Visitor
A week passed in the detention suite. Jane knew the FBI was playing chicken with him, trying to let the isolation and threat of jailtime build up enough to make him relent. But he knew that eventually they would be the ones to give in; no matter how nonchalant they tried to play it; it was clear to him that they needed him for something. And whatever it was, it was too important to give up over a squabble over terms.
He was enjoying a cup of tea and reading a book Cho had lent him, when there was a knock on the door. The guard unlocked and opened the door without waiting for an answer, revealing a (not wholly unexpected) guest.
Lisbon had her hands in her pockets and a gloomy look on her face. Clearly this was a coerced visit then, an attempt by Abbott to entice him into the deal. "A visitor. Splendid." He smiled, truly happy to see her again regardless of the circumstances. "Not a willing one, based on the posture."
Lisbon responded by mockingly straightened up her stance, raised her chin and jutted out her chest in a silly faux power stance. It was a good sign she was joking with him. He had a feeling she was a little peeved with his undisclosed involvement of her in his terms.
"That's a little better." He said with a smile. "They send you here to try and entice me? Butter me up?"
"Guess so." The dimple in her cheek appeared, which was reassuring. There was only one chair in the room and he was sitting in it, so she sat down on the end of the twin-sized bed across from him. She looked him up and down with empathetic concern, a look he had seen on her face so many times through the years. "It's good to see you. How are you holding up?"
"Ah, you know what incarceration is like."
She arched a brow. "Not really?"
"Well, there's no need to pretend, Lisbon. We're both in the same predicament."
"How is that? I have a home and a respected career. You're locked up for murder." She quipped. They fell back into this playful back-and-forth so naturally. Like no time had passed.
"Meh." He shrugged. "You're splitting hairs. We're both trapped."
"Oh? How am I trapped?"
"You're living in Chicago."
"I love Chicago!"
"High voice." He pointed out impishly - an obvious tell.
"I'm from Chicago."
"Meh. You never wanted to stay in your hometown. I bet you've just been itching to run since the moment you got there."
Lisbon shook her head smiling with amusement but changed the subject instead of continuing their little discord. "You're right - Abbott did send me here to talk to you. Why are you being so stubborn? The FBI is offering you a get-out-of-jail-free card."
"You make that sound like a good thing."
"Isn't it?"
"Not on their terms. If I can't live on my own terms, I'm in prison anyway. Might as well just stay in this cozy little detention suite."
Her jaw clenched as soon as he said the word 'terms' and he knew he hit a nerve. "Speaking of your terms, Jane, I think we need to talk about that. I don't appreciate you making calls on my career. You can't just make those kinds of decisions for me. It's my life."
"I'm sorry. I knew you wouldn't be happy with that. But I promise I have a good reason. You just need to trust me."
"Trust you." She scoffed. "How about instead of blind trust, you just start being honest with me? We used to be partners. If you're wanting to work with me again, I'm going to need you to trust me. Tell me what's happening."
Jane swallowed. The non-disclosure of his plans had always been a sore point in their partnership. He had always told himself it was necessary to protect her. To afford her plausible deniability and shield her from the negative consequences of his actions (not that that ever worked anyway). But, if he was honest, he knew a large part of it was that he was also just a secretive person. Perhaps it was a side effect of his rearing in show business. Or perhaps he just enjoyed seeming mysterious. He knew that if he wanted Lisbon to join him in the FBI he would have to make a gesture of good faith. But he also knew that there was no way this detention suite was totally private. It was almost certainly being monitored, and he couldn't be sure he could trust who was listening. They needed to be careful with what was said here.
Jane set his mug onto the side table and leaned forward towards her, speaking in a whisper: "Why do you think they brought me here? Offered me this job?"
"You close cases." Lisbon shrugged. "It's good for stats."
"It's more than that. They brought me here for a reason. Something big, important, that they are desperate enough to solve to go looking for me."
"Blake." She whispered before he had the chance to say it himself.
He appraised her face carefully. "You've suspected? Did something happen?"
"No. I've just had a bad feeling. Thought I was just being paranoid." Jane could see there was more to tell but didn't press her. She was hesitant, wringing her hands in her lap. She was having the same concern of potentially being listened in on. "Did Abbott say anything? Are you sure that's what this is?"
"No. Just a hunch. But if it's true, this involves all of us. I wouldn't want to work it without you. And I know you'd want to finish the job too."
She gave a heavy sigh, leaning back against the wall behind his bed. The way she was sitting made Jane think of how he had sat with an imaginary version of her after he drank Belladonna tea on the island. The memory made him feel vulnerable and uncomfortable.
"So, you'll stay?"
After a long pause, she nodded slowly. "I guess. Abbott did make me an offer. Besides – who else is going to keep you out of trouble." She offered a little smile.
"Good. Great. Glad to have you back, partner." He said, beaming.
She slapped her hands onto her thighs and sat up, slinging her bag around her shoulder. "Since we've cleared that up. Abbott sent me here because he needs you on a case."
"Now?"
"Now. So, get your ass out of the chair and let's go."
With a broad grin, he hoisted himself up, making a show of the effort. "Yes, boss. Whatever you say." The warm, playful mood restored, he followed closely behind as she lead them out – off to work.