CHAPTER 2:

The door of the airstream was open. Another door yet to again unfold a flood of bad memories. Jane stood frozen before it, his heart pounding as if it were trying to outrun the thoughts swirling in his head. Each beat felt like eight, quickening at the mere idea of what he might find inside.

Agent Tork was confused as to why he's taking too long but he didn't made any comments about it knowing it's Jane. But Cho knew all too well why. So, he approached Jane and placed a hand on his shoulder and he said quietly, his voice steady, "It's fine, Jane."

Jane took a shaky breath and slowly opened the door. All the horrific scenarios that had been swirling in his head suddenly vanished as he was met with only darkness. So, Jane opened the lights. Cho and Tork followed him inside. They checked everywhere—the bed, the front seat, the bathroom, the tiny kitchen—but Lisbon wasn't there.

"No, no, no… this can't be happening," Jane muttered, his voice cracking as panic took over.

Cho tried to calm him, "Jane, it's—"

But Jane cut him off, rushing out of the Airstream. His breathing ragged as he fought back the rising panic. "We have to go back to the office. Inform Abbott. We need to find her. Now."

Cho and Tork exchanged a glance, knowing better than to push him further. Without a word, they headed back to the car.

The ride back was silent, but Jane's desperation was written all over his face. His mind was racing, trapped in his own torment.

Finally, Cho spoke, breaking the tension. "Jane, she's going to be okay. Lisbon's the strongest person I know."

Jane didn't respond right away, his breath catching in his throat.

"This is my fault. If I had just listened to her… if I hadn't gone through with this plan… if I let her stay when she wanted to go home, or if I'd gone to the Airstream the moment I called her. If—" He paused, his voice trembling. "…if I hadn't let my ego get in the way…again."

Cho didn't argue, but his voice was firm. "Jane, this isn't your fault. You couldn't have known."

Jane shook his head. "It is. It's like I haven't learned anything. My ego keeps hurting the people I love."

Neither Cho nor Tork had words to offer—they understood his pain. Not understood per se as they haven't experienced seeing their lifeless body of their loved ones cut up by a serial killer. But they understood because they empathized with him.

Back at the office, Abbott gathered everyone in the bullpen.

"Listen up," Abbott began, his voice commanding the room's attention. "One of our own is missing. While we don't have confirmation, we believe it's highly possible that the serial killer has taken Agent Lisbon. He may have figured out a way to strike back at the FBI and at Jane." The screen behind him displayed a map with Lisbon's last known location. "This is where she was last seen. We need to stay focused, move fast, bring Agent Lisbon back and bring this killer down"

The room buzzed with the sudden surge of activity as agents scrambled to begin the search. Jane stood at the edge of the bullpen, hands clenched, the weight of guilt and fear pressing down on him. He knew they were doing everything they could, but a gnawing voice inside him whispered that it might not be enough.

As the agents dispersed, Abbott approached Jane. "We're going to find her, Jane. But we need your head in the game."

Jane nodded, but his gaze was distant. "I know. I'm trying to focus. But if anything happens to her…"

Abbott cut him off, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She's tough. We all know that. Trust her—and trust us."

With a reluctant nod, Jane inhaled deeply, steeling himself for what was to come.

He had to believe they would find her in time. He couldn't afford to lose Lisbon, not like this.