a variation on a previously explored theme. but it's my favorite theme.

The Brunch Break-In Story

It wasn't the mid-morning sunlight streaming through the cracks in the blinds or the sated and snoring man curled around her that woke Lisbon. It wasn't even the slight chill from the air conditioner, left on overnight, or her rumbling stomach. No, it was the heavy knocking—heavy pounding, really—on her front door that woke Special Agent Teresa Lisbon from her blissfully restful sleep.

The knock was heavy and decidedly unfriendly. Her heart sank. A moment later, as she tossed Jane's arm back from around her waist and pulled on the nearest piece of clothing (his dress shirt) she heard a scratching sound. Someone was picking the lock. Adrenaline rocketed through her bloodstream.

"Jane," she half whispered, half hissed as she quickly keyed in her code for her sidearm lockbox tucked in her closet. He groaned and clutched her pillow, burrowing further into the mattress. "Someone is trying to break in. Might be friendly, but knowing our luck, it's probably foe…"

"Come back to bed, Teresa. It's probably just a stray cat." With eyes still closed, Jane raised a hand and clawed at the air before dropping his arm back down and tightening his hold on the pillow. She was on her own.

With well-practiced poise, she moved through the one-level house—a task that was made more difficult by the tossed books, scattered mail, fallen knick-knacks, and discarded bits of clothing littering the front hallway. She and Jane had been rather amorous after their dinner and movie date, having left quite a trail of destruction from the entryway to the bedroom.

She kicked a super-sized Restoration Hardware catalogue across the hardwood floor and drew her gun up, ready to confront the assailants currently attempting a B&E, when she saw a flick of auburn hair at the small crescent-shaped window in the door. Then, a large hazel eye peered in the window and Lisbon groaned, recognizing the attacker was neither criminal nor cat, but Van Pelt.

Dropping her gun back to her side, she quickly turned the deadbolt and flung open the heavy door to find her old CBI team, plus Fischer, standing on her porch in varying states of amusement or embarrassment. Rigsby sputtered and turned tomato red while Van Pelt bit her lip to keep from laughing. Cho was so startled by Lisbon's appearance his eyebrows practically disappeared against his hairline, and an amused Fischer hid her grin behind her hand.

"Hey, guys," Lisbon started, as if nothing was out of the ordinary, as if she wasn't answering the door wearing only her partner's button-up. "What brings you all over here-Oh, my God. Brunch." She slumped against the door and Van Pelt nodded.

"You invited everyone over for Sunday brunch, you know, before Wayne and I flew back to San Francisco." Rigsby and Van Pelt were in town for a three-day security tech conference, and while they had all managed to see quite a bit of each other during those three days, Lisbon had wanted one last big get-together before they headed back to California. Of course, it had completely slipped her mind last night… She rocked back on her heels and grimaced as her bare foot landed on the sharp point of an ink pen cap.

"And when you didn't answer your phone, or the door, we got worried," Rigsby added, trying valiantly to not size up his former boss's legs.

"And then we looked in the window and saw this mess," Cho nodded to the trail of debris in the hallway. "We thought there might've been a struggle."

"But now, judging by," Fisher gestured to Lisbon's state of undress and disheveled hair, "I'm gonna go out on a limb and say there wasn't much of a struggle." She was no longer bothering to hide her grin. In fact, Fischer was practically vibrating with restrained laughter as Lisbon turned pink.

In that moment, because he was always a man with impeccable timing, Jane came around the corner, his bare feet sliding across the smooth hardwood floor before halting next to the catalogue Lisbon had kicked in her haste to get to the door.

"Oh, hey, yikes, what a mess," Jane toed the through the scattered mail before glancing up. His stopped, startled by the early morning guests. "Ah, hi guys. How's everyone doing?" Stalling, he tried to gain his bearings, something about friends and breakfast foods fluttered at the back of his brain. He was supremely relieved he'd had the forethought to pull on his pants before searching for Lisbon, although in retrospect he probably should've buckled said pants. Or put on a shirt. But that would have been more difficult since Lisbon was currently wearing his shirt... while holding her sidearm. Jane's gaze darkened and Lisbon caught it, as did nearly everyone on the porch (minus Cho, who studiously pretended to have noticed nothing).

"Are you kidding me, right now?" She shouted.

"I'm just as surprised as you are, my dear, although not by much. After all, remember that sting we set for ol' Dr. Carmen back in Sac-town?"

"You mean when I was framed for murder?" Her glare narrowed.

"Yes, there was that. But I was thinking more of your ensemble from that performance." Jane dragged his eyes down her legs. "Still happen to have that jersey?"

"This gun is loaded." Lisbon held up her right hand, the weight of the gun tipping her wrist back.

"Meh, you don't scare me, there's a troupe of law enforcement standing right behind you." Jane shrugged one shoulder.

"And they've all worked with you, I think they'll corroborate my story." She cocked an eyebrow, a teasing lilt in her voice.

"Then I suppose I should distract them with food. After all, they were promised brunch, were they not? Fry up some flapjacks, some bacon. My world-famous eggs." Jane motioned for everyone to enter. "Be careful of all of the… stuff."

"Jane?" Lisbon trailed behind him as their guests headed to the kitchen and dining room. "Might wanna put a shirt on."

"Ah, yeah, good idea. Or that fry up might have negative consequences."

"I'll say." Lisbon removed the clip from her gun.

"Although, you are still wearing my shirt." Jane grinned and pulled Lisbon to him, kissing her cheek as she once again blushed. "If you think about it, between the two of us we have a complete outfit."

"Just put the coffee on, would you?" She nudged him toward the kitchen as she slipped away to the bedroom.

"Alright, alright. I'll even make it extra strong, 'cause I like you so much."

"Oh, hey, Jane?" Lisbon called from the doorway of the bedroom, smirking as he turned back towards her. His eyes grew wide, taking in the always welcomed sight of a bare Lisbon before his button-up landed on his head. "Don't forget your shirt."

FIN