Disclaimer: See all previous chapters.

A/N: As much as I love this story, I wish it would stop pestering my mind for updates when I really should work on the new chapter for Dissolve since my computer ate the last one I typed. Really you think it'd give me a break seeing as I really want to concentrate on something else since it's a sequel and Melt was my baby. I have such big plans for it. But no, of course not, I have to keep updating this one and dragging out all the slow chapters for Dissolve instead of the juicy ones that are just waiting to be added. Boo. Um yeah sorry for the rant. I'm getting frustrated with myself.

Warning: M rated for the middle of the beginning. The whole thing is pretty steamy but it had to be done.

It was a rare occurrence but occasionally it happened and this morning was one of those occasions. With the sun just beginning to peak it's way over the horizon, Lisbon stirred from her much needed sleep. Mumbling tiredly as the orange glow bathed her bedroom, she opened her eyes slowly and searched for warmth. She felt cold, shivering a little and realizing that must have been what woke her. Letting her gaze wander over the bed, she caught site of her blankets kicked carelessly to the bottom and groaned. She didn't want to move. Jane was the only thing warm and he had her pulled back against his chest - if she moved, he wouldn't let her go back to sleep. He tended to be childish like that when it was close to the hour her alarm would go off. Just twenty more minutes before the loud blaring would pull them from the bed.

Mourning the loss of her covers, she heard something soft in her ear. Something that still shocked her a little. There were only a handful of times she managed to wake before Jane and the soft snore gave away the fact that this was one of them. It gave her the all clear she needed to reach for the blankets but as soon she shifted to shimmy down and grasp them, the breath on her neck hitched and his hips lightly bucked against her.

Startled by the motion, she forgot the task at hand and thought of only one thing; he was hard and the unbearable tension between them had yet to be relieved. One month, ten days and still struggling to find their moment. She'd wanted to end their frustration ten days ago but it hadn't been in the cards and even after her monthly visitor had gone, it still hadn't happened. Work kept them busy and exhausted. New cases always brought on long hours. They got home late and just in time to fall into bed before collapsing completely, although she knew Jane stayed up a lot longer than she did.

He wasn't awake at the moment though, which made it all the more surprising. He was a man, she wasn't stupid - this kind of thing happened regardless of being awake or asleep, that wasn't what had her eyes widening. It was the fact that he thrust himself against her, making his arousal more pronounced and tightening his hold to keep her pressed back into him. She'd woke to feel him like this before but he'd always been awake and smiling sheepishly in apology. She really did feel sorry for him. She knew that if it tortured her to the brink then he was probably verging on miserable.

She wanted to help him. They had a few minutes to spare and she wanted to show him that soon there would be more than just burning gazes, passionate kisses and sensual touch. Shifting against him - wiggling her hips to stir a reaction, she heard him softly moan and felt as he pushed into her again. She could feel herself flushing as her nether region moistened in anticipation. Her body didn't know she was doing this for his benefit only. Taking in a deep breath to boost her confidence, she rolled over under his heavy arm and moved to face him.

His eyes were still closed and just to test, she barely bumped her hips into his to gauge his reaction. The hand that was resting on her back flexed, fingers gripping but he didn't act awake. She'd have to fix that, she'd have to be brave enough to carry through with her plan. She felt shy with him for some reason, a hint of vulnerability lacing the feelings in her chest. His eyes flickered behind his lids and she couldn't stop herself from wondering if she was the reason for his hunger or if his thoughts were on the first woman he'd married. She knew it wasn't healthy to dwell on such things but she couldn't help it. When he shifted against her again, she pushed her thoughts aside and let her hands brush over his chest. Sliding them up to his neck as she leaned in and placed a soft kiss to his lips, she had to bite back a moan.

She knew what she was about to do and it took them one step closer. Brought them so close and yet she knew they still wouldn't be quite satisfied with it. Fingers trailing lightly down, she let one hand rest gently on his bad shoulder while the other continued down his stomach. His eyes fluttered at the caress or it could have been due to her hitching a leg over his waist, she wasn't sure.

It wasn't until her fingers dipped below the waistband of his pants that his eyes actually opened. He looked sleepy, confused a little and brimming with fire. Those eyes she loved were growing dark and it thrilled her that the first thing to fall from his lips was her name. It was nothing more than a husky whisper but a wave of pleasure rippled through her at the sound, leaving her just as aroused as he was. He looked pained though and it was when he helplessly whimpered while trying so hard to keep himself from moving against her that she realized why. He was embarrassed by the fact that he'd been sensually grinding into her when he woke.

"S'okay, don't stop." Her words encouraged him, letting him know that he wasn't doing anything wrong and that she wanted him to continue. She wanted him to feel good too. "We have a few minutes."

"Teresa..."

"Let me." It became a staring contest of sorts, gazes locked as she pushed at the fabric covering him. He didn't protest anymore, his muscles relaxed as best they could given the situation. He just stared. The cotton of his pajama pants gave way when she decided two hands were better than one at such a task. She broke their eye contact first, looking down between them to watch as he shifted so she could get the obstruction out of the way. Tucking her fingers into the band of his underwear, she pulled them down as well and felt her cheeks heating up. She was not usually such a school girl, it's not like she'd never seen a guy naked before. He was just different.

She didn't realize that she'd stopped moving her hands until he kicked his way out of the articles of clothing pulled her closer. Embarrassed by her lack of motor skills, she tried to think of something to say but came up empty. He really was beautiful, a golden haired Adonis in the fiery morning sun. The need for him sent a pulse to her core, her body was still so oblivious and reacting to seeing him bare of everything. Just like when they shared a shower, she let her hands skim down below his navel and listened as he sucked in a sharp breath.

She could feel the softness of his skin, the heat of him as her fingers crept lower towards their destination. She expected this to be one way, she was going to help him find release and she'd been entirely unprepared when his hands started unbuttoning the shirt she wore. She didn't say anything to stop him - couldn't if she wanted to but her eyes darted up to meet his as she stopped her caress.

The soft smile tugging at his lips showed everything and as soon as he popped the last button, he was pushing the material to the side. She was supposed to be helping him and yet she was the one letting her eyes flutter when he kissed her nose. It was something so out of place in the sexually charged air that she couldn't help but smile. She figured he'd pull back and enjoy the pleasure but he didn't. His lips were gone from her skin for just a second before landing on her lips, teeth tugging lightly at her mouth and making her moan. He was turning this around and making it about her. She didn't want it to be but her words had escaped her, and the delicious throb between her legs kept her from searching for them.

He pulled her closer, squishing her hands between them and leaving her reeling at the feel of him hot and hard against her stomach. It was different than in the shower, they were dry. She could feel his skin, feel the texture as his hands slid down her cloth covered back and pushed their way inside her panties. Her mouth opened on a sigh, her body rocking against his as he slipped them down to let her kick them to the foot of the bed. He didn't try to remove the shirt, just left it open and moved his lips over her chin, down her neck to suck lightly at her pulse point.

Bare chests pressed together, hips aligning as he nipped at her skin. Something in the back of her head reminded her of her goal and convinced her fingers to move from between their bodies so she could ghost them down his side. He was becoming highly sensitive to the tiny touches, groaning against her as she squeezed his hip and resumed their earlier position by hitching a leg over his waist. She'd forgotten they were naked from the waist down, their heated skin sliding in friction reminded her immediately as a low moan was ripped from her lungs.

He tensed against her, breathing deeply to calm himself as she shifted to find a more comfortable position. It wasn't easy, she was damp and aching - it didn't exactly make it a walk in the park. She wanted some relief and she knew he did too. She could tell by the way the hard length pressing into her stomach twitched. They were both ready for some kind of release after waiting over a month. He tipped his head back, eyes closed with a little line showing up between his brows and she took the opportunity to bury her face in his shoulder. This was, if possible, more taunting than their morning in the shower.

She wanted to tell him that this wasn't supposed to be about her, wanted to protest when he pulled his body back far enough to slip a hand between her thighs but the shockwave that shook her when she felt his touch kept her from doing anything other than grip him tighter and press her face into his neck. She certainly couldn't think straight with him sliding a finger through her folds, gently exploring.

Her back arched, begging silently for more. He granted the request, slipping the digit inside her depths just as her muscles clenched tightly. Her breathing stopped altogether for a few seconds as she held it in, hoping to ease the intensity of the tightening she could feel in her lower belly. It didn't help - as soon as she took a breath and he lightly thrust against her, it all came back. A second finger joined the first, curling upwards, pressing and making her forget all about pleasuring him. It was all so new, so exhilarating.

She didn't think, didn't feel anything but the movement of his hand and his excitement pressing into her. She didn't ruin the moment by filling it with worries, or doing anything besides reveling in the heat of his skin against hers, the pleasure rolling through her in waves as he pressed a kiss to her cheek and brushed his thumb against her clit. Her body jerked at the sudden touch, the jolt it sent through her was electrifying and drew a whimper from the man bringing her closer to the edge. She felt as though she were being pulled all different directions, tightening and tightening until she's sure she was about to burst into pieces. It was his voice that broke her control, made her give in to the throes of desire threatening to tear her apart. The words, the whispering tone, the tenderness he used as he thrust his fingers between her legs - it was all just too much.

"My wife, my love." She clung to him as the words flowed gently into her ear, his breath coming out in short puffs. She couldn't hold on, she didn't want to. With silence, she let go, feeling the coil in her belly spring apart in rapid succession as every muscle in her body tensed. She couldn't make a sound as the pleasure tore through her, just bit her lip and nuzzled his neck as he kept his hand working a steady rhythm to help her along. Her eyes shut tightly to block out everything but the sensations pouring through her as she felt herself go limp against him.

She'd been feeling insecure about the wife thing for days and hearing him say something so simple had eased her mind for the time being, allowing her to give in. She moaned lightly when he pulled his fingers out of her and that's when she remembered that this was supposed to be about him, she was supposed to be helping him reach satisfaction not the other way around.

Slightly embarrassed by her orgasm, she ran her hand down his chest and pushed back to see his face. She knew just by the way he scrunched his brows that he wasn't far behind her and when she brushed her hand against his tip he let out a low growl. He tried to push off of her frantically but she held him in place, her body still humming; eyes still half lidded and hazy.

"Teresa, I'm about to..." One more touch was all it took, just a light press of her fingers and she felt his warm release against her stomach as his words trailed off into a strangled groan. He strained, arching into her, pressing hard as the satisfying sparks engulfed him. She knew that he was trying to move so he could make it to the bathroom but she didn't want him to. He was fine where he was and when his body slumped against hers, she rolled to her back.

Using the shirt that still hung from her arms, she gently wiped at her belly and then shrugged out of the fabric. The body pressing half of her into the mattress was unmoving save for the motion with his every intake of oxygen. Their breaths were the only sound for a few minutes as she let one hand brush through his hair and the other stroke down his back. The urgency she'd been feeling has dissipated but the need for him still lingered. She was left hoping they got a break soon, her day off was next week and she prayed this held them over till then.

She let her mouth open to say something but the beeping of the alarm cut her off, making it known that work wouldn't wait and their morning together was over. Jane moved against her, finally lifting his head from her chest at the foul sound filling the air. His hand reached out to smack the snooze button and then he snuggled right back down into her breasts. They could have five more minutes.

Thankfully the day was slow, work being pretty much boring compared to the way it'd been the last few days. Lisbon loved it, it gave her time to think back on the morning she'd had with Jane. The way they'd satisfied each other with touch. Sure, it wasn't quite what she wanted and she knew he felt the same but it had still been an experience she wouldn't forget anytime soon. She felt lighter, happier than she had in their forty days of being married. In those moments when she'd clung to him, when he'd whispered in her ear; she hadn't felt any of the doubts that poured into her head every other minute of the day.

Even now, although happy, she was still thinking her usual thoughts. Thinking back to when he'd mentioned his first wife on their one month anniversary. It stung to even think about it but she knew he hadn't meant anything by it. She knew because he acted as though it were nothing, never even brought it up again. Maybe she should tell him it hurt, she knew that she probably needed to considering what they'd done earlier that morning but she didn't know how to approach the subject. She was terrified of offending him somehow.

The knock on her office door brought her back from the thoughts tinting her cheeks a rosy pink. Her gaze caught sight of the red head and she offered her a polite smile. She'd been smiling a lot more than she had the previous several days.

"Hey Boss, here's the records you asked for on the McKennah case."

"Thanks." The weight of the papers in her hand, drew her attention to the one handing them to her. She seemed nervous, kinda antsy about something. "Anything else?"

"I was just...Jane said to ask you first and I..."

"Just ask, I'm not going to bite."

"Can I throw you a baby shower?" Lisbon knew the look on her face probably resembled a bit of horror, shock, and confusion. Then it hit her, Jane had told her that Van Pelt thought she was pregnant and she'd meant to set her straight, she simply forgot with all the tension bubbling at home. Rubbing a palm over her face, she blew a thin stream of air through her lips. Well, she supposed this was one way to confront the topic. "I-I know you haven't told anyone but I..."

"Grace, Jane and I aren't...I'm not pregnant."

"But Jane said..."

"I know he didn't exactly correct you when you told him you thought I might be but he's Jane. I'm not expecting." She was trying to keep herself in check but part of her wanted to throttle the consultant for not setting the young woman straight. This had to be the most awkward - well almost the most awkward - conversation she'd ever had.

"Really?"

"Really." The disappointment showed on Van Pelt's face, making Lisbon feel like the bearer of bad news all of a sudden. She felt the urge to apologize but held it in knowing it'd sound stupid. Apparently her rookie had been rather excited about the thought of her and Jane having a little one.

"Oh." The awkward silence reared it's ugly head as they both just glanced around the office for something interesting. "Uh well I uh, have stuff to do. Work stuff. Sorry for bothering you."

She didn't reply, just watched as the agent stumbled over her words while walking out the door. She didn't blame her, poor thing was probably embarrassed even more than she was. The sudden urge to kill her husband flickered through her mind until she remembered their bodies pressed together, mostly bare skin caressing bare skin. It went away after that, being replaced by the unsatisfied fire she could still feel in her veins. Her body knew what it wanted and it knew that it hadn't got it.

She didn't even have time to drop her gaze back to her desk before another figure came bounding in. This time she knew who it was immediately. Even if she hadn't been able to see him she could've gone on his smell alone. He was simply Jane, no one else smelled like he did. It was refreshing, male and some hint of cologne that she never cared for. She rather liked when they were at home and he didn't bother with the stuff.

"What'd you do to poor Grace? She looks humiliated."

"I just had to explain to her that I'm not having a baby. Suffice to say we're both a little humiliated." Flashing him a mock glare, she threw her pen at him and watched him duck. She loved doing that. It was great to see him squirm every now and then. Besides he'd made her late for work by letting her drift back to sleep and then unplugging the alarm.

"Uh yeah, sorry. She wanted us to have a girl." Rolling her eyes, Lisbon let herself be pulled from thoughts of two wives and into his bright smile. "Your brother wants a nephew."

"What? How do you..."

"He told me." It clicked together in her mind instantly. When Jon had leaned over to whisper in his ear, he must have been making a remark about them having kids. She hated to disappoint but everyone was just going to have to wait for quite awhile before she even let herself be consumed with those thoughts. She had too many others to deal with.

"So, there a reason you're in here bugging me?" It was a sad attempt at a subject change but he didn't call her on it. He knew she didn't like baby talks and she was grateful he was kind enough to let it go.

"Thank you." The playful tone was gone, replaced by something soft and caring. She let her shoulders drop, eyes softening as she gave him a little nod. She knew what he meant. They hadn't spoken of their morning yet, bantering instead and this was the first time he really showed her the same unguarded look he'd had when they were wrapped up in each other and forgetting the world. "You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm good."

"You want to tell me what's going on in your head?" With a soft sigh, she wondered why he always brought stuff like this up at work. Same reason he'd proposed there she guessed. "I can see that there are things that still bother you. I'm just trying to get them out in the open so we can work on it."

"Am I your wife Patrick?"

"Yes, what kind of question is that?" She'd been planning to confront it straight on. If he wanted to bring up such a thing at the office then she was simply going to tell him and then ask him to leave but the slight curve of his mouth kept her from saying anything further. He looked happy. Another time she'd ask. She'd flat out force the words to leave her tongue if she had to. She couldn't constantly worry that he'd talk about his late wife and use the same title he used for her.

But she would ask. One day, just not this one. She already had the approach, it started with the question she'd just voiced. He answered yes, of course and then she'd look him in the eye, open her mouth and let the words out. She'd pieced those together too. It was all there on the tip of her tongue and yet she swallowed it back. She wouldn't ruin their day. She almost laughed bitterly at her own excuse, same one she'd used the night he was feeding her Reese's and strawberries while helping her with her headache and cramps.

"Teresa?"

"Huh, oh uh never mind. We'll talk about it later, at home."

"You sure?" With a quick nod, she convinced him she was. Out of all her reservations pertaining to their union, this one bothered her the most and she felt horrible for it. He didn't mean any harm and she was probably being stupid by letting it bother her. "Okay."

"There are things that still bother me. I'm working through it fine on my own. If I need help, I'll let you know."

"I don't..."

"Please, drop it. You can't honestly sit there and tell me that you've opened up completely either. It's impossible. Just let it go for now. Enjoy the day."

"Alright, alright. You've made your point and the day is rather boring. Only good thing that's happened to me so far was waking up." With a soft grin, he let her know that he was a little hurt by her words but not enough to ruin anything. It wasn't enough to make him forget the way they'd spent the early morning. All thoughts aside, they were moving forward physically and emotionally or she never would've let him take the control from her and he never would have let it escalate. It was a big step. She wanted to leave it at that.

a/n: Next chapter, we get to see some of Jane's thoughts. I feel like Lisbon has been a chapter hog lately. :D

Preview: He let his finger brush along the slope of her nose - loving the way her brow scrunched as he did so - before bringing his hand to rest on her stomach. Something was bugging her, really eating away at her and it irked him that she wouldn't let him know what it was. Surely they should be passed the point of hiding everything. They'd done it all but make love, even took care of each others urges when they became a bit too much. He thought she'd have the decency to share her problem with him after such a huge step for them. Apparently not, well he didn't care. He was going to wake her up, make her tell him