Hey fanfiction fans…hmm that certainly rolls off the tongue! Anyway, I'm really sorry about not updating this sooner…maybe it was the fact that I am also working on a second Jisbon fanfic that I have yet to publish or maybe it was because I've been writing these on my ipod and it got stolen..(I blame yu stupid thief) and I had to re-write them to the best of my memory..which isn't very good…but I'm pretty sure the best reason is because I didn't get enough reviews on my last chapter! that's right I'm talking to you fans! Review, review, review!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, or The Mentalist, they belong instead to the extraordinary Bruno Heller.

Halloween at the CBI

Chapter 7

Grace Van Pelt was in love. She was in love with her job, her peaceful life, her friends and most of all she was in love with Wayne Rigsby.

They had been together for quite some time, but it had never been like this. This time around, her and Wayne didn't have to sneak around, taking extra precautions so that the boss would find out. Back then love had been limited and she felt almost as if she were being suffocated.

But now it was different. Now they were free to flaunt their relationship to anyone they pleased, as long as they spent most of their time on the job, instead of making out in the break room. And that suited her just fine. Still they stole kisses countless times throughout the day, and that made up for it.

How had this happened? She had never really understood it, but somehow Minelli had suddenly turned on the idea of romantic relationships amoungst the team.

She remembered it well; the day after a stickler Red John case, but what made it unique was it wasn't a normal Red John case. This time it had been two twin girls and in the end the chief police officer who'd been assisting them in their investigation had done it. It had also been the case where the angry officer had escaped his handcuffs and tried to kill Lisbon. Thankfully Jane had shot and killed him before she was harmed. Then the next day Jane had marched into Minelli's office where he remained for a good hour. Everybody had been wondering. But when he came out he gave no answer. Instead he had simply gone home early. The next thing she knew Minelli was congratulating her and Rigsby and warning him to take good care of the team's junior agent... Strange. But Grace didn't care. She was just glad to be with Wayne, finally and freely.

Another strange thing she remembered about that day, was the way Jane had acted. Usually it was normal for Jane to act depressed and low key after a less than satisfying Red John case, but that day Lisbon had also acted strange, especially around Jane. They hadn't spoken all day. Instead she caught Jane watching the boss intently with an undistinguished sorrow building up somewhere distant inside his miracle mind. At one point when she had been sure he'd been sleeping on his couch no doubt—although you can never tell with Jane— he'd suddenly sat bolt upright, lept to his feet and strode quickly over to the boss's office. But instead of going inside he stood leaning against the threshold watching an oblivious Lisbon fill out paperwork. He had watched her like that for ten minutes without her noticing and then abruptly ran into Minelli's office.

Whatever he reason she was just overjoyed to be with Wayne. She could finally have a future! And there she was in his arms, in the middle of the dance floor at a Halloween party no less. It was a slow dance, as they continued to sway silently with the soft background music surrounded by other couples.

She glanced up at Rigsby smiling. "I love you," she whispered into his shoulder.

"I love you too, Grace," he replied just as softly as he lent down to place a silent kiss in her gorgeous red hair. And they stayed like that; her in his arms, his chin atop her head, humming to the song that played around them.

Grace smiled huddling closer into his chest as they danced. She hardly had words for how she felt at that moment. So happy. So happy that she wanted to shout her happiness to the rest of the world and share it with everyone around her.

She wished everybody could be in love like she was at that moment. It was wonderful!

Then glancing around, her eyes rested on other happy couples dancing as well. She was surrounded by happiness and it felt extraordinary. She spotted Cho and Elaine slow dancing like them, across the room. They too looked full of happiness and love, which only made Grace smile wider.

But then she wondered. "Where were Jane and Lisbon?" She scanned the crowds and came up empty. Grace had seen the two walk in together, this evening and it was then she realized how much the potential romance between them really shone. She wanted so much to see them happy and in love in eachothers arms, dancing. But she didn't. Worry flagged in the back of her mind.

When the song ended, Grace released Wayne and excused herself, while he "went to thank Hank for the party invites." Although she knew he was just going back for more food. God, if he didn't keep in shape, she was sure he would end up the size of a hot air balloon by this time tomorrow. Laughing to herself, she returned to the table momentarily and grabbed her purse, then made a dash for the Ladies' room.

But it was amidst her travel there when she spotted a lonesome and yet familiar figure sitting alone at the bar.

Excited and hoping to share her happiness with someone, she sat done to join him. But she was just about to explode with happiness when he turned to see her and she saw the look in his eyes.

"Jane?" she placed a suddenly worried hand on his back as he turns to her. "Are you okay?"

Review, review, review! You know how! Do it! and depending on the amount of reviews I might, just might publish my almost – finished next chapter! so review it up ppl!