A/N: Whoo this chapter gave me a few fits, it just did NOT want to cooperate with me but I finally got going with it and I'm happy with how it turned out hehehe. Enjoy and yes poor Walter is taking the place Tony Randall LOL.

Chapter 4: The Third Wheel Falls Off

Teresa was practically humming when she began her day; there was no hiding her jubilant mood, the same one she had been sporting for the past few days, actually.

"Good morning, Sarah," Lisbon greeted her secretary happily as she shuffled her briefcase to her other hand.

Sarah perked up as soon as she saw her boss and she noticed more than just her good mood.

"Hello, Miss Lisbon. You look especially nice today."

"Why, thank you."

The shrewd secretary studied her carefully. "You're meeting someone, aren't you?"

Teresa tried to keep a professional expression on her face but it was difficult for her to suppress her happy smile. "I'm merely meeting Jack for lunch this afternoon to continue looking over my plans for the campaign."

"Jack?" Sarah asked, "You call him Jack?"

The other woman blushed immediately. First names certainly implied a personal rather than professional relationship. Her secretary pressed further with a sly grin. "Just what is going on between you and the king of surfboards?"

"Nothing untoward," Lisbon explained, "We've been discussing my ideas over dinner."

But Sarah didn't buy that for a minute and Teresa couldn't really blame her. She'd never been particularly good at lying and right now she looked exactly like a woman deliriously happy with infatuation.

"Is that all?"

Teresa wasn't sure about telling her secretary the whole story, but Sarah gave her a sweet look. "Don't worry, Miss Lisbon; I won't tell a soul."

She still hesitated, but felt the lure of the companionship of a female friend, something she hadn't had in a while. That, and she really did want to share her excitement.

"Sarah, you cannot imagine what a gentleman he is."

"Do tell," Sarah said, picking up her half-eaten pastry as if preparing for a good, long story.

"I just didn't expect to meet someone like him," she admitted. "He's so polite and refined; he's not like anyone I've ever met."

"Sounds like you made quite a catch."

Teresa couldn't help but grin. "Right now we are simply working on the advertising campaign for his company."

Sarah ignored the obvious intent for the future and instead asked the very important question. "Has anything happened?" Lisbon blushed immediately, which was answer enough.

"What?"

She looked around as if to check to see if someone was walking by, but of course the two of them were alone. She leaned in closer and said very softly, "He kissed me. Just once."

Sarah's eyes lit up and she hid a smile behind her coffee cup. "But nothing beyond that?"

"Are you opposed to that idea?"

"We've only just met," Teresa reminded her, "and we have a business transaction to deal with first."

"What about when business is finished?"

The corners of her lips curled into a warm smile. "Well, we'll just have to see. I can't be sure how he feels about me yet."

Sarah was about to say something else, but then her attention was drawn away to something behind Teresa. Her expression abruptly changed to a smirk.

"I think we are about to find out."

Teresa turned around to see one of the men from the mailroom carrying a very large bouquet of red roses. A thrill rushed through her body; the showy bouquet was a clear indicator of his intentions, at the very least. Apparently the man delivering the flowers agreed.

"Miss Lisbon," he said in greeting, "someone really likes you."

He set the flowers on the desk and shook out his limp wrist, exaggerating how heavy they had been.

The two women were perfectly still while waiting for the man to leave, but once he was gone, they both pounced on the bouquet. They were sadly disappointed to find the card blank.

"He didn't leave his name," Sarah said.

Teresa felt that disappointment herself but then came to a quick and satisfying conclusion. "It wouldn't be proper since we are working together right now. It's actually very sweet really; he doesn't want to cause a scene."

Sarah accepted that conclusion quickly, eyeing the bouquet with a bit of envy. "Well, he certainly must like you."

She grinned happily, lifting the bouquet to take it into her office with her so she could admire it while she put the finishing touches on her presentation.

It certainly made it difficult to concentrate as the roses filled her office with their perfume; it only heightened her already feverish anticipation of that afternoon. They were going to have a late lunch to discuss her proposals for the campaign in a private section of nearby bistro. She couldn't stop thinking about being alone with him, wondering what would happen. Would he kiss her again?

It thrilled and frightened her that she desperately wanted the answer to be yes.

Get back to work, she ordered herself, otherwise you'll have nothing to show him.

It took a lot of effort to block out the thrilling fantasies her imagination was conjuring up, but she'd always succeeded whenever she put her mind to a task.

Two hours of work passed in a busy and satisfying blur when only occasionally did she look up to smile at her roses. It was only the sound of her phone ringing that pulled her out of it, her heart pounding. Was it him? She picked up the phone, barely controlling her shaking fingers, and answered with a soft: "Hello?"

"Teresa?"

Her heart sank a little when she recognized the voice of Walter Mashburn and not that of Jack King. "Mr. Mashburn, how nice to hear from you," she said, not truly meaning the words. It wasn't fair really; he couldn't help not being Jack.

"I'm glad to hear that, Teresa. I've been anxious to return to Sacramento and find out how you are holding up with the Sea Mist account…among other things."

She could handle a simple update on her business proposal. "Everything is going smoothly, I have a meeting with Jack…King," She tacked on the last name quickly, her cheeks flaming with her near slip. "I'm meeting him this afternoon for a late lunch. He'll listen to my initial proposal, and if he likes it, we will start ironing out the final details of the campaign."

"That sounds great."

But Lisbon noticed that he was oddly distracted. At first she wondered if he was doubting her abilities to handle this campaign. It wouldn't be the first time. But nothing prepared her for his next statement.

"Did you get the flowers?"

Teresa gaped at the impressive display of flowers in front of her. "Flowers?" she asked, her heart sinking at what this meant. "I…I got some roses."

He sighed in relief. "Wonderful, I hope you enjoyed them."

She was quiet as she tried to muster up some form of respect toward his gift-not easy when she was sadly disappointed after learning the true identity of her admirer.

"Uh, yes…of course I did."

Teresa bit down on her tongue, embarrassed by how obviously hollow her voice sounded. All she could do was quietly hope that Mashburn wasn't quite so perceptive.

But the silence that followed doomed her.

"Well," Mashburn said awkwardly. "I'm glad."

Teresa shuffled the phone a bit, feeling terrible for obviously hurting his feelings, but she couldn't quite work up complete guilt. Disappointment was still winning the battle for her emotions, along with a bit of anxiety. If Mashburn had sent her flowers…then why hadn't Jack?

She shook her head, trying to clear her troubling thoughts. It was ridiculous to be upset with Jack over something he hadn't done, when he'd done nothing wrong. It was even worse to punish Mashburn for his actions, so she put on a cheerful voice.

"Well, thank you, Mr. Mashburn, for the lovely flowers. I promise you I'm working very hard on this campaign, so you'll have something to be proud of."

"I'm sure," he replied, but still sounded a little down.

With a sigh of regret, not only for hurting him, but also for her lost hopes, they both said goodbye and hung up. Teresa was a little more glum that she didn't have the lovely flowers to remind her of Jack anymore.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jane was busy trying to prepare his own campaign for the real Jack King, but even that failed to keep his mind off the meeting with Teresa later that day. As much as he told himself that this was just a ruse to prove to Walter that she wasn't up to the task, as well as securing himself the campaign of a lifetime, he knew that in this game he was quickly becoming the one being played. Especially when he was suddenly desperate to see her again.

The sound of his phone ringing was actually a relief; it meant that he had to focus on something else besides trying to remember how soft and yielding her lips were. He answered the phone with a curt, "Patrick Jane," angrier at himself than the person who'd interrupted him.

"What have you done to her?"

Walter Mashburn's accusation was surprising at first, but Jane quickly jumped to a terrifying conclusion: he must have found out about Jane's new identity. Oddly enough, the only thing Jane truly cared about was what Teresa thought about him; his job and all other ethics seemed secondary.

"What have I done to whom?" He asked, staying calm while he mentally prepared any possible lies or stories.

"Teresa-you're chasing after her, aren't you?"

No, this wasn't good, not at all. "Is that what she said?"

Mashburn faltered and Jane began to think maybe his initial assumption was wrong. "No…but she didn't seem happy when I asked about the flowers."

That caught Jane's attention. "Flowers?" An unfamiliar emotion was bubbling up inside of him, a bitter angry feeling. "You sent her flowers?"

"Yeah, and I got the feeling she thought they were from someone else. Admit it! You're after her."

"Is that what she said?" he repeated.

"No, but you said you were interested in her."

Jane began to relax a little as it became clear that Walter had no idea what was really going on. Teresa was far too moral to have told him the name of her suitor, and no one but him knew that the Jack King she knew was actually Patrick Jane.

"Well Walter, I'm certain if you asked her about me she'd tell you exactly what she thought about me."

Walter was silent on the other line for a moment as he considered what Jane had said. It didn't take him long to come to the right conclusion. "She still doesn't like you?" Jane gritted his teeth at how happy he sounded. "I thought you said you were interested."

"It's hard to overcome a bad first impression," Jane told him truthfully, "but I'm sure I'll succeed soon."

Walter grunted at that comment, at least slightly mollified knowing that Jane hadn't stolen what he considered his…yet. "Then who else could it be? Someone at the office? Maybe that tall one?"

"Rigsby?" Jane actually started laughing now.

"Yeah, that one."

"I doubt it," he assured him. "I don't think he's taken his eyes off my secretary to even notice Teresa." That part was probably true.

He was quiet again as he probably went through other names in his mind before finally settling on an interesting choice. "What if it's Jack King?"

Oh, Walter, Jane thought ruefully, How close and yet so far.

"You think that she's interested in our client?"

"He's rich and foreign."

"And several years older than her," Jane pointed out. Then a tempting thought came to mind and Jane couldn't resist. Not only would he be able to play with Walter's mind a little bit, but it would also help ease that uncomfortable feeling that was suspiciously close to jealousy. "But if you are so concerned, you can try and weed out the competition tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes you are coming back tonight, aren't you?"

"Yes, but—."

"Well, we'll be meeting Jack in Malibu, trying out his product the old- fashioned way, and convincing him that we are the ones who should be handling his advertising campaign."

"I can't surf!"

Jane smiled while keeping his voice low. "Well, that's all right. I'll tell Jack you can't come. I'm sure when he tells Teresa she'll be very sympathetic…"

"I'll be there," Mashburn said immediately.

"Wonderful," Jane replied jovially. "I'll tell King you'll be there."

"You do that."

They both hung up with only one of the men actually satisfied. Jane was actually chuckling, enjoying the image of Walter attempting to surf. At the very least Walter had succeeded in distracting him from the complications his charade was getting himself into.

And he'd done a little thinning of the competition, himself.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Any disappointment Teresa had felt was gone once she met Jack at the chosen restaurant; it certainly thrilled her to see he'd brought his own bouquet of white roses. He was still the consummate gentleman, helping her into her chair and lingering just a little when his fingers touched her bare skin.

It took a while for her cheeks to fade from red after that.

The conversation flowed easily but didn't settle on the business campaign, not for a long time. They were far too interested in their personal lives, flirting and enjoying each other's company. It was so easy to forget that they were supposed to be having a business meal, but there was no way they could deny the instant attraction that flared between them.

In the end, it was Jack who pointed out the obvious. "Well, sheila, we did come here for a reason, but I'm having a hard time remembering what that was."

Lisbon laughed lightly and nodded. "I'm having the same problem." She sighed, at least content with the current moment. "But you are right; I still have a job to do."

Jack nodded and brushed his plate aside. "Well, I'm all ears."

She folded her hands on the tabletop and dredged up her business-like manners, at least as much as she could when all she wanted was to reach across the table and take his hand in hers. It took a lot of effort to restrain herself, but somehow she managed to keep her thoughts to herself.

Instead, she spent the next half hour explaining her idea, starting with the TV campaign that would be broadcast first in the coastal cities of California, eventually broadening across the country. The first thing she wanted to do was whet the appetite of the key audience. Once that started, the real blitz could begin: radio, billboards, magazines-the possibilities were limitless, really.

But it all started with the television ad that had to be a true masterpiece.

"Start off with a surfer," Teresa explained, "someone ordinary but clearly experienced. The sun shining on the sand the simple sound of the waves crashing on the shore.

"Then a voiceover. Simple but poignant." She smiled softly now. "Very much like you said the night we met. The one way to become in touch with the ocean…is to become one with it."

Jack sat up straighter, his eyes lit with the thrill of something. "I think you have an amazing idea, Teresa."

She grinned, her hear racing now. "Really?"

He nodded. "The ad needs to follow the surfer into the water, touching on the small parts, not on the person itself but—."

"The water," Lisbon finished for him. "The way it crashes onto the surf."

"When it sprays onto the board."

"The white mist as the waves crest."

"Exactly."

She felt her own thrill, the same feeling when the Dental-Brite commercial had fallen into place. "And it needs to end with something profound. Sea Mist. Don't just ride the wave—"

"Become it," Jack finished for her.

Their gazes locked and they couldn't help but smile, not just at the knowledge that they had created something incredible, but also because they had done it together. Together, that was a word that Lisbon really liked thinking about at the moment. A lot.

"So…" she began gently, "do you like it?"

"I love it," he told her honestly, "It's perfect. Better than I could have imagined on my own."

She found that last statement a little odd, but dismissed it just as quickly. "Then I'm assuming that you'll want to work with me on this campaign."

Jack grinned now. "I don't believe I have any choice."

The meal didn't last much longer after that, with the waiter interrupting their happy moment. She paid the check on the company's account and they both reluctantly left the restaurant. There was a rather awkward moment as they stood on the sidewalk, both trying to figure out what to do next, caught between professionalism and their own budding flirtation.

It was Jack who broke the silence with a wistful sigh. "I'm a bloody idiot."

"What?" Lisbon asked, genuinely confused by his statement.

"I should have lied. A smarter man would have said your ideas were good but needed more work," Jack explained. "It would mean that I could spend more time with you."

She blushed and her heart started thrumming in her chest again at Jack's confession. "Well, Jack, you know that we don't need to use business as an excuse to spend time together."

"Don't we?"

"No." She shook her head. "In fact, I have a feeling we would both prefer it that way."

His beautiful eyes darkened and he took a couple of steps closer to her. "A consummate professional would not kiss you right now."

"We just said we wouldn't be professional anymore." Lisbon reminded him. She was the one who took the last step separating them, pushing up onto her toes so she could press her lips against his.

This was not the simple chaste kiss of before; no, this time they were both fueled by the attraction that had simmered between them all afternoon. It was passionate but languid at the same time, building a fire before it became an inferno.

His taste was intoxicating, more potent than any expensive liquor, more addictive than any drug. She pressed closer to get more of him, her body soon wrapped up in his arms. Now she could add his electrifying touch to the list of things she loved about him.

She tangled her fingers into his soft blonde curls, sighing a little when he urged her to open her lips so he could deepen the kiss. It was heady and quickly steering into territory that was far too unseemly for public street corners. But Teresa didn't give a damn; she just wanted to stay like this, feeling this whirlwind of caresses and warmth.

But Jack had a clearer head, or at least was more aware of their surroundings. He gently pushed her away, keeping a hold on her hands while they both breathed heavily.

"You make me forget where we are," he whispered.

"We both have that problem," she replied, her lips swollen and tingling from his kiss.

Jack sighed and stepped back. "I…I should get back to my room."

Lisbon moved closer to him, very tempted to suggest that she go with him. It wasn't proper, nor was it anything like the serious and stable person she had decided to be. But she didn't care; he made her want to be reckless and wild. Right now all she wanted was to feel her skin against his in a tangle of sheets.

Somehow Jack knew what she wanted. "Not now, Teresa." She must have looked disappointed because he quickly clarified. "I want to, I do, you have no idea how much…but you're different. You're special to me and I…I need to treat you as such."

She was stunned by his words, the gentle cadence of his voice and the gravity of his emotions. But he meant them; she didn't doubt that in the least. While a part of her screamed for more, she was touched more than ever by a man who wanted to treat her with respect.

"Are you upset?" he asked her.

"No," she told him honestly, "I'm impressed. You really are like no man I've ever met."

"And you're not like any woman I've ever met," he replied.

"Then perhaps it's a good thing we found each other."

Jack nodded. "Quite." Lisbon moved to press closer and maybe start kissing him again, but he stepped back with a shake of her head. "I believe you should go back to your office, little sheila. Or we'll do something we might regret."

"I'm not so sure," she pointed out.

He grinned then. "No, but it needs to be more than this."

It was frustrating, but he was right. It needed to be special, better than just a quick midday tryst in his hotel room. He was more than that. They were more than that."

"Very well. I'll go back to work and remember I am a professional," she told him. "Or at the very least, try to."

Jack smiled and kissed her once more, very briefly but still enough to thrill her. Somehow a cab materialized beside them and he placed her inside. Lisbon's head was still spinning; she wasn't sure if he'd told the driver where to take her or if she had. She spent the whole ride to her office reliving every second of that kiss.

And imagining what the future would bring.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jane spent the hours and minutes after leaving Teresa, battling his own instincts. It had taken every ounce of his impressive control to keep from grabbing her hand, throwing her into a cab, and finding the nearest bed so he could finally satiate his growing hunger for her. The worst part was, he knew very well that she was more than willing.

As much as he wanted to be with her like that, Jane couldn't do it. Not now, not when it seemed so tawdry. While meaningless affairs had always sufficed for him over the years, with Teresa Lisbon, he found himself craving something more. Something…real.

Unfortunately, that seemed impossible, since she was quickly falling in love with Jack King, who was actually Patrick Jane, a man she despised.

Jane didn't have too long to dwell on the circumstances surrounding his relationship with Teresa Lisbon. He had to head down to Malibu and enjoy a surfing meeting with the real Jack King and Walter, the latter of whom looked very uncomfortable holding a surfboard.

But Jane wasn't. He'd spent quite a bit of time on the beach and he'd found the challenge of surfing quite exhilarating. He hadn't indulged in his childhood hobby as often as he would have liked, but it didn't take long for him to get back into the saddle, so to speak.

Of course, the real expert was Jack King. Despite his age, he was very sure of himself in the water. Of course, he was using one of his company's boards. But there was no doubt that he truly loved this. Being out on the water, it was quite freeing. Jane could share that emotion.

Walter didn't. He spent the time trying to figure out if Jack King was trying to romance the new lady in his life, not knowing that the true danger was the other man next to him. "Has he said anything about Teresa?"

"No," Jane reminded him, "all he's spoken about is how the waves are much better in Torquay."

"Maybe you should try talking to him alone."

"Walter, this is supposed to be a business meeting," Jane said. "Why are you obsessing about Teresa Lisbon?"

"I'm not obsessing."

Jane restrained himself from rolling his eyes. Sure he wasn't, and he hadn't had to listen to a minute description of the woman. Not only was it annoying, but Walter was completely wrong. Her eyes weren't like jade; they were deeper and shined brighter, more like beautiful emeralds that refracted the sunlight.

And when Walter wasn't giving out inaccurate descriptions of Teresa's beauty, he was trying to figure out if King was the one pursuing her. He spent the time in the water hanging back, trying to balance on his board and watching King with calculating caution.

King paddled over to them, enjoying the invigorating morning. "Are you blokes going to join in?"

"Of course," Jane told him smoothly, "but I admit, my own abilities pale in comparison to yours."

"You're right good on the board," King said, "Bit more time and you'll be an Ace."

"A high compliment from you," Jane replied.

"And you, Mashburn? The waves aren't goin' to stay like this for long."

Jane shrugged. "Walter is new to this."

"A beginner, eh?" King replied, "Well, I'll take him out and show him what to do."

"No, no!" Walter cut in. "I'm sure I can do it."

"Walter don't be an idiot," Jane cut in, "you'll get yourself hurt."

Walter shook his head, leaning in to say to Jane quickly. "I'm not going to let this man romance one of my employees and then hold my hand in the water too. I'll show him."

"By drowning?"

"You don't understand," Walter said, "you've never been in love."

He was right, but Jane was beginning to wonder if that was going to be the case for much longer. What he didn't understand was why Walter was going to act so incredibly stupid!

But Walter was already paddling out to face one of the waves, trying to replicate the same moves he'd watched Jane and King do several times already. It was probably a stroke of luck that he'd actually managed to catch the wave at just the right moment, so he was beginning to be carried back towards the shore. Then he made the mistake of trying to stand up.

As soon as he struggled to his feet, he lost his balance and the board shot out from under him.

Jane quickly paddled over, more afraid that his friend would be hurt if the board had hit him on the head. Thankfully, Walter came sputtering to the surface; the only thing hurt was his pride.

"You could have been killed," Jane told him angrily.

Walter coughed a little, letting out some water. King came paddling up himself, looking over the man.

"You don't know what you are doing out here, galah."

"Oh he knows that now," Jane assured him, "Walter is going to head back to the beach and enjoy some sun." His friend didn't like being ordered around, but he was still feeling like a complete idiot for almost getting killed like that.

It was with a chastened heart that Walter paddled back to the shore.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Walter Mashburn would have preferred to have kept the surfing incident private, but unfortunately, the next day everyone was at least partially aware that he'd had miserable time. And Jane hadn't had to say a word-it was all over Walter's face…and arms, and back.

He'd ignored the cardinal rule of the beach: the sun was even fiercer while in the water. At the moment, Walter resembled a boiled lobster more than he did a member of the human race.

"Mr. Mashburn!" Grace Van Pelt exclaimed as soon as she saw him. "Are you all right?"

"Fine, just fine…just tell my secretary to get me some coffee…and some aloe vera."

A/N: Oh Walter, real love shouldn't be that hard. I admit, I had fun having him get hurt like that hehehe. Well I hope you liked it. Next chapter is Donna's and I'm just as excited as you to see what she comes up with next ;-)