A/n thank you everyone who read the first chapter and for the lovely comments. Didn't expect to have the second part ready so soon but a combination of insomnia and procrastination from other things has made it happen. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter title explained:

"And in the end, I'd do it all again. I think you're my best friend.", is a lyric from "The Kids Aren't Alright" which is a track from Fall Out Boy's 2015 LP, "American Beauty American Psycho".

/

"And in the end, I'd do it all again. I think you're my best friend."

Jane noticed a change in her mood when they returned to Austin a few days later. Most wouldn't be able to detect it, but he notices every little modification in her attitude. Lisbon is still content and relatively calm (considering the removal stress) but there is something else there, something deeper, clear to him due to her fidgetiness.

It doesn't take him long to work out that being back in Texas has made their newfound relationship start to feel very real. In Miami they blended in as an ordinary couple. They could sit under parasols with a drink outside a bar, trying each other cocktails, and lounge around on the beach, rolling in the sand together without the risk of being recognised by someone they know.

In Florida they didn't have to worry about anyone else because all focus was on each other. The only links to the "real world" during their short trip was the phone calls from Abbott who seemed unperturbed by her sudden decision to cancel her transfer and to remain at the Austin office. She has a couple of weeks off so that the paperwork can be sorted whilst her boyfriend has been given a week of leave to give his ankle time to mend.

Despite his injury, he tries to be as helpful as possible in the task of moving all her belongings back into the condo. It quickly becomes apparent that he isn't fit for any heavy lifting so after a heated discussion involving him trying to persuade her that he is capable, he has accepted his fate and is now finding his way around her kitchen to cook some dinner.

Lisbon hears him hum occasionally as he works while she busies herself with emptying a box of books that she only filled a couple of weeks prior. Packing and unpacking are two of the most tedious jobs there is but this time she doesn't mind too much.

When she brought all her belongings from Washington to here in Austin a few months ago, she wasn't sure what her future truly was. Yes, Jane was here but after two years apart from him she was uncertain whether she could fully commit again. She also had a notion that his employment at the FBI wouldn't last, he would end up rubbing them up the wrong way but this time she couldn't do anything to help.

Back in California, she had the authority to do her best to get him out of sticky situations but here she is no longer boss, and she told herself that if the consultant saw his employment cancelled then she wasn't going to hang around.

That was before she got to know and learnt to like her new colleagues, and they took to the mentalist surprisingly well, especially after some gift giving. She never did get a present from him, but she supposes that he knew he didn't need to buy her love. He had it already. Now, she can unpack her things knowing that she has a home and future here.

Her future was never meant to be in D.C. with Special Agent Marcus Pike. It was always meant to be wherever Patrick Jane is. She knows that now. "Smells good." Lisbon declares as she enters the kitchen holding a stack of glasses in one hand and a jug in the other.

"Try this." He instructs, whilst scooping up some of the red sauce with the wooden spoon prior to holding it out to her, using his other hand to hover underneath to catch any potential drips.

The brunette ditches what she was holding onto the counter before leaning down and forward to savour his creation. She hums in appreciation, loving the taste of the rich passata mixed with a slight kick of chilli. She licks her licks approvingly and he finds himself transfixed on the action of her tongue. "What?" Her tone is innocent but the smirk on her face is not when she notes his lust-fuelled expression.

Jane dumps the spoon back into the pan, letting some of the sauce splatter across the hob messily but he doesn't care. In no time at all he has one hand in her hair and the other snaked around her back as he pulls her close to him, so that he is able to capture her lips with his.

The kiss is passionate, probably the most passionate of all the kisses they have shared so far. She mirrors his enthusiasm by also wrapping her arms around him, enjoying the feeling of being so close as he ravishes her like there is no tomorrow. They both are very happy to go full steam ahead but sadly the boiling pasta has other plans.

The sound of water bubbling over the edge of the pan and scalding the surface below forces them to pull apart. "Dammit." He comments and quickly turns off the heat.

"Looks done to me." She helpfully announces and when he glances back to her with a look of oh really, he relishes her well-snogged appearance. Her lips are slightly swollen and pink to match the hue of her cheeks, her hair is also tousled. He didn't think he could find her anymore breath-taking than he has done before but she continues to surprise him. "I will lay the table."

They've yet to make love. There is no reason as to why but perhaps because of how hectic things have been. As well as the travelling and the unpacking of boxes, they've simply been enjoying each other's company. Repairing any blemishes in their already established relationship before fully going the next step. In recent years their friendship took a bit of bashing, especially when the Red John investigation began to heat up, so they've been liking the journey of getting their existing relationship back on track. It has been necessary.

Dinner is civilised. They make small talk as they devour the pasta dish he had prepared with delight, he's a decent cook which is good for her because although she isn't the worst chef, she has never had the patience to really put the right amount of effort in. "What's the herb in this?" She asks, licking her lips once more but this time Jane fights the urge to kiss her senseless.

"I've used basil and oregano." Cooking is something he has been doing ever since he was a kid back in the carny days. His dad's cookery repertoire was anything that could be cooked on a grill and cereal, so it forced the little boy wonder to learn himself. "Seasoning is the most important element when cooking."

"Is that right?"

"I'm really looking forward to you cooking for me now." He sarcastically replies with a mischievous glint in his eye. It is a look she has seen many times before and long may it continue.

"Who said anything about me cooking for you?"

The curly-haired man leans back in his chair and pointedly glances back towards the kitchen where there are boxes and boxes full of appliances, crockery and other kitchen items. If she doesn't cook, then all that stuff is a serious waste of space and money. She realises the argument he is making and scowls, provoking a chuckle from the man sat opposite her. "Now, dessert." He declares with a singular clap of his hands.

"Dessert?" Her ears prick up at the suggestion of a sweet something. Usually, a big bowl of pasta would fill her right up but with all the running around today she worked up quite the appetite.

"I saw your fancy sundae glasses this morning. So bought stuff to make a killer ice cream masterpiece." Without standing up, he starts to stack their bowls carefully. "Vanilla and chocolate ice cream, sauces, sprinkles, marshmallows, squirty cream… the lot."

Sometimes, she reasons that he is just a big kid. Thinking back to all those times that he wandered around crime scenes with an ice cream cone – and it was more than once – and also those times they platonically shared a sundae. It is funny the things you remember. "Someone bought me those glasses, I can't remember who though."

"Well, whoever it was, knows – argh." He hisses in pain when his foot comes in contact with the wooden floor.

During all this dessert talk, his injury left his mind and he tried to get up like everything is okay. "Oh my… Jane, sit back down okay." He is about to argue but he can still feel the ache shooting up his leg, so he resigns himself back to the chair. "I-I can clear all this up and get the ice cream its fine-"

"No, I will be okay in a minute." He interrupts her flustered chatter.

When their eyes meet from across the table, he can immediately see the guilt that is now eating her up inside. A few days ago, she didn't blame herself for his bad ankle, but today she is starting to. It isn't even that bad really, he was just a tad too heavy with his footing just then and jarred it. "Teresa, I am fine." He attempts to persuade but her doubt is obvious.

They both know that they could run around in circles all night (metaphorically of course) when discussing this subject. He is too proud to ever admit if he is in real pain especially if it means hurting her, he doesn't want that. "Let me tidy up and then we could have ice cream in bed." She suggests and instantly he is liking this idea.

Last night, he slept in his Airstream, and it felt strange to be sleeping alone even after only a few nights with her. He was wondering whether he would be back there tonight or if she would invite him to stay over and now that he has his answer he is grinning. All the pain forgotten.

It doesn't take her long to clear their dirty dishes away and when she returns, she is holding a bowl that he is assuming contains ice cream. He is a little disappointed that she decided against using the sundae glasses, but if they are going to snuggle up in her bed then this is a less precarious solution.

She watches him gingerly get up before she leads the way to her bedroom with him not-so-gracefully following behind. Her first thought on entering the room is how she has shared this bed with another man, and she contemplates whether that is something that will bother Jane. "I didn't bring pyjamas."

"I have something you can borrow." She replies and immediately heads to her chest of drawers, leaving the bowl on the top. When he doesn't reply, Lisbon turns to face him and notices the bothered expression on his features. "It isn't Marcus'." The addition is quick, and she observes the relief he exhibits at her admission.

It never really occurred to her how much her recent history would affect her new boyfriend. He has never been much of the jealous type; she didn't think so anyway. Now her brain is working at a hundred miles an hour and he can see the panic in her eyes.

Feeling bad that he caused her alarm, he waddles over to her before enveloping her in a hug without another thought. She didn't think anyone could be that good at giving hugs but of course it is another thing he excels at. He senses the tension leave her body as she sinks into him, she relaxes further when he kisses the top of her head lovingly before murmuring, "I can wear this. Let's eat the ice cream before it melts." He is swift in quashing her anxiety.

Her body endures a sense of loss when he releases her but then she tells herself that they have every day of the rest of their lives to cuddle and instantly she is beaming at the thought. In no time at all Lisbon has gone from having a strained demeanour to a much more perky one, the sudden change makes the blonde raise his brow.

Even after all these years she is still a mystery to him, and he wouldn't have it any other way. Teresa Lisbon is a special enigma, and he is the luckiest man in the world. Jane will happily tell that to anyone.

Inelegantly, he clambers onto the bed and props himself up against the stacks of pillows. Why this woman needs three pillows to sleep is something he doesn't quite understand, but he is the man who could sleep just about anywhere, pillows or not. His clumsiness humours her – obvious by the smirk on her lips – and he cannot help grinning right back at her.

Nothing could ruin his mood because he is in her bed. There is a definite air of sacrality about this room and his mere presence instantly riles them both up a little. "You would have probably done it better than me." She comments as she presents the dessert bowl to him that she has just picked up off the side.

Scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream fill the space, coated in a healthy (well unhealthy) covering of raspberry sauce and a scattering of mini marshmallows. He settles back against the pillows, admiring the sweet contents of the bowl as her eyes scan his body, lingering on his poorly ankle.

Without saying a word, she grabs a fuchsia cushion from a small chair in the corner of the room before lifting up the offending limb as delicately as she can to rest it on the brightly coloured object. Elevating it is the best idea. "Thank you." He utters and then pats the space beside him.

Ice cream in bed definitely seems a special treat, even more special when they are sharing it with each other. They alternately have a taste, with only one spoon been brought with the bowl, it ends up though with him gladly feeding her.

There is something so sexy about how the brunette ardently consumes the dessert from the spoon. He isn't quite sure whether it is the slight lick of her lips or the surprisingly voluptuous noises she is producing but it makes him want to discard the bowl and take her right here, right now.

However, now doesn't seem the right time.

Today has been full on with all the unpacking etcetera and Patrick can see the tiredness creeping into her being. She yawns for good measure and quickly those thoughts go away. What she needs is rest, ready for another day full of sorting tomorrow. Their lovemaking can wait. They've waited long enough… what more is a few days?

There is clatter when he drops the spoon in the now vacant bowl that sits between them. Soundlessly, he puts an arm around her form to bring her close to him, an action so simple but makes her heart swell.

Lisbon thinks of all the opportunities in the past they have had to do just this. Not necessarily in her bed but on his couch either at the FBI office or back in the CBI days. They've sat side by side on too many occasions to count but with space between them, and now that appears impossible.

How is she going to cope when they return to work? Having to keep some distance between them will be more difficult than she is expecting. She will just have to take make the most of their time off, she decides, and her eyes peruse his body before she knows what she is doing. A sigh escapes her lips when her sight settles on his injured ankle. "I am sorry about your ankle."

"Teresa-"

"I know it technically isn't my fault, but I still want to apologise. So, I'm sorry." Of, course she is saying sorry for something that isn't her doing. It makes Jane shake his head. He picks up the bowl between them before discarding it to the bedside table ensuring there is nothing between them.

The curly-haired man then gently guides her to a sitting position so that they are facing each other, this way he can really look into her stunning green eyes and gage her reaction when he says, "This pain is nothing compared to the agony I would be feeling right now if you had got on the plane to D.C."

He isn't sure what he was expecting her response to be, but immediately unshed tears begin to pool in her eyes as she bites her lip to try and stop them from falling. The sight makes his throat dry, so he is unfazed when his next comments come out a bit croaky. "You are worth it. I would jump over that fence everyday if it meant being with you."

It may sound cheesy, but this is him being one hundred percent honest with her and she is glad that after all those deceptive years, they are finally here. Even after everything, she believes that she can really trust him. "Oh, Jane." She gets surprisingly emotional at his omission and the tears begin to spill.

Both of his hands make their way onto her face as he lovingly wipes the tears away as soon as they fall. His thumbs almost move like windscreen wipers, but it is actually much more affectionate than that. Feeling him caress her cheeks with so much adoration is virtually hypnotic, and she becomes lost in sea blue eyes. Her tears are quickly forgotten as she leans into his touch.

They close off the night with a kiss. A kiss that says a thousand words. A kiss that says everything is okay now. The past is the past, but the most important thing is the future. Their future. Together.