Well I broke my first fanfic promise of updating quickly. *shame* Life gets in the way... Anyway I had planned to have more for you but I got a bit stuck. Don't worry though I know where this is going, it's just the getting there that's hard. Some paragraphs write themselves, other times it's a struggle to finish a sentence.

I don't own anything. Maybe Eric.


In what distant deeps or skies …

Hightower subconsciously slipped a pair of gloves on to refill the kettle and set it back down to boil. She'd called in a forensics team once it was clear that someone had been inside the apartment. Now they waited, Lisbon sitting vacantly at the kitchen table, rain dancing lightly on the window, and the situation called for a cup of tea.

"Nice shirt." Madeleine quirked her eyebrows as placed the mugs down on the table, and Lisbon suddenly felt a little mortified that she was still wearing the ridiculous Minnie Mouse shirt in front of her boss. The familiar blush came over her cheeks and then she caught Hightower's eye and suddenly it seemed like the funniest thing in the world… she couldn't contain her amusement and soon they were both laughing openly, until Lisbon's eyes watered and Hightower regained her usual composure. After a moment she spoke.

"Send a text to your agents, they are to be at the office for a meeting, - six thirty. They'll assume it is regarding Patrick. We will instead brief them on the situation at hand and any further material we have obtained by the morning."

"What about Jane, ma'am?"

Hightower looked down at the table. She had been thinking the same thing. What about Jane…? "How much do you know about his intentions?"

"He plans to kill Red John. And he's very determined…"

"You've discussed this with him?"

"A number of times, yes"

Hightower sighed softly. "He's also the best chance we have of catching him."

Lisbon didn't argue. There was no denying Jane's brilliance.

"We'll brief the team first. Don't ask Jane to come in early, I'll contact him in the morning and have him meet with me later. We need him on our side, but I can't risk him taking matters into his own hands."

Easier said than done…

"Lisbon, I have to perceive this as a pretty clear threat to your safety, and by association that of your team. There are protocols for this type of situation. However, Red John has, in the past, been undeterred by CBI protocol"

She looked Teresa directly in the eyes. "You are aware of Laroche's current investigation. You may not be aware that myself, Laroche, director Bertram… have long suspected the persisted presence of a Red John informant within the CBI."

This came as a surprise to Lisbon. But then, she reasoned, it was not unlikely. No one had suspected Rebecca…

"You think Todd Johnson's death had something to do with Red John?"

"I do"

Lisbon waited, sensing that Hightower was conflicted.

"I have no intention of forcing you into Witness Protection. It seems much more prudent to have you all at hand."

Her underlying message was clear. I don't trust in the security of Protective Services. I won't reassign this case to another team… after last time. This may be our best chance of catching Red John.

"I want to work this case ma'am." I want to end this…

"Ok then."

They sipped their tea. The forensics team arrived.


"Hey guys, Hightower wants us at the office early tomorrow, 6:30. See you then.

Lisbon"

Fifteen minutes later Hightower enlisted one of the junior forensic techs to drive Lisbon to the ER to get stitches. Her argument fell on deaf ears and she was soon winding through the Sacramento late night traffic accompanied by Eric, a gangly, fair haired, mid twenties Slayer enthusiast who seemed to think she was incredibly interested in the influence of early eighties heavy metal bands on the current music scene. When they arrived she took the opportunity to thank him for the ride, no she didn't need him to wait with her and maybe he should get back to working the crime scene as soon as possible. Passing through the automatic doors, she glanced at her phone. Three messages.

"Sure thing boss. -Rigsby"

"No problem boss, I'll pick up coffee on my way :) - VP"

"Ok. - Cho"

She cracked a small smile at the good natures of her team. They were all hard workers, and with a pang of guilt she realised they were now all in danger. Just like Bosco's team…

Coming back to the present, she took in the motley crowd of sick and injured assembled in the waiting room, and resigned herself for a long wait.