Note: I just want to clarify that changing the events of the first few seasons (which I did) will obviously affect the whole story. That's why e.g. Jane didn't sleep with Lorelei. I hope you enjoy this one. Reviews are more than welcomed!

Disclaimer: I don't own The Mentalist.

- Lisbon, please, it's been three weeks. How long are you gonna be mad at me?

- Six months.

- You're funny.

The street was empty and dark. They'd been sitting in her car for at least five hours now. The suspect still didn't leave her house. It was going to be a long night filled with heavy silence.

Jane had already napped for a while, not even trying to cheer Lisbon up. Since he had come back from Vegas she'd been cold and irritated more than usual. During the past few days he'd tried talking to her but she'd always cut him off, so he gave up, hoping that she'd get over it after a while.

Turned up she didn't.

- Have you watched some cool movies recently? - He finally asked, starting to hate every single minute of this silence.

- No.

- Music?

- No.

- Books?

- No.

- Oh, come on! - He exclaimed. - Do you really want us to spend this whole night not talking to each other?

- Yes.

He sighed and shifted into a more comfortable position. He had a neck ache, probably from the previous nap. Lisbon was like a statue – steady, silent and cold. Not even a single muscle in her face moved when he suddenly put his hand on her knee.

- What can I do to make it up to you? - He asked desperately, taking his hand back when her piercing gaze met his eyes.

- I don't know, Jane. Maybe start with not treating me like I'm not smart or good enough to be working with you.

- What? Lisbon-

- Don't even try to deny that. - She warned him and he felt a shiver on his back. He'd never seen her that pissed off. It was this kind of cold anger that makes you look calm on the outside, but your words and eyes can cut like a steel. - Just because you're a mentalist and more intelligent than the average person doesn't mean you can boss me around and treat the whole team like a bunch of delusional morons. - When he didn't answer, she continued. - Why do you think I got this big job? Because I had connections? Because I slept with some big fish? Because I won a lottery? No! I got this job because I worked my ass off and had amazing qualifications to work for the CB-fucking-I.

- I don't think you're dumb, Lisbon. - He mumbled, taken-aback.

- So why do you act like you do? - She shouted, holding the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles became white. She closed her eyes and counted to ten to calm down. - It's not anymore about you leaving and making me not sleep at night from worrying and having nightmares. It's not about you not answering my calls or texts. It's about you not treating me like your boss or even a partner, but like a subordinate.

- Do you really feel this way? - He asked and it sounded more pretentious than he intended it to sound.

- No, I'm just joking around. - She hissed and turned her head so he couldn't see her face.

The car was once again filled with uncomfortable silence.

It was a hot summer night. After a while Lisbon opened the window and let a light breeze hit her sweaty forehead. It felt amazingly refreshing and her nerves calmed a little. The moonlight reflected on her naked shoulders.

- I understand that you're mad. - He said after half an hour.

- No, you don't. - She turned around and looked him dead in the eyes. - You think you're so untouchable and above everyone else. That there's only you and Red John, and everyone else is merely a pawn. But you're wrong. I can play this game, too. Frankly, I've been playing it for much longer than you. And if it weren't for me kissing everyone's ass and saving yours, you'd be out of this case and the CBI a long time ago. Don't ever forget that. And be careful, because some day I might be fed up with your bullshit and change the rules of this damn game.

- You wouldn't do that. - He answered mockingly.

- Why not?

- Because you love me.

- Oh, believe me. - The tone of her voice and her gaze made his smirk disappear. - I've got an amazing work-life balance.

His mouth opened. Neither of them looked away and he could see how hurt she was. He realized that in her eyes, his actions really were a betrayal. He underestimated her anger.

- Boss, are you sure the widow's home? It's been six hours. Maybe she went out through the back door. - They heard Rigsby's voice in the walkie talkie.

- Alright, I'm gonna look around the house. I'll keep you updated. - She said emotionlessly and went out of the car. She took a deep breath of fresh air in and walked to the house.

She habitually checked if her gun was in its place. Shifting focus from Jane to the suspect, she found herself on the disheveled backyard. Nothing strange stood out but she decided to examine an entry to the basement. Suddenly, something hit her on the back and she fell down. Despite the burning pane in her spine, she managed to turn from her stomach and kick the suspect. After a minute of struggle Lisbon knocked the woman on the ground and put the cuffs on her wrists.

- Rigsby, come here and take the suspect. - She said to the walkie talkie.

After a couple of minutes of giving orders and talking to Bertram, she finally came back to the car. Jane stood on the sidewalk and watched the whole scene. When she came closer, he noticed blood on her face.

- You're bleeding. - He said, reaching for her hand to stop her. She didn't push him away though she kept a safe distance between them.

- It's just a cut eyebrow. - She mumbled, pressing her fingers to the wound and fidgeting. Being this close to him made her uncomfortable. Her body missed his touch but her mind was protesting.

She noticed him staring and saw in his eyes that he was really worried about her.

- Work with me, Jane. - She spoke, a little more gently than before. - We're stronger together. As partners.

- I can't promise you anything, Teresa. - He whispered apologetically and let go of her hand. - You know who's making the rules.

- It's all of us. - She said firmly, feeling the anger flood her mind again. - Do what you want, I'm gonna keep doing my job. Don't try to keep me away from the case and don't try to protect me. I can take care of myself.

- It's not what I meant! - He tried to explain but she was already on her side of the car.

- I know exactly what you meant. Now get into the car or you'll be walking to the CBI by foot.

She shut her door and started the engine. He managed to quickly jump on his seat before she drove away.

- And when we're at work, it's either 'Lisbon' or 'boss'. Understood?

- Yes.