Apologies for the delay. And thank you so much for your reviews :D We all love our crime-fighting duo so much! Here's the next chapter. Hope you guys like it :)


The next morning it was Lisbon who woke a few minutes early than Jane. She pulled away a bit to look at his face. He seemed peaceful. She committed this sight to her memory. All these years, she kept wondering if something like this would happen even once and now finally they were together. Lisbon let out a sigh and settled back in his arms again. Instinctively, Jane pulled her closer and she smiled slowly at that.

She kept thinking how things were going to change. First she had to cancel the order she had placed to the movers to bring her stuff at DC. Then she would have to take it back at her condo and arrange everything again. But Lisbon kept thinking. Maybe I could stay in a nearby hotel? She could stay in Jane's airstream but not for long. He was a man of few needs so he didn't have much stuff but Lisbon was used to stay in an actual place. I'll think about it once we land in Austin.

Jane woke up an hour later and smiled at her. "Morning."

She smiled back. "Morning."

Jane still held her close feeling delighted. He would never let her go ever. She was perfect in his arms. It was like their bodies were made specially to meld into each other, like two parts of a jigsaw puzzle. Lisbon was his tiny pocket-rocket but so strong, physically and mentally.

"Want some breakfast?"

"What about we shower first? We can have breakfast and then check out." He suggested.

"Sounds good to me." She nodded.

She gave him a chaste kiss and went for her shower taking her clothes. He lay in bed for a couple of minutes and then booked a hotel room for her close to his RV park. He could invite her at the airstream only for a night, two at maximum. She needed her space.

When she came out of the shower she was dressed in her usual black jeans and a red shirt. He made his way to the shower limping less than he was yesterday. She called after him, "I'll check the flight timings for us."

"Okay!" was his only reply.

Twenty minutes later they were sitting in the restaurant with their go-to bags. Jane ordered eggs, pancakes and ofcourse- tea. Lisbon ordered a simple black coffee and buttered toast. Jane rolled his eyes at her order and called the waiter back and added a bearclaw and cancelled her toast. She shook her head. There was no winning against him.

After enjoying their breakfast both of them returned the rental SUV at the shop near the airport. Jane wished he still had that convertible as the weather was great. Lisbon had booked a flight and they had to board it in thirty minutes. While boarding the flight, Jane wanted to shove his FBI ID in the face of the guard. She was the same one who had asked his ID when he wanted to see Lisbon before her flight took off. He controlled himself and Lisbon watched him with an amused expression.

"Something you want to tell me?"

"She was the same guard on duty that day. Didn't let me in because I didn't have my ID."

She giggled, "She was just doing her job Jane."

He sighed, "I know. Still I wouldn't have to climb the fence. I'm not saying it wasn't worth it, it totally was. I just wouldn't have injured my ankle. It still hurts, woman!"

She just rolled her eyes at that.

When the plane took off and some time had passed, Jane couldn't help but think about the flight journey they had when they worked the case in Brooklyn. He still remembered her words. You ran away from me again! I didn't know if you were returning back! What makes you think I want to work with you again after what you did all these years? He closed his eyes and released a deep breath.

"Hey. You okay?"

He sighed. "Yeah. I just keep thinking about the time when were in the flight going back to Texas."

She wasn't surprised. She was thinking about it as well. "And?"

"I want you to know I'm not leaving you. I'm not running away from you either. Not again, not ever. You're stuck with me now. I know I can be controlling at times but I really wanted to work with you again. I didn't want to imply that I have a right to your life but I thought this would be a good way to be around you again, to be besides you again. Just like old times."

She sighed, "Yes I know, Jane. I was mad at you for leaving like that. It was just like Vegas and the island all over again. I didn't know if you would be back. As for the job, yes it was a good opportunity for me but I was mad that you chose it for me."

He had a small smile. "But you got me socks."

"Handmade in Washington." She grinned.

He held her hand in his and Lisbon kept her head on his shoulder. He kissed her head and closed his eyes again to have a quick nap. But Lisbon couldn't help wondering if he would be true to his word about not leaving. What if she or any of the team member got in any danger? What then? Would he still stay by her side? Would he be there for her or get scared of losing her and just run away? Sure she was scared that something might happen to him in his plans for catching the killer and she would be devastated. But what about Jane? Well she would have to just see.

Jane wasn't napping though. His mind was clouded with different thoughts. Would he be able to keep Lisbon happy? She told him last night that she just wanted him to love her back. But would he be able to do that? He didn't know he was capable of loving again until now. Would she get mad at his ways for catching the killer and leave him? Would she go for a better man, better than him or even better than Pike? She had always stood by his side all these years but what if one day she just decided she couldn't take it anymore? That's what she did after meeting Pike. He promised himself that he would try to be a better man for her. No wait, he wouldn't just try. He would be a better man. Teresa Lisbon deserved all the happiness in the world and she chose him. He wouldn't let her down now. He noticed she didn't comment on what he said about not leaving or running away. He figured she would still doubt him on that part as he did it twice, no thrice. Although the third time was for getting his way in the FBI for both of them.

They landed in Austin and informed Abbott about their return. Abbott told them to meet him at his office the first thing they arrived at work tomorrow. They took a cab to Pecan Grove, the place where Jane had parked his airstream. Lisbon knew this was a costly place to park.

"Jane, how were you able to find a place here? Last I knew you had parked the airstream at the FBI parking lot."

Jane just shrugged. "I had to convince the owner with an advance of three months rent. I explained them that they would have to keep this spot for me as I wasn't looking for any other place to live."

Lisbon was impressed. Not many people got to stay here without booking couple of months prior. But Jane had money and he certainly had the charm to persuade almost anyone. Plus the park was really good. Jane got a lot of place around his airstream, enough to host a small party.

Jane decided to freshen up and order something for both of them. He decided to take Lisbon to her hotel in the evening and have a good dinner there. Both of them could rest here till then.

Lisbon added water to the electric kettle and turned it on. She laughed softly by looking at Jane's tea collection- peppermint, chamomile, oolong, rooibos, chai and what not. Tea was something Jane couldn't complete his day without. He even had some milk in the mini fridge. She searched two cups and poured milk and then the hot water. She then dipped the bags exactly liked Jane did. He came from the small bathroom and took the cup from her with a grin.

He took a sip and hummed in approval. "You've mastered the tea-making skills Lisbon."

She rolled her eyes. "All these years I watched you making it. It's hardly rocket science."

"Ah, so you admit to watch me huh? Even while making tea?" He asked playfully.

She muttered, "Jackass." But she had a dimpled smile on her face.

They were back to bantering. He had missed this side of her. When he was writing all those letters he used to picture what her expressions would be. He had committed her every reaction from the years they worked together. Her eyes never left the compassion she had for him. Even while being with Pike she still had in her to protect him. He was grateful for her for so many things.

Fifteen minutes later the door knocked. Their food had arrived. Jane brought a large pepperoni pizza on the table with a grin.

"Closed case pizza!" He had closed the case before leaving.

She laughed at him while looking for two dishes. "This is something we haven't done in a while."

"And I say we should continue this tradition as long as we can."

"Hear hear!" she clinked her tea cup against his while she continued laughing.

They finished their pizza with gusto and discussed about moving Lisbon's stuff back at her condo.

"Are you sure we both could do it? We can get some help you know."

"Ofcourse we can!"

"Are you sure you won't hurt your back while picking something heavy?" She asked with a playful smile.

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you implying that I'm old?"

"I'm just saying you're not as young as you used to be." The smile was still present on her face.

"Neither are you!"

"But I'm younger than you!"

He knew she was joking with him. Still he tried to appear offended. He put a hand on his chest. "You wound me, Lisbon."

"Aw, you poor baby."

"Atleast you could offer to kiss it better." He asked with a playful glint.

She rolled her eyes. "You'd like that, won't you?"

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't."

She rose from the chair and came besides him. He got up as well and held her in his arms. She kissed him softly. "All better?"

"Definitely."

He finally hugged her in the same way he had on their way to Malibu two years back. But this time he wasn't intent on letting her go. He closed his eyes and kept his head on her shoulder. Her arms were tiny but held him strongly against her. Lisbon realized they hadn't hugged like this after getting together and tightened her grip. Jane did the same. They stood like this for some time, Lisbon listening to his heartbeat and Jane relishing the scent of her shampoo. After all these years she still smelled like cinnamon, he smiled at the memory of feeling her face when he was temporarily blind. Is that cinnamon in the mix of something?

When they pulled back Jane kissed her forehead and asked, "Why don't we rest for a while? Later, we can go to that storage, get some of your stuff and check in that hotel."

She kissed his cheek in return. "Sounds good to me."


I googled about the RV parks in Austin and thought this one would be something similar to what Jane would choose. Please review :)