Author's note: written for the Paint It Red May 2012 Monthly Challenge - the prompt is a quote from the song "Home" by Gabrielle Aplin.
Fall from Grace
Chapter 1
Three pairs of eyes turned to Lisbon as she strode into the bullpen. The single notable exception was currently lying on his worn-out leather couch, clearly determined not to meet her gaze.
"We just got a new lead. Van Pelt, would you please check the transactions of the people on this list? Cho, Rigsby, you come with me".
"All right, boss".
Grace couldn't help noticing the glance that Lisbon cast at Jane a moment before heading towards the elevator. The man just ignored her, pretending to be completely absorbed in his examination of the Elvis-shaped stain on the ceiling.
"Are you going to be a jerk any much longer, Jane?"
He seemed unimpressed by her curt remark. "I don't know what you're talking about, my dear Grace".
"Oh, you do. Believe me".
As he didn't reply she stood up and approached the couch – flaming hazel eyes meeting icy blue ones.
"She doesn't deserve to be treated like that, you moron".
All she got was a shrug. "That's none of your business anyway".
"It is. Lisbon in my boss – and my friend. I want you to give up your childish spite. Now".
His gaze turned even colder. "Yeah, that's what I am. Childish. What about the woman who robbed me of my only purpose in life? She deserves to be praised, doesn't she? I bet she's really happy now – might even get a promotion very soon. No matter if that poor fool feels betrayed by the single friend he had really come to trust in years".
The brief flash of pity that clutched her chest wasn't enough to temper her anger.
"She did it for you – you know that perfectly well".
"I didn't ask her to", he finally snapped. "I never asked her to save me. She knew what catching Red John meant to me, and she deliberately lied in order to prevent me from achieving my goal. What do you expect me to do? Thank her?"
"You know what, Jane? Do us all a favor, and go to hell!"
He stared at her for a full minute. "I gather I'm not exactly welcome here. Don't worry, Grace. You're going to get rid of my undesirable presence right now".
With that he stood up, reached for his jacked and just walked out of the door.
"Very well. Go away", she muttered to the now empty bullpen. "You've always been one for the easy way out, haven't you?"