When they arrived, Lisbon was sound asleep, and didn't even react to the stopping of the car or the sudden quiet of the engine.

Touched by her innocence as she slept, Jane whispered "Teresa, dear - we're here!"

So deeply exhausted, Lisbon was barely able to mumble an unintelligible acknowledgment that he'd spoken, before stretching out with a yawn, and cuddling back into a ball on the passenger seat.

She looked so adorably vulnerable…

Jane was overwhelmed by the depth of the emotions washing over him. He was so in love with this woman, who was so fierce and strong, but also so loving and sweet. Tenderly, he picked her up and gently lifted her into the house, smiling at how 'newlywed' it seemed, carrying her over the threshold.

Once he'd emptied the car and put away their things, he brought out some snacks from the kitchen.

Lisbon was awake enough now to enjoy the much-needed nourishment, and also some light conversation.

"So, I put your things in the first guest room - it's got the more comfortable bed," he smiled. I'll be just next door, though, so if you need anything in the night you'll know where to find me."

She tried, but failed, to hide her disappointment. Of course, they should probably not jump into bed together in the first hours of their newly minted relationship, but still she had hoped to sleep tonight cuddled up beside him. Breathing him in… feeling his warmth… listening to his heartbeat, as it lulled her to sleep.

"I know, Teresa," he countered, reading her disappointment , "But I don't want to do anything rash that could even remotely ruin this new connection we've made. And with my lack of practice in the last decade, I just don't fully trust myself to not take advantage of the situation somehow, even in my sleep."

She started to protest, but he continued, with his fingers cradling her chin,

"Please understand how much I truly want to be in your presence every single moment, for the rest of our lives. And know how strong the pull is from my heart to yours right now. I can hardly find air to breathe, the gravitational pull between us, is so strong. and I don't want to lose you in a black hole of desire - at least not before we've had a chance to build some strong foundations and safety mechanisms to protect this beautiful thing that's blooming between us. I love you so completely, Teresa, and I can't wait to share myself with you fully, but wait I must - I'm so terrified of messing this up somehow…" he hoped she understood.

She made it clear, with how she looked into his eyes then, that she did.

"I completely understand, my love. I want to be beside you every moment, as well, but I'll honor your wishes tonight. I'm so affected by the weight of these emotions, too."

"Also," she went on, "You're awfully open & honest tonight, Patrick!" - "What have you done with Jane?" She teased.

He laughed, "Let's just say I've had some time to think recently - And after you scared the life out of me with Pike I decided things would be different if I ever got a second chance.." he professed.

"Well, whatever the reason, it's a refreshing change," she beamed. "And I know I was a bit flippant about it just now, but I really do appreciate how open you're being with me, and I love how easy it's been to talk and share so fully with you, Patrick - I truly mean that," she said, looking into his eyes with an intensity that matched the strength in her voice as she spoke.

His smile was wide as ever, as he received her gratitude for this gift he was working so continuously to give her, from this day forward.

"Here!" He jumped to his feet and motioned her toward her room. "Let's get you settled in. Then tomorrow I'll make you an elaborate and delicious breakfast, and we can plan some of what's next!"

She walked over and put her arm around him, amazed, as they eased down the hall together, smiling happily.

Lisbon wasn't sure how long she'd been asleep, but a voice in the night snapped her back awake. She barely breathed, listening intently into the darkness, wondering if the sound had been real.

Then came a reprisal of a blood-curdling scream…

Then another…

The terror in Jane's voice was so acute that she barely recognized it! She jumped out of bed in a single leap, grabbed her service weapon, and tore down the hallway! When she reached the other guest room, the faintest glow of moonlight illuminated him - cowering with his head down, and both arms wrapped around his knees. After a quick check, ensuring there weren't actually any intruders, she slowly lowered her gun and tiptoed quickly to him. He was deep in a nightmare, it seemed, as he rocked side to side, sobbing and whispering her name.

Though it wasn't the first time she'd awakened him from a nightmare, seeing him like this was soul crushing for her. Ever so gently, she whispered to him, and rested her hand on his shoulder.

"Patrick, my love, please wake up…"

He reacted with catlike reflexes, jumping away and demanding to see Teresa.

"Jane!" She snapped in her very most FBI voice.

And that is when he awoke with a start - The familiarity of Lisbon's "annoyed" voice bringing him quickly back to reality. He wiped his eyes and tried to remember where he was.

"You were having a bad dream, Love," she explained, as she massaged his neck and shoulders.

"Oh… Yeah… That was terrifying!" He mumbled, with a disoriented stare. "It's been a long time since I've had one that was so realistic." He shivered at the memory of it.

"Are you gonna be okay?" She asked, with concern - she had never seen him quite this shaken during any of his previous such experiences.

"Yeah," he sighed, "I'm so sorry that I woke you. But the silver lining is seeing your beautiful face in the moonlight. You are so breathtaking right now, Teresa!"

He couldn't help but caress her cheek and cover her face with soft kisses.

Blushing, she asked again, "Are you sure you're going to be able to get back to sleep after that?"

She raised her eyebrows when he didn't reply and offered, "I could rub your back until you're more relaxed? I could stay and hold you til morning?"

He was still a bit out of it, but finally agreed to a back rub - just until he calmed down a bit.

Okay maybe til he fell completely asleep.

Jane woke up the next day, wrapped around Lisbon, (who was blissfully slumbering).

Confused, he tried to remember the events of the previous night:

No – I'm sure I gave her the bed in the other room, just to be safe. I remember not wanting to take advantage of the situation, even subconsciously. He thought to himself.

But apparently Lisbon had had other ideas and snuck into his room during the night. As far as he could tell nothing had happened aside from sleep, although he noticed he was quite - firm - right now.

Lisbon woke, with an adorable stretch, shortly after. She turned toward Jane & folded them into a morning embrace, noticing that something was up… Literally…

She blushed.

Jane apologetically explained that he, despite all of his breathing exercises and famed self-control, had found he had no control over this.

"It's part of why I'd asked that we sleep separately last night (though I'm glad you stayed and kept me safe after such a horrific dream!)" he confessed.

She gave him a squeeze & kissed his shoulder, as he continued,

"This joy I feel, being with you in such an open, honest, and vulnerable way, is a sensation that is completely new for me, and the power and strength of this love we've recently acknowledged is out of my experience entirely."

(He still loved Angela of course, but he was a different person then. And years of withholding his affections paired with the tragedies he'd suffered, survived and grown from, added an intensity and depth to his newly explored connection to Lisbon).

"I'm both petrified and beside myself with excitement thinking of how these emotions may amplify, once we connect physically! Still, I'm sorry about the little 'wake-up call' I gave you this morning!" He laughed nervously, as she turned a darker shade of red.

"Hey!" She quipped, "I was promised an elaborate breakfast!"

"So demanding, before your coffee, Lisbon!" He teased, brushing her hair from her face, before rolling out of bed to find the kitchen.

They stayed in Malibu for a few days, enjoying the gorgeous ocean-side setting, at the house.

You are even more gorgeous than this view, Lisbon thought, smiling at her handsome new lover and old friend.

"You know, Patrick," she cooed, "We could stay here by the sea indefinitely - maybe for the full two-weeks of my leave!"

The blues and greens of the sea compliment her eyes in such an amazing way, he thought to himself, before countering,

"It is really beautiful here, and I love being with you in such a peaceful place. But, this property is full of bad memories for me - not only of violence, but of the man I used to be. I'm not proud of that guy, and would rather forget his arrogant, ignorant ways."

Lisbon raised an eyebrow.

"Okay - of course they're not only bad memories… There are also some wonderfully happy ones."

His eyes were suddenly far away, out to sea, remembering Charlotte's first birthday… Then Angela's surprise when he'd unveiled the new beachfront deck… Then dozens more… And though he felt stronger than ever, in his relationship with Lisbon, he found that he was afraid to share his family's stories with her. He couldn't bear the possibility that she might feel in any way secondary, so decided to change the subject.

Reading his concerned expression, and guessing what he might be thinking, Teresa replied quickly, as she moved close,

"Patrick I am head over heels in love with you, and that means every part of you. Angela and charlotte are two parts of you. They live on, inside you, so I love them too. I would never pry or push you to share before you're ready, but I want to be clear that I'm always open to hearing about them. I want you to feel free to share any memories or stories about them that you want to or need to. Because as far as I'm concerned, they are my family, now, too." She smiled, as his eyes filled with tears.

Jane drew her into a crushing embrace, as he broke down, in relief & gratitude, sobbing as if exhaling a decade of worry and loneliness. He suddenly couldn't get close enough to her… Couldn't breathe enough of her in… Couldn't hold her tightly enough… Couldn't taste enough of her lips… Her skin… Her gasps of delight in this new-found loving closeness between them.

At last, the wave of overwrought gratitude passed, and they stood, wrapped together, studying one another, in wonder and amazement. They had come so far from that first meeting at the CBI. Lisbon felt she might burst with thanks that he had stumbled into her life that day, as she beheld the beautiful, caring, honorable man he had become.

Jane beamed as he read her expression - more determined than ever to be the man she saw in him.