Chapter 3 - Jimmy

Lisbon drove to the bar Stanley told her Jimmy frequented. Cho had called her to say that he wasn't at his apartment. After searching the place it looked like he hadn't been there for a few days. Jane sat silently by her side, looking out the window.

This shift in their relationship was difficult for both of them some of the time. They would spend days and nights together, cocooned in their desire and love for each other and then he would suddenly become distant and closed off, sometimes for a day or two, the fear of sharing his life with someone he loved still a struggle for him some of the time. But he had at least told her when he felt that way, when he felt his worries taking hold of him. He didn't hide his fears from her any longer.

She got it, he hadn't been in a relationship for well over a decade, it was going to take any normal man time to adjust after so long an absence never mind someone with Jane's past. And she was hardly a beacon on how to be successful in a relationship either. She had rushed into the only significant one she had in years and it had ended just as quickly as it had started. And even though she had wanted to be with him for so long she found the attention and the intense emotions and passion he had for her a little overwhelming at times. Marcus had been considerate and persistent to her but Jane didn't need to show his love for her with grand gestures or fancy restaurants, he could do it with just a look, a gaze into her eyes as she fell asleep or a light touch of his fingers as he moved a strand of her hair as she woke up so he could see her face. So she needed her space sometimes too.

They hadn't been together that long in this way, just a couple of months and it was still an adjustment for them both that were gradually getting more comfortable with. But, as so many times over the years they had known each other, some words between them didn't need to be said. They both understood that this was for keeps, only the finer details needed to be smoothed out in time.

She thought back to the incident in the car minutes before. She still found it strange every now and then when Jane suddenly bared his soul to her like he had. She had been so used to the arrogant and confident showman for so many years she forgot sometimes the insecurity that lay behind that front and the reassurance he needed at times that she had chosen him. She placed a hand on his and gave it a squeeze.

He looked over and smiled at her. 'It's okay, Teresa. I'm back to my normal egotistical self again. No need to worry' he said, reassuring her that his earlier vulnerability had left him.

She grinned, releasing his hand. 'Good. Because I need you in full know it all mode to help me find Jimmy.'

He grinned back. 'As you wish, my dear.'

They arrived at the bar a little later. After talking to the bar staff and some of the regulars they found out that Jimmy hadn't been in for a few days. The bartender had promised to call if he saw him. Jane had slipped him fifty dollars out of Lisbon's sight and promised him the same again to make sure he kept his word.

As they left Jane squeezed her shoulder as a frown appeared on her face. 'Hey, it's early days yet. Think, Teresa. Is there anywhere you can think of he'd go?'

She shrugged and sighed. 'I can't think of anywhere. You know we haven't been close in years.'

'Well, maybe somewhere from your childhood. You know when...when things were bad at home.'

She nodded, thinking hard. 'There was a playground not far from our house. I found him there a couple of times when he was too afraid to come home.'

'Okay, let's go then. Better than waiting around here.'

They pulled up to the playground as dusk was settling in. It was empty and Lisbon went over to the swings instinctively. She smiled, pulling at the chain that held the seat.

'You want a push?' Jane asked, grinning.

'I'm a little old for that, aren't I?'

'Meh, come on, live a little.'

Lisbon shrugged and got on. She had loved this growing up, pushing herself as high as she could. She had made it to the top bar on a few occasions. Jane came behind her.

'Hold on tight' he grinned. He pushed hard and Lisbon laughed, holding the metal chains supporting the swing tightly.

'Higher! Put some backbone into it!' she laughed again. Jane grinned and pushed her harder. A memory came to him suddenly of pushing Charlotte on a swing. He hadn't thought about it in years. He was waiting for the guilt to wash over him but he found himself smiling at the recollection instead. He turned his attention back to Lisbon, pushing her even harder.

'Okay, Jane, that's enough! I'm going to be sick!'

'Coward!' he shouted. 'I thought you were a daredevil, Teresa Lisbon!'

'Jane, stop!'

He heard the sudden urgency in her voice and slowed down the swing immediately. In front of them stood a man in his mid thirties, short wavy brown hair and eyes that matched Lisbon's, a little shorter than Jane and wearing a T shirt and jeans.

'So, you must be Jimmy' Jane said, settling the swing back to the ground and breathing heavily after pushing it.

Jimmy ignored Lisbon as she got off the swing and came round to face Jane.

'And you must be Patrick Jane.'

Without another word Jimmy punched him in the stomach. Jane doubled over in two, winded.

Lisbon got in between them. 'What the hell do you think you're playing at, Jimmy!'

She turned back to Jane, putting an arm around his shoulders. 'You okay?'

Jane managed to stand up straight, puffing out a deep breath and feeling his stomach. 'Never better Lisbon, his punch isn't as good as yours thankfully.'

She turned her attention back to her brother but he spoke before she could.

'Don't tell me, Reese. You and him! Seriously! After everything he's put you through over the years!'

It was hardly a leap of perception Jane realised. Obviously they had been acting more like lovers than workmates on the swing a few moment ago.

'It's none of your damn business, Jimmy. But yes, we're together so get over it. Don't you have enough on your plate without worrying about my love life?'

After a few more deep breaths Jane outstretched his hand to Jimmy. 'Well, now the introductions are out of the way, it's nice to meet you at last.'

Jimmy eyed him up and down. Finally he shook his hand but still looked at him warily. He held on to Jane's hand and came closer to him. 'If you ever hurt my sister I promise you'll regret it.'

'Noted' Jane replied, staring him down.

Lisbon rolled her eyes. 'Well, if we've had enough grandstanding between you too shall we get to the point?'

Jimmy looked sheepish suddenly. 'Reese, you didn't need to come here. I'm doing okay, I'm going to get myself out of this mess.'

'Yeah, looks like you haven't showered or slept in two days, you're obviously doing an outstanding job so far.'

Her sarcastic tone turned his embarrassment into anger. 'Fine. Saint Teresa comes to the rescue once again. Can you get me out of this? Didn't sound like it when I called you. So get back to that cushy government job of yours and take that conman with you.'

Lisbon advanced on him, a fist forming. Before she reached her brother Jane came in between them. He wondered for a second if he was going to get a second punch that day from another Lisbon.

'Lisbon, you have every right to punch this idiot but why don't we talk to him first? He won't be able to tell us much with a busted lip.'

She glared at him, fire in her eyes but finally nodded. She turned her attention back to Jimmy. 'What did you see exactly?'

After calming down himself Jimmy explained that he had been a poker game and he had went to get some air at the back of the bar it was held in during the game. In the alley he had seen a man gun down one of the other players who was taking a smoke break at the same time. The man was about to fire on Jimmy but his gun had stalled, allowing him time to escape. Jimmy Lisbon swore he didn't know who the man he shot was, that he thought he was just another player like himself.

'You have to turn yourself in, Jimmy. You can identify the killer. I can pull some strings, get the charges against you dropped if you cooperate now. It's your only play.' She hoped she could.

Jane added, 'Your sister's right. If you don't then the killer has already seen your face. You need FBI protection to make sure he doesn't finish the job.'

Jimmy looked from one to the other. 'Quite a double act you two make.' He sighed. 'Fine, Reese. Just make sure I'm put somewhere so I can get a shower and something to eat. I'd kill for a hamburger.'

Lisbon smiled and hugged him. Jane saw her mind was reliving memories from years ago when she no doubt got him out of a few scrapes as she ruffled his hair. Jimmy winced, pulling his head away as if he were a child again.

After getting Jimmy to the FBI office they left him with Cho and the team there to go over mugshots. She was able to get the charges dropped. It was midnight by the time he finished his statement. So far he hadn't identified the shooter so they were due to come back the next day and start again. Lisbon had insisted Jimmy stay in the same hotel they were in and got a room from him across the hall. An agent was assigned to the floor in any case to watch over him until the morning.

After Lisbon made sure her brother was sleeping she locked the door behind her and went to her and Jane's room across the hall.

Jane was lying on the bed flicking through the TV channels when she entered, a single light lit beside the bed. He had taken his jacket and shoes off and had rolled his shirtsleeves up.

He saw the frown on her face as she cast a glance at the door beside her. 'He'll sleep for hours, Lisbon. He's clearly exhausted. Let the poor man sleep before you badger him again.'

She smiled at him, standing at the bottom of the bed as she looked at him in the dim light. A smile flickered across his face. 'I was going to get into bed but I didn't want to deny you what was on your mind this morning at the airport.' He turned the TV off and stood in front of her, putting his arms around her waist.

'You're one of life's great humanitarians, aren't you Patrick Jane? So charitable.'

She reached up to kiss him softly on the lips. Her hands moved to the first button of his vest, releasing it as Jane deepened the kiss before pulling back again.

'How did I not realise all those years?' he teased.

She unbuttoned the next button of his vest slowly, never taking her eyes from him. 'Guess you're not as perceptive as you think.'

'Oh, I don't know about that, Lisbon. I think my mind was simply clouded by the general lust you had for me back then. When you undressed me with your eyes every day you didn't just stop at the vest.' His eyes twinkled as the words came out.

She laughed lightly, freeing another button. 'Yeah right, you tell yourself that.'

He chuckled as they kissed, a moan escaping from Lisbon's lips as it became deeper. As she was in the kiss she released another button, running her fingers over the shirt behind it as she did so. Jane groaned as her small fingers traced their way down his stomach, no longer feeling the effects of the punch Jimmy had landed earlier and began to unbutton her blouse, his fingers moving more rapidly than hers. He grasped at the bare skin on her back beneath, his mouth and lips tasted her neck and he moved his kisses down to her breast.

When she reached the last button of his vest she had lost all semblance of patience herself and practically tore it off him, flinging it to the ground.

Jane laughed as she pushed him on top of the bed. 'Hey, watch it Lisbon, that's a new vest.'

She grinned as she made quick work at removing his shirt along with her blouse.

The rest of their clothing was shed within minutes.

'Well, that was certainly worth a new suit' he chortled as he held her in his arms some time later.