Chapter 26 – Help

Jane arrived at the diner the next morning feeling a mixture of euphoria and worry. The day before had been wonderful but he saw her face as she was leaving. It was certainly going to take more than an afternoon of great sex to make things right between them.

He got on his stool and Steph was over like a shot, a cup of tea already in her hand for him. 'You didn't call me to tell me how it went!'

He squinted his eyes and then replied, 'Oh, sorry. I forgot.'

'Never mind. So?'

Jane smiled and sipped the tea she had brought him, raising his eyebrows. 'So?'

She regarded him for a second then a grin came over her face. 'Oh my god, you had sex with her, didn't you?'

A man two chairs down looked in their direction and smiled, giving Jane a thumbs up sign.

Jane smiled thinly at him, a blush coming to his cheek before turning back to Steph. 'Nice one. You want to get a megaphone in here?' More quietly, he asked, 'Was it that obvious?'

'Sure. You have that look about you.'

'And what look is that?'

'One I haven't seen since I met you' she replied with her eyebrows raised.

Jane ran his hand through his hair, smiled and shook his head.

She asked, 'So, what does it mean? You two back together now to sail off into the sunset?'

He shook his head. 'No. We haven't even really talked yet. But we will. She's moved back to Sacramento. Actually she's going to be working in the same building where we both used to work. It's strange how things have come full circle.'

'So, what you just saw each other and hit the sack?'

'It wasn't quite as tawdry as all that, thank you very much. I don't imagine you want the details.'

She screwed her face up. 'You're damn right I don't. I'll fetch you your breakfast. I'll tell Rico to add another strip of bacon this morning' she said, giving him a wink.

After breakfast he noticed she was quieter than normal. Not that he didn't enjoy the peace for a change but he knew something was wrong with her.

'What's the matter? Not like you to be so quiet.'

'I thought you preferred it when I was quiet.'

'I do but obviously something's bothering you.'

'Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it' she said quickly.

'Okay' he said, knowing this was how to get her to speak.

After a moment she said, 'I got this today', handing him a letter she took out of her apron pocket.

He opened it and read the first page. 'Is this a job offer?'

She nodded. 'Yes, it's from one of the biggest law firms in New York. They've offered me a job, based on me graduating with my current grades, of course.'

'New York?' he replied, feeling a little sad for himself at the thought of her being across the country.

'Why, would you miss me?' she smiled.

'Of course, who else could I find to annoy me as much as you?' he smiled back.

He looked at the second page and widened his eyes. 'Is this the starting salary? Jesus, I'm in the wrong job.'

'Yes it is and you can't be in the wrong job. You have to actually have one first.'

Jane gave the letter back to her. 'So, what's the matter? You're not worried about your grades, are you? We can spend more time going over stuff if that's what it is.'

'No, it's not that. I know I'm going to get the grades.'

'So, is it because it's in New York? I'm sure there are plenty of firms closer that'll offer you much the same deal.'

She nodded. 'I know that too. It's just...Well, the type of firms offering me this kind of money are big firms.'

Jane nodded but couldn't understand her point.

She continued, seeing the confused expression on his face. 'Patrick, they're all big corporate firms. It's all about deals, mergers, politics, backstabbing-'

She stopped as she saw his expression change to one of understanding. 'And you don't want to work for one of those type of firms' he said.

'No, I don't.'

He smiled and replied, 'I never thought I'd see the day, an idealistic lawyer.'

She smiled back and shrugged, putting the letter back into her apron. 'Tell me about it. It's ridiculous.'

'So, don't take the job in one of those firms. Find a smaller one, somewhere you can make a difference to the common man if that's what you want.'

She nodded but still frowned. He looked at her and then realised what her issue was.

'You can't do that because of law school fees, is that it? You feel you need to take a higher paying job to pay them off. Especially now. You don't want to burden your mother with that worry as you're both still getting over the loss of your father.'

She shrugged and looked away. 'When my father died suddenly like that a lot of things changed for us. She needs the money he had saved for my education to live on now.'

'Well, there's a very easy solution. I can give you the money. Just give me a couple of days to get to a casino.'

'No, you will not! That's not why I showed you the letter. If I work in one of those firms for a couple of years I can make enough to pay off my debts and then do as you say. It's the obvious solution.'

Jane sighed. He had been one himself and been around plenty of others to know a con artist when he met one and knew she wasn't one.

'I know that, Steph. But you wanted my advice so here it is. Why would you want to work somewhere you're going to hate for two years when I can make the problem go away in a couple of days instead. It's preposterous.'

'I'm not taking your money, Patrick.'

He rolled his eyes. 'It's the casino's money, not mine! Okay, how about you even put up the stake and I'll increase it for you. I'll even take a little commission off the top for my trouble. How about that? Think of me as a stock you're investing in if that makes it easier.'

She couldn't help but smile a little. 'A stock?'

He smiled back. 'Sure, why not? Believe me, I'm a good bet. At least when it comes to poker or blackjack I am.'

Her face softened and he could see her eyes were glistening. 'Look, thank you. I really appreciate you trying to help me in your own way but you're not-'

'Your father. I'm aware of that, Steph. I just want to help you so let me.'

She shook her head as her tears welled up and walked away.

'Hey' Jane said when he rang Lisbon that evening. 'How go the renovations?'

'Oh, god, don't talk to me. The phone company won't get their finger out; the desks will never be here on time and I have a building manager who finds more time to look at my ass than the seating chart. I haven't even had time to go over personnel folders to pick my team yet. It's a nightmare. So, how are you?'

Jane grinned. 'Well, you can't really blame the building manager. I've admired that ass for many years myself so give him a break. I'm okay, thanks.'

'You sure? You sound worried. Is it about what happened yesterday? Do you regret it?'

Jane laughed. 'Of course not, don't be ridiculous!'

He went to explain his conversation with Steph that morning.

'She sounds like she's proud, Jane and she wants to fix the problem herself. It shows good character.'

'Yeah, good character but utter stupidity.'

'Why is it so important for you to help her?'

'Because I can.'

'That's not an explanation.'

Jane was silent for a moment and then replied. 'Look, I never had the chance to see Charlotte grow up. And I know she's not Charlotte but-'

'She reminds you of her?' Lisbon asked quietly, her heart breaking for him.

'Not really. I mean when Charlotte...when she died she was only a child. But do you remember the hallucination I had of her when I drank that belladonna?'

'Of course. She was a teenager then, right?'

'Yes. Well, Steph is like an older version of that, kind of.'

'She's the person you hoped Charlotte would have grown up to be.'

'I guess it's something like that. I know it sounds crazy but something inside me is telling me I have to help this girl, Lisbon.'

Lisbon smiled, tears welling up. 'Then help her.'

'Didn't you hear me? She won't accept my help.'

'And since when does Patrick Jane give up so easily?'

He smiled and nodded. 'You're right. I'll talk to her again tomorrow.'

'I'm looking forward to meeting her now. Hope she likes me.'

'She already does just by what I've told her about you. Believe me, she wasn't shy of telling how much of a jerk I was to you.'

'Then I really do look forward to meeting her!'

They both laughed for a second before Jane spoke again. 'You know, you sounded like you were really stressed earlier from all that work today. I could be there in a couple of hours to...you know...relieve a little of it for you if you like?'

Lisbon grinned, her stomach lurching at the idea. 'Why, you want to give me a massage?'

'Well, I could begin with a massage.'

'Stop it. I better go before my will leaves me entirely. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Night, Patrick.'

'Night Teresa, sleep well.'