Thank you for all the lovely comments and reviews I received. And now - for all you patient people. Here's baby Jane ...

"Just go Jane. I'll be fine."

"I've already told Abbott I'm not coming in today."

"And what did he say?" Teresa asked him skeptically.

He shrugged. "Not much. What would you like for breakfast? How about some eggs cooked perfectly and buttered toast and -"

"Patrick! Go. To. Work. You don't need to make me breakfast and I'll be just fine on my own. I have a cell phone and a land line and hell, I can even shoot my gun in the air if I'm desperate."

Jane frowned, knowing he should just listen to her, but feeling too tense and nervous to leave her. It wasn't that she wasn't totally capable, because she was, but this was her first baby and she didn't know what to expect. Besides that, this was his child too and he was scared. Hell – he was terrified. At least when he was with her he could hold the terror at bay. Away from her and he knew he would turn into a sniveling mess.

"I – would rather -"

"GO." Teresa was tired and crabby and wanted to have this baby yesterday. She appreciated the fact that Jane took such good care of her, but right now she couldn't take his hovering. He'd feel much better keeping busy at work – or sleeping on the couch, which was much more likely. She could call Cho and Wylie and Vega and tell them to distract him.

"Okay", he sighed, "but if you need me -"

"I know how to contact you!"

"Fine." He walked over to the door, looking back a few times but her expression didn't change. "I'll just – go to work then. You're sure Teresa?"

She let out a slow breath and nodded. "I'll be fine. Don't worry, I'm just going to rest here and maybe watch some TV. I'll call."

He nodded and then he hurried over to her and gave her a kiss. "Kay – be good."

She watched as he drove away and then sighed and made her way to the couch. She knew she wouldn't be there for long before she had to get up and pee but at least she could take some weight off her feet for a while.

Leaning back she put her feet up and then clicked the remote. She didn't really want to watch TV but there wasn't much else to do. She wasn't used to being off work and would much rather have gone in with Patrick. Still, she knew she wouldn't have accomplished much there either and the chair at work was killing her.

The problem was she was already over due by eight days and she was big – huge in fact. Patrick tried to tell her she really wasn't that big, but she knew he lied. She was small and there was nowhere else for the baby to go but out. It was a good thing that Patrick wasn't a big man or else she probably would have exploded. Her doctor said the baby was a good size but wouldn't be too big – it was just all out towards the front. She told Teresa that they'd wait until the two-week mark and then she'd induce.

She rubbed her stomach. "Aren't you ready to come out and see your mommy and daddy little one?" The baby kicked at just that moment and she smiled. "Yeah, I'm ready too. So, you can come out at any time.

She kept flipping through the channels, unable to find anything that interested her. She shifted on the couch, feeling uncomfortable and rather teary. Her back was aching and she was just plain ready to have this baby.

Patrick arrived at work and immediately made his way to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. It wasn't that he really wanted one – he'd just finished a big cup at home – but it made him feel somehow in control. He glanced down at the teacup and scowled. He liked tea – he really did – but even he had to admit it was something of a security blanket for him.

He headed out to the bullpen, cup in hand, and glanced around to see everyone already at work. He was late this morning, having spent a long time arguing with Teresa about whether or not to come to work. Abbott glanced up from his desk and raised his brows at Jane. He just shrugged in reply and his boss grinned. Yeah – he knew damn well Teresa had made him come in.

"Teresa make you come in?" Cho asked, not looking up from his desk.

He plunked down on his couch. "Yeah", he answered despondently, taking a sip of tea. He frowned and looked at it. It tasted funny this morning. One sip later and he put it down on the floor beside him. He really didn't want tea.

"How's Teresa doing?" Vega asked. "She's really overdue, isn't she?"

"Eight days", he replied, sounding depressed. "She's fine. Crabby."

Wylie laughed and then looked embarrassed. He quickly started to work on his computer, as he wasn't yet comfortable enough around Jane to tease him.

"Just wait", Jane growled "One day you'll have a pregnant wife and then see how funny you find that."

"Sorry", Wylie grimaced. "I didn't mean to laugh."

"Yes you did", Jane sighed. "But I assure you, a crabby Teresa is not funny."

"You should be used to it by now", Cho informed him.

"Yeah, I know. But this is different."

"How is it different?"

"This time it's not my fault!"

There was a long pause, which he would have described as pregnant if it wasn't for the horrible irony, when no one spoke. It was, of course, Cho who broke the silence.

"Yes it is", he said, matter of factly. "Unless the baby isn't yours."

"Of course it's mine", he said sharply. "Whose else would it be? And if you say Pike I'll find a gun and shoot you. It is mine." Then he sighed again. He really didn't like feeling so out of control.

"Look who's crabby now", Vega muttered as she turned and headed towards her desk. Wylie choked, but when Jane glared at him he appeared to be hard at work on his computer.

The others quickly got back to work and Jane sat on his couch. Or at least he tried to sit on his couch. He was up every few minutes, wandering around the floor. He snorted to himself – he must be channeling Teresa, although thankfully he didn't have to pee every ten minutes.

Instead he did a lot of sighing, muttering, pacing, fidgeting and heel tapping. He began to get glares from the agents on the floor, although for once he didn't really notice what was going on around him. He was worried – he had a right to be worried.

He wandered back into the kitchen and made himself another tea. After one sip he grimaced and poured it down the sink. Instead he opened the refrigerator and peered inside. Maybe there was something good to eat. He reached his hand in to grab an intriguing looking container –

"That's mine!" Agent Marcos said sharply. He reached around Jane and grabbed the container. "You shouldn't steal other people's lunches Jane."

"I wasn't. I was just interested to see what it was. You know you should stop eating such fattening food don't you. I'd say you've put on around seven pounds in the last few months."

Marcos opened his mouth to reply but then closed it sharply. A second and a head shake later he spoke. "It if wasn't for the fact that I know you're nervous right now I'd tell you what I thought of that comment."

Jane waved his hand at the agent. "Sorry", he muttered. "Ignore me. Teresa tells me I'm being a pain in the ass and she's right. You actually look good. I expect you've added muscle, not fat."

Marcos grinned and opened the container of lasagna. "Good save there Jane. If you keep practicing you might actually stop irritating people."

"What would be the fun in that", he murmured, a small grin on his face. "Enjoy your lunch. It looks good."

"It is. There's a lot here – want some?"

This time Jane did smile but shook his head. "Not hungry, but thanks."

"Yeah, I felt like that before my kid came too. It'll be okay and soon you'll have a little Jane." Marcos turned with his plate and headed towards his desk. Jane was pretty sure he caught Marcos muttering 'poor little bugger'.

It was true. The poor child was going to have him as a father. What had he done? Well, he knew exactly what he'd done, and he'd enjoyed it immensely. But he and Teresa hadn't thought at all about consequences – and suddenly he was about to experience a big one. He was about to become a father again and he'd screwed it up royally the first time. What made him think he should even contemplate doing this again? He opened the fridge and groaned, slamming it shut. He then ran his fingers through his already messy hair, creating havoc with the curls and not caring in the least.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a hand grabbed his arm. He let out an unmanly screech and turned to find Cho standing beside him, his arm held tightly. "What did you do that for?"

"Come with me", Cho told him resolutely. He began to drag Jane through the office towards the stairs.

"Where are we going?"

"Out", the agent told him. He wouldn't say anymore, even though Jane complained bitterly. This time he did see the faces of the other agents – and they all wore various expressions of amusement. "I didn't want anyone to kill you and quite a few people were headed in that direction."

"Why?" Patrick asked, confused.

"You're driving us crazy. You've been sighing and pacing and fidgeting all day. Abbott gave me permission – no, he begged me to take you out of there."

"But where are you taking me?" he asked as he was manhandled to Cho's car. "Teresa doesn't want me to go home."

"That's a surprise. We're going to the gym."

"The gym? Why would I want to go there?"

"You can get rid of some of that nervous energy. It'll be good for you."

"I don't do gyms."

"Obviously not. Still, we're going."

"I don't have any clothes or shoes", Patrick answered triumphantly.

Cho didn't speak although a couple of minutes later he pulled up to a sporting goods store. "Out."

"Cho, I am not buying exercise clothing and I'm not going to the gym."

Cho made his way around the car, opened the passenger door and pulled Jane out. "Yes you are. You need to learn some defense techniques anyway. You're pathetic when it comes to that."

"I'm a consultant. I don't need -" His voice faded to nothing when Cho slowly turned to him and stared. "Okay fine – I've been in a few – pickles, when it comes to violence, but that was before. I'm fine now."

"A few pickles? Jane, you've almost been killed countless times and you've also gotten all of us almost killed. You need to be trained."

"Like a puppy", he muttered as he was dragged to the shoe department. A few minutes later – with much muttering – he was outfitted with sneakers, socks, a t-shirt and shorts. He held up the shorts and scowled. He was not going to be caught dead in those.

"You're going to wear them", Kimball told him as they made their way to the cashier.

"You can't make me Cho", Jane told him with confidence.

"Yes I can. If you don't I'll tell Teresa."

He scowled at the man he'd considered a friend, but who was now a traitor. "Do you really think that scares me?"

"It should." Cho stopped and faced the consultant. "Look, I know this is hard for you – we all do. I'm just trying to help you through this and exercise will take your mind off things. Just – try it."

"Fine", he sighed dramatically, although he was actually quite touched. He knew Kimball wasn't into expressing how he felt about people, and this was his way of being kind. Jane smiled. It was nice to have such a loyal friend.

He paid for the items and soon they were on their way to the gym. Jane was just glad he hadn't been forced to use the FBI gym in their building. He couldn't have taken the teasing he was sure to have gotten from the guys there.

He spent the afternoon on various pieces of equipment, working up a sweat and generally getting rid of lots of nervous energy. He even spent a short time learning a few defensive techniques from Cho. He was pretty abysmal at them but was willing to try. It was true that they might come in handy one day, especially if Teresa got really mad at him.

By the time he took a shower he was tired – and hungry. It was the first time all day that the idea of food appealed to him. He was really grateful to Cho for having made him do this. It had enabled him to get through the day without going crazy with fear.

"So – we have time to stop for something to eat?" he asked, rubbing his hands together. "I'm hungry."

"Sure. How about pizza?"

"Excellent! Pizza it is and maybe even a beer. First I should call Teresa." He pulled out his phone – which he'd kept close all day. He waited while it rang, a frown forming as she didn't pick up. He was just about to try again when there was a click.

"Teresa?"

"Jane?" a faint voice murmured. He sat up straight.

"Yes. What is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's – wrong", she said haltingly. "I'm just in labor. You – uh – might want to get home and take me to the hospital."

"I'll be right there!" he looked at Cho with terror-filled eyes. The other man nodded and started the car. He even went so far as to turn on the siren and soon they were speeding through the streets of Austin, lights blazing and siren blaring

"Are you okay?" he asked. "Teresa?"

"Just a contraction", she answered after a long pause. "I'm fine – don't worry."

"How frequent are they?"

"Every -" there was another pause, although it was shorter this time. "Sorry – just getting more comfortable. Every five minutes or so. Don't worry Jane. Everything is going to be – oh dear."

"Oh dear? Oh dear what? What happened? God – hurry up Cho."

"I'm hurrying", he other man answered calmly. He glanced at Jane. "Something wrong?"

"I don't know. Teresa – for God's sake, answer me. What is it?"

"Uh – my water just broke. Damn it – now I have to change."

Jane heard some panting and a soft groan. He was sweating and felt nauseous. Damn – he should have been with her. "Can you go -?"

"I'm going as fast as I can. We'll be there soon."

Jane nodded. "Teresa?"

"Sorry, just another contraction and that one hurt. Are you coming home?"

"Of course I am. We'll be there in -" he looked at Cho questioningly.

"Three minutes."

"In three minutes. Just hang on."

"I am", she laughed. "So, we're having a baby Jane. Who would have thought?"

He rolled his eyes and gave a strangled laugh. "Yeah – who would have thought all right?"

"You're happy aren't you?" she asked, suddenly sounding rather teary. "You do want this child, don't you?"

He sighed and answered. "Of course I do – you know I do Teresa. I love you and I'll love our child." He held his hand over his phone. "Pregnancy hormones!"

Cho actually grinned, just as they pulled up to the house. He got out quickly, although not nearly as quickly as Jane, who was already at the front door. He followed more slowly, wanting to give the couple a few minutes with one another. He still couldn't quite believe that the two of them were married, let alone having a child together. He couldn't wait to see what the kid would be like in a few years. It would certainly have some powerful genes to contend with.

"Teresa?" Jane slammed open the door to find an empty house. "Teresa!" he yelled.

"Upstairs", she called down. "I'm just -" silence ensued while he took the stairs three at a time. He barely noticed the pain in his thighs from all the exercise from today.

"Teresa?" He found her in their bedroom, her pants in her hand and tears on her face.

"I can't get them on", she cried.

"Here", he told her gently, kneeled down in front of her. "Let me help you."

She sniffed and nodded. "I can't bend Patrick. I'm so huge and the contractions hurt and we're going to have a baby and I'm scared and happy both."

"Me too", he laughed as he gently helped pull her pants up her legs. "Let's stand you up and then we should go."

She nodded and allowed him to help her stand and pull up her pants the rest of the way. She sniffed again. "I'm sorry", she began to cry.

He leaned back and looked at her with a frown. "What for?"

"For sending you away today. I know you just wanted to be with me and look after me and I'm so sorry. I was a total bitch!"

"You were not," he laughed. "And I was driving you crazy."

"You were okay at work?" she asked with a hiccup.

"No – I drove everyone crazy there too. Cho finally took me to the gym."

"To the gym? You?"

"Hey, don't look so shocked. I'm not that out of shape."

"I didn't say you were. I just have never imagined you working ou -W!" She clutched him tightly and panted while she rode out the next contraction. "That really hurt", she told him tearfully.

"Let's go. Time to get you to the hospital." He helped her downstairs and then ran up quickly to get her bag. Cho was waiting by the door and held on to her until Jane returned.

"Hi Teresa. How are you?"

She laughed at that. "Having a baby I guess."

He smiled. "Good for you. I'll drive you guys to the hospital."

"Thanks Cho", she said.

They were both soon in the back seat of the car and Jane stuck close as he helped her deal with more contractions on the way. His heart was beating so hard he worried it would jump out of his chest, but he kept it together for Teresa's sake. At one point he'd caught Cho's eyes in the rearview mirror and felt warmed by the nod and look of approval given to him by the usually steely agent.

"We're here", Kimball announced. "I'll go park the car and then I can call people if you want?"

"Thank you", Teresa told him as she was helped from the car into a waiting wheelchair. "That would be – oh damn, here it comes."

"Thank you Cho", Jane said softly. "I – appreciate everything more than you know."

The other man shrugged. "Take it easy and good luck. I know things will be great."

The next few minutes were a flurry of activity as Teresa was checked in to a room and Jane filled out all the forms. By the time he made it to the delivery suite he was shaking with reaction. He paused in front of the door and took a deep breath, pulling out all his training to calm himself down. She didn't need to see him like this. She needed him calm and in control and – oh shit but he was having a baby!

He leant over and started to hyperventilate, the fear reaching up and gripping his heart – and his stomach – in tight coils. He couldn't do this. He couldn't watch her in pain. And what if there was something wrong? What if -"

"You can go in Mr. Jane", a nurse opened the door and smiled at him. "Your wife wants to see you. She's doing just fine."

He swallowed and quickly regulated his breathing. He could do this. He was a conman at heart, wasn't he? He could make her believe he was just fine, that he could handle –

"Oh, my poor darling", she cried, holding out her hand to him. "I'm fine Patrick and so is the baby. Every is going to be okay."

And suddenly here she was, comforting him. He felt ridiculous and guilty and soaked up the love she gave as she wrapped her arms around him and held him close – or at least as close as she could with basketball Jane in the way.

He felt her stomach become hard and knew another contraction was on the way. Instantly he shifted from the one receiving to the one giving comfort. His fears calmed once more as he reached out to help her and support her. He could do this – for her he could do anything.

"So, how was the gym?" she asked breathlessly, as the contraction subsided.

He laughed, although it was shakier than he would have liked. He rubbed his hand over his forehead, trying to surreptitiously get rid of the sweat. "It was fine. We should get one of those machines for our house."

"Really?"

"Mmm hmm. I need to stay healthy if I'm going to keep up with a little Jane."

She smiled. "I'm sure your son or daughter will appreciate that."

"I was talking about you", he said with a straight face.

She swatted him, causing him to grin. Teresa's swats were one of the ways she showed affection and he usually appreciated them – unless she was severely irritated and then they just hurt.

The contractions were coming hard and fast and Teresa talked less and concentrated more. He helped support her, rubbed her back, held her glass and gave her small snacks. She persevered like the amazing, brave woman she was.

At one point the pain grew so bad he wanted to cry himself. Instead he began speaking to her in a low voice, telling her to relax, to think of the baby, to be calm.

"Are you trying to hypnotize me?" she asked him quizzically.

"Is it working?" he'd grinned.

"A bit – keep trying."

In the end it had helped, a little. She'd calmed down and was able to ride out the pain more easily. For once he was truly grateful for his skills.

"You're doing great Teresa", he told her, both love and awe in his voice. "You're so strong and amazing!"

"You're just – saying that", she panted, "so I don't rip out your testicles for getting me into this."

He laughed, although he looked a little worried as well. The maternity nurse who was there gave him a wink.

"I hate to tell you this Teresa, but you were an equal partner in making this happen."

"Yes, but you don't have to have a basketball squeeze through your vagina as a result!"

"Uh – no," he agreed, with a soft 'thank God I don't have one', on the side. "But I have had to -," he swallowed the next words, realizing that he really did like his testicles and planned to keep them so saying any more would not be wise.

"You've had to – what?" she asked suspiciously. Fortunately – for him – another contraction hit and he didn't have to answer that. Instead he bathed her face with a cool cloth and allowed her to break all the fingers in his hand. Once she was done he shook it out, but wiped the look of pain off his face the moment her gaze returned to him.

"Thank you", she said softly.

"What for?" he asked with a smile.

"For this. For loving me, for being here with me, for giving me a child."

His smile grew wobbly and he leaned forward and rested his head gently on hers. "No – don't thank me. Thank you. I'm the one who's lucky to have your love and for the fact that you didn't go to DC but decided to stay and take a chance on me. And as for giving you a child – we did it together Lisbon." He smiled and kissed her softly. "It's our child – our baby. Thank you."

"I love you Patrick Jaaaa – ne – oh crap! I want to push! Damn it Jane – get the nurse, NOW."

He pulled the cord and then ran to the door, almost running into the doctor who was just coming in.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

"She says she has to push."

"That's good. Just let me take a quick look Teresa and see if you're ready to go."

"I'm ready all right!" his beautiful, amazing, wonderful, determined wife announced.

He held her hand as the doctor examined her, wishing he could take away some of her pain but knowing this was one time that he could do little. He hated seeing her like this, even though – paradoxically - it was the most beautiful sight in the world. She was his wife and she was having his child.

It was almost impossible for him to believe that the journey he'd been on for so many years had brought him to this point. He had never expected this but had been sure that once he'd gotten his revenge his life would be over. Instead, a whole new life had started.

It wasn't without pain – he wasn't without pain and knew he never would be, not completely. But along with it there was joy and anticipation and the pure wonder of the love of a good woman. There was the hope and excitement of watching a child grow and loving it – and there was terror – the terror that something could go wrong, that he could again lose it all.

But he refused to think about that right now. Instead he wanted to feel the wonder and happiness of this moment. He wanted to live, now that he knew he was once more loved by a good and strong woman.

"Okay – it's time to push Teresa."

He helped her sit up and prepare herself for one of the most physically demanding things she would ever do. Suddenly he felt calm and he gave her his biggest smile. "You can do this", he whispered.

She nodded. "With you – I can do anything."

Teresa pushed for over half an hour, at times complaining that she was too tired, that she had changed her mind and didn't want to have a baby. He'd laughed at that, although silently, knowing she'd probably burst into tears if she heard him.

She was rather endearing like this and he knew this was a memory he'd keep in his memory palace. Not her being in pain – but that she was no longer the cool, in control agent. Instead she was all woman – glorious, beautiful, strong woman.

"Here it comes Teresa", the doctor smiled. "Patrick, would you like to catch your child?"

He opened his mouth to say no. He'd screw it up – he'd do something wrong – he'd hurt the baby. But one look at Teresa, and the look of love and confidence and he nodded. "Okay."

Watching as his child descended into his hands was something he would never be able to describe so he didn't even try. Instead he simply allowed the moment to be seared into his soul. For the first time since the loss of his daughter and wife he believed. He believed that life could conquer death, that there was always hope and that a tiny child could redeem a man who thought himself irredeemable.

He felt the warm, soft and wet little body land softly into his hands. He grasped it gently, his whole being consumed with a fierce and abiding love for this little child. He couldn't help but simply stare at it for a few seconds, the wonder of it driving all thought and all action from him.

Just then there was a small cry and he smiled as the tears ran down his cheeks. He gently placed the baby on Teresa's stomach and took her hand and placed it on the baby's back. "Say hi to our son Teresa", he whispered.

The two of them watched, in wonder, as the tiny child – with thick black hair, which stood out straight from his head, and silver eyes, immediately searched for his mother's breast. He latched on, his hand curled tightly around his father's finger.

"He's beautiful", Teresa said, wonder in her voice. "He looks like you."

"He has your hair", the loving father commented, his eyes never leaving his son.

"I was hoping for curls", she said with a sigh.

"Too young for that", Patrick said with a smile. He reached out and carefully, softly stroked the velvet cheek. The little boy's eyes were beginning to close, although he still suckled energetically. "He's hungry."

"Just like his father. Although I'm going to make sure he's a coffee drinker."

"I think it's a bit early to be worrying about that." He leaned forward and whispered to his son. "Tea is much better."

"Everything looks great Teresa", the doctor said kindly once the afterbirth had been delivered. "Let me take a quick look at the baby and then you can get cleaned up. I hear there are some people in the waiting room as well."

Jane looked up in surprise. "Really?"

"Mmm hmm", the doctor grinned. "A bunch of FBI agents from what I hear. Scared the pants off the nursing staff."

Once baby Jane had been cleaned, weighed (7lbs 8 oz), measured (21 inches) and dressed his father took him. He sat and stared at the little boy who was still awake and who was looking blearily at the face above him.

He didn't know what to think at that moment. All he could do was feel. He felt – clean. It was as if this little body had washed away the years of hatred and vengeance and guilt and hopelessness that had lived within him. Oh, he knew that Teresa had started the process – her trust and friendship and then her love had also cleansed him – but not completely. That had needed the birth of an innocent child. That had needed new life – to cancel out the old.

He lifted his son up until his cheek was touching the little boy's. The tears again flowed from his eyes, anointing his son. "I love you little one", he whispered. He then lowered the baby and looked at his wife – who was smiling, but also had tears flowing down her cheeks. "Thank you", he said softly, seriously. "This is – the best gift I could ever receive." He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. "I love you Teresa Lisbon-Jane."

"Good, because I feel the same way", she smiled. At that moment the baby let out a soft cry, as if he was missing his parents' attention. Teresa and Patrick looked down at him and smiled.

All Jane could think was that this was what it meant to be truly happy.

Epilogue to follow. Name plus meeting the rest of the family!