While Jane healed, and Lisbon prayed (and ate cafeteria food for two), the rest of the FBI went back to work.

During the morning meeting, Abbott called Cho and Wylie aside.

"I know we're all focused on getting Jane's attacker, but I need you two to go over surveillance footage for me. In preparation for an upcoming sting, we need to familiarize ourselves with the key players involved."

"Got it boss," Cho replied

"But –" Wylie was less than thrilled at being distracted from finding Jane's shooter, but followed Cho, dejectedly.

Once they were at their desks, the two began scanning through the hours of video with efficiency, stopping only when they (or the facial recognition AI) noticed an unfamiliar face. Wylie kept a list of all of the names in a secure document, attached to the upcoming operation and the related case file.

As he froze the frame to identify yet another unknown player, his eyes went wide. "Cho! Come look at this!"

Cho walked briskly to Wylie's station and focused on the screen. "Yeah, that's Marcus Pike. So? He's on the art smuggling enforcement team. Not a big surprise to see him here?"

"But look who he's WITH!" Wylie replied more loudly than he'd planned, the adrenaline of making what could be a huge discovery overpowering his usually businesslike tone.

Cho leaned in, squinting a bit to see the face in question. Once the recognition kicked in, his facial expression matched Wylie's. "Now THAT IS interesting! Excellent catch, Jason!"

Wylie grinned ear to ear as he printed a screenshot, and added some notes to the document. Cho practically jogged to Abbott's (soon to be his own) office - Dennis was NOT going to believe THIS!

Minutes later, Abbott and Cho rounded the corner and Wylie pointed to the screen.

"Oh boy…" Abbott's eyes grew wide as saucers. "I think I need to check in with Lisbon about this - see if she has any insights." He pulled out his phone and called.


Lisbon had taken a moment to run home for a shower and a change of clothes. She also did a quick double-check that all the parts of her surprise were still in place. She wanted everything to be perfect when Jane got home (which, the doctors thought, might happen by the end of the week)

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Who could that be? Lisbon thought to herself.

Still a bit skittish from Jane's trauma, she reflexively touched her sidearm, making sure it was in her holster, as she walked to the door and looked through the peephole.

Her expression softened to a huge (albeit slightly bewildered) smile as she opened the door to none other than Danny Ruskin!

"Danny!" She called out as she drew him into a welcoming hug. "Come in, come in!"

Tentatively, her guest stepped inside, looking with wide eyes at the project she'd been working so hard to perfect. So now Patrick's having a new baby? He thought to himself, eyes wide.

"So, what brings you to Austin?" Lisbon asked, amiably, but with some caution (Danny could still be actively running cons as far as she knew).

Looking at the floor, and glancing side to side, Ruskin replied, "It's all over the news that an FBI consultant had been shot here, and I only know of one of those, so I had to come see if it's Patrick - is he okay?"

"Let's sit down," she motioned him to the kitchen table. "Would you like some tea?"

Danny laughed "I see it hasn't taken long for your husband to rub off on you!"

Momentarily surprised that Danny knew they were married, Lisbon replied, "yeah, well we were partners for more than a decade before the wedding, so not as quickly as it may seem!" She chuckled, breaking some of the unspoken tension in the room. She thought she read something on Danny's face, just then, so continued:

"Jane and I so wanted to have you at the wedding, Danny! But it was sort of a short planning period, and when neither the FBI or Sam and Pete could locate you, it just wasn't possible to get word to you."

"Really? Teresa, you wouldn't have minded having the brother of his first wife at your wedding? Wouldn't that seem strange to you?" He asked in disbelief, but with a vulnerability that gave away his insecurity as to where exactly he stood with his brother-in-law these days.

"Of course, I would have wanted you there! You're Patrick's family! And his family is my family, so you are now a brother to me, too! (Though, I should warn you that I grew up raising 3 younger brothers, and to this day I still pack a meaner punch than any of them!)" she teased.

Danny laughed, "Duly noted! No wonder you and the Boy Wonder get along so well - you're a tough cookie just like any carny woman!"

"I take that as a compliment!" Teresa beamed a smile, angling her chin a bit.

"You know, Agent Lisbon -"

"Please, Danny - call me Teresa."

"Yes ma'am!" He smiled. "You know, Teresa, when I first heard that Patrick was marrying again, it was a dagger to the heart. Felt like he was forgetting about Angela and Charlotte. And when I discovered his new wife was 'that woman cop,' I was even more crushed. Sorry…"

Lisbon's face projected an understanding and empathy that affected Danny so much, he stopped mid-thought to offer a conciliatory hug, and started to tear up (even though he pretended that he wasn't).

"But, then I remembered how you helped me the last time we'd met. And, Pete and Sam told me about your visit earlier this year, and how you felt like Angie & Char were your family - How you'd gotten so emotional about their pictures and wanting to know about them - that's when I realized they weren't being forgotten, which made me feel better about things. And meeting you again today, being welcomed like family - when Jane isn't even here, no less - has shown me how wrong I was to worry. So, I guess what I mean is: Congratulations & welcome to the family!"

Through a tearful hug, reminiscent of the ones she'd shared with Sam at the carnival, Lisbon voiced her gratitude for Danny's acceptance and support.

"Now, you'd asked about Jane and the shooting?" She spoke with gravity.

"Yes! So, it really was him who was shot?" His eyes got red & tearful as his suspicions were confirmed. He briefly remembered the time when he had been tempted to pull the trigger on his former brother-in-law, himself - only to quickly lower the weapon when he heard and saw Jane's true heartbreak and regret about what had happened to his family.

"Yes, it was - and Danny, I have never been more petrified! But, he came through surgery well, is alert and awake and able to talk (and play tricks)", she laughed, "just like always!"

"Thank God!" Danny sighed in relief.

"He actually might be able to come home by week's end, which is why I'm here now, finalizing a surprise I'd set up for him - intending him to see it when we got home that night (but we got sidetracked for obvious reasons)."

"I had noticed there was a lot of baby furniture in here. You guys expecting?"

"Actually yes! (Though only you, me & Patrick know about it right now - still early days). I've started a photo album for the baby, and really would love to have your picture in it! Can we have them call you 'Uncle Danny?'"

Danny looked stricken with emotion. "I would love that, Teresa - Thank you! Would you like any other pictures from the Ruskin side?"

"Absolutely! Obviously, Charlotte and Angela (would she like to be 'Aunt Angela,' do you think?) and maybe your parents?"

"I can definitely do that! And yes, I think Angie would LOVE being an aunt to your little bundle! She adored children! I'll get some pictures printed and drop them off!"

"Hey Teresa, do you think it would be okay if I came for a visit once Patrick's back home?" Danny wondered.

"I think that's a wonderful idea! Let me run it past him, once he's stronger - just so he's not too surprised when he's still recovering from a trauma. But please do plan to come for dinner some night - maybe even stay a couple of days - once he's home!"

To be honest, Lisbon wasn't completely sure Danny could be trusted, but she determined that she could give him the benefit of the doubt, while still remaining alert for any signs of deception or trickery. As they exchanged phone numbers, and said their goodbyes, Lisbon's phone began to ring. With a last wave, she closed the front door and looked at the caller ID.

It was Dennis Abbott.