Heya everyone! Exams have started *and it sucks already, my head's going to explode :s* but I still figured I could post this in the meantime :D

Thanks to Jisbon4ever; 24Mentalistlover; chocolatefan; Jisbonforever; PriscilaOrglene; Mental-Fan; Anna; Ashtreerose; 1832TeaQL; Dubbers; watchyouwalk for their reviews! thanks for the alerts and favorites too!

And thanks to my half beta, once again

Disclaimer: only Kausner is mine…and parts of teen Lisbon too :P

Sweet Fifteens - 5

One of the reasons why Jane called Van Pelt was because she was the one supposed to keep an eye on Lisbon the next day, and he immediately knew he had been right to do so. The teenager did not complain once throughout the evening, as if knowing the young woman would not fall for her schemes. She even took off –reluctantly- her piercings and went to bed immediately after being ordered to. Jane did the dish washing and after biding good-nights, went back to the couch while the redhead occupied the now vacant guest room.

When Jane woke up the next morning, the woman was already up preparing breakfast. At nine o'clock, Lisbon was down the stairs, dressed and ready for a full day. From the beginning, he suspected Van Pelt used to be the previous prime babysitter in her village; he had the complete detail of their following activities detailed and explained. At first, shopping in a centre the redhead often went to, then horse-riding. If they were still in the mood, they would head to the cinema and eat there. And they did not leave before the redhead assured him she was going to keep a close eye on her –to Lisbon's annoyance.

Jane killed time again by walking in the neighbourhood and renewing acquaintances, jumping at the office in case they needed help –and Hightower kindly sent him away, by fear he'd tease a little bit too much a former influent journalist passing by. Cho informed him that Harrison O'Brian was still nowhere to be found, but at least they were sure he hadn't left town yet.

The clock was ticking and before Jane realised it, it was already seven pm. He rushed home to cook something for himself and had barely finished washing his dishes when the two girls entered. The teenager looked quite tired again while the redhead was smiling. Apparently this time, his rejuvenated boss was not the only one who had fun.

"We came across a few friends of Grace" Lisbon told him immediately, grinning widely. "They took us bowling! It was awesome! I get to kick as-" she paused at Van Pelt's warning glance and added more calmly: "I won a few rounds. But it was still pretty cool. And they said the red locks suited me!"

While talking, she played with a few red strands of hair to emphasise her point. Jane couldn't help smiling.

"You do look good in them" he admitted. "But you will have to dye them soon, you know that right?"

Lisbon nodded half-heartedly before announcing she was heading to the shower. Van Pelt watched her leave before turning back towards the blond man:

"I knew them from college…"

"Grace, I trust you not to do foolish things with Lisbon around" he grinned, amused to see her so keen on keeping him informed of all the details. "Go relax a little until she is done with her shower."

The redhead seemed about to say something but withdrew at the last second. She merely nodded and headed upstairs, undoing her ponytail. The blond man looked around then, wondering what to do next. Figuring none of the girls would be done until a little while, he fell on the couch and lay down. Arms crossed behind his head, he let his mind wander around, recalling the big evens of the last few days. Watching over teenager Lisbon was certainly not an easy job, but still very revealing of how her current personality has been built. The trust issues, the wariness, the strong temper and skills of observations…it surprised him she would listen to Van Pelt without protesting. The redhead seemed to have great authority with kids –or in this case teenager- maybe he should ask for a few advices when they would be left together again…

A sharp cry caught Jane's attention. He stood up from the couch and ran to the bathroom.

"Teresa, you're okay in there?" he called through the door.

A muffed growl and another whimper of pain answered his question, and without thinking, the blond man threw himself on the door and tried to force the handle open. The lock resisted him of course, and he didn't waste time duelling on details. He stepped back and threw himself on the door. The poor security device exploded under the pressure –and his shoulder hurt like hell- but he entered immediately. What he saw was not expected. He was greeted by the sight of a very bare, wet skinned covered with soap remains, eye-rubbing Lisbon. The scene was so unexpected he didn't react and just… stared. Bad idea. The teenager stopped rubbing her eyes –which apparently were full of soap- and realised he was ogling uncontrollably.

"GET OUT OF THE BATHROOM YOU OLD PERV!" she yelled, catching the closest towel to cover herself. But Jane was just too stunned to even think of moving. "GET OUT!"

The encounter of a pot and its toothbrush against his forehead woke him up, but it was Van Pelt's presence and rough push that made him budge in the end. The redhead entered the bathroom slamming the door in his face. His temples and shoulder were hurting but he still leant against the closed door to eavesdrop. The only sounds he could hear now were the soft sobs of the teen inside and the reassuring voice of Van Pelt. He just hoped the woman would manage to calm Lisbon down. Babies and low-aged kids, he could manage. But between the age of thirteen and sixteen… they were a pain and harder to understand. He had experimented it the past few days…

Jane sighed. He could not do much right now except wait.

-SF-

About an hour later, the redhead eventually arrived in the living room; tired but visibly satisfied with her performance.

"Thank you" he whispered to Van Pelt when she let herself drop on the couch. "What happened to her?"

The redhead sighed and replied dryly:

"She dropped a bottle of glass and walked on it. Her foot was bleeding a little but nothing to worry about. Seriously, what were you thinking, exploding her door like that?"

A heavy silence fell between them and for a few moments, neither talked. Both knew the answer and Jane didn't feel like exposing his feelings, even to someone he considered a friend.

"I've seen the way you behave towards her" the redhead blurted angrily. "Jane, she is only FIFTEEN! She's a KID not an ADULT! You are treating her like Lisbon!"

"But she is Lisbon…" he started to retort, taken aback by the sudden outburst.

"She is a lost teenager" Van Pelt shot back. "Do you have any idea how scared she is right now? A few days ago, her mind was completely set on protecting her brothers from her father and the rest of the world. She suddenly finds herself free of all duties and under the constant surveillance of people pretending they know her older-self and asking her to trust them. And you are always on her back analysing her every move; she's getting sick of it!"

Jane opened his mouth to protest, but couldn't do so. He knew deep inside she was right to be angry at him.

"I'm jealous of you Grace." The redhead stared at him in confusion.

"Jealous?"

"Yeah. So far, you had understood her better than I. I thought I knew her and…"

He was cut by an annoyed sigh.

"Jane, I'm far from being a mentalist like you, but I still make the difference between an adult and a teenager. I never considered this young person to be Lisbon, because she is not her! You will just have to remember that." There was a heavy pause, during which none spoke. The redhead eventually said: "Listen, I'm going back home and will stay there. You need to learn to know her alone, and me being here will not help."

"Grace…" the blond man started.

"No offence, but trying to impose your conditions to a teen without listening to her first will only be your downfall. I bet you weren't much involved in your daughter's education." Jane winced and looked away. "Sorry" Van Pelt added quietly "I… it just came out."

The blond man sighed and shook his head.

"No, you're right. Since I was out very often, I wasn't there enough. I guess it's a new challenge we have here."

Grace smiled weakly; he could feel she wanted to touch his shoulder for comfort but didn't exactly feel comfortable with it. He smiled back gratefully, and she stood up.

"Anyway, Teresa's in bed so I'll be going. Call me if she panics again."

Jane thanked her again as she walked away. The door of the guest room was opened and closed, steps headed towards the entrance, and after a quick 'good-night', the redhead was gone. The blond man sighed in resignation and stood up

to head upstairs. Right now, he had an apology to give.

Lisbon was sitting in her two-place bed, staring blankly at the opened book in front of her eyes. When Jane entered the room completely, she just raised her head and smiled weakly at him.

"What are you faking to read?" he asked as gently.

The teenager chuckled and put the book down. He could read 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' on the cover, and couldn't help but grin in turn.

"Very interesting choice" he teased her. "I head the adaptation was creepy so-to-say, but good nonetheless."

"It's okay" she replied softly, looking away. There was an embarrassed pause for a while, during which neither of them spoke. He kept his eyes on her suddenly shy behaviour and reddish cheeks. Images of the embarrassing event that occurred a few moments ago came back to mind, and he was about to apologise when she beat him to it.

"Listen, for the outburst I'm sorry I…" she started, not looking at him. "I guess I lost it."

Jane cut her off by getting up and coming closer, sitting on the corner of her bed to hold her hand.

"I should be the one saying 'sorry', Teresa. I haven't been the most attentive one either. Sometimes I forgot you are… not really yourself. I mean, not the person I know."

She bit her lower lip and set her eyes on his hand. He felt she was puzzled by his actions, but didn't want to tackle that subject yet.

"How am I? I mean, older. What kind of person am I?"

Jane grinned. Ah, teenagers and their curiosity.

"You are the most stubborn, death-glared and infuriating woman that I've ever met. But you're also the sweet and caring kind, always looking after other people. Well, mostly after me, because I think you have a mousy crush but that's just a theory."

He let his words creep in her mind as the cute blush worked her cheeks. He couldn't help thinking how adorable she looked, when perplexed.

"Mousy crush, really?" she repeated, trying hard to get a grip on herself. It was interesting to find that she focused on the love thing rather than the rest. In fact, did she just want him to tell what he thought of her? He slapped himself inwardly, recalling he should stop trying to tease her all the time.

"Don't worry, you are as honourable as… your older self" he joked, leaning forwards to kiss her cheek. "And you are still as cute." He didn't miss the flicker that lightened her eyes when, for a single second, he was sure she thought he was going to kiss her lips. And for a second, he realised that she maybe… wanted him to kiss her lips. The idea hit him like a cold wave and he let go of her hand to stand up.

"I'm sorry. I can't imagine what you are going through… I'm going to bed; in the guest room… since Grace left and all… It was a… busy day. If you ever need anything, just call me okay?"

She smiled weakly and nodded, wishing him goodnight. Before he closed the door, he caught a glimpse of her lying in her bed and smiled, amused. He really hoped tomorrow would be brighter for both of them.

-SF-

That night, after managing to sleep for a few hours, he woke up with an urgent nature call. After heading out from the bathroom though, his attention was caught by something he did not expect. A muffled cry and a strong sob. Though the sound seemed smothered, the silence of the night amplified it. He hurried immediately to the bedroom and opened the door wide. The scene before his eyes shocked him: Lisbon was shaking in bed, kicking her covers off while whining in fear. She was uttering words he couldn't understand but his first priority was to save her from her subconscious. He hurried to her side and took her shoulders to shake her awake.

"Teresa! Teresa wake up…"

Her eyes opened in a second and she straightened in her bed, panting like crazy and eyes scanning the room hurriedly. Had it been any other day, he would have teased her about her messy hair to cheer her up.

"Are you okay?" he asked gently when she seemed to recognize her surroundings. She just stared at him without really seeing him and that made him worry even more. "I'll get you a glass of…" he started, moving to step out of the bed and head to the bathroom. He was immediately stopped by a strong grip on his forearm and the panicked expression on her face.

"Don't go!" she begged, her voice shaking. "Please, don't go!"

To her plea, he sat on the border of the bed and hugged her. Without thinking twice, she hid her face in his chest, hand clenching on his shirt. What shocked Jane though was the trembling of her whole body. Whatever she had dreamt of must have shaken her hard.

"He's not here, right?"

Lost in his thoughts, he almost didn't hear her.

"No he's not" he replied softly, wondering vaguely who the 'he' was –though he had an idea. "You will be fine Teresa. I'm here, everything's fine."

She nodded in his shirt but didn't release him.

"I don't want… I don't want to go back to dad's place" she whispered. "Please keep me here, I don't want to go back there. I promise I'll be good just don't send me back there."

A few hours ago, she was throwing him a pot and toothbrush to make him leave the bathroom. By the tone of her voice, he could tell she was almost begging. God, what had she been trough to get so upset? Her next request caught him off-guard:

"Can you… can you hold me please?"

"I am holding you" he replied gently. She shook her head.

"No, hold me; when I sleep" she added quietly. "I… I used to have a teddy bear when it happened…"

"You want me to play the teddy?" Jane asked, quite amused. He didn't need to be a mentalist to guess she was dying of embarrassment from her confession when she nodded in his shirt. "Okay. Just lay down and relax, I'm not going to eat you."

He settled more comfortable in her bed, under the covers, and let her embrace him tightly. A few minutes later, he could tell she was asleep.

It was a weird experience, holding a woman –a teenager's body, practically a girl he corrected himself- after so many years of sleeping alone. It felt even weirder knowing it was Lisbon cuddling him. Her head rested on his shoulder, her arm was carelessly thrown over his waist and one leg tangled with his. She was warm and soft, her breathing regular and head stuck under his chin. A pinch in his heart remembered she was fifteen in body and mind, and in no way he would take advantage of her like this. She only asked for him because she was having a nightmare and wanted to hold on to something, and since he still had insomnia, he had nothing better to do than watch over her sleep. He'll just have to remember to push her away from his body before she woke up… if she kept on moving against him like that all night, he would be very embarrassed in the morning. She did have very feminine curves for her age… And he didn't need her to call him a pervert again.

Next chapter, another week of cooperation...and teen Lisbon acts weirdly :D

Thanks for reasing so far!