"We are here today to determine custody of the child, Lily Angela Ruskin." The judge got straight to the matter at hand. "The duty of this court is to determine the best interests of the child, while also taking into consideration the wishes of her parents." She glanced down at a paper in front of her and frowned slightly. She then looked up.

"I understand Mr. Johnson, that you have asked to have a witness present on your behalf?"

Edward looked nervous and he didn't answer for a second. At Judge Carter's raised brow, showing she wasn't going to be overly patient, he cleared his throat.

"Uh – yes -" he shifted in his seat and frowned, seeming distracted by something. Jane's curiosity was peeked and he wondered what had been in that note. The lawyer frowned and then faced the judge.

"Yes Your Honor," she said clearly. "We'd like to ask Alexander Jane to testify."

This time both the judge's eyebrows went up. "Is this man a relation of Patrick Jane?"

"His father," Johnson's lawyer, Doris Sommerfield answered.

"And this is relevant to the case at hand?" Judge Delilah asked, looking down at her notes.

"We believe it is Your Honor," Sommerfield answered.

While the judge considered the matter Johnson leaned over and began a whispered conversation with his lawyer.

Jane could almost feel the eyes burning into his back from his friends and colleagues at the mention of his father. He was pretty sure most of them thought he didn't have any family left, which wasn't surprising, as he'd never spoken of the man. He tried to ignore the covert glances and raised brows, and refused to turn and look at the father he hadn't seen in years. His heart was beating so fast he was sure it must be visible to those sitting close to him. But he refused to allow any of this to show on his face. He'd had years of hiding his true feelings and so it came to him naturally.

The last time he'd seen his father had been at Angela and Charlotte's funeral. He wasn't sure how Alex had found out about their deaths, although he supposed the word had gone around the carny circuit. However he had found out, Jane had refused to acknowledge him even though he vaguely remembered his father trying to speak to him at the time. He'd been too out of it – still in shock – and had simply told him to "get the hell away from me." Alex had listened and Jane hadn't seen him again until this moment.

The truth was that the last time he'd really had much of anything to do with his father had been before he and Angela had left the circuit to start a new life. He had made the choice to walk away from his father and keep him out of his life, knowing he was an unhealthy influence on him.

He vaguely remembered a time – before his mother's death – when Alex had been a good and loving father. He was pretty sure his mother must have kept the volatile Alex in line, and – more or less – on the straight and narrow. But after she had died, his father had turned to drinking and gambling and had used his son as a way to make enough money to pay for both of these vices.

After his mother had died, Jane had been taught by Alex how to cheat and to lie and to con people. Fortunately he'd retained some conscience and had tried to not hurt the weak or vulnerable. It still didn't make him a good man but he refused to sink to the depths that Alex wanted him to. No, he'd retained enough of his mother to not lose all sense of conscience.

He had to admit that seeing the man here today had thrown him. He had no idea how Johnson had found him, but was pretty sure he must be paying Alex to tell the court about his – Jane's - past life. Although he'd admitted it previously, there was nothing like hearing details to destroy any chance he had of getting Lily.

If Alex destroyed his family for personal gain, he didn't know what he would do. He could never physically hurt him, and he'd already written him out of his life but he would certainly never forgive him. He might even do what he could to scuttle whatever gigs the older man had going. Jane was pretty sure he must still be surviving by conning people.

The whispered argument between Edward Johnson and his lawyer came to a close and Johnson sat back, looking sick but resigned. Jane really wondered what it was all about.

"Is everything okay Mr. Johnson?" the judge asked.

"Yes Your Honor – sorry," he mumbled.

"Alright. I will allow Mr. Jane's testimony, only as long as it's relevant to the issue of custody," she said. "Is Alexander Jane here? If so, will you please forward."

Alex slowly stood and walked towards the front. Patrick could feel his father's eyes on him, but refused to look at him or acknowledge him. Instead he forced himself to breathe deeply. He did allow himself to glance at Teresa – who was looking puzzled and worried. When she met his eyes, however, she gave him a smile and a small thumbs up.

He felt himself relax just a bit. Whatever happened here today, he had to remember that at least he had her in his life. It wouldn't lessen the grief of losing Lily, but it did give him hope that there was some happiness in his future.

His father had been sworn in – or whatever was the equivalent in a hearing. He then waited curiously to hear what he'd say.

"So Mr. Jane," the judge said. "I understand you have something to tell the court that will be helpful in determining the custody hearing. Ms. Sommerfield, do you wish to question Mr. Jane?"

"Yes Your Honor, thank you." The lawyer stood and approached Alex. "Mr. Jane – you are Patrick's father, is that right?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell us the last time you saw your son?"

"At the funeral of my daughter-in-law and granddaughter," he said, "Patrick's wife and child."

"I see, that was a sad time, I'm sorry for your loss."

Alex didn't respond, he simply stared at the lawyer, waiting for the next question, although he did glance once at his son.

"And can you tell me what happened then?"

"He told me to go to hell," the older man said, again not looking at Patrick. "He didn't want to see me."

The lawyer's eyebrows rose. "Really? Not a very nice thing to say to one's father was it? Especially since I assume you were offering your support."

"He was hurting – in shock," Alex said calmly.

"But still, you'd think he'd appreciate the support of family at a time like that."

"He'd just lost his wife and daughter – and I hadn't been there for him for a lot of years. I didn't blame him."

"Uh – oh." Sommerfield looked slightly confused, but after a second her face cleared and she continued. "Can you tell me what happened after the funeral?"

"What do you mean?" Alex asked. "I left."

"No, I mean with your son. What happened to Patrick?"

Mark Fitzgerald spoke up. "I don't see this as being relevant, Your Honor," he said. "We've already established this."

"That is correct Ms. Sommerfield. What is the purpose in this line of questioning?"

"Your Honor, Mr. Patrick Jane acknowledged he spent time in an institution, but he did not tell us why. I'm asking his father to -"

"Alexander Jane just told us he didn't have anything to do with his son after the funeral. Why would you ask him?" Fitzgerald objected.

"I'm asking because Mr. Jane senior knows his son and I'm sure he knows how he reacts under pressure – which I'm sure is to the point of the custody case."

"Under pressure?" Jane's lawyer answered sharply. "I think finding your wife and child slaughtered by a serial killer goes beyond pressure. Most people would have had trouble dealing with something like that and many people wouldn't have been able to come back, but Patrick did."

"But he didn't tell us he tried to kill himself!" the lawyer answered harshly.

"Again, is it really surprising?" Mark said softly, placing his hand on Jane's shoulder. "He was devastated. It spoke to how much he loved his family. But he got help and he's done well for years -"

"What about PTSD?" Sommerfield asked hotly.

"Enough," the Judge finally shut down the argument after having allowed it to continue for a few minutes. "Has there been any indication that Mr. Jane – Mr. Patrick Jane suffers from PTSD or lingering affects from the trauma he experienced with the death of his family."

"No Your Honor," Fitzgerald answered calmly. "In fact, he's been under many instances of pressure since then and has never had any kind of a breakdown. His colleagues and employers will attest to that fact."

"Fine – then let's move on Ms. Sommerfield.

The lawyer frowned, looking irritated, but after a second raised her head and looked again at Jane's father, who had sat quietly throughout the exchange.

"Mr. Jane, I understand that Patrick worked with you for a number of years? You had some kind of act that you did?"

"Yes."

"Can you describe that act?"

Alex shrugged. "He was the Boy Wonder. He could guess things about the audience. I was just the MC."

"By guess you mean – he was psychic?"

"That's what we told the audience."

"But he wasn't really? It was just a trick?"

"Most acts are," Alex answered. "Are magicians really doing magic? No – and the audience knows that but the true magic is in making people believe."

Johnson was frowning, as was his lawyer. Jane looked on curiously. Somehow he got the impression things weren't going exactly as they'd planned.

"So you're – but – you were really conning the audience, weren't you?" the woman asked, almost desperately.

"Conning? Not really. It was an act, I told you. People came to get entertained, and they were."

Sommerfield licked her lips and tried again. "But you did con people, didn't you? I mean, it may not have been during your act, but afterward. Isn't it true that Patrick made money by lying to people – defrauding them?"

"Again, Your Honor, we've been over this," Mark said impatiently. "They're just trying to drag this on but they don't really have anything important to say."

"Ms. Sommerfield? Mr. Johnson? Where is this going?"

"We are trying to establish that Patrick Jane was a conman, Your Honor, and continues to be one. We don't believe – and we don't think the court should – that he has changed his stripes. His father can attest to the fact that Patrick enjoyed conning people for money and that he is a man with no conscience."

The judge raised her brows and glanced down at Alex and then up to where Patrick was sitting. He could feel himself tense, but tried to look as if this line of questioning didn't worry him.

"Okay – so let's get to the point," the judge answered. "Mr. Jane senior, is your son a conman?"

"No Your Honor," Alex answered clearly.

"What? But -"

"Ms. Sommerfield, please do not speak. You indicated you wanted to prove Mr. Jane is a conman and that his father could attest to this, so I'm asked his father. Again Mr. Jane – your son is not a conman?"

"No Ma'am," Alex replied. "He's a good man."

"But did he or did he not participate in cons when he was younger?" she pushed.

"He did, but only because I made him," Jane senior said. "I threatened to kick him out – with no money or anywhere to go – if he didn't help me. Many times he begged me not to go ahead with whatever con I was doing. He was a good boy – and I almost ruined him, but he turned into a man that any father would be proud of."

There was silence in the court – although Johnson and his lawyer looked like they'd swallowed their tongues. Jane himself didn't know how to react. A part of him felt warmed by his father's comments, but another part wondered what the man was up to and what he wanted out of this. He guessed he'd just have to wait and see.

"But – he continued to defraud people long after he ceased working with you," Johnson's less than calm lawyer said angrily.

"We have already admitted to that Your Honor," Mark said, sounding tired. "Yes, he pretended to be a psychic but that was a long time ago. He confessed that he regrets his actions and has spent the last twelve years making restitution and working to help people. I would say he has more than redeemed himself and that there is no purpose for this line of questioning other than to try and besmirch my client."

"I don't believe that Patrick Jane has -"

"Enough," the judge interrupted Johnson's lawyer. "I agree with Mr. Fitzgerald. Mr. Jane, do you have anything at all pertinent to say to this hearing? Anything that would show Patrick is unfit to be a father to Lily?"

"No Your Honor. In fact, he was a wonderful father to little Charlotte," Alex said gently. "He always loved children and was good with them. He is also a good man – an honest man in spite of how I raised him."

"Thank you Mr. Jane, you may step down now."

Alex thanked her and stood up. As he walked back to the rows of seats he turned slightly towards his son.

For the first time Patrick allowed himself to look at his father. He still wasn't sure whether this was just another big con of his father's, but he did give the man a small nod of thanks.

Alex gave a lopsided grin and continued to the back of the courtroom and sat down.

"Do you have anything else to add Ms. Sommerfield?" the judge asked impatiently. "And this time it had better be relevant."

"Uh – just that it is still our contention that Patrick Jane is not a fit parent for Lily," she said. "Whatever he says now, there is nothing to prove he won't start conning people again."

"Thank you. Now Mr. Fitzgerald, do you have anything else you'd like to say?"

"Yes Your Honor. I'd like to ask Luis Cruz to the stand."

"Mr. Cruz," The judge nodded

Jane's eyebrows lifted in surprise. His lawyer had told him he was calling some character witnesses, although he hadn't expected this one. "What's going on?"

Mark smiled. "You'll see." Once Cruz was seated he stood up. "Mr. Cruz, do you know Mr. Jane."

"I do," the man smiled. "He saved my life."

"He did? Can you tell us about it?"

Cruz went on to tell how he'd been exonerated for the death of Sarah Feinberg. "It was Mr. Jane and his team who proved that I was innocent," he said. "Although the idea was Mr. Jane's and Agent Abbott's. He looked over at Jane and nodded, a smile on his face. "Thank you for my life."

"Thank you Mr. Cruz." Mark smiled at him and waited until he was down before turning to the judge. "I'd now like to ask Elizabeth Flint to speak on Mr. Jane's behalf."

"Your Honor?" Doris Sommerfield stood up. "What is the purpose of these witnesses?" she asked. "I don't -"

"Ms. Sommerfield, you brought forward a witness to discredit Mr. Jane. I think he now has the right to have people speak on his behalf, don't you?"

"Uh – I guess – yes, uh Your Honor." The lawyer sat down, an unhappy expression on her face.

"Mrs. Flint, do you know Patrick Jane," Fitzgerald asked.

"Yes. He was my psychic advisor for a number of years and then I met him again a few years ago."

"Can you explain the circumstances under which you met him again?"

"My son was kidnapped and I wanted him to help. I thought he could use his psychic powers to find Colin."

"I see – and did he? Use his powers I mean."

"No," she smiled slightly. "In fact he told me that he wasn't a psychic, that he had pretended to be one before."

"He admitted that?"

"Oh yes – in fact he was adamant about it. I didn't believe him, of course – I mean, I'd seen him in action but he assured me that he wasn't psychic."

"And how did that make you feel?"

"I was sure he was just denying his power – that he really was psychic, and I was desperate for him to help me find my son."

"But he didn't?"

"Oh yes." Her smile grew bigger. "He found Colin for me, but he didn't use any psychic powers. He was just – very observant and smart. He figured out that it was my step son who had done it." She turned at that moment and looked at Jane. "He saved my son's life."

"So, you have accepted that he is no longer a psychic? Do you resent him for having lied to you before?"

"I don't resent him – how could I? He saved my son. As for whether he's a psychic or not – well, he says he isn't but I know he has a gift of some kind. He's a good man – a very good man and I'm glad I know him."

"Thank you Mrs. Flint," the lawyer smiled at her and waited while she stepped down. "And now I'd like to call -"

"I think that's enough Mr. Fitzgerald," the judge said. "Mr. Jane – how long were you with the CBI?"

"Uh – ten years Your Honor," he said.

"And now you're with the FBI?"

"Yes."

"I see – and while with both agencies you have helped solve crimes and catch criminals, is that right?"

"It is Your Honor."

"And during that time have you ever experienced any kind of breakdown? Any – PTSD?"

"No," he shook his head.

"And have you ever claimed to be a psychic?"

"Uh – I've pretended once or twice – in order to catch a criminal."

"But your team were aware of what you were doing?"

"Yes."

"Have you made any money pretending to be a psychic during your time with the CBI or FBI?"

"No Your Honor."

"Thank you Mr. Jane." The judge wrote something down on the paper in front of her. "Do you have anything more to say Ms. Sommerfield, Mr. Johnson?"

"Uh – no Your Honor," the lawyer answered. Edward Johnson just shook his head.

"Thank you. I have in front of me reports from Lily's daycare, her social worker, colleagues and employers of Mr. Jane. I also have documents from a number of people recommending you, Mr. Johnson. Is there anything else either of you would wish to present at this time?"

"No Your Honor," Doris Sommerfield stood up. "But we would like to say that we believe strongly that Mr. Johnson, as the uncle and only living relative of Lily should be given custody. Mr. Johnson is an upstanding member of the community with a good job and the respect of his peers. He has never had any sort of criminal record – and was never involved in defrauding people of their money. We do not believe that Patrick Jane is a suitable guardian for Edward's niece."

"Thank you Ms. Sommerfield. Mr. Johnson, do you wish to say anything directly to the court?"

"Uh – not really Your Honor, other than to say I'd be a good and loving father to Lily."

"Fine, thank you. Now, Mr. Fitzgerald, do you have anything to say on behalf of your client?"

"No Your Honor, but Patrick would like to address the court."

At that Jane stood up. He took a deep breath and decided that now was the time for complete honesty. He glanced at Teresa quickly and almost smiled as she gave him a sharp nod of encouragement.

"Thank you Your Honor," he started. He took another breath. "I am the first to admit that I have done bad things in my life. I was a con man, a fraud who made money making people believe I could talk to the dead. Oh, I tried to never con the truly weak or vulnerable, but I still was not a good person. The one thing I will say, however, is that I was a loving father to my child and a loving husband to my wife. They were everything to me. They were my life. And yes, I was – devastated when they died and I blamed myself. I blamed my arrogance and ambition for their deaths. I taunted a serial killer and my family paid the price." He stopped and took a drink – not used to being this blunt about what had happened to him.

Licking his lips and with another look at Teresa, he went on. "Afterward I was a mess, although as my lawyer said, anyone would have been. Did I try and take my life? Yes I did. I didn't want to live without my family. Again, ,I don't think that's a surprise. However I didn't kill myself and eventually I dealt with my pain and guilt and decided to live." He took another drink, thinking while he did so that he wasn't going to tell them how he dealt with those things or why he decided to live. That was in the past – at least MacAllister was in the past.

"I have spent more than ten years trying to redeem myself," he told the court. I have tried to help people – to catch murderers and bring justice to the innocent. It will never undo what I did before, although I believe I am a better person for it."

He looked down at his fingers which were resting on the table in front of him and was surprised that they seemed so steady. Inside he was shaking.

"As for Lily," he continued. "She is my little girl. I love her like a daughter of my flesh and blood. Are we related? Maybe not physically but I knew her father – I knew his family. I grew up with him and can tell her all about him, about his life and about who he was. His sister was my wife and therefore Lily is my niece and I love her. Danny and his wife chose to have me be her guardian because he knew I'd look after her. I lost my own daughter – I'm going to make damned sure I look after Lily and keep her safe."

He stood tall at this and looked at the judge. "Your Honor, I ask that you recognize her parents wishes and make me Lily's guardian. I can promise you that I will love her as my own child and will always take care of her."

With that Patrick sat down, but this time he was shaking. He just hoped no one else noticed.

"Thank you Mr. Jane." She looked down again and quietly rearranged her papers. I am going to call a one hour recess and I will return with my decision. Thank you to everyone for your candor," she said to the witnesses and the two men and their lawyers. She then stood up and left the room.

"That went well," Mark turned and smiled at him. "I think your father did more good than either of our witnesses, although they certainly helped and you were perfect."

"Mmm hmm," answered Patrick, sounding distracted. He glanced back, just in time to see his father begin to leave the room. "I'll be right back." He stood up and hurried after the older man.

Alex was almost out of the building before Jane caught up to him. He wanted to call out to him to stop, but found he didn't know what to actually say. He hadn't thought of him as "father" for many years, but calling him Alex felt wrong.

"Hey," he finally said. Alex stopped and then slowly turned.

"Patrick. I didn't think you wanted to see me."

"I don't know if I do," he admitted. "Uh – thank you for what you did back there."

"It was the least I could do." He stopped and then his lips quirked up in a tiny smile. "I'm afraid the least is all I've ever done for you. I guess I wanted to try and – atone – a bit. I wasn't a very good father."

"No – you weren't," Patrick agreed. "But I wasn't either," he said with a shrug.

"What? You were a great father," Alex told him in surprise. "Everyone knows that."

"Mmm," Patrick quickly changed the subject, not wanting to think about his own mistakes as a father. "What are you doing now?"

"I'm helping Bill Blasco – you remember him? He's got a small casino in Reno and I run security."

"You?" Patrick's eyebrows went up. "Isn't that asking the fox to look after the chickens?"

Alex cracked a laugh. "Yeah, except I owe Bill and I wouldn't steal from him. In fact I've given that up. And I can spot a shark a mile away."

"I'm sure you can, Patrick nodded, not responding to his father's other comment. He doubted Alex would be able to give up his conman ways."

"How are you?" Alex asked suddenly, intently. He didn't say any more, but looked at his son with worried eyes.

"I'm fine – good," Patrick answered after a couple of seconds. For one of the few times in his life he thought his father might just be sincere. At least he seemed sincere. For that reason he continued. "Lily has been – she's great."

Alex nodded and looked almost relieved. A moment later he spoke again. "And then there's that lady cop – what's her name – Lisbon? She's sweet on you."

Aww hell! Patrick didn't know what had gotten into him – he knew better when it came to his father, but something was calling on him to be honest. "And I'm sweet on her," he said quietly, not looking at the older man. For some reason he felt embarrassed.

"Really?" Alex said. He then laughed softly. "Good for you! You need someone to keep you in line and even though she's tiny she looks like she could do it."

"Oh, she can," he grinned, suddenly feeling better.

There was another pause. "You're happy?" Alex asked softly.

He looked at his father directly in the eyes for the first time and took a silent breath. "Yes – yes I am."

"I'm glad. I – worried about you."

"Really?" Jane gave a slightly cynical laugh, not quite ready to believe the man completely.

"Yes." Alex stood looking off into the distance for a few seconds. "After your mother died I – became someone I'm not proud of and you were the one to suffer for it. I can't ever make up for how I treated you, but I want you to know I've always loved you."

At his son's snort he turned back. "Oh, I was selfish and put myself first, there's no doubt about that, but I do regret it. Because of that I lost you and I'll never forgive myself." There was a brief pause. "And I don't expect you to forgive me either."

Jane nodded, not saying anything. He didn't know if he ever could forgive Alex, not completely – but maybe because of what he'd been through, maybe because he'd let his child down he could stop hating the man.

Alex sighed and put his hand through his hair. "I hope everything works out. You deserve that little girl – both little girls," he smiled. "Take it easy son. I'm glad you're happy again." With that he turned and slowly began to walk away.

Patrick watched him, uncharacteristically hesitant. "Oh hell," he finally muttered.

"Dad?"

Alex stopped and slowly turned his head. "What?"

Suddenly a memory returned – a memory of his father taking him swimming. They had spent the day by the ocean – where, Patrick had no idea. But it had been a magical time before his mother had died. A wave of longing filled him, the longing for family. "Uh – don't be a stranger, okay?"

Alex slowly smiled and nodded his head. "I won't." With that he turned and was gone.

"Jane."

He watched his father for a moment and then slowly walked back towards the court house. He smiled at Lisbon, who was standing in the doorway with a concerned look on her face.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

"Mmm hmm," he smiled. "Just fine."

Her eyes briefly tracked his face and then she smiled. "They've called us back in," she told him. The judge is ready to give her decision."

He took a deep breath and followed her inside.