Notes:
Thank you so much everyone! I am happy to know that you guys like this story. Just trying to make it an interesting read with lots of drama! Please keep reviewing – I am so grateful to all of you!
Chapter 4: Home sweet home
I am discharged from the hospital sooner than I expected.
Driving through the rush hour traffic is proving exasperating for me. I didn't realize this, but after spending a slightly traumatic night at the hospital, I am feeling a bit over the edge, a little claustrophobic as I sit in my car which is stuck in the morning traffic.
I can't wait to get back to the motel I call home, but then the thought of lying to Lisbon makes me sad. I wouldn't want her to worry about me, but I guess I could use some company today….
In spite of the traffic, I manage to reach the motel before 9:00, but the trip back from the hospital has exhausted me for some reason. Wearily climbing the staircase I reach my room and momentarily fumble with the keys in my hand before I finally enter 'my home'.
All my energy has been drained out, so instead of heading towards the shower, I take off my shoes and socks, vest and shirt and then crawl into the bed and under the blanket. Soon I am fast asleep.
(A couple of hours later…)
Something's buzzing near my ear and vibrating as well. It can't be a bee, nor can it be an earthquake – my foggy mind reasons with me. The sounds stop for a moment only to begin again a few seconds later. I am forced to open my eyes and I am greeted with the sight of my phone demanding my attention. By the time I get to it the caller has hung up. So much for disturbing a poor man's nap!
Anyway it's time to wake up – my rumbling tummy reminds me. I pick up the phone and the notifications happily announce that I have missed a total of 15 calls. On closer inspection I find the breakdown of those calls - 9 from Lisbon, 2 from Cho, 3 from Grace and 1 from Rigsby. Oh crap! It's almost noon! If I don't come up with a plan immediately the cavalry will be here soon.
It's time to call Lisbon - time to lie. I hit number 1 on the speed dial list and wait for her to answer the phone. It will be a miracle if she doesn't yell at me first and then say hello.
"Jane! Where the hell are you? Have you forgotten that you work at the CBI? Should I send a limo to pick you up? Huh?" She says all this in one breath and it amuses me! Her onslaught of questions actually gives me time to think about what I am going to say to her.
"Lisbon…I…."
"Yes, Jane? Do you have any brilliant reason for not gracing us with your presence today?"
As I get ready to lie to her I can imagine her as an angry little princess with red steam blowing out of both her ears! My angry little princess…
"Lisbon, can you at least hear me out? I am sorry that I slept through all of your phone calls. Won't happen again – promise."
"You were sleeping?" She almost barks in my ear. "Have you heard of anything called as an alarm clock Jane? You knew we had a meeting today and we needed your inputs. But you conveniently decide to sleep instead!"
Oh boy….she is quite angry today. I just thank my stars that I am nowhere near her right now, because I am sure she would have had thoughts of shooting me or sending me to the lockup!
"I didn't sleep well last night Lisbon. I had a nightmare." I almost whisper this and feel proud that I haven't really lied to her. The nightmare part was true, wasn't it? I try to reason out with myself.
Her voice immediately softens, "Jane, hey, you okay? I am so sorry. I should have known. I feel stupid for doubting you. I should've realised this sooner." Again all of this in one breath. This lady just loves to talk, doesn't she? I smirk at that thought.
"It's okay. I am fine, just a headache for now. I will be okay after I get some sleep. Don't worry about it."
"Yes, you should go back to bed. Have you eaten anything? Have you taken anything for your headache?
"Yes mom! I have eaten; have taken something for the headache and now I think I'm ready to sleep."
"I will come by during lunch time if I can to see how you are doing."
I realize I am not ready to face her yet, so I quickly remind her that it wouldn't be of any use if she came by then, as I would probably be sleeping. She sighs and understands but not before promising me that she will come by after work with some soup and dinner. I agree and hang up with a happy smile on my face, knowing that there's enough time to pull myself together before my angry little princess comes to pay me a visit….
(A few hours later)
Some food and pain medication did their job remarkably well and put me out of my distress at least for some time. I wake up around 4pm feeling refreshed and head towards the shower to let it cleanse me. The hot water does wonders for my aching muscles and soothes me. I step out of the shower after about 20 minutes feeling like a new man. I get dressed and take one last look in the mirror before Lisbon arrives. I look fine; no traces of pain or stress are evident. "Good job Jane", I mutter to myself. She arrives about 15 minutes later and gives me her trademark dazzling smile. It has made my day.
"Feeling better Jane?" She asks while sipping the tea I have prepared for us.
"Meh, I'm fine Lisbon. It's amazing how a little nap can do wonders for your body." She just rolls her eyes at that.
"Do you want to tell me what happened last night?"
"Do I ever?"
She sighs and knows that she has reached a dead end. Sensing the change in her mood I quickly ask her, "So what did I miss today?"
Before she can begin telling me anything, a gunshot rings out through the window of my motel room.
"What the hell?" We both exclaim as we duck for cover. Lisbon has now taken out her gun from her holster and is slowly making her way towards the window. Another shot rings out and she ducks again.
She dials Cho while keeping an eye on the window. "Cho, this is Lisbon. I am at Jane's motel and we need backup. Please, hurry."
"On it boss, what's wrong?"
"Someone has shot through Jane's window and might be trying to get in. I don't know how many armed people are out there, but get here quickly."
"I am coming right over."
The shots seem to have stopped coming for now but I am scared. I realize I am shaking a little. Lisbon is still crouched near the window.
"Jane, you okay back there?"
(No answer and neither can she see me)
"Hey Jane? Answer me."
In a slightly trembling voice I reply, "Yes, yes I am here, just peachy."
She slowly makes her way back to where I am and finds me in a huddled position with my head between my knees. She senses the slight tremors that are wracking my body and gently places her hand on my back.
"Hey, it's okay. See, nobody's shooting anymore. I probably scared them off." She says this with a slight hint of sarcasm.
I have still not looked at her, but she is being patient. She then realizes a soft sound coming from me, as if I am sniffling.
She seems a little alarmed. "Hey Jane, could you look at me please?" She gently encourages me to lift up my head and look at her. What she sees stops her dead in her tracks. She sees blood dripping down the side of my neck.
"Jane! Oh my god! You're hurt!" I see a slight panic in Lisbon's eyes but the professional that she is, she quickly recovers and looks around the room to look for a cloth to hold it against my neck in order to slower the blood flow. My trembling hand points towards my pant pocket and she realizes what it means. She quickly fishes out my handkerchief and presses it firmly against the wound. The pressure on the wound causes me to scream in pain and a lone teardrop slides down my cheek.
She wipes her blood stained hand on her dress and stops the teardrop from going any further from cheek. She cups my cheek in her hand and talks to me soothingly. Just then her phone rings. It's Cho.
"Boss, we are here. Where are you?"
"Cho, have Rigsby and Van Pelt reached too?"
"Yes boss."
"We are in room 23, Jane has been shot and we need EMT's in here ASAP. Secure the perimeter. I don't want anyone entering or leaving the motel till we find out about this shooting."
"Got it boss. Sending the EMT's now."
"Hear that Jane? The EMT's are here. You are going to be fine." She flashes her smile reserved for such occasions. Through my pain-filled daze, watery eyes and shallow breaths I try comprehending what she has just told me.
My breaths are getting shallower but I know I need to stay awake. I am trying so hard Lisbon, but I can't keep up. "It hurts", I manage to whisper to her.
"I know, I know." Her voice cracks, and her eyes threaten to overflow, but she's holding it together for my sake, for our sake. My eyes start to droop; the world around me is getting darker and darker.
"No, no, don't sleep. C'mon, just hold on. The EMT's are here." She realises she's losing the battle to keep me awake. My eyes shut for a moment and she panics. With the pressure still on the wound she tries to get me to open to eyes by lightly slapping my cheek. She's greeted with the sounds of wet and raspy breaths. She tries again, and this time I manage to open my eyes. I know my time is running is out so I decide to say what I need to say. It's now or never.
"Lisbon…." I pause to catch my breath. She tries to shush me but once I've decided to do something I do it.
I have held her hand tightly…"I'm sorry….for…..everything."
Just then the EMT's burst in and she sees my body going slack….
On a side note, any Guardian / Nick Fallin fans here? I would like to write some stories for the show if there are fans here!