This is a story I'm writing with my friend Melissa (She writes a story called Olivia's Rescuer on here, look that story up and it will take you to her profile). She writes some parts and I edit them. READ/REVIEW!

Disclaimer: Never have I ever owned The Mentalist!

I had just gotten off of work, which I wasn't happy about; I was a defined workaholic. I sat on the couch watching TV when I heard the doorbell ring. Setting down my cup of coffee I went to the door, it was probably Jane but I, at least, had to check. Who I saw on the other side of the door surprised me, three girls one boy, my nieces and nephews to be exact. I vaguely remembered them.

The oldest, Ashton, looked exactly like me when I was a teenager. The young girl was fourteen if the letters my brother sent me were correct and up to date. She had the long waist length, black hair I used to have and the green eyes. She was around 5'3 and was wearing a black shirt and tight jeans.

The twins, Kinley and Kyle, looked like...well, twins. They both had sandy hair and brown eyes that they'd inherited from their mother. Kinley was wearing a neon pink shirt and jean shirts while kyle had on a white shirt and camo pants, I'd remembered he'd loved hunting. They were ten...I think.

The youngest, Zoe, was a young age of three. The little girl had long beautiful hair that hung in ringlets around her sweet, innocent face. Her blue eyes shined as she looked up at me She was wearing a pink dress with black flats.

"What are you guys doing here?" I questioned incredulously. Instead of speaking they handed me a note. With shaking hands I took it.

It read:

Dear Teresa, I know this is probably a shock to you, but I am leaving my children in your care.
I'm going off to war in Afghanistan. You know them; Kinley, Ashton, Zoe, and Kyle. I knew
you would treat them right. Just please take care of them.

-James

I looked up letting out a breath. "Hey guys," I whispered stepping aside to let them in. James and I hadn't spoken in years, I'd only seen them about three or four times. I remembered them coming for Christmas break and other school holidays. That, of course, meant that I had no idea what they were like now. "I haven't seen you in ages...you still know where your rooms are, right?" They nodded going up the stairs.

They' d been gone for a few minutes when a knock sounded on the door. Opening the door I saw Jane.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, you haven't been to work yet, so, I got worried,"he smiled. I narrowed my eyes at him, but stepped aside allowing him entrance. Once inside he looked around, hands in his pockets. When I heard a noise I turned to see my nieces and nephew on the stairs.

"Who is this?" Ashton asked.

"Girls, Kyle this is Patrick Jane, our consultant." As if on cue all the girls erupted into giggles while Kyle rolled his eyes. Jane raised an eyebrow, though he could probably guess the punch line.

He confirmed this when he leaned over and whispered in my ear, "They think we're together." MY mouth dropped open in shock.

"We are not together," I told them much to Jane's amusement.

"We never said you were," Ashton pointed out.

"No, but Jane can read your mind," I said matter-of-factly my face showing with fake mystery. The three stared wide eyed, but Ashton regarded us skeptically.

"Prove it," she dared her her black hair falling in her eyes.

"Well, your favorite color is aqua marine, you like it because it is hard to guess. You are the mother figure of this little group. Your favorite food is macoronie and cheese, but you tell everyone you don't like it because it's food for children and you were born in April, am I right?" The look on Ashton's gave away that he was right, she looked...amused. Zoe laughed.

"Do me! Do me!" the little girl cried.

Jane smiled before saying, "your favorite color is pink, you wouldn't tell your siblings this but you're scared of the dark, you love cookies, and you were born in September."

Zoe laughed, nodding.

"Okay, well, Jane this is-" I was cut off by Ashton.

"Wait, Aunt Tess, if he can read our minds he should be able to tell us our names," Ashton said looking defiant. I smiled knowing I'd given Jane enough information that he would easily be able to guess especially if you factored in his mentalist skills.

Jane knew this too. "Well, your Ashton, Kyle, Zoe, and Kinley." Everyone, with the exception of me, looked shocked.

"How'd you do that?" Kinley asked.

"Well, I can tell you I can't actually read minds." Their faces turned from shocked to confused.

"Then how you know that stuff?" Zoe asked.

"I...pay attention," he said carefully.

"How'd you know our names?" Kyle asked.

"Well, Ashton has her name written on her hand, you're the only boy, Lisbon told me Zoe was the littlest, and there was only one name left." The kids looked agitated by his use of common sense. "So, how long are you going to be here?"

Ashton made her way down to the base of the stairs. "Indefinitely." Jane looked at me with question in his eyes. I sighed and handed him the note. He read it carefully assessing every word, then grabbed his cell.

"Hightower? Yes this is Jane, Lisbon needs about a week off...Why? Because she has just gain custody of four children, her nieces and nephew...No, she is not happy about it, but she has to. Alright, bye," Jane looked at me, "alright you have got a week off." Frustration flooded through me, I hated not being at work, but I knew these kids were more important than my job.

"Aunt Tess? Why you don't want us?" Zoe asked in a shaky voice as if she was trying not to cry.

"Oh, baby, of course I want you. What gave you that idea?" I asked.

"Well, when Mr. Jane told that High lady that you had us he say you weren't happy about it," she explained on the verge of tears. I suppressed laughter, not wanting her to think I was laughing at her.

"He was saying that I don't like being away from work, not that I didn't want you," I told her.

"Oh, why you don't like being away from work?"

This time Jane was the one to answer. "Your aunt is very fond of her work. She pratically lives there, not that I can say much because I'm the same way." It was true, we both basicly lived at work, though his motives were more of the revenge kind of nature. Well not anymore I guess.

"Why don't you go back to work?" I suggested, and by suggested I mean demanded.

"Oh, no Miss Lisbon, I was told not to show up at work until you do. You see, I am much more of a trouble maker when you're gone."

I scoffed. "That's ridiculous, you are a pain in the a...ummm...anytime. You are a pain anytime," I stiopped myself from cussing in front of the kids.

He shrugged. " Your bosses orders." He smiled and that was that.

Later that evening the kids were asleep. I had made Jane some tea and was about to give it to him. I walked into my living room and nearly dropped his cup at the sight in front of me. There, before my eyes, was the cutest thing I've ever seen. Jane was laid back on the couch, asleep, and three year old Zoe lay on top of him, thumb in her mouth as the other hand clutched his shirt. My heart swelled to see Jane so peaceful and not his usual pain in the ass self. I don't know where or when, but this man has totally stolen my heart.

Hoped you like it! READ/REVIEW! Please review I wanna know whether you like it or not! Your opinion is needed and appreciated!

I'll UD soon but I'm gonna talk to Melissa about it before I do!

PS I know throughout the story the characters will be a little out of character!