A/n Insomnia struck again last night so here is the result of that. It is just a little something set post-episode S6E10 – Green Thumb. I always found it a bit odd that Jane was so psychologically okay (for him) after three months of solitary confinement, so this oneshot stems from that thought. I also feel like we missed stuff in between E10 and E11 of that series, suddenly both Jane and Lisbon were very settled in Austin which perhaps isn't so realistic. Anyway, I'm rambling.
Thanks for reading.
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Out of Solitary Confinement
They have just left his detention suite, Patrick Jane and Teresa Lisbon, both ecstatic about the future now that he is not only a free man but because she is going to move down here, in Texas, with him. It is all for work of course, when is it not, but they're both looking forward to working with the other one again.
He is just glad that after those two years away and the three months incarceration here in Austin that he can finally spend some decent, quality time with her. He has missed her so much, more than he can really put into words. She has missed him too, but she is also excited about the prospect of them being partners once more, it is never a dull day at work with him and things will be better now that she isn't boss, so she doesn't have to deal with the fallout from his schemes.
They are soon in her car and driving away from the FBI detention centre, in some Honda sedan that she rented from the airport for what she assumed was going to be a quick trip but has turned into a life move. The home she had made for herself in Washington is quickly forgotten.
They've been given two weeks before their first official start date as an FBI agent and consultant. It is going to be a frantic fortnight for her, finding a place to live here and moving out of her place over one and half, thousand miles away. Meanwhile who knows what he will be up to. She doesn't know his plans and he has barely uttered a syllable since leaving the detention centre. It is strange.
He was so thrilled to learn of his freedom (and her decision to stay here with him) but now he seems… distracted. She glances at him gazing out of the window and fills the silence, "Do you want to get something to eat?" Her tone is enthusiastic, because she is so pleased that he is finally out of that place. Yes, she recognises that he broke the law… more than once, but after really thinking about it – and she had over two years to do so – she doesn't blame him what he did, because she knows that he is not a bad person. Not really. "I'm buying."
Mainly because he has no access to money right now, but the additional remark was actually to kill the dead air. He hasn't moved beside her. He is still just staring, out at the world as they drive by. "Jane?"
On hearing his name, he snaps out of his trance and slowly turns to face her. "Sorry, what did you say?"
"Are you okay?" His mood has completely changed to what it was nearly an hour ago and she cannot help but feel concerned. The large smile on his face from when she told him that his demands have been met is now gone, so long gone that it is like it never existed. His expression is neutral, unreadable, but from his silence she understands that something is wrong.
Jane audibly sighs and a part of her wants to pull up at the nearest rest stop so that they can talk, but it would be easier for both of them if they conversed more casually perhaps over dinner. "It just feels a little odd to be free."
"I understand that." She doesn't, but it seems like the thing to say. "What food do you fancy? I don't mind what we get."
When she first offered, it was a suggestion but now she is not giving him the option. It has been a while since either of them have eaten and she knows what he is like on an empty stomach. Cranky, uncooperative, sometimes even erratic and if he is finding the sudden adjustment back to civilian life difficult then it will be much harder with low blood sugar. "I could eat a burger. It has been ages since I had proper burger."
"With all the trimmings." She adds with a smile, but he just hums non-committedly. "I think I passed a place earlier that should do a good burger."
The quiet is helpful as Lisbon racks her brain for the directions to the diner that she saw this morning and it isn't long before they're winding through Austin and parking up at Shelley's American Diner. On noticing the sign, he wonders why they specify it is an "American" diner when they are in fact in the US. It definitely lowers his bar for the potential experience they will have there.
It is fairly busy inside and the place has a good atmosphere, it immediately lifts his spirts which she detects. This seems the perfect establishment for people watching and if there something Patrick Jane enjoys, it is people watching.
They find a table in the centre of the restaurant, usually she would opt for a more secluded spot, but she believes that being in the middle of the action will be better for him, so she pushes her needs away. It isn't the first time and now, she knows, that it won't be the last. He straightaway picks up the menu and begins to scour it for his chosen meal of the evening.
She observes him for a few moments, taking in each and every micro-expression he displays as he reads because the relief that she feels is immeasurable. Despite all the difficult scrapes he got out of during their long history, she did not think he would get off the hook for this one.
The brunette then forces herself to look away.
A waitress comes over to take their order and as well as both ordering bacon cheeseburgers and fries, he orders a tea, but she hesitates before ordering them both a beer also. She certainly feels like she needs it, and it will probably help him loosen up too. "I thought after three months of solitary confinement that you would be chattier than this." She admits with a sad smile that makes his heart sink.
The last thing he wanted to do was upset her. She doesn't deserve that… especially after everything she has done for him. "Yeah, same here." He confesses with a sharp exhale.
"Solitary confinement wasn't fun, eh?"
"No, I love being alone with my thoughts." He mutters sarcastically and leans back in his chair. "It is up there with the time I was locked in a mental institution."
Then why did you choose it? This is what Lisbon wants to ask, but she elects that now isn't the time. He must have been pretty damn sure that Abbott would eventually take him up on his offer to suffer through three months of difficult incarceration. "Let's talk. Tell me about the island."
He is silent for a few moments before requesting, "I would much rather we'd talk about you." She quickly realises why. It must be mind-numbing being trapped with only your own thoughts for months on end, of course he is hardly in the mood to chat about himself. "Tell me about Washington."
Their drinks order is brought to them and what surprises her is how he immediately takes a sip of the uncapped beer, forgetting his tea entirely. She mirrors his action whilst she works out what to disclose about her time in Washington. "There is not a lot to say really." She shrugs and tucks a stray lock of her dark hair behind her ear subconsciously. "I was there for almost two years as a police chief in this small town called Cannon River. It was simple, effortless compared to what I was doing at CBI."
At the mention of the CBI, he cannot help the sudden feeling of guilt that hits him. Yes, the whole Blake Association scenario wasn't his doing and that was essentially the cause of termination for the Californian Bureau, but it was his fault that his partner lost her challenging but fulfilling livelihood. "Sounds dull." He comments, taking another sip of his alcoholic beverage.
"A little…" She acknowledges with a slight nod of her head before her piercing green eyes snap to meet his. "But I think I needed it. The time to reset and to discover who I am again."
This is something that he relates to because he also went through it. The time away gave him the opportunity to focus on his wellbeing and after years and years of tirelessly pursuing the notorious serial killer, the soul-searching was necessary. "Did you ever miss California?"
"The state? Not so much." After all the bad memories from her final few years there she thought the change of scene would be good, and she was right. "I missed Grace and Rigs more than anything." And you, she wants to say, but decides against it.
He doesn't catch what she says next.
Having her sat in front of him, listening to her chatter, it really hits that he is finally free. He is back in the US, with her, no longer trapped on the island away from the civilisation he was used to. He has missed the food, the cooler weather, speaking English… her.
Jane realises that he zoned out and that she is no longer speaking but instead gawking at him expectantly. "I'm sorry, I asked you something and then spaced out, that was rude of me." He is shaking his head and before she can say that it is all fine, and that she is not offended he reveals what was on his mind. "I have missed you, Teresa. So much."
"I have missed you too." It is nice to get that off her chest, she thinks, with a smile.
Lisbon was right, the beer does help him loosen up and he begins to talk more smoothly. He makes comments about some of the other customers in the diner, from the awkward teen first date to the elderly couple who have brought their three grandchildren out for dinner. Everyone seems to be happy and relaxed, and that starts to rub off on him. He starts to let go.
They are discussing her currently very incomplete moving plans when their food is brought to them. The smell of their freshly cooked burgers and salty fries teases his senses, his stomach instantly rumbling in anticipation. She just manages to hear it over the upbeat music that is playing in the background and it humours her. "These look like some good bacon cheeseburgers." She states as he eagerly picks up the bun-clad masterpiece.
Taking a large bite, some tomato and onion relish drips down the corner of his mouth making her chuckle, he laughs also when he realises before grabbing a napkin to wipe it away.
It is amazing how quickly they are at ease with each other once more, even after everything they have been through, everything he put her through. He is so lucky to have someone like her in his life and he knows it.
They are there barely an hour when the bill comes and he is watching her pay, he wonders how much of a faff it is going to be getting access to his own bank accounts again. He is not looking forward to finding out. "While I am house hunting and packing, what are you going to be doing?" She asks, as they walk back to her hired car.
"The FBI have put me up in a Motel whilst they source my accommodation. I will probably explore the area a bit, maybe buy some more socks." Simultaneously they both look down at his feet, when he walks his pant legs ride up a little revealing the brain new socks that she gifted to him earlier and briefly they look to the other one with a smile.
"Great plan because I don't think one pair of socks is going to cut it." She is right about that, although even when he purchases more pairs these will be the ones that he wears the most.
They reach the vehicle when he adds, "There has been some chatter about counselling." Jane's comment isn't met with a verbal response straightaway, she doesn't even unlock the car as his hand rest on the handle ready to pull open the door. He peers at her over the roof of the car and he can practically see the cogs working in her head.
Did he just voluntarily mention potentially seeing a psychiatrist? He really has changed. Eventually, the agent finds her voice. "Could be a good idea all things considered. Three months of solitary confinement would effect anyone."
"More like twenty-seven months." And for the most fleeting of moments, she can see the vulnerability behind his sea blue eyes… but then he looks away, down at his scuffed shoes. Lisbon unlocks the car, and he is quick to clamber inside, she follows.
His letters whilst he was away made it seem like he was okay and that the island was paradise even if it was a little boring. Sometimes it made her angry that he was so okay when she was missing him like crazy and driving herself insane working at the little police station in Cannon River. Now, she understands that he was just telling her the good stuff and that the situation wasn't so blissful.
Her hand lingers on the keys in the ignition. "Jane…" She turns her head to look at him, at his questioning but nervous expression. "I know things were a little rocky between us before you left…" Understatement of the century. "But you need to know, I need you to know that I am here, and I am not going anywhere." You can talk to me – is left unsaid but he understands that is the message behind it.
"That's good to know." It really is. After everything he has done to her, she is still here and at side, wanting to help him. She really is special and he is going try his hardest not to take advantage of that, not anymore. "And I'm not going anywhere either."