"Hey…"
Lisbon rubbed at her eyes as she felt Cho sit beside her on the gutter, glancing at him in acknowledgement, not sure her voice would hold up to a conversation.
She was torn between horror at her trusty former 2IC - and current supervisor - seeing her in such a state, and relief that it wasn't Abbott who, despite the closeness of their ages, would get all paternal. Or Macey from Pike's old unit who would report immediately back to her ex.
No, given a choice, the solid, stable, no-nonsense Cho was the one she'd want there in her time of need.
"This isn't about Vega, is it?"
Lisbon let out a sigh, filled with guilt that on this of all days, she was making it about herself. "No…" she whispered.
"So, Jane…"
The mention of his name set her off again. She took a deep breath, "I think I just got dumped by the love of my life," she told him attempting to laugh it off, "how pathetic am I?"
Ever practical, Cho handed her a wad of tissues, resting a hand on her back. "What happened?"
Lisbon dabbed at her eyes, "He wants to quit - wants me to quit."
"And?"
"And he says he's leaving.. gave me an ultimatum. It's him or the job. I can go with him, or I can stay here."
She closed her eyes, comforted by Cho's silence and feeling her breathing calm as her colleague rubbed a hand up and down her back.
"You're mad at him."
She nodded.
"You gave up a lot to stay here with him, I get that."
"I understand that he's scared," she told him, "I do, I was terrified when he went into that house alone, without me to watch his back. But he needs to be logical.. rational."
"He saw his wife and child butchered," Cho said bluntly. "He doesn't want to see his girlfriend in the same state. I don't think 'logical or rational' will ever come into it."
Lisbon nodded. "I have no idea what to do. I feel numb.. I actually feel physically sick..."
He smiled, patting her shoulder, "We need to talk about options - provided you want to make Jane and the job both work for you."
Lisbon raised an eyebrow, her confusion obvious.
"I take over from Abbott in a couple of months. I'm pretty sure we can work something out that can make you both happy."
"I…. what do you mean?"
Cho stood, reaching a hand out to help her up. "Let's get out of here. Go somewhere a little more pleasant and talk about possible roles for the two of you. I don't know about you, but I could do with a coffee."
"Okay…" she took the offered hand, suddenly feeling more optimistic. If anyone could help her work this out it was the calm, dependable Cho.
"Great. And just so it's clear, love of your life or not, you tell him if he makes you cry again, I'll break his nose."
She smiled at him, squeezing his hand as they walked in the direction of his car and hoping against hope that she and Cho could come up with a solution.
The alternative was unthinkable.
