A/N. Fic number 2, think I'm going to become addicted to this soon !
This is 1 of a 3 part fic revolving around, yeah you guessed it, Jane and Lisbon.

Disclaimer: I own nothing :)

Enjoyy
~WL

He Wasn't a Psychic

A week.

One whole week.

7 full days, each with their own 24 hours.

That was how long it had been.

10080 minutes. So long since he had last heard the sound of her voice. Not even that.

How was he to know that it would affect her like that? Oh yeah, he was meant to be a psychic. A psychic would have known that.

Poetic justice, that's what they call it, isn't it.

He sat there, bitter as hell. Who knows how much longer this would last. He didn't. After all, he wasn't a psychic.

She sat at the wheel, tears pouring down her face, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.
She knew that she shouldn't be driving in this condition, but what could she do, realistically.

Well, of course something came before that. Such occasions do not just come flying out of the blue.

"Right, we've got a case. Up in the mountains, let's get going guys. JANE."....
"Two victims. Samantha Andrews, 31 years old and her daughter; Elizabeth Andrews, 7 years old."....
"We found them in the bedroom."....
"Knife wounds"....
"No idea Boss, my guess is the landlord."....
It's the husband. The father. The bastard.
"We've got nothing at all."
If only you'd listen.
"JANE! Where are you going?"
I just couldn't face the ignorance.
"Who the hell is this?"
Graham Andrews. Your murderer.
"What the hell Jane you can't just go around arresting people?"
Someone has to do it.
"How did he know?"
How could he.
"JANE! Where are you going this time?"
I just can't take it anymore.

And so it started. The first of a bout of killings. He kept his control well, or so they all thought. In reality, it got worse every single time. The occasional son didn't tear him apart quite so much, but the pure evil involved in a single wife and daughter was enough to rip his heart out, time and time again. Every time it was the same. Nobody else would suspect the husband, at least in the first few cases of this sort. They would all potter about futilely questioning the gardener, the maid, the neighbours, the older brother, the grandparents, whoever, until Jane disappeared and returned with the killer in tow, ready to make a confession. Nobody knew what he did to them, nobody wanted to. It wasn't likely that it was above the line of the law. But they let it continue. They thought that here he would get his closure, by putting away so many men who caused the same pain that he was suffering. He retained control, didn't let it show. He was always in the same place every morning, lying on the couch. Nobody said a word, they didn't know what he did to keep it all together, but as long as it worked they weren't going to ask questions. Lisbon would eye him with concern every morning after he had missed team pizza, but he never gave anything away. At least he still had some of his skills left. If only she knew, it would rip her apart too. That was the sole reason that he was so careful. He couldn't do it to her, he just couldn't. Or so he thought.

"Lisbon, a word please."

As she walked into Minelli's office she prayed that this wasn't about Jane. They'd all noticed his withdrawal since this particular trend of killings had started. As much as they all claimed to hate the pain in the ass consultant Jane, they would give anything to have him back. He still tried, but they could all see through it, as clear as crystal.

"We've got another one. A wife and daughter in Malibu. Thing is, all the evidence points away from the husband. Your team are on it, but I don't want Jane storming in there and apprehending the father before anybody else can do anything about it, because in this case he might just be wrong." Minelli gravely told her the facts, these murders were starting to get to the whole unit, everybody knew about them. "Get Jane to stay here, or send him out for coffee or something, if you can."

With that Lisbon thanked her boss and vacated his office. She went straight back to her own, calling her team in with her. "Jane, stay where you are, please". She had noticed that he had started to get up, and as much as she hated shutting him out, she hated what these murders were doing to him even more. Surprisingly after Van Pelt shut the door nobody else tried to open it again, maybe he had listened for once.

"We've got a case in Malibu guys, road trip time. Another W&D murder, but all the evidence points away from the father. I'll brief you on more details on the road, let's get going." Lisbon said concisely, she just wanted to get this over and done with.

"What about Jane, boss?" Cho asked passively.

"I don't know, to be honest. I don't want him to come, but I can't see how that's going to happen. Just try and keep him away from the action, and he'll ride with me. You take the case notes and run over them on the way." With that she turned back to her desk to gather up the case notes that Minelli had given her, and the other agents filed out of their office to get their things. It was likely to be an overnight trip so they all grabbed some stuff to take.

Five minutes later Lisbon emerged out of her office, already looking run down by this case. The other's had already headed down to the lot so it was just her and Jane left in the bullpen. He opened his eyes and regarded her as he felt her presence enter the room, and for a split second she thought that he would stay behind of his own accord. As if he had read her mind he said to her "It's okay Lisbon, I'm fine, let's go." She knew it was a front, but she knew that he would never let her in properly.

"Are you sure?" she questioned, concern evident in her eyes for what Jane thought must have been the hundredth time recently.

"You know me" he said, setting up his features in his trademark grin. The one that shut out the world and told everybody that everything was good and dandy. Lisbon could see straight through it, as always. Maybe he was starting to rub off on her.

As with every case like this one, they went through the rituals of Lisbon asking if Jane was okay, really okay, on their way down to the coast, and she got the same reply over and over, of course he was okay, why wouldn't he be? She wondered if he knew how obvious it was that this was killing him inside.

When they reached the beachside mansion Lisbon took control of her team once again. There were already local PD on the scene and a forensics team from the CBI was close behind them. Lisbon flashed her badge to the DA and proceeded to lead her team through to the house. They headed up to the bedroom, Jane lagging behind uncharacteristically.

After the rest of the team had surveyed the scene and headed off to find people to question Jane took the time alone to check out the crime scene himself. He entered the bedroom and froze as soon as he saw the victims. He stood stock still for a good five minutes, a vacant look on his face.

A tall blonde woman lay on the bed, curled up beside her was a seven year old girl with flowing blonde locks. There were knife gashes everywhere and blood decorated the room. It was a scene that had haunted Jane for too long in his nightmares. He tore himself away from the scene after long enough of staring at it, turned on his heel and walked straight out of the house.

"The husband" he said as he walked past Lisbon. He didn't even know where he was going.

Lisbon called his name in an attempt to stop him, but he just couldn't take any more of this. It was the seventh such occasion, but not once before had the scene so resembled that of his own wife and daughter so many years ago.

"You can't ignore a Jane hunch boss," Rigsby told Lisbon from where he stood beside her.

"All the evidence points the other way," Lisbon replied to him, as much as she wanted Jane to be right for his own peace of mind she couldn't see it happening.

"It's still a Jane hunch," Cho joined the conversation.

"Fine, check it out. Find the husband and find out what he knows." She knew that there was only an outside chance of Jane being right on this occasion, but her team was right, it was a Jane hunch, she couldn't ignore it. After all, his hunches were half the reason that the teams solve rate was as high as it was.

-----

"You were right." Jane heard Lisbon's soft voice carry along the wind towards him. "We've got him, they're taking him back to the office now." Jane didn't respond, he just sat, alone with his thoughts. "What are you thinking?" She knew it wouldn't work, but she had an obligation to try, even if it was only an internal one.

How much I wish I could prevent these murders, rather than just solve them. How sick it is that someone could throw away something so beautiful. How I'd do anything to have what he gave up. How she looked so much like my little girl. How I'd give up anything in the world to just see their faces one more time. How much I loved, no, love, them. How much I miss them. How I can't cope with anymore of this.

"Come on, we need to get back."

She gave up, leading him by the elbow. He looked so vulnerable. He never said a word.

The moment they got back to the office Rigsby ordered pizza, Lisbon filled in the paperwork that she had not yet done, Cho dug out his book after the boss refused his offer for help, and Van Pelt retreated to the kitchenette to make tea, or maybe just to get out of the way. Jane collapsed onto the couch.

An hour later everything was sorted out and the team sat down to their traditional team pizza once they wrapped up a case. Jane sat down with them, much to everybody's surprise. He had to at least try...

The mood was sombre, much more so than usual. Nobody had failed to recognize the similarities between this case and Jane's own grief. Nobody asked him about it, nobody, although they'd never admit to it, wanted to hear the answer, or be burdened with the guilt of bringing it up. They silently started the pizza, with dead conversation reverberating off the walls. Jane sat in silence, he didn't eat.

As Van Pelt was about to query him about this Jane stood up abruptly, he turned to walk away, and then as if an afterthought, turned back and said quietly "I'm sorry, I, I just...sorry." Nobody but Lisbon noticed as a tear escaped through his mask and made its way down his face just as he turned away from them.

Rigsby called after him "Jane. Jane, come on mate..." but before he had a chance to finish Lisbon laid a hand on his arm and said gently "Just leave him Wayne." At the unusual touch and the use of his first name Rigsby fell silent.

Lisbon had no idea where Jane was going, but she knew that he needed to be alone right now, so she let him be. If he hadn't returned by the time they all went home she told herself that she would call him.

I can't face them. I feel so bad, just leaving them, but they must understand. Lisbon must understand.

Jane walked out of the office, took a left as usual but then half way down the street he realised he had no idea where he was going. I can't face my house (for it was no longer a home to him), and Lisbon isn't in. He had no idea, so he just wandered the streets aimlessly for a good hour. He had somehow made his way into the centre of the town. He picked the first bar that he came across. Harpo's. He used to frequent this particular bar in his first few months in Sacramento, he knew the bar maids well, and they knew that when he came in alone they were better off leaving him that way.

As he walked in relief washed over him as he saw who was serving at the bar. Annabel and Charlotte. He wouldn't have any trouble from them, he would just be left to wallow in his own misery. God he was glad that times hadn't changed too much around here.

"Patrick Jane! Now there's a face that I haven't seen in a while!" As Annabel greeted him Charlotte looked over and gave him a sad smile. She knew everything, she had been his only confidant for a good while when he first came to the city, and she had enough reserve to never ask questions, just provide someone to listen for the evenings when he just needed to get everything out. Annabel quickly picked up on his demeanour and changed her tone. She had always been slightly jealous that Jane had chosen Charlotte to pour his heart out to, but she too understood some of what he went through and that he, more often than not, kept himself to himself. She lowered her tone and simply stated "I thought you'd moved on to bigger and better bars."

"Broke the habit for a while actually," Jane responded quietly. "The usual please," he then excused himself and went to sit at a table in the corner.

A minute later Charlotte brought him over his drink and slid into the seat opposite him.

"Hey," she said nervously, she didn't know just how far he had broken the habit, although from his conduct it seemed like he was here for his old reasons. "You look rough," she continued, the sad smile returning to her face.

"Thanks," Jane returned the smile. He was growing more and more grateful that he had chosen to come here. "Maybe a bit later, I'm not too sure really."

She knew that this finished the conversation and he didn't want to talk just yet. She would return to his side in a few hours and do as he asked, if he still wasn't ready, she would extend her shift and wait until he needed her. She hadn't seen him in this state in years. She would simply watch his table; delivering another drink each time he had finished his current one, each time he would smile up at her, glad that someone respected his need just to forget everything.

-----

"Boss, come on, you know that there's nothing more that you can do here tonight, you may as well go home and get an early night." It was 9:00pm and the team had finished their pizza, they were all making their way home and Van Pelt was trying to convince Lisbon to do the same.

"I'm just going to go and take this paperwork to Minelli," she replied, adamant not to leave yet.

"I thought that he said he didn't want it until tomorrow." Van Pelt pressed on.

"There's no reason why paperwork shouldn't be put in early," Lisbon was clutching at straws here.

Cho interrupted the conversation, "Leave it Grace." At this Van Pelt knew that there was nothing more that she could do, they all knew how stubborn their boss could be at times. As she walked away Cho looked hard at Lisbon, "You're waiting for Jane aren't you?"

"You didn't see him earlier. I've never seen him like that before,"

"He'll come back when he's ready, he always does,"

"This time I'm really not so sure. Just let me call him, and then I promise I'll go home," Lisbon knew that she was defeated, so, for once, she gave up without too much of an argument.

"Ok, well I'm going to get off, so I'll see you in the morning." This showed Lisbon just how much Cho's trust in her extended. His immediate acceptance of her word left her with no choice but to do exactly as she had said. She pulled out her phone and dialled 1 on speed dial. It rung out. She really wasn't surprised. At least she had tried. Cho was right; he would come back when he was ready. She hoped.

-----

The night passed on, Jane never felt like talking. At closing time Charlotte came back over to sit with him.

"Hey," she greeted him again. She knew she wouldn't get a reply, so she continued. "You know, it was really good to see you again tonight. Obviously I wish the circumstances were different, I hate seeing you do this to yourself, but, that's none of my business unless you make it so."

Jane just sat there, staring at the table as he had been doing all night. When she had brought his 10th, actually, maybe it was his 11th, drink over he had been crying silently to himself. He hadn't even bothered to wipe away the tears when she sat down beside him. He continued to sit in stony silence, so she returned to her place at the bar.

"It's closing time Patrick. I'll call you a ride." She gently helped him stand up and took his phone out of his trouser pocket, before guiding him back down to his seat again. She did as she did every time an evening ended like this and went straight onto his recent calls. Lisbon was a name that she had never encountered before, she vaguely remembered the name Lisbon, but had never had to call her requesting a lift home before.

-----

They were walking through the park together, hand in hand. She never thought that it would come to this, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face. Suddenly his phone began to ring. Why wasn't he answering, whoever it was must have had some importance, otherwise they would not have interrupted this special moment between them. Wait, it's still ringing. There it goes again. Maybe it isn't his. Maybe it's mine. Damn, the phone. Lisbon was torn from her dream with the incessant ringing of her mobile. She blearily looked at the clock, 2:04am, who on earth was calling her at that time?

"Lisbon"

"Er, hi, my name is Charlotte, I'm..."

"Sorry I'm not interested, good night."

"No wait, please,"

"Seriously, give up before I report you." Sales-people, did they have no respect at all.

Just as Lisbon was about to put the phone down Charlotte tried once more "I'm with Patrick Jane,"

Lisbon came back to full consciousness with a start. Oh God, what has he done now?

"I'm so sorry it's so late, you were the last person to phone him."

"What does he need?" Charlotte couldn't avoid hearing the concern that tainted her voice.

"We're at Harpo's, on Sunset Boulevard, he needs a lift home, if that's not too much to ask..."

Lisbon rolled out of bed and grabbed some sweatpants and a tank top out of her chest of drawers, "I'll see you in ten minutes. Oh, and thanks."

"For what?"

"Just... just for looking after him."

Charlotte had no idea who this Lisbon character was, but she came to the conclusion that maybe Jane had finally found someone else to care for him when times got tough.

"Can I have one more drink?" His quiet voice broke her from her musings.

"Patrick, I really think you've had enough for tonight." Charlotte didn't want to start a fight with him, but he was already completely off his face.

"Please, just to take the edge off...wait, who... who did you...who did you just call?"

"Lisbon is coming to pick you up." So he had been paying the slightest bit of attention.

"Please, she's going to hate me for this." No matter how many times she had seen Patrick Jane beg, she could never resist it when he looked at her like that. Even with the amount of alcohol that was coursing through his veins he still managed to get his own way.

"What do you want?"

"Anything. Dry martini or something." He slurred, she knew that she shouldn't be doing this.

She went back to the bar, unlocked the cabinet and took out the gin and dry vermouth that she needed to make the drink; he could do without the olive.

As soon as she gave it to him, Jane downed the drink. Charlotte was now considerably more confused as to the identity of Lisbon, so she gave up on the idea and just sat next to Jane, his head leaning on her shoulder.

Lisbon knocked on the door of the bar and without waiting for a reply she walked straight in. The moment she saw Jane she almost fell apart there and then. Jane looked up at her like a helpless child and the raw pain that he had diluted with his drinking returned with full intensity. Charlotte didn't even both asking. The two of them all but carried him out to the car and put him in the passenger seat. The moment they did he closed his eyes and for all Lisbon could tell he passed out.

"Thanks" she said again, out of earshot of Jane. Not that he was listening.

"I'm sorry," was all Charlotte could say, sorry for getting her out at the time in the morning, and sorry for letting Jane get into the state he was currently in. The same state her father that had got himself into almost every night when she was little.

She sat at the wheel, tears pouring down her face, hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.
She knew that she shouldn't be driving in this condition, but what could she do, realistically.

That's where it had started. Who knew where it would end.

Jane certainly didn't. After all, he wasn't a psychic.

A/N. As I said on my last post I'm a new writer and would really appreciate some feedback as to whether you like my writing ! I know you're out there !
If you review I might give you cookies ;)

Cheers,
~WL