Author's note: The case is finally finished. I hope you like the end. new case will come in 2 chapters from now. Till then, I will focus on Jane and Lisbon. Hope you like this chapter.
The rain started suddenly. The sound of the rain was loud outside. The sky was dark and filled with clouds. Jane was alone back on his apartment and prepared a cup of tea for himself. He groaned with frustration. The killer was still free and he still hadn't made a progress with Lisbon. He was confidence and he should continue to believe there is still hope to win her, even if he couldn't see it.
Jane knew that he had to start and plan a new strategy, if he still wanted to win the bet. He never liked to lose but he didn't want to hurt Lisbon anymore. He respected her and he liked her as a friend. He didn't have any friend. Matt didn't fill that category. Lisbon and the team made him realized how empty was his life before. Meaningless clients and meaningless one night stands. He didn't have anyone to rely on or trust. His only close people he had were from his carnival days. He saw them twice a year and he was looking forward to meet them that weekend.
The last days made him more happy. He was looking forward to meet them and talk with them. For the first time he did a good job and he was helping someone and not because of the money. All the thrill of finding and catching the suspects caused him great enthusiasm.
Jane shook his head to clean his thoughts and grabbed his cup and walk to his living room. Previously he had asked Van Pelt to give him a copy of the videos they found on the killer's computer. She was hesitated at the beginning but he had his way to charm someone to gain with purpose.
He putted his cup on the table and opened his laptop. He watched with attention the videos trying to read and understand his actions. Jane continued to watch until something caught his attention. On the screen Lisbon, Cho and he appeared and they were talking about the case. He remembered at the first victim's apartment when they heard the computer to turn off.
Without losing more time, Jane grabbed his cell phone and called Lisbon. After three failed tries, he gave up and left his apartment driving fast to her house. He called Cho and the rest of the team to inform them during his journey to Lisbon's house.
When he arrived, Jane didn't see anyone else. It seemed he reach first to her house and without hesitated he went inside. He opened the door slowly using a wire and went inside noiselessly. Beside the front door Jane found groceries bags and Lisbon's cell phone.
He made his way inside and he found them on Lisbon's room. Lisbon was in front of her computer, in the same position with the other victims and the killer was beside her making her hair and the camera. Jane approached them slowly but Robert Greer saw him and pulled out a knife.
"Don't come close or I will kill her." he said first turning the knife on Lisbon's neck.
"I try to understand you Robert. I try to understand what you are doing." Jane said calmly
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Greer asked tense.
"I'm a viewer. Who looks something fake in front of him. Something staged. Without a soul. "
"Shut up" Greer shouted loud.
"I remember one of your movies. At the year 2004, right? You asked to one of your actor to cut himself at the reality because of the scene. It looked to me very fake". Jane told him calmly.
"What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to upset me and make me sad to let your friend free? Don't worry. She will be free soon. If you are carefully, you may see her soul when she will die." Greer responded.
"You are crazy. You are a failure." Jane provoked him.
"Me? Do you know how many people will watch it? How many will speak for my videos?" he replied laughing.
"Maybe. They will watch them with disguise and a quandary. How can someone be so untalented?" Jane provoked him and Greer rushed to him with the knife. Before he had the change to hurt Jane, Cho entered the room and grabbed Greer making facing the wall hard and handcuffed him.
Jane without losing time went to Lisbon and checked her pulse. She looked fine but she was unconscious. Jane took a perfume from her bedside table and putted under her nose. Lisbon began to opened her eyes a few seconds later. When she gain her senses she looked terrified at Jane and Cho. Cho gave her a small smile taking Greer out of her room and Jane caressed her hair gentle whispering that everything was okay. Lisbon relaxed and took a big breath and she found herself on Jane's embrace holding her tight. She let a sign and close her eyes trying to calm herself.
They stayed like that for some minutes till Lisbon released herself from his arms and look at him puzzled.
"What did it happen? How did you come here?"
"He came after you. I watched the videos. You were on them. He knew who you are when he talked to you on the site." Jane explained softly. "Then I tried to call you and you didn't answer. I called Cho and I came here."
"Thanks Jane." Lisbon said grateful. "Why me?"
"He though it could be more special. He would have won more fame." Jane replied.
"What time is it? Is Charlotte here?" Lisbon asked worried.
"It's almost ten. No, she isn't here yet." he replied and helped her stood up.
Lisbon made an excuse and went to fresh up on the bathroom. Jane went downstairs to the kitchen and prepared tea for both of them. Ten minutes later, she called his name. Jane grinned and walked through the other room. Lisbon took her cup smiling and gave orders to Cho and the rest of the team who have just arrived to take Greer to CBI. The team nodded and left immediately.
"Where is Charlotte?" Jane asked when they were alone.
"With my sister in law. They will be back soon. I called them when I was upstairs." Lisbon responded softly.
"Then I should leave. You must be tired." Jane said and stood up to leave.
Lisbon nodded and said:
"Thank you, Patrick. For everything."
Jane smiled as he shut the door behind him. Back to his apartment, Jane lied down on his couch. Lisbon began of trust him but he hadn't won her yet. That would take a lot of work and he grinned at the challenge.
The next morning, Jane stopped to buy coffee and donuts for Lisbon and the team. When he arrived, they were already there and worked hard doing their paperwork. He left their coffees on their desk and went to find Lisbon inside her office. he entered without knocking and spoke:
"Good morning Lisbon." he said cheerfully giving her coffee and opening the box of donuts on her desk.
"Morning." Lisbon replied casual. "Donuts?" she asked amused.
"I thought all the cops eat them." Jane responded "You can see it as a celebration for closing the case."
"Thanks." Lisbon said and picked one "But we have a case close tradition already." and took a bite.
"Can I ask what?" Jane said and sat on the chair opposite Lisbon.
"Pizza. We started two years ago and now it's kind of tradition for us. If you are here till lunch, you can join us."
"Where else could I be?"
"There is nothing you can do today. Cho and Rigsby took a confession and now all we have to do is paperwork." Lisbon explained softly. "You can help if you want"
"Meh too boring. How are you? Did you tell to Angela and Charlotte about last night?"
"I'm okay. I spoke to Angela. Charlotte heard us. She was scared. She slept with me yesterday. " Lisbon responded with a broken voice.
"She loves you. She doesn't want to lose you."
"I know. And it makes me scared a little too." Lisbon sighed.
"Why?" Jane asked puzzled.
"I know how it is to grown up with one parent. I can't imagine herself if something happen to me. I don't want her to be alone." Lisbon said emotionally.
"She won't. You will be fine." Jane stated seriously.
"You can't know it. I have a dangerous job."
"Of course I know it." Jane replied. "I am a phychic, remember?"
"Yeah, of course." Lisbon chuckled. "Silly me."
"Anyway. Do you have any plans the weekend?"
"No. I will be home with my daughter. Why?"
"I want you to take you out Lisbon. " Jane responded calm.
"I don't know Jane. I enjoy your company but I can't." Lisbon replied nervous.
"Come on Lisbon. It will be just dinner. Nothing more. All I want is to have a nice dinner at a restaurant with you. I won't pressure you to something you don't want. Is it so bad?"
"I guess not..." Lisbon said admitted. She couldn't deny him forever but she wasn't ready yet.
"Then it settled. When do you want to take you out?"
"Sunday will be fine." Lisbon commented.
"Sunday night then." Jane smiled and stood up. "I have an appointment with one client. I will be back for pizza. " Jane continued and left.
Lisbon looked up at her watch after finishing her paperwork. It was three pm. Cho had knocked her door ten minutes before informing her that he ordered pizza. Lisbon gathered all her files on her desk and moved to get up. When she entered the bullpen the team and Jane were around the meeting table.
"Case closed pizza is here" Rigsby announced and everyone sat down.
Jane sat beside Lisbon and Rigsby with Cho on the other side. Van Pelt sat close to the window between them. They all began to eat making a small comfortable talk. Jane entertained them with some magic tricks and they all found their selves to relax and having a good time.
They left early that day from CBI. They didn't take a call for a murder and they were free all the weekend. Van Pelt and Rigsby would spent their weekend away in a trip and Cho would visit some old friends. Lisbon took Charlotte from her school and Jane went back to his apartment.
He didn't have any appointments and he lied down to his couch drinking a tea and reading newspaper. After two hours he was bored to death. He let a sigh and ran his hand through his hair. He felt alone. He would see his old friends tomorrow and until then he didn't have anything to do. An idea crossed his mind and stood up fast and took his jacket and left.
When he arrived to Lisbon's house, he heard music from inside. Before he knocked, Jane looked carefully from the window and he witnessed an adorable scene. Lisbon and Charlotte dance barefoot together. Jane grinned at the scene they created. They swayed through the living room and laughed . Lisbon wore a jersey with her name and the number 99 on her back. Jane could never imagine the badass Lisbon to dance to some spice girl music. She always surprised him.
He watched them carefully and when the music stopped, Jane waited some minutes before he knocked her door. Lisbon opened and frowned when she saw him.
"Jane, what are you doing here? Is everything okay?" Lisbon asked him with concern and she let him inside closing the door.
"Don't worry. Everything is fine. I came to make a proposition to you and Charlotte" Jane explained softly.
"Mom. who was it?" Charlotte shouted running in the room.
"Charlotte, do you remember my coworker Mister Jane?" Lisbon said casual and Charlotte nodded.
"I came to make a proposal to both of you." Jane said "Tomorrow I will visit some friends. They are here with the carnival and I thought to ask you to join me. You can play, watch the shows and I will meet you Daisy."
"Who is Daisy?" Charlotte asked.
"Daisy is an elephant. She belongs to my friends Sam and Pete."
"Elephant?" Charlotte said and her face brighten up. "Can we go mommy?" Charlotte asked hopefully her mother.
"Yes, we can. Are you sure Jane?" Lisbon asked serious.
"I am. I will come tomorrow morning to take you." Jane said smiling and left.
Later that night:
Jane was lying down to his bed trying to sleep when he heard knocking on his door. Groaning he stood up and went to answer it. As soon he opened the door, he found himself in a tight hug and lips on his mouth. Jane recovered fast from the shock and shook away the woman.
"Clara, what are you doing here?" Jane asked aggressive crossing his arms on his chest.
"I miss you Patrick. I was away for a show and I came back today. Don't you like my surprise?" she said seductively and ran her hands on his cheek.
"No, I don't like surprises. And I want you to leave." Jane said removing her hand.
"Come on Patrick. We had fun the last time. " she tried again.
"Listen Clara, it was one time thing, nothing more." Jane responded serious.
"Come on. I know you feel lonely. Kristina told me about the bet. I understand. I'm not jealous. Everyone makes sacrifices for their careers. It doesn't create a problem between us. We can be secret until you earn the job." Clara suggested smiling.
"Listen to me. I don't want anything from you. We have nothing. Now, please leave my house." Jane replied and opened his door.
"You can't be serious. " she replied irritated.
"Oh I am. Goodbye Clara. It won't bother me if I don't see you again."
"You will regret it Patrick. Remember my words." she yelled and left slamming the door hard on his face.