Title: Red Window

Author: Shannon – shannyfish

Disclaimer: I do not own "The Mentalist" or its characters, Warner Brothers and Bruno Heller do. This is merely for entertainment purposes only.

Rating: R (to be safe)

Summary: Sequel to "Suffering is the Best Punishment". With Lisbon gone, Jane leaves CBI to set out to find her and to kill Red John. He won't let Red John kill his family again.

Warning: adult themes

Chapter 13 – "Waiting isn't Really in my Wheelhouse."

Author's Note: I know a lot of people have said that they've been tearing up or crying over the last few chapters and I can't promise that the following chapters will be any happier… You may want to keep tissue on hand just in case! Also, I really appreciate the reviews and comments, so thank you for that! I intend to bring this up until real time Christmas Eve or Christmas Day before posting those chapters. So, just something to be forewarned about. There should be at least a chapter put up a day though. I'll be flying home for Christmas, so I still should be able to have it all written by then. : )

Suffering is the Best Punishment Trailer - http: / www. mega video. com/ ?v = Q581AW2H

(take out the spaces for )

...

"Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask. Everything you want also wants you. But you have to take action to get it." – Jules Renard

CBI Headquarters

Thursday came and no one had stepped forward. In fact, Jane was starting to feel like they'd taken ten steps back. Christmas was only a few precious days away and he was determined to get to Lisbon whether or not Hightower approved of it. Today was the day that they'd agreed on. Cho had agreed on their plan and Jane knew from Cho's determination that he'd follow through on it. He didn't have to worry about him backing out.

It'd been raining off and on all day and so far, the team was basically working on wrapping up cases. So far, it was going well. Van Pelt and Cho were out making an arrest, which was splendid; it left only one case left for them to close. Cho had reasoned that them closing every case except Lisbon's and Millary's would mean that they were free to pursue those two cases. He doubted that Hightower would see it that way, but that was okay.

"Where's Agent Cho?"

Madeline Hightower. How he was hoping to avoid her until sometime after New Year's. Jane frowned at Rigsby and then tried to turn on his smile and charm as he turned in his seat towards her. Jane really didn't understand this woman. Everyone else in the CBI would go out on a limb if they had all the evidence for finding Lisbon that they had.

"He's in the field, Ma'am," Rigsby spoke up. "He and Van Pelt are arresting Robert Tanning for the murder of Carl Zieric."

"Closed the case?" she asked.

Jane nodded. "He killed Zieric when he realized that his wife wasn't going to actually leave him. She'd apparently promised Tanning she'd do so and he figured that she wouldn't be able to use her husband as an excuse if he was dead."

"That's merry," Hightower commented. "I want to see Cho once he's back."

"Yes, Ma'am," Rigsby said quickly.

"Have you received the DNA results yet from the FBI's raid on Callahan's place?" Jane asked.

"Not yet," Hightower told him. She turned and took a few steps before stopping and turning to them. "And don't think I haven't noticed Lisbon's office."

"If you'd have someone put her name back on the door, it'd be all set for her when she gets back," Jane said. "I'd do it but I think they used something other than a sharpie."

Hightower smirked at him and shook her head. "Patience is a virtue, Mr. Jane," she said before heading off.

"This isn't about being patient," Jane complained as he turned towards Rigsby. "This is waiting. Too much waiting."

"You really don't do well with standing still… None of us like it, but we have to follow the rules," Rigsby told him. "Even if that means we have to wait a little longer."

Jane turned to ensure that Hightower had indeed left the area so she wouldn't overhear what he was about to say. He turned back to Rigsby. "We had a deal. Cho agreed to it. If we don't hear something today, then we leave for Idaho." Jane sighed and shook his head. "Besides, waiting isn't really in my wheelhouse."

Rigsby smirked. "We sort of all know that. I'm surprised you've waited this long."

"I tried to do it myself, remember? I didn't get anywhere. I mean I spent a few lovely days in San Diego, but I didn't find Lisbon… I had no leads…" Jane said. He looked down and got quiet. "I need you guys."

"We need you too," Rigsby said just as quietly. "Whether or not any of us wants to admit it. We need each other. We're a family."

…

The second case was a bit harder, but things began to click as they relooked over things. Cho had recalled in two people in the case. Their stories were different and they were able to wrap up the case. The two suspects had worked together. They didn't think that anyone would realize that they knew each other.

So, with all their other cases closed, Jane rounded everyone up. He clapped his hands together and looked towards Cho. "So, when do we leave?" he asked excitedly.

"I have to book flights," Cho said. "We have to finish the paperwork on these cases."

"The paperwork will wait," Jane said.

Van Pelt shook her head. "We need to do this right. That way Hightower won't be looking for us for anything involving the progress of these two cases."

"Van Pelt's right," Cho said. "We stay late and finish the paperwork tonight. We'll order in pizza. I'll book the flights for tomorrow."

Jane really didn't like having to wait a whole other day, though they'd leave tomorrow…that really wouldn't be a whole other day. "Can we leave first thing in the morning?"

"I'll try for a flight around ten if I can," Cho said. "That way everyone will still be able to get some sleep. Also, make sure that they have enough layers. I checked the weather. Today we had rain and it was fifty-five degrees. In Ketchum, it snowed and it was between fifteen and twenty-nine degrees depending on the time of day."

"Chilly," Rigsby commented and shook his head.

He just finally nodded. Cho was right. Van Pelt was right. Rigsby was right. He'd have to deal with waiting even though he really didn't like it. "I'll order the pizza," he spoke up. This was going to be a long night. He knew that he could go home. The team would be doing paperwork. But he didn't like just going home and leaving them behind to do it. He liked to be there for morale support at the very least. Plus, then he'd know right away if there were any changes.

"It doesn't feel right," Rigsby said.

Van Pelt frowned. "We'll have pizza once we get Lisbon and Kaydance Millary out of Ketchum. Lisbon'll have pizza with us then."

Closed case pizza was a tradition with the team. They hadn't done it the last couple of cases. Lisbon hadn't been there. No one had even brought it up. But Rigsby was right, it didn't feel right to do it without her there, but then Van Pelt had a firm point as well. "We could always do something else?" Jane offered.

"No, let's do the pizza," Cho said. "If Hightower comes by, it may ease her mind if she thinks we're up to anything."

Rigsby nodded. "Makes it look like business as usual."

"Agreed."

"Okay, all agreed then. Pizza it is," he said before getting up and leaving to call in the order.

…

Their little pizza party was fun and it gave Jane time to forget for a moment that Lisbon wasn't there. It also seemed to cheer everyone up. Van Pelt being rather insistent had turned on Christmas music that flooded their floor. No one seemed to care, but Jane had a suspicion that that was because they were pretty much the only ones there. Plus, he doubted Cho would say anything and he knew Rigsby wouldn't.

"Do you guys mind if I go lay down?" Jane asked. "I'm probably not going to be able to sleep tonight." It was honest and Jane hoped that no one would mind.

"No," Cho said.

"You can go home," Rigsby said. "We have this covered."

"Rigsby's right," Van Pelt spoke up.

"No, I'm just going to go lay on the couch in Lisbon's office," Jane said. There were nods and then he headed off towards his destination. He noticed that her door's glass was still vacant of her name. He frowned. He wished he could do it. He'd seriously thought of using a sharpie, but then had abandoned the plan.

Entering her office was eerie. He half expected to see her at her desk doing her paperwork. She wasn't. There wasn't even paperwork on her desk. He scanned the room. He still thought that they'd done a good job. The tree was a nice touch. The team had started to put presents under it. They'd put off their gift exchange until Lisbon was present. It only seemed right. He didn't want gifts, all he wanted was Lisbon back. That would be more than enough for him. Sitting on the couch, he stared at her desk and tried to imagine her sitting there. He thought that perhaps it would help him relax.

Lying down, he looked towards her desk and tried to bring up memories. Memories of Lisbon working late. Doing paperwork and shaking her head at him. He smiled at it. He closed his eyes and allowed memories of Lisbon to fill his mind. They were close. So close.

Waiting sucked.

…

TBC…