Interface - Sorry it's been a while. Classes have started back so it's a bit hectic.

The ride back to headquarters wasn't as bad as Lisbon had expected. In fact, it had almost been pleasant. Patrick Jane had pulled out all the subtle stoppers. Casually ruffling his blonde curls in the breeze coming from the open window. He'd smiled that big handsome smile that was enough to melt even the coldest of hearts.

Teresa Lisbon had obediently melted, much to her annoyance of course. Despite this it had been more pleasant than sitting in silence.

For that she was grateful.

Jane and Rigsby sat in interview room three opposite a young bald man decorated In many threatening tattoos and piercings. He sat peacefully with his eyes closed, slightly hunched in his relaxed state. Jane and Rigsby glanced at one another, Rigsby's eager expression urged Jane on.

"How about a cat?" Jane asked in his quiet, skilled voice. The man began to meow like a kitten, soft and gentle. Jane chuckled to himself, "He thinks his cat's a meanie... But it sounds quite tame to me" He lifted his cup to his lips.

Rigsby sniggered beside the consultant, hiding his laughter with the case file he was holding. Jane set his cup down with a small clink, "What about a dog?" he asked calmly. Puppy dog barks suddenly took over from the gentle kitten. Jane's grin widened, even more so when he heard Rigsby's laugh become louder beside him.

"How about he acts like himself?"

"Now you see that wouldn't work because I have to give the order," Jane replied turning in his seat to face the angry looking Lisbon.

She stood in the doorway looking like thunder. Rigsby, cowered under her glare.

Jane however, greeted her like a long lost friend, leading her towards the table with a gentle arm around her shoulder.

"You can't go hypnotising people Jane, it's illegal," she said curtly, snatching the file from Rigsby and flicking it open onto the desk.

"It's a waste of time," Jane protested lazily, "He had nothing to do with it"

"Well let's all just take your word for it!" she cried sarcastically, "We need evidence, alibi's, proof! Now, un-hypnotise him," she waited patiently for a second, "Now!"

"I hate when your right," she muttered marching back into her office, Jane at her heels.

"I'm not usually wrong," he shrugged flopping onto her sofa. He lay with his head furthest away from her, his legs draped loosely to the side and onto the floor, fingers, playing gently with the buttons of his waistcoat. Teresa's blank, day dreamy stare caught his attention. Jane grinned, waving a hand playfully, "Hi," he chuckled.

Lisbon shook her head to clear it – What just happened? She looked sheepishly up at Jane before shakily making an attempt to gain control. He eyed her suspiciously.

"Coffee?" he asked getting suddenly to his feet. Before she could register what was going on around her she'd had a hot cup shoved into her hands. Lisbon shrugged his prying fingers from her wrist before sitting down in front of her computer.

"Jane!" she snapped throwing her hands up, "Just... Just get out!"

The consultant put a hand to his chest, as if he were physically wounded by her outburst. Nevertheless, he left. The door clicked calmly behind him.

Lisbon lifted the coffee cup to her mouth several times failing to grasp the attention span to take even a small sip. This was clearly getting out of hand. She had worked with Patrick Jane for years, she did not find that man in slightest bit attractive. She knew how he worked, she knew what made him tick. She knew what gave him the strength to come to work every day.

And it wasn't her.

He always managed to get the whole team in trouble. He put their careers at risk. Every situation he created meant that she was one step closer to being fired. Yet she continued to save him. Every time.

She took up a pen and began to write. In the report she was creating she purposely failed to mention that Jane had hypnotised the suspect, again.

Teresa sighed. Why did she continue to cover for him? Why was he so important to her?

The last thing she would admit to, was the obvious. -

Patrick lay on his sofa with his tea cup and saucer balanced on his chest. He stared up at Elvis. He'd tried his best to read Theresa, and although she was giving off a few tell tale signs her pulse said something completely different. Patrick thought for a moment. He was no longer an expert in knowing what women wanted. The years had changed him. As much as he wanted to break down the barrier between him and the opposite sex, the task seemed impossible. He'd harnessed his gift and used it so often now that he could no longer see the especially simple things.

'It's safer this way' he told Elvis silently, 'Better to leave Lisbon alone'

His phone rang suddenly making him sit bolt upright. The caller ID made him grin. Kristina Frye.

"Kristina," he beamed into the phone, "Lunch? Well... Why not? What's that... ? You... You knew I'd say yes... I'm sure you did... Seven ? ... You knew I'd say seven... Sure you did... See you at seven" He pressed the call end button and sat a moment in silence. He stared hard at his feet laid out at the other end of the sofa. It was keeping Lisbon safe, so why not?

Lisbon had been not so absent-mindedly shuffling through papers on Van Pelt's desk. The conversation she heard made her heart sink - why did she feel like this?

Jane was moving on.

She felt happy for him - a little.

After all he'd been through he deserved a date with Kristina - maybe.

He may even get more out of the date than he planned - Now she was crying.

Not knowing which way to turn she opted for a quick escape to the bathroom.

Patrick never noticed that she'd been there.