RENOVATIONS AND SEATTLE BY TRAIN

"So, today is the day for planning, right?"

Jane was hopeful that the calm of the ocean wouldn't change Lisbon's mind. He could hardly wait to share travels with her - daydreaming about all the ways he could make her smile, as they went.

Lisbon smiled back, knowing how excited he was - but also knowing how amazing it would be for her. To have so much uninterrupted time together. No calls to a crime scene. No need to cover for him with her superiors. And best of all - no one to share him with. A bubble of time they could call their own.

"Yes! Let's plan!" She answered, unrolling a map and dropping two sharpies onto the deck table.

"Where to, first?"

Jane was pleasantly surprised by Lisbon's enthusiasm and that she'd obviously put a lot of thought into this - into their time together! Not for the last time, he inhaled deeply and sighed - absolutely amazed at how lucky he was.

"Well it is currently you who has saved me in this relationship, so your idea about a train ride to the Space Needle has to come first!" He smiled.

"Aw, thank you, Jane!" She blushed and walked around the table to give him a squeeze.

"You are most welcome, my dear Lisbon!" he grinned, pleased with himself at procuring a blush.

"When should we leave? I'm happy to take care of the train reservations. Maybe you'd like to start a list of things to do in the city?"

"I'd be happy to leave ASAP, since we have somewhat limited time, and I'd like to get in as much as possible before going back to Austin."

"First though," she added, cautiously, "do you want to talk real quick about what's gonna happen to this house, maybe? I know it holds parts of your past you'd rather not be reminded of, but it seems a waste to have it sitting vacant - plus vacant houses are a real draw for criminals, which we obviously don't want."

Jane was disappointed to leave the travel planning conversation, but he knew Lisbon was right. He needed to make a plan for the Malibu house, one way or another. It really was a beautiful property, for one, and also - maybe more importantly - he had never been more ready to move on. And moving on from this house was a huge part of that.

"I'm torn." He started. "It sometimes brings me pain and shame, but it hurts to think about getting rid of it entirely. I mean I still own the place after how many years?"

"What if you remodeled it and used it for a rental? Or a vacation home? Or hey - maybe an Airbnb? You could rent it, and have a local person manage it, but you could still come stay whenever you liked?"

Jane's face lit up at that last suggestion. It would be perfect if he could still have access, but also allow it to have some glory and provide enjoyment for others in the meantime. And a local property manager would ensure it stayed clean and wouldn't fall into disrepair.

"Lisbon that's brilliant!" He bubbled as he picked her up and spun her in the air. "Start your list of things to do in Seattle while I research local contractors and think about what needs fixed up around here!"

Extremely satisfied with how happy her idea had made him, Lisbon started writing Seattle ideas down, while Jane began the plans for rebuilding the Malibu house.

There was a lot to share and discuss at dinner that night.

Jane was ecstatic to have found a trustworthy contractor who could start the very next morning!

Fred O'Malley promised to look the place over, develop a plan, then begin work the day after tomorrow. Jane asked if it was okay that he travel while the work was being done, and Fred had assured him that it would probably work out better that way - his staff could work much more quickly without having homeowners underfoot, etc. He'd also promised to send daily updates with photos so Jane could follow the progress and rest easy, as he vacationed with his beautiful, amazing, courageous, irresistible love.

He adored this woman so much, and he found himself lost in her eyes as she described her hopeful plan for Seattle.

"Jane?" He snapped his thoughts back from her eyes to her words. What had she been saying? Something about a ferry?

"Sorry, love. I was so lost in your emerald eyes just then that I lost track of what you were saying. Please say it again?" He pouted innocently and raised his eyebrows.

How could she argue with that? she wondered, feeling warm inside.

"No problem, Patrick," she replied softly, smiling at the way his eyes were practically caressing her,

"I was just mentioning that there are ferries that go from the city to Bremerton and back. And also some that go to the San Juan islands. I actually like the idea of seeing the skyline - and even Mount Rainier if the skies are clear enough - from the water!"

"Teresa that sounds lovely! What if we take the train as far as Tacoma, then rent a car to Bremerton so that our very first view will be from that ferry?"

Lisbon agreed - completely enamored with the idea.

With plans in hand, Jane went about reserving a bedroom suite on the train. He had considered reserving two, side by side, to keep himself honest. But, when he realized all available sleeper cars featured upper/lower berths, he relented.

Meanwhile, Lisbon created an itinerary of sorts for their time in the city - leaving plenty of room for flexibility and spontaneity, knowing Jane's predilection for surprises. She did keep one surprise of her own, too, that she thought he would love.

Before bed, Jane mentioned that Fred needed them to prep the house before his arrival by clearing out food and other items. They agreed to get up at dawn to pack things up for Fred - and also to pack for their train departure that night.

Upon waking, Lisbon stumbled into the kitchen to start the coffee pot. Noticing that Jane wasn't in the other guest room or out on the deck, she took her mug of fresh brew and wandered around the house in search of him.

Hearing a sound from upstairs, she slowly climbed the steps, worried that she would find her love in tears.

As she suspected, the bedroom door was ajar, and she could hear stifled sobs from within.

With great care, she softly stepped inside.

Jane was sitting on the floor in the middle of the room, eying the maniacal red smiley face above the mattress he'd slept on for so many years. This room held more pain for him than any other, she knew. She suddenly wished she was able to demolish it immediately- before Fred even had a chance to.

"Jane - you okay?" She whispered, not wanting to startle him.

"I still feel my old self - I still feel everything I felt on that day - when I'm in this room. I could never ask anyone to stay in it on their vacation or on any other day. It's full of pain and demons. Maybe the Airbnb was a bad idea?" He sniffed.

"No Jane - it's a very good idea!" She said with confidence. "And speaking of ideas I have another one. What if we reset the room a bit before Fred gets here? I saw a sledgehammer in the basement - we could smack your demons right in their smiling face? I promise to give you the first swing?" she shrugged.

Without waiting for an answer, she ran downstairs for the sledgehammer, reappearing within minutes.

When she returned, she was happy to see Jane standing, with more anger than tears - ready to swing. He took the tool from her, stood in front of the hideous stain, and hammered directly into one of its evil eyes.

Offering Lisbon a turn, he watched with satisfaction as she pummeled the sledge into its mocking smile. He marveled at the strength she carried inside her small frame.

Back and forth they went, each therapeutically targeting a different bit of the face until there was nothing left but a gaping hole and a floor full of pieces.

"That was me." Jane said, breaking the silence that came after. "I was that empty hole… for so many years… I was a shell of nothingness just like that - but with even less of a foundation."

He just stood, staring and thinking, for a long moment.

Lisbon surrounded him from behind in a soft embrace, resting her cheek on his back - just enough to remind him she was there, but not wanting to disturb whatever thoughts or emotions he was working through.

"You filled me back up again, Teresa." He whispered, his hands massaging her arms as they crossed his waist. "Thank you for giving me a chance at the CBI, despite the misgivings I know you had from the first moment we met. Thank you for sticking with me even though, in doing so, you made your own life exponentially harder."

He turned to face her, holding her close, before continuing,

"And thank you for loving me, against all odds. I am in such disbelief right now, holding you as you're holding me, looking back on the history we've shared. If I believed in miracles, you would be mine, Teresa. You have stood by me as I've slowly found the strength to rebuild myself. Thank you for that, and thank you for sharing your life with me now."

"It's been a long, hard road - you're right about that," she admitted, "But being here with you now makes it all worthwhile. I love you, dearly, Patrick. And - believe it or not - I wouldn't change a single thing," she glimmered.

He shot her a questioning look.

"Okay maybe I would've liked to have gotten to this point more quickly," she laughed, "But the wait has made being together that much sweeter!"

She reached up to kiss him, softly… slowly… before regaining a strong, purposeful voice:

"Now let's take these pieces out to the fire pit and purge this place of demons once and for all!"

So they did.