A/N: As I have not one, but two, Mentalist Big Bang fics to get on with posting, I thought I better get this last chapter up. After all, it is getting horrendously out of season again. However, I swear it wasn't when I wrote it!

Thank you to: Aeidhryn, TwilightLover-CarlisleandEsme, mpenguin15 and anthropologist for reviewing part seven.

Here's hoping you like the final part...

x tromana

Part Eight

Intentionally, Lisbon mostly left the questioning of Georgia O'Hanlon up to Rigsby and Cho. She knew that their good cop, bad cop act would probably be the most effective way to get the confession out of the girl. Though she had been caught red handed, as it were, her actually admitting to the crime was the last thing they needed to ensure the case was airtight. All in all, Lisbon was pretty pleased with just how smoothly the case had gone. Yes, it looked like Arden O'Hanlon was covering for his daughter and they were in the midst of filing charges of perverting the course of justice against him, but it could have been a lot more complicated.

Sometimes, that made Lisbon worry a little. After all, if things appeared too easy, that was when Jane would throw a curve ball. State that they had the wrong man in custody and he'd set it up as an elaborate trick in order to get the real killer to reveal him or herself. Or he'd just have been bored throughout and actively made things all the more difficult for them, simply to try and entertain himself at the expense of others. More often than not, Lisbon was unintentionally in the firing line with that one.

Almost on cue, Jane ambled into her office and made himself at home on the couch. Instinctively, Lisbon glanced upwards before returning her gaze to the form she was filling in. Sometimes, it was for the best to let Jane do the talking; he could never stay quiet for long if he had something he really wanted to say. Besides, sometimes she just didn't want to poke the proverbial beast. Who knew what would happen if she actively encouraged Jane and what mood he was in? Anyway, she really just wanted to get done. The sooner she did so, the sooner she could resume her weekend with Annabeth.

"Don't you want to know why I'm in here?"

"Apart from bothering me, you mean?" Lisbon quipped and Jane's face dropped ever so slightly before he realized she was joking. "You're not about to say we've arrested the wrong person and I cannot sign off on this, are you?"

The suspicion in her voice was obvious. If that were the case, it wouldn't have been the first time that Jane had led her up the proverbial garden path. Nor would it have been the first time that she had very nearly sent an innocent person to jail, because Jane had either made a mistake and wouldn't own up to it or simply as part of an elaborate ruse. When he broke out into a smile, she hoped for the best; that he was just winding her up a little for his own amusement. However, she couldn't help but acknowledge that nagging feeling that he was smiling because she'd been right and had seen his plan before he'd announced it.

"No need to be so suspicious, my dear," he said lightly before stretching out luxuriously. "Cho's just got the confession from Georgia. He's about to start working Daddy O'Hanlon to finish up that loose end."

"Is that all?"

"And you have a niece waiting in the bullpen," he added, as if that were an afterthought.

"Why didn't she just come through?" Lisbon asked, still eyeing Jane warily.

"I believe it's because she's cornered Wainwright. Something about work experience?"

Jane shrugged his shoulders theatrically before flopping down into a lying position. As he did so, Lisbon sprang to her feet. The last thing she needed was Annabeth planting seeds in Wainwright's head. The man seemed convinced by the concept of management by numbers; the last thing they needed was a fourteen year old giving him 'bright ideas' for publicity. And that was all that work experience at the CBI would be: an elaborate publicity stunt. One that would, no doubt, increase the workload of all the senior agents considerably. The other leading agents would never forgive her if any of them got lumbered with Annabeth Lisbon for a week or two.

And she wouldn't forgive Jane for that matter, either.

Because even though Annabeth had been the one to bring up the concept, she wouldn't have put it past him to plant the idea in her head. After all, they had probably exchanged cell phone numbers behind her back, simply so that Jane could teach Annabeth more party tricks in attempt to get embarrassing tidbits about her aunt's personal life.

"Annie!"

Lisbon was relieved to see her slouched on Jane's couch, laden with shopping bags. The girl looked bored stiff and unsurprisingly so. Annabeth broke out into a smile when she saw Lisbon approaching and quickly gave her a short and slightly awkward hug in response. Lisbon, meanwhile was simply relieved to see that Wainwright was nowhere in sight and silently, she hoped that wasn't because he'd been and gone.

"Why didn't you come through to my office?"

"Patrick told me not to."

"Patrick?" Lisbon echoed, slightly surprised.

"It's his name," Annabeth replied with a shrug. "Besides, Jane makes him sound like a girl."

"I know," Lisbon groaned, but she couldn't help it. It wasn't her fault that Jane had a slightly unfortunate surname for his line of work. "In future, don't listen to a word he says."

"Why not?"

"Usually, he's lying or trying to trick you. Or both."

"Yeah, I got that years ago."

"How?"

"From your constant complaining about him!" Annabeth said, sounding strangely excited and exasperated at the same time. "Are you sure you don't, you know?"

"Am I sure I don't what?" she asked, bemused.

"Have a thing for him. He is kinda hot," the girl admitted, before adding, "for an old man."

"Annabeth!" Lisbon retorted, shocked.

"Annie."

"Annie. That's inappropriate."

"How so?"

"He's a work colleague."

"So?"

Lisbon shook her head. Sometimes, there was no explaining this kind of thing to the girl. She was a typical teenager; over stimulated on caffeine and over excited by the most ridiculous of things. She was probably semi-hoping that her aunt had finally found someone to settle down with, if only so she could be a bridesmaid at the wedding and wear a pretty ball gown. Or something like that, anyway. Annabeth didn't always particularly seem like the nice dresses type of girl.

"Anyway. Patrick said I shouldn't come through because you were working on boring, confidential stuff. Was he lying about that?"

"Actually, no," Lisbon conceded, "but you could have disturbed me. It was only paperwork."

"Oh. How much longer will you be?"

"Depends on how long Cho is questioning a suspect. As soon as he gets a confession-"

"Will he?"

"Probably, but that's not up for discussion," Lisbon said swiftly and naturally, Annabeth looked disappointed at the fact she wasn't being offered even the smallest shred of gossip. "As soon as Cho's done with that suspect and I've signed off the paperwork, then we can go."

"What should I do until then?"

"Get Jane to teach you something?"

"Like what? You didn't like the picking pockets or locks…"

"Something harmless," Lisbon said quickly, racking her brains. "Like card tricks. Jane knows thousands of them."

"I bet he doesn't."

"Why not ask?"

Annabeth seemed happy enough with the concept of spending time with Jane and Lisbon was relieved. Especially so as Jane appeared more than happy to play ball too. Jane often thrived in the company of children, whatever their age. However, Lisbon knew that Annabeth would have been less than impressed for referring to her as a child still. But it didn't matter; she was her aunt. Part of her would always think of Annabeth as a little girl. At least Jane teaching her card tricks kept them both out of her hair for as long as necessary.

It didn't turn out to be too long at all, either. Within two hours she had two confessions on her desk. One from Arden O'Hanlon, admitting to tampering evidence in attempt to protect his teenage daughter. That he had also not noticed the deterioration in Amie Stevens' condition and sought out medical attention for her in the hours prior to her death. The other, from Georgia, stating the reasons why she had killed Amie Stevens. Apparently, it was down to the fact that Henry had been dating Georgia when he fathered Amie's son. And since then, she had accepted Henry back with open arms and fallen pregnant herself. The hormones had messed up her system and she'd thought that mistletoe berries would have just made Amie sick, not poisoned her. It was a sad situation; half a family was going to jail over little more than jealousy. That and a baby was going to be born behind bars because of mistakes his or her mom had made before they had even been born.

Still, at least it was done and quickly too. And without most of Jane's stupid mind games and tricks leading to a pile of lawsuits for her to try and prevent happening. That had to be a win, of sorts, didn't it?

Somehow, when she finally left the CBI headquarters, with Annabeth in tow, Jane had managed to invite himself along. Lisbon wasn't quite sure how that happened, but quietly she assumed that it was her niece and consultant ganging up on her. But considering just how much they were seeming to get out of each other's company, Lisbon just couldn't say no to it. Besides, however much she told herself otherwise, Lisbon did like Jane and did enjoy spending time with him. Annabeth's wish to spend longer with him this weekend made the perfect excuse for Lisbon to do so as well.

And it was the holiday season, almost. The time of year which you spent with people you cared about. Lisbon knew she cared about Jane, after all, somebody had to. He didn't really have anybody else.

They went out for dinner, to celebrate closing the case. The others had gone for closed case beers, not really appropriate for fourteen year old to tag along with, so instead, she took Jane and Annabeth for pizza. It was intentional; pizza had always been one of Annabeth's favorites and she thought her niece deserved that at they very least. She still needed to make it up to her after bailing out on the shopping and dinner was the least she could do. It was all too easy for Lisbon to feel guilty about not spending enough time with her family, now more so than ever. She wasn't getting younger and Lisbon knew all too well how something like family could be stolen from underneath your feet. All she had to do was look at Jane for evidence of that.

But Jane was happy for a change and Lisbon suspected (and hoped) that it wasn't merely the mask he wore far too often. He couldn't stop smiling amidst the easy banter and the tricks so impressive that even a cynical fourteen year old couldn't help but be amazed by the magic. It seemed only natural that he followed them home. The night was still young and Lisbon was learning the hard way that Annabeth was something of a night owl. It would be hours before she needed to sleep and Jane, well, he barely slept at all.

"Do you have any red wine, Lisbon?""Yes, why?"

She dug out the bottle and handed it over. Without a word, he dug out a saucepan, poured the wine in and added a few herbs and spices. Almost immediately, Lisbon worked out what he was doing. Obviously, he still wasn't quite over his Christmas kick.

"Oh, mulled wine!" Annabeth said excitedly, peering over the saucepan. "Can I have some?"

"No!" Lisbon interjected before Jane could say otherwise.

"But…"

"Would apple juice make an ideal alternative," Jane offered. He knew all too well that Lisbon wouldn't relent, not after the damage alcohol had already done to the Lisbon family. "I used to make it for…"

The words died in the air, but Jane didn't have to finish it. Annabeth knew Jane's story almost as well as Lisbon herself did. Tales about Jane had been what Lisbon had used to keep her niece entertained for years. Still, Annabeth nodded at the offer. Everyone knew she would have preferred the alcoholic version, but she wasn't going to be allowed that until she was older.

Within five minutes, Jane had poured out the three glasses. Two of the deep red wine and one of mulled apple juice. Quickly, he handed out the drinks and Lisbon automatically inhaled the aroma. Though it still felt distinctly out of season for her, she had to admit, it was a good idea. And when else was she going to get a chance to spend time with Annabeth before Christmas. With a smile, Jane clinked his glass against both of theirs, the sound cheerfully filling the room.

"Happy Holidays, Lisbons."

"Happy Holidays," Annabeth echoed before drinking a sizeable portion of her juice.

"Don't make me say it."

She looked pleadingly at both Jane and Annabeth, who put down their drinks and crossed their arms in sync. Immediately, Lisbon knew that they wouldn't take no for an answer. Damn them. Damn them both. She should have left Jane back at work, let him feed and entertain himself for the night.

"Happy Holidays. I guess."

end