Author's Note: I'm not even going to pretend I know where this idea came from. I decided to write it out and post it. I have a test tomorrow and this is a welcome distraction. It's probably going to have two or three chapters, depending how it goes. It's not a tag to any episode, but I am contemplating writing a tag for the finale. Either way, I hope you all enjoy this first chapter!

Discalimer: If I owned the Mentalist, I wouldn't be so impatient to see how season six turns out.

"So, what brings you here so late?" Lisbon asked Jane as he sat down on her couch. She just really wanted to sleep, she was so tired. One night to relax and do nothing, was that so much to ask for? Apparently, if your name was CBI Agent Teresa Lisbon, it was.

Jane just shrugged. "Couldn't sleep. Thought I'd see what you were up to. Do you have any tea?"

Lisbon rolled her eyes. "Probably in a cupboard somewhere." Lisbon went to the kitchen to see if she had any, in hopes it would stop Jane from perusing her place for anything to further analyse her. She hadn't even had time to changer into her pyjamas once she got home before Jane showed up. In a way, she was actually grateful for that fact. Jane slinking around her apartment while she was wearing her Chicago Bears jersey that she slept in was not a good idea at all. He'd seen her in it once and that was bad enough. "I guess I ran out." Lisbon entered the living room again and plopped down on one of the chairs across from the couch. "You know. Because I drink it so often." She added, sarcastically.

"No need to be mean, Lisbon." Jane chastised lightly. "Do I detect some irritation because you lost at poker tonight?"

"No." Lisbon rolled her eyes. "Just so you know, it wasn't my worst night. Or my best night. But I'm not upset about poker."

Jane just looked at her.

"I'm not."

"Whatever you say." Jane shrugged.

"Is this what you came here for?" Lisbon raised a brow, getting quite annoyed. "To bug me about how well I may or may not have done at poker? Really?" She almost hoped it was. She equal parts wanted it to be about the wanting look he'd given her earlier, and just him wanting to bug her. She wasn't sure which would be better.

"Well, no, actually."

"Well, then, what do you want?" Lisbon huffed, trying not to blush at the other possibility. She just really needed to go to bed and sleep. Forever.

"I…" Jane trailed off, thinking over what he was going to say. He had contemplated what he'd wanted to say the whole drive here. He'd wanted to tell her he was sorry about pretending to forgot. Tell her that he did remember what he'd said to her that long while ago when they were trying to close in on Red John. Tell her he really had meant it. "I-um…"

"What?"

"You know, never mind. Sorry to disturb you, Lisbon. You seem really tired. I'll let you take that long, hot shower you want and then go to bed. I'll see you tomorrow."

Lisbon gave him an odd look, not sure if she was more relieved or disappointed. She got up and walked him to the door anyway. "I'll see you tomorrow, then." Lisbon said as she unlocked to door.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Jane nodded, fixing his coat and stepping out the door, casting her one last glance before walking to his car and driving off. That had gone terribly.

Lisbon sighed heavily and went upstairs to take a shower after locking her front door again. Not three minutes after getting dressed was there another knock on her door. She groaned and headed down stairs. What the hell did Jane want now?

-Mentalist-

Jane lay on the couch in Lisbon's office. This wasn't the first time he'd ever slept here. He often slept here when he wanted some kind of assurance, but was unable to bring himself to actually get some from another human being. Namely Lisbon. So, sleeping on her office couch was the next best thing. It brought him some sort of comfort to be there. He got up and looked at the clock on her desk. Nine am. Everyone was starting to arrive. Odd. She was usually here by eight-thirty. She must have been more tired than he'd originally thought. Yeah, that was it. Jane tried his best to keep himself calm at Lisbon's tardiness. Well, tardiness by Lisbon's usual standards. She wasn't late yet, technically.

Minutes had ticked by with Jane waiting on Lisbon's office couch for her, but she wasn't there yet and Jane was beginning to get really worried. A knock on the door, brought Jane to his feet and he answered, yanking the door open. "Yes?"

A man that Jane vaguely recognised as someone that worked the desks in the main lobby was standing on the other side of the door. "This came for you." He held out a sealed, standard white envelope.

Jane looked down at the offered object and took it. "Thank you." He managed to force out.

"You're welcome." The other man mumbled and headed back to his post.

Jane examined the envelope. There was nothing written on it. She swallowed hard and hoped it wasn't what he thought it was. He ripped open the envelope and almost cried when he saw the red smiley face drawn on the top of the letter inside.

The letter read:

Dear Patrick,

I think I have been fair in the amount of time I've given you to confess to her. Or for her to confess to you. To be perfectly honest, I tire of this game you two are playing with each other. It was fun at first-cute even-but it's gone on too long and I am bored. So, I guess I must take matters into my own hands. You really thought that not telling her how you felt would keep her from my sights? That's laughable! You aren't as smart as I thought you were, I guess. Damn shame. She might have made someone a lovely wife had she not been so…preoccupied with all the problems you plagued her with over the years. However, I'm not without compassion. The photos I have enclosed in the envelope is a sample of what is to come, if you continue to bore me. But, I will give you a chance to make this all up to me. Next week, I will give you the opportunity to set some things straight. I just have to get some things ready first. I hope your ready, Patrick. The game has only just begun.

Love,

Red John & Teresa

Jane's mouth went dry and he slowly lifted the pictures out of then envelope. There were two. Both of Lisbon. She was lying unconscious on the floor, bruises all over her face and blood smeared everywhere.

"Jane?" Van Pelt asked, heading in his direction, detouring from her previous destination that had been her desk. "You look pale, are you o-" She stopped when she saw the photo Jane had in his hands. "Oh, my god." She could swear her heart stopped beating and she forgot how to breathe for a moment. "Guys!" She called to the other two team members. "We have a problem."

Author's Note: So, that's it for now. Let me know what you thought and if you want me to continue! :)