Author's notes: As always thank you so much to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. You're support is fantastic. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Jane nods and holds his hand in greeting, while smiling sweetly at the eighth person who's stared at him since he entered the FBI building. The woman turns red and looks away. Jane's not surprised he's an object to curiosity, not because it's been five months since he set foot in the building, (for Abbott's farewell) but because of the gauze taped to his cheek and his bandaged hands. He doesn't blame them either, people are rubberneckers by nature, but that doesn't mean he can't have fun….and it's been fun watching all the different reactions to being caught staring. A couple, like the woman, have looked away from embarrassment. Others have waved back shyly, two gave him withering looks, as if it was him that was being rude. His favourite was the man who boldly walked up to him and asked him:

"Are you that consultant fellow who seems to sport trouble wherever he goes?"

Jane had been a little taken aback but recovered quickly enough not to show it.

"Yep, I must be the one."

He took two large steps back, his bandaged hands held up in apology.

"Nothing personal, but it's best for you if we don't get too close…You never know what might happen."

The man became flustered and confused and backed away himself.

"Of course, of course, I understand."

Jane nodded approvingly.

"That's great, no-one wants you joining the body count."

He saluted the man:

"See you around and have a good day."

The man scurried off as quickly as he could.

Jane steps out of the elevator, he stands still and looks around him. It's not changed much, just the faces. No Abbott, no Vega. Tork's still around and of course Wiley, but the two other Agents he's never met. He's heard a lot about them from Teresa and is certain he has the measure of them. The girl, Agent Picket, sounds an interesting proposition. She's ambitious and intelligent. Teresa likes her, he hopes he does too. Only time will tell how she adapts to his way of working. The rookie, Agent Perry, is a lost cause, a brownnoser and stupid with it. Cho has his work cut out with him.

"Jane."

Jane turns to face Wiley, who's leaving the kitchen, a huge smile on his face. Jane's always liked this young man. His wide eyed innocence irresistible, although the light's been dimmed by the death of Agent Vega, whom Wiley was developing feelings for. He's always eager to help and to learn. He accepted Jane without question and embraced his plans with enthusiasm.

"Hey Wiley, how are you doing?"

"I'm great, thanks. I couldn't believe it when Cho said you were coming in. It's great to see you.

Jane smiles warmly at him.

"You too Wiley. I just wish it was in better circumstances."

Wiley's face drops.

"I'm sorry, Jane, I didn't mean…I didn't…

Wiley face is bright red. Jane didn't mean to embarrass the boy. He strives to reassure him.

"That's okay Wiley, you did nothing wrong."

An uncomfortable silence hangs between them, Jane changes the subject, hoping work will distract the young man.

"Let's get to work Wiley, did Cho tell you that I needed you."

Wiley flushes with relief.

"Yes he did, what can I do?"

"Fire up the computer Wiley, while I get some tea, lets catch these murderers."

Jane rubs his eyes, they've been staring at the computer for two hours and the strain is getting to him. His head and body hurt.

'Must be the aftermath of the morning's excitement.'

He thinks to himself. He'd hit the floor hard, banging his head and various parts of his body, which are now complaining at him. He moves his chair back and stretches his arms up in the air and his legs out in front of him. Wiley looks at him with concern.

"Maybe you should take a break, I can continue the search and sort out the most likely candidates from your description."

When Jane had looked up as the vehicle reversed out of the bank, the drivers sleeve had rode up his arm and shown Jane a peek of a tattoo. He'd caught a glimpse of an bird's tail in black ink, but he didn't see enough to identify the bird.. Wiley had run a search and discovered that a bird's tail was a popular tattoo subject. As he brought up the images Jane recognised the image as an Eagle's tail. It proved to be a popular subject for tattoo and many gangs included them in there tags. Jane and Wiley have been searching through them, looking for anyone that matched the profile of the driver. Jane only saw him for a second so his description is lacking in his normal detail, but there's enough for Wiley to eliminate many of the possibilities.

Jane nods his approval of Wiley's idea.

"Wake me up in half an hour."

Wiley nods and turns back to the computer, Jane wanders over to his couch.

"It's been awhile, old friend."

He lowers himself, his body moulding to the leather like he'd never left. He quickly falls asleep.

The noises of the room begin to infiltrate Jane's consciousness. There's a familiar voice nearby that causes a smile to cross his face.

"Good afternoon wife."

He hears the noise of her chair swivelling around.

"Good afternoon."

He can hear the smile in her voice, he opens one eye and she's there, next to the couch, looking down at him. He stretches his arms.

"How long have you been back?"

"About an hour."

Jane sits up on his arm quickly.

"About an hour, I told Wiley to wake me up in half."

"And I counter-mended the order. He said you were in pain."

Jane scans the room, but there's no sign of the traitor.

"Where is he?"

"He's out with Cho, but he told me what the two of you were up to. Nice catch with the tattoo."

"Thank you."

"He's sent me the possibilities he picked out and the links if there's no joy and you want to check yourself."

Jane swings his legs around, he's pleased to note that his body is feeling less creaky, his beloved couch doing it's magic again..

"Show me."

Lisbon moves her chair back to her monitor and Jane pulls a chair over and sits beside her. Her perfume fills his senses and he closes his eyes and drinks it in.

"How are you doing, it's your day off, you should be relaxing."

"I'm fine, don't worry about me."

He reaches over and kisses her on the neck and breathes in deeply.

"You sure do smell good."

She turns in her chair to look at him with a smile on her face.

"Thank you. I have something for you."

She digs into the pocket of her jacket and pulls out a small toy car. Jane understands immediately the significance and tenderly takes it from her, emotion catches in his throat.

"How's he doing?"

"He refused to leave his father's side, as if he was afraid that if he did he would go away too."

Jane nods and Lisbon continues:

"The only time he did was to get that toy, he asked me to give it to you, as a thank you. He asked how you were."

"He's a sweet boy."

"The father's devastated, his parents are on their way from Florida to support him."

Jane's turning the car over and over in his hand.

"That's good."

He takes one last look and puts it in his pocket and looks at Lisbon, determination written all over his face.

"Let's do our part and get these guys."

It takes another half an hour before Jane finally sees the man he saw driving the car. Cho calls a team meeting. This is Jane's first chance to catch up with the new team. He sits at the back of the room and to watch the proceedings. The man identified is a serial criminal, he's been in and out of prison since he was eighteen, and probably before then. The offenses started out as petty stuff but gradually he's increased into more serious stuff. His last offense was armed robbery at cash machines, but he got off on a technicality, and now a young mother is dead.

Tork enters the room and strides towards him, his hand outstretched.

"What happened to you?"

"A little mishap at a bank."

Tork's eyes widen and points to the crime scene photos at the front of the room.

"This one?"

Jane nods.

"Unfortunately."

Tork grabs his arm and gives it a squeeze.

"I'm glad you're okay."

Jane nods his thanks. Tork turns and takes his seat in the middle row. A woman enters the room next and Jane surmises it's Agent Picket. Jane judges her at about five foot nine, with her two inch heels she's taller than him. Her blonde hair is tied back into a pony tail, she wearing black trousers and jacket, and a white shirt with a pale green stripes running through it. Her eyes signal intelligence and as her eyes catch him she walks confidently towards him with a kind smile on her face. She offers her hand.

"You must be the infamous Patrick Jane."

Jane takes her hand and she shakes it firmly but gently in difference to his injury he guesses.

"I must be."

"I've heard a lot about you and I'm excited to finally get to work with you."

Jane smiles:

"I guess some of it was good then."

"Not really, but I enjoy challenges."

She winks at him and makes her way to the back of the row. Jane notices that the other new agent, Perry, had taken his seat on the front row, while they he was talking with Picket. He's planted himself immediately in front of the podium. He has a notepad and is already studiously taking notes from off the crime board. Yes he's definitely going to have some fun with that one. His eyes turn towards the door and his eyes light up in pleasure as his wife walks towards him with his cup in his hand. He takes it from her as Cho enters the room. She whispers to him.

"How is it being back?"

He rocks back on his heels as his eyes scan the room.

"Not bad, not bad."