Chapter 5

Jane kept the kiss simple, no tongues, no schmaltz, just a simple kiss. Initially, Lisbon responded with a muffled whimper, tensing as if to spring off the sofa at any minute. Then, as the kiss went on, she relaxed, running one small hand around his head to tangle in his wild mop of blonde curls, and curving the other around the back of his neck. At length, they broke, both breathing heavily. Lisbon stared at him for a few beats, pupils dilated and looking a bit dizzy. Finally, as she came back to herself, she spoke.

"Oh, boy." Jane smiled at her choice of words.

"Well, yes, in a sense, I suppose, although 'man' might be a more appropriate choice of words." he teased her gently. When Lisbon did not respond beyond a continued stare, Jane began to worry.

"Teresa? You OK?" She nodded. "Good. Can we…can I kiss you again, then?" Another nod. Jane chuckled softly at her bemusement. His strong, unflappable Teresa, speechless. "C'mere, woman." Jane pulled her petite form into his lap, straddling him with one knee on either side of his thighs. Tipping her chin up, her lightly nuzzled her face with the tip of his nose. He feathered kisses on her forehead, her closed eyelids, the tip of her own nose, and finally her lips. Feeling her open for him, Jane swept the tip of his tongue inside her mouth, tasting her sweetness for the first time. The action lit a fire within Lisbon. She raised herself onto her knees, forcing him to tilt his head back to avoid breaking the kiss. Lisbon had both hands knotted in his hair, the tug almost painful but oh, so sweet. The kiss broke with a gasp.

"Oh, wow. We should have done that sooner." Lisbon broke into a giggle that Jane soon accompanied. At length, he regarded her with a serious look.

"Are we good? No second thoughts?" he asked with a hopeful edge to his voice.

"All good. I'll never look at you the same way again, but all good." Lisbon sighed, still running her fingers through his curls. "Um, how are we going to handle this, though? At work?"

"Well, I thought the first thing we should do is get caught making out by the team, you know, to get it all out in the open. Then, maybe we should shoot for Bertram walking in on us. Just to round it all out." Jane winced as the sofa cushion Lisbon swung caught his temple.

"That's not what I meant!"

"Leave off, woman. OW! I was kidding!" Jane effectively snatched the pillow from her and threw it over the back of the sofa. "We're both adults. No reason for anyone to suspect anything if we don't want them to. Of course, we could just call the whole thing off…"

"Not on your life. Not now that I've discovered your not-so-little secret." Lisbon gave a suggestive bounce on Jane's lap, against his throbbing erection, for emphasis. Jane grabbed her by the hips, pinning her in place.

"Enough. My biofeedback can only cope with so much, and I'm not rushing this. You deserve better than a wham-bam. I plan to take my time."

"So, we're agreed? This isn't just some passing thing?"

"Not even remotely."

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"Well, for once, I agree with you." Lisbon spoke from where her head was pillowed on Jane's lap.

"In what way?"

"He is an idiot." They were back to the temporarily forgotten TV marathon.

"Yes, I thought we had established that already."

"If anyone, anyone, ever told me I had to have sex with my husband in front of them, just to prove I did, I'd…well, I don't know exactly what I'd do, but it wouldn't be pretty. And her. Poor girl. No wonder she turned into a, a…"

"Black widow?" Jane supplied.

"Well, can you blame her? Grrsh. Men!"

"Hey, easy, Teresa. I resemble that remark. Don't hit us all with that paintbrush." Jane eased her head off his lap. "You know what? Enough TV. You're getting emotionally overwrought and we need lunch."

"What time is it?"

"After noon, nearly one, I'd say. What would suit your taste? Nothing heavy, though. Save room for dinner."

"Dinner?"

"Dinner. Out. With me. Unless you have other plans, that is." Jane grinned at her baffled expression.

"You mean, like a date?" Lisbon was having trouble processing all this.

"Yes, like a date. At a restaurant owned by a very dear friend, where we are not likely to be seen or disturbed, and no one will talk until we get good and ready for them to. I hope we get to the point where we don't care. As far as work goes, I'm a consultant. I don't work under you. So, there's nothing they can say. Except maybe to question your sanity." Jane grinned even wider.

Lisbon finally returned the grin. "A date. Yeah, I think I'd like that. Is it a dressy place?"

"Not black tie, no, but it's not a shorts-and flip-flops place, either."

"I guess that means I have to change clothes, huh?"

"I'd say so, yes. Not that I'm minding seeing you in what you're wearing. I'll have to change, too. If Antonio saw me like this, he'd have a coronary. I don't think he's ever seen me out of a suit."

"Well, neither had I, until recently. And look at us. Both in our PJ's, and it's after noon."

"So? We're comfortable with each other. I think it's nice. Now, what for lunch? Sandwiches? Another episode?"

"Suits me. Then I'm going to wash my hair. If we're going out, I'm at least going to be clean."

"Oh, darn. I think I'd like dirty so much better." Jane's remark was rewarded by another bounce before Lisbon climbed off his lap and headed for the kitchen. He rose and followed after.

"White or wheat?" Lisbon held up two bread bags for his inspection.

"Wheat, please."

"Ham or turkey?"

"Turkey."

"What's your poison?" Lisbon gestured to the condiment rack in the fridge.

"Hmmm. Mustard and Provolone. You?"

"Sounds like a winner to me. Chips?"

"Please. Milk, water, or soda?"

"I want soda. I need caffeine desperately." Lisbon stopped at the sight of Jane's grin. "What?"

"Nothing." Jane shook his head. "It's like we've been doing this for years."

"Kind of like an old married couple, aren't we?"

"Exactly."

"Well, we've put up with each other for forever, it seems like. I guess it's just natural. Are you staying tonight?"

"Can I? Not too much trouble?"

"Of course not. Make the weekend if you want. Much as I hate to admit it, I kind of like having you around."

"Hate to admit it? Well. You wound me, woman. And after I sat through that drivel you wanted to watch."

"You watched it, too! Got pretty into it, as memory serves, too. So don't mount platitudes at me, Patrick Jane, or I'll…" she trailed off as Jane dropped another kiss on her protesting lips. He picked up their plates and gestured to the glasses.

"Oh, get the drinks and come on before I forget why I wanted to take this slow." He grinned at the huff behind him before ice clinking indicated she had done just that.

Next chapter will be a definite M, so please be warned. Reviews are love, guys! Thanks so much for reading!