Attaching the back securely to her small diamond stud, Lisbon stepped back to study her reflection. Ignoring the butterflies in her stomach, she admitted Sarah hadn't steered her wrong. Neither had Phoebe, the slightly pushy "Specialist" stalking the Cosmetics counter. They'd both clearly done their job from what she was seeing. Now, she had to do hers.

Unfortunately, forgetting how much she hated wearing dresses, and how awkward she felt in them, was easier said than done. For the thousandth time she contemplated changing into something more comfortable like one of the five dressier suits haunting the back of her closest. The ones she kept for conferences and meetings with VIP's and the like. In fact, she had a very nice black one she always wore with a lovely red silk blouse with a touch of bling on the collar neither of which Jane had ever seen. It was every bit as flattering as this dress in a far less discomfiting way. Not only that, she still had fifteen minutes in which to don it. Shaking her head, Lisbon refused to give in to her wayward thoughts.

It had taken far too long to make herself presentable, and she wasn't about to undo all her hard work. Her ego could just get over it. She was going to pull this off. She hadn't spent two hundred dollars on a dress only to have it hang dejectedly in her closet. She was wearing the darned thing and she was wearing it tonight. She was doing it for Jane because he'd asked her to. That was all she was saying about that.

She'd refused to do plenty of things Jane asked her to do over the years. She wasn't contemplating why this request was different. Maybe she wanted to see if she could actually pull it off. Spend an evening not feeling like a fish out of water because of what she was wearing. That was as good a reason as any. Even better, it had little to do with Jane. That worked for her. Determined to pull this off, Lisbon smiled at her reflection deciding, for once, she honestly liked how she looked wearing a dress. Feeling a little spring in her step, Lisbon headed out her bedroom door.

Forcing herself to walk, not skip, down the stairs like an adult instead of an overly excited child, she was consumed with her final perusal of her appearance. What she'd seen in her bedroom mirror surprised her. She looked nice…real nice. Not that she didn't look nice most days, she did. But, this was a different kind of nice. It was more woman and less cop if that made sense.

Jane would appreciate that.

He'd immediately recognize her dress was some type of luxurious ebony silk as well. He was good about knowing things like that. A noticeably thicker weave than her favorite slinky blouse; yet, still fine enough to drape becomingly around her curves. He'd also appreciate the simple, elegant lines shouting the dress was a timeless classic. Sarah had said something to that effect several times as Lisbon pondered which of the four little black dresses she was taking home. Considering her choices, she'd decided the simple she'd give her. The elegant she wasn't so sure about.

What exactly made a dress elegant?

That it was sleeveless showing her well toned arms and shoulders to advantage? Or was it the deeply v-ed, yet modest, décolletage hinting at the merest whisper of cleavage? Or was it the corresponding v at the back exposing the creaminess of her shoulders? Maybe it was none of that at all. Perhaps it was the wide waistband accentuating the narrowness of her waist instead. Or the gentle flow of the skirt over her hips and bottom ending a couple of inches above her knees? She honestly didn't know.

What she did know was she looked really good and she was vain enough to admit it.

Her make-up was noticeably brighter to compliment the starkness of the dress from the sheerest sweep of deep red blush to the touch of matte brick red adorning her lips. Her emerald eyes were gleaming and her locks curling gently thanks to rarely used hot rollers. Her mother's small diamond pendant hung around her neck and the matching studs were in her ears tastefully completing her look. She could survive without her usual cross for one evening.

As for the rest of the outfit, her unmentionables were plain black as were her thigh highs edged in a fancy band of lace. Well, they were off back, not that it really mattered. No one was seeing the pretty pattern at the top anyway. Completing the look, she was wearing a pair of plain strappy black leather heels and carrying a small black leather clutch. Her heels weren't too high, but they weren't abysmally low either at a solid two and a half inches she knew she could walk in. Actually, her shoes didn't complete the look either.

The final piece Sarah had talked her into buying was a gossamer wrap more for looks than actual warmth. Lisbon wasn't sure about that piece of the puzzle. She doubted she would bother carrying it inside the restaurant any more than she was carrying that purse. It was overkill for the place they were going. Or she thought it was. Then again, she might be wrong. She wasn't all that familiar with The Woodcreek Grill beyond what she'd read and heard.

All she really knew is it wasn't the kind of place she usually frequented even on dates. While not out of the price range of some of her past dates, it wasn't the kind of place they thought about taking a tomboy of a lady cop…even if she'd liked to have gone. That thought bothered Lisbon slightly for some strange reason.

She might not have worn a dress; but, she'd have still cleaned up nicely.

Taking one last glance at herself in the guest bathroom mirror, Lisbon started at the sound of her doorbell ringing. Giving her hair one last pat, she slowly made her way towards the front door. She knew it was Jane, and while he'd had an emergency key for years, he wasn't about to use it. That would be a betrayal of trust. He knew she was home and capable of answering his ring.

Unfastening the locks, Lisbon finally opened her door inviting Jane to step inside.

"You're a little early." She stated unnecessarily as it wasn't an unheard of turn of events when traffic was bad.

Jane had a lot more respect for their private outings than he did work. He was rarely late. Even for hang out sessions at her place.

"And you're wearing a dress." He took a step back to study her appreciatively as Lisbon closed the door.

"Yes, I'm wearing a dress." Lisbon agreed. "But don't make too much of this. It won't happen again."

"I think it should." Jane said. "You look quite lovely."

"Thank you." Lisbon was finding it hard to handle the open admiration in his eyes. "We should probably get a move on don't you think?"

"Yes, we probably should." Jane agreed. "Traffic is heavier than usual this evening so it's going to take longer than I expected to get to the restaurant. They won't hold our reservation, so we can't be late."

"Let me get my things."

Lisbon grabbed the wrap and her purse from the counter before turning back to Jane. She had no intention of using either. As she wasn't a "powder her nose" kind of girl, Jane could stick her lipstick in his pocket as he'd done before. She could discretely palm the tube before going to the ladies room if the need arose. She'd been assured this was one of those magical lipsticks designed to survive a meal and a kiss or two. Not that she was kissing anyone. Right, like she believed that one. Not the part saying she wasn't kissing anyone, that so wasn't happening; but, that any lipstick could survive a night on the town without fading into oblivion. They'd have to prove that claim beyond a shadow of a doubt and the cop in her didn't believe the proof was there.

"Stop dawdling, Lisbon." Placing both hands on her shoulders, Jane's lips were much too close to her skin. "You're far more stunning than you realize."

Jane grabbed her keys from nerveless fingers before looping her arm through his and escorting a speechless Lisbon out the door.

#

Glancing around the restaurant, Lisbon decided The Woodcreek Grill could fast become one of her favorite restaurants. The atmosphere was upbeat and relaxing, the service impeccable, and the food even better. No wonder people waited weeks for a reservation and gladly paid the asking price for their culinary creation of choice. They were getting what they paid for. Well, she was getting what Jane paid for. The Grill was that kind of place.

Carrying a forkful of apple spice cake slathered in decadent caramel icing she'd pilfered from Jane's plate to her lips, Lisbon watched him steal a sip of coffee from her cup before making a disgusted face. She'd already finished her own over-sized slice of triple chocolate delight so now she was helping him dispose of his. He shouldn't have expected anything different just as she'd known they were going to pass a goodly part of the evening observing their fellow diners. It was a favorite pasttime of Jane's, people watching, and one that had proven invaluable over the years.

"Tell me about Mr. Fancy Pants over there and his piece of fluff." Lisbon gestured slightly towards the older gentleman and what was clearly his much younger lover.

"That's Judge Tabor and his Law Clerk." Jane filled her in as he took a bite of his rapidly dwindling slice of cake.

"I don't know him." Lisbon's tone was clearly puzzled.

"You wouldn't." Jane said. "They drive about eighty miles to get here. The latest scuttlebutt is Leanna there is all set to become the second Mrs. Tabor and that's clearly the direction things are headed. I'm not sure the good Judge knows that; but, both the wife and the girlfriend do.

Well, that he's headed for divorce court anyway. It'll be up to that vulgar piece of work whether she has the fore-with-all to reel him in or just be a garden variety home wrecker. Fortunately for the not so good judge, the appropriate paperwork is in place for each party to leave their union with the wealth they brought into it plus an equitable division of the marital assets.

It's fortunate as well that his missus already has a bigger fish on the line so she isn't sorry to see him go. It seems Tabor has had a problem with the ladies for most of their marriage. His long suffering wife finally had enough of it. She wants him out of her life as quickly as possible. The neater his exit, the better for her prospects of landing her own big fish."

"Do I want to know how you discovered all of this?" Lisbon asked.

"Probably not." Jane agreed. "Suffice it to say it's hard to keep a secret in places like this when it's your regular trysting place. Actually, that's the discreet luxury hotel down the block and across the street, but who really cares?"

"I don't." Lisbon agreed deciding she had TMI already.

"If you're finished, what do you say to calling it a night?" Jane asked softly. "We've done all the damage we can do here and I've maligned as many reputations as I can for the moment."

"Sounds like a plan." Lisbon agreed watching Jane tuck the receipt in his pocket before rising to his feet to ease her chair gently from beneath the table.

Whatever else she might say; Jane was being the perfect gentleman. Or he was towards her anyway. The marks out there were a different story. He was her usual wittily caustic Jane.

#

Allowing Jane to open her car door and help her out, Lisbon led the way towards her apartment. There was no way she could deny having a pleasant evening. The food was wonderful and the company better. By mutual agreement, discussing Leslie and their other cases was off limits. Instead, they'd stuck to more light hearted topics like childhood memories and cons long done. In other words, Jane regaled her with amusing anecdotes from his dubious past and shocking observations about their fellow patrons. She'd merely tattled on her brothers and their many childhood indiscretions.

Catching Jane's eye at one point, she'd been surprised she knew what he was thinking with frightening clarity. He was wondering if she realized she was telling on herself by extension. She had. She was far from an angel. She wasn't denying it. She'd been every bit as mischievous as her brothers. But, that was a lifetime ago when they were snot nosed kids escaping the harsh realities of life with their abusive father. It didn't matter if Jane knew she'd smoked a cigarette or two and snuck out her bedroom window after curfew. She hadn't been that bad.

Not like him…Nothing she'd ever done could have landed her in jail...Well, that thing with Bosco after the fact; but, she'd been an adult when she'd done that.

"I had a nice time, Jane." Lisbon turned her key in the lock. "You are coming in?"

"I'll see you safely inside, yes; but, I'm not going to stay." Jane said quietly as he watched the sway of her hips as Lisbon walked through her apartment turning on the lights and checking the lay of the land as she always did.

"Why not?" Lisbon asked eventually coming back to stand in front of him.

"You know why not." Jane said softly. "It's been hard enough sitting across a table from you looking like that when all I want to do is this."

As much as she'd promised she wouldn't, Lisbon melted into his embrace. If Jane wanted to kiss her for a change, she'd let him. It wasn't like she hadn't already laid her cards on the table. She'd done just that the other night and Jane wasn't stupid enough to miss it. She wouldn't currently be in a toe tingling lip lock if he had.

"Why don't you make a cup of tea while I get out of this?" Lisbon nodded down at her dress.

While she'd certainly enjoyed wearing a dress for once, that didn't change the fact she was past ready to get out of it and into something she was more comfortable in like jeans and a sweater.

"I can do that." Jane agreed giving her one last sneaky peck for the road.

Giving him a sneaky peck back, Lisbon literally turned on her heels and headed for the stairs.

Watching Lisbon depart from the corner of his eye, Jane filled her tea kettle and placed it on the stove. Turning the burner on medium high, he pondered his actions of a few moments ago. He hadn't meant to kiss Lisbon. He really hadn't. But, he couldn't help himself.

She'd been unconsciously tempting him all evening.

Not to mention she'd unwittingly opened Pandora's Box the other night. Gotten his thoughts moving in directions he'd been able to hold at bay for a number of years. It had taken everything in him to turn down her much too appealing offer.

Only the knowledge they'd bother regret it the morning had stayed his heart, and the rest of his body, that night.

As much as he knew he shouldn't, Jane ignored the protesting voices in his head as he reached out to turn the knob on the stove to the off position. Better things awaited him upstairs than making a cup of tea. All he had to do was make the first move.

Lisbon had already proven she'd follow even if she thought she wouldn't.

###

Walking over to the small jewelry box on her dresser, Lisbon lifted the lid. Removing the diamond pendant from around her neck and the matching studs from her ears, she carefully tucked the treasured heirlooms away in their box. Shutting the lid, she glanced at the familiar necklace hanging over the edge of her mirror. While she wore her cross every day, she only wore the gems she'd inherited from her mother on very special of occasions. She'd thought tonight might qualify and she hadn't been disappointed.

Looking up, Lisbon was mildly shocked to see she was no longer alone.

"Jane?" Lisbon stared at their reflection in her dresser mirror noting the focus in Jane's eyes. "I thought you were downstairs."

Her remark sounded incredibly inane to her ears as he clearly was not.

"You look beautiful tonight, Lisbon." Jane stated without preamble. "You weren't steered wrong with any of this."

He ran his hands lightly over her sides to her hips in a gesture that wasn't quite as innocent as it should have been.

"It's a plain black dress." Lisbon remarked not sure what to say to his comment.

"It's an expensive midweight silk tricotine with a flattering touch of shearing at the bust and a discrete v-back showing off your shoulders beautifully." Jane corrected her appreciating how the modestly plunging neckline hinted at a touch of cleavage and the deeper back displayed a slightly decadent expanse of creamy skin. If that weren't tempting enough, he certainly couldn't miss the elegant draping of the skirt over the gentle curve of her hips. "It's sexy in an understated way you carry well. I think you should go back to whoever sold you this for your next dress. Her taste is impeccable and she knows your tastes well."

"She doesn't know my tastes at all." Lisbon corrected him knowing if Sarah had, she'd never have sold her a dress in the first place much less two of them. "But, she does have a good eye for what flatters me."

"I'd definitely say you can trust her suggestions." Jane agreed. "However, I beg to differ with your assessment. This isn't a dress that makes the woman. It's very much the woman who's making the dress. That's what your sales person understands and she understands it well. She put you in a garment that suits you that you're also comfortable wearing. It makes all the difference in the world."

"While that's quite possibly true, there won't be another one." Lisbon stated firmly. She was saving the red number she'd already bought for a special occasion. Whether it would be with Jane or not remained to be seen. However, she darned well knew she was done with the whole girly girl thing. "You know how I feel about dresses."

"Perhaps I can change your mind." Jane absently fiddled with her hair.

"You can try." It wasn't necessary to say anything more.

Spellbound, Lisbon watched masculine fingers move to the zipper at the back of her dress. Eyes wide, she felt the hesitancy behind her and knew Jane was giving her the opportunity to halt things before they went too far. Closing her eyes, she waited for what was to come...The gliding of the zipper down her back and the whisper of silk erotically slithering over her skin.

Jane didn't disappoint as she knew he wouldn't.

Opening her eyes, she absorbed his intensity as he eased the fabric from her shoulders visually devouring the contrasting fairness of her skin against the darkness of her undergarments in a manner sending shivers up her spine. That he appreciated the simple black bra and matching panties she'd been convinced to buy more for how they complimented the lines of her dress than any overt sexiness wasn't lost on Lisbon.

Jane would probably have laughed her into the next county had she bought some of the fancier pieces Sarah offered so clearly not in keeping with her personality. Not that she'd been expecting him to see her underwear in the first place…Or the lace edged thigh highs she'd compromised on since the very thought of pantyhose made her nauseous…She'd not been expecting any of that at all.

Pushing her dress over her hips to slide to the floor, Jane wrapped his arms around her naked waist. Closing his eyes, he leaned into her reveling in the familiar spicy scent of Lisbon wafting from the pulse point in her neck. Running his hands gently over her skin, he visualized every gentle curve and contour beneath his palms.

She really was a beautiful woman.