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Chapter 16: Secure the Perimeter

I feel relieved after speaking with Hightower, now it's only a short time before the SWAT agents will get here. I decide to meet Dr. Evans and keep him informed about the security team that we plan on having here for Jane's safety. Van Pelt has sent me a document containing the names and photographs of the agents who will be stationed at both, this hospital and the hospital where Luke (prisoner) is being treated.

First things first, I call up Cho.

"Hey boss" Cho answers the call.

"Good news Cho. Hightower has informed me that 8 SWAT agents will soon be there with you and Rigsby for additional security."

Before I can say anything further, Cho gives me the good news.

"Boss, the agents reached here 45 minutes ago, and I've had a briefing with them. There's nothing to worry about now. Thanks a lot."

"We've got to thank Hightower and Grace for their quick work on this Cho."

"Right."

"How are both of you holding up?"

"We are fine, boss. How is Jane doing?"

"His fever has reduced slightly, but he hasn't yet shown any signs of consciousness."

"He'll pull through this; I am sure of it."

"Thanks, Cho; I should get going now. I'll be in touch." We hang up the call.

I walk into Jane's room to take a look at him. He looks peaceful, for which I'm thankful. Pulling the chair beside his bed, I take a seat, and I hold his hand before I say anything. I feel its warmth through my gloved hand, but it isn't as hot as it was before. I don't wait for long as I've got to meet the doctor.

I inform the guard outside Jane's room that I'll be away for some time and that he should call me immediately if needed.

(Doctor Evans' office)

I knock on the door, and one of the doctors from Jane's medical team opens the door. It takes me by surprise, but never mind.

"Hello Agent Lisbon."

I nod and take a seat. "It's a good thing both of you are here. CBI has arranged for 6 SWAT agents to be here for Mr. Jane's protection.

"I see", said Dr. Evans

"I've emailed you a file with the details of these agents. Two of them will be posted outside Mr. Jane's room in 12-hour shifts. Two of them will be posted outside my room in 12-hour shifts as well, while the remaining will assist as necessary."

"Very well, Agent Lisbon. I have no issues with this arrangement. I'll take a look at the file in some time."

"Thank you, doctor." I take their leave and begin the weary trek up to Jane's room.

I am back in Jane's room after the meeting with the doctor. Watching him in this state is quite difficult, but I stay put in his room for some more time holding his hand in mine. As I observe his comatose body attached to life support, I think about a lot of things. What has the universe planned for him? Why do good people go through so much suffering in their lives even when they aren't at fault? Life as a law enforcement officer brings up these thoughts now and then, but when it's one of your own; it seems unfair. He has been through far too much in his life since his family was killed and yet he's still here fighting to survive; that to me is a sign of determination. No matter how broken he is from the inside and now on the outside, he knows he has a mission to accomplish, so I am confident he will wake up soon. How soon is that going to be, I have no idea.

(Lisbon leaves the room about 15 minutes later and heads to the cafeteria for dinner.)

After dinner, I return to my room, and despite my tiredness, sleep does not come easily. My thoughts take me back to the time when Jane was in the hospital after losing his eyesight momentarily. A delay of a few seconds, and the day would have ended so badly. He survived that, but the way he irritated everyone (including us) with his cockiness is something I would rather have today than this prolonged stillness.

After unsuccessfully trying to get some sleep, I give up. It's almost 11:30 pm, and I have already changed into more comfortable clothes for the night, but I need to see Jane. As I make my way to the SICU, the presence of the SWAT agents puts my mind at ease.

When I enter his room, it feels slightly warmer than before; it's not the freezer that I had grown accustomed to over the past couple of days. This is a wonderful change! Jane's palm in my gloved hand feels only slightly warm, which means his fever is lowering! This perks me up, and I look at his face to see if anything has changed, but it hasn't. Dejected, I continue to hold his hand until I feel a slight movement beneath my fingers. To make sure it isn't a figment of my imagination, I look towards him and softly call out his name.

"Jane…it's me." I wait for a response….

"Can you hear me?"

No, nothing. There's no response from him. I'm almost about to place his hand back gently onto the bed when I feel it move again. This time there is slightly more movement than before. My heartbeat quickens in anticipation, excitement, and worry.

He's able to hear me!

I decide to call the nurse because no one on the nursing staff has observed this. It's almost midnight, so when the nurse comes in, she looks a little surprised to see me in the room at this hour.

"Hello Agent Lisbon, is there something I can help you with?"

I look at the nurse's name tag to address her. "Nurse Martha, I was sitting here talking to him when I felt his hand move. Could you check?"

The nurse acknowledges me and walks towards Jane, pulling out a folder from a holder near the foot of the bed. She opens it and informs me she's going to undertake an assessment called the GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) which will seek to establish Jane's level of consciousness.

She starts by calling out his name loudly, but not like a shout.

"Mr. Jane, can you hear me?" (No response from him yet.)

"Mr Jaaaneee" (This time her voice is much louder than before)

I am focused on his face to see if the voice is getting through, and there it is...a small wrinkle on his forehead. It was such a tiny movement that if I hadn't watched him closely, I would have surely missed it. Jane's little attempt to communicate has brought me a smile!

The nurse writes something in the folder. She then slides her pen across his fingertips to see if there's any response to the given stimuli. Once again, he responds briefly, twitching a couple of his fingers in reaction to the stimulus. This is an encouraging response, and it immediately overwhelms me and brings me to tears.

The nurse has finished her assessment. She informs me that it is still a low GCS score, but the fact that he responded is an encouraging sign. I give her a small smile while tears are busy forming pools in my eyes.

"Agent Lisbon, it might not look like much, but it is a positive indication that he is slowly regaining consciousness. Keep your hopes up." She smiles sweetly and leaves the room.

"Keep pushing forward Jane, you are going to be fine, just fine." A few tears roll down my face as I talk to him, but there's such a relief I feel tonight. I kiss his palm and go back to my room. Now sleep will come easily.