And here it is, the final chapter. I have to say it's quite tiring this writing thing. I have great respect for those who do this all the time.

I was tempted to continue; go someplace with the whole RJ hunt but I just don't have a clue – I lack the skill to maintain a more complex story. I think I'll just suffer through until the new season.

Thanks for reading and for the reviews.

It was in the middle of a meeting between the CBI and the FBI that Jane exploded. Agent Darcy had been fuming about Lorelei's story; an argument had broken out between her and Lisbon.
"There's no way I'm gonna let you move her!" Teresa was yelling.
"The FBI can protect her. We have experts in DC," Darcy retorted.
Jane must have popped a paper bag or something because there was a loud bang and the entire room full of agents ducked, leaving him standing.
"What the hell Jane?" Cho complained.
"Your attention please," Jane said, inviting their ire. "You are all — in a box."
Puzzled looks gathered as people straightened.
Looking at her, Jane spoke, "As someone very close to me recently said, you are stuck."

He scanned the room. "You are stuck being cops and being cautious."
"Oh please!" Said Agent Darcy. Jane's glance silenced her.
"You're all so busy being just that you forget what you are hunting. Need I remind you that a drone like that — woman," he tipped his head, "— walked in here and murdered a room full of seasoned agents?"
Teresa knew he was right. Where was this going? She felt the start of fear.
"Jane, what do you have in mind?" She asked to save time, knowing that he would lose patience and do something on his own.
"We take the offensive, of course." he shrugged.
"How?" Asked Darcy.
"By being offensive." He snapped.
"So you mean to be yourself?" Cho parried.
"Precisely." Said Jane, smiling; obviously happy that someone got him.

Teresa was boiling. In a few moments of listening to Jane's insane plan, she had gone from mild skies to hurricane.
He was performing for the room. "So, in short my friends, we whip a media storm that will enrage Red John to inevitable murder."
"With Lorelei staked-out, as the lamb?" Teresa.
"Just so."
"I dunno Jane," she used her sceptical voice, rolling her eyes, "they tried that in Jurassic Park and it didn't go so well."
"True dat." Came Cho, with Rigsby nodding rapidly casting his 'ya know?' looks around.
"Jurassic what?" Asked Jane.
"A word?" She beckoned him and went to her office.

She turned-on him as soon as they were inside.
"Are you crazy?" She fumed. "Scratch that, you are. Stupid question. I thought it was time to let go?"
He watched her with patient eyes. "Letting go doesn't mean giving up, Teresa."
"I thought I was clear. If you stay—"
"It's because I want to; here with you." He finished her words. "And I do. And Red John is still out there, hunting us."
She had too much nervous energy. It bubbled-up and ran down her arms. She walked back and forth in the tiny office.
"Teresa, sit down." She shot him a kill-stare, which he ignored as he swung onto the couch.
She paced-on; he patted the seat with his hand.
With a frustrated sigh, she relented.
"There nothing straight about you Jane. We can't—" Her words caught, "I can't go on like this. In or out?"
There was a moment of silence and the buzz from the outside intruded.
"Hear that?" He asked. She had to nod.
"That's our background. It's not going away."
She knew what he meant. It would always be dangerous.
"This is Red John," she spoke quietly, "it's not the usual game around here."
"I know. What do you want Teresa?" He looked into her eyes. "My subservience or myself?"
It was another fork. She never wanted to chase him away and there was no way to image Jane on a leash.
She deflated, letting her worry and irritation flow away.
"Just you, but—"
"A better me?"
"You plus, I guess." She kept his gaze.
"I can do plus." He smiled.
She nudged him with her shoulder. "This is so complicated."
"Nah, it's quite simple."
"How so?"
"You said it yourself. I wish you'd explain."
"Jane." She threatened.
"You want a confession?" He asked.
"That would be nice."
"Very well." He slouched a bit more to put his arm around her shoulders.
"I am very fond of your moue."
"Come again?"
"That one." He pointed at her face. "That disdainful pout of yours."
Teresa had to laugh. Off the wall. That was Jane.
"Not much of a confession." She said after a moment, enjoying his arm.
"Meh. You have no idea what it does to me. When deprived I must have more."
"You do?"
"Oh yes. Why else do you think I enjoy driving you crazy?"
She punched him, "You scum pig." She chided.
"Scum peeg." He had to agree.

They were interrupted by the door opening. Jane did not move, but Lisbon jumped to her feet. She felt herself blush and tried to cover.
"Boss, we have a situation—" Thank God it was Cho. He'd notice, but be discreet.
"Right." She took a moment to switch gears. From moue to Chief, she thought. What a day.

..xx..

Bertram was outside speaking to a cluster of FBI types. Steeling herself, she approached them.
He turned to address her, "Lisbon, I see you are digging your grave faster than I could have hoped."
Teresa bit her tongue. She pictured him wrapped in bacon and staked-out for Red John. It made her feel better.
"Thanks Sir, glad to be of service."
He grimaced. "What's this I hear about baiting a serial killer?"
Jane stepped-in. "Fire for fire." He said. Great, it always helps when he clarifies.
"U-huh." Said Bertram, looking dubious. "Lisbon, is this the best you can do?" He ignored the consultant.
"I'm sure Sir." She wasn't, but for damn-sure would support Jane.
"There's a symmetry that we can use." Jane said, trying to but-in.
Bertram paused. "What is he talking about?"
Teresa looked at Jane. She could feel that magic that he wove, the impending storm-front of chaos and genius that was coming.
"I don't have time to explain it all Sir, we need to make some plans."
Bertram looked angry, but what the hell was new?
"Don't make a move before you brief me Agent." And he left.

"Jane. What were you talking about?" She asked him. A small crown had gathered.
"Symmetry?" Cho asked.
Jane tensed. She watched him make some inner-decision and relax.
"It's a key. Something he said to me."
"Who said?" Teresa.
"Red John recited a stanza from a poem. The Tyger."
"William Blake." Cho supplied and Jane beamed.
"There's a sick circle between us." Jane continued, "In a way I forged him that night. I gave him new purpose."
"Jane, you can't go there." Teresa said, touching his arm. A few eyes widened to see that. It was intimate and suddenly-new like mushrooms after rain, or flowers in the dew.
"I think Red John is telling me how to stop him." Jane said. "I have to go there."
She knew it was so. Around here, inevitable was routine.
"You're coming with me." She said, taking his arm. She dared anyone to comment, but they didn't. She led Jane towards the stairs.
Over her shoulder she said, "Cho, make sure Lorelei is safe. There's too many bodies moving around here. Keep her alive."
"Yes Boss."

..xx..

Without a word she spilled them into the cave upstairs and drew the heavy sliding door shut. She pushed him onto the little bed and sat alongside.
"Tell me what the hell is going on." She was fuming. Jane kept secrets, this was no surprise, but she would not abide that any longer.
"No more secrets Jane. I mean it."
He lay back on the bed, his hands behind his head. Silence passed between them. She waited.
"Whatever John may have been before he— that night changed him. We are bound together. I am the reason he kills now."
She shook, her entire frame shuddered. "No. That's insane."
"It's not the first time I have heard lines from that poem."
He told her about Todd Johnson and what he'd said in his dying moments; about being strapped to a chair, helpless, as Red John taunted him from behind.
Teresa found herself lying alongside him. How had that happened? She was on her side, looking down into his face. His eyes never left the ceiling.
"Jane?" She waved her hand over his face. He blinked and slid his gaze to hers.
"I'm here."
"Good. I don't feel like Agent Lisbon right now."
In reply he reached for her and pulled her against him. Her face ended in his shoulder and she heard him breathing in her hair.
"You smell better when you're closer." He said.
"I stink when further?" She chided. He smiled, she could feel it on her head, the way the hair moved.
They held on for a long while, just breathing and saying nothing. Downstairs a war was starting but it could wait.
"Patrick?"
"Yes Teresa?"
"Is this?"
"Real?"
"Yeah."
"Teresa, you should have no doubt. I can read your thoughts, remember. I have always known you loved me."
She thumped his chest with her fist.
"So when you shot me?"
"I meant it."
"I like Jane." She said after a while.
"If that's your name for me then that's the only name I want."

~Fin.