Red Faces

A/N: Finished another chapter. Thank you for all the reviews you guy have left, it means a lot to me. Enjoy the new chapter.

"Meaning what exactly?" Lisbon asked as Jane approached the car.

Jane lifted a finger to his chin and tapped it while he thought about what had just occurred. "I think we need to pay the sheriff a visit."

"Why?"

"Because that is what you would call 'actual police work," he told her as he held up his fingers and mimicked quotation marks, She glared at him before getting into the car.

"What did he say?" She asked as soon as he got in and closed the door.

"Who?"

"The runner Jane, what did he say?" Lisbon asked annoyed as Jane fastened his seatbelt and started the car.

"Oh, that. He said that the victim didn't drown by accident," he replied as he placed the car into reverse and pulled away from the sign.

"That is it?" She asked as fastened her seatbelt and Jane placed the car into drive so he could pull onto the main road.

"Yes, it seemed a little weird."

"How?"

"This person just shows up after we stop to check out the sign and then runs off again after telling me something that I already knew," he commented as he looked over at her.

"You don't know he didn't drown," she countered as she leaned back against the car seat.

"Obviously he didn't since there are no major water areas for him to drown in," Jane stated as he turned his eyes back onto the road.

"He could have drowned in a bathtub for all we know," she blurted out.

"Could have."

"But you don't think he did."

"No, I think the victim ran into that sign and the sheriff is covering it."

"For what reason would he have to cover up a crime?" Lisbon asked.

Jane nodded his head and agreement and then suddenly stated "Oh, well that would make all the difference."

"What?"

"Think about it."

"Jane, I'm not in the mood for your games today," she whined as a grin appeared on his face.

"Aw, come on Lisbon it was staring us in the face the entire time," he smiled at her as he drove to the sheriff.

"Just tell me," she was smirking as he pulled into the familiar parking lot that was home to the sheriff office.

"Why is the sheriff drinking on the job? Why did he take my car? Why is he so inclined not to talk with us about what is going on?" Jane asked as he turned off the car. Lisbon opened the glove box and pulled out her gun, she was going to take it this time with her.

"Because he knows the reason for the victim death," Lisbon stated as they both got out of the car.

"There you go," Jane told her as he opened the door for her. She walked in with Jane right on her tail.

"Jamie, where is the sheriff?" Lisbon asked as she walked up to the counter.

"He is in his office," she stated as the two of them made their way down the hallway. "But he doesn't want to be disturbed."

"Why doesn't he want to be disturbed?" Lisbon whispered over her shoulder at Jane as they came to the door. Lisbon knocked on it hard "Sheriff?"

There was some movement heard on the other side and then the door opened. "What is it now?"

"We have some more question for you."

"I'm afraid you have no right to ask any questions."

"She is an agent, she has the right to ask you any questions she sees fit," Jane interjected as studied the sheriff. "What exactly are you hiding sheriff?"

"I already told you once if not twice that I'm not hiding anything," the sheriff replied as he slammed the door in front of them.

"Nice, that went perfectly."

"We are not done yet, Lisbon," Jane told her as he placed a hand against her lower back and gave her a little push to make her follow him.

"What are you planning?" She asked as they headed back to the front desk. Jane stopped and removed his hand before turning to face Jamie.

"Where do most the people in this town socialize?" Jane asked her.

"What?"

"Where do they spend their time?"

"Oh, most of the kids hang out by the rocks but the older folks hang out in the diner," she replied with a smile.

"Rocks and diner, thanks," he gave her a smile and then cocked his head to Lisbon to follow him out of the building.

"I get the feeling that I'm not going to like what you are about to do," she admitted as the door closed behind him.

"You trust me, right?"

"No, why should I?"

"I'll take that as a yes," he said as he made his way on foot to the diner. With Lisbon following right behind him.

After a few moments of silence Lisbon stopped dead in her tracks causing Jane to look back and stop himself. "What?" He asked as he made his way over to her.

"You're going to start something aren't you?"

"You are finally learning," he replied as he smiled down at her. "But why?"

"Because if you cause a ruckus then you can get yourself arrested and have access to the sheriff office later in the evening," she explained as it became clear what his exact plan was.

"Yes, and here is the part in which you try to stop me."

"No," she admitted softly.

"No?" He was beyond surprised by her answer.

"I'm not going to stop you from doing it, in fact I'm going to join you."

"Joining the dark side, Agent Lisbon?" He laughed.

"No, but it is the best plan we have for getting information," she said as she started to walk again. "Are you coming?"

He nodded his head and joined her, as they reach the diner he placed an arm on her elbow and pulled her behind the side of the diner.

"What the hell?" She asked as her back came against the outside wall of the diner.

"If we do this then you need to plan on acting like you had no idea," he warned her.

"I can pull that off," she spat as she went to move put he placed a hand on her shoulder and keep her against the wall. He leaned down and whispered into her ear.

"You are a terrible liar."

"Jane," Lisbon voice was low as she tried to stop herself from shuddering at his hot breath against her skin.

"There are people watching already so you may as well as start pretending you have no idea what is going on," he whispered and then released her shoulder and moved away. He looked at her and she couldn't have sworn he was waiting for her to punch him in the face.

"You are a bastard," Lisbon whispered as she moved away from him.

"For what, having a conversation with a young woman?" Jane voice was normal.

"No, for lying to me about having the conversation," her voice was still low when her eyes meet his and she saw reassurance there. "You always lie to me," she raised her voice and straighten up.

"Deniability," he shrugged.

"You always say that," she yelled and threw her arms up. "God, you are a cold bastard except when it comes to what you want."

"What I want?"

"You don't care about anyone else unless they can help you," she spat at him.

"That isn't true."

"Like hell it isn't"

"I do care, I care about you."

"No," she shook her head. "You only care about one thing."

"My past demons," he admitted loudly. By now those in the diner had come out to watch the fight unfold. Leave it up to Jane to figure out how to get people's attention. But she knew they needed to step it up more if they were going to get the sheriff out of his office.

"Yes, those damn demons of yours that you are so fond of chasing. You are never going to let anyone get close to you," she was breathing hard now, she saw the look in his eyes and felt as if this conversation might be more truthful than the two of them want to admit.

"Is there a problem here?" One of the people in the diner asked as he came up to them.

"No, just your typical co-worker fight," Jane stated.

"One of many, you know how much a pain in my ass this man is?" Lisbon asked the man.

"No," the man said now regretting walking into the conversation.

"She is just saying that but really she is in love with me," Jane told the man as his eyes meet Lisbon. Lisbon gasped and then dropped her head. "See."

Lisbon laughed and shook her head; if he wanted to make to play it like this then she was more than willing to join. "I would never be in love with a selfish bastard such as yourself."

"Oh, I'm wounded," he mocked her before he felt the sting of her hand against his cheek. "Ouch."

"You deserve that," she muttered as she moved her fingers around.

"What the hell is going on over here?" the sheriff voice boomed around them.

"Oh, hey sheriff," Jane stated as he rubbed his cheek from where Lisbon slapped him. "My friend and I are just having a little conversation."

"In the middle of a busy town center?" The sheriff asked. Jane looked around and noticed that there were only about ten people watching them.

"Busy?" Jane asked.

"Maybe you two should head back and leave our little town alone," the sheriff suggested.

"Why should we sheriff?" Lisbon joined the conversation.

"It is in your best interest," he told her.

"We still have a crime to solve here don't we Lisbon?" Jane asked as he stepped over to the sheriff.

"Yes, we do."

"So, you see we can't leave just yet."

"I'm suggesting you leave again," the sheriff said as he places a hand on Jane's arm.

"You are touching me," Jane pointed to his arm.

"So?"

"So I don't like to be touched," Jane forcefully moved his arm from the sheriff and pushed him away.

"Jane, don't," Lisbon warned as she came up to the two. "Sheriff, he has had a long day."

"Don't apologize to this man, Lisbon, and the only reason I have had a long day is because of you," Jane told her.

"Jane, hush."

"Why?"

"Jane!" Lisbon yelled.

"You should really listen to the young lady," the sheriff told Jane before turning around away from them. Lisbon looked at Jane wondering what else he had up his sleeve but he just smirked slightly before opening up his mouth.

"Or what?"

"Excuses me?" The sheriff asked but didn't turn around. Jane made his way over to the sheriff.

"What if I choose not to listen to you?"

"Then I will be forced to lock you in jail," the sheriff said as he turned around and faced Jane.

"For what exactly?" Jane asked.

"Jane, enough is enough," Lisbon told him as she placed a hand on his arm.

"No, Lisbon, I'm curious what he has to say?"

"Jane, he can place you in jail for just pushing him," Lisbon whispered to him as she pleaded with him to stop, he had gone far enough.

"He doesn't have the guts to put me in jail," he told her.

"You want to spend a night in jail?" The sheriff asked.

"No, I don't want to spend a night in jail," Jane replied sarcastically.

"Then I suggested you shut your mouth," the sheriff growled.

"You are a coward," Jane stated, Lisbon sigh knowing that was the final line.

"Fine, I'm placing you under arrest," the sheriff stated as he pulled out the handcuffs sitting on his belt. Jane just smiled and turned around so the sheriff could place the handcuffs on him. The sheriff clicked on part of the handcuffs to his right wrist and then looked over at Lisbon.

"I'm also placing you under arrest," he said as he pulled on the cuffs and made Jane follow him to where Lisbon was standing.

"For what?"

"Disturbing the peace," the sheriff told her as he motions her to hold out her wrist. She sigh and held out her left wrist. He reaches across her hip and pulled her gun and then placed it in his belt loop. "I think you know the way to the office, and don't try to run," he told them as he patted his gun, that was sitting in his holster.

"Damn you, Jane," Lisbon whispered to him as they made their way to the sheriff office.

"Yeah that didn't go according to plan," he admitted.

"Duh," Lisbon replied as she shook her head. The sheriff opened the door and led them inside the office.

"I am putting these two into the cell and will fill out the paper work tomorrow morning, Jamie," the sheriff told her as he motions the two of them to head down the hallway.

"Where exactly is your jail?" Jane asked as he came to the end of the hallway.

"Outside, it is still part of the old sheriff station," the sheriff said as he pushed open the door. He leads them to a broken down station.

Inside the station were one jail cell with one bed and an old-looking mattress. Outside of the cell were a small table and a gun rack that held two shotguns that were locked behind a glass case. "Take everything out your pockets," he told them.

"Sir, let me call my boss and we can settle this," Lisbon pleaded.

"No," he told her and motioned her to do what he said. Lisbon sighed and pulled out her badge, cell-phone, and placed them on the table. Jane placed his wallet, cell-phone next to them. The sheriff nodded and then unlocked the handcuffs from each of their wrist. "In you go," he told them as he opened the door to the cell.

"You can't be serious!" Lisbon exclaimed as the sheriff escorted her and Jane into the jail cell.

"I'm very serious," the sheriff replied as he locked the door behind them.

To be continued:

2nd A/N: So that is how they ended up in jail. The next part we see how they get out of jail and find out exactly what the sheriff and town is hiding.