Chapter 11: Reset
Cho, Lisbon and Jane
A preoccupied Cho fetched them from the conference room. Nothing was said till they were outside. All three felt like they were leaving enemy territory.
"What's goin' on?" Lisbon asked for the second time in as many days. I need a new line. Or control of my life.
"Lunch?" Jane interjected brightly. Abbott handed him a wild card. Needs space.
Lisbon seamlessly picked it up. "Cho, how about a mall? Jane needs – everything," she finished, surprised at the realization. The only reason Jane had clothes was because she'd brought them. She set aside simmering irritation at the FBI's high handedness and smothered concerns about joining - that.
Cho drove to a nearby mall and chose a chain restaurant. Jane led them to an outdoor table shaded by an awning. Though not gourmet, the food was reliably good. Jane finished his and anything Lisbon and Cho didn't eat. Cho almost kidded him on pulling a "Rigsby" till he recalled why Jane was so hungry. They kept conversation light during the meal.
Cho finally broached Abbott's meeting. "Abbott made me an offer." He noticed Jane checking no one was within earshot. Cautious? Or effect from solitary detention?
"For?" Lisbon prompted.
"Team leader. I'd get Jane."
Lisbon and Jane exchanged glances, said nothing. Pushing Cho was never the right move.
Cho looked at Jane. "Abbott said he didn't direct Fischer's actions," question implied.
"I believe that," Jane said.
"Either I take it. Or I'll transfer."
"What do you want to do?" Lisbon asked.
"Depends partly on you," he answered, glancing at each.
Impatient, Lisbon said, "Spit it out, Cho. What do you need from us?"
"Your intentions. A commitment."
Jane inhaled and exhaled slowly, then looked levelly at Cho. "You're my smart play. My odds of getting through five years and finishing Blake are best with you."
Cho looked at Lisbon. "I'm interested so long as I get the offer and work with Jane. But I have a question." Cho waited. "Can you trust Abbott? I don't want to find ourselves in a firefight and backup never arrives. Or fighting trumped up legal charges."
"Jane, your take?" A decade at the CBI had ground home the value of Jane's perspective.
Languidly, "I trust Abbott's ambition." Noticing Lisbon's reaction, "It's a good thing. Predictable. Abbott is hard-nosed and I didn't like being on the receiving end," he acknowledged. "But he's smart. Wily. Ambitious. Appears to be straight arrow."
Lisbon's spoon dropped with a clatter, "Appears?"
Jane leaned forward, elbows on the table, rubbing his jaw. "That is the question, isn't it? Abbott's been rounding up Blake foot soldiers. Yet the generals are still out there. How convenient for Blake if Abbott is one of them."
"Cripes, Jane," Cho said, unpleasantly recalling just how layered and devious Jane's world was which, of course, was why they needed him. "How sure are you?"
"About Abbott, don't know. Abbott's too important to destroying Blake to assume anything. About Blake's leaders at large? Very sure."
Cho sat back in thought. Exiled two years. Jane's here a day, isolated for 40, and free two more. For some reason he thinks Abbott missed Blake's leaders. Anybody else and I'd recommend a padded room. Cho winced remembering Jane's history. But dammit, it's Jane.
Cho looked up. "Let's walk through it. We all want Blake finished?" They nodded. "Enough to tackle another major campaign?" He looked pointedly at Jane, who'd spent a quarter of his life getting Red John.
Jane murmured. "''Twas yesterday I bowed so low, Was weak from tears and pain; Today I'm strong; my fears are gone; Today I fight again.'" He looked up. "I won't live looking over my shoulder."
When Cho looked at her, Lisbon said, "Finish what we started. After all Blake cost us, there's nothing I want more."
To both, "You can work for me?" To Jane, "Co-exist with the bureaucracy? With Abbott? Also work regular cases?" They nodded again.
"I'll tell Abbott Monday."
Lisbon and Jane
Cho, Lisbon and Jane strolled toward the mall.
"If it's okay with you, I'm gonna help Jane shop for clothes."
Running his hand through a mop of unruly curls, "Haircut, too. Do you–" Jane looked at Cho's regulation FBI cut and frowned. "Never mind. I'll take my chances."
"I'll be in the bookstore," Cho pointed. "Meet here in three hours." Cho walked away.
Lisbon looked at his retreating back, uncomfortable Cho was so blatantly breaking guard protocol.
Jane leaned over and put his hand on her shoulder. Softly, "We've risked far more with and for each other. I won't put Cho in a bind."
She looked at Jane. "I know. It's just–"
He smiled, "-Twenty years as a cop will do that to you. Relax." And she did.
Jane was excited by the crowds, colors, and noise after a month in isolation. When the mall directory revealed no barber shop, Jane shrugged and chose a salon. They had to wait because of heavy Saturday traffic, so Jane amused Lisbon by reading passers by. She was relieved he was entertained rather than overwhelmed, and fondly rolled her eyes as he charmed the all-female salon staff. Jane was draped with a hot pink cape and Lisbon called out, "Go, Jane! It's you." Nonetheless, he got a decent haircut and shave from the stylist. Lisbon paid the bill and tipped her well.
Lisbon stood back and surveyed him admiringly. "Looks good."
Jane grinned in return. "Been ages since I've had a decent trim and shave."
After hesitating a second, she ran her hand along his smooth jaw and pecked him on the cheek. "I could tell."
Amused, "Don't like island chic?"
She snorted, "So that's what you call looking like a beach bum. C'mon, lots to do."
A drug store supplied basic toiletries, and then they headed for the best men's store in the mall.
"Lisbon, okay if I run up a big tab on your card? I'll cover it in about a week."
She stopped and turned to face him. "Jane, I know the FBI froze your assets. You'll just–"
"-I have liquid assets."
She said seriously, "Banks have to report transactions of ten-thousand and up. Don't give Abbott any more power over you."
"Shhh. A friend will deliver a money order in any amount I want. You can use it to pay the bill, no bank involved." Off on a tangent, "The method's used world over and, yeah, often for illicit activity because it can't be traced."
"Oh."
As they walked, Jane periodically glanced at her, frowning. "What's wrong? Oh, uh, the money's legit, taxes paid and everything," he reassured her.
"It's not that." Taking his hand she pulled him over to a bench. "I'm not sure how to talk about this." She looked at him anxiously. "The FBI froze your assets after McAllister. I got your books from the CBI and suits from your motel–"
"You didn't have to do that, thank you. I wondered where the clothes came from."
"Geez, they're expensive and I couldn't see leaving them." Her face fell in remembered distress.
Jane hugged her. "I never expected that. Still taking care of me after I left," he said quietly. "–This is a favor. Sweet. Why the long face?"
She took a deep breath. "I've been paying for your Sacramento storage locker. I peeked inside and didn't think you'd want to lose ... that." When she looked Jane's eyes were closed and his face blank, mask in place for the first time.
He finally looked at her. Voice thick with emotion, "Teresa, you–" He swallowed, trying to keep his composure. "When I moved to Sacramento I brought the – personal things too. After McAllister it was months before I could think about that. I, I thought it was all gone." He looked away as tears streaked his face.
Lisbon squeezed his hand reassuringly and handed him tissue from her purse. Briskly, "I'll get us sodas from that stand." Jane had regained his composure by the time she returned.
They continued to the men's store. Jane chose three suits, off-the-rack but still expensive. He could get hand-tailored or his preferred brand later. He glanced at Lisbon, smiled and added the matching vests to his purchase. The suits Lisbon rescued had been well and heavily worn for over a decade. Though he vaguely recalled several were in decent shape, needing only alterations to the lapels and pants to update them, he was sure new ones would be needed. He bought a basic supply of underwear and accessories, enough casual clothes for a few weeks, and luggage. Though still rootless, he'd no longer look homeless.
The Austin-San Francisco Connection
Jane jerked the phone away at the ear-splitting squeal of delight. Cho called Rigsby and Van Pelt every other Saturday night when he wasn't on a case. This time Jane placed the call, surprising Van Pelt.
Jane switched to speaker and set it on the table.
"Can't believe you're back. You're out of detention?"
"Lisbon and Cho sprung me yesterday."
"Hey, man. Good hearing from you."
"You, too, Rigs. Hey - that 'Jane Fund" must be flush after two years. I'll have to lighten the load."
"In your dreams. Ben and Taylor sop up my spare change these days."
"Jane, you're here permanently?" Grace interjected.
"Back for good. I missed you – all of you."
Cho interjected, "Call me back, okay? I have news, too." Rigsby and Van Pelt knew to call his burner phone with one on their end. Having swept the hotel suite for bugs, he knew the call would be private.
"Cho, why the cloak and dagger?" Rigsby asked when Cho answered.
"Abbott offered me team leader."
"Wow! You deserve it, but – out of the blue? Thought you didn't get along."
Cho glanced at Jane. "Fischer self-destructed botching Jane's detention."
Rigsby's voice became serious, "But Abbott?"
"Finally decided I'm not Blake. Either I take this. Or I need to transfer."
Van Pelt all but growled, "Abbott's an SOB." Her opinion hadn't changed since Abbott dismantled the CBI.
"Abbott's got Blake. The three of us want in to finish it up."
"Why get into that again?" Rigsby asked plaintively. He was overjoyed to leave the CBI debacle firmly in the past.
Van Pelt caught on first. "'Three of us'? You, Lisbon and Jane?"
"Yeah. If we stir up Blake, you need to be careful too."
Rigsby, puzzled, "Us? There a specific threat?"
"Jane hunch."
"Crap," Rigsby said softly, always ready to take Jane seriously.
"More when we know more. How're things?"
Rigsby was happy to switch topics. "Got that big employer contract. Will be busy for months. Ben learned the backstroke and Taylor even paddles around now."
Van Pelt chimed in. "With all the work, good thing the new contract came in after the break-in."
"Break-in?" Jane asked, interest sharpened.
"Nothing much. Probably a teenager. Took our computers but fortunately everything's automatically backed-up. We're out a few grand, most of which insurance will cover."
"Hi, Grace," Lisbon said, toweling her hair as she emerged from her room. "When did it happen?"
"Just after your visit, 'bout a month ago. –So you are definitely going to Austin?"
"Yeah. The boredom's killing me. Jane negotiated a deal where I have agent status and opportunities. Me. FBI."
"Congratulations, Boss," Rigsby inserted.
"–I'm not your boss."
"Right, Boss."
Van Pelt opined sourly, "If you can stand Abbott."
Lisbon smiled, "I'll be working for Cho. He gets the Abbott headaches. -And Jane complaints!"
"Keep telling yourself that. Hey, call me some time."
"Sure, Grace." Lisbon looked around. "I think we're talked out on this end. I'll call you when I'm back in Washington."
"Congrats again, Cho. Glad you're back, Jane," Rigsby said.
"–Bye," several voices said simultaneously.
The three went out afterward for dinner. Still interested in the break-in, Jane learned Lisbon was also burglarized shortly after her move to Cannon Falls. Cho explained he shared an apartment while training at Quantico and was happy not to have a break-in, then turned to Jane and frowned.
"You think that's something?
Jane shrugged. "Lot of coincidences."
"That's only the Rigsby's and me," Lisbon said hopefully.
"Except," Cho said slowly, "I stored my stuff rather than move it cross country. Discovered my storage locker had been jimmied when I moved here." He grimaced. "Someone thinks we have something."
Jane nodded and sipped his tea. "And the game begins."
Hours later at the hotel Cho turned in leaving Lisbon and Jane to talk. They again ended up on the couch. Lisbon's flight left early the next morning and neither wanted the night to end. Jane pulled her closer and kissed her temple. She turned and took his face in both hands.
"So glad you're back," she murmured, underscoring her feelings with kisses. Jane eagerly deepened their kisses, passion sweeping over him. Lisbon abruptly drew back.
Jane opened his eyes, "Teresa? Is–"
She took a breath, a small grin reassuring him. "It's fine. It's a little ... new. The hotel. Cho. I've got tons to do in Washington. It–"
Softly, "Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Don't doubt this. The FBI will work out. This is real, the only place I want to be is with you."
She hung on his words, lips slightly parted, gaze sliding from his eyes to his lips and back. She took a tremulous breath. "It's just a lot."
"It is. But it's been 12 years coming. We know each other, want each other. This isn't only about resuming your career, it's our chance." He kissed her slowly, gently, deeply. "Not the time or place, but soon." He rose and pulled her to her feet. "Good night, Teresa." A quick kiss, brief embrace and he turned toward his room.
She stood, uncertain. Softly, "Jane – Patrick. Um, we could sleep in the same bed."
He grinned at her, eyes dark with arousal. "Maybe you could, but it wouldn't stay platonic for me. We can wait to do this right. Cho snoring next door isn't it," he added hearing the faint sounds of their friend.
Lisbon took two steps, kissed him quickly and disappeared into her room before her resolve vanished. Soon!