Thank you everyone for your kind comments. Since people seem to want me to continue ... here it goes.

Life was strange. Six months ago she never would have pictured herself in her bed, Jane beside her propped up on pillows, reading a book. It was surreal and mind-blowing and oh, so wonderful. She breathed softly and slowly, just allowing herself to enjoy the moment.

She watched him out of the corner of her eye as he flipped the page, intent on his book on how to grow a vegetable garden. She wanted to laugh at the fact that he'd gone from a man obsessed with exacting revenge on his wife and child's killer to a man intent on something so mundane. He seemed to take delight now in everyday, simple things – things that many would find boring, but not Jane.

"You're thinking too loudly", he told her, not taking his eyes off his book.

"You can't hear me think!"

"Yes I can. Relax Teresa, everything's fine."

"I know", she sighed, snuggling back into her pillow. Jane reached out with his hand and took hers, even though he continued to read.

And she did know. In fact, not only was everything fine, it was great. She was enjoying life more than she had in years; hell more that she ever had, if she were being honest. Her career was going well, life with Jane was – if not perfect, then at least almost perfect. She had friends, and a home and – just about everything she needed or wanted.

A small thought poked at the back of her mind, but she refused to let it take hold. Yes, seeing the Rigsby kids had brought out all sorts of thoughts and feelings and made her realize her clock wasn't just ticking; it was almost ready to run out. Still, she wasn't sure she wanted to disturb what they had, or even to hope for something that would probably never happen. She was happy with where they'd gotten to, in spite of everything, and she didn't want anything to destroy that. It had been fought for too long and too hard, by both of them.

For many years she'd pitied Jane. She'd felt sorry for a man so wounded, so damaged that he'd put his entire life on hold to exact a horrible revenge. He had been obsessed with one thing – and that one thing had consumed everything and had practically destroyed him. Yes, she had felt sorry for him. What she hadn't realized, until only recently, was that she had been equally as guilty of obsession.

She had been obsessed with her career, with finding justice for people and then she had become obsessed with Jane himself. There had been many times where she could have stepped away, where she could have refused to have any part in his horrible quest, but she hadn't. No, she had followed him and stood by him and helped him reach his goal, no matter her declarations that she would stop him.

Well she hadn't. She had helped him find Red John and she had let him exact his revenge. Even if she hadn't been with him, she had been behind him. Yes, she had been consumed by him, even though she hadn't admitted it to herself.

But now they had embarked on a new life, a life free from darkness and obsession. Instead they had settled into a healthy and warm and tender domesticity. Her eyes took on a wistful look as she tried to tell herself that what they had was enough.

"Okay", Jane put his book down. "What is it?"

She instantly moved so that she was curled into him. "Nothing."

"Teresa!" he warned.

"No, really. I'm just thinking how nice this is."

"Nice? That's all you can say? I'm insulted."

She giggled. "Well you shouldn't be. Nice is – wonderful. I love being here with you. I like that you want to learn how to grow vegetables and that we can go to the library together, or shopping or just – lie around and do nothing. It's -"

"Nice! Wow, if I'd known how easy to please you were I would have -"

"You would have what?" she asked curiously at his pause.

"Uh – taken up gardening a long time ago."

She swatted his shoulder. "Right – between solving crimes and searching for a serial killer you would have grown tomatoes!"

"Mmm, beans actually."

"You hate beans."

"I do not", he said indignantly. "I like beans, I just don't like -" he stopped dead, looking guilty.

She pushed herself up on her elbow. "You hate my beans, is that what you're trying to say?"

He grimaced. "Well, you've made me promise not to lie to you anymore."

"Fine", she flopped back. "I'll never make them for you again."

"Oh thank God", he whispered. That earned him a well-deserved punch in the shoulder. Of course he couldn't let that go unanswered and soon they were wrestling around the bed.

Teresa had actually been surprised at how strong Patrick was. He certainly had no particular fighting skills, but he wasn't the wuss she'd sometimes thought him. One of the things she'd discovered, which had surprised her, was that he did exercise. He loved to swim and went to the gym regularly. It meant he was trim and strong and she loved his great body – a fact that pleased him no end.

Of course the wrestling on the bed soon turned into something else equally as tiring, but much more fun. Much later Jane looked down at her, his hair somewhat wild and damp with sweat. "So tell me that was nice."

"Very nice", she said with a waggle of her brows.

"Wanna try that again" he said, pinning her arms to her sides as he sat on top of her.

"Okay, okay", she laughed. "It was wonderful, amazing, fantastic. The great lover Patrick Jane struck again."

"Much better", he leaned down and gave her one final, passionate kiss and then flopped over beside her. "You tired me out woman."

"Good." A second passed. "Jane?"

"What?" he asked, his eyes closed and his body relaxed.

"I'm hungry. Would you make me some pancakes?"

The days continued and life fell into a pattern. Jane spent most of his time at her apartment, although they hadn't said anything yet about moving in together officially. She knew it would have to come from him. As relaxed as he appeared most days, she knew he still suffered moments of fear and doubt. He needed a place he could flee to when things got too much for him. Fortunately he seemed to need that less and less.

He'd even begun to leave a few things at her place. It's not that he had that much to begin with. But now she was starting to find his books lying around and he had an entire drawer of clothing in her dresser. She had laughed when one of his shirts – one of the damned South American ones – had made its way into her closet.

The next day she'd gone out and bought him a toothbrush and had placed it in the cup beside her own. She'd been touched by his reaction when he'd seen it. Tears had gathered in his eyes and he'd grabbed her and hugged her. Who would have figured that a toothbrush would affect him that much? But then again, he'd reacted in a similar fashion over the socks she'd once given him.

She felt rather badly that there was nothing more she could do for him. He'd showered her with things – everything from clothing to jewelry to funny little gifts to make her laugh. She wanted to return the favor, but hadn't figured out what he would enjoy – beyond toothbrushes and socks. She'd tried to ask him and he'd looked surprised and then uttered his famous "meh – I don't need anything but you Teresa". As flowery as it had sounded she was positive he was entirely serious – a fact which humbled her greatly.

Work was going well. They continued to have the highest solve rate of any team and for the most part Abbott was pleased. Jane still pulled some of his usual tricks and there were days when she was sure their boss was going to lock him up in detention again. But, like always, Jane managed to wiggle his way out of any serious consequences. Life continued.

Cho had watched them silently and without any indication of how he really felt about the two of them. He certainly did nothing to sabotage them, but at the same time didn't say anything positive either. Jane was sure he'd come around, Lisbon was less sure, which bothered her. Cho was a good friend and a man whose judgment she trusted. As long as he had doubts she knew her own would continue. While she was happy, there was a part of her that wondered if it was all a bubble that would some day burst.

They'd been together just over two months before she had a chance to spend some time with Cho. They'd worked together, and even all gone out for beer, but she hadn't had the chance to speak with him one-on-one. Today, however, Jane had been asked to accompany Abbott on a visit to a high-profile suspect, which left her on her own.

"Hey Cho – wanna grab lunch?" she decided to take the bull by the horns.

He'd looked up, no expression on his face – as usual – and nodded. "Sure. I just have to finish this and then I can go."

They'd chosen to go to a local Mexican place that wasn't fancy, but had some of the best food around. Since it was a little late for the lunch crowd they found a quiet table in the corner without much trouble.

"So, you seem happy", Cho said immediately after the waitress had taken their order. "Are you?"

"Very happy", she smiled. "It's been good –is good."

"I'm glad. I would have hated to kill Jane, not after all we've been through. And Abbott wouldn't like it."

She laughed. "And I'd miss him."

"So would I", Cho told her, catching her by surprise

"Really?"

"What, you think I don't like him? He's my friend – as irritating as he is – and I'd be sorry to see him go for any reason."

"Well, technically he can't", she reminded him of the FBI's hold over Jane.

"If Jane wanted to disappear, he could", he told her absolutely. "The only thing that kept him here from the beginning was you."

"Me?"

"Of course. It's also what brought him back to the US even though he knew the FBI weren't going to honor their contract with him."

"I – I think he came back because he missed life here, not because of me."

"Fine, tell yourself that if you want to but it's not true. He's here because of you."

"Nothing like a little pressure, is there?" she rubbed tired hands through her hair.

"It would only be pressure if you didn't want him."

"I know", she smiled softly, "And I do. I am happy Cho – ridiculously happy."

"Then I'm happy for you. He's a good man – a crazy one – but a good one. Just don't let him con you into any new craziness."

She sighed. "As much as he still does his thing when we're solving a crime, I don't think he's looking for craziness. He wants – peace and contentment."

Cho nodded. "And you're helping him get it."

"I hope so. It's what I want to."

"With a little bit of craziness thrown in."

Teresa laughed. "Well, it wouldn't be Jane if he didn't bring some of that to my life. It makes things interesting."

"I'm glad for you Lisbon", Cho told her. He contemplated her seriously for a moment. "Any chance of little Janes?" he asked, somehow finding the one thing keeping her life from being totally content.

It was a question that she would only have accepted from two or three people – namely her team members. So, instead of telling her friend to mind his own business, she sighed. "Probably not. I mean, I'm almost too old at this point."

"Lot's of women are having kids at your age."

"I know but – I don't know about Jane."

Cho frowned. "What do you mean? He loves kids."

"I know but – he's never said anything and I don't know how he'd feel about it after losing his daughter. He was afraid to even start a relationship. I think fatherhood might terrify him."

"You need to talk to him about it", Kimball told her. "Don't make assumptions, especially where Jane is concerned."

She thought about his words all the way back to the office. It was true, one could never quite tell how Patrick would react to any given situation. He'd managed to surprise her many, many times over the years. She sighed, still not quite sure if it was something she should try and forget or whether she should say something.

Over the next couple of weeks they were immersed in a difficult case and she had little or no time to do much besides eat, sleep and work. Certainly the question of whether or not to broach the subject of children with Jane was put well on the back burner.

At least it was until she was forced to confront the issue head on.

"Uh Jane", she said that night as she watched him flip through a series of TV channels. He admitted that he hadn't watched TV for years – in fact had never watched much – and he didn't really like much of it. But, like her he was exhausted after the case and admitted he didn't even feel up to reading.

"Yeah", he answered distractedly. "How come there are so many channels and nothing to watch? There aren't even any good nature shows on."

"I don't know. Uh Jane, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah", he nodded switching channels again. "What is it?"

"Well – could you turn that off?" she said, sounding irritated.

He looked at her in surprise and then nodded. He flicked off the TV and sat back. "What is it?" he asked, suddenly concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Hmm? Yes, yes I'm fine."

"No, you're not." He moved over until he was right beside her and took her hands. "What's wrong love?"

She closed her eyes briefly, still thrown at times by how easily he now was able to show his affection.

"Teresa?" he squeezed her hands. "What is it? You're scaring me here."

"No – no, there's nothing to be scared about. I just wanted to ask you and I'm not quite sure -"

"You know you can ask me anything. Come on, what is it."

She inhaled deeply and then let the air out in a rush. "Do you want children?"

He blinked a couple of times, not showing any expression. "What?"

"Do you want children? I mean – I was wondering because I'm not getting any younger, and I saw you with Maddy and I thought it would be so wonderful to see you with -"

At that moment he dropped her hands and stood up, so quickly she wasn't quite sure what had happened. "Patrick?"

"No", he said softly. "No."

"No – you don't want kids?"

He turned on her at that, his face a study in anguish and fear and anger. "No, I don't want kids. How could you possibly think – even ask me that?" he said, his chest almost heaving with his breaths.

"You said I could ask you anything", she pointed out, although inside she was frightened.

"I know – and I'm sorry but – it's not something I could ever consider. If you – if it was something you wanted then – then I'm sorry and we'll have to consider what that means for us. It's just – no Teresa. Never."

She sat there feeling sick, unsure of what to say. If he'd said this to her at the beginning, hell, even a month ago, she would have been disappointed but she would have coped. She would have accepted that she would not have children and instead would be the best aunt she could be.

Now it was too late. She closed her eyes, afraid that she was about to destroy the best thing that had ever happened to her. She knew he would never forgive her and she wouldn't blame him.

She opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Patrick was still standing, looking out the window, pale and drawn.

"Patrick."

"What?" he asked softly, not turning to look at her.

"There's something I need to tell you."

"What?"

"First, I want you to know that I didn't do this on purpose. It was an accident, pure and simple. You have to believe me because I'd never betray your trust."

"What is it?" he asked, his voice quivering with the fear and the knowledge of what was to come.

"I'm pregnant."