A/N: So this is my second story and after hearing all the Tommy Volker stuff I thought... ooh write a story. It is set before 5x12 and bare in mind I haven't seen 5x11 or 5x12 so yeah. I hope you like it, I realise (hopefully) this will never happen but it stuck with me. Enjoy and reviews would be fabulous: D

"Well, Mr Volker, you are the last man I expected to see here. Wanting the final word, although you've already lost?" Lisbon grinned, her recent enemy finally being brought to justice. But instead of a look of annoyance, an evil grin spread across his face.

"Oh Teresa. You may think you've won, and in retrospect you have, but you may not claim the victory. Mr Jane would have to do that." He took a few steps closer so he was whispering in her ear.

"You couldn't even solve this measly little feud between us, how on earth could you solve a real crime? You don't deserve to be a detective Teresa. Not when you rely on Patrick Jane so much." He leaned back, flashing a wicked smile and left, leaving Lisbon deflated. Lisbon knew she shouldn't let Volker's words get to her but she knew he was right.

She had come to rely on Jane too much. How could she ever feel worth of something if Jane was always there to bail her out? She knew what she had to do... the only problem was it was going to kill her.

"Lisbon?" Jane knocked politely on her office door, before letting himself in. The room was dark and he could barely see her at her desk. "Everyone's going to celebrate you bringing Volker down. I know, I know. It's weird I'm joining but hey, I'm happy for you. You going to join us?"

"Everyone knows why you joined the CBI Jane, but no one knows why I did. Well they think they do, but they don't." Lisbon's voice sounded odd, almost broken. He saw a shadow move from the desk to the window, the moonlight bouncing off of Lisbon's pale skin.

H e had no idea what she was talking about. "You see the thing is Jane, I joined to protect people. I failed protecting my mother, I failed protecting my father and I failed protecting my brothers. And now I have failed protecting Amanda Shaw, Charles Milk, Bob and Sarah Miller. Who else will I fail?" She turned to look at him and he was surprised to see a ghostly tear roll down her cheek.

"Lisbon I don't understand..."

"Of course you don't! No one does! I am a failure! I always have been and will continue to be! I am an agent and I can't solve anything without your help. I couldn't even bring Tommy Volker down! I have come to rely on you too much Jane. Far too much."

She sighed and walked back to her desk. "I need to be able to do something on my own to feel worthy again, to feel like I am someone. I need to work alone for a while. I can't keep being pushed in the dark to you."

Jane looked at her, eyes filled with confusion. It wasn't until she picked up a formal envelope he realised what she was saying.
"No. No Lisbon you can't." Jane begged.

"I'm sorry Jane, but I'm requesting you temporarily work with the FBI. They could use your help. It is only a basic contract and will last a few months." She walked over, and placed the envelope in his now shaking hands.
"Lisbon, please. You can't do this. You're not a failure, you're amazing. I need you." His voice cracked on 'you'. She looked into his eyes and was surprised to see tears forming. Gently, she placed a delicate hand on his face.

"I'm sorry. It's for the best. I need to find who I am again; I can't keep relying on you Jane. I failed bringing Tommy Volker down; it's about time I brought someone to justice. Forgive me." Lisbon removed her hand and made her way to leave. Jane didn't bother to try and stop her; he just stared at the envelope.

Lisbon walked past the bullpen making her way to leave. She glanced back to see Jane kicking her couch.

Sighing she turned away, tears now running down her face. Yep. This had killed her.