Disclaimer: No.

A/N: I'm really not sure, but here we are.

Enjoy!


A sound of melodic laughter startled the agent out of her half-asleep state. The laugh she'd grown to resent over the past few years. She cursed herself under her breath, annoyed at herself that she'd almost fallen asleep at work. Again.

No rest for the wicked, she told herself every night, convincing herself to continue working on the Red John case instead. It wasn't a hard task to achieve, since she wouldn't be able to sleep anyway, stress keeping her awake.

She tried to blink the tiredness out of her eyes, the pile of report sheets giving her a nauseating sensation. She was repulsed by the amount of blood seen in the pictures taken of the serial killer's victims, but forced herself to continue looking at them, searching for clues.

There was a knock on the door of her office and she straightened up from her slouched form, clearing her throat. She wasn't going to let Red John get in the way of her work or slow her down. "Come in."

But as soon as the door opened, she regretted permitting the visitor's entrance. Trying to keep a straight face, she gave a strained nod to the man smiling at her. "What do you want, psychic?"

Patrick Jane rolled his eyes, but looked amused. "When you say 'psychic' with that tone you have there, I swear it's like you're saying 'slave', Teresa."

"It's agent Lisbon to you, psychic." She intoned, her dry tone indicating her disinterest in the conversation. "What do you want? I have some paperwork to do."

He nodded. "Ah, yes, of course you do. Just wanted to let you know everyone's leaving, and I know Grace- ahem, agent Van Pelt wanted to see me for a reading, but let her know my wife was here to pick me up. Can't keep her waiting." Another signature smirk.

Agent Lisbon opened her mouth to blow him off, but a small child entered the room, running and giggling. "Lisbon!"

She couldn't help the grin that overtook her neutral demeanor. "Hey there, Charlotte." Lisbon might not have liked Patrick Jane, but he had a lovely family- whom if you asked her, he didn't really deserve. "Here to take your burden of a dad off my shoulders?"

"That's not nice." The man gave a small pout as Charlotte approached the agent, jumping in the woman's embrace.

"Oh, yes. Thank you Ms. Lisbon." Angela appeared through the door as well, looking as angelic as ever with her warm aura. "The picnic next week still stands. You'll be there? I mean, the rest of the team is."

"Pwease?" The child in her arms pleaded, making her chuckle.

"Alright, I'll try." She gave in, giving then little one's temple a gentle kiss. "But I can't promise. Too much work to do."

"Let me know when you figured it out." The wife came closer to take her daughter into her own arms. "We're all excited about the interview on Monday.." Her smile slightly wavered. "Kind of."

"It can't be that bad." She could only shrug, though had a bad feeling pooling in her gut already. She tried to ignore it. It was none of her business.

Angela Ruskin Jane stared at the wall behind her, brows furrowed and appearing to be in deep thought.

She was a beautiful person, physically and mentally. And if it weren't for the fact that she and Jane came from similar backgrounds, they would've never gotten together if they ever met.

She was tall, slim and had her share of curves. Her naturally brown hair was colored blonde and reached her waist. Her features were delicate and flawless in detail, the freckles covering her face adding to the beauty. But the frown on her face was in contrast to them.

A big difference between her and Patrick Jane, was that she had morals. She didn't like that her husband lied through his teeth every day for ridiculous amounts of money, and got away with it. She was upset with the way people's emotions were toyed with in their mist vulnerable moments.

Lisbon had seen them fight about it quite a few times, and she could tell it was happening more often.

A few years ago, this mysterious person appeared out of no where as a suspect in one of their cases. He had no alibi and plenty of motive, but he was relaxed the whole time, only stating that he puked when he saw any signs of blood. Not only he'd somehow proved himself innocent, but as a cherry on top, he'd insisted that he had psychic powers and could help them through their investigations.

Lisbon was always skeptical of the man, but strangely enough, almost all the predictions and readings the psychic did turned out to be correct. The team convinced her to hire him as a consultant, and that's what led her to moments such as these.

In two days, Patrick Jane was going to appear on air, and talk about freaking police work! He knew nothing about that and it was an outrageous insult. But Angela's concerns weren't exactly the same.

Ever since Angela's husband had joined the CBI, he was getting more famous. It didn't just mean more money and popularity. But there were also people who saw through the acts and hated the man. They got a lot of hate mails- even threats, and more fame for Jane meant more trouble for his family.

The tall woman seemed to come back to reality as her husband cleared his throat behind her. "You coming honey? Or should I take Agent Cho with me instead?" He teased.

She laughed. "If you're trying to make me jealous, I think you should try a little harder, Paddy."

Teresa Lisbon watched the family leave with amusement. At the end of the day no matter how bad the struggle was, they really loved each other.

Her face fell as she remembered the assignments she had on her hands. Don't take this the wrong way, Lisbon loved paper work. But everyone has a limit.


"Uh, boss?"

Lisbon grumbled something out in acknowledgement, but didn't stir. Though her neck felt really uncomfortable for some reason.

"Boss, are you alright? Should I call you in sick? Do you want to go home?" The worried questions came quickly.

"What do you mean go home-?" And when she raised her head with a grunt, she realized she'd fallen asleep in her office. "Oh. No, I-I'm fine." She reassured the concerned agent and her gaze fell down on the last report she studied last night.

Special Agent Sam Bosco

She felt her throat tighten with emotion. Bosco was one of her best friends and closest colleagues, and his murder by Red John was the reason to Lisbon's so-called 'obsession' with the serial killer.

Quotation marks, because not everyone took the case as seriously as her. But again, she seemed to be losing plenty of sleep and there were too many hours gone to waste on these papers..

"Agent Lisbon."

"Yes, sir?" She stood up automatically at the voice of her supervisor. Minelli looked unimpressed. "Sir, I apologize profusely-"

"No she doesn't." Came the knowing voice of her consultant. He was smiling at her like always, with his ridiculous slid back blond hair and neat attire. "I actually hope you get more sleep grasshopper. Even if it's during work hours."

"Shut it." She threw a glare his way. "I swear to god, psychic, if you ever call me that again-"

"Agent Lisbon." Minelli growled with more urgency, silencing her. "I've tolerated this behavior so far, but you, agent, are not doing okay." Lisbon only stared in confusion at the three people in her office. "I am taking you off the Red John case." Her boss announced sternly.

"W-wait, what?" She shook her head. "No! Sir, I swear this will never happen again, but this is just taking it too far! It was just one time. I mean, Patrick Jane always sleeps on the couch and you don't tell him that-" She was cut off her words.

"Patrick Jane is not on the Red John case, nor has he ever asked to be. He basically has nothing to lose." Minelli simply said, making Jane chuckle.

"You got that right, buddy!"

"It's not just that. I noticed you sneaking away in the middle of a case to get back to this old crap." Her eyes widened. No wonder the man was so determined to take her off it. "You have a team to lead, Agent Lisbon. I'm counting on you to put your obsession aside-"

"I'm not obsessed!" She growled before she could stop herself. Then quieted down, realizing her rude outburst.

"All I'm saying-" Minelli started to frown, breaking the newly formed silence. "- is that there hasn't been a new lead on this case for months. The last lead we did get was the death of Agent Bosco. You're going in circles, Agent Lisbon."

At her best friend's name, the woman's heart clenched with grief. Perhaps she hadn't had the heart to go through the stages yet.

At Lisbon's silence, her boss's voice softened to a degree. "I know these past months have been hard for you, but this isn't healthy and we need you, agent. If any major leads were to come up on it or if someone made a break in the case, I promise you'll be the first to know."

The knots in her face unraveled and she took a deep breath, meeting the other's eyes. "I understand, sir." She said like a strong responsible soldier, and meant it. "I again apologize and well, thank you."

He only shook his head and exited the office. "Get some rest, Agent."

With Virgil Minelli gone, Lisbon's attention turned on the two other agents who watched the end of the exchange. "What are you two doing just standing there?" She deadpanned.

Van Pelt flashed her a sheepish smile, looking awkward. "Sorry, boss. I didn't know it'd go like this or I wouldn't have pried."

"I would've." Jane's wit was ignored.

"But we were just told to 'bring you out of your nest' as Minelli put it." Grace rolled her eyes, making air quotes. "So I thought I'd offer you to come hang out with everyone else."

"I understand why he chose you." Lisbon started to arrange the files neatly. "But why this.. person?" She tried to be considerate with her words as she motioned towards the psychic. These days, she noticed that she took out her frustrations on the easiest target she could find. Even Jane didn't deserve that much.

Said man scrunched up his nose in fake distaste. "Wow. Nice save, Teresa."

"Screw you." She mumbled and satisfied with her work, approached the two and gestured for Van Pelt to lead the way. "Any new cases today? Breaks in the old ones?"

Grace shook her head no. "No ma'am. The streets are pretty clear today. As for old cases, we're still trying to get that search warrant for Palicky's bank account. We don't have a solid evidence except the vision Jane had and the suspect's lawyer says it's worth nothing."

"Well, he's right." The agent mumbled, ignoring the offended look of the consultant. "It's fine." She continued in a louder voice. "I think he's innocent anyway."

"And that's where you're wrong, grasshopper." Seeing the hand that rose to mess with her hair, Lisbon successfully ducked it and glared. "If he's half as innocent as you think he is, he wouldn't give you so much trouble with the warrant and just give consent. It's not like we're gonna mess up his house or anything." He reasoned.

"Not to mention the victim was his own wife." The redhead smiled as the idea just struck her. "It almost looks like he doesn't want us to find the killer. That's kinda suspicious."

"Atta girl." He praised casually and Lisbon could feel the younger girl's silent squeal like a fangirl. She didn't feel too good about the attention Jane was giving the rookie. Maybe she was just too judgmental, but she also wasn't sure of the blond's loyalty to his wife. The fact that betrayal was never a topic of discussion with the Jane family could mean it was a sensitive subject.

Entering the other room, Jane immediately took the seat on the chair by Rigsby's desk. "Guess who was taken off the serial killer case?" He gave the startled man a grin. It infuriated Lisbon how smug the fraud looked about her failure.

The young agent's eyes widened in shock as he sought his boss's eyes for confirmation. "Wait, what? Was it a direct order?" Even Cho seemed to have taken an interest in the subject.

"The bottom line is, I get my head out of the case or they ban me from it." Lisbon tried to brush it off, sprawling out her body on the couch. "I guess it was about time. I was starting to get out of control." She noted, humming.

"It's great to hear you admit that, boss." The redhead beamed at her, sitting behind her desk as well. "We were starting to get worried."

"Thanks for the concern Van Pelt, but I'm fine." Lisbon reassured half heartedly before fishing out her old Rubik's cube, trying to busy herself with that. Agent Cho and Rigsby were given some assignments, but the females were free for the day. She had to find a hobby outside of work.

"Oh, Teresa." An annoying chuckle brought her out of her thoughts. "You are anything but fine."

"Oh? Did you ask my dead mother that?" She narrowed her eyes with the dry comment. "Take a mind trip to Lisbon-Land?"

"I didn't have to. That sort of thing is extremely personal. You just reach for that cube to distract you when yourmind is troubled." The perfect smile on his face was unnerving. He was too healthy, too neat, too perfect. It gave her a sociopathic vibe.

She forced a smile in return. "You know what? Screw you." It fell as a scowl overtook her face. Rigsby in the corner let out a chuckle.

Lisbon sighed and went back to her supposed distraction. "I don't want to be rude, Mr. Jane. You just make me."

"Eh, I find it hard to take offense to your words, Teresa." His tone was sweet and smooth, making her internally uncomfortable. Seriously, what was with this man? "I know you mean well."

"But I don't." She grumbled under her breath and he let out that melodic laugh.

"Charming, princess. Really."

She didn't have to come up with a retort as a very distressed woman exited the elevator. The agent stood up on cue, moving out of the room to help her. "Ma'am, how may I assist you?"

The woman's eyes found hers, full of preoccupation. "Oh, hello. I have an appointment with Mr. Patrick Jane-?"

Lisbon stilled, wanting to slap herself in the forehead. Of course she was here for a psychic reading or some sort of other bullcrap. It hurt to see how many people fell for that every day.

"Uh, is this the right place?" The client sounded unsure about the agent's silence. "Sh-should I go?"

Lisbon bit her lip. "Mr. Jane's here, yes. But I think you should go ma'am-"

"Brenda!" Lisbon tensed at the overenthusiastic greeting of the consultant. "It's so nice to see you again!"

She abruptly turned from the lit of face of the client towards the blond. "Would you please excuse Mr. Jane and I for a moment, Brenda?" And without waiting for an answer, started dragging the man away. "Mr. Jane, what did I tell you about bringing your.. your work into the CBI? We are officers of the law. We solve murders, Mr. Jane. This, will not be tolerated." She scolded as they stopped, crossing her arms.

Patrick Jane only smiled, not appearing to be at all affected or intimidated by her. "But Teresa-"

"It's Lisbon!" She hissed, cutting him off. "You are the most disrespectful person I've met in a long time. If only it were up to me, you wouldn't be allowed to set foot in this building!"

His smirk turned cruel and mocking. "But here I am, my name stuck to the CBI like a parasite. I'm making money off of what you do while doing nothing myself but taking advantage of grieving widows."

The agent froze in shock. "Di-did you just.. admit to being a fraud out loud?"

But the menacing look was gone in a blink, replaced by the usual kind and perfect one. "What? Why Agent Lisbon, that's a very rude accusation!" He had the nerve to look offended, but the twinkle of amusement in his eyes infuriated her. It was all but a game to him.

"You son of a bitch." She expressed her helplessness. "What's your problem with me exactly?" Gritting out, Lisbon clenched her fists.

"I don't have a problem, grasshopper." He shrugged. "If you ask me, you would've been a nice lay." She gaped in incredulity. "But you're the one who keeps getting in my way. If that's how you want to play, then it's on. I can turn your entire unit against you." Something dangerous flickered in his eyes, which caught her off guard.

"Sir, are you threatening me?" Lisbon asked, unbelieving. "I can have you arrested for that."

"With what proof?" He raised a challenging eyebrow, his amused grin returning. "As far as I'm concerned, we're just having a harmless chat."

There was a staring contest between them. "Also, friendly tip, your team already thinks you're a little screwed in the head with that serial killer fiasco, so if I were you, I wouldn't spout off about our little uh, disagreement. They're gonna take my side." He was eyeing her as if he was waiting for her to break at any moment.

"He killed my best friend." Lisbon defended. "Even if I am nuts, I think I have the right to be. You have no idea what it's like to lose someone." A raised eyebrow was the only answer she got. "Stay away from Grace Van Pelt." She ordered sternly.

"Try and stop me." He snorted, straightening his already neat and slid back hair.

"I feel so bad for poor Angela." She couldn't help but comment with a sigh. "She doesn't deserve this."

"You don't know what you're talking about." There was an undertone of threat in his voice, but on the outside it was light and casual. "I'd never cheat on her if that's what you're implying. Now that's rude."

She pursed her lips, clearly not believing him. "Stop bringing your clients to my workplace."

"As if. I'm having way too much driving you crazy." He threw his head back in a fake- such a fake laugh.

"If you think you're capable of doing that, then you must be an only child."

"Nice one." For a moment there, his smile turned sincere, but it was gone in a second. "Get lost, Teresa."

Tired of endless arguments, she only stormed out from the scene, finding her way back to the comfort of her couch. "I swear to god-" She murmured as Rigsby raised his head from his computer. "As long as I live, I'm gonna try to make that man's life a misery."

"He's not that bad." His agent shrugged, unsure about her sour remark. "I mean, annoying, yes. But you're too harsh on him. I think you should take that one-week vacation, you could use the rest." He offered. Lisbon was ready to make an irritated comment, but paused.

'I can turn your entire unit against you. They'll take my side.'

She narrowed her eyes at Wayne, brushing it off as a coincidence before walking away, leaving the man in question marks.