Disclaimer: I don't own squat.
A/N: I'm baaack! thank you so much for the reviews, faves and follows. I'm here again because I can't sleep. Same old, same old, right? I actually had this halfway written the moment I posted Cant Help Myself but I was stuck for a while. When I wanted to start writing again, my stupid laptop wont turn on. It's finally up and I actually planned for a third and 4th chapter, I just don't know if my fingers are up to it yet. It will all be continuous but obviously different songs. Let me know what you think. Happy late Jisbon wedding anniversary! Huge thanks to my niece for making the icon for me. She's amazing! Mistakes are mine as usual, hope you enjoy!
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing
"Teresa!" I called out from the front door of her apartment. Lisbon was rounding the corner when she heard me calling for her.
When she saw me bearing two cups of steaming beverages, she knew she had to overlook the fact that I picked the lock again. "Damn, this man," she cursed internally and shook her head. I love making this woman tick, her nose scrunches up and the space between her brows twitch.
She grabbed the cup I was offering to her and headed to the living room and parked herself on the couch with me following right behind her. Before she could ask what I was doing in her apartment so early in the morning, she picked up on my silence or some micro expression on my face that I wasn't quick enough to hide. When I'm around her, I don't want to hide anymore but it's been a habit since back in the carnie days to hide all the unwanted feelings I don't want brought up.
Lisbon is different. We're planning on rebuilding our future together once we set foot in Austin. I didn't bother schooling my features again and just showed her just how uncomfortable I am.
"What's wrong, Jane?" It was never unusual for either of them to pick up on the other's mood. Even before my confession, I always knew when something was bothering her and same goes for her. We had that comfortable silence down after a few years of working together but today's silence was different compared to the ones we shared before.
"I'm selling the Malibu house," was my only reply.
A week has passed since I brought pizza over to Lisbon's, a week after I revealed my feelings and intentions toward the dear Special Agent Teresa Lisbon. In those seven days, we barely spent time apart. I was over at Lisbon's for most of the time to help her pack for the upcoming move. When I wasn't over at Lisbon's apartment, I flew down to Malibu to hire a painter and finish the job I could never start nor finish. Going back to the familiar neighborhood brought a pang to my chest but before coming down, I called an old friend, Charlie Michaels, about selling the Malibu house he once introduced me to.
Charlie is one of the few close friends I have after the carnie getaway; he was my caretaker for most of my offshore properties and the other few in the states from all the money I got from scamming people. We've come a long way from those days but we'll always have those to remind us of what's more to come.
After telling Lisbon about my plans with the house, I knew I didn't have to explain anything further. She reached for my cheek, her thumb rubbing the flesh back and forth and she nodded her understanding. It also went without saying that if I needed her, she'd be on the first plane out. I sometimes forget how intuitive she is; all I ever focused on was having the upper hand and never really appreciating what she brought to the investigations. I always had to be king of things and that will have to change now, I have a queen to please.
It was tough decision for me to let the property go. It was where Angela and I started to build our lives out of the carnie together; it was also where Charlotte took her first steps and ultimately, her last. I bit back the painful memory and lingered more towards the positive. The house doesn't bring me the same joy it once did. It's just an empty house now and walking up to its pavement didn't arouse the same enthusiastic skip in my step as it once did.
This home now feels old, abandoned, and cold; it isn't my home anymore. It was wherever a five feet four inches brunette was. This is a big part in staring over and selling the house would never mean I would forget the memories I have made here. It was just about time that I need to let go of what happened with my late family and try to live the life they would've wanted for me. With that in mind, I smiled a little.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
"Do you want to take the window or the middle seat?" I asked Lisbon as we boarded the plane that would take us to our new beginning.
"12B is fine with me, you can take the window seat," she smiled warmly.
My heart fluttered a little as she stuffed her carryon above her and let me get to my seat first. Before takeoff, I got myself comfortable against the window and lifted the arm rest separating me from Lisbon. I reached for her and hugged her to my much larger chest, ignoring the knowing look our companion from the aisle seat was giving us. She burrowed herself against my side to search for a relaxing position for her nap and just like that, she was asleep with her head on my shoulders. I kissed her forehead and closed my eyes as well.
All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd
Old Mr. Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine
We pulled up in front of a two story ivory contemporary house with glass railings for the balcony and I can feel Teresa's eyes grow as wide as my teacup's saucer. I placed my right hand gently on top of hers and slowly entwined my fingers with hers, enjoying the warmth her hand provided. I leaned over the console of the car and whispered, "You'll grow to love it, Teresa," in her ear. Her shoulders relaxed visibly.
When they entered the house with all their suitcases, Lisbon looked around the house to see that it was already furnished, not completely but the essentials were there. The house was something Lisbon wasn't used to. It was very sleek and modern, a far cry from what her apartment used to be and nothing like the house she grew up in back in Chicago. "Jane, doesn't it look a bit big for one person to live in?"
He just shook his head at her. Oh dear Teresa, if only you knew of my plans for this house, you would never think it too small.
"I want to set some roots here close to you and you haven't had any luck with apartments here yet so you can take the guestroom and make yourself at home," I dangled the keys in front of her. "Charlie flew out after I met him in Malibu to settle this house. He also got me some of the furniture that I wanted so you have nothing to worry about."
"But- but isn't this a little too fast?" Lisbon hesitated for a little bit, she couldn't believe this wonderful house will be her temporary place while she gets settled in her new job. To top it all off, she's sharing the house with her long time best friend/ new boyfriend. It was so spacious and she couldn't wait to add a homier touch to the whole house.
"No, Teresa. We've known each other for a long time and I spent most of those times in your couch or your spare bedroom, this isn't that different from that. Unless of course you decide to make it a permanent deal." He said with a huge grin on his face.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
Usually, Teresa Lisbon would've freaked out by now. Sharing a house with a man was a huge commitment, even more so that the man in involved was Patrick Jane. When Greg proposed before, she said, "Yes", having been caught in the moment but gave the ring back the next day with a clear direction of California and goals for her future career. This time is different though, yes, she was scared of the multiple changes that are happening but it is what she's been waiting for almost a decade now. Teresa Lisbon wanted a life with Patrick Jane, they were no longer in their twenties with the opportunity to explore and waste time. They were both in agreement with that.
"Let me put it this way, it's like testing the product and returning it if you aren't satisfied in the end. You deserve the best in the world, Teresa. Let me give you that, let me spoil you rotten." He said, effectively bringing her back to the present.
She never responded. She didn't need to, the smile on her face was all he needed.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
Like hell would I ever let you go, Teresa.
