Author's Note: This was the most difficult chapter to write for some reason. I think i'm finally satisfied with it. As always, thank you to those who reviewed, favorited, or story alerted.


Ch 7

"Who will bring me flowers when it's over?"

When it rained it poured and it was pouring today. Lisbon wiped her eyes for the five-hundredth time and gave herself a once-over in the mirror before going out to meet her team. They were going to do this together. At least Lisbon could find a little comfort in that. She squared her shoulders and walked out of the restroom. She would be strong for them, for him.

Lisbon found Cho waiting right outside of the door as if he was standing guard over her. She offered him an attempt at a grin to say thank you for watching out for her. Van Pelt was in Rigsby's arms, crying on his shoulder and while she should have cared she really didn't and was instead a bit jealous that she had someone to lean on. Three hours. That's how long she had to keep up this façade.

Minelli had made all the arrangements. It didn't take much convincing from him to take on that responsibility. Lisbon figured he was blaming himself over the whole thing.

They walked out of the building into the black limo. Lisbon didn't remember much of the short ride. She was busy looking out at the grey clouds and the pouring rain as the drops pelted against the tinted window.

**Flashback**

Lisbon and Jane were standing on the front porch staring out into the pouring rain.

"So?"

"So"

"Seems like this whole thing changed your mind about vengeance."

"Has it?"

"Revenge is for fools and mad men." Lisbon quoted him back.

"Yeah, that was rather good, I thought. Total nonsense, but quite good nonetheless."

Jane and Lisbon make a mad dash for the SUV. While waiting for Lisbon to open the car door, Jane took the opportunity to taste the rain drops.

**End Flashback**

The sound of dirt hitting wood woke Lisbon from the trance she had been walking in all day. The rest of the small crowd had begun to disperse, leaving her team alone to say goodbye.

A clap of thunder broke the silence which had held the four agents in a haze by the site of the grave. Cho was first to speak, verbalizing a promise that he had taken upon himself to fulfill in the wake of the days' events.

"We'll get him Jane." Cho stated intently, obviously referring to Red John. "We'll get him or die trying."

"Rest now Jane," whispered Van Pelt tearfully, "no more nightmares."

Rigsby held on to Van Pelt for dear life. It was hard to tell who was comforting who.

Lisbon didn't know what to say so she verbalized the first thing that came to her mind. "I didn't give away your couch. You probably knew I couldn't possibly go through with it. I'll never give it away as long as I'm working in the CBI, maybe it'll give us good luck finding Red John."

The four teammates stood in the pouring rain until they were soaked to the bone. Van Pelt let out a shiver and Rigsby suggested they head back to the limo. Before retreating, Lisbon placed a single yellow rose on three headstones: two older ones belonging to two special women that Lisbon never knew and one new one belonging to the man, the friend she was blessed to know if only for a short period of time. Together, the team rode back to the CBI office where a small reception was being held in the lounge on the bottom floor.

Lisbon wanted nothing to do with the reception, reassuring her teammates' worried glances by explaining to them that she was exhausted and didn't want to stay. They more than understood as Lisbon bypassed the lounge and instead retreated to the solitude of the bullpen on the third floor.

Lisbon was cold, wet, and completely drained. Her three hours of torture were officially over according to her watch but her heart told her it was only beginning. She walked into her office and picked up the object that was lying across her chair and walked back out into the bullpen. Her shoulders sagged as she dragged herself across the room to the object that was once known to offer peace to a weary CBI consultant, hoping it may do the same for her. Reaching Jane's couch, Lisbon collapsed onto it in a heap as she wrapped herself in the grey suit coat and cried herself to sleep.

* * *

An evil laugh erupted from the now dark cemetery as a lone figure crept his way over to the newly filled grave.


Preview of next chapter: Lisbon almost preferred the dreary rainclouds over the mocking sunlight that greeted her this morning.


So there you are. Let me know what you think of this chapter ;o)