A/N: I'm not sure where I'm taking this but I decided I wanted to continue with it. I hope you enjoy it. :)

A streak of moonlight filters into the bedroom and casts itself over Lisbon's face. Her eyes gently open and she stretches her body, letting out a small groan at the dull ache in her shoulder. It takes her a moment to realize that she's in her bed. She's not exactly sure what time it is but it feels late. She feels strangely rested, light even, like there's no invisible weight crushing down on her anymore. It's the first time in two months that she can remember not being woken up by cruel and mocking dreams of Jane or hellish nightmares. Jane. Thoughts of earlier that day, her missing curly blonde consultant showing up at her front door, race through her mind.

She shoots up and instantly regrets it, the dull ache in her shoulder suddenly turning into a sharp bite. She hisses at the pain but it's nowhere near as bad as the sinking feeling that settles in her stomach when she realizes that Jane is nowhere to be found.

Maybe earlier that day really was a hallucination. Maybe those damn pain meds are stronger than she thought, and maybe it really was just a mean trick her mind was playing on itself.

Lisbon swings her legs over the side of the bed and rakes a hand through her messy dark brown hair. She lets out a cold, hollow laugh and it's painful in her chest.

Just as she makes up her mind to fall back into bed and pull the covers over her, she hears a shrill whistle come from downstairs, her tea kettle. Curiosity gets the best of her and she finds herself leaving the false comfort her bedroom offers and heads towards the sound.

Pure relief washes over her when she sees Jane. His back is turned to her and he is busying himself making a cup of tea and brewing a fresh pot of coffee. A small smile lights up her sleepy face and she lets herself breathe normally again. It wasn't a dream. Patrick Jane is really standing in her kitchen after all this time. He's alive and real and that's enough to puts Lisbon's mind at ease and cause her to let out a little laugh.

Jane turns around, slightly startled, though he would never admit it. Some things really never change. She had been so quiet he hadn't heard her creep up. A familiar but long unused grin lights up his face when he takes in her appearance. She looks sleepy and her hair is falling in front of her face as she tries to pull the slipping jersey up her shoulder.

"You have the tea I like." Patrick says, the grin not leaving his face.

Lisbon blushes and sheepishly looks away for a moment before collecting herself. "Yeah well, it helps relax me, helps with my shoulder." She would never admit that she also has his favorite tea because it reminds her of him. She's too stubborn for that and Jane laughs, not wanting it any other way.

She walks over to the counter and hops up on it as Jane hands her a mug of coffee. They're both quiet even though so much still has to be said.

"Does anyone else know your back?" Lisbon asks, taking a sip of her coffee.

"So far, only you." There's a playful glint in Jane's eye and he takes a few steps over to her until he's standing right in front of her, her knees touching his stomach. "And I intend to keep it that way for as long as I can." He places his hands flat on the countertop on either side of her.

"Oh damn, and here I was all excited to clean you up and share you with the whole world. You know, take your pain in the ass consultant to work day." She says sarcastically, rolling her eyes and Jane can't stop himself from thinking what a selfish ass he's been and how much he's missed this.

There is so much that's happened, so much that needs to be talked about but he can't help but be overwhelmed with joy that the natural banter and teasing is still there between them. She is still his Lisbon. His Lisbon. Jane stops for a second to think about what that actually means and every promise it holds. He can't help but feel like he doesn't deserve this, her, but that doesn't stop him from making his next move.

Since the first time he laid eyes on her earlier that day he does what his body has been itching so badly to do. He gently takes the mug from her hands and sets it down. His large hands splay out over her back and he pulls her just a bit closer to him, her legs parting to let him get even closer. His lips easily seek out hers.

Jane feels an exciting and more than welcome warmth radiate throughout his entire body as her impossibly soft lips glide over his, the kiss slow but urgent. Lisbon snakes her arms around Jane's neck, drawing him in even closer. Jane kisses her like her lips are the cure to everything bad that has happened in the past and in a way, they are. She is. Lisbon is his cure and he hates that he has been so selfish.

"Stop." Lisbon says, feeling Jane's body instantly tense. She smiles and gives him a quick kiss. "I mean stop feeling guilty."

Jane's eyebrow arches and a crooked smile plays across his face. "I thought I was supposed to be the mind reader."

Lisbon lets out a tired sigh and rests her head against Jane's shoulder. They still need to talk but at the moment she just wants to slip back into a dreamless sleep, comforted by the fact that Jane is really there in her apartment and she's not imagining this. She feels Jane's arms wrap around her waist and he lifts her up off of the counter and cradles her against his chest. She closes her eyes and lets him carry her back upstairs to her bedroom.

Jane gently lowers her down onto the bed and pulls the comforter over her. He kicks off his shoes and crawls under the covers joining her. He pulls her against his chest and buries his face in her hair, letting the smell of cinnamon, apples, and her warmth lull him to sleep.

TBC