A/N: hi, hi, hi. So here I am, writing another one shot when I really should be doing coursework. Ah well.

This idea came to me when watching a season 1 episode (can't remember the name) and Jane is telling Lisbon what he is planning to do when he gets Red John. And I always wondered what would happen if Jane did get his revenge. This is set before the end of season 4 before Jane met Lorelei. And obviously goes AU from there.

And of course, this is all my own interpretation. I don't know what Red John's real name is, I don't know how old he is, I don't know anything about him apart from he is a serial killer, is obsessed with Jane and is a little bit of a weirdo ;) So enjoy my little fic, let me know what you think. I'm sorry if I ramble on a bit; hopefully the story makes a bit of sense.

ENJOY.

Disclaimer: Bruno Heller doesn't love me enough to give me the rights to The Mentalist.

PS: those reading Listen to your Heart; I promise an update is coming soon.

Falling in love with Teresa Lisbon was always going to be Patrick Jane's biggest mistake.

It was up there with mocking Red John on live television and causing his wife and daughters deaths.

But this time, he wasn't going to lose the most important woman in his life. He wasn't going to lose Teresa Lisbon to him. This time Red John was going to pay.

This time, Jane would win.

It took Jane longer than he would of liked to realise that Lisbon would always be in danger as long as Red John was still around.

He knew that he cared for her more than a friend years ago, probably after she had been shot by O'Laughlin. He was aware he cared more about her before but this moment confirmed everything.

Hearing the pain in her voice, the breathlessness and the anguish at being deceived, he came to notice that hearing her sound like that was not something he ever wanted to hear again.
He wanted happiness for her, wanted her to smile everyday, to be loved everyday.

But that wouldn't happen as long as Red John was still breathing.

It was definitely a cliché.

Jane always thought characters meeting their end, whilst it was raining, was the biggest cliché around.

Yet here he was, going to face Red John and it was raining.

The rain didn't bother Jane. It was something he could rely on to keep him relaxed. He had many good memories concerning the rain. Many included Angela and Charlotte, the majority concerned Lisbon nowadays. Despite it comforting him, it didn't mean he wanted to die in the rain.

He always imagined him and Red John battling it out, fighting for the last breath in an abandoned warehouse. He was aware this was another cliché but that one didn't bother him too much.

He never expected to meet his end in a car park, with Red John looming over his body, holding the bloody knife, whilst the pitter patter of rain slowly washed all the evidence away.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Yesterday...

It had been a particularly boring day at the CBI. They hadn't received a new case, which meant Lisbon was busy doing paperwork all day and if Jane disturbed her... well there surely would be hell to pay.

So he was left to sit on his couch and stare at the wonder which was the bullpen's ceiling.

He started to close his eyes and drift off when he heard the footsteps of none other than Grace Van Pelt. He heard her stop by his couch and hesitate.

"Grace. How can I help you?"

"This was on my desk this morning. I meant to give it you earlier but you were sulking in your attic. Anyway..." She dropped an envelope on his chest and went over to her desk.

He reluctantly opened his eyes and stared at the envelope. He sighed and sat up, ripping it open as he did so.

If today was considered normal, it wasn't anymore.

There was a single piece of paper. On it was written an address of a place not too far away and a single sentence.

Come alone.

It was signed with a bright, red smiley face.

He didn't react. Not straight away anyway. He just stared at the smiley face, the calling card of Red John and wondered what to do.

Realistically he should tell Lisbon and she would secretly set a team up and they would crash the meeting and arrest Red John.

Or.

Or he could not tell Lisbon, disappear for a few hours, meet Red John, admit his identity and kill him there.

"You okay Jane?" He heard Grace's voice from a distance and nodded weakly. This was it.

His chance to get revenge without anyone knowing.

"Grace, I'm perfect."

-0-

He waited until everyone had left the CBI.

As usual Lisbon was the last to leave, usually staying behind to catch up on paperwork. He didn't say goodbye to her, just watched her leave from his balcony.

He probably should of said goodbye, he wasn't sure if he'd see her again. But it would raise questions and as much as he wanted to tell her, he couldn't. Not this time anyway.

He would be lying if he wasn't scared. Everything he had worked for 10 years was going to end tomorrow.

Red John would be dead. He would have avenged his Angela and Charlotte.

It was 10pm by the time Jane left the CBI. He bid Ron a goodnight before exiting the building.

As he climbed into his reliable little Citroen, he placed the envelope on the passenger seat along with his mobile phone, his motel key and a Chef's knife, which he stole from the break room.

He drove to the said address, not bothering to rush.

If Red John wanted him there, he wouldn't mind waiting a little while.

Jane waited all of 5 minutes before the black Range Rover pulled into the car park, breaking the silence which had been forming. Jane watched as it pulled up next to him and cut the engine.

He waited another 2 minutes before the drivers side opened and the man walked out. He watched as the driver pulled open the right side back door and saw a man clamber out.

Jane took this to be Red John and too, got out of the car. He left everything but the knife, which he held in his hand. There was no point in hiding it from Red John. He wasn't stupid.

It took Jane 5 steps to be stood in front of the man. The man who he assumed to be Red John. The man who had taken too many lives away, including his wife and child's.

The driver of the Range Rover left them too it and got back into the car, where he proceeded to drive off. Soon Jane and 'Red John' were left alone.

"Hello Patrick."

"Hello."

They glared at each other for a few more seconds before Jane broke the silence.

"You know my name, I only think its fair I know yours."

'Red John' chuckled, echoing around the car park. Jane still couldn't see his face, the distance between them still too much. He needed to get closer if he was to win.

"Oh Patrick, what would be the point in revealing my identity. How are you sure I even am 'Red John'? "

Jane smirked, aware of the mind games his opponent was willing to play.

"Why else would you be here if you were not him?

He saw 'Red John' cocks his head to the side and nodded. "I see your point Patrick. Besides I am in no mood to play games. I came here to offer my friendship once more."

'Red John' walks closer towards Jane, with Jane covering up the distance. There is only a distance of 5 feet between them, and Jane can get a closer look at his enemy.

Again, like the last time they met, 'Red John' is wearing a mask, hiding his persona.

"Come on. At least let me see your face. And know your name. I want to know the identity of the man I'm going to kill."

Another chuckle rips from 'Red John's' chest as he slowly removes his mask.

Jane watches him do so, and soon no identities are left unknown.

'Red John' is a middle aged man with greying hair. His eyes are a chocolate brown and are surrounded by tight lines. His is around 6ft, slightly taller than Jane. He is wearing a black coat and black jeans. He looks like a normal man you would pass in the street, only he holds a secret.

What disturbs Jane the most about this man is not his clothing or his height.

It's his smile.

He has a smile which is... warm. He has the smile you would expect a new father to give to his child, the smile you would expect a groom to give to his bride and a smile you would expect a dying wife to give to her husband as a goodbye.

Not one of a serial killer.

"My name is Geoffrey Collins. I am 46 years old. My father died when I was very young and my mother abused me physically and emotionally. I have never been married and never intended too. I pick all my victims based on if they have offended me or hurt one of my followers."

It was a lot of information to take in, in 5 minutes. Red John, or Geoffrey, was like any other man. Had a past, had goals, and had demons he too needed to confront.

However, that didn't excuse him to be a monster.

Jane and Red John continued to watch each other, waiting for the next move to be made. They were like two chess pieces, neither one wanting the game to end but both wanting to win.

"So, tell me Patrick." Red John's voice broke out, his voice soft and unnerving. "Why are you here? Apart from wanting to kill me of course." He chuckled slightly.

"That's the only reason. I'm here to kill you, to avenge my wife and child."

"Ah yes. Angela and Charlotte Jane. What lovely girls you had Patrick. Tell me, do you miss them?" Red John had started to move, pace around Jane and his car.

"Yes. Everyday." He spat out, trying to keep a check on his emotions.

"What do you miss the most? Is it Charlotte's soft blonde curls? Angela's angelic smile? The way they both lit up a room as soon as they entered? Or was it Charlotte's shampoo which smelt of Strawberries and Cream?" Red John was right behind him now, his voice ringing in his ear.

Jane felt his blood pressure rise, his breathing becoming laboured. He always reacted this way whenever anyone mentioned Charlotte. It was a paternal instinct.

"Now, now Patrick. No need to get upset. I was merely asking."

"You have no right to mention them to me." Jane's voice wobbled, his heart pounding against his chest.

"Why though Patrick? They have been gone so long. They have been dead and buried for years now. Isn't it time you moved on? I'm sure your lovely wife would rather you move on then waste your life chasing a serial killer who is far too smart for you? You're pathetic Patrick. She would be so disappointed."

It happened so quickly that Jane wasn't even aware of what he was doing. One second Red John was stood in front of him and the next he was on the ground, Jane's knife pressed sharply against his neck.

"How does it feel? To be on the receiving end for a change? To not have the upper hand? Tell me how it feels! I want you to know what you have done to every single family you tore apart!" Jane yelled, pulse beating heavily.

"It is exhilarating. Who knew it was as exciting as killing someone?" Red John asked calmly, not affected by the knife. Jane pushed the knife closer, a single drop of blood breaking through.

"Go on then Patrick. Kill me. Plunge the knife into my heart and watch me bleed out. Go on. I dare you."

"I could do it you know. I could."

"Would you though Patrick? You have so much to lose."

"Ha. I have nothing to lose. I lost everything 10 years ago. You know that because you took them away!" Jane yelled once more, waves of anger rolling off of his body.

"You do have someone Patrick. And you are fully aware of your feelings for her. Why won't you admit them though? Are you afraid? Afraid of loving someone new? Afraid you may lose them to me? Again." Red John was taunting Jane, he knew. He knew who it was about; he just didn't want to confirm it.

"I have no idea what or who you are talking about." He said through gritted teeth.

"Teresa Lisbon."

Jane felt his grip loosen on the knife; the pressure on Red John's neck was no more. How did Red John know about his feelings for Lisbon?

Actually the question should be, how couldn't he know?

How did Red John know? Jane wasn't fully aware of his feelings for Lisbon yet. He knew he had feelings for her that was obvious. It had been over 10 years they had known each other; it was only obvious that he would fall in love with her. How couldn't he? She was everything he could ask for and more.

She had a heart of gold, courage, kindness, beauty and was so forgiving. That he knew the most. She spent the majority of her forgiveness on him. But she deserved better, he was broken, damaged. No good for someone like her. Yet deep down, he hoped that Lisbon would somehow feel the same way.

Whilst musing he failed to notice Red John produce a knife of his own, and press it deeply into his stomach.

Jane let out a scream of pain and could only watch in horror as his shirt turned into a deep shade of scarlet. He rolled off of Red John and crashed to the ground. He hadn't noticed the rain until now.

He sighed as he saw Red John's face fill his view. The man wore a grin which frightened Jane to death, which he was close to so it didn't matter too much.

"I didn't want it to end like this Patrick. I honestly didn't. I was hoping for us to be friends. It's such a shame it had to end like this. Especially as you were so close."

This confused him. "Close? Close to what?"

"Close to having a shot with Teresa Lisbon. She would have fallen in love with you eventually. Such a shame."

"She wouldn't have fallen in love with someone like me. I'm too damaged, too driven by desire for revenge." His breathing had been shallower, was he really fading this fast?

"Oh now Patrick, when will you stop being so modest. Teresa would have gotten there eventually, once she realised you were serious. You should have told her where you were going tonight. She could have saved you, begged you not to come. At least that way she may have survived." He trailed off.

That made Jane looks up. "Don't you dare hurt her. She doesn't deserve to die. If you hurt her I swear to God..."

Red John interrupted him with a cruel laugh. "What Patrick? You'll be dead. You can't protect her anymore. Not that you did a good job anyway. Tell me what was it like, hearing her get shot by O'Laughlin? Seeing a bomb strapped to her chest? Did it hurt? Imagine her now Patrick, everything that is good about Teresa Lisbon.

"Her soft skin, her emerald eyes, her petite form... now imagine it dying, decaying at my touch, her becoming a lifeless form. And it will be your entire fault. She'll be dead because you were selfish. She'll be dead for the same reasons as your wife and child.

"Or I may let her live. Make her become my own. Turn her into a disciple, ready to follow my every desire. Torture her with images of her beloved Patrick. Make her realise that you are a worthless, little man who does everything for his own selfish need. A little money grabbing fraud. Remember that Patrick, you are nothing more than a worm. Teresa deserves so much more, you were right. And I'm going to give that to her. Goodnight Patrick."

Jane merely grinned. "No, Geoff. It is I, who will be bidding you goodnight."

And in one swift movement, Jane's knife came plunging into Red John's side. Red John, like Jane had earlier, tumbled to the ground his knife clattering from his hand.

Jane took his advantage and stood up, picking up the knives in the process. He slowly made his way to Red John and knelt by his head.

"You see, Geoff. Whilst you prattling on about how worthless and insignificant I am you failed to notice me reach for the knife. You also failed to notice this isn't real blood, it's that fake stuff you get at Halloween." Jane ripped open his shirt to reveal 10 packs of the stuff all stuck to various parts of his body.

"You can't honestly think I would have been stupid enough to come unprepared do you? My, my, you really underestimated your opponent." He laughed before standing. "Oh, and by the way everything you said about me is true. And I accept that. I have done so for 10 years. But let me tell you something, I made the mistake of taunting you once and I lost the loves of my life. But not again. I will not lose Teresa to you.

"She is everything I am not, and whilst she deserves the best out there, I will fight to the death for her. She brought me back from a place which I never want to visit again. And now I never will. Because you will be dead. And I can be happy."

Jane took a step closer to Red John's dying body. "Tyger Tyger burning bright, in the forests of the night: What immortal hand or eye, dare frame thy fearful symmetry?"

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Jane was debating whether he had made the right decision.

Sure he had killed the monster that had tormented him for over a decade yet he hadn't warned anyone.

He was wondering whether he should have called the local police or an ambulance. Whether he should confess. He was lucky he had worn gloves, evidence would of done him in for sure.

But when he walked into the bullpen the following morning and saw Lisbon turn towards him and flash one of her brilliant smiles towards him, he knew instantly he had made the right call.

Red John was dead.

He had finally killed the man who had taken his beloved wife and daughter away, he had killed the man who took so many lives, and he had gotten his revenge.

So what was left to do?

Angela and Charlotte had been avenged. That was his sole purpose. There was nothing else.

Except her.

He watched as Lisbon made her final orders toward Van Pelt and exits the bullpen. He knew in that second that everything he had done in the past 24 hours, wasn't just for him, wasn't just for Angela and Charlotte, it was for her as well.

As he followed her to her office, without her realising, he knew the next few weeks would mean some serious acting.

He'd have to act as though he didn't know the man who would be found in the car park. He'd have to fake his interest when they ran the man for prints. He'd have to fake his shock when they finally discovered who he was and raided his house.

He would have to convince everyone he wasn't mad that someone had gotten to him before he had the chance. (Despite that not being true.)

And he would have to swear to Lisbon that he knew nothing about it.

Sure it would be a lie but as long as she is safe, nothing else mattered.

Falling in love with Teresa Lisbon may have been one of Patrick Jane's biggest mistakes.

But he didn't regret it one bit.

A/N 2: so, what did you think? Leave me a little review, muchly appreciated. I know it's a long one shot, but I wanted to get the point across but not rush it. Anyway, I hope you like it and I promise I will update my other story soon! Thank you! (: