Therapy
"Someone wants a coffee?", Rigsby asked, shooting an hopeful glance towards Grace.
"Not for me, thanks".
Grace's sharp answer seemed to depress Rigsby even more – if that was possible.
Cho shook his head slowly. Enough was enough. Another day like this, and he would lock up those two into the same room – then throw away the key.
Jane shifted on his couch and announced in a matter-of-fact tone: "Quite cold this morning. I think I'll try Lisbon's couch".
As he passed Cho he heard him hissing: "Coward".
Smiling he tapped lightly on the door before entering Lisbon's office.
…
Teresa looked up as he saw Jane ensconcing himself on her couch.
"What's up?"
"It's quite stormy out there. I'd rather stay here".
She sighed. "Rigsby and Van Pelt?"
"Of course. Who else?"
"I think Hightower was right, after all…"
"Really?"
"Actually not. But I can change my mind".
Jane laughed. "I'll tell her".
"Stop it, Patrick".
"Come on, Teresa…"
He was interrupted by a resolute knock at the door.
"Come in".
Cho closed the door behind him.
"Boss, I think we have a problem".
Teresa nodded. "I know".
"Five minutes, the nearby café. If you want to take Jane with you…"
"Hey, I'm not her dog!", Jane complained.
"See you at the café", Teresa cut short.
…
Five minutes later the three of them were sitting at a coffee table.
"Did Rigsby tell you anything about it?", Teresa asked.
"He said that Van Pelt has been acting in a strange way for the last few days. Just as if we didn't notice", Cho pointed out dryly.
Jane shook his head. "I doubt that Rigsby can guess the reasons behind all this".
"You do, instead?", Teresa teased.
"I know they didn't quarrel – Rigsby would have told us – and yet Grace is reacting as if he offended her. Maybe he said or did something that hurt her, but he hadn't the remotest idea about that".
"What could it be?"
"Grace's strange behavior started more or less a week ago. That's exactly after…"
"The shooting at Santa Monica", Cho ended. "Do you think that's the reason?"
Jane tilted his head on one side. "In a way. Or, more precisely, it's something connected with that episode. I have a little idea of my own, but I believe the best option is to ask Grace".
Teresa frowned. "And who do you think should ask her?"
…
As she entered Lisbon's office, Grace threw a quick glance at Jane – fast asleep on the couch.
"Wanted to see me, boss?"
"Yeah. Sit down".
Teresa drew a deep breath. Why should Jane fall asleep and leave her alone to speak with Van Pelt?
"I would like to know about the problems between you and Rigsby".
Grace bit her lip and replied – a bit too quickly: "There isn't any problem".
"Van Pelt… Grace", she corrected herself. "I think you can imagine that this situation is not good for the rest of the team".
Dropping her head, Grace murmured: "I'm sorry".
She paused, then went on. "It's just that… since the shooting that happened at Santa Monica, Wayne has become overprotective towards me. Just as if I was one of those little china dolls you put on a shelf and never touch. But I don't need to be protected! I'm a cop, and I can take care of myself. Even if sometimes I get a scratch on my arm, or something like that".
"Why don't you tell him?", Jane interposed, as he stood up and approached the desk. Teresa looked relieved. After all Patrick was just pretending to sleep – she should have known better.
"Grace, there's nothing wrong in the desire to protect your loved ones. It's perfectly natural. And that doesn't mean you think they cannot do it by themselves. Teresa and I have always tried to protect each other – and in the end we managed to accept it. It doesn't matter how strong and independent you are – sometimes you just have to acknowledge that you might need somebody's help. Which actually doesn't lessen your personal skills".
Grace simply stared at him, surprised by his sudden honesty. If there was anyone who was even more reserved than Lisbon about his own feelings, that was exactly Patrick Jane. Yet it seemed he cared for his friends so much that he was willing to share his innermost thoughts, from time to time.
"I think you should follow Jane's advice", Teresa added. "Talk to Rigsby, and let him know how do you feel about it. Anyway, you should try and understand him. Maybe you would do the same thing, if your places had been exchanged".
"You're both right. Thank you".
As she left the office she felt much lighter than she had been in the last few days.
…
"Wayne… what do you say about lunch together?"
Rigsby looked up incredulously and met Grace's smile.
"Great idea". He grabbed his jacket, then paused with a pang of guilt.
"Hum… want to come with us, Cho?"
"No, thanks. I'm busy".
His gaze followed them as they went out together – hand in hand, in spite of all of Hightower's threats – and he let out a sigh of relief. Finally Rigsby would stop wandering around the office with that heartbroken expression on his face.
He took his favorite book out of the drawer and buried himself into it.
