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Disclaimer: I do not own The Mentalist or its characters. No copyright infringement intended, and definitely no money made.
AN: This was the episode that reviewers most mentioned wanting to see in my initial lineup, so I've made it a bit longer than the rest. Also an apology – I finally had to name the baby. I was trying not to, because I'm sure some will be put off by whatever name I choose, but it got awkward. I just couldn't keep calling him "the baby" any longer.
This chapter is obviously darker and more angsty than most, and I hope you find it satisfying.
(O.S. means off screen, for those not familiar with this)
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Purple Heart
8.08
Jane is critically wounded by a sniper during the team's raid on an anti-gay group wanted for hate crimes. Cho has doubts about his leadership qualities, and Lisbon reconsiders the risks of her job.
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EXT. POST OFFICE – DAY
Jane emerges from the post office holding his six month old son and carrying several pieces of paper. He's wearing his vest but not his suit jacket.
JANE: (to baby) Who knew that both parents had to be physically present to get you a passport? I didn't. Did you?
The baby babbles back to him.
JANE: Agreed, it IS ridiculous.
Jane straps the baby into his car seat in the backseat and settles in behind the wheel.
JANE: We still have three hours to make this happen today if I can get Teresa down here somehow. We need to get your passport back before her birthday, so I can surprise her with those tickets for the trip.
Jane picks up his phone, calls Lisbon. It goes to voicemail.
JANE: (frustrated, turns back to talk to baby) Christopher, your mother isn't answering my calls.
The baby babbles away.
JANE: I know, right? You should talk to her about that.
Jane has an idea. Punches a different number into the phone.
JANE: Wylie?
WYLIE: (O.S.) Hey Jane. What's up?
JANE: Seems Lisbon's not answering her phone and I really need to talk to her.
WYLIE: (O.S.) She must have already turned off her phone – she's headed to her position around back with Ramos and Branch.
JANE: You're at a takedown?
WYLIE: (O.S.). We finally got a location on God's Straight Army. Three teams are in on this one – it's a big bust.
JANE: Oh, right –the group that killed all those college kids at the gay bar. Where are you?
WYLIE: (O.S.). Outside their HQ building – it's at 13th and Redding. Sorry, gotta go. Cho's motioning for us to take our positions.
JANE: Thanks, Wylie.
Jane slips his phone into his pocket. Looks at the clock, thinks for a moment.
JANE: The only way we're going to make it back down here in time to get this done is to pick up mommy right after that bust goes down.
He fires up the car.
JANE: (CONT'D) Let it never be said that we Janes give up easily.
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EXT. PARKING LOT OF BUILDLING – DAY
Jane drives up, spots several FBI vehicles parked in a clump pretty far away from the aged brick two-story building and pulls his car up beside them. They are empty. He gets out and peers toward the building, getting up on his tiptoes. In the distance he sees several vested officers in various places around the building. The raid is poised to happen. He peers into his backseat. The baby is sound asleep.
Jane sighs. He's going to have to wait. He walks around to the passenger side of the car and opens the front passenger door. Pulls out the small diaper bag, sits it on the hood. Gently closes the door so as not to wake the child. He reaches into the side pocket of the bag and pulls out the passport forms and a pen. May as well get Lisbon's forms filled out while he waits.
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EXT. ROOFTOP OF BUILDLING – DAY
Two men dressed in camouflage come out the door onto the roof. One has a sniper rifle, and the other has a pair of binoculars. They walk around, looking out over the parking lot.
BINO MAN: Look. Over there.
He points to the group of big black cars in the lot and lifts the binos to his eyes.
BINO MAN: (CONT'D) They are coming for us, just like Zeke said. Bastards.
The other man peers over the edge, straight below them.
RIFLEMAN: They're already at the doors. I don't have a shot.
BINO MAN: Over there, by the fed cars. Bet that's one of them reporters.
Bino man has Jane spotted with his binoculars. Jane is writing on a paper on the hood of his car. The rifleman kneels and steadies his weapon on the short wall that edges the roof.
RIFLEMAN: I see him.
He focuses his scope sights on Jane, who appears in the crosshairs.
RIFLEMAN: (CONT'D) The news sent one of them fairy reporters out here so he could put it all in the papers how his kind was revenged, didn't they?
BINO MAN: (looks disgusted) No doubt. Filthy pervert, sinnin' against God. God's law is the only true law.
Shouts are heard coming from below as well as the sound of doors being forced open. The men on the roof look at each other with some desperation, realizing they're going down. The rifleman readjusts his gun, and looks back at Jane in the sights of his scope.
RIFLEMAN: Look at him, all prissy in that girly vest, writing his lies. (squints with resolve as he peers through the scope) The feds may have us, but ain't nobody gonna write about it.
He lines up his sights on Jane. Exhales. Just as he squeezes the trigger, Jane moves to look back into the car, checking on the baby.
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INT: BRICK BUILDLING – DAY
Agents have just battered down the door and Cho leads several agents inside, weapons drawn. He hears a rifle report, not close.
CHO: (into walkie talkie) Shots fired! All units – go!
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EXT. BRICK BUILDING – DAY
The FBI team members begin to emerge from the building. Some are talking with each other, smiling. Others are leading handcuffed men. The successful raid is over. Cho and Wylie walk out in front, heading back toward the group of waiting cars.
WYLIE: Do you hear…crying?
Faint sound of a crying baby.
CHO: (listens) Yeah, why?
WYLIE: (looks around) There aren't any residences around here.
They continue walking toward the FBI vehicles, listening.
WYLIE: (CONT'D) It's getting louder.
They both pick up their pace. The crying continues to get louder. Soon they are close to the cars.
WYLIE: That's Jane's car.
The driver's side of Jane's car is facing them. They walk up to the car. A diaper bag sits unattended on the hood, and they peer inside to see the baby crying.
CHO: Where's Jane?
WYLIE: I don't know. But Christopher's not happy.
Wylie opens the driver's side back door and lifts the crying baby out, comforting him. Cho looks around, sees no one, then walks to the other side of the car, where he sees Jane lying on the ground, his torso covered in blood. He is unconscious.
CHO: Damn!
He pulls out his phone.
CHO: We need an ambulance – parking lot at 13th and Redding. Officer down. I repeat, officer down.
He kneels down and places his hand over the wound. This is eerily familiar to him. From several yards away, Ramos sees that something is wrong and comes trotting up. Takes in the situation.
CHO: Ramos. There must have been a shooter on top of the building. Did anybody get him?
RAMOS: I don't know. I don't think so. I'm on it.
Ramos whirls and runs toward the building, sending free officers back in with his shouts. He runs past Lisbon, who is laughing and talking with Branch.
RAMOS: Lisbon, go to the cars. Branch, you come with us.
Lisbon is confused, looks toward the cars in the lot. Catches sight of Wylie holding a baby. She breaks into a run toward the cars. When she gets to the car, she can't see Jane on the other side.
WYLIE: The baby's fine – I've got him.
Wylie motions to the other side of the car with his head. Lisbon frowns, still not understanding. She hears Cho talking and hurries around to the other side of the car. Sees Cho kneeling beside Jane, putting pressure on his wound.
LISBON: Oh dear God, no.
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INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - DAY
Lisbon, Wylie, and Wylie's girlfriend Olivia (Dr. Watson) sit, waiting for news. Lisbon is tense and contained. Wylie is holding the baby, who is asleep on his shoulder. A doctor in scrubs walks in and they stand.
DOCTOR: Are you with Mr. Jane?
LISBON: I'm his wife. (looks expectantly at the doc)
DOCTOR: Hello, I'm Dr. Crecelius. We've stabilized your husband, at least temporarily. He has a collapsed lung, some broken ribs. We've put in a chest tube to reexpand the lung. Of more concern, his liver was damaged and he has some internal bleeding.
Lisbon stoically absorbs the news. Wylie puts a hand on her shoulder.
DOCTOR: We're currently getting a CT to help define the damage. Could be just a graze, could be more serious. After the test is complete we'll know more, and he'll be moved to the ICU no matter what the scan shows. The waiting room is up on the 5th floor - SICU. I'll look for you up there – it'll probably be forty five minutes or so.
LISBON: (nods numbly) Thank you.
DOCTOR: No problem.
The doctor exits. Lisbon looks at Wylie and Olivia.
WYLIE: We can take care of Christopher.
LISBON: Would you mind? Wendy (their regular sitter) is out of town.
OLIVIA: Of course not. We can take him to your house and wait if you'd like.
LISBON: That'd be great. He'll be happier at home.
She pats her jacket pocket.
LISBON: Oh damn. My keys are in my purse. It's in my desk at work.
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INT: AUSTIN FBI HQ – DUSK
Cho sits alone in his office. He finishes a short call, then stares straight ahead. He tilts his head down and covers his face with his hands.
Wylie and Olivia enter the bullpen. Wylie is carrying the baby, and they go to Lisbon's desk to get her purse. Olivia reaches inside, pulls out the house keys.
OLIVIA: Got 'em. (dangling them in the air) Keys.
The baby laughs and reaches for them. Wylie spies Cho in his office. Gives baby to Olivia.
WYLIE: Give me a minute, please?
Olivia nods. Wylie knocks on Cho's office door.
CHO: (looking up) Come in.
Wylie walks in, cautious.
WYLIE: Will you need me any more tonight?
CHO: No. Ramos and Branch are helping Pittman's team locate the shooter. They're close.
WYLIE: Okay then. Olivia and I are taking care of Christopher tonight.
A dark cloud hangs over Cho.
CHO: Good.
WYLIE: (hesitantly) You know…this wasn't your fault.
Cho stares at Wylie for a moment or two before speaking.
CHO: Whose fault was it?
WYLIE: Cho. (ponders whether to go on) Can I speak freely?
CHO: Okay.
WYLIE: I mean, you were honest with me when I wanted to transfer after Vega was killed, right?
CHO: Go ahead.
WYLIE: This wasn't your fault. I'm the one who told Jane the location.
CHO: I've been team leader for less than two years and I've already lost two people. That's some kind of a record. Maybe someone else should be doing this job.
WYLIE: Vega wasn't your fault, either. It was just bad luck. (takes courage and becomes more impassioned) Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Lisbon needs us now and if Jane…doesn't make it, she's going to need us even more. You're a good team leader. So lead. Be there for her.
Cho takes a deep breath and gives Wylie the briefest hint of a smile. Outside in the bullpen, the baby starts to fuss.
WYLIE: (CONT'D) I…should go. We're taking the baby to their house for the night – Lisbon is staying at the hospital. And I'm going to take Lisbon some things she wanted from home.
Cho stands.
CHO: I'll follow you. You watch the kid, I'll take Lisbon's things to her.
WYLIE: (hint of a smile) Okay. Um. (points to Cho) You might want to change shirts.
Cho looks down at his bloody white shirt.
CHO: Right.
Wylie turns to go.
CHO: Wylie?
He turns back.
CHO: Thanks.
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INT: JANES' CABIN – DAY
Lisbon is seeing Wylie and Olivia Watson out the front door.
LISBON: You two go on. My sister in law will be here in thirty minutes. Kay (Branch) is picking her up at the airport right now. Go home, get some sleep. I can't thank you enough.
Lisbon closes the door as they exit. She walks silently by the baby's room, peering in to see him sleeping peacefully. She walks out onto the screened porch and puts her hand on one of the wooden beams.
Flashback: Jane hammering away, sleeves rolled up, building the porch.
Lisbon walks back into the kitchen.
Flashback: Jane fixing her coffee, giving her an affectionate smile as he hands her the cup.
She walks into their bedroom, fluffs a pillow on the bed.
Flashback: She starts to get into bed, and sees a mint on her pillow. She smiles. Jane closes in behind her, brushes her hair to the other side of her neck and trails a kiss from her ear to her shoulder.
Tears fill Lisbon's eyes. She hears a knock. She dabs at her eyes and goes to the front door. Karen Lisbon, her sister in law, and Kay Branch are there. Branch waves "bye."
BRANCH: Let me know if you need anything.
LISBON: (waves) Thanks.
Karen pulls Teresa in for a hug.
EXT. JANES' PORCH – DAY
Teresa and Karen sit on the porch, having a cup of tea.
LISBON: It's so sweet of you to come. Wendy is in Honduras on a mission trip or she would be here to help.
KAREN: It's good for Stan to take care of the four of them all by himself for a few days. I'll be more appreciated when I get back. (smiles, then serious) How's he doing, Teresa?
LISBON: Last night they did a CT scan and they didn't see a lot of bleeding, so they decided to observe him. But about five this morning apparently he started losing more blood, so they took him to surgery. I saw him before his surgery – he was awake – kind of. He knew me. But he didn't look good.
Lisbon takes a deep breath, calming herself.
LISBON: (CONT'D) The doctor came out about nine after the surgery was over and said they think they've stopped the bleeding. He's stable, so they told me to come home because he'll be asleep for at least another three or four hours. I'll go back in a couple of hours.
KAREN: Don't worry about Christopher. I'll take care of everything here.
LISBON: I know. (puts on a brave face, trying to reassure herself) He's going to be fine.
KAREN: Of course he will. But no matter what happens, Teresa, we'll be here for you.
Lisbon nods.
LISBON: You know… (hesitates)
Karen waits, listening.
LISBON: All these years, I've never really understood what Jane must have gone through when his first family was killed. I thought I did.
She shakes her head slowly.
LISBON: (CONT'D) But I had no idea. I had no. freaking. idea. Because I'd never been that close to anyone- that intimate. And now…the thought of waking up and never seeing him again?
Lisbon wipes a tear from her cheek.
LISBON: (CONT'D) He's always been afraid I'll be killed on the job. I told him it wasn't a big deal. He shouldn't worry.
She swipes her hair back out of her face and sniffles.
LISBON: (CONT'D) At least Christopher is safe. To lose both of them? I'm just beginning to understand his fear.
Karen hugs her, and Teresa attempts to pull herself together.
LISBON: I should get back over there.
KAREN: No, you should lie down for an hour. I'll wake you up.
LISBON: (realizes Karen is right because she is exhausted) Okay. One hour…
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INT. CHO'S FBI OFFICE – DAY
Ramos sticks his head in through the open door.
RAMOS: We've got 'em, boss.
Another agent muscles the handcuffed rifleman toward an interrogation room.
INT. FBI INTERROGATION ROOM – DAY
Rifleman sits across the table from Cho. The sniper's arms are crossed despite the cuffs, and he leans back casually in his chair. His expression is one of smug superiority.
CHO: You've been charged with attempted murder of a federal agent.
RIFLEMAN: Well, that'd be your first lie, you govermint stooge. I nailed him, for starters. If he ain't dead yet, he will be. And he weren't no federal agent. Nossir. That dude was a dandy little fruitcake of a reporter, come to "cover" the takedown of our great organization. Whose only sin is to uphold God's law, I might add.
The rifleman leans forward, puts his elbows on the table.
RIFLEMAN: (with conviction) I saw him writin'. God told me right then and there I needed to get rid of that perverted sinner, before he had a chance to spread lies about us in his paper.
CHO: So you admit shooting the man in the parking lot from the roof.
RIFLEMAN: (repulsed) If you can call that "kind" a man.
CHO: You're stupid, you need to find a smarter God, and you're a bad shot. That man you tried to kill is an FBI consultant. He's straight, and he's married to one of our female agents. They have a new baby boy. He was there to pick up his wife.
Shock and disbelief cloud the man's face. He sags in his chair.
RIFLEMAN: That's bullshit. He had a purse.
CHO: He had a diaper bag. His son was in the car.
Rifleman frowns, now shaken, realizing he has made a mistake. Cho sets his jaw. His anger shows through the stoicism enough that the rifleman knows he is dealing with a formidable man.
CHO: If our man dies, I'm going to personally see to it that they put you in a place where you'll forget what daylight ever looked like.
Cho closes the file, picks it up, and walks out.
Rifleman is left sitting alone, and he looks scared.
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INT: ICU HOSPITAL ROOM – DAY
Lisbon walks into Jane's ICU cubicle. He is lying with his eyes closed, hooked up to several tubes. Monitors beep and lights flash all around. She smiles a bittersweet smile and takes his hand. He stirs.
LISBON: Hey.
His eyes flutter open, and she sees recognition in them. Jane attempts to talk but his throat is dry. She gives him a sip of water.
JANE: Hey.
LISBON: It's good to see you.
JANE: Well…I'm relieved. (grimaces a bit)
Lisbon furrows her brow, not quite getting it.
JANE: (weakly) Seems I'm going to live.
LISBON: Yes, you are. (smiles)
JANE: (still groggy) I can see it…in your face. When I woke up the first time…wasn't so sure.
Lisbon realizes he had picked up on her worry during his previous conscious moments.
LISBON: (laments) Oh, Patrick…
JANE: No..s'fine. Gonna be fine. See it in your face.
Lisbon reaches down and strokes his face with her hand. He catches the edge of her hand with a kiss as it passes.
JANE: (closes eyes) Tired.
LISBON: You get some rest.
She plants a kiss on his forehead.
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BLACK SCREEN: THREE DAYS LATER
INT. HOSPITAL HALLWAY – DAY
Lisbon and Karen walk down the hall. Lisbon is carrying Christopher.
LISBON: We're going to see your daddy!
They approach a room. Christopher's happy babbles are interrupted by a nurse, who storms out of the doorway in front of them, steaming mad.
NURSE: (back over her shoulder into the room) Dr. Grimes is going to hear about this. I have never seen such behavior!
Lisbon looks at Karen and grins. Karen frowns, but Lisbon is delighted.
LISBON: He must be feeling better.
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BLACK SCREEN: A FEW WEEKS LATER
EXT. JANES' HOUSE – EARLY EVENING
Lisbon pulls her car up beside their house where Jane stands waiting for her, dressed in jeans and a work shirt, holding Christopher. She gets out, happy to be home from work.
JANE: (excited) We have something to show you!
LISBON: (puzzled and surprised) What?
Jane takes her hand, pulling her toward the pond.
JANE: Come on.
He leads her down to the pond, where she sees a small rowboat pulled up on the shore. There are two seat cushions, a tiny life vest, and oars. Jane is positively beaming.
JANE: We got a boat! Let's go for a spin around the pond.
He is much too excited for her to refuse, and the baby is waving his arms in anticipation. He knows fun is afoot.
They pile into the simple rowboat, and Christopher doesn't fuss a bit about the lifejacket. Lisbon sits on the front seat, holding the baby, and Jane takes the oars. As he propels them out and around the pond, the oarlocks creak with every slow, deliberate stroke of the oars.
The sun is nearly setting now, and the yellow-orange light gives the entire place a golden glow. Dragonflies and butterflies flit about. A fish jumps. Christopher squeals with delight as several coots "wakwak" to each other as they swim unconcerned beside their craft.
Lisbon's phone buzzes in her pocket. She looks up at Jane, his face a picture of contentment and joy as the sun backlights his hair. She reaches for her phone, and then stops, and drops her hand back down. She's not going to answer it.
Jane is puzzled. He examines her face and then he begins to understand. He smiles at her, fully appreciating this gesture.
JANE: We're almost back.
LISBON: Yeah. It'll wait five minutes.
Jane is clearly moved. He pilots the boat back to the shore near their house, and gets out. Holding the boat close, he takes the baby from Lisbon and holds out a hand to steady her as she steps onto dry land. He nods to her. She nods back.
Lisbon walks toward the house, and pulls out her phone. "Yeah, hey Cho, what's up?"
FADE OUT
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AN: Well, clearly that was more than a sneak peek, but I hope you enjoyed it. Some of the issues raised in this episode will be revisited as the season progresses.