"…I want to close by saying that, in the end, he was a trickster who was also a man of honor. He did what he had to do and was prepared to take the consequences. And, it turned out, when his mission was complete, the one who made us all chose to take him from us. Patrick, we hardly knew ye."
The impassive Asian man leaves the podium and walks to his seat. A petite brunette woman embraces him and makes her way to the podium. She begins to speak. Her voice cracks. A tall dark haired man brings her a glass of water. She takes a sip, gathers herself, and begins.
"When Patrick walked into the CBI, he was fragile, a shadow of a man. And an instant pain in the ass. I found myself advocating for this strange creature to become part of my life. I would say that his soul spoke to mine though I know Patrick would razz me if I did."
"I'd never been around such a person. I doubt that any of us had. Beyond his amazing mentalist skills – and if there are better mentalists – I'd like to meet one, he was a charming, educated, elegant man who loved the simple things and understood the complex stuff much better than the rest of us."
"Add to that the fact that he'd wear three-piece suits to a rodeo or to the beach. That he drove an insane car. That he'd drink a cup of tea during an earthquake. And of course, the crazy ass curls and the crazy ass smile. Anyone would agree, Patrick Jane was something."
"No one in my life brought me as much trouble as Patrick. He was moody and dark and complex. He walked with tragedy and death and I walked with him. It's not something I set out to do. At first, it was the price I paid to benefit from his skills. But soon, his hurt became my hurt. His happiness mine."
"I think some of you may have already figured this out but I loved him."
There's rustle of surprise from some of the attendees.
"Love. In every sense of the word, as a friend and as a woman, and I never got a chance to tell him. So, Patrick, I love you."
She blinks back tears. A bearded blond man with a wrinkled shirt and jacket helps her from the podium then returns to take her place.
"I never actually met Patrick. I'm told he was a deeply troubled man. A man on a murderous quest to avenge the family he loved."
"I embark now on a daunting mission to fill his battered shoes. Physically, I think I have what it takes. Though Lisbon would argue I could use a shave and a better wardrobe."
"But I'm a different person. Unlike Patrick, I'm not interested in learning all I can about the man who killed Angela and Charlotte and the power he had over others. I'm not curious about the Visualize connection or what happened to Kirkland's brother or what the deal was with Kristina Frye or the Elliston farm or Sean Barlow or why the smiley face or the stupid high voice."
"I'm more of a let-bygones-be-bygones kind of guy. When you see me smiling and joking, I won't be crying on the inside. What you see is what you get. Because the lows won't be as low, that may mean that the highs won't be as high. We'll see."
"The one who made us all chose to take Patrick and to put me in his place."
"Teresa, I promise to be mischievous and sunny. Cho, I promise to make you almost smile. Agents Abbott and Fischer, I promise to lead you on a merry dance."
"A year from now, if we are all still together, we'll raise a glass and think of Patrick."
"If that's our goal, I guess I'd better start making things interesting."