A/N: I'm almost worried to post this chapter. Y'all are probably sitting there, expecting to read something smutty after my cut off on the last chapter. Well, my dear readers, I'm afraid that is not the case here. You do recall my warning that there would be a lot of time jumps, yes? ;) Quite frankly, this is pretty much the opposite of - well, you'll read and see for yourself. I'm posting this a bit earlier time-wise than normal, but oh well. It's been Saturday for four hours here.

Thank you to TeresaJane, Iloveplotbunnies, Jisbon4ever, Almena, and 24Mentalistlover for reviewing chapter six! I hope you enjoy this one too.

Chapter Seven

The team is lounging around the bullpen, talking amongst themselves and enjoying closed-case pizza after finally cracking the Drake case – it had been a difficult start with very little physical evidence to work with, but Van Pelt had eventually discovered that Edwin Drake had been involved in four other armed robberies in the state of California over the past thirty years. Drake had used a different alias to commit each of the thefts, though this was the first time he had ended up killing someone in the process.

"Lisbon," Minelli calls, stepping into the bullpen. "Can I see you in your office please?"

"Sure thing, Boss." She steps away from the table and moves into her office, shutting the door behind her. "What is it?"

"Sacramento PD just called. A young woman was found dead this morning; her roommate found her. According to their lead officer, there were 'a lot of knife marks and a big face painted on the wall in the girl's blood'. He recognized Red John's signature and called to turn it over to us."

"Are they sure it's Red John?" Lisbon asks, disbelief evident in both her tone and her face.

"It's definitely him, Lisbon," Minelli states as he hands over the file. "You and your team need to get over there as soon as you can. We can't afford for this to run cold again!"

"But, Boss, it's only been three months since the last time Red John attacked. It's a break in pattern for him to strike again so soon! It's probably just a copyc-"

"Listen to me, Teresa. Red John is your case. This is very likely a Red John murder. Even if it turns out to be a copycat – although I don't believe it is – you'll be able to tell. If there's anyone who's been involved in this since the very beginning, it's you. Which is why I'd like for you to go and check it out anyway. Okay?"

"Yes, sir," she mutters. You have no idea of just how long I've been involved in this...

She follows Minelli, grabbing her jacket off its chair on her way out of her office. Glancing at her team, she motions toward the elevator before heading that way herself. They soon catch up to her, all complacently silent before Jane pipes up from the back.

"New case?"

"Nope," she mumbles before heaving a sigh. "Same old damn case."

-xxx-

The forensics team is already bustling around when they arrive, scouring every inch of the crime scene for even the smallest trace of evidence. Red John's trademark smile holds its usual prominent position on the wall opposite the door, still wet and dripping as Lisbon stares into its haunting eyes. Jane sits crouched over the victim, though they both know by now that there will be nothing new to find. If anything, there is even less to see this time – the young girl's skin has been slashed in so many places that it looks as if not an inch is left unmarred by her blood, save for her face. Lisbon knows it's only been spared so she would be forced to recognize herself in it. Apparently, Red John is angry.

Lisbon turns away from the wall to glance around the victim's room. Very little wall space is visible, due to the countless number of photographs and posters hanging up around the room. She steps closer to them, a twinge of guilt making itself known as she observes the smiling face of the girl now lying on her own bedroom floor, completely devoid of life and spirit. Her hair was dirty blonde and her bright blue eyes sparkled in every picture. Apparently, she had enjoyed taking pictures very much and she seemed to have been part of a large group of friends. She liked Paramore and had multiple books by Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Picoult up on her shelves. Her favorite color was probably purple.

Lisbon instantly catalogues all of this information in her mind, making sure this girl won't become just another in a long list of victims whose lives were cut far too short and whose families deserve justice. She still remembers every one of them – even those who were killed before she joined the bureau – and random tidbits of information that help to keep the memory of them alive in her mind.

"You there, Boss?" Cho's voice penetrates her thoughts, and she realizes she must have zoned out.

"Sorry, didn't hear you. What is it?"

"He left this." He holds up an evidence bag, and she quickly takes it to get a better look.

On one side, Red John's calling card has been drawn in bright red, and she flips it over to discover a brief note, addressed solely to her.

Dearest Teresa,
My, my, how you've lost your focus.
It seems a certain consultant of yours appears to have been, shall we say, distracting you as of late.
Have you forgotten your quest for precious 'justice' so quickly?
I thought maybe it was time for another reminder, so I've left this masterpiece just for you.
I sincerely hope you'll enjoy it.
Until next time, agent.

She clenches her fist and closes her eyes, trying to sort through the jumble of emotions washing over her. Anger. Hatred. Fear. Sorrow. Guilt. She latches on to the first feeling that sticks, inwardly drowning in remorse as her mind bubbles over with facts: Annika wanted to be a veterinarian. Jordan had been going out with her boyfriend for six months. Beth was going to graduate with honors. Emily had a son named Charlie. Violet was engaged. Melody had a soft spot for strays. Carrie rode her bike everywhere to save money on gas. Lauren was studying to be an actress. Kayla only read poetry. Nicole was getting ready to-

"Lisbon," Jane's concerned tone brings her back to the present as she suddenly registers the stares of her colleagues and the presence of his warm hands on her shoulders.

Her eyes are misty when she looks up into his face, worry etched into his features. "That should be me, Jane. She didn't deserve this."

"No, Lisbon." His voice is simultaneously calm and firm. "No one deserves this. No one. Not you, and not anyone else. But especially not you. Okay?"

She gives an unconvincing nod, and he pulls her into a hug, no longer caring about the rest of the team standing around them, wondering what's going on and if Lisbon is all right. He moves his hand across her back in a soothing, circular motion, rubbing gently as he tries to calm her nerves. She briefly cringes at the very public display of affection, but eventually she acquiesces as the methodical rhythm of his hands lulls her into a sense of comfort, making all doubt gradually slip from her mind.