So far…

Neither of them ever dared to bring up the subject again.

The following months were just a blur – both of them fighting tooth and nail to get closer to Red John. Lisbon through hard police work, and Jane… well, following his own not so orthodox way.

In the end he succeeded in seducing a tiny bit of information out of Lorelei.

That led them to an abandoned warehouse in the suburbs of San Francisco, where they actually found something.

Bit by bit, they started getting closer. Until they eventually found him.

Much to Jane's surprise, on the spur of the moment Lisbon decided she wasn't going to take any chances. So she shot Red John dead before anyone else could do as much as moving a finger.

Seeing her going on trial for that was the worst nightmare he'd been through in years.

Eventually it was over. Lisbon was found not guilty, and went back to her job at the CBI.

The team desperately struggled to go on as nothing had happened. While Jane spent most of his time on Lisbon's couch in order to keep an eye on her.

After all that had been said and done, he had no idea of where they were going from there.

…

I didn't see it. Of course.

What?

He's in love with you.

Don't be silly.

I know, hard to fathom, but... uh, there's no accounting for taste, is there?

Hush.

…

Obviously you want to dance.

With you? No.

Oh come on, you could pretend that I'm that mean cold-hearted guy that you used to worship from afar, but never talked to.

…

If I were dying, I'd want to call you, but you're already here, so there's no need.

…

I'm always going to save you Lisbon, whether you like it or not.

…

I could tell she liked him. She was meaner to him than the other kids. You know, like Lisbon is to me.

Shut up!

See?

…

Far too intense and particular for a man like that.

Excuse me? Intense and particular? What is that supposed to mean?

They're good things.

In what ways am I intense and particular?

Oh, please.

…

Good luck, Teresa. Love you.

…

Even now he didn't dare to bring up that last particular subject. Didn't want to end up hurting her even more than he'd already done.

For he did love her. And of course he remembered telling her that.

As he remembered when he had reached for her hand that day – holding it as if it was the most precious thing in the world.

Funny how those words had escaped from his lips before his mind was actually aware of how he felt about her.

Now he knew for sure. And as he watched her filing reports he experienced the same warm feeling he used to get every time his eyes had rested on his late wife.

The feeling that made him want to stand up, put his arms around her and gently nuzzle her silky hair.

He restrained himself though. It was his fault if she had chosen to take Red John's life, despite all her principles and her belief in justice. She had done it for him.

The last thing he wished for was her giving up something else for his sake.