I got the basic idea for this story some day in August... I just had to wait until December!

" Oh, I can't wait for you guys to open my presents! " Jane grinned.

It was one day before Christmas and they all were sitting around the table in Lisbon's office.

Jane had decided to get everybody a little present, so now there were three little packages laying on the table. Just three…

" One for Grace, one for Rigsby and one for Cho… " He was clearly amused.

" None for Lisbon? " Asked Rigsby wondering, but Lisbon just quickly looked at him and immediately said " Doesn't matter… "

" Well, since you think it's unprofessional I have nothing for you now… " Jane said emotionless and continued to talk to the others. " Please open them now, so that I can see if you like it! "

" But it's not Christmas yet! Wouldn't that be kind of 'against the rules'? " Worried Van Pelt.

" Oh, c'mon! Please! " Jane nearly begged them. Van Pelt rolled her eyes, but started opening her present. So did Cho and Rigsby. Lisbon just sat there looking really small. She was a bit confused and hurt. Why had Jane gotten everyone something but not her? Had she done something wrong?

Soon Grace pulled out a little peace of paper. It was a coupon for her favorite spa!

" Thank you Jane! That's great! " She smiled and stood up to hug him.

" So, now the next one… " Jane grinned.

Rigsby soon held up a picture with food on it. " What the hell…? "

They started laughing. " Well, Rigsby, you love food! So I got you a picture of it! Your true love is always with you now! " Said Jane.

Even Lisbon smiled. But it was a cold and sad one, without anything happy in it. Just as the inside of her was looking like at the same time.

" Cho? " Grace asked. " What about you? "

" It's a book. I don't have to open it. " He said emotionless.

" You're no fun, mate! " Complained Jane.

" But thank you. " He said, still not smiling, but a bit friendlier.

" C'mon. It's the last day of work before Christmas. We have to finish our work! " Lisbon said still faking a smile. After everybody left, she closed the door and went back to work.

But she couldn't concentrate. While she just stared at the little black letters on the paper, her thoughts drifted to Jane. What had she done to him? Did he even know how much this hurt her? She had the feeling her heart would break into tiny pieces… She always thought they'd be friends, but obviously she had been wrong. She meant nothing to him.

A hot tear ran escaped her left eye, but she quickly whipped it away.

She made the last signature, although her hand shivered lightly.

After that, she let down the blinds and sat down on her couch… Jane had been right, it was pretty comfortable. When she started thinking about Jane, she felt the broken pieces again. She blamed herself because this behavior was totally unprofessional. He had such an effect on her and that wasn't good at all. Another tear wanted to escape, but she blinked it away.

Suddenly someone knocked on her door. " Come in! " She said weakly.

" Sorry, Boss… Am I interrupting you? " Van Pelt asked, blushing lightly.

" No, not at all! " Lisbon answered. " What's up? " Her usual bossy mask was back.

" I-I just thought… that… maybe you'd like to come to mine tonight for dinner. Wayne, Cho and Jane are coming too. Please… I would be really happy! " Grace asked smiling.

" As something like a Christmas eve dinner? " Lisbon asked interested.

" Yes! " Grace was happy that Lisbon didn't directly say no. " So will you come?! "

" Sure… " Lisbon said with a quick smile.

" Oh, great! See you later then! " Grace yelled and left the office. Probably she is heading home now, guessed Lisbon.

She sighed. Why had life to be so difficult sometimes?

She left her office and quickly walked over to Cho and Rigsby. " See you later, guys… " She said, turned around to head to the elevator and nearly ran into Jane. " Teresa… " He said happily, but Lisbon stepped around him. " See you later… " She said quickly and barely noticeable. As she stood in the elevator, she wondered how this evening was going to end.

Probably with great fun for the others and an even more broken heart for her.