Author's notes: Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, and to the new favs and followers. I knew this was going to be the hardest chapter to date and it didn't fail me. I really hope it works.

Patrick watches as the nurse flusters, her face turning red with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry…"

"Don't stand there apologising, what do you mean, my wife! My wife is dead, the only person who's visited me has been my friend…"

As Jane gesticulates the ring on his left hand catches his eye, stopping him mid-sentence. It's different, it's not his, but it must be, why would he be wearing it? He slumps back on the pillows. The nurse moves towards him.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Jane…"

Patrick waves her apology away.

"Please leave me alone."

The nurse stops.

"Of course."

She turns and walks out the door in search of Doctor Armitage.

Patrick stares at the ring, twisting his hand to look at it at different angles. After a few moments he slowly removes it from his finger. He rolls it between a finger and thumb. It's newer, but not really new. He looks for an inscription, but there isn't one. It's definitely not the one Angela put on his finger. He studies his, now, empty ring finger. The mark of the absent ring clearly showing. He's worn it for long enough.

He remembers the conversation he had with Lisbon, how uncomfortable she was. He'd mistaken the reason why. He's married to Lisbon – Teresa, explains the Patrick. How does he feel about it? He sinks back against the pillows as he searches within himself as he lets the idea, the fact, sink in. He closes his eyes and conjurs up Lisbon's – Teresa's face before him. He can't help the smile forming on his lips at the memory of her delightful smile, when she knows she got the upper-hand for once. Her green eyes sparkling with amusement and victory. As much as he likes to win, has an almost pathological need to win, it's his favourite smile.

He feels a warmth settling in himself. The realisation isn't unsettling, he's cared about her for a long time. Has he loved her just as long? The Red John days were so filled with hatred, revenge, guilt and fear, there was no room for love. That he allowed their friendship to blossom was scary enough, but he'd found it impossible to resist. He should have walked away, he was selfish to stay, to risk her life, because he couldn't stand the thought of facing the day, facing his battle without her. When he was in Las Vegas, he always knew he would be returning and that had made the absence palatable. The newly acquired memory of his return to the USA, his seeing Lisbon, Teresa, for the first time at the FBI building pushes its way to the front of his mind. The joy he felt as she turned around, he'd missed her so much. He gathered her into his arms as much to confirm she was really there, this was no figment of his imagination. At that moment he realised he didn't care what happened to him now he'd returned. All that mattered was that he was back and he had his best friend back in his life again.

Patrick almost laughs out loud. That's really what he thought to himself: 'His best friend' He'd been away for two years and couldn't, or wouldn't recognise it for what it was. You really are a coward Jane, or clueless. He understands what was driving him. He'd lost once, he didn't want to lose again. He feared he wouldn't survive a second time. He speaks out loud:

"At least that's what you told yourself. In reality you didn't want to hurt like that again. Survival has never been an issue with you."

He looks at the ring and defends himself:

"I did it though. I found the courage to overcome my fears, I've risked it all. I wonder why? How? What shoved me along that path?"

He stares at the ring contemplating, musing to himself and then it hits him:

"She must have been going away."

More memories begin to unfold, one leading to the next. Pike, he only wants her to be happy – "Idiot" is his commentary on that line, though he did recognise his sincerity. He groans at his antics in Miami, and almost cheers Lisbon's -Teresa's response. The dash to the airport, his spouting of his deepest feelings as he watches Lisbon - Teresa dissolve into tears, telling him it's too late, and him almost wishing that it was, she deserved so much more.

The tender scene in security, where he looked at her in a daze, hardly believing she was there in front of him. She- Teresa, wasn't on the plane, she was sitting in front of him. She asked him to repeat that he loved her, but all he wanted, once more, was the reassurance that she was real. He leaned over and kissed her for the very first time.

How could he ever forget that first kiss? He was shaking, sure he'd kissed twice before, but not like this. Not when it meant so much, when he was trying to convey so much. As their lips met he felt a deep warmth enter his being, a feeling that he was finally where he was supposed to be, finally his heart was open. The kiss was gentle and slow, not wanting it to end. When they parted he stared at her, enjoying the slight flush in her cheeks, knowing he'd put it there. They shared an embarrassed smile, she brushed back her hair from her face.

"Abbott's getting you out of here, the officials are being a little stubborn."

He shrugged and sat back in his chair as the door opened.

As he ponders over this revelation, allowing it to sink in, enjoying the memories that follow, the rest of the conversation hits him with a fierce blow to his chest, so hard he can hardly breathe. She's had a child, although he realises now she never confirmed it, it was clear, she had the eyes of a Mother.

I'm a Father!

Austin sits on Teresa's lap, they're halfway through their third story. She reaches out and strokes his face, pushing his fringe away from his eyes. She can still see the tracks left by the tears shed when he discovered he wasn't going to see his daddy. She'd sat him down and explained that he was just too ill at the moment. She felt bad when she lied to him, telling him that children weren't allowed to visit him, but that he would be able to soon. Although she's been able to distract him with books and games she knows the tears will start once more when she has to leave. She glances up at the clock, Cho will be here in half an hour.

She's dreading it, almost as much as she can't wait to see him. Her phone rings and after digging it out of her pocket she recongnises the number as Dr. Armitage's office. Her stomach twists, certain there must be a problem.

"Hi."

"Mrs Jane?"

"Yes."

"This is Penny, Dr. Armitage's nurse."

She wants to come straight out and ask what the problem is, but is mindful of Austin listening in.

"What is it?"

"Dr. Armitage instructed me to call, he wonders if you could come in straight away and talk to him before you see Mr. Jane?"

Nothing the nurse is relaying is making Teresa feel any better.

"I have to wait for my baby sitter, he'll be here in half an hour."

Teresa hears muffled tones, surmising the nurse has covered the mouthpiece while she talks to someone else. Penny comes back on the line.

"Sorry about that Mrs Jane, Doctor Armitage just came in and I relayed your information. He wants to talk to you."

Teresa waits impatiently as the phone is passed to him. She's aware of Austin listening closely to the conversation.

"Teresa."

"Yes."

"You can bring the children in with you."

"I'm not sure that's wise…"

"Patrick remembers."