AN: Another chapter that includes some banter between our fav characters :D Hope you enjoy this one. Next will be up tomorrow, maybe today if I stay in the computer too long. Who knows?
Disclaimer: I own a cookie. And that's all.


He arrived thirty minutes later at the CBI HQ. Getting out of his beloved DS, he entered the building and asked for directions to the office of the man who handled the bureau.

The man sitting behind the desk and currently staring at him held an understanding look in his eyes.

"You will help us out in all cases if you have full access to Red John's file?"

"Yes, that is my only condition."

"And you're absolutely sure you want to work with us?"

"If I wasn't, I wouldn't be here, believe me."

"Alright then. Patrick Jane, welcome to the CBI."

"Thank you Virgil. It will be a pleasure working for the bureau."

He shook hands with the elder man, smiling.

The first phase of his plan was now complete. He knew he would eventually get Red John and make him pay, and working at the CBI was an advantage he could use.

"Listen Patrick, I'm stuck in paperwork so I won't be introducing you to the team you'll be working with. Go to my secretary and ask her about Agent Lisbon, she'll tell you where you should go to meet them."

Minnelli's secretary was nice, showing him around. There were a lot of units in the bureau and the strangest people one could find.

Arriving at the SCU floor, he entered the bullpen and looked around.

Four desks, one empty, one with two portable computers, one with books and the last one filled with potato chip bags and chocolate wrappers.

Turning around after hearing someone clearing their throath, he saw two men and one woman in front of him.

So, the woman must be the computer geek, the Asian guy would be the bookworm and the taller and well-built one was the always-and-forever-hungry man.

"Cho, where's that report on the..."

He adverted his eyes from the three persons and saw her. A petite woman with raven curly hair and green orbs. She was, without a shadow of a doubt, the boss, the Senior Agent.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"Uh, yes actually, I'm looking for Agent Lisbon."

"That's me."

"Oh, well then, I'm Patrick Jane, your team's new consultant."

"Nice to... Wait, what?"

She stared at him frowning and he found it kind of cute.

"Patrick Jane, the consultant."

"I don't need a consultant. Why the hell does my team need a consultant? I need to talk to Minnelli about this."

"Uh, I've already spoke to him and..."

"Well, what you've done is certainly not my business, so I will have a word with Minnelli. Stay here and don't touch anything."

"Control issues much?"

She glared at him... Really glared and he sat on a chair, waiting.

He tried not to read her, but he couldn't help it when she was like an open book to him. Difficult childhood probably because she lost one of her parents, victim of psychological abuse when she was young which led her to withdrawing from the world and living on her own reality. Now he understood the defensive spark in her eyes. She did not trust anyone except her own Unit and herself.

Easily bored, and since she had gone to Minnelli's office, he decided to wander a little bit. Of course, his little tour took him to Minnelli's office. What a coincidence...

"Sir, the last thing we need now is a consultant."

"Lisbon, I know your team holds the highest closed cases rating in the bureau but this guy is really something. Besides, he can help you solve the other cases..."

"In exchange of what?"

"Full access to Red John's file."

"So he's only going to be in my team just to access the file? Sir, that doesn't seem fair."

He was already inside the office by the time she was finishing the sentence.

"Red John killed my wife, so I think it's only fair if I'm here to catch him. Besides, it's a win-win situation, I'll help you with the other cases and I can catch Red John."

The look in her eyes wasn't pitiful but understanding. Minnelli was smiling, glad that his best Senior Agent and the famous Consultant would work in the same team.

"So, now onto the introductions. Patrick Jane meet Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon, your new boss."

He saw her reluctantly shaking his extended hand.

The softness of her skin...

An image of his late wife had him regretting the thought and he smiled to cover up for the guilt he felt.

"So, Teresa, do we have a case?"

"Oh no, you won't call me Teresa. Call me Lisbon just like everyone else."

"Why can't we be in a first name basis?"

"Because I'm your new boss and I said so."

"Come on..."

"What are you? Five?"

"Four, actually."

"Shut up Jane."

And so he did, glad that there was already some good old-fashioned banter between them.

His plan for revenge on Red John would start right now and the SCU would help him, unintentionally, but they would eventually help him.