They are all sat around the bar table nursing their drinks. It was slightly uncomfortable at first but as the alcohol started to relax them the conversation started flowing a bit more freely. Jane was sat between Cho and Fischer and Lisbon was opposite him between Cho and Pike.

He was looking at her, staring really. He didn't know whether it was the effects of the drinking or just because he was tired after his long drive in the Airstream, but he wished they were the only two in the room. He wanted her attention. He wanted her to ignore all others and only be interested in him. To be fair, he had grown accustomed to that – having her all to himself. This evening however Agent Pike was commanding all of her attention and he was being very attentive himself. It seemed like an endless barrage of questions was coming out of Pike's mouth all directed at Lisbon. Inane, mundane questions, all of which Jane had grown to know the answers to years ago. To his credit though, Pike was hanging on Lisbon's every word and seemingly genuinely interested in her answers. Interested in her. It made Jane feel something in the pit of his stomach that he had felt on very few occasions before. He was vaguely hearing the conversation between Cho and Fischer over him and grunting occasionally in acknowledgement.

"Jane….Earth to Jane?" Fischer was trying to get his attention.

"Mmm? What?" He tried to hide any agitation in his voice.

"Would you like another drink?" She asked warmly.

"Erm….yes ok if everyone else is staying a bit longer….Lisbon?" He was hoping her response would be positive.

"Sure – we deserve it after this last week" She smiled and her cheeks looked pink from the warmth of the bar and the alcohol. He hoped that was the only reason as she turned back to smile at Pike.

"Let me get yours Teresa– same again?" Pike immediately asked – a little too keen for Jane's liking. The sound of her name on his lips was like blasphemy to his ears.

"Thanks" Lisbon smiled sweetly up at him. Jane tried to read her body language. Was she just being polite? Was she attracted to Pike? He couldn't tell. It was so frustrating. All the signals were confused or at least his reading of them was confused, his judgement clouded by his own emotions. Fischer and Pike headed to the bar and Cho excused himself to visit the men's room.

"Wow these FBI agents hey?!" Jane rolled his eyes in mock exasperation.

"Hush now – we work for the FBI now too you know." She giggled. "I kind of like them too – they seem like good people." She glanced over to the bar.

Jane tried to ignore the fact that she might have been specifically referring to Pike but couldn't help himself.

"I think he likes you, you know." He tested the waters.

"Don't be silly Jane" Lisbon waved him away dismissively but those cheeks turned one shade pinker. "He's just being friendly and grateful we helped him close the case." If felt like she was trying to convince herself and Jane wasn't sure whether this was because she doubted her own attractiveness or was embarrassed by the attention.

Gradually everyone started to retire to their hotel rooms. Pike looked reluctant to leave but as Lisbon and Jane hadn't finished their drinks yet, Jane was able to achieve his goal of alone time with her.

Their conversation flowed easily as usual, but they were also comfortable in their silences. They talked about things that had happened in the two years they had been apart and how the other would have enjoyed them. Lisbon did a lot of the talking as obviously she had had some updates on his antics through his letters but she hadn't been able to communicate with him whilst he was away. It was Jane's turn to hang on her every word.

The familiar vocals of Extreme drifted from the juke box to their table. "They're playing our song….care to dance?" Jane offered her his hand.

"What here?" Lisbon looks sheepishly around at the other bar inhabitants mostly single men, nursing their glasses and paying absolutely no attention to the strangers amongst them. "Why not?"

He took her hand and her waist and she put one hand on his shoulder and the fingers on the other interlocked with his. They were silent as the song progressed and the atmosphere combined with her fatigue meant she found both her hands were moving to clasp around his neck and his around her waist. They looked silently into each other's eyes. It felt so right and she could almost find herself opening her mouth to say something when she felt the metal of his ring brush on her skin as her top had slightly hitched up. It made her sigh. He can't help but have noticed. He didn't know what to say. He wanted to tell her he thought he was ready. Tell her that he's sorry it took him so long and he's so grateful she waited for him. Tell her that it has been her for so long but he couldn't admit it. He wanted to tell her, talk to her about it but he was lost for words.

She reminded herself that she couldn't wait forever. She had to let it go. She couldn't change him, she had never tried. He was such a brilliant man she wouldn't want to change him. Maybe the damage was what made her love him so much, God knows she'd had enough in her own life, but she doubted he'd ever be able to give himself fully to her and she didn't know how she'd deal with that. His mission to take down Red John had managed to consume her over the years too. Her life had been on hold but she knew there had to be a change. There was no guarantee for her that he felt the same way about her anyway and his friendship meant too much to risk losing. They were a team, partners and she didn't want to jeopardise that. She thought she'd indulge herself one more time though, she owed herself that. She drew herself closer into him and rested her head on his shoulder. It was his turn to sigh. He wanted her to stay like that forever. The song came to an end. She drew away and decided then and there to give herself closure. "Good night Jane."

"Good night Teresa." He almost whispered.

What would an ordinary life be like for Jane? He was only just getting used to life without the sole purpose of catching Red John. Would it mean someone to come home to each night and someone to love, laugh and cry with. Who was he kidding; it could only be extraordinary if every day was spent with Teresa Lisbon.

That night, Jane took off his wedding ring.

To be continued….