A/N: I'll apologize now for my tendency to be more tongue in cheek than smexy heavy breathing or softly romantic as we go along. There's always a part of me that rebels against such things.~Calla
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Lisbon gazed at her reflection for the thousandth time and chided herself for being stupid. It was a date with Jane for goodness sake. The Jane who'd gradually become her closest friend though neither of them openly acknowledged it. The Jane who guarded her back as best he could exactly as he'd promised all those years ago even when she thought he wasn't. The Jane who'd caused her more trouble than she could handle at times and managed to charm his way out of it. The Jane who'd willingly killed for her when she hadn't believed he would. The Jane she knew with a certainly would do it again and again should the need arise. That was the Jane she was going out with.
What was she so worried about?
That she wouldn't look good enough in her crimson silk top and ebony pants. That she'd applied her make-up too heavily and curled her hair too fluffily. That she'd say something she shouldn't without meaning to and bring the evening to a disastrous end. That she'd laugh like a hyena inappropriately or snort wine through her nose. So many things could go wrong without trying.
That was what she worried about.
Mainly, she was worried she'd botch things up as badly as she had in the past. Truthfully, she and her lovers hadn't been on the same page at that crucial make or break moment for the most part. So, the demise of her past relationships wasn't really anyone's fault. It was just poor timing on the part of fate. When she thought about it, Lisbon was pretty darn grateful for that. She could be stuck with her old fiancé and a house full of kids. Greg was a no go; but, the kids she'd have taken.
The biggest concern Lisbon had was she'd give into more years of emotion than she wanted to count and throw caution to the wind. She had her moments; but, she wasn't having one tonight. There was no way in heaven or hell she was jumping Jane. He'd have to earn that privilege. He'd be insufferable once they crossed that bridge if they ever did and she knew it. He'd probably click into overprotective mode in ways that wouldn't fly with her, their boss, or the team. Lisbon hoped not or she'd set him straight real fast. He'd certainly drive her crazier than he currently did and that was saying a lot.
Adding a touch more lipstick to her lips, Lisbon was slightly amused Jane's prodigious control wasn't quite as prodigious as he thought since she'd agreed to go out with him. Every now and then she'd notice exactly how happy being close to her made him on those occasions he insisted on reading a file over her shoulder. She'd just give him a knowing smirk and watch him pretend to ignore it.
What she did find comforting was Jane's laid back attitude. It made her far more comfortable gambling her most important friendship on the chance of gaining more. That he was willing to give her time to work through her issues said a lot about how serious the man was to make a more intimate relationship work on some level. She could respect that.
Contrary to what Jane seemed to think, she wasn't all that worried about the stink when the true nature of their relationship became known. They'd weather that storm when it came. She was more concerned with potentially losing the closest friend she'd ever had. That was the thought giving her pause. That was the one thing she wasn't sure she could handle.
Especially not given how she'd felt those six months he'd been gone. Or with her apprehension over the twisted game he'd played with Red John that followed ending in so tragically in Luther's death. She'd had to remind herself over and over again just how put out she was with Jane for his actions to maintain her equilibrium. It hadn't helped she'd not known how to contact him before he'd popped up beside her in church like a gopher from a hole.
Now she was giving him an even more dangerous entre into her life. It wasn't like he didn't have enough tentacles winding through her and around her without opening a whole new can of worms. Lisbon seriously considered having her head examined. In Jane's defense, he'd changed a lot of over the last few years. Most of it for the better.
Jane was more open now. That they were much closer friends attested to that. There was a greater degree of trust between them as well. She knew him better than anyone and he knew her equally well. They even touched and it didn't mean a thing. Lisbon amended that thought as it wasn't exactly true. Maybe not in that way it didn't; but, in deeper ways it did. More importantly, she had feelings she didn't really want to contemplate.
Deep, complex feelings creeping up on her in spite of best her defenses. Feelings she warily intended to act upon no matter her reservations. She just needed to steel her courage and remind herself Jane was worth it. She'd fought all these years to save him from himself. Now that it seemed she had, he wanted to return the favor. She couldn't help thinking if anyone could save Teresa Lisbon from herself that would be Patrick Jane.
Shaking unwelcome thoughts from her mind at the sound of the door bell ringing, Lisbon glanced at her reflection one last time and headed for the foyer.
#
Opening the door, Lisbon admitted Jane cut a mighty fine sight in his three piece suit with every gleaming hair in place. Accepting the bouquet of perfect scarlet lilies, Lisbon wasn't surprised he wasn't one to go the old tried and true boring roses routine. She was surprised to catch the brief flash of disappointment in his eyes before Jane's lips curved in the familiar welcoming smile totally unaware he was really thinking he'd done well in picking the flowers he had. Though he'd picked the flowers for their meaning which Lisbon totally missed, they matched her blouse perfectly.
"Surely you weren't expecting a dress?" Lisbon resisted the urge to laugh as she led him into her apartment. Jane knew she didn't do dresses unless she had to and no one was making her tonight. She hoped not ever.
"I'm not disappointed though I certainly wouldn't mind, Teresa." Jane watched her bring a vase from the pantry and fill it at the sink. In a matter of moments she had a very nice bouquet sitting on her dining room table. "You have very shapely legs a man wouldn't mind admiring every now and then though I will admit you clean up nicely."
"Jane, nice doesn't really cut it. It makes me sound like your sister." Lisbon reminded him as she bustled about her kitchen with Jane at her heels.
"Trust me, Teresa, if I were thinking the thoughts about my sister I'm thinking about you they'd toss me in a padded cell. Cho might still try it." Jane said from behind her as she reached into the cabinet to withdraw the familiar cup.
"Gross, Jane. I'm not sure whether to be flattered or disgusted by that revelation." Lisbon filled the tea kettle and sat it on the burner.
Since their reservations were for eight and Jane was surprisingly early as she'd not expected; they had plenty of time to indulge in one of their favorite rituals. That Jane was watching her every move meant her guest was eagerly anticipating his favorite treat. In a few minutes he'd get to watch her enjoy making the perfect cup of tea with the same appreciation always reflected on his face. Not everyone had her tea making talent. In fact, most people failed miserably in Jane's opinion. She knew he felt he'd taught her well.
"Since I don't have a sister, I'd say flattered makes more sense." Lisbon resisted the urge to squeak in surprise as she turned to find Jane standing behind her. "As for how you look, Teresa, your make-up is beautifully soft; but, a hint brighter. It balances the vividness of that new blouse suiting you so well. Your hair is down and curled in a manner making me long to run my fingers through it. You should do that more often by the way. It's very becoming. I certainly wouldn't complain though I won't promise not to act on my feelings. Your outfit is tasteful, and totally Lisbon, but a hint sexier than you wear at the office. Your blouse dips quite a bit lower framing your assets pleasantly," Lisbon rolled her eyes at that one deciding Jane was pushing the envelope and was liable to get crowned for his efforts. " And your pants are remarkably form fitting in all the right places. That I can certainly appreciate. All in all, I'd say you do woman very well."
His words barely registering, Lisbon didn't resist as Jane drew her into his arms and she let him. She knew the fiend would have a heyday with this one later. He'd probably remind her of every quiver of her dilated pupils and every staccato breath she drew. He'd be an unrepentant jerk for days on end. Did she really care? Lisbon could safely say, not at the moment. Not with those well formed lips descending ever closer to hers.
Somehow, she had a feeling this wasn't a repeat of the night they'd agreed to date. She'd said she was getting a kiss, and Jane had given her one. A tongue free hint and a promise of what might come. Jane had certainly not given her something to talk about. Not that it was a bad kiss. Not by any stretch of the imagination. It had been quite nice and that was where the disappointment came in. She'd expected her old "give him and inch and he'll take ten miles" Jane. She'd gotten a gentleman and a sweet, lovely buss instead.
It seemed Jane had changed his game plan. He was definitely giving her something to talk about. Not that she ever would. But,yeah, like that whisper of tongue making her arms wind a little tighter around his neck and that wayward hand causing naughty desires she so wasn't acting on. Lisbon pushed the unsettling thought to the back of her mind that Jane had gotten his warm up practice on Lorelei. That was a repulsive thought not worth giving the time of day.
She preferred reminding herself kissing was like riding a bike: a person never forgot how. Besides, Jane excelled at everything he did and he was married long enough to finely hone his skills. She'd thank Angela for her contribution if she could as Jane certainly knew his way around a lip lock. Lisbon tamped down on the brief sadness at the thought of Jane's first wife as she steadfastly refused considering his other areas of expertise even as she fought the urge to wrap her leg around his hip and get to know him a bit more intimately.
She so wasn't doing that even if she desperately wanted to. She'd settled for showing Jane he wasn't the only one talented at tongue dancing instead. She was fully capable of giving as good as she got. A few minutes later, Lisbon broke the kiss. Jane was moving into reckless territory and she liked that hand having slipped under her red silk blouse to cup her breast way too much. It was time to stop this nonsense before it got started. They were not going there.
A little hot and bothered was all right. Stoking the inferno as Jane seemed hell bent on doing wasn't …for either of them. Kissing the tip of his nose, she curled into his chest as they both fought to even their breathing. Lisbon acknowledged it had been a while since she'd done steamy and steamy was really, really nice. And, yeah, nice was a really good word in this instance. She'd done steamy with Patrick Jane and she'd liked it.
"Teresa, you can stop being so leery of what's happening between us. We'll make this work. It's been a long time coming." Tucking Lisbon's head under his chin, Jane rested his hands against her lower back as he felt her arms slip under his jacket to encircle his waist.
"Yeah, Jane, I think we can. No matter what." She was certainly going to try.
Silently embracing, neither gave voice to the disturbing thoughts in their minds. He didn't belong in their moment. This was all about them.
Dropping a light kiss on Lisbon's head before releasing her, Jane watched Teresa walk around the counter to finish his tea. Handing the cup to Jane and grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, Lisbon took a seat on the bar stool beside him. She wasn't surprised when he draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Nor was she all that surprised she automatically leaned her back against his chest. Closing her eyes, she decided it was certainly an enjoyable experience worth savoring every chance she got.
"Drink you tea, Jane. We need to leave before we're late." Lisbon took a sip of her flavored water as she reached back to wipe a smudge of lipstick from Jane's skin she'd noticed earlier. She didn't have to see him to recall the exact spot right at the corner of his mouth. She certainly enjoyed kissing it.
"There's no rush, Lisbon. The hostess is a personal friend. She'll hold our table as long as it takes. At the moment, I'd much prefer holding you and thinking I'm a very lucky man for the privilege to sitting across a table from you." Taking a sip of tea, Jane kissed the top of her head again aware she wouldn't say a thing. She probably couldn't. The blush tinging her cheeks was acceptance enough.