Lisbon didn't even bother to turn on the lights when she got home. The full moon coming through the large window gave her enough light to see by. "You took the long way home."

She didn't even start at the voice. "I wanted some time to cool down. I thought we could both use it."

Patrick appeared in the door way. "You're still angry," he noted.

"So are you." They had only been married two years but she could read him pretty well. Not as well as he read everyone around him but well enough to know when he was upset. "We need to talk."

"Very upsetting words," he replied. "Do you want some tea?"

"I think tht would be good for both of us."

"All right. Water should be boiling soon."

She just nodded and began to make herself at home once more. Most women would shy way from living in the same house where their husband's former wife and daughter were murdered. But Teresa was a practical woman. It was a perfectly good house and it was paid off as well. No reason to let it go to waste.

"You look very pensive," Patrick said. "Can I do anything to help?"

"I told you I wanted to talk," Teresa insisted. "We should wait for the tea."

At that moment the water boiled. "Then I'll get the tea ready. Lavender or chamomile?"

"Chamomile, please."

"Of course." Patrick disappeared into the kitchen once more. He came out with two steaming mugs and they sat on the couch to drink in silence for a while. Finally, Patrick broke the silence. "I don't like fighting in front of the team," he said bluntly. He meant both the fight they'd had in the van as well as the near argument they'd had when he gave her the frog.

"Then don't lash out in front of them," she countered. She sighed and reached for him. "I know you weren't making up that statement about your insomnia."

"Yeah well, I left my drugs at home." He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. That was pretty normal for him.

"You could have come to my room, you know."

"I thought about it. But you were sleeping."

"Like you should have been."

Patrick smiled at her. This one was real but weary. Most of his real smiles were weary. Except with her. "It's been a rough few weeks, hasn't it?"

"It has," she nodded. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's been more my fault than yours," he pointed out. It was true and they both knew it. There had been too much focus on Red John lately and that always put a strain on their relationship. Their views on what should happen to the serial killer when he was revealed were too different. "We haven't had date night in a while."

"We should do that again," Lisbon said. She squeezed his hand. "Can you say it? I know it doesn't mean much but I like hearing you say it."

Patrick kissed her hand. "I love you, Teresa. I love you more than the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the beach. And it does mean something to me that you love me back. It's important to me. Because you are the best thing in my life right now. You're the reason I can keep going when we get cases like these. Because you love me."

"I do love you," she said softly. "I love you so much. And that's why it scares me when you do things like this. Because I can't lose you either." She tugged on his hand.

Patrick moved to pull her into his arms. "You didn't tell Van Pelt about us," he noted.

"I don't know how to tell her," she murmured. "It's…"

"I understand." And he did. Their marriage had been small and quiet. They didn't flaunt it, didn't even acknowledge it most days. Because work was work and the last time Patrick had mixed work and family it had ended very badly. "She doesn't have to know if you don't want her to."

"She find out eventually," Lisbon pointed out. "I just don't know how to say it."

"So don't. As you said, she'll find out eventually. Until then we keep on as we have." He pressed a kiss to her hair. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." She felt tears gathering but she didn't want to let them fall. "I'm sorry about what she said to you. I know how that stuff gets to you. I'll tell her not to."

"No, no, it's okay. She can think what she wants. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I shouldn't' have been harsh with her. Forgive me?"

"I'd forgive you for anything."

"Don't say that. I need you to keep me honest."

"Patrick."

Jane began to rock her, shushing her gently. "We're going to be okay. Everything is okay, Teris. We love each other. We love each other enough to overcome this sort of thing. We've done it before; we'll do it again."

Teresa pulled away. "I want to go to bed," she sighed. "There's too much going on."

"Of course. Go change while I clean up. I'll be up soon." He kissed her. "I love you, Teresa. I really do."

"I love you too."

Teresa made her way upstairs. They didn't sleep in the bedroom where he used to sleep with Angela. Teresa would have been fine with that except Patrick refused to paint over the smiley face so instead she insisted it be locked when she was in the house. They slept in what used to be the guest bedroom which was big enough to be a master and had a bathroom attached.

She undressed, washed her face and put on one of her jerseys to sleep in. Just as she was sliding into the bed, Patrick came up. He sat next to her on the bed. "Are we okay?" he asked softly.

"For now," she nodded. They still had a lot of talking to do. And there would probably always be the specter of Red John between them. But for this moment, for the next few days maybe. They would be okay. "Come to bed. It's too late to keep talking about this."

Patrick leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I love you," he said again. It was nights like these that he wondered if she really believed it. He did love her. He loved the fact that she had put up with him for so long and that she still believed in him after two years of marriage.

He stripped down to his boxers and slid in behind her, pulling her close to him. "I love you too," Lisbon said, slipping to sleep.