A/N: I've been made aware through a circulating tweet from one of the Mentalist writers that Jane did know that Lorelei was part of Red John's plan from the beginning. However, I'm leaving the second part up as standing under the belief that Jane didn't know. Yay for creative license! Also, I know there have been many beliefs bouncing around about whether Jane meant 'love you' or if it's another part of his schemes. For the sake of this part- and because I'm a hopeless romantic- I've operated under the preference that he does love Lisbon and it was a subconscious slip. I don't know if I believe they'd have a conversation like this quite so soon, but for the sake of the story and this particular tag- I wanted them to confront their feelings about everything that's happened. After all, that's the glory of episode tags!

Thank you to: La Lisboa (for the wonderful conversation as well!), xXxStargazerxXx, watchyouwalk (for both 1 & 2), Mentalistfan123, Quathy, LizfromItaly, Tromana, TwighlighLover-carlisleandesme, and SharpestSatire for their reviews!

Thank you all for reading! Here's the final part!

And in the sea that's painted black,
Creatures lurk below the deck
But you're the king and I'm a lionheart.

And as the world comes to an end
I'll be here to hold your hand
Cause you're my king and I'm your lionheart.
-King and Lionheart, Of Monsters and Men

He stood in her doorway, rocking back and forth from his heels to his toes. His hand tightened on the frame of the door, and his eyes scanned the bullpen before returning to a quiet form behind a desk. Lisbon was ignoring him- intently focused on the paper in front of her. The same piece of paper she had been staring at for the past ten minutes. He could tell by the way she gripped her pen, resolutely avoiding his gaze. She rolled a loose strand of hair between her thumb and her index finger before tucking it behind her ear. A lump formed in his throat at such an ordinary habit that was so typical of her. He had missed her more than he realized. He swallowed, trying to force it away. He was strangely hesitant given his recent outburst in the interrogation room. But for once in his life, he was unsure of how to break the silence. In the past, he would have opened with a witty quip and enjoyed watching her eyes flash as her lips quirked in amusement before shooting back a sharp response. Too much had happened between them. Too much to just brush off with a casual comment.

Sure, it had been easy over the past day. Easy enough that he could pretend everything was normal while they followed Lorelei's lead, but even in his manic state, he knew they were on eggshells. She hid it surprisingly well. His return had been a shock, and she responded in a way true to her nature- jumping in beside him, no matter what the consequence to her career. It was obvious, especially from the team's comments that they had only gone along with his plan was because of her. Not that he expected anything less after disappearing for six months. He could feel their judgmental gazes, the anger for the way he had left things- left her. But they didn't understand why he did what he did. They wouldn't. She might. Earlier, she had let him in. Entering the church with her heart on her sleeve, and showing him a brief glimpse of the depth of pain the past six months had sowed. But the day had been long and full of twists and turns, and now that it was over, she was retreating into herself.

He took a small step into her office, letting the door shut slowly behind him. She still wouldn't look up at him. He hesitated and waited for her to fuss at him, to yell at him to leave, to throw something- anything other than her resigned silence. Nothing. Surely, she understood his reasons. He had told her long ago that everything was about Red John, and that he'd never be what she wanted. He opened his mouth, and then pressed his lips together, before slowly turning on his heel. His hand gently turned the doorknob, and he left without a word. The door softly clicked shut behind him. After a few days, the camaraderie would return, and Lisbon would forgive him. She had to.

Teresa Lisbon rested her head in her hands. Her top teeth tugged at her bottom lip as she took a deep breath, and tried to ignore everything that had happened the last few days. Working with Jane had reminded her of how things used to be- the easy going rapport they had developed. But after everything the bastard had put her through the last six months, she refused to be the first one to cave. If Jane wanted anything else from her, he'd have to make the first move. And he'd proved her right. He couldn't even offer a simple thank you- just a few minutes of strained silence, before turning and leaving. Accepting the fact that she wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything else tonight, she grabbed her wallet and keys and left her office without a word to anyone else. She could feel her team's concerned stares; the unspoken question of how she was doing lingered in the air. Folding her arms across her chest, she wished the elevator would arrive faster.

It was drizzling.

Cursing, she wrapped her arms tighter around herself as she walked briskly towards her car. Fumbling through her pockets, she swiftly unlocked the door and slid into the seat. Before she could even crank up the engine, the passenger door opened and Jane slipped in beside her. Her heart continued to beat rapidly after the unexpected intrusion, and she leveled him with a harsh stare.

"Lisbon-." He trailed off at the unexpected hardness in her glare.

"Jane, don't," she muttered while reaching for her seat belt.

She jumped when his fingertips softly grazed her hand. He met her startled eyes with a searching expression, and she quickly pulled away. He was always more tactile when he wanted something, not that she'd ever alert him to that little tell.

"I don't want you to monitor my pulse, act like you want to reassure me, or tell me I should have known all along."

The words tumbled from her mouth.

"Just… leave," she said with a soft sigh. "I obviously can't keep you here."

He strained to hear the second half of her sentence, and when the words registered he briefly closed his eyes.

"Lisbon, please," he paused. "I was sure you'd understand. It had to look real. Red John was keeping a close eye, and-"

She cut him off, and returned to staring intently at the rain drops trickling down the windshield.

"I've had enough of Red John for the day. I just want to go home, have a glass of wine, and go to bed."

They sat in silence, listening to the hypnotic rhythm as the rain picked up. Despite her statement, she wasn't going to shove him out of the car and into the rain. They both knew that.

"Thank you," he said after a moment.

She turned to look at him, her gaze softening slightly.

"Was it worth it?"

He could hear the implied meaning behind the direct question.

"If it leads me to Red John, then yes," he answered.

She responded with a small nod, and cranked the engine, letting heat fill the enclosed space. She picked her way through muddled thoughts debating what to ask, now that Jane appeared to be answering her honestly. Her hand trailed along the steering wheel, and although the car remained in park, her eyes flickered toward the rear view mirror.

"About what I said earlier," he started slowly, his eyes fixated out the passenger's window.

"I wish you'd never told me," she softly interrupted.

His eyes shot to hers acknowledging the fact that neither wanted to delve that deep while they were still hurting, still reeling from the events of the day, still finding their ground. Instead, they'd continue to do what they always did- dance around each other speaking half-truths while Red John continued to loom before them.

"We'd never work," she added, almost as an afterthought.

"Nope," he agreed.

We'll always be at an impasse- the way that we are."

"Of course," he murmured while she smiled a little half-smile.

"Besides, it's no surprise this was what he planned all along. I'll always come between you and him."

She leaned her head against the headrest, and stared at the ceiling. She could feel him studying her, and she wondered just how far they'd play this confession. A little part of her had always known Red John would pull her in eventually. No one would be left untouched by the case. It just wasn't how the serial killer operated. So, she wasn't even surprised when Jane called her, apprehensively letting her know that her dead body was the price to play Red John's game. Instead, she let out a humorless laugh and wondered if this is what it would one day come down to- Jane's revenge or her life. She was drawn from her thoughts by the gentle pressure of his hand on her thigh. Reaching down, she gently curled her fingers around his and sighed.

"Despite the things you do, Jane. You had to know I'd fall for you."

He squeezed her hand tighter, and it gave her the courage to continue. After tonight, she knew neither of them would bring it up again. It was just the way they both were.

"If we pretend you never said it, I might make it. Otherwise…I have no chance. Not with Red John."

Leaning over, he pressed a soft, chaste kiss to the corner of her mouth while his right hand ran through her hair. He drew her close to him, her cheek resting against his shoulder. Taking a deep breath, he stroked her hair once more before releasing her.

"You're far too good to me, Teresa," he whispered.

Without another word, he opened the door and stepped into the rain.

She watched him in the mirror as he re-entered the building. She knew she'd over-analyze their conversation tomorrow wondering if he even told her the truth or if it was a conscious slip to further his plans. Either way, she was content plead ignorance tonight. Tomorrow, they'd both act as if nothing happened, as if nothing had been said. She was okay with that. She'd cling to whatever hope she could find that maybe, just maybe, she could change Jane's mind. In any event, it all depended on Red John.

And that, was a problem for another day.