A/N: Hello, lovelies! I spent some time mapping out the rest of this story, that's why the update took a bit longer. Again thank you so much for all the reviews and alerts! They keep me motivated! Anyways, really I just have to comment that yes, it's still prior to the fight in chapter 1. I just didn't feel the need to name down the time leading to it before every chapter.

Disclaimer: I own not, the Mentalist. I do however own, all and any mistakes and errors! (Haha, like how I misspelled Wainwright at first!)

Anywho...

As it turns out making a plan behind Jane's back was pretty easy. Lisbon had never noticed before how much time they spent together relatively silent. Not to say they didn't banter and all, but for the most part they were always busy in their own worlds. In fact most of the time that they spent together was with Jane catnapping or listening to his IPod, while she worked on some paperwork. As long as she kept her mouth shut about anything Wainwright or Darcy, she was sure she wouldn't give it away.

Lisbon wasn't a simpleton though; she knew that Jane knew that she was keeping something from him. The agent even figured he knew, about what she was nervous about in a general sense. However, if he knew how serious it all was, he'd not be thrilled. The repercussions of her actions if she failed alone possibly would send him over the edge. Jane never had taken to other bosses well, especially after he'd met and had her as a boss. This is what kept her certain that he had no idea what was going on.

Xxx

A cop's living quarters was never very homey. Teresa Lisbon acknowledged this fact dismally; agent's homes were never comfy cozy because unfortunately the owners never seemed to get to live in them. She still had boxes to unpack from at least 8 years ago when she'd moved to Sacramento; her cupboards were usually barren from the lack of time to grocery shop for much else then junk food. The only reason her living room remained immaculate was because she barely got to sit in it other than the rare two-day weekend, in which she'd dust like crazy and straighten the place like the anxious person she was.

Currently, she was in one of those crazed moments, when one scrubs and disinfects things that have no need to be cleaned a third time. One of those moments caused by the pressures of everyday life coupled with the new stress, a private, illegal investigation on a Fed can bring. Yeah, she was investigating Darcy. Digging as far back and as deep into the woman's life as she could without raising suspicion from the federal bureau, so far after a week of excavating, she had little to nothing on the bitch. Frustration and lack of resources was starting to get to her. She soon realized that perhaps some of the less honorable sleuthing techniques that Bosco had taught her, might be the right direction to take. A fact she loathed and appreciated at the same time. It would figure that in order to save the pig-headed mentalist, she'd have to in turn use some manipulation of her own.

Throwing herself onto her couch, she grabbed her phone. This was her first Friday night off in weeks, and she intended to inquire about a certain FBI agent with a close friend. However, like so many things, fate had a different course in mind for her. Or more accurately Patrick Jane did. The woman frowned a second as her phone began ringing, the familiar name showing up on her caller id. Contemplating her options she chose to answer it.

"Lisbon." She answered calmly.

"Hey, what are you up to? I was wondering if you wanted to go get dinner with me tonight. It's weird not being together on a Friday night, murder or not." Jane's sleepy voice questioned hopefully. Lisbon knew she shouldn't, she knew she should stay away so she couldn't give away anything on accident, but…

"I'm not doing anything really, I just got done cleaning. Where do you want to go?"

"Really, cleaning? Lisbon dear, your apartment isn't even messy. What are you straightening for?"

"How do you know it isn't messy? Why would I clean if it didn't need it? Sheesh, Jane—"

"Alright, alright woman, I'll be there at 7!"

"Whoa! Wait," The line disconnected, "…I don't want you to drive." She muttered to herself, pouting.

Sighing, she decided she'd check her mailbox and then maybe try to put on some make up and do something with her hair before Jane popped out of nowhere at her front door. She had no doubt he was already on his way and would show up well before 7:00. That just seemed to be how her luck was going these days. As Lisbon retrieved her mail from the box outside her door, she was thoroughly surprised. A big thick manila colored envelope seemingly filled with papers, no return address to be seen. Passing it off as nothing too important, she set it on her counter for later inspection. For now she had an email to write and send for that special friend of hers.

Xxx

Just as she was collecting her purse, concealed weapon, and shoes, the knock sounded at her door. Rushing over, she opened the door before Patrick Jane decided it would be easier to pick her lock then wait. She was rewarded by a cheeky patented con-artist's smile, to which she raised her brow toward.

"What are you so happy about? Did you find a new favorite tea or something?" Lisbon snarked.

"Nope, I just missed you." He quipped. Now giving him an eye roll, Teresa shook her head.

"Jane, you were just with me at the office a little over two hours ago!" She exclaimed, catching hold of her jacket while moving toward the door.

"Well yeah, but now compare that to how much I see you on a daily basis, I hardly go a day without you! Two hours is an awfully long while—"

"You go off on your own all the time, Jane. Plenty of times you've left me for longer than 2 measly hours!"

"Oh! But Lisbon! Never out of a desire to get away from you!" He smiled knowingly.

"Oh, really? That's too bad, because I know I leave to get away from you a lot of times, often to 'brief' Wainwright or go get coffee." As much as the boss could be a bit forward, she really did go to him to escape Jane sometimes.

"Oh, now you're just trying to wound me, Lisbon. I'm used to being overlooked and ignored for caffeinated hot drinks, but Wainwright? Really?" He groused, guiding them out to the Citroen, with a hand as usual on her back.

xxx

After much debate, they'd decided on a simple local Mexican joint not too far from the docks making for a long car ride, a car ride that went from comfortable and uplifting, to irritating quickly. Again they were being watched, her actions the other day had stopped the Feds from following her about, but that didn't mean anything about Jane. However, she resolved to let it go, the last thing she wanted was to draw more attention to Patrick Jane.

"It's alright, Lisbon. I promise it will all work out." Her friend tapped her on the knee, trying to be reassuring. Of course he knew what she'd gotten quiet and anxious for. The man was a genius after all, damn him.

Xxx

Somehow during their dinner Teresa had forgotten all about her troubles and actually relaxed for the first time in weeks, simply enjoying herself. Jane could be the most arrogant, pig-headed, jack-in-the-box when he wanted to be, but he was always good to her. She knew that logically, and that's why the woman was fighting so hard to protect him.

"Lisbon?" Jane said, soberly, effectively dampening the mood with his serious face. He was staring into her eyes like they were the only two in the room. She gulped, he knew something was wrong and now was going to harp on her. "I know that you're distressed. I know that you are trying to think of something you can do to help me, and I'm not harping on you, but I need you to let it lay." She slumped; of course he'd take a wonderful evening full of banter and laughs and turn it into a battle of the wills instead.

"Jane… You know how I am. I'm going to worry, you can't change that. I know I can't do anything, but that doesn't I shouldn't be concerned. Because I am, always." It wasn't exactly true, she was in the works of doing something, but she was always worrying about him, and figured it was enough of a half-truth that it may go under the Jane-senses radar. The man simply looked at her in barely concealed suspicion and anxiety, though she had no idea why he'd be the anxious one.

"Alright, Lisbon I suppose you're right. You are a mother hen at heart as we all know." He smirked as his teasing remark hit her, and she laughed.

"Shut up! You're so full of-"She was interrupted as once again her phone began ringing. As her eyes alighted on the screen, the name made her beam, he was already getting back to her which meant he'd read the email! Holding an index finger up to silence Jane, she immediately picked up. Standing to walk away she exclaimed, "Walter! I'm so glad you called!" She didn't miss how a pair of intense sea-blue eyes followed her every move as she took her conversation outside. Nor the pitter-patter her heart made when she peered over her shoulder to meet Patrick Jane's now heated expression.

A/N: Tell me what you think! :) Also, anyone else totally bored without a new Mentalist on tonight? :/ Haha