Author's Note: Here's the next chapter! Sorry this one took a little bit longer too. But I hope you all enjoy it. I know Christmas has passed now, but oh well. We can continue to be in a Christmas-y mindset for a bit longer, can't we?

Disclaimer: I don't own The Mentalist.


Lisbon allowed herself to sleep in the next day. She didn't have work and she was going to need all the energy she could muster for the gala that night. When she got up and went to make herself her morning coffee, she noticed a note stuck to a freshly brewed cup. She tore the note off and read it:

Dear Teresa,

I would have loved to stay until you woke up, but I have to get ready for the gala and I know you do as well. I decided I wouldn't get in your way, but I look forward to seeing you later. I'll pick you up at six.

Love,

Patrick Jane

Lisbon rolled her eyes. If he was preparing some trick, she was going to punch him. She put the note aside and had her coffee. It was going to be a short day, but a long night.

-Mentalist-

Lisbon smoothed out the imaginary wrinkles in her dress as she gave herself one last look in the mirror. Jane had picked a really nice dress. It was dark green with thick straps and a moderate V-neck. It flowed down and ended just above her knees with a thin black belt to show off her waist. She had curled her hair and done her makeup. Lisbon grabbed a pair of black heels and headed downstairs when she heard a knock at her door. She quickly put on her jack and grabbed her purse before stepping out the door.

"Hey." Lisbon smiled at him as she shut the door behind herself.

"Someone is in a rush." Jane teased, standing back a bit to give Lisbon a little bit of space as she locked the door.

"I just want this gala to be over." Lisbon returned her house key to her purse.

"Lighten up and maybe you'll have some fun." Jane offered his arm.

"Fun." Lisbon huffed, accepting his offered arm. "Not in a room full of rich people who are judging me all night."

They descended the steps and made their way to Jane's car that was parked at the curb.

"Well, they won't say anything bad, I'm sure because you look lovely."

Lisbon blushed and glanced at the ground. "Thanks." She muttered.

"You're welcome." Jane grinned, opening the door of his car for her and helping her into the front passenger seat.

"I hear the food is going to be great this year." Jane said cheerily as he turned the car on.

"People say that every year." Lisbon replied.

"Yes, but this year I think it'll be especially true."

Lisbon looked at him worriedly. "Jane. What did you do?"

"Nothing bad." Jane said. "Why must everything I do be wrong to you?"

"Because it usually is." Lisbon defended. "What did you do this time?"

"All I did was help the planning committee find a new caterer. Honestly, Teresa."

Lisbon gave him a sceptical look.

"Well I was going to keep it a surprise, but if you want to be that way," Jane rolled his eyes. "Lacy's bakery is the caterer for the gala."

"Really? I thought it was going to be the same place as always."

"That was the plan. But apparently there was some mix up they found out about yesterday and needed to find someone else. Luckily for the committee, I was eavesdropping and offered to help."

"Who knew your criminal and nosy nature would work out for someone?" Lisbon teased.

"Exactly!" Jane nodded. "That's the spirit. There's the Teresa I know."

"Shush."

-Mentalist-

There were plenty of people already at the gala when they arrived. Jane parked the car and offered Lisbon his arm as they showed their invitations and were let inside.

"They really went all out with the decorations this year." Lisbon commented.

"Looks like they were going for some kind of winter wonderland theme." Jane nodded, looking at the glittery ribbons and Christmas bulbs. There was a dance floor off to the left and tables to eat at to the right. At the other end off the big gala room was a stage and against the far right wall was a table of food. There was Christmas music playing and chatting all through the room.

"Don't cause any trouble." Lisbon told him.

"Wouldn't dream of it. We have a deal, remember? You came as my date, so I'll be on my best behaviour." Jane smiled at her, but she still wasn't reassured. "So, who is our sucker?"

"This is what I was talking about. You can't just say stuff like that, Jane." Lisbon looked at him.

"It's not like I said it to them. They can't be offended if they don't hear it."

"We haven't even been here five minutes and-"

"Excuse me?" Someone interrupted Lisbon before she could give Jane an earful and they both turned to see who it was. "Teresa Lisbon?"

"Yes." Lisbon gave the brightest smile she could force to the man that had approached them. "Mr. Thorson."

"Jonathan, please." He smiled. He must have been maybe a year or two younger than Jane.

"Jonathan." Lisbon nodded and shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you." Jane said as he also shook the man's hand. "So, you're sponsoring us this year."

"I am." Jonathan nodded. "I hear your team is the best. And who doesn't want to sponsor the best team?"

"Thank you, bu-"

"It's hard to argue with that logic." Jane cut Lisbon off before she said something too modest and she gave him a look.

"Jonathan!" Someone from the crowd called.

"It seems I'm needed somewhere else." Jonathan said. "But I'm glad I got to meet you both. I will see you around."

"Of course." Lisbon nodded.

"Very nice to meet you." Jane said as Jonathan walked away. He didn't miss the appreciative glance Jonathan gave Lisbon over his shoulder as he walked away. Lisbon, however, didn't notice because she was already trying to see if she could spot the rest of her team. "How about some food?" Jane suggested as he placed his arm over Lisbon's shoulder's. She didn't even have time to protest, he was already ushering her toward the table.

"We need to find the others." Lisbon said.

"Well, if you wait by the food table long enough you'll find Rigsby." Jane replied. "And if you find Rigsby, you find Van Pelt. And Cho…well. A guy's gotta eat, right?"

Lisbon rolled her eyes and picked up a cookie from the dessert table. She couldn't help the smile that curled her lips. "You can tell Lacy made these." It was a gingerbread cookie with little gummies and decorative frosting.

"That's all Lacy." Jane agreed.

Lisbon took a bite and after chewing for a moment she nodded, sighing in satisfaction.

"Oh, they're that good." Jane grinned, plucking what was left of the cookie out of Lisbon's hand.

"Hey!" She objected and reached for the cookie, but Jane held it out of her reach. "That's my cookie!"

"There are others."

Lisbon hopped a little to try and reach the cookie, but it didn't work. Damn those heels!

"You two really are quite the pair, aren't you?" A voice chuckled from behind them.

Lisbon whirled around to face the owner of the voice, but lost her balance and fell into Jane who wrapped his arm around her in order to keep her upright.

"Lacy. Hi." Lisbon said, getting her balance again and shooing away Jane's arm.

Lacy was still chuckling. "Hello there."

"You guys are dressed up." Jane said, shoving what was left of the gingerbread cookie in his mouth and smiled at Lisbon as he chewed.

She had meant to frown at him, but it looked more like a pout.

"I offered them an extra twenty percent off if they let us use the dance floor." Lacy smiled brightly, proud of herself.

"She has no business sense sometimes." The man standing next to her in a nice suit with a mustache shook his head, but was smiling.

"Be quiet, you." Lacy teased. "It's not all about money."

"No, of course not." The man joked.

"This is my husband, Henry." Lacy explained, noticing Lisbon's confused expression.

"Oh." Lisbon smiled genuinely. "Nice to finally meet you."

"Likewise." Henry smiled and held out his hand and Lisbon shook it. "I've heard a lot about you."

Lisbon sent Jane a questioning look, but he shrugged it off.

"We'll leave you two to whatever business you have." Lacy said. "Maybe we'll bump into you on the dance floor. It was lovely seeing you again, Teresa."

"It was nice to see you both." Lisbon agreed.

"Don't hurt yourselves out there." Jane teased as they headed toward the dance floor.

"Never!" Lacy and Henry called over their shoulders.

Jane laughed and picked up a Christmas tree cupcake.

"They're very lively." Lisbon picked up a candy cane.

"That's what makes them so much fun."

They both fell into silence for a few moments, watching everyone at the party.

"Jane?" Lisbon asked tentatively.

"Hm?" Jane looked at her.

"I've been meaning to ask…maybe this isn't the time but…why did you stay?"

"What do you mean?"

"With the CBI." Lisbon elaborated. "With the team."

Jane looked at her for a moment, then opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted.

"Jane! Boss!" Van Pelt called as she and Rigsby approached them.

"Hey." Lisbon smiled, pretending that she and Jane hadn't just almost had a serious moment.

"Nice to see you guys, finally." Jane greeted, pretending the same.

They managed to find Cho wandering around and being his usual stoic self. After they had some dinner, the team talked more with Jonathan before Van Pelt and Rigsby made the excuse that they had to leave and get back to Ben. Not too long after, Cho managed to slip away, leaving Lisbon and Jane with Jonathan.

Originally, Jane hadn't minded Jonathan so much. But as he spent more time with the other man, he began to like him less and less. Really, Jonathan didn't seem like a bad guy, but Jane resented the way the man looked at Lisbon. However, Lisbon was much too modest to see it. Jane wondered if Jonathan had picked their CBI team just because they had a good case closed record.

"How about a dance, Teresa?" Jane asked when he started to notice Lisbon growing uncomfortable with their current company. "I did promise you one."

"Yes, that sounds nice." Lisbon nodded and then smiled at Jonathan. "Excuse us."

"Of course." Their sponsor nodded. "Have fun." But he looked a little peeved at Jane.

"Thank you." Jane smiled back, taking Lisbon's hand and leading her to the dance floor. They found a spot and held each other close as they began to sway to the soft Christmas music.

"Thanks." Lisbon whispered, her cheek resting on his shoulder. "For getting me out of there. I know you didn't promise me a dance."

"No problem." Jane whispered back. "I'd dance with you any time."

Lisbon smiled and closed her eyes.

"No falling asleep on me, Teresa."

"I'm not."

"Maybe we should head out after this." Jane suggested.

"That sounds like a great idea." Lisbon lifted her head off his shoulder. "I can get all this stuff off my face."

"Wearing makeup isn't very pleasant." Jane agreed.

"And you'd know?" Lisbon raised a brow.

"I did do stage work, Teresa. I do know."

"Touché." Lisbon nodded.

After the song ended, they slipped out of the gala and found Jane's car in the parking lot to head home.

"So, Christmas Eve is tomorrow night." Jane said as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"Yeah."

"What are you up to?"

Lisbon sent him a questioning look before answering. "I was going to go to mass."

"Would you like some company?" Jane asked.

"You don't even believe."

"No." Jane admitted. "But, I would like to go. If you'll let me join you. I promise to be good again. Look how good I was tonight. We could even go for a carriage ride before."

"If you really want to…" Lisbon was a little shocked that he wanted to join her.

"Great." Jane smiled at her. "It'll be fun."


Author's Note: That's it for now! I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a review and let me know what you thought. :3