Author's note: written for the Prompt Table activity on the Paint It Red Forum - prompt: "Do what you have to do"
(episode tag to 2x08 - "His Red Right Hand")
Do what you have to do
"Red John makes mistakes. That proves it. You will catch him."
"Yes, I will."
"Do me a favor. When you catch him, don't arrest him. Kill the son of a bitch."
"That's the plan."
He had disliked Patrick Jane at first sight. Had considered him nothing more than a jester.
It was just crazy to see how much Teresa trusted him. She kept on going along with his wild schemes – despite her better judgment.
Despite their long-standing… friendship. Partnership. Love.
(He'd admitted the last one only a couple of minutes ago – and that was just because the doctors were sure he was going to die. It had to be said, but he couldn't have done this otherwise.)
The point was that Jane wasn't a cop – and was never going to turn into one.
As a matter of fact he had come to respect him after the Westlake case. Well, sort of. For he still was the most arrogant dude he'd ever met.
Yet Teresa cared for him. That was pretty obvious to anyone who had eyes.
It had to mean something.
In a way Jane did care for her as well – even after his own fashion.
That's why he decided to ask him the other favor that really mattered to him now – apart from getting a posthumous revenge on the man who'd done this to him.
Who else could look after Teresa anyway? Jealousy actually ceases to mean anything when you're on your deathbed.
So he beckoned to him and with his last breath whispered those words in his ear.
After that his thought fled far away and his eyes saw no more.