AN: I've been watching The Mentalist with my good friend tamariskie and over the last weeks we been watching the Pike arc. I wanted more from the whole scenario so I wrote this story and decided to finish it before I publish to make sure I actually got it all done. Like all of us I worked hard on this piece and was happy with the results. Got ready to upload and found Trustfalls wonderful story which is very similar to this one. I thought long and hard about publishing. Then decided to go ahead.

As per usual I own nothing, not The Mentalist or its characters or any songs tittles or lyrics that may or may not show up in this story. They all belong to their original owners There is no profit being made on anything.

BTW this is very free flow and is the thoughts of all three characters involved. Not my usual style but what came out when I sat down to write. It is five chapters and I will publish it all over the next few days since it is all written. Mistakes are mine alone. Well now that the AN is a long as the chapters I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think.

Chapter One: Hard Habit to Break

I guess I thought you'd be here forever
Another illusion I chose to create
You don't know what you got until it's gone
And I found out just a little too late

Unwinding the scarf from his around his neck was like unwinding all his hopes he had for life after Red John, a life beyond revenge. How did it all fall apart in two years? He still loved her and he thought she would still love him. Maybe having never saying the words out loud factored into equation. Or that when he did once say them, he took it back. Feigning ignorance didn't help the situation.

If he hadn't done that good deed for the victim's wife he would have been there in time. He was so busy trying to impress Lisbon, showing her he changed, that he was worth the trouble, that he missed the signs of apathy.

Marcus was handsome and charming and seemed genuinely interested in her. So why was her mind running an endless loop of Jane on his damn coach, and that look in his eyes when she left the bullpen. Oh, he hide it well, quickly snapping on a smile complete with laugh lines and perfect teeth. But his eyes were missing their usual twinkle. His eyes were filled with something she couldn't put her finger on, jealousy and betrayal, hurt and resentment. What right did he have to have any of those emotions? He's been back for months and yet he held her her at arm's length. Had she only looked a little closer she would have seen something else, she would have seen love.

Agent Marcus Pike was proud of himself, he had asked the lovely Agent Lisbon out for pancakes and she agreed. He thought she was attached at the hip to Patrick Jane. Maybe he read the signs wrong, still no need to be reckless. Jane was a sly one he'd have to keep his guard up. He had no doubt that the conman and fake physic could destroy him if and when he wanted. But for now he had the girl and Patrick Jane was alone in the darkening bullpen. Good work, Marcus!

Chapter Two: If You Leave Me Now

If you leave me now, you'll take away the biggest part of me
No baby please don't go
If you leave me now, you'll take away the very heart of me
No baby please don't go

Lisbon had been on a steady diet of Marcus Pike for a few weeks now. In that time she'd become someone he didn't know, personal calls on the job, lunch dates, public displays of affection, and arriving late to work. Not late per se just by Lisbon standards. He was getting overwhelmed with emotions that hadn't surfaced in years. One day he was depressed, the next jealous, and recently anger sat lurking in the background.

Perhaps he interpreted her actions all wrong, she was one of the few people he couldn't get a hundred percent read. Maybe she never loved him, and did just see him as difficult and exhausting. He took a deep breathe, but she was never his sidekick. No, she was/is his partner. Didn't she tell him that over and over, they were partners and she needed him. She said so, she said so…

As far as boyfriends went Marcus Pike was a solid eight out of ten, no make that seven. He was attentive, affectionate and honest. Qualities Lisbon liked in a man, all and all Marcus was a good choice for a potential life partner. Whoa, were did that come from, since when was she looking for a husband. Although that clock was ticking, maybe not such a bad idea to consider. Someone had to father her children, her blonde haired, green eyed children. Crap!

Marcus knew Teresa liked him that much was obvious to everyone who saw them together. They were a couple complete with private jokes and shy sideways glances. But total commitment, so not on the table yet. Damn, why did that promotion have to come along now. He wondered as he pressed the button for the fourth floor, if he could convince her to come with him to DC. After all she came to Texas for Jane.

As the doors opened he caught site of Jane standing way to close to his girlfriend. They're practically touching, the cheek on him. He felt the all seeing eyes of the FBI's pet fugitive burning into him. Pinning him like a bug pinned to a mat. Best make a hasty retreat back into the elevator and send a text instead of visiting. Tell he to dress up, special occasion, last minute reservation at the best place in town.

It was nice being out with Lisbon, like old times. They used to share meals on a regular bases, but lately not so much. If he was truthful not at all which left him eating too many truck tacos and drinking too much whiskey. She had gone off the rails when the whole indictment was reveled as a sting. Once she would've had his back. Now he got attitude from her and empty platitudes from her perfect boyfriend. You know the one that was always makes a point to be there for her. Well Teresa, ask him if would stay with you while you had a bomb strapped to your chest? Or turn the whole CBI upside down to get your job back? I don't think he has the balls.

"More wine, Lisbon?"

Casablanca really what was he thinking. Why not draw Teresa a diagram. Although he was pretty sure he had the upper hand really what could Patrick Jane offer a women like Lisbon. He was still wearing his wedding ring and she called him Jane. Never once Patrick. No this was an easy score for team Pike. His thoughts were interrupted by Teresa's voice.

"Hey Marcus, can you see who is at the door?"

Jane, what the hell is he doing here at this hour. Teresa closed the door behind her, not good, not good. And she's back and crying. Team Jane may have gotten into the end zone, time to up the game.