4 days and 11 hours to go…not that I'm counting or anything! Please note that I'm going to need therapy if this show is cancelled…just saying. J
Patterson looked at the screen carefully. She knew she was missing something, but she was tired and just couldn't see it.
"What are you working on?" Roman asked her.
Startled she looked up at him in surprise.
"I didn't hear you," She admitted with a smile.
"Yeah," He agreed, "You looked pretty focused."
"You finish you're appointment?" She asked him awkwardly.
"The new therapist is a stickler for staying on schedule," He smiled.
"I know," She admitted, "I'm seeing her too."
"Because of Bordon?" Roman looked at her sympathetically.
"Yeah," Patterson agreed, "But before him, there was a guy, David, he died trying to help me solve the tattoos."
Roman looked at her silently.
"Do you want me to leave?" He offered once he realized all the pain she'd endured because of what they'd brought to her.
"No," She looked at him gratefully, "I can't pretend that it didn't happen, therapy has taught me that, even if it doesn't help me sleep."
"Nightmares?" He understood.
"Not every night anymore," She denied, "But often enough."
"Are you working on the tattoos now?" He asked.
"Yes," She confirmed, "I know that I'm missing something, but I can't see it."
"You're probably too close to it," He suggested.
"Maybe if we walk through it together," She offered, "You can help me."
"I've got nothing better to do," He agreed.
She felt a genuine smile break out at that.
"Jane has this tattoo on the back of her right thigh," She pulled up the picture, "The numbers and letters are in a different font, when I try to make some sense of them, I get nothing."
"What is that?" Roman studied the picture instead of the font.
"It's a type of flower that only blooms in the rain," Patterson explained.
"So are there any tattoos with water?" Roman asked.
"There are three," Patterson was becoming excited. She pulled up the three tattoos on her screen. The last one had both letters and numbers as well.
"If you add those to the others," Roman suggested, "Does that get you anything?"
She began typing the numbers and letters into her computer. Hitting a button she waited while it began to cycle through. Within a few minutes the computer had generated the response.
"You did it!" Patterson told Roman her excitement evident.
"No," He denied, "You did it. I just let you talk through it. So it's an address, right?"
"Right here in the city," Patterson confirmed pulling up the information on the computer.
"Wright Pharmaceuticals," Roman read aloud. "Now what?"
"Now we call the rest of the team and see why this tattoo is on Jane's body." Patterson told him.
Roman looked at her in surprise. Had she just called him a part of the team?
Patterson sent out a text requesting the others join them.
"What did you find?" Kurt asked her once they were all there.
"I didn't," Patterson denied, "Roman did."
Jane looked over at him in surprise, "Great job!"
"I think she's giving me a little too much credit," Roman protested.
"Well," Patterson conceded, "It was a team effort, but we're all on the same side, so it doesn't really matter."
There could be no mistaking it this time. She was considering him a part of the team. He looked over at Jane and she was watching Patterson with an expression that could only be considered grateful.
"Yes we are," Kurt agreed looking at Roman with a proud expression.
Even Tasha didn't make any comments. It was more than Jane expected and she shared a look with Kurt that was like a child on Christmas morning. He couldn't look away. He'd never seen that expression on her face before.
Patterson explained the particulars. "We ended up with an address for Wright Pharmaceuticals," She pulled up the company information.
As soon as Jane saw the company logo, the memory started.
"I don't think we should include this tattoo," Sheppard was saying.
"We have to include it," Jane was arguing, "They are mass producing chemical weapons that are tested on orphans."
"I can see why you are sensitive to that," Sheppard pacified, "But although you might like to, you can't save every child.These children grow up in war torn environments without parents aren't going to live long productive lives.This is their contribution."
"Dying is their contribution?" Jane wanted to scream.
"It's not even just about them" Sheppard denied, "We still do business with them.This is who provided us the Zip…"
"Jane," Kurt repeated walking over to her when she still didn't respond.
"Is she okay?" Reed worried.
Kurt placed his hands on Jane's shoulders. She abruptly snapped back to the present.
"Jane," Kurt's right hand ran up her neck and over her bird tattoo to cradle her check and force her to look up at him, "Are you okay?"
"This company is where Sheppard obtained the Zip," She told him.
"You remember?" Roman moved over to stand next to them.
"Sheppard didn't want to include this company in the tattoos. They mass produce chemical weapons that are tested on children, but she was worried that it might lead the FBI to Sandstorm, because they provided us with the Zip. She wanted to let the children continue to die, to protect the mission." Jane was shaking by the time she finished her explanation.
"But the tattoo is on your body," Patterson pointed out.
"I…I don't know…" Jane stuttered helplessly. She looked so like Jane the day she was pulled out of the bag in Time Square that Kurt couldn't resist the urge to pull her against him and comfort her.
"You changed the design behind her back," Roman suddenly said, "She was really angry, but it was already too late."
Jane looked over at Roman in surprise, "You remember too!"
"You don't remember her reaction, because once they began the tattoos, you were kept sedated before they used the Zip." He shook his head, "I don't remember anymore."
"Well," Kurt didn't release Jane, "Now we know why, we just need to prove it."
Jane looked over at Tasha as the gunman fired more rounds at them.
"Do you see them?" She asked her.
"No," Tasha denied.
"Does anyone copy?" Jane demanded.
Silence met her question.
"What the hell happened?" She worried.
"We probably just lost the signal," Tasha tried to sooth her.
"We lost them after the explosion," Jane argued.
"They could just be jamming the signal," Tasha insisted.
"We need to move," Jane realized as another bullet tore into the ground next to them.
"Jane," Tasha called to her.
Stopping Jane looked over at her, "They lost our signal when the bomb went off too and we're fine. Don't do anything rash."
Nodding in agreement Jane shot her a grateful look.
"I'll cover you," Tasha told her.
Jane waited until Tasha began firing before she sprinted closer to the now smoldering building.
Once she was secure, Jane began laying cover fire for Tasha. The two women methodically inched closer to where they had left their teammates.
Suddenly their coms came back to life.
"They aren't responding," They heard Patterson say.
"That's not good enough," Kurt argued, "Find out if their down."
"We're here," Jane said in relief.
"What's you're location?" Kurt demanded immediately.
"Northwest corner," Jane advised, "But we're pinned down by a sniper."
"We're coming," Kurt assured her.
Tasha shared a relieved smile with her while they waited.
It didn't take long until Jane could hear the shots the team exchanged with the shooter on the roof.
"We clear," Kurt said.
Jane and Tasha rose and headed toward their rendezvous point. Remaining vigilant they cleared the ground floor, "We're clear," Jane responded.
The team met up and Jane looked over at Kurt checking him for injury. She found him studying her just as intently.
"Everyone okay?" He worried, looking between Jane and Tasha.
"We're good," Tasha assured him.
"What happened?" Jane asked.
"We took down Sandoval," Reed explained, "But not before he blew up their lab."
Jane looked over at the smoldering remains of Wright Pharmaceuticals with a frown.
"So where does that leave us?" Tasha worried.
"Patterson was able to hack into their system before the explosion," Kurt assured them, "She downloaded what we need."
"That's because I'm awesome." Patterson told them remotely.
"You are that," Kurt agreed easily.
"How's your side?" Kurt asked Jane.
"Its fine," She assured him. He'd taken her to get the stitches removed just yesterday. "I've got it taped up."
"Let's get out of here," Kurt looked worn out.
Reed drove while Kurt and Jane sat in the back silently. Resting her head back against the seat Jane let some of the tension from the last hour drain away.
Opening her eyes she found Kurt watching her with concern.
She smiled at him in reassurance.
"You look tired," He worried, "Aren't you sleeping?"
"Roman had a nightmare last night," Jane admitted, "So we stayed up for a while talking."
"Is he okay?" Kurt asked.
"He seemed fine this morning."
"What was the nightmare about?" Kurt asked.
"The orphanage," Jane admitted.
Tasha looked back at Jane in concern, "Do you ever remember being there?"
Jane looked away, "I do," She confirmed.
"It seems to consume all of Roman's thoughts," Reed worried, "But you never talk about it."
"I don't want to remember," Jane admitted.
"But you do," Reed shared an understanding look with her in the rear view mirror.
"I do," Jane agreed.
"Do you ever remember before the orphanage?" Tasha asked her.
"Not yet," Jane admitted, "I don't really remember how old I was when our parents were killed. My first memories are in the orphanage."
The car fell silent.
Kurt reached over and took her hand. She squeezed his back gratefully.
"You both look worn out," Reed looked over his shoulder at Kurt, "What time did you get home last night?"
"After midnight," Kurt admitted.
"We can fill out the paperwork," Tasha offered, "If you want to get out of the office early for once."
"I could definitely use some sleep," Kurt admitted.
"It wouldn't do me any good," Jane told them with a grimace, "Roman invited his security detail…all six of them, to a poker game tonight. They will be loud and obnoxious until all hours."
"Roman play's poker?" Tasha looked interested.
"No gambling," Reed warned her.
"I wasn't going to," Tasha looked affronted, "I was just thinking with Roman's poker face, those guys don't stand a chance."
The team shared a laugh at that truth.
"You could sleep on my couch tonight," Kurt offered Jane, "Since Sara left, the quiet actually echoes."
"Are you sure you don't mind?" Jane worried.
"Not at all," He assured her.
"Want us to drop you guys off on our way in?" Reed looked over his shoulder at Kurt.
"I'm game, Jane?" Kurt asked her.
"I don't have anything with me…" She worried.
"You can sleep in one of my t-shirts and I have a spare toothbrush."
"Okay," Jane agreed, "If you're sure."
Before long Jane was standing on the curb watching Reed and Tasha drive away. Kurt took her hand and led her inside.
"You better call Roman and let him know." Kurt suggested.
It only took Jane a minute to let Roman know she was staying on Kurt's couch. He didn't seem overly surprised or even remotely concerned.
"What'd he say?" Kurt looked over at Jane.
"Nothing," Jane denied, "Just asked where I'd put the menu for the pizza delivery."
"I know it's early," Kurt told her, "But if we order in, we could shower and eat, then see if we can get some sleep."
"So you don't have any ulterior motives from this invitation?" Jane teased him.
"You just had you're stitches removed yesterday," Kurt reminded her, "Although I'd rather you not sleep on the couch, sleeping is just what I have in mind."
"So you're offering to share your bed?" Jane considered the invitation.
"You object?" Kurt unconsciously held his breath while he waited for her to respond.
"I can't remember ever sharing a bed with anyone before," Jane admitted, "What if you snore, or steal the covers?"
"Are you willing to risk it?" Kurt moved over and pulled her against him.
"You're pretty warm," Jane ran her hand around the back of his neck. "Covers can be overrated."
Laughing he gave her a quick peck on the lips before pulling away. "What do you want to eat?"
"Pizza sounded really good," Jane admitted.
"Pizza it is," Kurt agreed, "I know what you like, so let me get you a t-shirt and then you can go shower. That will give your hair a chance to dry before we lay down."
"I guess you've done this before," She sobered at the thought.
"Jane," Kurt pulled her back against him and told her seriously, "I have never brought a woman to my place before that made me excited to just sleep next to them. Nothing about being with you is even remotely like anything I've ever done before."
She smiled up at him and he realized opening up was something he'd always struggled with, but with her it was something he needed too.
He left her in the bathroom and called in the pizza. When she came out, the pizza hadn't arrived yet, but she looked adorable in his oversize shirt with her hair still damp around her.
"You're up," She told him.
"I'm still waiting on the pizza," He denied.
"I can get it," She offered.
Looking at the picture she posed, he denied, "You can't open the door looking like that."
"Is it too thin?" Jane worried, looking down at herself.
"No," Kurt assured her, "But I still don't want some delivery guy seeing you like this."
Just then there was a knock and Kurt shoed her away while he paid for the pizza.
Jane pulled out plates and drinks while Kurt grabbed some napkins. He placed the pizza in the center of the dining room table.
"Are you showering first?" She asked him.
"Nah," He denied, "Let's eat."
Jane passed him a slice before taking one for herself.
"How's Allie?" Jane asked.
"She progressing nicely," Kurt assured her.
"When's she due?" Jane looked up at him.
"Not for a couple of more months," Kurt said.
"Are you excited?" Jane smiled.
"Terrified," Kurt corrected.
"You're going to be a great dad," Jane assured him.
"With Allie living in Colorado," Kurt worried, "How can I be?"
"Have you ever considered joining them?" Jane felt her heart rate accelerate at the question. She didn't want him to go with everything in her.
"Trying to get rid of me?" Kurt asked seriously.
"No," Jane denied, "But I understand just how important Allie and the baby are to you. Sandstorm's not going to last forever."
"Would you ever consider moving to Colorado?" Kurt asked out of the blue.
"What?" Jane stopped eating and looked at him in shock.
"Jane, Sandstorm might not last forever," She told her, "But the way I feel about you isn't going anywhere."
"You'd want me…to go with you?" She still couldn't believe he'd said that.
"I'm not going anywhere," Kurt denied, "But if I ever did, I'm sure not leaving you behind."
With those words he took whatever this was between them and made it more than casual, more than fleeting.
"You have to know what I feel for you isn't just because I see you every day." Kurt insisted.
"Kurt…" Jane had no idea what to say.
"Is it for you?" He asked bluntly.
"No," Jane admitted, "It's…undeniable."
"Okay," Kurt smiled at her, "Finish you're pizza. If I decide to head to Colorado, we go together."
"Together," Jane agreed huskily.
"Where are Kurt and Jane?" Patterson worried.
"We dropped them off at Kurt's," Reed admitted.
"Are they okay?" Patterson worried.
"Exhausted," Tasha explained.
"You dropped them both at Kurt's?" Patterson began to smile.
"Don't get that look," Reed warned her, "Jane's bunking on the couch. Roman's having a poker party at the safe house."
"I know," Patterson agreed, "I'm going."
"You're going?" Tasha repeated in shock. Patterson rarely left the lab these days.
"I'm a good player," Patterson insisted.
"You can probably tally the odds based on what's already been played," Reed accused her.
"So what if I can?" Patterson didn't deny his allegation.
"At least Roman will have a challenge," Tasha laughed up at Reed.
"You guys want to come?" Patterson asked her.
"She's not playing," Reed reminded Patterson, "And I could just hand over everything in my wallet now and save myself some frustration."
"If you don't think you can compete," Patterson said in an understanding voice.
"Why'd you have to go do that?" Edgar complained.
"What?" She smiled up at him.
"You're not going to use that hocus-pocus persuasive technique to get met to give you my money." He warned her.
"Whatever you say," Patterson agreed.
Reed turned and stomped off.
"Nice," Tasha laughed.
"It starts at 7," Patterson said.
"I can't gamble with you," Tasha admitted, "But I'll make sure he stops by the ATM on the way."
Patterson laughed.
Jane finished cleaning up while Kurt showered. She still was reeling from the question he'd so casually asked her. For the first time she considered what life might be like after Sandstorm. She'd always considered Sandstorm to be an end game for her, but what if it wasn't?
"Jane," Kurt called to her.
She looked up from the kitchen in surprise. How long had she been standing there?
Smiling she walked over to join him.
"Everything okay?" He worried.
"It's great," She admitted.
Smiling in understanding he took her hand and led her back to his bedroom.
"What side of the bed do you want?" He asked her over his shoulder.
"The good news for you," Jane teased him, "I usually sprawl right in the middle."
"Sounds fun," He teased back.
"Which is you're side?" She asked.
"Whatever side is closest to the door," Kurt admitted.
"Looking to escape already?" Jane frowned.
"No," Kurt denied looking uncomfortable.
"What?" Jane frowned up at him in concern.
"I know it's probably silly," He admitted, "But I want to be between you and anyone that might come through that door."
Jane knew she was in love with Kurt Weller, but he seemed to always do something to make her love him more.
"Silly huh?" He smiled down at her in embarrassment.
"I love you," Jane hadn't meant to say that and the stunned look on his face proved that he hadn't expected to hear it. She blushed.
His smile grew, "I love you too."
"You don't have to say that," She insisted.
"Denying it won't change how I feel," He admitted leaning down and kissing her softly.
Returning the caress she wrapped her arms around his neck and ran her hand through his short hair.
"We're sleeping," He insisted pulling away.
"Kurt," She protested.
"Look," He kissed her quickly, "One of the side effects of this feeling is the need to ensure you're okay. You just had your stitches removed and until there is no risk to you, nothing more is going to happen."
The look she gave him made his restraint possible, that and the fact he could finally hold her after months of having to turn away.
"Let me get you you're tooth brush."
Jane let her arms fall down reluctantly.
Once they'd completed their nightly ritual, she climbed into the far side of the bed. He doused the lights and joined her. They met in the middle. He pulled her back against him and wrapped his arm around her waist. She found that her head fit perfectly in the notch of his neck.
Kurt closed his eyes and savored having her finally in his arms. For months, ever since the failed Sandstorm raid, he'd been stealing moments. He'd hugged her when he realized she was alive, because he couldn't have stopped himself. He'd held her against him, even when he should have been focused on finding Patterson after the accident. There were a thousand stolen moments, but none of them had satisfied that need he had to keep her next to him. He doubt even this would. His need never abated and he doubt it ever could.
Jane relaxed his warmth soaking through the barrier she kept between herself and the world. Seeping into her very bones where she knew she'd always hold this moment close. She knew him, his scent, his touch, but this was the first time she'd been able to indulge that need in her that always wanted more. She knew, even if her memories were stolen again tomorrow, nobody would be able to take this memory from her. She would guard it fiercely.
They slid into sleep, each satisfied in a way that wasn't even remotely physical. Each needing the other not for what they found in the dark, but for the light they found only in each other. Their love was the only beacon in the darkness they hunted every day. The thing that made them strong, the thing that made them whole, the reason they still fought. The reason they would win…