Disclaimer: I don't own the show.

A/N: Thank you to all those who have left reviews. Only one more chapter after this. Second posting since the site was down. Enjoy the chapter.

2nd A/N: Please check out my co-written stories with Nerwen called Secluded in Red it is under my favorites.


And From The Ashes.

Lisbon woke not to the sound of a machine beeping but rather a sharp pain in her chest. Blinking away the after effects of a medical induce sleep, she took in her surroundings before letting out a small sigh of relief that she was actually alive after Jane had shot her. She was about to dwell on the idea of what Jane had done when the door opened and Cho poked his head in.

"Boss?"

"Hey," Lisbon muttered happily, which she could blame on the drugs that were in her system.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'll be fine," she replied as she rested on of her hands on her stomach.

"That wasn't what I asked?"

"I know," Lisbon gave him a slight smile before turning serious, "how is Jane?"

"Still asleep, it seems as if the doctors gave him some powerful drugs."

"So that is how you control him," Lisbon laughed slightly then grimaced as she felt pain again.

"Want me to call a nurse?" Cho asked concerned.

"No, I can deal with the pain," she told him as she closed her eyes, "he shot me."

"Yes, he did but I assume you told him so," Cho stared at her waiting for a answer.

"Yes, it was the only way he could get what he wants."

"Which was?"

"Revenge of course," Lisbon replied then opened her eyes "have you called my brothers?"

"Yes, they are on their way."

"Call them back and tell them not to come."

"What?"

"Please just do it," Lisbon pleaded as she looked at him.

"Understood," Cho nodded just as the door opened and Bertram walked in.

"Agents," Bertram gave them a smile before making his way over to Lisbon, "how are you feeling?"

"I'll be fine, sir."

"Good," Bertram nodded.

"Cho, can you go check on Jane?" Lisbon requested but Cho knew the meaning behind those words, she wanted to talk to the director about something important and he was entirely sure he knew what it was.

"Your team is being praised for the death of Red John," Bertram informed her after Cho had left. "The CBI will be having a ceremony in your team's honor and each member will be given recognition for their work."

"Thank you for that," Lisbon replied, "but there is something I need to request from you."

"Does this have to do with Jane?" Bertram went straight to the point.

"Yes and no," Lisbon answered truthfully.

"What is it that you need?"

"I want a leave of absence from the CBI," she stated firmly.

"Well, you need rest so I don't see how that could be a problem." Bertram stated unaffected by her request.

"Thank you, sir," Lisbon replied gratefully.

Bertram studied her but Lisbon refused to meet his eye. "You will be back though?"

"To be perfectly honest sir, I'm not sure."

"Agent, I'm not sure what happened between you and Jane but I recommend you don't do anything too hastily," Bertram gave her a small smile. "Take some time and we will revisit this topic later on."

"Yes, sir" Lisbon acknowledge. Bertram nodded and walked out of the room just as Grace came in.

"Your awake," Grace walked over to her and gave her a huge smile.

"Just the person I wanted to speak to," Lisbon stated as Grace pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down.

"What about?"

"I need to take some personal time," she informed her.

"That is understandable with your injury you need time to heal."

"This has nothing to do with the injury," Lisbon admitted.

"Rather it has to do with the person that caused it," Grace stated knowingly.

"I think we need some time apart," she admitted more to herself than Grace.

"Are you sure that is what you want?"

"No, but I'm not sure what I want now and if I know him then I know he isn't sure what he wants."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because Jane has always been so focused on killing Red John, I doubt he has ever thought about what he would do when it was over," Lisbon sadly declared.

"But what makes you think he won't stay?"

"What reason does he have to?"


He felt off like if he had been sleeping for too long on his couch as his body was stiff and sore from being in the same position. His mind was cloudy as he tried to think clearly about where he was. Keeping his eyes closed he allowed his other senses to take over he could hear a distance beeping sound, he felt heavy and sore all around but mostly in his leg and chest. He tasted some sort of plastic taste in the back of his throat; he swallowed and felt his throat tighten even more.

"Jane?" Someone was calling his name but he didn't want to open his eyes just yet as he still tried to get his bearings.

"Jane, open your eyes." The voice seemed closer but still muffled in his mind. Slowly he cracked open one eye and shut it again against the harsh light that greeted him. Taking a deep breath he opened both of his eyes slowly and allowed them to adjust to the light before he looked around and saw Grace standing by his bedside, she gave him a reassuring smile.

"Grace?" His voice was hoarse when he spoke.

"Nice to see you awake again, you gave us a scare," she informed him as she reached over and poured some water into a small cup. She then offered it to him but he shook his head lightly and closed his eyes again when an image popped into his head.

"Lisbon!"

"She is fine," Grace told him as he eyes shot open and he looked around the room. "She is recuperating in another room."

"But I shot her," he whispered his voice seems even more horsed than before.

"Yes you did and they did lose her almost on the table but she is a fighter," Grace told him as she reach behind her and pulled a chair close to the bed.

"When can I see her?" He asked as he tried to sit up but the pain he felt throughout his body forced him back down with a groan.

"You need your rest."

"Grace, please."

"Let the doctor look at you first before we go any further."

"Then get him."

"Don't you want to know?" Grace ignored his order and stared at him.

"I know he is dead," Jane replied as he looked over at her. "I knew the moment I woke up."

"How?"

"Because I can finally breathe."

The door opened just as he finished his sentence and Cho walked in with a doctor.

"Mr. Jane you are awake," he informed him.

"Nice observation," Jane retorted as he rolled his eyes.

"It looks like you are recovering nicely," the doctor stated as he looked over Jane's chart. "Any pain?"

"A little."

"I'll get a nurse to give you some more drugs."

"I don't want drugs, I want out of here," he was adamant as he forced himself to sit up.

"You will be required to stay a little longer in order to make sure everything is okay," the doctor said as he studied the chart.

"Fine, but let me see her."

"Who?"

"Our boss," Cho told the doctor.

"Ah, well until I see some more improvement, I recommend that he stays in bed."

"I disagree."

"It is the best thing for your health."

"I don't care," Jane was going to prove his point when he watched Cho walk over and place a hand on his shoulder.

"He will stay in bed," Cho told the doctor as he put some pressure telling Jane under no circumstance that he wasn't leaving this room anytime soon.

"Good, I'll be back later to check on him." The doctor places the chart back and nodded to the three of them before walking out of the room.

"You can't keep me in here," Jane wrenched his shoulder away from Cho and then made a move to get out of bed when he felt sharp pain in his chest "Damn," he mutter as he stopped his movements.

"You are in no position to go anywhere until you have healed more," Cho explained just as Jane slumped back against the bed.

"Is she awake?"

"Yes, and she already asked about you."

"What did she asks?"

"She asks me if you really did shoot her," Cho smiled a little at him.

"I'm assuming that she isn't happy about that."

"She is more happy that you can't shoot worth crap," Cho stated as he made his way to the door.

"When will she be released?"

"Who knows but you two need rest for the time being so try and focus on that," Cho motioned Grace to join him.

"We will check on you later," she bent down and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, "I'm glad you are okay."

"Thanks," he told her as she straightened up and went over to meet Cho.

"Want us to tell her anything?"

"Tell her I'm awake."

Cho nodded and then asked "Anything else?"

"She knows everything else," Jane closed his eyes again just as he heard the door open and close quickly. He was alone with his thoughts for the time being and for that he was grateful because he had a lot to think about now.

"He is dead,"

He thought to himself as he opened his eyes again and looked around. The sun was shining into the room and in the distance over the beeping of the machines he could hear birds chirping. The mission he had set out to do all those years ago was finally over, he had gotten the man responsible for the deaths of his wife and daughter. But why did the result feel so hallow? He was free of his demons, done chasing, done wondering if he would be able to ever get his revenge. Now that it was over his mind wasn't focus on the past but rather the future and if he had one with the CBI and most importantly Lisbon. He allowed his eyes to slip closed and gave into the exhaustion that he felt throughout his body.


Jane was sure he was developing cabin fever after having spent already over four days in the same room. He was agitated and wanted to get away from the place but it seemed as if his body was working against him in that section. The wound to the chest was healing nicely according the doctor but the one from where Cho shot him was not healing as quickly, granted he had tried to put pressure on it a few days before which caused more harm than good. He was about to push the call button to bug a nurse about being discharged when Rigsby came in carrying some books.

"Please tell me those are my discharge papers," Jane begged.

"Nope, some puzzle books to keep you from going insane." Rigsby dropped the books on the table and then sat down.

"Get me out of here," Jane demanded but Rigsby only shook his head no.

"The doctor refuses to release you."

"I'll sign a damn AMA," Jane shot back.

"You could but the guard outside the room won't let you go far," Rigsby pointed behind him with a smirk on his face.

"This is all Bertram's doing isn't it?"

"I have no clue what you are talking about."

"You are a terrible liar," Jane huffed as he pressed the call button.

"What is it Mr. Jane?" a nurse asked a few moments later.

"Can you get the doctor?"

"He is busy, is there anything I can do?"

"Yes, I want out of here," Jane hissed.

"I have told you several times you are not allowed to leave," the nurse stated then walked out of the room.

"They let Lisbon leave so why the hell can't I," Jane knew he was whining but he hated being in this place and to make things worse Lisbon had yet to visit him.

"She is resting at home," Rigsby told him but that didn't make him feel better.

"I can do that too."

"You live in a motel."

"Meh," Jane sighed heavily as he leaned back against the bed pillows.

"You need your rest," Rigsby said as he tossed Jane a book.

"I need to get out of here," Jane said as he looked out at the window. "She is going to leave isn't she?"

"Who?"

"Lisbon."

"She hasn't talked to me or anyone on the team," Rigsby was honest with him.

"Which definitely means she is planning on leaving."

"Isn't that what you were going to do?"

"In the past I would have walked away from all of this," Jane sighed as he looked back over at Rigsby.

"And now?"

"I don't want to."

Rigsby studied him for a few moments. He knew the look on Jane's face all too familiar it was that of someone who was in love. Rigsby closed his eyes briefly before reopening them and asking Jane the one question he had been waiting for "What can I do?"

"Help me out of here," Jane pleaded with a smile.

"And where are you going to go?" Rigsby knew the answer the moment it left his mouth.

"I need to see her," Jane told him as he threw the bed sheet aside and swung his legs over the bed. He was willing to suffer in pain in order to see her. He was about to stand up just as the door opened and Cho walked in.

"It won't do you any good," he told Jane.

"What won't?" Jane pretended to be clueless as he studied him.

"She has left," Cho replied simply.

"What?" Jane asked shocked.

"She left this morning," Cho told him as he walked over to him and handed him a note, "she left this for you."

Jane opened the note and there was only one line.

"Forgive me."

He tossed the note on the bed and gingerly got to his feet. Cho studied him before speaking. "What are you doing?"

"Going after her," Jane gritted as he made his way slowly over to the closet that held his clothes.

"You don't even know where she is," Rigsby exclaimed as he watch Jane.

"I know, but I will find her."

"How?" Cho asked as Jane opened the closet door.

"Because I know her better than she knows herself," Jane said as he pulled the pants off the hanger.


With a good amount of difficulty, Jane managed to get dressed and sneak out of the hospital. He had Rigsby drive him to Lisbon apartment while Cho stay behind and dealt with the aftermath of him leaving. Rigsby pulled the car in an empty space, turned it off then got out and went to the passenger side to help Jane get out. Handing him the clutches Jane pull himself painfully out of the car and doubted his plan as he made his way to her front door.

"Are you going to make it?" Rigsby asked concerned.

"I'll be fine, just open the door," Jane motion with his head to the door.

"I don't have a key."

"Pick the lock."

"That is against the law," Rigsby crossed his arms and refuse to move. Jane studied him and Rigsby started to scrum before uncrossing his arms and then use one of his to reach into his jacket pocket and pull out a pick pocketing set.

"That's a good boy."

"You're an ass," Rigsby said as he started to pick the lock. "Lisbon is going to kick my ass for doing this."

"She is in no condition to kick your ass," Jane reminded him.

"Doesn't mean she can't put me on stakeout duty for months upon months," Rigsby answered then stopped playing with the lock as a thought dawned on him "or worse."

"Meh, stop being a wimp and open the door," Jane stated as he looked around.

"If you wanted it done fast then you should have done it yourself."

"I would but then she would kick my ass," Jane stated with a smirk just as he heard the click of the door.

"But you just said."

"Oh, I was lying about that," he pushed him out-of-the-way and hopped his way into the quiet house.

"What do you plan to do next?" Rigsby asked as he closed the door.

"She would have left a clue to where she was going," Jane looked around the room and his eyes fell upon the pictures of her brothers that were taken a long a time ago. He moved over there and picked up the picture frame and studied it. "She went home."

"What?"

"Did any of you tell her brothers what happened?"

"No," Rigsby said sadly as he dropped his head a little.

"She wanted to face them in person and apologize."

"But she wasn't the one that got Tommy killed," Rigsby stated as he joined Jane. Jane placed the picture back down.

"That is the problem with people like us."

"What?"

"Even if it isn't our fault we still feel the need to blame ourselves for the outcome," Jane explained as he slowly made his way to the front door. "I need another favor."

"What?" Rigsby whined as he opened the door for Jane.

"I need a ride to the airport."

"Where are you going to go?"

"Chicago," Jane told him as he made his way to the car.

"Maybe she doesn't want to see you," Rigsby unlocked the car door and opened it for Jane. Jane handed Rigsby the crutches and place both hands on the car hood to brace himself

"She might not want to see me but she will," Jane grunted as he sat down in the passenger seat. Rigsby handed him the crutches then shut the door before he made his way to the drivers seat.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Rigsby asked as he placed his hand on the key. Jane nodded and Rigsby gave him a small smile before starting the car. He had to talk to Lisbon and explain everything before he lost her, he owed her that much.


Lisbon was sitting outside on deck porch chair when she heard the glass door slide open.

"Hey."

Lisbon turned her head to look over to see James standing there. He closed the door then made his way over to her and took the empty chair next to her.

"Want to talk?"

"No," Lisbon said firmly as she leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. She knew what he wanted to talk about but she rather not talk to anyone right now, especially her brother.

"What happened?"

"James, I'm really not in the mood for talking," she told opened her eyes and pleaded with him to just accept that but the family stubbornness wasn't going to allow her to have her request.

"Well, you are going to," James told her as he got to his feet and started to pace. "We get a call saying Tommy has been killed," she finched at the mention of her brother being killed as James continued "by a man that you having been hunting for ten years then we get a call from an agent saying you have been shot."

"James," she whispered.

"Then, we get another call saying that you don't want us to come see you, only to have you show up on my doorstep a few days ago."

"I came back for the funeral," she rubbed the back of her neck as she felt the muscle tightening. A headache would soon show itself if she didn't get away from this conversation and take some medication.

James sighed and then stopped in front of her and dropped to his knees so they were eye level. "Why can't you just talk to me?"

"It is personal."

"Is it about him?"

Lisbon laughed out loud as she thought about how many times people ask if her reason for doing something was because of Jane.

"What is funny?" James asked confused as he got to his feet and sat down next to her again. His eyes still watching her.

"Nothing is funny and I just need some time to myself, okay?"

"Fine but we are here if you need us," James resigned and got to his feet. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a slight squeeze before heading back to the house. "You are welcome here as long as you need."

"I'm leaving tomorrow," she informed him. She didn't need to see the look on his face to know that he was disappointed. She rarely came to visit because of her job and when she came to this time to visit it was for Tommy's funeral. But she couldn't stay here, she needed time and space to think about everything that happened and she wasn't going to get it here.


Jane paid the taxicab driver and open the door to get out of the cab when he hear him talk.

"Need help, buddy?"

"No, I'm capable of getting out of here," Jane told him as he pulled himself out of the cab with a huff. He adjusted the crutches under him and then asked the cab driver to wait for a while just in case he was wrong and Lisbon wasn't here. The cab driver nodded and pointed to the counter, he closed the door and made his way to the front door of the house. Pressing the doorbell he waited and hoped that someone was home.

The door open and a man looked at him like he was selling something that he wasn't interested in.

"You must be her brother," Jane stated with a smile as he took in the family resembles. James pulled the door closer to him in defensive mood. "I work with your sister," he added in hopes that James wouldn't close the door in his face.

"You're Patrick Jane," James stated disgusted.

Jane gave him a smirk "Yeah."

"I should beat the crap out of you right now," James balled his fish and opened the door wider so he could come up. Jane hopped awkwardly backwards.

"What is with your family need for violence," Jane asked as he tried to steady himself on the crutches.

"Violence is called for when the man my sister loves hurts her," James pointed out angrily.

"And trust me you are right but is this really the time and place?" Jane asked as he used one hand to motion that they were both outside in a neighborhood that was directed towards families.

"What do you want Mr. Jane," James asked as he unclenched his fist and crossed his arms.

"I need to see her."

"She isn't here."

"What?" Jane was shocked. "But she came home for the funeral."

"She did but she left early this morning," James stated. "How did you know we had a funeral?"

"I didn't it was just a guess," Jane replied nonchalantly as he looked back at the cab. "Did she say where she was going?"

"No," James answered quickly.

"Okay, well nice talking to you," Jane turned around and headed back to the cab when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"She doesn't deserve you," James whispered.

"I know."

"Just don't hurt her anymore," James released his hand and turned back to go into the house. Jane made his way back to the cab and opened the door. As soon as he was seated he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

"Where to?" The cab driver asked.

"The airport," Jane replied as he felt the car start to move forward.

"Find what you were looking for?"

"No."

Jane had to be honest with himself and admit that he didn't know where Lisbon had gone. He could always call Grace and ask her to track down any payments that Lisbon made but that wouldn't give him the direct location. No, he had to think about it. Opening his eyes again he saw a traveling billboard stating happiness is found on vacation and it showed a beach with families all over it. He closed his eyes again when a thought dawn on him. He knew exactly where Lisbon had gone and why she was there now.

"Which airport?" The driver asked.

"The one that has the next flight to Oregon," he told him with a smile as he opened his eyes. He would get his flight then he would immediately head out to Astoria, Oregon. She had mentioned it once on a boring stakeout as a place that she would retire but they never talked about it after that. He would find her even if it meant going across the country, he would find her and tell her the truth finally. He looked at his ring finger and the ring. He gave it a slight tug and it easily came off his finger. He turned the ring over in his finger before placing it in his vest pocket. It was time to start living his life.

To be continued in the final chapter.