Author's notes: A big thank you to Jane Doe51, MissDonnie, Louisekurylo, Janesbiotch, MartyMc49, tea and jisbon, and 1832TeaQL for reviewing the last chapter. I hope you enjoy this one, as the doctor begins to help Patrick sort out his memories.
Only when Teresa feels her body relax as she walks through the ward towards her husband's room does she realise how apprehensive she's been about what it would be like. True to the doctor's word, its appearance is like any other ward. Rooms along the sides with a reception area in the middle. The patients, like in any other ward are, either, sleeping, reading, watching tv, talking with visitors or amongst each other. She realises she'd been expecting images portrayed in old films and chides herself. The doctor leads her to Patrick's room and holds the door open for her to enter.
Patrick's awake and turns his head towards them, upon hearing the door open. His movements are slow and deliberate. Even when he was recovering from the shooting, and he was trying to grasp the situation, his eyes had been sparkling with intelligence, he'd quickly understood the situation and taken on the challenge of what needed to be done. The eyes staring at her now are dull, his torment still visible, she wonders if that's from his memories or from what's happening to him, She quickly hides the shock she feels as she hardly recognises the Patrick staring back at her.
The doctor grabs a chair that's lying against the wall and places it near the bed, indicating for Teresa to take it, he sits on the chair near the top of the bed, nearest Patrick. He crosses his legs and arms in a non-threatening gesture and smiles at him.
"Hi Patrick. Do you know who I am?"
Patrick doesn't reply and the doctor points to Teresa.
"Do you know who she is?"
Patrick's eyes slowly make their way to Teresa, as they rest on her Teresa can see him searching for the answer. He nods his head. He answers and his voice is thick and his words deliberate as if he has to work out how to form them before speaking.
"Agent Lisbon."
Teresa's heart sinks at the use of the title, he's forgotten about 'them'. The doctor anticipating her reactions, looks towards her reassuringly.
Desperation enters Patrick's eyes.
"My wife and child are dead, I..I came home and found them….there's so much blood, so…much blood."
A tear trickles down his cheek, that he shows no awareness of, the doctor lays his hand on Patrick's arm.
"Look at me Patrick, you need to listen to me carefully. It happened a long time ago. You've been involved in an incident where you hurt your head and you forgot a lot of things. But now you remember and I need to help you sort out the past from the present."
Patrick tears his eyes away from Teresa and looks at the doctor with bewilderment. The doctor repeats his words. Patrick looks back at Teresa, she can read that he's asking for confirmation, she nods her head.
The doctor stays silent allowing Patrick time to digest the information and make some sense of it. Patrick's eyes never stray from Teresa, his connection to her, still strong, still important to him. He addresses his next question to her.
"How long ago?"
Teresa glances at the doctor and he nods to her, to let her know she should answer.
"Nearly twenty years ago."
Teresa's horrified when Patrick shakes his head and show signs of distress.
"No, no that's not right, it's not that long."
He looks directly at her, his expression accusatory.
"Why are you lying to me, Agent Lisbon?"
Teresa's eyes sting at his words. The doctor reaches out and lays a hand on Patrick's arm, and Patrick turns to him.
"Stay calm Patrick. This is going to be difficult, but you must try to stay calm, the more upset you get, the harder it will be for you to think clearly. Now take some deep breaths."
Patrick does as he's told and the tension leaves his face and the doctor continues.
"That's better. She's not lying to you, you only remember so much. I want you tell me what you remember."
Patrick eyes fill with torment once more.
"The blood….so much blood…their eyes….staring….accusing…."
The doctor interrupts, speaking kindly, but firmly. Teresa becomes aware that she's twisting her fingers, she forces them apart and mimics the doctor's earlier relaxed pose as she remembers the doctor's instructions that it's important to stay calm and relaxed. To show no distress at whatever her husband may say or do. Doctor Armitage is leaning close to Patrick as he speaks:
"Yes Patrick, you came home to find your family had been killed, it was terrible thing, a nightmare. You held them close to you for a while and then what did you do?"
Patrick's nodding along with the doctor as he speaks. When he asks the question he stares at him for a long moment and then Teresa can see him, reluctantly search for the answer.
"I called the police."
The Doctor nods in agreement.
"Patrick turns to Teresa.
"But it wasn't you."
Teresa smiles at him.
"No, we met later…in Sacramento. Do you remember?"
Patrick thinks and then nods.
"Yes, you were much younger then.."
"As were you."
Patrick smiles for the first time since they entered the room, it a tired smile but it sends a warm rush of hope through Teresa.
"Yes, I guess I was."
Patrick continues to stare at Teresa, she holds his gaze, willing him to remember her as his wife. The doctor interjects:
"What do you remember of that meeting Patrick? Of meeting Teresa, Agent Lisbon?"
Patrick glances at the doctor and then returns his gaze to Teresa.
"I was looking for Red John. I must admit, I didn't expect such a young agent in charge, yet you seemed to understand why I was there. You treated me with kindness, but you tried to steer me away."
A smile twitches at the edges of his lips once more.
"You said I looked like a homeless person. Told me to clean myself up."
A laugh escapes from Teresa's lips at the memory.
"Yes I did, and I still think I was right."
They hold each other's gaze once more.
"You gave me a job."
Teresa nods her head.
"You became my consultant and you turned out to be a very good detective. You also made life very interesting."
He nods his head.
"That's good, life should be interesting."
The doctor interrupts:
"What can you remember about your life at the CBI Patrick?"
Patrick slowly moves his eyes towards him. Teresa recognises the look of irritation that crosses his face.
"There's nothing I can make sense of."
Doctor Armitage tries to coax him:
"Come on Patrick, think of one, something to do with Agent Lisbon perhaps."
He slumps down against his pillow. Weariness etched in every line of his face. His body deflating like a punctured balloon. He looks to Teresa.
"I'm sorry but they're just a jumble."
It's obvious that Patrick is struggling, his eyes are embedded in sunken holes, the tension in his face evident. Teresa suspects he has a headache.
"I think Patrick needs to rest Doctor."
"I quite agree. You've doing very well Patrick, I'm very pleased."
He stands up and looks to Teresa.
"If it's okay doctor, I'd like to stay a little bit longer."
The doctor gives a little bow of his head.
"Of course, I would like to speak with you before you go."
Teresa nods her accent. The doctor turns and says goodbye to Patrick, who has his eyes closed. He lifts his hand in acknowledgement. Teresa takes the vacated chair and sits down as the door closes behind her. She's not sure what to make of what's happened. It's disappointing that he's seems to have forgotten their relationship once more, but she's hopeful that progress can be made, he appears to remember more things. She's not sure she should bring Austin, as promised, to see him. It could be upsetting for them both. She's taken by surprise when Patrick suddenly opens one eye, a smile dancing on his lips.
"Exactly when did you start calling me Patrick?"
Author's notes: I'm ending it there as I want to change to Patrick's point of view, and get his impressions of this chapter and beyond. Which I think will be best done in a different chapter.