A Green Painted House

What was the first thing Jane did when he returned to Austin? He stormed into Dennis Abbott's office just as the agent was leaving to go home for the day and asked for a job offer for Lisbon. The man looked humoured by his new consultant's urgency and sat back in his chair listening to his ramblings. He isn't an idiot. When he discovered the ex-CBI agent's pregnancy and the lack of known partner, he had his suspicions that a felon he was pursuing was the father of the child. He just wanted to hear him say it.

It took about ten minutes before the mentalist finally caved and said, "To be completely honest with you Abbott, her child is my son and I need them both here in Austin with me considering I am bound by contract to remain here. She is a good cop." This seemed to be enough to get the wheels in motion of his masterplan.

That was a week ago, and in that time he has managed to gain access to his finances, acquired a phone – that he has been using mainly to contact Lisbon all week – and a car which he has just parked in the lot outside Austin Airport. He doesn't think that in all his life he has ever stood in arrivals, waiting for loved ones but it feels great, he is smiling from ear to ear.

When he spots them weaving through the crowd as she skilfully pushes a stroller in one hand whilst pulling a suitcase with the other, a bag also slung over her shoulder, he immediately rushes over to help. "Hey." He greets as he takes both bags from her person before leaning down to kiss the top of his son's head. "How was your flight?"

The scowl he receives as an answer to his question is all he needs to know. "You should try travelling with a fifteen-month-old."

"I offered to come and meet you in Washington so we could fly together!" He exclaims and then they start walking towards the exit, Lisbon now much more comfortably pushing William's stroller whilst Jane juggles the luggage.

It isn't long before they are safely in his car and driving away from the airport. Almost as soon as the young child gets strapped into his car seat he begins to doze off, feeling the full effects of the three-and-a-half-hour flight. "This is much more sensible than the Citroën." She comments when they hit the road. He knew that the remark was coming, she has been inspecting his chosen vehicle silently for the past few minutes.

His ashen grey Chevrolet Impala that he bought from a used car dealership a few days prior doesn't have the same charm as his classic Citroën DS did, but he is enjoying the freedom of road travel once again. "I have other priorities now." He replies, with a glance in the rear-view mirror at his son who is snoozing in his brand-new car seat. She notices the action and smiles. Even though the brunette knew that he would want to be a dad, it is nice and also a relief to see his commitment to it, to their son.

What she doesn't yet know and therefore cannot appreciate is how much he has been sorting over the past week so he is able to support them both the best he can. In between consulting on FBI cases, he has spent long hours on the phone to banks, estate agents, nurseries to make the transition of moving to Texas so much easier for her. It is the least he can do, considering how he has been absent for two years.

xxx

Whilst she has her closed-door consultation with Abbott and also a dark-haired agent by the name of Kim Fischer, the mentalist enjoys some father-son time sat on his couch in the bullpen. Every so often Cho and young agent Wylie peer in their direction, loving the sight of their colleague reading a story to the fifteen-month-old boy who gurgles happily. It isn't really the norm to have kids in the office but today they make an exception.

When she finishes her meeting, Lisbon beams seeing her son and his father sharing some quality time together on the couch that is definitely all-too-familiar to her. "Mama!" William shouts on seeing his mother and immediately she scoops him up in her arms, he nestles into her side.

"Has he been good?"

"Very." Jane replies, mirroring her joyful expression. "Now come on, we've got places we need to be."

"Aren't you needed here?" She cocks her head to the side, there had been no discussion about them spending the day together and she assumed that it was just going to be her and her child because of his contract.

"Not today. We've got stuff to do." Lots to do, he almost adds but instead focusses on packing up his son's things in the baby bag before steering both he and his mother towards the elevator.

Yesterday, after getting them settled into their motel room, he left very quickly saying he had things to sort out for today. At the time she felt a little put out seeing that she is relocating just so he can be close to his son, but she blamed her mood on tiredness and today she doesn't see it that way. He has already done so much, including getting her a dream job, but it is quickly made apparent that there is more she doesn't know about.

First there is the nursery place he managed to swing for William. As nurseries go it is pretty upmarket with a good staff to children ratio, modern facilities and is full of happy, bumbling kids who cheerfully spend their days playing with each other. It looks trouble-free to be a child here and that is exactly what Lisbon wants for her son. Another benefit to this particular establishment is that there are lots of FBI agent's offspring here, and therefore the staff are used to the antisocial hours. They won't have to be worried about leaving their son here and Jane knew that when he checked it out earlier on in the week.

This being said, when he tells her that they need to leave the young boy here for a couple of hours she is definitely reluctant to do so – even though he has already made a friend in the ball pit. "He will be fine, I promise." The mentalist attempts to persuade as he gently presses the palm of his hand to her lower back to lead her out. "I did thorough background checks, well Wylie did… you know how I am with computers."

She chuckles at this, and he senses some of the tension leave her body. He is glad that what he said has made her feel a bit better but what he doesn't know that it was actually the touch of his hand that made her destress, more than the words he uttered. She has missed being so close to him.

They make idle small talk when they return to his vehicle, and they leave the childcare premises behind. It is nice to be able to do this again, they've shared many car rides together over the years and they've always enjoyed each other's company during them. Even during those times when the consultant was in one of his more irritating moods. It was never a dull day with him around.

They were both worried about their relationship being strained on his return from hiding but the more time they spend together, the more they feel at ease which one and other once again. Their arrangement, whatever it results in being, will be okay. The drive is very comfortable so much so that she doesn't bother to ask where they are going. When this realisation hits her, it then only takes five minutes before curiosity gets the better of her, "Where we are going?"

"That's for me to know and for you to find out." He teases and when she glances over at him, she notices the devilish glint in his eye. Fleetingly he turns to face her sporting his classic Jane grin as he adds, "We are only a few minutes away." And it isn't long before he parks up outside a house that has a real-estate sign posted outside.

The house is a modest size located in a lovely neighbourhood with a good school, he did his research. It is painted a deep green with white trim and has black slate roof tiles. It definitely looks well-kept and is much nicer than her home in Washington. Lisbon is about to ask what they're doing here but before she has chance he switches the engine off with a, "Come on." Twizzling a pair of house keys in-between his fingertips.

He leads the way up the footpath that cuts through the middle of a freshly trimmed front lawn. Many questions fill her head as she follows but for now, she settles to observing as he unlocks the front door and holds it open so she can step inside. "Have a look around." He instructs whilst closing the door behind them and briefly she presents him a baffled look but when he doesn't offer any sort of explanation, she decides to explore the property, because she would be lying if she said she wasn't the slightest bit interested.

It is fully furnished with all the walls currently painted an off-white and the furniture being used to add a splash of colour. Blue appears to be this particular property developer's favourite accenting colour, with the couch and photo frames being a navy, teal tiles in both the kitchen and bathrooms, and even the master bedroom has a pale-sky shade as the feature wall and cushions on the large double bed.

There are three bedrooms in total, the largest with an en-suite bathroom that has a stunning walk-in shower, as well as there being a family bathroom just at the top of the stairs. The other two bedrooms are a decent size, one currently contains a double bed and desk that looks to be the perfect guest room whilst the other has a small single bed. Everything appears flawless, typical of a newbuild home that has been set-up for potential buyers to peruse, but it is obvious that it could make a great home.

They are in the kitchen, Lisbon running her fingertips over the smooth countertop as he watches from the other side of the breakfast bar with amusement. "What do you think?" He asks. They've mainly be silent since entering the house and the sudden sound of his restful voice almost makes her jump a little.

"It is very nice, really homely." Is her reply and she stops her inspection of the kitchen surfaces to stare back at him, although there is an obvious air of confusion about her. Is this where he is going to live? He can't exactly live in a motel room forever and she assumes that the FBI would rather he didn't just sleep on his couch in the bullpen every night. They probably have stricter security protocols compared to CBI.

Jane smiles at her before taking one last sweeping look around the property, pleased of the place he chose and then announces. "I'm glad you think so because it's yours."

The air leaves her lungs so quickly that she is almost worried about hyperventilating. Fortunately, she remembers how to breathe and manages to take a few careful breaths in and out, but the expression of surprise does not leave her face. She is dumbfounded. "Jane…" She manages to mutter but it comes out nervous. "I-I can't accept this."

"You can and you will." He isn't taking no for an answer, especially after everything she has done for him in the past but also since then for his son. "This is the perfect home for my son to grow up in and you deserve it too. You have done everything alone so far, but you don't need to anymore. I am here."

He watches a large grin overtake her features as she returns to examining the kitchen once more, imagining all the memories that will be made in here, hopefully similar to the one that was made the other morning when she observed him looking after their son after giving him breakfast.

This house is more than anything she could have hoped for and a part of her wonders where he has found the money for a place like this, and the car, and all the other bits and pieces he has purchased for William over the past week. She has always had a sneaking suspicion that he has had money hidden in off-shore accounts – which would explain how he managed to get away so easily after Red John's death – but she has never asked. It doesn't really matter she supposes. "So Lisbon, do you see yourself and William living here?"

"Definitely." She replies, without having to think and her eagerness pleases him greatly. "A great family home."

"Yes." He agrees. "I will make some changes for you. Childproof it a bit and make alterations to his bedroom so it looks more like a bedroom fit for a little boy instead of a show home. I will get a crib, paint a bit etcetera."

"I appreciate that."

"There is something else…" This next subject is one he isn't sure quite how to broach with her and immediately she detects his caution. "I-I was wondering if I could stay in the spare room. That way I am around for William, and for you too." She is evidently staggered by his proposal and subconsciously she takes a step back closer to the oven. "I have no ulterior motive and I would give you space when you need it but…" He trails and she catches his face briefly twist in pain before he manages to continue. "I was a good father to Charlotte, until I wasn't, and I want to be the best father I can be to our son."

Lisbon understands and welcomes this. Although she loves nothing more than being a mother, spending as much time as possible with her baby, it has been difficult at times doing it alone. She knew that fatherhood would be important to him, she saw first-hand how torn up he was after what happened to his family all those years ago. She is actually pleased to be able to give him a chance of being a dad again, even if they're not a typical family. "I wasn't expecting all this." She admits, a light blush colouring her cheeks.

"You know me. I like the element of surprise." He chuckles to add to his point. "I am also a pretty good cook so I would make sure you both eat well."

This arrangement sounds better and better the more he talks about it. She is not a terrible cook, but it has never been one of her favourite pastimes and it would be nice to have someone cooking for her most nights. Especially after a long day at work. "You really are committed to this." She murmurs distractedly, gazing out of the kitchen window that overlooks the spacious back garden, but he is surprised by her words.

"Of course, I am." He finds himself frowning. "Why would you think I wouldn't be?"

When she turns to look at him, he can tell that she doesn't quite know what to say. It is like she is trying to work out what is acceptable in this situation because she doesn't want him to get upset or perturbed. "I don't know you-" She hesitates in continuing and her tentativeness makes him furrow his brow. "You seem… different to before."

"Good different?"

"You seem more at peace now. I'm still getting used to it." Jane doesn't know how to reply so instead just settles with a timid nod.

The shyness of his action makes her find some confidence from somewhere as she begins to walk from the other side of the kitchen island, getting closer to him. It is like he has poured an element of his soul to her, the least she could do is try and return the favour. She halts only a metre or so away from him. "I did tell him about you sometimes." She would tell her son stories about some of stunts his father pulled in the past, making him sound more like a superhero instead of a mentalist who helped with police cases. "And about his sister."

The curly-haired man feels a lump form in his throat on learning this news. He just assumed that because she kept William's true parentage to herself that even his son didn't know anything about him. He may only be fifteen months old, but he has likely been able to retain some of the information presented to him by his mother. "What did you say?"

"All sorts of things." She shrugs. "Most recently, whenever he doesn't eat his eggs, I tell him that his father is fussy about eggs too."

"Fussy? More like I am an egg expert."

"It is nice to know that you're good at something." She taunts making him act mock-offended. "Let's see what our son thinks of your eggs when we move in here."

At first, he is just humoured by the vision of William judging his cooking but then it sinks it what she has really just said, the deep meaning behind it. "So that's a yes?" He questions out of disbelief. "We can all live here? Together?"

His genuine shock makes her green eyes sparkle, there is something so rewarding about astonishing Patrick Jane, the man who always seems to know what is going on. "Well, you may drive me up all the walls after a week, but I definitely want to try." Lisbon then puts out her hand as invitation for him to shake it. "For William."

Ignoring her proper gesture, he instead decides to wrap his arms around her, hugging her tight. So much for no ulterior motive she muses mentally but has no problem in mirroring his action and snaking her arms around his waist.

Neither of them wants things to get complicated. The main focus in both of their minds is William, but they cannot help but wonder whether their parental partnership will develop into something more.