The Lovers

Disclaimer: Have no rights to the show.

A/N: I know I have two unfinished stories but the bunnies have been bugging me to write this so here is another story. Please read and review.

The shrill sound of the cell phone ringing broke the silence of the early morning.

Jane groaned and snuggled closer to Lisbon's back. "Don't answer it."

"I have to," she mumbled and reached blindly for the phone on the side-table. Hitting the answer button she brought the phone to her ear "Lisbon."

"We have a case," Fischer told her without a hello. "You and Jane are needed in the office."

The call ended and Lisbon placed the phone back on the side-table before turning in Jane's arms "We have work," she whispered before leaning up to kiss him.

"I vote for staying here," he kissed her again before reaching up with a free hand to grasp one of her breasts. "It is warm, safe, cozy, much better than that dull bullpen." This was another way to get what he wanted.

Lisbon moaned and arched into his hand as he switched to the other breast, "Patrick, we have a case." Her voice was a little breathless but still insistent, she never let their relationship get in the way of doing their job.

He stopped and sighed as he removed his hand and sat up in the bed. "Why can't people die during the afternoon?"

Lisbon huffed and got out of the bed unconcerned that she was naked. "Who said it was a murder?"

"It is always a murder if we get called before six am," he pointed out and watched as she walked over to the bathroom. This was certainly his favorite view.

"Not always," she told him before splashing some water on her face then she closed the door for some privacy as she went to use the restroom. Rubbing his eyes with his right hand, he got out of bed; bending down in front of the bed he grabbed his discarded boxers from the night before and stepped into them.

"I'm going to go start the coffee," he told her through the door. He heard her grunt rather than acknowledge him, which was typical of Lisbon. Making his way down the hallway of their place he couldn't help but smile. He almost lost all of this a few short months ago. Walking into the kitchen he hit the brew button on the coffee pot and then went to the stove to start the kettle for his tea.

Four months ago he had run across the tarmac and lied his way onto a plane all to express his love for the woman currently in their bedroom. After a few torturing hours in a TSA detention center he was free to go and he and Lisbon found themselves having dinner in the same restaurant as before. Their talk had been one of truths and promises. The next day they both flew home to Austin to start their new relationship.

It was on their fifth date that he had suggested that they move into together. Lisbon being shocked was an understatement even after he pointed out that since returning from Miami he had spent most of his nights and days at her place. She asked for time and he honored her request by not bringing it up anymore. It was just a month ago that she walked over to his couch and threw a paper on top of his chest, telling him that was the place she wanted. Within days they were moving in her stuff and what little bit of stuff he had collected.

A smile played on his lips as the kettle started to whistle, letting him know that the water was boiling. He prepared his tea and then went to make Lisbon her coffee as he waited for his tea to seep. When both were ready he made his way back to the bedroom. As he got closer he could hear that she had already started the shower.

"About time, the water is going to get cold soon," she told him as he entered the bedroom.

He handed her the cup of coffee, "Sorry, got lost in my thoughts."

She took a sip before placing it on the bathroom counter. "About?"

"Nothing important," he placed his cup next to hers and then removed his boxers before walking over to the shower. "Coming?"

"No funny business," she warned as she came to stand next to him. "I am not about to explain to Abbott, and anyone else for that matter, why we are both late again."

"Sure," he smiled as he allowed her to enter the shower first then followed her.

"I can't believe it," Lisbon scoffed as she slammed the elevator button.

"What?" He just grinned; he knew what she was talking about but played dumb as usual.

"You damn well know what. I told you no funny business," she pressed the button again.

"You know pressing it over and over again won't make it move any faster," he pointed out. "Anyhow I wasn't the sole person responsible for us being late. You, my dear, were a participant just as much as I was." She certainly hadn't voiced a word of protest except to say 'Harder'.

He loved it when she blushed several shades of red. "Hush."

The doors open to reveal a very annoyed Agent Fischer. "You're late."

"Traffic," Lisbon told her as her and Jane exited the elevator.

"Sure," Fischer said in disbelief. The three of them made their way to the "fishbowl" where Abbott, Cho, and Wylie were already waiting. As they entered Cho shot Jane a death glare that would surely have killed him if glares could kill. They all knew the real reason why they were late, Cho was still the protective agent and letting Jane know what would happen if she screwed all of this up. Poor man still wasn't used to the idea that Jane and Lisbon were lovers.

"You two are late," Abbott told them.

"Sorry, sir," Lisbon apologized and took the empty seat next to Wylie, Jane took the empty seat next to Lisbon.

"Since everyone is now present, we can talk about the case. There was a heist last night at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. One of their oldest collections was stolen," Abbott explained. "Security cameras around that time of the theft show no signs of anyone entering the area."

"What was stolen?" Lisbon asked curious.

"A burial mask," Abbott replied to her. "I talked to the curator this morning and he explained he hadn't seen anything that would suggested a break in."

"Someone working on the inside?" Fischer suggested.

"Not as far as we can see, Wylie has already started the background checks on every employee and so far nothing has sent up red flags. I want you four to go and meet up with the curator and see what you can dig up," Abbott ordered them.

"How did we end up with this case?" Jane asked. "This isn't something we dived into usually."

Abbott smiled "Well, thanks to your last art heist case you are now requested on major art heists."

"Ah," Jane nodded and smiled. This wasn't that surprising; he was a hot commodity in the law enforcement world.

"Close this case, agents, so we can go back to our normal every day murders," he told them before leaving.

"Thanks, Jane," Lisbon muttered as she resisted the urge to smack him.

"What?"

"We are now stuck working another art heist because of you."

He studied her; she didn't normally get mad at him for being good at the job. "Ah, this isn't about the case."

"What?!" She asked in disbelief. Cho and Fischer shared a look with Wylie.

"We will meet you guys at the car," Fischer told them before the three of them left the couple alone.

"You are worried about Pike being there, which is ridiculous seeing as he is in Washington D.C now." Jane got to his feet.

Lisbon did the same "That is your conclusion? I don't want this case because of my past with Marcus?"

"Yes, it is all mental of course, it's nothing to worry about." he told her as he held the door open for her. "The case will be a fun one, just think no bodies to deal with."

"Yet," Lisbon grumbled as she pressed the elevator button.

"It will be fun, trust me," he smiled as her as the doors open. The two of them entered the elevator and as the doors started to close Jane looked over at her and smiled. "What is the worse that can happen?"

"Agents," the local officer acknowledged them as he lifted the crime scene tape. The team walked under it and studied the area around the missing mask.

"Only one exit," Cho nodded in the direction they came in.

"Which means someone had to see something," Fischer added on.

"No," Jane shook his head as he looked around. He was already working to put the pieces together.

"The mask disappeared during the evening hours while the museum was opened, there is only one exit so someone had to see something unless someone hid the mask in a jacket, but then the cameras would have picked that up," Fischer explained to Jane.

"She is correct," the curator stepped into the area. He was a tall man in his late thirties. "Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, Mr… ?"

"Jane, Patrick Jane," he held out a hand to the curator.

"I'm Agent Fischer and these are my colleagues Agents Cho and Lisbon," Fischer told the curator and all three shook hands with him.

"Any idea who might have stolen the mask?" Lisbon asked.

"None, it is one of our oldest pieces, but not many people come to look at it, as say compared to the other more popular art we have," the curator stated.

"Who was monitoring the area during the time?" Fischer asked as Jane walked away from the group.

"No one," the curator said with a heavy sighed. "We were short handed today."

"Who called off?" Jane asked interested in the new development.

"James Masters, he is one of our most loyal employees, been here for years," the curator told him. "He wouldn't have taken the mask."

"Why do you say that?" Cho inquired. They were used to doubting what others didn't, that was their job after all.

"Because, to be honest, the man wouldn't know good art if it bit him in the ass," the curator smirked slightly. "I already answered all these question to the other agent, so if you don't mind I do have to get back to my job."

"Other agent?" Fischer questioned as she lifted an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Yes, hmm, that gentleman over there. I believe he said his name was...some sort of fish name."

Lisbon gasped. "Pike?"

"Yes, that is it."

Pike choose that moment to turn around to look at them; he made his way over to the group with a sly smile on his face. "Teresa," he acknowledged her presence as Jane took a step closer to her.

"Marcus," Lisbon looked at him stunned. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I am the lead agent on this case," he said with a sense of pride.

"But aren't you assigned to D.C?" Fischer asked, looking over at him.

"Yes, but the director wanted me on this case. I don't think it will be a problem. Do you think it will be a problem, Teresa?"

Lisbon shook her head. "No, of course not."

"Anyone else have a problem? Jane?" Pike focused on Jane, no mistaking the hint of animosity in his gaze.

"None," Jane lied, badly.

"Then let's get started shall we?" Pike walked away to go talk with the curator.

"Did you know about this?" Lisbon asked Fischer as she kept her eyes on Pike in the distance.

"No. If this is a problem I need to know about it right now," Fischer told her with authority lacing her voice.

"No, it will be fine," Lisbon told her truthfully. She could handle dealing with her ex, it was Jane she was worried about.

"I was talking to Jane," Fischer told her, apparently she had the same concern but Jane just smiled.

"It will be fine."

Lisbon closed her eyes at the thought of her ex and current boyfriend working side by side. Nothing good could come of this. Jane excused himself and headed out of the room.

"He is lying isn't he?" Fischer asked Lisbon after Jane was out of earshot.

"Yes," Lisbon sighed and headed in the same direction as Jane. She found him a few minutes later outside sitting on the steps. "Hey," she sat next to him. "What are you doing out here?"

"Getting some fresh air," he told her truthfully.

"Promise me you won't do anything," she whispered to him, cutting right to the chase.

"What are we talking about exactly?"

"Patrick, promise," she used his first name to emphasize her point. He looked over at her and reached for her hand.

"I won't do anything to jeopardize this," he smiled before giving her hand a squeeze. "It will be fun I promise."

He let her hand go and got to his feet. He nodded at her, gave her one of his brilliant smile before heading back into the museum.

Lisbon sighed and whispered to herself. "That's what I am afraid of."

To Be Continued.