Chapter 5

It was a quiet morning in the office. They didn't have any new cases. Lisbon and Jane left an hour ago after the boss said something about a meeting with Agent Smith from the FBI; both of them were acting as secretive as usual these days.

"Something is going on with the boss and Jane." Cho expressed crossing arms. Van Pelt and Rigsby looked away from their computer screens curiously.

"Isn't something always going on with those two?" Rigsby said putting his pen on the desk. The tall agent always thought that Jane and the boss connected in a weird way. During all their years working together, Rigsby lost count of the number of times that he felt that walked right into the middle of something private between those two.

"Yes, but that's not what I meant," Cho said after checking around the bullpen making sure that no one else was paying attention to their conversation. He didn't want to help to increase the already big amount of rumors surrounding the boss and Jane.

"I thought I was the only one who noticed." Van Pelt said softly standing up from her chair.

"What are you guys talking about?" Rigsby asked confused.

Cho rolled his eyes and Van Pelt looked at the tall agent exasperated. "Jane hasn't been spending so much time in the attic lately." Van Pelt explained to Rigsby as it was obvious but the tall agent didn't see it.

"And the boss has been avoiding him. She sent Jane to interview people with one of us in the last two cases instead of going with him as usual." Cho said.

"Don't remain me," Rigsby said feeling a chill go through his spine when he remembered the musical case where the consultant caused a fight between the actors that he had to break. Jane could be a nightmare and Lisbon was the only one capable of exercising some control over him.

"And don't forget Homeland Security visits," Cho said thinking about Kirkland. Jane went ballistic when he told him that Lisbon had a meeting with the Homeland agent. As ballistic as Jane could possibly be which consisted of a blank face and cold eyes but after all this time working together it was easier for him to notice Jane's tells.

"That guy is weird, man," Rigsby said crossing his arms. Van Pelt agreed with him thinking about all her interactions with the Homeland agent. That guy gave her creeps.

"I bet that all this is related to Red John," Cho explained his theory.

"Are you sure? It could be ... maybe about something personal?" Van Pelt expressed with embarrassment. She didn't want to comment on the boss' personal life and the agent didn't want to imagine what Jane would do if he found out.

"Personal? No way." Cho refused. Lisbon and Jane were like brothers and sisters. In the beginning, he thought that something could happen between them but the years passed by and nothing changed. Cho assumed that they couldn't feel anything but a special friendship, besides who could contain romantic feelings for so long without going crazy? Summer's face appeared for a moment before he put it in the back of his mind.

Van Pelt and Rigsby looked at him surprised. "Are you kidding me?" The tall agent asked incredulously. Lisbon affected Jane in a way that probably none else was capable of. He and Van Pelt knew it. Everybody who met those two knew it even Director Bertram knew it.

"I don't see it. They're like brothers and sisters." Cho defended his position.

Grace snorted and raised an eyebrow, Rigsby just laughed. "It must be difficult for you to live in denial." Van Pelt teased Cho. It wasn't every day that you surprise the sober agent Kimball Cho.

"Whatever. I said that we ask them what they are hiding. If it's about the Red John case I don't want to be blindsided." The agent said wanting to change the subject.

"What makes you believe that Jane will say anything?" Rigsby asked feeling insecure about his partner's proposition.

He really didn't want to touch that. Besides Jane had a mean streak that came out when you stood in the middle of his way and the CBI agent knew how scary the consultant could be. Van Pelt had to agree with Rigsby. Not even Lisbon could make him talk if he didn't want to.

"We approached Lisbon first," Cho said blankly.

The other two agents shared a look that clearly indicated how uncertain they felt about Cho's idea but didn't say anything against it. They went back to their reports until an hour later they heard Lisbon voice coming from the hall. Cho exchanged looks with Rigsby when they heard the boss' tone, she didn't sound happy.

They finally saw her and Cho noticed how sharp she was walking, making the swing of her hips more prominent. She was angry. Jane was walking behind her making sure that he was keeping a safe distance from the senior agent. "I am trying to wrap my mind around this. I can't believe it." Lisbon exclaimed opening her office door. The consultant smiled at them uncomfortable and followed her into her office closing the door and blinds.

"This person has a fake list of Red John suspects. Benjamin Marx was on that list. So somebody is torturing and killing the people on your fake list." Lisbon summarized trying to get her emotions under control. She took her jacket off and sat looking at Jane with an expression that clearly indicated that she was expecting an honest answer.

"Not necessarily. Someone tortured and killed one person from my list. But theoretically, his death could be about anything." Jane said trying to pacify his partner but not really succeeding.

"Yeah right. It's just a coincidence." She said sarcastically.

Jane pretended to think deeply, and then shrugged. Lisbon almost threw her stapler at him. "I admit that it's a thin theory but that doesn't matter. We know who killed Marx." He said with fervor.

Lisbon shook her head. "We don't have evidence of that."

Jane rolled his eyes and sat in one of the chairs in front of her desk. "Did you forget the reports that we read two days ago or the fact someone broke into the attic? Someone with easy access, a lot of resources, and power. That is Kirkland." The consultant said without any doubt.

"Well if that is the case. Kirkland is a very dangerous guy and now I have to offer protection to the other people on your list." Lisbon said feeling a headache forming in her temples. At least they didn't have any new cases.

"I have a better idea. We could go to the headquarters of Homeland Security right now and confirm my theory." Jane replied standing up from the chair and going to pick up her jacket. Lisbon looked at him still sitting on her chair hesitating, unsure that his idea was a smart one.

Jane smile and his eyes were sparkling. It was always the eyes. His eyes were one of his major weapons and he knew it. She had a hard time resisting those eyes that changed from blue to green depending on the light.

Lisbon sighed and stood up. She tried to reach her jacket in Jane's hand but he put it away and gestured her to turn around. The senior agent gave him an annoying look but complied and turned around. Jane took his sweet time helping her with her jacket. She slipped her arms through the sleeves and he smoothed the fabric over her shoulders. Lisbon was standing so close to him now, the air in the space between was thick and tense. Lisbon tried to ignore the shiver that traveled through her entire body when she felt his hand on her hair pulling it out of her jacket collar.

She stepped away from him quickly and made sure that her expression didn't show anything. Jane tried to look at her eyes noticing the change in her body language but Lisbon didn't face him and went to take her purse resting on the other table. Jane opened the office door and gestured for her to go in front of him with one arm outstretched silently.

"Guys we're going out for a moment. If we get a new case Cho is in charge until we return." Lisbon informed the team.

They exchanged looks but didn't say anything. "Ok boss," Cho replied. Jane nodded at them and then guided Lisbon to the elevator putting his hands in her back as usual. Lisbon went rigid when she felt the heat coming from his hand and put distance between them in the elevator. Jane insisted on taking his car and she was distracted so she went with it. He drove in silence to the headquarters allowing her to think.

It wasn't a surprise that her thoughts ended on Jane. The thing was that Lisbon couldn't understand him. He was up and down all the freaking time. One moment he was all over her, inviting her to have dinner, sharing his plans with her, helping to put her jacket on, and on the next moment, he locked himself in the attic, ignored her phone calls, and said awful things that made her wanted to hit him. Lisbon didn't know what was real and what was fake and that was terrifying because she'd seen him played with people making them acted like he wanted to for years.

Once they arrived, he parked and turn off the Citroen. Lisbon went to open the door but Jane took her left hand stopping her. "Lisbon," Jane started as his voice was reduced to a whisper. "Wait for me here."

"Why?" She asked confused forgetting to take her hand away from his. The warmth of his hand was soothing.

Jane hesitated for a moment and shifted his focus from her face to their hands resting together between them. "Because if he sees you he will deny everything. It's better if we talk alone." Jane explained slowly but she heard a slight doubt in his voice.

"It could be dangerous, Jane." She said with a frown on her face.

"I'm going to talk with him in a government building. Full of agents, Lisbon." Jane replied with a smile full of confidence. Lisbon wondered, momentarily if she imagined the hesitation in his voice a moment ago.

Lisbon sighed heavily to communicate her displeasure but didn't argue. "Call me, if anything happens, Jane." The agent said firmly. Kirkland wasn't stupid enough to shot Jane in his workplace but you never knew. Jane smiled one more time and got out of the car.

"Agent Kirkland, I have a pet theory I was hoping you could confirm or deny," Jane said with a smile after the other agents left them alone.

"I'll see what I can do," Kirkland answered crossing his arms.

"Has Homeland Security been investigating me?" Jane asked expecting that the direct question threw him out but that wasn't the case.

"Yes," Kirkland admitted without hesitation.

"I'm surprised you're allowed to tell me that. I mean, you guys are usually so cloak and dagger." Jane said trying to rile him up.

"Well, it's no secret that Homeland Security has the Red John case. Yeah, your name has come up in various ways." The agent explained in complete calm and Jane had to applaud him but he still had an A in his sleeve.

"Right. So then did you guys break into my office and steal my list of suspects?" The consultant asked and this time he noticed a break on his mask. Bingo.

"Absolutely not," Kirkland said but Jane knew that was a lie.

"No? Why not?" The blonde asked curiously.

"Because we don't care who you think Red John is. We have the case." Kirkland replied controlling his expression again.

"Point taken. Thanks for your time." Jane said approaching the door. He already had his answer.

"That's it?" Kirkland asked.

"Uh, yeah. I just wanted to make sure you weren't on a wild goose chase because whoever it was that broke into my office, they stole a fake list of suspects." Jane explained and saw how Kirkland lost his mask completely. Obviously, he wasn't expecting that answer.

"Well played." Kirkland grinning his teeth.

"Thank you. I thought so." Jane said, sheepish smile upon him enjoying the discomfort on Kirkland's face.

"Maybe you should come to work for us." The agent replied.

"I think that you do this to be close to Teresa Lisbon. I think that you are a little bit in love with her." Lorelei said in the interrogation room almost a year ago, he didn't take it seriously but now he knew how close she'd been to the truth.

"Maybe not." Replied with a shrug attempting to leave but Kirkland stood in his way.

"You need a ride somewhere?" The agent asked seriously.

"No, I'm—I'm good, thanks," Jane replied and then he noticed Kirkland's gun hiding in his jacket.

"Well, we should talk some more. Let's go to my car." Kirkland said gesturing him to walk with the end of his gun. Jane sighed and started to walk to the parking door. The consultant hoped that Lisbon's impatience acted soon. And that she didn't break his poor car driving it.

Lisbon didn't like this plan. She looked at the time on her watch. Again. Half an hour had passed by and not a signal of Jane. Lisbon sighed and looked at her surroundings. The parking was full of black cars and there wasn't any other person there. She checked her phone. Again. There weren't any new messages. She waited 5 more minutes before pressing the number 1 on her phone. Jane's phone went straight to his voicemail.

The unease in her stomach grew up and after a moment of indecision, she decided to go to the headquarters. Lisbon took the Citroen keys that Jane left connected to the car and go out. She walked fast to the entrance and arrived at the reception. A young blonde girl was typing on a computer.

"Hi, I'm agent Teresa Lisbon from the CBI. I'm looking for agent Bob Kirkland." Teresa said to the receptionist.

The girl looked at her with a smile. "Hi, of course. Do you have a meeting?"

"No, I don't have a meeting. It's urgent. About a related case between agencies," Lisbon lied looking at the young girl in the eyes. Jane once told her that an easy way of getting away with a lie was to look the person directly into their eyes at the same time that you were saying the lie.

"Sorry, he isn't answering. Probably went out. Do you want to let him a message?"

"It's okay, I will call him," Lisbon said taking her phone. She smiled at the girl and walked back to the parking lot.

The agent pressed the number 1 again and went straight to the voicemail. "Goddammit Jane, where are you?" Lisbon said worried before handing out.

She opened the Citroen door and marked Van Pelt's number at the same time that she started the car. "Boss" Van Pelt answered.

"Van Pelt I need you to track Jane's phone," Lisbon said.

"Jane's phone?" Van Pet repeated confused.

"Yes, now Van Pelt," she said, impatient.

"Ok, just a moment." Van Pelt answered clearly confused. Lisbon put her on speaker and got out of the parking lot, the car made a weird sound when she changed the speed and cursed Jane one more time for having such an uncomfortable car. Just like his owner.

"Boss I can't find it." Van Pelt said worriedly.

"Dammit" Lisbon cursed. "Keep trying, I'm on my way."

"Funny thing about the list," Kirkland said stopping the car. They drove for at least an hour and a half. Jane looked at their surroundings and noticed with a heaviness in his body that they were in the middle of a forest. He remembered the pine needles in Benjamin Marx's shoe and Jane felt fear filling his body when he remembered Marx burned face.

Kirkland pushed him with his gun to make him walk to the cabin "Uh, I'd... rather not share it with you." Jane said.

"I get it. It's been your pet project for a long time. Mine, too. But you will share it with me." Kirkland said opening the door. The Homeland Security agent made him sat on a chair and tied him to it. Jane looked around the cabin but didn't see anything that would help him to escape.

"You killed someone because you're hunting Red John," Jane stated curiously. Kirkland brushed a hair out of his face and took another chair. The consultant felt relieved because at least now he gained some time. Hopefully, Lisbon would find him soon. She always showed up at the moment that he needed her the most.

"I was just about to kidnap another person from your fake list." Kirkland started resting his elbows over his legs. "I'm willing to kill seven people to get the job done. Why aren't you?" He questioned him.

Jane thought about his question for a moment but he already knew the answer.

Teresa Lisbon.

She lived by a code grounded in principles of fairness and justice. One uncompromised by personal opinions and desires. With time she became his moral compass and he would never betray her trust in that way.

"Cause that would make me a murderer," Jane replied easily.

Kirkland looked more confused when he heard his answer. "You're planning on murdering Red John. That doesn't make any sense." The agent asked without understanding his reasoning and to be honest, Jane wasn't that sure either. Not anymore. Lately, he's being feeling pangs of regret at the idea of what his vengeance would ultimately do to Lisbon and to their relationship. Vegas had brought a critical conflict that both of them avoided like plague for years. Jane wanted Red John dead and Lisbon didn't.

Talk about catch twenty-two.

"What if I just give you one name to start?" Jane deflected not wanting to talk about that subject with the Homeland agent. "Robert Kirkland," Jane said evaluating his reaction.

Kirkland laughed and stood up from the chair. "Interesting. Makes sense, actually. But it doesn't really help me with my cause, though, does it?" He replied looking at him.

"No, I suppose not. I was wrong about you. You're not Red John. You're hunting him, same as me. The question is why?" Jane asked.

Kirkland put his gun on a table next to him and stayed in silence for a long moment. "Do you have siblings, Jane?"

"No."

"I had a twin brother— Michael. We were very close growing up." the agent said without facing him. Jane could tell that was a delicate subject for him.

"I hear that's a strong bond," Jane commented but Kirkland continued like he didn't listen to his words.

"And our father was a sadistic drunk. He beat the crap out of us and our mother. Beat her till she couldn't take it anymore."

"She left?"

"With a razor blade. After that, it was just me and Michael. I was all he had. I grew up. I got away. But Michael couldn't do it." Kirkland inhaled and looked at him angry thinking about his brother "He stayed at home and watched our father drink himself to death."

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Jane was already guessing where this story was heading to and it didn't end well.

"You're right. Michael turned to the bottle, drank like his life depended on it. I paid for treatments. I took him to meetings. Nothing worked. Until one day he met someone, a man who could help him. More than a man. A savior."

"Red John."

"He only asked for a few simple things in return. Michael drifted further and further away until one day he was gone. I never found him, Red John killed him in my heart, I know." The agent concluded.

Kirkland looked so broken and for a moment he wondered if that was what everyone else saw in him. A broken man with no purpose but vengeance.

Kirkland inhaled and exhaled quickly gaining control over his emotions. "Look at me. I-... I didn't bring you here to talk. Jane, I will need the names in that list of yours now."

"I can't do that," Jane said seriously.

Kirkland smiled bitterly and took a gripper cutter. "You don't seem like someone who deals well with physical pain," Kirkland commented opening and closing the gripper cutter.

Jane kept his focus on the tool. "Not particularly,"

"I really don't want to do this." The agent said and Jane closed his eyes when he felt the cold tool around his thumb.

Someone kicked the door and he opened his eyes relieved to see Lisbon coming in with Rigsby and Cho following her. "Put your hands in the air." She said with her gun pointed at Kirkland.

"Jane are you alright?" She asked worriedly.

"Never better," Jane said. Cho apprehended Kirkland with the handcuffs.

Lisbon started to untied the ropes around his feet. Jane exhaled sharply when she pulled the rope harder than it was needed. "Taking pleasure on this?" Jane asked. Lisbon looked at him annoyed and pulled the rope in his other leg harder making him moan when he felt the rope against his skin.

"You are an idiot and your plan was stupid." She said finishing with the ropes. Jane stood up and looked at Kirkland who was sitting on the chair again.

"Boss?" Cho asked her.

"We need to call agent Smith," Lisbon said to Cho and Rigsby. Cho nodded and left the cabin with the other agent following his steps.

"If you have anything else to say, now would be the time," Jane said. Kirkland looked at him, and then he looked at Lisbon for a moment too long for Jane's taste. He took a step closer to her and put himself between them. Kirkland was surprised for a moment but after a few seconds, he smiled. Jane didn't feel comfortable when he saw his expression.

"Tiger Tiger," Kirkland said facing them again. Lisbon took a sharp breath and moved forward, the senior agent was confused and she wasn't the only one.

"While investigating Red John, Homeland Security's begun to suspect the existence of a powerful secret organization within California law enforcement. Police, CBI, D.O.J. Strictly high-level. They do dirt. They protect each other with major cover-ups, get away with murder. The tiger thing? We think that's the password."

Hi guys! I hoped that you enjoyed it.

This was mostly a chapter about the plot but I can tell you that in the next one we will finally have the "talk" between Lisbon and Jane where they kind of express everything that they are feeling. Thank you for your comments, favs, and follow.