"Jane," Cho called for him as he walked past the senior agent's office with his cup of tea.

"Cho!" Patrick turned and headed back, stopping in the doorway to Cho's office. "Nice to see you. What's happening in the hallowed hallways of the FBI?"

"It's been quiet," his friend said. "How are Teresa and the baby?"

Jane grinned – his happiness evident for everyone to see. "They're doing great," he said. "Samuel slept for almost six hours straight last night so Teresa's feeling much happier this morning."

"I'm glad to hear that - and thanks for coming in. I know you'd rather be home with them."

Jane took a sip of his tea and then grinned. "Yes, although I'm always glad to see you Cho. So tell me, what did bring me in, besides you I mean?"

Cho sighed and waved Jane into his office. "Sit down." He waited until his consultant – part-time now, unfortunately, and friend had sat down. He watched him for a moment – only when Jane raised his eyebrows did he speak.

"I have a favor to ask," he admitted.

"A favor?" Jane frowned. "What kind of favor? If you want me to introduce you to Jenna, the file clerk who has a crush on you I'm happy to do so."

"No – nothing like that," Cho said seriously. He sighed and then took in a deep breath. "I got a call from the Director to tell me the FBI has received a tip about a major drug trafficking operation. Manuel Torres -"

"Mexican cartel?" Jane asked.

"Yeah," Cho nodded. "The reports we're hearing are that Torres has gone into business with Jerry Schwartz – he's a businessman from Houston with rumored ties to the drug trade."

"Okay," Patrick nodded. "And so what do you need from me?"

"The informant who told us about the operation wants to speak to you. In fact, we don't have any further information than what I just told you. The Director wants you to go and speak to this person and find out more details so we can stop these guys."

Patrick Jane was good at reading people – very good. In fact that's how he'd made his living almost his entire life. It had also saved his life on more than one occasion. It was an ability that was so much part of him that he didn't even think about doing it anymore – it just happened naturally. So it wasn't surprising that he'd already picked up on the fact that Cho was uncomfortable about this whole thing – very uncomfortable. That meant that whoever wanted to see him was probably someone he didn't want to see.

He narrowed his eyes and stared at the man that had been his friend and teammate for many years now. "Who is it?" he asked bluntly.

Cho sighed. "Erika Flynn," he answered, not quite meeting Patrick's eyes.

"Erika Flynn? No, no way," Jane answered, standing up and heading towards the door. "I don't want to have anything to do with her."

"Look, I know, but this is important -"

"They're all important Cho," he answered, rolling his eyes. "The FBI can find out the information some other way. I am done with that woman!"

"Jane," Cho frowned, standing and leaning forward on his desk, "please."

"No," he said, more than firmly, refusing to be sucked in by Cho's uncharacteristic pleading. Suddenly he stopped. "Wait – she's not here is she?" he asked, looking slightly panicked.

"She's in Houston – at the woman's prison there."

"Damn it! Why Texas?"

Cho shrugged. "Not my decision. Probably because this is where Torres and Schwartz are planning to set up their operations. They do have her in maximum security though."

"At least that's good," Jane relaxed, sounding somewhat relieved. "I thought some idiot had agreed to let her go."

"No, she's not going anywhere. She's considered a major flight risk after escaping once before."

"So why is she doing this? Because Erika Flynn does not do things out of the goodness of her heart."

"I don't know. I expect she's hoping for a reduction in her sentence or an opportunity to move to a medium security prison. I don't know why she's asking for you though." Cho suddenly stopped, a furrow between his brows. "Do you have any idea why she'd want to contact you? I would think after Beirut you'd be the last person she'd want to see."

"Mmm, me too" Jane answered, "I have no idea either, but I don't like it. And if they move her to medium security prison, she'll escape," Jane said. "She's smart."

"Well, you said you're not going to see her, so I wouldn't worry about it. They'll have to find the information some other way."

"Yes, they will," Patrick agreed, walking to the door. He paused and looked back at Cho. "You're not going to trick me into doing this you know. I am planning on spending my time with my wife and month-old son, not worrying about that woman."

Cho's lips quirked into a rare and fleeting smile. "I didn't figure you would, but I have to tell the Director I tried."

"Yeah, I know - the Director. Was that the only reason you wanted me to come in?" he asked.

"Mmm hmm, although if you want to -"

Jane shook his head. "I'll see you at the house for dinner on Saturday evening," he replied. "Now I'm going home to my family." With a small wave he left Cho's office and headed toward the kitchen, where he cleaned out his cup and replaced it in its spot in the cupboard.

"You in to work today?" Tork asked from behind him.

Jane turned around and regarded the diminutive agent. "Nope, headed home."

"How are Teresa and the baby?"

"They're great," he said, smiling. He'd actually gotten to like the former CBI agent, although he still enjoyed teasing him. Tork was one of those people who he could always get a rise out of. In a way he kind of reminded him of Wayne Rigsby – a much shorter Wayne Rigsby.

"Good. So, are you in for Cho's review?"

"Cho's what?" Jane asked with a frown. "What review?"

"It's his annual performance review. The Director asked a few of us to fill out a questionnaire about him. All of us really like him, but I'm kind of worried that it's not going to go too well."

"What? Cho's an amazing agent. Why would there be a problem?"

"Because the department results have gone down since Teresa left on maternity leave – and you started working part time. You guys solved a lot of cases together. And Wylie's a good kid, but he's still learning the ropes. It's not Cho's fault – we all know that. Everyone likes him and has a lot of respect for him and he's doing a great job but he just doesn't have the results that Abbott had, at least not yet."

Jane could feel his heart sink. He wished suddenly that he hadn't run into Tork. He could have been out of here not being any the wiser. But then a moment's pang of guilt stopped him. He owed Cho a lot – his life in fact. The least he could do was give something in return.

"What if Cho's team solved a major case?" he asked.

"A major case? Yeah, that would be good. I mean he got a lot of kudos for catching that serial killer at your wedding and another big case would probably do the same. But there aren't any big cases right now, at least none that I know of."

Jane cursed silently but then turned and headed towards Cho's office.

"Hey," Tork called after him. "What's going on?"

But Patrick ignored him and instead knocked on the senior agents door – and then opened it before the Cho had a chance to respond.

"Okay fine – I'll do it!"

He grimaced slightly as he made his way to the front door of his house. He glanced around as he mounted the front stairs – the view of the pond and the trees helping him to relax. He loved this spot – it made him feel at peace with the world, something he hadn't felt for a long time before this last year.

He stopped for a moment on his front porch and simply looked at the nature filled vista in front of him. He didn't think he'd ever told Teresa why he liked this place so much. The fact was, it reminded him of a magical spot he'd seen as a child.

They had been on the road with the carnival when his father had decided to take a slight detour on the way to their next stop. He had parked their small trailer by a pond and he and his parents had spent the night there.

He remembered his mother waking him up the next morning, her hand in front of her lips, cautioning him to be quiet. She'd then led him by the hand outside – where together they'd watched the sun rise over the pond.

It was one of the few memories he had of his mother and it had always been special – but something he hadn't thought about for many years. She'd died shortly after that in a car accident.

But the moment he'd seen the pond the memory – and the feelings it invoked – had come back and he'd known this was the place he wanted to settle down. This place meant family and love and peace – something he'd missed for so many years.

His lips turned up and, with a rush of contentment, he opened the door. He wanted to call out for his wife but instead made his way quietly inside. He didn't want to wake the baby, in case he – or Teresa – was sleeping.

"Hey," he said softly, spying her on the couch, a sleeping baby in her arms.

"Hey you," she said quietly back. "How was it?"

"Meh," he shrugged his shoulders. "How's Samuel?"

"Beautiful," she answered, giving her son a soft kiss on his downy head. "He's also been an angel."

"Ah! Takes after his -"

"Uncle Cho," she interrupted with a grin. "How were things at the agency?"

"Oh, you know. Cho looked inscrutable, Jason looked like an eager puppy and Tork – well - ", he paused.

"Jane!" his wife warned.

"Actually, I realized today that he kind of reminds me of Wayne."

"Tork?"

"Okay – a short Wayne. But he has that – gullible quality about him."

She laughed. "You're right. Poor Tork – and poor Rigsby!"

"Why poor. You know they love it when I tease them."

She giggled. "Sure they do." Just then the baby made a soft noise and began to wriggle.

"Here," his father said eagerly. He reached out and took the now awake child, gently cradling him in his arms. "Hey you," he said, giving the baby a gentle kiss. "Were you a good boy?"

The baby stared at him, his tiny fists waving in the air. Soon his mouth puckered and he cooed. The next moment his fist went into his mouth and he began to suck on it madly.

"Is he getting hungry?" his loving father asked.

"Pfft," his wife made a rude sound. "Probably – that child definitely takes after you! I just fed him an hour ago and he's probably going to start looking for more any minute now."

"Us Jane's like to be well-fed," Patrick answered, looking down at his son. "Isn't that true Samuel?"

"So, what did Cho want?" Teresa asked as she watched the lovely sight of Patrick holding their month-old child. She never got tired of looking at the happiness on his face whenever he looked at their baby – or at her for that matter. She remembered wondering, many times in the past, what Patrick Jane would be like without the tragedy that had consumed his life. Now she knew – and she couldn't help but smile.

She heard Jane sigh and was concerned when she saw his expression change. "What? What happened?"

"Nothing happened," he assured her. "It's what he wants me to do."

"What does he want you to do?"

He closed his eyes but then opened them almost immediately. "There's been a report of a major drug ring that's planning on setting up a major trafficking route from Mexico."

"And?"

"The person who told them about it won't give any more information – except to me."

"To you?" she asked, puzzled. "Why to you?"

"It's someone I know – someone we both know, actually."

He sounded hesitant, which immediately got her "what's Jane up to" nerves going. It was something she hadn't needed to use in a long time. "Who is it?"

He closed his eyes briefly and grimaced. "Erika Flynn."

"That bitch?"

His eyebrows lifted at Teresa's words – and tone. Rarely did he hear her quite so – vehement – about someone. "I take it you don't like her?"

"And you do?" she asked, sounding slightly belligerent.

He held up his hand – the one not holding the baby – in defense. "No, not at all. In fact I responded much the same way when Cho told me. If I never had to see that woman again I'd be happy."

"So then – why are you looking so glum?"

"Well -," he went on to tell her the story of Cho's evaluation. By the end she was looking a bit more accepting, although still not happy.

"So you're going to go and see her?" she asked him.

"I wanted to see what you thought first," he told her.

She sighed and leaned her head back against the couch. "We need to do anything we can to help Cho. He deserves it after everything he's done for us."

"I agree," Patrick nodded. "So you're okay if I do this?"

"Well, not okay exactly, but I agree you should go. Just promise me -" she stopped.

"Promise you what?" he frowned. A second later he answered his own question. "I'm only going to see her briefly and I promise I won't fall for any of her tricks. Look, I know what she's like and that she can't be trusted. And I want to get back to you and this little guy as quickly as possible."

"Do you want me to go with you?" she asked suddenly.

"Of course I want you to go," he told her. He moved over until he was right next to her on the couch. "But you just had a baby a few weeks ago Teresa. I don't think you – or Samuel – should be traipsing around the country. And what would you do when you got there? There's no way you're taking Samuel into a prison with you."

"I just hate the thought of you anywhere near that woman. She was in love with you, you know."

He looked vaguely uncomfortable, so to hide the fact he rearranged the baby on his shoulder and kept his eyes turned away from his wife.

"Patrick?"

He sighed. "I don't think Erika Flynn is capable of love," he finally answered. "She had some kind of – crush on me, I agree, but that's all. I think it's because I saw through her and she's not used to that and it intrigued her. I assure you that I don't feel anything for her – other than dislike."

"I know," she smiled and leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "You know I trust you, don't you? I'm just worried about you having to deal with her again."

"I'll go and come back quickly," he promised. "The less time I have to spend with her – and away from the two of you, the better."

As he waited for the security guard to open the gate he couldn't help but smile. He still had trouble believing how lucky he now was. He had another family – a gorgeous wife who loved him and a beautiful son. He knew he didn't deserve either, but he wasn't going to let that stop him from appreciating the life he now had.

"Come with me," a guard told him. Patrick glanced around as he followed the man, thinking to himself that all prisons looked, and felt, the same.

He remembered his times spent in prison and again felt a wash of gratitude that he hadn't ended up in one permanently. There had been a few times when he thought he was going to end his days in one and, at the time, it hadn't particularly bothered him. The only thing he would have been upset about was not getting Red John – other than that it wouldn't have mattered. He was in too much pain, and full of too much guilt to care where he spent his life.

But now – things were different and he wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible and return to his home by the pond in Austin – home with his wife and son.

"Have a seat. Ms. Flynn will be brought to you momentarily."

He nodded and sat on the metal stool and looked through the glass to where Erika would soon be sitting. It was cold and stark – and he was sure she must hate it here. Erika Flynn was a woman who liked her comforts and prison life must be galling.

A moment later the metal door opened with a clang and there she was, dressed in an ugly prison jump-suit, her hair pulled back in an unflattering pony-tail. In no time she was seated opposite him.

She simply looked at him for a few seconds, her hand not taking the phone. He watched her as well, studying her face and her expression to see if he could find out what this was about.

The first thing he noticed was that she had aged. It was surprising, since it had only been a year ago that he had seen her. But now she looked tired and pale. He guessed that prison life didn't suit her.

Finally she smiled and her face transformed. It was that same smile that promised that she, Erika Flynn, found you fascinating – that all her attention was on you. She had a way of making people believe that she cared, that you were special to her.

He knew it was all a lie.

"Patrick," she said into the phone, "it's nice to see you."

"Erika," he answered back, but without a smile. "Why did you want to see me? I thought after our – last – encounter you would have had enough of me."

"Really?" her eyebrows went up. "But Patrick – we are kindred spirits, you know that. I've always believed our destinies are intertwined."

This time his eyebrow went up. He wondered if she could read him to see how he felt about her – drivel.

"But that sounds rather melodramatic," she laughed. "I guess I just wanted to see you again. How are you doing?"

"Fine," he answered shortly. "And you?"

She grimaced and shrugged her shoulders. "I can't say that this is a place I would have chosen to live," she told him.

"But you did choose it," he told her quietly. "That's what happens when you murder someone. And I'm afraid you'll be here for a long time."

"Really?" she smiled. "Patrick, you always were so – cynical."

"Not cynical – realistic. What do you want Erika?" he asked. "I have other things I'd rather be doing."

"Really? You have something – or should I say someone waiting for you?" she said, sounding bitter.

He didn't answer – he simply waited for her to speak again.

She sighed. "Tell me – are you and Teresa still together?"

"Yes," he nodded. "We are."

She glanced at his hand, which was holding the phone, and her forehead puckered. "You're married."

He glanced at the ring and smiled. "Yes – we are," he repeated.

"You didn't heed my warning," she said softly – her eyes turning dark with some hidden emotion. He suspected it was anger.

"What – that Teresa and I wouldn't last?" he asked. "Erika, you think you know so much about love and relationships – but you were so wrong about us."

"I was?" she smiled – and this time it was not a pleasant expression.

"Mmm – you said that I was attracted to Teresa only because of her goodness. Well, that is true – she is a good person and that appeals to me – greatly I might add. But that's not the only reason I was attracted to her – am attracted to her. She's smart, she's strong – she has a great sense of humor and she's one of the most compassionate, caring women in the world."

"My, isn't she wonderful," Erika said bitterly.

"You seemed to think that what I wanted was someone - you I guess – who would give me a life of exotic adventure. That we would travel the world and do whatever we wanted, not thinking of anyone but ourselves. Well guess what Erika – that's the last thing I want. Because you see, what I really wanted, more than anything – is what I have with Teresa – a home and a family."

"You'll be bored in a year," she told him. "And we would have been amazing together."

He laughed and shook his head. "You are so wrong. Life is more exciting, more fun with Teresa Lisbon than it ever could have been with you. Because you know what else attracted me to Teresa?"

"What?"

"That she will never, ever betray me," he said softly, looking at her directly. "I can trust her with my heart and with my life. And you my dear – could never give me that."

She stared at him for a few seconds and then finally, she nodded. "You're right, I couldn't." She sat for a few seconds, the phone still held to her ear but her expression stark in the dim light of the visiting room.

"I really loved you Patrick," she told him, the honesty of her statement seeming to throb through her words. "But you're right – in the end I probably would have betrayed you." She smiled a faint smile. "But it would have been fun while it lasted."

He just shook his head, a small smile of his own on his face. "You know, you have this picture of me as some kind of wild adventurer but I'm not. I'm pretty much a homebody. My favorite thing is to spend time with family and friends or putter around fixing up my house. You would have died of boredom with me."

At that her head tilted and she regarded him carefully. A short time later her brows furled. "You know – I think you're telling the truth."

"I am," he nodded.

She shook her head. "Who would have thought? The wicked, mysterious Patrick Jane is really just Mr. Boring. I must admit I'm rather embarrassed. I completely misread you, didn't I?"

"Mmm hmm, I'm afraid so."

"And you're really happy with Teresa?"

"Yes."

She sighed. "And I suppose you're planning to have a kid and buy him or her a dog?"

"We haven't managed the dog yet," he told her. "We might start with a cat."

"And the kid?" she asked softly. "Jane!" she suddenly looked at him – and this time there was pain in her eyes. "You had a child, didn't you?"

He nodded. "He's a month old and the joy of my life. So you see Erika – there's nothing you can say that will make me believe I won't be happy with Teresa. We are happy and we're going to stay that way. There is nothing that I want or need that I don't have. Now, what did you want?"

Jane let himself into his house – it was late and he didn't want to wake Teresa or the baby. He'd refused to stay in Houston overnight and instead had driven home. It had been a long day, but in the end Erika had given them the information they needed and a unit was already moving in on Torres and Schwartz. Cho was getting the credit for his team having solved the crime

It had been a strange day. He hadn't wanted to see Erika and even now felt somehow – soiled – having spent time with her. There was something evil under all her charm and warmth.

At least she was being shipped back to California the next day. He prayed he would never have to have anything to do with her ever again.

He changed quietly and slipped into bed beside Teresa. She made a small sound and the next thing he knew she was snuggled up against him.

"How'd it go?" she murmured, still half asleep.

"Fine – we got the information we needed."

"Mmm – good." There was a pause while he was sure that Teresa had fallen back to sleep. But then she spoke again.

"And Erika Flynn?"

"Same as always," he sighed. "I told her how much I loved you and she finally seemed to get it. I plan to never see her again."

"Good," his wife muttered. "And I love you too. Now go to sleep!"

He grinned – and then that's exactly what he did.

What he didn't know – and never would – is that Erika Flynn cried herself to sleep that night.