Jane waited a moment, till he could hear no voices or footsteps.
He then opened the supply cupboard and slithered out. He walked off to the gathering of tables dressed in white cloths and gleaming silver cutlery. He scanned the room for his teams table, then caught Rigsby in the corner of his eye along with Lisbon and Grace sitting down at a table.
Jane then made his way to the table and sat down next to Lisbon, he gave her a smirk and she returned with a stern look. He understood her precautions of giving them away, so he didn't take it to heart.
"Jane! I haven't seen you much tonight, where have you been?" - piped Grace
"Uhh" he looked at Lisbon and she looked away.
"Well you know.. Talking, mixing, mingling" - replied Jane.
"I've hardly seen you, it's probably because its too crowed and loud, I can hardly hear my self talking sometimes"
"Yes, uh, it is rather crowded and loud, have any of you to see Cho tonight? I haven't seen him once"
"Not really. I only saw him before at the bar with that agent Wayde or something "
Jane noticed the absent-ness from Rigsby as he spoke and could tell he had had more than just a little to drink.
There was a moment of silence.
"Sooo, anyone know what's been arranged for dinner" queried Lisbon, trying to avoid any conversation of what SHE had been up to tonight.
"I read we were having some fancy fish with salad and unusual extras, they seem to have gone a little over the top with tonight's menu, it's nothing I can say I've heard before" - added Grace.
"Meh. These functions are just organized so people can brag about the cases they have closed to convince themselves they deserve to eat the eat lavish food provided... I mean…. for most people... There's much better things you can do here" Jane reassured, looking directly at Teresa. Who looked a little annoyed. He should probably stop prodding her, he was sure to hit a nerve soon.
"Ah, excuse me I have to go to the ladies room" - Lisbon stated while giving Jane an almost evil stare, let's just say, if looks could kill, Jane would be a dead man.
"Uh me too...not the ladies room! ... The men's of course" said Jane, letting out a giggle and following Lisbon to the hallway where the restrooms were located.
"What the hell do you think your doing?!" - snapped Lisbon, as they reached the hallway. Luckily they were in no ones sight.
"Wha..."
"What?! What?! Are you trying to get me fired?!" Interrupted Lisbon.
"I didn't do any thing" justified Jane, putting his hands up as a surrender sign.
"Ugh, Jane... I'm sorry, it's not your fault, everything is just so complicated and I don't know where to start with any of it, I'm sick of this function and I just want to go home"
"Hey" mumbled Jane as he reached for her hands "lets go" he added as he looked towards the exit.
"What are you doing? I can't leave, they will think something's going on"
"Teresa, look at me, who cares what they think, we can deal with that later, just come with me"
When he said 'Teresa' it immediately pulled her attention to him, the way he said her name was mesmerizing 'Terezzaaa' the way he said the s like a z, it was perfect, she would treasure every time he called her by her fist name.
"I can't"
"Yes you can, give me a good reason why you can't"
"...because..."
"Because why?"
He looked directly in her eyes and asked why again.
"You can get away from all this madness" he added.
She let out a sigh.
"Jane, I know we don't need to label anything, but I don't know... I just cant come to terms with what's even happen tonight, its almost like everything happened too fast"
"I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it, I'm just scared of what will happen after, we have been friends for 10 years now, 10 years! And we might have just changed it all now, I'm just confused because it's all happened so quickly" - confessed Lisbon.
Jane saw a tear run down her check, he knew she was never one to show her emotions when anyone was around, he appreciated that she felt she could around him.
He wiped the tear off her check, the warmth of his thumb brushing across her cheek made her realize it had been a change for the good.
"Lisbon, don't worry about anything, I don't know about you, but you are the only person I have in my life, the only person I can talk to, rely on, be with, trust. You're the only person who knows the worst side of me and still sticks around, any one else would have quit on me the first day they laid eyes on me, you've put up with me and my shenanigans for 10 years now, your the only person I can talk to... I love you. And I acted on it tonight, the feelings were always there I just let them out, you are no weaker breaking a silly rule. You're the strongest person I have ever met, I just need to know you're willing to take a step in what we have, I need you and I miss you when you're not with me, I'm not going to wait until the second before I die to tell you, I wont end up like Bosco"
By this point Lisbon was in tears, Jane ran his hands up from hers until he got to her shoulders.
"Its ok, come here" - comforted Jane as he pulled her in and placed her head on his chest.
She wrapped her hands around him, buried her head in his chest and squeezed him tightly.
"Promise you will keep it a secret?" sniffled Lisbon.
"Your wish is my command" he said as he rested his chin on her head.
"I love you too" she confessed.
He tightened his embrace and kissed the top of her head.
"Let's get some dinner"- offered Jane.
She took a step toward the direction of their table but Jane had a hold of her hand and guided her the other way.
"Jane the tables this way" she sniffled.
"Not ours, come on" he smiled, a warm smile that made her feel cared for. For the first time in years.
She truly loved him and didn't care if other people thought it was strange they both left at the same time, that can be dealt with later, now she just wanted to go spend time with Jane.
Jane and only Jane.