A/N: Warning: M rated material in the second section, it's pretty full on (for my writing anyway) so please feel free to skip over. I've made this chapter a little longer than my usual ones to make up for those who don't want to read that particular section. And over 250 reviews, I'm astonished and very happy!

Chapter 25 - Daytrip

"Of course, I'm worried about it, Patrick. I probably shouldn't even have come here with you. He may already know. The last thing I want is to be responsible for another death."

He pulled her back into his arms as they lay down again. "If anything happens to me he'll be responsible, not you. I've known all along that you have a serial killer with a severe case of the hots for you."

"It's not funny," she replied but smiled a little, knowing he was trying to calm her down by bringing some levity to the situation.

He kissed her head and sighed. "So, in better news, if I stop what I do for a living and you didn't have a sociopath stalking you you'd give us a shot?"

She looked up at him and smiled again, kissing him lightly on the lips. "How could I not?"

He grinned back, kissing her softly.

She put her head back on his chest. "But we do have those things in the way," she said sadly.

"Well, no point worrying about the second thing at the moment. If he knows you're here with me then it's too late to do anything about it now. And you can't live your life with him constantly in your head, Teresa. If you do that then he's won anyway by stopping you lead a normal life."

M rated section

Lisbon awoke to light kisses being placed on her back and the sheet covering her being pulled down. "Mmm. I should warn you I'm not a morning person," she moaned sleepily.

She felt him smile against her back. "I'm just surprised you haven't done a vanishing act this morning like you normally do. Thought I was never going to wake up to you beside me so thought I'd make the most of it. Besides, I'm sure I can do something do brighten your morning." He continued kissing her lower back.

"You made coffee?" she grinned, feeling his smile again.

He grazed one of her butt cheeks with his teeth as his fingers massaged the other. "Better than coffee?" he enquired.

"Not yet," she replied evenly.

"Mmm. I see I'll have to try a little harder then." He moved down and began to lick each cheek in turn before moving his tongue towards the centre, moving her hips up slightly to find his goal. As he began to use his tongue on her Lisbon closed her eyes, clenching at the sheet beneath her as he continued.

He stopped and turned over to lie on his back instead, lifting her hips slightly above him so his face faced her vagina. He began again, his tongue prodding into her slowly at first and he heard her breath hitch. He smiled and continued, his tongue making soft passes against her before gently lapping it deeper. He began a rhythm and moved her hips up and down slowly as his tongue made light passes inside. He could feel her impatience as he continued but made certain not to go so far she would have release quickly.

"Damnit," she muttered, "isn't this supposed to be pleasurable? You're not improving my mood any by taking all day."

He chuckled a little, putting him off his rhythm for a second. "Patience, woman."

He continued again, pushing his tongue in a little further and increasing the speed as he pushed and pulled her hips until he heard her begin to moan and pant. He increased the pace again and pushed into her more, felt her clutch the pillow with her hands as the first wave of orgasm began to course through her. She tried to pull away from him as it began to overtake her but he held her firmly in his hands. He pushed in further for longer, allowing his tongue to enter her fully, pulling her hips close to him and fluttered it inside her, hitting her at the exactly right point until she screamed out and contracted around his tongue.

He removed his tongue and flipped her onto her front at lightning speed, pushing two fingers inside her to prolong the orgasm. She lifted her head from the bed and pulled at his hair as she began to scream again, the second wave of pleasure rippling through her. She finally fell back onto the bed and he eased his fingers out of her, finishing with a soft kiss to the hair at her entrance.

M section end

He got up and looked at her, eyes closed and hair wild as it covered half her face. Her chest was still wildly pumping as she caught her breath. After brushing his teeth Jane came back to bed and lay beside her.

"Better than coffee?" he asked smugly as she lay there with her eyes closed.

She opened them finally and stared at him. "Jesus, that was something else. Guess it's not bad to be with a man with so much experience behind him."

She pulled herself to him and kissed him, noting the minty taste.

"You might enjoy what I just did but the catholic schoolgirl in you doesn't want to taste yourself. It would seem...sordid somehow, right?"

She nodded. How the hell did he know that? She hated it when men did that and then went to kiss her straight after.

He kissed her again. "Just so you know, though, you don't know what you're missing."

She got up and used the bathroom, brushing her own teeth before coming back to bed and kissed him deeply. "I still want coffee. But let's take care of you first."

He chuckled. "You're putting my needs above your first caffeine hit of the day? I am flattered."

After making love he pulled her back into his arms. "Wanna stay in bed all day?"

"Jeez, at this rate neither of us will be able to walk. Besides, we have Victor to think about."

He smiled and kissed her head. It had just sounded like she was thinking of him as their dog and not just his, albeit subconsciously. Definite progress.

"Let's get out of here, then, and take a drive somewhere for the day."

"Sounds good."

Just then his phone chirruped beside him. He picked it up and rolled his eyes as he glanced at the name, showing her Eddie's name flashing on it.

She rolled her eyes back and got out of bed, pulling on a football jersey from her bag. "I'll go let Victor out and make the tea and coffee."

She gave him a quick kiss and left the room.

"So, what did the weasel want?" she asked, handing him his tea.

He took a long sip, closing his eyes, savouring its taste. His most favourite moment in any morning was drinking his first cup of tea of the day. Although how he had woke Lisbon that morning may be stiff competition. "You make good tea."

"I'm observant. Watched you do it enough times by now. You're a creature of habit. Milk first then you dip the teabag a certain number of times. Hardly rocket science."

"He wanted to know my decision, naturally," he responded, going back to her earlier question.

"What did you tell him?"

"That I was still mulling things over and he'd have my decision by tomorrow."

She grinned at him. "I'm guessing he wasn't too impressed."

He laughed. "That would be an understatement."

"Suppose he blames me for all of this."

"Pretty much," he grinned.

She put her arms around him. "Maybe you should take it. For your own good. If Red John does know about us it may prove to him that this thing between us isn't serious. That it's just a bit of fun. He'd probably leave you out of it from now on. If you still want to quit then do it at the end of the contract, he would have lost interest in you by then."

"Mmm," he replied, moving a hair from her cheek and gazing into her eyes intently. "You're most probably right."

"So, you'll take it?"

"I didn't say that."

She puffed and pulled away from him. "You have to be the most stubborn man I've ever met. Who else would want to make themselves a target for a serial killer?"

He walked towards her again and put his arms around her. "Someone who's fallen in love with the fascination of that serial killer," he said softly.

Her eyes widened and her mouth opened. She ran her tongue over her lips and looked from side to side.

"Maybe I should have handcuffed you before I said that. Right now you're looking for the nearest exit," he joked softly, letting go of her waist and running his hand through his hair.

"Patrick-"

"I know, we agreed no deep and meaningfuls. But I'm tired of holding it in. I told you, Teresa, I've been in love before. I know what it feels like. And this is it. And, I know you're not there yet and you're fighting against it for numerous obvious reasons but I think you're beginning to feel the same way."

"But we hardly know each other."

"I think we know each other better than you're letting on. What you mean is that we haven't known each other that long."

He decided to change the subject. "But today we have some more fun. We may as well before we decide where this is going tomorrow. Where do you want to go, any ideas?"

Lisbon faltered for a second and took a deep sip of coffee. "We could...um...we could go for a drive along the coast if you like."

Jane moved his head from side to side, considering the option. "There's a gun range about an hour or so away I think, how about that?"

She almost choked on her coffee. "You want to go to a gun range?"

"Meh, not really but as much as I released some stress for you this morning it's beginning to build up again. You've touched your cross six times in the last five minutes. So it's a gun range or I carry you back up those stairs."

She blushed and smiled. "Jeez, is it possible for nothing to get past you?"

"Not really. But in time you'll be able to fool me better I would imagine."

"You don't have to go to a gun range to pacify me. I'll be fine."

"Well, it may do no harm for me to get a little practice in too. If I decide I want to be fodder for a serial killer I may as well be prepared."

She could hardly argue with that logic. "Have you ever even fired a gun?"

"I was a pretty crack shot growing up where moving ducks are concerned."

"Huh?"

"You know, the shooting range at carnivals; I used to win a cuddly toy pretty much every time."

She rolled her eyes.

She moved his aim a little higher as he held the gun in his hand, adjusting his fingers.

"You're not helping, Teresa."

"Why not? I'm trying to teach you the correct stance and way to hold it."

"I thought you said the most important thing was to breathe slowly before pulling the trigger. Do you not realise how much of a turn on this is?"

She blushed as she realised her breasts were pressed against him and she had moved one of his legs with hers to stand correctly so she was practically rubbing up against him. "Sorry," she smiled, moving away.

He breathed out, giving her a quick wink and began to shoot. All six rounds made their way to the target, three of them within the inner circle.

"Pretty good. You could be quite a good shot if you practised more."

"High praise indeed from my own personal Yoda."

"Do you think it's wise to call me that when I have weapons to hand?"

He smiled back at her. "Okay, your turn."

She picked up her gun, six shots going straight to the middle of the smallest circle.

She looked back at him. "No comments?"

"I think we should find a hotel room. Fast."

"Hush," she grinned.

He made his way back to the car as she finished off, taking Victor out for a quick bit of fresh air. She came back out ten minutes later, hugged Victor and kissed Jane. "Thanks for that. I needed it. I know it's not your thing."

"That's okay. Now we get to do one of my things."

"Oh god, what have I got myself into? Where are you taking me?"

He grinned back, opening the car door for her. "Wait and see."

After lunch at a small beachfront restaurant, Jane drove to a small town and parked outside an art gallery.

"Come on," he said, ushering her inside as he put the lead on Victor.

"They don't mind dogs in here?"

"No. I know the owner. And I've spent a fortune in here. Helps."

As he walked in a woman in her forties came up to him and put her arms around him. "Patrick, how lovely to see you again. Here to buy a piece?"

"Hopefully, Alicia," he grinned. "By the way, this is my friend, Teresa."

The woman shook her hand immediately and smiled at her, a hint of surprise on her face. Politely, "Nice to meet you, Teresa." She looked back at Jane. "Let me know if you need any help."

Lisbon gave Jane a glance. Before she said anything he did. "I haven't slept with her. Despite what you might think I haven't slept with every woman in California."

"I didn't think you had!"

"Whoa, high voice!"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, when you lie your voice tilts higher."

"She was surprised to meet me."

"She was surprised because I've never brought anyone here before. So, see anything you like?"

Lisbon looked around and shrugged. "I don't know. I don't really get art."

He smiled back. "I know what you mean. When you came to my house I realised I'd put things on the wall that would impress people. Now I want to buy something I actually like instead. And I want to buy you something too."

"Don't be ridiculous! I wouldn't appreciate it. It would be a waste."

"But it would remind you of this time together. If...if this is going to be our last proper day together then I want to be able to look at something on my wall to remind me of it."

Her eyes began to fill with tears. "You're a son of a bitch pulling my heartstrings like that, Patrick Jane."

"I never said I intended to play fair, Teresa Lisbon."

He eventually talked her into a small impressionist print of yellow daisies swaying in a field of grass. She said her mother and her used to make daisy chains together so it brought back the memory for her. He settled on an abstract print of different shades of green. He told her he liked the shapes. What he didn't tell her was that it was the colours he was drawn to as they reminded him of how her eyes changed in colour depending on the lighting and her moods.

By the time they arrived back at his house it was almost dusk. As they reached the bottom of the stairs Jane stopped and sniffed.

"What is it?" Lisbon yawned and then noticed Victor cowering by her feet.

Jane looked at her, patting the dog between them to placate him. "Smell that?"

Lisbon breathed in deeply. An all too familiar scent hit her. "Blood," she replied gloomily.