When he came out of the cell a few minutes later, she took a good look at him for the first time since they'd come here. He looked pale and worn. His mask was firmly in place, but she knew him so well she could see the cracks.
They talked shortly with the prison guard still present outside the cell with Van Pelt, thanked him for being so attentive, and charged him with resealing the crime scene. The warden asked them to wait a moment, so he could call someone to follow them out, because their previous attendant hadn't returned after accompanying Cho, Rigsby and Keen. Shortly afterwards, another guard came and motioned for them to follow him.
Five minutes later they'd left the building and stood outside. The moment they'd cleared the compound, Patrick made a run for the shrubbery which bordered the parking lot at one side. He knelt down, almost keeled over and retched. Teresa was at his side seconds later. She put her arms around his waist and held him against her chest from behind. "I've got you, Patrick. It's gonna be alright. I love you, you'll be fine. Just let it out, love," she murmured in a comforting low tone.
After a moment of hesitation Grace went to the car first to get a bottle of water and some tissues and then made her way over to them. At first she'd thought she shouldn't intrude, but then she'd realized that the man could probably need all the support possible.
It had been easy to forget that the victim had in fact been Jane's father. She didn't know much about their relationship and figured it couldn't have been very amiable considering the man had tried to stab his own son. But still. This had been a murder aimed at their consultant personally. And the scene had been cruel and horrid even for her. How must this have been for Patrick?
She had to admire the control he'd shown inside. But if she had needed one conformation that he wasn't an emotionless manipulator who only used people for his personal games, seeing him right now would have been more than enough proof.
She knelt beside her friend and handed him the tissues. With the one hand that wasn't holding the water bottle, she started to rub his neck comfortingly. She could hear what her boss was whispering to him and felt a little embarrassed to witness the intimate words, but Lisbon cast her a thankful and encouraging glance.
Jane had stopped his heaving by now. He released some hiccoughing sobs all the while wiping his face with the tissues, franticly trying to remove the traces of his moment of weakness in front of his lover and a teammate.
"Are you ready to stand up, Patrick?" Teresa asked him gently.
He nodded and tried to push himself up on weak legs.
"Slowly. Let me and Grace help you," she said gently.
"I'm fine," he answered with embarrassement. "I'll manage on my own. Just give me a minute."
"Hush, Patrick. Let your stupid male dignity take a backseat for once. There's no shame in accepting our help. No one here will think any less of you, just because you show you're human for once," she scolded him lightly, taking a hold of his right underarm, carefully avoiding his injury. She motioned for Grace to take his other side and together they heaved him on his legs. He stood a little unsteady at first, leaning on Teresa for support, but soon he'd gathered his wits again. Van Pelt handed him the bottle of water and he thanked her meekly. He drank greedily and used some of the liquid to cool and wash his face as well.
"I'm ready to leave," he said a moment later.
"Do you want to go home or back to the CBI?" Lisbon asked him.
"Back to work," was his immediate and expected answer.
They went over to the car. Teresa motioned for Van Pelt to take the wheel handing her the keys. She pushed Jane into the backseat and sat beside him as close as possible. When they'd both fastened their belts, she took a hold of his hand and intertwined their fingers.
"I want you to see Gloria at once when we get back," she said.
"I'm alright now, Teresa, really. I'm sorry for my loss of control, but I have a lock on it now. Don't worry," he replied. "Grace, I apologize for my unprofessional behavior. I'll make sure, it doesn't happen again."
Grace shook her head. "It's fine, Jane. I understand. There's no reason to be ashamed." She carefully backed the SUV out of the parking spot. "We might deal with homicide and ugly scenes a lot, but we are still human, aren't we?" And nearly inaudibly she added. "I puked my head off after Craig, Patrick. I do understand. Please don't feel bad about this, okay?"
"Thank you, Grace," he said softly. "I appreciate your compassion."
The rest of their trip went by in silence with Teresa caressing the back of his hand comfortingly the whole time, her head rested on his shoulder, his cheek pressed to it, his nose buried in her hair.
Van Pelt found the sight incredible endearing, but didn't say so of course, just smiled to herself. She was glad they had each other now. She knew deep down she should be jealous, but with them she just couldn't be. In her opinion, if anyone deserved some happiness it was those two.
When HQ came into view, the two passengers in the backseat separated at once with a disappointed sigh. They left the car and Lisbon told Van Pelt to go upstairs while she accompanied Jane to the medical officer.
"Really, Lisbon. This is totally unnecessary. I can manage just fine on my own," Jane complained.
"Maybe I'm doing this for myself, Jane. I'll be a lot more relaxed as soon as I know both your arm and everything else has been taken care of. So stop whining," she answered strictly.
He rolled his eyes.
Teresa knocked on the door of the treatment room and the doctor called them in at once. "Ah, Mr. Jane! Back so soon? I didn't expect you until later this afternoon. Oh Teresa, you brought him personally this time? Wasn't necessary, dear. I can handle him," the matronly woman said in greeting.
"I don't doubt that, Gloria, but I don't trust him to divulge all the information you'll need to evaluate his present medical status," Lisbon replied.
"Oh? Has something else happened?" The medical officer frowned.
Teresa nodded her head. "Yes. Though it's not a purely physical thing," she explained.
"Hello ladies? I'm still here. Would it be possible for me to speak for myself maybe?" Patrick asked with indignation.
"No!" Both women cast him a short irritated look and shook their heads.
"Well, why don't I just leave you two to your lovely chat then?" he inquired making his way back to the door.
Two bossy females blocked his path immediately. "It was worth a try." He shrugged and went to the examination table, took a seat there, dangled his legs aimlessly, and stared into space.
"What happened, Teresa? He looks a bit pale and exhausted, but still much better than yesterday," Gloria said.
"This has to stay in this room. It's imperative. Do I have your word, Doctor Samuels?" Lisbon inquired in an official tone of voice.
The doctor understood the obvious gravity of the situation. She'd been a CBI officer long enough. "Yes, Agent Lisbon. Apart from doctor-patient-confidentiality, I accept this is also to be covered by CBI secrecy protocols. Please proceed with your explanation."
Lisbon smiled at her. "Thanks, Gloria. This is nothing personal, but there have been moles here before. And this is too important, okay?" The doctor nodded and Teresa continued. "Last night the man who attacked Patrick was murdered in his holding cell by Red John." Gloria gasped. "Furthermore, Patrick's attacker was actually his own father. Red John killed him for very personal reasons, namely to get to my consultant." The doctor's eyes were wide by now. "As you can imagine, this has affected him. He threw up three times after we left the crime scene and he was lightheaded and dizzy afterwards. Not surprising, I guess, but I thought you should know. He's had quite a bit of water and seems to be doing alright now." She finished her recapitulation.
"You took him with you? To the crime scene of his father's murder?" Gloria hissed appalled. "Are you nuts? It's a wonder he only threw up! Most people would probably be catatonic by now." She shook her head in perplexity. "Honestly, I swear, you cops all think you're invincible."
She went over to Jane. "How are you doing, Patrick?" she asked gently.
"Oh, suddenly realized you actually have a live patient here?" he teased. "I'm fine, Doc. Can we get it over with? Just change that bloody bandage on my arm and I'm all set."
"I certainly hope the bandage isn't bloody," she teased him back. Her experience had taught her to react to the patient's moods, no matter how bizarre she might find their behavior. That this man was joking with her after such an ordeal didn't faze her much. "Well, what are you waiting for? I can't very well change it through your shirt and jacket."
"You just want to see my bare chest again, Doc. But I have to disappoint you. I'm wearing a loose-fitting shirt today. I'm sure, just rolling up the sleeve will work this time," he answered, getting out of his jacket.
She snickered. "Well, what can I say? I must take my pleasures where I can get them. And your chest wasn't too bad a sight, Patrick. But alas, you won't even grant me this small treat today… A pity." She feigned frustration. Continuing with a much more serious voice she said. "But what did I hear about you throwing up, dear? I would like to give you something to hydrate you and make sure your mineral levels are where they should be. You're a bit undernourished already as it is."
He looked at her with horror. "No, no. That's not necessary. I'll just drink a lot of tea and water and I'll be fine. Really, no need to worry. Just change the bandage, okay?"
She shook her head. "Mr. Jane, please be reasonable. You'll feel much better afterwards. It'll only take about half an hour. An intravenous drip will do the trick in no time."
"No! I refuse. I'll leave as soon as we are finished with the bandage. I won't allow you to put a needle in my arm and pump who-knows-what into me. No way. Forget it," he said with obvious agitation.
Teresa came over to his side. "Please, Jane. She's not going to hurt you. She just wants to help. I would be really relieved knowing you got all the treatment you need."
"That's emotional blackmail, Lisbon," he huffed. "I don't need anything. I'm fine. Just leave me the hell alone."
"Why are you so afraid of this? I'll even stay, if it helps," she added with worry, ignoring his unfriendly words. She knew, he'd only attacked to get her off his back.
"You never know what they'll put into you, Lisbon. I want to stay in full control of my faculties, alright? We have a very important suspect to interview after all," he answered emphatically. "And I hate needles."
Gloria looked at him with a serious expression while she finished bandaging his arm. "I don't know, who has forced something mind-altering on you and how you developed this aversion. But I can assure you, all I would give you is physiological salt solution and some additional minerals." With sudden inspiration she added, "I'll show you the packages and you can check them over for any manipulations. Agent Lisbon can stay the whole time, if that helps." She caught his eye. "Patrick, please trust me. I would never do anything against your express wishes. If you insist, you can of course leave now. But even though you look much better than yesterday, I can see that you are suffering from physical and mental exhaustion. I would really like to ease at least your physical ailments. Especially if you have to be at the top of your game interrogating suspects." She patted his shoulder comfortingly. "By the way: I have a great talent for needlework – you won't feel a thing, I promise."
He released a deep breath. "I still don't like it. I don't feel that bad, honestly. Do you really think I need it, Doctor?"
She nodded. "It's not exactly essential for your survival. But it would do you a lot of good. I can see that you're suffering from long-term sleep-deprivation. And though that's not life-threatening either, it puts a lot of additional stress on the body. Add to it all the other things that have been happening to you and I must admit, I think it's a wonder that you're not in worse shape. You lost blood two days ago, you were sick today. That puts extra strain on the system. Please let me help you a bit, okay?"
"What can I possibly do against two women teaming up against me? Do what you have to do Doc, but Agent Lisbon stays. I trust her with my life," he conceded.
"Why don't you lie down?" Gloria smiled at him.
"No. No lying down. Can't we do it with me sitting up?" he inquired anxiously.
"Yes of course. No problem, dear. I just thought you'd be more comfortable..." she explained
"Helpless, you mean," he interrupted her, mistrust clouding his voice.
She shook her head with indignation. "I would really like to exchange a few choice words with those people who've caused this trauma to you. I'll not restrain you and I won't force you to do anything, I promise you that. Teresa, why don't you come and sit beside him. He trusts you, so your nearness might help," Gloria suggested.
Lisbon followed her advice and even put an arm around his waist. "Jane, this is the CBI, okay? No one is going to do anything against your will. I won't allow it," Lisbon said with conviction.
He nodded. "I apologize. I guess, I'm really a bit off my game right now. I don't like doctors. It's nothing personal, Gloria. I'm sure, you're a very nice and decent person and I have no rational reason to suspect anything else. Please proceed," Patrick told her after calming down.
He had made a great effort of composing himself, using one of his neat little bio-feedback tricks once again. He rolled up the sleeve of his left arm and held it out to the doctor, who'd prepared both the trip and the needle already. After retaining the blood from flowing out again with a rubber band on his upper arm, making his vein clearly visible, she disinfected the crook of his arm. When she was sure, she wouldn't have the slightest problem hitting the vessel at once, she took up the needle.
Jane watched her with eagle eyes the whole time. Gloria cast him a warm smile. "Just relax."
And with sure precision born of a long professional life as a doctor, she aimed and pricked his skin. He flinched a little but more from seeing what was happening than from actual pain. "See, no problem, Patrick. All done. Now I'll connect it to the drip and in just about a half hour, you'll be out of here." She patted his leg lightly.
"Here is some water for you as well. Drinking is important even though you'll get some additional fluids now," she explained, handing him a bottle.
"I'll leave you two alone now. I'll be in my office, if you need me," she said while walking through a connecting door.
TBC
I'm glad to see from the reviews that there are still new readers finding and enjoying this story arc. Thanks for letting me know.
You're of course all very welcome to send me a line or two and bring some light into the darkness that's been surrounding me for months now (I've now the official confirmation that where I live this winter has been the one with the fewest hours of sunshine since they've started to register that kind of stuff. So my personal impression has been scientifically proven right).
