Disclaimer: I do not own The Mentalist or any of its characters. If I did, Kristina Frye would definitely not be coming back. And if she did, Jane would not be asking her on a date!

A/N: I could not believe when I saw that Jane and Kristina are to go on a date a few weeks back. I tried to imagine what on Earth would possess him to go out with her. So, me being irked at the news articles saying "romance sparks between Jane and Kristina..." led to this story! I tried to have this story finished sooner, but final exams and projects prevented me from being able to write that much. Anyway, here is the story. Enjoy!

*Be aware that there are plot spoilers for Red Letter (2.22) and Red Sky in the Morning (2.23).*

I Won't Say I'm in Love
Chapter 1- Dinner Date

Teresa Lisbon sighed as she massaged her temples. This case had been extremely strenuous and the sparring match between Jane and Kristina Frye surely was not helping, all in addition to Hightower breathing down her neck. She believed she must have been a serial killer in a past life because she was definitely paying off some bad karma.

Lisbon reached for her coffee cup. She frowned upon seeing the emptiness in her mug. Needing a refill, Lisbon left her office and headed out to the break room. Just steps away from the break room, Lisbon's cell phone rang. Lisbon pulled her cell phone out of her pocket to answer it. Hopefully Cho and Rigsby had some good news for her.

"Any news Cho?"

"Not really. The wife's alibi checked out." Cho explained.

"Of course." Lisbon responded. "In that case, go talk to the husband. See what he thinks about his wife's alibi."

"Yes Boss."

Lisbon ended her phone call and put her phone back in her pocket. About to resume her journey into the break room, Lisbon stopped short again, this time because she spied Jane and Kristina sitting together in the break room. It appeared that Jane had just prepared himself-and apparently for Kristina too-a cup of tea. Surprised at the sudden amiability between the two, Lisbon leaned against the doorway, just out of their sight, listening curiously as to what could have caused the two to put aside their differences for the time being.

"I have to say, Patrick, it's definitely a pleasure to work with you again." Kristina said as Jane handed her a cup of tea. "I just wish we didn't always have to meet under criminal-influenced circumstances."

Jane took a sip of his tea.

"Well, without criminal and illegal activities, you and I would both be out of work, wouldn't we?"

Kristina laughed and Jane smiled.

"You make an excellent point." Kristina said with a smile.

"Naturally." Jane replied.

Kristina glanced down at her watch and then back at Jane.

"It's getting late and I don't believe we're going to be able to do much more," she pointed out. "I think I might run out and grab something to eat."

"How about we grab something together?"

"You're trying to manipulate me into coming with you, aren't you?" Kristina asked suspiciously.

"Actually, I think you're trying to manipulate me into thinking that I'm manipulating you into coming with me." Jane replied.

"Well, whatever is going on, it's working. There's this restaurant that one of my clients recommended just a few blocks from here. I hear it's quite…romantic."

Lisbon couldn't believe what she just heard. Jane's going on a date with Kristina Frye?

"Excellent." Jane said.

"I'll get my things and then we can get going."

"Sure. I'll just check in with Lisbon, let her know we're going. Plus," Jane stood up and went over to the coffee maker. "I'm pretty sure that she'll be needing another cup of coffee by now. I'll bring her one and then we can go."

Kristina looked slightly annoyed at the fact that Jane was so in-tune with Lisbon. Jane just ignored this and proceeded to make Lisbon her cup of coffee, exactly the way she likes it.

Lisbon quickly retreated to her office and waited for Jane to bring her a refill of coffee. She took a deep breath as she anxiously waited to hear what Jane could possibly say about his date with Kristina. She couldn't even imagine how he was going to explain that one.

Thankfully she wouldn't have to wait for too long, as Jane strolled into her office moments later, cup of coffee in hand. Lisbon pretended to be engrossed in typing up a report on her computer as Jane approached her.

"Hi Lisbon." he said as he placed the coffee mug on her desk. "I though you could use another cup of coffee by now."

Lisbon looked up at him.

"Thanks Jane. I was actually just about to go get another cup."

"Perfect timing then." Jane said with a smile. "Lisbon, Kristina and I are going out to dinner."

Here it comes, Lisbon thought.

"Do you want anything from the restaurant? I know that this particular place has an excellent chocolate mousse, which is irresistible."

Lisbon shook her head and then forced herself to smile.

"No thanks Jane. I'll be okay."

Jane looked at her for a moment.

"What?" Lisbon asked, seeing Jane's unfaltering gaze.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah. Fine." Lisbon replied quickly.

Jane kept his eyes locked on Lisbon for a few more seconds before saying:

"Okay, if you say so." he then turned to leave. "'Night Lisbon. See you tomorrow."

As soon as Jane left her office, Lisbon placed her head in her hands. It's just dinner between colleagues, she told herself. That's all it is.

But if it was just dinner between friends, why was she so bothered by it?
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Reviews make me write the last two chapters faster (which should hopefully be up by Thursday the latest)

You can also express your dislike for Kristina Frye's return if you'd like :) Thanks for reading!

Up Next: Lisbon reflects on why she's bothered by Jane and Kristina's date