Faded

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

"Don't lie to me, what's wrong?"

"You've been acting so dramatic lately my question is what's wrong with you?"

They two of them made their way out of the hospital and to the parking lot, Jane with his playful banter and Teresa with her steely gaze. It was as though nothing had changed between the two.

Jane makes a face.

"Dramatic? Stop changing the subject!"

"Jane I've gone to the hospital before and that breathing tube doesn't hurt. Drama. Queen."

"Lisbon-"

"Jane just stop okay? Let's just go home."

But he can't help himself, seeing her this way bothered him which meant he was going to poke and prod until he got his answer.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes."

"Don't lie to me."

Teresa was getting more irritable by the minute, she didn't want to talk about it and Jane just would not stop talking!

"Yes, I am."

"You are what: sure that you're fine or sure that you're sure you're okay?"

"I am fine! In fact I am so fine that if you don't get in the damn car now I will show you just how fine I am!"

Her sudden outburst silences Jane, something was going on with her but now was not the time to question it. The tension in the vehicle grew as Lisbon attempted to turn on her car only to find out she was nearly out of gas. She strikes the steering wheel in frustration causing his concern to grow. Now that Jane was sitting next to her he could see her stress more clearly, the bags under her eyes telling him all he needed to know.

"Nothing is working today!"

"It's okay it's okay let's switch places, I'll drive you home and you can relax."

"Jane I'm nearly out of gas we won't be able to drive anywhere."

"I've driven on fumes before trust me on this."

"But-"

"Teresa, you're exhausted. Let me take you home."

She hesitates for a moment knowing that he was right but afraid to let him do anything.

"You just got out of the hospital, I never want to see you there again."

Jane tries a new angle as she begins to drive.

"Teresa do you have any Advil?"

"What? I don't, are you okay is something wrong?"

"I-never mind. It's not important."

"Tell me."

"It's just, gah this pain-"

She begins to panic.

"We're going to Walgreens."

"Lisbon you don't have to-"

"Walgreens, it should be the next left."

Lisbon makes a sharp turn to the left giving the both of them whip lash when she slams on the breaks in a parking space. Jane carefully takes her cane and deliberately puts it in the back.

"I'm going with you."

She says grabbing her purse.

"How? Are you sure you can walk?"

"Well yes I just need my-"

A flicker of confusion settles in when she grabs for her cane only to grasp air.

"You just need your...?"

That's when she sees it and to make things more frustrating it's just out of reach.

"Let me buy the Advil, I'll come back soon okay?"

Jane asks softly, putting his plan into motion.

"But you're in pain? I can't let you get hurt."

Her tired, emerald green eyes are begging him to stay, not wanting to be without him.

"It would be faster if I went by myself."

After a few more excuses and petty arguments she eventually admits defeat and searches for her wallet.

"Thank you."

"Yeah whatever just come back soon!"

Jane heads into the store pretending to search for something while watching the time. Ten minutes pass and he goes outside to see his beloved asleep in the car. Jane opens his door and then hers, cradling her precious form in his arms before setting her down gingerly in his seat, he closes the car door as quietly as he can and gets behind the wheel ready to drive her home.

Teresa began to stir as he pulled into her garage her tired green eyes fluttering open for only a moment before sleep overtakes her again. He was glad she didn't have very many stairs, it made things go a little faster and he reaches her bed in no time. Getting her under the covers before lying next to her, Teresa snuggles up against him unaware of what she was doing to him but Jane welcomes her in and wraps his arms around her keeping Teresa safe and warm. He had so many questions for her but the poor agent was so tired that Jane didn't mind waiting.

Please comment! But you already knew I'd say that ; )