Author's notes: Thanks to everyone who let me know their thoughts, it's so great hearing from you. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Jane grabs Lisbon's wrist and pulls her into the room, quickly shutting the door.

"Jane why are you answering the door in your boxer shorts. Couldn't you at least put the hotel dressing down on!"

"If I covered up I might not have the courage to take it off."

"Jane, you better have a good reason for this!"

"That's twice you've called me Jane. Look at me Teresa. What do you see?"

"I see someone who's seems to have lost his mind."

"I'm being serious here Teresa, Look at my body, tell me what you see."

"I'm trying not to look at your body."

Patrick moves towards her and she steps back.

"Please Teresa, it's important."

Teresa can see from Patrick's expression that he is indeed being serious and that it's important. She resists looking up to the ceiling before moving her eyes down from his face, where she's been firmly keeping them. She's feels extremely uncomfortable looking at Patrick's body and she can tell that he's just as uncomfortable. She tries to lighten the atmosphere

"I see that you actually use that gym locker key and I thought it was just a ruse."

She draws a smile. She looks back at him.

"I don't know what you're looking for Patrick. I see a man in surprisingly good shape for all the time you spend on that couch."

"Look closer."

She does her best, she lets her eyes wander over him, she can feel her cheeks burning. Jane fights the almost overwhelming desire to shut his eyes tight, or to run away. He concentrates on watching Lisbon's face, knowing that her natural instincts will stop her from saying anything that could hurt his feelings but her natural reactions will betray the truth.

"Right there Teresa, you saw it."

"Saw what Patrick?"

"You reacted."

"Reacted to what...?"

She stops as she remembers and understanding dawns.

"..Oh Patrick, you're talking about the scar."

"Not just one Teresa, my body's covered with them. Each one a reminder of Red John, a lasting reminder of what he did to me, to my wife and to my child. I can never get away from what he did...what..what..what...he made me do."

Teresa looks at her friend, his eyes clouded with pain.

"Yes I see the scars Patrick, many of them will fade, some of them I watched him inflict, but they don't remind me of him cutting you, they remind me of the strong determination and will of the man who fought back, who stood at the abyss and pulled back from the edge. Who conquered demons that threatened his very sanity and in the midst of it all, saved my life and took down his nemesis."

She moves closer to him, her desire to help her distraught friend overcoming her discomfort. She reaches out to touch him, he steps back. He eyes full of pleading.

"Don't Teresa.."

She follows him.

Shh Patrick it's okay."

She tracers a scar on his shoulder with her finger.

"Your scars aren't the scars of a victim, they're the battle wounds of a conqueror. Don't be ashamed of them Patrick. Red John did terrible things to you, to your wife and child, to many people but you were the victor. He's gone, his reign of terror is at an end, let it be at an end."

Patrick lets out a strangled sob and buries his head in Teresa's shoulder. She wraps her arms around him. She can feel the tension in his body as he struggles to regain control. She understands the pride of the man in her arms, who likes being in control, and especially of himself. He straightens up and turning away from her, he heads to the bathroom. He closes the door and stands with his back against it. He concentrates on steadying his breathing and with it his emotions. He feels his legs go weak and he slowly slides to the floor, he buries his head in to his knees and continues the battle. He can still feel the touch of Teresa's finger tracing his scar. Behind his closed eyes Red John and Teresa fight for center stage. Red John is laughing manically, Teresa is smiling, her voice soft. With each inward breath he concentrates on Teresa and as he breathes out he blows Red John away from him. Red John is getting smaller and smaller and with it Teresa's words are getting clearer and clearer. He lifts his head and sniffs, he reaches for some tissue and blows his nose. He slowly stands, testing his legs. He goes over to the wash basin and throws water on his face. After drying he takes a deep breath and turning around he opens the door.

Teresa's been waiting, sitting in a chair, her thoughts full of Ptrick. She understands where he's coming from even if it's misguided. Patrick's always been full of self loathing, for as long as she's known him, because of the blame he shoulders for his family's deaths. But now he's had his revenge, Red John is gone, because of Patrick. She hopes she's got through to him. This is a burden he doesn't deserve to carry. She hears the bathroom door opening, Patrick emerges he looks her steadily in the eyes, he gives her a small smile. He walks towards her and offers his hand to help her out the chair. When she stands he immediately envelops her in a hug. The embarrassment caused by his undress gone for the both of them, she wraps her arms around him and reciprocates, she closes her eyes and loses herself in the feel of him. His hug is firm but gentle, she can feel his heart beating against hers steady and strong. He pulls her even closer and moves his head, just a little so he can whisper in her ear.

"Thank you, I know this was hard and you were sensitive and supporting, I will never forget this. You're a true friend Teresa and you're the most important person in my life."

Teresa squeezes tighter in reply.

"You're welcome Patrick, I'm here for you always, you know that."

Teresa feels Patrick faintly nod his head. He closes his eyes against tears that threaten to fall. His heart full of gratitude and love for the woman in his arms. He pulls away and looks her in the face. He smiles teasingly at her.

"We never talk about this to anyone."

Teresa gives a choked laugh.

"Seriously! This is will be blackmail fodder for a long while."

Patrick looks seriously at her and then breaks in to a big smile.

"Woman, you could never admit to being in a bedroom with me practically naked."

Teresa wags a finger at him.

"I wouldn't bet on that Jane."

"Oh oh Jane again. If you think that this threat of yours has any chance of keeping me in line, you're deluding yourself woman."

"Just put some clothes on."

"Shall I dress right here?"

"Sure."

She moves back towards the chair.

"I'll sit here and enjoy the show."

"You make me feel so cheap."

Jane grabs his clothes that are lying on the bed and goes into the bathroom. Teresa smiles after him, he's talking about coming back.