Guys, when I started this fic, I was thinking it'd be maybe 6-8 chapters. Estimation fail. Now I`m thinking 15 is probably more accurate. I also have a feeling this is going to turn into the longest fic I`ve ever written. Probably. I really shouldn't make any sort of predictions about my own fic until they`re done. Really, really shouldn't.
xxx
Ukiah, California,
Dear Lisbon,
You made the right decision, I see, in assuming I'd stay on the 101 and not turn off towards Fort Bragg. Well reasoned. Unless you wrote me more than one letter in the past week and there's one sitting in the Fort Bragg post office all by its lonesome.
I hope not. It's kind of a depressing thought.
Also, really? Another book about leadership? You're reading another book about leadership? I'm re-reading Sherlock Holmes, and that's why you decide to pick off your bedside table before you fall asleep? And regardless of what you say, I am assuming that it's putting you to sleep. How could it not? Anyway, even if it isn't, why on earth are you reading yet another one of those useless things? I understand that you take your job and your position as the supervising Agent seriously, but honestly, after reading a half a dozen so-called books on leadership (and we both know you have – don't even try to deny it), what could you possibly learn in this newest one?
Particularly since, to the best of my recollection, your team has never called your leadership into question?
This is your private life, Lisbon. You're at home. You're done work for the day. Just let yourself relax a little. Pick up a novel from time to time. You told me once that you like to read mystery novels. When was the last time you actually read one? I won't suggest you re-read Sherlock Holmes. We don't need to be having some sort of odd two-person, state-wide book club, particularly since discussion would take months at minimum. But find something from the fiction section. Have you read the Lord Peter Wimsey books by Dorothy Sayers? If you haven't, I think you'd like them; if you have read them already, reread them.
You work too hard; the amount of time you spend in the office is ridiculous. When you do actually get home, just take a break. A short one. Please. For me.
Your literary advisor,
-Jane
xxx
Lisbon grinned from her place curled up on her couch where she usually read her letters from Jane. Jane would never understand her compulsion to read books about effective leadership techniques. But Jane had never liked taking direction from anyone. Not to mention, his consultancy position at the CBI had hardly been something he was particularly passionate about. It'd been a means to an end. Oh, he might have enjoyed parts of it, in his way. He'd definitely enjoyed the portion of the job that involved outsmarting the criminals, but Jane hadn't always had the most respect for the rest of it.
Besides, Lisbon suspected that there was very little that Jane wasn't just naturally good at. There were very few things that he'd genuinely put a lot of effort into mastering. Oh, he might have worked at improving his memory and other mental tricks like that, maybe put in a bit of work to be good at poker or chess. But over the years she'd worked with him, t Lisbon had seen Jane try his hand at anything from sketching to golf, and, even if he'd never done them before, he'd always proved at the very least competent. She was sure there were things Jane wasn't good at (construction and baseball came to mind), but mostly things seemed to just come naturally to him. She wondered what the last thing he'd had to actually work at was. Whatever it was, she was sure he hadn't learned about it from reading a book.
Jane was more one for diving into things.
So she was she, come to think of it. For some things at least. But that didn't mean that reading a little bit of background information beforehand was wrong.
Still, Lisbon grinned wryly, maybe he did have a point about the leadership guides. At least about varying her reading material a little. It had been a while since she'd picked up a novel.
She grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen, sighing as she started to compose her reply. Sometimes that man was absolutely insufferable.
x
Dear Jane
I'll have you know that my book on leadership was an absolutely fascinating read. I definitely recommend it. I could give you the title, in case you're interested. I just finished it last night, and it didn't put me to sleep once.
Although, you're right. There's nothing wrong with a little variety. I have read Lord Peter Wimsey, but not since high school. I used to love those books. Maybe you're right; maybe it is time for a reread.
What about you though? When was the last time you read something written in the last thirty years? I get that you're trying to get through some of the classics, but you could stand to go crazy too, Jane. Pick up The Golden Compass, or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, or the Hunger Games, or Harry Potter, or something. Find some kind of light reading. (So maybe the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo doesn't qualify.)
Or if that's too big a jump for you, get the DVD's of BBC's Sherlock. At least you'll be familiar with the characters, and it'll ease you into the modern world. Just a thought.
As for predicting that you'd end up in Ukiah and not Fort Bragg, maybe I just figured you were too lazy to switch roads. Did you ever think of that?
Huh?
It's the same reason that I'm going to send this letter to Laytonville
-L
xxx
Lisbon smirked to herself. She certainly wasn't going to confirm or deny the presence of a letter at Fort Bragg. Let him try and work it out for himself. Or even drive over there if he was so curious.
As she was addressing her letter, her phone rang.
"Hello?" Lisbon asked.
"Hey Reese," she heard Tommy say on the other end of the line. "This a bad time?"
Settling back down onto her couch, Lisbon grinned. "Nah," she assured him. "I got home about a half an hour ago. Just relaxing. What's up?"
"I can't just be calling to see how my big sister's doing?" Tommy asked.
But Lisbon knew that tone. He wanted something from her, exactly what was the question. "Are you just calling to see how your big sister's doing?" she asked sceptically.
"Well, no," Tommy told her. "But tell me anyway."
Lisbon laughed. Obviously whatever Tommy was calling about, it wasn't serious or he'd have led with it, whatever it was. "I'm doing alright," she told him. "Everything's running pretty smoothly. Haven't had a case in a couple of days, still getting used to working without a consultant, but mostly I can't complain. The weather's been pretty great too. What about you?"
"Well, I grabbed a guy just outside San Francisco the other day, so that was good," Tommy told her. Lisbon could hear the pride in his voice; it made her about equal parts happy and sad. The stupid, dangerous job.
"That's great," she said, trying to sound as encouraging as possible.
"Good try, Reese," Tommy said dryly, obviously seeing right through her feeble attempt. "A for effort though."
"What do you want, Tom?" she grumbled.
He laughed. "So, Annie has a Friday off school in a couple weeks. I'm supposed to go to Malibu, for a thing for work, help out a guy I know. Trina was supposed to take our daughter for the weekend, specifically asked to take her for a girl's weekend actually. Bet you know how that story ends."
"Let me guess?" Lisbon said. "Some friend of hers just out of state is having some massive event, or impending crisis, or something else that Trina can't possibly miss."
"Got it in one," Tommy said dryly. "Anyway, I feel really bad that your week with Annie this summer didn't happen, and I know it's not the same, but what do you say about having Annie visit for a long weekend? She could come Thursday night, if that's okay. If it's not; if you're busy, I totally understand, obviously. But you'd really be helping me out, Sis."
"Absolutely!" Lisbon said excitedly. "Two weeks Friday? I can take the day off no problem."
"Yeah. I figured you probably had some insane amount of vacation time stored up," Tommy muttered.
But Lisbon was happy to pay him any mind. She was already mentally making plans for her weekend. Then something occurred to her. "Wait, you've run this by your daughter already, right? I'm not going to have an annoyed teenager on my hands?" she double-checked.
"Of course, I've run it by Annie," Tommy replied in a tone suggesting that he was insulted his big sister had even felt like she had to ask. "She's excited to visit her aunt."
"Then I'd love for her to visit," Lisbon said sincerely.
"Great! I think that's great," Tommy said obviously relieved. "Thanks so much Reese, really."
"Anytime, Tommy. You or Annie are always welcome. You should know that," Lisbon said softly.
"Yeah," her brother replied.
"And I still want my promised week-long visit next summer," Lisbon cautioned. "If Annie wants to, obviously."
"Sure," Tommy agreed easily. "Sorry it's kind of short notice. But think, without me there, you two can do all sorts of girl things."
Lisbon snorted. "Oh yeah, that's us."
Suddenly she heard Annie herself in the background. The teenager had obviously been listening in on the second half of the conversation (Lisbon could only hope she hadn't heard her father's remarks about Trina. No teenager needed to hear one of her parents insult the other, no matter what they'd done). "Yeah, Dad. I'll get right on that," Lisbon heard the teenager say sarcastically. "Maybe I'll give Aunt Teresa a makeover."
Lisbon snickered. "We can do each other's nails and talk about boys!" she called through the phone in a breathy, high-pitched voice.
"Maybe we'll like, even go shopping!" Annie squealed exaggeratedly from the other side.
"And have pillow fights!" Lisbon added enthusiastically.
"Okay, okay!" Tommy yelled. "Enough. It's bad enough having one of you go at me. Two at once is too much. You guys can do whatever you want."
"Thanks so much for your permission," Lisbon said dryly.
Tommy didn't reply. He was distracted talking to his daughter. "Hey Reese?" he said after a moment. "The kid wants a minute, if you've got time."
"Of course I've got time," Lisbon said in exasperation.
A second later she heard Annie's voice. "Hi Aunt Teresa."
"Hey," Lisbon said, smiling. "I hear you're coming to visit in a few weeks."
"Yeah," Annie agreed. Lisbon heard a door close and assumed Annie had walked into another room. "Um, actually, that's what I wanted to... I need to talk to you," the teenager said.
"Sweetie, you can talk to me anytime," Lisbon assured her. "I've told you that. What's up?"
"Not right now," Annie said. "When I come visit. I don't want to talk over the phone."
"Should I be worried?" Lisbon asked.
"No. No, no," Annie said with a laugh. "It's nothing like that, just... I have something I want to ask you."
"Okay. I'll keep that in mind," Lisbon agreed, relaxing somewhat. "Anything else you want to do while you're here?"
"Can we really go shopping?" Annie asked. "I know I made fun of it before, but..."
Lisbon laughed. "Sure. We'll just stay away from anything sparkly, pink and ruffled."
"Good," the girl said dryly. "Anyway, I've got to go do my homework. Do you want to talk to Dad again?"
"Only if he wants to talk to me," Lisbon said. "Otherwise just tell him I said good night and I'll talk to him later."
"Just a sec," Annie told her, putting the phone down. "DAD!" Lisbon heard her yell. "DO YOU STILL WANT TO TALK TO AUNT REESE?"
"Does she want to talk to me," Tommy yelled back.
"ONLY IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO HER!" Annie replied. "OTHERWISE SHE SAYS GOODNIGHT, AND SHE'LL TALK TO YOU LATER!"
Lisbon chuckled to herself. "TELL HER I SAY GOODNIGHT BACK!" she heard her brother yell.
With that, Annie was back. "He says he doesn't need to talk to you, and he says goodnight back."
"I heard," Lisbon assured her.
"Oh."
"Good night, Annie," Lisbon said, a laugh in her voice.
"Night Aunt Reese," the girl replied. "I'll see you in a couple weeks."
"You bet," Lisbon agreed.
With that, Annie hung up the phone.
Lisbon smirked to herself, her eyes glancing between her phone and the (unfortunately ) sealed letter on the table. A second later she'd ripped the envelope back open.
Clearly there was something she needed to add.
x
P.S. Guess who's coming to visit me in two weeks, Jane? Annie. She's apparently got a long weekend coming up, her Dad's got plans and her Mom's being, well, her Mom. So she's coming for a visit. We're going to go shopping. And apparently she wants to talk to me about something, but she won't tell me what. I hope it's not a serious problem. I don't think it is, but still. It's been a while since I've had to sort through teenage issues. I guess I'll just have to do my best.
And you think I never take any vacation. Ha. I'm taking a long weekend in two weeks. So there.
x
Finding another envelope, Lisbon placed her now slightly longer letter inside of it and re-addressed it so she could drop it in a mailbox on her way to work, as usual.
Then she went back to planning her weekend with Annabeth. Her niece definitely liked Mexican food. She should take her to the place a couple of streets over. They had the best guacamole. Oh, she bet Annie would like the jewelry store just down the street from that place too.
Maybe she should start a list.
xxx
A few days later, Lisbon was again coming home late after a long case. This one finally solved as well, although it'd been touch and go for a while there. It was days like this that she missed Jane. Sure, he caused practically endless logistical issues, but he did tend to get results. He definitely sped things along.
Not that her team couldn't do this job without him, but he had made certain things easier.
Of course, when Lisbon considered the significantly smaller pile of paperwork that she'd had to hand in at the closing of her case, she had to acknowledge that he made certain things harder as well. It was always a trade off with Jane.
Still, all things considered, she'd rather have him around than not.
She wondered how he was doing.
She was hoping for a letter in her mailbox when she got home actually. She wasn't going to lie.
And happily, there was one.
x
Willits, California,
Dear Teresa,
Did little old Willits not warrant a letter? I suppose not. It is a pretty small town. Although, I also suppose given the delays in the mail system, and my willy-nilly travelling ways, it's a wonder I've gotten any of your letters at all. Don't bother telling me I shouldn't complain. I know it well enough.
I'll just check the post office in the next town, to see if you sent something there.
I hope you've bought a novel for yourself. Something to help de-stress that brain of yours. I've moved onto the Hound of the Baskervilles. Catching up on my Conan Doyle is entertaining.
Willits, you will be pleased to know, boasts a train museum. I think I'll also go and see the Redwoods while I'm here. It feels like something I should do. Who knows, maybe seeing the natural giants will help put things in perspective? I don't know if it will work, obviously.
I hope so though.
-Jane
x
Lisbon frowned. It sounded like Jane was getting caught up in his head. She hoped he didn't get stuck in a maze in there. She had a feeling the man's brain could be quite a scary place sometimes. Probably more often than not at the moment.
He obviously wasn't travelling very fast, which meant that he hadn't got her last letter. She wondered if she should sent this one to Laytonville as well, before deciding it was probably better to cover her bases and send it along to Redway. Anyway, knowing Jane, he'd probably perversely start travelling insanely quickly or something, and he'd miss both.
Biting her lip, Lisbon pulled a piece of paper from a drawer. This meant that he hadn't heard her news about Annie yet. Well, not as far as she knew. He might be in Laytonville, reading her last letter right now for all she knew. The mental image made her smile.
x
Dear Jane,
I didn't send a letter onto Willits, you're right. I hope you get the one I sent to Laytonville. And you're right; you have no right to complain. I'm doing my best here! (Maybe we'll get better. I always figure it's better to send the letters a bit far so that you get them eventually, rather than missing them completely.)
Did the Redwoods help put things in perspective? I hope so too. If not, you've always got your Conan Doyle to go back to. I was out of town for a couple of days earlier this week and I picked up a copy of "Whose Body" by Dorothy Sayers to read in the hotel I haven't gotten very far yet, not a lot of time for reading on a case. But you were right, it does make a decent distraction. I'd forgotten how much I used to love Lord Peter Wimsey. I always found him pretty charming, him and his butler, Bunter. The man really was the perfect assistant in every way.
Since you didn't get my last letter (at least, as far as I know), you haven't heard my news. Annie's visiting in a week and a half for a long weekend. I'm pretty excited. Any suggestions about what a particularly independent teenage girl would want to do with her boring aunt on the weekend?
I'm thinking shopping and Mexican food. Maybe a movie.
And hey, if the Redwoods didn't help clear your brain, maybe try a walk through a field, or something. Oh! What about the beach? You always seem to like the ocean, and you're not that far. Maybe it'll helps.
I hope so,
-Lisbon
x
With that, Lisbon tiredly addressed her letter before heading up to bed.
It'd really been an exhausting case. She'd almost started to tell Jane about it, but he didn't need to be bothered with her issues. He had enough of his own.
Besides, he'd requested that their correspondence be a murder-free zone. She could respect that. Most of the time she even appreciated it.
But sometimes...
Oh well, nothing she could do about it. She was too tired to change her letter anyway.
She really just wanted to go to sleep.
For about a day and a half.
xxx
Obviously sleeping for a day and a half wasn't a possibility. Lisbon did manage to drag herself out of bed and into work the next day without complaining too loudly, at least not out loud.
The day turned into a near-constant headache of meetings. Lisbon found herself reaching for her trusty bottle of Advil more than once.
Finally, at about six, she managed to drag herself out of her office and drive to her condo. She wondered if there would be anything stupid on television to distract her for a while before she just gave up and went to sleep.
Maybe she was getting sick. She seriously hoped not. Probably she was just tired. Anyway, even if she was sick, it didn't feel like anything serious. Nothing that would stop her from making it into work the next day at least.
Mind firmly made up on that front, Lisbon picked up her Thai take out. There was no way she was in any mood to cook anything for herself for dinner.
Whatever, she was supporting local small businesses this way.
Lisbon absently checked her mail out of habit when she got home.
To her surprise there was a letter inside. She smiled, her lingering headache briefly forgotten.
Actually, her headache was feeling much better about midway through her Pad Thai. That was when she realized that she may have forgotten to eat anything since she'd left early that morning. No wonder she hadn't felt great all afternoon. She dropped her head back against her couch. Jane would yell at her if he knew.
Not that she planned to tell him.
Speaking of Jane...
Lisbon's eyes strayed to the letter on her coffee table. She'd meant to open it after dinner, but surely during was okay too. After all, it's not like she was entertaining guests...
Grinning, she picked up her surprise letter.
x
Laytonville, California,
Dear Lisbon,
You know, you never did tell me if you sent a letter to Fort Bragg. You implied that you didn't, but you didn't go right out and say it. Makes me wonder how many of your letters are just floating around the countryside. It's an interesting thought.
I hope you did get your Lord Peter, Lisbon. Maybe you already have. I have no idea how many letters I'm behind. I hope you don't mind the repetition, if this is indeed repetitious. The nature of the beast I suppose. (I'm not even going to comment on your suggestion that I read your book on leadership. You're more than welcome to keep that tile to yourself, Teresa.) I have to say, I'm not wild about all of your reading suggestions for me. I have absolutely no desire to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo right now. I've no doubt it's an excellent novel, but I know what it's about. And I think the subject matter's probably a really, really bad idea right now. I'm trying to move away from crazy, Lisbon, not invite it into my brain for tea and an extended chat. Harry Potter is a possibility, though, I suppose. It would give me something to talk about with a large chunk of the population. I know the basics at least.
For the moment though, I decided to really modernize my approach and switch mediums to television. You're right, BBC's Sherlock is very well done. A little predictable of course, all crime shows are. But it's definitely less predictable than most. It keeps my brain occupied. An inspired suggestion, dear.
And I saw from your post script that Annie's coming to visit. That's lovely, Teresa. I'm pleased for you. I know how disappointed you were when she couldn't come in the summer, much as you tried to hide it (poorly, I might add. You'll never be an actress). I'm sure the Lisbon women will take Sacramento by storm. And don't worry about whatever it is she wants to talk to you about. When the time comes, I've no doubt you'll more than rise to the occasion. You're good at giving advice. I don't have any particular suggestions for the weekend, other than treat it like a mini holiday. Spoil her, and yourself.
Go for ice cream. What about the spa? You may scoff at my suggestions, Lisbon, but I know you're tempted. Tell me that you couldn't use a little relaxation? A little pampering? If you don't actually go, you know you won't do it. I know you won't do it. We all know you won't do it. You'll put off relaxation in favour of responsibility. Always an uninspired choice.
I'm sure your weekend will be lovely. Say hi to Annie for me, and keep an eye on your pockets. I hear she's been taking my tips to heart.
-Jane
x
Lisbon was smiling again when she finished the letter.
She was probably about twenty minutes from falling asleep, but she figured she had just enough energy left for a quick reply.
x
Damn it Jane!
This is exactly why I didn't want you teaching Annie to pick pockets! That is not something that she needs to get good at! Not that I'm worried that she'll take my stuff, except for fun, obviously.
It's a good thing I've gotten better at recognizing when my pocket's being picked. All that time spent with you, I guess. And don't bother trying to tell me that you picked my pockets all the time and I never realized. Lie if I ever heard one.
This letter isn't going to be long. I'm about ready to fall asleep on it as it is. Most of the things I want to say to you I covered in an earlier letter anyway. So many letters...
I just wanted to yell at you for teaching my niece your tricks. And to yell at you for criticizing my book suggestions. See if I suggest anything to you again! Although, I'm glad that you're liking Sherlock. I knew that you would. I'm definitely enjoying my book about an eccentric British aristocrat solving crime.
I'll write more another day. I'm off to bed.
Stop teaching my niece ways of getting into trouble!
-Lisbon
P.S. I will think about your suggestion of the spa though. Thanks.
x
Lisbon stared at her map of California, trying to figure out if Jane was driving fast or slow again. Then she realized she was way too tired for this nonsense. She addressed the note to Fortuna and decided to hope for the best. Then she packed up her leftover Pad Thai, pleased that tomorrow's lunch was taken care of (and that would hopefully mean that today's headache wouldn't be repeated).
Right now, all she was up for was a quick bath and then sleep.
Everything else could wait until tomorrow.
x
TBC
So, I had to split this chapter. It was originally going to include Annie's visit, but this is the fic that only ever gets longer. So now Annie is coming to visit next chapter. Because this one is already getting long enough, and I do want to post something this weekend.