He really wished that Teresa could sit beside him. He needed her calm presence. At that he smiled. No, what he really needed was her strength and her love – both of them were his strength. She had been there for him from the day he had walked into the CBI office, a man barely alive. Now he wanted to live again – with her and with Lily.

"I have taken all the facts into consideration," Judge Carter said clearly. "I have read what the experts have said, and have listened carefully to the facts. I have also taken into consideration what Lily's parents wanted for her. In the end, however, it came down to one thing – and that is what would be the best for Lily."

She stopped and looked at Edward Johnson. "Mr. Johnson, from what I have seen you are a good man who wants the best for his niece and I understand that blood bonds are strong. You have a good job and, I believe would provide well for Lily."

She then turned towards Patrick. "Mr. Jane, I heard a lot about your past – about the man you were and the man you have become after the horrible tragedy that befell you. I am sure that none of us here can possibly understand the agony you went through. But the question was, did any of this make you ineligible to be Lily's guardian, her father. You admitted you were a conman, a fraud. You also admitted that you attempted to take your life and you were in a mental institution. On top of that, you are not related to Lily by blood, but only by marriage."

Jane could feel his throat tighten and he briefly closed his eyes, trying to prepare himself for what he knew what was coming. He had a swift moment of remembering walking down his hallway, seeing a note on his door, and knowing his world was about to come to an end. In some ways this felt the same. And then the judge continued.

"But Mr. Jane – I also believe that there are those things in life which, while terrible, can change us for the better. I believe this is what happened with you. Through the death of your wife and child – as horrible and as tragic as that was, you are a different man. I believe what many here have said – you are a good man. And on top of that, you are the man that Danny and Emma Ruskin chose as the parent and guardian of their child." The judge paused and gave a small smile.

"Patick Jane, I declare you to be the guardian of Lily Angela Ruskin. I know you will love her and continue to guard her always." With that she stood. "This hearing is adjourned."

For once Jane couldn't believe what had just happened. He sat still – blinking in surprise. He hadn't been able to read the judge at all, too affected by the emotion of it, too close to it to have been able to know what she was thinking.

The next thing he knew he felt arms around him, squeezing him tightly.

"You won! Jane, you won!"

He slowly put his arms around Teresa and pulled her closer burying his face in her hair. Too overcome to speak, he simply stood there, not hearing the chatter around him or feeling the slaps on his back and the congratulations of his friends in the courtroom.

"Patrick, we have to get all the papers signed and then Lily is yours," his lawyer said over the din. It finally broke him out of his frozen state.

He pulled slightly away and kissed Teresa on the top of the head. "We won," he said softly. "Thank you."

"I didn't do anything," she told him. "You did it. I'm so happy Patrick."

He finally smiled – and then that smile turned to a grin. "So am I." He stepped away from her completely and dropped his arms, pretty sure that everyone now knew they were together. Oh well – that actually made him even happier.

He began to speak, thanking everyone for their well-wishes and help. He gave Beth a big hug and then shook Luis' hand. He finally turned to Mark Fitzgerald and simply stopped. "Thank you," he said. "I owe you more than you'll ever know!"

"Oh – you'll know," Mark answered, "as soon as you get my bill."

Jane laughed and then reached out and gave the man a hug whispering "thank you" again.

A moment later he turned to the group of friends and co-workers who were still standing and talking. With a smile he waved them all silent. "Again, thank you for all your support, but now I have to go home and see my daughter!"

Everyone laughed and then someone started clapping. Soon all of them were giving Jane a round of applause, which he accepted graciously but a little self-consciously. With a final nod and smile he headed towards the door, passing Lisbon on his way out.

"You're coming with me?" he asked softly.

"Uh – I'm sure you want to see Lily by yourself -"

"Of course I don't," he interrupted swiftly. Not caring what anyone thought, he grabbed her hand and pulled her with him. "Come on, she'll want to see her Auntie Teresa."

She smiled at that and followed Jane out the door. She knew she was blushing, but at the moment didn't really care. Lily was – his.

"See Jane," she said softly as they walked down the front steps of the courthouse. "I knew they wouldn't take her away from you."

"No? For a moment there I thought the judge was going to rule in favor of Johnson."

"She could tell what a good person you are," Teresa told him. "She knows you'll be a wonderful father to Lily."

"I hope so," he stopped and looked down at her, a tender look in his eyes. "Thank you."

"For what?" she frowned.

"For sticking by me. For loving Lily. For – just being here. You'll never know how much that's meant." He squeezed her hand. "Now come on – we have a little girl to go and hug."

Teresa laughed and they headed towards the parking lot. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. "We should take her to the -"

The squealing of tires drowned out her words and she jumped as a car pulled up beside them. For a moment Lisbon wondered if they were going to be shot or kidnapped and she wished she had her weapon with her.

Jane had swung around and quickly stepped in front of her – his usual cowardly instincts taking a back seat when he thought Lisbon was in danger.

Fortunately for them both they were not being shot at or kidnapped. Instead Edward Johnson rolled down his windows and spoke to them.

"You may think this is over," he said, "but I'm going to get her and the money. I know you have it Jane – don't think you can lie to me."

"Stay away from us," Lisbon hissed. "If you even think of threatening Patrick or Lily we will have the whole FBI after you. We know what you did Johnson and we know have the proof."

"What the hell are you talking about?" he asked belligerently.

"Proof that you killed my brother-in-law and his wife," Jane told him. "And we also have proof about your ties to the Mexican cartels. So, I suggest you leave us all alone, because, you see, if anything happens to us, or you try and take Lily from us, we've made sure that all of the proof is delivered to the appropriate parties."

Johnson laughed. "Do you really think your proof – if you really do have it – is going to be enough for the police or FBI to convict me? I don't think so. I think you're just trying to scare me."

"Yes, I'm afraid that's exactly what we're doing," Patrick smiled. "But I'm afraid there's one thing you've got wrong. We're not going to have the proof delivered to the police. We've arranged to have it sent to Juan Belen – oh, and to Manuel Tossell's widow. I think she'd be interested in it as well."

This time Edward went white and a look of terror crossed his face. "You're lying," he whispered. "You don't have anything. You can't."

"No? Do you remember a meeting you had with Raul Santos? It was the one where he blackmailed you into killing Tossell. Do you remember that Edward?" Jane asked him.

Johnson was breathing quickly, clearly shocked and frightened. Jane took a step back, suddenly worried that he'd woken a sleeping rattler. After a few seconds Edward appeared to calm down. He took another deep breath and then spoke. "What do you want?"

"I want you to leave me and my friends and family alone. I don't want you to have anything to do with Lily – ever. And if anyone I know and care for is hurt or bothered, I will send the proof to Belen."

Johnson thought for a moment. "Fine – although I didn't have anything to do with Tossell's death. It was an accident and I didn't kill Danny and I certainly didn't kill my sister," he said. "But I'll leave you alone – as long as you swear you'll not send any of this false proof to anyone."

"Then we have a deal," Jane smiled. "I look forward to never seeing you again."

"And remember Mr. Johnson, if anything happens to Patrick or Lily you're going to have the whole damned FBI after you."

Edward Johnson didn't say another word, he simply rolled up his window and drove off.

"Do you think that's the last of him?" Teresa asked, staring after the car.

"I hope so my dear," Jane answered, looking at her, rather than the fleeing car. "Come on, let's go home."

Patrick walked quickly up to the door of his apartment, his excitement palpable. It wasn't even as if he hadn't seen Lily that morning – but this time he knew that was officially his, his child, his daughter. He wondered briefly what he needed to do to adopt her, but then didn't think about that anymore as he reached his doorway.

"Hey, wait up," Teresa called, hurrying after him.

"Sorry," he grinned, placing the key in the lock. "I missed her."

"Me too," she answered gently.

The two of them entered the apartment together, to find Lily sitting on the floor chewing merrily on her stuffed bunny. She looked up and saw her Daddy and Auntie Teresa and instantly a huge grin broke out on her face and she began to babble.

"Da!" she squealed, throwing down the bunny and putting up her arms. Patrick immediately walked over to her and picked her up and hugged hr.

"Hey baby!' he said, his cheek pressing against her soft, silky hair. "I missed you."

The babysitter stood up from where she had been sitting on the floor with the baby and smiled. "She's been a little doll," she said.

"That she is," Patrick grinned, holding the little girl away from him and just looking at her. "How's my little Lily?"

She squealed again and reached for his nose. He laughed and moved his face. "No you don't! Here say hi to Auntie Teresa."

Lily turned her head and smiled, her toothy grin showing her joy that her two favorite adults were with her now. "Da!" she said.

"Yes, that's you're Daddy," Teresa agreed, smiling and leaning forward to give the baby a kiss. "We missed you little girl."

Lily had lost interest in the discussion as she had found Teresa's hair, a great source of amusement. She grabbed it and immediately tried to put it in her mouth, at which time Teresa laughed and gently pulled her hair out of Lily's hand. "No you don't munchkin. That's what your bunny rabbit is for."

"What? Are you teaching my daughter bad habits Agent Lisbon?"

"Of course," she grinned. "It'll keep you on your toes."

"As if you don't do that already," he scoffed.

She felt her cheeks warming up a bit and rolled her eyes. "Here let me take her," she reached out for Lily, who came to her happily and once more tried to grab her hair.

"I see I'm going to have to tie my hair back around you Miss!"

Jane paid the babysitter and once she was gone he walked towards the kitchen.

"Hungry?"

"Starving," Teresa answered. "I think she's getting a bit hungry too."

"I'll fix something for both of you. Do you mind -"

"Jane, of course I don't mind. Don't you know I love looking after Lily?"

"I do," he grinned, "But I don't want to presume."

She stared at him blankly and then rolled her eyes once more. "Since when did that start?" she asked. "You always presumed."

"I did not," he proclaimed innocently as he walked towards the kitchen. "Lily, your Auntie is spreading false rumors about me again. You tell her she's mean."

Since Lily was resting her head on Teresa's shoulder, one hand wrapped around her hair and the other holding her shirt, Teresa wasn't too worried. "She likes me Jane," she called after him. "She knows I'm right."

She grinned once Patrick was gone and sat down on the couch, a cuddly Lily still in her arms.

"Aren't you a little love," she crooned to the baby. She kissed her soft hair and closed her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy the trusting little body and the smell of innocence. She felt a wave of longing rush through her – wanting to be part of this child's life on a regular basis.

"Your hormones are acting up Teresa," she muttered to herself.

"What's that?" Patrick was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, looking at her quizzically. "What did you say?"

"It's a secret between me and Lily," she told him, feeling flustered. "Girl talk."

"Girl talk? Not in my house," he said firmly. "Now, I came out to see if a cheese omelette is okay for you?"

"Mmm – sounds delicious. What about Lily?"

"I've got her dinner out. Do you want to bring her into the kitchen? If you don't mind, you can feed her while I make our omelets."

Teresa wanted to smile at how domestic the three of them looked. Lily was seated in her highchair, eating the mashed squash that Teresa was giving her and blowing orange bubbles. Jane was at the stove cooking, the sleeves on his shirt rolled up and an apron tied around him. He was slightly pink-cheeked from the heat of the stove and a lock of hair kept falling onto his forehead.

Teresa found herself getting a bit hot just watching him.

"Here you go Lily," she said, circling the spoon around and making an airplane noise. The little girl giggled but opened her mouth, waiting for the next spoonful of food.

Jane looked over at his two girls – although he knew Teresa would probably kick his butt for referring to her that way. He couldn't help but smile. He would never have thought that he would regain so much in his life. He was happy, for the first time in years and more than that, he had something to look forward to.

He had a family again. He, Patrick Jane, the man who had lost everything because of his selfish arrogance had been given a second chance. And this time, he wasn't going to screw it up!"

"There you go sweetheart," Lisbon chuckled as she cleaned the little girl's face and hands. It was a good thing that the bib covered most of her because Lily loved to play with her food. "She's almost as messy as you Jane."

"What?" He turned around and glared at the woman in the chair. "I am not messy Lisbon. In fact I've been to your place. I'm much neater than you are."

"Okay, okay – we're messier," she said sadly, looking at a grinning Lily. "But we're cuter, aren't we baby girl?"

"Now that I'll agree with," Jane said, removing the skillet from the stove. "Do you want to put the plates out? I have our omelets ready."

They ate dinner together in the kitchen with Lily babbling and laughing in her chair. Teresa herself felt like she spent most of the evening laughing as well. She knew it was partly relief from the day, but there was also a good dollop of just pure happiness mixed in. She felt – for the first time since the years before her mother died – that she was home.

"You're looking pleased," Jane suddenly commented.

"I'm happy," she told him simply.

"Me too," he smiled.

They sat looking at each other, both feeling the moment profoundly. Jane started to lean towards her, an intent look on his face, when he was interrupted by a loud crash.

"What the -!" He sat up quickly and looked down to see Lily's sippy cup on the floor and his little girl smiling broadly, as if she'd just done something spectacular.

"Don't throw things Lily," he told her sternly, picking up the cup. "I think it's time for a bath and bed," he said then, noticing that she was starting to rub her eyes.

"Why don't you give her her bath," Teresa said. "I'll clean up in here."

So for the next half hour Jane bathed Lily – loving the time spent with his little girl. Every time he looked at her or held her, every time she babbled or smiled, every time he watched her sleep he was astounded at how lucky he was. He loved her so much.

He lifted her out of her bath water and wrapped her in a warm towel. After a quick dry he got her into her sleeper and then carried her out to see Teresa.

"Here," Teresa smiled at him and handed him Lily's bottle. "Hey little one," she leaned over and gave Lily a kiss. "You're all clean and sweet smelling and ready for bed."

"Take her, she wants to say goodnight," Patrick handed the baby to her and she spent a couple of minutes cuddling her before handing her back to Jane. She knew that he needed this time with his daughter after the hearing and all they'd had to deal with with Edward Johnson.

She watched as Jane took Lily into her room, where she knew he would rock her and feed her the bottle. She was pretty sure it wouldn't be long before Lily was asleep.

As she sat in the living room, waiting for Jane, she had a brief moment wondering if she should leave. He was probably exhausted and she wasn't quite sure where things stood with them. Although they had made love – she smiled – they hadn't really talked about a relationship. She knew she loved him – but did he want her in his life now that he had full custody of Lily?

She didn't know if he wanted to committed relationship with her – with any woman for that matter. Having a child again had been a profound shock to him – maybe having a girlfriend would be too much. Maybe she should go and –

"You're thinking too much Teresa." His voice interrupted her thoughts and then next thing she knew he had plunked down beside her on the couch. His next move was to put his arm around her and draw her close, his head resting on her shoulder.

"I needed this," he murmured. "I needed you. I wanted you beside me today."

"I wanted to be beside you," she whispered back.

"But I knew you were behind me – like always," he told her. "I couldn't have done this without you."

"Yes – yes you could – for Lily you could. But it's better to have someone who loves you with you as well."

"Do you?" he asked softly.

"Do I what? Love you? Of course – how could you doubt that?"

"I guess I don't – it's just that I don't think I deserve it, not after everything I've done."

"Love isn't about deserving something Patrick. Love is about – the heart knowing what it wants. And mine wants you." She leaned over and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. "I've loved you for a long time – not because you deserved it (although I believe you do) but because I couldn't help myself. You complete me in ways I don't even understand." She snuggled into him closer, relishing the scent and the feel of him.

"And you make me whole Teresa," he said, burying his face in her hair, "and it's the only thing that can. I'm –" he took a deep breath, "I'm not whole, not without you. You know that, don't you?" He sat up and looked down at her, allowing himself to be totally open to her. "I'm damaged in ways that probably won't ever heal but you – you have a way of filling those holes in me, of making me feel whole. I love you so very much."

"I'm glad," she said softly, snuggling closer to him. "You know, of course, that you're stuck with me now? I'm not going to let you get all noble at some point and decide you don't deserve me or something stupid like that. I love you and I want you – and I need you."

"Okay," his lips turned up in a smile that was rather wobbly – but since no one was looking it didn't matter. "Not that I'm usually noble anyway."

"Yes, you are," she said fiercely, sitting up and glaring at him. "Don't think I don't know about those times you did things for people to help them – even if you did try and keep it secret."

He looked at her in surprise but then shrugged and drew her to him again. "Okay, the secret's out – I do deserve you and I'm extremely noble and -"

She slugged him in the arm. "Now don't get ridiculous!"

He laughed although he rubbed his arm. That had hurt – but it was worth it.

He reached out and gently skimmed his hand over her hair and then down to her face. His eyes met hers and he tried to convey, with all that was inside of him, how dear she was to him, how much he needed her, how much he loved her. But even more than that he wanted her to see his promise – his promise that he would always put her first, her and Lily. He would look after his family this time – he wouldn't let his own pride or arrogance get in the way.

He was not going to ruin his second change.

Teresa yawned at that moment – changing the mood from somber intensity to one much lighter and happier. He grinned and stood up. "Come on – you're tired and so am I. Let's go to bed."

"Uh – okay," she answered, feeling shy and flustered. Since he'd talked about them being tired she assumed that bed was – simply bed. A part of her was disappointed, but still, getting the chance to stay here with him, even if all they did was sleep, was wonderful. She'd take what she could –

"Teresa," he said softly. "You're doing it again. Relax."

"I am relaxed," she defended herself. "I was just –"

The next thing she knew, Patrick had grabbed her and pulled her to him. She lost all train of thought as his lips descended on hers.

"Oh," she breathed, a long, long time later.

"Yes, oh," he said, panting slightly. "Now, are you ready to go to bed woman?"

"To sleep?" she asked, a near-grin on her face.

He rolled his eyes and pulled her along with him to the bedroom. "We'll sleep later. For now – I have something else in mind!"

"Good!" They got into the bedroom and that was the end of their conversation.