A/N: So, I had to do something while I was waiting for the new episode, so here's another chapter, making that my third this week. Keep up, will ya?

Chapter 3

"You're an idiot," Cho told Jane, grabbing the binoculars right out of his hands and putting them to his dark eyes. They were sitting across the street from the Tower Café in Cho's low-slung, black sportscar, surveiling Lisbon and her brunch date, Clive.

"I know. And I'm also a bastard and a dumbass—or so you said when I pounded on your door an hour ago."

Cho adjusted the magnification and zeroed in on the innocent-looking scene. Lisbon seemed to be enjoying herself, and her companion didn't appear too nefarious, at least from this distance. But did anyone look nefarious eating a spinach omelet?

"Doesn't Rigsby live closer to you?" Cho asked, the closest to annoyed Jane had ever heard the man.

"You mean involve Dudley Do-Right? I don't think so. Guys like you and me know the ways of the world, Cho. The hidden underbelly of evil and corruption."

"Uh-huh," he replied blandly.

"Look," Jane continued, "all we need to do is catch Clive doing something illegal and you can arrest him."

"Nothing illegal about Sunday brunch."

"He wants something from her," Jane countered. "I know it's not her money, so it has to be something else."

Cho lowered the binoculars. "Have you considered confessing to Lisbon? She'd kick his ass. Right after she kicked yours."

"I'd prefer a scenario where my ass is not being kicked."

Cho shrugged. "I'd say that's already a foregone conclusion."

A thought struck Jane. "You could kick Clive's ass. Just threaten to arrest him and run him out of town."

"We're the CBI, not the mafia."

Jane grinned. "An honest mistake."

"I could arrest you, though."

"Me? Why?" asked Jane.

"Paying a conman to defraud a state agent. That's the only law I know that's been broken here."

Jane had no argument for that. He held out his hand for his turn with the binoculars.

Jane observed the pair for a few moments in silence. His blood had been at a slow simmer since the night before, and now, as he watched Clive's hand casually resting atop Lisbon's on the table, watched him lean closer to her ear as he shared some amusing tidbit, it went straight up to a rolling boil. His lips formed into a tight line.

"How long you plan on doing this?" Cho asked. "It's laundry day."

"After they finish eating, we'll follow him and see what he does. Tomorrow we can keep an eye on Lisbon at work, but he might be planning to make his move today. He knows it's only a matter of time until Lisbon finds out he's not really with the SA, so whatever he's planning, it has to come together soon. I know this guy, know how he operates."

"I can see now why you'd set up such a sweet guy with the boss," Cho commented dryly. "You could have called me for help. I have friends."

"I think we've established that I'm an idiot," said Jane, lowering the binoculars. "Looks like they're leaving."

The couple walked out of the café, Clive's hand slipping to Lisbon's lower back to guide her through the al fresco tables and out to the sidewalk. Instead of helping Lisbon into her car, however, Clive took her to his.

"She's going with him?" Jane said in disbelief. "She doesn't even know this guy."

Cho didn't bother to point out that all of this was Jane's own fault.

They waited for Clive to drive out into traffic, before Cho started the car and followed, a few cars between them. They drove directly to Lisbon's apartment complex. Cho was an expert at tailing, so they managed to go undetected while Clive parked in the lot and he opened the car door for Lisbon. They were laughing as they made their way to her apartment.

"Shit,"said Jane under his breath. He tried to reassure himself. "Maybe she just needed a sweater or something."

"It's seventy-five degrees," Cho reasoned.

"Shit."

"Now what?" Cho asked.

"I'll give them ten minutes, and if they don't come back out, I'm goin' in."

"What are you gonna tell her?"

"I don't know; I'll think of something. If that fails, I'll tell her the truth, then…duck."

Ten minutes passed and Jane moved to get out of the car. He paused, hand on the door latch. "If we both show up on her doorstep, it might look very official," he ventured hopefully.

"I'm not lying for you," Cho told him.

"Fine, but I might need you for backup if things get ugly."

"You ever know this guy to become violent?" Cho asked, his hand going to his sidearm in sudden concern.

Jane smiled. "I was talking about Lisbon."

Cho's lips quirked and he turned his face forward, while Jane walked over to Lisbon's door.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lisbon was just tucking her grey t-shirt into her jeans when a knock came on her door. She walked out of her bedroom past Clive, who was making himself comfortable on her livingroom sofa.

"I wonder who this could be," she said aloud, smiling at her guest. She opened the door to a harried looking Jane.

"Oh, Lisbon. So glad you're here." And he threw himself into her arms.

Lisbon stumbled back a few steps with the impact, her arms sticking out awkwardly.

"Jane? What the hell-?"

"Sorry, Lisbon," he said, his face muffled by the silky hair at her nape. "Last night was just a little too much for me. I think I'm having a…a relapse or something. Can we talk? Please? I could really use a friend right now."

Clive rose from the sofa curiously, frowning at the spectacle of Jane practically slobbering over his new prospect.

"Of course…come in." She managed to extricate herself from his viselike hold to step aside so he could enter her home.

Upon seeing Clive, Jane stopped short. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you had company. Hello, Clive. I'll just—I'll go." He turned to leave.

"No! Don't be silly. Clive and I were just going to take a walk along the river. We just stopped here so I could change into some jeans. We're in no hurry, are we Clive?"

"No," Clive agreed reluctantly. "Of course not. Sorry you're not uh, well, Patrick."

Lisbon wondered at her date's mildly suspicious tone.

"It's nothing, really," replied Jane, suddenly sounding more nonchalant, but his eyes were darting everywhere but their eyes. Lisbon knew he was probably embarrassed by his emotional display. In truth, she was taken completely off guard by his uncharacteristic behavior. Maybe she'd pushed him too hard to go out last night.

"Jane, why don't you have a seat? I think I have some tea if you'd like some."

"That would be great, Lisbon. I'm really sorry to intrude…"

Lisbon went into her small kitchen, the door swinging closed behind her. Jane quickly walked over to stand in Clive's personal space, his face changing from sullen to furious in an instant.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he whispered harshly. "I told you your job was done."

"The job part is. I'm not on your payroll anymore, so I don't owe you anything. I'm here now for something more...personal."

"What do you want from her? Tell me, and I'll give you enough money to forget about it."

Clive chuckled softly. "You don't have enough money."

"Try me."

He looked tempted to confide in Jane for a moment, but he thought better of it and shook his head. "Sorry. This is a need only Teresa and her tight little body can fulfill."

"Chamomile or Oolong?" Lisbon called from the kitchen, making Jane nearly jump out of his skin.

"Oolong," he replied, his voice cracking slightly. He cleared his throat. "That would be great, thanks."

He turned back to Clive, his hands fisting around the man's lapels. "You listen to me, Clive, I know people that wouldn't think twice about making a two-bit grifter like you disappear. This is my last warning…"

Clive stepped back, pushing Jane's hands away and brushing at his jacket contemptuously. "Hands off, old buddy. This is Italian."

"Bullshit. It's a black market Armani knockoff. It's fake, just like everything about you."

Clive's expression suddenly lost all its amusement. His eyes became cold, shark like. "Well how did you get so superior all of a sudden? Working with the law instead of against it has made you lose your edge, Patty."

Jane blanched. Only his father had ever called him that, and Clive knew it. Jane's voice dropped to low and deadly levels.

"No, Clive, having my family butchered because of my own arrogance made me permanently lose my appetite for the business. You should get out of it too, before something bad happens to you."

"You threatening me…Patty?"

Just then, Lisbon re-entered the living room, and she immediately sensed the strangely heightened tension. Jane stepped back from his old partner, his eyes resting on his new one.

"Everything all right in here?" she asked guardedly.

"Yeah, sure," Clive answered, the smile expertly returning to his handsome face. "Patrick and I were just discussing old times."

"Uh-huh. Well. The water should be boiling any minute, Jane. Clive, can I have a word with you?"

"Of course."

Lisbon led Clive back to the kitchen, leaving Jane alone to take a shuddering breath. He pulled out his cell phone and punched in a hurried text to Cho.

You can go. All is well in here. I'll find my own way home. Thanks. I owe you.

Cho's reply came a second later.

Yes you do. 49ers tickets like you promised.

Fine, Jane texted back. He pocketed his phone, then strained to hear the private conversation going on in Lisbon's kitchen.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I'm sorry, Clive," Lisbon said with genuine regret. "Jane's been going through a rough patch lately and I think seeing people from his past has brought everything back for him. Can we maybe reschedule our walk?"

Clive's jaw clenched in annoyance, but he managed to give her a disappointed smile. "Sure. No problem. Patrick isn't quite the same man he used to be, is he?"

"I don't imagine he would be," Lisbon commented.

"May I see you for dinner tomorrow night?"

Lisbon dimpled. "Sure, if we don't have a new case or something. Call me."
"I will," he promised.

To Lisbon's surprise, he bent his head and pressed his warm lips gently to hers. Her eyelids fluttered closed. It felt nice, she thought, for his lips were full and sensual, but she was disappointed that she'd felt absolutely no spark. That may come in time, she told herself as he raised his handsome head and smiled into her eyes. I could certainly become used to this.

The teakettle whistled, and Lisbon turned off the stove and moved the kettle to a cool burner.

"You go ahead and make Patrick's tea," he told her. "I'll show myself out."

"Okay." She reached a hand out to touch his arm. "Thank you for brunch. I had a nice time."

"As did I, Teresa. Until tomorrow." With one more long look of appreciation, Clive strode from her kitchen.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Clive attempted to walk on past Jane, but he was foiled, of course.

"I hope you said good-bye, because you won't be seeing her anymore."

"I don't know why you keep saying that, Patty. It just doesn't seem to be working for you."

He shut the door on Jane's final rejoinder.

Lisbon brought in a small tray with tea for two, which she set on the coffee table in front of him. Jane looked up at her gratefully. When Lisbon had opened the door to him, his impassioned greeting had been an act, of course, a ruse designed to expel Clive from her apartment. Now, however, Jane began to feel like maybe his reaction to seeing her wasn't too far from the truth.

It had certainly been a long, emotional week for him, and now, with Clive's reappearance in his life, added on to several sleepless nights, he was suddenly feeling completely drained. But being in Lisbon's compassionate presence was a balm to his tortured soul.

Lisbon joined him on the couch and watched with concern the slight tremble of Jane's hand as he reached for the small pitcher of milk.

"Are you all right?" she asked softly.

"No," he said truthfully. He looked up at her worried face and smiled a little. "But I will be," he reassured her, because he hated it when that line appeared between her eyebrows. He poured the milk in his cup, then the tea, the comforting ritual soothing his frayed nerves.

Lisbon tried to be patient, to wait for him to start talking, but she had too many questions. So, after he'd finished preparing his tea the way he liked it, she could hold her tongue no longer.

"Tell me the truth, Jane. What's going on between you and Clive?"

She thought she detected a brief widening of his eyes, but he schooled his features and took a tentative sip of the hot beverage. "You know how it is with old friends. Sometimes not all the water makes it under the bridge. It's nothing for you to worry about. I'm glad you seem to be enjoying his company, and I am sorry I ruined your plans."

"It didn't seem like nothing to me. I felt like I'd interrupted the beginning of a brawl."

Jane still seemed evasive. "Nonsense; your cop senses are just working overtime. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now and I just…couldn't be alone today. Can we just sit here and drink our tea for awhile? I know I'm already starting to feel much better."

"Wouldn't it help if you talked about everything? I know I'm no psychiatrist, but then, that might be a good thing, right?" She gave him a tentative smile of encouragement.

He was tempted to spill his guts to her, but he didn't know the first place to start. She knew what had happened with Sophie already, minus some of the more unpleasant, unshareable details, and he'd confessed to her about his long-ago hospital stay. But the things that were bothering him now—his dilemma with Clive and his oddly possessive feelings toward her—weren't things he was prepared to discuss, least of all with her.

"It might be more helpful to try to forget for awhile," he told her. "I'm tired of thinking about everything."

She sighed and sipped her own tea. She knew he was hiding something from her, but there was enough truth in his eyes that she believed he was in fact in some sort of misery. "Okay. What would you like to talk about instead?" And so she'd appease him, at least for now.

"You," he said without thinking. It was the first thing that came to his mind. He knew her very well after five years, knew her smiles, her scowls, her looks of anger and stubbornness. He'd always been intrigued by what really made her tick though, and this seemed like a golden opportunity to delve more deeply into the mystery that was Teresa Lisbon. He found that getting to know her better was more than idle curiosity now.

"Tell me a story from your childhood."

Her eyes narrowed. "Why? Don't try to get your mind off your problems by 'mentalizing' me." She held up her fingers, forming air quotes around the term.

Jane grinned, set down his teacup and leaned back more comfortably against her overstuffed couch. "I wouldn't think of it, Lisbon."

"I don't believe you."

He sighed, turning his face toward her. She looked so beautiful, he thought almost absently. She'd applied a little more makeup than she normally did for daytime (he tried not to think that it had been for Clive's benefit), and her hair hung in its usual style, falling in a smooth chestnut cascade to her neck. Her lips were pink and decidedly kissable. He closed his eyes quickly, lest she see the surprising direction of his thoughts.

"Okay, tell me any story. I'll just sit here and listen to your dulcet tones if you don't mind."

She studied his face, the lines around his eyes even more pronounced with exhaustion and strain. His blonde hair looked even more disheveled than usual, like he'd run his fingers through it in agitation, and his jacket was missing, so he wore only his grey vest over her favorite light-blue shirt he wore. Seeing him this way tore at her heart in a way she didn't want to admit, but he was keeping things from her, and she wanted it to stop, for both their peace of mind. She took a soft, fortifying breath and began telling a familiar tale.

"Once there was a little boy who was sent to tend the village sheep, and he was warned to call out if a wolf ever came near—"

"Lisbon," he interrupted, grinning in spite of himself.

"Oh, sorry," she said dryly. "You've probably heard that one."

"Yeah, a time or two."

"Okay, then…let me see. There was once a puppet who dreamed of becoming a real boy. Only problem was, he had this strange nose-growing problem…"

He laughed. "I think that one's based on my own real life story."

"How about: 'And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, "Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice." And he went out, and wept bitterly.'"

"I detect a theme here," he said dryly.

Jane felt the shocking warmth of her hand on his knee, even through his slacks. His eyes flew open again to meet her cool green gaze.

"Tell me the truth, Jane," she repeated. "Why did you really show up on my doorstep unannounced and literally throw yourself at me? Anyone else, I would believe it, but you…you're up to something, and I think you should man up and tell me."

Jane's mind swirled with all the possible things he might say. Here was his opportunity to confess his arrangement with Clive. She seemed calm and only a little annoyed at the moment, so maybe she wouldn't punch him too hard if he told her. She might even end up being understanding. Or, he could spare a beating and tell her another truth that would be slightly less physically punishing, though potentially even riskier emotionally. In the end, because he was Patrick Jane, he took the risk.

"When I saw you with Clive," he said, his eyes serious, honest. "I didn't like it."

"What?" she asked, tensing at the uncomfortable turn of the conversation.

"You heard me. I was jealous. And I didn't like feeling that way. It was…terrifying."

"Jane—" she began, looking at him like he'd sprouted horns and a tail. "This isn't funny."

"No, Lisbon," he told her, his hand moving to cover hers where it still rested on his knee. "It isn't funny at all."

A/N: So, what do you say? Too twisty and turny? I promise, there's a method to my madness, and it will eventually lead to lots of Jisbony goodness. I have my fingers crossed that you'll click that review button and give me some much welcome feedback! Thanks for reading.

P.S.: If you've posted a review and haven't heard back from me, it's likely because you either didn't log on or you have your PM capabilities turned off. I nearly always answer logged on reviews!

P.P.S.S.: Please put me on alert so you'll know when I post my new tag after this week's episode. Thanks!