A/N: I can't believe this fic has over fifty reviews! Thank you thank you thank you so much to all the reviewers. Also a big thank you to the guest reviewers as well. Biggg hugs to all those who alerted and favorite-ed the story. I really appreciate it/

Also I want to mention that I'm keeping a steady flow for the story because I'm trying my best to keep it like the show. According to the plot they grew were very close emotionally(and physically) but still hadn't opened up about some things. I'm trying to write this fic by keeping that point in mind.

Here's the new chapter :)

The next morning Lisbon woke up with a hangover. She groaned and reached for the other side of the bed only to find it empty. The sun's rays hit squarely in her eyes and with a hiss she covered her eyes with the comforter. She was about to yell Jane's name but he came in that moment with a glass of water and two aspirins, his limp almost gone. He hopped on the bed and pressed a kiss on her forehead.

"Morning, sleepyhead."

She grunted in response but leaned closer to him anyway. "Why did you let me drink so much?"

Jane chuckled. "Drunk Lisbon is always preferable than a punch in the nose. Take the tabs you'll feel better, my dear."

Lisbon shook her head. "I need coffee."

He held her in place. "Breakfast is on its way. Take the tabs for now. You'd need them to face Abbott. Remember?"

She had completely forgotten about the meeting. Two days with Jane and she didn't care what happened in the outside world. Until now. Would he give her the job straightaway? Would he tell her to go to DC in case he couldn't get the paperwork? Would she have to face Marcus? Lisbon began to feel a headache forming when Jane squeezed her a little bit and whispered in her ear. "Sssh Teresa. It's okay. Your job is safe. You just need to clear things off and let him know that you've kept me on your leash for the rest of your life."

Chuckling, she replied. "Well I must say I thought of having you in a leash a lot of times during CBI. But I knew you'd get out of it in no time. You'd easily get out of handcuffs."

"I won't now. I'm thy slave now, madame. Thou cannot get rid of me easily."

She laughed heartily. "You're impossible."

"And yet you love me, my dear." He chuckled.

"That, I do."

He knew she hadn't said the actual words yet but Jane didn't care. He had seen her all these years and he knew the depth of her feelings towards him. He won't push her to say it. In more ways, she showed him how much she loved him. Why should he hang on to the words then?

Just then there was a knock at the door and Jane got up to bring the breakfast. Lisbon sighed and got up to sit against the headboard. The smell of coffee was enough for her to be fully awake. Jane brought the tray of breakfast and placed the little table on the bed, plopping besides her. He had ordered pancakes drenched in syrup, toast, two cups of fruit, eggs, coffee and tea. Lisbon's eyes widened at the tray in front of her.

"Are you sure you're not trying to fatten me up?" She tried to sound serious but the small smile on her lips betrayed it.

Jane rolled his eyes. "Please. You're so far from fat. I couldn't coax you into breakfast before so now I'm going to make sure you eat regularly and healthily. I can recall the number of days you have lived on only a bearclaw and that dreaded stuff you drink."

Lisbon took a bit of the toast and replied, "Oh hush! I can take care of myself just fine."

Jane smirked. "Yeah I can see that. When was the last time you actually had a proper breakfast?"

She smiled, "Yesterday if you recall."

Jane shook his head, "Okay let me rephrase. When was the last time you had a real breakfast before we went to Miami?"

Well he had her there. She had been caught up in the prospect of moving to DC and packing her stuff along with her work that she had survived on doughnuts and bearclaws. She looked at him sheepishly but tried, "Three days ago."

"You, my dear are a lousy liar." After a moment he pointed the fork towards her. "Liar liar pants on fire!"

She muttered, "Jackass." And he started laughing. Lisbon rolled her eyes but joined him and laughed at their banter. This was the normal she wanted in her life. Not the nice normal. Being with Jane was an interesting kind of normal and she was glad she had that now. They had their breakfast and a short time later they left for the FBI office.

"Don't be nervous." Jane said to her in the elevator.

Lisbon tried to be calm, but she couldn't stop the incessant tapping of her foot. She glanced towards him and shrugged, "Easy for you to say. You won't need to go to DC if there's a problem in the paperwork. He shouldn't think my personal stuff is affecting my job."

Jane kept a hand on the small of her back. "You're thinking too much. Abbott had mentioned he would ask for the required paperwork. There will be no need to go to DC. But if there are any problems, I will be there with you. We'll go together. Now tell me what you're really worried about."

She took a deep breath and asked him what she'd been dreading so far. "Do you think Abbott knows about us?"

Jane replied without missing a beat, "I don't know." Actually Abbott pretty much the idea of them being together as Lisbon didn't go to DC, but he refrained from telling her. The woman was already nervous as hell.

It wasn't like Lisbon was ashamed of their relationship with Jane. Back in the CBI, everyone including the AG had taken part in the office pool about her and Jane sleeping together. She still held her head high and ignored the rumors. She never went for any other man back then even if she knew she would get hurt by loving Jane. But now everyone in the bullpen knew that she was going to start a life with Marcus. It was her official last day in Austin office when the Miami case came up. Although Lisbon wasn't the one to budge because of people's reactions, she didn't want her team to think ill of her. Jane was truly a wonderful man but except from Cho, no one knew that. She imagined the small smile on the Iceman's lips when she'd tell him she isn't going to DC after all.

When they entered the bullpen no one from their team was present. Lisbon headed straight to Abbott's office and Jane went to the break room to make himself a cup of tea. Abbott was going through some paperwork when Lisbon knocked on his door and entered.

"Boss?"

Abbott gave her a small smile. "Agent Lisbon, please have a seat."

She sat opposite to him and Abbott passed her some papers. "I just got these faxed from DC. Don sent me the paperwork. All we have to do is just sign this and you're officially back here."

Lisbon let out a breath and smiled. "Thank you, sir."

Abbott asked, "Will your decision change again? I'll be honest with you. You're among the finest agents worked under me and I should be thankful to Jane for that. And I must add, your credibility doesn't depend on Jane because your work is remarkable as it is. So I would like to know if you'll rethink or reconsider."

Lisbon's eyes widened. She and Jane hadn't started working in FBI on a particular happy note. But this was unexpected. She felt pride in being recognized without Jane. She stammered. "Thank you, sir. I won't… I won't be changing my decision."

Jane came in the cabin at that moment and stated, "Ofcourse she won't change her mind Dennis."

Abbott smirked at him and Lisbon turned around and rolled her eyes at her FBI consultant slash partner slash boyfriend. "Well then, welcome back Agent Lisbon. You can check the paperwork of the latest case. It would be on Cho's desk I presume."

She smiled once again at her boss. "Thank you, sir. Speaking of Cho, where is the team? I didn't see anybody on my way here."

Abbott replied, "Cho and Fischer have gone to the victim's house. Wylie is in the IT department working on some glitches in his laptop."

Jane took the chance to cut in. "Lisbon, aren't you going to ask Dennis for some time off? With the unpacking and everything? You were even telling me about visiting your brother weren't you?"

Lisbon glared at him. What visiting my brother? He had that mischievous smile on his face. "I think I can manage Jane. I can handle it after work hours."

Abbott narrowed his eyes at the pair. "You're sure Agent? You can have some time off if you need."

Why is Abbott being so generous? She thought. Jane exclaimed, "Wonderful!"

She tried to interrupt, "There's really no need, sir. I can handle-"

Jane butted in. "But you don't have to, Lisbon. You are getting some time off then make the full use of it."

Abbott raised his hand. "Wait, Jane. Agent Lisbon, you have vacation days remaining. You can use them if you like. Now, how many days you think you would need?"

Lisbon stuttered, "A week or two, sir. Not more than that I assure you."

Jane cut in, "Wait a minute now. How can you unpack and visit your brother in just two weeks? Don't you think your niece would be mad at you if you just stay in Chicago only for a couple of days?"

Now he got the famous death-glare from Lisbon but he didn't seem to faze. She tried, "Sir I-"

Abbott raised his voice a little. "Enough you two! Agent Lisbon, you can have three weeks of leave effective immediately. Go visit your family, go take care of your house. If you need any of us for any help, don't hesitate to call."

Jane took a sip of his now tepid tea. He suggested, "Or I could help her. It's not fair for our dear agent to handle everything alone."

Lisbon was close to irritated and Abbott smirked at him, "So you will visit Chicago with her as well?"

Jane smirked back. "Well if Agent Lisbon insists then why not?"

She turned to him and bit out. "That won't be necessary Jane."

Abbott sighed. He knew exactly what Jane's intentions were. But Lisbon didn't want to declare anything officially. Well of anyone could tame the consultant it was her. He shook his head and declared. "Jane, you can have some time off as well. But Cho will call you if they hit a dead-end on any case."

Jane put his cup and saucer on the table and clapped his hands twice for dramatic effect. "Excellent!" he took them back and left Abbott's office with a nod at the man's direction. When he went past the door he glanced at the glass window and mouthed 'thank you' to the boss. Abbott smiled at him and looked at Lisbon. "Very well. You can leave for the day."

Lisbon could only say "Thank you, sir. Have a good day." As she left the office she wanted to strangle Jane. How could he decide anything for the both of them? The man was already calling the elevator when she reached up to him. "What the hell was that about? What brother? What niece?"

He tried to hold her hands but she pulled away. "Calm down, woman. I was just getting some time for both of us. Don't tell me you really don't need any help with moving in."

They entered the elevator and Lisbon waited for the doors to close. "That's not the point Jane. You just can't decide things for both of us. We're equal here. Why didn't you talk about this? We had the whole morning to ourselves!"

"Don't get mad Lisbon. I just… I just-"

"You just what? Huh? Tell me?"

They went to the parking lot. When she went to open the door Jane held her hand and turned her to him. Softly, "I finally have you all by myself, Teresa. I've waited so long. We've waited so long. I don't want to share you with the world for now. No FBI, no team, no one else. Just you, and me, for a while."

She looked up at him. His gaze was piercing and she knew he was being honest. For Jane, admitting his true feelings was always difficult and still he didn't give any stupid excuse but opened up to her. All the irritation she was feeling for him melted away instantly. She sighed and smiled. "Fine."

He smiled back and pressed a chaste kiss on her lips. "Come on, let's grab lunch and go to a nearby park."

She gave him a dimpled smile and nodded, "Sounds good."

Jane grinned and held the door for her which she had already opened. She rolled her eyes and got in. he went to the other side and got in the car with a contented smile on his face.

They reached the park an hour later with take away sandwiches and milkshakes. The park wasn't that crowded for a sunny day. Working people just like them were sitting on benches with their meal and some elderly couples were taking a walk, some even played chess. Jane and Lisbon found a bench near the pond and sat on it. After finishing their lunch, he held her right hand in his left and his ring shone in the afternoon sun.

"Jane?"

"Mm?" He turned towards her.

"I know I have never asked you this. But why didn't you take your ring off after you… got your revenge?" She made sure to not say 'kill Red John'.

He took a deep breath and Lisbon thought she made a terrible mistake. She hastily tried, "Look if it's hard then don't tell me okay? I understand."

He squeezed her hand and replied, "No it's all right Lisbon. I just never thought I'll open up to someone this much you know?"

She nodded. "I know."

He took another breath and looked at their entwined hands. He began, "When I left… I uh… I didn't have anything with me as I told you before. This ring was the only thing that tied me up to Sacramento… that tied me to you. You very well know that if it wouldn't have been for the ring I wouldn't have met you at all. I always associated my family with it but after leaving here, you were a part of it too. Earlier it reminded me of my moments with them, but it reminded me of our moments too. Not that I have forgotten any, but still."

She held back tears and gave a small smile, "Go on."

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her ring finger softly. "I'm not ready to let them go just yet Teresa. But when the day comes, and I'll make sure it comes, I'll wear the ring of your name. I promise you that."

She blushed and sniffed, "I would never ask you to remove it unless the time comes. But if you pull some crap and run away again, I might have to reconsider."

He looked at her lovingly and nodded. "Deal."

She kissed him softly on the cheek and asked, "You know that I would never tell you get over them right? I know you'll always love your daughter and… Angela too. You know I won't do any such thing right?"

He took her close and kissed her forehead, "I know. You're amazing Teresa."

She kissed his jaw in return. "You're amazing too. I know not many would agree on it but I know."

Jane chuckled and pulled back. After a moment, "Boy this opening up stuff is real tiring. I think I'll take a nap." With one swift motion he turned his back to her, pulled his legs on the bench and lay down with his head on her lap.

"Jane!" she laughed but held his hand on his chest and massaged his scalp with the other. They kept looking at each other and stayed like this for a while. Lisbon was happy with the steady progress they were making. Jane on the other hand was thinking ways to make the evening special for both of them.

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