Author's notes: And so we've come to the end! This story has been amazingly fun to write and I sincerely hope you all have enjoyed reading it! Thank you for all the reviews so far and I look forward to reading more of them now the story is complete. To those who have encouraged me to write more fan fiction for The Mentalist, stay tuned - another story is already knocking around in my head and, while I really do need to get back to my 'real life writing' for a bit, I will certainly still take some time out to play with my favorites, Lisbon and Jane!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Mentalist or any of those characters (but I did create an identity for Red John). I'm just playing and I promise to put them back where I found them.
Cheers!
xxx
Letting Go (Epilogue)
The trial lasted only three days and after all was said and done, Patrick Jane walked out of the courthouse a free man. As expected, Teresa Lisbon's testimony recalling what she'd overheard between Red John and Jane just moments before Jane fired, went a long way to proving the homicide was justifiable. She also spoke strongly of how Jane had become a valued member of her team at the CBI, how they close cases quickly, how they've grown into a strong unit with each member depending on and trusting in each other. Everyone protects everyone else.
Jane had tears in his eyes when she left the stand.
After JJ LaRoche was arrested and imprisoned, Madeline Hightower was given her old job back. She was quick to pardon Cho, Rigsby, and Grace for their going along with Jane and Lisbon on their trip up to Redway, and Lisbon was allowed back as soon as the doctors cleared her from medical leave. It seemed everything was ready to return to business as usual. After the trial, even Jane was given the option of staying on with the team, as a consultant – the only condition being that he attend regular counseling for no less than six months.
"What are you going to do?" Lisbon asks. The trial ended two days ago and she and Jane have finally had time for a celebratory dinner.
Jane insisted on taking her to the finest Italian restaurant in town and they had both dressed up for it; Jane switched his usual over-worn three piece for black designer pants and jacket with a deep midnight blue button down; Lisbon chose a black strapless dress that twisted across the bodice and fell in graceful waves down to her knees. Her hair was long and straight as ever and fell over her shoulders but occasionally her small scar peaked out and in a way it made Jane love her even more. He knew she would never hide it on purpose.
He takes a sip from his wine glass, considering his reply. "Six months of counseling is a long time." He grins and shakes his head slightly.
"Jane." There is an edge to her voice that he can't miss.
"Teresa," he replies, and his tone is softer, more serious. He reaches for her hand across the table. "A lot of things have changed in the past few months. But some things don't change. I think I told you once before that I have nothing else to do." He pauses and gives her hand a squeeze. "I'll stay with the CBI, counseling and all."
She wants to leap across the table and into his arms, to hug him and kiss him until all her energy is gone. Instead she smiles and squeezes his hand in return, and her sigh is full of relief.
"Good. I'm glad, Patrick."
He knows she can't help but be a little reserved in her feelings for him, and he respects her unspoken wish to take it slow. Over the past few months, he feels he's slowly regained some of the trust he lost. In many ways they've grown closer than they ever were before – mentally, emotionally, and physically. Their conversations cover a wide variety of topics, from the trivial to the deep and personal. They've cried together and laughed together. And he no longer pretends to sleep on her couch, rather he curls peacefully in her bed beside her. They haven't had sex yet and in fact have done no more than exchange an occasional chaste kiss on the cheek, but he senses her reservations about that might've been due to the uncertainty of his future. With the trial over and him now a truly free man, he hopes he wasn't imagining the subtle hint of promise in her smile just now.
The rest of dinner passes quietly, full of small talk and laughter, gentle touches and meaningful looks. They share a tiramisu for dessert and he feels a bright light intensifying within him to see her so happy, so clearly enjoying herself.
Finally the table is cleared, the last of the wine washed down, and the bill paid.
Teresa smiles and asks, "Are you ready?"
Patrick leans over and brushes a kiss across her cheek before whispering close to her ear, "Let's go home."