So she stares resolutely ahead, determined to ignore him for this short trip.

"Lisbon."

His reflection is staring at her with half the intensity of it's real world mirror. But still she refuses to look at him. refuses to acknowledge him. it's the only way she'll get out of this with her heart intact. She's known for a long time what she's felt about him. known it the same way she'd known oxygen was a necessity of life, that water was without a doubt required for her survival. Her love of Patrick jane was an irrevocable and irreconcilable part of her. but she knew better than to think he loved her back. and for a time she had been angry and hurt and reeling. But now it was a part of her. Because it didn't matter if her heart was aching as long as she could still see him smile at her.

But now? right now she wanted to smack that smile off his face. she wanted to…to…

To do anything but be caught here in this space with the ultimate conman.

"Lisbon, You know I'll just follow you until you talk to me."

Almost childishly she continues to ignore him. refusing even to look at him. which for her was a rarity. Watching him was like sun to a sunflower, she couldn't help it, (though she was very good at disguising it).

How could he keep putting himself in danger like this? what if she wasn't fast enough next time? what if…what if?

What if she truly lost him? how would she cope then?

Sure she'd probably survive. that's who she was, a survivor. But she didn't want to lose him. she just couldn't lose him. and no matter what she did if he kept doing what he was, she would eventually lose everything.

His hand slammed against the wall, disturbing her increasingly maudlin thoughts, "Teresa!"

She snaps, "In case you hadn't noticed jane, I really don't want to talk to you right now."

the reflections eyes darken. But still she can't look at him. because if she does everything she's thinking will be all over her face. instead she focuses her eyes on the floor lights, mentally counting down the seconds to freedom.

Almost free!

And then she wasn't.

With a shuddering groan the elevator jerked to a halt, the ancient cables creaking ominously for a second or two before there was a loud crack and the elevator dropped a few feet. Jane crashed into her, the momentum slamming them both into the walls.

It was like a silly romance novel. The hero and heroine caught in a protective embrace. But Teresa Lisbon wanted out. she wanted space, she wanted to process everything and rebuild her walls and she certainly didn't want him this close after everything that had happened today. It would only make rebuilding her strength that much harder. But for all the reasons why she should have shoved him away, her common sense made her pause.

Because if the elevator was damaged or hanging by a thread, then moving about could very well trigger it to fall. Jane seemed to have come to that conclusion as well, he was frozen in place. his breath tickling her hair as he clutched her to him.

It was…awkward. And yet somewhat endearing.

"well. that was…interesting."

Jane let out a shaky laugh, "Interesting. Yeah. that's one word for it."

"Think it's safe to move?"

"probably not."

His answer was pretty quick. Which usually meant it was a lie. Which meant that there was every chance that Patrick jane wanted her in his arms. Of course if he wasn't lying and she tried to move away then she could send them both plummeting to their deaths.

Silence reigned for a moment or two. Long enough for her realise his warmth. long enough for her to want to sink into his embrace.

He spoke softly, "teresa. I'm sorry…about today."

She stiffens, lifting her head to pin him with her gaze. He stared back at her, eyes wide and open. And for the first time she thought she was being let through his mask. Intentionally.

" I'm sorry about provoking you."

She cannot bear his gaze, and she drops her eyes.

The fight drains out of her, and she murmurs, "it doesn't matter. You do what you like. You always do."

She doesn't mean for it to sound so bitter, to sound so defeated. But she's tired. She's tired of fighting him. she's tired of being angry and of almost losing him and chasing him into the darkness. she's tired of being the puppet he thinks her to be.

Her words have an effect on him, his entire body goes rigid, and she knows that if they were not forced to stay as they were, he would have been pacing. She is stiff in his grip, unyielding to the gentle warmth his body had provided. His breath was broken as he mouthed words over her head, the exhalations ruffling her hair.

"I…"

His voice is soft, softer than she'd heard it. and if she'd been standing away she probably wouldn't have. He seemed to be trying to think of something to say. She let out a bitter laugh, "Didn't think I realised did you? that we are all just puppets to you? marionettes to act in the ways you demand?"

There is no malice to her tone. In fact it's more hurt than angry. And he shudders, his arms gripping her tightly, "I never."

"never meant for us to see it?"

She knows her words are cruel. But instead of pouring from anger like before, now they were pouring from hurt. Her voice trembled, "it isnt fair. It isnt fair for you to do this to us. to treat us like friends and then just go off on your own and leave us behind."

How long would they be in the elevator? Why the hell couldn't stop herself talking?

Her thoughts were disrupted when he suddenly sighed, the embrace changed, a gentler more complete kind of embrace. But for the moment of his hands she was hard pressed to notice exactly what had changed, only that this was now far more intimate.

And her traitorous hands come up and wrap around him , holding him as close as they could.

"You could have died Jane. because you didn't trust us. you didn't trust me."

He speaks then, finally, "I do trust you. I trusted you to find me."

Her fingers dig into his back, clenching for a moment against the smooth satin of the vest, "What if one day I don't? what if one day I'm not smart enough or fast enough and you get hurt? How the hell do you think I'll feel then?"

Something warm trails down her cheek, and it takes her a moment to realise that she's crying. And as she tries to pull back his grip tightens, keeping her pressed against him.


Authors note: OH my goodness! thank you all so much for your lovely reviews, i'm overwhelmed by how many of you loved this :)

hopefully you guys like this new chapter, and have no fear, it will earn it's M rating in due time ;)

Anyway, please continue to let me know what you think, it brightens my day when you do ;)

Ta for now,

~MadamRed