A/N: Hi readers, first of all, thanks again for the great feedback this story is getting so far!
I actually owe you a quick explanation as to why this story has such short chapters. In this fanfiction I'm trying to explore Jane and Lisbon's relationship in "bits and parts" by either using some quick moments they share together or points of views from some neighbors (mostly Nadia's). I like to compare it as a puzzle. So it's by keeping that optic in mind that I post small chapters separately, instead of grouping them to make longer ones. But I'm still conscient that they are short, which is why you can rest assured that this will be updated daily to make it up to you.
Reply to guest review: Ilovetea: I'm very glad you enjoy this new perspective - well, Nadia's! You're welcome for the fast update, it's the least I could do to make it up for the short chapters (which I explained why they were so in the A/N). Next chapter will be longer, though, as I will be reuniting two small chapters because they are a same continuation.
A couple of weeks had passed, and the reluctance of the other owners to having an FBI agent amongst them had slowly dissipated. Those who would cross her in the hallways or share an elevator with her always found her to be pleasant and polite. Her small feminine figure had something reassuring and calm. And the parents living in the complex couldn't neglect the advantage of knowing their kids were safer now that an officer of the law was amongst them.
They also knew, courtesy of Nadia, what she and Jane had been through, and it had tangibly eased their distrust to the point of earning their sympathy and respects.
The agent could often be spotted in the gardens, with her curly haired blonde colleague after work. It had started to be somewhere they went to every time he was with her. They talked about anything and everything during their walks; from the case they were working on to teasing each other - and oh how they had both missed their old and easy banter. So they talked - something they hadn't been able to do the two previous years.
For her first meeting between owners, organized once a month, she'd presented herself and had answered all the questions they had about her job and the FBI. She had expected the interrogations; after all, she had chosen to live in a condo complex for its social aspect after staying alone in a house in a small town in Washington for two long years.
One of them had even been brave enough to ask about her and Jane. After a second of hesitation that didn't go unnoticed by all, she'd replied, "Ja- Patrick and I are very close friends. We've known each other for ten years." And she didn't think anything else needed to be added.
They appreciated her openness and honesty, and seemed more comfortable now that the ice had been broken. She didn't escape the police jokes thrown in by the men around the table while their wives rolled their eyes or sent them warning looks, but she took each of them lightly and with a smile.
Even Nadia had eased up to her. She had offered Lisbon to come by her place for a quick coffee before the reunion. Lisbon had been surprised to say the least, but had accepted. It turned out that the woman in her late sixties could actually be quite pleasant when she wanted to, telling her comical misadventures that had happened to some condo owners. She truly was the eyes and ears of the residence.
"So, how did it go with the bitter old woman yesterday?" Jane asked casually as they walked together in the vast garden.
"She's not that bad, actually," Lisbon answered, amused. "She managed to make me laugh."
"Really, huh? I'll have to give her that. Even I have trouble getting more than a smile out of that cold armor of yours sometimes."
"And whose fault is that usually ?" Lisbon replied, raising her eyebrows and giving him a pointed look, the ghost of a smile playing on her lips.
He grinned. "Touché."
They walked on in a comfortable silence, their hands swinging gently as they advanced, mere inches separating them. They probably would never admit to the other - and to themselves- how much they enjoyed spending their free time together.
Lisbon cleared her throat. "They asked me about you last night."
Jane turned his head to look at her, his interest piqued. "Oh? And what did you say? Did you snitch on me?"
"I could have." She then paused, remembering the question that had made her slightly blush the previous night. "Are you and that blonde guy we often see you with together?" She cursed herself for bringing the subject up, hoping he wouldn't detect her unease. "I told them that we were friends that knew each other for more than a decade."
"They thought I was your boyfriend." It wasn't a question.
"Something like that," she confirmed, hating how awkward she felt. She could only pray that Jane wouldn't push the subject, because she had no idea where to put herself.
"Ten years, huh?" he said with a knowing smile. "We're getting old."
A/N: I lived in a condo once, so for those of you who are wondering, I didn't make up the concept of the monthly owner reunion. I never went to one, but my parents would tell me it was always convivial, with every person bringing a snack or a cake.
Thanks for reading!