A one shot tag to 3x10 - Jolly Red Elf. I own nothing.
"I'm just home. Could you take me drunk?"
Internally, she is a little shocked. Of course she knows that he is drunk and that he mixed up the words. But still she involuntarily reacts to his words ever so slightly. Pulling herself out of her temporary shock, she goes to help him out of the chair.
"Cho, Rigsby, take her back to the office. I'll take Jane home and meet you there" Lisbon ordered.
"Yes boss" Cho replied.
Lisbon turned back to the drunken man, and watched him as he struggled with the light. He was such a pain in her ass, but he was always worth saving.
"Come on, Jane, let's take you drunk" she was smiling now, teasing him a little. She extended her hand to help him up.
With a knowing smile he feigned confusion before accepting her hand.
"Very funny Lisbon. Do you have any sunglasses? It's soooo bright in here" he replied, pulling himself up with her help. A little unsteady on his feet he grabbed her other hand. She hands him the glasses in her pocket. As he fumbles the glasses she worries he will poke himself in the eye. He doesn't.
"Better?" She asked, making sure to hold him steady.
"Much" he answered, solemnly.
"You okay Jane?" She asked for the second time that night.
"Fine 'n dandy. Jus' a tiny headache. Will you help me?" He slurred.
"I got you Jane" she replied, almost rolling her eyes. She put her arm around his waist.
"Let's take you home".
He responded by putting his arm around her shoulders. It doesn't take long for them to fall into a comfortable stance. They walk out of the building, taking more than one wrong turn on the way out.
"Are we going around in circles? I feel dizzy".
Damn him she thought, always making fun of her.
"I already told you, this place is a maze. But you being dizzy is your own fault" she responded.
"Hey, I s-solved case didn't I? You should be thanking me. Where's my thanks?". He turns into her a little, bringing their bodies closer together, leaning on her a little more.
She should tell him that his stupid plan nearly got him killed tonight, and he broke about a dozen rules. But she can't help but agree a little.
"Oh right, my sincere thanks for almost getting yourself killed. Again." she replied sarcastically. He's so close now that she can smell him. He smells wonderful, just like Jane. She will never admit that she's enjoying the closeness.
"You're welcome. Ahhh, okay home time." He groans, breathing on her. His breath on the other hand, didn't smell so great.
"Good. I don't know how much longer I can put up with your breath" she teased.
"Always a pllleasure, Agent Lisbon" he said as they finally exited the building. She couldn't help but smile.
It was a warm night but a cool breeze was starting to chill the air. He was keeping her warm. She was keeping him upright. They were helping each other, like always.
As they walked in a comfortable silence she couldn't help but think about Jane's earlier comment ' I'm just home'.
She couldn't help but feel at home too.