I have not given up on this fic, apologies for going two plus months without updating, if anyone is still reading it. I'm finding difficulties. The more time that passes since the show ended, the less interested I am in any dynamic other than Wylie and Vega. It is strange to me, as I used to think about Lisbon every waking moment, I used to ship her and Jane, I used to adore Cho to the point of photoshopping his face over Jane's on the DVD art and tweeting it to Tim Kang (who loved it by the way). But the show numbed me to the love that I had for them and it hasn't come back. I haven't watched an episode since the series finale and I honestly doubt I ever will again, that's how much Nothing Gold Can Stay changed my feelings. And having not watched in so long, I find it hard to get the voices of the characters we know best right. Only Wylie and Vega do I have confidence in, but I have to include everyone in this fic. So I have to update when I feel so inspired. I know this chapter is short, but if anyone is still reading, I hope you enjoy it.
Vega was feeling good.
Wylie could tell. They took separate cars to work because Cho had asked her to work late, something he knew she was up for, because there was a bounce in her step characteristic of his wife when she was happy. Her ponytail swung with the beat of her stride. It was difficult to do without being obvious since they were walking side by side, but Wylie couldn't stop looking at her.
Lisbon and Jane had beaten them to work – though only half of them had beaten them up. Lisbon was at her desk, printing off some files. Jane lay on the couch on his side, his face nestled into the pillow, not his casual, paying – attention – while – appearing – asleep pose. This time, Jane was actually asleep.
"Good morning," Lisbon said, swiveling in her chair and greeting them with a smile.
"Morning!" Vega said cheerfully, dropping the binder in her arms down on her desk. "Any breaks?"
"Cho and Theo are downtown investigating a tip that came in this morning," Lisbon said. "They're hoping to pick up a witness."
"Good," Vega said. "Hopefully we can close this one soon. I don't like those agents we're collaborating with."
"None of us do, believe me," Lisbon said. "Madeline doesn't like them either and she's never met them."
"Ah, are Mommy and Daddy complaining about them when they get home?" Wylie asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We don't use the words we use here at home," Lisbon said pointedly. Wylie smirked. "Oh by the way," Lisbon said, gesturing toward Wylie. He tensed, knowing what she was going to say next.
She said it with a big smile. "Happy birthday!"
Wylie forced a smile of his own. "Thanks. So what can we be doing, did Cho leave any orders?"
"They left in a hurry," Lisbon said. "Just a few minutes before you guys arrived."
Lisbon frowned then, and Wylie internally cringed as he turned to where Vega had been standing. He caught a glimpse of her heel as she turned the corner out of sight. "Is everything okay, Wylie?"
"Uh, yeah," he said. "Okay, well, I'm sure he'll be texting me some instructions momentarily, so I'm gonna grab some coffee so I don't pass out on the job like your husband here."
Lisbon glanced at Jane and dramatically rolled her eyes. "His life is so tough."
"Ha, yeah, okay be back."
Wylie found her in the break room, as he thought he would. She stood near the sink, her palms pressing down on the counter, her head to her chest. "Michelle."
She turned to face him, tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry I suck."
"You do not suck."
"Anniversaries...birthdays..." she shook her head. "I should remember them."
"You know, I put my parents' anniversary in my phone, I honestly wouldn't..."
"You weren't there for that." She shook her head again. "I was there when we got married. And I should know when the love of my life's birthday was, that should be so important to me and it is important to me I don't mean to say it isn't because you being born was the greatest thing that could have happened to me but..." she cleared her throat, her voice cracking, "but it just doesn't stick in my head. I shouldn't have to put it into my phone. I should know it as well as I know my own name."
"Bonaventura, Vega, or Wylie?" he joked, immediately wishing he could take it back. She closed her eyes and sighed painfully. Attaboy, Jason. Way to make her doubt that too. "I'm sorry." He reached for her. "I was trying to make a joke but I didn't think. That was really crappy of me, I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry."
"Please don't be. I don't want you to feel like this. Hey," he decided to go with a different angle. "You honestly do not have to remember these dates. The only thing I don't want you to forget is that I love you. And that's every day." He opened his arms and smiled when she moved into them.
