Author's notes: A big surprise for the guest who thought the story was finished - though I can see why. Thanks for all the reviews, you guys a so kind, I hope you like this chapter.
They arrive back at Teresa's apartment late afternoon. They climb out of the car, the temperature is beginning to cool off from the scorching high and Patrick stretches his tired muscles. Teresa joins him and looks towards her apartment building. Patrick leans against the car and makes an observation:
"Well it's still standing."
"Yes it is shall we go inside?"
Patrick pushes off from the car and sweeps his arm with a little bow.
"After you."
Teresa already moved her keys from her purse and digs them out of her jeans pocket as she makes her way around the side of the building to her front door. Jane catches up with her and places his arm around her waist. She opens the door and they walk inside. Everything's as they left it, Teresa opens the blinds and light floods the room. She turns and looks at Patrick.
"Home sweet home."
"Did you miss it?"
Teresa looks around.
"I did, just a little, but it's good to be back."
A shadow crosses her face and Patrick moves closer to her."
"What's wrong?"
Lisbon smiles at him.
"Nothing I'm just being silly."
Patrick moves closer and places his hands on her hips.
"C'mon tell me, I promise I won't laugh."
Lisbon looks up to the ceiling and then back at Patrick. She takes a deep breath.
"The thought crossed my mind, I mean, I know you proposed, but what if it was a holiday thing, and now we're back to reality, things will change?"
Patrick moves the hair away from the side of her face with one hand and cups her cheek, then brushes her lips with his thumb.
"It is silly and I'm not laughing. It's real Teresa, I love you, I want to spend my life with you and coming home is not going to change that."
He kisses her gently on the lips and there's a knock on the door. They left the door slightly ajar and it's pushed open to reveal Teresa's next door neighbour. An elderly lady, with twinkling eyes and a wicked sense of humour. She agreed to water Teresa's plants while she was gone, despite her protests that she kills every plant that has the misfortune to cross her path. Teresa is very fond of her.
"Welcome back Teresa, here's your key back, your plants have survived regardless of my care and inattention."
Patrick waves a welcome then heads to the kitchen.
"I'll just put the kettle on."
Once Patrick is out of sight the neighbour raises her eyebrows at Teresa.
"Looks like it was a very successful trip."
Teresa blushes.
"Shhh Millie."
"Don't be shy, if I had a catch like him I'd shout it from the rooftops, I'd be walking the neighbourhood with him on my arm making sure everyone knew he was mine."
Millie jumps when there's voice behind her.
"It'll be a pleasure, I think two or three times around the block will get the knots loose from all the travelling."
Millie winks at Teresa and turns around and offers her arm.
"Just take it gently young man."
Teresa's laughs when Millie winks at her again and leans in and whispers to her.
"Must make sure everyone gets a good look."
Patrick graciously puts her arm through his and the two of them leave Teresa standing in her living room. She hears Millie's wicked laugh and wonders what Patrick's said to her.
Millie starts to speak:
"Mr. Jane..."
"Please call me Patrick, after all we're walking out together."
Millie laughs
"You sound like a Bronte novel."
Patrick gives her one of his best smiles.
"Now you were saying?"
"Patrick, to carry on in the style of a Bronte novel, what are your intentions concerning Teresa?"
"I'm in love with her."
"And she's in love with you, and has been for a long time, she just didn't know it, or buried it because of that other thing."
"The other thing being Red John."
"Yes."
"My, my, my, I didn't realise that Teresa's such a talker."
"She looks after me and we share a coffee when she has the time, but she hasn't said anything directly, but I've been around the block a few times and just hearing your name I knew who you were. I'm glad you got the monster."
"So am I."
"I went to one of your shows once."
Jane stops walking and looks at her.
"You did?"
"Yes I did."
"What did you think?"
"That you were full of something that a Bronte lady doesn't talk about, delivered with a devastating smile."
Jane grins.
"You're a shrewd woman Millie."
"Yes I am, so what are you're intentions towards Teresa?"
Jane stops and turns to face Millie, He looks her in the eyes.
"She's agreed to marry me and my life's purpose now, is to make her the happiest person in the world."
Millie searches his face and then puts her arm through his once more and pats his hand.
"Good, Teresa is dear to my heart and I don't want to see her hurt."
"That makes you my best friend."
They arrive at Millie's door.
"Thank you Patrick, I saw a few curtains twitching."
"Well let's give them something to really talk about."
Patrick kisses her on the cheek.
They pass the evening with a trip to the grocery store, and picking up a take-away. Unpacking the suitcases and Teresa puts a load of laundry in while Patrick made a night-cap. They sat with their drinks cuddled on the couch, just enjoying being next to one another. Teresa realises the Patrick has fallen asleep, she puts down her empty cup, turns and lays her head against his chest. She suddenly feels uneasy and that's when her dream suddenly makes perfect sense.