Just before sunrise the next morning, Patrick awoke to the heart-pumping sensation of Teresa Lisbon's unclothed back pressing against his bare chest. As he held her tenderly in his arms, his eyes blinked open to see her adorable frame curled into a ball, her arms wrapped around his. Teresa's face was peacefully still, lips turned up in a contented smile. She looked otherworldly beautiful… like an angel, he thought. The peace was broken shortly after, when his slumbering angel began to snore. After a momentary burst of stifled, adoring laughter, Jane kissed his beloved partner awake.
"Morning, sunshine," he rumbled warmly in her ear, a stray blonde curl tickling her cheek in the most delightfully arousing way.
"Mmmm…. Morning, gorgeous." Teresa turned in his arms, delighting in his gloriously-tousled appearance. "Thank you for the dinner and dancing, if I forgot to say so last night."
Jane glowed tremendously, in response. "It was my heart's desire to wine and dine you, to the absolute limits of possibility, my dear," he gently trailed his fingertips behind her left ear, tucking a wisp of hair behind. "You are most welcome… And I want you to know how wonderfully exhilarating it was for me, having the luxury of so much one on one time together with you."
Teresa felt her heart thump faster, as his baby blues probed their beautiful way into her very soul. God, she loved this man so dearly. "I agree, sweet Patrick," Lisbon purred, breathlessly. She brushed a couple of messy curls away from his eyes, and gazed into him warmly. "It was amazing being with you and having no distractions… And I can't even describe the joy that's pulsing through me this morning. Waking up in your arms is exponentially more wonderful than I even dreamed it would be - and yes," she smiled shyly, looking away for a quick moment, "I've dreamt of it quite a lot over these past few months. Even more since your first letter arrived," she ran her fingers through his golden hair and kissed him tenderly. "Mmm… you're so wonderfully warm, Patrick…" her words trailed off, as she squeezed her love tightly, snuggling into him as if he were the only place she'd ever belonged.
Jane was overcome with emotion. Hearing words he'd never even allowed himself to imagine, pouring from his true love's gorgeous lips was more than he could handle all at once. He struggled to speak for a moment, barely managing to say: "I adore you, Teresa… this is all such a dream," before burying his face in her voluptuous, ebony hair.
Eventually, the lovers reluctantly agreed that they did, sadly, need to get out of bed. Today was a perilous day, what with Abbott's FBI spies searching for both of them. Plus, Jane was insistent that they get an early start, claiming that one of their most important destinations would need to be reached no later than 8:00am. Following one more round of grateful cuddles and kisses, the partners begrudgingly got dressed and started moving.
After a quick breakfast of leftover pastries from the room service cart Jane had ridden into the room last night, they loaded up two backpacks, each with a change of clothes, swimwear and provisions for a day of 'backcountry hiking,' as Jane had called it - citing their current need to remain off-grid. Their mutual contact, Franklin, had agreed to meet them at the same deserted strip of beach they'd reunited on the day before, and take them as far away from civilization as his truck could reach, before depositing them on a makeshift trailhead that would allow them to meander even further out of public sight.
As dawn was breaking, the two partners waited for their local guide, keeping vigilant watch, while also allowing themselves long glances at the morning sea. Lisbon rested her pack on the sand in front of her and Jane stood behind, arms wrapped around Teresa's toned waist, while relaxing his chin on her left shoulder.
"I have wonderful memories of this very spot, my dear," Jane murmured in her ear, causing unexpected warmth and tickles.
"Hush!" She playfully swatted at his arm, suddenly flushed, "Not in front of Franklin!"
Jane laughed in delight as he greeted their local friend, who had walked up beside them right as Lisbon was reacting with embarrassment.
"Señor Jane?" The young man was bemused and confused.
"Not to worry, Franklin! Let's be on our way!"
The local guide nodded in relief at moving past what seemed to be an awkward moment, and motioned the couple to his dusty pickup truck, which he'd parked in a makeshift spot behind the palms. Teresa was happy to pet the friendly dog who sat in Franklin's passenger seat, though she was less than thrilled to discover that she and Jane had to ride in the back.
"This is completely uncomfortable," Lisbon complained as they bumped along in the covered bed of the local man's truck, being escorted to who-knows-where.
"Just trust me, Teresa. It's safer that we're out of sight back here, under the cap. And I promise, the discomfort will be worth it."
"It better be."
Jane looked away and smirked. Lisbon was always snippy and impatient when she wasn't the one in control. And even in such a sour mood, he still couldn't get enough of her. If he were somehow able to score a spot beside her for the remainder of their lifetimes, he would still want more, he thought. He held tight to his heart and to the side of the truck bed for the length of the trip.
Once they reached a chained-off rut in the road, Franklin stopped and helped the two out of the vehicle. "This is as far as I can go, Señor Jane. Follow the ruts to the abandoned ranch, then follow the paved blocks downhill until you see the ocean. After that, follow the coastline until you get to the spot."
"Perfect, Franklin! You are a true and loyal friend, I can't thank you enough!" Jane shook Franklin's hand while pressing a small wad of local cash into his palm. The young man beamed when he saw the money, and ran back to his truck excitedly.
Once Franklin had gone, and Lisbon had dutifully strapped on her backpack, Jane suddenly pulled her into a strong embrace.
Eyes wide with surprise, Teresa wondered: "You okay, Jane? What's the death grip for?"
Loosening his grasp just enough to make eye contact, he grinned. "I have not been this far beyond 'okay' in years, my dear Lisbon. Apologies for the surprise, but I couldn't stand it. You are absolutely adorable in your hiking gear, and I was compelled to hold you tighter than ever." He glimmered, kissing her freckled cheeks with delight.
"Such a romantic," she purred, amused at his playfulness.
"You've no idea," he wiggled his eyebrows flirtatiously, then kissed her thoroughly before letting go just as suddenly to loft his own pack onto his back. "Well then, let's get started!"
Lisbon laughed and shook her head, entertained by her partner's quick change in mindset. She took a long sip of water before following her gorgeously multifaceted love down the dry and dusty path.
After hiking for what seemed like forever, Teresa felt the full-weight of her exhaustion from the past several days. Still a little jet-lagged, sore from so much island surveillance legwork after a half-year of sedentary boredom, and tangentially affected by her emotions working overtime since yesterday, Lisbon was growing impatient. "Okay Jane. Where the hell are we? And what kind of tropical island is this that I'm traipsing through a desert right now?"
Patrick stopped his expeditious marching to face his clearly tired love. "Yes the island is tropical, but just barely. We're quite close to the equator, thus the arid landscape." He spoke gently, hoping to soothe Lisbon's worries while also encouraging her to keep moving through her exhaustion. They were in a desolate area, but were currently in a spot with almost no cover, should someone be watching. "The ocean will come into view on your left soon. You have to have patience, Teresa."
"Well, I'm out of shape thanks to six months of furloughed inactivity and mourning your possible death," she grumbled, "so you'll forgive me for being grumpy about this backcountry hike under the hot sun."
"The sun's not the only thing that's hot out here," he flirted, sparkling gloriously. He had always loved it when her ire was up
"Jane? If you wanna see 'hot' turn into 'a punch in the nose,' keep up the monologue."
The exiled consultant turned suddenly sincere. "Teresa, I'm so sorry about the six months of worry." His eyes grew noticeably misty, at the thought of causing his beautiful Lisbon such pain. "It breaks my heart knowing how much my disappearance put you through, my dear. If I'd had any other choice, I would have nev—"
"It's okay Jane, really," she reached out to hold his hand, and shook her head quickly, trying to snap herself out of her current funk. After all, she was right beside the man whom she'd been so deeply mourning not more than two weeks ago. If he hadn't run, he would most likely be in prison or dead - either shot by law enforcement or carved up by some Red John disciple. She should be immensely grateful to be walking with him anywhere at all, she reminded herself.
"Teresa, please, just trust me," he moved his eyes closer to hers, hoping she could see his earnestness and care; hoping to turn her focus from her sore muscles to the refuge of their togetherness, and the unique beauty in their remote surroundings.
Determined to shake off the many factors that were bringing her down, Lisbon pulled herself back to a disciplined posture. "Okay, Jane, let's go."
They traipsed past tall hills covered with mountain goats on their right, while the island coastline scrolled by on their left - all the while they were surrounded by sand, cacti, and the occasional lizard or bright yellow crab. Teresa marveled at the juxtaposition of landscapes they seemed to be walking through. She also smiled at the realization that such a juxtaposition was quite fitting; it was the perfect complement to her unlikely partnership with the carny mind reader at her side. She silently prayed thanks, endlessly grateful for their new life together, no matter the current strenuous trek, or any impending peril.
After a long while, Jane finally slowed his pace and motioned Lisbon to an impressive outcropping of tall, grey rocks bordering the ocean. After taking both backpacks, and storing them on a natural shelf that jutted from the side of a boulder, Patrick dug around in his pack until he pulled out some rubbery, flexible footwear - suddenly smiling wide at the sound of crashing waves, echoing through the rocks. "Do you hear that roar, Lisbon? That's the ocean! Isn't that amazing? It's just behind these rocks! Quick - put these on!" He held a pair of the slip-ons to Lisbon, eyes on fire with excitement.
"Water shoes? Why?"
"Because wet rocks are slippery, and I want you to be safe, love," he raised his eyebrows and held the shoes closer to her.
"Oh great - now we're rock climbing?" She rolled her eyes in defeat as she snapped the footwear from her exasperating partner. "Fine, whatever - let's get this over with." Lisbon was too hot, and her muscles were truly aching from the mile and a half long intermediate level hike that had led them to this truly remarkable place. Remembering again that she was supposed to feel grateful for all of this, she forced herself to notice the beauty all around her as she used one of the rock walls for a changing room, then sat on a smaller rock, off to the side, securing Jane's water shoes to her bare feet.
"Those are so cute on you," Jane glimmered with sincerity as he walked around to his bag, tucking his hiking clothes inside.
"Stop it," Teresa laughed, "I feel ridiculous in these things."
Jane moved closer and held out both his hands. "You certainly don't look ridiculous, my love. You are an absolute vision in this swimwear - athletic sensibility, but with just enough style to be provocative."
She crossed her arms and smirked. "I mean it. Stop teasing."
Patrick coaxed her to her feet and surrounded her with his arms. "I'm not teasing, and I mean it, too. You take my breath away, Teresa. I am completely smitten, and I cannot get enough of you in this beachwear, my love."
Teresa got a tear in her eye, either from the glinting sun or from her lover's gleaming smile. "Okay, Jane, I'll take you at your word," she grinned sweetly, still feeling a bit foolish.
"Excellent! Follow me, love!" He was completely wound up about this climb on the rocks, and that energy infected his lovely partner after all. "But be careful on this part, dear. It's best if you follow my steps almost exactly as we make our way over this one."
Lisbon was glad for her ridiculous water shoes as she followed Jane up the grey boulder pile, and through a sort of rock bridge, offering a first view of the destination he was guiding her to. And what a view it was! Teresa felt like she'd walked into a travel magazine or a postcard. "Wow! I feel like we're in a movie or something!"
Jane stopped to turn and enjoy her first reaction to this magical place. "Right?! I knew you'd love this, Teresa! Someday I'll give you the letter I wrote to you about it… the one where I wished with all my heart that I could share this with you." He temporarily grasped her hand, being affected by emotion, by this moment, by physically having her here with him. With a sniffle, he told her more about the place: "so, these rocks are low enough to allow some seawater in, but high enough to protect against crashing waves. The ring of granite forms a natural swimming pool, Lisbon."
A wave smacked the outside of the far rock wall, making an impressive sound, and sending a small waterfall splashing over the rocks and into the pool at the center of the ring.
"Whoa! That is amazing!" Lisbon couldn't keep her jaw from sagging at the sight; nor could she stop from beaming an amazed smile which, in turn, lit up her partner with elation.
Patrick guided her down the pool side of the rocks, and laughed with delight as they both slid into the water together with a small splash. The two shared a delicious early-morning swim, occasionally splashing at each other in fun, or climbing the far rock wall to plunge like daredevils into the deep center of the pool.
At one point, Jane scurried up the far wall and stopped cold, looking with wonder at the ocean beyond. "Lisbon!" He glanced down at her as she spun somersaults in the pool below. "Liiis-baaaahn!" He called with excitement, waving her up animatedly.
Rolling her eyes playfully, and climbing up beside him, she caught sight of what had captivated his attention. Gasping at the view, she held tight to Jane. "Are those?"
"Yes, my dear," her partner exclaimed with exhilaration. "They're dolphins!"
Teresa planted her feet for stability, and slapped a hand to her mouth in awe, keeping her other arm tightly around Jane. Thank you God, we're really here together! This is actually happening! She could not get over her own emotions as she realized both of their daydreams becoming reality before their eyes.
"Told you it would be worth it!" He grinned at her, as she watched the dolphins with amazed wonder.
"You weren't kidding, Patrick. They're so beautiful!"
Jane's voice caught as he answered, "And so are you, Teresa. This is the moment I wrote you about, love… the look that's on your face right now is…" he stopped for a deep breath, "this is exactly how I imagined it would be, if only I could have you here with me... I can't stand it, it's so stunningly perfect… and you, my dear... are simply stunning."
Teresa's heart was racing, as Jane gazed deeply into her, running his hands over her hair, matted from seawater, then tenderly leaning in for a series of loving kisses that left them both in tears.
As she regained control of her heart rate, Teresa held Patrick's face and shared the story of her own daydream. "You're never gonna believe this, but I had a daydream about this too."
"You… you're kidding me!"
"I'm not kidding! It was shortly after reading your letter - the one about the dolphins, that you mentioned just now. I was in the shower, worried about FBI spies, when I drifted into this fantasy of the two of us by the ocean, watching dolphins, and you ran your hands over my wet hair, just like this. And then I wondered what it would be like if you were with me in my apartment shower… helping me shampoo my hair," she winked seductively, inviting a trembling sigh of anticipation from Jane.
"My dear, I am more than happy to bring the second half of that fantasy to fruition as well. Maybe later today? We'll need to rinse this saltwater away soon, no doubt?" He sparkled mischievously at the thought.
"Mmm… I look forward to that…Patrick…" Teresa smoldered at her love, pulling him closer for a more passionate set of kisses and caresses that left him temporarily breathless.
A distant rumble interrupted the romantic scene. Jane stood taller to look beyond the beach, and immediately deflated. "Damn. The tours are here."
"What tours?"
"This pool is a magnet for tourists, but only the locals know the access point we took, from the desert side. That's why we've been alone all this time and why we had to leave so early this morning to get here. The place will soon be quite crowded. We should start back now."
"Ugh, more hiking…" Teresa half-teased. "I'll agree to it on one condition."
"What's that, my love?"
"You have to promise me we'll come back here someday when we have more time."
"That would be my pleasure, Teresa."
"Okay then, let's get out and get dried off. I'm gonna need all the time I can get to stretch and mentally prepare for the hike back."
Lisbon gave her partner a quick peck on the lips, then leapt from the rock into the center of the pool, beginning her exit to the beach side of the ring. Jane sparked a smile, then gave chase, diving in to swim after her.
"About the hiking, I do have some good news on that front, my dear," Jane called out as they swam to the beach side of the pool.
"What's that?"
"We only need to travel as far as the abandoned horse ranch."
"Because?"
"Because Franklin has set up that place for us to be able to stay there! At least until Abbott's goons back off."
"Well, okay… I guess that's good news." Pulling herself out of the water, and sitting on the rock bridge to the beach, Lisbon didn't look like she really considered the news to be that great.
"Of course it is, my dear! Not only will it allow us safety and privacy, it will knock off roughly thirty percent of our walking time," Jane pulled himself up to a spot on the bridge, put an arm around his partner, and peered into her eyes with gentle concern.
"I'm sorry Patrick," she chuckled at herself, "you're right, love. And I really appreciate all you've done to keep us both safe today. I'm just so out of shape… it's really embarrassing." She rolled her eyes, then climbed over to the beach, feeling ashamed of how she'd let herself go, over the past year, really. The darkness of their final days chasing Red John had started some unhealthy habits, and Jane's disappearance, with all of the accompanying unpleasantness, hadn't exactly motivated her to focus on self-care.
Seeing his love beginning to spiral, Patrick quickly followed her to the beach, and offered a comforting hug. After a moment, he smiled, and murmured in her ear with some mischief, "Lisbon may I say that, according to what I've experienced with you recently, you are still quite fit, my dear, no matter what you may think."
Teresa burst into a shy blush, smirking at her incorrigible partner and leaned back to playfully slap his chest for the hinted reference to their recent lovemaking.
"Also, I promise to massage any and all sore muscles you may have, tonight, after I cook you a delicious dinner and help you wash the salt water out of your gorgeous hair."
"Well, when you put it that way," she winked, hurrying to dry and change clothes quickly, as the long, ant-like line of tourist jeeps slowly made their way past an abandoned stone ruin, and down a rugged path on the most distant cactus-covered hill, inching steadily toward their location.
Lisbon and Jane jogged in the sand for the first hundred yards or so, to create more distance between themselves and the encroaching caravan. As a result, the two partners were safely out of sight long before the tourist throngs invaded their idyllic, daydream swimming spot.
Feeling rejuvenated after their relaxing dip in the cool ocean water, and the invigorating experience of seeing dolphins swimming on the open sea, the couple made excellent time, even with the sandy terrain - arriving back at the forgotten horse ranch in just over thirty minutes.
"Well this is new, Jane!"
"What's that, Lisbon?"
"This time you found a ranch but forgot to buy me the pony!"
Patrick burst into laughter, twinkling madly, "Touché my dear! But do remind me to escort you to the local donkey sanctuary before we depart." He winked teasingly, grinning even wider at the ensuing look of confusion and concern on Lisbon's face after that comment.
