Authors Note: I don't usually do this, but I will be replying to reviews from the last chapter here in just a minute. Life, you know how that goes. On the bright side, there is only the epilogue after this. Do enjoy, sorry for keeping you all waiting so long :)

Chapter 10

The drive seemed to take twice as long as it had before. He didn't notice speed limits or stop signs; it was a miracle he made it to Lisbon's house alive. There were no lights on the street. Rigsby's minivan was still parked in front, and so was Lisbon's car. There was a vague thought in the back of his head that he should call Cho, let him know what was going on, but that thought vanished almost as soon as it had appeared.

All Jane could think of was another night much like this, with a view of the beach and a quiet, dark house. He eased open the front door, careful not to make a sound; he didn't want to make any mistakes. He waited for a second for his eyes to adjust to the dim light inside the house, as only the moon filtering through the windows provided light.

He noticed the large form that was Rigsby lying on the floor near the bottom of the stairs. Jane bent down and felt for a pulse on his neck, letting out a breath he hadn't known he was holding when he felt a strong beat beneath his fingers.

Jane stood slowly, making his way carefully up the stairs. He fought the flood of emotions that came crashing down on him as he replayed the only other time he'd made this walk, but this time he knew what waited up the stairs. A woman that he loved, but denied it, and his only living daughter. He refused to think of the alternative.

As he reached the top, he heard speaking; a man's voice, one that he recognized. Jane knew he hadn't liked Don, and now he knew why. His first impression usually was right. But before going into the room that he knew to be Lisbon's, he crept down the hallway to the bedroom with a pink princess crown on it. He held his breath as he opened the door and almost cried out when he saw Janie sleeping soundly in her bed, her tiny chest rising and falling rhythmically. He noticed the twins sleeping on mats on the floor next to her and carefully eased the door shut so as not to wake them.

He went to the room next to Janie's, hurrying in and quietly shaking the woman lying in the bed. "Sammy. Sammy, wake up."

She startled awake in the bed, gasping. Jane put his hand over her mouth to quiet her. "Shh, don't talk." He whispered in her ear. "It's Patrick Jane. We met this morning."

When she nodded he removed his hand. "I need you to get the kids out of the house as quietly as you can. Don't ask questions. Be careful – don't let the twins see Rigsby at the bottom of the stairs. He's okay; he's just going to have a killer headache in the morning." Sammy nodded and Jane continued. "When you are all out of the house, call Van Pelt and Cho. Do you have their numbers?"

She shook her head no. Jane pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Take my phone. Don't make any noise. It's very important that no one hears you."

"I'll take them down through the kitchen." She whispered quietly. Jane nodded and again crept to the door of Lisbon's room. There was a light coming from under the door. The same voice still talking. Jane put his hand on the knob and turned slowly, easing the door open a crack, hoping that the man inside wouldn't hear him or see him.

"There you are, Teresa, finally awake." The voice was Don's, but it had taken on an evil tone. "I didn't think I'd given you as much as Rigsby, but I guess you're just smaller than I thought."

Jane heard a muddled sound and guessed that Lisbon must have her mouth gagged, stopping what was sure to be a sarcastic comeback. He still couldn't see anything and decided to run the risk of pushing the door open just a bit further.

"I bet you're wondering what I'm doing." From the grunt that Lisbon produced Jane was pretty sure she wasn't. "Two years ago, I met a man, a man who was so much like me. He told me about the joys that life can afford someone living above the law. He introduced me to you from afar, but that part's not important. What's important is the training."

Jane nudged the door again. He could see the refection of Don in the mirror above Lisbon's dresser and felt his stomach drop at the change in him. Don's face was flushed as if he'd been running a marathon and his eyes shone with a wicked glint. He could just see the edge of the bed, but not Lisbon.

"Last night, my mentor went to his death. He knew he would not survive much more than a few days past his last hurrah, and I was to take over for him. He told me all about your friend Patrick. About what he did to his wife, about what you meant to him. This seemed the best way to start out."

Jane noticed that the knife Don held was loose in his hand; he was pacing back and forth in front of the bed. Jane took the risk and pushed the door open slightly more. He could see Lisbon on the bed now. He caught her gaze and noticed the slightly panicked look in her eyes.

He realized that he didn't have anything with which to fight Don, but that wasn't important. He waited until Don had his back fully to the door before pushing it open completely and rushing in, knocking Don to the ground, the knife falling from his hand with a dull thump as it hit the carpet.

Don was stronger than Jane realized and was able to roll them over so that Don was on top. He brought up his fist to strike Jane in the head. Once, twice, three times before Jane was able to get his hands between them and push him off.

Jane reached behind him to where the knife had fallen and groped for it, bringing it around to the front as Don rushed at him. Jane kept the knife pointed outward as Don lunged at him, falling on to the knife and Jane. A yell split the air as the knife cut into the soft flesh of Don's stomach.

He pulled backwards, and Jane let go of the knife, keeping it in Don's gut. Don looked down at his front, seeing the blood that was pouring out around the wound.

"I don't believe it...," was all he said before falling to his knees and then onto his face. Jane sat in shock for a few moment s before jumping up and turning to the bed where Lisbon lay tied up, unable to do more than move her head from side to side. He untied her hands first and then her feet, while she pulled the gag from her mouth.

"Jane." She said, her voice hoarse.

"I'm sorry," was all he managed to say before pulling her close and resting back on the bed, holding on to her for dear life.

He heard a sound on the stairs but chose to ignore it. A gun appeared in the doorway of Lisbon's room, followed quickly by Van Pelt and Cho who holstered their weapons. Cho knelt to check Don's pulse and Van Pelt came over to the bed.

"Are you okay?" Her voice was full of concern, but it was unclear who she was asking.

"I think we will be." Jane said, not moving from where he and Lisbon were holding on to each other.

Jane closed his eyes to the movement in the room as more police officers came in and paramedics arrived to work on Don. He rocked Lisbon back and forth as she began to cry silent tears.

"Never again." He whispered for only her to hear. "I will never leave you again."