"Jane you're an idiot."
Jane's eyes finally manage to focus and he sees a very angry Lisbon. Memories of the activities on the roof come back to him.
"Hi Lisbon. I'm guessing we're not dead, or heaven is a different place than I imagined it would be, if it existed of course."
He tries a pathetic smile to get her on his side. She's obviously talked with Cho.
"No we're not dead. Your cavalry arrived just in time, like a tv movie."
"Well done Cho and the gang."
Jane can see this tack is not helping.
"Jane what were you thinking?"
"I'm sorry Lisbon you weren't suppose be involved. I thought that since he'd tried to have you killed once that they wouldn't be able to take you."
"That's not what I'm angry about. You put yourself out as bait. you don't have the strength to protect yourself in anyway. There was so many holes in your plan including the fact that he took you up the stairs."
"That was a development I didn't see. This is why I didn't let you in on the plan, I knew you wouldn't like it."
"That's the first sensible thing you've said. I thought we were being a team. I thought you weren't going to play cowboy?"
Lisbon's hurt is written all over her face.
"I didn't play cowboy, everyone else was in on the plan. I knew they had my back. I know there was an element of risk but I had to take it. If we didn't take this opportunity, who knows how long it would be before we caught him, how many lives would be lost."
"Is this the argument you used on Cho?"
"Yes and some others."
Jane had been ruthless in his manipulation of Cho, with stories of him being taken again, of the possibility of what had been done to him, quite easily being done to Lisbon. Lisbon makes the mistake of really looking at Jane and she feels her anger deflate a little. His face is drawn and pale. Jane notes the change in demeanor and has no shame in jumping on it.
"Is he dead?"
Lisbon doesn't need to ask who he is talking about.
"We arrested him."
"What's his name?"
"It's Ray Hefner."
"The guy I used to work for, who left to start his own firm and offered you a job?"
"Yes."
Jane goes silent as the knowledge of who Red John is sinks in. He never saw it. He didn't like the guy but he never saw psychopathic tendencies in him. The visualize connection makes sense though. Memories of his abduction can't help resurfacing and a shudder runs through his body. He pushes them away.
"Is he hurt?"
"Just a little bruised. He's safely under lock and key. Agents are searching his home."
"Have they found anything?"
"Nothing really helpful. but being found on the roof trying to kill a CBI agent is enough at the moment. The evidence will come."
"He hasn't said anything?"
Jane sees the tiny look of discomfort in her demeanor.
"No."
"Yes he has."
"He's said he will only talk to you."
Jane begins to throw back the covers.
"Then let's go."
Lisbon stops him.
"Jane, you're in no condition to go head to head with a monster. You wouldn't even be able to make it out the door. He'll still be there when you're ready."
"Only because some rammed into me?"
Lisbon can't help but smile.
" Sorry about that."
Jane is rubbing his breast bone.
"You must weigh more than you look."
Lisbon slaps him on his arm.
"Ow! Stop it woman. Haven't you hurt me enough."
They share a smile. Lisbon's mood changes.
"Are you alright Jane?"
He knows she's not talking about his physical state. He looks at her with as much sincerity as he can muster.
"I'm doing alright. It's a lot to take in that the hunt is over. Now at least people are safe."
His voice drops almost to a whisper.
"I'm glad you're not dead."
She squeezes his hand.
"I'm glad too. It may have been stupid, but you did a great job."
Tiredness is overwhelming Jane. He's asleep before she's finished the sentence.
Jane finds himself in a long dark hallway. His subconsciousness recognises it as part of his dream long ago, but this time he's not tided with string, he can choose to walk down it or to turn around and go the opposite way. He turns and see light in front of him, not artificial light but sunshine, bright and welcoming. He starts moving towards it but can feel the tug of the darkness. A vision of Lisbon tied to a chair appears before his eyes, tears streaking her face. He remembers that she is at the end of the dark hallway. The vision stops him in his tracks and he turns. He stares into the darkness, it seems that it will swallow him whole, he can see nothing within it. He stands for a full minute, debating. Is Lisbon still there, is it all a trick, which way should he turn. In the end there is only one choice, he needs to know. The darkness is so thick it almost seems solid except that he can keep walking through it. It seems to enter him through his mouth, his nose, his eyes. He feels it invading his very soul. Panic sets him running, trying to get away from the darkness as quickly as possible, his legs are pumping but his speed doesn't change. His head aches and a pain in his stomach doubles him over. With sweat pouring from him he is almost at the end of his endurance when he sees a slip of light coming from under a door. He knows instinctively that it's the door. His palm is wet with sweat as he tries to open the door. Using both hands it finally twists and he pushes it open. He blinks furiously against the light which seems even brighter than the sunshine. A voice, he recognizes only too well welcomes him.
"Patrick, we thought you would never get here."
Warmth fills his soul and a smile stretches across his face. Walking towards him is his beautiful wife, hold Charlotte's hand. He rushes towards them and sweeps them both into his arms and buries his face in to their hair. He smothers them with kisses, tears stream down his face unaware. Angela pulls away laughing. He pulls her back and holds on not wanting to let go. He becomes aware of others around him. He relunctantly releases his wife to see who they are. He recognizes the faces, each one embedded in his mind over the years. Every one of Red John's victims. His eyes rest on Boscoe who gives him a nod. Angela grabs his attention.
"We're so proud of you. Now remember us in your heart and get on with your life. We love you."
Jane reaches out and she takes his hand. Her image begins to fade and he stares at her beautiful face until it's gone. He can still feel the touch of her hand in his. He looks around and he's all alone but there's light and peace and a door.
Author's note: One more chapter to go. I hope the ending wasn't too cheesy.
