Author's Note: Sorry for the delay! My muse has a case of ADHD these days, it seems. With what's happening on the show, I can't really blame her!
Chapter 10: Graduation
Patrick and Teresa were exhausted by the time they fell into bed Tuesday, and the alarm went off far too early Wednesday. It took both parents to wrangle the twins, Teresa helping Victoria with her dress and fixing Liam's tie while Patrick got breakfast on the table. Then Teresa cleaned up while Patrick French braided Victoria's hair and gave Liam a pep talk.
"Just do what the kids in front of you do," he told his son. "There's nothing to worry about."
"Tripping," Liam pointed out. "Can't Victoria go first?"
"Not if you're going in alphabetical order."
"But she's the oldest!"
Patrick grinned. "Sixteen minutes isn't that much difference. And one day you'll probably be bigger than she is, you know."
"No he won't," Victoria protested, her attention drawn from examining her reflection.
"We'll see," Teresa said as she came in the room. "He'll probably be taller, but you can always wear high heels."
Patrick grinned at his wife. "Maybe when she's twenty."
Teresa ignored him and smoothed Liam's hair. "Honey, it's just walking. You've been doing it since you were thirteen months old."
"Not in these shiny shoes," he pointed out.
Teresa shot her husband a look, which he knew was a "See? I told you so" for insisting the kids have new clothes and shoes for the occasion. But Victoria jumped up and down, then examined her patent leather Mary Janes with approval. "Shiny shoes make my feet happy," she said.
"Everything new makes you happy," Patrick teased her. He had no doubt he was raising a little fashionista. That was fine with him; he'd happily buy her new clothes and shoes and horses and whatever it took to keep her from becoming interested in dating for as long as possible.
"Time to go," Teresa said. "We don't want to be late."
Liam leaned against her. "Do I have to?" he whispered.
She knelt down and hugged him. "You don't have to, no. But I hope you'll choose to. Because you come from a long line of brave people. And brave people do the things they're scared to do because they know they should do them."
"Do you do things that scare you?" he asked.
"Oh, yes. All the time," she replied.
Patrick added, "There's nobody braver than Mommy. She knows what she's talking about."
Teresa got to her feet and gave him a kiss. "Daddy's done some pretty brave things too."
"All inspired by you, my love," he replied, smiling. He glanced down at Liam and added, "Mommy has a way of inspiring bravery. When you're scared, just think about her and you'll be fine."
Liam's worried look became thoughtful. "Okay. I'll try it," he decided.
"Can we go?" Victoria cut in, annoyed. "We're gonna be late!"
"Not if we let Daddy drive," Teresa said.
Patrick grinned and shooed both kids toward the door so he could plant a kiss on his wife. "Happy graduation day," he whispered.
"Not if we're late," she whispered back.
He took her hand, and they went to join the kids at the front door.
mmm
Patrick dropped everyone else at the school's front door and went in search of parking. By the time he made it inside, Teresa had gotten the kids to the backstage area and into their caps and gowns. All that was left for him to do was give them a kiss and tell them how proud he was.
Then he and Teresa made their way into the crowd in search of seats. They found Virgil and May Minelli in the fourth row with three seats saved, and after a flurry of hugs they sat down. Teresa and Virgil compared notes on the cameras they were using while Patrick looked around for Cho. Spotting him, he waved, and Cho made his way to his seat.
"Thanks for coming," Patrick said.
"Wouldn't miss it. But I gotta run after they cross the stage. Fortunately Josh's class is bigger and he's farther back in the alphabet." He handed two wrapped packages to Patrick. "You'll tell them I was here, right?"
"Of course." Patrick didn't have to ask what the gifts were; Uncle Cho always gave books. So far he'd been spot on with finding the perfect ones for each of the kids.
The ceremony was almost ten minutes late getting started, and Patrick hoped Victoria wasn't making a fuss. Fortunately the principal had the sense to keep her welcoming speech under five minutes, and then she started handing out the diplomas.
Teresa reached for his hand as the principal called, "Liam Patrick Jane." Patrick held his breath, hoping his son hadn't psyched himself into tripping. But he made his way across the stage, solemnly shook the principal's hand, paused for pictures, and made his way to the other side without incident.
Patrick squeezed his wife's hand, and a moment later the principal called, "Victoria Marie Jane." Victoria practically skipped across the stage, shook the principal's hand, and then turned to curtesy to the audience as if she were taking a curtain call. Then she blew a kiss and bounced over to join her brother.
"You taught her that," Teresa murmured accusingly.
"I didn't. I think we have to blame The Nutcracker for that," Patrick chuckled.
Cho leaned across him to congratulate Teresa and nod to Virgil, then said, "Later," to Jane and got up.
"Congratulate Josh for us," Patrick whispered.
The rest of the ceremony was over in fifteen minutes. The twins ran to get hugs from their parents and grandparents; then whole family posed for Virgil to take pictures.
"Ice cream?" Victoria prompted.
"It's not even lunchtime!" Teresa laughed. "First we're going home so you can open your presents."
"Presents! Yay!" Victoria cried, as Liam grinned.
"Then," Virgil said, "we're all going out for lunch."
"McDonalds?" Liam asked hopefully.
Patrick grimaced as Virgil laughed. "If you want, sure." He looked at Teresa and said, "Glad to see the Lisbon genes are dominant."
"Hey. I'd vote for the pizza place on the corner if it was up to me," she protested.
"But I bet Patrick here drags you someplace with white tablecloths for every anniversary," Virgil smiled.
"Someone has to try to elevate our standards," Patrick retorted good-naturedly. He looked around and said, "I wonder what held Madeleine up?"
Then he regretted it, because Teresa pulled out her phone and checked it. "No text," she said. "Oh—there's an email. Some complication in the Wells case. She says she'll brief me when I get in and to give the kids hugs for her."
Victoria whined, "You have to go to work?"
"After lunch. Grandpa Virgil and Grandma May are going to take you to Funland, so you don't need me, do you?" She smiled.
May said, "And this time I think you're tall enough to ride the roller coaster."
"And the spinning ride?" Liam asked.
"We'll see," Virgil said.
"Now," Teresa said, "don't torture your grandparents with every single ride in the place, okay?"
May smiled. "Nonsense. That's what grandparents are for."
mmm
After presents, a change of clothes for the kids, and lunch, Patrick and Teresa stood outside the nearest McDonalds and waved good-bye to the Minellis and the kids. Then Patrick said, "I feel like I should take you for a real lunch."
"Don't be silly. Anyway, I'd better get to the office. Should I drop you off at home?"
"The garage, please. I'm going to take the Citroen out for a spin, go see Stan. Then I might swing by and see Madeleine."
"Some warning before you resign, please," Teresa said.
"I'll text you," he promised as they got into the car. "By the way, I'm also going to swing by the animal shelter and see if there's a promising puppy available. If not, I'll look into rescue groups and set up appointments for this weekend. You're sure you can find some time off?"
"I'll do my best."
"I'll also get started looking for a beach house to rent in August."
"Okay."
He frowned. She usually showed more interest in his plans for their family. "Everything all right, Teresa?"
"Yes. Of course." She sighed. "It's just...everything's changing so fast. The kids will be in school full time, you're leaving CBI. It's like the end of an era."
He smiled fondly at her. She was rarely sentimental, but Liam had come by his dislike of change honestly. "It's the beginning of one, too."
"I know. But...come find me before you resign."
"Why?"
"Just one last time."
He reached for her hand. "It not like they'll never let me in again, darling."
"I know. But from now on you'll just be a visitor."
"Meh. I bet Cho will convince me to look at a file now and then, strictly under the table."
"If he does, I don't need to know about it," she said pointedly.
He chuckled. "I've never had a problem granting you plausible deniability, if you recall."
mmm
He made Stan Moore a very happy man when he walked into his office with a smile. The agent got up from his desk and shook his hand immediately. "It doesn't take a profiler to see that you bring good news."
"I hope you'll still think so a year from now," Patrick said, taking one of the visitor's chairs. "I accept your offer of employment, beginning after Labor Day. With the stipulation that you help me with the nanny hiring."
"I'd be happy to. How was graduation, by the way? I can't believe they have kindergarten graduation these days."
"Parenting is one long string of celebrations," Patrick said. "It went fine, and the kids are having the time of their lives with their honorary grandparents right now. But what's really going to make you want to dance on your desk is that Teresa and I talked it over, and she's interested in seeing an offer from the FBI."
Moore's face lit up. Patrick reflected that a man less secure in his wife's affections might worry about another man being this interested in her. "That's great! I'll have one put together. I take it she's interested in a supervisory position, no field work?"
"She's not interested in a demotion," Patrick replied, though he wasn't positive Teresa would turn down field work. "And I want to make it very clear that if she does follow me here, she is not to be held responsible for my actions. The first time I even suspect she is being punished for something I've done, I am out of here."
"Got it," Moore said. "No repeating Hightower's mistake. Have you told her yet?"
"No. That's my next stop."
Moore chuckled. "Wish I could be a fly on that wall!"
mmm
On his way to his car, Patrick texted Teresa to find out if she was in her office. After a delay, she responded: In Hightower's office.
Perfect, he texted back. He could almost hear her sigh in response.
It wasn't a long drive to the CBI, so it was only a few minutes later that he was waving to Hightower's assistant and pushing the door open like he owned the place.
"Patrick," Hightower greeted him. "Lisbon told me you were coming. Please have a seat. I take it this is important?"
"I won't take much of your time." He stood beside Teresa's chair, seeing at a glance how uncomfortable she was. He hadn't planned for her to be part of this originally, but perhaps it was for the best. "I've just come to tender my resignation."
Hightower looked taken aback. "I know you don't work in the summer, but there's no need—"
"Yes, there is. I will no longer be working for the CBI. This fall or any time in the foreseeable future." He kept his voice pleasant.
Hightower frowned, leaning back and clasping her hands on the desk. "But the last time we talked, you said you weren't going anywhere. What changed your mind?"
"You did, Madeleine." He took a step forward and leaned on her desk. "You hurt my family. Nobody gets away with that. Count yourself lucky that leaving is all I'm doing." He put his ID card on her desk. "And, of course, that Teresa asked me to leave it at that. Since I couldn't oblige her by letting the whole thing pass, I had to give her that."
Hightower glanced at Teresa. "So you knew about this?"
"Yes, ma'am," she said.
Patrick said, "Of course I discussed this with my wife. She thought I should stay. But I'm not willing to be the cause of any more suffering for her. So I'm removing that possibility." He smiled. "It's been a pleasure otherwise, Madeleine. I wish you and the CBI the best." He leaned down and kissed Teresa's cheek. "See you at home, love."
As he opened the door, he turned and said cheerfully, "Do come for dinner sometime, Madeleine, and bring the kids!"
Then he closed the door behind him, grinning at the assistant as he went past. He waited near the elevators for eight minutes until he was finally rewarded with Teresa's company. She scowled at him, but it was barely more than perfunctory. "You enjoyed that," she accused.
"A bit, yes. She's not going to take it out on you, is she?" He pressed the button for the elevator.
"No, though I expect she'll lean on me to try to change your mind."
The elevator arrived, and he ushered her into it with his hand on her back. "When she hears I've gone to the FBI, she'll know it's a lost cause. If she's smart, she'll start offering you reasons to stay. Stan, by the way, was thrilled when I told him to make you an offer."
"Ssh. Not here," she hissed.
"You think the elevator's bugged?" He refrained from rolling his eyes.
"No. But still," she muttered.
He chuckled and pulled her into his arms. "Relax, love. Without me stirring up trouble, think how much more relaxed you and Cho will be."
"Until we have to account for the diminished solve rate."
"At least you have a nice beach weekend to look forward to," he pointed out, kissing and releasing her as the elevator opened. "And a puppy this weekend. Come on, I'll walk you back to your office. I need to tell Cho and Rigsby and the others goodbye."
"You should have told Cho first," Teresa said.
"It wasn't aimed at him," Patrick replied. Once they got outside, he slid an arm around her, and after a moment she reciprocated. They strolled across the park that way, enjoying the sunshine.
After they reached her office, he closed the door behind him, drew her into his arms, and indulged in a long, deep kiss. She stiffened reflexively, then relaxed into it, obviously remembering he wasn't an employee anymore, even an occasional one.
"See?" he said when they parted. "Isn't that better?"
She smiled wryly. "Yes, public displays of affection are now my favorite thing."
"Now, now. No need for sarcasm. I'll leave you to your work, in hopes that you'll be able to make it home for dinner. The kids won't be home until the park closes at 9, I'll bet."
She sat down at her desk and made a shooing motion. "I'll try," she said.
Patrick went downstairs. He wasn't looking forward to the next announcement of his departure. Cho and Rigsby had been good comrades and friends, there for him and Teresa in the best and worst moments of their lives. Leaving them was the worst part of this situation.
He started in Cho's office. "Got a minute?"
"Sure. Come on in. What's up?" Cho stopped what he was doing.
"I just came from Hightower's office. I've resigned. I know I should have told you first, but—"
"But you were making a point. I get it." Cho sighed. "I didn't like what she did to Lisbon either. But speaking strictly for myself, this sucks."
"Yeah. Sorry. I'm going to miss you. You have to come for dinner more often. You don't need an invitation, you know. Just drop by anytime."
"Thanks, man. I will."
Patrick knew he didn't need to tell Cho he could run difficult cases past him if he wanted; Cho understood loyalty, and he knew that Patrick would always feel indebted for what he'd done to rescue Teresa from Red John. The two men shook hands, and Patrick went out to the bullpen, stopping by Rigsby's desk. "Hey, Wayne. Just wanted to tell you, I'm out of here for good. It's been great. And I owe you guys a babysitting job, so don't be a stranger."
"What? You quit?" He was startled.
"Yeah. I'm going to the FBI in the fall. Too bad Grace got that promotion, or I could have lunch with her now and then."
"Yeah, too bad." Rigsby seemed to finish absorbing the news. "Does Lisbon know?"
"Of course. So do Cho and Hightower. It's settled."
Rigsby stood and shook hands. "It's been...well, I wouldn't have missed it. You take care."
"You too, Wayne. And thanks for everything."
He said a brief goodbye to Stockwell, whom he'd known since before the twins were born, then Markmann, who was new. He stopped by the breakroom to grab his teacup, and then he was done.
As he waited for the elevator, he reminded himself there was no reason to feel sad. He'd be back to visit Teresa sometimes, and he'd see his friends outside of work.
Still, as she'd said, it was the end of an era. It did deserve some commemoration. He rested his hand on the side of the elevator as he entered, remembering all the times he'd ridden in it with Teresa or the others. Remembering the first time he'd ridden in it, on the way to seek out Teresa Lisbon and worm information about the Red John case out of her. He'd set out to find his revenge little knowing he was finding a better destiny than he could have imagined. He was so glad he'd taken that ride.
He smiled. It had all been one hell of a ride. And he was looking forward to the next one.
A/N: Beach house epilogue coming soon!