A/N: Thanks for all the lovely reviews for the first chapter, so pleased so many of you liked the start and hope you continue to read, follow, favourite and review!

Chapter 2 - Advice

As evidence of her mostly sleepless night Lisbon let Cho take the wheel on their drive to San Francisco. The tightness in her stomach intensified as they drove over the Golden Gate Bridge.

After much of the way spent in silence Cho finally broke it. "So, what are you going to say to him?"

She thought for a moment. In fact she had thought of little less since she found out their paths were about to cross again. "I have honestly no idea. Thought I'd see the lay of the land first."

"You think he's over what happened?"

She shrugged, looking out the side window. "I don't know. What do you think?"

Cho sighed. "You know him better than me. But forgiveness isn't really his thing. In his mind you betrayed him. We all did. He would have contacted you or one of us by now if he felt differently than he did back then."

She turned her head towards him. "You still think I did the wrong thing too, don't you?"

"I told you at the time. You should have told him straightaway how he was cured. You shouldn't have let things get..." He sighed again and controlled his tone. "You should have told him straightaway."

She faced front again silently. She could hardly refute his words. She closed her eyes as memories of the time in the hospital resurfaced.

"Agent Lisbon, Mr Jane's regained consciousness. He's asking for you," the doctor smiled sympathetically as she sat in his office. "The first transfusion has helped slow things down. Gives us a better timeline on...events taking place."

"He has more than two days?"

"I would guess...four at the most if he continues to respond to the blood the way he has but...these things are hard to predict. I'd take the time to see him now when he's awake instead of waiting much longer."

"But why can't you just continue with the transfusions until you find out what this is and how to cure it?"

He shook his head solemnly. "Because even with the transfusions it will affect his organs eventually. It's just too virulent. We have no cure in sight. Without identifying the toxin we can't hope to find one. We've done a number of tests as you know but so far we don't know what it is we're dealing with. And when it does begin to affect his major organs then...well then the transfusions are, frankly, a waste of time."

Anger boiled up in her. "As long as he's breathing you'll continue to pump new blood into him if it helps him live longer, understand!"

Softly, "That's not...that's not what Mr Jane wants."

"What?!"

"I've spoken to him Agent Lisbon. Just now. Explained his options and the prognosis. He's aware of the situation he's in and he's accepted it. He doesn't want to last for days hooked up to a machine. For his body to shut down and be left with no quality of life. All he wants before much longer is...to have the time to say goodbye to the people who matter to him."

He smiled softly at her as if she were a young child and she wanted to punch him instantly. "Teresa, he wants-"

"I don't give a damn what he wants! He's not getting it!" Tears pricked at her eyes and she rubbed them away furiously. "Selfish son of a bitch. Tell him from me I won't be saying goodbye to him, not until there's no chance of saving him!"

She flung open the door of the doctor's office and stormed down the corridor. Van Pelt caught her by the arm at the exit. "Boss! What did the doctor say?"

Her cheeks burning, she snapped, "He has four days. Now, you lot can stay here and watch him just give up and give in to self pity but I'm going to find a way to help him. The doctors here obviously don't give a damn so I'll find one who does!"

Rigsby and Van Pelt drove behind Lisbon and Cho in their own vehicle. "Well, this is going to be a little strange," Rigsby said, shaking his head. "How do you think he is?"

She shook her head. "God knows with him. But however he is he's not about to show how he actually feels, is he? Unless he's turned into an entirely different person this past year."

"You think Lisbon will be able to get through to him? Make him let go of what went down?"

She tilted her head. "Honestly? I don't know. They're both as stubborn as each other."

Rigsby chuckled. "Still, it'll be good to see him. Let him see he got through to us, at least." He took his hand off the steering wheel and squeezed his fiancée's hand quickly, stealing a smile. "Seeing us so happy might make him realise that he still loves her too."

Van Pelt blushed, "Hush, you're so corny sometimes," she grinned.

After talking to the doctor herself Van Pelt made her way to Jane's room. He turned his head from the window to the door when he heard it opening. His face dropped when he saw the redheaded agent enter his room but then placed a smile back on it. "Hey, Grace," he smiled.

She took in his pallor, his tanned complexion drained by the blood transfusions. He lay in a hospital gown with a drip in his arm. "Oh, Jane," she whispered, unable to stop the tears from flowing.

"Now, if all you're going to do is blubber then I'll have to throw you out. Although managing to get out of this bed would be a miracle in itself," he grinned.

She smiled and wiped her tears. "I'm sorry. It's just you look so...-"

"Pathetic? Washed out? I know, I don't think this gown does anything for my sense of style."

"Stop making jokes," she ordered.

He shrugged. "What else do you suggest I do? Otherwise I might just die of boredom before this poison has a chance to work its way through my system."

"Jane-"

"Where is she?" he interrupted softly.

She saw the sudden seriousness in his expression now, the mask dropped, the pleading in his eyes to talk to the one person he needed the most.

"She...she just needs a little time," Van Pelt replied quietly. "I'm sure she'll be here soon."

He closed his eyes briefly and shook his head, looking at the ceiling. Grumbling, "Stupid stubborn woman. Let me guess, she's gone on some fruitless quest to find me a cure." He sighed wearily.

"She'll be back. Just...just hang on until then."

He nodded. "Okay then, so I'll guess I'll start with you."

"Start what?"

"I want to talk to you, Rigsby, Cho and...Lisbon. Give you some parting words of wisdom. I'm a dying man so don't waste time by telling me not to or that I'm going to pull through. Not sure how long I'm going to be conscious for at a time so I'll make it brief."

Van Pelt noticed how much of an effort it had been to say the last sentence; he was obviously weakening already after the transfusion. "Okay," she said softly. "Gimme my ten cents worth," she smiled. She figured she had enough time to cry afterwards.

"I'd want more for it than that I'm hardly in a position to barter. You love Rigsby-"

"Jane-"

"Please Van Pelt. No interruptions or I'll never get through this." He winked at her. "Remember, dying man's prerogative to ramble on."

She nodded silently, pursing her lips.

"Okay, you and Rigsby are obviously in love with each other. Clear as the noses on your faces. Now, I know that he and Sarah just recently broke up but...he only started going out with her to try to get over you. You know that. Obviously it didn't take. And I know what Craig did to you has hardened you. To be honest I think, in some ways, he did you a favour." He shot her a smile. "Lets a little more of the bitch out." His smile dropped he continued, "But don't waste any more time, Grace." His voice was a whisper and he looked at the ceiling. "Believe me it's not good coming to the end having to die with regrets. Of letting your fear of what might happen stop you from actually living the life you want."

As he paused she watched him avidly, obvious he was no longer just talking about her and Wayne.

He exhaled loudly and pulled himself together, looking at her again, his voice back in control and louder. "I know it's against policy but Wainwright's easier to manipulate than Hightower was. He wants results, nothing more. He's more flexible with the rules to get them. So, just show him that. Show him that you're unstoppable together so you can't be separated. Lisbon'll go to bat for you. Cho too if he's pushed. Put enough pressure on him and he'll cave. I'm sure of it. You all need to realise the power you have as a team, even when I'm not part of it." Jane paused and smiled again. "And if that doesn't work tell him it was my dying wish. Once that rumour makes its way around the CBI he'll feel obligated to give in. Just make sure he doesn't catch you making out in any interrogation rooms or Lisbon's office. That, my dear, would be pushing things a little too far."

Van Pelt, in tears again, blushed and laughed. "You're right. I do love him. Okay, if Wayne goes for it then so will I."

Jane nodded, chuckling. "Somehow I don't foresee that being a problem."

As they arrived at the SFPD Headquarters they parked their vehicles and showed their IDs. Morris soon arrived to escort them to the office. Lisbon looked around at the once familiar environment, her head automatically going to where she used to sit. She imagined Bosco sitting in his office eating a meatball sub and throwing half of it down his shirt, panicking that his wife would put him on a diet once again. "Still feels like he's here, doesn't it" Morris said to her, as he pulled up the chair in his office and gestured for her to sit in the one opposite. Her team stood behind her.

"Yeah, always reminds me of him when I visit here for cases. I miss him still."

"Me too," her old friend nodded.

Brightly, "So, why don't you fill us in on the case that Jane's got himself mixed up in?"

Morris explained that Janet Walker was part owner of an art gallery in San Francisco. Her partner Edward Costas was found murdered two weeks prior. She had an alibi for the night in question but Morris believed she was responsible for his murder and had either fabricated her alibi or paid someone to carry it out for her. He had been planning on selling the gallery out from under her as the majority stakeholder but rumours were that she wanted to keep it and witnesses had confirmed that they had arguments over it in public. She was due to inherit the gallery as part of his estate.

"So, where does Jane figure into this?" Cho asked.

Morris shrugged. "You tell me. She was found at her home stabbed. Jane called 911 and told them he'd found her dead when he arrived there. All he's said is that he knew her socially and went to visit her on the night in question."

Lisbon surveyed the woman's DMV picture from the file in front of her. Long blonde hair and very pretty. Expensive silk blouse. Obviously sophisticated and a woman of taste from her lifestyle. But something about her ice blue eyes made her look dangerous, that she hid her real self behind the persona she portrayed. She looked more like Sophie Miller but something in those eyes reminded Lisbon more of Erica Flynn. A wave of jealousy ripped through her before she had a chance to quell it.

"You think she was still alive when he got there?" Lisbon asked, looking up from the photo. "Or that he killed her himself?"

"No weapon was found on him and no DNA. But, from what I've heard now I've looked into him a little more I'd say he's more than capable of hiding evidence and making sure he's free of DNA. Smart son of a bitch, right? So you tell me, Teresa. Did he do it? Or is he just not telling us everything? You know him better than I do."

She sighed and puffed out a breath. "Once upon a time I'd say you were right, Tom. Now...well now I guess we'll find out. But I don't believe he killed her. But I can almost guarantee he's hiding plenty. So, where are you holding him so we can get started?"

A/N: I know I said I'd explain what happened to Jane and have them meet face to face in this chapter but I kind of got sidelined so apologies. Next chapter, I promise!