Disclaimer: I don't own the Mentalist, sadly.

Lisbon headed into work early the next morning. Although she knew word would have got around that she had faked her breakdown to catch the killer she didn't want anyone doubting her abilities. She had worked too hard to get to where she was to have it destroyed by lies. It was still dark in the bullpen but Lisbon didn't bother turning on the lights. It would still be a couple hours till the rest of the team came in and she didn't want to waste electricity. As she got closer to her office she spotted a figure, undistinguishable through the half closed blinds, sitting in her chair. She wasn't alarmed. Jane was often to be found in her office first thing in the morning; making a pyramid of cards on her desk or leaving her coffee. Lisbon didn't mind, though she'd never admit it to him she enjoyed the routine of it, it comforted her to know that Jane's was normally the first face she saw in the morning and the last she saw at night. As she opened the door Lisbon opened her mouth simultaneously ready to make a witty retort about whatever it was Jane was doing in her office today. She stopped abruptly without a word escaping her lips however when it was Bosco's eyes that were looked back at her rather than Jane's.

"Expecting someone else Lisbon?" Bosco said, a slight smile spreading over his face that didn't extend to his eyes.

Lisbon blinked, bringing herself out of the momentary shock.

"Uh, no, just ...wasn't expecting you that's all."

"Uh huh" Bosco replied, disbelievingly.

He didn't speak again and Lisbon, standing awkwardly by the door decided to break the silence. Walking over to sit on the sofa as her chair was occupied Lisbon spoke.

"What are you doing here Sam? Kinda early for a social call isn't it?"

Bosco smiled again.

"Well Tersea, I wanted to see how you were. We haven't really spoken since....well since we last worked together. Everytime I try and talk to you we get interrupted by your consultant..."

Lisbon quirked an eyebrow.

"...So I thought I'd catch you before anyone else came in."

"How did you know I'd come in early?"

"Because I know you Teresa" Sam said, getting up and walking over to the Sofa and sitting down next to her. "I know you."

Lisbon flinched at the suggestive way he said those words, and tried to ignore the way he was looking her up and down. If Bosco had noticed her flinch he didn't let on. Instead he moved closer to her on the sofa and took one of her hands in his.

"Sam...."

"Teresa."

"What are you doing?"

"I've missed you, I wanted to call but I didn't know what to say."

Lisbon shifted uncomfortably, trying to edge away from Bosco but not to seem rude. It must have looked awkward to anyone watching. Her hand clasped firmly in his while trying to put some distance between them. Lisbon wasn't going to lie, she had been slightly relieved when Bosco had shown up. He was a good agent and if anyone had to take the Red John case away from her she wanted it to be him. But they had left things badly on their last meeting, it was a memory she didn't want to have to relive, and having him here in her office, alone holding her hand made Lisbon seriously uncomfortable.

Before she realised what was happening, Bosco had raised a hand to her cheek and had begun to stroke it gently, he whispered her name moving in closer. Lisbon didn't know what she wanted, but she knew she didn't want this.

"Sam....please. Don't."

Bosco stopped. He wouldn't move faster than she was comfortable with, but he knew he wanted her back and he was going to fight for her. His hand remained on her cheek, stoking softly.

"Get your hands off her."

Both Lisbon and Bosco looked up, startled by the new voice in the intimate setting.

Patrick Jane was stood in the doorway, a look of defiance in his eyes. Lisbon felt a blush rise in her cheeks, embarrassed by Jane's sudden appearance. Bosco dropped the hand from Lisbon's cheek but kept the other on her hand.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard." Jane said the words very calmly, but his tone was fierce.

"Who do you think you are?" Bosco said, getting up from the sofa and moving to meet Jane.

"She told you to stop. I don't know about you but if a woman said that to me I would honour her request. Though I can tell you now.....she would never say that to me."

Lisbon blushed fiercely. She was angry with Jane for assuming to be her knight in shining armour. She was annoyed with Bosco for accosting her so early in the morning without so much as her morning cup of coffee to help her get through it. She wanted both of them out. Sometimes the CBI building was just too full of testosterone.

Ignoring the blush Jane's words had just provoked, Lisbon spoke.

"Jane – leave."

Jane looked incredulous. "But..."

"No but's, just get out."

"Lisbon, I was only trying to help..."

"I can look after myself, please, just leave."

Bosco was smiling, looking at Jane like he had just won a prize.

"I don't know what you're smiling at Sam. I'd like you to leave too."

Bosco's smile left his face but he broached no argument. Looking at Lisbon meaningfully he turned to leave, brushing past Jane roughly as he left the office. He was pissed off, if Jane hadn't barged in he might have been able to have a real conversation with Lisbon, but he wouldn't be deterred. He would talk to her soon.

Jane continued to look at Lisbon with a mixture of disbelief and slight hurt. He truly had only been trying to help and now she was kicking him out. He didn't want to think about the feelings he had experienced when he had come to her office door ready to surprise her, only to see Bosco in his place. He would leave, but he was not going to let this go. Lisbon needed him, Bosco would hurt her if he didn't stop it and he had no intention of seeing another person in his life get hurt.

"We'll talk about this later then." He said softly.

"Oh I would count on it." Lisbon responded tersely.

As Jane left her office, Lisbon went over to her desk and sat behind it. Placing her head on the cool wood she groaned inwardly. It was going to be an unbearable day.

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