A/N: I hate feeling so damn tired.

Thanks to: TwilightLover-CarlisleandEsme, Ebony10, anthropologist, Aeidhryn and Frogster for reviewing part four.

x tromana

Part Five

"So, why did you leave home?"

"Why do you think?"

Lisbon leaned forward slightly. Yes, she knew she shouldn't necessarily act quite so intimidating in a person of interest's own home, but Tristan Stevens was throwing his barriers up and it was irritating. All she wanted was some simple answers to some simple questions. Instead, he was acting as if she had practically already accused him of the murder of his stepsister, simply because she carried a badge and a gun. If he was going to act like that, then of course she was going to be more than a little suspicious. It made her feel like he actually had something to hide, rather than convinced her of his innocence. Then again, as far as she was concerned, there were very few people in the world who didn't have something to hide.

Which was what made her glad she had Jane onside. After all, she would have been foolish to deny that he made her job a hell of a lot easier.

"I don't know. That's why I'm asking you," she stated simply.

Tristan rolled his eyes, laced his hands together and rested them on the back of his head. He was attempting to show that he was relaxed, that he had the situation under control. However, the hint of panic in his eyes suggested otherwise. He was scared and this was his first incursion with the police, despite the picture that his step mom had painted of him. Lisbon knew that she meant him no harm - provided that he wasn't guilty, of course - but Tristan obviously didn't.

Briefly, she glanced at Jane, who was rifling through Tristan's CD collection, with his candy cane in his mouth. Sometimes, she had to question Jane's methodology, even if it did work. She understood that people's taste in music could say a lot about them, but Lisbon didn't necessarily believe that it would point towards whether or not somebody was a killer. Really, she suspected that it was just Jane being nosey. He liked people; liked to know everything about them, what made them tick. Otherwise, he wouldn't be the perpetual thorn in her side that he was. The one who wound up everyone, making her job simultaneously harder and easier.

"I think," Jane started, after pulling the candy cane out of his mouth. "That you're suffering from a lot of pent up rage. You're angry with your dad, the world and most importantly, yourself. You think it's your fault that you've had to move out, because you found family life intolerable."

"No."

"No?" Jane asked, surprised. "Are you sure?"

"Well, maybe," Tristan admitted, albeit reluctantly, "but…"

"But?"

"It's Amie, isn't it? She was made out to be so perfect and…" Tristan stopped and shrugged his shoulders again.

"And?" Lisbon prompted.

"You shouldn't speak ill of the dead."

"Was Padgett her child?"

"Jane!" Lisbon chided.

"It's a legitimate question," he answered back.

"Really?" she retorted, believing that there should have at least been some kind of hint that he was going to suggest it first.

"Yes, he is," Tristan answered.

"See? I told you so," Jane said, triumphant.

"Oh hush," Lisbon said and turned to face Tristan. "Is the baby the reason you left home?"

"Yes. How could I live there, when dad and his wife were happily living a lie, for her?" Tristan spat angrily and stood up. "And what does my leaving have to do with her death, anyway?"

"She's looking for a motive," Jane answered him, not caring that Lisbon was frowning at him again. "Trying to work out whether or not you're responsible."

"And am I?"

Jane regarded him for a couple of seconds and Lisbon let out an insufferable sigh. Just because she understood Jane's methodologies, it didn't mean she necessarily approved of them. At least Tristan was responding better to Jane's blunt approach better than her softly, softly technique. And at least he hadn't tried to clam up even more and stopped responding entirely. If anything, since Jane had chosen to get more involved in the interview, Tristan seemed more relaxed. Probably because Jane's clownish techniques were less intimidating. Or something like that, anyway.

"I don't think so."

"Good. Because I'm not."

"Where were you between the hours of five and seven a.m. this morning?" Lisbon queried.

"Here. In bed. Sammy, my housemate, will confirm that."

Swiftly, Lisbon steered the conversation away from suggesting that Tristan had indeed been responsible for the murder of his stepsister. Instead, she questioned her relationships outside of the family home, if there was anyone who would have any interest in killing her. Her ex, Padgett's father, for example. What she was doing with her life, if she'd had any contact with Tristan since he'd moved out at all. Tristan answered the questions quickly, but Lisbon soon got the impression that there wasn't anywhere further they could go with it. At least he'd informed them that Padgett was Amie's biological son and that his father worked at the mall alongside her.

"Thank you for your time," Lisbon said politely as she stood.

"Don't leave town," Jane added and rifled through his pockets. "Think about spending time with your family over the holidays. And eat this candy cane. It'll make you feel better."

Dubiously, Tristan accepted Jane's gift and let the pair of them out. After they left the small apartment complex, Lisbon shoved her hands in her pockets as they ambled towards the car. Jane had started on his candy cane again and Lisbon wondered if he ever ate something that resembled a proper meal, or if it was all simply junk food. If it was, it might have explained his mood of late.

"I'm getting the impression that you seem to think the Christmas season is all about what you can eat."

"It isn't?" he answered back, his voice laced with faux-shock.

She shook her head. "No. It's about…"

Lisbon trailed off. They both knew exactly where she was headed and it made them both feel uncomfortable. Jane, because it reminded him of exactly what he was missing and Lisbon because she hated making Jane think about them, albeit unintentionally. What was worse was that she knew she was being hypocritical; it had been years since she had last actually kept her promise to spend Christmas with one - or all - of her brothers.

"Say it."

"Spending it with people you care about," she concluded, albeit rather lamely.

"That wasn't what you were initially going to say."

"No, it wasn't," Lisbon admitted.

"Why don't you spend the holidays with your family, Lisbon?"

She fell silent. Lisbon knew the exact reason why she didn't spend time with them. Firstly, her job. Yes, it was partially an excuse as everyone was meant to work their fair share of holidays. However, having no children tying her down, no loved one to share it with, Lisbon felt more obligated than most to work during the festivities. Somebody had to do it and besides, there was more pay in it. Then, and more importantly, there was the family rift. If she spent the holidays with Tommy and Annabeth, then her other brothers would resent her for it. And if she spent it with them, then Tommy would believe she was siding with them instead. In a way, it was simply easier to just toe the line between the three of them and hope that eventually, they would sort out their differences. Preferably, before it was too late.

Then again, she was seeing exactly what could happen if she didn't do something about it. If something were to happen to Tommy, or the others for that matter, then there could be no chance for reconciliation. They could simply be wasting time, hoping that one or the others stubbornness would give way first. Tristan obviously didn't hate his stepsister, he just appeared to hate the preferential treatment their parents had given him. Nor did he hate her as a person, just the fact that her problems had been swept under the carpet by them. Given half a chance and a long sit down to air out their differences, the Stevens family could have been reconciled. Instead, the chance had been stolen away from them.

Lisbon couldn't even remember what had driven the wedge between Tommy and his brothers now; it was probably something inane and trivial. Like the fact he had nearly thrown his life away thanks to his psycho ex. Or even something as simple as her bitter resentment of the fact Tommy couldn't seem to settle on a career to support himself and his daughter. Having no parents to rely on for guidance, all three of them had used her as the next best thing. Even now, when they were all supposedly responsible adults, the pressure sometimes felt a little too much.

"When was the last time you suggested that you all meet up, together?" Jane asked quietly and she didn't answer. "You can't remember?"

"No, I can't," she said stiffly.

"You should."

"I know, it's just…"

"Hard?"

"Yeah."

"What does Annabeth think about it? Does she even see her uncles?"

"Jane?"

"Yes?"

"Shut up."

When he didn't offer up a cheeky response, Lisbon was relieved. For a start, she was trying to concentrate on driving and yet his persistent attempts at trying to help were wearing thin. Yes, she knew her family had problems and she didn't need his constant reminders. It was something she could worry about later, when she was at home. After all, then, she would be preparing for Annabeth's imminent arrival and it would be appropriate. Instead, she needed to think about where the case should head to next. The ex-boyfriend was an obvious lead, something she needed to seriously consider. Jane making her think about her family was clouding her judgments.

When they arrived back at the CBI headquarters, Lisbon was irritated to discover that Arden O'Hanlon was still in holding, without having been charged. While they had solid evidence about him tampering with evidence, Cho wasn't entirely convinced that he hadn't been involved in the death somehow. That meant the man was getting increasingly irate as he was being kept away from his precious daughter and mall for even longer. Besides, they had to charge him soon; they had no rights to hold him indefinitely. The problem was, they needed to get it right before moving on. However, she was pleasantly surprised to discover that the coroner's toxicology reports had returned. Van Pelt had immediately cornered her to deliver the good news. Quickly, she scanned the paper and frowned slightly.

"Mistletoe berries? The poison was mistletoe?"

"Yeah, it's a little weird," Van Pelt agreed with a nod.

"Well, it's novel. I knew the berries were toxic but I never thought it'd be involved in a case," Lisbon said.

"Wouldn't want a boring murder, especially not at this time of year," Jane interjected and both Lisbon and Van Pelt turned to look at him. "Very seasonal."

"I sometimes wonder about you, Jane."

"Liar."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. You're always wondering about me."

"Don't flatter yourself."

"Oh I didn't mean like that," Jane replied and smirked when Lisbon blushed a little.

"I wasn't thinking anything-"

"Guys," Van Pelt said quietly.

"-of the sort!"

"Guys!" she repeated, a little louder this time and they both turned to look at her.

Van Pelt was quite used to their little arguments; she'd worked with them for more than long enough. However, that didn't mean that she didn't always find them uncomfortable to listen to. There was something about the underlying tone in their exchanges that always suggested something more was going on between them. And while Van Pelt would never begrudge someone their happiness, it was all a little too raw after the O'Laughlin incident. Quickly, Lisbon apologized as they finished reading through the report. At least now they had the cause. All they had to do was identify who had access to mistletoe berries and who could have spiked Amie Stevens' food with it.

"I think we should get some mistletoe for the office," Jane remarked once the supposedly boring conversation was over. "It'd look lovely, don't you think?"

"No. It'll die before Christmas," Lisbon pointed out, still keen to make it clear that November was not technically the Christmas season.

"It could always be replaced. Besides, I think it would bring a little cheer into the office. And maybe a little something else..."

"Oh, now you're just asking for trouble," Lisbon growled as she followed Jane out of the room.

TBC…