A/N: I'm so pleased with all the positive response to this story. I know I'm behind (as usual) on reviews, but I promise to get to them very soon. I do appreciate each and every one. By the way, if you have given a signed review but you haven't heard from me, you might have your PM capabilities turned off. I reply to every signed review it's possible for me to answer (eventually, lol)! Thanks so much!
Now, on to…
Chapter 6
Jane had called Lisbon an hour before her date with Clive and insisted she wear a wire and an earpiece.
"I need a warrant for that," she reminded him impatiently.
"Meh. We just won't record what he says. It'll be for my listening pleasure only."
"I sometimes think it is your goal in life to get me fired."
"Of course," he said dryly, "though It's actually my second goal."
She sighed into the phone and he could just see her pinching her nose in that cute, repressed way she had sometimes.
"It'll keep me from coming into the restaurant, which you know I'll do if I get too antsy."
"The deal was for you to wait for my signal—"
"I'm really not good at sticking to the rules, Lisbon."
He could practically hear her thinking across the airwaves. He began to feel a familiar, satisfied sensation, as one might when one has hooked a big fish and is reeling it slowly to the shore.
"Fine. But anything he says while being recorded is inadmissible in court."
"They'll just have to rely on the word of California's best CBI agent while we conveniently leave out anything about using a wire." Throwing in a compliment always tended to grease the wheels a bit. Well, with most people, that is.
"Quit with the flattery, Jane. I said yes, but I don't have to like it."
"That's my girl," said Jane with more than a touch of annoying condescension.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Forty-five minutes later, Lisbon came out of her apartment to meet Jane in the parking lot, where he stood, casually leaning against his blue Citroen. She thrust a small receiver at him and he smiled his appreciation, tossing the equipment in through his open car window. Then he took in the little black dress she wore, how tight and low cut it was, and his smile took a decidedly wicked turn. His pulse hitched in unfamiliar, though welcome desire.
"Where could you possibly be wearing a wire?" he asked, his voice low and husky. He made a show of closely examining her, his eyes sweeping from the top of her shining brown hair, down to her sexy high heels, then back up to her lovely green eyes. She shivered at his blatant perusal of her cleavage.
"How could it possibly matter where it is?" she asked him, but instead of the chastising tone she was aiming for, her voice came out as low and seductive as his was.
He shrugged. "Just curious." He reached out a hand to try to frisk her for it, but she stepped out of reach.
"We're working tonight, and I need to focus on the job."
He grinned at how he was making her as off-kilter as he was in her presence.
"You need to move your car and stay out of sight," she warned him. "Clive could be here any minute."
He didn't stir. "Clive is never early." He was enjoying watching her, analyzing her reaction to him and allowing himself to fully experience his own reactions to her reactions. It was a dizzying, yet keenly exciting prospect. She was meeting his eyes bravely, and his own flicked down to see how her chest rose and fell in a decidedly rapid manner.
"I can't stop thinking about it either," he commiserated quietly.
"Well we need to," she said, not bothering to deny his suspicion, or to cover her slight breathlessness. "And when you look at me that way, you make things much more…difficult."
"Maybe if I kissed you, got it out of our systems for awhile—" He made a determined step toward her.
She laughed, holding up her hands and stepping back again. "Nice try. Now get in your car and scoot. And Jane, for the love of God, stick to the plan, will ya?"
"I'll do my best, Lisbon," he said, then, with one more disconcerting sweep of his eyes over her body, he eased himself gingerly into his car (mindful of the pain frozen peas just couldn't erase) and drove away to lay in wait for Clive.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jane had driven with Cho enough to know how to effectively tail someone, so he stayed a safe distance behind Clive's Porsche convertible as they drove to the restaurant on the edge of the city. Three French Hens was pretty fancy, with valet parking and everything. Clive is really going all out. He must want something really badly for that cheapskate to shell out the cash like this. Jane's jaw tightened as he parked across the street in a deserted office building lot and settled in to listen.
He'd clearly heard Lisbon and Clive's conversation on the way over through his headset. Just small talk about French cuisine, Sacramento tourist attractions, and more of Clive's put-on lawyerese. Lisbon played along well, never once giving away that she knew what a slimeball conman he was. The fact that Jane was being decidedly hypocritical about him was neither here nor there.
"This is lovely," Lisbon was saying as the hostess seated them.
"It is, isn't it," said Clive, the fake Irish accent firmly in place. "It's much fancier than me ol' pubs back home." Jane clicked on the transmitter so that now she could hear him as well.
"Can you hear my eyes rolling, Lisbon?" he asked.
"Uh, yeah," Lisbon said, as if replying to Clive.
There were the usual noises of the waiter filling their water glasses, drink orders given, menus offered and the specials recited.
"Everything sounds so wonderful, I have no idea what to order," said Lisbon, obviously looking at her menu.
"The cassoulet is usually good," Jane suggested in her ear.
"Hush," she said softly, and Jane grinned.
Clive had a suggestion of his own. "Have you ever had escargot? I know it sounds clichéd to order that at a French restaurant, but it really is quite tasty."
"Boy, he's laying it on thick," Jane commented.
"I think I'll have the cassoulet and a salad," Lisbon decided aloud, and Jane softly chuckled.
The waiter returned and took their orders, and the boring (to Jane) small talk continued. The soft sound of Lisbon buttering her bread made Jane remember he hadn't eaten.
"Can you bring me a doggy bag?" he asked Lisbon, over the sound of his growling stomach.
When their meal arrived, Lisbon moaned aloud at her first bite, then proceeded to make various other appreciative noises in her throat as Jane listened, closing his eyes at the sounds of ecstasy she made.
"You know, Teresa," he whispered, "you make similar noises when I'm kissing you senseless."
On the other end of the wire, she coughed suddenly, and he could hear her reaching for her water.
"Are you quite all right, Teresa?" asked Clive with his most sincere sounding concern.
"Yes," she croaked. "Something just went down the wrong way," she said meaningfully, and Jane was sure she was talking to him. He laughed.
"Sorry," he told her.
She ignored him and proceeded to go on a fishing expedition.
"So, it must be hard being the new kid in the SA's office. Are you having any trouble fitting in?"
Jane listened to the silence as Clive seemed to be hesitating. "Look, Teresa, I have a confession to make."
Jane sat up straight in his seat to be sure he heard every word.
"Oh?" Lisbon encouraged.
"It's about Patrick. You see, well…he's been lying to you, and forcing me to lie to you as well."
"What?" said Lisbon in surprise.
"Huh?" voiced Jane simultaneously.
Clive took a deep, exaggerated breath, then proceeded to tell Lisbon the biggest falsehood Jane could ever have imagined.
"I'm not really in the State's Attorney's Office. Not really even a lawyer at all."
"But you told me that you were," said Lisbon feigning shock at what he was telling her, yet actually very surprised indeed that he was confessing. Her voice became low and stern. "What's the meaning of this, Clive?"
"The righteous indignation is a nice touch," approved Jane.
"You see, Patrick is blackmailing me. It has to do with my sister."
"Sister?" said Jane. "He doesn't have any sisters."
"I think you'd better start at the beginning," Lisbon said coolly to Clive.
"A couple of weeks ago, I called Patrick to ask for his help. I'd heard that he worked for the CBI, and thought maybe he could put in a good word for my sister at her hearing."
"Totally false," inserted Jane.
"What did she do?" asked Lisbon, switching seamlessly into interrogation mode.
"It's all a big misunderstanding. She's in the middle of a messy divorce and was afraid her husband might harm her and the kids so she fled the state. She was arrested on kidnapping charges. Patrick had been my friend once upon a time; I thought he would help me, but he's changed."
"He's damn right I've changed," Jane railed into the microphone. "I'm nothing like that two-bit swindling—"
Lisbon cleared her throat loudly enough to make Jane end his rant.
"How is Jane blackmailing you, exactly?"
"He said if I didn't go out with you, keep you occupied for a few days, he'd use his connections to get Bonnie thrown in the pen for life. What's more, he told me to—and forgive me, this is very indelicate—he ordered me to sleep with you. That was where I drew the line, Teresa. I may be many things, but I'm not a gigolo, not even to save my sister."
Jane's laughter was almost deafening. She reached up to surreptitiously adjust the volume in her ear. Jane assumed Clive had leaned closer to Lisbon, for his voice became suddenly louder. "I could handle all the manipulation, except now, there's no one to speak up for Bonnie. Jane's planning something behind your back, Teresa. You can't trust anything he says or does now. And if he found out I haven't slept with you, that I've warned you about him, he might do something rather…rash."
"Like what?" Lisbon pressed.
"Like kill me to cover up whatever it is he's doing," Clive whispered.
"I seriously don't think Jane would hurt you," Lisbon said placatingly.
"Don't underestimate him, Teresa. I've seen his gun and everything."
"What utter bullshit," Jane muttered.
"So, let me get this straight. If I slept with you, then spoke at your sister's hearing, Jane would lay off of you?"
"I think so," said Clive. "But I need proof of the first, I'm afraid. He needs DNA evidence," he said, with just the right note of distaste.
"This is a very elaborate plan, even for Jane" Lisbon commented. "It's hard to believe he would do such a thing."
"Not hard for me to believe, unfortunately. I did work with him long ago, when he pretended to be a psychic. I'm not proud of it, but I guess you could say I was his shill. I'm perfectly aware of what Patrick Jane is capable of."
"Wow," Jane marveled. "This is really quite brilliant. Clive, you've come a long way."
"Look, I know this is a terrible imposition, but I'm no longer that man anymore," Clive said, continuing his con. "I'm going to law school part time to finally fulfill my dream of becoming a legitimate attorney. I would make it good for you, Teresa, I promise. I don't mean to further insult you, but I can tell you're lonely. We both are. And I've been so busy with school and worrying about Bonnie…but something good did come out of all of Jane's lies—I got to meet you and discover what a wonderful woman you are. And with your help, my sister could get out of jail and get her children back."
"Okay, I'm coming in," Jane said, having reached his tolerance limit.
"Uh, wait!" Lisbon said. Clive looked at her strangely, and she lowered her voice. "I'm sorry, Clive. Before you go on, I just need to get away for a minute. Won't you excuse me, please?" Jane was cussing so loudly in the background she was afraid Clive might hear. Lisbon reached for her cloth napkin and dabbed at her eyes, then sniffled a little for effect. "I need to go to the ladies' room."
Clive rose as she did. "Of course. I know I've laid a lot on you. I can understand if you need a moment."
"Yes, please. I'm sorry, Clive. I'll be right back, I promise."
Fortunately, Lisbon had noticed the restrooms were near the front entrance of the restaurant, and she made for them hurriedly, hoping to head Jane off at the pass. She spoke softly yet urgently into her wire, mindful of the curious gazes following the petite woman practically running for the door while seeming to be talking urgently to herself.
"I didn't give the signal, Jane! Stay outside, or so help me—"
"I'm gonna kill that lying bastard!" he said. She looked at the door and saw Jane enter, his eyes wide with barely suppressed rage. She looked back to see that Clive was seated again, facing the opposite direction. She grabbed Jane's arm and pulled him back outside, ripping the screaming earpiece from her ear at the same time. She led him forcefully by the hand to the alley behind the restaurant.
"Calm down, Jane. This is nothing. Easily handled and not nearly as bad as we thought it would be."
"He's trying to get you in bed, Lisbon. And this sister he's made up is probably an old lover—if there's actually an imprisoned damsel at all. He might just be trying to get back at me by getting you pissed off at me and getting into your pants."
"Oh, please—there's no chance of that. I'll just put him in his place and kick him to the curb—or in the crotch. End of story."
"No way. He knows where you live, Lisbon." He slapped his forehead with his hand. "Dammit! I forgot about that. Arrest him; shoot him…whatever. He's not gonna just let this thing go, understand? You have to be careful about this. Let him down gently, tell him you're not interested, because if there really is a Bonnie person, he wants her out of jail badly enough to sleep with you."
"Well, thanks a lot," Lisbon said, deeply offended, hands on her hips, "because of course he'd have to be desperate to want me."
He brushed her outrage aside with an annoyed waft of his hand. "You know what I mean." He stood, lost in thought, trying to figure a way out of this mess.
"There's nothing you can arrest him for?"
She shook her head. "He hasn't gotten money or any other favors from me. He hasn't actually practiced law that I know of, at least since the statute of limitations ran out when you two worked together. And no court in the land would convict a man for lying to get a woman into bed, otherwise, half the men in this restaurant would be in prison."
Jane had to chuckle at that observation, then he dropped his head to his chest, sighing in momentary defeat. "This is all my fault, Lisbon."
"Yes, it is," she agreed. "I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and sleep with him."
A wave of jealousy swept over him, even though he knew she was only joking. More quickly than Lisbon thought it possible for him to move, Jane had her back against the brick wall of the building, his hand cradling her head, his body pushing tightly against hers.
"Over my dead body," he bit out possessively, and claimed her lips for his own.
At first, she laughed against his mouth, shocked that he could be so overcome with jealousy, but at his insistent plundering, she began kissing him back with some insistence of her own. Jane's hand drifted over her bare shoulders, before pausing between the curves of her breasts. His heart raced as she made a noise of passionate encouragement against his mouth, and he began tracing concentric circles with his index finger around one perfectly shaped, taffeta-covered globe.
"Oh, Teresa…how I want you," he breathed, pausing to find some semblance of control before his first time in nearly six years was in the dirty alleyway behind an overpriced French restaurant. "But not here. It smells like the Parisian sewer system."
They both smiled and he gave her one more light kiss.
"Besides," Lisbon reasoned shakily, "Clive will be missing me. I need to get back in there and figure out a way to get rid of your conman friend."
"I can think of a few ways," Jane commented darkly.
"Do tell…Patty," said Clive from behind him. They heard the distinct sound of a cocked pistol in the quiet alley, and Jane felt the pressure of cold metal against the back of his head.
A/N: Yes, I did it—a cliffie! Reviews make me write faster, though ;).
Oh, and if you are interested in reading my "Moonlight" stories but have never watched the show, there's a mini marathon on the SYFY channel beginning early Tuesday morning (10/11). Check it out! You won't be sorry.