A/N this is my first Mentalist story. I was recently watching the episode where Jane got hit in the head with a baseball and as a result suffered flashbacks of his father and him when he was young. I thought it would be interesting to consider the implications his father`s actions may have on him. BTW if his father`s name has been mentioned in the series then please let me know. I hope you enjoy!

Patrick Jane entered the CBI office carrying an egg carton which contained a variety of coffees for his friends and colleagues. He waltzed in smiling widely to himself. Grace Van Pelt raised her eyes from her computer screen and eyed him sceptically. As Jane approached her desk she smiled softly at him and asked

"What are you so happy about this morning?" He sighed softly removing a cup of Latte for her and placing it on her desk. He shrugged and said

"The sky is blue, the sun is shining and we thus far today have not been called to investigate a murder case." He spun around on his heels facing Cho`s and Risgby's desks."Life is good. Where are my boys?" He asked looking back at Grace.

"Oh Rigsby went out to get doughnuts and Cho I think is talking to Lisbon." She smiled warmly lifting her cup of coffee at him in gratitude. He reciprocated and nodded his head in recognition. He placed a black coffee on each of Cho and Risgby's desk before heading towards Lisbon`s office. He knocked and entered. Lisbon and Cho looked at him smiling at them.

"Jane do you mind? We`re in a meeting." Lisbon said sternly. Jane held up his one free hand in defence. He was holding a cup of Americano in the other.

"I`m sorry Lisbon, Cho, I just thought you might like some coffee. Don`t shoot" He placed it gingerly on her desk, keeping his eyes on both of them. Both smiled which encouraged Jane to grin. "I left your one on your desk Cho. All right that is all. I will let you get back to your meeting now." As he stepped outside the door he heard Lisbon call him back. He poked his head in and she said "Thank you for the coffee." He smiled lightly saying "You`re welcome." He then left to make his own tea in the bull pen. As far as he was concerned he was the only one who could make tea the way he liked it. As he was finishing with the tea bag Rigsby called him. He turned around to find Rigsby standing there with a man in his sixties. He stood around 5`9, glasses and his hair was mostly grey. Jane eyed him with severity.

"Patrick…." The man said stepping into the bull pen. Jane stepped forward with his index finger raised at the man`s face and said "Don`t you come any closer." He then looked at Rigsby seething. Rigsby looked at Jane apologetically. "He said he was your father. He even showed me his driver licence to prove it. Is he lying Jane?" Rigsby asked anxiously.

"No, in theory he`s not lying. I just don`t want anything to do with him. Could you throw him out Rigsby please?" Jane asked turning his back on them both. He removed his tea bag and took a few sips from the cup. He could hear his father protesting to leave. He then turned around and looked at his father with contempt asking

"Why are you even here? No, don`t tell me. You are dying or have very little time left and want to make amends for all the damage you did?"

"That`s my wonder boy." Michael said smiling a little.

"Don`t you call me that. I hated when you called me that. You have no right to come here and screw with my life after twenty years out of it. You gave me an ultimatum and I chose to make my own way without you."

"Patrick will you please let me explain?"

"NO! GET OUT NOW!" Jane barked making Lisbon leave her office with Cho. As they both arrived at the bull pen Jane stared at them with pleading eyes.

"Jane, what`s going on? Who is this?" She asked pointing to Michael.

"He is my father; Michael Jane. He was just leaving."

"I am not going until we have spoken Patrick." He said gravely.

"I think you better call security Lisbon." Jane said solemnly. Lisbon stared at him perplexed. "Excuse me Mr. Jane I am Agent Teresa Lisbon. Would you mind if you and I spoke in my office for a few moments?"

"I came here to talk to my son Agent." Michael said with eyes fixated on his son who casually drank his tea and stared right through him.

"Yes, well as you can see he isn't ready to speak with you. Maybe if you went with Agent Lisbon, Agent Rigsby and I could talk him round." Cho explained calmly. Michael looked at the four in turn. Only one didn't make eye contact; his son. Michael nodded and went with Lisbon to her office.

"Ok Jane let`s talk." Cho said as he and Rigsby sat down at the table.

"There is nothing to talk about. He`s my father, he has most likely come to make amends and I am not interested."

"Why not?" Cho asked.

"This is beginning to feel like an interrogation."

"Jane, as your friends we care about you. I know what it`s like to grow up with a dad who wasn't there."

"Oh contraire Rigsby. My father was there. He just wasn't there in a way I wanted him to be." Cho and Rigsby looked at each other pensively. Jane looked at them curiously before excusing himself to leave for his couch. "Before I leave though there is one thing. If that man is still insisting on talking to me tell him I will hypnotise the security guards into arresting him for trespassing." He smiled lightly and left.

Back in Lisbon`s office Michael sat opposite her at the desk.

"Are you sure I can`t get you a tea or a coffee Mr. Jane?" She enquired.

"No thank you. I just wish to speak with Patrick."

"How long has it been since either of you have been in contact?"

"It's been twenty years. I know it was my fault."

"How do you mean sir?" Lisbon asked curiously.

"After his mother died I didn't cope very well. I wasn't really working; odd jobs here and there. A friend of mine suggested I join this carnival with him. I wasn't sure how Patrick would adjust to it but he seemed fine for a while. Then things became difficult when he was about seventeen. He grew tired of roaming from town to town. He said he wanted to go home. We didn't have a home anymore. The bank repossessed the house you see, I knew Patrick had a talent for reading people. I admit that I did exploit him. I made him do things that I am not proud of. He was always a much better person than me. He had a conscience. One night a terminally sick girl came to us with her grandmother. Patrick didn't want to have any part in this. I convinced him that he needed to in order for us to make money. I had bought a crystallised rock which I said would cure or help those who needed it. The grandmother bought it from me. I knew Patrick wasn't ok with it but I didn't care. He was my wonder boy. I know that I have hurt him but I only hope it`s repairable. The next morning Patrick was nowhere to be found. Eventually I found a note in our trailer. He said he had left to pursue a better life for himself while his soul wasn't as corrupted as mine. I admit I didn't look for him. It was at that moment that I realised the pain I had inflicted on my son. I hoped he would find what he was searching for. I think he did. I know that his wife and child were killed by this character Red John. I`m assuming that he blames himself." Lisbon nodded. "He won't be satisfied until he has killed him apparently. I don't want that to happen. Your son is a good man Mr Jane. He drives me off my nut sometimes but he matters to all of the team here." Michael smiled. "That`s good to know Agent Lisbon. I fear that had I not exploited him the way that I did he wouldn't have exposed himself as a psychic and made Red John angry. It`s my fault he lost his family." He bowed his head remorsefully. Lisbon smiled sadly.

"I believe sir that only Red John is at fault. You or Jane no matter how much he thinks it are not responsible for his psychotic behaviour. He didn't need a reason to kill. People like him never do. To try to explain that to Jane is impossible."

"Once he has an idea in his head it`s the most difficult thing in the world to change it."

"You are speaking to the converted." Lisbon said making them both laugh lightly.

"Thank you for taking the time to listen to me Agent Lisbon. I`m glad that Patrick has a friend like you. I know he is in good hands."

"Well we couldn't be without him. He closes cases faster than we ever did before. He is an asset to our team." Lisbon smiled softly at Michael. He reciprocated and stood up to leave. "If I give you my number and address of where I am staying will you ensure Patrick gets it?"

"Of course I will sir." Michael smiled as he handed Lisbon a card with details on it. She opened the door for him. They shook hands and parted ways.

Lisbon approached Jane who was lying on his couch. His eyes were closed. Lisbon kicked the couch lightly making him stir. "What is it Lisbon?" He asked lazily.

"I want to talk to you in my office now Jane." She barked.

Jane inhaled deeply and then exhaled. He opened his eyes, starring at the ceiling he asked "Has your friend gone?" She sighed and said "Yes Jane he has gone." Jane sat up on the couch looking brighter. "Did you poison him?" Lisbon scoffed.

"No I did not now will you shift your ass please." She marched back to her office. Jane muttered "ok" under his breath, smiled lightly at Van Pelt who reciprocated and followed Lisbon to her office. Once inside he closed the door and took a seat on the couch. Lisbon who was sitting at her desk joined him.

"Jane, your dad told me about your mom." Lisbon said sheepishly.

"Did he? Wasn't that nice of him." Jane droned sardonically.

"Jane I am your friend. Will you please let me help you?"

"I don't need help Lisbon. I`m fine."

"We both know that's not true. You expect me to trust you but don't I get the same in return?"

"I don't like talking about myself Lisbon you know that."

"I don't care what you like anymore Jane. I want you to trust me."

"I do trust you Lisbon." Jane answered hurt by her exclamation. Why would you say something so ridiculous?" He asked turning to face her.

"Well maybe because we have known each other five years and you never told me about your mother."

"You never told me about your mother either." He replied petulantly.

"Oh don`t be so juvenile Jane." She exclaimed irritably.

"I`m not but I`m saying this whole trust thing is a two way street….." Lisbon`s phone rang. She sprang up to answer it. While she was speaking on the phone Jane was murmuring under his breath. Lisbon threw a balled up piece of paper at his head which he caught in this left hand. Jane smiled broadly at her. She shook her head and smiled lightly. She then placed the phone on the receiver saying "We have a case in Oakland. Let`s go and tell the others." Jane rose from the couch immediately and headed to the door. Lisbon called him.

"Jane Let`s talk some more about this later. I`ll tell you what you want to know if you return the favour." Jane considered her proposition for a moment. He wasn't certain if he wanted to share his past but if Lisbon was prepared to share hers with him; something neither of them relished doing then he would acquiesce to her request.

"Ok Lisbon I promise I`ll tell you what you want to know. Now can we please just focus on the case?"

"Yes, let`s go." Lisbon said as she stepped out ahead of Jane.

A/N I hope you like but let me know either what you think please!

BTW I won`t be rushing to pair up Jane and Lisbon as a couple. As much as I would love them as a couple I also love the dynamic of not knowing if or when they will be together.