On their first case together since the move, it took a moment or two for Lisbon and Jane to find their footing. After several weeks of being simply 'a couple in love,' they needed to relearn how to be 'work partners' again. They had already decided to use last names only, while at work - agreeing that it would be too tempting to cross dangerous lines if they used first names for each other (not just dangerous by Lisbon's standard of 'no PDA at work,' but dangerous by real-life 'if we're distracted by each other one of us could get shot' standards).
Other things that took getting used to included sharing a single vehicle. Jane's Airstream was much larger than their backyard parking spaces would allow. And, since he no longer had a daily need for it, he put it in long term storage for vacations only. (Lisbon had her own secret plan to alleviate the transportation issue, but wasn't prepared to reveal it yet.)
Once they arrived at the crime scene, Jane put his hand on top of hers for a short moment, holding her gaze quite sincerely. "I love you, Teresa."
"I love you too, Patrick," she smiled quickly, and pulled his hand up for a quick peck.
Then they took a deep breath, put their game faces on, and walked as partners - all business - into whatever was waiting.
Lisbon's new team had barely gotten used to her or each other when they got a load of Jane for the first time. He was amped up from his recent acceptance into the fold and was in rare form. Lisbon maintained a neutral expression (but beamed with pride, inside), as she noted the not-unexpected sideways glances the team members exchanged throughout the day. She could swear Jane had gotten even sharper, even more amazing, during the weeks they'd been forced to work separately.
Jane found it easy to snap back into his role as 'quirky, eccentric and aggravating consultant' (though he did try extra hard to save the 'aggravating' for the suspects, and not his colleagues). He felt even more comfortable and more confident now that he had Lisbon behind him once more. He didn't want to admit how much he wanted to earn the approval of the rest of her team, but he did want that approval, badly. Also, he wanted to work his best magic, with the least fallout possible - so that Lisbon would be seen in the best possible light by her new team and by the higher-ups whom he feared may be keeping a scathingly close eye on their unit, due to his being hired against their wishes.
Lisbon was pleasantly surprised when Jane had identified the killer by the end of business that same day (and that he had not made any paperwork-worthy messes in the meantime). She pretended not to watch the other team members' amazement, as they patted him on the shoulder and went on about the unbelievable way he'd figured things out. Right at the moment she looked up to take in the bullpen celebration, he looked over at her, smiling that smile. She couldn't help but flash a huge grin back at him. He had worked so hard to channel his talents to make a good impression while causing her as few headaches as possible. She made a note to thank him, with vigor, once they got home tonight.
Even the new Director stopped in to offer congratulations to Jane on closing his first case in DC. "And wasn't there a tradition back in your CBI days, Lisbon? Was it case-closed pizza?" Dennis grinned as a delivery person walked around him to the table in the break room carrying three large pizza boxes. "Today it's my treat, as a welcome to Jane, and a celebration of our first day with your full team!"
"Thank you, Director Abbott! We will definitely need to carry on that tradition here!" Lisbon smiled wide at the gesture.
"Absolutely agree!" Jane chimed in. "And don't forget, Lisbon, if it's a morning closure then we celebrate with donuts!" He winked.
"That's correct!" She confirmed, struggling against her fluttering heart. It was going to be harder than ever to ward off his flirting and charm during the day. Still, she wouldn't have it any other way.
Later, as they were leaving the office, Jane promised to take her to a local ice cream spot if she could tolerate running a few errands with him. Lisbon gladly agreed (plus she wanted to have a private celebration for their first day back together, and ice cream was their tradition, as partners!)
Jane offered a handful of choices, but was happy to hear Lisbon choose a spot in Georgetown. His errands were all in the downtown area, so he was happy to avoid a trip to, say, northern Virginia. (He planned to visit those creameries with her too, no question, but he was glad to stay local for tonight.)
As they sat facing each other, with an ice cream spoon each, and a huge brownie sundae in between them, Jane shared his plans for their housewarming party. "So the Abbotts, and your whole team, right? Anyone I'm forgetting?"
"No that's perfect! Keeping it somewhat small will let us all get acquainted, and will hopefully continue that whole 'gelling' process amongst the newbies."
"Perfect! Our first stop tonight is for invitations, then we will choose hors d'oeuvres and a menu. I have some ideas, too, for party favors."
"Ooh fun! What favors?"
"The District Winery offers tasting kits. I thought something like that would be classy and delicious!"
"Love it! But can we have a couple of gift cards for their restaurant on hand, too, in case there are non-drinkers in the group?"
"Of course, dear! That's a great idea! What if we offered a choice of Winery tasting kits and gift cards, along with variety baskets from that coffee place on the corner? I could buy enough of each to cover everyone, then return whatever's left the next day?"
"Yes! Let's do that!" She grinned, loving his care and attention to her thoughts and feelings, making sure that she was also reflected in the choices. He was truly such a good man. She marveled at how far their openness and communication had come, since that first burst of honesty, weeks ago, at the hotel.
After picking up the invites, Jane decided to head home. He usually had downtime during the workday, so planned to pick up the food, groceries, and favors then. Besides, this day had been successful but also exhausting, and he wanted to have time alone with Lisbon before bed tonight.
As they hopped out of the car and through the back door, Lisbon laughed. "Patrick, this is exactly what I'd pictured when you talked me through a typical workday from the front porch swing. I'm so exhausted right now, and it's wonderful having a parking spot so close to the door!"
Jane smiled wide, ecstatic to see her enjoying the house so fully. "I'm overjoyed to see you so happy and content, my love!"
He sat the invitations in the middle of the island that graced their 'chef's kitchen,' then took his beautiful fiancée into his arms, breathing her in. "It felt so good, Teresa, so right, working together again today. But it nearly killed me, having to keep my hands to myself, with you getting all authoritarian in such close proximity."
She wrapped around him and planted a huge kiss on his lips before answering. "Sweetest Patrick, I agree 100 percent on both counts! That wink after the donuts comment about broke me." She continued slow kisses along his jawline and behind his ear, taking a moment to chew lightly on his earlobe. "I saw how hard you were working to keep things easy for me," she breathed in his ear. "I loved seeing you in high gear, amazing everyone on the team… it's always such a turn-on to see you in action… God, you're amazing, Jane." She began unbuttoning his vest and untucking his shirt, nudging him toward the stairs as she continued her kisses. "And thank you, love… for doing all the party planning… but still asking… my thoughts and ideas." She kissed him generously at the base of the staircase before finding herself being lifted up the steps and into their bedroom suite.
"Always, my dear." He gently lowered her onto the luxurious sheets, continuing the kisses she'd started. "Your opinion has always been of utmost importance to me," he rumbled. If she only knew how her opinions had kept him alive, back in his darkest days, he thought. Then, he quickly threw off his remaining clothes and helped her out of hers, lying down to blanket her with himself.
"Oh Patrick," she panted, between kisses, "my opinion… at the moment is that… you are such a good man, my love… and I saw you today… you were taking care of me… I saw all of those moments… you were so determined… to make the right decisions… thank you sweet Patrick… I love you… so very much."
"Mmm… was my pleasure… so in love with you too… my beautiful Teresa…"
The tender, loving togetherness they shared that night was an absolute necessity - rewarding themselves for their restraint during the workday. Acting belatedly on the impulses they'd suppressed while on duty. It was decided, wordlessly, that the christening of the bedroom suite would be a nightly occurrence for the foreseeable future.