A/N: No, I'm not from France (for those of you who are, you rock!). I just thought "Jealousy" was too simple, so I translated it (correctly, I hope!). French is such a beautiful language... Anyhoo, I've had this one for a long time, rediscovered it two days ago, added to it, and tada! new fic. It's quite cliche, I know (don't kill me!), and I really don't know how I feel about it. But, hey, you guys are the people reading it, so if you don't like it, I won't continue it. I have a lot on my plate already. (For now, I'm going to put the genre as Romance and the characters as Teresa L. and Patrick J. I'm also leaving it as In-Progress. But I can change that if I have to.)
Disclaimer: If I could own The Mentalist, I would. But, alas, I am but a poor farmer's daughter with a kitten and calf both named Jello, a cockatiel named Patrick, and a mutt whose name surprisingly has nothing to do with The Mentalist (his name's Jackson).
Warnings: Fluff (but not Jello fluff) and language (only once! and it's not even that bad! I'm so proud!)
"Why are you so happy?"
Lisbon stopped smiling. "What, I can't be happy? Make up your damned mind."
"I was just wondering why, that's all." Jane pouted. "And now I've ruined it."
"No, you didn't. I'm going to be 'happy' for a long time. I hope."
Jane looked at her, obviously confused. Lisbon smirked, loving the fact that he didn't know something for once. Especially since it was about her, who apparently was "translucent." She went back to the file she was reviewing.
"Lisbon, you can't leave me hanging," Jane said, walking behind her desk. "Tell me why you're so un-Lisbon-like today."
She glared at him. "It's none of your business."
"Please?"
"No, Jane."
"C'mon—"
"I said, 'no.'"
"Lizzzzbonnnn," Jane whined.
"Jaaaaannnne," Lisbon mocked. "Leave me alone. You're actually managing to kill my happiness."
"Am not."
"Yes, you are. Now leave."
Jane huffed. "Fine." He trudged out the door.
Lisbon smiled again, congratulating herself for not giving into Jane's charms. She tried to focus on the file, but found herself daydreaming about the reason she was so cheerful. Jane had a point: she hadn't been like this in so long… She could barely remember how it happened... and suddenly, it all came back to her.
They had just gotten a case: the body of a little boy had been found in the trunk of a car. He looked so much like her brother, Tommy, when he was younger. As usual, when a case affected her so deeply, she became quiet and withdrawn, but more focused on her work. Of course, Jane noticed her mood, and asked her about it. Of course, she lied and said nothing was wrong. He didn't seem convinced, but, for once, didn't say anything more about it.
She had gone to the club to get her mind off of... well, everything. She hadn't really dressed up or anything, just jeans and a nice shirt, but that night the men had been practically swarming around her. Only one had caught her eye: James, tall and dark-haired, with warm brown eyes and what seemed to be a permanent smile.
They'd started talking, and found out they had a lot in common. James had offered to drive her home, and she'd accepted. When they got to her apartment, he walked her to the door, said, "Goodnight," and kissed her cheek. Surprising James and herself, she kissed him on the mouth, said, "Call me," and went inside. He had really helped heighten her mood tonight, and she was grateful. She really liked James, and hoped that he liked her, too.
Apparently, he did, because he called the next night. And the next. And the one after that. They were now officially dating. When she had a bad day at work, James comforted her. And of course, he knew all about Jane, because he was usually the one to ruin her day. James didn't like him as just as much as Lisbon didn't. Another thing they had in common.
Lisbon smiled at the thought of James and Jane meeting. That would be very amusing, to see Jane being one-upped by James. She wondered if Jane would be jealous at all, that he wasn't getting all the attention for once. It could be good for his over-inflated ego.
"Jane," she said loudly, knowing he would hear her.
"You called?" he said, walking into her office, grinning.
"Do you really want to know why I'm in a good mood?"
"Of course I do."
"Come to my apartment tonight at six-thirty. Then you'll know."
Jane looked confused, but only for a moment. "I'll be there."
"Good. You can go."
"As you wish, Queen Lisbon." Jane bowed gracefully, then left.
Lisbon smiled again. He was in for a huge surprise.
"Maybe he won't come," Lisbon said, looking at the clock. It was six-twenty-five, and Jane still wasn't there. Though it would be just like him to show up at precisely six-thirty.
"If he's exactly the way you describe him, he'll be here," James said, walking up beside her and putting his arm around her. She smiled up at him, and he leaned down and kissed her softly. "I feel so bad for you," he murmured.
"Why's that?" she asked.
"One," he said, turning her so that their bodies were facing each other, "you have to put up with me—"
Lisbon smacked his chest, giggling. She never did that, at least not around Jane (unless he was in pain). James had changed her in the short time that they had known each other.
"—and Two, you have to put up with him all day."
Lisbon waved it off. "I've been dealing with him for years," she said. "But I'd rather spend my time with you."
"Thank you, milady," James said, bowing. Lisbon giggled again. The bowing thing was much more charming when James did it.
James straightened up. "Hey, I have an idea," he said. "Why don't we try and make him jealous?"
"How?"
"Pretend to forget he's there and, oh, I don't know, start making out?" He looked at her hopefully.
"I think you just want to make out with me," Lisbon mock accused, smirking.
"I'm caught. But I still think we should. It could be fun."
"No," she said, "it will be fun." She smiled suggestively. "We should practice," she murmured.
"Yes, we should," James said, kissing her hungrily. Lisbon sighed; this was something she'd been missing out on.
A car horn from outside interrupted them. James growled and looked at the clock. "Six-thirty," he grumbled. "Exactly."
"Of course," Lisbon muttered. "I'll get the door. Be nice to him, if you can. I completely understand if you find that impossible." Plastering a fake smile on her face, she opened the door. "Hi, Jane," she said, pretending to be overjoyed at his presence in her doorway. "Come inside."
"So?" he said immediately. "Where's—"
James stepped out from behind the door. "Hey," he said, offering his hand. "I'm James Hawthorne, Teresa's boyfriend."
Lisbon wished she had a camera. The look on Jane's face as he shook hands with James was almost too good to be true. Jane glanced at her, and she smiled innocently. But when she saw James's expression, her smiled disappeared. He didn't look as happy as she'd thought he would. Was he jealous? Wait, why would he be?
Oh, right. He was a man, and being jealous was the thing they did best. Lisbon sighed inwardly: this was going to be a long night.
"So you two haven't been together that long," Jane commented. Lisbon had just told him how she had met James.
"No, we haven't," James said, putting his arm around her.
Lisbon smiled at him. "But it feels like we've known each other for much longer than we actually have," she finished.
"I see," Jane deadpanned, focusing on James. Lisbon was nearly choking on the machismo emanating from him.
"I hope that this lasts for a long time," James said, looking at her fondly.
"Me, too," Lisbon murmured, returning his gaze and kissing him softly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jane blink. His eyes were void of emotion.
He was so jealous.
"Well, I'm happy for you two," he said, getting up from the chair he had been sitting in. "I'm sorry, Lisbon, but I have to go."
"So soon?" she asked, standing up from the sofa and pulling James up with her.
"I'm afraid so. It was nice meeting you, James."
"Same here." James smiled.
Jane looked directly into Lisbon's eyes as he said, "Take care of her."
"I will."
"Good. I'll see you at work tomorrow, Lisbon." For the first time that night, Jane smiled.
Lisbon nodded. "Bye, Jane. Thanks for coming over." And actually doing something I told you to for once, she thought.
"You're welcome." With one last wary glance at James, he left.
"Thank God," James groaned. "He's finally gone. Did you see how jealous he was?"
"Yeah," Lisbon said slowly, "but I didn't expect him to be that jealous."
"Hey, I've got it," James said, leading her back to the sofa. "Maybe he likes you."
"What do you mean?"
"Like, maybe he has a thing for you." James shrugged.
"I highly doubt that," Lisbon said, laughing. "He was just jealous because he wasn't getting all the attention for once, that's all."
James raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?" he asked dubiously, sitting on the sofa and patting the space next to him.
"Yes, I'm sure," Lisbon said, curling up beside him and laying her head on his shoulder. "I'm just glad he didn't ask if we were sleeping together," she muttered.
"Why?" James laughed. "What would you have said?"
Lisbon blushed. "I wouldn't have lied; I'd have said, 'Yes.' But first I would have told him it was none of his business. It isn't! Just because he doesn't have a sex life doesn't mean he has to butt into mine!"
"Hey, hey," James cooed. "It's fine. You're right: he needs to leave things that aren't meant for him to know alone. Unfortunately, that will probably never happen."
"How's that supposed to make me feel better?" Lisbon asked angrily.
"I just want you to know that we're on the same page," he soothed. "We both wish he would change, but know our wish won't come true. I understand completely."
"And that is why I love you," Lisbon murmured, kissing him. James was right; Jane would never change, not for anyone, even her. No matter how much she wanted him to, he wouldn't do it. It was virtually impossible for a person to change who they were.
But Lisbon could still wish. And hope. And try to force Jane to be someone he wasn't. But she (and James) knew that her efforts were all in vain.
Not that was going to stop her from trying.
A/N: Tell me what you think: yay or nay? Tell the truth, I won't be insulted, I promise. (Didya notice how James and Jane sorta kinda rhyme? I did that on purpose. :))
