I'm the person that has a hard time waiting till Christmas before giving out presents. I like to give them as soon as they're ready. It can be annoying. Anyways, the moral of that little side note is that I'd already started my second story, and I can't bring myself to wait to post it. This one is completely different from Shattered, both in content and in style. It's going to be more carefree, as Lisbon/Jane learn more about each other. I'll probably be posting slower. I've found it harder to write the happier stuff. I like darker more angsty stuff. (Wonder what that says about my character) I also don't even know if CBI agents go undercover, but for the purpose of this story-they do All mistakes are mine. I apologize for the massive author's note. I can't sleep.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, and I have tons of student loans.

Chapter 1

Wayne Rigsby eyed his prey with interest. Silly little thing had no enemies, no plan to defend itself. Silently, he picked up his weapon, and hovered until he was almost on top of it, and… BAM! Spearing the last bite of meat, he chewed contentedly. Looking up, he noticed Van Pelt watching. Shrugging, he took a swig of water, and then tossed the trash away. Leaning back in his chair, he rolled his sleeves up, hoping to catch a small breeze from the fan overhead.

Grace was confused. Did she really just catch him playing with his food? Shaking her head, she stuck the end of her pen in her mouth. Absentmindedly chewing it, she filled in the final query box for a background check. She hated days like these. Summer was here, and the heat seemed to have even affected California's criminal minds. They hadn't had a new case in several days, so the boss had regulated everyone to menial tasks such as background checks and organizing files.

Kimball Cho groaned as he popped his knuckles. He had finished his latest book, and had won 23 games of Solitaire… in a row. He was completely and utterly bored. Loosening the buttons around his collar, his gaze fluttered to the other occupants of the room. He watched the two love-birds sneak hidden glances over lunch. Wait! Was Rigsby playing with his food? Leaning back in his chair, he continued to watch this new development with interest.

Patrick Jane, CBI consultant extraordinaire, was lying on his couch, his suit jacket balled under his head for a pillow. He had not moved a muscle since he arrived. His preferred subject had disappeared soon after arriving, due to a meeting with Minnelli. He wondered what it was about, and then shook his head. It was probably his fault. He grimaced. Contrary to popular belief, he did not like to get Theresa Lisbon in trouble with her boss. He just liked to keep her guessing. Other feelings began to stir inside him, and he took a breath. His reasons for messing with Theresa Lisbon were strictly platonic. At least, that's what he kept telling himself, relishing in the silence for once.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An hour later, Lisbon walked back to her office exhausted. Minnelli reprimanded her for Jane's behavior during the last case, something she was growing far more used to that he probably liked. She sighed. Every case it was the same- Jane would rack up suits, and both their jobs would be threatened. They would close the case, and everything would miraculously be fine. She wrinkled her nose. Everything except for the paperwork, and by golly, she hated paperwork.

Stopping in the doorway, she took a moment to analyze her team. She was proud of them, although she had rarely said it to their faces. They worked hard, got along well, and because of that, had the highest solve rate in the bureau. She wondered what would happen when one of them got their first offer to lead a team. She knew for a fact, Cho had already turned them down. He said there was still more he could learn from her. She smiled at the compliment.

The four agents looked completely bored. It seemed only Van Pelt has felt the need to finish her assignments while she was away. She rolled her eyes at her boys. Since they wanted to act like children, she would treat them as such. The heat had sucked away all energy for conversation. The normally entertaining squad room was as silent as a tomb. They all glanced up at her as she entered, relieved for the distraction to break up the monotony of the day. Waving, she glided into her office, where she promptly stopped, spun around, and marched over to the lone figure resting on the couch.

Smelling a faint citrusy smell, Jane's lips curved into a small smile. He could feel Lisbon standing beside him. He'd bet $20 that her arms were crossed in front of her chest and she was glaring at him. Refusing to open his eyes, he wasn't prepared for what happened next. One moment he was lying on his comfy couch. The next, he was on the floor, staring at Lisbon's shoes while he rubbed his head.

"Did you just dump me off the couch?"

"Did you stick post-its on every available surface in my office?"

"Perhaps…" Jane drummed his fingers together while staring innocently up at Lisbon. Rolling her eyes, she kicked him it the shin and headed back to her office. Jane gaped incredulously. "She just kicked me!" Hauling himself off the floor, he walked right into her office without knocking.

"She'll kill him one of these days," Rigsby muttered as he shredded his napkin into confetti.

"Either that or jump him," Cho added, digging through his desk drawers before triumphantly emerging with a rubber band ball. He promptly threw it at Rigsby's head. Grace just rolled her eyes and ducked.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stepping into Lisbon's office brought a smile to Jane's face. No one could say his decorating scheme was not festive. Brightly colored square pieces of paper were everywhere. Lisbon just glared at him.

"What do you want, Jane?" she asked, slightly annoyed. She never really could stay mad at him long.

"You." He laughed as her eyes bugged out of her head and she flushed bright red. Leaning closer to her he whispered, "It's so much fun to make you blush." She eyed him warily, as neither denied his earlier statement. She jumped when her phone rang. Motioning for him to exit, he listened to her for once. Smiling, he headed back to his couch while the others wondered just exactly had transpired between their boss and the consultant.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Alright Jane, pack your bags. Everyone else, head home." Lisbon stepped out of her office, looking flustered. The other agents looked baffled, while Jane just looked suspicious. "Jane, you've apparently made friends with someone in high places in Wyoming. We've been requested for an undercover assignment… at a dude ranch. No three piece suits- jeans and work boots."

Rigsby and Van Pelt exchanged amused glances at their boss' less than thrilled statement about an undercover assignment. Cho smiled slightly. Maybe this would give his friends a push in the right direction. Shifting his gaze between Lisbon and Jane, he almost wished he was going. Almost.

"Jane, I'll pick you up in two hours," Lisbon muttered exhausted. The three remaining agents exchanged amused glances as they watched Jane and Lisbon leave. Cho frowned. There was a 50/50 chance Jane wouldn't survive the trip.

"On the road again! Oh, I just can't wait to get back on the road again…"

"Jane, I will not hesitate to shoot you."