Author's Note: I'm warning you now: UPDATES WILL BE SLOW. I have a busy schedule; I'm surprised I was even able to post this! Hopefully I can update on weekends every now and then.
I'd like to thank those of you who read my last story, Paint. This is the sequel.
Thank you to Guest and dancing through for the ideas, I'm incorporating both to this story. You guys rock! :)
This story will be 26 chapters long (Yes, an alphabet story…), although some of them may be cut into 2 parts, I'm not sure yet. We'll see how it goes!
Please let me know what you think. This chapter starts right after the end of Paint.
…
AFTERMATH
Lisbon's POV. Enjoy!
…
They had a little bit of time before they had to be at work, so Jane offered to take her out for coffee. She was a bit skeptical, but Lisbon accepted.
She let him drive. It was becoming a bad habit and she feared it would be the death of her. It would be just her luck to have faced being held at gunpoint, been a hostage of Red John, and countless other dangerous situations only to die in a car accident caused by her annoying yet somehow charming consultant.
Harming? Lisbon thought. Where did that come from? She'd noticed that her opinions of Jane had changed over the past few months. They'd gone from "I'd kill him if I could" to "I can stand him" to "He's charming" in a matter of years. Where did the time go?
"So," Jane started cheerfully. "Where would you like to go for coffee?" Lisbon had no idea how he had so much energy, but whatever he was on… She needed it. She felt like a zombie.
"I don't care, I just need something strong," she told him. "I didn't get much sleep, you know." She grinned at him.
"No sympathy for self-inflicted wounds, Teresa," Jane winked at her.
"Self-inflicted? Please."
"If I recall, I did offer to take you home several times," he seemed amused at their bickering.
"You were the one who woke me up in the first place!" She kept her tone teasing, but his expression hardened a bit.
"And I apologized."
"You did," Lisbon agreed, leaning back against the seat, closing her eyes. It was going to be a long day.
"So, something strong?" Jane asked softly.
"Mmm," she hummed. "Please."
…
They came to a stop a little later, and Lisbon heard Jane's door open and close. She didn't bother opening her eyes, she assumed he'd come open the door for her. She was savoring the rest she got, no matter how small.
Jane didn't come for her.
Blinking the slight bleariness out of her vision, she looked around. The car was parked in front of a Starbucks, next to a red Volkswagen Bug. She looked around, hoping to spot the familiar blonde head walking towards her.
No such luck. He'd only been gone for a few seconds, but Lisbon was terrified that he'd get himself into trouble.
Dear lord, what is wrong with me?! Lisbon cursed herself mentally. He was Jane, for crying out loud. And he was just getting coffee. Nothing to worry about.
She'd been on edge since Red John had tricked her into believing Jane was his hostage. She'd willingly followed Red John's instructions and placed herself in his hands, only to find out the whole thing was a trick. She'd felt so stupid, but it was an odd mixture of idiocy and relief. Jane had been safe.
So she thought, anyway. Lisbon had underestimated how much Jane really cared about her. As soon as he found out she was missing, Jane was tracking her like a bloodhound. Within hours, he'd burst into the house where Red John was holding her, without a moment to spare.
They both could've died then, so if she was a little jumpy now and then… Sue me, she thought bitterly. She resisted the urge to jump out of the car and fly into the coffee shop, demanding to see Jane.
She really hated causing scenes like that, though they seemed to be Jane's specialty. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. He couldn't be back soon enough, she really needed her coffee. She wasn't herself right now, as she was overprotective and melodramatic when she needed sleep.
She was starting to get fidgety when Jane emerged from the Starbucks, a grin on his face. She instantly relaxed.
Seriously, what was with her? Lisbon never got like this, except when she was younger and her little brothers were in danger. But that was years ago. She had no excuse now. She loved her brothers and would do anything for them, including die. Jane was- oh crap.
She'd been willing to die for Jane. She knew that as soon as she decided to go to Red John for him.
Did she really-? No, it wasn't possible. It couldn't be. They'd only shared their first kiss a few hours ago!
When Jane opened his door and climbed into the car, Lisbon was too stunned to even thank him for the coffee. Jane raised an eyebrow upon seeing her dazed expression. She shook her head and sipped the hot drink, trying to calm herself.
They drove in silence for a few miles until Jane couldn't take it anymore.
"Alright, out with it," he said without taking his eyes off the road.
"Out with what?" Her voice came put sharper than she intended and she winced.
"You're anxious," he said like it was obvious. And it was, she supposed. "Why?"
"You're the psychic, you tell me," Lisbon smirked.
"No such thing as psychics, Lisbon, you know that," he smirked.
"I guess I do," she said. She remained silent for a while until they pulled into the CBI parking lot. She managed a smile for the security guard who let them in. Jane passed up his usual spot and drove around to the back of the building. He parked there and turned toward her.
"Are you going to tell me or not?" He demanded.
"I-" Lisbon started, but changed her mind, "it's nothing, Jane. Don't worry about it."
She felt stupid for saying that. This was Jane. He'd get an answer, no matter what it took.
"Don't worry about it," he scoffed. He rolled his eyes. "Why are you shutting me out?" His tone softened.
Ouch.
"I- I'm not doing it intentionally," she sighed. "I'm sorry. It's just… It's a lot to take in." He relaxed against the seat and took her hand. He seemed ready to have a long conversation. Oh, joy, Lisbon thought.
"What's a lot to take in?" he asked her.
"This!" she gestured between them with her free hand, looking pointedly at the reason she only had the one. "Yesterday I would've punched you for holding my hand," she was blushing, she could feel it, "but now…"
"Lisbon," Jane paused. "Teresa. Are you… Are you blushing? Oh, man, if I'd know this was all it took to get you to blush-"
"Hush!" Lisbon resisted the urge to yank her hand out of his. This was getting ridiculous.
"No, no- I just- This is new information! What's so bad about this anyway?" He lifted their hands.
"Nothing's bad," she told him, looking away. "It's just different."
"What do you mean 'different'?" Jane sounded like he was grinning. "Good different?"
"You tell me," Lisbon quickly undid her seatbelt, grabbed her coffee, and hurried across the parking lot. Without looking back, she bolted inside.
She made it to the elevator, but Jane caught her there. Neither of them said a word as the waited for the doors to open.
Unluckily for her, the small room was empty. She cursed in her head, stepping through and pressing the button for their floor. She took a long drink of her coffee, ignoring Jane's gaze. As soon as the doors were shut, he reached forward and flicked the switch that stopped the elevator.
He looked at her for a few moments, and when she couldn't handle the silence anymore, she took another sip of her coffee. She wanted to put off this conversation for as long as possible, but she knew she couldn't delay it forever.
She swallowed the warm liquid and brought the cup away from her lips. Jane was still staring at her and she felt her cheeks heat up. She knew she must have been bright red by now, but she still couldn't look up at him. For another moment, they were still.
Jane stepped toward her. Instinctively, Lisbon backed up. He kept coming, so she retreated until she hit the wall of the elevator. She still refused to make eye contact
"Jane," she began, "what are yo-"
All coherent thoughts flew from her mind and he hadn't even touched her yet. She was stunned into silence. His face was right there.
"Answer the question," he murmured.
"What question?" She breathed, squeezing her eyes shut.
"You know what question," he told her. "Don't toy with me, woman."
"Oh," she feigned innocence, "that question."
"Yes, that question…"
"Do I have to?"
"Lisbon," He sounded threatening, so she knew he was done messing around. She opened her eyes.
Jane was much closer than she'd thought.
"Yes," her voice was small, "it's a good kind of different."
"That's what I thought," Jane whispered before crashing his lips to hers.
His fingers caressed her face briefly before securing themselves in her hair. Lisbon clutched at the front of his shirt, moving her lips against his. How had they not thought of this sooner?
Jane pulled away and straightened his shirt. He flicked the same switch from before and the elevator jolted upward.
Her mind still whirling, Lisbon ran her fingers though her hair. If it was too unruly, it could cause speculation.
"You look wonderful," Jane told her. She glanced up to find that he was staring at her again. She smiled softly. His expression changed to one she'd never seen on him… Yet it was so familiar.
Was that..? She wondered. No…
Before she could voice her curiosity, Jane leaned down and brushed his lips against her cheeks. The second he straightened up, the doors reopened. He strode out of the elevator as he usually did, but Lisbon noticed a slight spring in his step as he made a beeline for his couch.
She shook her head with a smile before composing herself. She swallowed what was left of her coffee and made her way into the bullpen.
…
Author's Note: Tada, Chapter One of the SEQUEL. I'll admit, it was a bit shorter than I'd have liked, but I don't think it was too terrible.
I'd love to hear your feedback: Did you like it? LOVE it? Hate it? Or…?
I'm also accepting ideas for future chapters, so feel free to give me your input.
Reviews are love!
