[A/N: So I came up with this idea I don't know how long ago. Originally I was aiming for twenty-five chapters, but I don't know if I'll get that far. We'll see.
Disclaimer: If I were Bruno Heller, I wouldn't have any need to write fanfiction.]
Lisbon plodded up the stairs to the attic, already wondering if she would regret coming up to Jane at a time like this. After an incident like this, something as important to him as this.
They had been so close. So close. But, of course, Red John was able to slip through their fingers again, as smooth as sand. And now they were further away than ever before.
Lisbon decided in the back of her mind that indeed this was not a good idea to go visit, but by the time that part of her brain won over the rest of her mind, her fist was knocking on the large metal door to the attic.
Well, here goes nothing, she thought, bracing herself for what was to come.
She stood stone still for a few moments, not daring to move. She knew that Jane would come open the door for her. Surely, he would. Most definitely.
When, after a vague length of time, could have been minutes, or hours, or seconds, Jane did not come to open the door and let her in like he usually did, and Lisbon wondered once again if her coming to see her blonde consultant was the right thing to do.
But, she reminded herself, they were partners and friends, too. And that meantthey always had to be there for each other.
No matter what.
So she opened the attic door herself, something she hadn't had to do ever before.
She shut the door behind her, turning to see Jane where he stood, looking out the window. Even though his back was turned to her, Lisbon could already sense the pain and sadness coming off of him in waves.
Lisbon simply stood by the door. She knew that Jane knew she was there, and likewise Jane knew that she knew that he knew she was there. He also recognized that Lisbon was not going to come to him to comfort him, that he respected him enough to allow him to turn around if he wanted to. Which of course, he did want to.
So he turned around to face Lisbon.
Lisbon could see the pain and sadness in Jane's blue-green eyes. It radiated through the air in invisible waves, capturing Lisbon's green gaze in it's own.
Lisbon took a step toward Jane, and Jane took a step towards Lisbon.
"I don't think just a hug's gonna cut it this time." Jane admitted, breaking the connection by looking down at his hands.
Lisbon agreed, but did not say so aloud. She simply stood on her tiptoes, placing a quick, but sweet kiss on Jane's lips. Jane responded just as gentle, and after merely a moment they pulled apart. Lisbon offered Jane a small smile. "We'll get him next time." she promised.
Jane nodded, though he knew he didn't agree. He pulled Lisbon to him, wrapping his arms around her. Lisbon replied by hugging him back firmly, reassuringly, but also lovingly.
No more words were needed to be said.
