AN: I've thought about continuing, in a non-linear manner, this story through a series of one-shots. I'm not committing to anything, but I have some ideas for stories revolving around the premise that Jane killed Red John, so it'll just turn into whatever it turns into. Let me know if you find any mistakes.

Nightmares

Teresa Lisbon was abruptly roused from a rather deep sleep by the thrashing and occasional groaning of her partner. She rubbed her eyes to wake herself up a bit, and turned to face him. He was covered in a light sheen of sweat, brow furrowed; he was having another nightmare.

"Patrick," she said softly, shaking his shoulder; they didn't use each other's first names often, and it was only in private.

He didn't stir, as usual, she only ever managed to wake him after the dream had run its course. He could not, apparently, allow himself any peace of mind, even in sleep, and she couldn't do a thing about it. She really despised that.

"Patrick," she tried again, futilely, but she knew what this particular dream was about, and she didn't want it to continue, so she was always hoping for a different outcome every time she attempted to wake him.

The nightmares had started a little while ago, when Jane had realized that no matter what type of person you killed, it stayed with you; it took apart of you. It wasn't something that could merely be written off or forgotten. Lisbon did her best to help him, she'd had killed before after all, but her assistance could only go so far. He had to learn how to live with it himself.

The mentalist had stopped moving, and the only noise now was his heavy breathing; the nightmare was ending. His eyes snapped open; his entire body tensed before he let out a sigh and relaxed slightly.

"Are you okay?" she asked gently.

"I'm fine."

"Jane . . . "

The bedroom was silent for a few moments as she waited for him to start.

"I –," he faltered and paused before continuing. "I just don't understand. He deserved to die; I'm not sorry I did it, so why do I keep seeing it?"

"There's a part of you that does feel guilty, the part that knows killing is wrong . . . it's what makes you a good man."

"It doesn't make me feel like a good man," he told her, grinning wryly.

She brushed her hand against his temple before running her fingers through his hair in an effort to comfort him, "I know. It'll get better though, eventually."

"Right," he agreed, but it seemed as though he didn't completely believe her.

"I mean it; the time will come when you don't have any nightmares. You'll just sleep through the night. I promise."

"I'm not so sure about that," he replied, and the somewhat forlorn and lost look in his eyes was replaced with a mischievous one.

"Why not?" she inquired warily, noticing the subject change, but deciding against mentioning it; if he didn't want to keep talking about it, she wasn't going to force him.

"I don't think I'll ever sleep through the night because you, my dear, snore."

"What? I do not," Lisbon immediately denied.

"Yes, you do. It's a soft snore, and a little bit cute," he informed her, smiling widely. "But it's annoying nonetheless."

"That's exactly how I feel about you: cute, but annoying," she retorted.

He laughed as he pulled her close, "I happen to know that you find me handsome and sexy," his voice dropping an octave as said the last few words.

"Is that so?" she responded, trying to appear serious despite her blush.

"Yes," he answered adamantly.

As if to prove his point he leaned in and kissed her, and didn't pull away until a quiet moan escaped her lips. When she opened her eyes, Jane had his 'I love being right' smirk in place. The CBI agent fixed him with a glare, but she was still flushed and out of breath; it failed miserably at chastising him. He lightly brushed his lips against hers again, and she unsuccessfully attempted to appear to be irritated with him. She gave up the pretense, and kissed him properly, knowing that at some point their late-night rendezvous would become more about their mutual attraction and love than distracting Patrick Jane from his nightmares.

Thoughts?