Disclaimer: Still no. Though I am rather glad I don't own the Season 2 finale.

Thank you so much for all the lovely alerts, favourites, and reviews, especially to Diana because I can't thank her like I'd like to. You guys are all awesome.


Jane was still pondering his revelation hours later, when the CBI Headquarters were practically deserted. The janitors were his only company; even Lisbon had left at this hour. He still wasn't sure if she had left to get much-needed sleep or by a desire to get away from him. He claimed Lisbon was transparent, but in reality she managed to keep too much from the mentalist. Like her heart.

As dawn neared, Jane lay with his eyes closed on his couch, resting but never sleeping.

His mind churned. Lisbon—Teresa. Just the thought of her made his stomach rich with butterflies, and he couldn't help but wonder how far gone he was. He couldn't help but wonder, and he couldn't help but feel the guilt. The blond man fingered his wedding ring, trying to work out when he had gone from vengeful widow to... whatever he was now. He couldn't put a name to it yet, he simply wasn't ready. Jane couldn't believe this was happening. He hadn't felt anything remotely close to this since his wife. The most shocking part wasn't even his falling in love. It was the amount of time it had taken him to piece the puzzle together. When he analyzed his behaviour this time around, he was dismayed to find that it had taken over 4 months for him to come to this revelation.

Still, no matter how far he had fallen, Jane couldn't make himself forget his need to avenge his family. As much as he might want to change, Red John would still die by his hand. He would still go to the ends of the Earth to make the monster suffer, and Lisbon would still have to arrest him. It would hurt her, but she was strong. She would be fine, if not right away then someday. If they were to get romantically involved? Jane wasn't as sure. He refused to be the one to break her heart.

His head told him no good could come out of a romantic relationship, but his heart disagreed. And in affairs like these, the heart takes control.

But now, with something (someone) to live for, would he still carry on with his revenge? Now, when he had a reason to stay alive and out of jail?

As far as he was concerned, he had 3 options.

First, pretend like nothing's changed and go on with daily life. Second, win Lisbon over (because there was no way he would be unsuccessful), despite having to someday face the inevitable with Red John. And third, accept that Red John will be arrested by Lisbon, and pursue her with the knowledge that when it all went down, Red John would be taken into the CBI's custody.

Did he even have a choice?

Red John... he didn't want to give him up, but he didn't see another viable option. On reflection, his selfish need for vengeance was soothed slightly by the reasoning that his wife wouldn't have wanted him to become a murderer. And neither did Lisbon. To his surprise, Jane already felt a slight loosening of the tightness in his chest. Letting go wouldn't come right away, he knew that, but the ease with which Jane was moving on was startling. He couldn't help but wonder once again just how powerful this love was.

Jane had never truly believed that one could change for love, but life took him by surprise once again. Because he was well on his way. It had only been a few hours.

Curious.

Perhaps it was time to start with a game plan.

As it neared 8 am, Jane had an idea fully formed and ready. And it started with the end of this case.

Lisbon strode into the bullpen, the first one in the office as usual. Jane, pretending to sleep, observed her through his eyelashes. He was expecting her to continue her "ignore Jane" game, but she surprised him (once again) and made her way to his couch.

"Jane, I know you're awake."

Jane opened his eyes obediently. Her tone today was different, she seemed to regret their earlier conversation.

"Good morning, Lisbon. How are you on this fine day?" he asked, the epitome of cheerfulness.

Lisbon rolled her eyes despairingly, but her next words were serious. "Look, Jane. I'm sorry about yesterday. I said some things I didn't mean, and I'm sorry I hurt your feelings."

This time, Jane wasn't surprised. Her body language and her tone both pointed to an apology of sorts before she began speaking. However, the fact that the incurably stubborn woman was so willing to forgive him sent a familiar but dormant jolt of electricity through his abdomen. He cursed inwardly when he realized he still wasn't able to determine whether her feelings were platonic or something more. Honestly, what kind of a mentalist was he? He knew the minute, barely important details of Lisbon's life, but for the life of him he couldn't tell if she was in love. That would have to change. And soon.

Her ability to unintentionally prevent him from reading her put a damper on his morning.

"No need to apologize, m'dear," Jane said airily, pleased to see a faint tinge of colour in her cheeks. She was clearly expecting a much different reaction from him, and she wasn't prepared for the lightness he was using.. "I understand. I believe I said some things that were uncalled for too."

"I'm serious about the case though. No more poking around, alright?" Lisbon said sternly, recovering her cool quickly.

"Lisbon, I promise. I won't screw you over," he promised, and he fully intended to keep it.

The brunette smile gratefully and continued to her office, but not before sending him a funny look. Jane frowned. Could it be? Blushes, conflicting gazes... those weren't the mark of an ordinary friendship. He decided to spend the rest of the day making certain he was sure, as well as surreptitiously finding out if Lisbon was ready for a relationship.

The team arrived not long after Lisbon had locked herself away, and the day was spent searching for new leads and evidence to incriminate Mark. Anything would do. They just needed to get enough to pick him up, and Cho and Jane would manage the rest.

Jane, for his part, spent the day watching Lisbon. He picked up on quite a few things, things he couldn't believe he had missed before, even when he was re-analyzing the past months. When she thought he wasn't looking, Jane caught her sending the strangest glances his way. Soulful, longing glances and glances of affection. And sometimes, looks full of trust. Lisbon had never truly trusted him on cases, believing that at some point he would go behind her back to solve the murder. This time, things were different. She trusted him to keep his words. And when they were together, she had fewer qualms about his teasing. Slight brushes of contact invariably made her colour, noticeable only to the trained eye but there nonetheless. For the umpteenth time Jane wondered how he could have possibly missed the signs.

Lisbon was in love. With him, but she deemed it hopeless and frankly, weak on her part.

Oh, he was so going to prove her wrong.

Jane pulled the three other members of the SCU team aside.

"Listen. When we close the case, I'm going to invite the team for dinner, my treat. Make sure you have other plans," he said, dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

Van Pelt smirked triumphantly, and Rigsby fished into his pocket and passed Cho a twenty, sighing in resignation. Jane raised an eyebrows but didn't comment.

"So you're finally giving in to the obvious?" Cho asked in his usual monotone.

There was no point trying to deny his intentions.

Jane frowned indignantly. "Obvious? I didn't think so."

Van Pelt hid her growing smile. "Yes it was, Jane. Even Hightower knows. I think it's cute, though."

He did a double take, wordlessly asking for confirmation. Van Pelt nodded in support of her statement.

"Don't worry," Rigsby added. "We'll make sure you two get your alone time."

Lisbon chose this moment to leave her office. Upon seeing the group gathered before her, she stared suspiciously. "What are you guys doing?"

Jane smiled genially. "Lisbon, why hello! We were just bouncing some theories off one another, like a think tank."

She didn't buy it for a second, but to the team's relief she let the matter slide, choosing instead to show them the photo in her hands.

"That's Mark Fisher's car parked one block from the murder site, and the time stamp fits our timeline."

Rigsby took a closer look at the picture. "There goes his alibi," he commented.

"Cho, come with me. Let's go pick him up."

"Oh, can I come too?" Jane whined, acting like the three-year-old he could be.

Lisbon glanced at him appraisingly. "Fine. But stay in the car."

He shrugged. "Very well."


Was it believable? I feel like Jane would have a harder time letting Red John go, but in this story he seems to have a mind of his own. I hope I at least made it seem reasonable...