Chapter II

Lisbon didn't hear the knock on the door the first time. She rarely watched tv but she was engrossed. She did hear it however when Jane started knocking on the door repeatedly shouting her name intermittently.

"Lisbon! Get off your ass and let me in would you."

"Keep your pants on Jane I'm on my way."

Lisbon reluctantly turned off the tv and headed for the front door. She had almost forgotten Jane was coming over but now that he was banging on her door she suddenly realised that Jane really was going to come into her house. She silently berated herself for not having a quick tidy or surreptitiously hiding some of the few personal items she had lying around. She glanced round the flat as she went to open the door, it was too late now.

She was greeted by a smiling Jane.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?"

"Of course I am Jane, and I would have if you'd even given me a moment to say anything. A man bearing chocolate and wine is always welcome."

"I'll remember that." Jane said with a smirk.

Jane stepped into Lisbon's flat and she shut the door behind him. He didn't go in much further, he wanted to take in Lisbon's home. Jane couldn't believe how welcoming it felt, it was just so Lisbon. But not the harsh fierce Lisbon that was usually on display, the gentler one that sometimes came out when comforting a witness, or Jane for that matter. It was slightly messy, with shelves full of books and photo frames and Jane observed that the clutter made the room seem smaller but it didn't matter, it suited Lisbon perfectly. Lisbon gave an exaggerated cough.

"Jane, when you're quite finished assessing every aspect of personality through what books I have on my shelves perhaps you'd like to sit down."

"Calm yourself woman I was only looking....I" But Jane stopped and started to smile.

"What?"

"MY FROG!" Jane practically yelled, pointing his finger.

Lisbon attempted to stop the blush that was threatening to rise in her cheeks. "Well strictly speaking it's my frog."

"You kept it."

"As you see." Lisbon responded drily.

Jane looked at the frog for a moment longer, before turning to face Lisbon.

"I'm very glad you kept it" his voice sounded serious "seeing as you seem to return almost every other gift I give you." He said more jovially.

Lisbon swatted him playfully on the arm as she walked past him into the kitchen.

"Sorry Jane, I just don't think my landlord would be too pleased with me keeping farm animals in my living room."

"Fair point."

Jane followed Lisbon further into her apartment, looking round him all the way to the kitchen.

"Well, here is the wine and your milk and m&m's, which if you asked me is a slightly odd combination."

"The milk is for tomorrow morning."

"Lisbon thanks for the invite but I don't sleep over on the first date."

Lisbon blushed and hit Jane again. "Bite me."

"Yes, you've already said that."

Lisbon looked faintly exasperated. "Yeah well, you're irking me."

Jane just smiled. He loved it that some of his expressions were rubbing off on Lisbon. He knew it was probably just due to spending so much time together but he still found it endearing.

Lisbon was pouring out the wine into two glasses. She handed one to Jane.

"Shall we sit?"

"By all means my dear, lead the way..."

"Bring the bottle."

Jane smirked "Now who's trying to seduce who?"

"On the contrary Jane, it's merely to help me get through the evening."

"Touché."

Jane followed Lisbon into the living room. He'd barely been here 10 minutes and it was already the best Friday night he'd had in a long time. His eyes went over to the frog on the table. She'd kept it.

xxx

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