Author's notes: thanks as always for your awesome reviews they make my day. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
The owner of the restaurant, is a big man and engulfs Patrick in a hug, he seem oblivious of Jane's sling and Teresa sees pain cross his face.
"Patrick, Patrick, it's been so long. It's good to see you, I was so scared for you when I heard the news report of your kidnapping."
He finally releases him. His hands grip Patrick's arms, looking him up and down.
"You got him too. You're a hero around here Patrick. We all loved Angela and Charlotte and were rooting for you. You're looking a bit worse for wear my friend."
"We were in a car accident."
"We?"
Jane nods to Teresa and the owner looks at her as if he's seeing her for the first time.
"Ah you're the lady cop from the news report."
Jane does the introductions.
"Charlie this is my partner and good friend Teresa. Teresa this is Charlie."
"Any friend of Patrick's is a friend of mine."
Teresa's taken completely by surprise when she finds herself a recipient of one of Charlie's hugs, luckily it doesn't last as long as Patrick's.
"Little lady there's nothing too you. You need some fattening up. Come with me."
He heads into the restaurant, Patrick beams at Teresa having loved the look on her face as she emerged from Charlie's embrace. He whispers to her.
"He likes you."
Charlie stops at a table in a quiet corner of the room which has a view of the sea. Patrick heart stops a moment, it's their favourite table. He recovers himself and smiles at Charlie.
"Thank you. A lovely spot."
Charlie pulls a chair out for Teresa and then for Patrick.
"What's good today?"
Charlie pats Jane on the shoulder.
"Don't worry about that, trust Charlie, I know exactly what you'll like. I'll bring you the best in the house."
"That's good enough for me Charlie, how about you Teresa?"
Charlie looks at her expectantly. She shrugs.
"Okay I'm game, just don't give me anything that still has its head attached."
Charlie beams.
"Great I won't disappoint. No head for the lady."
Charlie leaves in a flourish, beckoning the drinks waiter on his way. Teresa leans in toward Patrick.
"He's quite a character."
"Yes he is."
"How long since you've been here?"
"I haven't been back since..."
Teresa nods, there's no reason to finish the sentence. The meal is delicious, perfectly cooked. Charlie comes by anxious to know if their dinner meets their approval.
Patrick wipes his lips with his napkin.
"It's fantastic Charlie, you've out done yourself."
Charlie beams and claps his hands.
"Excellent. And how about you little lady, no head."
Teresa swallows her mouthful.
"I've never eaten fish like this before Charlie, it's exquisite."
"Good, good, I prepared it myself."
"We're honoured Charlie."
"Nothing but the best for my favourite guest. Do you require anything else?"
Jane looks across at Teresa who shakes her head.
"No, we're fine Charlie."
"Bon appetit."
Charlie bows and heads back to the kitchen. Teresa looks out towards the ocean, as it's grown dark the two of them are reflected in the glass, she sees Patrick looking at her, she wonders if he's seeing Angela. She turns back to her food, looking up at Patrick. He smiles gently at her.
"It's been along day, are you feeling all right?"
"I'm doing okay."
Patrick studies her face.
"You're a little tired and the strain in your features tell me that you're also in pain. Bones aching I suspect."
She scowls at him.
"Why bother asking me?"
Patrick smiles impishly.
"To see if you'd tell me the truth. Lets get you to bed. We need to stop at the store to get some things in for the morning."
Jane signals for the check. A waiter appears and informs them that there's no charge. Charlie is waiting for them at the door. Jane is once more engulfed in a hug.
"It was great to see you Patrick. A word of advice. Now you've got him, get on with your life."
Charlie's eyes meet Teresa's as he loosens his grip of Patrick.
"I'll do my best Charlie."
"Bye old friend."
Teresa pulls into a parking slot at a local grocery store. They both alight from the vehicle and enter the store. Teresa collects a shopping cart. The store is busy despite the hour but they get round as quickly as they can. They have coffee, things for breakfast and lunch, Patrick also throws some things in for dinner that he wants to cook.
"It won't be up to Charlie's standard but I'll do my best."
"Modesty from you Patrick, I don't believe it."
"I know my limits. I'm good...very good, but not up to Charlie's standard."
"Now that's better."
They load the stuff in to the car after going through check out and head home. Patrick leaves Teresa unpacking and with instructions to make drinks. He goes in search of quilts and a camping bed. Upstairs he takes his arm out of the sling and drags his mattress in to the spare room and lays a clean sheet on it. He finds some extra pillow and lays down a quilt. He sets up a camping bed in the space were the mattress used to be, with a blanket and pillow next to it. He avoids looking at the Red John symbol He hears Teresa calling his name and he goes back downstairs.
"What are you doing with your arm out of the sling?"
Jane puts it back in.
"I've been a good boy all day. I couldn't deal with the sleeping arrangements with it in this thing."
"You should have waited for me."
Jane shrugs. Teresa knows about him sleeping under the smiley face and she tried to understand and accept it. She's never questioned him about it or made comment but he's seen the concern in her face. After they finish their drinks Patrick shows Teresa to her room and the adjoining bathroom. He's put clean towels in. He bids her goodnight and enters his own room. As he closes the door behind him his eyes look towards the smiley face.