A/N: here's chapter 2. Hope you'll like it.

The first visit

Jane stood in front of the door for Dr. Harrison's office. He waited patiently for Lisbon to appear. He didn't ever like shrinks. He knew Lisbon had a low opinion of them too. It was a necessary evil to get to the bottom of this murder and bring closure to Josh the poor broken man. Jane knew they would have to pay attention. They had be the couple with problems that would not be difficult for them. They already spent all their time fighting. Everyone agreed in saying that they were acting like an old couple.

He saw her hurrying down the hall. There was a worried expression on her face. This concerned Jane as well. Joining her he took her hand by pure reflex and was surprised that she didn't reject it. There was definitely something wrong with her and he wanted to know what it was.

- "Teresa, what is it?" he asked.

- "I saw the program of the week," she replied while looking up at him.

- "And…?" He insisted.

- "Have you checked out the program?" She began. "All the activities we need to participate?"

- "Wait, show me that." Jane said.

Without releasing his hand Lisbon dragged him into the hallway. He followed being more and more intrigued by this program. It could not be that bad. Very little could scare the great agent Teresa Lisbon. So if she was really concerned he should take it much more seriously. Finally they came to the posting on the wall. He now understood what was bothering her. He didn't know if he could do half of what was written there either.

- "'Development of connection and intimacy in the couple" what do they mean by that "Jane asked.

- "I think it is pretty self explanatory Patrick. We must learn to love using I think ... the act ..." but she could not finish her sentence.

Lisbon lowered her head with her cheeks red. She didn't dare to look at Jane. Especially after half the sentence she had just said. Just imagine what this couple therapy required. The idea of spending an intimate moment with Jane was hard to imagine. She knew that if she did that she could not resist his charm, his smile and his gestures. This man was extremely infuriating but at the same time oh so charming. To be here with him didn't help her.

How could she resist the temptation of jumping on him, to tear his clothes and make love to him like a beast? 'Oh my…', she thought at the moment the words crossed her mind. She could not think about it at all. She could absolutely not let her fantasies interfere with this important investigation. She needed to lock them in the back of her mind. She already did it for long time. She knows she could still do it. He should never know what she wanted to do to him.

Jane's hand rested on her shoulder startled she jumped. She looked up with her cheeks as red as a tomato, maybe even more. Who was he to always put her in such a state just by touching or talking to her? He was really amazing she knew. He was really good at everything he did even to seduce her. He might say that he would never try to do that. He did anyway without realizing it. She had to get over it before he tried to read her thoughts.

She walked away from the wall then stood at the door of the doctoresse office. It took awhile until the door opened. Jane stood with her having placed his arm around her waist again. Lisbon rolled her eyes as she was getting used to his touches.

-"Mr. and Mrs. Jane I suppose? I'm Dr. Mary Harrison" said the woman beckoning them to come in the room.

Jane put his hand on the small of her back which was out of habit and guided her into the room. They sat on the couch separated one at each end. It was as far as possible from one another. Jane didn't understand what was going on with Lisbon but eventually he'd find out. So he turned his attention to the doctor. The woman was about fifty or fifty-five years old, gray hair in a bun on the back of her head with a few curls escaping. She had a friendly face, a charming smile and her attitude was really endearing. She was able to do a good job if he could judge by the various decorations scattered around the room. It must be her successes Jane thought.

The Mentalist turned again to the shrink and locked eyes with the older woman who sat across and stared intensely at him. He suddenly felt slightly uncomfortable. He was not really used to be the object of study. It was he was always he who did this. However, he masked his growing apprehension well. He scooted closer then took Lisbon's hand and was surprised that she didn't try to free it. He turned his head toward her. He could see that she was very tense too. It's not going to be easy. He was a master in the art of manipulation. He would succeed against this worthy opponent. He knew he was better.

- "Well, shall we start?" suggested Dr. Harrison. "Here, nobody call me Doctor Harrison but Mary, so I hope you will do the same."

The couple remained silent while listening carefully to her words. Mary didn't take offense. She used this kind of reaction. The couples were never really comfortable when they first met her. She had to earn their trust. Getting a first impression she suspected that it was not going to be easy. They seemed to not like psychologists so similar to most of her patients. She felt she could still manage to do her job and even with them.

She took it to be a professional challenge. She looked Jane in the eye because he was the one she needed to win over first. It was evident he was in charge. They would eventually relax in her presence and talk to her. Mary looked at how well the couple sat with much distance from each other at first. Then as a conciliatory gesture the male moved closer and initiated contact by holding her hand. They certainly had problems in their relationship but they understood each other. They had a special bond between them. It was undeniable, perhaps something stronger than love. It could be a bond that no one would ever destroy. There was something that had brought them here. Mary would find out.

- "So, Would you tell me why you're here?" asked Mary.

- "I think there must be a small problem of trust between us." Jane said.

- "A confidence problem you say?" repeated the doctor. "What makes you say that Patrick."

- "Well when I'm not at home or at the office with her" he explained, "She keeps calling me and doesn't believe me when I tell her where I am."

- "This is normal" interjected Lisbon "you always do stupid things. I have to watch you closely."

- "What reason do you say that, Teresa?" Mary questioned her.

- "He has a tendency to do and say thing that annoys a lot of people." Lisbon said.

- "But I'm an adult Teresa. I can monitor and take care of myself." Jane implored.

- "And if someone decides to attack you? Do you know how to defend yourself?" Lisbon retorted.

He really knew how to pull it out of her. To her shame he once again found a way to make her angry. It was a record even for him since they were only two minutes into the room. When he said he would improvise she had no idea he would come out with something like that. He would use their problems as if it were her fault. He was unbearable. He always did stupid things and it was up to her to always clean up his mess.

- "I am an adult Teresa, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself and you know that is true. You just want to show off how strong you are." Jane retorted.

Lisbon was livid. She retorted.

- "What about your broken nose? Do you even remember it? If I had been there it would not have happened" Lisbon fumed.

- "It could happen anytime Teresa whether you're there or not." Jane struck back.

- "If I had been there nothing would have happened. I would have made sure that you would not do anything to cause it. I can not trust you if you do not tell me the truth. You will say and do anything. Someday you could make someone kill you" Lisbon blurted out.

There it was the source of this behavior. The female was afraid of abandonment. This is why she is so controlling Mary thought.

The last sentence was said her fears were out in the open. Lisbon bowed her head.

Silence fell in the room while Lisbon withdrew her hand then crossed her arms over her chest as if to protect her from the outside world. She had said too much. She had lost control once more and it was all because of Jane. If it started like that then the rest of their stay would be hell for her. She didn't even look up when Jane put a hand on her shoulder. She ignored the look on Mary's face. Lisbon knew she had to look ridiculous. She had let her feelings take over her role as a cop but she could do nothing, Jane just had this effect on her. How could she ever be fooled by him?

- "Teresa, are you okay?" Mary worried.

- "Wha…What…?" Lisbon was looked up suddenly.

- "I asked you if you were okay" replied the doctor.

- "Yes, I think I'm a little tired. I should go in my room." She said.

She got up and left the room without looking at Jane or the Dr. Before closing the door, she looked down at Jane. He had the look of concern which touched and calmed her down a bit. She read 'I'll see you in the room' on his lips and then she pulled the door closed. She left leaving Jane and Mary to square off. She believed he would blame her for having leaving him behind. It was not that she didn't like the shrink. She was embarrassed by her behavior.

When she arrived in the room, she fell on the bed then closed her eyes. She blamed herself for not having succeeded to see Jane's intentions. She had acted on impulse. She knew now that this was what he meant by 'we improvise' but she had used her real feelings instead faking ones for the sake of the investigation. How could she look at Jane in the eyes again? How could he still respect her now that he knew what she was thinking? She was really an idiot.

- oooo -

In the office, Jane still looked at the door through which Teresa had exited a few minutes earlier. He had improvised their couple problems but he was beginning to believe that this was not the case for her. She came out with her real problems with him. He needed to talk to her.

- "I think Teresa really is afraid for you Patrick" said Mary, "she worries about what could happen if she is not with you."

- "I must admit that sometimes I'm a little too carefree ..." Jane admitted, "but I had no idea she felt that."

He no longer was acting. He was honest in his remarks. Lisbon was worried that one day it might happen to him more than fists to the nose. She was afraid that someone would harm him physically and she would not be there to protect him. He had never doubted that she could have this fear but he needed to reassure her and quickly. Suddenly, he realized that this idea was bad to pretend to be a couple with problems. It might not bring anything good even for the purposes of the investigation.

- "I think you should go see her Patrick, you need to communicate more with your partner and make sure that Teresa is no longer afraid for you." Mary said.

- "I know and I will do everything to make it better. I think I should go." Jane replied.

- "See you tonight at dinner." Mary said.

Jane rose then saluted Dr. Harrison and hurried to his room. When he entered the room she was lying in fetal position trembling. She was crying. He rushed to her and hugged her. He pressed her against him then placed his hand on her back to calm her. It did not take long. He felt her grab his shirt and squeeze it between her fingers hiding her face against his chest. How could he do that to her? How could he make her suffer so much? He had to do something for her.

- "I'm sorry Teresa" he whispered, "I didn't mean to hurt you at all."

- "No, it's me, I should not have reacted like that" sniffed Lisbon, moving away from Jane's chest. "I'm sorry I ruined everything."

- "Oh no, far from it," he assured her, "the doctor thinks we have a big problems, that is all."

- "Seriously Patrick you are not lying for my benefit?" Lisbon said.

- "Absolutely Teresa she told me to talk to you more. She wants me to ensure that you have little fear for my safety." Jane said hugging her.

- "It may be difficult" she murmured.

- "I know that I often do stupid things but I didn't think it touched you so much." Jane admitted.

- "You're…mmm…" Lisbon said but Jane covered her mouth with his in a slow kiss and pointed so only she could see at the camera. He mimed there could be audio recordings too.

Lisbon shook her head and continued the kiss. Breaking only from the kiss Lisbon revised what she was going to say.

-"Patrick I am scared about your safety. It is a big responsibility I have. I can not do it without you. I would collapse." Lisbon said.

-"I know I'm a big part of your life. You are the same to me. I am so sorry it affects you so much." Jane confessed.

The couple looked at each other for a moment before Lisbon realized that she was still in his embrace. The kiss fresh in her mind her body reacted. With his arm around her waist, his hands touching the skin on her back she tried to fight the blush which had appeared but failed royally. She then lowered her head but Jane lifted her face with a soft finger under the chin.

- "You know you're beautiful when you blush?" He smiled.

She broke the embrace as she left the bed. She didn't want to stay longer in this position. The kiss was enough she didn't want to take risk because of their proximity. So she went to the bathroom to freshen her face. This left Jane still on the bed. He felt bad. Seeing Lisbon cry was heartbreaking. To have her in his arms, pressing against him, to feel her embrace and most importantly he knew what had put her in this condition.

He thought back to the way she had acted in Dr's office. How she had answered. He knew she felt it all. She really did fear for him when she was not with him. He did what he thought was best to conduct investigations to solve cases. But he would have to reconsider his approach to people. He would do it if only it was the only way to reduce her fears.

He sat on the edge of the bed while listening to the water running. He had seen Lisbon lose her composure once and that was when she was accused of murder. She always kept it all in never allowed anyone to see it. Today it was the opposite. His idea of pretending to be a couple with Lisbon was a first. Maybe they should just give up now? No, if she had issue let's air them. It would help in the long run. Jane decided. She needed to be prompted out of her comfort zone. She was too important to him.

He heard the door open and Lisbon joined him at the foot of the bed. They were silent a moment. There was tension too present in the room. She put her hand on his arm and he looked at her.

- "There is no question of giving up Patrick," she said. "If the doctor truly believes that we have marital problems. We must continue."

- "I know Teresa I came to the same conclusion. The universe has placed us here. We need to heed the advice of the universe." Jane said.

Lisbon wanted to tell Jane the difference between her job and his but looking up at the camera she knew this would have to be couched in different words.

- "I will, don't worry. I'll promise to tell you when I feel something. It might be hard for me ok?" Lisbon said.

- "I'm sure. We need to mingle let's go join the others." Jane said with a smile.

Lisbon smiled back and took his offered hand. Together they left the room. They had an honest talk and said what they had on their hearts well almost everything. They could not tell the whole truth yet. It was way too early for that. Hopefully by the end of the seminar, they would be able to beech those subjects too. Jane insisted that Lisbon had to have confidence in him. She would continue to worry about him even though he was not with her. He would do anything for her.

TBC ...