The Mentalist - What if?

Chapter 1

When Lisbon awoke a short while later, having heard the sounds of someone moving about in her apartment, she instantly went to grab her gun before remembering she didnt have it; before she could do more than sit up, Patrick Jane appeared in her doorway, holding a tray of comfort food.

"Why are you still here?" She asked as he set the tray on her lap and took a seat on the edge of the bed.

"You need to eat; you need to keep your strength up"

"You know...dont you?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I suspect but unless you confirm, i only have suspicions" he answered.

"Why didnt you say anything?"

"Not my place to; you do need to eat something though" he said, gesturing to the bowl of soup.

"How did you know?" She asked after she'd finished the soup and placed the tray on the side table.

"It was obvious something was bugging you more than just the case; you've been more emotional and all over the place lately. Your flip out in the office confirmed it..."

"I dont...it wasnt me..."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"No...yes...i dont know" she groaned, leaning her head back against the headboard.

"Cho called; it was our therapist that framed you. Saw the perfect opportunity when we were told to see him; hence why he didnt sign you off"

"But why?"

"He sensed you were hiding something and your hesitation and confused state of mind made it easy for him to manipulate the situation to his advantage; the longer he kept having you see him, the easier it was to do it"

"What about Minelli? The window?"

"He put it down to the stress of the case; the window is paid for"

"How am i going to show my face in there again?" She asked, leaning her head on his shoulder as she sat next to her.

"You could always blame me, if it'll help?!" He suggested.

"For once, you didnt do anything wrong" she chucked slightly.

"Could still blame me" he shrugged.

"What am i going to do Jane?" She asked, her voiced laced with tears.

"Get some sleep; that will help and in the morning, things will seem clearer"

"It wasnt meant to be like this" she said, finally giving into the tears.

Once again, Jane held her close as he let her get her emotions out; he knew she hadnt actually told him anything yet and until she did, she wouldnt start to feel any better. She needed to say it out loud and admit it to herself first and only then would she know what to do; eventually, Lisbon had cried herself to sleep so turning the lamp off, he pulled the blanket over them and watched her sleep.