Hi all, me again.
So for some mad reason I thought I would start a new ff story. I have received a few DM asking me to write more so your wish has been granted. This was a story I started before S7 started but have adjusted some things to fit with S7.
This is AU story so some things are very different to canon. So let me just set those things straight for you... in my story there was no baby or announcement after the wedding. Jane was only on the run for 1 year down in South America. He also didn't run off after Vega's death and he isn't wearing his three piece suits again... yet! there are a few more but you will get the jist of it as the story goes on.
I won't be updating as regularly as I have done but I do hope to update at least once a month and my chapters will be fairly long to make up for the big gaps (so apologies for that). This chapter hasn't been beta as my lovely beta person is pretty busy with other TM projects at the mo (and I felt that if you read my stories and enjoy them then you will forgive any minor mistakes you may find.)
Disclaimer: I don't own the Mentalist or its characters I just love and enjoy them.
This story is dedicated to wonderful talented FF author Mayzee for always encouraging me and her generous gift to me and my new laptop. She saved me a fortune. :) Enjoy.
The door of the newly built cabin swung open. Lisbon's foot forcing it wide as she struggled to keep the large box upright entering their new home.
"Jane! Where are you? Can you give me a hand please?"
After a few moments with no response she placed the bulky storage box down groaning as her back muscles pulled tightly. Stepping over some newly purchased paint pots lying across the main passage she headed out the back towards the bedrooms to find her disappearing husband.
The building contractors had finally completed working on the cabin's structure as well installing their new kitchen and bathroom a week previous. Jane had been adamant he would finish the inside refurbishments off by himself.
Lisbon's observations about the cabin being lopsided had in fact turned out to be correct, there was slight subsidence on the left side and the foundations practically had to be rebuilt and laid. With this major setback to their plans they had to continue living in Lisbon's rented house. Whilst the builders were already in they decided to take full advantage and extend their home by adding some extra space, expanding the kitchen outwards and adding on an extra bedroom basically doubling the small cabin in size and converting it into a very large beautiful house.
It had been Lisbon's idea to slowly start moving their stuff over when the work was finally finished. Jane didn't have much, only a few bits from his airstream, but she unfortunately had years of household goods and furniture to move across. Along with the unexpected announcement by Jane that he had ordered their brand new king size bed to be delivered that following weekend, they made the decision to officially move into their new home.
"Jane! did you hear me, there is still three heavy boxes left in the trunk-..."
Lisbon entered the large empty bedroom instantly sighting Jane slumped up against the back wall. His head was leaning back, his eyes tightly shut as a silent tear ran down his cheek.
"Hey what's wrong?" Lisbon moved swiftly coming to kneel down in front of him. "Jane, What's wrong? She asked again softening her voice when he gave no response refusing to open his eyes. " Patrick. Please. talk to me."
Jane eventually opened his bloodshot eyes glancing down to something on the floor beside him. Sat on the newly polished wooden floor was an old CBI desk calendar. Lisbon reached over picking the desk item up. Jane must have discovered it in one of her storage boxes that he had carried in from the car. scanning her eyes quickly across the page and seeing nothing unusual marked she gently placed the calendar down again rubbing her hands up and over his arms in a soothing manner.
Only ten minutes before Jane had been bouncing excitably around their new home like a little puppy, showing her all the DIY jobs he had achieved over the past week whist she had been working and even suggesting the idea of holding a house warming party for their close friends and family when they finally settled in. But something had happened in the last few minutes to make him broken, slumped weeping on their new bedroom floor.
"Jane, please. Talk to me. What's happened?"
"I f-forgot." He whispered, his words catching in the back of his throat. "I-I forgot."
"Forgot what?" Lisbon pushed, treading carefully in trying get him to open up.
Lisbon looked down at the calendar again. The month of October didn't ring any major alarm bells for her but she had only ever seen Jane get this upset once before and it had involved his dead wife and child.
"Charlotte?" Lisbon said under her breath knowing the little girl was still his main source of his pain and guilt, despite the giant strides he had made to move on from their tragic deaths and get on with his life.
"She would have been eighteen years old tomorrow. My little girl would have been eighteen. And I am more worried about choosing mushroom swirls or green forest ceramic tiles for the god damn bathroom." He spat, lashing out kicking at one of the storage boxes sat on the new polish floor nearby.
"Hey, look at me." Lisbon ordered taking his face firmly in her hands and making him focus on her, hoping to calm him down a little. "You didn't forget. okay? Her birthday hasn't been yet. It's not till tomorrow. You just got distracted, yes, but that's okay, Jane, it's okay."
"No its not. you don't get it Teresa. I swore I would never forget them and look at me, it's starting already, I am the worse father in the wor-"
"Now you listen to me Patrick Jane" she stated sternly pulling his face in her hands back up to look up hers. She kept her voice low but with a firm edge letting him know she meant serious business.
"You were not a bad father. Ever. Okay. Do you hear me? You weren't. Yes, you have got caught up with getting our new home ready but that's allowed."
Seeing his anger slowly disappearing as his eyes softened by her words she gently stroked her thumb across his cheek. his breathing started to calm as her words had the desire effect.
"This past month has been pretty manic for us both. with getting married, the wedding, the house, the builders. Plus, you have been spending every day and night here making this place into our home. No one could blame you for being distracted Jane. But you haven't done anything wrong. Do you hear me?"
"I need to go to her." Jane replied his voice breaking as another tear ran down his cheek. Lisbon guessed he meant back to California to visit their last resting place. Jane wasn't the religious type but being where they were would bring him some comfort at this tough time.
"Okay, whatever you want or need to do." Lisbon nodded understanding fully that he needed to be with his lost family. Rubbing both her thumbs gently across his wet cheeks she wiped away his tears. Jane pulled her hand up to his lips placing a soft kiss to her palm knowing how he was the luckiest man alive for being married this kind understandable strong beautiful woman.
"Come on. Let's head back to ours and get you a flight booked."
Jane nodded allowing his hand to be linked with hers as she pulled him up to stand. As he straightened himself he quickly engulfed Lisbon in a tight hug, allowing a few minutes to gain back his composure. He wasn't use to other's seeing him so vulnerable and emotional. It still felt odd to him being so emotionally open with someone again after all these years but he was trying his hardest to adjust to that new element in his life.
When they arrived back at Lisbon's she offered to go online and book him a flight for later that night on the red eye. Jane had remained quiet on the drive back to hers, staring silently out the passenger window in deep thought. After stripping out of his DIY work gear he showered and changed into a clean shirt and new suit pants. He entered the kitchen with a towel wrapped around his neck drying his damp hair offering to help with dinner but Lisbon ushered out ordering him to go and relax. Jane didn't bother to fight her on it this time and went laid down on her soft cream fabric comfy couch to take a short nap. He suddenly felt physically and emotionally exhausted after his emotional breakdown earlier at their new home.
An hour later Lisbon gently woke him for his slumber by running her fingertips through his soft curls and letting him know his dinner was ready. As they sat at the kitchen table eating the mushroom risotto Lisbon had made, she noticed Jane was still being unusually quiet, lost in his own thoughts, hardly saying two words. Although quiet, he was being very affectionate. He would keep reaching out stroking her free hand or pulling her hand up to place kisses against her knuckles. It wasn't being done in a sexual way but more of a comfort technique that he wasn't even aware he was doing. She knew what had happened back at the cabin had deeply upset him so she hoped her presence and just being there with him was bringing the comfort he was seeking right now.
"Are you finished?" Lisbon asked leaning over the table to grab his half eaten plate of food. Jane nodded sipping on his water as she moved closer it was then as his eyes caught sight of something. placing his water glass down his eyes roamed down the column of her neck lingering on her collarbone for a few moments.
"What happen?" he questioned, his brow frowning in concern and moving her shirt collar over to get a better view at the nasty dark blue/black bruise marking her skin.
"Oh, nothing, just a knock."
"A knock? From what?"
Lisbon sighed stepping back to kitchen sink knowing full well her inquisitive mentalist husband wasn't about to drop this topic, or going to like her answer.
"It was just a little thing, it's really no big deal."
Jane raised a sceptical eyebrow but remained silent giving her one of his serious stares waiting for a full explanation.
"Lawrence Young. The suspect on the Gregor case. He got a bit rough when me and Cho this brought him in for questioning this morning. I wasn't fully concentrating when putting him the SUV. He made a run for it lashing out as he fled." Lisbon said fiddling anxiously with the tea towel in her hands hoping by keeping her tone light he wouldn't go off on one about the safety in her job.
Ever since Agent Vega's death he had become extremely over protective over her and her job. They were at a point that his growing fears was effecting her ability to do her job properly. Thankfully for their relationship, just as things were reaching breaking point between them, jane had found them a new home. deciding to take some time off for the FBI he turned all his time and attention on refurbishing the cabin rather than trying to keep her away from working serious cases.
"It was no big deal; it looks worse than it is. Cho caught him. gave him a rough tackle back. no business like Cho business, huh!" Lisbon chuckled light heartily, hoping he wasn't about to go into one of his lectures on her safety. Jane stood up from the kitchen table showing in his expression that he wasn't impressed by these recent turn of events.
"It's just a small bruise Jane, I have had a lot worse in the past and survived." Lisbon said hoping that would ease his fears. She felt uneasy when he remained silent she wanted him to say something rather than giving her a cold broody silence. He leaned over her placing the dirty cutlery in the sink before placing a soft kiss to the side of her forehead.
"I've got to go finish packing my bag." He whispered, making his way out of the kitchen leaving her alone and confused by his silence over the matter.
Normally this type of discussion would end up with a long worried lecture from him, with her trying to reassure him she was going to be ok and that he wasn't going to lose her. She put his unusual silence down to him being extremely upset with everything that had happen earlier that day.
"I will only be gone a few days. Just a few days." Jane said solemnly, exiting the bedroom carrying his small brown overnight bag and pulling on his suit jacket.
"I am big girl. I think I can survive." Lisbon quipped straightening the lapel of his suit jacket running her fingers down the buttons of his awful island shirt that he was still prone to wearing.
'Well, you may be able to survive without me but can I survive without you?" Jane replied giving her a small smile, even if his question did feel like there was much more behind it.
Before she could respond he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist pressing his lips down on to hers. Lisbon moaned in pleasure by the surprise kiss. He parted her lips when she gasped for a breath inserting his tongue to deepen the kiss further. They stayed in each other's arms kissing passionately with Jane disregarding his overnight bag beside the front door so that he could run both his large hands over her back cupping her backside with both hands and pulling her flush against him.
They eventually broke the kiss when their need to catch their breaths took over more than their sexual desires. Jane glanced at the clock on the wall behind them wondering if he had time to make love to his wife before the taxi showed but just as he was about to act on that thought the sound of the cab horn sounded notifying them that his ride to the airport had arrived promptly.
"Damn it." Jane muttered bitterly, annoyed at himself for not thinking of that idea a lot sooner, having been too caught up over nearly forgetting Charlottes birthday. Lisbon chuckled knowing exactly why he was grumbling. "You have a flight to catch remember." She giggled seeing his childlike sulky frown appear.
"Anyway, we made love this morning. Twice. Remember?" Lisbon said seductively, wiggling both eyebrows playfully at him. hoping by re-jogging that memory it would bring a smile back to his face.
"Oh trust me Teresa. That is one memory forever stored nicely away in my memory palace. In fact, it was the best wakeup call you have ever given me. Definitely beats the sharp hard kicks you use to give to my poor old leather couch at the CBI, that's for sure." Jane replied seductively back, his eyes dilating at the memory of that very sexy wakeup call and the wonders she could do with just her tongue.
Pulling her body firmly against his again he made sure she felt his growing desire for her. Lisbon groaned in frustration suddenly wishing the taxi hadn't arrived on time. "well, you just remember that wake up Mr Jane and when you get back from California I may give you another one as a coming home present."
"Promise?"
"Promise." Lisbon whispered pecking his lips. She chuckled happy to see a genuine smile cross his gorgeous face again even if it had taken the promise of sex to make it appear. Picking back up his overnight bag and tugging him by the hand she led him out of the front door. "Come on, I will walk you out to cab."
Jane placed his overnight bag in the trunk of the cab. Turning around to face his wife he pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately once more. Lisbon was the first to break away, feeling a little uncomfortable that the creepy cab driver was getting a private showing and watching them a little to keenly from in the vehicle.
"I love you Teresa. Always have. Always will. You know that, don't you?" Jane said keeping his voice quietly low so the nosey cab driver didn't overhear their private parting words of goodbye. He ducked his body down a few inches lower so he was looking her directly in the eye and she could see he meant every single word. Playing gently with the curls on the back of his neck she grinned overwhelmed by happiness at his words, loving how he would openly tell her he loved her now and how she could return the feelings.
"Yes. I know." She blushed still fully effected by him and his words even after nearly year of hearing him say them.
"I have to go. I have been putting off facing my demons ever since I got back from South America but with what happened earlier today I realise it's time. For me. For you. For us.
"I know. I understand." Lisbon replied in between small pecks to his lips. "and I love you too. Always have. Always will." repeating his own words back. Whilst a small part of her wanted to be going to out to California with him, she understood this was something he needed to do alone.
Reluctantly Jane stepped towards the taxi watching as his wife walked backwards up the pathway to the house with the red door. "I will be back. I promise. I love you, Teresa." He called out blowing his new wife a kiss before disappearing inside of the yellow cab before it drove away up the street.
One year later.
Lisbon exited the black SUV surveying the sea of blue and red flashing lights shining brightly in the early dawn darkness. She shook her head sadly at the incompetence of the Local PD. An hour ago she had been warmly tucked up in bed when she got an early mysterious wakeup call from dispatch advising her to attend an address as her presence was required immediately by Agent Cho. No other details were given, which Lisbon found strange in its self that Cho wasn't calling her himself but the dispatch controller had advised her that the orders given by Agent Cho was that the team needed to take control of the crime scene ASAP, with strict instructions to maintain as much information to FBI personal only. Which, every agent in the land knew was code for 'this is something really big and the FBI want it kept hush hush.'
"Hey Lisbon." said the voice of Agent Andrews, walking across the front lawn of the house address to greet her. Lisbon quickly ducked under the crime scene type, looking around at the gathering nosey neighbours in their dressing gowns trying to get a good look at was happening.
"Hey Andrews. So much for keeping this all quiet, huh?"
"Tell me about. I sometimes wonder how Local PD get out of bed of the mornings without fucking it up." Andrews sighed angrily glancing over at local PD bumbling about by the tape area with the enquiring members of the public.
Agent Sean Andrews had joined Cho's team seven months previous. He had been based in the Boston Federal office for the last five years with their serious crime unit. Originally born and bred in Austin Texas he had transferred back home to help his elderly widowed father who had recently diagnosed with dementia. Andrews was in his mid-forties, with dark hair, blue eyes, over 6'ft, good looking, smart, charming, a little over confidence at times, single, with no dependants and as expected, a big hit with the single females in Austin office.
"Where's Cho? I thought he would be dealing with this? Lisbon asked nodding her head towards the several TV vans now pulling up and setting up by the crime scene tape.
"He had to go in for some important morning meeting with Director Schwaltz apparently. He will be along straight afterwards. I've been told to keep an eye on things until he turns up but it becoming a nightmare to be honest. I have left him a message to get down here pronto.
"Is it...?" Lisbon enquired anxiously, her words trailing off hoping her guess at what grisly crime scene was waiting for them in the house was wrong.
"Looks like it. Everything seems to fit. But until forensics are done in there, we can't be fully sure. But the sicko left his normal calling card.
"We got ID on the victim yet?"
"Yeah, house is rented by a Ms Joanna Webber, twenty-eight-year-old legal secretary, her roommate discovered the body. Cindy Walton. Came home early hours of this morning and Found the body. Victims has been dead for a good few hours' forensics reckon. I've got Wylie running back ground checks into the flat mate. Something seems off about her."
"Off?" Lisbon said curiously knowing that agent Andrews intuition was pretty good with these sort of things. He was no Patrick Jane but he could get a good read on someone. Andrews glanced behind him making sure no one else was listening "can't quite put my finger on it. She is being seen to by paramedics at the mo. She went into shock after discovering the body but she is definitely hiding something, I am sure of it."
"Well if it is this sicko, you can't blame her. No-one Should have to see a friend or love one in that way. Lisbon answered seeing another TV van pulling up. "One of us should go deal with the press before we have a major media circus on our hands."
"Yeah your right, I will go. I told Local PD to clear the street but that's not happening, it's like they are selling flaming tickets." Andrews stepped forward but Lisbon held her hand up upon his chest to block him. They both paused both a little stunned at Lisbon close unfamiliar gesture. Seeing a happy gleam appear in Andrews eyes Lisbon quickly dropped her hand from his firm toned chest embarrassed by her unexpected action.
"No it's fine, I will go. It will give me something to do whilst waiting for the forensics teams to finish. You know how long they can take on these things." Lisbon quickly moved away putting both her hands in her jeans pockets so they wouldn't act in over touchy way again towards the handsome Agent.
"You sure? We could just wait for Cho. Let him handle those vultures?" Andrews asked disappointed she was running away from their tension filled moment.
"It's fine. I had to deal with all this sort of crap all the time back in California." Lisbon said waving a dismissive hand in the air picking up her pace trying to create some distant between them.
'"Ok, if you insist. give me a shout if you need me." As he watched Lisbon moved across the lawn and he called out. "Oh by the way, Franks is having birthday drinks down at Murphy's bar on Friday?" Andrews stated in upbeat tone trying to sound casual. "you know, if you fancy it?"
"Uh, Thanks but I actually have plans this Friday." Lisbon replied turning back to face the agent, smiling when she saw Andrews eyes widening in shock. Ever since Andrews had joined the team seven months ago Lisbon hadn't attended any sort of social occasion within or the outside the bureau. Always turning down the offers or assisting she had too much stuff to do at home or on a case.
He had asked Wylie and Tork if this isolated distant behaviour from their fellow female colleague was normal, but both had skirted around giving a full answer or a reason why. The only person Agent Lisbon seem to be close with was Agent Cho but he knew they once worked together before with Lisbon being his old boss. One night after a few to many beers Tork had let it slip that something big had happened in the last year to make her withdraw but once Tork realised he had accidentally let that tip bit slip he didn't elaborate any further. Not wanting to pry into her private life Andrews hadn't pressed the subject anymore. he knew very little about Agent Lisbon's personal life as she never gave anything away unless forced too and everyone else seemed reluctant or nervous to say anything about the mysterious woman. He did keep up the hope that within time the attractive brunette would one day except his offers to be social and let herself get to know him more personally.
"It's a family members birthday so said we would go out to celebrate." Lisbon said coyly.
"Oh. Of course." Andrews nodded not bothering to hide his attraction towards her. He was surprise to hear her mention family because as far as he was aware all her family was back in Chicago and she had none locally. Their tension filled moment a few minutes before had made his professional agent mask slip. Lisbon cheeks flush a light shade of pink noticing the way he was looking at her. She knew Andrews was disappointed she was rejecting another of his invitations but it did feel good to know she was desired by one of the most popular men at the bureau.
Whilst Andrews had always remained professional and respectful towards her, in the last few weeks he had let his professional persona drop some more, letting her know he was attracted to her. So far he had only invited her out in large social gathering based around work events but Lisbon wondered if he was in fact plucking up the courage up to ask her out on a date directly. But she knew he wasn't shy in coming forward when it came to dating the opposite sex, as a few of the females at the bureau could already confirm. If she was honest she wondered more what her answer would be if he actually did ask her out.
"well, if you change your mind or if you fancy a drink after your meal, you knew where to find us."
"Thanks Sean. I'll see." Lisbon smiled sweetly suddenly feeling very self-conscious about her appearance as he continued eyeing her in a seductive way. She quickly turned around exhaling a large breath as she walked towards the crowd gathering crime scene tape. it was becoming harder and harder to deny to herself that she was attractive to her new colleague even if she wasn't interested in getting involved in the opposite sex. Ever again.
If she had met Agent Andrews a few years ago she would have definitely have taken him up on his offers to be social and possibly much much more, but unfortunately she wasn't that same woman but maybe one day in the future she would get back to that old Lisbon and when she did, maybe, just maybe Agent Andrews would get his wish.
Cho exited the elevator annoyed that he had been summoned to the head office unable to make his way straight to the latest crime scene. The Austin serial killer, as the media had originally named this psychopath, had struck again by the reports from dispatch.
Over the last four months, three women, all aged between twenty - thirty-five years of age had been tortured and murdered in their own homes. all victims had been discovered tortured, tied naked to the bed and strangled to death. The killer had then proceeded to cut off the little finger on their left hands as some sort of sick keepsake.
Forensics reports showed that there were never any signs of forced entry or any visible evidence of a break in. Whoever this psycho was he was being invited into the home by the victims. Forensics reports also confirmed that the victims had all participated in consensual sexual intercourse before their brutal murders. Unfortunately, any leads on this front was thin on the ground as family and friends confirmed all the victims were currently single and unaware of any potential love interests in their lives.
So how the killer was selecting his victims was a whole other mystery to unravel? and with this psychopath leaving no traces of DNA, no witnesses or viable leads the Local PD had quickly passed the case over to the FEDS with the file having fallen on to the Cho desk two weeks ago.
Cho had hoped the team would have discovered some new leads to work with but they are had barely scraped the surface of the previous three cases and now he was facing a fresh new victim. he approached Director Schwaltz's office door a little after seven thirty am. He pausing for a minute on the empty floor and compose himself before he faced the top woman in charge. He was unsure why he was being called up to see her but he had a gut feeling it was connected to this new serial killer case.
"Come in." Director Schwaltz muffled voice called out after Cho wrapped his knuckles against the oak door.
Cho pushed open the heavy set door entering into the very large modern furnished office. Sat at her large desk on the opposite end of the room was Director Schwaltz chatting with her second in command, Chief Agent Sanders. Unfortunately, it wasn't either of his superiors that caught Cho's immediate attention, it was the very familiar blonde haired consultant sat casually on black leather sofa in the corner of the room that caught his eye.
Patrick Jane was sat with his leg crossed over the other, sipping on a cup of tea from his old blue cup and saucer without a care in the world. He was dressed in his old CBI style three-piece suit, minus the awful island shirts thankfully, but he was still wearing those old brown shoes he loved so much. Cho noticed his skin was golden tanned once again and he seemed a little broader in the shoulders than when he had first arrived back to the states in a crumpled old suit and no socks.
Cho gave an annoyed glare over towards Patrick Jane as Director Schwaltz instructed him to take a seat opposite her.
"Thank you for coming in so early Supervising Agent Cho. You know Chief Agent Sanders don't you?" Cho nodded his head greeting the tall older man with grey hair sat in the chair next to him.
"And you know Mr Jane, of course."
Jane grinned a big toothy smile at his old colleague and friend, raising his tea cup in the air. He was fully aware that Cho was purposely remaining focused on the woman in front of him and not giving him a second look.
"Why am I here, ma'am?" Cho interrupted, keen to get whatever trouble his ex-pain in the ass consultant was about to bring him and his team.
"Mr Jane is here to work the Austin serial killer case and from reading these reports..." Director Schwaltz spat, letting the large Manila color folders slide across the desk towards Cho. "...He is needed."
"Ma'am. with respect we have only just got given over the case and I have my team-
"Save the excuses Agent Cho. Whilst I am sure you and your team are doing an admiral job, we need this psychopath found, and pronto. The senator is already breathing down my neck about the back lash from this sicko and we can't have another serial killer making us and other law force look incompetent. Once in California was quite enough."
"And Mr Jane is the answer. is he? Cho stated coldly knowing questioning the head of the Texan FBI could be dangerous career move. Whilst Jane was a master at catching the bad guys, it had seemed to have slip the Director's mind it had actually taken him ten years to track the last psychopathic serial killer and he had had help along to the way with the CBI team and Lisbon backing him.
"Actually, I never said I was the answer Kimball but I have offered my services, now that I am back." Jane said casually, interrupting their little debate and calmly taking another sip of his tea.
"Why?" Cho asked sharply. he spun his head acknowledging the cocky mouth consultant for the first time since entering the room.
Why? Jane chuckled repeating his question, a little surprised by Cho's angry hostility.
'Yes, why?"
"Well, I think it's obvious why Cho. People's lives are at risk and I want to help with that. Besides it's my job as a FBI consultant and being part of the team."
"You left. You are not a part of my team anymore." Cho folded his arms across his chest making his point clear. If Patrick jane thought, he could just rock up after a year of disappearing and jump back in like nothing had happen then he could think again.
"Actually Agent Cho, he is." Director Schwaltz remarked firmly making Cho hard stance drop slightly in confusion.
"But ma'am..."
"No buts Agent Cho. Patrick Jane is part of your team as FBI consultant and that is final. We have four women who have brutally tortured and murdered in their own homes and I don't want a fifth! Mr Jane has the best damn closed case record in Texas and he will be working on this case and any other cases I decide to put him on. Do I make myself clear?" Director Schwaltz leaned back in her large leather chair drumming her manicured nails against the arm making it clear to Cho she wasn't a woman to messed with.
Cho cut his eye at his consultant with disdain before refocusing his attention back on the director. "Yes ma'am." Cho reluctantly agreed. There was no point arguing over this matter, what the director ordered went without question.
"Oh and this arrangement stands until I say otherwise. Replay this message to any other members of your team agent Cho. if any of them have a problem with Mr Jane being back on the team then they know where the door is."
Cho nodded at the hard faced woman opposite, knowing exactly who she was referring to and knowing full well this new development to the team would make the shit hit the fan for certain members.
"Well I don't believe it will come to that, will it? Kimball?" Jane said cheerfully and full of his own self-confident, moving towards the Director's side table to steal a grape from the fruit bowl.
"Good." Director stated satisfied, her voice now taking a friendlier tone. "now that's all sorted, you both need to head down to latest crime scene. Agent Sanders has informed me that Fox News are already airing regular new reels on this" Chief Agent sanders slid a tablet towards Cho so he could see what he was referring too. Cho sighed annoyed that his orders for this to be kept under wraps hadn't been obeyed.
"I want this bastard caught… and quick." Director Schwaltz ordered firmly. "That will be all gentleman."
All three stood making their way out the directors large office. Agent Sanders stated his goodbyes once out of the room leaving Cho and Jane to make their way to the main elevators.
"Much Nicer decor up here." Jane stated casually as he scanned the sixth floor waiting area. The sixth floor was mainly filled with private offices with a few personal assistants and secretary desks which sat empty at such early time in the morning. It was the place where all the higher powers to be of the Texan FBI were based. Cho remained silent as he stood waiting for the elevator choosing to ignore the man beside him.
"So, How's life at the top with the big dogs these days? You're Looking good. Found that one lucky lady yet?" Jane asked playfully studying the shorter man beside him.
"Cut the crap. Whatever it is you are really you up too just make sure you don't take me or my team down with you."
"Excuse me?" Jane replied laughing in astonishment at Cho's assumption about his sudden return.
"You heard me."
"Why would you think I am up to something? I have returned home that's all. I needed some time away but now I am ready to return to my job, my old life, my...
"…Wife?" Cho interrupted.
Jane's cocky arrogance faltered by Cho's directness. "That's not any of your business. That's between me and my wife." Jane replied sternly dropping the happy go lucky act finally with his colleague.
"Does she know? That you have returned?" Cho said folding his arms across him and eyeing the blonde. Jane shoved a hand in his jacket pocket shifting nervously back on his heels. "Well, I..."
"That's a no then." Cho shook his head in disbelief focusing back on the doors in front of him. Seconds later the elevator opened and Cho stormed into the metal box. Jane slowly followed like a scolded schoolboy knowing that building bridges with his old friend and boss was going to be a lot tougher than he had prepared for. He had guessed that Cho would be somewhat loyal to Lisbon and he was right. Cho stabbed his finger at the basement floor button not bothering to hide his annoyance.
As the elevator started to descend Cho spoke again his eyes focus ahead and keeping his voice low. "If you ever hurt her like that again, I will make sure you regret the day you returned to Texas." Jane frowned worriedly by Cho's cold threat. Before he could respond with a reply Cho continued. "Just do your job and keep out of trouble. Do I make myself clear?"
Jane silently nodded, exhaling out loud. He felt it best to remain quiet for now and not to push his luck with the supervising Agent, especially being contained in a small box with no mains of escape. To say he was a little stunned by the hard stance Cho was taking was an understatement but deep down he should have expected it. Whilst he knew his return was going to receive some anger and backlash he hadn't really considered Cho's reaction to it all.
"The crime scene is across town; the rest of the team are ready there." Cho remarked as they exited the elevator to the basement floor car park returning himself back into his professional Agent persona. "We should get there fairly quickly if we don't hit rush hour traffic."
Cho pulled open then driver's door of the SUV climbing in. Jane sighed in relief that at least he wasn't about to get his lights punched out by the stoic Agent, well at least not today anyways. He followed Cho's actions climbing into the passenger side of the SUV. "Here take a look at the case files." Cho passed Jane a tablet to look at before starting up the vehicle and pulling out of the FBI basement car park.
They continued their car journey in silence as Jane browsed through the other victims case files. After several minutes' Jane mumbled something under his breath.
"What? Have you found something?" Cho asked hopefully, secretly impressed by the man's detecting skills to have seen something maybe they have missed within only ten minutes of reading the reports.
"Huh? Oh. No. unfortunately I will need more time to properly read the reports but I do know my belly is rumbling. Let's stop off and get some breakfast, there is a great diner on this side of town. They do the best eggs I have ever had the pleasure in eating." Jane said grinning at the memory of the delicious breakfasts he had from the diner.
Cho took his eyes of the road ahead narrowing them in anger and annoyance at the consultant sat beside him. It was quite clear Patrick Jane hadn't change much in the twelve months he had been AWOL and Cho knew then this was going to be a very very long day.