Disclaimer - The Mentalist belongs to Bruno Heller and CBS. Not me. Obviously.

A/N – Here it is, the last chapter. I really hope that you've enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it! I've left a few loose ends, but I still think this is a good place to end it. Maybe I'll write a sequel later on down the line but for now, thanks for reading!

Blood Ties

Part Six

"Lisbon, can I have a word?"

Jane's voice drifted into her office, but Lisbon didn't move her focus from the case notes on her desk, her gaze fixed firmly downwards.

If she was completely honest with herself, Lisbon was still a bit annoyed with Jane. He had completely disobeyed her direct order, and he'd punched his father – causing them no end of trouble and putting their entire case under threat in the process– and yet here he was, acting like nothing had happened. She knew that he hated to be ignored; maybe it was time for him to get a taste of his own medicine.

Besides, she really was busy.

"Lisbon?"

"Yes, Jane?" she said absently, still refusing to look up at him. She could practically feel the annoyance coming from him at being ignored, but she had piles of paperwork to do and she didn't need a distraction. "I'm a little busy here."

"Erm…"

She sighed and rubbed a hand over her forehead. Why couldn't he just give her some peace and quiet...?

"What is it?" she said, finally jerking her head up. "Oh."

Standing in her office doorway, beside Jane, was a nervous looking teenage boy, who looked for all the world as if he wanted to be anywhere else.

Dawning comprehension came to her as she recognised the face of the boy. This is where Jane had run off to then. She could already feel a headache brewing. What the hell was the consultant up to now?

"This is James Jr, Lisbon," Jane said, giving her a significant look. "Jimmy Landon's son, remember?"

"I remember," Lisbon said as she stood up from behind her desk, brow furrowed in confusion. "James, why don't you go and take a seat on this couch. I just need a word with Jane. We won't be long, I promise."

The nervous boy did as he was told, and Lisbon directed Jane outside before shutting the door behind herself, trying desperately to control her temper. She was tired, it was late, and although she knew he was having a tough time of it, she was in no mood to take any of Jane's games tonight.

"What is he doing here, Jane?"

"He's going to help us solve the case, of course," Jane replied, giving her a grin.

"Stop it," she snapped, and the grin fell. "This isn't a game. You can't just mess about with people's lives like that. He's just a kid. Just because your father – "

"This has nothing to do with my father," Jane argued, a flash of annoyance crossing his features for the first time. "James is a witness."

"A witness?"

"Yes, my dear, a witness," Jane replied with a roll of his eyes, and Lisbon resisted the urge to punch him.

"So, he saw Landon shoot Greening?"

"Well, not quite," Jane replied.

"Get to the point, Jane," she prompted impatiently. If he didn't start talking soon, she really was going to punch him.

"James heard his father talking to someone about an old friend, one who was going to be causing old Jimmy a whole heap of trouble in the future. Apparently, there was talk of taking care of the problem themselves. And, James is willing to testify to that."

"Jane, we're going to need more than hearsay," Lisbon said. She could feel her consultant's excitement, but the word of a teenage boy wasn't going to be enough. They needed hard facts.

Jane rolled his eyes. "So predictable, woman. Not only did James hear his father planning the murder, but he also heard his father bragging about 'off-ing the bastard' after the murder. And…he also knows where his father hid the gun."

They had him.

James Jr's testimony would be crucial in getting a conviction in court, but the fact that they now had the murder weapon meant that Jimmy Landon would almost certainly be going away for a long time. This case had been a nightmare from the start, especially with all the press focus and pressure from the brass, and though she wouldn't admit it aloud, the relief that it was over now was almost overwhelming.

Quietly, Lisbon made her way back into the bullpen, carrying a couple of boxes of closed-case pizza for the team. It was late, but they deserved to celebrate the result. They'd earned it.

Rigsby face lit up at her arrival. "Pizza!"

"Dude, you've got problems," Cho said with a straight face, although there was a twinkle in his eyes that showed he didn't mean it.

Without any further invitation, the team gathered around the table and dug in, banter filling the silence as they let their relief at solving the case take over their moods.

Well, all expect one person.

After a quick glance round, she found him, as expected, alone on his couch, and apparently lost in thought.

"Jane?" she said quietly, leaving the team as she wandered over to him with a plate of pizza in her hand. "Jane, you want some pizza?"

"No thanks," Jane replied, mustering up a smile. "Tell Rigsby, he can have it."

"You okay?" she said, taking a seat beside him, putting the pizza down for the moment. She could hear the sound of her team laughing from the other sound of the room, but she frowned as she looked at her consultant. Even though he'd effectively solved the case single-handedly, there had been none of the usual bragging that went along with it. For once, Jane simply seemed glad to see the back of it.

"Oh, I'm fine Lisbon," Jane replied quietly. "Perhaps a bit tired."

"You should get some rest," Lisbon said, although she knew he wouldn't. "You've earned it."

"You're sweet, Lisbon," he said with a smile.

His smile dropped though as something at the door caught his attention. Before she knew what was happening, he was on his feet.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, stalking towards the newcomer, the last person any of them wanted to see.

Dammit, she swore to herself as Jane strode over to the old man. Jane's father had come back. How the hell had he got past security?

"Came to say goodbye," Alex Jane said easily, and Jane tensed.

Lisbon got up and immediately stood by Jane in case he decided to attack the man again. She turned to his father, careful to keep her expression professional, even though all she wanted to do was punch the man herself.

"Sir, you're not welcome here," Lisbon said coldly. The sounds of laughter had died down at Jane's yell, and out of the corner of her eye, Lisbon saw her team make their way over to join them as well.

"I just wanted to say goodbye to Paddy here," Alex Jane repeated. his tone equally cold. Lisbon got the distinct impression that he'd come to repay Jane for the punch earlier, and she took a step closer to her consultant, her arm brushing against his.

"I think I said it all earlier, don't you agree?" Jane retorted, and though his voice was strong, she could feel him shaking slightly. "After all, actions speak louder than words. How is the nose, by the way?"

"You think you're so big, getting one over on the old man," Jane's father replied angrily, his calm exterior dropping. Apparently that comment had stung. "Really, you're nothing but a coward, hiding behind your girlfriend…"

"She's not my girlfriend!" Jane replied angrily, but Lisbon placed a hand on his chest before he could move.

"Jane, cool it," she warned before turning back to his father. "You need to leave. Cho, care to do the honours?"

"Sure, boss," Cho replied, moving over to take the man by the arm in a strong grip.

Alex Jane looked furious at being denied the opportunity to do whatever he had come here for. He struggled slightly against Cho's grip but the stoic agent held firm. Alex turned to Jane.

"You're nothing but an arrogant, little brat." He spat on the ground at his son's feet before Cho could stop him. "You're a shame to the name of Jane, boy. You were a disappointment right from the start."

"Because you set such a good example," Jane shot back sarcastically, although Lisbon could see that he was still faintly shaking. "You're the one who was a shame to our name. Every cent you ever managed to con out of a mark went on booze, gambling or whores."

"You think that just because you became this big-name sell-out, that you're better than me or something?

"I am better," Jane said scathingly. "I do good now. I help people."

"Ha," his father laughed loudly, casting a dismissive eye around the bullpen. "You're here for revenge, nothing more. I know your game, boy. You're scamming them, making them think that you're one of them. It's all just so that you can get all the information on that serial killer of yours."

Alex Jane turned to Lisbon. "You should watch him, you know. Keep an eye on him. He'll ditch you as soon as he's got what he wanted."

"With all due respect," Lisbon began coldly, making it clear just how little respect the man had earned. "I've known Jane for a long time now. I know him better than you, that's for sure."

Jane's father seemed a little taken aback by her quick defence of his son.

"It's a shame really," Lisbon continued coldly, making a point to look him up and down. "You had this amazing kid. This talented, smart little boy, and you wasted it. You never even took the time to get to know him, to see him turn into a good man or to see him make something of his life. It's your loss, it really is. I pity you."

"Now, see here lady – "

Cho stepped between Lisbon and Alex Jane, pulling the man away. "Dude, you need to back off."

"Cho, escort Mr Jane out of the building please."

"Miss Lisbon – "

"Agent Lisbon," she corrected coldly. "Leave, now. If I ever see you in this building again, I will arrest you."

Alex Jane turned to his son. There was a vague flicker of anger in the old man's eyes, but desperation as well. It finally dawned on Lisbon why he had risked coming back.

"Patrick..."

"Landon didn't give you up," Jane told him, anger dancing in his eyes. He scowled. "You're free to go."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Alex Jane replied, but all of them caught to relief in his expression.

"We both know you do," Jane replied angrily, though he seemed to have better control over his emotions this time.

"Paddy…"

Jane snarled, actually snarled, at the man, and his father backed off.

"Fine," Alex Jane said, his hands raised defensively. "Fine, I'm going."

The man began to make his way out, followed closely by Cho. The silence left by their exit was deafening. Grace and Rigsby glanced at each other, both unsure what to do now or how to react, but Lisbon only had eyes for their consultant.

"Jane?"

"Well, I think I'll be going now as well," Jane said shakily, running a hand through his unruly hair. "I just need…"

"Take all the time you need, Jane," Lisbon interrupted gently, instinctively knowing what he needed. "Just take care of yourself. Okay?"

"Of course," Jane replied quietly, although his mind was elsewhere, probably already trying to sort through the events of the last few days, and in particular, the last few minutes. "I think I might go for a walk."

Her eyebrows rose and he smirked at her, though it was more forced than usual. "A real one this time. I just need to clear my head."

"Be careful," she warned, concern lacing her tone as she watched him leave the bull pen. He gave her a small wave, indicating that she shouldn't worry, but she knew it was a lost cause. She wouldn't be able to stop worrying until Jane was back safe and sound on his couch.

Lisbon had wanted to give Jane his space, she really had, but in the end, her sense got the better of her. When he was left alone to brood, Jane tended to do stupid things, and the last thing any of them needed after this case was more trouble.

She glanced around the dark, empty bullpen. His couch was empty, but she knew where he would be.

As she made the walk up to his attic, Lisbon allowed her thoughts to wander back to her errant consultant. The man was still an enigma, but she felt that, after the last few days, she knew him a little better now. Or that she understood him a little better at least.

He had always seemed damaged, as much as he tried to act otherwise, but now she knew the damage went much deeper than even his family's murder could explain. She had never realised just how much they both had in common. His mother had killed herself, her father had. His father had been violent and abusive, and so had hers.

But where she had gotten out, given herself a better life, Jane's happy ending had ended in tragedy. He had replaced one terrible existence with another.

How on earth did he manage to keep going after everything he had been through?

Shaking herself slightly as she reached the door, Lisbon knocked loudly.

"Jane, it's Lisbon. You in there?"

There was a pause, and she wondered briefly if he had gone home after all. Just as she was about to leave, though, she heard a rustling from behind the door.

"Come in," came the muffled call.

He was here then. She'd been right after all. As she pulled open the door, she tried to work out if that was a good thing or not.

"The ADA's finally happy with the paperwork," she said without preamble as she made her way into his depressing space. Lisbon cast a cautious eye over her consultant. He seemed fine...

"Oh?" Jane replied absently, sitting on his make shift bed. He gestured for her to take the desk chair and she took the offer.

"Yeah, Landon's on his way to jail as we speak," Lisbon continued as she glanced around. Jane's bed was covered in what looked to be old photographs. She watched as he picked one up, his eyes glazing over slightly as he stared at it.

The silence grew slightly oppressive, but with him in this mood, she had no idea what to say. Truthfully, she'd only come up here to see if he was alright. Now that she knew he indeed was alright – relatively speaking, at least – she probably should just go home...

"I thought it would be harder…you know, seeing him again."

The quiet words broke into her thoughts, and she found herself surprised once again that he was choosing to talk to her.

"You didn't exactly react well, Jane…"

"I could have been worse," Jane pointed out with a shrug and Lisbon had to concede that the man had a point.

"He always seemed…bigger," Jane continued quietly, staring down at the picture in his hands. "I know that seems ridiculous, since I was a only a kid really when I last saw him, but still, I find myself surprised by how…old he seems now."

"He's not the man he once was," offered Lisbon.

"Oh, he is," Jane replied, a crease of anger entering his expression for the first time. "Same manipulating old bastard he's always been."

Jane looked angry and regretful all at once. His thoughts seemed like a storm behind his eyes, his expression more open than she had ever seen it.

"The thing about people like my father…we would never have been able to charge him. He's a slippery old fox, and he would have wriggled his way out of it somehow. Its better this way, trust me."

"We're lucky he's not suing us," she said with a roll of her eyes. "How is this better?"

Jane frowned. "There's no need to be snippy."

"Snippy?"

"Yes, snippy," Jane confirmed. "There's just no need for it. I solve the case, I catch the bad guy, and all I get from you, woman, is lip."

"Oh, come on, Jane," Lisbon replied with an eye roll, completely unaffected by his theatrics. "Cut it out. I'm not buying it."

"Well, I'll admit it hasn't been the most pleasant experience of my life, but it's done now. He's gone, the case is solved, and we can all go back to normal."

"Jane…"

Jane went quiet for a moment, and Lisbon half expected him to ask her to leave. She was surprised once again though, when he began to speak.

"The case...that's why he rang, you know," Jane began quietly. "He never wanted to get back in touch with me. He just knew somehow that John Greening was going to come clean about his accomplices. My father…he was one of them. If Greening had talked, he would have gone to jail."

Jane cleared his throat. "He just wanted to use me to get himself off."

"You think he knew about the murder?" Lisbon asked quietly.

"I don't think so," Jane replied, although his expression showed that he wasn't quite as sure this time as he usually was about these things.

Jane sighed heavily and looked back down at the picture he was holding in his hands. Lisbon noticed that his grip was shaking slightly, and she realised that, for all Jane's bravado, he still wasn't anywhere near okay.

"You doing alright, Jane?" Lisbon asked quietly. She didn't expect the man to start talking to her about his problems, but once again, Jane surprised her.

"It's just…I'm a little embarrassed, I guess," Jane began quietly. "It's been a long time since I last saw him, and I wasn't quite prepared for everything it brought back."

"It's nothing to be ashamed of Jane," Lisbon said quietly. "The team…we don't think any different of you."

"I know that it's nothing to be ashamed of. Intellectually, I know that it wasn't my fault," Jane replied quietly, keeping his gaze down. "But I admit…I am ashamed."

She saw the familiar stirrings of guilt and shame, but there was also a flicker of self-hatred and she understood it immediately. She couldn't stand the idea that the man in front of her thought he was anything like the bastard he had grown up with.

"You're not your father," Lisbon said. Jane jerked his head, apparently surprised that she had read him so easily. He took a long time to consider her words before he replied.

"I know," mumbled Jane after a few seconds. "But I could have been. That could so easily have been me."

"You're a better man than that, Patrick Jane," Lisbon scolded gently. And as annoying and frustrating he was at times, she knew it was the truth.

"Oh hush, Lisbon," Jane replied, shrugging away her words. "I don't need your false platitudes. I'm fine."

She was about to argue further when her gaze finally caught the image in the photograph in his hands.

"Is that you?" she asked disbelievingly. The photo, which was smudged and crumpled with age, showed a young boy, no older than ten, with bouncing blond curls and a large snake draped around his neck.

She stood up and moved closer.

"Cute, wasn't I?" he said as he held it out to her.

Though she didn't want to stoke his oversized ego any more, she had to admit, even with the creepy snake around his neck, Jane had looked incredibly cute as a kid. Not that she was surprised by that fact.

"The snake belonged to Mystic Madge," Jane explained quietly. "It took a liking to me. I used to take it around the fair when we opened and scare all the local kids."

"Why does it not surprise me that you were a trouble-maker when you were a kid?" Lisbon joked, hoping to cheer him up a bit. Judging by the twinkle that was returning to his eyes, it had worked.

Jane smiled. "What can I say, I had to get my amusement from somewhere."

He pulled out another photo from the pile and handed it over to her. In this picture, an older Jane - one who had well and truly entered his teen years by this point - was standing by a trailer with one arm around a young, pretty girl with long blond hair, and the other draped around a rather large, rather old woman.

"That's Gladys," Jane explained, having guessed where her thoughts had gone. "She was Angela's grandmother." He pointed to the girl in the photograph and dawning comprehension finally hit her. The young girl was Angela, the woman Jane had eventually married.

"I used to drink tea with them both every Sunday," he told her quietly. "It became our little tradition."

His obsession with tea finally made sense to her, in a sad sort of way, though she wouldn't tell him that. He seemed so low as he stared at the image, so alone, that she suddenly wished very much that she could just take it all away, that she could make it all better.

"They're looking down on you, you know," Lisbon began quietly.

"Lisbon – "

"Oh, I know you don't believe me, Jane," she interrupted with a small smile. "Doesn't mean it isn't true."

He looked at her, faint amusement breaking through the sadness, his low mood vanishing almost immediately.

"Is that so?"

"Yes," she replied with a nod. Her expression turned serious. "Jane. If they are watching, if they are out there…they'd be proud of you."

"I don't…"

"You're a good man, Patrick Jane," Lisbon interrupted. "Underneath all those annoying qualities, you're a good man."

Jane didn't seem to know what to say to that, and truthfully, she didn't expect a response at all. She knew a part of him would never believe her, not even when they caught Red John, and she could accept that. For now at least.

But then Jane smiled at her, and in that moment she felt that one day, somewhere off in the future, maybe he might realise that he had done plenty of good in the world as well. That he deserved to be happy.

"I was wrong the other day," Jane said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"You're kidding," she replied, her tone mocking. "The great, all-knowing Patrick Jane is actually admitting he's wrong? This is gonna to be good…"

"Oh, ha ha," Jane replied sarcastically with a grin, unfazed by her mocking words.

"So, go on then," Lisbon prompted with curiosity when he didn't continue. "What were you wrong about?"

"You're not my priest," he told her.

"I'm not?" she asked, trying quite unsuccessfully to hide the hurt from her expression.

"No," Jane confirmed with a smile.

"Oh," Lisbon said lamely. She'd actually thought that maybe he finally trusted her enough to confide in her. For him to take it back now…it stung slightly, even though she would never tell him so.

She looked up at him and saw him frown. When he spoke, however, he surprised her once again, and this time, she found herself happy to be wrong.

"You're a saint, my dear" Jane replied, replacing his frown with a warm smile. He took her hand in his. "My very own Saint Teresa."

~THE END~

A/N- So that's it! The end of my little tale is here. I really hope you've enjoyed my first foray into the world of Patrick Jane and the CBI. I hope to return one day, and I already have hundreds of ideas, so look out for more stories from me in the future.

I'm also a staff member of a C2 called 'Crimson Pain' which posts any story in which Jane gets hurt in some way. If you want to subscribe, I will be updating it regularly with the best and brightest of the Mentalist community!

For now though, thank you very much for all your reviews, favourites and alerts, but most of all, thanks for reading!