Author's Note: Just a heads up: what I really meant by "minor spoilers for My Blue Heaven" was that I would basically borrow some of the events, lines and characters from that episode to use them in an AU-ish kind of way. Nothing too farfetched, I promise. Just enough to create some mean plot twists. ;)

Also, a big thanks to the guests who reviewed last chapter. Hopefully you guys will enjoy this one!

CHAPTER 4:

Once FBI Special Agent Kim Fisher received her assignment, she foolishly thought it would be a no-brainer. She'd gone undercover numerous times over the years and dealt with all kinds of dangerous criminals, so what trouble could Patrick Jane be?

She had read his file. Sure, he had killed more than once and had managed to successfully avoid capture for over a year, but frankly it wasn't like anyone in the world would miss scumbags like Red John. Besides, she had seen nothing there that indicated he was a vile human being. Manipulative, narcissist and hell-bent on revenge? Yes. Evil and threatening? No.

The intel the Bureau had provided her with said this was one of his regular spots, so all she had to do was act casual and wait.

About twenty minutes after she had arrived he walked in and well - apart from the whole beach bum look - she realized the pictures attached to his file hadn't done him any justice.

Thinking about a way to approach him, she hid her surprise when he beat her to the punch

"Hi" he said with a soft smile

"Hello"

"From the U.S.?"

"You weren't fooled by my impeccable Spanish?" she said nonchalantly

"No. Anyway... you're reading. Sorry."

Ok, now she had to think of something. Still pretending to read her book she quickly thought about a way to keep the conversation going when, once again, he spoke first.

"Thing is, uh, I miss speaking English." he said

Now wasn't that something? she mused. Apparently, she had her work cut out for her.

He kept speaking and she kept playing it cool, although she was slightly amused at his desperation to make small talk.

After inquiring about her book, she couldn't help herself and decided to poke him a little.

"You like murder mysteries?" she asked

"Not really."

"Then you probably won't like it."

"Well, I'll take it anyway. Beggars can't be choosers, can they?"

"No, they can't."

Indeed you can't Mr. Jane, she thought with smile crossing her lips. God, he had no idea what was coming.

Minutes later they were taking a stroll on the beach, relishing the warm feeling of the soft sand against their toes.

Kim noticed that there was something uneasy about the way he carried himself, a shyness in the way he spoke. It was as if he wasn't sure about, well, anything.

It had nothing to do with the man her boss had briefed her about.

Besides, she had always taken pride on being a good judge of character. The Patrick Jane walking beside her seemed honest enough. A little mysterious, maybe, but it wasn't like she was expecting him to be an open book. Quite the opposite, really.

They spent most of the morning together getting to know each other, and if she were to be honest with herself she'd admit he actually made pretty good company.

After he received a phone call she knew he'd be living soon and worst, she had a good idea why.

Abbott had promised to stay out of her way until she debriefed, which she obviously hadn't done yet. The fact he was meddling now was a bit frustrating, especially because sending her in as bait had been his plan to begin with.

One thing she knew about her boss was that while he was one of the most competent agents she had ever met, he sorely lacked in the patience department.

Sensing their time together was coming to an end, she decided to take it up a notch and play a little more aggressive.

"Hey, um, but I was wondering - do you, uh, know a good place around here for dinner?"

"Are you asking me out for dinner?" he asked genuinely surprised.

"Yeah." she replied "I figure you'll know a good place where the locals go."

He looked like a deer in the headlight, and she couldn't help but think it was kind of endearing seeing him so uncomfortable at the prospect of being asked out on a date by her.

After they agreed on the time and place to meet, she decided to head back to her hotel. She needed to find her boss and figure out what the heck he was up to.

XXXXX

Tracking down the carny circuit hadn't been so easy, but eventually Lisbon found what she was looking for.

She knew the real challenge would lie in getting something out of Pete and Sam. She'd seen how mistrustful they were when it came to cops (even though she wasn't technically a cop anymore), and now that Jane was wanted for murder she anticipated she would have a hard time convincing them she had his best interests at heart.

Besides, there was a good possibility Pete would still resent her for that whole handcuffing-him-to-his-truck incident.

Oh well, that was his problem. She was here to get some answers and she wouldn't leave without them.

Getting out of her car she walked towards the camping site and was greeted by a pretty woman in her late twenties.

"May I help you, officer?"

Godammit not this crap again! she thought. Was there a sign in the middle of her forehead or something?

Choosing to ignore the 'officer' part, she asked.

"I need to talk to Pete."

"I don't know who that is, officer." Her pitch a little higher pronouncing that last word.

"Oh cut the 'officer' crap! I'm not a cop, not anymore. I'm looking for Pete and I know he's around here somewhere so if you're not going to help me find him you better get off my way so I can search for him myself."

Lisbon knew she'd catch more flies with honey, but the other woman's condescending attitude was enough to make her lose her temper.

Instead of being angry at her rudeness, the young woman stared at Lisbon with a bemused smile.

"Just wait here." She said retreating without waiting for a reply. Minutes later, Lisbon spotted a familiar face walking towards her.

"If it isn't Pepper herself!" Sam said with irony. "Lizzie here told me you were looking for Pete," she said nodding to the woman beside her "but since he's not here right now you got me. Now what can I do for you?"

"You'll work just as well. We need to talk about Jane."

"I haven't seen Jane in a long time."

"Well neither have I, but contrary to me you actually know where he is."

"What makes you say that? If anyone should know where he is, it's your friends back at the cop shop."

"Well, like I told Lizzie" she said not bothering to mask her disdain for the younger girl "I'm not a cop anymore. But I know he's been sending you letters and that you're re-sending them to me."

"Is that so?!"

"Yes it is." She firmly replied. "Besides," she said with a softer tone "I owe you both a thank you for that, so there you go."

Sam watched her face with great care, as if to figure out her intentions. Apparently satisfied with what she saw there, she took a small breath nodding her head in an almost imperceptible manner. "You're welcome." she said in a slightly less aggravated tone. "Come on, let's talk somewhere more private."

Lisbon followed Sam back to her trailer feeling hopeful. Once inside, she took in her surroundings. It was a small place, but there was a pleasant, homey atmosphere to it. Feeling the other woman's stare, she looked up.

"Want some coffee?" Sam asked nonchalantly.

"Sure."

Pouring the liquid into two mugs, her host offered her the one in her right hand and pointed at the small couch by the door. Taking a sit, Lisbon sipped her coffee hoping the hot liquid would give her some sort of encouragement.

How am I going to do this? she wondered. The woman currently sitting in front of her was her only link to Jane, and despite the fact she was apparently willing to listen to what she had to say, it didn't look like she was keen to help. Maybe it was best to be honest.

"I need to know where he is, Sam." she said with pleading eyes. "I promise this has nothing to do with what happened with Red John, I... I need to find him for me. I don't expect you to understand it, but I do expect you to believe me."

Lisbon knew her tone was close to begging, but at that moment she didn't care. Waiting for the other woman to say something, she sat in silence for what seemed like a lifetime.

Sam stared at her for a few moments with a blank expression before rising from her sit. Taking a few short steps towards the small kitchen, she reached for a medium-sized cookie tin can that rested on top of the sink.

Lisbon watched as she walked back to the couch with the container in her hands and shook her head with a small frown.

"No thanks, I'm not hungry."

Amused by her guest's obvious naivete, Sam suppressed a smile between pursed lips. "Just open it."

Blushing, she did as she was told. Removing the lid, she was surprised to find it completely empty.

Before she had the chance to say anything, she heard Sam's voice once again. "There's a fake bottom, just press it."

Following the other woman's instruction, Lisbon pressed her fingers against the cool metal and, to her surprise, it popped up in her hands. Removing the offending part she found a folded envelope and immediately recognized the handwriting.

She met Sam's gaze with wide eyes.

"Go ahead, child. Read it."

Letting out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding, she carefully removed the letter and began to read.

My dear friends,

I know it has been a while, and I hope all is well with both of you. You have probably heard the rumors; I assure you they are true: Red John is gone.

At last I kept the promise I made to myself all those years ago and avenged the lives of Angie, Charlotte and so many others; but as I'm sure you're aware of, such deed came with a price.

No need to worry though, I'm doing well. Once again - and perhaps because old habits really do die hard - I come to you for a favor. You have probably noticed the second letter inside the envelope addressed to Teresa Lisbon. Please make sure she receives it along with any future correspondence I send. While I trust her with my life it's not safe for us to communicate directly, so I ask both of you - my old friends - to assist me with this.

While you may have gotten off on the wrong foot, please know she would never do anything to hurt me or those I care about. Lisbon possesses the purest heart I have ever seen and I am both lucky and unworthy of having her in my life. My debt to her is eternal, as is my affection.

If one day she comes to you asking, please let her know where to find me.

Thank you. For everything.

Patrick

Lisbon felt incredibly embarrassed for crying in front of a stranger, but apparently when it came to Jane's letters she had no control over her feelings.

Holding the envelope with his address in one hand, she looked up to find Sam genuinely smiling at her for the first time.

"Go get him, Pepper." she said still beaming

Not trusting her own voice, Lisbon simply nodded instead. Yes, she would go get him. After all, if recent events had taught her anything, it was to always follow Sam's instructions to the letter.

A/N: For those of you who are still mad about the PCA's, don't be. Our show rocks, we voted fairly, we've got the best actors and WE ARE THE BEST FANDOM. Plus, we had a blast voting together and met a bunch of amazing new people! Can't be mad about that! ;)