Finally, Jane plucked up the courage to go and speak to Lisbon- apologise even- however no sooner had he got up from his sofa when he realised that he didn't actually know where Lisbon was. What if she was with Pike- he didn't think he could bear to walk in on them again.

On his wanderings round the building, he walked past Kim who, at the sight of him, rounded on him, 'Jane, I decided not to tell Abbott about today.'
'I knew you wouldn't tell him,' he told her in an offhand tone, not even bothering to look at her but instead peering up and down the corridor in the vane hope of spotting the woman he was so eager to talk to right now.
'Anyway,' continued Kim, eying him as though she wasn't really sure how to take his comment, 'I just want you to know that if something is bothering you, you have to get it off your chest.'

'Oh, and how do you propose I do that then,' breathed Jane, the low growl in his done dripping ill-disguise scepticism.
Kim shrugged, 'I don't know. Go see someone about it, a counsellor perhaps or whatever, or even a psychiatrist.'

Jane snorted, 'what, me, seeing a psychiatrist. Are you serious?'
'Well I don't know!' Exclaimed Kim, her anger and impatience getting the better of her now, 'but you can't carry on like this,' her eyes then became suspicious, 'you wanna know what I think.'

'Not particularly,' sighed Jane, uninterested and bored, 'however I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway.'
Kim gave him a look that strongly suggested she was examining him intently, trying to figure out whether he would be angry at her response. However soon, when he shook his head, turned around, and walked down the corridor away from her, she blurted out, 'oh isn't it obvious? It's Lisbon, isn't it.'

Jane stopped dead in his tracks, frozen to the spot.

Uh-oh…

'Why would you say that,' murmured Jane, hardly loud enough for Kim to hear him nevertheless she understood perfectly.
'It is though,' muttered Kim, almost in a sulky manner, 'I'm right and you know it.'
Jane gulped, 'but you're not. You're not right.'

'You can't stand to watch her go,' said Kim, completely ignoring Jane's contradictions, 'and you only want what is best for her so obviously you can't tell her how you actually feel, therefore you've taken to being cold and spiteful in your defence,' after a paused, she then explained, in a somewhat warmer tone, 'I took psychology at high-school. Never really used it till now.'

'I see,' replied Jane.

'Jane. I don't know much about you, but I know it helps when someone confronts their fears so please just talk to Lisbon. No Jane,' she held up her palm in front of him as he tried to interrupt, 'just talk to her because I will be talking to Abbott tomorrow, especially if you continue acting like this.'

Before he could shoot a clever retort at her, she'd walked away, leaving Jane feeling annoyed and a little humiliated.

He knew that really Kim was right, and that she was quite clever for guessing correctly the reason behind his attitude. He also guessed that she was right about him going to speak to Lisbon.

There weren't many people left in the office in the next room: Kim, Abbott, Wiley and Cho. Lisbon wasn't there.

There wasn't any point staying at work now so Jane decided he better go out, get some fresh air, perhaps even catch something to eat. On his was out however, he passed a room in which Lisbon was sitting reading some paperwork… alone.

Was this his chance? Ought he to seize it?

Without really comprehending his actions, he made a beeline for her, joining her in the room. At the sound of the door opening Lisbon looked up. When she saw it was Jane, her eyes widened for the tiniest fraction of a second before she returned to her notes, pretending that his presence didn't make her feel awkward.

'Hey,' said Jane.

'What do you want,' said Lisbon, no emotion in her tone whatsoever.
Jane gulped, not really sure how to start his apology, 'I just wanted to say I'm sorry for-'

'Jane I'm going to stop you there,' Lisbon cut in, 'I don't know what you're game is but I'm tired of it okay.'
'No game,' said Jane indignantly, 'I'm trying to apologise.'

Lisbon shook her head, 'everything's a game with you.'

Jane frowned, 'what, you've known me for years now and that's all you can say about me?'
'Great job apologising,' grumbled Lisbon, quickly glancing at Jane before swiftly averting her eyes.

'No, no,' said Jane, desperately trying to rectify his mistake, 'I am sorry, I really am. I didn't mean for you to- I didn't mean to… you see, I'm not good at apologies.'

'Clearly,' said Lisbon coldly.

Jane wanted to tell her everything- about how he felt about her. But how could he? She wasn't even bothering to look at him; she was merely reading her paperwork though Jane noticed that her eyes were not moving as she supposedly read through the writing.

Jane felt like someone was tearing his soul up. Once upon a time, Lisbon had been infatuated with him, had admired his every move.

Had he just abused that? Was it too late to make things right?

It was official; Marcus was the one who enthralled her. Not Jane.

Nevertheless, Jane still tried his best to express his regret, 'I just wanted to say that, what we said- what I said- earlier. I didn't mean any of it. I'm just used to you and you not being here is certainly going to get some taking used to… for the love of god will you at least look at me?' The last few words came tumbling out of him before he could help himself, sounding harsh and loud- so much so that they did indeed make Lisbon look up, apparently surprised.

'I'm sorry,' said Jane immediately, 'goddamit Lisbon.' He was absentmindedly shuffling his feet.

'What the hell is up with you?' shouted Lisbon.

Jane eyed her. Did he have it in him to tell her the truth?

He guessed she did deserve the truth…