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 15 – "Well, at least they get a White Christmas"

Author's Note:

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

(take out the spaces for )

...

"We're so close to reaching that famous happy end.

And almost believing this was not pretend.

Let's go on dreaming for we know we are.

So close, so close and still so far."

"So Close" sung by John McLaughlin (from "Enchanted")

Sun Valley Airport

There was snow on the tarmac as they carefully made their way to the terminal. Idaho was a lot colder than Jane expected and he found himself pulling on his coat as he made his way towards the terminal. It was definitely chilly. The oddity of California weather was suddenly looking better and better.

They all had brought just a duffel bag with what they needed. They hadn't planned on being there long. Cho was supposed to meet with the FBI and they were supposed to get plans put together and put into action. Jane hoped to have Lisbon back tonight.

As they walked through the airport, Jane took in all the decorations. It was Christmas Day and quite early. Their flight had been cancelled the day before on account of weather. Jane still wasn't sure which end the weather was a problem. Of course, that's how it worked. Communication was not something that people liked to give out. Being informed would be far too much to ask for. Jane had simply been upset, but had followed the team's lead.

Now they were there. Not far from Ketchum, but at least they were in the right state. He followed the others through the airport. They were supposed to have two vehicles waiting for them. Jane just hoped that the vehicles wouldn't be a problem. They really didn't need anymore problems. He thought it was plain silly that everything had turned out into such a problem already.

…

Ketchum Police Department

When they arrived at the local police station, Cho had done all the talking. Jane didn't care. All he cared about was the end result: rescuing Lisbon…and Kaydance Millary. This was where the FBI had told them to meet up with everyone. He'd been examining their surroundings when he'd suddenly tuned into the conversation going on. The locals were not being helpful.

"What do you mean you don't want us here? This is the FBI's case. They gave us permission," Cho argued. "We're supposed to be meeting Agent Clark here. I put in a call to him when we landed."

"It's on own land. This is Idaho, not Cally-forn-ya," the officer said with irritation. "I don't care if one of your agents is involved. We have jurisdiction."

"The FBI has jurisdiction in cases that involve abductions that cross state lines. And we're talking about two, including a minor," Cho told him. "I want to talk to your superior."

"He's drinking his coffee right now," the officer said. "Best not to disturb him until he's had at least two more cups."

"I want to talk to him now."

"I'm telling you, he's cranky when he hasn't had enough coffee in the morning."

"I'll risk it," Cho told him.

Minutes later, Jane watched as Cho spoke with the local law enforcement. Jane thought he was a chief or something, but had tuned out once he noticed that this chief person was cooperating. Cooperation was good. He found a map on the wall. It was of the whole city and he walked towards it. He remembered the house was along one of the highways and looked along that route. There were some hilly areas. He didn't think that that would make things easier if they couldn't find Lisbon and little Kaydance right away. He just hoped that they were in the main house…and above ground.

…

About an hour later, Agent Clark showed up. Chief Millecar had already given them a conference room to use until the FBI agent in charge showed up. Jane was excited that he came with coffee and a tea for him. Apparently he'd texted Cho and had asked if they wanted anything. It wasn't the same as how he made it, but it was still welcome. The agent seemed honorable enough. Jane really didn't care too much. Obviously Agent Clark hadn't kicked them out, so that gave him points right there.

"I'm really sorry about the hassle you encountered," Clark apologized.

"Don't worry about it," Cho said. "We came here to get Lisbon and the senator's daughter. That's why we're here. We can deal with irritated locals as long as it means retrieving them."

Clark nodded. "I understand."

"Are you going to have a problem going in without having solid evidence that they're inside?" Cho asked.

It was a valid question. Jane knew that sometimes cops bent the law, especially when it came to avenging or helping their own, but they didn't know this agent. For all they knew he was a semi-by-the-book kind of guy. But so far, Jane had good feelings about Clark.

"We have evidence," Clark said.

"The DNA came back?" Rigsby asked.

"No one told you guys?"

Jane and everyone else shook their heads in response. This was news to them, but happy news. It meant that they were at the right place. Lisbon was close.

"DNA came back with positive matches to both your Agent Lisbon and Kaydance Millary. I was just waiting for you guys to show up so that we could start planning out the raid," Clark said. He rolled out a map of the area. It was just like the one on the wall that Jane had looked at before, except smaller.

"When can we go in?" Jane asked. It was Christmas Day. He was surprised enough that the agent showed up. He didn't know if they'd wait until the next day or if they'd be up for doing it on Christmas Day.

Clark was texting, but he looked up at them. "I'm letting my people know that we're going in around noon. Let's get it done today and get your people home. I'm sure you'd all like to have Christmas together. Even if you end up spending it in an airport."

Jane nodded. He didn't care that it was Christmas. He wanted Lisbon back. He'd go there himself and try to sneak both of them out if that was what it took to get it done. Of course, having guns was always nice. He didn't carry one, but that was why Cho, Rigsby, and Van Pelt were all there.

He sat back and let Agent Clark work with Cho, Rigsby, and Van Pelt on the plan of action. It was ten in the morning. It would be noon soon enough and he'd be able to see Lisbon. He'd hold her and tell her that he was sorry and that everything was okay. He'd kiss her forehead and promise her that he'd stay away so that she'd be safe. He wouldn't allow her to be seen as a target by Red John again. He could do that, just to keep her safe, even though it would hurt to be away from her.

The agent was pointing to various places on the map and Jane realized that they really weren't far from the house now. It was right outside of the main cluster of the town, but it wasn't hours away. It was just right outside.

They were so close.

And yet he felt so far.

…

TBC…