Ok so I just really got into watching the Mentalist and this is my first fic but with some episodes I think how could Lisbon put up with so much of Jane's mind games so I decided to write a story where Lisbon finally reaches her limit….

Jane had to run to keep pace with Lisbon as he continued his argument

'we concluded that the 'dark man' was Gracie's father and the man she witnessed murder her mother so why hark at me for using alternative methods?'

God even his speech was laced with the same condescension that his smile held.

'no…you know what Jane,I've had enough of your undermining and unethical tactics,Im done I….I just cant do this anymore'

Jane smiled as he believed this was just another one of her retorts,he bowed gracefully from her and added:

'I think I am due a nap'

She couldn't help but mutter

'yeah because trouble making can be so tiring'

Jane when in the process of making his usual post nap trip to the kitchenette area to make some tea was surprised to find Lisbon in an intent conversation with it was,Hightower was shaking her head clearly not happy with whatever Lisbon was suggesting to her.

But what Jane didn't expect was the gesture Hightower gave Lisbon,breaching the physical contact barrier Lisbon held religiously around her Hightower took her hands in what Jane assumed was an apologetic manner.

Then it surfaced from his memory vault and hit his cerebrum like a wrecking ball,what Lisbon had said earlier,could she possibly be doing what he thought she was doing?

He couldn't wait any longer he had to defend himself properly and in her presence too.

'hello,sorry didn't mean to interrupt a clearly intense discussion but I had to ask,am I being fired?'

Hightower took a moment to compose herself and only then did Jane notice her tears,unshed but threatening on her lids and he considered that maybe he had read the situation completely wrong but he couldn't back out now,quite literally as he was already in her office.

'excuse me?'Hightower fixed him with a questioning look.

'you know fired,cut,axed,got the chop…..

'I know what you meant by the word fired,if I needed a dictionary I would then come find you,but where in the world did you get the idea that you're being fired?'

Lisbon too seemed withdrawn and wouldn't meet Jane's gaze no matter how much he concentrated on pulling her eyes towards him.

'its just that well (clearing his throat and the awkwardness) Lisbon mentioned earlier that she wasn't particularly impressed with my work on this case and I just thought that…..

From this he got no snaky remark or reply from Lisbon which worried him.

Instead Hightower took over.

'Lisbon is one of the finest agents I have working for me Mr Jane and I doubt very much that she'd ever cause trouble for any member of her team but while you're here there are some new arrangements that have been put into place as of today'

'oh so I am being reprimanded well I will say beforehand that taking away my tea would be more an act of human cruelty than punishment'

'please excuse me I have a meeting I have to go to'

Lisbon hurried from the room in her svelte way and left Jane confounded.

He was about to follow her but Hightower caught him

'Jane don't even think about it,you stay here,I need to discuss a few things with you'

Was it all in his head or did he sense a sudden hostility directed towards him from Hightower?

'I know my methods push the boundaries of laws and beureau ethics sometimes but I adamantly swear they produce results more than procedural thechniques'

'this is not a courtroom Jane you are not pleading your case to me,and I will never publicly declare that I agree with your methods because I would be out of a job and there is no punishment although I think you are in for a tough time'

This only managed to deepen Jane's frown.

'I have been informed today that one of my very best agents,wishes to transfer to a different crimes unit…now they are lacking people in the New York district and I have been tasked with making the phone call'

Fear and tension hitched Jane's heartbeat up a few beats and made his stomach roil with even though he hadn't eaten all tried a s calmly as possible to ask

'what agent are we talking about?'

Hightower also couldn't hold Jane's stare as she replied

'agent Lisbon'