A/N: Taking Lisbon and Jane camping is an idea that's been nagging me for months. So, I finally wrote it! I hope it's not too OOC and I hope you enjoy it. Please read and review, feedback is always appreciated!

Disclaimer: I don't own The Mentalist.

Chapter 1

"Come on, Lisbon! Get up, let's go!" Jane urged.

Lisbon looked up from her paperwork, the early summer air was suffocating. She could feel the heat beat against the windows, warming up the building.

"What Jane? What do you want?" Lisbon huffed.

The exasperated expression on her face encouraged Jane, his eyes twinkled.

"I want you to get up! We've got time off and I've got things planned. I wouldn't want to be late!" He tapped his watch and nodded his head convincingly.

"You have to tell me where we're going first." Lisbon demanded.

"It's a surprise!"

"I don't like surprises."

"You're lying. But if you must, think of it as an adventure, a spontaneous journey, an excuse to take a break from all this paperwork," Jane gestured to the mountain of paperwork lying on her desk, "so, what do ya say?"

Lisbon sighed, she couldn't argue with that: anything was better than paperwork. "Alright, but no funny business."

"I can't promise that…"

"I guess I can't complain," she said while shuffling her papers into neat piles and moving them to the corner of her desk.

"I knew you'd say yes."

"I'm sure you did," Lisbon retorted.

"I promise you'll be glad you agreed."

"The last time you said that I almost had to bail you out of jail..." A playful vivacity shone through her eyes.

"Meh, details." Jane said with grin.

...

Jane tapped his fingers on the steering wheel to the rhythm of the radio, humming softly to the overplayed, horribly catchy pop song. Lisbon eyed him carefully.

"You're really not going to tell me?"

"Nope. But we have to stop at your house first."

"Jane, no."

"Why not? I practically live there."

"Yes, you do spend a lot of time at my house."

"Nearly every day and every night. So why can't we stop?"

"Fine. But you're not coming in."

"Why not?" He whined.

"Because, my house is a mess and I'm unprepared for guests and..."

Jane clutched his heart, feigning offense. "I'm not a guest, I am a daily regular."

"You know what I mean, Jane."

"I really don't."

Lisbon rolled her eyes. Even then, almost a year after their first kiss, she felt electricity when he was close. Her heart buzzed with anticipation and butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She smacked his chest lightly.

"Okay, okay-," he held his hands up, surrendering. "Jane, for God's sake put your hands on the steering wheel!" Lisbon interjected. "Oh, right…" he chuckled, "Anyway, if you insist, I'll wait in the car."

"No you won't."

"You're right, I won't. I'll end up following you into your house and you'll get mad at me."

"Fine. But you need to behavior yourself."

"I knew it."

"You're a pain."

"Yes, but I'm your pain," Jane added with a brilliant smile before kissing her cheek.

Lisbon rolled her eyes. "Get out, we're here."

She was grumpy and Jane was loving every minute of it.

…

Lisbon trudged up the sidewalk to her (their) house, she turned to Jane.

"What do I need to get?" Lisbon asked as she fit her key into the lock and swung open the front door.

"Change into something less work-like, it is summer you know. Maybe shorts, I can't tell you too much. I wouldn't want to give it away."

"You're frustrating." Lisbon jabbed before retreating upstairs to her (their) room.

Jane settled down on the familiar couch, leaning back against it soft brown cushions. She reappeared minutes later sporting a simple black V-neck and mid-thigh khaki shorts. Before heading to the door Lisbon slipped on a pair of blue Nikes.

"You should pack a bag too." Jane added. He quickly jotted down a list and gave it to Lisbon.

The brunette returned a while later, lugging a small duffel bag in the crook of her right elbow.

"Seriously, Jane, a bathing suit? Where are you taking me?"

He shrugged, his eyes sparkling. "You'll see."

"You're so annoying."

"I know but you love me."

"Maybe just a tiny bit," Lisbon grinned as she leaned up and scrunched her nose, kissing him quickly on the lips before turning toward the door.

Jane looked at her intently, "Come on, that's all I get?"

"For now," she teased innocently, then used his own words against him, "I wouldn't want to be late."

Jane just shook his head as he followed her back to the car, watching her hips sway.

The agent spun around. "You coming?" She asked cheekily.

This woman would be the death of him.

…

The pair arrived at the airport five minutes before schedule.

"We're at the airport." Lisbon stated.

"Nice observation, agent."

"Oh hush…" Lisbon silenced him with another kiss.

When they broke apart Jane beamed, "Wow, I should annoy you more often."

"Don't you dare."

Lisbon opened the trunk and pulled out her duffel bag.

"I can carry it for you…"

Lisbon looked at him, "I'm fully capable."

"I don't doubt it," Jane chuckled as they made their way to airport's glass doors.

When they entered the large building a familiar smile found its way onto Lisbon's face. She'd always loved airports, ever since she was little, the brunette had been infatuated with their motions and the complex system within. She loved their quick pace and feeling of adventure, the feeling of escape. There was a sense of freedom she'd craved as child. Plus, it did helped that an airport was the first place she'd kissed Jane.

"I like 'em too," Jane said while they walked to check their luggage, reading her mind. The carpet was a dark navy speckled with blue dots. Sunlight gushed in from the glass panels that made up much of the airport's exterior. Outside, the sun began to lower in the sky. It hung lazily, as if suspend from an invisible string held by a still hand.

With their bags checked the couple settled into a pair of seats in the waiting room. Jane tapped his foot rapidly then looked toward Lisbon.

"Alright, so pretty soon you're going to find out where we're going. Just don't freak out at first…" Lisbon's eyebrows rose but Jane continued, "Give it a chance. I know you're going to have fun."

Lisbon nodded. A small smile graced her lips, "Despite my better judgment, I trust you."

She had just slipped her hand into his when an announcement was made over the intercom, "Flight 103 to Tampa, Florida is now boarding. Flight 103 is now boarding," the voice crackled loudly.

"Well, milady, I believe that's us."

Lisbon looked at Jane incredulously, "Florida?"

"To celebrate one year of finally being official!"

Lisbon laughed, "for once, I'm pleasantly surprised."

They intertwined their fingers once again as they walked to the gate.

…

Lisbon squirmed into the window seat, Jane plopped down beside her and whispered, "Remember the last time you were on a plane?"

Lisbon smirked. "Somehow I don't think I'm ever going to forget it…"

"Well if you ever do, I'd gladly reenact it." Jane stood up and began confessing his love.

"Sit down, before you get kicked out again."

Jane shrugged. "I kind of like where that led."

"Yeah, well I didn't like having to drive all the way back to Austin because you weren't allowed to fly."

"Hmm, I thought it was rather enjoyable."

Lisbon scoffed, "Sure."

A comfortable silence settled between them as the flight attendant and pilot made a few announcements.

"We will arrive at Tampa International Airport in approximately two hours, at 10:45 PM," the voice droned on until the plane eventually took off.

Jane reflected on everything that had changed in the past year. The time between his family's murder and meeting Lisbon seemed like a nightmarish haze. He was so lucky to know her. Jane didn't deserve Lisbon and he knew it. He'd hurt Lisbon, abandon her, deceived her, and broken her heart. Yet for some reason, she picked him. It didn't make sense to him.

Every day she amazed him, every day he fell in love with her a little more (if it were even possible).

"Hey, Lisbon?" Jane asked softly.

She looked away from the window and turned to face him. "What's up?"

"I was just wondering… I don't really know why we haven't completely moved in together. But I'd really like to. So if you want to, I think we should."

"Yeah, I'd like that," she smiled.

"Really?!" Jane exclaimed. "It'll be great. We'll have to decide if we're going to buy a new house or move into one of…" the blond drifted off when he noticed Lisbon go quiet, her shoulders slumped and her gaze shifted to the ground.

"Hey, what's a matter?" Jane asked gently.

"It's stupid…"

"Nothing you have to say is stupid, Teresa."

She sighed. "It's just… what if we move in together and you get bored of me…"

"What?" Jane asked, he couldn't hear her whisper over the airplane's hum.

Lisbon shook her head, she shouldn't have said anything. "Never mind… It's not important."

Jane took her hands, "If it bothers you it's important to me. Please, talk to me…"

The brunette met his eyes, "What if you get tired of me? What if we spend too much time together and you stop loving me? Or you think I'm annoying or weird or frustrating or boring? I'm afraid to lose everything we have, it means too much to me."

"Is that what this has been about the whole time?"

Lisbon nodded shyly.

"You never need to feel that way. Ever. I am so sorry but you're stuck with me, Agent Lisbon." He flashed her a grin. "And nothing is going to change that."

"Well that's unfortunate," she laughed sarcastically and Jane was glad she felt better. Lisbon leaned her head onto his shoulder, closing her eyes and breathing softly.

"Ya know, I hate to admit this," she began. "But I'm actually really excited for this trip. I better not regret coming."

"I'll do my best," Jane said as he played with Lisbon's hair, smiling like a fool.

…

It was 11:00 when the plane finally landed in Tampa. Jane and Lisbon checked into an airport hotel and drowsily walked to their room. Lisbon slung her bag on the floor and slipped off her sneakers before sprawling across the bed. Jane chuckled and entered the bathroom to change. A moment later Lisbon sighed and got off the bed. By the time she finished digging through her bag Jane was out of the bathroom. The brunette closed the door and smiled at her reflection, even though this spontaneous trip kind of freaked her out it also excited her. After brushing her teeth and washing her face, the agent emerged a few minutes later, clad in pajamas. Once the lights were turned off, Lisbon slipped under the sheets. A soft glow came from the muted television.

"Jane, I love you," Lisbon whispered to his sleeping figure.

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, "I love you more."