A/N: So this story is going to be a compilation of random moments featuring Jane, Lisbon, and the team. Each chapter will be a different moment. Past, present, future, AU...it's all fair game. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Mentalist! :)

Chapter Summary- Jane's thoughts on his first time working with Lisbon.

"You know you caught me off my highest guard

Believe me when I say it's hard"

He had heard the rumors going around that the Red John case might go to her. It wasn't a sure thing yet, but it was a distinct possibility. She was the rising star of the CBI, why not put the case of California's most prolific serial killer in her obviously capable hands. It was all just as well, seeing as how hers was practically the only unit in the building he had yet to be assigned to.

He had yet to meet her but he'd heard she was good, very good. He had also heard that she was competent and by the book, a devout follower if the rules. Unfortunate, since he viewed rules as something more like guidelines that didn't really apply to him. They were bound to dislike each other on principle. It really was too bad he wouldn't last much longer on her team than any of the others, (his longest run to date was about two weeks) it would have been extremely convenient to be on the team with the Red John case. Perhaps he should try a little harder to behave himself this time, he could have such wonderfully easy access...

Teresa Lisbon was everything he'd heard she was, and more. Along with being a good leader and a rule lover, she was also smart as a whip, tough, witty, commanding, loyal, and quite pretty. And she was smaller, much smaller, than he had been expecting given all he'd heard about her. He found he was intrigued by her, which was new for him. People generally didn't present him with much of a challenge anymore-he could figure them out with little effort-but she was something of a mystery. If he'd hoped he could charm his way into her good graces, he had been wrong.

Agent Teresa Lisbon was an enigma he hadn't been expecting. She was driven and hard working, almost to a fault, but he could see playfulness lurking under the surface, though he suspected she very rarely let that part of herself free. Also anger, he could tell from the get go that she had a quick temper. The first time she snapped at him, he found himself wanting to provoke her anger again, he couldn't help it. She was absolutely adorable when she was angry, in a terrifying kind of way. He almost died laughing the first time he saw that giant of a man, Rigsby, cowering under her furious gaze. As it was, when he chuckled, her glare had immediately relocated itself to him. He had only smiled brightly in return, it had been a long time since he had laughed with any real amusement.

His first case with the team went almost exactly as he'd expected. Though he did try to be on his best behavior, he had her yelling at him by the end of the first day. He was surprised when he made it though the whole case without getting the boot, in his previous experience the agent in charge usually requested a transfer long before the end of a case. The night the case was closed, she called him to her office. He figured now was when she reassigned him to another team. He was a bit disappointed, he had liked working with her more than any of the other agents. He couldn't say why exactly, he just had a feeling about her. Maybe he could persuade her to change her mind? It was worth a try anyways, since the Red John case had now officially been assigned to her team.

He sat, facing her across her desk, watching her narrowed eyes analyze him.

"So, I've finally had my turn working with the infamous Patrick Jane. I'd heard rumors that it was a trying experience."

"And do you agree? Was the experience trying?" It was making him uncomfortable that he had no idea what she was going to say next. Not even a hint. He was unused to people being able to shield their thoughts from him as well as she was...not that he was going to let her in on that knowledge...ever.

"I found it...intriguing." She regarded him for a long moment, he made sure he was wearing his most innocent expression. "I like you." His jaw almost hit the floor. He schooled his reaction to her unexpected words just in time, but he could tell she'd seen his initial surprise and was amused. In fact, she looked downright pleased with herself for getting the drop on him. When was the last time anyone had surprised him like this? He couldn't remember. Her eyes sparkled at him and she continued. "You irritate the hell out of me, but I like you. Mostly I like how quickly you helped us close this case, even if I did disagree-vehemently-with your methods. I think you could be an asset. Of course, you could just as easily be a detriment, but I suppose we can cross that bridge when we come to it. Besides, my boss has informed me that there are practically no other units which you haven't been kicked off of so I'm not sure we would have anywhere to transfer you to."

She wasn't entirely happy with the situation, he realized, but she was going to keep him on anyways. Chagrin and amusement tangled in her eyes. It was the first time he noticed that she liked to take care of things that were broken and alone, to piece them back together. She was a fixer, contrary and determined. He thought perhaps he wouldn't mind so much if she wanted to try to piece him together, not that she would succeed, but it might be nice to have someone in his corner. He smiled his most charming smile.

"You'll have to excuse my incredulity, I have found that I am somewhat unpopular with the agents here. You would like me to become part of your team on a permanent basis?"

"Yes." Her eyebrows knit, she was trying to decide wether or not to say something. Her chin lifted. "I've read your file," her eyes held his, "I know your background. I know that the true reason for your being here is your desire to find Red John." He wasn't smiling anymore. "I'm only saying this so that you know I understand your motivation, where you're coming from, at least to an extent. The point is, you want to stop him and I want him stopped, maybe we can help each other."

"Red John is mine." She had a right to know just what she was getting herself into, who she was aligning herself with. She sighed.

"I think that's one of those 'cross it when we get to it' scenarios." She smiled again, it was a peace offering. He nodded, this would do for now. Her smile widened and she extended her hand so they could shake on it. "Welcome to the team, Jane."

He stood and grasped her hand, brushing a kiss across the back, intentionally flustering her. He had to gain back some of the power in this new relationship after all.

"Agent Lisbon, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership." His most dazzling smile accompanied his words. She snatched her hand from his grasp with an annoyed frown, the first of many, he assumed.

"Don't push your luck, Jane."

A/N: The lyrics at the beginning of the chapter are from the song 'Almost Alive' by Secondhand Serenade