Teresa Lisbon sat on a bench outside the airport and stared up at the night sky. The day hadn't gone as she'd expected, not in the slightest. By now, she should have been in Washington DC starting her new life with a fiancé and a new job. Instead she was still in Florida having just kissed her annoying consultant and having just had an awkward conversation with her now ex-fiancé. She shook her head and smiled in disbelief. Jane had done some ridiculous things in the time she'd known him but jumping the fence and breaking every rule in the book to get on the plane was a new one. Lisbon checked her watch. It had been almost 2 hours since Abbott had arrived, kicked her out of the office and told her to wait outside, and she was nervous. Not that she thought Jane would be kept because the combination of his charm and Abbott's persuasive skills would beat even the most stern TSA agent, but she had no idea what to expect next. After years of thinking he thought of her as nothing more than a friend, she was adjusting to the idea that Patrick Jane- the annoying, frustrating, irritating Patrick Jane- was in love with her. Not just in love with her, but willing to risk his freedom to tell her. Would he backtrack, the way he did after he told her he loved her at the CBI? No, she was sure he wouldn't. After all, this time he'd confirmed it instead of pretending he didn't remember saying it at all. But declaring you love someone isn't the same as being ready to do something about it. Lisbon absently chewed the side of her thumbnail as she thought about what might happen next. Surely there was no way Jane would have done that only to let things go back to the way they were? She sighed, stood up and checked her watch again. 2 hours 15 minutes. She needed a distraction. Coffee would do it. She turned to head back inside the airport.
Fifteen minutes later, coffee and a muffin in hand, Lisbon was back on the bench pondering her future. She'd never been one to make rash decisions, and giving up a solid life in DC with Pike in favour of staying Austin with the unreliable consultant was crazy. Lisbon contemplated calling Van Pelt to get a second opinion but realised Van Pelt was a classic romantic and would likely be mentally planning a Lisbon-Jane wedding the second she found out what had happened on the plane. For the first time in a long time, Lisbon felt the loneliness of having no close friends to confide in. She'd never been that type of person, but occasionally she could see the benefit. Perhaps having someone to bounce ideas around with would help her sort out the rationality of the situation. Lisbon walked to the nearest trash can to dispose of the now empty coffee cup and muffin wrapper. She stared up at the sky again, watching the distant lights of aircraft in between the stars. One thing was certain- she couldn't go back on her decision now. Pike had been upset when she told him she wasn't coming to DC, and then angry when he correctly guessed it had something to do with Jane. So that was that. Suddenly a large warm hand slipped into hers and she turned to see Jane smiling shyly at her.
"Hi" he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. She squeezed back.
"Hi. Where's Abbott?"
"He's gone to get the car. He told me to come and wait with you and not move. I don't think he's very happy with me. I can't think why." Lisbon grinned at the handsome consultant standing next to her. She'd never been a tactile person, not enjoying holding hands with boyfriends or public displays of affection, but standing in the cool night air with her hand in Jane's felt right. Normal. Comfortable. She dropped his hand though when she saw the black FBI issue vehicle coming towards them, and bent to pick up her bag. Jane took it from her and she raised an eyebrow at him, to which he grinned in response. They'd never needed words when they could understand each other through just their facial expressions. The SUV pulled up alongside them and Jane opened the back door for Lisbon. She climbed in, expecting him to go around and get in the front seat, so was surprised when he motioned for her to shuffle over and climbed in next to her.
"Agent Lisbon" greeted Abbott gruffly.
"Sir. May I ask what happened?" Lisbon could tell from the fact Jane was a free man that they had persuaded the TSA to let him go, but Abbott's stern face showed his displeasure.
"I'm sure Jane will fill you in. For now, the pair of you are to stay in Florida, until we can sort out the paperwork. Your transfer papers are en route to DC- I'm going to assume you want to cancel the transfer?" Abbott caught her eye in the rear view mirror and she could see the twinkle in his dark eyes. For his stern tone and displeased facial expression, he seemed pleased.
"I would like that, Sir, if you'll have me back?" Abbott smiled slightly.
"You're a great asset to the team, Lisbon. We'll gladly have you back. It will take a few days to arrange everything though. You know what these things are like. Since Jane is not allowed to fly after his little stunt, we're going to have to figure out how to get him back to Austin. Unfortunately, he can't be left to find his own way back as I'd like as he's been released into FBI custody. I have no interest in driving or getting a train back to Austin, so I think the best course of action is for me to transfer him into your custody, if you're agreeable, Lisbon? I'll fly back to Austin and you two can make your way back." Abbott pulled into a parking space outside the Blue Bird Lodge as he finished speaking, and turned to Lisbon. "Of course, if you would rather not have the responsibility of keeping him in line, I can assign Agent Cho to accompany Jane back to Austin." Lisbon briefly considered this option. It would be fun to make Jane suffer for all the times he's caused her problems. As if he was reading her mind, Jane slid his hand across the seat and took hold of her hand again, hidden by his jacket which was draped across the seat between them, and gently began to rub the back of her hand with his thumb. It sent shivers up her spine, and she knew there was no way she was leaving his side.
"There's no need for Cho to be punished, Sir." Lisbon laughed "I'll hire a car and we'll drive back to Texas."
"Very well. I don't believe you checked out before you left, Jane, so your room should still be available. I'm sure they'll have a room for Lisbon too." There was that twinkle again. Abbott knew very well that they wouldn't be booking a second room.
"Thank you, Sir. I'll keep you informed of our travel plans. We should be back in Austin in a few days." Lisbon reluctantly let go of Jane's hand and reached for her bag.
"No rush, Agent. I think it would be best if Mr. Jane here kept a low profile around the FBI for a couple of weeks, just until the dust has settled." Abbott turned back in his seat, indicating the conversation was over. Jane opened the door and helped Lisbon out of the car. Abbott nodded curtly to them both and drove away, back to the airport where he'd left Cho and Fischer. Lisbon and Jane watched the car disappear around the corner, and Jane held out his arm to Lisbon.
"Shall we?" he said quietly, in a voice that was silk and honey and made Lisbon's mouth go dry. She nodded, not trusting her voice, and took his arm as he picked up her bag and they walked towards the entrance of the hotel.