Chapter 2.

Jane was driving the familiar way to his house deep in thought. He couldn't really call the place a home anymore, he spent so much time away from it and to be frank he only kept it to fuel his rage and keep the drive for vengeance going until they caught Red John. He had decided some time ago that he would sell the place after they caught the bastard, he just needed to get the paper work sorted that he could do it quickly when the time came. Or if he was still alive to care about such things. He realised that it was quite unlikely that he would survive the showdown with the killer and he had taken steps to ensure that his will and other paper work was done. Only the house remained an issue if the will wasn't needed. He hadn't said anything about his plans to Lisbon as he knew she would become upset. Maybe later.

He had been sleeping on the couch since the case that started at the fund raising gala, he had been to his house only to change clothes and he still wasn't keen on going there knowing that he had to spend the whole weekend there. He had had nightmares, worse than usual, for some time now and hadn't slept for more than few hours each night for the past week. He was fast reaching his breaking point. He was contemplating renting a room in a hotel when he parked in front of his house. He got out, locked the car and walked to the front door unlocking it and slipped in to the permanent duskiness, that used to be home.

He didn't notice that eyes were watching.

XXX

Lisbon drove home with the anticipation of a bath and a long sleep afterwards. She was exhausted, but she still felt bad for leaving Jane to spend the weekend alone. However she couldn't hold his hand forever and they weren't so close that they would spend the weekend together and anyway she needed a break from him and his tricks.

She liked the man and felt privileged that he trusted her to see the true Patrick Jane once in a while. Those rare moments were one of the most important reasons why she still had him in her team. Yes, he closed cases, but if he was behaving like a jerk all the time, she wouldn't tolerate it. Lately Jane had been either letting himself get more involved with the team or it had crept up on him, but he clearly was a part of the team now. Which made her happy. Why would that thought make her that happy though?

Lisbon parked near her flat still pondering that question and the mystery of what Patrick Jane meant to her. Her reflexes took care of getting out of the car and getting into her flat while leaving her brain alone to ponder the sudden thought.

She didn't notice that keen eyes were observing her.

TBC