A/n I'm writing these one-shots whilst planning some more substantial writing projects, but I love how much people enjoy these shorts. Thank you for the reviews.

/

That Time Of The Month

"Still in bed? That's not like you." The sound of her boyfriend's voice pulls her out of her daze, and she turns to look at him with a groan. She isn't quite sure what time it is but at a guess, it is probably nearing midday but it is the weekend so that's allowed. Although that isn't the reason why she is wrapped up in the sheets and he knows it, he's worked it out. Lisbon's time of the month has hit her with full force and as always with her cycle it is a little unpredictable what the effects of that on her will be.

Jane realised when she went to bed early last night what was up so this morning he went to the store in preparation for anything she may need. Last month his attentiveness definitely surprised her, she has never really had anyone look after her during her period before but very quickly she became used to it. He is a very caring person when he wants to be, his selfish streak having significantly diminished since Red John's demise. "Do you want some food?" He offers whilst stood at her bedside, "I can do eggs or soup or… I don't think it is too early for ice cream."

"I'm feeling nauseous so I'm okay. Can you just come back to bed?" She innocently asks, her bottom lip forming a pout. It isn't unusual for her to be a little more needy when on her period and although it is never a pleasant time for her, he would be lying if he said he didn't like doting on her during these spells.

"Give me a minute." She huffs a little at this, being impatient thanks to her raging hormones, but she is smiling when she feels his soft lips on her cheek. "One minute."

When he returns, he is just wearing a pair of sweatpants, but she isn't quite sure what he was wearing before because her mind is slightly fuzzy. Was he wearing his usual suit or something more casual for the weekend? There are not many occasions when she has seen him in anything other than a suit, but most of those occasions are from the few months that they've been together. The day he wore a pair of blue jeans, and a white tee is a day she won't forget in a hurry, for some reason she found his transformation incredibly sexy that she made known very quickly. He wasn't wearing them for long.

Jane hovers next to her holding a hot water bottle and a drink, she takes both from him before he produces some painkillers. "You've not taken any yet, right?"

"No, didn't feel like moving." She takes the medication and drinks half the beverage before flopping back down onto the mattress, but now with the comforting hot water bottle across her torso.

Her partner walks around to the other side of the bed and gets in, being careful not to cause her to move too much. His care is appreciated, and she considers how lucky she is to be with a guy who seems to understand about this stuff, she has not been so lucky with ex partners. Greg, her boyfriend before college, would disappear for the week whilst Marcus went the other way, he panicked and made it seem like she had some massive ailment. It was hugely frustrating. "Do you feel like cuddling or…?" Jane gets the balance perfect. He makes sure that she is looked after without being overly coddled whilst asking what is best for her.

"I kind of need my own space but I also don't want to be alone. Damn hormones." She curses with a shake of her head, but he is okay with that, he will happily just sit with her.

"That's okay, we can talk." Despite her need for personal space, she does find his hand under the covers, and she lovingly entwines their fingers. "If you need me to get some more stuff from the store then let me know."

"I think I'm okay, thank you." She mumbles and sends him a small smile which he mirrors whilst giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I am pretty organised when it comes to this stuff. Years of practice." Lisbon dryly remarks with a sigh, contemplating that she doesn't know how she has managed to deal with the monthly mood swings and pain and other grim symptoms that her period brings for so long.

Her partner hums beside her, evidently in deep thought and she can almost hear the cogs turning inside his head. "Women really did get the tough end of the bargain."

"You're only just getting that now?"

"No but… it is crazy to think about." He muses, "I feel very lucky to have been born a man."

Teresa has gone throughout her life experiencing the disadvantages of being a woman. She has been hit on by creepy men in bars, treated differently throughout her working life, had to push herself harder to get to the heights she has got to whilst being paid less than her male counterparts, but despite all this, she wouldn't not want to be a woman. However, he is right, men definitely have it easier, but there still must be disadvantages. "There has to be some drawbacks." She comments, maybe out of wanting to make herself feel better about her current predicament.

"Hm… I guess there is toxic masculinity but in my old age I have learnt not to think like that. When I was younger it was more of a problem."

"You're only a few years older than me." She states, unhappy about his use of old. "And I am not old."

"True true." He agrees. "I also feel like men have less fashion choices."

"It was your choice to spend years only wearing three-piece suits. Don't put that on the rest of the world." Her teasing earns a light chuckle from the man propped up beside her and on another day, he would point out that his vests are included in many of her fantasies, but now isn't the time for that. That much is clear when her mood swiftly changes and her tone switches from one filled with humour to one of disappointment. "I sometimes feel like I have failed as a woman."

"What? How?" He questions, sounding appalled at the notion.

"Well, we know why periods happen and what it means when we have one." He immediately understands where she is going with this and although he wants to quash her worries before she even voices them, he realises that perhaps it would be good for her to get them out there. "And what it doesn't mean." She sighs again but this time lets her head hit the pillow so that she is staring up at the white painted ceiling and not to him at her side. She can sense his gaze boring into her, however, and it is a little perturbing even though she knows he wouldn't be anything but concerned. "I went to catholic school and although we were taught academia, we were also taught the importance of raising a family. I don't think it is quite like that now, but I sometimes wonder if I have missed out and for that reason, failed."

"You haven't failed. Having children or not having children doesn't define who you are just because you are a woman. You are a brilliant human being and have done so much good in your life, that's what matters. Your happiness, health, wellbeing, is what's important." He effortlessly spiels, making her straightaway feel much better. He even notices some of the tension lift from her shoulders. "And also, never say never." It is his turn to avert his gaze and look up at the ceiling, focussing on the slight crack travelling to the arris, letting his statement hang in the air.

Lisbon lets it repeat in her head for a few rounds before turning to face him once more, she even manages to find the will to push herself up, keeping the hot water bottle pressed against her stomach, so she can properly concentrate on him. "Really?" She utters, evidently surprised.

"Why not?" He nonchalantly shrugs, but internally his mind is racing, hoping that what he said is received well. He has no expectations of having kids with her but if it is an option then he definitely wants to explore it. "There's no pressure or anything, but I guess I want you to know that I am not opposed to the idea." He then tilts his head towards her, their eyes fusing together as they both make the futile attempt of reading the other's thoughts. It isn't completely pointless though, because she can see that he is being truthful whilst he notes how she isn't aghast at the idea.

They don't say anything else on the subject, not now anyway, instead she forgets her previous objections to a cuddle and shifts to lean against his chest, allowing him to wrap his arms around her, providing a comfort that the hot water bottle couldn't bring.