Chapter 22

Another short chapter. The next one is definitely longer. Like I've said before, the little case with Alex's ex-boyfriend is not that big and I didn't want to spend that much time on it. It's just a small thing. I just used it to help Lisbon get better.

Disclaimer:Don't Own Anything

After going through Scooter's record, Cho right away sent a few FBI agents to watch over the

DeWinters house. Lisbon felt relieved knowing Alex would be safe from her ex-boyfriend. "Thank you, Cho. I appreciate it." Lisbon said shaking Cho's hand.

"Of course." Cho responded.

"So, Cho, how do you like being boss?" Grace asked

"Now you get to boss Lisbon around all the time. It's so cool." Wayne said. "And deal with Jane."

"Cho has been a good boss." Lisbon said.

"Oh, yes, he has been." Jane said. "I haven't worked quite as much."

Cho talked to the Austin PD about the gang in town and they knew about them because of reports of unrest by the gang in the local community. Cho realized the urgency of protecting Alex from Lisbon and getting a tight hold of the gang violence.

A few minutes later the phone rang and Wylie answered and they listened. He hung up, "Believe it or not Austin PD arrested the two gangs fighting out with each other and they caught them with the drugs. That Kevin Elliot included."

"That's lucky." Lisbon said. "But we still need to keep an eye on Alex."

"I think we can feel confident we've arrested key people and will be in prison a long time. I'll tell the agents to do that for a couple of days to be safe and for a short period of time." Cho said. "But we will keep track."

"Cho and Wylie, it shows technology, communication and teamwork with other police can help the situation. And I didn't have to do anything." Jane said relieved.

"Well, you are on paternity leave too." Cho said.

"I'm glad we didn't have to worry about Alex too long. She and Landon are safe now." Lisbon said.

Cho then turned to Wayne and Grace. "I'm glad you two were able to help out with Lisbon at such short notice."

"Oh, of course. We needed to be here." Wayne said.

Lisbon assumed Jane filled him in on why they came and about her bad depression the day before.

Cho then turned to her. "I hope you're feeling better. We need you." Cho said.

"I need my team." Lisbon said smiling a small smile getting back to herself.

Lisbon felt a lot better after going to see Alex and of course Grace reassuring her. She felt better taking care of the baby and took responsibility as soon as they arrived back home. Jane decided to cook for the friends that night. Jane and Lisbon along with Wayne and Grace came home and Jane right away went to work in the kitchen. Everyone offered to help him, but he refused and wanted to do it himself.

"This looks so good, Jane." Wayne said coming to the table seeing the spaghetti, salad and garlic bread.

"I'm very lucky to have him cook." Lisbon said smiling taking a chair besides.

"Only the best for you dear." Jane said sitting down. "Oh, and this is compliments of Cho. He gave us this after the baby's birth." Jane said bringing a wine bottle and pouring the wine glasses he set out.

"He gave you that?" Wayne asked. "It's a pretty nice bottle." Wayne noticed.

"Yup." Jane replied. "It was very generous."

"We've gone through a lot as a team." Grace said as everyone was seated down for the meal.

"I have to admit walking in the CBI was the best thing that happened to me not just because of looking at the Red John files, but meeting the team. Well, at least the team at the time with Cho, Rigsby and Lisbon." Jane said. Then he looked at Grace. "And of course Grace was another delightful member of the team that came along. I couldn't have done anything without you guys."

"I knew there was something special about Grace when I first looked at her file for new recruits." Wayne confessed grinning at his wife.

"You never told me that story before." Grace said to her husband.

"It's true, Grace. I saw your picture and it was love at first sight." Wayne said grinning.

"Of course, I knew Lisbon was special when I first met her." Jane admitted.

"Hey, I remember, Jane when you made me play that guy that was bullied in school at the high school reunion, while we're going down memory lane." Wayne said. "So, you wouldn't tell Lisbon about me and Grace." Wayne said before realizing he spilled the beans to Lisbon about Jane's ultimatum of him and Grace's secret affair.

"You were quite good, Wayne. You used your memory palace well." Jane grinned.

"That's how you got him to play the part!" Lisbon exclaimed to her husband. "You told me you promised him a day off."

"Yes, it's true. That's how I convinced him." Jane said sheepishly to his wife feeling guilty.

"Hey, I never got a day off then." Wayne replied taking a bite of spaghetti.

"You did a great job." Grace said to her husband. "I didn't realize you knew about us then." Grace asked Jane.

"Yes, I did. Remember, I knew all." Jane said grinning.

"Jane, did you have us go on the Buddy Hennings show on purpose?" Grace asked remembering clearing the air with Wayne and realized they always loved each other despite the regulations at the time that kept them apart.

"Of course, I did. Everything I did had an agenda. I knew you both still loved each other." Jane said.

"Well, we thank you for bringing us back together." Wayne said.

"It was my pleasure." Jane smiled at the couple then he turned to his wife. "Maybe we should've gone on there since you were such a fan." Jane teased. Lisbon rolled her eyes. Then he continued, "I would've realized my mistake in not telling you sooner how I felt about you." Jane paused. "Also I would've discovered what really flipped your switch was my vests." Jane grinned at Lisbon

Lisbon supposed at times she wished Jane told her sooner how he felt about her but she understood now he wanted to protect her from the serial killer that took over his life.

"It's still okay, that couldn't have beat a plane confession anyway." Lisbon said grinning. "The people on the plane were enough people to hear your undying love."

Wayne and Grace grinned at the exchange between their friends who took years for them to figure out their love for each other, longer than them, and now they had their beautiful baby girl. Grace decided she would respond, "We are glad you found each other in your own time." Grace said.

"I thank you, Wayne and Grace for coming here. This has helped me. I don't know why that depression happened. I realize I need to take care of my little girl and need my friends." Lisbon looked at her colleagues who became friends over the years. And then to her husband. "Of course, my husband was right. I'm not that person I was yesterday. I was feeling overwhelmed with adjusting and I just let the stress get to me. I love you for everything you did yesterday."

"I'm always here for you. Let's toast." Jane said lifting his glass of wine. "To wonderful friends."

"To friends." Grace raised up her glass.

"Friends." Wayne raised his up.

"Very good friends." Lisbon lifted her up.

The next day Wayne and Grace booked a flight back to San Francisco. "Again thank you so much for coming." Lisbon stated hugging Grace.

"Not a problem. We're here for you always. Keep us updated on your gorgeous girl." Grace said smiling. "She's such a gift."

"We will." Lisbon said.

"We're very happy." Jane said as he hugged his friends and finally, they waved goodbye to them.

I have to admit I had a hard time writing this chapter. I realized I didn't want to get involved with details with a case because this is not a case story. Next chapter is going to be Stan and his family visiting.