Chapter 1
He had never given any serious thought to the after Red John. Had he been asked, he surely would have answered that the chance for him to finally move on didn't seem very likely.
Reality had proved him wrong, anyway. Now that Red John was out of picture at last, he had actually found out that restraining himself from moving on was far much harder than he had ever believed.
He had to, nevertheless. Despite his past selfishness, now there were people that mattered to him more than himself. People whose safety came first, at any cost. He was prepared to give up his last shot at happiness in order to protect them.
The only problem was that one of those people seemed to have no intention of letting things go as he planned.
At that precise moment she was sitting on the edge of his couch, playfully teasing him about the fact that he still hadn't spoken a word since the morning. The guys were out on the field, and the two of them were alone in the bullpen.
"Still sulking about that woman's flippant remark? Come on, Jane, we both know you actually couldn't care less. Especially since she's a suspect in a murder investigation".
He just stood still – his eyes closed – hoping that she'd eventually let it go and leave him alone.
She started pinching his arm instead. "You're such a child sometimes. Let's go and have a bite. It's my turn to buy. If you behave, I might even get you a sundae".
"Stop it, Lisbon".
She recoiled at his curt reply. Even without looking at her, he knew she was hurt. Well, however unpleasant, he couldn't avoid that.
"Stop what, Jane?"
He felt a sudden twinge in his stomach. He was going to regret that. No more friendship, no more enjoying their usual banter. Yet he couldn't bear the situation any longer.
Better to plunge into it and have it over.
"You know exactly what I mean. I'm none of your brothers. I don't need you to mother me".
"So that's what you think of me?"
Her voice was shaking with anger now. He had to dig his nails into his palms in order to prevent himself from telling her the truth. The truth of his feelings for her.
"Fair enough. I won't bother you again. Sorry if I thought we were friends".
He heard her stride out of the bullpen. When he was sure she was gone, he got up and headed towards Hightower's office. Better to quit with the CBI too.