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I do not own anything about The Mentalist, and no copyright infringement is intended. Thanks for TPTB for these great characters we've been given to play with.

AN: A huge thank you to the guest reviewers - since I can't thank you personally. Everyone's feedback and continued readership of this little project makes it so much more fun.

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Pumpkin Pie – 8.12

The Janes' plan to host the Rigsbys for Thanksgiving holiday is interrupted when a child pornography investigation erupts with multiple homicides. Wylie enlists Jane's help to pull off an elaborate proposal to his girlfriend Dr. Olivia Watson, astrophysicist.

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INT. GROCERY STORE – NIGHT

Lisbon and Jane are pushing a shopping cart though aisles of the grocery, with Christopher sitting in the child seat. The cart is piled high with Thanksgiving grocery items, including a huge turkey.

Lisbon reaches onto a shelf to get some canned pumpkin.

JANE: Oh, make sure you get enough for three pies.

LISBON: (skeptical) We're only having a dozen people and Olivia is bringing chocolate cake, too.

JANE: I know, but Rigsby can eat an entire pie by himself, and I want to have some leftover.

She laughs, but puts plenty of pumpkin pie ingredients into the cart.

INT. JANES' HOME – DAY

Lisbon is getting ready for work. Jane is preparing a travel mug of coffee for her with Christopher on his hip.

JANE: (singsong) Here's Mommy's coffee, so she won't shoot anyone this morning.

Lisbon walks into the kitchen, purse and keys in hand, gun on belt.

CHRISTOPHER: Mommy!

She kisses Christopher on the head and Jane on the cheek, and gratefully takes the mug from her husband.

JANE: I'll pick up the Rigsbys at 11:30 at the airport.

LISBON: (wryly) The Airstream is going to give the TSA fits.

JANE: It'll be fun.

INT. JANES' HOME – DAY

Jane is in the kitchen making pumpkin pies with Grace's help while Wayne entertains a very lively group of kids in the adjacent living room.

The PHONE RINGS. Jane picks it up gingerly, trying to keep sticky off of it. The time on the phone reads 3:15.

JANE: Hey!

There is happy squealing and the clatter of kids running in the background.

LISBON: (O.S.) Sounds like the Rigsbys made it.

JANE: Yes, we're making pies. When can you be home?

LISBON: (O.S.) Bad news, I'm afraid. Two FBI agents were killed early this morning on that child pornography case we've been working with Spackman's team. They have two suspects in custody, but we don't have enough evidence to charge them.

Children's laughter erupts in the background behind Jane.

JANE: Hang on. Can't hear.

Grace motions that she'll take care of the pies, and Jane walks down the hall toward the bedroom, where it is quieter.

JANE: (CONT'D) Now, go ahead. No evidence?

LISBON: (O.S.) Cho wants to know if you'll come in and help with the interrogation.

JANE: (looking back toward his guests) We've got a houseful of guests, Teresa.

LISBON: (O.S.) These guys film people having sex with children, Jane. And the two agents who were killed both had families. Wayne and Grace will understand. Besides, you don't have to stay. Just see if you can crack one of these two.

Jane sighs.

INT. FBI HEADQUARTERS – DAY

Jane walks into the observation room to join Lisbon, where they observe through the glass. The interrogation of one suspect is already in progress. Cho and Spackman are asking the questions.

LISBON: Thanks. How are things going?

JANE: It's a madhouse. (smiles) And very wonderful. So let's make this quick.

LISBON: It's not going to be easy. This one is a disbarred lawyer. He knows that we know that he and the other guy are guilty, but he also knows we don't have enough evidence to hold him.

JANE: Where's the other one?

INT. FBI HEADQUARTERS – DAY

A second suspect is in a different interrogation room, and Jane and Lisbon walk into the observation room to watch his questioning. Ramos and one of Spackman's agents are the questioners. Ramos slips a photograph of two children across the table for the suspect to look at. The second suspect's eyes are shark like, his demeanor confident and controlled.

ALTERNATE INTERROGATION ROOM/BEHIND GLASS

RAMOS: (simmering disgust for the suspect) You pretended to befriend these runaway kids and then made them participate in pornographic videos.

SUSPECT #2: (calmly) I've never seen those kids before in my life.

BEHIND GLASS

JANE: This one is a sociopath for sure. Absolutely no conscience.

IN ROOM

Suspect #2 smiles a smile devoid of humanity.

SUSPECT #2: But they are very pretty. I'm sure whoever used these two made quality films.

Ramos seethes.

SUSPECT #2 (CONT'D): Why do you bother with these children, anyway? They've been discarded. The people who filmed them are just recycling, don't you think? (smiles) Recycling is the rage these days.

BEHIND GLASS

Jane involuntarily takes a step toward the man. Lisbon puts a hand on his shoulder.

LISBON: I know. I'd like to strangle him, too. But then he'd get off. How are we going to get this son of a bitch to talk?

Jane shakes his head.

INT. FBI HEADQUARTERS – DAY

Cho, Spackman, Lisbon, Jane, and Ramos stand in the hall outside the interrogation rooms.

CHO: We've got nothing and they aren't talking. We can't hold them any longer. We'll just have to dig harder and find some useable evidence.

The first suspect (the disbarred lawyer) is led out of the room. Jane surprises the group by walking toward him. Lisbon is immediately concerned, but Jane waves at her, letting her know that he is calm.

Jane moves close to the suspect and whispers something in his ear. The suspect looks taken aback, and then glowers.

JANE: (to suspect #1) You can go.

SPACKMAN: (to group, mystified) What the hell?

Suspect #1 is escorted to the elevator by an agent and the doors close just as the Suspect #2 is led out of the interrogation room, and his handcuffs are removed. Jane walks up to him as well, and whispers something into his ear.

He looks shocked, and steps back from Jane, but says nothing.

JANE: (to suspect #2) You can go.

Suspect #2 is escorted out as well.

SPACKMAN: What did you say to them, Jane?

The group of agents all look at Jane, wondering the same thing.

JANE: I simply told them they shouldn't break the law any more.

There is a collective eye roll. Obviously Jane isn't going to tell them. Jane immediately changes gears.

JANE: (cheerily, with flourish) And now, I have a feast to prepare! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, you know.

The team disperses energetically. They all want to find some evidence to put these two horrible perps away. Lisbon waits to talk to Jane alone.

LISBON: I don't know when I'll be home. I'm sorry.

JANE: Not to worry. Grace, Wayne and I can handle the "day before" preparations. Just get home when you can.

LISBON: (grateful for his understanding) Thank you.

She heads to her desk to get busy, and Wylie appears from around the corner.

WYLIE: Jane!

He approaches Jane and lowers his voice.

WYLIE: (disappointed) I guess the "thing" tomorrow is off…

JANE: Oh, I don't know. Maybe there will be a break in this one. If so, get there early and we can get things all set up. You can pop the question in style.

WYLIE: (dubious) I don't know – I may have to put it off. We may be lucky to get out of here in time for dinner tomorrow.

INT. JANES' HOUSE – NIGHT

Jane and Grace are putting the finishing touches on the sweet potato casserole. The sound of cartoons can be heard. Wayne and the kids are watching Bugs Bunny in the living room.

JANE: There – this'll go in the fridge and all we'll have to do tomorrow is heat it.

Jane's phone rings. He wipes his hands and answers.

JANE: Teresa!

LISBON: (O.S.) I'm on my way home.

JANE: Splendid. I saved a plate of spaghetti for you.

LISBON: Jane. What did you say to those two? One of Spackman's men just found them both dead. Apparently they shot each other.

JANE: Like I said, I told them they shouldn't break the law.

LISBON: (O.S.) Right. We'll talk about this later.

JANE: So the case is closed.

LISBON: (O.S.) Yes. We're off tomorrow. The rest of the paperwork can be done Friday. Oh, by the way, I've invited Spackman to dinner tomorrow. His family went to his mother-in-law's in Denver because they thought he was going to have to work tomorrow.

JANE: The more the merrier. Oh, and by the way, please tell Wylie he needs to be here in the morning as soon as there is good light.

LISBON: (O.S.) Huh?

JANE: Just tell him.

EXT. JANES' PROPERTY – DAWN

Jane and Wylie are stringing up a large rectangular piece of black cloth so that it lies parallel to the ground, only up in the air about twelve feet or so. When they are finished, the cloth hangs over a clear area, with it's corners attached by strings to various tree limbs.

JANE: Do you have the light?

WYLIE: Yup. Right here.

Wylie hides a large light with a homemade cover over it in the bushes, and arranges it so it shines on the black cloth.

WYLIE: I've got the remote right here.

He flips the light on and off to make sure it works.

JANE: (excited) Excellent!

WYLIE: I just hope it all works…

JANE clasps an anxious Wylie on the shoulder.

JANE: That, my good man, is up to Olivia. Let's go get some eggs, shall we? Got to shore up my strength for all that cooking today.

INT. JANES' HOUSE – NIGHT

A long table has been pieced together with various sizes of tables. The group sits around the candlelit table(s). A huge roasted turkey sits on a platter at one end, and Jane stands to carve it.

The group includes Lisbon, Christopher (in a high chair) Grace and Wayne, their three children, Cho and his new girlfriend, Wylie and Olivia, and Spackman. Ben Rigsby has taken a liking to Spackman, and sits beside him, watching his every move.

There are smiles and laughter as the food is passed around. Jane stops the activity by plinking his wine glass to get everyone's attention.

JANE: (holding up his glass in a toast) For friends, old and new, we are thankful.

EXT. JANES' PROPERTY- NIGHT

Wylie and Olivia step outside onto the Jane's front porch. The weather is beautiful, and there's enough moonlight to see reasonably well.

WYLIE: This is such a great place, don't you think?

OLIVIA (Wylie's girlfriend, the astrophysicist): Gorgeous.

WYLIE: Let's take a little walk. I'll show you around.

He beckons to her, holding out his hand. She takes it. They walk around the pond, to a private area.

WYLIE: If we lie down here on the ground, I bet we can see the Milky Way!

OLIVIA: (nods excitedly) It's so nice and dark outside away from the city lights.

They lie down at the spot Wylie has picked out, and look upward. At first Olivia frowns – there's a black space in the sky. Wylie reaches into his pocket and flips the remote to the light he has hidden there early in the morning.

Projected onto the black cloth above them, appearing to be "stars," are dots of light spelling out, "OLIVIA WILL YOU MARRY ME?"

She does a double take, unable to fathom this for a few seconds. And then…

OLIVIA: Oh my God! Jason! Yes, yes I'll marry you. This is…how did…

She looks at him and he produces a ring from his pocket, holding it up for her approval. She nods.

OLIVIA: It's beautiful!

Wylie puts the ring on her finger and they embrace.

EXT. AUSTIN AIRPORT – DAY

The Rigsby family piles out of the Airstream onto the Departures sidewalk, and Jane and Lisbon help them with their suitcases.

WAYNE: Thanks for everything – what a great weekend.

GRACE: It was great – Christopher is adorable. You all have such a wonderful place. I'm sooo happy for you.

Jane and Lisbon give them all hugs, and the Rigsby family heads into the terminal.

INT. JANES' HOME – NIGHT

Jane closes the door to the nursery and walks down the hall toward the living room. Lisbon is stirring in the kitchen.

LISBON: (calling out) That was fast.

JANE: He was exhausted.

LISBON: How about a cup of tea – I'll fix it. And I saved you a piece of pumpkin pie.

JANE: (eyes light up) I'd love that. I can get it.

LISBON: Nope. Just sit down there on the couch. You did most of the cooking all weekend.

JANE: (gratefully sinks into the couch) That's sweet of you. I enjoyed the cooking, though.

LISBON: (from the kitchen) Lots of whipped cream, right?

JANE: Please.

Lisbon walks into the living room with a tray, holding two cups and a plate with a piece of pumpkin pie, piled high with whipped cream. Jane looks up and smiles. She sits it on the coffee table and takes a seat beside him on the couch. Sips her drink.

JANE: I think it all went well, don't you?

LISBON: Absolutely. It was crazy, but yeah…fun.

JANE: I never had stuff like this when I was a kid, Teresa. It's nice. Maybe next year we should have your brothers.

Lisbon's eyes widen. Knows that's an order of magnitude wilder weekend.

LISBON: We can think about that later.

They laugh, and Jane turns to his piece of pie. His eyes shine as he reaches for it, and he pauses for a second with his fork poised over the confection.

JANE: Thanks for saving this for me.

LISBON: No problem. (laughs) You were right about Rigsby eating a whole pie.

Jane digs into the piece of pie, but his fork hits something hard in the whipped cream.

JANE: What?

He pulls something out with his fingers and licks off enough whipped cream off until he realizes it is a small pacifier. He turns it side to side.

JANE: Christopher hasn't used one of these since he was a few…days…

He looks at Lisbon, who is smiling like the cat who ate the canary.

JANE: Teresa?

She nods.

JANE: (CONT'D) (dumbfounded) Really? Again?

She nods.

LISBON: (pleased) Again.

He puts down the pie and pulls her into a bear hug.

FADE OUT

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Thanks for sticking with my Season 8, folks. One more, and it's done.