AN: The last chapter!! I really hope you enjoyed this please leave a review and let me know what you thought of this story. This is an entry in the Write-Off on the CBS The Mentalist boards. Disclaimer at the end: I don't anything, nothing from my previous chapters either.
When Jane left the team so suddenly, he had just recalled why the photo seemed so familiar to him. The last time he had been in Maine was for a family vacation, his daughter had just been three and they really needed to get away from their regular lives. He remembered that they had stayed in a little, private inn, right next to the ocean. In the breakfast room, the same photo had hung; it was a picture of the family who had originally transformed their home into an inn. The number written on the photo he dialed during his ride to the inn. He had remembered correctly; it was the phone number for making a reservation at the inn.
He knew the rest of the team would find him some way or another and by himself he had a better chance of delaying the Oblivion Bomber. No one could resist his manipulation. It was only fitting that he would stop him from destroying the place of so many memories.
Pulling into the parking lot, he pondered where the Oblivion Bomber would choose to hide his bomb. The basement would be the obvious choice, secluded during the non tourist season. After using his credit card to pick the lock, he looked in all the rooms, trying to determine which O.B. would use. All the way down the hallway, the fifth door down, he noticed the slight noise from overhead. The boiler room resided directly above this room. Satisfied with his choice, Jane settled down hidden in the room to wait. He knew that once O.B. had started bombing again, he wouldn't be able to control his urges. He would need to bomb as soon as he could again.
The scene before them almost seemed comical, the room was empty. Lisbon heard the sounds of a light snore emitting from behind a sofa chair in the corner of the room. She approached the corner cautiously her weapon in front of her to find: Jane. He was sitting, his head on his knees, trembling.
"Jane!" Lisbon said, shaking him quietly, awakening Jane from his nightmare.
Jane awoke with a start, "Uh, what, huh?" He took a moment to compose himself, "No? I fell asleep?" he asked with incredulity.
"Don't worry, he hasn't shown up yet. I guess the jet-lag got to you after all." Lisbon teased, poking him lightly
"You scared us. We heard a cry and thought…" Van Pelt told Jane, still fretting about what could have happened.
"So what makes you think he'll hit this room anyway?" Rigsby asked.
Jane pointed towards the ceiling, and said "Hush." After a moment of silence, he explained, "You hear that noise? It's the boiler, for the biggest explosion he would need to strike here. He could come any minute now."
Lisbon started giving out orders, "Van Pelt, you take Jane's spot behind the chair. Contact me when he's in the room."
"Yes, boss." Van Pelt responded and pushed Jane out of the corner.
"Cho, Rigsby, and I will hide in separate rooms and apprehend the Oblivion Bomber when you give us the okay Van Pelt. Jane, you will go and wait outside by our car."
Jane opened his mouth when Lisbon cut him off, "No, buts, you're a civilian and I can't have you getting hurt. Now get out!"
Lisbon, Rigsby, and Cho split up into different rooms, as Jane strolled down the hallway back towards the stairs, whistling innocently. As soon as he heard the doors shut, he turned right back around and walked quietly into a random room.
"Hello Cho." Jane said smiling brightly, just his luck he picked the room with Cho within it.
"Jane, aren't you supposed to be in the parking lot?" Cho asked a bit sarcastically, since when had Jane done anything he was supposed to?
Jane sat down next to Cho on the soft bed as they both passed the time; a quiet creaking filled the room.
"Could you please stop bouncing?! I feel like I'm a little kid again."
"Sorry." Jane told him and stopped, it was the least he could do to thank Cho for supporting him.
Van Pelt's signal came a couple minutes later and the rest of the team burst into the room. Jane waited inside his room to avoid Lisbon's wrath and steely-eyed glare. It would make the most hardened criminal shake in his shoes.
The Oblivion Bomber surrendered rather easily, it seemed he knew his time was up. Cho handcuffed him and escorted him to the SUV along with Van Pelt, when Jane stuck his head in the doorway and piped up, "Where's the bomb by the way?"
"I was just looking for it." Lisbon replied her eyes scanning the room. She paused a moment and then spun around, "Jane! What are you doing?"
Jane's explanation was interrupted by Rigsby's declaration, "I found the bomb, it's under this pillow.
Rigsby stood there holding the pillow, when he called out, "Uhh, Lisbon, come here. Now."
Puzzled at his tone of voice, she hurried to his side, "Damn."
A glowing panel of numbers looked up at her. He had set the bomb before he left, one minute and counting.
Lisbon grabbed her radio, and asked in a slightly panicky voice, "Van Pelt, is everyone clear of the building?"
"No, why?"
Lisbon rubbed her forehead, agitatedly, "Rigsby, can you diffuse this bomb?"
"Yes." he said confidently and then added in an undertone, "I think."
"Jane, go!" Lisbon ordered as Rigsby opened his pocket knife in preparation to cut a wire. Seventeen seconds to go.
The world seemed to slow as Rigsby slit the wire in two. Nothing happened. Lisbon sighed in relief, her body felt so much lighter. She turned to exit the room with Rigsby carrying the now diffused bomb when she caught sight of Jane's loafers peeking from around the doorframe.
"What the hell Jane? Are you planning on disobeying all my orders from now on?" Lisbon demanded angrily. He needlessly put himself in harm's way.
Jane stood up from where he was lying on the floor, "Oh come on Lisbon, relax a little. I knew Rigsby could handle it, no problem. I was just surprised it took you so long." He stuck his hands in his pockets and sauntered out of the inn leaving an infuriated Lisbon to follow.
After dealing with the entire bustle that came with an event like this, Lisbon looked around for Jane; it was time for them to go. She gazed over to the rocks by the beach where the sun was setting, spotting a dark figure sitting there. Something was bothering him.
"Hey." Lisbon said gently, taking a seat next to him on the rocks. She sat there patiently watching the setting sun painting a beautiful picture across the sky.
"She built a sand castle there." he said mournfully, pointing. "It was spectacular."
"She learned from the best." she smiled softly at him immediately understanding who he was talking about.
"So many memories…" Jane murmured and then got up shaking his head.
Lisbon examined him carefully; Jane's mask was already firmly set into place again. Lisbon was thankful for the small moments that Jane let it slip and allowed her in. One can only keep a certain amount bottled up before it gets to you. They began walking slowly back to the car shoulder to shoulder.