Love From Red John-The Mentalist 'Jisbon'

Chapter Eleven~The Outcome Is Superb

Two weeks later

Patrick Jane

Lisbon is returning back to work tomorrow, to take up her role as 'Boss' again. Nobody came to visit, although that doesn't mean people didn't want to. She attended her presentation on Red John but then reassumed bed rest, on the couch, again. The presentation was a walk in the park and she felt, 'stupid for being such a jerk,' in her words. We've encountered various situations in the past and this was no different, which is precisely what I told her. I accompanied her to her brother's funeral... Which turned out to be more challenging than I had first thought. There were very few people but those that did show were all very much like Lisbon. Upset, but unwilling to shed a tear. However, I walked right in on it afterwards. She was in her kitchen and I went to get a cup of tea. She was leaning on the counter gazing out the window, her back to me. I could hear her quiet sobs and I rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She seemed startled and mopped herself up quickly before walking away. She refused to cry any further but it still hurt me to see the pain she suffered alone. I've been through it so she shouldn't have to...

Her sickness has cleared up and I've been gently weening her back onto substantial meals. She tries to eat it but sometimes she just can't, and I don't force her. I'm trying to build up her strength now. Where she hadn't been eating she became weak and more delicate than usual. Although the rest did her good. In the ten years I've been working with her I can't remember the last time she had time off. I mean, she'd taken a day off because she had the flu but other than that, it was time off for courses and training.

She's stopped the antibiotics and's been a bit more active. We went for a walk along the river the other day. We even ventured out into the social world and ate at a small diner in town. We agreed that it was not a date and just two friends sharing time together whilst chatting over a meal. A meal which she actually managed to finish. I did question her about it afterwards.

'Is it my cooking your stomach can not take?' I asked as we'd walked out into the street.

'No! You're surprisingly not a bad chef.'

'Why thank you.'

'I mean, it's not worth five stars, but it's far better than some of the meals I have tasted.'

'I'll take that as a compliment.'

'You should!'

'I shall. I'd like to taste your cooking.'

'Pah... It'd be like eating cardboard.'

'I'm sure it wouldn't.'

'I'm sure it would.'

I smile remembering just how relaxed that conversation had been. Neither of us had to search for the right words, they came naturally. Right now however, Lisbon is making me a surprise lunch. I did one for her yesterday which she polished off. She's shut the kitchen door so that I can't cheat but I can hear the various sounds of chopping and water on full blast.

'Jane!' She calls, signalling that it's ready. I take a seat at her small table and await her presence.

She soon comes in carrying two plates. She places one in front of me and the other by her seat.

'Mmm yum,' I say looking down at the pasta smothered in a red sauce.

'You haven't tried it yet,' she jokes.

'But it looks yum.'

She puts a bit in her mouth and chews. Her expression changes from nervousness to relief as the taste is approved. I do the same and the tomato flavoured sauce greets my tastebuds with brilliance.

'Well, it's yum,' I manage to comment between mouthfuls.

'And edible.'

'You shouldn't doubt yourself Lisbon.'

'I haven't cooked a proper meal like this in so long... I had to estimate the cooking temperature.'

'Well the outcome is superb.'

'Good,' she smiles and I can tell there's something she wants to say but doesn't. I decide not to ask and to let her say it in her own good time. She will...