Epilogue

Abbott coolly looked from one to the other, they just deadpanned him looking a picture of innocence. "A cynic might say that was a happy accident for you, it has certainly worked in your favour." He shrewdly observed.

"Indeed, it could almost make a hardened sceptic like me believe in a higher force." Jane's face gave nothing away.

"It's remarkable that all enquiries seem to meet a dead end, the CCTV in the hall seems to have been disabled, the hospital has no record of the paramedics or doctors who attended Mashburn. There seem to have been a whole sequence of happy coincidences, well at least from your perspective."Abbott tapped his fingers gently on the table then transferred his gaze to Lisbon who was as impassive as Jane.

Abbott would bet his bottom dollar that they had orchestrated events. They had covered their tracks impeccably and he had no inclination to pursue it but didn't want them to feel they had hoodwinked them.

"Alrighty then, let's deal with the matter of your severance Lisbon. It's been decided you have no case to answer and HR will be contacting you to iron out the final details. It's a real shame to lose someone as good as you Lisbon but perhaps too much water has passed under that bridge?" Abbott's gaze lingered on her looking for some sign of the mask slipping.

"Guess all good things must come to an end."Lisbon shrugged philosophically.

"Well all I can say is good luck to the two of you, but if our paths ever cross again professionally you'd better make sure that we are on the same side of the law. Now get out of here before I think twice about shelving this case." Abbott added with a twinkle in his eye.

Jane smiled warmly as he shook Abbott's hand "You're a good man. Just call us if you need anything off the books." Jane walked away with a smirk on his face then stopped and pulled something out of his pocket and turned to Abbott. "Oops. Don't know what that's doing there."Jane grinned and passed Abbott's phone back to him. "See you around Abbott."

Abbott just shook his head; the son of a bitch had picked his pocket."Just be careful Jane, very careful."

In the last few weeks the weight of the world had fallen off their shoulders. Free from the burden of responsibility, which she had borne since her teenage years, Lisbon lost that slightly worried frown as her face settled into a more relaxed demeanour. Jane was finally starting to get into a regular sleep pattern and the years just seemed to drop off him. They both looked fit and healthy and the benefit of "regular exercise" had left Jane looking leaner than he had for a long time. Lisbon had finally got him to forsake his formal attire; his new look of jeans, check shirt and slightly longer hair certainly set her heart racing.

They had fallen into an easy going relationship, still bantering and bickering but that was just their way.

Jane had contacted Dr Friedman to tell him about Rosalind's trigger, Jane hadn't wanted to deal with her himself, given his role in Mashburn's downfall. All Rosalind needed to know was that there had been a tragic accident, there was no point upsetting her further.

Although Jane suspected that Friedman and Rosalind had grown close, it would probably never amount to anything given their histories and the age difference but if those two lonely souls could find companionship in each other that was something.

Jane and Lisbon were paying a visit to the Rigsby's to see their new arrival and Cho, who had just passed out of Quantico with flying colours, would also be there. It was a picture to see Jane with the new born baby, every muscle of his face seemed to be smiling and Grace looked on a picture of contentment.

When Cho & Rigsby were a little way apart from them, Jane hugged Grace warmly thanking her for all she had done. Rigsby looked a bit confused as Grace had kept her activities undercover. He knew she was doing some desktop work for an events company in the last few weeks of her pregnancy and that they had been paid handsomely for her services. Rigsby didn't get involved in the intricacies of Grace's work and had just been happy to let her get on with it.

Cho observed the conspiratorial looks that passed between Jane, Lisbon and Grace; he had no intention of going there.

The slightly less astute Rigsby blundered in. "Why's he thanking you Grace?" Three pairs of eyes stared back innocently at him.

"Just drop it Rigs." Cho muttered.

"Drop what man?" Rigsby looked even more confused.

"Use your head, look at their faces. For the record I'm FBI now and I don't want to know." Cho insisted.

"Know what Kimball?" Lisbon teased softly.

"Crap Jane. You've really taken her over to the dark side. What have you done with my Boss?" Cho smiled as he shook his head.

Jane started to answer but Cho just interjected. "Don't! I really don't want to know."

"Message received. Deniability Cho, always the best course." Jane knew Cho was working on the premise that ignorance was bliss.

They had a great time remembering the old times and re-living Jane's escapades. Jane was barely recognisable from the shell of a man they had first met all those years ago. He had a much more relaxed easy persona these days, his arm was casually slung around Lisbon's shoulder and he thought nothing of pulling her in for the occasional kiss, much to Cho's chagrin.

"Just get a room man." Cho muttered, not entirely comfortable seeing his erstwhile boss in this new role.

"Been there and done it."Jane blithely replied before kissing Lisbon on her cute nose. Lisbon just wafted him good humouredly.

Rigsby spluttered at Cho's face, while Grace just sighed serenely.

"Honestly, it's like being with two horny teenagers." Cho complained.

As they were leaving, Jane leant toward Grace and whispered. "By the way Grace, if you would stop tracking my phone now, I won't tell Wayne you can read his texts." Her eyebrows shot up, as he planted a kiss on her cheek.

A few days later Lisbon found the Airstream parked outside, she looked at Jane enquiringly. "I hope you're not thinking what I think you are thinking." She couldn't help the smile on her face.

"Where's your spirit of adventure woman?" He teased.

"Adventure!" She exclaimed. "The past ten years have been one long adventure, I've been shot, dumped in the dessert, suspended, been on crutches, accused of murder all in the name of adventure ...Honestly, I really don't know how I've put up you."

Jane rolled his eyes and did the only thing guaranteed to shut her up. In between kisses he gasped. "So I take it that's a yes?"

"Uumm, only if we have some nights in a proper room, with mints on the pillow, along the way." She said huskily before returning to the matter in hand.

So it was they embarked on their latest adventure, they would make their way through the Yosemite National Park down to Vegas. Who knows they may even stop at a little chapel on the way before going down to Mexico for some winter sun.

They would have to return to the real world at some stage but were content be free spirits in the short term. The one thing Lisbon knew for certain was that life would never be dull with Patrick Jane.

A/N Just a short round up to finish and tie up some loose ends. I know it's a bit OOC but I just fancied finishing on a lighter note.

My sincere thanks to anyone who has taken the time and trouble to review and read this.