His Scarlet Stare

A/N: I'm sorry it's taken long to update this story. Life has been hectic for me. Anyway, thank you to all of you who have been reviewing religiously for the duration of this story. I love reading your reviews. So, thanks again for your constant support. I hope to see you all again at my next story.

Chapter eleven

Lisbon rolled over and groaned. Everything hurt. Her face throbbed, and her muscles ached. The constant memories form the night before hadn't stopped, but she ignored them. She stumbled half asleep through to her living room, and spotted Jane on her sofa. He was awake. The TV was on. A local news reporter Lisbon found vaguely familiar filled the screen. "Morning, Jane," mumbled Lisbon through a yawn.

Jane turned to her and smiled. "Good morning, Lisbon. Your eye looks a lovely shade of purple today."

Lisbon reached up and touched her eye. It hurt. "What's on?"

Jane indicated vaguely towards the TV. "Lisa O'Connell blathering on about the shooting last night. It's big news, since he's the second serial killer in a year to be killed in California."

Lisbon sat down next to Jane, who turned the TV up. Lisa's voice became louder. She was outside the CBI building. "The serial killer known as Dictionary was allegedly shot and killed last night inside the CBI building. Police haven't released any details as to who the killer is yet, but we have reason to suspect that he may have had a close connection to one of the CBI agents." An SUV pulled up behind her. Cho got out and shut the door. Lisa hurried over to him. "Agent Cho, where is Agent Lisbon today?"

Cho didn't stop walking. "She's off sick."

"Was she involved in last night's shooting?"

Cho stopped walking and turned to Lisa. "The CBI will not comment at this time."

Cho began to walk away, but Lisa stopped him. "Agent Cho," the reporter was persistent. "What do you say about the rumours that the killer was someone close to a member of your team?"

Cho stopped walking and turned to the annoying reporter. "The CBI will not release a comment at this time."

Only Lisbon and Jane – two people who knew Cho the best – could see the tightening in his jaw. Cho clearly didn't want to discuss the shooting with anybody. He walked away again, ignoring the barrage of questions from other lurking reporters. The door shut behind him, and Lisa appeared back on screen again. "We will get a comment to you as soon as we can. Back to Lawrence in the studio."

The scene cut back to a studio, and Jane turned the TV down again. "Some kind of details leaked about the nature of what happened last night."

Lisbon rubbed her good eye. "I don't care. I was a victim of stalking, and I survived. I feel proud to have done that." Lisbon sat quietly for a bit. "Do you remember Isabella?"

Jane frowned. "The case we worked on when this started? I remember. Her boyfriend killed her, and the man who loved her killed him."

"Basically. She was stalked too, you know. Paul Garcia followed her everywhere." Lisbon closed her eyes and rested her head back on the sofa. "I nearly became like her."

Jane closed his eyes and suppressed a shudder. He had seen how close Lisbon had come to dying the night before. His shoulder ached, but he ignored it. "Teresa, I would never have let him do that. I would have strangled him with my own hands…"

Jane's voice trailed off, and he could feel his hands shaking. Lisbon didn't look at him, giving him a chance to compose himself. He stood up and headed through to the kitchen. He put the kettle on and dug around in the cabinets. He found a box of tea and some instant coffee. He made a cup of each. Lisbon appeared behind him and took the cup of coffee off of the counter. "Jane," she said. "Where do we go from here?"

Jane shrugged his good shoulder. "Back to work."

Lisbon glanced up at him. "Well, I won't be sleeping at the CBI anymore."

Jane felt sad. "I'm going to miss having you around. It's much less lonely with you there."

Lisbon pulled a face. Jane was sleeping permanently in the attic at the CBI building because his house in Malibu had just been sold. "Jane, you need to get an apartment. You can't live at the CBI indefinitely."

Jane shrugged. "Meh. It's not like I've never slept there. I spent the better part of ten years there."

"True. But now you need to change that. Please."

Jane glanced around. "Your house is big enough for two…"

Lisbon frowned. "Jane, you know the implications if you move in with me."

Jane shrugged. "Just until I get a place of my own."

Lisbon sighed. "Fine. But we arrive at work in separate cars."

Jane nodded. They stood quietly, drinking together in silence.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

The next morning, a private funeral for Steven was held. Only three people attended; his mother, his brother, and the minister. Lisbon and Jane sat in a car a little way away, watching the ceremony. Lisbon watched as the elderly woman began to sob, tossing white roses into the grave as the coffin was lowered. The brother stood, not moving at all. He turned and walked away, leaving his mother sobbing alone. The minister placed a comforting hand onto her shoulder, and slowly led her away. Jane turned to Lisbon. "Before you ask," said Lisbon. "I never met her. Steven didn't introduce me to any of his family. He never really spoke about them to me."

Jane shook his head. "I wasn't going to ask that. I was going to ask why you never went over there."

Lisbon turned to face Jane. "Me showing up with a black eye, bruised face and split lip would really be encouraging to them, wouldn't it? The CBI has agreed to not release his identity to any press because we want to preserve the dignity of the family. Nobody asked to have him in their lives, and we just want to put the incident behind us."

Jane nodded. Lisbon started the engine and drove away, leaving the graveyard behind them.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

Six months later…

Lisbon sat at her desk. She was filling in the usual paperwork that seemed to follow her consultant everywhere. This time around he had insulted a CEO of a big housing company. The lawyers were asking for an apology, which she doubted Jane would give. Jane had been correct in his hunch, and a lead had been revealed. Still, the comments had been insulting. She sat quietly with her paperwork, and only looked up when the door to her office opened. Jane came in. "Jane," said Lisbon. "Richard Rodgers is threatening to sue if you don't apologise for your comments today."

Jane shrugged. "I was right, wasn't I?"

Lisbon sighed. "Even so, you still need to apologise."

Jane waveed his hand dismissively. He looked at Lisbon, and tried to imagine the woman he had seen six months before. Her eye had healed, but some emotional scars hadn't faded yet. Sure, Lisbon had been sent to psychologists to be counselled, but Jane could see that some things hadn't gone yet. She still spent an unhealthy amount of time in the CBI building, and glanced around nervously when she went out anywhere. He sat down opposite her. "Teresa," he said gently, watching her as she worked. "It's been six months. Steven is gone. He's not coming back. Ever."

Lisbon looked away. "Patrick, I still get the feeling like I'm not safe. I hate leaving my house alone. I hate driving to work because I imagine seeing that car behind me. No counselling can erase the mental damage that man caused."

Jane reached across the desk. He gently took Lisbon's hand. It was a rare occasion that he didn't have his suit jacket on, and his sleeves were rolled up. Lisbon could see the long thin scar trailing up Jane's left forearm. The individual stitch marks were still visible. Lisbon examined the scar, not wanting to look Jane in the eye. She thought about the fight, and how close she had come to dying. Jane didn't know, but he had interrupted Steven in the middle of his final stab. Lisbon reached out and ran her finger lightly up the scar. It was a reminder, but not a bad reminder. It reminded her of the man who had saved her life.

Jane ran his fingers lightly over the top of Lisbon's hand. The two locked eyes and Lisbon swallowed hard. She had never expected the jolt of electricity to pass between them. Jane tried to look away, but he couldn't. He was supposed to be hypnotising Lisbon into forgetting what Steven had done, but something in her eyes made him reconsider. She didn't look vulnerable, but she looked nervous. Jane let go of her hand and stood up. He turned and hurried from the office without saying goodbye.

Lisbon was shocked. She had never seen Jane behave like that before. She shook her head and finished her paperwork. She switched off her computer and stood up. As she turned the light off, a figure appeared in her doorway. For one fleeting moment, Lisbon was terrified. A flood of memories came back, and she reached for her gun. "Lisbon," said Jane. "It's me."

Lisbon secured her gun in its holster again. "Jane, don't do that to me."

Jane entered the room and walked over to her. She dropped her purse as Jane grabbed her arms. He bent down and pressed his lips gently against hers. Lisbon was so shocked she forgot to respond. Jane pulled away after just a moment. "I'm sorry, Teresa. I didn't mean to scare you."

Lisbon lifted her hands and ran her fingers gently through his soft curls. "It's okay, Patrick. I know you didn't mean to…"

Jane cut her off. "I want you to feel safe."

Lisbon stepped closer to him. "I feel safe now."

She stretched up, and gently pressed her lips to his again. Her heart fluttered, and she pulled him closer. Jane stepped away from her and pulled away. He gently pressed his lips to her forehead. "Let's go home, Teresa."

Lisbon nodded, and bent down to pick up her purse. Jane waited for her, and they left the office together.

Lisbon opened her front door, and Jane entered behind her. As soon as the door was closed, Jane grabbed Lisbon's hand. He pulled her against him, and Lisbon stretched up again. Jane gently pressed his lips to hers, and slid his hands up into her hair. After a few minutes, they broke apart, gasping for air. Lisbon began to giggle, and Jane laughed with her. She was truly happy again.

Epilogue

A full year had passed, and Lisbon stood nervously in front of the mirror. Van Pelt stood behind her, straightening Lisbon's hair. The white dress she wore flowed down to the ground. A knock on the door drew their attention. Van Pelt straightened her purple dress as Cho looked around the door. "We're ready, Boss."

Lisbon nodded and picked up the bouquet of red roses. She and Van Pelt left, and walked to the back of the church. The organ music began to play, and Van Pelt looked across at Lisbon. They smiled, and Van Pelt walked down the aisle. Cho took Lisbon's arm, and they walked together behind Van Pelt. At the end, Lisbon could see a very nervous Jane standing. Their eyes met, and both smiled. They reached the end, and Cho moved to stand beside Rigsby. They all turned to face the priest, who cleared his throat. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered hear today…"

Lisbon glanced across at Jane and smiled. Jane smiled back, feeling more than happy. He was finally marrying the woman of his dreams, and he knew she was safe forever. Lisbon knew that she was safe, and she knew that she was now finally where she belonged.

The End.

A/N2: So, this is the end of another story. Thank you to all of you who have been following this with me. Until the next story,
S