A/N So I spit out two whole chapters last weekend (crazy, I know). I figure I owe you guys a quick update. I love this chapter. It's one that I knew I was going to write pretty much from the beginning. Hope you guys enjoy it also ;o)
Lisbon didn't worry all that much about Jane during the first week following Emma's absence. Sure, he was quieter and spent way too much time in the attic but she knew he needed his space and that it would take a little time. It wasn't until the second week that she started to worry and it started with her morning coffee break.
She had arrived at work before anyone else as far as she knew. There wasn't anyone else in the bullpen anyway. She started her computer and then made her way to the kitchen for her second cup of coffee for the day (the first being on her way into the office). It wasn't anything she saw that caused the worry to well up inside of her but rather what she didn't see.
The kitchen was immaculate. Every surface was clean and empty, particularly the refrigerator. The previous day, the appliance had been covered in Emma's colorful creations and no one dared remove them in fear of her consultant who prized the artwork as if they were Rembrandts. Now, the fridge was void of even a single piece of paper. The steel grey looked as cold as Lisbon was beginning to feel.
Curious, she put on the pot for coffee and then another pot of hot water. She made a coffee for herself and then carried a cup of tea up the narrow stars to the attic. As she expected, Jane was there laying on his makeshift bed, staring at the ceiling. The attic too no longer held any of Emma's many craft projects. She did however notice a couple suspicious corners of paper sticking out from underneath Jane's pillow.
"Morning Jane. I made coffee and figured you'd might like some tea." Usually it was the other way around. Before Emma had moved to Connecticut, Jane typically had a steaming mug of coffee waiting for Lisbon when she arrived at work in the morning. It was another change of habit that had Lisbon concerned.
Jane sat up, plastered a grin on his face that Lisbon knew by now was totally fake. "Thank you Lisbon." He said, and took the offered tea.
"You do some late spring cleaning or something in here? The kitchen too?" Lisbon asked in a light manner.
Jane shrugged. "Time to refocus. I can't have any distractions if I'm to be at my best."
"Because, children's drawings of elephants, stars, and butterflies are distracting?" Before Lisbon finished, she knew that they could indeed be a distraction to the consultant who's mind often wandered to things of the heart.
Jane didn't answer but sipped his tea instead.
Lisbon sighed, realizing there was no arguing with Jane and he wasn't going to open up if he didn't want to.
"I'm going to get a jump start on some paperwork. If you're quiet, you're welcome to lounge on my couch for the time being."
"Thank you for the concern Lisbon but I think I'll just stay up here. Let me know if we get a case."
Defeated, Lisbon left the cold attic and returned to her office where the empty couch was more a distraction than an occupied one would have been.
Things only escalated from there. On their next case, their suspect had pulled a gun on her and Jane. When she told him to get down, he froze. Lisbon had to literally tackle him to the ground while Cho managed to get the weapon away from the man. Either Jane was being distracted without the help of Emma's artwork or he… No, Lisbon refused to believe was being careless with his own life in his low state.
The final straw occurred later that same day. They were back at the office and Van Pelt was generously washing the dishes that had piled up in the sink. Seeing Jane's empty cup and saucer sitting on the counter, she decided to wash that as well. Said consultant happened to walk in at precisely that moment and flipped. Apparently, washing the cup with the detergent at the sink left his tea tasting 'soapy'. He had grabbed the two dishes from a stunned Van Pelt's grasp and forcefully thrust them into the empty side of the sink demanding she leave his things alone.
Lisbon hadn't witnessed any of it but got the whole story when three members of her team knocked on her office door later that evening.
"We have to do something about Jane." Cho said, to the point as always.
"He's putting himself and others in danger." Rigsby added. "And he made Grace cry."
Van Pelt elbowed Rigsby, clearly not wanting her weakness out in the open for the team and Lisbon to hear.
"I know he's going through a rough time." Van Pelt said. "It's just getting to the point where it's affecting our jobs."
"Grace has a good idea though boss and we wanted to run it by you." Lisbon had to smile at how obviously proud Rigsby was of Van Pelt's supposed plan.
"I'm willing to try anything, anything legal anyway." She complied.
"It may take a little while but I think it will work." Van Pelt laid out her idea for Lisbon and she had to admit, it was good, providing that they were able to pull everything together.
Lisbon approved and they agreed to put their plan into motion the following day as it was fairly late in the evening.
The plan took some work and a few phone calls but by mid afternoon the following day, everything was ready.
"How are we going to get Jane down here?" Rigsby asked as they sat around the desk in the bullpen.
"Easy." Lisbon said as she typed out a text message on her phone.
"What are you telling him?" Cho asked curiously.
"Just that I needed his opinion on a file I was working on."
True to form, Jane strolled into the bullpen minutes later looking half asleep.
"And how can my skills assist you folks this afternoon?" He asked.
"Sit down Jane." Lisbon motioned to the chair next to hers behind the desk.
"I hope you don't want my help with that thing." He said pointing to the laptop on the desk. "I don't think I could even figure out how to turn it on."
"Just trust me Jane."
Jane reluctantly sat and Van Pelt moved to their side of the desk with a tad more hesitation than normal.
"What's this all about?" Jane tried asking the red-head.
"You'll see. Just click on the green button on the screen."
Jane slowly maneuvered the mouse to the designated button and clicked on it. Almost instantly, a ringing tone could be heard through the speakers. After three rings, there was a click and a new window opened up on the computer screen. Emma's face filled the window.
"Trick!" The girl exclaimed excitedly. "Can you see me?"
Jane's face broke out in a genuine grin. "Yes Em, I can see you but how?"
"Nana and Gramps took me to the store. We bought this camera for the computer. Grace and Tree helped us hook it up. Can you really see me? I can see you."
It was then that Jane noticed the small camera object clamped to the top of the laptop screen. He figured that must be how Emma could see and hear him.
"Yes. It's so good to see you. I…we've missed you here."
Understatement of the century, Lisbon thought.
"Hello Emma." Lisbon waved. She had talked to both the girl and her grandparents on the phone earlier.
"Hi Tree! This is so cool!" The little girl still couldn't get over the latest advances in technology and apparently, neither could Jane. He was still beaming like an idiot.
"It is pretty neat." Lisbon agreed. I'm going to let you and Jane catch up for a while but I'm sure I'll talk to you later. Lisbon waved again and Emma waved back. Lisbon then retreated back towards her office with her three teammates trailing not far behind.
"I'd say that was a success." Rigsby said pointing out the obvious.
"Good thinking Van Pelt." Lisbon agreed.
Grace smiled, biting her bottom lip in an attempt to contain her glee in their small victory.
Lisbon got a bit of paperwork done and then went in search for Jane a couple of hours later. The rest of the team was mysteriously absent and Jane was sitting at his own desk which was rarely used until now. He was still staring at the computer.
"Still chatting with Emma?" Lisbon asked quietly as to not disturb them.
Jane looked up. "No, it was bath time and then she had to get ready for bed."
Lisbon was relieved to see the obvious change in Jane's demeanor. Thank heavens for technology.
"When was this taken?" Jane asked, still looking at the screen.
Lisbon walked around to Jane's side of the desk confused until she saw what Jane was looking at. Someone, probably Van Pelt, had changed the background image on the computer. It was the photo of Jane pushing Emma on the swings.
"I took that with my phone when I met you guys in the park that day after my meeting. You both looked like you were having such a good time that I wanted to capture the moment. I must have shown it to Van Pelt at some point.
"I guess I owe her a big apology." Jane said suddenly. "I treated her pretty bad yesterday."
"She knew you were upset. The whole team understands Jane. We just wish you'd let us help you instead of bottling it all inside."
"It's just how I am Lisbon. I don't know if I can change it."
Lisbon sat down next to him in the other chair. "We get that too Jane. Really. You think Van Pelt would have gone through all of this for you if she was still angry?"
Jane sighed. "I guess not."
Lisbon tried a lighter subject. "So, how's Emma doing?"
Jane smiled. "Good as far as I can tell. She's anxious to start school in a couple of months. It will be difficult for her to meet new friends until then. She was telling me she got to pick out paint for her new room in her grandmother's house."
"Let me guess. Pink?"
"Nope."
"Purple?"
"Got it. Though that was an easy one Lisbon."
"I suppose."
Jane looked over at the computer again. "Do you ah, think you could print me a copy of this?" He asked shyly. "I think I need a picture for my desk now that I'll be using it more often." He swiped his hand across the bare wooden surface of the desk.
"No problem. I can have one printed tomorrow and then you can pick out a frame."
"Actually, I think Emma made me a frame a few weeks ago. I didn't have anything to put in it at the time but this would be perfect." He pointed to the screen.
Lisbon smiled. "Speaking of meetings. I have to go brief Wainwright and then I'm heading out. You?"
"I think I'll make myself some tea."
They both knew that wasn't exactly what Lisbon was asking but she let it slide. She thought they had made enough progress for one day and when she returned to the bullpen after the meeting, Lisbon was sure. Jane was fast asleep on his leather couch. One arm tucked neatly under his head and the other securely wrapped around Lucky, the stuffed dog.
Quietly, Lisbon walked over to the sleeping consultant. She carefully removed the man's shoes and placed them next to the couch. Then, she tucked the trow up around his shoulders before clicking off the lamp.
Lisbon realized she would have to thank her red-haired agent again when she got the chance.
A/N I realized that when I started writing this, Wainwright was still alive :o( Anywho, I'll try to get more written ASAP. No promises but reviews do help :P