A/N: Hey there everyone! I'm updating fast these days hehe, I hope that's good for you!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed and read the last chapter! I'm always so happy when I read your reviews and the tweets on twitter :3 Thank you so much for all your support!
Well, this is the last chapter before the epilogue! So I hope you enjoy it :)

(16)

Teresa woke up to the ringing of the phone next to her bedside. She was much too tired to get up, and talk to whoever was calling her in the middle of the night.

"Patrick," she mumbled, reaching over to the left side of the bed where she was expecting him to lie all curled up in his sheets after their passionate love making last night. "Patrick, the phone…."

Yawning, Teresa opened her eyes to find the side next to her empty. His sheets were messed up, a sign that he had definitely slept there. Maybe he was already in the living-room, watching TV… Too bad, because she'd have really enjoyed waking up next to him like yesterday morning. A smile appeared on her lips, but it was destroyed, when the phone started ringing for the second time.

Sighing, she leaned over to pick it up, raising an eyebrow, when a friendly male voice on the other end announced that this was the requested wake-up call. "Thanks," Teresa mumbled, hanging up the phone again. She let herself fall on the bed, closing her eyes and hoping Jane would have heard her and come in any minute.

The weird thing was, he didn't. Where was he? She couldn't hear the shower running and the light in the en-suite bathroom was off.

"Jane?" The brunette crawled out of the bed, not caring that she was still naked. "Jane, are you here?" Teresa opened the doors to the living-room, but it was untouched and empty. A very unpleasant feeling ran down her back. She shook her body to get rid of it and stepped back into the bedroom. Just then her gaze fell on the white envelope resting on the bedside table.

Carefully, Teresa sat down on the edge of the bed and took the envelope in her hand. She swallowed hard before she ripped it open, surprised to find cash, a one-way plane ticket to Chicago, and a letter addressed to her. Well at least he'd brought up the courage to write her something.

Angrily, she tossed the money and the ticket aside, already knowing what Jane intended her to do. After all this time he started treating her like a hooker? Letting her wake up alone and leaving the money on the bedside table?

She felt a little sick but also sad, because of everything they shared…. With a deep intake of breath, Teresa unfolded the letter and started reading Jane's elegant handwriting:

My dearest Teresa,

I want to apologize for leaving you alone, but there are things I have to take care of that can't be ignored. By now you should have found the money and the plane ticket. You're probably already thinking what an idiot I am.

I told you yesterday that I want you to take this flight no matter what happens! I know you want explanations, but now is not the time to give them to you. The only thing I want is for you to be safe, so take the plane home. Please, Teresa, do me that one last favor,. If not for me, then do it for your brothers. I arranged everything. A limousine will be waiting outside the hotel at 1 pm to get you to the airport in time.

Also, I want you to have the money we agreed on in Vegas. Not because I feel like I owe you, but because I know how much you need it to fulfill your dreams.

Teresa, you're a wonderful woman and what happened to you just made you stronger. I'm so glad I got to know you, because you changed me for the better. Now, after doing everything for others your whole life long, I want you to finally do what you want to do with your life and give yourself the chance to become the amazing cop I know you always wanted to be.

I will forever be thankful for knowing you and promise I will never forget a second of our time together.

Forever yours, Patrick

It took her a moment to realize her whole body was shaking, while tears started to run down her cheeks. That was it? This was their goodbye? No hugs, no kisses, no "I want you to stay"? She should have known last night after their bittersweet love making, that he intended to leave her. At least he'd had the decency to write her a letter to explain himself.

Next to the anger and sadness, Teresa suddenly felt fear creeping up her back. He was about to do something stupid, she could feel it. The "things" he had to take care of were connected to her somehow. Dammit, she had to help him, before something happened to him.

She clenched her fists in anger. After taking some deep breaths, she wiped away her tears, slipped into one of Jane's shirts, and walked into the living room. His things were still here, so maybe she could reach him via his cell phone. It wasn't a surprise he'd turned that damn thing off.

In his files, she found the number of Mashburn's company. Maybe he'd told his boss and friend what he was up to. Although Mashburn was delighted to hear her voice, he couldn't give her any clues about where Jane was or what he was doing. Teresa thanked him and hung up, before she had to endure any more of his flirtatious behavior. If she wanted any man to be flirtatious with her, it was Patrick and no one else.

Perhaps he was right and she should trust him, like he'd asked her to. He knew where she lived;, he could contact her any time if he wanted to. From what she read in the letter, it didn't sound like it was easy for him to leave her. He wanted to give her a chance to find happiness in life and finally do what she wanted to do. It was sweet, but stupid.

Had he ever considered, that she wanted to be with him? That he was what she truly wanted? Teresa had never felt anything like this for a man. For the first time in her life she felt like she knew how it was to love someone unconditionally, no matter the circumstances.

It wasn't some admiring love for her savior., She wanted to be with him, wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. His letter said that she'd changed him, but she wasn't sure if he knew he'd changed her as much. Love was so irrational sometimes.

She could just pretend to have missed her flight, she thought sighing. He had to come back here to pick his things up, didn't he? But on the other hand, he'd taken so much effort to give her the chance to go back to her family, that she didn't want to disappoint him.

A quick glance on the clock told her it was too late to go to Vegas anyway. Perhaps this was it, this was the ending. Not a happy ending, but it was one.

Carefully, Teresa went back into her own bedroom and started to get dressed properly. Afterward, she packed her last things and hesitated a second, before she went over to Jane's room, to pick two more shirts out of his closet. They smelled like him. If she wasn't able to see him anymore, she at least wanted to have something to remind her of him.

Jane and Cho parked the car in the parking lot they'd used on the first night they'd visited the "Red Mill." Vegas seemed to be fully awake now – not that this city ever slept. The blond businessman reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun, handing it to Cho.

"Do you know how to use it?" he asked, knowing full well that the Asian guy did.

"I do. I'm not gonna kill anyone for you though, Jane., Clear?"

"You don't have to. If it comes to the point, I'm going to do it myself. I hope we can persuade our friend in another way though." He went to the back of the car and opened the trunk, taking out a heavy black briefcase.

"Are you sure he's going for it?" Cho asked. He didn't sound curious or nervous at all. It was like he did this kind of job 24/7.

"I hope so. Just play along and everything is going to be fine," Jane reassured him.

"Ok."

They didn't talk on the way down the alley where Summer had been attacked less than two weeks ago. The back door wasn't guarded. Jane didn't even bother to ring the bell first, he just pulled it open and stepped inside.

This was the back stage area of the club. Both men walked down the hallway, until they heard voices coming from one of the rooms. It sounded like a fight. Just then the door on the left in front of them opened and Summer herself stormed out. She stopped in surprise when she saw Cho and Jane. Her right eye was bruised and swollen, her lip cut. The injuries weren't fresh, but it must have been pretty bad if the eye was still showing.

"You? What the hell are you doing here, Kimball?"

"That's what I'd like to know," a well known voice grumbled from behind Summer. "Mr. Jane. What a nice surprise. I was expecting that little bitch Teresa, not you."

Jane stayed calm, when he saw Lorelei, although the anger building in him at the sight of that woman was unbelievable. He was sure she'd sent Haffner to rape Teresa and do who-knew-what with her if he hadn't arrived in time.

The dark-haired woman gave him a smug smile, before she turned to Summer.: "Do what I told you to do, Summer. I believe Mr. Jane is here for business."

Summer nodded but didn't move. Her gaze was locked with Cho's, who had a hard time not wrapping his arms around the tall woman and dragging her out of this hellhole.

"Move, slut!" Lorelei shouted.

Summer flinched and hurried away, but made sure to "accidentally" touch Cho's hand when she passed him.

"Now Mr. Jane, what can I do for you?", Lorelei asked curiously.

"I want to talk to your boss, Red John."

She leaned against the wall, eyeing both men with a superior look. "So, you want to see my boss? May I ask why? I don't think you made an appointment. To be honest, I think it's very rude to just barge in here like gatecrashers. I should call Hardy to kick you out and blow your heads off."

"Be careful with the threats, Lorelei," Jane warned her. "We're here for business and I don't want to waste my time by talking to a second class hooker who never learned to introduce herself properly."

Lorelei's smile vanished.: "Why are you here?"

"Because of Teresa. Now go and tell your boss I have an offer that he can't refuse."

"Don't you dare make demands, Mr. Jane., You don't give the orders here!"

They were interrupted by the loading of a gun behind them. The gunman was corpulent and not the tallest, but the gun in his hand gave him a quite scary impression. "What the hell is going on, Lorelei? Who are these people? The club is closed."

"They want to talk to the boss," Lorelei answered, feeling way more relaxed now that she was supported by one of Red John's henchmen.

"The boss doesn't have time for this shit."

"He will, if you let me talk to him," Jane intervened. He stepped around, ignoring Lorelei completely. Within seconds he could see right through him. Not a particularly strong mind or body, but of a slightly eccentric nature, and he would do what he was told no matter what. Maybe he could use this to their advantage.

"Finally, someone who's got a say in what's going on here," Jane explained, relieved. "I assume you're Mr. John's right hand, Mr…?"

"Smith. You're assuming right there." Lorelei made an amused noise.

"Shut up, bitch! Go and tell the boss he's got visitors."

"You don't have the right to command me to do your shit, Reede. It's enough you got one of the girls for free tonight, you fat ass." She left them standing in the hallway and vanished around the corner.

Jane swallowed hard, when he thought about Teresa taking care of him. He had to take a deep breath, before he put his cheerful mask back on. Smith wouldn't put his gun down, but Jane was sure Cho could disarm him in a matter of seconds.

They were led through the backstage area of the building, and crossed part of the club, before they were led through a secret door that looked like a part of the wall if you weren't looking closely. Lorelei didn't come back, but Jane knew Red John had to be interested in his offer, otherwise Smith would have kicked their butts.

Finally, they arrived at a simple looking, but quite heavy door. Smith knocked three times in a specific manner, before it swung open and led them into a luxurious office with a whirlpool, a couch area and, in the middle, an old wooden desk. Two more men were guarding the inside of the office with weapons, while Jane spotted Lorelei lounging on the couch, sipping a glass of champagne.

Just then his gaze fell on the man sitting behind the desk, neatly dressed in a suit, his hands folded in front of him. Red John.

"Now you must be Mr. Jane," the man smiled, pointing toward the two chairs in front of him. "Lorelei told me you have an offer concerning Teresa Lisbon to make? Am I right that she won't be joining our little party here any time soon? I remember I invited her."

You threatened her, you mean, Jane thought in disgust.

"Well, you must know, Mr. Jane, I am a man of business. I like to know with whom I'm dealing, and when I found out that the little whore tried to make the pathetic attempt of running off with you, I got really angry. I don't like it when people who owe me turn their back on me. Either you're in or dead after you accept. Also, I heard of your cruel act of violence to my poor friend Ray… although it is kind of ironic."

Jane didn't even try to hide his smile when he thought of how he had made Haffner pay.

"I am very glad to hear you are a man of business," Jane explained, before he stood up and put the briefcase on the desk. The guards waiting at the side pulled their guns, but Red John waved them aside. He leaned forward to see what Jane had inside his briefcase, and his eyes lit up in surprise, when he spotted thousands of neatly bunched $100 bills.

"Let's make this easy, Red John. I know you're trapping young women in some kind of contract where they can't get out until they pay their debt. I also know that forcing women into prostitution is against the law, and if you don't want your pretty little business here to blow up beneath your ass, you will take me upon my offer.

"These are two million dollars for the freedom of Teresa Lisbon and a young girl named Summer, who is still working for you. I recommend you take the money, let them go, and make sure they never hear from you again." Out of the corner of his eye, Jane could see Cho tense. But the Korean knew how to cover it.

Red John smiled. "Interesting. What's the other option? You know I could just command my three guards over there to blow off your heads and make sure the little slut that ran off with you pays for what she did."

Jane returned the smile.: "That would be a possibility, but I don't think you will. Because this conversation has been recorded, and if I don't call my man outside within ten minutes, the FBI is going to have this place surrounded in less than five minutes."

"Thomas, if this is true…" Lorelei mumbled, shocked. She wanted to get up, but Red John stared at her in a way, that made her sit back down immediately.

"So? I have my contacts, Mr. Jane."

"So do I."

"What do you expect them to find?"

"Drugs. Lots and lots of drugs. And I'm sure once they start to investigate the prostitution angle, it won't take long until they discover your tax fraud. Also, once your girls start to unpack, there will be other things coming out, things for which you will stay behind bars for the rest of your life. Is that really what you want? You want to be in power. Take the deal and you won't ever hear from me again."

"You're bluffing," Red John said.

"Try me," Jane answered calmly.

The man looked from Jane toward the money and back again to Jane.

"Thomas, you can't really consider this ridiculous offer! Kill them right there! That little bitch left you, although you gave her everything! She deserves to be taught a lesson!"

"Shut up, Lorelei," Red John yelled., "I pay you for giving me a blow job and to look pretty. If I want your opinion on the matter, I will tell you. Since I don't, get your lazy ass out of my office and tell that Summer girl to pack her stuff. She's leaving."

"But…"

"Go!" Lorelei got up, glaring at the guards, who were standing in the corner, chuckling.

"I believe you're a man of your word, Mr. Jane?", he asked, standing up.

Jane nodded and shook his hand carefully. He didn't trust his voice right now.

"I can tell when it's better to give in, Mr. Jane., I'm not an idiot. Besides, I think this money will cover what they owe me in the long run. But this is a one-time job. You must know, I don't like my little birds to escape their cage. Anyway. Give Teresa my regards… I'm sorry I could never have her, but she must be quite the thing if you go to such lengths to protect her."

"You have no idea."

"Just make sure this is the last time I hear of her and that Summer girl. I'm keeping an eye on the three of you, just so you know."

Jane nodded, before he got up.: "I wouldn't expect anything else. But you shouldn't underestimate me, because I go to great lengths when it comes to protecting the people I care about. Gentlemen."

"I understand, Mr. Jane. Smith! Please escort the gentlemen outside, would you?" Red John asked. "Goodbye, Mr. Jane, and I hope you're not offended when I wish to never see you again."

They walked out of the office, followed by Reede Smith, who didn't bother to hide the gun he was holding. Once they stepped outside, Lorelei and Summer were already waiting for them. The blonde looked excited and frightened at the same time. Smith waited for them to leave the building, before he shut the door right behind them with a loud bang.

"You don't really think Red John is trustworthy, do you?" Cho asked under his breath as they walked over to the two women.

"Of course not," Jane replied. He knew the man wouldn't kill them right off, but would wait some time to make his move. He was probably more a fan of the "make-it-look-like-an-accident"-method anyway. Now it was all about making his plan work.

"Good morning Summer, it's nice to see you again. My friend Kimball and I will take you with us, if you don't mind?"

Summer glanced at Lorelei, who nodded, annoyed. "Good," Jane announced., "Cho, would you lead Miss Summer to the car? I'll be with you in a few seconds., I want to talk to Miss Martins alone."

Lorelei raised an eyebrow.: "What the hell would you want to talk to me about?"

The businessman waited until Cho and Summer were out of ear shot, before he casually tucked his hands inside his pockets. "I was just thinking… Help me understand, Lorelei, why would a smart woman like you let herself be treated like a servant by these men?"

"I'm not a servant, I'm Red John's mistress." She sounded proud of that title.

"Ah okay." He just shrugged and turned around, ready to leave.

"Why would you say I'm a servant – which I am not!" she asked.

Jane smiled. Got you. "Well it's obvious you have the highest position here when it comes to dealing with the women. You're the one to care for them, to bring them here, and most important – keep them in line."

"Did that little bitch Trixi tell you that?"

He shook his head.: "Your body language is telling me that. You're very superior, like I said, you're smarter than anyone in the room down there. Red John's henchmen? I'm sorry, but they are all muscles and bullets, they don't have the brain… Not like you."

Yeah, he could see Lorelei felt flattered by his comments, but she was still suspicious. "So tell my why is it that Red John's men are allowed to order you around like this? I mean Smith could have easily told Red John about our arrival, but he told you to go, didn't he? Also, your boss could have sent someone else to pick Summer up. Don't you want to know what we talked about once we left?"

"It's none of my business. Red John will tell me everything important. He trusts me."

"Does he? How would you feel if I told you he was really upset he didn't get to fuck Teresa before she came to me?" He hated to talk about her this way, but he had to get Lorelei to believe him.

"He'd have never fucked that little whore! She's not worthy of him! You're lying!"

"Am I? Are you really sure you're his favorite mistress?"

"I'm his only mistress!"

"If you say so," Jane sighed., "I'm sorry Lorelei, but why are you wasting your time like this?. You could rule all this here. You're too loyal and Red John uses this against you. You're not the only one to share his bed, believe me. You're running around to carry out his orders like a puppet and when he thinks you did a good job, he pats you on the back like you're his puppy.

"Think about it Lorelei, is this really what you want for the rest of your life? What if you're suddenly too old for him? What if he doesn't find you attractive anymore? What if you make one mistake and he kicks you out? I'm sure there was someone before you in your job."

"Rebecca was incapable of handling the job I do now," Lorelei yelled.

Jane just shrugged, smiling.: "If you say so… I'm sorry, but I have to catch a ride back to L.A." Without another word, he left her standing furiously outside the club, hoping his plan would actually work and Teresa would be safe for the rest of her life.

Teresa couldn't wait any longer. It was past one o'clock already and she didn't believe Jane would make it back to her in time. Maybe he didn't want to come, maybe he did it because he couldn't bear to say good bye to her.

Her baggage was already downstairs, so the last thing she had to do was close the door of the suite and leave it for good. She wandered through the room one last time, reliving some of the moments they'd shared here. The good and bad ones.

Finally, she brought up the courage to walk out, trying hard to not look back when she stepped inside the elevator. She rode down to the ground level, where she found Mr. Bosco waiting at the reception desk.

"You're leaving us, Miss Teresa?" the man asked formally with a hint of sorrow in his voice. Teresa nodded, pointing towards the exit, where she could see a limousine waiting for her.

"I'm afraid so. I wanted to thank you, Mr. Bosco, for your help and hospitality. I'm really going to miss all this."

"Is Mr. Jane not coming to say farewell?"

"I don't think so... He... He left early this morning and hasn't been back ever since. I don't know where he is or what he's doing. I wish he was here, but..." She swallowed hard, blinking away the tears that sprang up.

Bosco stepped around the reception desk and offered her an arm, to lead her out of the hotel. "I am very sorry to hear that. You know, Miss Teresa, there is nothing to thank me for. You're a wonderful woman. I'm sure wherever you go from this point, you will make it. Don't let anything discourage you. And if your way brings you back to L.A. at some point, I want you to know we will always have a room for you."

He smiled at her sweetly, like a father would do to his daughter, before he opened the door of the limousine for her.

Teresa didn't get in right away;, she turned around and pressed a soft kiss on Bosco's cheek, making the older man blush. "Thank you, Mr. Bosco. It's good to know there is a place on earth I'm welcome. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Miss Teresa. I wish you all the best."

For one last time she looked around, still hoping Jane would turn up somehow, but he wasn't there. She got inside the car, and when the door closed, she couldn't stop her tears anymore. This was it. This was her goodbye. She should be happy she would be back home tonight, the place where she'd been wanting to go for over two years, but it felt all wrong. Her home was here, with Jane.

"I love him," she whispered, crying. "I love him so much."

Jane watched Teresa leave the hotel with Bosco from the other side of the street. She didn't seem overly happy, but she was good at hiding it. He could get out of the car and stop her, tell her he wanted her to stay, but it was better this way.

If he got to hold her now, he'd never be able to let her go. Teresa deserved to follow her dreams, he'd arranged that. In about a week, she'd have a surprise in the mail - at least he hoped it would surprise her. He'd decided to vanish completely out of her life until then, because he didn't want to stand in her way.

It was the first time in forever he'd done something unselfish. She'd changed him into a better person.

"You're an idiot," Cho said.

Jane looked up, surprised.: "Why is that, Mr. Cho?"

"She's the only good thing in your life and you let her leave like this. You love her."

"That I do," Jane agreed. It sounded weird to hear it from someone like Cho, but Cho was right. "But if you love someone, you have to let her go."

"I'm sorry to intervene Mr. Jane, but I think Kimball is right," Summer said., "I mean look, she's waiting for you!"

Jane stared out of the window and caught Teresa's hopeful gaze like she was waiting for him to turn up at the last minute, but he couldn't. He had to go through with this; it was the best for her. He could see her vanishing inside the limousine, which drove off quickly. She was gone.

"Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it's starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you've let her go
And you let her go"

From: Passenger – "Let her go"

A/N: Well, that's it…. almost over! I hope you enjoyed the chapter, even if some of you might find it a little sad. I would be honored if you would let me know what you think :) Thanks everyone for sticking with me through the good and bad times of this story!