A/N: I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long to update this fic. I just couldn't get back into it for some reason. Ugh, I hate it when that happens. Anyway, finally managed to write this so yay. I think, anyway.

Thank you to: Viktorija, raquelvalente91, Koezh, yaba, lisbon69, klcarr892, xxxBekaForEvaxxx, jisbon-sessed, cherryblossomcanopy, anthropologist, Ebony10, Famous4it, waterbaby134, phoenixmagic1, mtm, WildDaisies10, Divinia Serit, jisbon 14, Frogster, Nick Tarostar and boutondor for reviewing part three. I'm completely overwhelmed by the support. Thank you!

x tromana

Part Four

Lisbon thought she knew what it was like to be isolated and before she had even left for Malibu, had kind of accepted her fate. Up until a few months ago, when she finally gave into her emotions and allowed herself to start a romantic relationship with Jane, she had been so used to being alone. Of course she had dated occasionally, met up with the few friends who understood her rigorous schedule and the like, but essentially she had been a lone ranger. And she'd liked it, thrived upon it, even. She'd loved the independence, not having to consider how other people had to slot into her life and she could be as spontaneous as she liked. Which wasn't very, but that was beside the point.

It's all different now, anyway.

She figures it's because her life has been turned completely upside down for the second time in the space of a year. Lisbon would be more than happy to be the first to admit that it had taken her a relatively long while to adjust to having Jane play a much larger role in her life than she'd ever anticipated. Secretive by nature, she finds it hard to trust easily, partially due to her rough childhood, so opening up to somebody else had felt foreign, unnatural. But she'd eventually grown used to it, settled down a little, even felt comfortable with the companionship.

And now…

Now, she craves it, a feeling she never expected to have to deal with. It has all been snatched away from her just as she realized it's something she needs. Just when Lisbon had finally thought she knew where she stood with her life, it had all been shaken up yet again. It seems that whenever she feels contented, somebody has to drop a nuclear bomb and annihilate her happy existence. She doesn't actually like living alone anymore, the apartment feels empty and cold. It doesn't help that she's in Jane's old stomping ground either. It feels like there's ghosts hanging on every corner and danger lurking in every crevice. She doesn't trust anybody and they care little for her in return and it makes her wonder just when she became so agitated. It doesn't help that she's terrified that every stranger she meets could potentially be Red John and that any backup she actually trusts is so far away. Though she ensures she is armed at all times, it provides very little comfort.

Well, there's only so much comfort a gun can provide anyway. After all, it makes a very poor substitute for a strong pair of arms.

At night, when trying to sleep, her thoughts invariably slip to Jane. She wonders if he is coping any better without her than she is without him. She tries to work out why he never bothered to tell her about the death threats, why he hadn't thought that important information to share. Mostly, she just wishes that this sorry situation hadn't been necessary at all so she could still be with him now. Especially so, as if they get through this unscathed, she doesn't know how she can trust him again. Secrets such as that could destroy even the sturdiest of relationships and theirs had always been so terribly fragile.

The bank job is slowly driving her insane. It's one thing dealing with criminals, furious relatives of the deceased, juggling lawsuits and testimonials and another thing entirely serving the general public in the retail sector. For that's all she's doing now, selling the image of the bank and various different ways to save your money. Lisbon swears her jaw aches from wearing a permanent false smile and she knows her patience is wearing frighteningly thin. She knows she's not suited to this job at all and that is half the reason she is so terrified of this meeting with a new boss

The other half is because the change of hands has happened so suddenly and so soon after she joined their 'team' that she cannot help but be a little (or rather, a lot) suspicious.

She pretty much jumps out of her skin when the secretary tells her that John Moorcroft is finally ready to meet with her. Swallowing down her nerves and shaking ever so slightly, Lisbon raises to her feet. She certainly wasn't this nervous when she first met Hightower or even Minelli for the first time. Telling herself to get a grip, she knocks on the door rather sharply and holds her breath until a gravely voiced man instructs her to enter.

The man, John Moorcroft, her pseudo-boss, is in his early fifties, with sharp blue eyes and a receding hairline. Lisbon grimaces a little as she comes under his gaze and he looks her up and down appreciatively. Eventually, he offers her a seat and she perches nervously on the edge of it, with her legs tightly crossed. When he finally starts to actually speak to her, she takes an immediate dislike, especially as he seems to have forgotten where her face is. She barely hears half of what he is saying to her, not because she isn't listening but because he has the audacity to look at her as if she is little more than a piece of meat. The man is convinced that not only is she in his employ, but free for the taking. It had only taken her approximately five seconds to realize that John Moorcroft is the type of man who expects everything from life in return for nothing at all.

"So, do we have an agreement, Miss. Hollins?"

Lisbon's chin hits the ground as he leans in towards her and he gently presses his hand against her thigh. She flinches in response and the holster she thought she had grown used to wearing becomes more noticeable than ever. With watery eyes, she smiles a weak smile in response and nods slightly in answer to his question. He finally leans back again and a self-satisfied smirk appears on his face.

"So, seven p.m. on Thursday is alright with you?"

"Yes, Sir."

Her heart is pounding painfully as she leaves the room and it's a relief to finally be away from the pungent smell of Moorcroft's cigar smoke. But still, she can't help but wonder what the hell she has agreed to and why.

***

As soon as she reaches the apartment which is not quite her home, but as close as she has in Malibu, she switches on her computer. While she waits for it to load, she boils a kettle and makes herself a cup of tea. Earl Grey, Jane's favorite blend. She's not entirely convinced of the flavor yet but she drinks it because it simply reminds her of him and therefore, the delicate aroma is strangely reassuring.

It doesn't take her long to type out her message to Agent Hightower. She just hopes that the newest director of the CBI will hurry up and get back to her to ease her frazzled nerves. Lisbon needs to know all she can about Moorcroft before she can even consider relaxing a little again. Besides, she wants to know if there's been any sign of Red John's movement back in Sacramento, especially as the 'plan' is seeming more and more futile and pointless by the day.

As always, she finishes her e-mail requesting an update on her team and especially Jane. Though she knows that Hightower will never answer her queries, she cannot help but try.

TBC…