A/n This was written for The Mentalist festive gift exchange on AO3. I am not acquainted with the person I was assigned but I hope they enjoy this!

I wrote most of this before realising that Christmas crackers aren't really used in the US, but I think I give a good enough explanation of what they are in the story so hopefully I don't baffle people too much.

Have a good festive season!

/

The Christmas Cracker

"Has anyone seen Jane?" A chorus of noes follows but Lisbon isn't surprised, yesterday he helped crack a case by getting very intoxicated. She is sure that he will be nursing an incredibly heavy hangover today.

Last night after being grilled by J.J. Laroche, she drove her consultant to his motel despite his pleas to take him back to CBI. She knows he spends more nights there in the dusty attic that he has made his make-shift home, but with the amount of alcohol he consumed, she knew that he needed a bed for the night and not a crusty, old mattress. He started to whittle on about Christmas which is this weekend, talking about carny traditions and the last Christmas he had with his family. Despite his musings being largely incoherent, she did listen with intent – it isn't like he is open very often. "I've got a meeting with Hightower and then Bertram." Lisbon tells her team who each look up from their respective computers. "Cho, you're in charge until I get back." And with that she turns her back and leaves.

She needs to be focussed on today and her meetings, there is a lot of important topics to discuss, the biggest being the death of a cop killer in their house. It has changed the atmosphere of CBI because suddenly people are wary of each other, not knowing who can be trusted and with the PSU's investigation ongoing, everyone is on edge. Lisbon is trying her hardest to be a strong leader, mainly to put her team at ease, but even she is starting to feel the strain.

Then there is Jane.

It isn't unusual to feel like he is hiding something because he isn't the most trustworthy of individuals and he generally has a scheme cooking, but currently that feeling is stronger than ever. Why did Todd Johnson want to speak with him so badly? She knows the answer that he has given to her, Hightower, Bertram and LaRoche but there is something about it which she isn't quite believing.

He rambled and rambled last night with whiskey flowing through his system and even though she knew his uncharacteristic openness was because of the booze, she was still dumbfounded about some of what he revealed.

"My wife was so excited to give Charlotte this dolls house that we saw at the toy store. It had a pink roof, was three stories and the family which was included looked a bit like us. It was a nightmare to wrap because of the box being so big but Charlotte being Charlotte, played more with the box than the doll house. She made it into all kinds of stuff because her imagination knew no end. She did use the figures though in her other games because she realised too that they looked like us. I still have them somewhere. Although they also came with a dog which led to a lot of conversations about us getting a dog and why that would have been a perfect idea…"

Nothing about Todd Johnson though, mainly utterings about his family. Lisbon tries her hardest to put it all to the back of her mind before stepping foot into Hightower's office whilst Jane eventually traipses in late afternoon, giving a nod to his colleagues while making his tea before heading up to his attic.

xxx

Meetings and the bureaucratic nonsense which law enforcement brings is not the part she signed up for. By the time she returns to her home i.e., the Major Crimes floor at CBI, she is so exhausted from all the faux smiles and sore from the continual upright posture that the last thing she wants to do is paperwork. It has passed five o'clock, they weren't called out on a new case, so the rest of the team have most likely gone home, and she is hoping to have a pile of complete forms on her desk. This isn't the sight which catches her eye when her office comes into view but instead her bleary-eyed consultant who is laying on her couch. Lisbon scoffs at the view but she is smiling underneath that, a part of her has missed him and his somewhat entertaining tomfoolery today. "Didn't think we would see you today." She voices after opening her door, the sound forcing him awake from his light snooze.

Jane brings a hand to his face and pinches the bridge of his nose, giving himself a second to fully regain cognitive function. "Trust me, neither did I." He groans and she has to stop herself from chuckling at his hungover state. She hasn't moved from the doorway, he knows that from the lack of footfall and when his eyes finally flutter open, he is immediately shifting his focus onto her, noting her tense demeanour and the stress-line on her forehead and that's enough to tell him how her day has gone. Things have been difficult since Todd Johnson was torched in one of their holding cells and although no-one really feels bad about what happened – he was a cop killer after all – it is no shock that it is being taken very seriously. The events of that day have been playing in Jane's mind over and over, especially because he knows of the deceased's link to Red John, but right now he is too hungover to start obsessing again. "Where have you been?" He asks her just as she starts to move to dump some files on her desk, but she doesn't attempt to sit behind it.

The consultant takes this as his cue to sit up and he slowly does so before budging to one end of the couch, his feet dragging along the floor probably scuffing the soles of his shoes in the process. For a second, she watches this action, and she can almost feel the pain in his head and the ache of his limbs, but to be honest that's because she is feeling like that but without the drink. "Meetings." She answers with a sigh. "First with Hightower and then a big one with Bertram."

"Fun." He then taps the spot beside him on the couch making her raise an eyebrow. Fleetingly, she considers what his game is but after a resigned sigh and a shake of her head, she realises that she doesn't care. The mountain of paperwork can wait, she can do with a few minutes to chill out after sitting through one of her edgy interactions with the CBI Director. Jane grins as she takes a seat not just because she has surprisingly complied but because of her closeness. Their relationship has definitely improved over the past couple of years.

They have become a kind of work power couple, a crimefighting duo and she has heard mutterings of nicknames in the breakroom and elevator: Starksy and Hutch, Sonny and Rico, Magnum and Higgins… it hasn't avoided her notice that they are always all-male duos, some people appear threatened by her femineity. "I was thinking about our conversation last night-"

"I am surprised you can remember." She interjects, teasing clear in her tone. It may have been touch and go, actually finding him before a lunatic injected a lethal concentration of alcohol into his naval, but the time afterwards was pretty funny. Rigsby did take a photograph of the pair of them, Jane with his arm slung over her shoulders as he tried his hardest not to keel over.

"My mind Lisbon, even when impaired, is a fortress."

He wasn't the only one to open up last night. She isn't sure whether it was because of his newfound sincerity or because she thought he would have no memory of their discussion, but even she found her voice and spoke about her own memories of Christmas. Her Christmases were quite different to his but then again, she doesn't think either of theirs fit social norms. Hers were filled with damage limitation, trying to console upset younger brothers who didn't receive expected presents and instead just had to deal with a drunk father who always seemed worse during the festive season. For him, there was always a carny failed attempt at a Christmas lunch which more times than not ended with a small fire and the adults turning a blind eye when he got a beating from the other kids.

It was an enlightening conversation – even if incomprehensible at points – for the both of them. "As I was saying, I was thinking about our conversation last night and came to the conclusion that even though we have had a difficult time of it, doesn't mean we can't enjoy the festive season." He then reaches behind a couch cushion, with her attempting to look around his body bringing a smirk to his face, and he produces what can only be described as a brightly coloured tube. When he shakes the item slightly in front of her face, she notes that it appears to be three toilet roll tubes attached together with ribbon joining them – although it is difficult to really inspect it due to his quick movements.

Jane watches the cogs turn in her head as she tries to put the pieces together, but she isn't getting anywhere, however, he's not surprised. It is fun to observe her thinking about it so deeply though. Lisbon switches her attention from the mysterious object to her consultant's face, frowning at the clear smirk upon it. Even in such a groggy state he manages to wind her up to no end and after a really late night thanks to their latest case, she isn't sure she has the patience to play into his hands. "It is a Christmas cracker." He suddenly pipes up, realising himself that she was ready to lambast him. All the signs were there.

"What the hell is a Christmas cracker?"

The tensing of her jaw, her lips pressing into a tight thin line, the squinting of her eyelids and the brows above them shrugged lower. All those indicators plus the use of the "H" word and he knows that he is skating on thin ice – it is good that he plans to brighten up her day. "A Christmas cracker is a festive table decoration made from cardboard paper tubes and wrapped in a brightly coloured paper which make a snapping sound when pulled apart by two people." He explains and she focusses on the object once again, taking in its stereotypical red and green festive design. "Whoever manages to hold onto the centre piece gets to keep the contents which is usually a garish paper hat, a joke and a small gift. They are a big deal in England." He holds onto one end before extending the other side to her, inviting her to also grab hold which she does so somewhat nervously.

This all sounds to her like it could be some elaborate prank and although her partner does love a bit of japing, even this would seem out of the ordinary for him. "Okay…" She trails, unsure about what to do next. "How do you know about them?"

"My wife hosted a Victorian themed Christmas one year and these things were a part of it." He clarifies, his candidness about his wife taking her aback but she thinks she manages to mask it; however, he does catch on. "Not very historically accurate, especially considering the gifts included were small plastic toys but they are fun all the same." The small glimpses he occasionally gives her about what life was like for him before the worst night of his life arrived, of how it was for him when he wasn't on stage being an act, not only makes her sad but it also brings them closer together. "So, shall we?" He proposes and lightly pulls on the cracker to coax her into it.

"I just pull?"

"Yeah, as hard as you can."

"Okay…"

The snap of the cracker makes Lisbon jump slightly and she even releases a tiny shriek of surprise, but she does regain her composure pretty quickly, especially because she now has the main element of the object in her hand. "See what's inside." He encourages and carefully she dips her fingers into the cardboard tube to fish out the mysteries which it contains. Whilst feeling around she considers how it is somewhat astonishing that a Christmas tradition as materialistic and potentially commercialised as this one, hasn't taken the United States by storm but she suspects that it will do in the future.

"I can feel different papers." She tells him, her brow furrowed as she still doesn't quite know what to make of this experience but something that he has sensed, is that she is much less tense than she was when she walked into the office just a few minutes before. Her stress, like his hangover, has dissipated just from being in each other's company. He watches eagerly as she pulls out the papers, his part of the cracker now discarded to the space the other side of him. He is buzzing with excitement but that's because he knows what she is about to find.

The first thing she is faced with is a bright orange item which when she carefully unfolds, she determines it's the hat he mentioned. She isn't going to put it on her head but the expression he sends her way, one of obvious hope, it makes her give in with a sharp exhale. Whilst she positions it carefully on her head, not wanting to tear it, he has to try his hardest not to burst out into laughter. "Happy?" She questions and he simply nods but he is genuinely, in this moment, happy – a rarity especially because of the weight of Red John burdening his entire being.

The next item she inspects is a very small and kind of plasticky piece of paper, even smaller than a business card. On a quick glance she can see it is a joke and without even hesitating she starts to read it out, knowing full well that he would ask her to anyway. "Why are Christmas trees so bad at knitting?" She poses her joke without an ounce of excitement in her voice which makes the interaction even funnier to him. Jane produces a small shrug, having no idea of the answer but honestly, he doesn't really try. His hangover is definitely impairing his usually brilliant mind. "They have too many needles."

"That's quite good." He compliments but there isn't even a hint of laughter.

"No, it isn't."

"I guarantee you tell it to someone else."

"No way. Who will I tell it to?"

"I am not sure, but I bet you do."

She wants to argue with him, but she also knows there is little point, so instead she focusses on pulling the final bit of paper from the open cracker. He mentioned that when he had used Christmas crackers before, they contained small plastic toys, but this is definitely not a plastic toy, and she is cocking her head in deep thought about what it could possibly be. The piece of A4 paper had to be folded five times to fit inside the festive object which means unfolding it takes a little time, Jane senses his excitement increase and increase whilst watching her do so. There is a slim chance that this could massively backfire, he recognises that, but it not doing is worth the risk in his opinion. When it is unfolded and her eyes flicker as she reads it, all he can do is wait with bated breath.

Lisbon has to read what the sheet says a couple of times before it really sinks in. Has he really bought her this? She doesn't think anyone has ever been so generous to her before and that awareness brings tears to her eyes.

"Stan wanted me back in Chicago for Christmas, especially because I couldn't make thanksgiving. Jimmy is going over too but I can't afford the plane ticket."

"You can't?"

"No. I have had some big outgoings thanks to my washing machine breaking and the roof leaking and then my car ran into issues. It's fine though."

"Hm… wait, who's Stan and Jimmy?"

She really didn't think he was understanding any of it, yet now with the plane ticket to Chicago in her hand she realises that not for the first time, she has underestimated him. "Jane. I can't accept this." She is quickly saying, and it is exactly what he was expecting, evident by the roll of his eyes and him sitting up straighter, ready to argue the opposite.

"You can and you will."

"B-but I didn't get you anything."

"It's fine." But it is obvious by the craning of her eyebrow and how she holds the paper tighter that she doesn't quite deem this to be true. "You have stuck your neck out for me a lot this year. This, is the least I can do to repay my gratitude." A sniffle escapes her and embarrassed, she averts her gaze to the door of her office, hoping to regain some poise whilst praying that no-one wanders past to see her all emotional. Fortunately, the late hour means this is unlikely. The man at her side gives her a moment of quiet, to really let it sink in what his gift means for Christmas and slowly he detects the hint of a smile washing over her features. Before, the festive season looked a bit gloomy, another one spent alone probably not even bothering to cook the stereotypical meal. After a kind of difficult year, she does need the time to reset so she can start the next with great hope and expectations.

A minute or two lapses before she timidly returns to look at him, her stunning green eyes glossed over with unshed tears and a genuine smile on her face. This image alone, is enough to make him think that he has made the right decision. It feels great to make someone's day and it has been a long time since he has had the pleasure. It is that thought in mind that gives him a boost of courage to speak up once more. "Lisbon, you deserve to spend Christmas with your family like everyone else. You have leave to take so take it. I don't think anyone will argue here that you don't deserve it."

"Thank you." She earnestly replies and smiles even wider but then a brainwave registers in her head that has it gradually dropping away. "But, what about you?"

"I will be fine. I promise." He attempts to persuade, hoping his façade of contentment is enough to sway her. "I will be here when you get back." Ready to start the new year like they begun this one, hunting for Red John so he can finally have some inner peace.

After dropping the plane ticket into her lap, she doesn't falter in then immediately wrapping both arms around him. It is so out of the ordinary that it definitely takes him by surprise, clear by his stiff posture, but only a second lapses before he reciprocates it, and they relax under each other's touch. Jane doesn't remember the last time he has had a hug and Lisbon can't remember the last time she enthusiastically initiated one. It is nice.

Their lives have been chaotic, dangerous at times and generally quite lonely as of late, they wouldn't usually succumb to such emotive desires but right now neither of them mind. It is almost like they need this. It is so rare that he thinks he can feel the oxytocin start flowing in his system, a chemical associated with happiness, and it is one that he has desperately been missing.

Realising that they've been hugging for quite a long time, she carefully pulls away, not wanting to meet his eye in the process. Her shyness is endearing to him and brings a small smile to his face. Lisbon looks back down at the ticket, reading it over once more but this time taking in the details. He has booked her on a four-hour non-stop flight from Sacramento International to Chicago O'Hare International on Christmas Eve at two o'clock in the afternoon getting in not long after eight o'clock CST. That should give her enough time to get a hire car before driving to Stan's… or maybe he will pick her up. She cannot wait to tell him that she can now join them! A grin overtakes her features at the thought, and he cannot help but think about how beautiful she looks when she is full of joy, it makes him realise that seeing her genuinely cheerful is sadly rare. "How did you know I would win?" Her question pulls him out of his trance, and he mentally chastises himself for giving her chance to notice that he was staring, but he thinks that he gets away with it.

"Please, you could wrestle me to the floor if you wanted to and you're massively competitive. I knew I didn't stand a chance." They share a glance both with matching smirks before Jane pats both his thighs simultaneously with his open hands. "I'm going to get some food." He announces, suddenly feeling quite hungry although that makes sense because when he pulled himself out of bed this morning the last thing that he wanted was food and he has had a busy day on an empty stomach. It took him ages to track down some Christmas crackers.

Lisbon watches him get up and stretch, his unbuttoned waistcoat flopping open in the process, the image makes her chuckle. Even hungover he has at least tried to make an effort and if the folded-up pair of sunglasses hanging from the front of his blue shirt are anything to go by, he has been struggling today. The fact that he has gone to all this effort to make her Christmas despite this, is really appreciated and she won't forget it for a long time – probably never.

He slowly edges towards her door, and she frowns before turning to the mountain of paperwork stacked on her desk and then down to the ticket in her hand. She is a little hungry too and the least she could do to repay her gratitude is buy him dinner. "Jane, wait." She stops him whilst smoothly getting to her feet and he halts in the doorway. He sends a questioning look her way but the raising of his brow causes a pang to slice through his skull and he's immediately reaching up to rub his right temple. She does feel sorry for him, the only reason why he is going through this was to close a case and although his plan worked it probably wasn't one of his better ones. "Let me get you dinner from that diner you like with the good eggs."

"Sounds like the perfect hangover cure." He states as an acceptance to her proposal.

They walk out together, the plane ticket now safe in her jacket pocket and a spring in her step which definitely wasn't present when she walked in from her meetings. Patrick Jane causes her a lot of headaches and paperwork, but he is also her best friend. She doesn't know anyone else in this world who would be so generous to her, and she will be sure to try and remember that even in trying times.