The one where Jane was in Vegas
Christmas Eve.
Lisbon sat on his couch alone. She'd not heard from him in a few months and he'd not returned any of her calls or texts. She knew he was alive, she'd have heard about it if he was dead. Even if Red John had gotten his hands on him, she would have found out about it by now. Knowing that hurt more.
After being hardened by her circumstances as a kid, Lisbon had learned the art of building walls, avoiding, or running from getting hurt. Somehow she'd gotten too close to someone that knew how to do that better than her. Damn him.
She hoped he'd show up for the holiday, but knew he wouldn't. He was done. He'd left.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she left the building to pick up her pizza. She already felt lonelier this Christmas than any of the ones she'd ever spent before she met him.
Just in case, she glanced around the restaurant as she picked up the pizza. He wasn't there.
She hadn't texted or called him in over a month, she'd finally accepted that he didn't want to reply... or maybe she just hated that feeling of waiting every time she did.
She pulled out her phone and hovered over his name for a moment, finally clicking on it. "Merry Christmas" she sent, deciding she wouldn't expect a response and drove home.
Jane sat at the bar in the Vegas casino surrounded by the noise and excitement of the environment. If it wasn't for a few decorations and a huge tree as he walked in, he'd never know it was Christmas. He hated himself for being here, always half drunk and taking advantage of people. It was something he needed to do and he had picked out a couple of people that could be keeping an eye on him.
His phone vibrated. He looked at the text and then at the time. Dammit. He didn't think he could hate himself more. She was still thinking of him. He'd left her and she was going to be alone because he'd left.
He downed his scotch, threw the glass across the bar causing it to shatter, and left before security would throw him out.
He hated what he was doing, but was determined not only that it would work but that it was better for everyone. He couldn't be with her while Red John was still out there. He wasn't good for her anyway. He was bringing the whole team down too, or so he'd been told many times by many others over the years. He didn't deserve the good they offered him.
Most of the time in Vegas was simply an act of despair for Jane, but when Christmas rolled around he had started to believe his own con. He spent the next several days more reckless and drunk than usual, hating himself more each day. But one day between Christmas and New Year's he noticed a new waitress at the casino. This one seemed to be particularly observant of him and suddenly his head was cleared up and focused once again on the task at hand.