(author's note: as you might expect, things get a little bumpy once Lisbon & Jane get back to the FBI. So, hold on tight and hold your breath, but know that *everything and everyone* will be okay in the end - promise!)

BACK TO WORK

It was nearly impossible to get through the day. Lisbon had news that she knew would send Jane into the stratosphere with joy, and she had her own perfect plan in place to share it with him tonight. She could not wait, but was determined to muscle through the day's workload so the two of them could celebrate without any 'paperwork loose ends' sullying her subconscious.

"Why must you be such a workhorse, my dear?" Jane complained, clearly bored and ready to be back home, where he could once again have her all to himself.

He'd grown quite used to their lifestyle while on leave, and was not sure that coming back to the FBI had been the best decision - though Lisbon had gotten quite tough with a lippy suspect that morning, and Jane had underestimated how much he'd missed seeing her get all authoritarian. He could not wait to tell her that tonight at home, either.

But, he'd had enough experience with Lisbon's work ethic that he resigned himself to a long wait, stretched out on his favorite couch, and began daydreaming about their recent travels, their last night of passion overlooking the Falls, their beautiful lakeshore wedding, and the future.

Just when Jane feared that they'd never leave for home, Lisbon stacked the last pile of papers into a folder and walked them over to Abbott's office (which was in a bit of disarray with the impending changeover in leadership).

Then, she practically ran over to grab her things - and Jane - to leave for home.

"You seem to be in quite a hurry, my dear!" Jane noticed with a curious smile. "What's the excitement about?"

"You'll see soon enough!" She purred into his ear before briskly walking to the elevator, prompting him to chase closely behind, in lusty anticipation.

Once the doors closed and they were alone, he captured her face in his hands and kissed her thirstily, parched by a full workday without her touch - impatient to make a full meal of her, once they were home.

She was cautiously receptive to her husband's advances, while also keeping a wary eye on the elevator's progress, so as to avoid any embarrassment should a coworker catch sight of the scene unfolding inside.

Managing to bring both of them to normal heart rates by the time they'd reached the lobby, Lisbon gave him a hint: "it's a surprise you wouldn't guess in a million years!" She teased, as his eyes grew big with wonder.

"So this is about more than a fun roll in the hay, as they say?" He laughed.

"You could say that," She smiled back, "though hay may have played a part in the making of this particular surprise!" She winked then ran, racing him to the car.

Jane's curiosity was piqued, so he indulged her in the foot race. But, just as he hit his stride, and just before he reached her at the car door, he heard some fireworks nearby that spun him around immediately. Then he kept spinning… spiraling downward… in a haze of confusion… there was a pain in his side… and maybe his chest also?… And he was still spinning… until there was darkness and silence.

"JANE!" Lisbon shrieked as she ran to him, gun drawn & eyes scanning for the shooter.

"CALL AN AMBULANCE! SOMEBODY HELP - PLEASE!" She yelled into the night, as FBI agents began spilling out of the building in droves, having heard the shots and her screams.

"Jane, can you hear me?!" She kneeled beside him, speaking to him and to God, in shock at the sight of multiple bloody holes in his favorite vest. She could barely breathe, but managed to continue speaking to him in the calmest tones she could muster. "Patrick, love, stay with me."

His blue eyes were barely open, but she felt he was definitely focusing on her words.

"Breathe with me, Patrick. You're going to be fine - help is on the way." She spoke warmly, as sirens grew closer… As she held her jacket over his wounds, applying pressure… As she continued praying in whispers between her assurances to him… As he fell into unconsciousness.

Cho reached them right as the EMT's swarmed around Jane, checking for his pulse, replacing Lisbon's jacket with sterile gauze, and prepping him for transport. Once he was on a gurney, Cho held onto Lisbon's shoulders as she climbed shakily into the ambulance beside Jane.

"We'll meet you at the hospital, Boss - hang in there!"

She had never appreciated Cho's stoic calm, more than she did at that moment. She held tightly to Jane's hand as the medics worked to stabilize him and the vehicle sped toward the nearest emergency room. Her other hand held her cross, as she continued her pleas for healing and mercy for her truest love, as he lay bleeding before her.

Upon reaching the ER, she was ushered to a waiting area, as Jane was rushed into surgery. Dennis Abbott was already there, along with his wife Lena. Seeing Abbott sent Teresa's brain flashing back to a phone call she'd dreamt up in her sleep a month or so earlier. Her face felt like needles were pricking every inch of her flesh as she realized her nightmare had come true. Jane had been shot outside the FBI.

Noticing her start to sway, Abbott grabbed her arms to steady her, as Lena held her in an embrace. "He's in the best care possible, Teresa. Try to have faith!" She comforted.

Gathering herself, Lisbon looked around and saw that the entire team was there, alongside her. "The whole team is at the hospital… Just like the nightmare…" she stammered out loud.

"Except you are also here, and he's going to make it, this time." Cho chimed in, from the doorway. "We're already investigating who did this and why. Stay here as long as you need to - it's covered."

She was so grateful for that, and for all of the friends and coworkers who surrounded her - and Jane - once again. "Thank you, Kimball," she exhaled as she gave the stoic agent-soon-to-be-boss a hug.

"Okay guys, Cho is right - Jane will pull though this," the strength in her voice tried but didn't quite hide the terror that lurked beneath her words. "Go find this bastard, and keep me informed. If I can be of any help don't hesitate to ask. Jane and I both appreciate this - we love you all!"

With that, every agent save one, left to work the case, as Lisbon worked more prayers.

The doctors and nurses scrambled to locate and remove each bullet, while stopping every bleeder that erupted during what had become a long and complicated surgery. They had seen worse, but it was still a very perilous journey, and they had told Lisbon as much.

Meanwhile, Jane was blissfully walking through a meadow with Charlotte, who looked a few years older, but otherwise just the same as she did when he'd hallucinated her before.

"So you finally wised up and let someone care for you, again - eh, Dad?" She grinned as she poked his arm.

"Yes, yes - you were right! Is that what you wanted to hear?" He laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"We really like Teresa - she's so perfect for you right now!" Charlotte shared, with true happiness (and some relief) in her eyes.

"We?" Jane puzzled.

"Yes, WE!" a familiar voice giggled from behind him. He turned quickly and picked her up in a long embrace, tears streaming freely down his cheeks.

"ANGIE!" He twirled her a dozen times before stopping to just hold her - and motioning Charlotte to join them.

"You look really good, Paddy!" His first wife bubbled. "We've missed you so much!"

"And I've missed you both!" He gushed.

"Angie, I'm so very sorry for -"

"Don't!" Angela cut him off. "Teresa was right about the past. Nothing there can be changed - today is a fresh slate!"

"You know about Teresa?," he marveled.

"Of course, silly! As a matter of fact she told me that she loved you even before she told you!" She giggled, referencing Lisbon's graveside chat with her before finding him at the beach. "Char and I were both overjoyed to see that she'd finally talked some sense into you. No one is better off alone. We love you so intensely, and you deserve to experience intense love in your life now too, Paddy."

He couldn't believe it. Teresa was on to something when she'd said it felt like they were all a family.

"But, as glad as we are to see you, it's not your time yet, love. And Teresa is sick with worry right now!"

He couldn't hide his grief at the thought of leaving them again, but he was also aggrieved at the thought of Teresa being in pain - and he realized with a shock how close this must seem to that nightmare she'd had - the scare that had saved the both of them.

"Angie!" He gasped, spilling his concerns for Teresa, sharing the nightmare scenario that had sent her in search of him.

"I'll talk to her," Angela assured him.

"How exactly will you do that?" He asked incredulously.

"Um, she has to sleep at some point, duh!" Charlotte rolled her eyes, then smiled at him.

"Ah! The dream sequence! Brilliant plan!" He was impressed.

"Well, we lived with you for a long time, AND I share your genetics so it should come as no surprise that we put excellent plays in motion!" His daughter glowered.

Jane let loose a tremendous belly laugh at that, and pulled them both close once again "That is definitely true, sweet Charlotte! Thank you!"

He breathed a sigh, then offered: "Well, do you think you can let Teresa know that I'm gonna be okay, and maybe buy us enough time for a picnic lunch? It's so incredibly beautiful here, and I've missed you both terribly!"

"I'm pretty sure we can pull that off!" Angela agreed, with a wink and a long, healing kiss. "Never forget that you are completely forgiven for whatever you are blaming yourself for, in regards to Char & me. You can make it up to us by having a wonderful, joy-filled life with Teresa."

How was he so lucky to have been loved by not one but two such amazing women?! And he was so proud of who Charlotte was becoming! She would have gotten along famously with Annie, he couldn't help thinking, as they found a blanket to sit on while they lunched, shared, and huddled together.

"How did I ever get so lucky to have you all in my life?" He wondered out loud, as they finished the last of the shortcakes Angela had seemingly pulled from thin air.

"One: luck had nothing to do with it.

Two: you deserve all the love and all the joy you could ever wish for.

Three: eventually we will all be together."

He interrupted Angela then "ALL?"

"Yes, ALL! You'll see!" She smiled, shining like the sun.

"And Four: it's time to go now, my love. Tell Teresa thank you from us! Tell her that we can't wait to meet her - but seriously no rush on that either!" She laughed freely at that last comment, as the sunshine of her smile got so bright that Jane could barely see her anymore, and he began to panic.

"Angie! Charlotte! It's so bright I can't see you - are you there? Angie!" He shook his head and tried harder to see them in the light that was getting even brighter, as he began to notice strange voices in the distance.

"He's coming out of it - more anesthesia, doctor!"

"Suction!"

"Another unit of blood please!"