A/n People on Twitter over the past few days have been so kind about my fics in general and I am really touched. Thank you for the support and for reading this so far. I know it is a bit out there, but I am enjoying writing it.

/

4.

Living together starts to become a surprisingly enjoyable activity. Jane is a great cook and seems to enjoy wowing her with his culinary skills. She then washes up the dishes in return despite him trying to persuade her that he is very capable, but she doesn't want to completely rely on him. She is so used to having to do everything domestic herself and although it is nice being looked after, losing all her control doesn't come naturally to her. So, she will do the washing up, iron his shirts and hoover the house because she doesn't need to be waited on… plus she is a little bored.

It has been a few days since they last saw or heard from Clarkson (and the kissing incident) and Lisbon is starting to fret. Maybe they've somehow blown this, maybe they won't hear from him again and he is already out looking for new targets. What if another couple dies whilst they are lounging around loving the lavish lifestyle? "You need to stop worrying." She hears him say from the kitchen table where he is reading the paper whilst she makes herself a coffee. "Waiting is fine."

"What if he has moved on to other people? It won't be good Jane if more people get killed whilst we are living it up." She explains with a sharp exhale, a stress headache starting to hit her. He glances over to her as she rubs her temples, thinking about how he wishes he could help her relax more but he knows that she's been skittish with him since he kissed her. They've not spoken about it, and they certainly have not done it again, although they have continued to share a bed and have not found that to be hard. When she takes a deep breath and looks towards him, he is quick to look away and focus on his newspaper once more, pretending to read an article about the local mayor hoping for re-election. "I've just had a thought. You aren't exactly pretending to be rich." She mutters and he pauses in turning the page, mulling over what has just been said and settling with a non-committed hum before continuing in the action.

"I've not really thought about it."

Lisbon adds some milk to her coffee before carrying the mug to join him at the table, trying to gage his reaction to her previous comment but he seems to be concentrating on whatever he is reading. "I'm just saying that you've actually lived like this. The closest I've got to this is when I won a night away at a four-star hotel in some charity raffle."

"I remember that." He smiles to himself. "You almost didn't go because of case."

"Yeah, thankfully you came through with a plan last minute." She recalls, it was many years ago now, he hadn't been part of the team for long, yet he seemed set on making sure she got her night away. "Have you missed it?"

"Missed what?"

"Living like this." She drags, realising that this topic of conversation is going to be like drawing blood from a stone.

"No. If I had missed it then I wouldn't live like I do now." He admits, still refusing to pull his gaze from the newspaper, mainly because he is worried about looking her in the eye. But then her ring-clad hand travels to the paper, in his view, and she lays it on the object to force his attention away from it and on their discussion. Jane sighs as his blue eyes dart up to meet her green ones. "I don't know what you want me to say."

"I'm just trying to understand." She discloses whilst pulling her hand back, deciding that she no longer needs to rest it there, she has his attention. "If I had money, I wouldn't live in an Airstream provided to me by the FBI."

The curly-haired man just sits, silently, for a few moments, searching her face for what she wants to hear but he actually has no idea. The truth? The truth is complicated, and he will feel exposed if he starts to reveal it. "I really don't have that much money." He goes with instead which isn't completely fictitious. Yes, he used to be a very well-to-do guy, but that was a long time ago, he hardly earnt from the CBI, and he used a lot of his funds to escape the country after killing Red John. However, he probably still is considered as wealthy to her.

"Give over." She almost laughs but when his serious expression doesn't shift into a jokey smile like she is expecting and instead just turns solemn she stops herself. "Talk to me, please."

He thinks about how open she was with him a few nights ago about not wearing her mother's cross whilst on this case and how she was, is, worried about them kissing and he understands how hard she has tried to be honest with him even though she finds all that stuff incredibly difficult. So he wants to try too, for her. "After losing what I did, you suddenly realise that all the money in the world doesn't matter." He confesses gravely, his face twisting in pain fleetingly before he manages to regain composure. "Spending money, living lavishly would have felt wrong considering."

"You were punishing yourself." She comprehends and she squeezes her eyes tightly shut, hating that she started this conversation in the first place. He has been so good to her recently and this is how she repays him; she cannot help feeling guilty. "Jane I'm sorry-" Him placing his hand on hers makes her stop and open her eyes with a start, evidently shocked but not having time to verbalise it.

"Don't apologise. It is fine." He promises with a small smile which she nervously returns, and he pulls away, going to hold his cup of tea instead. "I was thinking that after the briefing we could go to the country club for lunch." He proposes, purposely trying to change the subject. "Clarkson may be there, and I thought we could catch his eye. I know you are worried about him moving onto new victims."

"We aren't victims yet."

"Yes, let's try and avoid that please." It may be said as a joke but both of them know that this is no joking matter. Six people are dead, and they can't fly too close to the sun and become victim numbers seven and eight.

xxx

Cho enjoys making fun of two of his oldest friends' attire during their virtual briefing as the faux couple are planning on hitting the country club to try and sniff out their suspect. Jane is wearing a smart, white button up shirt with a flash blue suit that he's been saving for a rainy day, whilst Lisbon has gone for a maroon bodycon dress – one of her favourite outfits that Fischer ordered for her. She may even have to keep it after the mission is over… if that's okay with the FBI of course.

Abbott is running through anything else they've found out about their criminal trio but apart from discovering that Seo-Jun is currently out of the state there is nothing else to say. Apart from the fact that they have heaps of cash and no known work to speak off. They're hardly criminal masterminds. If they were then they would be hiding it in various offshore accounts. Sadly though, this isn't enough to get a conviction. All they have is the three of them were seen, once, together on CCTV not far from the Stevens killings but that is nothing. Concrete evidence is what they need which is why they're going through with this plan. "How are you two finding living together?" Their boss asks and immediately the pair glance to each other, their brows raised, before turning back to her laptop screen.

"It's fine." The brunette states with a shrug, not wanting to give the unit much more. She was so used to the gossip back at CBI, about what may have gone on between her and her consultant, she doesn't want any of that at her new job. The man beside her just smiles.

"Not too bored?"

"We've been playing poker." He tells the superior. "And pool. It hasn't exactly been a hardship. We-"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Wylie suddenly calls in the background, cutting the mentalist off. "Clarkson is there!" He's been monitoring the security cameras at the front of the house and almost as soon as they hear his exclamation the front gate buzzer sounds loudly. Without another thought, Lisbon cuts off the video call and rushes to pack away her laptop whilst her partner leaps out of his chair to go and let in their guest. Or guests as it quickly transpires.

It is lucky that they are dressed to host. "Sorry for dropping in like this." Clarkson is quickly apologising as soon as he is welcomed through the front door, but Jane can tell his apology is far from sincere. "This is one of my business partners, Trent Grady." The younger man puts his hand out confidently for him to shake which he does so whilst musing that it is interesting that they make their partnership so open when they're planning to commit huge crimes. Maybe that's why they have to kill their victims instead of just taking their money and running, that would make sense.

"So how do you two know each other?" Jane asks, indicating for the duo to follow him out back to sit on the veranda where Lisbon is already putting out glasses of water.

"We met through friends." Trent states, keeping the explanation brief and they doubt it is the truth. "Do you not have anything stronger?" He questions, pointing at the water looking almost disgusted that this is what he has been offered. Clarkson may be the big boss of the whole operation, but Grady certainly has an attitude and an ego which would probably be the trio's undoing if the FBI allowed them to continue with their plans.

"We don't have a big drink selection." The consultant comes to her rescue, noting the slight unsure expression on her face. "We are still waiting for some boxes from California, but we can offer you red wine, orange juice, err…"

"Vodka." She suddenly pitches in making him cock his head, he had no idea that they had any spirits. "I could mix vodka orange for people if they would prefer?"

"Sounds good to me." The younger suspect quickly agrees as he ungracefully takes a seat at the outdoor seating area.

"Vodka oranges all round." Jane decides with glance to his faux wife who plasters on her best smile, one that certainly fools their guests, but he knows the truth, before she returns to the kitchen to make better refreshments.

The reason he didn't know about the vodka is that she brought it with her. It was an afterthought when she was packing, remembering that she had a bottle saved for tricky times. She brought it in case things became too much, if she found her partner to be overbearing or a nightmare like he can be, but she hasn't felt the need to even open it yet – even after him kissing her the other night. The mission has been largely easy and frankly she has enjoyed his company much more than she thought she would.

The few minutes that she leaves their presence, she tries to use the time to calm herself, but then rational thought starts to creep in, and she wonders what she is missing, what holes her partner is digging for himself – and suddenly she is mixing the drinks much more quickly. Finding a tray, she rests the four glasses on it before carrying it outside where the guys are chatting about the backyard, when she notices that although there are four chairs around the table, Trent Grady has his feet rested on one with no hint that he plans to move them away. Maybe they're assuming that she will leave them, to get on with housewife activities whilst they discuss the business – she hopes that isn't the case. "Here you are." She states chirpily as she places the tray on the table and immediately their guests reach for a glass.

It is then that Jane realises the dubious situation she has found herself in with no free seats available. "Sit here love." He says directing her to his knee and very swiftly Lisbon has to compose herself, not letting her mask slip so that their two suspects are none the wiser about her obvious discomfort.

Sitting on him would be so unprofessional and she has a feeling that because they're outside, Wylie will be able to see them on the security feed… but it is what she must do. Especially if she wants to know what is going on and that is certainly best when the mentalist is involved. She learnt that very quickly. So without trying to overthink it, she takes a seat on his knee, propping herself up against the arm of the chair whilst attempting to make the action look as natural as possible. She thinks that they get away with it. "Our other business partner returns to the state tonight so we should be able to meet with him tomorrow." Clarkson reveals.

"If he's around tomorrow then why did you drop by today?" Jane questions before taking a sip on his drink, he senses her tense at his boldness which makes him unconsciously move a hand to her thigh where he starts to rub small, soothing circles. It comes naturally to him, so much so that he isn't even aware that he's doing it, but she definitely is. She feels her skin turn hot and she hopes, prays, that he doesn't notice it.

"We were in the neighbourhood."

"Ah."

"Business?" She chimes, acting like she has no idea what they're talking about.

"I hadn't spoken to Teresa yet." He grimaces to the two men who seem to smirk at this, they probably like a man who controls their woman. The curly-haired man then tilts his head to look at her when he clarifies. "Adrian and Trent know their way around investments. I'm considering entering that market." At some point during his explanation, his eyes accidentally dart to her lips, and it is only when she starts speaking once more that he understands his mistake and he is quick to look away.

"Sounds intriguing." She turns back to their guests with a plastered-on grin, "I trust Patrick. He knows best when it comes to money."

Jane may be wrong, although he isn't usually one to not trust his own instincts, but he registers a flicker of… something between the pair when she says this. Like this is something they wanted, no needed, to know. Why does it matter so much if one person has total control of the money? Why is that important to them?

What is he missing? "If I had a hot tub like that, I would never be out of it." Grady utters, eyeing it up like he would happily get in right now. His gaze then shifts to the brunette, and she can almost sense the inappropriate comment coming before it leaves his mouth. "I bet you look great in a bikini." Her partner has to use all his power not to lob a punch at the guy.

"The hot tub is a great asset. We love it, don't we honey?" He moves past the… unfortunate interaction fast.

"We do."

The pair do not stay long, only another fifteen minutes or so, and it is obvious to the consultant that Clarkson brought Grady along so he could do a quick sweep of the property. Looking for any weak points, the ins and outs, the security situation. Of course, she noticed this too and the more she mulls it over, the more unsafe this place suddenly feels. This mission they're on is dangerous, they may be experienced at the job – especially her – but they're basically unprotected out here. The rest of the unit are over an hour away, she only has the one firearm and God forbid if Jane actually carried one for once.

They're clearing up when she notes the look of deep thought etched into his features, she has seen it so many times before and it brings a sensation of dread to the pit of her stomach. "What is it?" She somewhat reluctantly inquires.

"Seo-Jun is back today, and I would bet you anything that they will be watching us tonight. Showing him who their latest mark is."

"So?" She questions, although the image of the house being watched so closely does cause her some anxiety.

"So… how do you fancy a dip in the hot tub tonight?"

She understands why he has had this idea. The notion popped into her own mind as soon as Grady pointed it out, but it seems so unnecessary. Even though it does look inviting, the idea of sharing that experience with him is… not worth thinking about. "Jane, the backyard is fenced, they wouldn't be able to see us."

"Those panels over there…" He indicates to one corner of the yard before moving his pointed finger to the other side. "And there are damaged. Probably from the raid that happened here but Clarkson definitely noticed it."

"Great." Lisbon lets out an exasperated sigh, knowing that this is enough to sway her decision. She may not want to be in that situation with him, but she's also a professional and she wants to do the job right in any way she can.

xxx

This morning she was attempting to tear down his walls, to have a peep at the man inside, but now she feels like the one that needs the push. He cooked dinner, a lovely risotto, that she mainly pushed around the plate because of nerves she has been experiencing ever since he suggested a dip in the hot tub. He's out there now, adjusting the temperature looking cool, calm, and collected – a vast contrast to herself – in just a pair of baggy boxers. She cannot help but notice how unexpectedly well sculpted he is considering he likes the idle life. In the glow from the blue water and the surrounding dimmed lamps he looks good, really good.

But that just makes matters worse.

Neither of them brought appropriate clothing for an activity in the water, hence his boxers, and she is having to wear her pyjama shorts and the only t-shirt she has, which is white, and she knows what happens to white clothing when wet. Despite this entire scenario being her worst nightmare, she does trust Jane. She trusts him not to be inappropriate, not to say anything untoward and to simply behave. Maybe she is naïve for thinking that, she ponders, as she begins to gravitate outside to join him just when he starts to get into the water. "Are you alright?" He murmurs, observing the slight trace of stress that appears on her face. "We don't have to do this."

"We do and it's fine." She manages to persuade, some of her nerves dissipating at just the sight of his soft smile.

"In which case." He murmurs before leaning out of the tub and reaching for something out of her view, making her brow raise inquisitively. Her questions are quickly answered when out of nowhere he pulls up a bottle of champagne and two flutes. "Ta da."

"When did you get that?" Her disbelief is clear, but it keeps her distracted long enough for her to join him in the water without another thought, enjoying the sensation of the warm liquid easing her tense muscles.

"The other day. Thought it might come in useful." Is what he claims as she takes the glasses from him so he can focus on opening the bottle. The truth is that he wanted to treat her and when he was stood in the store, it caught his eye. "I am allowed to treat my wife." He teases but what shocks her is that instead of being horrified she just grins.

Why? She doesn't know but she could certainly get used to drinking champagne on cases.