Warning: Major Jane angst...


Jane senior and Teresa went up to her office. She couldn't stop worrying, but had to trust Patrick to do what he said he would.

The atmosphere in her personal workspace was tense, indicating that Elisa hadn't fully accomplished to sort out her son yet. She was seething with anger, as a matter of fact, and the first words they'd heard upon entering had been "Stubborn mule."

"Don't tell me our son still hasn't seen reason, Elisa? Are you losing your touch, dear?" Jonathan inquired, trying to calm his enraged wife a bit. "Matthew? What's this supposed to mean? Why are you acting like a mindless lunatic? Do you know that Patrick's good-will is the only thing standing between you and a lawsuit that could cost you your job? What's gotten into you?"

"He's dangerous, Dad. That's what I've been trying to tell mum for nearly an hour now. He's a killer. He got away with murder even." He leaned forward in his chair, clearly frustrated to still be in handcuffs. "And he is a loose canon. He knows no bounds. He is a danger to himself and others. I talked with the ADA of Sacramento and what he told me was more than alarming. Honestly, you should keep as far away from him as possible," Matthew Jane ranted.

The oldest Jane stepped closer to his son and looked at him accusingly. "You talk to one person and just because it's a fellow DA you decide his opinion on the matter is carved in stone? And what your own parents tell you doesn't count? What the hell is wrong with you, Matt? Do you take your mum and I as completely gullible people? Demented from age or what? I don't recognize you right now, son. I know you can be rash at times, but this?" He shook his head. "Your behavior is appalling."

"But Dad! You should see his files. He's bad news. I just want to protect you before he pulls you into one of his reckless schemes. I…" Matt tried to explain himself, but his father interrupted him.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear another word from you." He stepped even closer and used the advantage of standing over his sitting son to stress his point. "How dare you judge another person like this? That's not how I've raised you. I can only hope that you don't usually act like that on your job." He shook his head. "Files. Really?" He cast his son a disgusted look. "I am your father and a renowned psychiatrist. Have been one longer than you've been alive. Don't you think I'm a better judge of character than a disgruntled ADA with a personal grudge against my grandson and some files? Shame on you, Matthew Charles Jane!"

He sighed, his face a picture of disappointment. "Right now I have half a mind to actually encourage Patrick to press charges against you. See how you'll like it when that friend of yours in the DA's office suddenly has to prosecute YOU. The only loose canon I see here right now is you, not my grandson."

Jonathan had to take a deep breath at the end of his long speech, feeling winded. He had been so sure his boy had only acted a bit hot-headed and would see reason as soon as his mother had a chance to reassure him and set him straight. Obviously it would take a bit more, and in the meantime, they'd have to make sure Patrick wouldn't be hurt even more in the process.

With all the developments of the last few days, the man was vulnerable, that much was clear, even though he understood that his grandson was a tough customer. What he had seen so far was an almost absurd combination of fragile and aloof, needy and self-reliant, cocky and meek. To him, this showed a very strong personality on edge, a fighter, who'd taken a few too many punches in a short amount of time but was clawing at every straw to stay conscious just the same. He respected that in the man.

His son seemed a bit shocked about the strict talking-to. It had been years, if not decades, since his father had spoken to him in such a way. And he didn't like the disappointment visible on his parents' faces. It got him thinking, but he still had his reservations against that poser, who'd just appeared out of nowhere and seemed to have won his parents' sympathy in a matter of hours. He was especially worried because his parents usually were rational and reserved people.

Everybody in the office sat in silent contemplation for many minutes. Lisbon was angry and worried where this whole mess would lead, but decided to let the Janes sort it out between them for the time being. Elisa and Jonathan were at a loss for what else to say to reach their son.

Matthew was still weighing the different impressions in his head. That fraud had a reputation of luring unsuspecting people into traps, from what he'd heard. Doubts had however been spreading in his mind, ever since he'd seen how respectable agents from the top Bureau in the state seemed to genuinely care for that man. They had been enraged when he'd attacked Patrick. He had expected to be lauded and urged on, not subdued and handcuffed. But he was stubborn and not willing to cave in before he was absolutely sure that rook didn't mean his family any harm.


Said rook suddenly appeared in the room carrying a tray with a tea service on it. He took in the atmosphere in the office at once and sighed. "I see. Guess things haven't really been resolved here. Why don't we all sit down, have some tea, and talk like civilized people? Lisbon, why don't you take off the handcuffs as a gesture of good-will? I dare say, that Mr. Jane won't attack me again in the presence of his parents." And with a warm smile in Teresa's direction he added, "And furthermore, I have complete trust that you'll protect me."

The Senior Agent returned the smile and freed his uncle, though she couldn't say the man deserved it. She found him to be a self-righteous bastard. "Jane? Could we talk a minute outside, please?" she asked afterwards.

"Your whole office seems to be filled with Janes right now, but I guess you're asking me, Lisbon?" Patrick teased her as he set down his tea and turned to the door. "Please feel free to serve yourselves," he addressed the other occupants of the room politely.


Outside, Teresa looked at him with barely concealed worry. "How's your arm? What did Gloria say?"

"My arm's fine. It was just a very small part that reopened. She glued it together again and gave me a stern lecture to be more careful in the future. That was pretty much it. I'm alright, Teresa, stop worrying so much or your hair will turn gray soon." He grinned cheekily.

"I'm pretty sure, it's immune, or I'd have already turned gray years ago. But seriously, Patrick, I can't help worrying. With all of the events of the last days, it's getting too much even for me. And I'm only involved indirectly, unlike you. And Matthew? He's stubborn and self-righteous. Are you ready to take him on? And please be honest with me, Jane." She searched his eyes and conveyed her deep concern.

Patrick returned her earnest expression. "Yes, I'm up to it. He caught me off guard earlier and well, his demeanor reminded me a bit of my father. That was rather eerie at first. But now I know where he comes from and I'll be okay." His eyes turned sad when he continued, "I just hope I won't be the cause for a rift in the family. That's not my intention. I tried to back out, so my grandparents wouldn't feel the need to take sides. But you heard Jonathan – he wouldn't allow me to retreat. Guess we'll just have to figure something out, right?"

She patted his arm gently. "I'm proud of you, Patrick. You are very mature about this whole situation," she whispered, so no one could overhear her private words.

He smiled warmly at her. "Shall we?" he indicated the door with a motion of his head, and they reentered together.


Elisa motioned him over to the couch immediately. "Come greet your grandmother, Patrick, and sit down with me. Excellent tea, by the way. I'm glad you've inherited the Jane-tea-gene." She smiled kindly at him and he followed her request. The second he'd taken a seat, she pulled him into a hug, ignoring his outstretched hand with a snort. "A handshake, Patrick? That's what you consider an appropriate greeting?" She tsked.

When she had released him out of a slightly awkward embrace due to his obvious reluctance, he cast a careful glance in the direction of Matthew. "I didn't want to aggravate things with your son, ma'am. I thought, it would be better to keep my distance so as not to offend him any further," he explained.

"Hogwash!" she scolded him. "I won't let my stubborn son dictate how I treat my grandchild, Patrick. Now, let's discuss this and hopefully clear it up. It's gone on too long and too far already."

The consultant sat up straight and looked over to his uncle. "Mr. Jane? I understand that you have certain objections to me. It would probably help if you put them in the open and gave me the chance to reply to them. Would that be agreeable to you?" he asked, calmly and politely.

"See, Mum, Dad? That's what I mean. Now he's already manipulating you again. Pretending to be all rational, just so I'll look bad in comparison," Matthew said with agitation. "He isn't really like that. He killed someone and got away with murder. He's…."

Patrick's eyes were the only thing giving away his anger when he interrupted the other man and answered calmly," Mr. Jane, you are nothing but a hypocrite. You came here this morning and ATTACKED me, at the mere thought and without proof that I might hurt your family." He paused a bit, collecting his thoughts. "Yes, I shot a man. A man who'd explicitly told me, that he had MURDERED my wife and my daughter." He swallowed heavily. "That he had cut open the woman I loved and my beautiful little girl. Cut them open and used their precious blood to paint my bedroom wall with a smiley-face. He taunted me with how they'd smelled when he killed them, how he'd enjoyed them. And yes, I shot him, because he'd destroyed everything that was precious to me." He took a deep breath and looked over to his uncle. "I would guess you understand the sentiment well enough, considering your little outburst this morning."

Matthew Jane looked very uncomfortable by now. He felt slightly ashamed, because even though he had gotten the facts about the murder of his nephew's family, he'd not made any effort to honestly consider what this might have meant for the other man. He'd just assumed Patrick was a cold-blooded conman, a cruel and ruthless manipulator just like his brother Alex had been. But now he was sure he saw what he had to admit to be an honestly hurting man. The two pictures weren't conclusive in the least and he wasn't quite ready to give up his stubborn conviction that the man wanted to harm his family. Maybe even because Patrick had lost his own and begrudged them their happiness. "That's what you claim, but considering you're obviously a professional liar, who knows…" he retorted.

"You, Mr. Jane, know nothing about me. Nothing. What gives you the right to judge me like that?" Patrick asked coldly.

"Well, I knew your father and you are his son. I might have only been nine when he left, but let me assure you – it was the best day of my life when he finally disappeared. He scared the hell out of me. He was evil and vicious. He tantalized me and others and he watched our fear with glee. He enjoyed other people's sufferings." Matthew shuddered at the memories. "And all I've heard about you shows that you're just like him. Cruel, heartless, a fraud. Guess he raised you well." The last part was added with sarcastic derision. "And now you've come to destroy my family, because you can't stand the thought that the former family of your beloved dad is actually happy while your father and your wife and child are dead."

Patrick had tried everything in his power to stay collected at the hurtful words, but after the last part, he'd jumped up from the couch, ignoring every attempt from his grandparents and Lisbon to calm him. He started to pace while he ranted angrily, "You arrogant, self-righteous bastard. What right do you have to accuse me of all those things? What the hell have I ever done to you?"

"He wasn't supposed to have children and produce another disordered creep. So you being born, that's what you've done to me. You shouldn't have been born," Matthew spat.

Elisa Jane gasped in shock "Matthew, what an utterly cruel thing to say. I'm appalled."

Patrick laughed scornfully. "Well, at least you have just proven your own close genetic relation to your brother. Congratulations, Mr. Jane, you've found the one thing you two would have whole-heartedly agreed about. He told me the very same thing every day of my life until I left his dubious care on my 18th birthday."

Teresa tried to stop his pacing but he shook off her hand. "You know what, dear uncle? You are a selfish, self-absorbed, spoiled little boy. You sit here and tell me about family. You accuse me of being just like my father, who bullied you as a child. Well, news flash, Mr. Jane. YOU had at least loving parents who protected you from him. I was alone with him. Do you want to know what that means? I will show you, you holier-than-though smart-ass."

"Patrick, no," Lisbon tried to reason with him. "You don't want to do this. Please calm down."

But he just shook his head and took off his jacket and pulled his shirt out of his pants, holding it up together with his vest, so his bare back was visible. He turned so Matthew had a good view of it. His voice was dangerously quiet when he said, "That's what being raised by a sadist means. And yes, I'm jealous as hell of your family. Of the love you were showered with and the chances you got. You were pampered, went to good schools, got a good education, and an oh so respectable job. Sorry, I was just a laughable little carnival act, which paid for your dear brother's gambling, sleeping around, and booze. So I'm making my living playing mind games – it's the only thing I was ever allowed to learn. Well, bite me!"

Patrick deflated visibly after his outburst. He redressed silently, averting his eyes from everyone in the room. Shame filled him at his loss of control, and blank fear. Because now he'd done it and bared himself – literally - in front of his grandparents. All his dirty secrets disclosed in one moment of anger and weakness. But his uncle's accusations had hit too close to home. And he had to admit that the last days had really put him on edge. He knew, he'd just blown any chance he'd had with the Jane family, but maybe it was better that way. Hoping had never been his strong suit anyway, not since his wife and child were taken from him. Better destroy it before it destroys you. At least that way you were the one in control. That's what he kept telling himself, so the pain wouldn't get unbearable.


TBC

Thanks for all the kind reviews once again. I really appreciate every single one of them. It's the best incentive a writer could wish for.