Lisbon's hand hovered over the door. She paused for a second, considering her options, before giving in and knocking. Her fist sounded hollow on the old motel room door.

There was no immediate response to her knock. Lisbon waited a few seconds before knocking again and quietly calling, "Jane?"

This time, she heard rustling inside the room. After a few more seconds, the door opened, revealing a disheveled and tired-looking Jane.

Jane didn't say anything, clearly waiting for Lisbon to tell him what she wanted. Lisbon paused again, unsure of exactly what to say. She finally settled for asking, "can I come in?"

Jane wordlessly opened the door wider and motioned for her to join him in the small, dark room. When she entered, Jane closed the door behind her and sat down on the bed. Lisbon stood in the middle of the room, her arms crossed, and studied her partner. He returned her gaze, his eyes tired but defiant. He wasn't going to give in, that Lisbon knew. She had to be the one to break first or she'd never get anything out of him. She sighed.

"I meant what I said at the diner, Jane," she said quietly. "I've never seen you like this before, and it scares me."

Jane rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious, Jane," Lisbon's voice rose. "We have to tell the team-"

"No."

"Jane-"

"We've been over this, Lisbon," Jane said, the exasperation evident in his voice. "We can't tell anyone. We can't risk tipping off Red John, and we can't put the team at risk. I won't do it. I shouldn't have even told you."

"Oh, here we go again," Lisbon huffed.

"What?" Jane challenged, standing up to face her, "You think I like putting you in danger? No, I don't. I wish I didn't have to. But I need you, Lisbon. I can't do this without you."

Lisbon wanted to argue, but Jane's brutal honesty surprised her into momentary silence. She blinked then sighed, throwing her hands up in resignation. "Okay, fine," she said, letting him think he'd won this particular argument, "but I need you to tell me what you're thinking." When he didn't say anything, she added, "I can't work like this, Jane. You have to trust me."

Jane sat back down on the bed with a heavy sigh but said nothing. Lisbon sat down next to him, her movements slow as if she were afraid of spooking him. She reached over and placed her hand on his arm. Quietly, she said, "Jane. I can't help you if you won't let me in." Still he said nothing, so Lisbon added, "I mean it, Jane. I'm scared. I'm worried about you, and I'm scared of Red John. I don't know what he's doing to you, but I don't like it. It's like he's gotten into your head, whether you acknowledge it or not, and that worries me."

Jane still refused to reply, for what could he say? He had no explanation he could give her. There was nothing he could say that would ease her fears. Instead of replying, he continued to stare at the wall in front of him while her scrutinizing gaze burned holes in the side of his face.

When Lisbon realized she wasn't going to get a reply, she ran her hand down Jane's arm until her hand met his. She took hold of his hand and was relieved when he wrapped his fingers around hers. Encouraged by this response, she softly said, "Jane, we're supposed to be partners."

Jane finally turned and looked at her. The stress and anguish were evident in his tired eyes when he said, "I know, Lisbon." His raspy voice was little more than a whisper when he added. "I wish it didn't have to be this way, but it has to be done. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared too. Not for me," he quickly added in response to her surprised look, "but for you."

Lisbon smiled then. "Jane, I've told you before. I'm a cop. It's my job to chase killers and to put myself in harm's way."

Jane didn't return her smile. "That doesn't mean I have to like being the one that puts you there," he said honestly. "But I'm glad you're here."

Lisbon raised an eyebrow. "Are you?" she asked, her voice a little lighter than before. "Because I can't help but feel like you know more than you're telling me, like you're keeping things from me, and that makes it seem like you don't really want me here-"

Her words were cut off when Jane suddenly leaned over and kissed her. The kiss was light, chaste almost, but perhaps a few seconds longer than it needed to be, before Jane pulled back and met Lisbon's eyes. There were so many emotions in his blue depths, that Lisbon was suddenly as overcome as he was. She didn't want to think right now, didn't want to feel. Didn't want to analyze all the conflicting emotions that were flying through her mind and Jane's eyes. Instead, she reached up and placed her hand on the back of his neck, pulling him down and returning his kiss. Jane's hands found their way to her waist, and Lisbon was breathless by the time they separated again.

"I need you, Lisbon," Jane said, his voice husky, before his lips found the place where her neck met her shoulder.

Lisbon shuddered and tangled her hands in his hair as Jane kissed his way up her neck and back to the corner of her mouth. She hadn't realized how much she needed him, too, or how much she needed this release. This reprieve from the chase, from all the worry and the fear. When Jane's lips found hers again, she whispered in between kisses, "I need you, too."

Jane and Lisbon tumbled back onto his bed, lost for the moment in each other. They would never be able to explain it in the morning, probably wouldn't even talk about it. If either of them had stopped to think, to consider the consequences or rationalize their actions, they probably would have stopped. But there was no time for rationalizations. For now, they needed a reprieve. A break. A release. And they found it in each other's arms.

For the moment, that was enough.