A/N - I am getting pretty good at the whole uploading thing ! That's two updates in three days ! Probably a record ! I know the first chapter in this little series ('A Reason') was also kind of to do with Lisbon having a boyfriend, but this one is quite different as it has Jane's take on the whole situation. I hope you all like it, as I like the idea and I think that it is something that could be addressed well as it's quite feasible...ish...considering Lisbon's work habits, maybe not so much actually !

Dislaimer: I own nothing :)

Enjoyy,
~WL

Discarded Evidence

The sharp rap on the door jolted Lisbon from her conversation. "I'd better get that," she said to her companion before standing up and moving through the lounge to the front door. She knew who it was almost as soon as she heard the rather unwelcome noise of knocking.

She was not disappointed, the door swung open to reveal the grinning face of none other than Patrick Jane. She really didn't want to have to do this. It had been a long day and an even longer week, and she just didn't have the energy to explain herself to Jane right now.

"Hi Jane," she sighed, an exasperated note already slipping into her voice. This did nothing to dampen Jane's mood.

"Hey Lisbon," he responded brightly, "now I know that you're standing in the doorway so I can't just waltz my way in, so I'll be incredibly polite. Lisbon may I come in?"

"What do you want Jane?" Jane knew as soon as she side-stepped the question that even if it was the last thing he did, he would find his way into her apartment tonight.

"Ah, but what else Lisbon? Simply to spend the evening with a friend, enjoying quality wine, good chocolates and I'm sure we can find a movie or two." He had switched on the charm, and all Lisbon could think about was how much harder he was making this.

"Jane I er..."

Before she knew what had happened he had somehow made his way past her arm and was making his way through to her kitchen, while saying something along the lines of "Lisbon, here you are an officer of the law, trying to deprive a friend and colleague of some company on a Friday night."

James had heard the entire conversation play out and stood up by the table ready to greet the 'intruder'.

Meanwhile Jane had made his way into the kitchen but stopped dead in his tracks when he was met by the scene in front of him. A young man, not tall but well built, with brown hair and brown eyes, stood by the table wearing a smart pair of jeans and an open necked oxford shirt. There were candles on the table and two half eaten dishes sitting on opposite sides, with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc resting in the middle of the two. He had wondered about Lisbon's attire when she had opened the door dressed in a pair of white linen trousers and a pretty top.

Jane was rendered speechless by this sight. How had he not worked this out about her? By the time Jane had taken all of this in, Lisbon had shut the door behind him and made her way through to the kitchen area. Needless to say she thought that some introductions were in order. No matter how much she had wanted to avoid this, it had now become inevitable.

"Jane this is James Holden. James this is Patrick Jane, my consultant." Both men noticed the lack of explanation for who James was, although they both also come to the conclusion that from the scene that was laid out before the three of them it was pretty obvious.

It seemed that Jane had still not managed to regain the power of speech but just as Lisbon was about to try and break the awkward silence he seemed to come back to himself.

"Sorry...I'll just...er yeah" In different circumstances Lisbon would have found Jane's inability to form a coherent sentence funny. However she had dreaded the day that Jane would find out about her and James. She couldn't figure out why exactly but there was a part of her that yearned to keep it a secret from Jane of all people. She told herself that it was strictly platonic; she didn't want Jane making inappropriate comments while they were at work, or something along those lines. She refused to let herself accept that it was for far more personal reasons, however the look on Jane's face and the evident hurt in his eyes was enough for part of her brain to realise that actually, Jane meant much more to her than she cared to admit.

"I'm so sorry about that J." Lisbon started. "I tried to keep him outside, but you know; he just has a mind of his own when he wants to." James accepted her apology and they returned to their dinner. Within a few minutes they had forgotten the interruption all together and all thoughts of Patrick Jane were at the very back of Lisbon's mind. Dinner ended a little while later and the two of them settled down with a movie and the rest of the wine. The only reminder that Jane had been there at all was a bottle of Shiraz and a box of chocolates left carelessly on the table by the door.

Lisbon knew that when she returned to work on Monday morning Jane would make no mention about his visit that evening. He would be more annoying than usual just to prove to Lisbon that what he had seen had not affected him, despite the hurt that she had seen flowing deep beneath his mask and he would not have breathed a word to the rest of the team. Jane knew, even if he didn't quite understand, that Lisbon had not told him or the rest of a team for a reason, and for once he had enough decorum to respect her wishes.

Let me know what you thought of that one then ! Reviews are love 3

Cheers,
~WL