Oh Gosh, I haven't updated this story for ages, really. But now my end-of-term exams are over and I have some free time, so here it is. Chapter number three, enjoy!


"Of course. But maybe not tonight. One more drink?"

It was nearly midnight but Rigsby wasn't the least bit tired. He could hear his boss and Falton's every word, and although he couldn't see them, it was really interesting.

At first he was surprised how quickly Lisbon jumped in her role. In mere seconds she switched from the tough agent to the sociable, attractive woman who seemed to enjoy every minute of the evening. He shouldn't be surprised, actually - she was an excellent cop, experienced and talented. She was able to suit in almost every situation. But as he listened to her carefree discussion with Falton, he couldn't help wondering if it was just a game. Maybe it was the real Teresa Lisbon, her relaxed, playful side she was so unwilling to show in everyday life. She joked and laughed - a rare thing, he had to admit - and it all sounded so genuine and honest he couldn't help smiling.

"No, thank you," she answered to Falton's question. "Maybe one more game, what do you say?" Her smile was almost audible.

Falton seemed to have as much fun as she did. After all, Teresa Lisbon could be a pleasant companion - that is, unless she was pointing a gun at you. "In case you haven't noticed, my dear mysterious woman, I've recently lost some money. I can afford a couple of drinks, but another game of poker? No way."

"Oh yes, I remember. You mean that money?" He heard the shuffling of tokens.

"Exactly."

"Well, then I guess I'd settle for another martini."

Rigsby heard her sigh and grinned. The fact that Lisbon had won meant they would continue the mission - he wasn't very happy about that, of course - but it also meant his boss had more talents than just shooting and pacifying Jane. He wondered how many aces she still had hidden in her sleeve.

The subject of the discussion had changed - they were now talking about Lisbon's husband. Or Mr. West, to be precise.

"He is an idiot," Lisbon was just saying. "He says I'm a gambler. An addict. Like a drug addict or even worse. That's why he wants a divorce. He says someone with his position can't be involved in any gambling scandal." She huffed, her voice thick with irony. "Position! Maybe he's good at what he does, but for God's sake, he's not Barack Obama. He and his Asian way of thinking!"

"Asian? So he's not American?" Rigsby could hear the curiosity in Falton's voice. He was a professional, no doubt. He collected information in every situation, just in case. Unfortunately for him, he had already swallowed Lisbon's story hook, line and sinker.

Rigsby stretched on the driver's seat of the car, sipped his already cold coffee and kept listening to the crazy story Lisbon had spontaneously come up with.


"He's Chinese. He moved to the States twelve or thirteen years ago, when his company decided to start a subsidiary here. He spoke fluent English and was an ambitious young businessman, so he was a great candidate for that job."

"I see. Which company does he work for?"

"Oh, I can't tell you, it's still a secret. I can call him a jerk and hate him, but I have to admit, he's worked very hard to organise everything. It took him eight years to find suitable partners here and another four to prepare every detail. It would be childish to destroy it just because we don't get along any more, wouldn't it?"

"Honestly? Not really. And you're certainly not an addict."

"How do you know? You've known me for... two hours. I spent the past two months travelling across the States, without my husband checking me. How do you know I didn't play poker every night?"

"Did you?"

"Of course not."

"Then you're not addicted."

"You think it's that easy? He says I'm addicted, I lie to him about almost everything and - his biggest obsession - I have an affair."

"Do you?" asked Falton suddenly.

Lisbon's eyes narrowed with anger. "What kind of question is that?" she asked coldly, smile immediately disappearing from her face.

Falton shrugged his shoulders, as if it was perfectly normal. "A lawyer's one. In court you'll have to answer, you know."

"But it's not a court," she snapped. "You have no right-"

Falton cut her off. "I just want to help you. I am a lawyer. I've won hundreds of similar cases for my clients."

"You're very modest."

"It's true. You'll need professional help with that divorce. If your husband really is such a successful businessman, he probably hired the best lawyers."

Lisbon rolled her eyes. "He even hired private investigators to spy on me. He's paranoid." Suddenly she stiffened. "Jesus. How stupid of me! You work for him too, aren't you?"

Her aggressive tone caught Falton off guard. "What are you talking about? I've never met your husband!"

"Oh, so it's just a coincidence?" she hissed, enjoying every minute of her performance. "I go to the casino, start talking to a random stranger about my divorce and – how fantastic! - he turns out to be a lawyer. Sounds suspicious, don't you think?"

"Teresa, I swear, I have nothing to do with your husband. To be precise, it was you who sat on my seat, remember? Maybe it's just your lucky day?" He offered her a small smile to ease the tension.

Lisbon hid her face in her hands. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! It seems I'm even more paranoid than him."

"Apologies accepted. And I swear you can trust me."

"Thank you." She glanced at her watch. "Oh God, it's really late. I have to go."

She stood up, and Falton did the same thing. "I'll walk you to the taxi, if you don't mind."

"Of course not."

They left the building together. "Will you be here tomorrow?" he asked.

"Most probably. You promised to help me with my divorce, don't forget," she teased.

"I won't. But if you want me to help, you must be honest with me."

She didn't understand at first, but then he saw a flash of realization in her eyes. "Oh, that. Well, I do have a... friend. He lives here, in Sacramento."

"I see." Falton smirked. "That's why you chose Sacramento instead of Malibu?"

"Exactly." She hesitated for a second, and then said, "I can take him with me tomorrow, if you want."

"I can't wait to meet him," answered Falton with a smile.

Lisbon didn't have an earpiece, but was hundred percent sure that in that very moment Rigsby gave out a cry of protest. Or choked on his coffee. Again.


The next morning Lisbon woke up in a great mood, in spite of the fact that her alarm clock went off at 5:45. The previous night had been surprisingly relaxing. She'd had to stay guarded, of course, but she started to enjoy her newly assigned task. Going out every night was a nice change in her daily routine and Lisbon decided she could as well have some fun. Besides, she was curious how Rigsby would cope with the situation.

It didn't take a mentalist to guess that he wouldn't be very happy at first. The previous night she'd been so sure about taking him with her, but now she started to hesitate. When nervous, Rigsby tended to make mistakes. What if he blew their cover? Hightower would kill them both.

But there was no turning back and Lisbon could only hope that he would be professional.

Her cell phone buzzed on the night table. She reluctantly opened her eyes and glanced at the screen.

'New message from: Madeleine Hightower'

Lisbon frowned. Hightower? Her boss texting her at six in the morning could only mean trouble.

Lisbon read the message quickly.

'I'm pretty sure you haven't slept much tonight. There's no need for you to come to work at 8, 10 will be just as fine. I only hope CBI isn't broke after your game. MH'

Lisbon smiled. She could almost hear Hightower saying all that. The woman was incredible – even at six am her text messages were neat and grammatically correct, as if she was talking to the Queen.

She quickly replied, reset her alarm clock and went back to sleep. Two extra hours was just what she needed.


When she finally appeared at work at 9:58, her team was already discussing the case.

Jane flashed a smile towards her. "Ah, here's our femme fatale!" he exclaimed, and then added, "You're late."

"I'm not late, Hightower let me come later today. And good morning, Jane, nice to see you too."

"We're listening to yesterday's recording, would you like to join us?" Van Pelt reacted before Jane could say anything else.

"Sure. I don't remember half of the things I came up with."

Lisbon placed her bag on the chair and sat on the sofa next to Jane.

Van Pelt played the recording. After less than a minute Jane stood up and turned the speakers up. "That's my favourite part," he said, grinning.

"May I buy you a drink?"

"Oh, I don't know... Haven't you just lost all your money?"

"Don't worry about that, I'm prepared for such situations. I always have some money left to offer a drink to a stranger."

"I'm not a stranger, I'm Teresa, remember? That mysterious woman who appeared out of nowhere and stole your lucky seat, which led you to losing all your money."

Lisbon listened to her own voice, amused. It had been a long time since she'd spoken so casually, really enjoying herself. In that small talk, non-committal conversation about nothing, she heard the echo of a happy girl she had once been. Her life was anything but easy, and sometimes she just wanted to give up, but listening to that recording somehow made her feel better. Because now she knew that the ability to be happy was still in her, hidden deeply, waiting for the right moment.

"I never thought you could be such a temptress." Jane, as always, had an appropriate comment ready.

"Well, you shouldn't be surprised," she answered absent-mindedly. "You were the one that kept talking about seduction."

"I know, I know. It just doesn't suit your professional self." He eyed her from head to toe.

As usually, she was wearing a simple white top, a grey jacket and straight jeans. She, however, kept the black high heels from the previous night.

Jane raised his eyebrows. "Nice shoes," he commented. "I guess it's rather difficult to catch criminals in these."

"I'm not going to check it. Hightower wouldn't let me or Rigsby go into field during this case. No one should see us and connect us with the CBI."

"Sounds reasonable." Jane nodded. "You can finally wear those shoes to work." He winked.

"I'm not going to complain," Lisbon agreed. "Has Hightower already come? I think I should go talk to her."

"She's at the board meeting now," replied Cho. "But we talked to her earlier. She said she's pleased with you so far."

"She left something for you in your office," added Van Pelt. "Would you like some coffee, boss?"

"Yes, please. I desperately need caffeine." Lisbon took her bag and went to her office.

The first thing she saw was a white box sitting on her desk, with a yellow post-it note attached to it. Lisbon recognised Hightower's neat handwriting.

'I've always wanted to buy it, and now I have the perfect excuse.'

Lisbon smiled and opened the box, already guessing what was inside.

One glance confirmed that she was right. She instantly fell in love with a ravishing floor-length ivory dress, with deep neckline and long slit. The fabric was covered with sequins and as the light danced on them, it glittered beautifully with every movement.

Lisbon put it on a hanger and admired for a while. Okay, maybe that case wouldn't be that bad...

There was a soft knock at the door and Van Pelt entered, carefully holding a cup of steaming coffee. She handed it to Lisbon, and then raised her eyes. Only then she noticed the dress.

"Oh my God, boss! It's gorgeous!" She came closer and gently touched the elegant fabric. She sighed. "I wish I had got assigned to that task. It's so fantastically different from what we do every day."

"Yes, it is," Lisbon agreed. "But admit it - you'd like to have it just because Rigsby is in it, wouldn't you?"

Van Pelt blushed and Lisbon laughed.

"Not just because of that, but... it would be nice. You know... The only legal chance to spend some time together. Pretending that we're pretending, but still." Van Pelt looked back to the dress. "Try it on!" she suddenly pleaded childishly.

"Here? Now?" Lisbon looked confused.

"Not here, of course. In the restroom."

"You'll see me in that dress in the evening. Now we have to discuss the case, I have some ideas."

"Boss, please. It will take us maximum fifteen minutes!" Van Pelt's puppy eyes were hard to ignore.

Lisbon wondered where she'd learnt that trick. She should master it as well, it might come in handy in many situations.

She sighed. "Fine. Fifteen minutes, remember!" she said half-jokingly and grabbed the hanger. "Someone has to work here, and I don't really count on the men."


Surprisingly, in the bullpen Cho, Rigsby and Jane were actually discussing the case. It was different from what they usually did, with almost no clues or information. All they had was a single folder from Harrison's team and Lisbon's impressions.

Jane lay down on his sofa and smiled. He could tell Lisbon enjoyed her task, even though she'd been reluctant at first. He wished he could have seen her face when she'd heard about Hightower's idea.

"Jane? Jane!" Cho's irritated voice brought him back to reality.

"Sorry." He turned to face his colleagues. "Did you say something?"

"I've been 'saying something' for the past five minutes," Cho grumbled. "Your turn. What do you think about him?"

"He didn't kill Anderson."

"And you know that because..?"

"I just know. He's not the killing type. He could help with planning, maybe even hiding the body, but he would never pull the trigger. He asks a lot of questions. Collects information. He is an organized man, and such people don't commit murders. He would plan everything carefully, think every detail through, mull over every possibility. And then he would start contemplating the consequences. What if he got caught? There's always risk, and risk means the chance of failure. No, my dear Cho, murder is the domain of the spontaneous. Those who think too much would never take the risk."

Cho didn't seem to be the least bit impressed by Jane's theory. "Who did it then?"

"The wife. It's always the wife."

Rigsby shook his head. "Not in this case. She has a perfect alibi."

"Maybe not with her own hands. But still, she's the one responsible."

Cho didn't even blinked. "Lisbon will never buy it."

"Oh, don't worry. I will sell it. Besides, I'm pretty sure she will draw the same conclusion sooner or later." Jane sat up and glanced in the direction of Lisbon's office. The blinds were open. With surprise, he noticed that the two women disappeared. "Speaking of Lisbon, where is she?"


"It's fabulous! You look absolutely stunning."

Lisbon stood in front of the mirror, taking her reflection in. Van Pelt had already used seventy-three synonyms of the word 'beautiful' and was coming up with a new one every ten seconds, like a crazy hyper schoolgirl. Lisbon couldn't blame the younger agent, though. She wasn't as spontaneous as Van Pelt, but she felt exactly the same. The dress was indeed exceptional. It fitted her perfectly, as if it was made especially for her.

She smiled to her reflection. "What do you think, will Falton like it?" she asked with a playful smile.

"He will be speechless. Just don't let him fall in love," joked the younger agent. "On second thought, do let him fall in love. It will be easier to get the confession from him."

"Do you like it?"

Lisbon spun and saw Hightower leaning against the door. "Do I like it? Boss, it's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen." She straightened the sparkling fabric. "It must have cost a small fortune."

"My treat." She smiled. "Or rather director Bertram's. Don't worry, yesterday you won enough to buy at least ten dresses."

"This one is more than enough. I absolutely love it!"

"I'm glad to hear that. So Rigsby is going with you tonight, isn't he?"

"Yes. I haven't talked to him yet, but I hope everything will go smoothly."

"I'm sure you'll do great. Just don't worry too much and it will be fine." Hightower sent her one last glance. "You look fantastic," she said with a smile and left.


The dress I had in mind while writing this chapter is an ivory Elie Saab from the Spring 2012 collection. I think I fell in love with it.

Okay, I promise I'll update this story more frequently :) Please review if you liked it. If you didn't, review as well, let me know what you think!