It was the third case that Jane worked on where Lisbon got her first indication of the trouble she had signed up for. A young man had been killed and she and Jane went to question his boss at his work place, a bank. The young man's name was Derek and he worked in the loan's department. His boss, Carl Dickson, was in his forties and but trying to look and act 25. Lisbon took an instant dislike to him and unfortunately so did Jane. Lisbon started the interview:

Mr. Dickson how long had Derek worked for you?"

"Please call me Carl, we don't stand on ceremony here."

Jane is slowly moving around the office, peering closely at everything as is his style, his hands are in his pockets. He is standing near Carl and turns which brings him uncomfortably close to Carl, who steps back

"No need, indeed. I made a rhyme there Lisbon."

Jane doesn't take his eyes off Carl and takes a step forward.

"And how long did Derek work for you."

Carl steps back again but Jane moves with him, he hears Lisbon growl his name.

"Erm...about 7 months"

"About? You're not sure?"

"Yes, I mean no. I guess it was 6 months, he came just after my birthday."

"Guessing again Carl, we don't want guesses, it may be important."

Carl looks past him at Lisbon

"It was 6 months"

He steps back again and is up against his desk. Jane follows.

"Well I'm glad we got that sorted."

"Would you step back please you are in my space."

"Oh I'm sorry, my mistake I thought you said we didn't need to stand on ceremony here, was that just about names?"

Jane does not move.

"Er yes, it was just about names."

"Well I'm glad that 's cleared up."

Jane still doesn't move.

"Why didn't you like Derek."

"What I never said I didn't like Derek."

"Well not in so many words but standing this close to you I can smell it. You reek of it!

He reaches for a handkerchief from one of his many pocket and holds it too his nose.

"Can you smell it Lisbon. I can hardly stand being around the guy."

"Outside now Jane. Wait in the car."

Jane stands his ground for a few seconds. Carl looks passed him to Lisbon. Jane turns around and leaves with a smirk towards Lisbon.

Jane is leaning on the car looking out towards the street when Lisbon comes out of the bank.

"What on earth was that about Jane. You don't talk to witnesses like that."

"He isn't a witness, he's a suspect and I have determined he is not the murderer and saved you a lot of work."

"You did, did you. And how exactly did you being rude prove he is not the murderer?"

"He didn't hit me."

"He didn't hit you, if that's what you were after. You should have said I would have obliged myself."

Jane couldn't help a smile.

"That would have been enlightening in a different way. I insulted him and crowded him and all he did was look to you. He's not man enough to kill someone."

"Not quite the evidence we need to strike him off the suspects list. An alibi usually does it."

"Does he have one?"

"No."

"So you can either waste your time questioning him and investigating him or whatever it is you do, or take my word for it. It's not my call."

"No it isn't and I don't want you behaving this way again when I am interviewing a witness..

"Er suspect"

"Whatever.

Jane salutes

"Whatever you say boss."

and gives her a dazzling smile. it catches Lisbon off guard, and she can't stop herself from smiling and ducks to hide it. She looks across at him as she gets into the car and knows that he saw it from the smug look on his face.

"I mean it Jane, I won't take you along if you behave like that again."

Jane looks across at her, his smugness is gone and sadness is in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I promise I will try to be good."

There is silence the rest of the way back to headquarters. On their arrival Lisbon goes into her 'office' and Jane retreats to his couch. He studies the ceiling. His behaviour today shows him that he is beginning to feel comfortable here. This takes him by surprise. He came here to find out all they knew about Red John so he could start his own investigation. One look at the files made him realise that finding Red John was not going to be easy and then they offered him a job and all of a sudden he didn't have to be alone, he could have all of the mighty CBI at his disposal. Plus it had been a buzz to work out the killer by the tarot cards and when Minnelli approached him, he only had to think about it for a second . He never expected to like coming to work every day, but he is finding that the routine is good for him and helps give him focus, They are reasonable people. Take their responsibilities seriously, maybe a little too much for him.

'I like Cho and his stoic ways, he is very good at making himself unreadable, not to me of course, but to amateurs he is a puzzle. I can see that Rigsby is an easy mark, it's a good job he carries a badge and a gun. Then there is Lisbon. I like her. She is a good boss with a quick wit. She surprised me today with the 'hit me' remark it was very clever. I think we could work well together, but her 'by the book' attitude could cause some problems...'

A smile crosses his face as he turns on his side to fall asleep

!...but I think I can win her over