Author's Note: Sorry this took so long! My muse has been trying to tempt me onto another project, but I'm determined to finish something before starting something else! Thanks for your patience and support, and I hope this doesn't disappoint. It's a little cheesy near the end, but I figured we could use a little cheese. You know, to go with our whine.:) And yes, that's the level my sense of humor seems to be stuck at right now...

Chapter 9: Decisions

Lisbon couldn't believe she was this annoyed before 9 a.m. Though it was not, she had to admit, the first time Jane had managed to derail her day before it even got started. If this was payback for the perfectly reasonable precaution of driving in separately, she was going to hide his tea bags. Every single one.

Her irritation rose to anger as she hurried into the park to find him lounging on the usual bench, a cup in each hand. At least he'd had the good sense to get her coffee. Still, she refused to give him the satisfaction of reaching for it, putting her hands on her hips and demanding, "What's so important that you had to drag me out here before I could even check my email?"

"Have a seat, my dear, and some caffeine." He held the larger cup out to her.

"What did you do?" she demanded, dread pooling in her stomach.

"For once, I am not responsible for our predicament. Well, perhaps partly. But really, once you decided to start lying to the FBI, I had no choice but to follow your lead, did I?"

She dropped onto the bench. "Oh, sheep dip."

Jane chuckled. "Drink," he urged, putting the cup into her hand.

She did, because she was afraid she might start screaming if she didn't.

Jane said, "Fischer followed us last night. I tried to fend her off, but you know how cops get when they have a viable suspect in their clutches.'

She must really look bad, she thought, if he was trying to distract her with insults. "She knows."

"That there's no mystery fiancé, yes."

This was going to be bad. She'd made too many enemies over the years protecting Jane; no one was going to cut her any slack. She stopped sipping the coffee, suddenly afraid she might be sick.

"Oh, relax, Teresa. She's not interested in getting you fired," Jane said, as if she were overreacting.

"Then what does she want?" she demanded.

"Me." He gave her a cocky grin that made her want to hit him. She couldn't believe he was messing with her at a time like this.

"Keep it up and she can have you," she grumbled.

"Strictly in a professional sense, of course," he said. "At least, I think so. She must know she can't compete with you on a personal level." He slid a hand along the back of the bench and began sifting her hair through his fingers.

"Jane, this is serious." She was not going to let him get out of a real discussion just because his fingers felt so good stroking her hair and neck. But wow, it felt amazing. She was calming down despite herself.

"Yes, it is. But don't worry. I have no intention of letting her take anything away from you." There was an edge to his voice that made her look at him.

"She wants you to go over to the FBI. And if you agree, she'll keep quiet," she guessed.

"Very good, Teresa. She's given me until the end of the day to make my decision. But of course there's no real choice to make. I'll let her think she's bested me for now." He grimaced, and she sighed internally at the thought of Jane with a wounded ego.

Jane sipped at his tea while she thought about the situation. The FBI must be desperate to resort to outright blackmail. That didn't make it sit any better. "Jane—"

"Don't worry, my dear. I'll bide my time and have my revenge. They'll never see it coming."

Oh God, she thought. Jane was declaring war on the FBI. "Jane, if they need you that badly, maybe you should consider cooperating with them."

"Oh, I'll catch the bad guys for them," he said nonchalantly. "But you are my fiancee. Anyone who threatens you must pay."

Lisbon stomped down the girlish thrill that he was willing to defend her. "I don't need you to fight my battles."

"We are engaged. There are no my battles or your battles, only our battles."

After years of trying to make him understand the concept of partnership, it was a little maddening to find out that he understood it perfectly well, but only, apparently, in a romantic context. Although she suspected that his idea of shared battles was that they did everything his way and he'd let her help as long as she played the role he specified for her. "True. Just like there are only our decisions. And yet you seem to have made yours unilaterally."

He stopped sipping his tea and stared at her. "You feel it merits discussion?"

"I do, yes. Because it's one thing for you to go nobly off to the FBI to save my job, but we both know it won't end there. Next time they need to reel you in, they'll make the same threat. And I don't want to be the leash they use to keep you in line." Which was a little ironic, she acknowledged, since she'd been trying desperately to keep him in line for years. The difference was that she actually cared about his wellbeing.

"What are you suggesting? That you quit?" She'd never seen him so shocked. He recovered quickly, though. "No, Teresa. You are not making any more sacrifices on my behalf. It's my turn."

"What sacrifice? This job hasn't been fun for a while, and it'll be even less fun knowing that you could get me fired at any moment when I'm not even getting to catch a bad guy in return." Not to mention nerve-wracking.

"I won't get you fired," he said dismissively.

"You were the one who said I didn't have to work," she pointed out. "Are you going back on that?"

"Not at all. Hand in your resignation today. I'll do the same, and we'll be on a flight to Rome before lunch." He was obviously dismissing any possibility that she would actually do it.

The thing was, she wasn't so sure. The FBI had come in and broken up her team, forced her to take in a stranger, and now was blackmailing Jane. The idea of just walking away from it all was tempting. Cho would handle things just fine. "Chicago," she said.

"What?" Jane had obviously been thinking about something else.

"A flight to Chicago. I want you to meet my family. We can get married while we're there. Then off to Ireland, and then Rome if you want," she said.

"I thought we were getting married here," Jane said, surprised.

"You want to argue about it?"

"No," he said quickly. "Not at all. Chicago city hall it is. We can buy rings there." He got to his feet. "Cho'll be disappointed though. Not to mention Grace."

She stood too. "You're right. So we get married here, then stop in Chicago on our way to Ireland."

Jane frowned. "I don't want you to get in such a hurry that you wish you'd done it differently later. Are you sure this is what you want?"

"I just want to be done with this whole mess," she admitted.

"Meaning our engagement?"

"No. Well, yes. I'm tired of thinking about the wedding. I just want to be married and get on with our life. Can we do that?" She wasn't a party planner, and the more she tried to figure out what she wanted, the more stressed out she got.

"Of course. Anything you want. I don't care where or when, as long as it's soon," he said, reaching for her free hand. "But if the planning is the problem, allow me to suggest a solution. Let me take care of it."

It was tempting, if only because she was curious as to what he'd come up with. "We'll talk about it later, okay? First things first. We solve the case. And then we deal with Agent Fischer."

"What are you going to do?"

She realized this was probably the first time he'd ever been willing to follow her lead. She couldn't help wanting to take advantage of it. "I can't tell you. I have to show you."

Jane grinned. "Oh? I look forward to that."

"What I need you to do is solve this case. And you're on your own for lunch. I need to talk to Cho."

"I can't come along?" He gave her a hurt look that she was sure was an act. Well, mostly sure.

"Not this time. Besides, you're going to be showing Agent Fischer what she's letting herself in for. Go interview the coworkers and pick out the guilty one."

"In the most dramatic, disruptive way possible?" he guessed.

"If you can get yourself punched in the nose, so much the better."

"But I don't want a black eye in the wedding pictures," he pointed out.

"Fine. Just get someone to chase you while shouting threats. That's always one of my favorite parts," she said dryly.

"I'm always happy to oblige you, my dear," he replied.

They walked back to the CBI hand in hand.

mmm

Fischer looked surprised when Lisbon told her to take Jane to interview the victim's coworkers, but she was cheerful enough that it was obvious she had no idea what she was in for. Cho was wearing a definite, though small, smirk as he watched them go. When he came into Lisbon's office an hour later with the results of the alibis he'd checked, he sat down and made himself comfortable.

"So," he said. "What'd Fischer do to piss you off?"

"I've hardly spoken to her today," Lisbon replied.

"Uh huh." He folded his arms.

"You don't have lunch plans, do you?"

He gave her a look. "I do now. Thai or Indian?"

"You pick," she said. "Let's go early and beat the rush. 11:30?"

"Sounds good." He got up. "Jane was right. The family's alibis checked out."

"Thanks." She tried to focus on what she was doing, but she was distracted by a nagging worry. Turning Jane loose to wreak havoc had felt like a good plan at the time, but Fischer wasn't used to his ways. She might not be able to keep him from getting hurt. She should have sent Cho with them. He wouldn't have interfered with whatever Jane was going to do, but he'd have kept him from getting hurt.

Her phone buzzed, and she grabbed it to find a text from Jane: Stop worrying. I have no intention of needing medical attention today. I'm far too curious to see what you have planned.

Good, she texted back. Get some lunch on your way back. Cho and I are grabbing ours early.

If you're trying to make me jealous by going out with other men, it's working, he responded.

She shook her head, grinning a little. Good.

You're being very naughty today, he sent after a moment. If you want me to spank you, all you have to do is ask, you know.

She blushed, grateful there was no one around to see. Stop that.

You're right. Why waste your lovely blushes when I'm not there to see them? Don't be long at lunch. I miss you already.

Don't get hurt. I'll be here when you get back.

She put the phone down, smiling, and forced her attention back to her work.

mmm

The restaurant was nearly empty when Lisbon and Cho entered. They were seated right away, and Lisbon examined the menu, wondering if Jane would object to kissing her later if she had a curry. Since the plan she was working on involved some kissing, she decided to go for the chicken tikka masala instead. She did agree to the garlic naan, though.

"So what's up?" Cho prompted.

"Fischer knows I'm engaged to Jane. She followed us last night. She told Jane she'd report me unless he agrees to go work for the FBI."

"Huh. They must be desperate," Cho said, taking a sip of his water.

"I guess so." Lisbon paused as the waiter brought the naan, reaching for it eagerly.

"So what's the plan?" Cho asked.

"Jane wants to give in for now. But I don't think that's going to work for very long," she said. "And I don't want him destroying the FBI."

"Why not? You realize they came after you in the first place to get Jane to come back, right?"

Lisbon paused, surprised. "You think so?"

"Yeah. It's the only thing that makes sense. Nobody in their right mind could think you were part of Red John's network."

"Well, that just proves I'm right. They'll just keep threatening me every time they need to control Jane." She grimaced at the thought.

"Probably. What are we going to do about it?"

She loved him for that "we." But she shook her head. "Not we. I. You're ready to move up, Kimball. And I'm ready to move on. I'm going to resign and get out of your way."

"You're not in my way," he said immediately.

"I'm still going. Jane doesn't really want to be in law enforcement any more, and I need a break. So we're going to get married and go on a long honeymoon. Then we'll decide what comes next."

He smiled. "Good. You both deserve to say 'the hell with it' and go be happy. You let me deal with the FBI. Just don't forget to invite me to the wedding."

"Are you kidding? We wouldn't think of doing it without you."

Their meals came, and they ate quickly. Cho insisted on getting the check. "Engagement gift," he said.

"Thanks. And no wedding gifts, by the way. Jane apparently has a pile of money he hasn't touched all these years. We don't need anything."

"Gifts aren't about what you need," Cho replied. "Thanks for the heads up that you're leaving. I don't like it, but I understand it. I'll do whatever I can to support you."

"Thanks, Kimball. I appreciate it."

"You just promise me that if you need someone to knock some sense into Jane, I'm the first one you call."

She chuckled. "I promise. But I plan to take care of that myself."

mmm

When they got back to the office, Jane sprang up from his couch and greeted them with a broad grin.

"Where's Fischer?" Lisbon asked, filled with foreboding. She wouldn't put it past Jane to have hypnotized her into going on a long vacation or tricking her onto a trans-Pacific flight.

"The bathroom," Jane said. "She needed a change of clothes."

"What did you do?" she asked, though she had the distinct feeling she didn't want to know.

Jane grinned. "I'm sure you'll find her version more entertaining."

"I'd feel a lot better about that if your idea of entertaining wasn't so twisted," she muttered. "Did you at least make headway on the case?"

"Your lack of faith in me is really hurtful, Lisbon. You told me to solve it, and solve it I did. Karl's keeping an eye on our murderer in the interrogation room. I think Cho will enjoy this one."

Cho gave a snort. "Really enjoy, or the kind where you get a kick out of me hating it?"

"A little from column A, a little from column B," Jane said airily.

Lisbon folded her arms. "Details, Jane."

"Nothing terribly interesting. Just your garden variety embezzlement, leading to blackmail, leading to murder." He looked past Lisbon's shoulder. "Ah, Fischer. Just in time. Lisbon was just about to congratulate us on our brilliant wrap up of this case."

Lisbon turned to find Fischer looking freshly scrubbed, her hair still damp and wearing different clothes—and shoes—than this morning. "Agent Fischer," she greeted her. "I take it there was some difficulty apprehending the suspect?"

Fischer didn't look like a typical Jane victim. She wasn't scowling or glaring, and her tone was almost cheerful. "Just a little. Jane thought he'd have some fun by provoking the suspect into running. Which is not a real smart thing to do in an lab where they're studying environmentally friendly fertilizers. I'm all cleaned up now thanks to the showers in the gym, but I'll be smelling shit for days. So will he, though, and he didn't get a shower."

Lisbon made a mental note to have the interrogation room sanitized. Cho looked at Jane and said, "You thought I'd enjoy interrogating someone covered in shit?"

"Well, normally it takes some effort to identify the bullshit. But in this case, it's right there for everyone to see," Jane chortled. "Besides, it will give your famous poker face a real challenge."

Cho looked at Lisbon meaningfully, and she said, "I think Cho can sit this one out. Your collar, your interrogation, Agent Fischer."

Fischer's smile dimmed. Jane looked like he was about to guffaw until Lisbon continued, "If he doesn't want to kill Jane, take him with you. He should be able to sort the metaphorical bullshit out from the literal."

Jane looked appalled. "I think Agent Fischer can handle it. I was just thinking of going on a coffee run. Orders?"

Fischer gave a slow, predatory smile. "Coffee can wait. C'mon, Jane. Our collar, our interrogation!"

Jane turned to Lisbon, but she just grinned at him. "What, don't you have any biofeedback tricks for smell?"

"Of course," he replied. "But you don't. And I was planning on having my afternoon nap on your couch."

"Change of plans," she said. "This might be a good time to get reacquainted with your attic. Now go on. I'm sure poor Karl's had enough for one day."

Jane shot her a look, then gestured for Fischer to precede him out of the bullpen. Lisbon looked at Cho, and they grinned at each other briefly before heading to their desks to get back to work.

mmm

It was only a few minutes later when Jane sauntered into Lisbon's office and headed for her couch. She was about to stop him when she realized that, if all went according to plan, the condition of the couch would shortly stop being important to her. She felt a little pang at the thought. "That was fast," she said.

"It's hard to make up lies when you're desperate for a shower," Jane replied. "Fortunately, I didn't need to feel his pulse or anything. Fischer and I stood as close to the door as possible. Why did you do that to me? I only did what you wanted me to."

"We don't want her to think it's a conspiracy," she replied, resisting the smile tugging at her mouth. "I'll make it up to you later."

"Yes, you will," he replied, sprawling out on the couch facing her and giving her his best come-hither look.

"Much later," she clarified, going back to her work. It was quite a while before she was able to concentrate, though.

Eventually, Jane pretended to wake up from his pretend nap and wandered off to make tea. Lisbon barely had time to resume her train of thought before Fischer walked in. "Do you have a moment, Agent Lisbon?"

"If you want to file a complaint about Jane, I'll email you the form," Lisbon said.

Fischer chuckled. "I bet you have that form memorized by now. But no. I knew what I was in for with Jane. Especially after I made him mad at me."

"Mad at you?" People generally didn't realize they'd ticked Jane off until it was too late.

"By threatening you. I wanted to tell you, it's nothing personal. It was just the only way I could think of to get him to agree to help."

Lisbon stared at her. "You're admitting to blackmail?"

Fischer shrugged. "I like to think of it more as exchanging favors."

"Will your boss think of it that way?" Two could play at this game, Lisbon thought.

"It was his idea. There aren't a lot of ways to motivate a man like Jane. But he'll do anything for you." Fischer smiled. "You're a lucky woman."

"That's not a popular opinion," Lisbon said.

"Oh, I'm not denying you went through your share of trouble. There's probably more ahead, knowing Jane. But then, you know that."

"I do. But if you know how much of a pain in the ass he can be, why do you want him so bad?" Lisbon frowned.

"Why did you put up with him all those years? He closes cases like no one else. Even today, when he was out to humiliate me, he still fingered the killer right away. We need that to clean house. And just think how many lives he could save if he worked on national security cases." Fischer leaned forward on the desk. "Terrorists are getting smarter, Agent Lisbon. We need to use every resource we have to stay ahead of them."

"I agree," Lisbon said. "But coercing Jane won't get you his best work. You're buying more trouble than you can imagine."

"Maybe at first. But we know how to keep him motivated. You'll find your career path much smoother from here on out, as long as he does what we need him to." Fischer straightened and folded her arms.

Jane chose that moment to return, carrying his teacup and a mug of fresh coffee for Lisbon. "Sorry to interrupt, ladies. Nothing important, I hope?"

Lisbon said, "Oh, we were just discussing the FBI's plan to make you into their trained monkey by rewarding you with my success. If you behave, I might end up as Director of the CBI. Think you can do it?"

Jane sipped his tea, then declared, "For you, my love, I am capable of anything."

Up to and including murder, she thought. In a way, being the center of Patrick Jane's world was a heavy responsibility.

Fischer looked back and forth between them, as if aware she was missing something. "Well, I'll get back to work," she said, leaving.

Jane settled back on the couch with his tea, to all appearances content. "Have you decided what you want to do?" he asked after a moment.

"Yes. Patience, Patrick. All will be revealed," she said solemnly.

He grinned. "Stop stealing my lines."

mmm

Resigning via email was tacky, Lisbon knew, but since she hadn't been able to get on the interim director's calendar to meet with him personally, it was what she had to do. He must have read it, because half an hour later an email went out to all members of the CBI announcing that at the end of next week, Teresa Lisbon would no longer be a CBI agent. Her service was appreciated, and the director was sure everyone would join him in wishing her success in her future endeavors.

"Translation: don't let the door hit you on your way out," she grumbled. She'd made this job her life, and they couldn't even make a token effort to change her mind? It really must be time to leave.

Jane poked his head in the door. "Did you just resign? There's an incipient riot gathering in the bullpen."

"Yep." She got to her feet and grabbed her jacket. "Let's go."

"Where?" he asked.

She grabbed his hand and towed him into the bullpen, where quite a few people had gathered. They turned to look at her expectantly.

"As I think you've all heard, I'm resigning my position here at CBI. It's been a pleasure working with you all, and in many ways I'm sorry to leave. But I'm going to start a new chapter in my life. And I'm looking forward to it."

Fischer looked stunned, but Lisbon wasn't through yet. Ron asked, "Where will you be going?"

Lisbon grinned over at Jane. "Well, I'm not exactly sure. I guess you could say I'm running away to join the circus."

Jane grimaced. "Lisbon, that's—"

She shut him up with a kiss. After a moment of shocked silence around them, she became aware of whispering and the sound of money changing hands. When she took one hand out of Jane's curls to grab his ass, there were a few feminine whoops and one "you go, girl!" Jane, of course, had to retaliate by bending her backwards like they were on the cover of some cheesy romance novel, leading to a few catcalls.

When they came up for air, it was to applause. Lisbon felt her face heat up despite her best efforts while Jane gave their audience a big toothy grin.

"And now," he said, "we bid you all a good night."

Knowing chuckles followed them as they hurried to the elevator. When they were safely inside, Lisbon asked breathlessly, "Well?"

Jane backed her into the corner of the elevator and kissed her soundly again. "I loved it. Marvelous exit. Can we leave that way every night?"

She chuckled a little, pushing him away as the doors opened. "Behave yourself and we'll see."

"Ah. So you hate it when the FBI coerces me, but it's okay when you do it?"

"Of course." She grinned at him. "Nobody pushes you around except me."

He grabbed her around the waist as they exited and planted another kiss on her. "Absolutely. And you said you didn't know how to be married."

"Is that all it takes?" she asked curiously. The enormity of what she'd just done was beginning to sink in.

"No. But it's an excellent start." Jane squeezed her waist in his arm, then loosened his grip so they could walk. "And stop worrying. We'll both look back on this someday as one of the best things we ever did."

"I hope so," she sighed.

"I'm going to make sure of it," he promised.