Thinking about the past present and future

It was already half past eight and it had gotten quiet in the bullpen. Lisbon had just finished off writing her report about their latest case and turned off her computer.

They had managed to find the killer rather quickly but worrying about Jane had her feeling drained anyway. She could only imagine what he must have been going through seeing his long lost daughter and then losing her again. She had heard the way his voice had quivered this afternoon when he had called out "wait" supposedly to his disappearing daughter. She hadn't seen him since they got back from arresting the neighbor but she had a feeling he wouldn't take today's events very well. His hallucinations only proved how deeply hurt he still was.

Sighing quietly Lisbon turned off her desk light and piled up the remaining files and papers to deal with another day. She took her briefcase, locked her office and walked towards the elevator deep in thoughts again. She was so distracted that she nearly ran into Jane coming down the stairs from the attic.

"Jane!"

"Lisbon!" They both exclaimed simultaneously.

"I'm sorry, I thought there was nobody around anymore." She said avoiding his eyes and turning a slight shade of pink.

Only after seeing her blush did he notice he was still holding onto her upper arms lightly and his right thumb had started rubbing soothing circles right above her elbow.

"Uhm..." He quickly let go of her arms and smiled at her. Lisbon took a small step back and studied him worriedly.

"Are you okay, Patrick?" She asked quietly.

Jane noticed how her voice changed back to that soothing tone one would use when speaking to a sick child. She had already talked to him like that earlier in the hospital and he thought it was cute. He liked it when she got all motherly with him. Not that he liked her worrying about him but it was nice to know she cared. He also noticed her calling him by his first name which brought a smile to his lips. He had told her to call him Patrick today.

"I'm fine, Teresa. Thank you."

Lisbon noticed how he took a small step closer to her again invading her personal space. She felt slightly uneasy and nervously brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

Jane leaned in a bit more, smiled down at her and brushed the same strand back again, his fingertips gently caressing her cheek. Lisbon noticed how he looked her deeply in the eyes and she tried to avoid his gaze. But when she felt Jane's fingers slide to the back of her neck, his warm hand holding her close and his thumb lightly trailing the edge of her jaw she couldn't resist looking up and into his eyes.

Her breath hitched at his touch and his closeness and she could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

"Wow, you're pulse is really racing, Lisbon." He murmured while slowly leaning into her and brushing his free hand against her hip.

Lisbon could hardly breath and suddenly she realized what was happening and how this day could be affecting his actions so she leaned back and asked in a trembling voice "Jane? Are you okay?".

Jane didn't let her skepticism keep him away and stayed close to her, his lips hovering only a few inches over hers, and started grinning lazily. "Why do you keep asking me that?" he murmured " You're a hallucination. A figment of my subconsciousness. You should know."

Then Lisbon understood and took another step back leaving his arms. "Jane? Did you drink any more of that tea?"

"Well, du-uh" he answered smiling like it was obvious.

"Okay, that's it. I'm taking you to the hospital." she started pulling on Jane's arm but he didn't move.

"No, I'm fine. I told you. I'm not going to the hospital again. And I was cautious: I only put enough in to..." he didn't finish his sentence, but Lisbon knew what he was thinking: He only put enough in to see Charlotte again. "I'm not going to faint again or anything." He assured her.

She knew he would have been better off in a hospital but he did seem quite alright except for the supposed hallucinations so she decided to just keep an eye on him instead.

"Alright, but you're coming with me. And if I see you staggering or throwing up or anything I will bring you to the hospital and have you tied to the bed if necessary." And with that she pulled him into the waiting elevator.

~L~J~L~J~

The drive home had been quiet. Both had followed their own train of thought. Jane feeling disappointed that he hadn't seen Charlotte again, Lisbon feeling worried again by his recent behavior.

When they arrived at her place Lisbon wordlessly went into her bedroom and quickly grabbed a pillow and a blanket for Jane from her cupboard. When she came back into the living room he was already perched on her couch.

"Well, if you need anything else you know where to find me." She placed the blanket and pillow onto the couch and made her way over towards her bedroom.

"Thank you"

She turned around looking at the man making himself comfortable on her couch and smiled sadly. "No problem, Jane. Just please don't do it again, okay?" her voice was merely a whisper.

"I won't. I promise." he answered just as quietly.