Chapter - 3

Jane had insisted that he needed a cold shower before re-dressing. Adamant that he would not be left alone again, Lisbon personally escorted him to the wet room. It held two parallel rows of cubical showers, frosted glass doors prevented the occupants from being, viewed, by other members. Lisbon sat on the sinks, gently turning the cold tap on and off. She was incredibly annoyed with Jane. He made them all look unprofessional. He'd really gone to town on this one though. Naked, wearing nothing but a rather small white towel, in a sauna room with the club members who were supposed to be blissfully unaware of the situation going on around them. She was glad no one else knew about this. She'd have to work overtime to make sure this never leaked out.

"Jane what were you thinking?" she sighed at last.

"I was investigating," he replied from the shower cubical. Lisbon's voice was barely audible as the cold water sprayed down over his body. Jane was suddenly aware of how naked he was. He grinned widely turning the shower off. Lisbon turned the tap off once more; and wiped her freezing cold, wet hand on her trousers.

"Lisbon can you pass me a towel?" Jane's voice sounded slightly vulnerable from the small cubical he was confined to. The agent rolled her eyes as she snatched the towel from the bench in front of her. He held the door half open, his damp blonde locks peeking out at her cheerfully. Jane stretched an arm out to accept the towel. He could see Lisbon slowing into stunned mode. Her eyes looked his torso up and down with a flick of her eyes. It was quick. Hardly noticeable. But Jane could see everything. He always saw everything. Their eyes stayed locked, Lisbon now making every effort not to sneak at peak at his lower half pressed against the frosted glass.

"Thanks," Jane said quietly keeping his eyes fixed on her until he closed the door fully.

Lisbon's eyes were wide. Her mouth opened at the pure horror of what had just happened. She'd actually just 'checked out' Patrick Jane. Jane. The annoying consultant who made her life a misery every single day of her life. Who pulled ridiculous stunts on a daily basis which could cost her her job. Jane. Who was completely emotionally unavailable. Period.

But who looked pretty good post showered.

"Oh god." she murmured in panic retreating back to the safety of the sinks. She gripped its edges staring down the painfully well maintained plughole.

"Everything okay Lisbon?" She hadn't noticed him step out of the shower and towards his pile of clothes.

"Everything's fine. Jane... Get dressed" Lisbon stood a moment still peering aimlessly into the sink, she turned slowly to see where Jane was. He was being awfully quiet, even for him.

He knew she'd steal a second glance. That's why he'd waited. Jane began to loosen his towel, letting it fall quickly to the floor. He chuckled at how fast Lisbon had turned away. In control was exactly where he liked to be. Shaking his head he continued to dress, certain that Lisbon would not risk another eye full.

Lisbon's mouth was terribly dry now. Why had she turned around? Damn him, he knew she'd turn around. Her cheeks burned. She hadn't waited to see what would be revealed to her. The second his hand had tugged at the towel she'd shut her eyes tightly.

"Alright let's go" She felt a gentle tap on her elbow. Jane was already holding the door open when she turned. The flustered agent stormed past him, avoiding his smug expression.

"Go on then"

"Go on what?" Jane asked holding the door open for her politely.

"What did you find out?" Jane looked at her quizzically.

"Jane, tell me you at least did some digging while you were 'hanging out'"

"Uh, no. Not a thing" He beamed widely as he hopped happily down the marble steps.

"Where've you been?" Rigsby came marching out of the shrubbery to Jane's right.

"Testing a theory," Jane grinned.

"W... Well... Why is your hair wet?"

"It was a... a damp theory," he decided as he patted his colleagues shoulder firmly, "I'll be in the car," he added.

"Jane!" his boss' voice called, "Jane don't you walk away from me! Jane!"

The consultant waved casually over his shoulder as he continued down the driveway. Cho joined Rigsby, snapping off his latex gloves as he did. Lisbon rushed past them both, still yelling after Jane.

"Lovers tiff," Cho said flatly, "Let's go search the parking lot"

"He wasn't killed here," Jane said sleepily from back seat of the car.

"Oh really? And how do you know?" Lisbon propped herself up over the back of her seat to look down at him.

"Because I'd know about it already" He interlocked his fingers over his stomach letting out a huge yawn.

"Then where was he killed? Why is his car still here?"

"He was having an affair... The wife was holding her ring finger but she had no ring... a secret marriage. There was also no evidence of a struggle in the parking lot, no evidence that anyone broke into the building. He willingly left work, and must have willingly accepted a ride. Probably from his lover"

Lisbon frowned at him, "Where's the proof Jane?"

"The wife knows about the affair" Jane said calmly. He opened his eyes in time to see Lisbon's confused expression peering down at him, "She knows," he repeated wearing his best 'honest' face, "Now can we go back to CBI? I really want my couch... This is... lumpy..." He prodded the seat he laying on. Lisbon's hands and fingers itched, she could quite happily strangle him right now.

At their Headquarters Jane carefully prepared himself a cup of tea, dunking the teabag in and out the required number of times before finding his way back to his couch. He was greeted by the confused faces of the team and an angry looking Lisbon.

"What?" he asked after a calculated sip of his tea. Lisbon pointed a stern finger at Van Pelt's computer screen. It was footage from the Sauna CCTV camera, "Whoa turn it off," he winced shielding his eyes, "Who was that?"

"That was you!" Lisbon scalded, "They want to know why a CBI agent was helping himself to the facilities in the middle of a murder investigation!"

"I'm not an agent," Jane corrected, "I'm a consultant"

"Jane!" Lisbon cried, "I have to go in there," she pointing vaguely of out the office, "And fight for our jobs now! You crossed a line Jane! I hope you're happy with yourself!"