A/N: Thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews, I honestly didn't expect to get that many for this fic so it's been a lovely reward :)
Apologies for not replying to reviews so far or getting my chapters up quickly but my Dad is in hospital at the moment and I've been having trouble finding the time to be honest but I shall do my best to reply soon.
CHAPTER 2 – February
3rd February – 8.15pm
This is all Jane's fault.
I just knew that when he agreed so readily to say sorry to Senator Carlton that it wasn't going to be that easy. I'm not that lucky.
Naturally, Jane was as obnoxious in his apology as the Senator was in his rant about my consultant afterwards. It just made the situation worse, not better and I'm the one who got left to clean up the mess as usual.
I'd been suitably placating and understanding and had even come up with an alternative arrangement involving this charity auction tonight just so that Jane could keep his job…not that he'd thank me for it.
I have to admit, I did kind of feel as though I was selling my soul to the Devil when I shook hands with the Senator, but I had a plan. A good one I thought. One that meant I wouldn't have to go through with the agreement I'd made with him.
True, I'd still have to go out for dinner with whoever won me this evening, but that was fine because I knew it wouldn't be that lecherous reptile. Jane would never allow it.
Only tonight isn't turning out quite how I'd expected it.
Typically, Jane's a no show so far and I have to go backstage for the auction now.
Damn it!
I was so sure that when I told him specifically not to come, he'd do the complete opposite. What a time for him to finally start listening to me for once. That's Jane for you, predictably unpredictable.
I glance over at Cho who is sitting at the bar, but he merely shakes his head. I wanted him in on the plan because I knew he'd give Jane just enough information to set off that white knight tendency of his. Although I find that particular trait annoying at times when we're out in the field, I must confess that I can't help feeling a little flattered too. What woman in her right mind wouldn't be?
I glance around the hall again but there's still no sign of that infuriating blond head of his and I have accept that I'm going to have to go through with the bargain I made after all.
Speaking of which…I catch sight of Senator Carlton and see that he's staring right at me. His gaze roams hungrily down my body and I can't help but feel slightly nauseated…and violated.
I look back at Cho and think I see a glimmer of sympathy pass over his face but I could be wrong. It was probably wind. He and Rigsby had Taco's for lunch.
I give him a small smile then turn and head for the back of the staged area. At least it's for charity. Something good will come out of all this even though my stupid plan has failed.
The auctioneer takes to the mike and gets the ball rolling. I'm fifth on and the first couple of winning bids have been quite high; two, even three hundred dollars. I wait patiently through the next couple of people then hear my name being called and take a deep breath before walking quickly out onto the stage. I just want this over with now. Every eye in the place seems to be on me. I hate being the centre of attention and as much as I'd like to brazen it out, I just stand here next to the auctioneer feeling awkward as all hell.
Maybe I should do a pose or something? Seemed to work for Ellen Curtis in accounting just now. Councillor Johnson bid nigh on a thousand dollars for her…which I'm sure won't please his wife. Maybe if I pout a little or something, someone might outbid Carlton.
"Two thousand dollars," the Senator calls out when the bidding starts and I feel my stomach, along with my hopes, drop like a stone.
I force a smile to my lips and begin to think of all the ways I can get Jane back for this. Oh, I know he wasn't aware of what was going on but that doesn't mean I can't still make his life hell on Monday morning.
The auctioneer begins to wrap things up and as he's about to bring the gavel down to announce that I'm 'sold' it feels like he's dishing out a death sentence rather than dinner with one of the most prominent men in the state.
"Three thousand dollars."
I think my heart has just stopped. I'd know that voice anywhere. Hell, it haunts my nightmares…and my dreams often enough.
I search the crowd before me and there he is, standing next to the Senator and staring back at me, all rakishly handsome in that navy suit of his that's hands down my favourite. It brings out the colour of his eyes…
Suddenly, I feel an incredible surge of annoyance that he's left it to the last minute to turn up. If he'd just arrived at the start like a normal person, I wouldn't be standing here right now. I really have to curb the urge to march right down there and punch him on the nose for making me go through with this embarrassment.
Senator Carlton looks at Jane and my anger grows even more when I see the dazzling smile my consultant gives him. Warning bells start going off in my head. I know that look too well; it means trouble.
"Four thousand dollars," says Carlton, obviously displeased at being outbid.
"Five," retorts Jane almost immediately. From his face, you'd think he was talking about cents, not thousands of dollars.
I can't believe this is happening. My idea was that Jane would get rid of Carlton before the auction started, not have this public bidding war over me. Where the hell is he going to get that amount of money anyway? He better not think he's going to borrow it from me.
I notice the Senator lean in and say something to Jane. Whatever it was, Cho doesn't like it and neither does Rigsby as both men seem to surround him suddenly. There appears to be some kind of altercation between them then Carlton walks off looking absolutely livid.
Which is exactly how I feel right about now.
If I've had to humiliate myself in public like this, I'd better well still have a job at the end of it. There's no way I'm going to cut another little deal with Carlton again, that's for sure.
"Sold to Mr…?" the auctioneer says as he slams the gavel down.
"Jane. Patrick Jane."
Like he's James Bond or something. If only. I wouldn't have to save his ass all the time then.
The auctioneer hardly has a chance to let me know I can go when I'm already off the stage and heading for my prey. I barely register the fact that Cho and Rigsby are no longer there and vent my fury on Jane the moment I'm close enough.
"What the hell was that?"
"You're welcome," he replies with that damn grin of his.
I feel my hand twitch and clench into a fist. I'm so tempted right now.
"Jane," I warn him harshly.
"It's fine, Lisbon. Don't worry, we merely persuaded Senator Carlton not to bid for you, that's all," he tells me with a dismissive wave of his hand.
I knew it. I'm screwed. I pinch the bridge of my nose as I feel the first stirrings of the usual bad headache I get whenever I'm around Jane and his crap for too long. Actually, this one has come on so quick that I think this is a record, even for him.
"Oh, God; I'm going to get suspended, aren't I?" I say, resigned to fact.
The feel of his hand on mine is unexpected and I immediately open my eyes. His touch is gentle and warm and I enjoy it far more than I should.
"He won't bother you again, trust me."
Trust him.
He throws the words out so carelessly as if it's that easy. But it's really not. Not after the way he's treated me…all of the team in his desire to catch Red John. It doesn't work like that.
I let out a small sigh. This really isn't the time or place to be thinking about it. I look back down at where our hands are still joined and pull mine from his hold. I immediately feel bereft at the loss of contact and can't help wonder when my life became so contradictory and difficult. With the answer standing right in front of me, looking disappointed at my withdrawal, I know there's only one thing left to do in this situation.
"I need a drink," I tell him before setting off for the bar.
I hear the gavel come down on another auction lot as I sit on one of the barstools. It's only a couple of hundred dollars but it brings back into focus why I'm here and I gratefully accept the diversion rather than wasting any more time on thinking about the past.
Naturally, Jane has followed me and before I can even open my mouth he's ordered us drinks.
"You know you're going to have to pay for this, don't you?" I say, voicing my concern about the amount of his winning bid.
He looks puzzled for a moment then replies, "I thought it was a free bar."
Is he deliberately being a jerk or has he really forgotten that he just, very publicly, won me for five thousand dollars? Doesn't that mean anything to him? Not that I want it to of course, because I'm not interested. But even so…
"Not the drinks…I meant the auction…you know…me."
Oh, good Lord, could I have sounded any more self-conscious and needy? Great, now he's looking at me as though I've grown another head and I can feel my embarrassment warming my cheeks.
"Oh, that. I can afford it," he answers with an uncaring shrug of his shoulders. "Besides, you're worth it."
If my face felt hot before, right now it's positively burning. I hold his gaze, completely unable to look away. What the hell did he mean by that? His tone implied that it was just a throwaway compliment, but his eyes…his eyes are saying something else.
Before I have a chance to figure out what exactly though, a man interrupts us and hands Jane a clipboard. The moment gone, I turn to my glass and down my drink in one go. The alcohol burns a trail down my throat but I barely notice it as his words go over and over in my head.
Suddenly, everything clicks into place. Why didn't I see it before? Ever since the incident with the Senator, I've not had even half the complaints I usually get about him. Then there's been the odd donut from Marie's left on my desk, coffee from my favourite coffee shop, not to mention he's hanging around my office a lot more…
Jane's trying to be friends again; like we used to be before it all went to hell.
I feel the first stirrings of guilt wash over me that it's taken me this long to figure it out. He's alone and his revenge is over. I was the one that took that from him and then, because I was trying to protect myself, I took our friendship away from him too.
What kind of horrible person am I?
I allow myself a moment to wallow in self-recriminations and guilt then I determinedly push them all aside. At least now I realise what's going on I can do something about it. I can meet him halfway because, if I'm honest with myself, I've missed our friendship too.
"Will you dance with me?" he suddenly asks, holding out his hand to me.
I hadn't noticed the auction was over, nor that the lights had dimmed and soft music was now playing. My first inclination is to refuse. The mood is more romantic than friendly but then I remember the time we danced at that school reunion and I know I'm just overreacting.
Friends dance together all the time. Right?
He's looking at me with the most disarming smile and I can't help but respond in kind as I place my hand in his and let him lead me onto the dance floor.
He takes me in his arms and I hear him sigh as I automatically wind my arms around his neck and rest my head on his shoulder. The warm, spicy tones of his aftershave hit my senses as his arms tighten around me and, for just a moment, I allow all those feelings that I usually keep firmly locked down free rein as I close my eyes and let myself enjoy the heady sensation of his body against mine.
We're moving as one and I don't ever want to let him go.
But I know I have to. I can be his friend but I can't chance more.
"So, where are you going to take me for dinner?" I ask as I finally find the will to look up at him.
"I thought that was your choice," he replies as he stares back down at me with a smile.
So it was. I suddenly remember my plan and gratefully grab onto it to drag myself onto safer ground.
"I made that a condition so that Carlton couldn't take me back to his place," I reveal with a shake of my head.
"I knew you'd set this whole thing up. Please promise me you won't do anything like this again, Lisbon. I'm not worth it."
Oh, but you are to me.
How I wish I could tell him that. Tell him that he's always been worth it. Tell him that I see the real man he is beneath that mask of detachment he wears to hide his pain. But I can't. Instead I trot out the standard reply because that's what he expects.
"You are, Jane, because you close cases. I need you on my team," I say almost automatically.
He seems as sick of hearing it as I am of saying it but then I can't stop my smile as I finally let him in on the rest of the con.
"Besides, I had everything planned," I add flippantly. "I knew when I told you not to come tonight you wouldn't listen. I didn't think you'd actually bid for me but I knew that if Cho said the right things, I could count on you to do something so that Carlton wouldn't win."
"I'm impressed," he says and I can see he's clearly telling the truth. "Plus, the charity gets a nice little donation out of it. Win, win situation all round."
"It is," I agree, quite pleased with myself at the way things had turned out, after all. "And it was nice to finally get one over on you for a change."
I know I shouldn't gloat but I can't help it.
"Oh, you did. Apart from one little thing."
I immediately stop dancing then pull back and look at him with a frown. What the hell is he up to now?
"And what's that?" I query warily.
Instead of answering me, he takes my hand and stares at me so intently that I think he can into my soul. His gaze is so mesmerising that I can't look away and my breath literally catches when I realise his intentions. He slowly raises my hand to his mouth and gently kisses it in a courtly gesture that, although outdated, somehow just seems so right for him.
Perhaps he really is my white knight after all.
His lips are warm and soft and I can't help but wonder how they'd feel against my own. A second later I think I might actually find out when he pulls back with a smile then leans back towards me again. I feel a bubble of anticipation well up inside my chest only to have it burst disappointedly when he moves past my cheek and stops at my ear.
"Cho stepped in too early," he whispers conspiratorially. "I would have paid double."
I can't stop my gasp of surprise at his admission, nor control the heat I can feel invading my cheeks when he grins, squeezes my hand then turns away.
What the hell?
"Wait, what about dinner?" I ask, because that question is on a lot safer ground than demanding to know what that kiss meant.
"No rush, Lisbon. You can choose when you're ready. Or not. Just let me know. I'll be waiting."
He walks away with a smile and I stare after him suddenly feeling more than a little worried. Not about his actions. I mean, if it were any other guy, I'd swear he'd just been flirting with me. Jane, however, lives in his own world with his own rules so I know it doesn't really mean anything to him apart from how much of a reaction he can get out of me.
No; my concern comes from the fact that I can still feel the sensation of his lips on my hand and the warmth of his breath on my ear. I can still smell his tangy aftershave that clings to my clothes and my skin from where we danced together so closely.
But worst of all, I can still feel the love for him that I've been so desperately and unsuccessfully trying to suppress.
I let out a soft sigh of resignation.
I am in deep sheep dip.
END CHAPTER 2
A/: Hope you all liked it :) Let me know what you thought. March up soon, I hope.