A/N: And so we come to the conclusion of another story in my AU series. Some of you expressed doubts that I could finish it in one more chapter. Ah, ye of little faith, lol.

Chapter 13: Conclusion and Epilogue

The week that followed was nearly perfect in Patrick Jane's world. He was so happy he could hardly believe it was real. LaRoche remained in the hospital, leaving Lisbon as temporary lead agent for the Serious Crimes Unit. They'd had two cases in one week, each brilliantly solved by him if he did say so himself (and he did, quite frequently).

As for he and Lisbon-they'd spent nearly every night in each other's arms, and things in that department couldn't have been better. He felt so free with her, so in love, and he knew his demeanor reflected it. He was even more charming than usual. He'd gone back to showing off his magic and mentalist skills to the team, and even played a practical joke on Rigsby his first day back from suspension, much to the delight of everyone in the office. In fact, Jane seemed so happy that Rigsby and Van Pelt began to get suspicious.

"Hey," Rigsby said, as Jane lay on his couch, hands laced behind his head, whistling softly to himself. "You seem awfully happy lately. What gives? You seeing someone?"

All eyes went to him, including Lisbon's, as she came into the bullpen with her morning coffee.

Jane grinned mysteriously, but in the spirit of his new honesty, he couldn't bring himself to lie. "Yes I am, as a matter of fact," he replied. Lisbon valiantly tried not to choke on her coffee.

"Well, who is she?" Van Pelt asked excitedly. Engaged women want everyone to be happy, just like they were.

"Just a woman I've known for awhile."

"Really?" said Rigsby. "What's she like?"

"She's lovely and kind. Very smart. She doesn't put up with my crap, I can tell you that much."

"She sounds amazing," Lisbon said. "But can she kick your ass when you need it?"

Jane chuckled, enjoying playing along with her. He sat up and his eyes wandered to Cho, seemingly minding his own business, but with an amused smirk hovering around his lips. Jane's grin grew. "Oh, she can kick my ass, alright. But she knows I secretly enjoy it."

Rigsby laughed, his mouth full of donut. "Whipped already, eh?" he said when he'd swallowed the bite.

"You don't know the half of it."

"Well when can we meet this beautiful, kick-ass paragon?" inquired Grace.

"I don't know. She likes her privacy. I'm just enjoying myself while it lasts."

"While it lasts?" repeated Lisbon, trying hard to keep her voice neutral. "So it's nothing serious?"

"Oh, it's serious, alright. I actually think she might be the one, if she loosens up a little and gets over a few hang-ups she has."

"Hang-ups?" said Rigsby. "Like what? Problems in the bedroom?"

Van Pelt threw her pencil at him for the highly inappropriate remark. He dodged it neatly and laughed. Lisbon had gone totally still, waiting for what he might possibly say that wouldn't result in a pummeling later.

"Oh, no problems there. She's actually a tigress in the bedroom, let me tell you." Jane was pleased at Lisbon's light flush. "No, she can't come to grips with what I do. There's a lot of lying and subterfuge in my job, and she can't understand that sometimes the ends justify the means."

"They don't usually," said Lisbon, her mouth forming a thin line.

"Like our case the other day,"Jane continued, undaunted. "When I had to lie to a woman, say her husband was dead, in order to flush out the killer. That kind of thing."

"It was cruel and it was unnecessary," Lisbon ground out. "I don't blame this girlfriend of yours for feeling the same way."

"Hey," Rigsby said. "This woman sounds like she and the boss would hit it off."

"Nah," Jane replied, "they're nothing alike. She's much more beautiful than prim and proper Agent Lisbon here. No offense, Teresa."

"None taken," she said slyly, moving on toward her office. He hoped no one else noticed the sensual look she shot him before she turned to leave. Jane looked hurriedly away from her swinging hips, and he felt his own face begin to flush at his wicked thoughts. He shot Van Pelt a friendly wink, then went back to ruminating on his couch. If he listened closely, he could just make out Cho's amused chuckle.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

That afternoon, Jessie Lynch walked hesitantly into the bullpen. Van Pelt greeted the woman fondly, and the others nodded politely.

"How's J.J.?" asked Jane, tongue firmly in cheek.

"Oh, he gets to come home today. He's feeling much better, and even started a little light physical therapy yesterday. He should be up and around in no time. But I'm here because I still plan to have that birthday party for him. It's been put off a week, of course, and John will have to arrive in a wheelchair, but I really think it would lift his spirits. I know things are a little tense between you all, but would you still consider coming? Nothing on par with what we'd planned before. Just a small gathering at my restaurant with a few friends and coworkers. So, what do you say?"

"We'd love to come," answered Van Pelt for them all. "Wouldn't we guys?"

"Sure," said Rigsby.

"Okay," responded Cho.

Jessie turned to Jane, who was sitting on his couch, drinking tea. "I'm not sure my presence would be very conducive to J.J.'s recovery," he said, setting his cup on the saucer in his lap.

"I know you boys have had your differences, but I think you'll be surprised at how much he's changed over the last week. This injury might even be a blessing in disguise, if you take my meaning."

Jane considered it, realizing he wanted to see for himself how much LaRoche could have changed in so little time. He didn't believe it was possible. "Fine. I'll be there. But don't blame me if it upsets us both."

Jessie walked over to the couch. "May I sit?" she asked.

"Of course."

"I just want to thank you for bringing me back into John's life again," she said softly. "He claims you did it to mess with him, but I don't really care about that now." Jane watched in dismay as her eyes welled up with tears. He reached awkwardly into his pocket for his hankie, handing it to her. The others in the room pretended not to be hanging on every word. "I am happier than I've been in years, thanks to you. I just want you two to get past your differences and be friends."

"I don't know, Jessie. Words have been exchanged…"

She laid a pleading hand on his thigh. "Just come to the party and try, won't you? I think you owe it to me, an innocent bystander in all this drama."

Jane smiled gently. "You're right. I'll come, and be on my best behavior if he will. That's all I can promise."

She smiled brilliantly through her tears, dimpling prettily. "Thank you, Patrick! I told him you were a good man at heart!" She leaned over and kissed his cheek, her gardenia perfume filling his nose, her enticing décolletage pressing against his arm. He waved away the offer to return his handkerchief, and rose to see her off, as she waved goodbye to the rest of the team. Lisbon, who had been hovering around the bullpen door, chose that moment to step back in. She hadn't liked the way the curvy woman had pressed herself against Jane. He caught her eye and she just knew he was reading her mind again, for he grinned in that knowing, annoying way he had.

"Did you really track her down to try to make LaRoche miserable?" asked Van Pelt, her tone highly accusatory.

"I cannot tell a lie, Grace. That was the plan."

"Looks to me like it backfired," said Cho, with some satisfaction.

"We'll see," said Jane optimistically. He sipped his tea and smiled at the world in general.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Miss Jessie's was generally closed on Mondays, but that night, it was open in honor of J.J. LaRoche's belated fiftieth birthday party. In attendance were the Serious Crimes Unit, Director Betram and his pilot fish of an aide, a few of LaRoche's friends from Internal Affairs, as well as his next-door-neighbor, an elderly lady with a fondness for cats. Jessie and her staff had prepared all of LaRoche's favorite Creole and Cajun dishes, including crawfish and alligator bites for hors d'oeuvre, and an open bar.

Rigsby and Jane had stationed themselves near the food, and were busy grazing when the guest of honor arrived in his wheelchair, Jessie pushing him into the dining room. Everyone clapped politely, then mingled until dinner was served. Jane pointedly stayed away from the birthday boy, and Lisbon soon joined him at their table, still in the same clothing from work.

"Being a good boy?" she asked him, taking a sip of white wine.

Jane grinned. "Of course. I promised, didn't I?"

Cho, Van Pelt, and Bertram joined them. When everyone else was seated, Jessie stood up near LaRoche at a nearby table and tapped her glass for attention. The party grew silent.

"I just wanted to thank all of you for coming to celebrate John's big five-0. It's been a tough couple of weeks, but he is recovering very well, and I'm sure it's due to all your prayers and good wishes. Please, enjoy your meal, and be sure to let me or my staff know if we can do anything for you."

More applause, and dinner was served.

"This is really good," Lisbon was saying. "A little spicy, but good." She took another sip of wine, and Jane was looking forward to enjoying later the effects alcohol usually had on her. Everyone at their table spoke mostly about work, the weather, the food, the restaurant, so that by the time the cake was rolled in, Jane was exceptionally bored.

They all sang Happy Birthday, and LaRoche blew out the single candle formed into the number fifty. It was LaRoche's turn to make a speech. He sat in his chair like a king on his throne, still not quite able to stand on his own.

"I'd like to reiterate Jessie's words of thanks for everyone coming tonight. It's great to know I have this great support system. I especially want to thank Patrick Jane, whom I surprisingly find myself in debt to. You see, he brought Jessie back into my life, and is responsible for coming up with the initial idea of this party. So, thank you, Jane." Everyone clapped and smiled at the happy couple, and nodded in Jane's direction. "Also," LaRoche continued, "I have a couple of announcements. I've already spoken to Director Bertram about this, so I have his approval." He took a deep breath. "I've given the CBI my two weeks' notice. Once I am back on my feet, I'll be starting work at the Louisiana Bureau in Baton Rouge. It's strictly a desk job, so no more field work for me. You all saw how that last mission turned out." There was scattered laughter, but mostly everyone was dealing with the surprise of his announcement. He smiled and continued his monologue, Jane now sitting up straighter, no longer the least bit bored.

"And Jessie…well she is coming with me to open another restaurant there. I imagine she'll be back to Sacramento quite often to make sure all is well with this restaurant, so you employees, don't be afraid you'll be looking for a new job too." Jessie smiled and nodded at the wait staff.

"But there's one last thing…" LaRoche reached into his suit pocket and brought out a small box. "Jess, come here for a minute. I wish I could get down on one knee and do this thing right, but, well, I'm sure you understand. I've wanted to marry you from the day we met so long ago, but I was stupid, and chose the wishes of my mother over the woman I love. Well, I've made the choice now to choose you over my job, and I plan to devote the rest of my life to making you happy. Jessie Lynch, will you marry me?"

Van Pelt reached for her napkin to wipe her eyes, and Jane and Lisbon looked at each other in something akin to awe. Jessie, however, gasped in surprise, taking a moment to formulate a coherent reply.

"Yes, John. You know I will!" She held out a slightly shaking left hand for LaRoche to slip the multi-karat diamond upon, then leaned over to take his cheeks in her hands and give him a kiss so sexy, some of the men were shifting a bit in their chairs.

The small crowd clapped wildly, and wolf whistles abounded. Jane was the only one who sat quietly, but his smile was wide as he sipped his wine. "All's well that ends well," he murmured to Lisbon, slipping his hand in hers under cover of the tablecloth.

"You are one lucky bastard," she replied, her own grin bringing out her dimples. She lifted her glass in a silent toast.

Cho was shaking his head in disbelief, and Rigsby gladly pocketed the twenty-dollar bill Cho forked over.

Several people got up to congratulate the happy couple, a few of whom had known Jessie back when she and LaRoche had dated before. After the wait staff served the coffee and coconut cake, the crowd began to thin out, and Jane found a moment to slip over to LaRoche for a private word. He held out his hand, watching it disappear into the big man's white paw.

"Congratulations, J.J.," he said, his happiness at the man's impending departure making his words sound almost sincere.

"Thank you, Jane. Oh, and I have something for you. Sort of a parting gift, to show there are no hard feelings." He fished around in the space between his hip and the side of his wheelchair, and brought out a videocassette-shaped padded envelope. Jane was seldom surprised, let alone twice in one evening. He took the peace offering and shook the man's hand again. "I hope you and Jessie will be very happy in Louisiana."

"And I wish you and Lisbon good luck with…whatever," he said softly, so no one else would overhear. Jane grinned.

"It sounds like you actually mean it. Good-bye, J.J. It's been…interesting knowing you."

Jane approached Jessie with a fond kiss on the cheek, nodded to the rest of the gang, and left the brightly lit restaurant. He found Lisbon leaning against the side of his car.

"You'd better drive me home, Jane. I think I've had too much to drink."

"Certainly, my dear," he said, opening the door for her. Once inside, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately in the darkness of the car. When he finally pulled away, she was looking at him with desire-glazed eyes. Jane laughed with profound joy, then tossed the tape in the back seat. He was suddenly very much in the mood to celebrate.

EPILOGUE

Three weeks later…

Gale Bertram left Agent Lisbon's office after delivering the good news that she was now the Senior Agent in charge of the Serious Crimes Unit, and that Agent Cho was her official second in command as team leader. She seemed happy with the promotion, but insisted that she be allowed to be in the field just as before with the rest of her team.

Bertram had tried to convince Virgil Minelli to come back and reassume his old position. The retired agent had thanked him for the offer, but said he was planning to open a private investigations firm. There wasn't enough money, he had told Bertram, to get him to revisit the stress his former job had piled upon him (though Minelli's actual words had been much more colorful).

The next obvious choice had been Teresa Lisbon. True, she was very young, but she was a tough little lady, and very by the book, except when it came to Patrick Jane, that is. He shrugged. He didn't care for the ex-psychic personally, but the man sure did make the CBI look good. Bertram supposed there were worse weaknesses a senior agent could have.

Bertram stopped by his assistant's desk, took a small stack of messages, and a thin manila envelope postmarked Baton Rouge, with the words Personal and Private stamped in red. He entered his interior office, sitting at his desk and reaching for the letter opener. He reached inside the envelope and pulled out a type-written letter, which was paper-clipped to three photographs.

He read the letter first:

Director Bertram,

I thought you might be interested in these photographs. I'm sure you'll do with them what you think is best. Might I suggest, however, that you save them for a rainy day. Everyone needs a good insurance policy.

Sincerely,

J. J. LaRoche

Curiously, Bertram lifted the cover letter, and was quite shocked to find a graphic photo of his new senior agent in charge in a very compromising position beneath the CBI's best consultant. The picture was dated five weeks before. The other two pictures were close-ups of the couple's faces, so there would be no doubt as to whom it was having sex on the Serious Crimes Unit's bullpen couch. Bertram tapped the pictures against his desk, lost in thought.

He was at once sorry to have allowed J.J. LaRoche to get away. Such a proactive, far thinking agent was quite a valuable asset in these troubled times. Making a decision, Bertram opened the filing cabinet that contained personnel files, flipping through them until he found the folder labeled Teresa Lisbon. LaRoche was right. It was always good to plan for the future.

THE END

A/N: Thanks so much to all who have read, reviewed, and supported this story. I hope you had fun reading it, because it certainly was a challenge for me to write. And now, we await the finale with a mixture of excitement and dread. I'm not sure if I'll be up to writing a tag for that episode, but if I do, I hope to see you all there. Thanks again for reading this!