Lies and Deceits
He could tell that Lisbon was worried about him. Six months had passed since Red John's apprehension, but he was still stuck in neutral. After spending a whole decade chasing a serial killer, he just couldn't adjust to some sort of normal life again.
To him, it was no big deal. It seemed to matter to Lisbon, however.
She'd started seeking his company more and more frequently of late. They shared cups of tea, ice creams, and Lisbon's couch when watching a movie. It wasn't until she asked him out one evening that alarm bells started ringing in his head.
"I'm seeing someone tonight," he all but blurted out. "A woman."
Though the clarification was somewhat unnecessary, it had Lisbon blinking like a deer caught in the headlights.
"Oh. Sounds great," she said as she tried – and failed – to summon a friendly smile.
After that night she didn't ask him out again. She started fishing for details instead.
So he told her about Ann. The way he felt when they were together, and how they seemed to get along well.
Lisbon managed a genuine smile this time, and wished him good luck with his charming friend. He wasn't sure he looked like a man in love, but she was probably too emotionally involved to notice it.
A few weeks later he announced that he and Ann were together. Lisbon put on a brave face and warmly congratulated him. Jane's heart sank when she wrapped him in a hug and placed a sisterly kiss on his cheek.
It didn't matter. He was well accustomed to feeling guilty anyway.
Then a couple of months went by, and Lisbon half-jokingly asked him if they were ever going to meet his girlfriend. His words lacked conviction when he reassured her that they would in time.
The same evening he found her crying in her office. She stubbornly refused to admit it, but he knew that she felt miserable because he didn't trust her to meet his – imaginary – partner.
"I'm sorry," he whispered as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
Lisbon stifled a sob and abruptly wished him goodnight.