I'll be waiting
Jane calmly walks away with his eyes focused on the damp pathway beneath his feet as Lisbon stares after him, tears dripping silently down her blushed cheeks. He'd finally plucked up the courage, finally gained the strength to be honest with her, and it was all crushed with just one opening of a door. Why him? Why did it have to be him? One look at Lisbon's face and he would have caved, he'd have told her everything; he would tell her anything she wanted to hear. But him? No. One look at him and he realised how inferior he was to the other suitor. He could never outshine Pike, he is perfect for her. His tall, slim figure, his dark hair and intense eyes, his positive can-do attitude and honesty.
Memories he had subconsciously tucked away neatly into his memory palace floated into the forefront of his mind, small and insignificant, but special enough to him that he would sit and reminisce when he was feeling down. He had a whole wing in his memory palace reserved for Lisbon and her wit. Her big green eyes staring up at him when he complimented her, her pink blush that travelled from her cheeks and down her chest whenever he admired her, her hugs she gave, albeit rare which were the best hugs he'd possibly ever received.
Why should Pike stop him? He wanted Lisbon long before Pike knew she even existed. He loved her, and he knows she loved him once. He knows she waited for those letters to arrive, and would sit and depict every sentence hoping it would give her some clue of where he was. He knew she felt that way about him before the FBI, and he knew he hadn't changed. So why would she not love him now?
Jane stopped half way down the street. Jane was known for his observation skills and he knows he saw her crying when he left. It was obvious she was upset, and he knew she could be picky about her sugary deserts but his instincts were telling him it definitely was not about the cannoli.
He had to go back and find out whilst he still had a small amount of courage left.
Turning around he began jogging down the darkened street heading back towards the petite woman's house.
Lisbon looked after Jane long after he had disappeared around the corner. She should be happy. She was currently cuddling with her boyfriend and had just received a lovely desert and a blessing from her best friend to be with the supposed man of her dreams. So why did she feel like her heart had been ripped out of her chest and dragged down the pathway with the man who just left.
She knew she should have stopped him. She should have demanded he tell her why he was here before he could spin her some unlikely tale to get away from her. He must have had something on his mind; it was 11:30 for god's sake! Colleagues do not knock on other colleagues doors unless it is something really important. Then again, it is Jane. And they're not just colleagues. She isn't sure how to describe what their relationship is anymore, but it is definitely not colleagues.
She should have stopped him. She should have told him Pike would leave and they would eat cannoli and actually talk like they used to. She should have told him she missed him, and his smile, and his annoying batshit crazy schemes and unpredictability. She knew she loved him, way more than she could ever love Marcus, but she was also stubborn and wanted Jane to make the first move.
She was trembling now from the chill in the air and her drying tears, just ready to turn around as her stubbornness had prevailed when she saw Jane hop over the low stone wall of her garden and stop three metres away from her.
They both stood still and stared at one another, not sure what to do next. Just one intense stare from Jane and she melted, making a step towards him and just about to break the silence when Jane spoke
"I..' 'Can we…"
They both stopped and Lisbon smiled. Jane took this as his opportunity to lead.
" I'm sorry Lisbon, I shouldn't have come so late to your house, it was rude of me"
"Jane, turning up at my house late doesn't even begin to reach the top of the list of crazy things you have done"
Lisbon smiled however Jane's face fell at the memories of some of the things he had done over the years.
"I'm joking, Jane"
"No, you're not"
"Well..." Lisbon paused. She might as well be honest. "No, I guess I'm not"
"I…I did mean to knock on your door at this time, I just didn't mean to interrupt you and Pike, it was silly of me to think you would be alone"
"It's okay"
They stood gazing at each other. Lisbon caved into the tension first, and remembering someone was waiting for her inside, she smiled forlornly at Jane and made a move towards her porch.
"Lisbon?" Jane strained. She looked back with hope in her eyes and her heart in her mouth.
"Can we talk?"
Lisbon sighed a breath of relief and could feel her tears welling.
"…You know we can, if you want to"
"Can we talk tonight...like when Pike goes home? Or if he doesn't… then can he? I know its trouble for you, but it wouldn't be right if I weren't causing you any trouble" He attempted to lighten the mood before he ran away and let the darkness consume him.
"…Give me an hour". Jane nodded and they both smiled at one another, eyes never leaving the other. This was it. This was his chance to tell her how he feels and if she doesn't want his love then she will go to D.C and he never has to face the humiliation.
"Il come to your airstream once I' m free, and you know…" She pointed back towards her door, signalling she needs to get rid of Pike without offending him. Jane feels love bubble in his chest as he observes the excitement and anticipation of what is to come flood her Beautiful greens. He turns and begins to walk down the path for a second time that evening.
"I'll be waiting".