Chapter 7

Vices and Voices

Agent Kim and Cho left work after lunch because they had the Adams shift at the safe house at midnight and needed some rest. Jane saw Lisbon look up when they left. He knew her thoughts at the moment - pretty easy since they were his, too. It seemed like Kim and Cho made sure they were assigned the same shift more and more often now. It seemed crystal clear to Jane they were an 'item' but did Lisbon think so? He thought she did but he'd let her broach the subject with him, he didn't want to out Cho if she hadn't noticed yet. Jane knew the man was very private and after all, friendship wasn't really a vice.

Finally, the end of the day rolled around with many more facts being assembled but little actually accomplished on the case. Jane could see Lisbon talking with Agent Pike. He was immensely happy to see her shake her head and the corresponding grim look on the man's face. Pike took the stairs and Jane saw Lisbon holding the elevator for him! She smiled so sweetly at him as the doors closed that Jane could swear his knees felt just a little weak - it had been a long time since that happened to him. He returned her sweet smile with a broadly genuine one of his own which made her look down at her shoes. Jane then replayed one of his favorite Lisbon fantasies in his mind until the doors opened. That particular fantasy would probably never happen in the FBI building - it was so much newer than the old CBI place the elevators would take years to break down! Upon stepping out of the building, he found himself walking Lisbon to her car just to be by her side a few more minutes. They arrived at her car and she seemed to take an inordinate amount of time to find her keys and unlock the door. Think man, think, Jane's brain seemed to be spinning but not going forward. "Uh, say Lisbon, I'm really tired because of the late night but I thought after a nap I'd go down to Joe's Bar just to talk with him a little more... fill in a few gaps. Wanna come?"

"Sounds good, Jane. I'll meet you there, ten thirty or so sound okay to you? We don't have to come in to work on Sunday, unless something pops up tonight." She gave him a huge smile that made his heart stop in his chest and he stood there stunned as she drove off.

Jane left his silver airstream around 9:30 because he wanted to talk with Joe before Lisbon arrived. It was so busy at Joe's Blues Bar the parking took a little longer than he expected. When he finally did walk in he saw Joe and another man behind the bar. The band was taking a break and Joe looked up, spotted him and motioned him over. "Hey, Patrick, how's every little thing with you tonight?" Joe asked in an easygoing manner. He motioned a different man behind the bar to take over for him and showed Jane to a small table off to one side obviously used by Joe and his workers. His barkeep raising his voice a little, said "usual Joe," and Joe nodded holding up two fingers.

Jane briefly wondered what he was going to drink with Joe now that he was at his place and couldn't help but smile when the bartender brought over a teapot and cups with saucers. Joe poured, and with a twinkle in his eye he saw Jane smell deeply before taking a sip. "How did you know what my biggest vice is? This is great, Joe, what kind is it. I can't place the taste." Jane said.

"It's a little something a friend brought back from Tibet for me. I thought you might appreciate it. After all not everyone has my same passion for tea! I've tried Tibetan butter tea but it's a little too salty for my taste, so anyway, this is Tibetan Baicao tea."

As they talked Jane swung the conversation around to the real reason for his visit. "Do you mind me asking a few things Joe, since you have a unique perspective on things." Jane emphasized the word things, raising his eyebrows slightly while looking deep into Joe's eyes. Joe just nodded.

"Adams told me once that he thought I might be a True Seer and I have no idea what that could be. Wouldn't I need to be an Immortal, I don't think I'm even in that club."

Joe nodded his head, "well Patrick, I hear what you're saying. My organization has been around for a long time and I'll need to research some records. I'm not sure just what it takes to be a True Seer but there are records, of both Mortals and Immortals who are True Seers, in our annuls. Of the ones I do know, like Cassandra, they all had the Voice to go along with it." Joe noted the slightly stunned look on Jane's face. "Okay, what's the look for, you're looking a little pale around the gills."

"Well Joe, I do hypnotize people. I find it very easy to do and so try not to abuse it. I think my mother might have taught me how when I was very young, I'm not really sure just how I learned to do it. It's just always come naturally to me. Could that have anything to do with my voice?"

Before Joe could respond, they were both startled at a chair being pulled out and Lisbon making herself at home with them. They had been so deeply immersed in talking that neither had noticed her come in and work her way over to Joe's table. "Well, I declare Agent Lisbon, you're certainly a lot prettier than our usual patrons. It's wonderful you could join us." Joe said welcoming her to their table.

"As long as I can order something different to drink." Lisbon chuckled eyeing the teapot sitting between the two men.

"Of course you can Darlin', whatever you want, it's on the house. Look I hate leaving you here with this lecherous young man but I gotta go play a set. If I don't the band gets rowdy." Joe rose carefully and walked up to the small stage to get things ready. Jane noted how well Joe walked for a double amputee. The man amazed him. He found himself really wanting to get to know him better. He sensed that Joe had seen hard times and survived with not only his mind but also his honor intact.

Lisbon ordered a beer on tap and Jane decided to have one with her. They placed their order and she smiled at Jane. "Two nights in a row Patrick Jane if we're not careful people will think WE are an item." As good as he was at reading people, Jane was stunned. She looked happy and relaxed. Did Joe just have a calming effect on people or what? Was Lisbon trying to tell him something or was he just wanting her to like being there with him.