OPS! SORRY - POSTED THIS TO THE WRONG STORY! I WAS HALF ASLEEP AND DID IT BEFORE BED.

My humble and sincere apologies for taking so long to update this story. I confess to having had a severe case of writer's block! The other reason was I was so caught up in the final (dagger to the heart on this one) few episodes of TM. In fact, I've rather been obsessing about it.

So anyway - here is my story. Thank you.

"That went well." Abbott looked around his menu at the others. Jane hadn't picked his up yet, but was staring at some indeterminate point on the wall. Teresa was watching Jane while both Wylie and Cho were carefully perusing the menu.

"But then again, I've heard that unicorn meat is really tasty, especially if you serve it with a side of hemlock", Abbott continued.

Wylie lifted his head and grinned and Cho raised an eyebrow. It appeared that neither Jane nor Teresa heard, although a second later Jane spoke.

"Did you know that the unicorn is the only mythical creature not born out of human fears? It is universally revered, even though no one knows where the myth came from. And it tastes like chicken."

Wylie choked on a laugh, Cho blinked and Teresa rolled her eyes. Abbott shook his head.

"And here I was wondering if you left us for awhile there", he said. "I thought you'd be happy at how well it went today."

"Meh", Jane shrugged. "They still have something up their sleeve", he answered, speaking of Johnson and his lawyer. "Did you see how they looked as they were leaving? They both seemed pretty relaxed. Nope, they're planning something. I just wish I knew what it was."

"But surely they've already pulled out their biggest guns. I mean, accusing you of murder – that's as bad as it gets", Teresa commented seriously.

Jane appreciated the fact that she looked at him with such trust as she said that. For all she knew, he could have been responsible for other crimes he'd kept hidden – but she didn't believe that and let him know it. He wanted to reach across the table and take her hands and thank her, but instead he gave her a small smile.

Abbott looked sharply between them, although neither Jane nor Lisbon noticed. The other two men didn't seem to realize anything was happening.

"Maybe – oh, don't' worry, there isn't anything for them to find – not that I haven't already gone over, but somehow I don't think that'll stop them. If Johnson is capable of murder, then he's capable of manufacturing something – or of making something innocent seem bad. Nope – he's a threat and we have to do something about him before he tries something else."

"But what?" Teresa asked with a frown.

Jane shrugged. "I have an idea, but I'm not sure yet whether it will work." He glanced over at Wylie. "Did you get that information I asked for?"

"Yeah, I wrote it down." Jason dug in his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"And you're sure he's here?"

"That's what the DEA guys said and they keep pretty close tabs on him. He should be there until Friday."

"Who are you talking about Jane?" Dennis enquired.

"Tossell – Belen's son-in-law."

"What are you planning?" Teresa asked worriedly. "He's a member of one of the worst Cartels around. You can't do anything foolish."

"I won't!"

Four sets of eyebrows went up at his statement and he rolled his eyes. "I'm not stupid and I know how dangerous these guys are. Look, all I'm going to do is play a bit of pool with him."

"Pool?" Teresa asked with a frown.

"Jane had me do some checking on Manuel Tossell", Wylie threw in, looking even more excited. "I found out he has a condo in Miami and he comes up once or twice a month. Ostensibly it's to do business, but Agent Velasquez says he has a mistress here. He also is something of a pool shark and goes to a specific bar where good pool players hang out."

"Jane?" Teresa continued to look worried and he wanted to reach out and take her hands and reassure her, but instead all he did was smile. "Look – one or two friendly games of pool and then I'll leave. It'll be fine."

Those that knew Jane the best, Cho and Teresa, looked worried but resigned. Abbot looked intrigued and Wylie appeared excited. They all knew they were in for some interesting times.

After they'd eaten and he'd said goodby to everyone, Jane went to pick Lily up, giving her a big hug and kiss when he saw her. He'd missed his little girl and hated that he had to deal with people like Edward Johnson when all he wanted to do was to have a life with Lily and – hopefully – Teresa.

She'd said goodbye at the restaurant and he'd been a little disappointed that she'd left with nothing more than a smile and a 'see you tomorrow'. He figured she was ticked at him for wanting to contact Manuel Tossell. And anyway, they weren't even dating, so he couldn't really expect anything else, not yet. As much as he would have loved to take her home with him, he couldn't really expect that – not until they'd worked out exactly where they were going with this thing. And anyway, he was too tired to think about it now. Instead he needed to get Lily home, get her bathed and relax.

Tomorrow he'd figure out what to do about Johnson, and then he'd worry about Teresa.

He pulled up to his apartment and parked. Lily was babbling quietly in the back seat, sleepy after her day away, but not quite ready for sleep. He knew he should get her in quickly, before she did fall asleep and he had to wake her.

"Okay miss", he said gently as he undid her seatbelt. "Time for dinner and a bath."

She grinned happily at him and leaned her head on his shoulder. He felt such a surge of love for the little girl he could barely contain it. He walked slowly to his front door, relishing this small moment of fatherhood again. It had been so long.

"Hey you", Teresa stood up straight from where she'd been leaning against his door. "How's the little one?"

"Teresa!" He stopped and stared, totally surprised to see her – surprised and incredibly relieved. He'd so wanted to see her this evening. "What -"

"You didn't think I was just going to leave like that, did you?" she asked. "Come on, give me your keys and I'll open the door." She leaned over and smiled at a droopy-eyed Lily, who gave her a wide smile in return. "Okay miss – you are just too cute!"

She reached over and unlocked and then opened Jane's door. "So, what can I help with?" she asked.

"Uh – could you make Lily her bottle? I'm going to give her a quick sponge bath – I think she's too tired for a full one tonight and then she can have it."

"One bottle, coming up."

Jane watched for a moment as Teresa headed to the kitchen, a smile on his face. He could definitely get used to having her to come home to. The smile remained as he walked into the bathroom carrying his little girl.

"There you go", Teresa said, walking into Lily's room a few minutes later with the bottle. "I see you're all ready for bed miss Lily", she cooed from her change table. The baby reached up her chubby little hand towards Teresa, who couldn't resist. "Come here you", she said to the little girl. Jane stepped back and Teresa picked her up. "She smells so wonderful", she said, putting her head down to Lily's downy hair. "And warm and cozy – all ready for your bottle sweetheart?" she asked. "May I?" she said to Jane.

"Of course", he smiled and pointed to the rocking chair. He watched as Teresa sat with a sleepy baby, and gave her the bottle.

Lily barely finished it before falling sound asleep. With a gentle kiss on the head, Teresa laid her down in her crib. "Sweet dreams precious Lily", she whispered.

Jane gave his little girl another kiss and then followed Teresa out of the room. He looked back once and then flipped off the light.

"Tea?" he asked.

"Mmm, sounds good", she answered, walking over to the couch and flopping down on it. "I'm exhausted."

"Me too", he told her as he headed to the kitchen. "I'll be right out."

Soon they were both sitting on the couch – Lisbon cuddled up next to him – drinking their tea. "Tastes good", she murmured, her eyes closed.

"See, I told you – a hug in a cup."

"Well, it's definitely good", she admitted, "but I much prefer real hugs."

"You do, do you?" he laughed softly. "Well then, I can certainly provide those as well. Here." He moved carefully until she was leaning back on him – and he placed an arm around her and hugged. "See?"

"Mmm – very nice", she told him, relaxing completely. "I could get used to this."

"Me too." He paused for a moment. "Thank you."

"What for?" she asked, turning in surprise.

"Oh – for what you did today – getting all those people to come and for being here now."

"Well, the first wasn't hard – people wanted to come. As for being here – where else would I be?"

He gave a small smile and leaned his head against hers. After a moment he breathed in deeply, feeling himself start to relax.

"So", she said after a while. "Are you still planning to talk to Tossell?"

He didn't really want to talk about Edward or the Cartel or anything right now, but with a sigh knew he had to. "Yes. But please don't worry. I won't do anything foolish and I'll have backup. It'll be okay, I promise."

"You can't promise things like that", she said softly. "I just feel like – we haven't even had a chance to, to explore this thing and you're off putting yourself in danger."

"Hey – you do it all the time", he reasoned with her.

"I know, but that's different – and I don't do it all the time", she answered indignantly. "When was the last time I was in danger?"

"Mmm, let me see. There was that case when you -"

"Never mind", she sighed. "Okay, but like I said, it's my job."

"And this is my job – protecting Lily and you when you need it."

"Fine", she sighed again, leaning her head back onto his nice firm but warm chest. It was definitely distracting her.

"Just – don't forget you have Lily now, and she relies on you and loves you."

"That's exactly who I'm thinking about", he told her obstinately. "I told you, I'm not going to do anything stupid but this is the only way. There's no evidence that we can find and we have to deal with Edward once and for all. I can't have him interfering in Lily's life. And if he killed Danny and his wife then he deserves whatever he gets!"

She sighed and pulled him down again so that he was once more snuggled up to her. "Okay, but you have to tell me everything you're planning. I don't want any surprises and I don't want you to do anything that's going to get you hurt. Do you understand me Jane?" she sat up and looked him directly in the eye.

"Don't worry", he leaned forward and kissed her gently. "I have too much to live for now Lisbon. I promise you I don't have any kind of death wish and I will make sure that Lily and all of you are safe."

"Okay then, tell me your plan?"

By the time they'd gone over it together and hashed out all the potential snags and inconsistencies they were both tired. It was late and it had been a long and stressful day. It was when Jane saw Teresa yawn that he knew it was time to call it a night.

The problem was, of course, that he wanted to call it a night with her. He wanted to invite her to his bed and have her stay with him – forever, if he could convince her of that. Of course he didn't. It wasn't the time and – if he were being totally honest, he was uncomfortable and unsure of himself. He laughed softly. It had been a lot of years – way back to the early days with Angela in fact – that he had had to deal with early dating discomfort. He figured she'd laugh if he knew how unsure he felt right now.

The fact was, he wanted Lisbon to stay, but didn't want to make her uncomfortable. He wasn't expecting anything from her beyond what they'd had so far (not that he'd refuse) but at the same time didn't want her to think he wasn't interested.

He suddenly felt like a sixteen year old kid on a first date, unsure whether it was okay to kiss the girl or not. Damn – he'd planned a whole romantic dinner with dancing and romance before they got to the point of actually making love. But he realized right now how desperately he desired her and wished that it was the right time.

"What are you thinking about so seriously", she asked, interrupting his panicked train of thought.

"Huh?" Now wasn't that an intelligent answer. "Uh – sorry. Nothing, just thinking about Johnson I guess."

"Mmm – well we should stop worrying about him tonight and get some rest. We'll get him Jane – I promise."

"You can't make a promise like that", he said with a smile, echoing her words to him.

"Yes I can", she nodded. "We will get him – and you'll get custody of Lily. You'll see."

"I hope so", he smiled and leaned forward to give her a small and gentle kiss. "Uh – what time is it?"

Teresa looked at her watch, her eyes growing big in surprise. "Wow, it's after midnight. I had no idea it was so late. I should get going."

"Uh - you can stay here if you want", he told her carefully. "I mean – you've practically been living here the last month anyway."

"I don't have any pajamas", she told him softly.

"You can borrow some of mine.", he told her. "Come on Teresa – you don't want to have to drive home now. You're tired."

"Okay", she sighed. "Thank you."

As Teresa got ready for bed all she could think of was how difficult it was to stay in the guestroom when his room was down the hall. She knew it was too soon, however. And then there was the issue of Edward Johnson and the Cartel. The last thing Jane needed right now was the complication of thinking about a new girlfriend. Still, sleeping in the spare bedroom was going to be hard.

Jane practically ripped the buttons from his vest as he got undressed. Hell, he wanted her. He knew it was genuinely because he desired her and had for a long time but that wasn't all. He was frightened. Frightened he was going to lose Lily and he didn't know how he would cope. But what he did know, was that if there was anyone around who could help him get through this and calm his fears, it was Teresa.

He finally crawled into bed and pounded his pillow, tired, frustrated and wishing he had the courage to walk down the hall and invite her to his bed. Instead he stayed alone in the cold bed.

The same thing you've been doing for years Patrick, he told himself. What is one more night?

It's hell, if the woman you love is in the other room and you're here. Damn it! Should he go and – no! That would not be wise. Just suck it up Jane. It's just one night.

He closed his eyes, hoping his tiredness would send him quickly to dreamland. As he lay there, however, he knew that wasn't going to happen.

By the time morning came Lily was the only one who'd had enough sleep. She was also the only one with a smile. The other two people were both tired and grumpy.

It was as they both sat there, nursing their cups of hot beverage – coffee in Lisbon's case, tea in Jane's, that a snort was heard. Jane lifted his head to see Teresa grinning. A moment later she was laughing.

"Uh – care to share the joke?" he asked, still feeling peeved.

"Sorry – it's just – we're like a couple of old married people", she laughed. "All we've done is grunt at one another all morning. Poor Lily must wonder what's going on."

Since "poor Lily" was happily sticking her fingers in her bowl of mashed banana and spreading it just about everywhere, Jane wasn't too worried. He did start to smile however.

"Yeah – we are a pair. Sorry – I didn't get a lot of sleep last night."

"Me either", she sighed. "Too much going on I guess."

"Mmm – that or -" he stopped. No, that wouldn't be wise.

"Or what?" Teresa asked innocently.

"Nothing. So, I'm going to call Wylie and get things going. Can you watch Lily for a few minutes?"

Jane made his way to the other room, laughing softly as he went. They really were a pair, weren't they? Well, the moment this whole thing was over he was going to do things differently. He still wanted to plan that romantic getaway.

"So", he said when he returned from his call. "How do you feel about taking a little trip to Miami?"