A/N: I got some requests to keep this one going. I had an idea, so here is a bonus chapter. It got a little long, the conclusion will be up soon. Reviews make my day - thanks for reading!

Lisbon slapped the button to silence her alarm clock, then rolled away from it towards the middle of the bed. She inhaled deeply and stretched. She would never get used to her sheets smelling like Jane.

She padded into her bathroom and brushed her teeth, her gaze lingering on the second toothbrush. In the shower she was confronted with an abundance of shampoo, conditioner, and masculine soap. After she cleaned up, she reached blindly for a towel. The first one she found was already wet. She frowned and wiped the water out of her eyes to find a dry one. Fresh towel wrapped securely around her, she opened her closet. She moved two pinstriped suits aside to find the clothes she wanted.

She felt a headache coming on.

Dressed in her usual work attire, Lisbon went downstairs to the kitchen. As she came within sight, Jane hopped up from his spot at the table and poured her a fresh cup of coffee. He beamed at her as he worked, his curls highlighted by the sun coming through the window. He held the mug aside as he leaned in to press a long kiss to the corner of her mouth. Lisbon reveled in the greeting, and smiled as he presented the mug with a flourish. She inhaled the smell of her coffee, prepared just the way she liked it. "Good morning," she purred and pressed her lips to the rim of the mug.

Jane watched her with amusement. "Did you want a moment alone?" he teased, looking pointedly at her mug.

She hit him playfully and leaned back against the counter to enjoy her drink. Jane smiled and retrieved his own teacup from the table before mirroring her actions at the counter across from her. He sipped at it. "Can I make you some breakfast?" he offered.

She shook her head. "I have to get to work. Rigsby and I are following a lead first thing."

Jane's brow furrowed. "The co-worker?"

"No, we're checking out a warehouse."

"What warehouse?"

Lisbon paused. "Right, you left early. We're just following the evidence trail."

"Need me to come along?"

"Not your skill set."

"Ah, it's a bulletproof vest affair." He paused slightly and tried to appear unaffected, but Lisbon knew him too well. "Cho going too?"

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "We can handle it. You don't need to worry."

"Who said I was worried? Warehouses are big, throw more people at it."

She rolled her eyes and changed the subject. She pointed to his cup, an ornate delicate design — definitely not from her collection. "Did you go back to your place recently?"

"Yeah. I picked up a few things."

"During working hours?"

"Naturally." He paused, his teacup poised halfway to his mouth, studying her. "What's on your mind?"

Lisbon sighed. "I'm really okay, Jane."

He finished the tea and set the cup down on the saucer on the counter. "I know."

"I mean, you haven't left me alone since…" she gestured with her hand towards him, not wanting to say the words. Jane nodded his understanding. Since he shot Hardy. "It's been two weeks. I'm okay, I'm fine. Nothing happened. And it's starting to look like you're moving in here."

Jane's face dropped. He suddenly looked near tears and avoided her gaze, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge of the counter. Lisbon froze with uncertainty. He swallowed hard and his eyes skittered back to hers. "If I hadn't been there," he whispered.

She set aside her coffee and closed the space between them. She hovered there awkwardly. "It's a dangerous job, Jane. But I'm trained for it, the whole team is. We watch each other's backs. And you were there. You didn't even hesitate to-" She paused. "I know what you lost by killing him, Jane."

He reached out and pulled her into his embrace, folding himself so he could rest his head on her shoulder. She melted into him. "I would do it again," he croaked. "Nothing is worth losing you."

She thought about his own reckless actions that eventful day, how he had apparently been willing to die if it meant she got Red John. "It goes both ways, you idiot. You understand that, don't you?"

He nodded against her and they stayed that way for a long moment. Eventually Lisbon untangled herself and stepped back half a step. "Um, Jane? Are you living here?"

"Hmm?" he stalled.

She looked at him evenly. "You know you're welcome. But your stuff is taking over."

He blinked at her, his expression blank. "I don't have a lot of stuff."

She tried a smile, but it was tight. "That's why it's noteworthy."

"I thought you didn't like my hotel."

"I don't. But people usually talk to each other before moving in together. Are you living here, Jane?" she repeated.

He sandwiched one of her hands between his own. He rubbed circles on the back of her hand with one thumb and let the fingers of his other hand trail across the pulse point of her wrist. "Actually, I have been meaning to discuss this with you." Lisbon's eyes widened and she started to pull away, but he calmly held her hand tighter until she relaxed again. "We have a good thing going here. I help with the cooking and cleaning, let you hold the remote control. I back off and do my own thing when you need your space. I understand your schedule and enjoy pampering you after the long hours at work. And I keep your bed warm," he added suggestively. He stepped in and nuzzled her neck. "It's nice having someone to come home to. Let's make it official."

He started to kiss her neck and she held his elbows to keep some space between them. "You only give me the remote because you have other ways to manipulate what's on the screen. If I have to watch Gone With the Wind one more time—"

"It's a classic," Jane chuckled against her skin. "You still haven't seen the end of it."

"Who has time for a four hour movie in their life?"

"Lots of people."

She lost herself in the sensation of his kiss for a moment while she collected her thoughts. "Jane? What about Red John?" she asked gently.

"What about him?"

"It's like you've been working on the case more since we lost it. You've been acting paranoid. You really think moving in here is the best next step?"

Jane sighed and pulled back. He looked at her neutrally, then shrugged and tried to keep the mood light. "Straight to the big guns, okay. Red John isn't done with us just because we don't have the case. In fact, that stunt a couple weeks ago at the farm proved that he's engaged with me - playing a game. We can't afford to let our guard down. That's why I've been switching cars when I come over here." He sighed, dropping his mask again, showing his earnestness. "Thing is, it's all uncertain. We don't know what he knows. I'll continue to be careful, but if I backed off from this relationship now it would just make us both worried and irritable. Life is too short, I want to be with you."

Lisbon raised her eyebrows. "So… to be clear. Do you want to live with me because of your deep abiding love for me and a strong desire to keep moving this relationship forward? Or because you've been reminded we are all mortal and you think you need to protect me?"

"Are those my only choices?" his voice was high, slightly mocking. She glared at him and he looked away and shook his head. "A little of both."

She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Jane-" she admonished.

"But I do love you." He traced a finger on her cheek and Lisbon moved to catch his hand and hold it there. She met his intense gaze. "You do know that, don't you?"

Her heart fluttered at his words. They didn't talk about love. She had only said it now to make her point stronger, she hadn't really thought it through. They had grown very close over the last few months since she had relaxed her rules. They spent most weekends together when they were in town, and the occasional weeknight between cases. The encounter with Hardy had only served to sharpen their perspective. The last two weeks hadn't exactly been difficult. She just felt the need to reorient, reorder, go back to normal. No, she had no reason to doubt his feelings, but the idea also terrified her for reasons she couldn't explain. She nodded carefully.

"I understand if you need some space, Teresa. I can go back to my place tonight if that's what you want." His voice was low, mesmerizing.

Lisbon exhaled. "No." She turned her head and kissed his palm. "It's not that I don't want you around. Living together - it's a big step."

"Not so big," he countered. He moved in to kiss her more thoroughly, but she stepped back.

"I need to think about it." She felt his unwavering gaze on her as she checked the time. "I'm late. We'll talk tonight?"

"Sure you don't want me to come along? You know I look good in a vest."

She smiled and kissed him swiftly. "I'll see you later. Don't be late just because I'm out of the office."

"Yes, Boss." He stood to attention and gave her a mock salute as she left.

X

Thirty minutes later Jane sauntered into the bullpen holding a small paper bag. He posed himself dramatically by Van Pelt's desk and leaned sideways like he was trying to see into the far bank of offices. "Lisbon not in yet?" he asked.

She barely glanced up from her typing. "She's out with Rigsby."

He rocked back on his heels and bounced. "Oh. Guess I'll save this for later." He held up the bag.

Cho turned to him. "Did you bring pastries for the rest of us?"

"Sorry, Cho. If I had known Rigsby was out… Next time."

"Whatever." He looked back at his paperwork.

Jane sidled closer to Cho's desk. "What's the lead?"

Cho let his pen drop and leaned back in his chair. "Tox screens came back. Possible drug connection. GPS on the vic's phone showed an empty warehouse as a regular stopping place. Worth checking out."

Jane's eyes moved back and forth as he arranged details in his mind. "Why am I just hearing this now?"

"It came through late afternoon. You were off somewhere." He picked up his pen again. "This is standard police work, Jane. Connect the dots."

Jane was tapping his lip now. "More like puzzle pieces. Starting to see the big picture." He dropped his hand and looked back and forth between the two agents. "This doesn't feel like a set up to either of you?" He got the short answer from their expressions, then turned his back on them to study the white board outlined with suspects and evidence associated with their case.

"No," answered Cho.

"How could it be?" added Van Pelt. "It's driven by the evidence. GPS data was collected over several months." She glanced at Cho to back her up. "No signs of tampering."

"Why would the killer leave the phone behind if it had evidence on it? It could have been planted."

"It fell between the seats of the victim's car, he left it behind for the meet. Why would a dealer plant evidence that could be traced back to him?" Cho countered.

"How do you know it has anything to do with a drug dealer?" He looked sideways at a close up picture of the victim's tattoo. He tapped it. Cho and Van Pelt got up from their desks and joined him by the board. "This tattoo… It's been added to. If you take away this line and this bit here," he took a dry erase marker and made a rough sketch of his changes, then looked at Cho. "What does that look like?"

Cho pressed his lips together grimly. "Flaming Jackals."

"Flaming Jackals," Jane confirmed. "By all appearances this guy got out. He landed a good job and he was doing everything right. Except he was really a double agent. He was reporting on rival gang activity."

"It got him killed," stated Cho. "So which gang is implicated at this warehouse?"

"I really couldn't care less," Jane said and pulled out his phone. He flipped it open and pressed a button. "Come on," he muttered as it rang. His first call transferred to voice mail and he pressed another button. The room was suddenly tense as his calls went unanswered. "They're not answering. Where is this warehouse?"

The agents snapped into action. "I'm calling for backup," stated Van Pelt.

Cho grabbed his gun from a desk drawer and strapped it on his hip. He pointed at Jane. "Keep calling them. You get through, call me."

He turned away, but Jane was on his heels, his phone up to his ear. "I'm coming with you."

Cho shook his head, but kept walking. They didn't have time to argue.

They were waiting for the elevator when Van Pelt rushed after them, her quick, echoing footsteps alerting them to her urgency. They turned to her and she called across the lobby, "Rigsby just called. Lisbon's been shot."

X

There was blood on Rigsby's shirt. Jane had worked out a path across the front of the room and paced back and forth like a determined tiger. Every time he turned he paused and his eyes were drawn to the red spatter. He scowled.

Rigsby leaned forward and placed his head in his hands, hiding the worst of it. Van Pelt put her hand on his arm, her movement restricted by the vacuum formed plastic chairs in the waiting room. Cho was standing by the vending machine, waiting for coffee. Minelli sat apart from the group, staring searchingly at the ceiling.

Bosco wandered in and sat next to Rigsby. Minelli moved to the row of chairs behind them. "Any news?"

"Nah," answered Bosco. "No changes, she's stitched up and getting tests." He paused and Cho sat down nearby with his coffee. "You know, Lisbon got shot during one of her first cases in San Francisco. Right about here," he pointed to a spot on his own hip. "Small caliber, but it kept her benched for awhile. She was so green. She was also a fighter. She taught us all something about spirit and determination. We pretty much had to baby-sit her at home to keep her out of the office for recovery."

Jane blinked and tuned him out. He knew the story. He knew her scar. Intimately. He walked the short distance to the far wall and focused on his breathing. Calm. Step, step, breathe, turn.

"Bosco," he acknowledged. The man had snuck up behind him, blocking his path.

"Would you sit down?" the stocky agent sounded exasperated. He pointed towards the others suggestively.

Jane plucked at the front of his suit and stood taller. "I'd rather not, thanks all the same." He sidestepped the man and continued on his path.

"We're all worried about her," Bosco called after him.

"I didn't say otherwise." He counted his steps, concentrating on maintaining a steady pace.

"Let him walk, Bosco. It doesn't bother us," stated Rigsby tiredly.

"I just think maybe if he's gotta walk, he should walk somewhere else. Somewhere less disruptive."

Jane half turned, weary. "You want me to leave? You don't think I belong here."

"Got it in one," Bosco smirked.

"Not cool, man," said Cho.

"Can you give this macho thing a rest, Bosco? My partner got shot." He turned back and kept walking.

"She's not your partner. She's your boss."

"We work together — closely."

"Then why'd you let her get shot?"

Jane pulled up short. Breathe. He exhaled slowly.

"Can it, Bosco, he wasn't even there," Minelli called out sternly.

"Oh, and why was that?" Bosco pushed.

Jane drew a hand down over his face and his voice came out ragged. "I'm not a cop."

Bosco held his hand up to his ear dramatically. "I didn't catch that, could you say it louder?"

Jane turned where he stood. His gaze was ice, his hands clenched tightly. He forced his fingers open one at a time, then smiled cruelly. "Why are you here, Bosco?"

Bosco turned and smiled at the others like it was a stupid question, then looked back at Jane and spread his hands wide. "We're colleagues. Why wouldn't I be here?"

Jane strode toward him slowly, deliberately. Bosco held his ground. "Her team is here. Her boss is here. What are you to her?"

"I have more right to be here than you. We go way back."

His voice was cruelly calm and quiet, his words only for Bosco. "It's hard for you, being so close to her again. She has her own team now, she doesn't need you. She doesn't look up to you with those innocent, alluring eyes anymore. You followed her here, but she doesn't see you." Jane stopped, toe to toe with him. He was nearly whispering now. "What do you tell yourself at night to justify your dirty little thoughts? What do you tell your wife?"

Bosco stabbed him in the chest with one accusatory finger. "You are out of line."

"She will never be yours," Jane growled.

Bosco's face screwed up in anger. He tensed and drew back his arm, but Minelli was faster. He came up behind him and hooked Bosco's arm to yank him off balance. "Enough. Take a walk," Minelli insisted. Bosco shook himself and backed up, maintaining eye contact with Jane. Jane grinned at him, then switched to an innocent, thoughtful expression when Minelli moved into his line of sight. "I don't like this friction I'm seeing - and don't tell me Bosco started it. He'll get his own reprimand."

"Meh. He's never going to like me."

"He doesn't need to. But you could give him a chance to respect you, understand what you do."

"You could just order him to keep me in the loop about Red John."

"I took the case from you for a reason. You need some space."

"I disagree."

"Noted. But this isn't about Red John. It's about Lisbon. She'll be fine, Jane. All these tests are just precautionary."

Jane slumped and ran a hand through his hair. "I know."

Minelli looked at him carefully. "You can't possibly blame yourself for this."

Jane shrugged one shoulder noncommittally and stared past him as a doctor entered the waiting room. The young man was in clean scrubs and flipped some papers down on a clipboard before addressing the room. "Who's here for Teresa Lisbon?"

The entire group stood and moved towards him. "Hold on." He consulted his clipboard again. "Is one of you Virgil Minelli?"

"That's me," Minelli raised one hand.

"She's been admitted to a room and can have visitors. You can come in first, then the rest if she is up to it. Follow me."

X

Minelli consulted with the doctor in Lisbon's room for a few minutes, then retrieved the rest of them from the hall.

They filed into the room. The blinds were mostly closed, keeping the room dim. The were no balloons or flowers to cheer the space, it was just dismal and gray.

Jane had his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets and hung out at the back of the group. The head of the bed was raised and Lisbon's eyes were closed. She looked small, her dark hair fanned out on the pillow. Her left shoulder was bandaged and held close to her body with a sling. One cheek had a nasty bruise. Jane watched her like a hawk, taking in every detail, but ultimately content to just watch her breathe.

Her eyes fluttered open. "Hey, boss," Van Pelt said gently.

Lisbon held herself unnaturally still. Her eyes swept the room, then she closed them again. "Hey guys. Thanks for coming." Her voice was small and tired, not the Lisbon they were used to.

"Of course," assured Rigsby.

"You too tired, Boss? Want us to come back later?" Cho asked.

"No. Just hurts to move. Minelli can tell you," she trailed off.

"There was a lot of cross fire at the warehouse. One shot grazed her shoulder. It will need careful monitoring, but she got lucky. The vest did it's job and stopped multiple bullets. The impact cracked three ribs. Doesn't help that when she went down, someone ran up and started kicking her. He's dead," he added succinctly. "The rest of the gang fled the scene. Tests revealed no complications, but she'll be out of the office for a month while those ribs heal."

Everyone was silent as he finished explaining her injuries.

Bosco cleared his throat. "Glad you're okay, Teresa."

"Bosco?" she questioned, opening her eyes again. He leaned into her line of sight. "You came?"

"Of course. Someone had to warn the hospital staff that you'll be trying to bust out of here prematurely."

She smiled, then closed her eyes and grimaced in pain. She swallowed. "Is Jane here? Jane?"

He made his way to her bedside. "Didn't they give you the good stuff?"

"Yeah, it's still kicking in." Her hand was grasping for him and he gently took hold of it. She cracked open one eye. "I'm glad you weren't there." He didn't hold back his pained expression. "It was a mad house, bullets flying everywhere."

"This is supposed to help me feel better?" he tried to tease her.

"Rigsby had my back this time," she assured him. "We didn't know what we were walking in to."

"He'll be commended," Minelli interjected.

"Just doing my job," said Rigsby. "Glad you're okay, Boss."

"Jane figured it out, we tried to call," Cho piped up.

"It was too late," Jane said, pained.

"Not. Your. Fault." Lisbon stressed, her eyes closed again.

"We'll let you rest," Minelli stated, gesturing the others towards the door.

"How long you in for?" asked Bosco.

"Not long. Maybe tomorrow."

"That long?" Jane asked sarcastically.

"Can't do anything for ribs. They're only keeping me here to monitor my shoulder."

"You're going to need some help getting around at home." Bosco stated. "I think someone should stay with you for a couple days."

"You volunteering yourself, Bosco?" Jane asked, slightly threateningly. Lisbon opened her eyes again, surprised at his tone.

"Don't be an ass. I was going to suggest Van Pelt."

Jane tightened his grip on her hand. Lisbon tried to squeeze back, but wasn't sure he felt it. "I don't think that's necessary," she protested.

"I'd be happy to do it, boss," Van Pelt assured her.

"Good. That's settled then," Bosco smiled.

Jane pulled away, patting her hand gently. He smiled at her, then nodded his reassurance before following the others out.