Race For Red Trophies

A/N: Thank you all for your wonderful response to this story. This chapter will be the last, and I hope you enjoy it. I'm a little sad that this has to end, and I would like to thank all of you who have reviewed.

Chapter six: Trophy

By the time Lisbon returned to the garage, it was getting dark, and Jane had left. A note stuck to the hood of her GTO told her to meet him at his house. She climbed into the security of her car and placed the trophy onto the seat next to her.

She felt the apprehension grow as she drove slowly down a residential street in the upper-class region of town. The address scrawled onto the paper she clutched loomed out of the growing blackness, and she turned into the drive. The silver gate opened automatically, and she drove down a long avenue of trees to a large modern house at the end. The house was simple and elegant, and Lisbon marvelled at the floor to ceiling windows and open spaces.

Jane stood waiting for her at his front door. His face was a blank mask, and Lisbon climbed slowly from behind the wheel. "I didn't think you would come," he murmured, walking down the steps to meet her.

Lisbon looked up at the house in awe. "This is where you live?" The question felt stupid as soon as she said it, and she blushed.

Jane laughed and led the way up into his house. Lisbon followed and gazed around her. The house was furnished beautifully, but it seemed to lack something. "Would you like some coffee?" Jane asked, disappearing into the kitchen.

Lisbon nodded, and wandered over to the bay windows that overlooked the city. The city stretched below her and she gazed out in wonder at the twinkling lights. She was so engrossed that she didn't even notice Jane return with her coffee. He touched her shoulder gently, and she jumped. "Sorry," mumbled Jane, placing the coffee onto the table next to her.

Jane stared at the tiny woman next to him as she continued to look through the window in awe. He desperately wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her soft lips, but he managed to control his urge. Just barely. Instead, he reached out and touched her shoulder again. "Teresa," he murmured. "Your coffee."

Lisbon turned to face him, and his breath caught in his throat. The lights had been turned low in the room, and she was framed by the cityscape behind her. The diffuse light filtered through her hair, creating a halo effect around her face. It took every ounce of control he had to stop himself from pressing her up against the glass and kissing her breathless.

Lisbon watched the emotions – this was a rare moment when he left his face unguarded – flit across his face and waited for him to speak. She took a sip of her coffee and savoured the flavour. "This is really good," she commented.

Jane just nodded. He managed to clear his head and turned away. "I'm glad you came," he said. "I was worried that you wouldn't."

Lisbon took another sip of her coffee. "What's really on your mind, Patrick?" She could see he was distracted as he stared past her into nowhere.

His gaze refocused onto her face, and she watched him as he took a step closer to her. "Teresa," he murmured, barely audible. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her against his chest. "I can't get you off of my mind," his words were tripping over themselves in his rush to get them out. "I haven't allowed myself to feel this way since my wife died, but you've changed that. You make me feel things I haven't felt in years. I can't let you go; I want you in my life, Teresa. I need you."

Lisbon stiffened at his words. She opened her mouth to reply, but Jane wouldn't let her. He bent down and pressed a kiss to her slightly parted lips. She found herself responding, and slid her hands up into his blonde curls. Pulling him closer, she felt herself being pushed up against the glass window. All too soon, Jane pulled back, and Lisbon felt herself pouting at the action. Jane laughed. He pressed a line of feather light kisses down her neck, and she shivered under his touch. "Patrick," she mumbled. "We need to talk."

He grunted against her skin. He didn't want to talk anymore, but he stepped back anyway. He kept hold of her hands and stared down into her eyes. Lisbon gazed up into his cobalt eyes and smiled. "Patrick, it's an amazing honour, but…" her voice trailed off, and she glanced down at the hand she gripped. His ring glinted dimly in the dull light. "I know what happened. Is that really something you're willing to go through again?"

Jane's face clouded over. He thought for a moment about his wife, and then about the woman who stood before him. "Teresa," he said, his face serious. "I have never been surer of anything in my life. I want you in my life. All I need is for you to want me back."

Lisbon glanced around the room. "Well," her voice was nonchalant. "The house could use a woman's touch." Her eyes found his again and softened. "I would be willing to give up racing, if that makes it any better."

Jane was shaking his head before she had finished. "I would never take that from you. Racing is your life, and I want nothing more than for you to be happy."

Lisbon stretched up and pressed her lips to his cheek. "Thank you," she mumbled. "I would love to be a part of your life." Jane grinned blindingly and bent down to kiss her again. Lisbon pulled her head back slightly. "As long as I get to keep my workshop."

Jane grinned again and closed the distance between their lips, sealing her words with a gentle kiss. "Thank you, Teresa."

Three months later…

Lisbon carried the last box through the front door and placed it at the foot of the stairs. Jane shut the door behind her and watched as she wandered through to the kitchen to make them each a warm beverage. Jane turned to a photo hanging next to the door. It was one of his late wife, and he toyed absently with his wedding ring. Finally making up his mind, he pulled the ring off and dropped it onto the table in front of him. He opened the box Lisbon had been carrying and pulled out a trophy. It was the Redding Cup she had won, and he grinned to himself. He placed it onto the mantelpiece, stepping back to admire the view. Lisbon reappeared carrying a cup of tea, and smiled when she saw the trophy. She handed the tea to Jane, who smiled appreciatively down at her. "That's a perfect spot, don't you think, Teresa?"

Lisbon nodded and stretched up to kiss his cheek. "It couldn't be more perfect, Patrick."

Jane looked down at her and grinned. The trophy had not only brought them together, but it had shown him that he could love again. He would forever be grateful for Teresa Lisbon, and everything she meant to him. He placed the tea onto the coffee table and pulled Lisbon into his arms. "I love you, Teresa," he whispered into her ear.

"I love you too, Patrick."

He kissed her, knowing that he finally had a second chance at true love.

A/N2: This is the end. Please review and tell me what you thought of the idea, and whether it was worth reading. Until next time,
S.