A/N: Wow, I finished writing this chapter a while ago, but I forgot to upload it, so hence the delay. Talk about some major writers block, I have no idea what is going to happen next! Ideas? Anyone?

Anyway, special thanks to: Jisbon4ever, JisbonTiva, and Dani-9900! You all rock! And please, I beg of you, review!

Losing Crimson

Chapter 4: Rogue

Patrick Jane

He saw the horror, the dread fill her eyes as she dropped the phone and crumpled to the floor. She, the ever-so-strong, unbreakable Teresa Lisbon was sitting on his floor, a complete wreck. He hated seeing her like this, broken, and he hated it even more, that somehow, indirectly, he had caused this pain. He bent down, pulling her into a hug. She needed to know that he was going to be there for her, through all of this. He needed her to know that. No matter what, this wasn't about him or Red John any more, it was about her. All about her. He leaned back a little, trying to get a glimpse of her eyes, to see what she was thinking. He did, and instantly regretted it.

He saw sadness, like she had already given up hope, horror, because she knew what was most likely to come, and he saw emptiness, like she had lost every ounce of fight left in her. This wasn't what he expected, but he didn't recoil, he stayed, comforting her. He didn't tell her that it would be all right, not even he could predict what was to come. But he did tell her that he would do anything in his power to make sure that both she and Jaimy got out alive. After all, it was partially his fault. And the guilt was killing him. Slowly, but, it still was. And seeing his strong leader like this wasn't helping. Not even a bit.

"I am so sorry," Jane managed to croak, as he shook his head, trying desperately not to let tears prick his eyes. He looked at her, hoping with all of his heart that she would understand. But, how do you understand something like this? Something that you could see the end of, that you might not get to the end of.

She looked straight into his eyes, "This. Is not. Your. Fault," she enunciated every word to perfection, making it clear to him that she didn't blame him and neither should he. But, the one flaw, he did. He blamed himself completely, and didn't think he would ever forgive himself if the little girl got hurt. All because Red John wanted to make Patrick Jane's life miserable. And that meant hurting the people around him. Driving him mad with guilt. Sure, he wasn't the one wielding the weapon, but if he hadn't opened his big mouth at the interview, then none of this would have happened.

"And," she continued, "If I ever hear you blaming yourself, or even think you are blaming yourself, I just might shoot you. We have the Red John case, we are all targets, not just you anymore," she paused, letting him soak in the words, "So, now would be a good time for you to come up with one of your ridiculous schemes." He smiled at that, she really wasn't going to desert him, or leave hanging on a thread.

"Well, Lisbon, we need to do two things. Get your niece far away from Red John, our top priority. And then once that is accomplished, we need to prove that I didn't murder Kristina Frye. In that order," he said, noticing the brightness that was returning to both of their gazes.

"How? You are a suspect," she paused, realizing what she had said, "not to me, of course, but to them. So how are we going to pull that off? Unless...," she trailed off, grasping the concept he hadn't told her yet. Yet, being the operative word. He wanted her to know exactly what they were getting into, before the got in too deep. Give her the chance to say no, or step out.

"Well, Lisbon, I think that we are on the same page for once," Jane responded proudly. She had realized his plan and didn't shoot it down at first thought. This was progress, he thought to himself casually.

"So, just to get this straight, you are proposing that we disappear from the CBI and work on this on our own?" she asked, and for once he couldn't what the was initially thinking about the matter.

"Yes. But only if you want to."

"It makes sense, actually," she said, surprising him, "If we are investigating with the CBI, then it is easier to track our progress, but if we go rogue, then we might be able to surprise him. Okay, what do we do first?" He smiled his mega-watt grin, before standing up, and holding his hand out towards her, "First, we get the Red John case file."

Teresa Lisbon's POV

Did she know what she was getting into? -No. Was she sure that her niece was still alive? -No Was she sure that they would get out alive? -No. Was this a good idea? -Undecided. Could this end badly? -Hell yes.

Not good results, but there was logic to the plan. But something was bothering her, something didn't add up. How did Red John know about her niece? She hadn't even known that she was coming. The hospital records, maybe they would shed some light onto the case. Great, another thing she would have to do. Why? Because Patrick Jane couldn't walk into the CBI building, no, if he did then he would be take right off to interrogation. Why? Because he was suspected of murder. A murder of someone she expect to be closely intertwined with Red John. A murder that he couldn't remember what happened. None of them were good signs.

"Jane, I am going to get the Red John file, then the hospital records on my brother's accident. I want to know how Red John knew that I would have my niece," she told him, waiting for him to give advice or suggestions, but when he didn't she continued, "Where are you going to go? You can't stay here, they will be swarming this place looking for you. In fact the only reason they're not is because I'm here. But when I show up at the CBI building without you, they will come straight here." He looked at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"And you can't go to my place, eventually someone from our team will go there," she stated, hoping that was what he was thinking. It wasn't. Her response only made him smile even more.

"Interesting that you would think like that, but I know they would eventually go there. I was thinking we'd meet up at the shipping dock," seeing the confusion on her face he continued, "The one where we were put into the shipping container." The recognition flashed through Lisbon, of course she would remember that. She had nearly gotten fired. Lisbon nodded in approval, "See you in two hours. Oh, and Jane, try not to get in trouble while I'm gone." He smiled again, "Not sure I can promise that, but I will try." She walked out the door muttering under her breath.

Lisbon stepped into the bull pen, Rigsby immediately jumped up and over to her.

"Rigsby, it is not your fault. If you apologize you are on desk work for two months," she said curtly before going off to retrieve the files.

Minutes later, she had the files in hand, and was on her way out.

"Ah, Agent Lisbon, just the person I wanted to see," Hightower approached her, her eyebrows raising when she saw the entire Red John case in Lisbon's hand.

"Yes, what can I do to help you?" Lisbon asked, hoping that what ever it was could wait and it wouldn't interrupt her plans.

"Just want an update."

"Oh, okay," Lisbon responded, relieved, an update, that would be a piece of cake, "Well, at the crime scene, I recognized the handwriting to be Jane's, so I went to confront him. But on the way to his house I received a call from Rigsby saying that my brother was in a car wreck and he," Lisbon pause briefly, looking down, "didn't make it, so that left their daughter, Jaimy in my custody. I can back here but had to leave again to follow a lead at Patrick's because his fingerprints were everywhere. But when I got there he was gone. So now I am looking over the case, trying to figure out where he went, and also where Red John went. And at the same time, I am going to find out how Red John knew about my niece," she finished, slightly out of breath. It was a long explanation, but it made sense and was the first thing that popped into her mind that wasn't total bogus.

Hightower nodded not quite believing what Lisbon had said, but since she had no proof of the opposite, she couldn't do anything.

"Alright. I will call you later for an update." And then she was gone. Lisbon let out a sigh of relief, she had a feeling that Hightower would suspect what they were up to the second she walked out that door. Part of her hoped she would understand and cover for them, but the other part, was asking her what the likely hood of that happening was. They're chances? Close to zero. But, as long as there was some sort of hope, it would have to do.

She arrived back at the shipping dock an hour and a half later, both files were in the trunk of her car. She saw Jane leaning against a car, a car that she didn't recognize. She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by her cell phone ringing, "Hello?" she answered hoping it was just a wrong number.

"Agent Lisbon," came the reply. Hightower.

"Yes?" she asked hesitantly, not wanting to draw suspicions.

"What are you doing?" her boss asked her, she had realized at least part of the plan and was calling her out on it.

"Catching Red John," Lisbon answered tersely. She didn't want to give anything away.

"So that means doing a private investigation?" she continued without waiting for an answer, "I assume Jane is there.," the last bit startled Lisbon. How the hell had she known that?

"Yup," Jane replied merrily. Lisbon glared at him, telling him silently to shut up, or she'd shoot him.

"Fine. You should realize that while I understand what you two are doing, that I will have to do everything in my power and the CBI's power to get you both back. Be careful. And try not to break too many laws," Hightower replied before ending the call. Lisbon's eyes widened in shock when she heard what was said. Hightower was okay with them going rogue? She shrugged her shoulders, either way, it was a little too late now.

Lisbon leaned over, grabbing Jane's cell phone, before dropping them both into the water, right at the edge.

"Uh, Lisbon?" he asked, not seeing the logic.

"So they can't trace our calls. Don't worry, we'll get new phones." He nodded, understanding, then a brilliant smile lit up his whole face.

"I can see it now," he laughed, "the headlines of tomorrow's paper: Saint Teresa and the CBI's psychic go rogue." Lisbon raised her eyebrows, a smiled hinted at her lips. She had always hated that nickname. But it could be possible. After all, they were going rogue.

A/N: Not much of a cliffhanger this time. The next chapter should be more exciting, providing that I get some reviews.

Help Wanted: Ideas! I am stuck! If anyone has ideas please PM me or send it in a review! This is me freaking out!