Tossing her keys and her purse on her desk, Lisbon pushed the button on her personal coffee maker. The one she faithfully set up every night so it was ready to go first thing. Jane teased her mercilessly about that and, frankly, she didn't care. She loved her coffee. It was simple as that. End of story. Nose twitching at the first hint of the pleasant aroma, Lisbon cursed under her breath as she reached for the phone. Anyone calling this early didn't have a thing to say she wanted to hear.
"Lisbon." The least Virgil could do was let her have her first cup of brew.
But, no, she had to meet him in his office now Lisbon silently groused as she walked the few offices over to knock on her boss's door. Catching the way Minelli was staring at her, Lisbon hoped she didn't have a love nip hiding in plain sight she knew nothing about. Surely Jane wouldn't be so stupid. Then again, they'd both been more than a little rough in the shower this morning in the most pleasurable of ways.
Resisting the urge to rub her neck just in case, Lisbon sat in the chair across from her boss instead. She really needed to put a halt to her errant thoughts. She did not need to start ruminating on the pleasant evening she'd spent with Jane sipping tea and making love. Or the somewhat silly, sexy morning that followed. That would so put a lurid smile on her face even Virgil would question.
"You've got a week to get it done, Lisbon. After that, you know the drill." Yeah, she knew the drill. There would be a lot of emails, telephone conferences, and road trips she wasn't looking forward to. Jane better pull that bunny out of his magic hat fast if he knew what was good for him.
"Yeah, Virgil, I know. We'll get it done." Lisbon said in a tone full of false conviction.
"You know, I think you will." Minelli didn't want to contemplate why he felt that way; but, he did. He just hoped he didn't get a desk full of grief to go along with it. "Why don't you tell me where we stand now? You can keep me informed as you go along." Lisbon was among his best. If he knew her, and he knew her well, the woman already had a whole pad full of plausible theories to pursue.
Lisbon spent a few minutes detailing their potential leads and laying out a loose game plan before she rose to her feel leaving Minelli's office. She couldn't shake the feeling his eyes were boring into her back in a manner she found disquieting and slightly disapproving. As though he knew she had a secret she wasn't willing to share.
Shaking her head, Lisbon decided she was projecting her own thoughts on the situation as she made for the bullpen to inform her team of the latest developments.
#
Steepling her fingers together, Lisbon leaned back in her chair ruminating over her eventful morning. To say she'd been bored since leaving Minelli's office was an understatement. She'd done all she could do on the case by herself and her brain was temporarily fried. Until her team returned to the office, she was at a standstill.
Unbidden, Lisbon's thoughts turned to less pleasant things. Like that weird way Minelli had watched her throughout their meeting. As though he sensed something she didn't want him to know. She ignored his actions as best she could. However, given the way Virgil was staring at her, she'd not been sure he couldn't smell Jane on her or something equally foolish.
Considering how they'd spent most of the night, and the fact they'd showered together this morning, that wasn't completely out of the realm of possibility. Honestly, it was far more likely Minelli was simply detecting her unease at hiding their illicit relationship. Lisbon admitted she was a terrible liar and she needed to get a handle on that or she was going to blow their secret before Jane did.
Now here she was cooling her heels two hours later and chomping at the bit. Cho and Van Pelt were back already. Rigsby and Jane had yet to arrive. Actually, Jane was probably already here driving either Virgil or LaRoche, or both, insane. He'd want to ensure they'd miss him while he was gone. Rigsby was probably reluctant to leave Benjamin. Lisbon didn't blame him at all. His kid was one cute little sucker by anyone's standards and Sarah was all right, too.
Rising to her feet, Lisbon walked out her door to the bullpen somewhat surprised to find Jane and Rigsby had arrived while she'd been musing. Well, it seemed there was nothing left to delay their departure. She needed to get her purse and her keys and they could go.
"All right, guys, we need to get a move on. I hope you've already stowed your stuff in the trunk. We don't have all day." Lisbon turned to walk back into her office before returning a moment later to lock her door behind her.
They were all riding together in her SUV for a change. It seemed Bertram had arranged for vehicles to be at their disposal once they got to Fremont. She wasn't going to kick a gift horse in the mouth. They could discuss the case along the way and she could keep an eye on Jane. He seemed a little squirrely today like he might be up to something already. She certainly hoped not. All she needed was Jane and the locals at odds from the get go. Grabbing her keys and her purse, Lisbon meandered back into the bull pen to face her expectant crew.
"Let's go. You, too, Jane. I don't know what you're up to; but, I'm watching you." Jane's answering grin set Lisbon's teeth on edge. The man was definitely up to something and she wasn't going to like it. She could feel it in her bones and ignored the thought as she led the way to the elevator.
In a matter of minutes, Lisbon was blocking out the chatter around her and pulling onto the highway heading in the direction of Fremont and the Alameda County Sheriff's Department. Her team was discussing the case, but her mind was on other things. She'd expected a road trip or three at the most. She'd not expected Bertram to approve staying in town at her discretion, within limits of course. He'd even had his assistant book them into a really nice place for a change. Lisbon refused to consider the strings attached to such favor as she turned her mind to other things.
Like the fact Jane was being unusually silent and that had Lisbon worried. Between breaking the road trip news to her guys, making the necessary contacts and updating schedules, packing files, returning home to pack her own bag for a longer trip than expected, and rounding everyone up for departure in a timely manner (everyone meaning Jane), she'd not had an opportunity to establish any ground rules concerning their relationship with him before they left.
She'd been so busy chewing Jane a new one for making her hunt him in the first place the thought completely slipped her mind. (She'd eventually found him in the gym working out and soaking up all the gossip he shouldn't be listening to.) While there was no guarantee he'd obey if they'd had that talk, they usually fared better when there was clearly defined terms of engagement between them. Usually, yes, but not always. Her consultant didn't come with any guarantees.
Dismissing her concerns out of hand, Lisbon decided she was worrying too much. Surely Jane was smart enough not to hold her hand under the table when the team was around or do anything equally stupid that would get them busted. Yeah, he knew, but he liked to stir things up. It would be just like her lover to out them on this trip confident her guys would keep their secret. While she knew they would, that wasn't how she wanted any of this coming to light if it ever did. Forcing her mind back on the road, Lisbon decided there was very little she could do about it any way. Jane was Jane and a force to be reckoned with.
#
"You going with us, Boss?" Van Pelt asked as she combed her hair.
Lisbon watched her red headed Agent primping and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Grace had begun a flirtation with the Sheriff no less. The one she'd barely given a second glance the first time around. To be fair, she'd been engaged at the time and he'd been the annoying Undersheriff constantly getting underfoot when he shouldn't. Now, things were different. Van Pelt was unencumbered and Toby Newell was the top dog looking to prove himself. That was a pretty dangerous combination in Lisbon's opinion and one she intended ignoring as long as she can.
Lisbon decided she really couldn't blame Van Pelt. Sheriff Newell was good looking and a good sight younger than Lisbon remembered. He also came from a well do family in this neck of the woods. But, honestly, she didn't need the kinds of complications coming with interdepartmental romances on an active case. Needed or not, Lisbon had little doubt she was getting them. She'd bet a dollar to a doughnut Sheriff Newell would mysteriously show up at the local hang out before the evening was over and Grace would be responsive to his overtures.
"What do you think? I need a break from you guys." Lisbon snorted from the comfortable hole she'd wallowed out in the middle of her, for once, not sagging mattress.
"Huh, you need a break from Jane." Van Pelt chimed.
"That, too." Lisbon agreed.
"That's why you need to come with us. You know he'll just come knocking on our door." Lisbon smirked at the thought not if she went knocking on his first.
"Why bother? You know he'll just show up there if he doesn't find me here." Jane was more persistent than a bloodhound tracking a scent.
"Yeah, you might be right at that." Van Pelt reluctantly agreed.
"Might be? You know Jane better than that." Lisbon laughed at the thought they all did.
"Have fun. I'm glad he's your problem and not mine." Van Pelt smiled that knowing smile saying Lisbon hadn't seemed to mind that problem all that much after the first few months.
"How many times have you said that over the years?" Lisbon wondered.
"I lost count a long time ago." Van Pelt laughed as she grabbed her purse before sweeping out the door to the room across the hall.
Watching the clock, Lisbon listened to Van Pelt knocking on Cho and Rigsby's door. She listened as Van Pelt was let in. A few minutes later she listened to her team leaving the guys' room amidst murmurs and laughs. Fifteen minutes later she rolled off the bed and combed her hair. Foregoing the lipstick for obvious reasons, she decided her team was already sitting around their table ordering dinner right about now. She should be perfectly safe in walking out that door and around the corner to Jane's room.
Locking her door and tucking her key card in her pocket, Lisbon did just that. Not that it really mattered if the team learned she'd been in Jane's room. They wouldn't think anything of it or they better not. Just that they were discussing the case or hanging out. Knocking softly, she was a little surprised Jane wasn't already waiting for her as he usually was.
"Hello, Lisbon, I was on the phone. It seems that Greek place delivers so there's no reason to drive halfway across town or waste time eating in the restaurant here. Dinner should be here in half an hour. Katie in dispatch assures me the food is delicious." Jane motioned for Lisbon to enter as he closed the door behind her.
"You better not be putting that on the expense account. I'm not explaining Greek delivery for two to Bertram. You can." Lisbon said as she dumped an armful of files on the table.
"My treat, Lisbon, contrary to what you seem to think, I take what's between us quite seriously. I have no intention of doing anything to put us on the radar. It isn't in our best interests at the moment. It might never be." Lisbon was a little shocked at his words.
Shocked enough she didn't resist when Jane drew her into his arms and gave her very thorough kiss. Breaking apart, Lisbon straightened her blouse fully aware of what Jane was up to. He was so not turning her mind in that direction no matter how tempting she found the offer and there was no denying she found it very tempting. All Jane had to do was get close to her to set her pulse racing. Fortunately or unfortunately considering where they were, he seemed to feel the same.
"Jane, we are not having sex in the middle of a case. You can just get those thoughts out of your mind, Buster." Absently, Lisbon rebuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt somewhat ashamed she didn't remember undoing them.
Jane was a little too good in the revving her engine department. He really didn't have to do a thing beyond being Jane.
"I expected nothing different, Lisbon, and I'll respect your wishes. However, that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun." Jane pulled an unresisting Lisbon back into his arms.
She couldn't stop the thought Jane was an unrepentant imp; but, a normal guy. And one who was currently thinking more with his libido than his common sense. One of them had to stay in control or they'd be in for a world of trouble. It would not do for her team to knock on the door while they were going at it. Lisbon cringed at the thought of getting caught with a naked Jane.
"We are so not making like a couple of horny teenagers in a backseat either, Jane; and I mean it." She scolded.
"We could make like a couple of horny adults in a hotel room if you'd prefer, Lisbon." Jane rejoined.
"Jane, you're incorrigible." She honestly didn't know what to do with him in this mood. She still wasn't doing that.
"Yes, Lisbon, I am." Jane agreed.
"We're on a case." Lisbon reminded him.
"Fine, you win this time." Jane conceded.
"Good, that doesn't mean another kiss or two isn't welcome though." She could compromise.
"Yeah, right, Lisbon, you want to get me all hot and bothered and leave me hanging. You're a wicked woman, you know that?" From the gleam in his eye, Jane didn't mind the idea all that much.
"That's a two way street, Jane, and you're a wicked man." He definitely was.
"When you put it that way, it does sound infinitely more interesting." Lisbon smiled into his kiss.
Hearing the expected knock at the door, they broke apart. Fortunately, that kiss had been sweet so nothing had gotten out of hand. Jane was perfectly presentable to answer the door and pay for their dinner. Watching him do just that, Lisbon plopped on the bed and opened a file. A few minutes later Jane joined her with enough bags and boxes to feed a small army.
"What'd you do, Jane, buy enough to feed the whole team three or four times over?" Lisbon cocked a brow in disbelief.
"Nope, I just got all your favorites." Jane said as he opened the first box revealing the steaming Spanakopita. Good grief, he'd gotten beef and rice stuffed Dolmathes, Souvlakia, and those meatballs she liked among other things. The real question was what hadn't he ordered?
"That explains it." She had a lot of favorites and Jane knew every one by now.
"Yeah, I guess it does. Here, Lisbon, have a bite." Jane held out a fork of spinach pie while Lisbon let him feed her. "So, what do you think?"
"Katie was right. It's delicious. Now we have work to do." Lisbon said as she wallowed into her spot between Jane's legs and leaned against his chest.
He had access to the boxes and she had access to the files. Between the two of them, they ought to be able to work and eat. If she could keep that errant hand away from her shirt and everything underneath they might even get something productive done.
#
A couple of hours later, Jane reached for the phone not surprised to hear Van Pelt's voice. The team was supposed to call on their way over. He wasn't at all surprised when Lisbon reached for the receiver either.
"You on your way back?" Lisbon took the phone from Jane's unresisting hand. "Yeah, we've been discussing the case. Nope, same old same old. Yeah, that Greek place the dispatcher recommended. Really, really good. Yeah. Tell Rigsby there's leftovers. See you in twenty." Lisbon hung up the phone and kissed Jane's jaw. "It looks like we're about to have company so that's got to go." Lisbon looked at the hand still possessively cupping her breast as she'd lost the battle and thought something else had to go, too, or they were so busted. That something poking so persistently into her back that wasn't getting any relief anytime soon. In their defense, they had been studying the cold case files as well as enjoying a little adult type touching along the way. It was a good thing they were both competent at multi-tasking or they wouldn't have gotten anything done. "Hey, Jane, we're running out of time here. I think your idea of fun got a little out of hand again."
"My idea of fun never gets out of hand." Jane gave her a quick peck before rolling from behind her.
Rising to her feet, Lisbon hastily buttoned her blouse and ran Jane's comb through her hair. Slicking a bit of lipstick across her lips from the tube in her pocket, she decided she didn't look half bad. Just like every other day. Jane might be a different matter. No, he looked like Jane. He was perfectly presentable as well.
She so wasn't asking any questions about how he accomplished that so quickly. Nope, no questions she really didn't want the answers to. He'd just give her some supercilious lecture on mind over matter or some other nonsense. Dropping into one of the chairs by the table, Lisbon waited for the coming knock. Jane could let the team in when they arrived. It was his room so he could play the host. She wasn't surprised a minute or two later to hear Cho's signature rapp or to watch the three of them file in. As expected, Rigsby's nose honed right in on those boxes.
"Hey, Grace, how was Sheriff Newell?" Yep, from the blush on Van Pelt's face, it was just as she'd thought. The man had shown up before the night was over.
From the look on Rigsby's face he wasn't all that happy about the flirtation though he was trying to look like he didn't care. Well, he was just going to have to get over it. He had a family now and Van Pelt was strictly off limits. They weren't having that kind of mess on her watch. Not that Lisbon expected either of her agents to act inappropriately. They wouldn't. It was just that she knew, as everyone did on her team, there were still unresolved feelings there on both sides
"Hey, guys, here's what we found while the rest of you were playing." Lisbon refused to roll her eyes in answer to the smirk on Jane's face saying they'd done plenty of playing behind closed doors themselves.
Launching into her notes, she got the ball rolling on the case as her guys settled in instead.