed himself and took her and her brothers almost with him.

"I'm doing this for you", she whispered, touching the picture and pressing it close to her chest. It was time to pack and go.

Xxxxx

The door was only three steps away. Until now she hadn't seen anyone except for Lilly, who'd been so drunk, she hadn't even realized she was there. Freedom was this close.

"Where do you think you are going?", a voice behind Teresa asked. Of course. The head mistress of their boss always had an eye on her. She had to stay calm and relaxed, but that was easier said than done if you were attempting on "breaking out".

Teresa turned around, trying to look confident as always when she was around the woman she hated most in this world. "As I told you yesterday, Summer is in the hospital. She got beaten up in the alley behind the club yesterday night, but it seems like you were too busy making out with that brunet guy instead of listening to me and call for help. She asked me to bring some of her stuff to the hospital, that's all." Her grip around the bag in her hand tightened.

Lorelei who must have just come home from the club, looked at her with tired but distrustful eyes. Teresa knew she wasn't that a good liar, that's why she rather left things unsaid than spinning a lie. She still hoped desperately Lorelei would buy that, since she was telling the truth - she was on her way to visit Summer in the hospital.

"I don't believe you", Lorelei said. She sounded a little drunk, but she'd never leave out a chance to harass her. "Give me the bag."

"No!", Teresa answered confidently, "This is none of your business. You didn't even care that Summer was injured and two strangers, who thankfully passed by, stopped this guy and called the ambulance. What would Red John say to that?!"

Lorelei's eyes narrowed on her. Okay maybe she'd gone a little bit too far...

"Be careful what you say, Trixi! I told the boss of your behavior towards me last night and he was not amused you're treating me like this, you know? You owe him, you know that and a part of your obligation to show respect towards me, you little slut. He gave you everything when you had nothing, so I dare you to kick this with your feet. Now give me the bag!" Lorelei reached for the bag and opened it against Teresa's protest.

Don't freak out, stay calm. Everything is going to be okay... please God, she thought and held her breath. She watched the mistress taking out some clothes which didn't belong to her. They were Summer's. A pair of jeans, a towel, a few t-shirts, a little toilet bag and some other things. None of them was hers. Thankfully Teresa had thought about the fact something like this could happen and watched now with joy, how Lorelei's face fell when she realized the clothes weren't even Teresa's size but Summer's. The mistress even recognized a few of the clothes.

With an annoyed moan, she threw the bag across from Teresa down the stairs so it sprang completely open and some of the clothes spread on the floor. She wanted to turn around and collect them, when Lorelei reached for her wrist and held it so tight it almost hurt.

"What?!", Teresa gasped, trying to entangle her wrist from Lorelei's grip.

"You were lucky this time, Trixi. But if I ever catch you trying to leave this place before your time is over, you wish you'd never have taken Red John upon his offer."

"As if I don't wish for that every day", she muttered under her breath and finally managed to make Lorelei let go of her. She threw the woman a hatred look and walked down the last few steps to pick up the bag. Lorelei didn't leave but crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Since Summer is omitted, you can take her shifts outside on the street. She still has to pay this months rent and won't get to it if she keeps spending her precious time in the hospital. By the way, I think you need some men to shut your mouth and show you what you really are. A slutty hooker and nothing else! I don't want to see your ugly face here for the next three days." With a big satisfying smile on her face she walked up the stairs and vanished in the next corridor.

Teresa kept staring at her, trying desperately to not think about that that bitch just said to her. Breathe, she told herself.

Her plan had worked out in the end and that was what counted. Taking only the two things she needed most - the money and the picture of her and her brothers - and hiding it underneath Summer's clothes had been a clever move.

The fact that Lorelei didn't want to see her for the next three days was a good addition to her plan and gave her some kind of a head start. Maybe they wouldn't miss her after all, but she doubted it. Lorelei enjoyed picking on her way too much.

With a content smile on her face she left the house she never called home and looked forward to freedom. The path wouldn't be easy, but she'd get there, get out of this and finally fulfil her own very special dream, the reason she came to California in the first place.

A/N: Woah, Lorelei that bitch. Seriously I'm so happy I can have her character in this AU, because it's really nice to have a female villain in this hehe. This won't be her last scene, so stay tuned! Thanks so much for reading everyone. Now that you met "Teresa", what do you think of her? There's more behind her character than just a broken girl who has to work as a hooker as you'll see when the story continues. Please let me know what you think of this! Have a great day and lots of fun with the episode on Sunday!
Liefs