Blurring the Red Line
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters mentioned in this story… yada-yada-yada. You get the point.
A/N: This is my FIRST Mentalist fic and I'm excited for it. This is now my third unfinished story that I have posted but that's not a crime. I'll finish them all eventually. Maybe… Just kidding! I will! Anyways. I'm going to do shorter chapters in this book so I can update more often rather than the super long chapters in my It Takes Two story. Well, enjoy everyone!
Lisbon sighed as she watched Jane saunter into her office and collapse on the couch that he had gotten for her a couple years ago. He probably only got it for himself, not for her. He just wanted a comfy spot in her office that he could distract her from. She wasn't going to let him distract her. Focusing on her paperwork again, she continued writing bullshit that would satisfy her boss. Bertram probably didn't even look at it since she had almost daily paperwork to do concerning the blond-haired consultant that was still in her peripheral vision.
The past week had been mostly uneventful. Monday was spent finishing up paperwork for a closed case that Jane had miraculously stayed out of trouble in… until he decided to trick the widow into thinking her husband had a mistress. Although it solved the case and showed that the widow was guilty, Jane managed to smash some toes in the process; therefore getting her another strongly worded email from Bertram telling her to keep her team, meaning Jane, under control. Tuesday had been full of going over closed case reports while Jane remained locked in his asthma inducing attic fortress. The team really had no idea what he did up there and they never asked Lisbon. She knew that he would stare out the window hopelessly or try and remember the names of everyone he has ever met to write in that little black notebook in his futile attempt to find Red John. One day they would get him but mulling over it almost every hour of the day won't help. The poor man needed a break. Wednesday was mostly the same as Tuesday except Jane was on his couch most of the day sleeping. It was almost noon on that Thursday and Lisbon was already getting excited. If nothing came up before Friday at 5 and Red John didn't make an appearance, the team would get the entire weekend off. They weren't even scheduled to be on call.
Lisbon glanced back up at Jane, who hadn't moved a muscle since she had last looked up. She knew he wasn't really sleeping. He barely ever did in the first place. She also knew that he was aware of her watching him, which was extremely unnerving. Refocusing on the paperwork again, Lisbon tried to continue filling out the mind-numbing forms but she found her eyes drifting back to the couch. Now Jane had opened his eyes and was watching her carefully. Analyzing her like he would a suspect.
"What do you want Jane?" she snapped. Her retort coming across a lot harsher that she meant it too.
"Why are you watching me?" he asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. She internally cringed, the man knew everything while seeming like he wasn't paying attention to anything.
"I'm not." She tried. Jane just ignored it.
"Liar liar, pants on fire." he mumbled under his breath.
Lisbon rolled her eyes, "Do you need something?"
"I should be asking you that. You're the one staring at me." Jane retorted.
"I was not star-" Lisbon began to argue, but was interrupted by the ringing of her desk phone.
"Lisbon." She answered, crossing her fingers under the desk.
Jane watched his boss's slight smile fade away. She nodded and mumbled a few "Okays" before hanging up and sighing.
"Case?" Jane asked when she met his eyes.
"Yeah. We caught a single homicide in LA that looks to be gang related. Grab some clothes because I doubt we will be coming back tonight." She mumbled as she left her office to tell Cho and Rigsby. Van Pelt would be staying behind to work leads on the computer like usual. Jane got off the couch and headed up towards the attic to gather some things before meeting Lisbon by the elevator. Jane and Lisbon were going to take one car while Rigsby and Cho drove another so if someone needed to get back, they didn't all have to go.
When they got to the parking lot, they tossed their bags into the back and Lisbon started the car. Jane wisely kept his mouth shut. Anger was radiating from his partner. One wrong word could cause her to explode, and since they had a six hour car ride ahead of them, Jane closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.
A/N: So like I said, short and sweet and hopefully it'll be easier for me to write. I will be able to pound out 1000ish words and update instead of shooting for 4000. This will be better for all of us. Trust me. So I love reviews yes I DO! They really don't take that long to DO! Please leave one and that would be fabulous!
~G.