Jane and Lisbon trailed after the others as the group trooped down the hall in the direction of the spa.
Lisbon slipped her hand into Jane's as they walked down the hall. "That was kind of you. With Lisa, I mean."
Jane looked down at their joined hands. "No, it wasn't."
Lisbon couldn't hide her smile. "Yeah. You're right. You're a selfish bastard. Only thinking of yourself." She kissed him on the cheek.
"And don't you forget it." But Jane straightened, his chest puffing out a bit.
Lisbon tugged him down the hallway. "Come on. I want to check out the conference."
"What?" Jane said in dismay. "But what about the massage?"
"Forget the massage. We'll have a much better chance of identifying suspects if we spend some time at the conference."
"But—"
"Patrick, Teresa, there you are!" It was Darla Runyon again. "You're running late for your massage. Come along, I'll show you the way."
"Actually, Patrick and I were thinking—" Lisbon began.
"We were thinking that a massage sounds absolutely amazing right now," Jane said. He squeezed Lisbon's hand. "Weren't we, darling?"
Lisbon frowned at him.
"Oh, trust me, our masseuses are top-notch," Darla said, oblivious. "Once they've worked their magic on you, you'll swear you've never felt better."
"No, really—" Lisbon said, trying once more.
"Come now, darling, don't dawdle," Jane said, pulling her along after Darla when Lisbon would have planted herself firmly in the middle of the hall and refused to budge.
"But Patrick, what about that thing you were going to show me in that other part of the hotel?" Lisbon said significantly.
"Nonsense, that can wait," Jane said, pulling her down the hallway to a door marked with a sign that read "Welcome to the Lotus Spa."
"Jane," Lisbon hissed in his ear. "What the hell? We don't have time to get a massage, we have a case to investigate. We need to track down Sevechenko's contact and find evidence on his operation."
He patted her hand. "All in good time, my dear. Come on, relax for once in your life. Take the free massage. Enjoy yourself."
"I don't like to be touched by strangers," Lisbon said flatly.
"Here we are," Darla said cheerfully, leading them to the front desk, staffed by two young women dressed in khakis and crisp white button down shirts. "Sonya, this is Mr. and Mrs. Connor. They're here for an 11:45 massage. Can you let Tammy and Scott know they're ready for them?"
"Of course, Darla," Sonya answered. "Mr. and Mrs. Connor, if you'll just follow me."
She led them down yet another hallway while Darla stayed behind to speak to the other woman. Jane followed easily, but Lisbon dragged her feet.
Sonya opened a door to a small, warm room with scented candles, two massage tables, and chimey music. "Tammy and Scott will be right with you. You can get undressed in the changing rooms while you're waiting. Enjoy!" She smiled brightly at them and left.
"Undressed?" Lisbon said, horrified. "They expect us to take our clothes off?"
"Haven't you ever gotten a massage before?" Jane said.
Lisbon scowled. "I told you, I don't like being touched by strangers."
"Don't worry, you can keep your underwear on if you'll be more comfortable," Jane said. "Though I'd recommend ditching your bra."
"Jane, seriously, can't you get us out of this?" Lisbon said desperately. "Cause some kind of incident or something so we can escape and go look for suspects in a nice crowded room with all our clothes on?"
"Why should I?" Jane said. "A massage sounds delightful. I have no intention of passing it up."
"Maybe I'll pretend to come down with a stomach bug," Lisbon said gloomily.
"What if the masseuses have valuable intel? You wouldn't want to miss the perfect opportunity to interrogate them, would you?"
"Do you think they will?" Lisbon said dubiously.
"No," Jane admitted. "But you never know."
Lisbon sighed. "Fine."
"Excellent." Jane ducked into one of the small changing rooms in the back of the room. "Last one back to their massage table is a rotten egg."
Lisbon went into the next changing room with an ill grace. She changed quickly, making sure the towel was knotted securely around herself before she emerged. Seeing Jane hadn't finished changing yet (probably because of all those vest buttons), she scurried over to the massage table on the right and slid under the sheet. Then she lay there waiting, stiff and tense.
She heard Jane come out of the changing room and stop, sucking in a breath.
She turned her head. "What?" Then she blinked. He had a towel knotted around his waist and wore nothing else. She'd never seen him like this, barefoot and bare-chested. She stared. Seriously, how could he have a chest like that when he spent ninety percent of his day on a couch?
He was staring at her exposed shoulders. "You, uh." He cleared his throat. "You look good."
She was on her stomach with the sheet pulled up midway over her back, but Jane was staring like he'd never seen pale freckled skin before. Lisbon flushed at the sensation of his eyes roving over her bare back. "I still can't believe I let you talk me into this."
He was still staring at her. "You have very attractive shoulders, did you know that?"
"Jane," she said in a strangled voice. "Can you please stop looking at my shoulders?"
"Why?" Jane said.
"It's…distracting."
He smirked. "Oh, really? I'm distracting? And what am I distracting you from, exactly?"
"Just shut up and get on your table," Lisbon said, turning her head away and closing her eyes so she wouldn't be distracted by his bare chest anymore.
She heard a rustling sound that was very distracting indeed as he removed his towel and slid under the sheet a few scant feet away from her. She squeezed her eyes shut tighter.
There was a knock on the door and Lisbon tensed further.
"Mr. and Mrs. Connor, are you ready for us?" a pleasant female voice called from the other side of the door.
"We're all set," Jane called back. "Come on in."
A young man and a young woman came in, both attired the same way the two young women at the front desk had been, in khakis and starched white shirts. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Connor," said the young woman. "I'm Tammy, and this is Scott. We'll be handling your treatment today."
"Wonderful," Jane said, gracing them with a charming smile. "We're looking forward to it. But please, call us Patrick and Teresa."
"Excellent," said Tammy. "Teresa, what kind of treatment would you like today?"
Lisbon had no clue how to respond to this particular brand of interrogation. "Um…" Lisbon said, looking to Jane for help.
"She'll have a deep tissue massage," Jane said firmly. "Swedish for me."
"Very well, we'll just jump right in then," Tammy said. "Scott will take care of you, Teresa, and I'll work on you, Patrick."
Jane lost his smile. "You want this guy to give Teresa a massage?" He looked at Scott with displeasure. Lisbon looked at Scott, wondering what about him had set off Jane's spidey senses. But he looked perfectly ordinary to her. Good looking, tanned, with broad shoulders and a dimpled smile.
"Don't worry, he'll take good care of her," Tammy told Jane. "Scott's amazing."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Jane muttered, watching Scott with narrowed eyes. "Listen Tammy, why don't you and Scott switch? He can work on me."
"But I'm assigned to Teresa," Scott said, his brow furrowed.
"So? Just switch."
"We're not allowed to switch assignments," Scott said stubbornly. "Management doesn't like it."
"Management doesn't need to know about it," Jane said. "Besides, why would they care, anyway?"
"Patrick, please try to relax. I assure you, Scott will do wonders with your wife," Tammy said in a soothing voice. "Now, let's get started. We want to make sure you get your money's worth!"
Jane grumbled under his breath and continued to watch Scott with narrowed eyes.
Tammy and Scott both took their places next to the massage tables.
"How are you feeling today, Teresa?" Scott asked, pouring a dollop of massage oil on his hands and rubbing them together.
"Fine," Lisbon lied. She wished she had all her clothes back on.
"Nervous?"
"A bit," Lisbon admitted. "I've never done this before."
"You're going to love it, I promise," Scott said. "I've got you covered, okay?"
A few feet away, Jane made a low growling noise. Tammy, who had just started rubbing his shoulders, drew back in alarm.
"Well, I guess I'll just have to trust you," Lisbon said, resigned.
Jane made an indignant sound and glared at Scott.
Scott, oblivious, put his hands on Lisbon's shoulders and started kneading gently. "I've been doing this a long time. I know how to find all those hidden knots and really work out the kinks."
"Mm," Lisbon murmured. Actually, the way his fingers were kneading her shoulders felt pretty good.
"Teresa," Jane said, frowning at her. "Remember what you were telling me a few minutes ago?"
"About what?" Scott's fingers moved up to her neck. Oh, wow—she hadn't even realized how much tension she carried there until Scott's fingers found the muscles right beneath the base of her skull.
"About not liking to be touched by strangers," he said pointedly.
"Yeah, well," Lisbon said, distracted by the sensation of Scott's thumbs rubbing deep, soothing circles all along the side of her neck. God, that felt amazing. "You were right. This isn't so bad."
"Patrick," Tammy said, reproving. "You should really stop turning your head like that."
Lisbon opened her eyes and glanced at Jane, only to see him with his head turned awkwardly so he could glare up at the oblivious Scott from his position on the massage table.
Lisbon arched an eyebrow. "Yeah, Patrick. Try to relax, would you?"
Jane grumbled again but lowered his head onto his forearms, still keeping a weather eye on Scott. Lisbon took the opportunity to admire Jane's arms – his current position really showed his biceps and shoulders to advantage.
Scott worked his way down to her shoulders and found a knot on the left side that Lisbon was fairly certain had been there for the past fifteen years. "Oh, man, that is a serious knot, Teresa! Let's see what we can do for you." He dug his fingers deeper into the muscles there, expertly kneading out the tension.
"Oh, that feels nice," Lisbon sighed, closing her eyes again.
This time, the noise Jane made more closely resembled a squawk. Lisbon ignored him and focused on the sensation of Scott's strong fingers sending little jolts of pleasure-pain through her entire body as he worked on the knot.
"It's not coming out," Scott grunted, increasing the pressure.
"Just keep doing what you're doing," Lisbon said. "That feels amazing."
Scott shook his head. "I'm going to try to go deeper."
"Mm-kay." Lisbon was fast reaching the point where she'd promise her first born child to this kid if he would just keep working that knot with his magic fingers.
"Patrick!" Tammy scolded. "I can't do anything for you if you keep propping yourself up on your elbows like that. You're in a very tense position."
Lisbon opened her eyes again to see Jane propped up on his elbows, completely ignoring Tammy and devoting all his attention to Scott and Lisbon. He did not look happy.
"Okay, let me know if this is too much," Scott said, leaning closer. He put his elbow on the knot and leaned forward, applying pressure. He put his weight into it, his elbow driving straight into the center of the knot and pressing Lisbon into the table. Lisbon bit her lip to keep from crying out with the nearly orgasmic pleasure of it.
"Teresa," Jane said, scandalized. "Don't bite your lip for him!"
"Too much?" Scott asked, concerned.
"No," Lisbon ground out, desperate to hold onto that sensation. "More."
"You got it," Scott said, and pressed his elbow even harder into the knot.
"Okay," Jane said, sitting up abruptly and pulling the towel around himself. "Massage is over. Scott, Tammy, get out."
"But we're just getting started," Scott said, confused.
Jane glared at him. "You heard me, Scott. Scram."
"Scott, don't go," Lisbon said in alarm. She needed him to finish working that knot like she needed her next breath.
"Patrick, are you unhappy with the service?" Tammy said, concerned. "Maybe we could try another treatment. Maybe a hot stone massage?"
"No, thank you," Jane said firmly. "We're completely satisfied and relaxed. Your work here is done."
"No, it isn't," Lisbon said indignantly. "Scott, please ignore him. Carry on."
"Teresa—"
"Patrick, get your ass back on that table and be quiet," Lisbon said firmly. "I'm not leaving."
"But—"
She shot him a look, and he shut up. "Yes, dear," he said, and got back on the table most unwillingly.
xxx
When they emerged from the spa room an hour later, every muscle in Lisbon's body felt as though it had been liquefied into a pool of melted golden pleasure. The tension in her neck and shoulders was gone. The ache in her lower back, a thing of distant memory. When they left the room, she felt like she was flowing down the hall rather than walking. Scott had been amazing. He'd banished the knot on her left shoulder and had worked out two more she hadn't even known she'd had, one beneath her right shoulder blade, the other on her left hamstring. Good old Scott. She'd grown downright fond of him by the end of their time together.
"Could you please stop smiling like that?" Jane said plaintively.
"Like what?" Lisbon said.
He gestured vaguely at her face. "All…dreamily."
Lisbon attempted to school her features into a neutral expression, but she was so free of tension her mouth kept curling up at the corners without conscious thought.
Jane shook his head. "I'm serious, Lisbon. If you don't stop looking so relaxed and pleased, I won't be held responsible for my actions."
She couldn't help laughing at him. "Jane, what are you talking about?"
"That's it," he said. "Excuse me." With that, he turned abruptly and went back into the spa room. A second later, Tammy came out, holding a hundred dollar bill and looking bemused.
She looked at Lisbon, her eyes wide. "Your husband just gave me a hundred dollar tip. It's strange. I didn't think he enjoyed the treatment very much."
"He's very generous," Lisbon said. "And you both did excellent work."
Tammy shook her head as though she didn't quite believe this, but didn't argue. "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it, at least." She looked down at the hundred dollar bill in her hand, then grinned. "I hope you come again!"
Lisbon smiled, thinking of Scott's fingers again. "I hope so, too."
Jane emerged a moment later, looking satisfied.
Lisbon nudged him with her shoulder as he came up beside her. "What was that about?"
"Oh, nothing," Jane said. But he sounded much more cheerful than he had a few moments earlier.
Behind him, the door opened again, and Scott came out, looking a bit dazed.
"Thank you again, Scott," Lisbon said, giving him a wave. "You were wonderful."
A look of horror crossed Scott's face. He backed down the hall in the opposite direction, wide-eyed.
Lisbon looked after him, puzzled. Then she looked at Jane. "What did you do to him?"
"I hypnotized him into thinking that you threatened to shoot him if he ever came near you again," Jane said, pleased.
"What on earth did you do that for?" Lisbon said, exasperated.
"I should think that was rather obvious."
Lisbon looked after Scott's retreating figure. "Did you at least tip him properly?"
"Of course," Jane said, indignant. "I'm not a cheapskate."
"You don't think you're overplaying the jealous husband routine just a bit?" Lisbon said skeptically. "I know you get a kick out of all this undercover crap, Jane, but you said yourself you didn't think the spa staff were part of Sevechenko's operation. Why go to all this trouble?"
"Believe me, hypnotizing Scott was no trouble," Jane said darkly.
They turned a corner and walked down an empty hallway. "Yeah, but if you don't think he has anything to do with Sevechenko, why bother to hypnotize him at all?"
Jane stopped walking. "Why?"
Lisbon stopped, too. She turned to face him. "Yeah, wh—"
Jane stepped forward and kissed her, hot and desperate, pressing her back against the wall. Lisbon clutched at his shirt front and kissed him back, long and sweet.
When he released her, his pupils were huge and black. His eyes on hers blazed with dark intensity. "That's why."
Lisbon stared at him. "You mean…?"
"For God's sake, Lisbon. What do you need me to do, sky write it?" His eyes stayed on hers, still dark and intense. "I have feelings for you. Romantic feelings."
Lisbon swallowed. "Look, I know things have been kind of—physically intense between us in the last twenty-four hours."
"Don't do that," he said fiercely. "Don't try to brush this off as some kind of heat of the moment thing. You know it's more than that."
"What do you want me to do, Jane?" Lisbon said helplessly. "You don't have any of intention of following through with this…this…whatever this is. What am I supposed to do, pretend I don't know that anything that happens between us will only end in one way? You're going to leave, Jane. One way or another. You think I don't know that?"
He flinched, but didn't contradict her. He drew back and put his face in his hands for a moment. "I didn't mean for this to happen," he said helplessly. He let his hands fall to his sides, exposing his face again. He suddenly looked exhausted. "I didn't mean for you to get involved."
"Involved?" Lisbon repeated, incredulous. "Of course I'm involved. You joined my team, remember? You work for me."
He brushed this off. "You know what I mean."
Lisbon knew exactly what he meant. "You're talking about Red John. Again, Jane, you work for me. Red John is my case."
"Fine, Red John is your case," Jane said impatiently. "But Red John is mine."
"And that is why this—" here Lisbon gestured between the two of them—"is going nowhere."
Jane opened his mouth to protest, then shut it again, defeated.
Lisbon shook her head. "The status quo was working for us, Jane. I don't see why you suddenly decided to mess with it."
He sighed. "You may find this hard to believe, Lisbon, but even I only have so much self-control. Suddenly being so close to you—I guess I hit a tipping point. I lost my head."
Frustrated longing and resignation warred against each other in Lisbon's chest, though she couldn't say she was surprised. "Well—try to find it again," she said finally, and walked away down the hall.