A/N: This is it folks. I thank you for all the lovely comments, alerts and reviews. It has been a pleasure:)
Epilogue
Jane smoothed down his vest and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He still looked pale and tired but not like he was at the doorstep of death. Lisbon had brought him one of his suits from the attic and had promised to come and get him when he was released.
Since their admission of feelings they had been back to their usual banter but with an increased fondness and openness. Jane had dissected his feelings since then and he was surprised to find that he was genuinely happy. The fact that Red John was in custody instead of being dead bothered him surprisingly little, but maybe a brush with death changed one's perspective a bit.
He and Lisbon had not talked about their new positions in each others lives but as neither of them was really that talkative about their feelings and they could read each other fairly well to start with, there was no need to analyze. They would take things as they came.
Jane was amazed at the feeling of happiness and lightness that permeated him and he would never admit it to anyone, but the world really did seem a brighter place with Lisbon by his side. He was sure that they would have their challenges, but he was certain that they could work their way through them.
He trusted Lisbon. She was a strong, capable woman who was so much better human being than he could ever be and she still loved him despite of having seen him at his worst. He had always felt attracted to her, but somehow she had managed to sneak her way under his defences without him being aware of it and without seemingly being aware of it herself.
They had found themselves at this crossroads at the same time and being on the same page, ready to trust and love each other, like the universe had finally relented and given them a chance of happiness. Jane for one was going to appreciate what he was given as he was acutely aware of the enormity of this chance coming his way a second time.
He flicked a tiny smudge of dust off his lapel and regarded his image in the mirror one last time. Now he only had to wait for Lisbon to arrive.
XXXXXX
Lisbon had left Jane in the hospital for the night as she wanted him to rest properly before being released. She had been tempted to stay as being held by him made her feel secure and loved and finding out that he was a snuggler had been a bonus.
It made her smile as she drove to the hospital to pick Jane up. Who would have thought that the stubborn, aloof man, who liked to keep his distance both physically and emotionally, really liked to snuggle.
She was sure that there were more surprises coming up as Jane was a complex, layered man who had been hurt badly with deep emotional scars, but she had seen his capacity to love and care, even though he liked to think that he kept it well hidden. He had so much to give and Lisbon was happy that he had decided to trust her and open up to her.
She was still on sick leave herself and she was going to take Jane home with her to make sure that he rested properly and recovered.
She snorted and admitted to herself that she also just wanted to keep him close. Preferably in her bed, a thought which made her blush slightly. And now she was feeling like an infatuated teenager, blushing just by thinking about a man!
She noticed that the passenger in the car next to her was looking at her quizzically and she blushed some more before straightening herself and adopting one of her "federal agent" looks. The lights changed and she was relieved to be on her way again. Even when absent, Jane was getting her into trouble.
XXXXXX
Jane was sitting on the bed's edge, staring out of the window, for once not fidgeting. He seemed to be deep in thought as Lisbon observed him from the door, which was slightly open. She took a step in and Jane's head whipped around and a genuine, large smile bloomed on his face.
Lisbon couldn't resist and smiled broadly at him as she walked to him. Jane reached for her and drew her close to him, still seated on the bed.
"I missed you," he whispered into her ear as he buried his face in her hair.
"I missed you too," Lisbon answered as she let her cheek rest against his golden curls.
She withdrew reluctantly from him but stayed within his arms as she gazed at him, for once being at the same level and not needing to look up.
"Are you ready to go?" Lisbon asked.
"All papers signed, all tablets obtained and all lectures ignored," Jane smiled at her warmly.
"Let's go," he continued and got up, still holding his hands on Lisbon's shoulders and gazing down at her. His eyes softened and he dipped down to place a kiss on Lisbon's forehead. She stood still and closed her eyes at the feeling and kept them closed as next she felt being held tightly against Jane's chest.
"I can't thank you enough," Jane's voice came to her ears quietly.
She tightened her hold and then released him. She looked up and reached to cup his face.
"There is no need to thank me," Lisbon said seriously and then grabbed his hand.
"Let's get out of here before you get all mushy on me," she announced and grinned at him.
Together, side by side they stepped out, grinning at each other, to face the world.
The end