A/N: Fluff and Smut. Pretty well summarises the next 3 chapters. The seeds have been sewn regarding the deeper happenings of Visualize and other things, a teaser/intro of what will be explored in the new season. But for now, these guys deserve a bit of happiness. They've waited long enough.

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"Amazing," she said with appreciation, taking the plastic bag from his hands, as she greeted Jane at her front door. "I'm starving."

She set the bag down on her coffee table and unloaded the contents hungrily, opening up boxes and examining their contents. Jane took a seat on the couch next to her.

They'd landed in Austin a mere couple of hours earlier, the trip proving more emotionally wrought than expected. He'd been unnerved by the events at Visualize, there was no doubt about that. But he'd been furthermore unnerved by his new and developing relationship with the beautiful woman before him. It had given him a lot to think about on the plane, his mind traveling as high and as fast as the plane was moving.

"I really appreciate you coming out to Sacramento with me. It was actually nice, not doing things alone. I never realised how, uh, different things could be," he admitted shyly.

"To be honest, I really appreciated it too. I know it's not easy for you to open up about these things. Hell, I'm the same."

"And in the spirit of honestly," he reached into his blazer pocket and pulled out a mystery envelope.

"What's that?"

"I found it earlier today, it was pushed under the door of my motel room. After much consideration, I haven't opened it. Nor do I have an interest in opening it." He passed it to her and, she took it from him, examining the outside with a screwed-up nose.

"You haven't opened it?"

"No, it will just suck me into that spiral of drama even more. Ignorance is bliss."

"Aren't you curious?"

"Yes, of course," he replied monotonously. "But I have far better things to be focusing on in my life right now," he said, squeezing her knee gently. "And I don't want to do anything to jeopardise that. So, I bequeath it to you. Take care of it so my curiosity doesn't get the better of me. Curiosity killed the cat, as you know"

"Aren't you full of idioms tonight," she said with a scoff. "What do you expect me to do with it?"

"Nothing. Just hang on to it. It might become relevant one day, just not now. I'm not interested."

She looked at it with a crinkled brow. "Should I open it?"

"Only if you're more interested in the Visualize nonsense than I am, you absolutely can open it if you like. Please feel free, it's up to you," he mused. "But then again, it might not be anything. It could be a simple checkout reminder from the motel or something similar."

"You think that?"

"Oh not a chance in hell," he guffawed. "Definitely something brain-washy-cult related. I'd put money on it."

"And you're not interested?" she asked again in disbelief.

"Nope," he replied proudly, "but I'm beginning to see you are, hey? Interesting. Please be my guest, you're free to open it whenever you like."

"Oh, I'm not interested…" she said unconvincingly, eyeing off the envelope once more, Jane grinning at her reactions.

Leading with an audible "Hmph," she tucked the envelope away in her bookcase and turned back to her dumplings.

They spoke candidly as they searched for the bottom of the boxes of their Chinese food, exchanging the odd fond memory and flirty smile. Jane had lost his suit jacket and sat with his shirt untucked. It was novel to see him so loose and relaxed. He had a soft twinkle in his eye, one that didn't seem shrouded in pain or lost in haunting like she was so used to seeing. Although she knew Jane so well, this new side of Jane, one that seemed considerably more relaxed and at peace with the world, was something that she was going to have to get used to having around. She enjoyed this side of him, it was different yet still the same, and she felt that much more comfortable around him.

"Are we good?" he pensively asked with concern, as they finished cleaning up after their meal.

"Yes, why wouldn't we be?"

"I just don't want you to feel like I've pushed you into anything, manipulated you in any way."

"Well, have you?"

"No," Jane answered quickly. "Well, not intentionally anyway. Honestly," he said ever so earnestly. And she believed him, he gave her no reason not to.

"I've felt this way about you for a long time, Teresa," he said with a soulful look. "I'm sorry it's taken this long to make you realise that."

"There's something I need to show you," she said a little self-consciously, realising it would be inevitable for him to see her ink-laden side. With a nervous eye-dart, she grabbed the hem of her blouse and quickly pulled it over her head, dropping it to the floor. Jane's eyes immediately darted to her modest black brassiere and the two supple mounds they encompassed.

"They, uh, are very, uh, very nice," the man who normally made his living from his way with words, left speechless as he suddenly felt his mouth dry.

She giggled. "Thank you," she replied modestly, "but not those." She lifted her arm and twisted to reveal the origami frog tattooed on her rib cage, as she apprehensively waited for his reaction.

His face softened in amazement. "Lisbon," he whispered in awe.

"Just in case you had the faintest slither of a doubt," she said with a soft smile. "I got this in Seattle, while you were away. And I never knew if I'd see you again." She exhaled. "I've felt the same way about you for so long too, I've never stopped thinking about you."

His eyes brimmed shamelessly with tears as he traced his fingers over the artwork and looked at it, clearly tremendously touched. A symbol of them, their ever so complex relationship, something they would only know the meaning and significance of, now part of her body as such a bold and permanent reminder. A little part of them, a part of her forever. That no matter what he had done in the past, all he did to her, all he put her through, all he forced her to be a part of… she felt for him the same way he felt for her. Without a doubt. He was filled with a heart-warming relief, and an overwhelming admiration

"Come on," she whispered quietly and led him gently by the hand to her bedroom.

His heart began to race with anticipation and his palms started to sweat as the nerves kicked in. Her bedroom was just as he had imagined it. Neat. Functional. A tallboy atop with pictures and knick-knacks, a well-made bed with an appropriate amount of pillows, a Cosmo magazine on the nightstand next to the bright red numbers of the alarm clock. Not that he had the time to assess his surroundings, with his attention firmly locked on the delicate brunette that led him by the hand.

She led them over to the bed and pulled him on top of her as she slid onto it. Cupping his face with one hand, she continued to kiss him tenderly as she unbuttoned his shirt with the other. He pressed his body into hers and buried her into the pillow as his tongue explored her mouth, clutching her thigh with his free hand. She ran her fingers through his hair and moaned slightly as he began to gnaw at her neck. Her heart was beating fast, her breaths short, her skin tingling in anticipation. She reached her hand down, flicking the top button of his pants off with ease, and slowly slid her hand down the front.

He stopped the assault on her neck abruptly, and held his face an inch away from hers. "Are you sure about this?" he gazed into her eyes intently.

There was no going back once they crossed that line, their relationship could never be the same again. "Once we cross this line…" he whispered nervously, almost like he needed to give her one more opportunity to reject him, one more easy way out.

"I think we crossed that line a while ago, Jane.," she reassured, almost amused at his nerves and insecurity. With one hand, she held him a little tighter, desperate to reassure him. The other hand, finding its desired target down the front of his pants, pleased to find it standing to attention in all its thick and ample throbbing glory sending a pulsating heat to her own core. He inhaled sharply through gritted teeth at her touch.

"I'm sorry," he said shyly as he exhaled, "I hope I don't disappoint you."

"Stop it. You could never disappoint me," she whispered warmly in return, "not here. I just want you, all of you," she said cupping the back of his neck affectionately.

He smiled and pulled her hot mouth into his once more, passion emanating from his tongue as it massaged hers so amorously. Brushing his fingers across her shoulder blades and down her back, he flipped her bra off swiftly with his sleight of hand, her nipples hardening as exposed to the chill of the room. His fingertips brushing softly across her back, her heightened senses sending chills through her body with his touch. He kissed her deeply once more as he lay her down and slid off his own shirt and kicked off his bottoms. Kissing her fervently, he ran her fingers over her shoulders and chest and abdomen, her body rising to meet his touch. He softly bit her bottom lip as he made his way back to her neck. She gasped and ran her fingers through his hair in response.

He then slowly traced downwards, exploring her body with the edge of lips, breathing gently. He stopped at each breast, gently caressing their tips with his tongue, her skin hot all over. He moved to her flat firm tummy, slowly and softly kissing her skin as he made his way down, his trail of kisses setting her skin even more aflame. He gently cradled his fingers at the top of her bottoms, sliding them off as she raised her hips. As he flung them away, they paused for a moment, breathing deeply, realising the gravity of their actions and that for the first time, they were both completely naked in front of each other.

He looked her up and down, taking in the whole sight of her body. She was completely taken by him and the sheer overwhelming emotion of the situation, she gazed into his eyes somewhat ignoring his ample endowment. He crawled back over her and kissed her intently, before trailing his kisses once more past the silver cross, across her breasts and abdomen, and then her inner thigh.

She could feel herself blush, her heart racing, every inch of her so sensitive to his touch as she ached for him. He exhaled softly on her core, sending shivers all the way through her body, before softly and firmly exploring the area with his tongue. She breathed in sharply, her hands gripping the sheets tightly. She arched her back, moaning softly, gripping the sheets tighter to try and stop herself from squirming so much. He was gentle and methodical, with great attention to detail, giving every tender part of her the attention it needed and so desired. She had never experienced anything like this before, he was so in tune with her body, her pleasure, like he knew just the right things to do, the right buttons to push.

Her heart pounded faster as she could feel herself starting to sweat. She was pulling on the sheets so hard, ripping them from the mattress.

She couldn't focus. Words were an impossibility as he gloriously tortured her.

She couldn't control her cries.

She felt such heat rising up through her groin, it quickened and quickened, as he continued relentlessly. Her whole body stiffened as she cried out and felt such a rush of adrenalin and euphoria wash over her in her release.

Out of breath, nearly immediately she grabbed Jane's arm and pulled him up towards her, then clutched his face with both hands and kissed him shamelessly, intensely delving into his mouth with all the gratefulness she could muster.

"If that's out of practice, I'm done for when you're at the top of your game"

"Is that so?"

"Mmhmm," she confirmed, kissing him open-mouthed, the taste of herself upon his lips exciting her more.

She could feel him smile into her kiss despite her intensity and dominance.

She reached down, her fingers yearnfully searching for his erection. He gasped slightly into her mouth as she grabbed it, playfully running her hands up and down the shaft. He held his face an inch away from hers again, she stared up at him, his piercing eyes having a vulnerable softness about them, the light sweat on his brow, they coy look of anticipation on his face. She guided the point of him towards her core, then wrapped her hands around the back of his head.

"Uh, do you have-," he whispered breathlessly, awkwardly unable to articulate a discussion about protection.

"- I'm good, you don't need to," she interrupted just as breathlessly, "I'm okay, I'm clean, I'm on the pill" she insisted with a longing sense of urgency.

"Okay, uh, I'm sorry if I-," he began, clearly nervous and still stressing about how long it had been for him.

"—shhhh," she interrupted with a loving kiss, knowing exactly what he was going to say. "It's okay."

They paused, if somewhat to savor the moment where they became each other's completely. Her eyes were glassy with desire, her breasts rapidly rising and falling, curls of her hair fallen around her flushed face. His face awash with overwhelming longing, his eyes filled with a lust-fuelled darkness, a nervous energy surging through his veins, needing to make a conscious effort to remember to breathe. Twelve long years had led to this culminating moment, though neither of them could ever admit to believing it was inevitable.

It had been twelve long years of colleague comradery, of secret attraction, of fear and bloodshed, of unrequited longing, and of dire conflict, negotiated understanding, and forgiveness. Together, they stuck through everything. Leaning on each other, growing an inexplicable bond that grew stronger with each and every challenge, and meaning more to each other than they were ever ready to admit. Until now.

He lined himself up at her slick entrance, almost losing himself at the mere touch. They stared intently into each other's eyes as he slowly pushed his way inside of her, their breathing becoming slightly erratic as they never broke their gaze. She moved her knees upward to encourage him deeper, stifling an incredulous cry as he stretched her fully. He remained still momentarily, taking the time to adjust to the overwhelming sensation. His gaze piercing as their eyes remained locked in connection, almost as if this wasn't just the first time they truly connected together physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.

He kissed her deeply as she slid her hands around his back and shoulders. He started to move, slowly and methodically first, her hips rising to meet his with each labored thrust as they found their rhythm. He held her gaze the entire time, neither of them could remember ever feeling so close, so in sync with another human being. First times were always fumbly and awkward, but not with Jane. Somehow, he knew her body so well, they fit and worked together so seamlessly, reading each other, pleasuring each other, almost as if they'd done it a thousand times before.

The cheesy romance movies, the over-the-top soaps, the erotic novels, and the corny love songs all started to make sense. Every cliché she'd ever guffawed at, her cynical views on the thought of soulmate, every nonsensical thing about love and intimacy she ever skeptically questioned... she was now starting to see in a different light. What was it about Jane that gave him the ability to shake every aspect of her life right down to its core? His thrusts increased in intensity, her heart feeling like it was about to explode, a heat building between her thighs as she felt herself edging to the verge once more. She dug her fingernails into his back as she unraveled, her cries and her tightening causing his own undoing as he cried out together with her, shaking as he spilled his seed deep inside her. He collapsed to her chest, his sweaty forehead between her breasts.

They lay there sated and contented, her running her fingers through his hair as he listened to her racing heart calm.

"Patrick?"

"Mmmm," he weakly replied

"Are you okay?" she asked

"More than okay" he replied with a smile "Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to do that for?"

"How long?" she teasingly asked

He chuckled "I think you already know", as he touched the area on her ribs that bore her frog tattoo. "Are you okay?" he reciprocated.

"Yeah," she said softly with a smile as she traced her fingers with his "I am very okay, extremely okay."

He shimmied up to her and pressed his lips to hers, a big grin atop his face, his eyes awell. The sweetness of it causing her own eyes to well. They sympathetically laughed together, realising the significance of the genuine moment of overwhelming emotion. They retired into a cuddle, a sensual loving embrace as they lay there in their own little cloud of happiness.

"You're amazing, you know that," he murmured, squeezing her a little tighter, not even 100% sure if she was still awake.

"Right back at ya," she replied, planting a kiss on his adam's apple.

"For someone allegedly out of practice, you put on a pretty damn good show," she said, making a point of boosting his confidence. Although it wasn't a stretch of the truth. Never had she ever climaxed like that, as she had with his head between her thighs. The things that man could do with his tongue. And that was even just the beginning, the fact that this man had kept that hidden away in his 3-piece-suit pants for so long, was almost a crime to woman-kind everywhere.

"Allegedly? Allegedly? You think I'm lying to you?"

"I'm just saying," she stifled a longing moan at the thought. "You have one satisfied customer right here."

"Customer? Are you calling me a whore?"

"Oh. My. God. Now who's repeating a word and using it back on me? I thought our repartee was better than that? Sheesh, just take the compliment, Jane."

He laughed. "I suppose you weren't so bad yourself."

"Oh you don't know the half of it yet," she teased.

"I don't?" he asked.

"You have no idea," she whispered in a purr, her eyes darkening as she took her mouth to his once more.

She grabbed one of his hands and ran it up the side of her, tracing her curves from her hip to her waist, dancing across the origami frog before cupping her breast gently. She squeezed his hand against her breast as she cocked her head revealing her delicate throat. She continued his hand's journey up to her soft lips, taking his index finger into her hot mouth, sucking on it, and lulling it with her tongue playfully

The sight of her naked on top of him and the feel of the inside of her mouth on his finger was enough to arouse him to his full potential. She leaned down towards him and placed her mouth onto his, her tongue sauntering in ardently as she unashamedly mauled him. She could feel his grown appreciation on the back of her thigh. She ran kisses into his neck, down his chest, to his hip bone causing him to flinch in nervous anticipation. She exhaled deeply as she ventured further downwards, coming face-to-face with his endowment, her warm breath quickening his breathing before she even touched anything. She smirked to herself, she enjoyed this effect she had over him.

She started with one strong stroke of her tongue, starting at the base of his shaft, slowly working her way up to the head, which she swirled her tongue around before taking him into her hot mouth as far as she could. He sharply inhaled as his tip collided with the back of her tonsils. She carefully sheathed her teeth with her lips and sucked as she released him from her mouth. He moaned in ardent appreciation, placing a hand gently on the back of her head. She bobbed up and down, slowly, calculatedly, drinking in his reaction to her pleasurable strokes, reveling in the pleasure she was giving him, his carnal growls, and his erratic breathing.

His self-consciousness and paranoia of selfish perceptions led him to reach forward a pull her up towards him. He kissed her deeply before she gently grabbed him with one hand and sank down onto him, taking him fully inside of her. She bit her bottom lip appreciatively as she exhaled, moving her hand to his chest, as she felt him engulf her. This was how she was used to things, she would always take charge. She reveled in the control. She was in charge of every aspect of her life, she liked to be in charge of her pleasure too, whether that came from the satiation sexually or the primitive desire of pleasing man. She found her rhythm as she watched his face carefully, her tender breasts moving in sync, her nipples fully erect. He ran his hands up to the curves of her waist, feeling her supple skin as she bounced on him, fully enjoying the view, and the sensation. She angled her hips to a grind as she dug her nails into his chest. For the second time, he couldn't believe what was happening.

Once upon a time, a distant unattainable desire, through both consequence and distance, for it only to be happening in his wildest of dreams. A reality. He almost felt guilty for enjoying it so much, for being lucky enough for her to choose him, to be this intimate with him. He didn't deserve it, he didn't deserve her. But yet again, here she was satiating his needs, albeit this was first night they had ever been satiated in such an intense, intimate manner. She grinded faster, with such purpose and intensity, sweat at her brow as her breath quickened and deepened as she gasped for air. He watched her as she watched him, both intrigued by this side of each other they had never seen before. Perhaps the only side they'd never seen. He matched her thrusts as she let go, a tirade of profanities leaving her as she shook, digging her fingers further into his chest. The sight of her crossing the edge was too much for him once more, rousing his own blissful release as he clamped his own hands down onto her hips, extending her climax in the process.

She collapsed onto his chest, completely spent, their positions from earlier reversed. He ran his fingers through her damp hair as she fought for breath, her head rising and falling with his own breathing.

"Mmmm," she croaked happily but exhaustedly.

"Jesus, Lisbon," he concurred, feeling drained himself.

He smiled and placed his free hand on her back, trying to push the guilty thoughts out of his head. He didn't know why he felt that guilt, although perhaps it was all he'd ever known. A big black cloud of guilt had followed him around since the fateful events of yesteryear, which apart from the one glitch, also lead to his time of celibacy. He was so happy with Lisbon here in his arms, so physically satiated, emotionally rewarded, experiencing happiness like he had never felt in as long as he could remember. He was frustrated in himself that feelings of happiness always led to guilt, which lead to remembering the past, a lingering sadness he still couldn't shake. But how dare he feel sad in the position he was in at the moment – that was far from fair to Lisbon. So once again, he was being unfair to her, he was a terrible person – and the cycle of guilt continued once more.

He tried to push his thoughts aside, as he continued to stroke her beautiful hair as she lay contented on his chest. How he reveled in this… this physical contact, this love that he felt for her, and felt from her, although she dare not articulate it in as many words. He was a broken man, but he knew she was patient enough to keep working on him, like she had done for so long in the past. With Lisbon, anything is possible, he reassured himself. He needed to be a better person, a not-so-miserable person, a not-so-deceiving liar, a not-so-selfish oaf, for her. And he was trying. She willed him to be those things, she brought out these better attributes in him. She made him a better person.

A low grumble interrupted his thoughts as he realised she had fallen asleep on his chest once more, a slight snore eliciting her otherwise peaceful face. He held her a little tighter and closed his eyes himself, continuing to will his negative thoughts away.

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He woke up alone and disorientated. His heart pounded momentarily in defensive fear, as his brain calculated where he was. He exhaled with relief as his memory returned, he was in Teresa Lisbon's bedroom, in Teresa Lisbon's bed. He went from confused panic to supreme content in a millisecond.

But the space next to him on the bed was disappointingly empty. He looked around the room, only to hear the shower running from the adjacent bathroom. He flopped back down on the pillow and smiled. It was hard to believe that last night was a reality, that any of the last week was a reality. That after years of pining, flirting and fighting, something good was actually happening in his life.

"Good morning sleepy head," she said emerging from the bathroom in just a towel. She looked like she was glowing, her skin a soft pink from the heat of the shower, her hair pulled into a messy bun to keep dry.

"Good morning yourself," he sleepily replied, his eyes lingering on the flecks of water on her bare legs.

"You seemed to sleep very well. You didn't even stir when I got up for my run."

It was true. He had slept oddly well. A deep kind of sleep that he was largely unfamiliar with. He felt strangely refreshed but heavy, like he could happily sleep for longer.

"I must have worn you out last night," she said with a blushing smug look.

"Who knew that was the secret behind getting a good night's sleep," he murmured in adoration, combing his fingers through his hair as he sat up against the bed head.

"We have a case," she began. He groaned. "Cho's been trying to call you," she said, starting to get dressed.

He shamelessly ogled her as she allowed the white fluffy towel to slip down her back and onto the floor, watching her bend over and slide her panties up each side of her leg. He was mesmerised by her curves, the forbidden areas of skin that he'd admittedly fantasised about in the past, the alluring freckles on her shoulder as she slid each bra strap up over them. Watching her get dressed, so comfortably in front of him into those work clothes that he was so used to seeing her in, was almost as erotic as getting her undressed the night before.

She smirked as she noticed him watching her with lustful intrigue, looking like an utter snack as he sat shirtless between her pillows. She slipped her blouse over her shoulders and crawled over to him on the bed before buttoning it up.

"You get ready. There's an extra towel in the bathroom if you want a shower. I'll go sort some morning caffeine," she leaned into him, her soft lips against his allowing them to linger for an extended moment.

With a grin, she headed out of the room fastening her buttons as she left. With a heavy sigh, Jane rolled out of bed himself and headed to the shower.

After a good, hot shower and he began to poke around Teresa Lisbon's bathroom unabashedly. You could tell a lot about a person from their bathroom, as he'd poked and probed in the line of investigation over the years. She didn't have a large array of skincare products, a basic cleanser, toner, moisturiser – nothing too pretentious. Lavender shampoo, with an unmatching conditioner, he thought she'd be more particular than that. Gift basket of bath products unceremoniously on a corner of the floor, obviously from someone that didn't know her very well. In the drawer, there were spare razors, toothpaste, sanitary items, make-up removing wipes, all stacked neatly in dividers – the level of particular he was expecting, and a small box with tablets encased with silver foil, the same as the one's she kept in her tote. Oral contraceptives, responsible and always in control, not so devout in her Catholicism, but he already knew that. Next to that lay a box of condoms, open, with one missing. He wondered what ever happened to that one. Stored somewhere else thoughtfully or needed for the bed he just slept in. It was an unpleasant thought.

Nosey business done and clothed for consultant duties, he followed the scent of freshly brewed coffee down the stairs and into the kitchen. A very sheepish yet contented Lisbon handed him a cup full of hot liquid, as they shared a silent conversation of coy looks and dimpled smiles.

"So what now?" Jane asked, sipping at his morning brew.

"What do you mean?"

"Are we an 'us' now? Where do we go from here?"

"We go to work from here," she replied matter-of-factly.

He gave her an amused but dirty look.

"Yes, of course we're an 'us'," she emphasised with air quotes, feeling her face flush again. She hesitated for a moment and looked back at his gorgeous beaming face, her hesitation and posture caused his expression to drop quietly.

"But Jane," she began, "can… can we just keep this between us for now? And not share it with the world yet?"

"Why, are you embarrassed?"

"No, no. Not at all. I'd just prefer if we kept it to ourselves a little longer."

"People already assume there's something going on between us, it's not going to be a shock to anyone," Jane reasoned.

"That's just idle gossip"

"Not unsubstantiated though"

"A few nights ago, you said you were happy to give me time," she explained, "and then the next day, you go and drop massive bombshells on me…"

"Truth bombs though. Pleasant bombs, I hope. More so the fruity bath variety than the nuclear type."

"Yes, definitely good bombs," she smiled and reached for his hand. "I'm in this 100%, I want this too. I just want to come to terms with it before it becomes water cooler talk or affects the work dynamic and the higher-ups make it their business."

"I wouldn't concern yourself over them trying to split us up. Abbott's more than aware of my track record when it comes to not working on your team"

She gave him a little smirk as she remembered the many times he had caused trouble while she was suspended. "The bureau doesn't have a policy on it anyway, as long as there are no rank and reporting issues."

"So, no secret rendezvous between you and Abbott? Got it," Jane said with a nod.

"Abbott's a married man!" she exclaimed repugnantly.

"Oh so you'd go there if he wasn't? Interesting," he replied thoughtfully.

"Oh hush you," she dropped his hand to push his shoulder.

Jane laughed. "I promised you patience, discretion is the least I can do. All in your time. I'm not one to kiss and tell."

She could feel her ears go red. Was he having a stab at her cathartic conversations with Grace featuring all the glorious details…? Surely it was just a figure of speech, but with Jane she could never be sure.

"My lips are sealed," he reassured. "Anything for you, Lisbon," he purred tugging at her arm, her body falling into his, allowing him to kiss her softly.

"Not forever," she reassured, a little goo-goo from the taste of tea on his lips. "Just for now. Is that okay?"

"Of course," he smiled adoringly, brushing her hair with his fingers.

She mirrored his smile, thankful for his understanding and affection.

"I better get going," Jane said, "we shouldn't leave Cho waiting. He'll get twitchy," he joked,

She led him towards the front door and held it open for him to leave.

"Take me on a real date once we close this case?" she said coyly with a glimmer in her eye.

"I'd love for nothing more."

He leaned in a gave her a gluttonously languid kiss, taking his time, savoring every millisecond, softly caressing her lips, as if they had all the time in the world.

Realising what he was doing she giggled into his kiss and pushed him gently away with a grin.

"Go!" she said with a lovestruck smile and giggle. "I'll see you at the crime scene."

He clutched his heart as he walked backward away from her, smiling all the way to his eyes. She bit her bottom lip and flashed him one more swoonful look before closing the door.

Right. Work. Back to the real world, she thought to herself, back against the door. Although how she was expected to look at Jane at work with imagining that head of golden curls between her thighs was beyond her. She shook the thought fiercely and gathered the rest of her things to leave.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A side alley in downtown Austin was the makings of their latest crime scene.

"Hey Cho!" Jane bounded at him with enthusiasm, flashing him a million-dollar grin. "Gimme some sugar!" he exclaimed before pulling the unsuspecting Cho into a tight squeeze.

Cho stood stiffly and did not reciprocate, a slight look of amusement on his face. "Yeah, I get it Jane," he uttered through the awkward embrace. "You're getting laid. Well done. Congratulations."

"I didn't say that" Jane said adamantly as he released him.

"You might as well have it tattooed across your forehead," Cho declared flatly.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Jane insisted.

"So your mood has nothing to do with spending a couple of nights away with Lisbon? Something you might have started in a certain park in Alaska?"

"Or maybe it's just a beautiful day to be alive!" he yelled to the sky in enthusiastic oblivion, holding his arms out with palms flat as he faced upwards and basked in the glory of the morning sun.

"Try telling that to him," Cho indicated at the body in front of them.

"Uh yeah. Maybe not a great day for him," Jane admitted, looking at the body curiously.

"How long until Lisbon gets here?" Cho asked.

"Why would I know that?" Jane replied questioningly.

Cho raised his eyebrows at Jane. "Fine, be like that," he resigned. "I'll go over the details when she gets here. In the meantime, what can you tell us about the victim?"

"He's definitely dead," Jane provided unhelpfully. "And that smell of roasted nuts is enchanting," he said scanning the area until his eyes hit a little vendor down the way in the distance, making his way without a second glance back to Cho.

Ten minutes later, Lisbon sidled under the yellow time and strolled up to Cho at the crime scene.

"Morning," she greeted Cho, completely unperturbed by the dead body and the pool of blood in front of her. Years on the job built a significant immunity to this kind of gore.

"Morning," Cho replied, subtly looking her up and down in assessment.

"Where's Jane?" Lisbon asked inadvertently.

"Getting nuts," Cho answered simply.

"Getting nuts or going nuts?"

"A little of both if I'm honest."

Lisbon paced around the body. "Why do we have this one? Looks like a run-of-the-mill homicide, why can't Austin PD handle it?"

"They're a little backed up and we haven't had a case since the double," Cho explained. "And plus, we close cases. Quickly."

"I close cases," Jane corrected, reappearing on the scene, a bag full of his foraging success in hand. Lisbon's heart leaped in recognition of his voice, but she admonished it accordingly. "You're looking sharp today, Cho, very nice."

Cho narrowed his glare at him, honestly bewildered by his very odd demeanour this morning. "Thanks?"

"Oh hey, Lisbon," Jane continued, feigning surprise that he just noticed her there, his face a glow with cheer and joyfulness.

"Jane," she replied with all the nonchalance she could muster, looking away from him pointedly.

He pouted. "Looking good too," he parlayed in a cutesy sing-songy voice.

She rolled her eyes and felt her face flush immediately. Why did he have to be such a menace? She looked down and kicked her shoes into the ground, a tiny smile sneaking out of the corner of her mouth despite her desperate efforts to conceal it.

Cho ricocheted his glare between the pair of them.

"Got some pecan nuts," Jane said, "anyone want some?" he offered to both of them, proposing to hand feed them to Cho after he indicated he had evidence gloves on.

"No thanks," she replied as Cho also declined.

"Okay, more for me," he said flippantly, throwing the pecans into the air and catching them with his mouth. It reminded her of Rigsby and Cheetos.

Cho continued to run down the details of the case. First assumptions, the area they were in, key statements from some passers-by. The M.E estimated the T.O.D as eight hours prior. A wallet dumped nearby gave their John Doe an identity, Jared Brigsley, 24 years old. Cho gave clear and concise orders to the rest of the team, whilst Jane, pecan nuts all gone, started his close-up corpse examination, wafting smells and all. It always got weird looks from people around, but it was just another day at the office as far as Cho and Lisbon were concerned. Lisbon admired the way Cho handled the team. It didn't bother her in the slightest working beneath him now, he approached things in a very similar manner to her. She liked to think she taught him how to be this way, and it made her proud.

Cho turned to Lisbon "You and Jane go talk to the family in Columbus, break the news, see what you can find out there."

"Oh goodie road trip," Jane exclaimed like a child. "Can I drive?" he bargained.

"No," she haughtily replied, "I value my life. Besides, I'm a much better driver." She strode off towards the car with her shoulders pressed back.

"Oh, you only think you are," he argued tailing after her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lisbon at the wheel, they set off to Columbus.

"So this date of ours…" Jane started with a cheeky glint in his eye. "When the case is closed…"

"Yes…" Lisbon confirmed with a drawl warily.

"I have a few different ideas"

"Mmmm," she hummed apprehensively. "Should I be worried?"

"No, not at all. You're up-to-date with your tetanus shots, right?"

"What?"

"Of course, a responsible federal agent like yourself, of course you are, it would be irresponsible otherwise."

"Why would I need my tetanus to be up-to-date?"

"And your blood type. A- right?"

"Why would you need to know that?"

"No reason, no reason," he jeered. "Just making plans."

"Jane," she warned.

"Teresa, you can call me Patrick. No-one else is around"

"I'll definitely be calling you Jane when you're trying to start trouble thank you very much"

"Oh, so never then?"

"More like all of the time"

"I'm just trying to plan our first date! It needs to be special. Memorable."

"I'm glad you think that"

"Right, so do you have anything spandex in your wardrobe? Or a solid pair of army boots?"

She rolled her eyes at him.

"Or I was thinking maybe an underground rave. Do they still do those anymore? I haven't been since pimples riddled my face. Where would you even buy glow sticks anymore?"

She stuck her tongue into her cheek. "I know you're just working me up. But see, I know you just as well as you know me. I know that you know me well enough to choose something that I'll enjoy, and I know that you wouldn't squander this special opportunity on some cheap stunt or joke."

He gave an annoyed grunt and stuck his bottom lip out in a frown of admission, giving her the immense satisfaction of being right.

"Fine," he pouted in defeat. "Just know it's going to be the best date you've been on in your life."

"Oh and I look forward to it, but just know the bar hasn't been set all that high," she snorted.

They pulled into the country town of Columbus and went through the motions of the job. Jane managed to offend the family within five minutes of being there, leaving Lisbon apologizing on his behalf yet again. This part of the job never got easier. Not just the handling of Jane, but delivering the life-shattering news that a person's loved one is no more. Watching the exact moment of realisation where hearts are broken and the rough journey of grief begins. She could never forget the detectives that visited her family home at the tender age of twelve, delivering the same news to her father. That was the point that broke him, the moment that the good and happy childhood as she knew it would never be remotely the same again.

They turned to leave, but not before Jane took one last swing at the family, determined to rile up the father enough for a reaction with wild accusations and unsubstantiated claims. The mother wailed hysterically. The father yelled obscenities maniacally. The dogs howled in unison. Lisbon frantically shouted apologies in vain. By-passers stopped and stared. Jane looked proud of himself as he got the answers he needed. The screeching and hollering continued as they showed themselves out and away in haste.

"I hope you got what you wanted out of that," she absconded harshly while opening the car door. "You're a real piece of work sometimes, you know?"

"Da Vinci's Mona Lisa was a real piece of work, and perhaps I'm just your real piece of work," he said opening his own door and hopping in. "And yes I did. The father was a bit suss, but we can now rule the family out."

"You pick a fight with grieving parents. And now… Are you comparing yourself to the Mona Lisa?" she asked with a snigger as she sat down in the driver's seat.

"Well, I adopt the metaphorical influence from you, I seem to remember you comparing me to a houseplant not long ago," he pointed out.

"I do see a trend here though," she said somewhat thoughtfully. "It seems to me we agree that you're just something pretty to look at that's not all that useful in achieving anything."

"Really Lisbon? That's a bit harsh," he said as they left Columbus as the sun began to wane. "But really? You think I'm pretty to look at?" he said with a mischievous grin.

She rolled her eyes and avoided his cheeky glare. "Yeah okay, touché, you got me there."

"You're pretty easy on the eye yourself, you know?" he continued, "which is lucky because your personality needs a bit of work. You can be a bit of a bully."

"Oh hush," she said reaching across and whacking him with the back of her hand across the shoulder.

"My point proven," he said feigning a grimace.

He reached across and grabbed her hand with a squeeze, and set them down on the console. They were comfortably quiet for a few miles, lost in their own thoughts, though still connected by their hands. Jane rubbed his thumb over her delicate knuckles, finding it surreal that he was able to do this, quietly contented as he stared out at the passing landscapes around him.

It was truly night by the time they clocked out of HQ.

"Wanna get something to eat?" asked Jane as they strolled towards the carpark.

"Not tonight, Jane" she replied, "I think I just need a little time to myself."

She caught the mild note of disappointment on his face before she turned towards her car. As lovely as it would be to spend another night with Jane, she had many more of them to come, and she just needed a moment to breathe. To breathe in her own space and have a little time to herself after the intensity of the week that had passed.

"Guess I'll see you tomorrow then," he said despondently, his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Do I at least get a kiss goodnight?"

Lisbon blushed and looked around the carpark pointedly. She bit her lip and shook her head. "It will just make the next one even sweeter," she teased lasciviously. "Good night, Jane."

"Good night, Lisbon," he said watching her walk away, admiring the way her work pants clung to her well-formed behind, already counting down the hours until he could see her again.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She sat wistfully alone on her couch, poking at her Thai green curry as whatever the latest cooking competition program echoed from her TV filling the silence. She wasn't watching it anyway. She pottered around the house, tidying up rather aimlessly, her mind somewhat absent. She had grown used to being alone, in fact she preferred it. No bullshit, no conflict, just her. The only person she could truly rely on. Her own space she could keep the way she liked it. Particular and intense.

She toyed with the pale blue envelope from the mantel of her reading nook. Twisting and turning it at the corners. Holding it up to the light for any clues. It was like Schrodinger's letter. It was both a cryptic clue linked to the mysteries of Visualize and the past, and something completely mundanely irrelevant linked to nothing, both at the same time. The only way to determine which, would be to open it. And goodness only knows what kind of Pandora's box that would be after their experience, and the way Jane was sadistically taunted.

Chores and dinner done, she climbed the stairs, alone, and ran herself a bath. She picked out a bath bomb from some fancy basket she was given for Christmas. Not really her speed, but no sense in letting them go to waste. She felt exhausted, both physically and mentally, she just needed a good soak to ease her muscles and clear her mind. She slipped out of her clothes as the bath filled and fizzed. Sliding into the bubbles, she lay down and exhaled deeply. This was exactly what she needed.

Her mind wandered. From the case to Jane. Of course, to Jane. The very essence of their relationship had been turned inside out. She thought she'd feel more conflicted, but the sheer depth of their intimacy, the way their bodies conjoined in symphony, it was breathtakingly indescribable. It set shivers up her spine and a fierce heat to her core just thinking about it. She had never felt like that with any partner in the past. Their supreme compatibility in bedroom matters, a testimony to their mutual fundamental trust, deep-seated feelings of love, and monumental bond from their profound history. The tingle-inducing heat and sheer memories of last night tempted and enticed her to create her own pleasure as she playfully tweaked her erect nipples with a gasp. But of course, alas, her mind had other ideas.

She remembered the way she cried unrestrainedly on him their last night in Sacramento and cringed hard at the memory, all flames extinguished. No one had ever seen her cry like that, except her mother. Those kinds of tears were always saved for her pillow or her bathtub, and were never to see the light of day – that's just not the type of person she was. She didn't think Jane had even seen a tear fall from her eye ever in the decade they'd worked together, as she strained her memory to remember a time. Perhaps when Bosco died, or when their hypnotising session went awry.

But with Jane, it was different. Everything was different. And it always seems to have been. That's just the way things were with him. And she'd rendered herself completely vulnerable to him. She'd opened her heart, her home, her body, ready to give him everything. The thought of it was still very daunting and overwhelming.

But he loved her. He'd come clean, been openly honest with her, and declared his feelings for her. She remembered how she painstakingly analysed the last time she heard those words from his mouth. How she lay awake many a night thinking about it.

"Good luck Teresa, Love you." The words still haunted her, painting her with a tainted cynicism she was trying her best to overcome.

She needed the luck she could get. The bath slowly got colder. She dragged herself out, feeling much more relaxed and looser. Her fingers and toes were pruney having been in there for so long. She methodically dried off, slipped into her nightie, and eased into bed. She lay on her pillow. It felt so different somehow. She couldn't help but miss the warmth she had used as a pillow the nights before. She dismissed her own thoughts and struggled to get comfortable. Her bed was something she always invested in, luxurious pillows, and high thread count sheets, it was like sleeping on a cloud. On top of that, it was freshly made, and nothing beats the feeling of fresh sheets. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't settle. She tossed and turned, feeling annoyed with herself. She flopped down like a starfish and audibly groaned in frustration.

She grabbed her phone to check the time. She couldn't help but wonder to herself what Jane was doing right now, whether he was managing sleep, or up to no good. She brought up the contact in her phone and stared at it for a while. It was late. Why would she even consider calling him? But hey, maybe if he did manage sleep, she could just be annoying and wake him up, god only knew the number of annoyances he deserved payback for over the years.

She hit the call button.

The phone barely rang once. "Miss me, did you?" he answered the phone cheekily.

"No!" she snapped unnecessarily defensively. "I just can't sleep. Thought you might be able to bore me to sleep with one of your stories," she elaborated.

"Lies, but curious that you'd choose to lie to me like that," he replied.

"You don't know that I'm lying," she said argumentatively.

"Uh… you are lying. I can tell," he retorted playfully.

She smacked her lips. "Okay, I am lying," she admitted. "But you can't tell!" she insisted.

"Whatever you say," he complied. She could hear the smile on his face. "For what it's worth, I miss you too."

She smiled like a teenage girl into her pillow. Just hearing his voice was like a warm hug.

"So, a story you say…. Hmmm," he continued.

"No, I don't really want a story, just someone to talk to. Thought you are rarely able to sleep and you'd be up too," she elaborated.

"Well, you assumed correctly. I, indeed am not asleep. What would you like to talk about?"

She sighed in defeat. "My bed feels weird and big. I wish you were here"

"Thought you wanted some alone time tonight?" he questioned

"Yeah, had that, now I just want to sleep," she paused tentatively. "I mean, if you wanted to come over, I wouldn't stop you… " she resigned.

"Are you asking me to come over?"

"Yeah fine, I'm asking you to come over."

"And why would you want me to come over?"

"Because… because, you're useful to me. Okay? I like having you around."

"It's after midnight, Lisbon. Do you really expect me to just jump in my car and rush over to you? Like a good little obedient puppy dog?" he sneered jovially. "Maybe if you asked super nicely and said 'please'?"

"And this is the part where I refuse to say please, say 'go screw yourself,' and call you a jackass?" she guffawed with a smirk.

"I mean, absolutely, for old time's sake, you could if you like," he chuckled.

She giggled then followed it up with a heavy sigh. "Hmmm, you're right. I'm sorry" she replied "it's a bit of an unreasonable request. I'm sorry. It was just great to talk, to you. I'll see you tomo-…"

"Wait, wait" he cut her off "I'm just teasing. Come downstairs and open the door."

"- what?" she replied in confusion

"Just come let me in woman" he continued, "before I worry your neighbors anymore that there's a weird man making strange noises on their doorstep at nearly 1am in the morning."

She hung up the phone abruptly. Her face lit up realised how close he was, but her eyebrows furrowed for the same reason. She hurried down the stairs and peered through the peephole. Sure enough, Patrick Jane, there on her doorstop.

She rolled her eyes and flung open the door.

"Why are you here?"

"You wanted me here, what's the issue?"

"Are you staking out my house or something? Are you spying on me? What the hell Jane?" she continued to interrogate.

He raised his hands in surrender "Geez okay, I thought you were going to be happy to see me, I was obviously mistaken. Yikes."

She glared at him warily.

"I couldn't sleep either" he started explaining slowly "I decided to go for a drive, found myself driving in circles for a while and subconsciously edging towards your house, maybe staking out little cafes or kitsch spots in the neighborhood, I don't know, maybe somewhere to take you out to," he shrugged his shoulders. "I wasn't too far when you called and I gathered where the conversation was going from your first attempt at denial. No spying, no creepy stuff, promise"

She continued to glare at him. He'd grown used to this look over the years though.

"I can just leave if you'd prefer?" he offered.

"No, don't be silly" she softened slightly and stepped towards him, seemingly accepting his explanation.

He closed the distance between them, stroked her hair with the back of his hand then wrapped his arms around her. He smelled good she thought as she inhaled deeply, taking in his warmth. Any annoyance she felt just melted away as she felt his heartbeat close to hers. She was sure this must be how a junkie finally getting their hit must feel. He removed one arm and cupped her chin gently pulling it in towards him. He kissed her tenderly as she parted her lips, his tongue massaging hers with such ardour and affection.

"Let's go to bed," she said in a contented whisper.

"Mmm" he replied, "I could use some sleep."

"Me too," she agreed with a yawn.

Once more she found her head in that special comforting spot on his chest. His body, his heat, his closeness… kindling ignited within her. She couldn't resist him. Despite their honest desire for a healthy night's sleep, their newly abolished physical boundaries dominated, giving her neighbors plenty of other strange noises to worry about at 1am in the morning.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The day started with a follow-up briefing on the Brigsley murder. His last 24 hours mapped out to precision, with many different suspects throughout his workplace and casual gambling social circle, none of them standing out significantly. Cho was eager to set his consultant cat among his suspect pigeons to see if he could do what he does best – gain insights out of seemingly nothing. The forensics side of the bureau working a lot slower than usual, with more pressing and assumedly more important cases taking the resource's preference, much to Cho's frustration.

Wylie's analytic thinking and technological prowess was able to pinpoint close to the exact point where the victim's phone last pinged with a tower before it was turned off or destroyed. Officers were able to find what was left of the phone based on the coordinates.

"It's been run over, thrown, doused in accelerant, burnt, then thrown in down a sewer. It's deader than dead. I can't get a thing off of it," Wylie explained, sharing images of the contorted electronic to Jane and Lisbon after the briefing.

"Someone went to great lengths to ensure this phone was destroyed. What does that tell us?" Jane posed.

"That there's something on there that would incriminate the murderer," Lisbon supplemented.

"Exactly," Jane confirmed.

"Well, I'm sorry. I'm good. But I'm not that good. It's toast. I can't get a thing off of it," Wylie admitted in defeat. "Besides, forensics have it now."

"That's okay. We already have more than we need," said Jane.

"How so?" Lisbon asked.

"I have a plan," Jane said contemplatively.

"Oh goodie!" Wylie said in excitement.

"Oh god," Lisbon said in despair.

Jane looked at Wylie's enthusiasm and Lisbon's displeasure. "Do you want the plausible deniability?" he asked Lisbon, "I can do this just with Wylie, we'll just need you at the arrest. Or do you want honesty?" he asked with a smirk.

"Honesty! Of course! Out with it!" she insisted, mirroring his smirk.

"So we have the phone. The phone that the murderer went to extreme lengths to destroy"

"Yes, which is no use to us"

"Yes, but the killer doesn't know that," Jane said with a flash of brilliance. "Wylie, are you able to send a text out and make it appear as if it was from the victim's phone? No biggie if not, it'll just be more effective if it comes from his number."

"Yeah, piece of cake," Wylie confirmed, "I can do that easily from a computer."

"So we send a message out to anyone who's a person of interest in the case, anyone that appears on the victim's phone records, the colleagues etcetera. Tell them that we have the phone, that we were able to extract incriminating evidence – don't mention we're FBI, of course. And say that we'll exchange it for cash. Set up a drop point, see who shows up. Kablamo, there's our killer."

"So, blackmail. That's your big plan. Mass blackmail, with information you don't even have, and hope you stumble upon someone with a guilty conscience?" Lisbon asked incredulously.

"Uh yeah. That pretty much sums it up," Jane said looking at Lisbon as if were an ignorant comment and she was stating the obvious.

"Cho's not going to go for it," Lisbon disparaged.

"Cho's not going to know about it," Jane emphasised. Lisbon gave him a look.

"This is a circle of trust here, Lisbon. It's a privilege…"

"Jane's inner circle? Starting a cult?" she teased.

"Look, you can run off and tell Cho once we've got the message out there," Jane negotiated.

Lisbon looked at him calculatedly, knowing resistance was futile.

"Alright, what do you need me to do?"

Jane smiled.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

They picked a park in the cloisters of the local community school, a few blocks away from the crime scene and Brigsley's workplace. A nice calming space, a relief from the city blocks around it. Lisbon and Jane sat on a park bench underneath an expansive fig tree that provided ample shade from the warm May sun, overviewing the concrete rose-lined paths that led to the designated drop point by the fountain.

They waited for the agreed time of 4:15pm. Lisbon sat with an impatient uptightness, clearly agitated. Jane sat comfortably with his arms crossed, a relaxed and zealous air about him.

"This is like a stakeout of old," Jane mused observantly. "You, sceptical and grumpy. Me, confident and cheerful."

"You're only cheerful to irritate me," Lisbon reprimanded.

"I'm cheerful because I get to sit with you in this park on such a beautiful day"

"This isn't going to work," she said stubbornly.

"Time will tell"

"How do we know the killer's not just going to send someone in their place? Pay someone to drop it off. Call in a favour."

"Because they're crude and paranoid. Everything they've done is an act of desperation. The way Brigsley was whacked, the overkill with destroying the phone. We're not dealing with an Einstein of a killer here," Jane explained with an eye roll.

"You have no idea who did it? Means, motive, opportunity? We don't even have a murder weapon yet?" Lisbon asked, "Forensics hasn't even come back with prints and DNA yet."

"And we can find all that out super quickly once we find the killer, and that forensics mambo jambo stuff can help confirm it."

"It normally happens the other way around"

"Meh, takes far too long that way," Jane dismissed. "Besides, I have good incentive to close this case quickly," he said, flashing Lisbon a flirty smile. She grinned and shook her head.

"Can you guys maintain radio silence unless you have something useful to say?" Cho crackled through their headpieces.

"Right. Sorry boss. She's a chatty one," Jane drawled in response.

The minutes ticked by as they scanned the area vigilantly. The drop-off time came and went, but still, no one came.

Lisbon grabbed Jane's wrist and looked at his watch.

"It's 4:23. No one's coming"

"You need to have patience woman"

"I'd rather have coffee"

"I'd rather have you"

She looked at him in sheer disdain, a look that would set him on fire had she had the magic powers,

"… not fall asleep mid stakeout. Go get yourself a coffee," he graciously attempted to save, rolling his eyes back at her for once.

"Want anything?"

"Well…" he poked his tongue out the corner of his mouth, taunting her into expecting he was going to say something else damning and inappropriate. "I wouldn't mind something hot to drink too."

'You're a menace', she mouthed silently at him.

"What, was that Lisbon?" he asked in reply with a big trouble-making grin.

"Nothing," she pouted thin-lipped with indignance. 'Love you,' he mouthed back silently.

She failed to suppress a smile as she marched off to the coffee cart, leaving a highly amused Jane in her wake.

"Oh ho, we have a biter," Jane said out loud. "Bogey at 9 o'clock.

A tall thin man wearing a hoodie and red baseball cap low over his eyes approached the drop spot. He cautiously looked around before picking up the charred and damaged phone. His face visibly dropped with fear as he read the post-it note that Jane had cheekily attached.

'Surprise! Place your hands in the air.
p.s. please don't run, it makes my colleagues very cranky'

Cho and a couple of other agents surrounded him swiftly, arresting him with ease. With the handcuffs firmly strapped on, Jane jumped off the bench and hurried over to the action, a supremely satisfied grin on his face. It was always like a work of art when his plans unraveled exactly as he imagined.

Lisbon appeared at his elbow, two disposable coffee cups in hand and nudged him gently.

"What'd I miss?" she asked as surveyed the scene and passed him a cup.

"Like shooting fish in a barrel," Jane exclaimed with a proud brush of his hands.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

From there, the case closed itself. If the confession wasn't enough, forensics came through confirming and linking all evidence and suspicions. Means, motive, and opportunity all become transparent.

"Jane," Abbott summoned to his office, "a word?"

He trumped in reluctantly like a rebellious teen being summoned to the principal's office.

"I had another complaint come across my desk about you today."

"Ah," said Jane knowingly. "Did you hear we just closed the Brigsley case though? Caught the culprit and got a signed confession even before forensics were able to come back with anything. Pretty impressive, right?"

Abbott picked up the complaint file and cleared his throat. "It says here you called Mr Brigsley 'a greedy, twisted little sadist' and 'a filthy old goat.'"

Jane laughed with a finger to his lips. "Yeah, that sounds about right," he admitted, pride emanating from his face.

Abbott sighed. "I understand you have your particular ways, Jane. But these kinds of ragged insults are unnecessarily uncouth. As a Federal consultant, do you think that perhaps it would be pertinent to conduct yourself in a more professional manner?

Jane feigned thought. "No… I don't think so"

"Get too many of these complaints, you're going to draw too much attention to yourself. It's going to make it more tempting for the powers-that-be to petition to rescind your deal"

"Come on, we closed the case faster than forensics could! That's gotta count for something? Surely." Jane argued. "And I'm all about efficiency."

The charlatan had a point. Abbott shook his head in defeat and motioned for Jane to leave. "Can you please just try to be less of an ass?"

"Less of an ass? Is… is that my official order from the Supervising Agent?"

"Yes"

"Ok, I'll see what I can do. No promises though," Jane left with a grin.

"Let me guess, another complaint?" Lisbon asked as Jane flopped himself down on his leather couch.

"Mehhh," Jane dismissed. "A complaint is just a testament to my button-pressing ability."

"Oh you can push buttons alright," she scoffed.

"And wouldn't you know it," he purred in reply with a suggestively raised eyebrow.

Lisbon blushed.

"But more importantly…" he double-checked no-one was in earshot and sat on the corner of her desk. "Case is closed. So proper date it is. I'll pick you up at 6pm. Don't be tardy."

"What are we doing?" she asked, leaping out of her chair with an enthusiastic grin.

"Little bit of this, little bit of that. You'll see," he said with a big shit-eating grin that she had learned to fear over years and years of working with him and his convoluted nonsense. He turned and headed to the elevator without another word.

"Jane, what are we doing?" she called after him, a waver of worry in her voice. "JANE!" she yelled louder to no avail.

Amused by the apprehension in her voice, he stuck a hand in the air and gave a friendly wave without even turning around.

"Dammit Jane," she muttered to herself, flumping back down on her office chair in a huff, wondering exactly what she had gotten herself into.