The Belated Happy Birthday Hug

Disclaimer: The Mentalist is not mine.

A.n. Happy belated birthday to my dear friend Taylor!

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"Hey." Lisbon called as Jane pushed the door open while she glanced up from the notes on her desk to make sure she knew who it was. Not that she had any doubt, Jane was the only one who didn't knock before asking to come in.

"Hey. Could you do me a favour?" The blond haired man requested. She set her papers down to send him a questioning glance. The look on her partner's face told her that he wasn't budging on this one. And in all honesty, she was curious about this one. Jane's escapades didn't usually happen this late.

"Sure. Although I'm telling you now. I will not participate in a seance." Jane cracked a real smile at her while she stood up and came around to the other side of her desk. It was the first honest to goodness smile she'd seen in a month and she had to bite her cheek to keep from grinning like an idiot in response.

"Now what?" She asked. He took a slow step towards her.

"Close your eyes and hold still." Jane answered. She sent him a look. He returned it.

"Humour me." He stated. Lisbon rolled her eyes but shut her eyes and held herself as still as she could.

Before she had time to think to ask why he had scooped her up in his arms, hugged her tightly to him, and started to spin her around. She gasped in shock and involuntarily slung her arms around his shoulders while pressing her face into the curve of his neck. He squeezed her tighter and kept twirling. Moments later, she realized that her feet weren't touching the ground and that she couldn't breathe.

"Jane." She whispered softly.

"Yeah?" He whispered back.

"I can't breathe." He laughed while he stopped spinning before placing her feet back on the floor and releasing her. Just so that he would keep laughing she sucked in an over exaggerated gulp of air. Before she could get too far away from him he had her face cradled in both of his hands. She swallowed carefully as he closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against her's.

"Teresa." The word seemed to flow out of his lips like he was breathing. She couldn't quite tell if that was a question or a statement.

"Yes." She had the same problem with her response. Before she could say anything else he leaned forward slightly and brushed his lips softly against her's. He pulled away almost as soon as he made contact. Which was way too soon in her opinion, and smiled at her while stroking her hair out of her face.

"Happy belated birthday." Was all he said as he stepped away from her and out of her office. She sank down weakly in the nearest chair. She had to admit it was the best birthday present she'd ever received.

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Thanks for reading hoped you enjoyed!