Author: I wish I did my work as quickly as I did this chapter ¬¬'

For the first time Patrick Jane was nervous. He sat opposite Kristina, drumming his fingers on the soft cloth that covered the table between them. Out of the corner of his eye he thought he a flash of dark hair - Lisbon? His eyes flicked back to Kristina.

"She's happy that you're here," she said soothingly. In a moment of doubt Jane actually wondered if she was indeed psychic. He raised his eyebrows at her in confusion, urging for her to elaborate. She willingly obliged, "Your wife," she said quietly. Jane felt a wave of relief wash over him.

"... My wife," he repeated after her, "Yes... I felt her beside me... Happy"

Kristina smiled, though Jane felt sick. He couldn't believe that he'd just said that. He had considered everything with regards to Lisbon, including Red John; and including his wife. As every day came and went with no guarantee of catching the crazed killer Jane had come to realise that his time was slipping away. He'd never forget his wife, never, but that day in the attic, when Lisbon had followed him, he knew there was more to life than sinking into the clutches of despair. He looked up at Kristina and smiled.

"Can you pass the water?" he asked eyeing the small jug beside her hand, "Never mind I can manage" he stretched across the table reaching for the small handle. Kristina took hold of his hand and clamped it down on the table in front of her.

"Such a kind and loving man," she pondered staring at their hands. It suddenly dawned on Jane how bad of an idea this was.

He grinned nervously.

From the CBI car parked across the street Lisbon spat back into her coffee cup in shock. The attempt to plant the bugging device had failed, she was sure Jane had seen her, he couldn't have missed her. Teresa held a small pair of binoculars to her face. She swallowed hard, "Damn you Jane," she whispered.

Lisbon sat at her desk, face pressed down on the cool wood. She felt a small thud to the right of her face. Turning her head she came face to face with a hot cup of coffee. Even closer to her face a white paper bag was thrown down making her jump. The consultant greeted her with the biggest grin he'd produced to date.

"Morning"

"Jane... What are you doing here?" she asked groggily rising up from the desk.

Jane looked around casually, "I work here," he replied innocently.

"In my office, what are you doing in my office?" she stared hard at the door, "I locked the door..."

"Are you sure?" Jane followed her line of vision, "It looked open to me. Good night?"

"Does it look like it was a good night?" Lisbon narrowed her eyes and taking the first tingling sip of coffee.

"Well you're wearing the same suit as yesterday, no prework coffee in you, clearly, who's the lucky guy?"

"You don't know him"

"I may do," Jane insisted stuffing his hands in his pockets, "Try me"

"You don't know him Jane" Lisbon snapped.

"Alright..." Jane raised his hands up as if under arrest, "Lie to me all you want," he spun towards the door, calculating his steps, waiting for her protest for him to stay.

It never came.

He closed the door behind him suddenly aware of how out of control he was. No longer holding the cards. For the first time, doubting.

"Hmm," he shrugged venturing forth into the break area.

The white bag containing the 'good morning' muffin lay forgotten in the bin beside her desk. Lisbon proceeded to sip from the cup she'd prepared herself. The disposable cup Jane had brought for her lay cold to the side of her - still full. From now on, she was going to remain detached - shameful, yes - and in control - where she liked to be.

The images of Jane's date still haunted her. They whirled around her mind making her feel nauseous and cold. Oh how she wished she could be drunk right now and shut out the recurring flashes with the volatile liquid. No. She didn't need to do that, because she did NOT care about Jane, what did and who he did it with or anything else remotely related to that man! She let out a cry of frustration and launched her pen across the room.

Cho and Rigsby watched in stunned amusement as Lisbon fought furiously to close the blinds to her office. The usual sign for them not to disturb her.

"What's wrong with her?" Rigsby asked, the grin cancelled out any kind of concern his tone had displayed.

"Rough night," Cho said matter of factly turning back to his computer, "Same suit as yesterday, hair's a mess, black under the eyes"

"Maybe he like... Wham.. Bam.. Thank you... Ma..."

"I don't think so," Jane interjected appearing in the doorway. He dipped a tea bag calmly in and out of the cup he was holding, "Its a mistake on her part, she just never went home last night," The pair looked up at him with sudden interest.

"How do you know?" Cho demanded. Jane pointed simply to Van Pelts desk. Lisbon's own car keys sat next to the mouse.

"They haven't moved since yesterday," Jane said simply, "Maybe she was working through the night. Doubtful though, her desk was devoid of any paperwork and not a trace of overnight coffee top ups. The coffee machine was cold this morning meaning that it probably wasn't even switched on last night"

"So what did she do all night?" Rigsby asked.

"Good question" Jane grinned, "A gold star to whoever finds out first"