A/N: We have arrived at the finish line! Thanks for everyone who's read and reviewed! I'm terrible at responding, but I do read them all. A special thanks to nitro9 for beta reading this chapter. More notes at the end.
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Not that she'd ever admit it, but she cried on the way back to Sacramento. That stubborn jackass! How dare he?!
He didn't understand that she cared. She wanted to help him figure this thing out. Though, why she felt so strongly about it that she cried was a bit of a mystery. Maybe it was the part of her that just wanted to help people. In spite of her desire to help, he truly believed himself a monster who deserved this.
That couldn't be further from the truth! She suspected that even in his human form, he wore a mask to hide who he really was. By denying a monster, he proved he wasn't one. No matter what he'd done in the past, that didn't define him now. He didn't deserve this. None of those people deserved this.
About midway between Malibu and Sacramento, she cleaned her face and got into game plan mode. She'd put all of this to rest with Minnelli by showing them she was unharmed and fine. Then, she would get back here to help Jane and the others. Hopefully, they had time. Did they have 12 hours left?
She didn't even bother worrying about the parking situation as she arrived at the CBI. Cursing the fact that she was still in these stilettos, she ran straight to holding. After all, there wasn't a minute to lose.
"Boss?"
She hoped Minnelli was still in holding and that they had not transferred him to central booking yet. She'd check on him first. Then, she would clear this all up with Bertram and that snake, Pike.
"Lisbon, is that you?" She looked around for a moment. "Lisbon?"
There he was in the fourth cell. "Guard! Unlock him now!"
The young uniform cop looked very uncertain. "Miss…"
"It's Agent Lisbon. I'm the one he's accused of kidnapping, but as you can see, there's been no crime. Let him out! Now!"
She felt bad for yelling at the young woman. She was just a uniform cop doing her job. It wasn't her fault, but she had no patience for dilly dallying. The woman nodded and called for the cell to open. In what seemed like an eternity, the cell finally slid open. Minelli rushed out and grabbed her in an embrace. He'd never hugged her before, but she gathered he was as happy to see her alive and well as she was to see him. It was comforting, but not the same comfort she'd felt hours ago.
"Lisbon, you're safe!" He leaned out to look at her. "You're all dressed up...did that beast hurt you?"
"No, boss. He didn't." Well, that wasn't entirely true. It hurt like hell when he told her to hit the pavement because he didn't need her. "Not everything is as it seems."
He scoffed. "Yeah, you're telling me! They thought I'd done something to you. How did you...how did you know what happened?"
"It's a bit hard to explain, but those missing people are all at the house. Jane-the beast-is also a missing person. We just didn't know there was a fifth. I need to get back out there immediately!"
"There's no way in hell I'm letting you go back there!"
She sighed. She appreciated that he cared, but now really wasn't the time. "I'm going back. Those people need my help! I will clear all of this up with Bertram as soon as I'm back, and…"
"Teresa! It really is you! I'm so glad to see you safe! I was so worried!" She turned her back to see Marcus Pike grinning ear to ear. "Not only safe but looking amazing, if I might say so."
She rolled her eyes. "It's a free country. Say whatever you want! Minnelli has committed no crime, and I want the paperwork for his release now!"
"Well, I realize that now. I never for a second believed he could do what he was accused of!"
Even if she hadn't watched through the magical tv screen, she would've known that was a lie. It was an insult to her intelligence really. Remembering her mission, she mustered all of the self-restraint she had.
"Ok, I know that's bullshit. And I don't have time to really get into this right now. I want Minnelli released. Now!"
"Sure, I'll get the paperwork going, but we thought you were missing. He said you were distressed. I think we should talk about that. You can always talk to me about what's going on…"
"Yeah, I don't think so." She turned to the guard. "Please help Agent Pike find the paperwork he needs for Agent Minnelli's release."
Pike flashed a crooked grin. "Well, it's just Minnelli now. The CBI has parted ways with your former boss. I hate for you to find out like this, but I'm here for you."
Feeling her resolve starting to slip, she turned to Minnelli, guiding him further away from Pike. "I have to go, but we will work this out with Bertram when I'm back."
"Lisbon...no! You can't go back there!"
"I have to go back. They need help!"
"Fine. But I'm going with you. That beast won't…"
Pike leaned over her shoulder. "Now, what's that? Where are you going, Teresa? You just got back. I've been worried about you. Maybe you should get checked out. I'll ride to the hospital with you."
"I don't need a hospital! I need you out of my space!"
"No need to be so upset, Teresa. You're talking about someone needing help, but I want to make sure you're taken care of. You can't help others if you don't help yourself. I'll ride out wherever you're going with you."
"I don't think so, Pike. Come on, boss."
As crummy as she'd felt in those heels earlier, she felt immense power in stomping away from Pike in them. Though, never one to take a hint, he was right behind her.
"I'm riding out with you! Minnelli has been relieved of his duties, and I want to make sure you're ok."
"I'm fine! You're not getting in my car!"
"Fine. I'll take my own car."
She shook her head as she and Minnelli got in the Citreon. She peeled off as quickly as she could, hoping she'd discourage Pike from following.
A little while into the drive, Minnelli flashed a smile at her. "Lisbon, I'm really glad you're ok. But what the hell is going on? Who's car is this?"
She exhaled deeply. "I know how crazy it sounds, but you were there. You saw the same things I did."
"I saw the beast. I didn't even tell them about the beast! Yet, they thought I was crazy and had done something unspeakable to you."
"I'm sorry, boss. That was my fault. I should've found a way to communicate that I was ok. I wasn't thinking."
"It's not your fault. For what it's worth, I think Bertram and Pike are in cahoots together. And that Pike is really bad news!"
"I know. I saw everything at the house."
"How did you see it at the house?"
"It's a curse. All five of our missing persons are in that house. Jane was never reported missing…" She swallowed thickly as she realized why there were only four people reported missing. Did no one notice he was missing? Or did they not care enough to report him missing? She was lost in that thought until Minnelli pulled her out.
"Ok, so where are they being held? I didn't see anyone there besides that beast."
"His name is Jane. Patrick Jane. The curse turned them to objects. It's why you thought the house was alive."
Minnelli blinked in confusion a few times. "Really? A curse?"
"I know how it sounds. I thought all kinds of things before I finally realized the reality of the situation. If I can help Jane break the curse, they'll be returned. There's not much time left. I wanted to stay and help, but...but he sent me in his car to help when we saw them throw you in jail."
"I'm glad you came for me, but I'm even happier you're going back for those people." She nodded at him. He spoke with pride, but she couldn't help be filled with dread at the prospect of what they might find at the house.
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"We're doomed!" Rigsby waved his candles around.
"I mean, unless Jane can figure it out, then yeah. Can't believe I got stuck as a clock. I could've at least become a Ferrari. Worst beach trip ever."
Van Pelt bobbled a bit. "Guys, I think he might be able to figure out! We shouldn't give up hope yet. What do you guys think would break the curse?"
Hightower let out a low whistle. "I don't know what it could possibly be. Maybe he's right. Maybe he's not meant to figure it out. He's just meant to chase his tail."
Rigsby laughed a bit. "Well, if this were a fairy tale, wouldn't true love's kiss break the curse?" He battled his eyes at Van Pelt who twirled a bit.
"Stop it, Wayne! This is serious!"
"Yet, she's flattered. I can't believe I'm going to spend the rest of my life watching this." His gears started to grind again.
"Don't be so sour, Cho. We're in this together!"
"When you start ringing on the hour, then we can talk about being in this together."
Now, it was Hightower's turn to laugh. "You guys amuse me. Has anyone seen Jane since Lisbon left?"
"He's sulking in the library."
"Well, we should go check on him."
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He sent her away. It was for the best really. He could sense she would stay til the bitter end trying to save them. At least this way she could save someone. But did he have to be such a...beast?
He heard a soft whistle near his feet. Of course, all four of them were here.
"Are you sulking because you miss her or because we're going to be stuck this way?"
That was the softest Hightower had ever spoken to him. Learning of her two kids put things into context for him. She'd never come off as hating him, but she was very frustrated. Before he could answer, Cho chimed in (literally).
"He's definitely bummed about the girl. I know that look. Rigsby used to have it all the time."
"Hey!"
"Of course, I'm not thinking about Lisbon that way! She was nice and helpful." All of the objects made noises.
"So you're saying if you were in human form…"
"I'm saying nothing, Rigsby!" He growled, earning silence in return. He didn't mean to scare them. "I wish I knew how to end this. I don't know how you're all feeling, but if I could, I'd release you all. You don't deserve to stew in my punishment with me."
"Jane!" Everyone turned to look toward the library doors. Did she come back?
"Lisbon?" And there she was standing in the door of the library, wearing the same gown she left in and looking extremely apprehensive. Obviously, she didn't know what she would find upon return. "You came back!"
He grinned, and he probably looked an absolute fool. He didn't care. She came back! She chuckled a bit as the objects made their way to her. Minnelli, who stood next to Lisbon, looked at them in shock.
"Jane, I told you I would help."
"I cannot believe that you were cursed…and that's a real thing that can actually happen."
He shrugged. "I'd say we were all shocked."
Minnelli harrumphed. "Well, maybe you should learn to ask for help instead of taking hostages!"
Thankfully, Lisbon saved him from the awkwardness of fumbling for something that resembled an apology as she shook her head. "We don't have time for this! Run us through that night again."
So he told her about that night again, as he worked to maintain eye contact instead of staring at her neckline. Maybe Cho and Hightower were right. Those excruciatingly long 13 hours had been the worst since this predicament started. He missed the girl, but that's not why she came back. As she said herself, she returned out of duty.
"So he told you to figure it out?"
He nodded. "He said it was something I'd probably never get anyway."
Lisbon looked at him curiously. "You never told me that part before."
He averted his eyes. "It's hard for me to admit certain things." He never wanted to admit he was incapable of anything in front of her. Even asking for her help had been a stretch.
"But Jane, it sounds like he was taunting you or baiting you. That sounds personal in a different kind of way."
"Yeah, he wanted me to join him."
She shook her head. "Or maybe that's never what he wanted at all. You'd never seen him before?"
"No. I have a good memory, but I don't recall ever seeing him before."
Hightower spoke. "You would never get it anyway?"
"That's what he said. I don't know what he meant."
"No, but the man who hired me said that to me. He said that I would never get why that heirloom mattered anyway."
He shrugged. "Honestly, I don't have any family heirlooms. I stopped taking items from people a long time ago. I only deal in cash, and I'm not even a big time hustler anymore!"
Cho ticked a bit as he looked at his friends. "The man on the beach?"
"Oh," Van Pelt started. "He asked what we were doing, and I told him it was my birthday. Then, he asked if I was coming to see a psychic. I told him no because I didn't really believe—no offense, Mr. Jane."
"Believe me: none taken."
Rigsby moved one of the candles under his chin as though he was in deep thought. "And he said we'd never get why it mattered anyway. That's when we decided to check it out."
He met Lisbon's eyes. They had a breakthrough of some kind.
"He wanted you all here. But why?"
"Hightower, what was your client's name?"
"Roy Tagliaferro."
"Do you know him, Jane? Anyone with a similar name even?"
He started going through each of his memories, trying to find any kind of connection.
"I can't say that I do, but he wanted you all here. It makes no sense. Hightower had no connection to the others, and I have no connection to any of you."
Once again, he found Lisbon's eyes. She had it.
"He lured them here to increase your suffering. He always planned to turn you, but turning you and only you would have no effect on you. He knew that having others here with you, beholden to the same curse that you're meant to break, would increase your suffering."
He shook his head. "Why would anyone target me? I'm no angel, but a curse?"
Lisbon nodded her head. "We've been operating under the assumption that it's all about you. Clearly, he brought other people here on purpose. What if it had nothing to do with you?"
Minnelli waved his hand. "What are you suggesting, Lisbon? He targeted Jane and this house of people."
"I'm not saying it has nothing to do with Jane at all, but he's a madman with magical powers. If suffering is his entire game, maybe he meant to set the game so that no one would ever consider his underlying motivations. If we don't question those underlying motivations, then we may not see what's in front of our faces."
"This didn't seem random…"
She shrugged. "No, he did everything he could to make you believe he actually wanted something from you. But what if it's nothing more than watching you suffer? When you feel defeated, you're less likely to fight. You would just give in, but…"
"What would he gain from that? He's not here!" Then, suddenly, it hit him. He took Lisbon's forearm and drew her closer to him as though he were going to kiss her.
He reached down so that only she could hear him. "Everything that's magical is a person."
"Yeah. So?"
"Why's my house magical?"
Her eyes went wide. "What do you want to do?"
He pulled back. "I've figured it out, Roy or whatever your name is. You can show yourself."
Suddenly, the tv was laughing. That was...disturbing.
"Oh man, she is good! All that talk about defeat really got you back in your game, huh? And here I was just enjoying the show! It's not every day the lead agent on your case shows up and you get front row seats to the whole event."
The tv came off the wall, and there stood the man who cursed him.
Lisbon stood there mouth agape. "Who are you?"
"I'm Red John! Nice to finally meet your acquaintance, Agent Lisbon!"
Minnelli was also having a hard time with talking tv that was now a man. "And what exactly is all this?"
"Oh, Agent Minnelli. I must say. You almost gave me the last little reprieve I needed! Wouldn't want these two breaking the curse—which by the way you haven't!"
He was mocking them. "Why are you doing this?"
"Mostly for my enjoyment. I've been watching you for a while, Patrick."
"And?"
"Well, I wanted to meet your acquaintance. Your reputation precedes you, which means like the others I've cursed, you'll never figure it out. Deck is always stacked in my favor, pal. Though, I will say this is the most entertainment I've ever gotten out of this. Watching you pine over Agent Lisbon here so she would then have to live forever with not only not solving this case, but feeling terrible that her poor beastie was trapped this way? Priceless!" He laughed darkly.
Jane noticed a slight movement in the library door. Everyone was in the room already, so he let out a low warning growl. Without warning, he heard a gunshot and felt the bullet pierce his chest as he fell back onto the couch.
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On instinct, she reached for her holster, which she wasn't wearing. She turned to see Pike in the doorway holding his gun.
Minnelli shouted at him. "Give me that!" He took the gun from his hands as Pike stood there with a blank look on his face.
"What the hell is that thing? Teresa, are you ok?"
"Oh my God! Pike, what the hell are you doing?"
"I'm here to save you!"
"Save me? Are you insane? You shot an unarmed man!"
"That thing is a beast!" He reached for her, but she shrugged away as she tended to Jane.
"No he's not. He's a man." Jane's breaths were ragged as this Red John guy laughed. "Jane, it's ok. Just calm down and take short breaths for now."
"Now, this is even better. I love chaos, but the CBI is really making this so much sweeter. So many clues and no one can figure out. At least you can't say that I don't play somewhat fair."
"If he's the house...why did the house…"
"Shhh. It's ok. We will figure it out."
"Tick tock, Agent Lisbon. Oh wait, is that the clock's job?"
"Screw you, pal."
"Easy there, Big Ben. I can always turn you into something else that you'll hate more."
Jane looked at her with soft blue eyes. He needed medical attention, but how could he get it in this form?
"Lisbon...the house...wanted us to spend time together. Why does that make any sense?"
She blinked at that revelation. The house had accommodated her well—and ensured they spent as much time together as possible. She looked down at her gown and back into his eyes before reading the snarl on Red John's face. It was all about suffering, only when she joined Jane at the house, he upped the stakes. It became his suffering and hers. His and hers. He had to love the irony in that.
"I think I get it now."
Jane smiled. "Really? Because I don't. I know I'm not supposed to say that, but my bravado is failing me right now."
She took his paw. "You said Snow White never made any sense to you."
"It doesn't. It doesn't teach a single lesson, but what does that…"
"Nor does this Red John person. It's not a lesson you're meant to learn. It's one that you believe in."
He met her eyes. She inhaled sharply before taking the biggest risk of her life. She leaned over and kissed him. Her lips tingled as she heard Red John scream.
"What did you do? No! You can't have possibly figured it out!"
She kept kissing Jane, careful not to put too much pressure on his wound. She noticed things began to shift around them, so she pulled back briefly.
Jane was no longer a beast. He was now a blue eyed man with golden curls. The library looked much different now as it returned to presumably the way Jane had decorated it in the first place. Hightower, Van Pelt, Cho, and Rigsby all transformed into their human forms as well.
She and Jane shared a grin as she winked at him. "See? Better together."
His gunshot wound also receded. She didn't know how that worked, but she would take it. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into a sitting position.
Red John was chanting something and moving his hands. "No! No! Nooooo! Why isn't it working?"
"Well, here's a lesson for you, Red John. You wanted absolute chaos and suffering. Love, not suffering or revenge, broke your curse and stole your magic. You have no power here."
"I always have power! Look at him! He's thinking of how he's going to get his revenge. I will still win!"
She looked at Patrick. He was looking at Red John wild eyed. While she understood his reaction, he couldn't do what he wanted.
She took his hand, getting him to look at her. "Do you trust me?"
He nodded. "I do, but…"
"Then, revenge isn't the answer. Let me do this the right way. He's powerless. He can't hurt you or anyone else anymore."
After a few seconds, Jane sighed. "Take care of him."
She smiled as she touched his cheek. She could sense the internal struggle with him. How could he not want to take matters in his own hands?
She looked at Red John, who was still sputtering. "You have no power, not anymore. But don't worry! I have some nice handcuffs that will fit over those hands. You'll wish you had magic where you're going."
Minnelli handed her a pair of cuffs, and she got him linked up. They'd have to find a way to call for help...and explain something to the responders.
When she turned to face Jane again, he looked at her in amazement. "So I think I understand what happened, but was that…"
"True love's kiss." She looked away, suddenly aware of how many people were watching them. "The answer was right in front of our faces-the romance songs, books, couches suddenly too small to fit two people, intimate dining experiences-but too simple to ever consider as the real answer."
He took her hand into his. "Normally, I'd say it's too soon to tell. I mean, just two days? Really? What are we on some reality simulation show?"
"I really hope not." It definitely wasn't too soon to tell. It's why she hated being sent away. He reached over and kissed her this time.
"But personally, I think you may be onto something."
She squeezed his hand. "Are you ok?"
"Never been better. Truly. How about you guys?"
Everyone else nodded as Pike continued to look astonished. "What just happened?"
"It's a long story, but this man cursed…"
"No! I mean did you seriously choose that...that beast over me?"
She shook her head. "I never chose you in the first place! In fact, I think I told you it was never going to happen many times. And honestly, it's really never going to happen. I saw how you set Minnelli up. You honestly think I'd want anything to do with a man like you?"
"But he...you'll regret this!"
"See, that's where you're wrong, Agent Pike." Minnelli's voice boomed. "You are the one who's going to regret this. A room full of witnesses saw you attack an unarmed man in his home. What was it? A jealous rage?"
"I didn't attack anyone! There's no proof and you all saw!"
"What I saw was Agent Lisbon heroically rescuing five missing persons and apprehending their captor!"
"Yeah, that's my memory of the whole thing." She grinned inwardly at the fact that regardless if he was a clock or a man, Cho had a very matter of fact approach to life. "Where do I give my statement?"
"But I…"
"Sit down, Agent Pike! I'm sure once the other agents arrive with Professional Responsibility, they will want to know the full extent of what you were up to...both here and with Director Bertram."
Pike gulped. He knew he was done. Good.
Jane cleared his throat. "You know, your cell phones should work here now. The house was signal jamming."
Minnelli pulled out his phone. "I've got a signal! I'll call it in."
Within the hour, there were agents swarming the house. The official version of events, which weren't too far from the unofficial version, though void of any magical details, was that Red John kidnapped four people, brought them to Jane's house, and held them all hostage here. Lisbon (and Minnelli because she wouldn't let him not take credit too) stumbled upon the house and freed the hostages.
Once a bus came to take Red John away and others were dealing with Pike, Jane looked at her. "Can we go for a walk along the beach? It's been a while since I've been out."
"Yeah." Hand in hand, they walked out onto the beachfront. There was a moment of silence between them.
"You know, I'm usually really good at reading people, but I never thought the answer was love."
She grinned. "Because you doubted it as a possibility in the first place. You never believed!"
"But true love's kiss? Come on!"
"Hey, just because you didn't believe it did not mean it wasn't real. You know, that our kiss wasn't one of true love."
"I just mean the whole fairy tale concept. Maybe I've never met someone who's as skilled as I am."
"Red John was certainly into twisted mind games, but..."
He squeezed her hand. "I mean you! I discarded something I found unimportant because it hurt my pride. You took that and it became the breakthrough that solved this whole thing. I still don't get why that madman was after me."
She felt the blush rise on her cheeks. Few people ever complimented her skills. "And if I had to bet, neither does he. At least not in any way that makes sense to the rest of us. You have your pride, and he has his. I'm sure it would have given him a great boost of pride to make you suffer. He's a sociopath."
"That may be true." He paused for a brief moment. "But I hope you don't think that I would only kiss you to end a curse."
"I...I didn't get that impression."
"But it's been a very long time for me. I don't connect with others very well. That wasn't just a beast thing. It's a me thing. I have to learn how to become human again."
"I don't think that's true. You never stopped being a human. After all, you forced me out of here because you thought it was more important that I save Minnelli. You are very good at reading people, but maybe you've never had someone read you before."
He stopped walking, so she turned to face him, their hands linked. It made her a little nervous until he flashed her a huge grin. "So how does this work? Are we meant to get married right now?"
She laughed. "I don't think that's necessary, but maybe we could put that on a board of future interests. How about we start with a nice dinner and maybe a night on the town?"
"Deal."
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And that is the story of how our handsome psychic broke his curse. Well-how our handsome psychic and his angry little princess broke his curse. For without her help, he would now be a true beast, forever living in misery and on the prowl for revenge. Indeed, he learned two lessons: that he needed someone else and that true love was real.
Though the couple bickered often, it was undeniably love. After a brief courtship, the handsome psychic and his angry little princess married on that Malibu beachfront in front of all of their friends and family, including Hightower, Cho, Van Pelt, Rigsby, and Minnelli. Then, the handsome psychic moved back to Sacramento so that his angry little princess-now his wife-could take up her new job.
It seems that one wicked man helped them root out many more. Defeated and unable to get his magic back, Red John pled guilty to all counts and went to prison for the rest of his life. He admitted he took great pleasure in watching others suffer and that there were other victims out there. Agent Pike was relieved of his duties as was Director Bertram when the full extent of his schemes, including framing Minnelli for a crime, came to light.
After Bertram was dismissed, and in light of her good deeds, the angry little princess was offered the role of Director of the CBI. Of course, she accepted and used the opportunity to find Red John's other victims with the help of her new consultant Jane. Though Agent Minnelli decided perhaps it was time to retire for good, she persuaded him to stay on as her Assistant Director and even persuaded Hightower to come back to take on a leadership role at the CBI.
Hightower was beyond happy when she was reunited with her children and that she could return to her old job with confidence. Like Hightower, Van Pelt, Rigsby, and Cho all saw changes to their lives upon return too. Deciding to not lose a moment, Van Pelt and Rigsby married a week after their captivity ended. They continue to reside in San Francisco with their children. Cho continued coaching baseball but also opened a clock repair shop, slyly telling people no one knew better than he how clocks work. Indeed, he met his wife when she came to have an old family clock repaired. They also continue to live in San Francisco with their children. All of the old friends keep in touch.
But getting back to the handsome psychic and his angry little princess, they definitely lived happily ever after with their four children. Well, he had four children. She had five. She didn't mind though. Her handsome psychic was a good father and husband. He was as decent, loving, and kind as she always knew him to be. Though, she had to warn him off from scamming people too often. The man was a cardshark!
Still known for dancing around their living room to the songs that make sense-and unparalleled banter-thus ends the dynamic story of the handsome psychic and his angry little princess. After all, true love is the tale as old as time.
The end.
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A/N 2: Is there a more notorious accidental Jisbon shipper than Red John? I know Red John isn't super fleshed out here, but I literally had in my notes early on "RJ= Jafar." That probably tells you how much I cared about fleshing out his intentions beyond him being someone who just wants to psychologically torture Jane. I'm not sure if anyone noticed the chapter titles, but they were all lyrics from Taylor Swift's "Love Story." I know. Kind of cheesy, but I couldn't think of a better song for this story. And the Snow White bit...that came to me thinking about what do fairytales "teach" us. Just my opinion, but maybe they don't always teach lessons. Sometimes, they show that we can believe in something-and to me, that's so essential to Jane and Lisbon's story both here in and in a canon setting. In canon, we saw Jane struggling with the idea of revenge and eventually committing to it because he was hurting. I just went the other way here. So I'll stop with the notes now. I thank everyone for reading this story!