A/N: I wrote this awhile back before Kristina Frye. But I really did love this fic so I thought I'd share it with you all. Maybe I'll add onto this later. For now, enjoy!

Disclaimer: And I'm still wishing...


First Date

It could have been worse. At least that was what he was trying to convince himself. The evening had started out promising, but it spiralled out of control pretty quickly. They had to wait an hour at the restaurant, although they had a reservation. When they were finally seated, conversation was stilted and incredibly awkward. The waiter got their order wrong, twice. But the last straw was definitely dessert, when after a series of unfortunate events led to red wine being spilled down his date's white dress. She practically fled from his car when he dropped her off at her door without even a good night. He had contemplated driving to a bar before he found himself back at the office. Loosening his tie, he collapsed onto his couch, just before he heard footfalls coming from the hallway. He smiled up at Lisbon when she appeared in the open doorway.

"Hey," she greeted.

"Hey."

"What are you doing here? I thought you went out for dinner."

"I did."

"And?"

"It was great," he replied slowly. "Fantastic."

She eyed him suspiciously.

"It bombed."

"Completely crashed and burned," he admitted with a crooked grin.

Cracking a smile of her own, she casually walked over towards him.

"Should I feel sorry?"

He paused a moment, as though he was searching for the right answer.

"No," he said finally. "I guess I should have known better."

"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. It was the first date."

"And evidently last."

"Well, traditionally the first date should end badly. And you're still in one piece so I'd call this a win."

They shared a laugh. She took a seat on the armrest closest to him.

"I wasn't ready," he admitted quietly. "I think I might be too old for dating."

"You just have to find the right person."

"Look at you, trying to be all psychic."

"Oh, stop it," she said, giving him a light shove. "You're Patrick Jane. You can do anything. Dating should be a cinch."

"You would think that."

Shaking her head, she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"You want to go out for a drink?"

"Thanks, but I don't need your pity date, Lisbon."

"It's not a pity date. It's more, commiserating with a friend."

He peered up at her. Friend. It's a rather foreign word to him, but hearing her say it, made the date from hell seem like a distant memory.

"Okay, friend, I'll go on one condition."

"And what's that?"

"I'm buying."

Chuckling, she patted his arm.

"You're on."

He grinned as he followed her out.

It turned out he was right. His first date could have been worse.


Fin for now, Jello forever