(A/N: Sorry to make you wait so long! travel + illness (better now) make for slow writing. It's a longer chapter though, so hopefully makes up for the delay! :))
Within a month of their return to Austin, Teresa had met with Abbott about her plan to separate from the FBI in tandem with Jane, at the end of his contract. She had dreaded telling her boss, even though her heart remained resolute about following through on her promise to put her life with Jane first.
Since childhood - even before the struggles had begun with her father - Teresa had always felt the need to be seen as responsible and reliable; always working to make her elders and superiors proud. Because of that, her anxieties were on high alert in the days leading up to the reveal. She feared the dreaded looks of disappointment and disapproval that were bound to co-mingle on Abbott's face when she dropped her bombshell news.
To her relief, though, Dennis had been very understanding, and was less surprised than Lisbon had expected. That fact quieted some of the 'status quo' voices in her head that had begun whispering messages of guilt into her subconscious.
In contrast, Jane was completely floored by how quickly his favorite cop had followed through on her promise by publicly announcing her intentions. He was actually quite unsettled by it.
It wasn't that he didn't believe her, but he'd always known his beloved partner to be thoughtful and slow with making life decisions of this magnitude. He was extremely touched by her actions, but the man also worried that Teresa may have second thoughts later, once her careful, analytical mind had a chance to catch up with the uncharacteristically quick decision her heart had made in Chicago. As desperate as he was to keep Lisbon safe, he didn't want her to be miserable later - especially if she blamed him for it.
To gauge the situation, Patrick had a play in motion that would both show his true delight in her decision, while also acting as a sort of litmus test to see if he could read any regrets on her face about that decision. He felt uneasy, because by nature of the plan he could NOT let her in on his intentions ahead of time. But he discerned it was for her own well-being, and for the well-being of their relationship long-term; so, a little beating around the bush would hopefully be forgivable if she called him on the temporary secrecy.
After laying the groundwork with phone calls and a few clandestine lunch meetings, Jane was ready to launch into the 'research' portion of his plan with Lisbon. His nervous anticipation was barely controllable as he walked to his partner's desk and stood with his hands behind his back, patiently waiting for her 'focused face' to show signs of a pause.
"Hey," he chirped happily.
"Hey," she looked up with a smile, immediately wondering what her favorite showman was up to; that greeting was a tad too chipper and he seemed anxious about something.
"So… um… Teresa, I've been thinking about what you said in Chicago."
"Which thing?"
"The part where you said you could see yourself making a difference outside of the dangers of law enforcement."
"Okay?" She smiled, angling her chin with curiosity; hoping her partner wasn't going to try and talk her out of it, now that she'd taken official steps to seal the deal. She'd have to kill him if that was the case - which would be a shame, considering how much she loved him and all.
"And I was thinking of the alternate options you listed… all those community outreach ideas and the thoughts of opening a shelter and training center."
Teresa's eyes lit up. She'd been completely serious when she'd rattled off that list; every one of those options excited her. The idea that Jane had been thinking about them too made it seem more real somehow. She wasn't ready to hang up her badge this very day or anything, but she had to admit to a growing enthusiasm in her heart, as her partner rattled off possibilities. "Yeah?"
"Yeah! Well, I thought: why wait? I still have a few years indebted to Dennis but we could lay the groundwork now, couldn't we? So the programs have time to grow?" He moved closer, leaning his hands on her desk as he sparkled at her. "Your community center - or whatever it ends up being - could be in full swing by the time we're ready to transition to fulltime with it?" He popped his eyebrows up anticipating her response.
"Jane, I would love to start laying that foundation - it'll make the transition much easier when we reach our pivot point too!" She loved seeing his mind at work with this new plan; and the whole endeavor would be that much more perfect if they could continue to work as partners.
Beaming with satisfaction at Lisbon's answers thus far, Jane upped the stakes, putting on an air of suspense: "So… in that case…" he moved around the desk behind her and hovered his chin near her right shoulder, "I sort of bought the art house."
Teresa snapped her head to the side, looking at him with surprise. "You did what?!"
"I bought the art house!" He straightened, arms wide, palms up as if presenting the idea from a stage. "Thought it might be a wonderful base of operations for our plans and pilot programs."
"OUR plans and programs, eh?" She poked playfully.
"Well yes… I mean, they are your plans my dear but we've both made promises to share all of our plans, haven't we? So, what's mine is yours and what's yours is mine," he grinned as she rolled her eyes. "And hey - there's probably enough space to house the shelter there, too," he sparkled nearly enough to cover his nerves. His love had reacted positively to his plans thus far but Lisbon was obviously caught off guard by the fact he'd taken such a concrete step forward with things. And he thought he saw something else: a tinge of concern.
"How'd you pull it off, Jane?" She wondered, giving him the side eye, smirking in suspense.
"I simply didn't give them the chance to refuse - I can be quite persuasive you know," he grinned.
"You know what I mean - where'd you get the money?"
Patrick noted the decidedly suspicious look in his partner's eyes as they peered sternly at him from beneath her raised eyebrows. He'd suspected this point might be at the heart of the concern he saw on her face. "It's my money. I got it from the bank," he whined in defense.
"Which bank's that? The carny savings and loan? You don't have a clown for an accountant, do you?" She goaded playfully, wrapping her fears about the cash in a tease.
"Very funny," he rolled his eyes. "But no, my accountant is a typical human and the account is at a Los Angeles area bank." The consultant took a half step sideways toward the window, focusing on the outside air as he explained the rest: "It's money I bilked from suckers decades ago and it's been gathering dust. All of it feels tainted, which is why it's still there. But I thought today it might finally be put to good use. Maybe its support of this effort will somewhat make up for the way it was earned."
Lisbon's eyes moved from poorly-veiled suspicion to full-on empathy - and some sadness - as Jane told the tale. Her heart couldn't take seeing him sink back into guilt like he was - even temporarily. She stood and walked to him, slipping her hand around his. "I think it's a wonderful way to use it, Jane. Feels like the money will be investing itself in the same neighborhood it originally came from… in a way," she peered into his thoughtful eyes, hoping to see a glimmer of relief.
He pulled his eyes away from downtown Austin to smile at his big-hearted partner. She always knew what to say about these things. And he was comforted that she understood - rather than being disgusted by the connection to his past cons, or refusing to allow him to contribute the spoils to her passion project. "That's a lovely thought, Lisbon; I do hope you're right…" his eyes were deep with emotion: "Thank you, my dear."
Lisbon twinkled graciously as her head slowly dipped into a nod, her lips turning up in a shy smile. It always overwhelmed her heart just a little when she affected him so visibly. It was as if the weight of his gaze when it carried full sincerity was more than her own eyes could take in. The result was usually a slightly awkward nod coupled with a muted nervous giggle. She couldn't remember anyone else in her history having such an effect.
"My pleasure, Jane," she gave his hand a squeeze before the sound of approaching footsteps hurried her back to work on the pile of reports she'd left on her desk.
"Lisbon… Jane…" Dennis Abbott smiled as he walked toward the partners.
"What's up Boss?" Lisbon asked eagerly.
"Something came across my desk today that made me think of you two and your post-FBI plans."
The partners shared a quick glance of curious energy. Neither could place whether that energy was excitement or anxiety.
"Do tell, Dennis," Jane queried with knitted brow.
"There is an effort from the top brass in DC to initiate more community outreach in the districts surrounding our field offices. They are mandating that we partner with community agencies and draw up a five-year plan… No later than the end of the year. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this almost exactly the sort of thing you had in mind?"
Lisbon was awestruck for a moment, jaw hanging open in disbelief that yet another perfectly-timed door had opened so easily for her efforts toward the future community center. "Wow, Sir… That is right up our alley! I'd like to see what sorts of control they're hoping to exert obviously - we want to be an independent agency - but it might be a perfect fit having FBI resources in partnership with our efforts!"
"I agree," Jane nodded. "And don't worry Lisbon. you know the feds will never pull one over on you as long as I'm around," he glimmered devilishly.
She smirked in recognition. "I have no doubt," she winked.
In between cases over the next few months, Lisbon and Jane worked with a team of community volunteers and public servants to design and construct the art house spaces into Lisbon's future 'community center' vision. They met with Abbott and the team on a regular basis too, constructing a plan for the FBI's tentative future involvement. Wylie was especially excited to have been named 'cybersecurity lead,' and planned to also take charge of setting up the gaming room and arcade for the eventual kids' space there.
The side project and its necessary onsite work at Jane's newly-purchased property took so much of their personal time that they barely saw their actual homes at night anymore. Instead, the partners had claimed the upstairs bedroom of the art house as their own, using the adjacent room as a sort of business office for the project.
Each night they shared moonlit cuddles on the white leather sofa downstairs, or handheld walks around the perimeter of the building. Occasionally, Jane would insist on reenacting the pancake dinner he'd surprised Teresa with during the art sting. And occasionally Lisbon would show up to dinner wearing the blue party dress he'd wrapped her in that night - to his visible delight. Through the process the couple had grown closer than ever, and had enjoyed their reprised play-acting as the 'art-savvy couple' from the heist operation that had put this house into their lives.
Teresa was having flashbacks to that operation, remembering how she'd daydreamed about the two of them together in this house, as a trendy art couple. It had seemed so romantic and exciting. It had seemed completely unrealistic, yet here they were. Leave it to Jane to make ages-old secret daydreams come true, she laughed inside. Yes, it had been fun pretending and imagining, but truth be told, Teresa's heart had been a little sad lately. Patrick seemed to be having such a good time with the whole thing; he'd even worn that gorgeous scarf once or twice, sparkling like crazy. Lisbon prayed he wouldn't be heartbroken by what she had to say tonight:
"Jane?"
"Yes, Lisbon?"
"You know I love you right?"
"I do," he grinned, amused.
"And you know I love the fact you bought this house and are getting things started with the community programs?"
"Yes, dear," he confirmed, growing puzzled.
"And it's been fun living here together, pretending to be a fabulous couple- "
"We ARE a fabulous couple," he twinkled.
"You know what I mean," she swatted at him rolling her eyes.
"I do. Sorry Lisbon, please continue."
"Well… it's just… " she sighed, "it's just not me," her eyes looked at him apologetically, with underlying hope that he would understand. "This house, this 'fashionista party girl' role, it's just too much - especially after days in the field. I'm more 'beer and a ballgame,' ya know?"
With a relieved exhale, Jane agreed: "Oh thank god; I've been thinking the same thing!"
"You have?!" Teresa perked up with a smile.
"I have," he smiled back.
"Why didn't you say anything?" She had an amazed look on her face, jaw hanging open in surprise.
"What can I say, dear Lisbon; your acting skills have improved significantly, and I thought you were truly enjoying the whole charade, so I didn't want to take it away from you by voicing concern." He leaned close for a tender kiss. "And what's more: I have an idea."
"What's that?"
"I found this property… and it's got a lovely pond with some ducks- "
"Ducks?!" Lisbon laughed. "I'm not sure ducks are 'me' either!"
"There are no ducks in all of Chicago, Lisbon?" He sparkled, teasingly.
"I just mean that- "
"Please come see it with me Teresa? I think it could be an answer to the mismatch we've been feeling with this place? Obviously, our future home should be shared between us - we've been quite inseparable for months now, but you're right; this mansion isn't very homey. We could keep the art house for the shelter and the programs but make our eventual home on this new property I've found - if you like it? Please bear with me? Just give it a chance?"
"Okay Patrick, I will bear with you," she smiled, shaking her head in amusement.
"Excellent! We have an appointment with the realtor tomorrow," he beamed.
"Of course we do," she snorted giving him a nudge. "Typical," she rolled her eyes.
"You're gonna love it Teresa, this will be great!"
After their tour, and after a picnic lunch by the waterside, sitting amongst the reeds and prairie grass, the partners were cuddled closely, looking with pride at the soon-to-be-renovated cabin just beyond the duck pond:
"Wow… now you've talked me into moving out to the country!" Lisbon laughed in tender amazement as she nudged her beloved partner, garnering a shy smile. "I always told myself I was never gonna be one of those women who got swept off her feet by a man. My opinion was that those women lacked control over their lives and I thought it was sad they allowed someone else to affect their trajectories."
Amused and curious, Jane turned to face his partner: "Okay?"
"But look at me now, here with you. I had everything all mapped out for my life, and I let you smash it all to hell," she laughed congenially.
Patrick's eyes turned sad. "I'm sorry Teresa… I didn't mean to- "
"Shh…" she leaned closer, assuaging his worries with a tender kiss. "I wasn't done," she winked. "I was about to say, I let you smash my life plans to hell, AND thank God I did. Jane, I have never been happier than I've been these past few months with you. And even before you promised to bring me into your secret plans, and into your beautiful heart, I was praying thanks for our reunion. I meant what I said about the world being colorless without you: The day you walked into the CBI? In my mind that day was like Dorothy landing in Oz - do you remember that movie? It's all black and white until she walks out onto that yellow brick road?"
"A cinema classic, my dear," he beamed.
"You are the technicolor in my life. The experiences I've had with you, the things I've learned from you - even about myself," Teresa pulled him closer and growled, "the tingles that travel all over me when you're near…"
"Tingles are good," he grinned.
"All of these things have enriched my life to such a degree that my original plan needed to break open, in order to make room. I never imagined or planned for how big life could feel… I'm so grateful to have been swept off my feet by you, Patrick Jane. You're probably the only man who could've pulled it off," she said cheekily, sparkling with adoration for the man in her arms.
"So, what you're saying then is…" he wiggled his eyebrows with an ornery grin. "I'm the Wizard of Oz?"
"You're hilarious, and yes - you'd be right at home in Oz," she playfully pushed her weight into him as he held her. "But hey, if you're the Wizard, then who am I? What did you claim before, with Minelli? Wasn't it Glenda?"
Jane chuckled with the memory. "Much better than Glenda, my dear," he held her gaze with sincerity, "you are the Emerald City."
Lisbon's face flickered with a quick wave of enchanted surprise.
"All sparkly and magical… the destination of the yellow brick road I've been meandering on for years… the place where lost travelers find out that what they've been searching for has always been in their own back yard… You are the Emerald City, my beautiful Teresa… and there's no place like home."
Lisbon had no words. She simply held him tighter, burying her face in his chest.
Jane tightened his embrace in reaction, his face unable to hide the thick emotion that overwhelmed him. The amazing woman in his arms… the beautiful pond and natural setting… the sunshine sparkling on the water… reflections playing with the ducks as they glided past… After all his mistakes and tragedies was it possible to be this happy? This full of joy and adoration? He was so intensely grateful… "Love you, Lisbon," he whispered.
After one more squeeze, Teresa moved her hands to his cheeks, looking into him gently. "Love you, Patrick."
The two shared a host of tender kisses, hearts fluttering madly. For a long moment after, they held still… lost in each other's eyes… This felt so right…
Jane had made up his mind about something months ago - after his heart had broken open with renewed devotion to Teresa, hearing her promise to hold his well-being above the needs of the job. He had been pondering his idea even earlier than that, but her words on that Chicago night had sealed it. And now, as he marveled at his current view, being lovingly caressed by her depthless emerald pools, his heart refused to wait any longer.
"Teresa…" Jane broke the tender silence.
"Yes, Patrick?"
"I want the fairytale ending, my dear," Patrick glimmered, holding a shiny something in his right hand.
The sunlight made it hard to see at first. Was it a ring he was showing her? Teresa went to squeeze Jane's other hand and immediately noticed the change: there was no metal band there; the fingers on his left hand were bare.
Lisbon's eyes got big and her heart jolted with hopeful anticipation: What did he mean about fairytale endings exactly? She wasn't much for mushiness but Patrick's charms had a way of bringing out her inner romantic. She found herself yearning for 'happily ever after,' too.
"Teresa Lisbon?"
Why was he using her full name? What was going on? Lisbon's head was spinning. She barely had air to whisper a stunned response: "Patrick Jane?"
"I want you to be my wife," he smiled warmly, with an undercurrent of nervousness.
"What?" She whispered breathlessly; eyes shiny with tears.
"I promised to share all my plans with you, Lisbon… to let you in on every part of my life. But the secret is out: you are my life. Please let me wake to your emerald sparkle every morning and drift to sleep with you every night? Please say yes, love?"
Wow… his wife? Lisbon's face showed her amazement as her eyes flitted around trying to get a grip on the question. Was this real? Yes, they had been a happy couple for a long time now, and yes, they were practically living together already, but she'd never fully allowed herself to believe he'd ever be ready to bestow that sacred title on another woman… She had long ago come to terms with the possibility he would only ever be able to see his beloved Angela in that role.
"Teresa?" He gently nudged, sweetly amused by her typically jittery reaction. But growing concerned by her lack of response. "What do you say, my dear? Will you marry me?"
With an embarrassed laugh at making him wait for an answer, Lisbon dipped her head into a slow nod of approval. "Yes," she giggled away some more nerves, "yes I'll marry you." She leaned into him and held tight.
"Thank you, love," he wrapped both arms around her, chuckling away some of his own nervous tension from the suspenseful moment his heart had just had. "Whew! Had me worried there!"
"Oh, come on - 'I'm translucent to you,' so you always say," her eyebrows were high, awaiting his explanation, still giddy with the current state of their relationship.
Jane sighed, "Yeah… but not all the time, Teresa. In so many ways, you're still a mystery to me," he glimmered adoringly at his raven-haired fiancée.
"I am?" She sparkled back, fully enamored of his confession.
"You are," he breathed, pressing a warm kiss onto her smiling lips.
A moment after, Lisbon's face grew taut with some worry, followed by a smile and look of proud resolve. "Jane?"
"Yes, my dear?"
"You know how I hate event planning right?"
"I do, love," he chuckled at that truth.
"Well how would you feel about kicking things off at the center with a grand opening that doubles as a wedding reception?"
Patrick turned to her with a smile, "I think that's genius Lisbon! You called it!"
"I am quite smart you know," she grinned proudly, glowing in the most adorable way possible.
"You are!" Jane agreed. He loved it when she got this way: his hardened cop softening to sweet innocence. He loved it ALMOST as much as he loved riling her up. "Not as smart as me, mind you, but still - a promising effort, my dear!" He sparkled coyly, enjoying the suspenseful anticipation as he awaited her comeback.
"Oh, a smart aleck, eh?" She volleyed, with a sly smirk and a competitive fire in her eyes. "Ya want one, Jane? Huh?" Her eyes sparked gorgeously as her fists threatened her favorite rabble-rouser. She wiggled her eyebrows; daring him to get her started.
He stood, brushing the prairie grass from his pants, "Teresa I'm tempted, but sadly I have a strict policy of nonviolence as you well know."
"Right..." she rolled her eyes sarcastically, refusing to look at her smooth-talking fiancé - heartened that she knew exactly what she was getting into with him, and had said 'yes' anyway - in fact, maybe she'd said 'yes' because of it. "You only have that policy when it suits you," she muttered playfully under her breath, not even noticing that her partner had stopped to peer into the grass beside him with great interest; lowering himself to the root of the growth, and was now cradling a small green creature in his hands.
"Surely you wouldn't attack this sweet defenseless frog, Lisbon. Besides, for all we know he's an enchanted prince."
"Oh!" Lisbon's eyes were saucers as she jumped to her feet and slowly backed away from the creature in Jane's hands. "Sweet and slimy maybe… I'm not so sure about defenseless…" she continued her stilted waltz backward. "Does it bite?"
"One way to find out," he sparkled with mischief, holding the frog closer to her.
"Jane… don't you dare…" she threatened.
"Don't I dare what?" He grinned. "Don't I dare…. THIS?!"
And the game of chase was on! Jane and the frog followed Lisbon closely - but not close enough; complete with chortles and squeals and giggles and threats. After several minutes, Teresa changed her strategy, turning to run toward her scheming fiancé and the supposed frog prince. Her countermove caught the fake psychic completely off guard, resulting in her tackling him - and the frog; all three plopping into the duck pond with a splash.
Once the partners regained their balance, and realized where they'd landed, the two were breathless with full-throated cackles and belly laughs for several minutes, ending with a long, endorphin-laden embrace.
"You're right Jane; I can totally see us in this place," Lisbon crowed with a chuckle.
Patrick chuckled back: "I can see it too, Teresa! It's totally 'us!' "
The frog hopped safely away as the newly-engaged lovers helped each other back to dry land, still falling victim to bursts of laughter at their ridiculous game of chase.
"Glad we drove the Airstream here," Lisbon quipped as they walked to the driveway.
"Why's that?"
"I need a shower," she laughed.
Jane smiled wide, "How interesting… so do I!"
"Ha! As if there's room for two people in that shower!" Lisbon snorted at the absurdity.
He stopped and turned, resting his hands on her hips. "My dear, we won't need much room. I intend to stay quite close to you throughout the cleansing process," his eyes were smoldering.
"Is that so?" She purred.
"Indeed, my dear," he growled. A Cheshire grin took over his face as he turned them both back on a path to the waiting Airstream; each happily anticipating a warm, sudsy party with which to celebrate their newly-betrothed status.
