Shadows of the past

reunion

1 day before the reunion.

Lisbon’s POV
Two months have passed since the day I met detective Matthew. After that, my life has completely changed. I left CBI, I moved to Chicago, and now I live in a terrible warehouse, collecting clues and following the man who 25 years ago took my mother away from us, took our childhood and eventually, took my father’s smile and will for life.

At the age of 12 I had to become a mother for my brother, as well as the protector of the family, the one who worked to keep him fed. I can barely feel anything in me. Everything in me is broken. I had managed to make peace with my past, and now it comes back to haunt me like this, to bring me back to a time I emotionally was a mess.

I feel awful. I left the bureau without saying anything to my team, not even “goodbye.” They are like family to me and their calls and messages are really touching, but I really don’t know what to say to them. To let them know of the true reason of my departure would only make them want to come here and help me, I am sure of that. But I don’t want them to risk their jobs, or lives, for me. All I can do is reading their messages and crying. How can I ever face them, when all of this ends? Can I really earn their trust again?

First they lost Jane, and now, they lost me. We both just disappeared, leaving no trace or explaining why. I look at myself in the mirror and I realize I have become another version of Jane. No personal life, living in a dark, dusty room, all alone. Oh my god… everything I ever told him came back at me. But, no. We are not the same. I never put the team in danger and risks, just to prove myself right, using them with all those tricks and lies. I am honest and open to Nathan. We have established a true partnership, based on sincerity.

Montgomery knows about Nathan’s investigation, but he doesn’t know about me. I try to maintain a low profile, so that my brother will not get in trouble. It’s easier to move and investigate without his eyes fixed on me all the time.

20 hours before the reunion.

Lisbon is sitting quietly on her couch, focused on the laptop in front of her. She browses through the photos from her last stakeout. Nathan comes in, carrying a plate of food, and a folder in his other hand.

“Any news?” He asked in a casual tone.

“Nothing so far. They are cautious. I tried to follow Andrew Rallis, Montgomery’s right hand, but I lost him on the way. Damn traffic.” She exhales lightly. Her gaze turns to Nathan and immediately examines his hands. “Did you find anything? What’s this folder?”

“This is for another operation. We are close to arrest Peggy Prodz. She is a drug dealer and she owns a small meth lab too. She’s one of Montgomery’s people.”

Lisbon takes a bite of the meal and talks between breaks of hurryingly chewing.

“Yeah, I have heard of her. I thought she lived in Australia.”

“Yes… she is like a ghost. The Australian police is after her for many years and she tried to expand her business here, a few months ago. That was her worst mistake,” he said with a grin.

“Why?”

“I’ve talked to you about Kate Jackson. She has managed to get in her organization and she has acquired much valuable information. She has gained her trust. Before that, we didn’t even know how she looked like. We didn’t own a photo of her. We only knew her name, which is not the real one, we knew that she is blond with long curly hair, and that she is 35 years old. She hides behind the people who serve her, and she gets through by emails or phone calls.”

Lisbon processes the information, nodding at times. “So, no one has ever met her? Not even Montgomery?”

“No. He has only met with her employees. Kate said that they communicated through email, and they are going to meet soon, in order to discuss about some business plan.”