I guess part of me should apologize for the way I left the last chapter. But hey, some of you reviewed!! Your patience is to be rewarded…..
DISCLAIMER: I don't own THE MENTALIST or GLEE, which has nothing to do with the Mentalist, but is really a great show!!
Timing in Life - Chapter 7
They sat in a back booth of a coffee shop and he even let her sit facing the door, with her back to the wall. He told her his dad had been a cop, retired as a full inspector, and always did that. After the waitress left, Grace asked what questions he knew the answers to regarding her.
Jack smiled. It was a really nice smile. He had the very beginning of laugh lines around his eyes. She wasn't sure if that was because of age or the years in the sun. If it weren't for the slight off center of his nose, and strong jaw, he would have been almost pretty. As it was, he was incredibly handsome, and confident.
"Ok, I knew exactly who you were when I saw you. Honestly, I have for a while. Let's face it, the CBI only graduates a class every 18 months and it's pretty small. When a rookie who looks like you is assigned to Serious Crimes, people want to know the story. Yeah, you were first in your class, but you have lasted with that Jane guy. That tells everyone you are smarter and tougher than at least 6 people before you. I am honestly not a nut or stalker. I had planned on letting you settle in and maybe getting introduced. But when I asked, I was told that Rigsby had it really bad for you and would probably tear a guy's arm off and beat him with it for hitting on you."
"What?"
"This law and order community of ours is really small around here. The word was that he was really gone on you. We all also knew that you were all members of Mother Teresa Lisbon's unit. Incredible close ratio and other than that loose cannon, Jane all pretty straight arrow. I knew you two wouldn't date. And then someone said they saw you together one night and maybe you were bending some rules"
Grace put her hands over her face and groaned softly. They thought they were being so careful and the gossip mill was apparently working overtime. How did Lisbon not know about all this?
"Look, I didn't tell you this to upset you. But I did hear that maybe you two weren't together and the next thing I know, Rigsby is working out till all hours like a madman. The women followed and then the men. I spotted you talking to the women outside the coffee cart. It was a matter of time before you showed. I didn't count on Tanya, but if it gave me a chance with you, ok then."
"This is just weird. I haven't really dated too much since I moved out here. A few guys here and there. Nothing serious, until, well, anyway, we are taking a kind of a break. It got kind of tough to date and work together. The secrecy thing, you know. Wait. How do people get away with that? I thought it was a big time rule?"
"It's supposed to be. But if you are pretty discreet, no one really gets too crazed. Look, I hope I didn't come off as too weird here. You are a beautiful woman, but I have heard good things about you, smart, sharp, tough but still feminine. I wanted to meet you."
"I know I have heard your name and seen you around, but don't know that much about you."
"Let me correct that now. I am 33, with the AG's office for almost 7 years, Stamford undergrad, UC Sacramento Law. Single, not gay, never married. Had one long term relationship that ended 2 years ago. I like sports, but am not a lunatic about it. I like kids and dogs and would love to have them both one day."
"Why so long with the AG?"
"Yeah, I thought you would get that. I know most people come in as assistants and get out after 2 or so years. I worked in Domestic Violence, special Victims for 2 years. I felt like if I left I would be abandoning those victims, so I stayed. Then they needed help on a big mob case, the financial end of it. I was going to leave after that, but after 7 years at being across the room from defense attorneys, I just didn't want to be one. I guess it comes from being a cop's kid"
"Was Tanya the long term relationship?"
"Oh hell no! Tanya is the queen bee. Whatever guy makes her look best, she wants. When we were about to win that big mob case, she was all over me. Then another guy took over as king of the office, and she moved on. It's why she is all over Rigsby. He is the prize the women all want, so she wants him."
"And then she'll dump him? Oh no! She does not get to treat him that way. He is way too good for her games. And he so not a game player. He's too sweet for that."
"Well that just answered my question"
"What question?"
"The 2 parter of 'are you over him' and would you like to go out sometime"?
Grace looked at this incredibly successful, handsome man, who clearly was very interested in her. She wondered how many other guys Rigsby had scared off. She wondered if she had missed out on dating some of them. Mostly, she wondered if breaking Tanya Alvarez's perfect nose would get her into too much trouble. Well, she just answered both his questions and hers.
"I am sorry. You seem like an amazing guy, but, well…"
"Yeah, I saw your face when you watched him. It was an outside shot, but I had to take it. They are probably still there. Rigsby has been working out a lot of emotion. I'll take you back. He's a lucky guy. And Grace? Don't let the rules thing hang you ups too much. We live in a very insular world by virtue of our jobs. No one can really regulate your heart and who you love. Because if it really is love, the real deal, hang on tight."
"Thanks a lot. You have been really nice."
"Oh, no don't say that! It's the kiss of death. Nice." They laughed together. He really was a nice man. She had to ask. "Ok, what I don't understand here is why you are still on the market?"
"Well, thanks for that, anyway. The truth is that I had that one relationship for 3 years. Lydia was great, but wanted ultimately to be married to a corporate attorney. She got tired of waiting for me to finish what she called my 'Don Quixote' phase. I don't blame her really. I thought that was who I would be, but we wound up wanting different things. Since then I have wound up dating women who get what I do."
"Cops and investigators?"
"Guilty, Special Agent. Can I just say one more thing about you and Rigsby?"
"Well since you seem to know it all already anyway, go ahead"
"I am sure that dating someone within a unit as tight as yours needs to be would be really tough. I kind of understand why you can't date fellow agents. But if you date one outside your unit, well, it probably wouldn't be so tough?"
"I know, but which one of us goes? Wayne is really good at what he does and Lisbon would be nuts to let him go. I am the rookie and…"
"Wait a minute. You WERE the rookie. You have been there over a year by now, right? And didn't you break that recruiting corruption case wide open at UC?"
"Well, yes."
"I am willing to bet money you heard from Chipper Blonsky about a position as an investigator with the California State Athletic Union? "
"Ok, now I think we are getting into stalker territory here."
"Chipper and my dad went to college together and play golf. Frankly, for a political appointee, he was a really good choice. Look, your problem is you started in the unit where most people hope to move into. Anything else will seem like a step down, but really, having worked there, you can go anywhere. Right now, that UC thing has given you a serious edge. Tell me no other units have asked you about moving?"
"Um, actually, yes they have, but I guess I never thought it would be considered a lateral move."
"So, clearly you want to be with Rigsby, right? "
"Yes, but"
"C'mon, Grace. Career is wonderful, but take it from me; it makes for a lonely bedfellow. My point is that you have options. I just don't think you have thought them through'
Grace stood suddenly, eager to get to the gym. Jack Elliot may not have been the right guy at the right time, but she decided once she solved her love and career life, she was finding him a hell of a woman.
Wayne Rigsby was in love with Grace. However, he was man enough to enjoy Tanya Alvarez's attentions. He was not fooled by her at all. Guys talk about women and Tanya's name had been on more than one man's lips. Normally, he ignored women coming on to him like this. They did more than he acknowledged. Women like that never really appealed to him. He always felt that if they were this pushy toward him, how many other guys were getting the same routine? Nope. He wanted to be a one woman man. But he began to wonder if maybe Grace needed a little push. He had seen what was going on in the gym. He mostly ignored it. Just maybe though a little gossip might make Grace aware of how much dating went on around here, despite the rules. He didn't play games. He would never want to hurt someone, but Tanya, yeah, she was the queen of the game player. Flirting with her a little would not hurt her, and maybe, wake Grace? It was stupid, yeah, but he was getting desperate
By the time they got back, almost everyone had left. Cho was still there, watching incredulously as Alvarez was working Rigsby. He couldn't believe Wayne was falling for her crap. But considering the last month with Grace, maybe this was just an ego stroke. When he saw Van Pelt walk in with Elliot, he groaned. It figured that Jack Elliot would make a move on Grace. But he wouldn't want to be Elliot when Rigsby saw them.
Cho grabbed Grace's arm as she and Elliot walked back into the workout room.
"Van Pelt! What the hell? Are you kidding? Are you trying to kill Rigsby and well Elliot too?"
"Relax, Cho. Is the man-eater still hanging on Wayne?"
"Yeah."
"Call her a cab. She's leaving now."
"About fucking time! Elliot, you might want to leave quickly too."
"Hey Cho. It's cool. I struck way out here. I think I want to stick around for the show. It promises to be good."
"Your funeral"
Jack Elliot watched with Cho as Grace headed over. It was about to be on. Wayne looked up at Grace's approach with a big smile on his face. It faded to pure confusion at Grace's words.
"Alvarez right? Yeah, hit the bricks. There is nothing, and I mean nothing for you here"
Tanya turned her back on Grace and put her hand on Wayne's arm again. "Who is this woman and why is she being so mean to me?" Tanya knew exactly who Grace was to Wayne. She had calculated it all. She assumed that like most women, Grace would be intimidated by her. She didn't calculate quite correctly.
"Listen to me, Alvarez. Who I am is Special Agent Grace Van Pelt. And this has been anything but mean. Mean shows up in 5 seconds if you and your water-bra don't unwrap yourself from Wayne. He is not and never will be for you!"
Wayne Rigsby was suddenly a very happy man. Tanya Alvarez had been amusing, but never really his type. He was a one woman man at heart. That one woman was clearly staking her claim. Grace Van Pelt was jealous and he was kind of enjoying it. He was tempted to string this along a bit, but then he caught sight of Jack Elliot standing and watching all this with Cho. What the hell was that Ken doll doing here? That jerk-off had asked around about Grace when she first started. Oh, no, there was no fucking way that he was allowing Jack, perfect teeth, perfect connections Elliot anywhere near HIS Grace.
"Nice to have met you Tanya. Good luck with those workouts. I think I am leaving now. Good night." Grabbing Grace's hand, he tucked it into his. He didn't care that he was a sweating shirtless mess. He didn't care what Tanya said as she left. He only cared that Tanya left and Jack Elliot knew Grace was his.
Grace happily let Wayne pull her closer. That scent of him was making her crazy. She couldn't wait to get him home and revel in it and him. The other occupants of the workout room watched the two agents together in their own world. Tanya was annoyed that she was not going to get the prize. She was glad that no one really had seen her being rejected. Jack Elliot envied Wayne not only the girl, but the real emotions shining out of their faces. He wished them well and hoped to find the same for himself one day. Cho was just relieved. It was about freaking time these two figured it out. These late nights at the gym were exhausting him.
To be honest with you all, Jack was supposed to be a real jerk. But the bunnies liked him. Of course we all know how notoriously easy the bunnies are. I think he bribed them all with chocolate and wine!
Now the smutty bunnies, well they are complete review hogs. Who wants the smutty bunnies to wake up??