Author's note: Written for the Paint It Red October 2012 Monthly Challenge. The prompt is a picture you can find on the forum.
Gentle rain
He found her sitting on a bench – droplets of rain sprinkling on her dark hair.
"You've been cleared."
"I told you I would."
Truth be told, he'd been scared stiff they would make her pay for his sins. Luckily they'd been only too happy to be finally rid of California's deadliest serial killer.
"Why are you crying then?"
She shrugged. "Does it really matter?"
It didn't. His gentle hand cupped her cheek as he leaned forward and kissed her on the brow.
"Are you still willing to put up with me now that Red John is gone?"
"Shouldn't I be the one to ask that question?"
He shrugged in turn. "What else am I supposed to do?"
"You could always find yourself a new life."
"My life is right here."
With you, that's what his eyes silently told her.
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "I don't have that much to give, Jane."
"Neither have I."
His breath felt warm against her face as he sought her lips at long last. They kissed for a while, heedless of the drizzle falling around them.
It felt as if the rain was washing away the last remnants of a decade-long nightmare.