Author's Notes: This is it. Thank you everyone for reading and leaving comments. I do my author's notes at the top so that when you read you don't get deceived that there is more story at the bottom when instead there is an author's note.

I have a bad track record with finishing fanfics, which is why with this story I wrote the whole thing before I started posting each chapter. I didn't want to risk not finishing it, having posted several chapters and leave readers hanging. So if I write another fanfic I think my plan of action will be to write the whole story and finish it before I start posting.

Thank you Yana/yaba for all your help with editing this story and your ideas. It was enjoyable working with you. Thursday's new episode was fun, but those last couple minutes… I almost couldn't believe it. Great, I guess Bruno Heller had to give the fans a few crumbs, because didn't he say that though the Lisbon/Jane relationship was one way they could take the show it wasn't very likely to happen? Once that kind of happiness is achieved in other shows like that between leads ratings start falling and such horrible things like cancellation…

Anyway, thanks go out to those who left me reviews/comments for chapter 12: Yaba, lisbonloafers (I'm glad I was able to make you laugh. I was hoping for a humorous reaction to that line.), mwalter1, MOSI3, Katharen Silver , Famous4it, Chiisana Minako (You can decide if the ending deserves a pony…), Country2776, Nancy (I'm glad you thought I've captured their bantering. It's easy and difficult at the same time. What kind of thing they would banter about and then figuring out their wording… I think Jane has an interesting speech pattern.), Hikaru Ceres (I'm glad you think my fic stands out among others.), lisbon69, edwardcullen23, Jadestar1981, and MK.

Also, thanks to all the other reviewers of my previous chapters. I hope you all tell me what you think of this last chapter. Please read and review.

Chapter 13

The others were perplexed by Lisbon and Jane's behavior. Lisbon seemed to be herself on the case, following leads, delegating work, the face of professionalism, though something wasn't quite right. No one had commented on the incident that morning. Jane, though, was different. He was quiet and strangely obedient, not undermining Lisbon's authority by following his hunches on the side. He respectfully mentioned his ideas, and generally didn't act himself. How long would this last? Had Lisbon finally brought him to heel?

No, it was likely only for a day or two, the junior agents thought. It had happened before, usually after something went terribly wrong, but even then he wasn't this subdued. There wasn't even their usual banter. Jane was even giving Lisbon space. When going in separate cars, he elected to ride with Van Pelt and Rigsby, leaving Cho to ride with their boss.

Through the course of the case, which consumed the whole week, ending on Tuesday of the next week, it remained like this. Jane stayed at his couch when in the bullpen, not bothering Lisbon in her office as he normally did when he got bored of napping (or pretending to nap) on his couch. He still quietly brought her coffee in the mornings though.

Van Pelt had noticed some time ago that Jane no longer wore his wedding ring and slowly pieced together what may have happened. Did he ask their boss out? People had noticed before the flirting that took place between them. After Lisbon had been shot and Jane stayed in the hospital watching over her, visited her at home in the mornings, she had thought that maybe they were getting closer. Then the ring had vanished one day and Grace wondered if he was finally moving on, moving on with Teresa Lisbon. She remembered feeling happy for them, but then the mysterious fight happened and changed everything.

With current state of affairs the whole team felt uneasy, not sure what could cause a meltdown and tread cautiously around their boss, trying their best to do an excellent job. Somehow, they felt that pretending nothing was wrong would help ease the tension and at the very least seeing them hard at work should please the senior agent.

It was Cho's turn to order the closed case pizza. He thought that things would have come back to normal by now, but they hadn't. Jane was still mostly doing things by the book as per Lisbon's orders; he was still subdued, though his happy facade was coming back in place. Lisbon was strictly professional and still didn't talk to Jane unless it was about their case. 'Better order that pizza and try to keep things going as they should,' Cho thought, dialing the number at his desk.

When the pizza came, Lisbon came out of her office briefly, "Good work team."

And though she didn't feel particularly hungry, she took a slice of pizza and took it back with her to her office, explaining she still had papers to fill on their latest closed case.

It was after the other agents had left, leaving the building almost empty that Jane decided to go to Lisbon's office. He walked up and knocked on her door and waited patiently.

He wondered if she was ignoring him, but then finally heard the tired voice say, "Come in."

He studied her desk and saw that she had papers still sprawled across it, still busily working on them. The slice of pizza she had taken earlier was sitting on a paper towel next to her, cold and untouched.

"You're not happy," he concluded. Lisbon didn't say anything, instead waiting for him to explain as she continued to write. "You told me that you were happy with what you had now, but clearly you're not. I did as you wanted, as you told me to do, by the book. Yet I can see you wonder if maybe we would have cracked this case even a couple days sooner if I was up to my old tricks, doing things my way. I also think you miss having dinner with me. I miss seeing you happy. Was it so bad for me to come over? You were having fun then. We both were. Doesn't that tell you something?"

"Yah, it tells me you should never have brought it up," she snapped, shoulders tensing.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn about this? Do you like being miserable so much? Why can't you just admit that it was… nice?" Jane found himself almost pleading with her. His eyebrows had drawn together as he approached her desk, away from the door. He didn't want her to feel too cornered so he stayed in front of her desk.

"Okay," she mumbled, her face buried in her hands.

"Okay?" Jane was clamping down on his enthusiasm, not wanting to raise his hopes in case he was misunderstanding her. Lisbon dropped her hands to her desk and looked up at him, his suppressed hopeful smile straining to come free.

"Nothing changes at work. I'm still Lisbon and you're still Jane. We maintain a professional relationship here. I'm still your boss and I need to know you can handle that," she stated, as if giving into demands, instead of giving them.

Jane was practically bouncing on his toes, a faux serious look on his face as he nodded vehemently, "Oh absolutely. Very professional."

She cautiously studied him, a wide grin was splitting his face by now. He was suddenly at her side, pulling her out of her chair and into his arms in a tight hug.

"Jane! We're still in the office!" a blush bloomed up her neck and across her face, nervously looking around, afraid they would be caught.

"It's after hours and you're off the clock, relax, no one is here anyway."

Nevertheless, he abated and released her from his embrace, drawing away from her, though he held her hands in his own now.

"And Jane, you can't do that at the office," she was looking away shyly, her stern tone from earlier fading.

"Of course, my dear Lisbon," his voice taking on an indulgent lilt, "Let's get out of here."

"Not yet, I still have-"

"It can wait," he interrupted, picking up her blazer from the back of her office chair and draping it over his arm, placing his free hand skimming the small of her back. She felt the heat of his fingertips burn through her shirt. He started pushing her out of her office when she didn't move.

"Jane! Stop pushing!" she yelled at him, but he was able to see a smile tickling her lips and a twinkle in her eyes he hadn't seen for a while and knew she wasn't really upset with him.

***

The two stopped at a grocery store near Teresa's apartment and went to the deli section to get some premade food. Neither had been in the mood to eat earlier and as a result was now very hungry (and of course Rigsby left no prisoners of pizza form for them).

"I feel like we're getting ready for a picnic," Teresa told Patrick as they chose jojos, salad, and chicken strips.

"We could if you want," the off duty consultant said thoughtfully, already trying to recall parks with a beautiful night view, placing the food items into their shopping basket.

"It's late and we have work tomorrow, we're eating in," Lisbon quickly extinguished his ideas.

"Then maybe another time," Jane amended, just happy to be in her presence and discussing mundane things.

Lisbon felt out of sorts since agreeing to… whatever this was. The grocery store didn't help as it had been recently remodeled, the white tile floors and refrigeration units sparkling in a distracting way. The walls seemed to absorb sound leaving them in an unnatural void. She glanced up at Jane beside her, choosing dips for their chicken and picking up a few packets of condiments. He noticed her gaze and flashed a smile at her. She looked away and noticed a mother pushing her shopping cart a few aisles down from them, a toddler sitting in the cart.

"Are you okay, Teresa?"

She whipped her head back towards her companion, the background noise of registers and squeaky cart wheels suddenly noticeable. It was still odd to hear him say her first name, though he had tried using it several times since she had been in the hospital.

"Um, yeah. Just tired I guess," she lied, partially in any case. She did feel tired and yet strangely alert at the same time.

"Hm. I think some ice cream will cheer you up," he said and dragged her to the frozen foods aisle next to the deli section. He knew she wasn't being up front with him, but let it go.

He watched her get engrossed with choosing flavors (and checking calories) and then internally struggle between the flavors she liked and the amount of fat they represented. He plucked the fudge brownie chocolate ice cream that he knew she really wanted out of the case and tossed it into the basket.

They arrived separately at her home and ate their dinner on the couch, watching TV. It took a while, but Teresa was finally relaxing.

"Well, look at the time. I better get going," Patrick finally said, stretching and playing up how tired he was with a yawn.

"Where are you going?"

He looked down at her in mild surprise. Did he detect some longing in her voice? He smiled.

"Home. That's where people normally go to sleep," he replied innocently.

"You're not normal," she replied sarcastically, a bit of a smile playing at her lips. He grinned down at her.

"So where do you propose I go?" he tipped his head towards her, eyebrow raised.

She cleared her throat, giving the appearance of business as she straightened up their plates, stacking them, "I thought you could stay here. On the couch," she clarified, meeting his eyes with a straight face.

He smiled and leaned in, his hand cupping the back of her head. Teresa's eyes slipped closed instinctively but he kissed her brow and pulled back. He saw the stunned look on her face as he got up and took their stacked plates to the small kitchen.

She was staring at him and he finally spoke, "Are you going to call me Patrick?"

"Screw you," she muttered, crossing her arms in front of her chest. Clearly puzzled and annoyed. Was he toying with her?

"I'll take that as a yes then, Teresa," he made it a point of using her first name. He strode across the living room and scooped her up, she struggled and he laughed, kissing her on her lips this time. She broke free, very peeved, her face glowing.

"Damnit, Jane!"

"Patrick," he corrected.

She hit him on the chest then hugged him around the waist, his arms still surrounding her.

"Why do you have to be so annoying?" she breathed into his shoulder.

He started swaying as though to a slow dance song and turned to kiss her head, speaking into her hair, "You know you love it when I frustrate you."

"Not really," she protested, turning her head to look up at him. They were both aware of the comforting warmth and smells of each other. He detected that elusive hint of cinnamon that he now knew was present on the days she made cinnamon rolls.

"You do. You're not as straight laced as you want everyone to believe, but have to keep up appearances. Half the time you like what I do," he smiled down at her, eyes gray in the dim lighting.

"Not even half the time," she amended. He smiled down at her victoriously to which she rolled her eyes.

She gently extricated herself from his arms. "I'm going to bed," she informed him. She placed her palms on his chest and leaned up, pecking him on the lips, "Goodnight Patrick."

They smiled at each other and she walked up the stairs, hearing him call to her, "Goodnight Teresa."

The End