A/N: Dialogue from 6x09 My Blue Heaven

1 year later

The words on the other side of line echoed through Jane's brain as he tried to process the words. Was it just a ruse? A clever ruse to lure him out of hiding and back to US soil to face his judgement? He stammered in disbelief, "Slow down Pete, you're not making any sense. And this call is probably being tracked, do you know how much danger you're putting me in? What, what do you mean?"

"Rumour has it you're cleared, Paddy. The investigation into Red John revealed you got your guy. The reckon they have proof enough to say it was in self-defence. That Association doo-wap has been fully ripped apart, they broke some encryption thing, every last one of them done for. They need you to testify Paddy, and anything further against you will be forgiven. It's all over the news. And that copper, Abbott I think his name was, knows I've been in contact with you, I got interrogated and everything, but I didn't say nothing, I didn't squeal. If this is all a trick to get you back, by golly what a trick, this news is all over and everywhere! I think this is the real deal."

Jane drew in a deep breath. Could this be true? Could he finally return to the US? See Lisbon? Of course his mind quickly jumped to Lisbon yet again. A calming sense of home as he hid out in a land that felt to be the furthest away from it. But what was home now anyway? The memories and thoughts of Lisbon getting him through his loneliest hour, the letters he would write to her, the closest thing to communicate to family.

Family. What does that even mean now to him? He had avenged Charlotte and Angela, a decade long vendetta finally complete, but somewhat left him feeling emptier and lonelier in its completion. He missed the relationships he had built with the CBI. Not just Lisbon, but Cho, Rigsby, Van Pelt… their daily missions for justice building a bond he never quite understood the significance of until he was distanced from it so forcefully. The trust and support they gave him, despite his deceptive charlatan-ways. And he never really got the chance to thank them, nor did they realise this apparent significance they had to him.

Two-years of wandering, longing. He was tired of it. Could this really be possible? His sharp mind darting around, playing out all the possible scenarios in his head, hearing the sincerity and excitement in Pete's voice. Even hearing from him was an exciting and comforting glimpse of what seemed like a previous life.

"Either way Paddy, believe it or not, the copper is flying out to you now. I have no idea how they found out where you are. So it's your chance to get out if you think it's all a bunch of garbage". Jane continued to analyse Pete's every word. The FBI were on their way here, for him, to the far corner of Venezuela, to his island. Maybe, whichever way this went, it was time for a chance. His two-years in paradise somewhat felt like a jail-sentence in itself, being separated from Lisbon and whatever their odd relationship might be. The time away had given such time to think about his feelings for her, but whatever he felt, he knew he would never deserve her, nor was she likely to let him in.

After he finished his phone call with Pete at a desolate pay phone booth at the side of the local market, he began to dawdle the dusty streets back to the shabby apartment he had called home for the almost 2-years. He watched the local children kick the ball around and listened to the market-people try to sell their wares. He smiled to himself. Despite everything, he had appreciated the novelty and the time that this town had given him.

As he was about to turn up the alley towards his home, he noticed a black SUV parked out the front of a prominent beach front hotel in the distance. It looked so out of place is the narrow, dusty streets of the little town. Pete wasn't joking, although he thought he'd have more time to mull it over, a part of him wasn't surprised to see them so soon. He paused. This was it, the choice had to be made. He could still flee. But what was the point? He couldn't flee forever, what kind of life would that be? He took a deep breath and decided to take a gamble. Odds were, he needed a change. He veered course and sauntered up the esplanade until he glimpsed the familiar sight of the bald-headed Abbott, accompanied by a couple of suited agents. He already felt a little bit more at home, even if this might be the beginning of the end.

"Abbott!" he yelled out as he got closer, "how the heck are you?"

Abbott chuckled at the sight of him, "And here we thought we were gonna have to turn over every rock on this island to find you."

"I heard you were here, it's only polite to stop by and say hi," he said with a cheeky grin. "How was your flight?"

"Bumpy," Abbott replied. "Pretty confident of you to front up like this"

"Meh," Jane countered, "the extradition laws are on my side. I know you can't touch me"

"Who said I wanted to touch you?" Abbott squinted at him questioningly, "I'm here to make you an offer."

"You are, are you? Interesting," Jane speculated.

They walked into the hotel and took a seat at a table in the restaurant.

"How did you find me?" Jane asked.

"Funny how the tables turn. Isn't that normally the line the suspects you've caught use on you? I've read interview notes," Abbott threw back.

"The irony of life is never lost on me," Jane mused.

"The letters to your girlfriend Lisbon. You know, it was pretty smart to send them to your carny friends and have them sneak them over to her. Just not quite smart enough," Abbott surmised a little cockily.

"She's not my girlfriend," Jane stated in reply.

"Yes, so I've heard. She says the same thing," Abbot said pointedly.

"You've spoken to Lisbon?" Jane said with surprise.

"Naturally. She denied everything about hearing from you. Quite the influence you've had on an otherwise seemingly straight arrowed agent. You managed to turn her in to a deceiver and liar, much like yourself. Got her to drink the kool-aid, brought her over to the darkside," Abbott poked.

That hurt a bit. Jane knew he had such a negative impact on Lisbon's life, her professional reputation, even perhaps her moral character. She was always forced to do questionable things to cover for him. He knew Abbott was just trying to get a rise out of him.

"Why are you here Abbott? I'm sure you didn't travel all this way just to shoot snide remarks at me," Jane said resignedly.

Abbott chuckled. "Ok straight to it then," he began, "Right, the offer."

"Yes?"

"The powers-that-be decided that you could be valuable to the FBI. The bureau is willing to drop all the charges against you if you work for us and testify in a trial later this year" he continued.

"For the FBI?" Jane interjected.

"That's right," he reached into his briefcase and pulled out a lengthy document. "There are the terms," he said as he passed the contract to Jane. "And just so you know… I don't like this deal, if it were up to me, you would be headed home in a cargo plane with a sack over your head. But hey, I'm just the messenger."

Jane scanned the document, his eyes darting from side-to-side as he read.

"There is a newly formed serious crimes unit at our Austin office that we think you'd fit well into. Based in Austin, but we assist our offices all over the country," Abbott resumed.

"Mmhmm," Jane acknowledged as he continued to read.

"I think it would be a squad you'd like working with," Abbott mused.

"And what makes you think I'd want to work with them, let alone for the FBI?"

"You're a smart man Jane, possibly even smarter than I. This is a good deal," Abbott started.

"The team is headed by Kimball Cho," he continued. "You know how he works, you know he's a good agent, and something tells me you might owe him a favour or two from over the years."

It wasn't a lie. Cho stuck his neck out for him and had his back for him so many times over the years. He thought back to how him, along with Rigsby and Van Pelt, stood up for him against Abbott in that street while he was racing to meet Bertram[6]. That was the last time he saw him, and showed time again, that he stuck his neck out of Jane and the greater cause. He was happy to know that his actions didn't cost Cho his career, that not only was he doing okay, but he was also now heading a unit, and at the FBI at that.

"There are two younger agents. One's a rookie, Michelle Vega, the other an IT analyst, Jason Wylie. Young guns, nice and mushy and malleable, won't give you a hard time."

"And you think that's important to me?" Jane questioned bewildered.

"Maybe. Maybe not. I know you work better with a team that will play along with your little cons rather than fight you every step of the way. You have two agents that don't have an essay of experience on their resume, as well as Kimball, who is more than aware of how you operate, but still is firm and sensible enough to lay out some kind of guidelines"

Jane chuckled. Cho was a hard ass, the ice-man as he was known in another life. If you wanted something done cold, you got Cho. He was a smooth operator though, a chameleon – well adaptable to situations, a man of many skills. Fierce, no-nonsense, never let his emotions influence him, or appear on his face most days. But most of all, he was loyal to a tee. He trusted Jane. Well at least he did back then for a while.

"Which brings me to the newest member of the team, someone who I believe might be a healthy moderating influence on you, and brings to the team a world of experience. An exceptional agent. Well, most of the time anyway. And the member of the team that might be of most interest to you. I believe you've been known to work very well together. Your "not my girlfriend,"" he emphasised with air quotes, "Agent Teresa Lisbon."

"Lisbon?" Jane's eyes popped out of his head and nearly dropped the papers he was holding. So much for a poker face. "Lisbon works for the FBI?" he asked incredulously.

"Transferred to the Austin office month or two ago and has had a solid start in Cho's team, yes."

His mind began to race. His heart immediately soared at the possibility of working side by side with Lisbon again and getting to see her every day once more. But he also knew he couldn't trust Abbott. What was his game? Was the contract even real? They must have wanted him pretty badly to hunt him down to Venezuela like they had, and then to send Abbott and couple of agents over, when they knew they had no laws to support them in taking them home. The only way they could get him was if he came voluntarily. Hence, the contract.

"Interesting proposition, I'm not buying it," Jane said

"No?" Abbott replied with a hint of surprise.

"I don't know what your game is here Abbott. But having a little experience in cons and schemes, forgive me if I question if what you say is true. How do I know this isn't just a ploy to get me onto US soil? How do I know there even is a team, and that Lisbon's even on it?" Jane continued suspectly.

"Do you want proof of life" he chuckled, "a picture of Lisbon at FBI HQ Austin, complete with ID badge and today's paper?"

"That would be a start"

"Listen Jane, we both know you're trapped here," Abbott put bluntly.

"Trapped?" Jane questioned as he gestured his hand to clear blue ocean and stretches of beach before them.

"Yes. Trapped. You feel sad and alone. You miss the chase. You had a job that you were very good at. If you come back, you can help a lot of people. You have a gift."

"It's not a gift," Jane rebuked.

"Whatever it is. It can get you off this island. Back to people that care about you, and I think you care about too. You can stop looking over your shoulder. You can stop pretending that watching each day disappear with no purpose brings you any form of satisfaction"

Jane sighed. He knew he was right. The phone call from Pete, he could tell from the sound of his voice that he was being truthful. It was just a matter of whether or not Pete had been tricked into believing it, or if was actually the case. And what's the worst that could happen if he went back? They'd lock him up, just a new type of prison without a beach, and at least he could have a bit of conversation. And that would be after a trial anyway, he had a certain knack for getting people to do what he wanted them to do, and he had outwitted a jury once before. Agent Teresa Lisbon, Abbott's words circling in his head. Letters to your girlfriend, Lisbon. She's not my girlfriend. Round and round. The chance to see her again was ever tantalisingly tempting. He was sad. He was alone. The chase, he could take or leave, but he did enjoy the mental stimulation, just not the asinine bureaucratic politics that came along with it.

He took a very deep breath to steady his words. "Ok, I'm in. Take me home"

"Excellent," said Abbot with a grin and a chortle that unnerved him.

Whatever happened from here, he'd just do what he always had done. Roll with it, and use whatever situation arose best to his advantage.

Abbott sat two rows behind the blonde haired conman and the marshal that sat next to him. He smiled to himself as the next piece of his puzzle had fallen in place. And relatively easily at that. He expected more of a search, more of a fight, more of a struggle. Instead, he found a lost man, looking nearly as defeated as the last time he had seen him in that fateful stand-off, just with a better tan.

He had considered bringing Lisbon with him to the island, the ultimate carrot to lead the ass, but another variable not in his control was too much of a risk. Whilst he was sure he'd be able to convince Lisbon to come with him, he did know exactly what the consequences might be. Would seeing her for a couple of days be enough soul food and human interaction to keep Jane going for a while longer? Would she herself disappear into the island with him and he'd lose an agent in the process? Or would she come just to admonish Jane, rant angry vents and dissolve any hope by both of them gaining that long-time coming closure? The unknown worked in his favour and he played his Lisbon pawn from a distance. For someone who was such a master of games and manipulation, he was surprised he was able to get him on the plane so easily.

Heading back to Austin, Abbott had newly taken over as lead agent of the eighth and ninth floor, a series of teams mainly involved in serious crimes, including a focused narcotics and organised crimes, art crimes and high-end thefts, arson and bomb squad, as well as two newly formed general serious crimes units, with the primary focus of homicides. The last two-years had proved very contemptuous for law enforcement across the country, all of it coming to a head six-months ago when the last of the Blake Association members were retired or charged. The energy and the bodies that were lost or devoted to this case meant that close numbers were down, crime statistics were up. Which may also have just been an unfortunate by-product of things being hidden by corruption for so long. Nonetheless, he was keen to excel in his new role. And one thing that he had learnt in his unscrupulous investigation of the CBI and the Blake Association, Jane's unorthodox had an untapped potential. The yin to the yang, he needed Lisbon to make it work, as he'd read through the gigantic novel that was Jane's file, it became very apparent. The internal Carmen arrest, the botched Sylvan case, the Haffner incident, not to mention his own involvement in the initial days FBI was assigned to intervene. He didn't work without the girlfriend.

Lisbon was a solid agent in her own right. Very sharp and a blinding work ethic, as well as loyal to a fault - she would fall on her sword for her team. It was both her most admirable quality and her biggest flaw. It was important for him to make sure he fell on the right side of her loyalty. It was difficult to distinguish Lisbon's results from Jane – they had worked in tandem for practically a decade. But when the opportunity to move Lisbon from Seattle to Austin came handed to him on a silver platter, he snapped it up immediately. It was almost like the universe intended it to be that way, he had already been looking for Jane for months. Not just for the new team, but for the testimony that would hopefully make many a case a slam dunk. He found the trail to Jane through the letters he was sending her, then completely unrelated, Seattle's FBI headquarters started poking around to see if there was a job for Lisbon in Austin. Abbott wondered if he wasn't the only one doing the poking, whether Lisbon had caught wind of what he was doing and wanted to get closer to investigate. But it certainly hadn't seemed that way in the month or so she had been there already. She had proven herself to be a very skilled and tenacious detective, especially paired with Cho. He wasn't naïve though, he knew that underestimating her would be a grave mistake. However, he was still perhaps naively optimistic to see the new team at work.

Jane stared out the plane window as the twinkling lights of Austin came into focus through the clouds. This was it. He was finally back in the US. Although he was still slightly apprehensive, everything Pete had told him was backed up by Abbott. A testimony, a job consulting with the FBI for a minimum of five years, and he was a free man again. Better yet, working with Lisbon under Cho. Whilst the change in dynamic would be interesting to say the least, Jane was filled with excitement at the prospect of being able to see Lisbon daily again. He yearned for their friendship, their closeness, just to be around her and to see her smile.

Could they ever be anything more than colleagues and good friends? Any feelings that might exist for him were firmly locked behind that tough veneer of hers. Then again, she had told him in the past that he had the tendency to see more than what was actually there. Two-years of thinking alone on the island made him realise how poorly he had treated her over the years. No matter what, she had always stuck by him and she deserved much much more than that. Two-years on the island made him think about how he really felt about her. And whilst there was definitely something much more than friendship inside his heart, and the thought of ruining the unique friendship they had petrified him. Not that he knew if their friendship would survive such a long hiatus given all the circumstances. It was all too much of a risk to tell her how he really felt. For now anyway.

He had always avoided relationships, the threat of Red John was too real and there was no way he'd ever be able to recover from another devastation like that. He'd barely dated over the last decade, bad things happened to people that got close to him. He never dated in Venezuela either, too suspicious and paranoid. But the actuality of being able to be in a real relationship without fear was something his mind was really starting to process. He realised he really didn't know how to be in a relationship. And anyway, Lisbon deserved far, far better than him. The least of his worries for now he thought, realising how deeply lost he was in his own thoughts again, as the plane bounced upon the Austin tarmac.

As they drove from their airport, Jane realised how long it had been since he had seen the basic familiarities of home. Traffic lights, asphalt everywhere and high rise buildings seemed weird. He thought he would seem weird to everyone too. He had almost forgotten how to communicate like he used to, like a regular functioning member of society. He felt overwhelmed.

"A stop at FBI HQ to get all the paperwork squared away" Abbott's voice saving him from his own thoughts, "Then the FBI has organised a motel for you to stay at for the next two months to give you time to find your own lodgings". Jane nodded. A case cracking lackey he was once more, he thought to himself as they pulled into the parking lot.

A lot of glass, trying to convince everyone of their transparency in one of the most secretive organisations in the country, Jane first aptly analysed as he walked the bustling halls of FBI HQ, his mentalist mind quick at work, analysing his new environment. 'Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity' boasted the emblemed logo plastered on the floor.

He could really go a cup of tea he thought. Abbott, almost reading his mind said, "kitchen's through there. How about you make yourself a hot drink and I'll meet you in my office there", he pointed at a door at the far end of the hall, "gives me a minute or two to make sure everything's in order". He clapped his shoulder and strode off down the hall as Jane turned into the kitchen.

His heart skipped a beat.

He laid eyes on a woman, soft brown mousey hair just past her shoulders, black blazer and pant suit, back turned to him pouring herself a coffee. A wave of nostalgia rushed over him as he tingled from his toes to his fingertips. He opened his mouth but no noise came out. He just stood there. Frozen. Awkwardly. He didn't even know if this was her, he thought as he doubted himself. But the warmth and the aura he could feel convinced him otherwise.

The woman turned around and they locked eyes, for what felt like the first time. She joined him in his awkward freeze, as her jaw dropped slightly at the sight of him, almost like she had seen a ghost.

"Li- Lisbon" he finally managed to stammer, a smile stretching across his face as her name filled his mouth.

"Hey you!" she replied incredulously, mirroring his smile.

"Hey yourself," was his instant reply, just like they used to, without skipping a beat.

"Nice beard," she said nearly mockingly.

He rushed across the room and embraced her. A flood of emotions washed through him as he held her in his arms. A moment he had fantasised about on many a lonely night in South America. He appreciated her warmth, the softness of her hair and the faint smell of lavender it had. In that moment, he felt as though everything was worth it, and everything was going to be okay. The worry he felt about their lost camaraderie melted away in an instant. He felt a slight tear emerge in his eye. He didn't quite understand this effect she had on him, only that he adored it and he didn't want to ever be without it again.

"I missed you," she muffled lost in the embrace.

"I missed you too," he replied, oh and if only she knew how much she truly missed her.

They stood alone there in that break room, in each other's arms, holding each other tight. Neither one wanting to let go, savouring the warmth of familiarity after what felt like an eon apart.

"It's so good to finally see you again," she said as they broke from their embrace. The genuine smile she had on her face warmed his heart. But it didn't last long. The smile evolved into a snarl, her eyes narrowing with the creases in her forehead. She raised her hand and slapped him across the shoulder "How. Dare. You. Pull. Off. That. Crap. And. Then. Just. Leave," she squawked slapping him with alternating hands with each word.

"Owww," said Jane, feigning a grimace with each hit. But he couldn't help but smile.

When she was done with her outburst, the smile re-emerged on her face. She couldn't hide the fact that she was so happy to see him again. "Thanks for the letters," she uttered sheepishly, scuffing her boots into the breakroom floor, looking up at him with a sly little flirty grin.

"I hope you appreciated I risked my life to get those to you," Jane humoured.

"Oh did you now? Well I'm glad you survived that ordeal, I loved receiving them," she playfully rubbed the same spot on his arm she was wailing into moments before.

Jane stared at her a moment longer, trademark boyish grin plastered on his face. There was a wonderful magic tension between them, an air of familiarity, relief and excitement. He pulled her in for another tight hug and grinned maniacally. He couldn't help himself, the happiness of seeing her again made him feel like he wanted to explode.

"Abbott's waiting for me, better make this freedom gambit official," he said after a moment as he pulled away reluctantly. He poured hot water into a navy blue cup and threw a teabag in and hurried down the hall, leaving a slightly flushed Lisbon smiling and shaking her head.

"Can't believe you weaseled your way out of this one too," she teased after him.

"I've served my two years of solitude, surely that's long enough!" he called over his shoulder.

Signing away the documents, he was still feeling on high after his brief interaction with Lisbon. It was good to be home he thought, realising that home seemed to be wherever Lisbon was. He'd never been to Austin before. He didn't fully understand what exactly it was about her, only that she made him feel… right. She made him feel like he belonged. Just her presence gave him the courage to be who he was on the inside. He felt relieved. Although stuck in Abbott's clutches for 5-years, he had made the right decision. It was all worth it. She was all worth it.