A/N: So very sorry for the long wait. One: Been doing GCSEs, Two: Been totally unmotivated. Sorryyy. But I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for the reviews, again.

Chapter 17

Cho, Rigsby and Van Pelt were just clearing up their desks before getting ready to leave. They had hung behind for a bit longer to investigate a few more aspects of the case, and Jane and Lisbon had left early.

'Where'd you reckon they went?' Rigsby asked the room, gripping a breadstick between his teeth as he shifted a pile of paper.

'What do you mean?' Van Pelt looked up.

'Well. They're obviously not going where they say they're going.'

'Why not?'

Rigsby grinned, the breadstick beginning to break between his teeth. He remembered that the two people in front of him had no idea what had happened between Jane and Lisbon. He slowly removed the crumbling breadstick from his mouth and crunched the remnants left on his tongue as he sat down on his chair. He leant back and crossed his legs. A smirk crossed his lips.

'What?' Van Pelt asked suspiciously, Cho now paying full attention as well.

'What are you willing to pay for this information?' Rigsby asked slyly.

'What information?' Cho asked, looking expectantly at his colleague.

Rigsby raised his eyebrows and took a bite of his breadstick.

Van Pelt's eyebrows creased together.

Cho's eyebrows...did nothing.

'Seriously, man, what is it?' Cho asked again.

'Just a little...secret about...Jane and Lisbon.'

Cho exchanged glances with Van Pelt. They both pulled up a chair to Rigsby's desk.

'Tell.' they said in unison.

Patrick and Lisbon followed a waiter to a small, two seater table by a window in The Honey Tree. It was one of the best restaurants in town, and always needed booking at least two weeks in advance, and so when Lisbon had walked through the front door, you could understand why her face was full of confusion and wonderment. The table they now stood before had a view over the beach below, the young moon casting silvery light over the small breakers on the shore. A tea light candle was centred in the middle of the table, which was lit by the waiter before he departed.

'Patrick?' Lisbon whispered.

'Yes, Teresa?' Patrick pulled out one of the chairs for her and offered the seat.

'How the hell did you get us in here?'

Lisbon sat down, carefully pulling her dress beneath her legs as she sat.

Patrick grinned as he pushed Lisbon in and sauntered around to his own chair.

'That. Is for me to know, and you not to find out,' he replied mischievously.

Lisbon narrowed her eyes with a smirk.

'I didn't hypnotise anyone,' Patrick added.

'I didn't think you had,' Lisbon smiled.

They both looked up as a different waiter wandered up to their table, a couple of menus nestled in his grip and a fresh white dishcloth draped over his arm. He wore a slick, fitted black suit, with a delicate scarlet rose threaded through the lapel of his jacket. He smiled down at them.

'Hi there,' he greeted kindly, 'My name's Robbie. I'll be your waiter for this evening.'

'Hello,' Lisbon replied.

Patrick nodded his acknowledgement.

'Here are the menus,' Robbie carefully placed the leather bound menus on the table with a practiced technique of getting them straight on.

'What would you two like to drink?'

Patrick looked over at Lisbon expectantly. She mulled it over for a few seconds before asking for a glass of the house red. Patrick chose the same, making the order into a bottle.

'Ok...and I'll be back in a few minutes for your orders.'

He smiled warmly and nodded before walking away and leaving Patrick and Lisbon to decide on their food.

Van Pelt and Cho looked dumbstruck as Rigsby leaked the news onto them. Van Pelt's mouth opened and closed like a fish, her brain unable to construct letters, let alone words.

'Whoa,' Cho stated.

'Yeah, man! I knew there was something going on between them,' Rigsby grinned widely and chomped the rest of the breadstick.

'I never thought anything would actually happen though,' Cho replied.

'What do you reckon they'll do about it?' Van Pelt spoke up, 'I mean, they know the rules; no relationships with colleagues.'

The other two agents shrugged, but Rigsby still seemed to be grinning, pleased with what he'd found out about his boss and colleague.

'But...' Van Pelt rethought the situation, 'This does mean that Jane's moved on, doesn't it? So at the same time...it's good.'

'Yeah,' Cho agreed, 'I reckon he felt he could move on once Red John was caught.'

'Are we going to say anything?'

'Lisbon already knows I saw,' Rigsby pointed out.

'How?'

'I said something.'

After ordering, Robbie the waiter, as Patrick had fondly named him, disappeared off to the kitchen with his shopping list, leaving Patrick and Lisbon alone at the table. Patrick rested his arms on the table and simply looked at Lisbon. He sighed softly.

'What?' Lisbon asked, a nervous smile crossing her lips.

'...Nothing.'

Lisbon felt her cheeks burn slightly as a faint smile drew the corners of Patrick's mouth up. She was almost completely absorbed in his twinkling green eyes. Quickly clearing her throat, she looked outside briefly before casting a glance back at Patrick. His smile widened, but it wasn't smug or arrogant. Instead, it was soft, gentle, loving. She'd never seen that smile before. Lisbon could tell it wasn't something he usually gave out. Her cheeks turned rosy pink.

'So, um...' she started.

'So...'

'How are you...getting on, you know, after Red John?'

Patrick clasped his hands on the table and shuffled in his seat. 'Fine, I think.'

Lisbon nodded carefully. 'So...you're sure about this?'

'What?'

'...Us.'

Patrick cocked his head slightly. 'Of course I am. I would begin to think that I was feeling easier about this than you.'

Lisbon shrugged.

'What is it?'

'I don't know. I guess I just feel a little nervous.'

'Why?'

'I don't know.'

'Is it about work?'

Lisbon shrugged again as she brought her forearms to rest across the table. 'Maybe.'

'It'll be fine. Ok? Trust me, Teresa.'

Lisbon looked up at him and smiled, recollecting a memory. 'You know, I think I always trusted you just a little bit more after that trust fall you made me do.'

'Really?' Patrick smiled.

'Yeah...I don't know why.'

'I told you it worked.'

'Yes...'

'So, do you trust me now?'

Lisbon thought about it for a moment, and then nodded.

'Good.'

They smiled at each other.

'It'll be fine...I mean, they're not going to fire us or anything. We're too likeable.'

Lisbon laughed and shook her head softly.

Patrick sat back and observed her beautiful features contort with a beautiful smile. He was so happy he could finally bring himself to move on. It felt so much better. He leant forward and took a sip of his wine.

'Mmm, that's good,' he looked into the glass as he swished the contents and nodded his approval.

Lisbon took a sip of her own glass and agreed. 'Lovely.'

'So what are we having my dear?' Patrick asked, turning to the menu for the first time since they'd been placed almost ceremoniously on the pure white tablecloth.

'Good question,' Lisbon replied, delicately lifting the cover on her own menu.

Rigsby and Van Pelt were walking towards the entrance to the CBI headquarters, ready to just go home and collapse on a couch or bed. Whichever was closest.

'So...it's quite something they're pulling off...' Rigsby murmured, looking nervously at Van Pelt.

'Huh?' Van Pelt looked up at him.

'You know, Jane and Lisbon.'

'Oh...right...yeah. It is.'

'Do you reckon they can keep it a secret?'

'Well, it's not exactly a secret anymore. We know about it.'

'Minelli doesn't.'

'Hmm. I don't know. But I think they were meant for each other, you know? I'm happy for them.'

'Oh, yeah, me too,' Rigsby scratched the back of his neck and coughed slightly, 'Um...'

'What?' Van Pelt looked at him questioningly, her eyebrows creasing.

As Rigsby tried to formulate a plan in his mind, he knew he had to face his fears eventually. He stopped and grabbed Van Pelt's wrist softly, causing her to come to a halt. She searched his eyes looking for answers, and what she saw was dangerous. She could see lust, and love, and desperation. She looked down nervously at Rigsby's hand encircling her wrist.

'...Rigsby?'

'I can't keep away from you anymore, Grace,' Rigsby told her firmly.

'What?' Van Pelt could feel a lump forming in her throat. She could tell where this was leading, and she had hoped it wouldn't get to this point...

'Look...I loved you, from the moment I set eyes on you, and I've been too much of a wuss to tell you. But I'm telling you now,' Rigsby let out a breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding.

Van Pelt closed her eyes tight, almost wishing he hadn't just said that.

'...What's wrong?' Rigsby asked nervously, shifting his weight onto his other foot.

'I...Wayne?' she looked up at him.

'Yes?'

'Why?'

'Why what?'

'Why did you have to say that?'

'What do you mean?'

'We can't...'

'But what about Jane and Lisbon? They've done it. And I love you.'

Van Pelt scrunched her eyes shut again. She made a soft whiny noise.

'Can't we give it a try?' Rigsby pressed, his heart throbbing against his ribs.

Van Pelt opened her eyes again and looked into his, desperately wanting to say yes, but at the same time, knowing that she should say no.

'I...I'll think about it, ok?' she managed, letting out a deep breath.

The ghost of a smile flickered across Rigsby's face as he nodded. 'Ok.'

Patrick cut off a small chunk of lamb and popped it in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully before nodding and showing his delight. 'That's good meat.'

Lisbon laughed softly as she took a bite of her own.

'Just as good as I remember...' Patrick murmured.

'You've been here before, then?'

'A long time ago, yes.'

Lisbon nodded, carefully chewing her food. Patrick studied her thoughtful expression.

'Why?'

'Oh...just wondering.'

Lisbon knew from the brief vacancy in Patrick's expression as he turned to look out the window that what she was thinking was true. This must have been the place where he had brought his wife on occasion. It was gorgeous, and she felt truly honoured to have been brought here as well. She smiled softly as she popped another piece of the lamb steak.

'Well, it's lovely, Patrick. I really wasn't expecting anything this upmarket.'

Patrick turned a smile on her. 'That's alright. You're worth it.'

Lisbon felt that small blush creeping back into her cheeks.

'So I trust now that we're in a relationship, there's going to be a bit more truth and openness around us?'

Patrick smiled, 'I guess so. What are you angling at?'

'Nothing. I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't be so stubborn and hesitant telling me about things now that I'm your girlfriend,' Lisbon grinned.

'Fair enough,' Patrick took a sip of wine, 'I therefore propose a toast...' Lisbon smirked suspiciously as Patrick lifted his glass, 'To my un-stubbornness and...' he thought for moment, chewing his lip, 'ability to tell my girlfriend about my various devious plans.'

Lisbon raised her eyebrows and lifted her glass off the table.

'I'll toast, but let it be known I have strong doubts about your ability to follow through with such a proposal.'

Patrick gave an a hundred dollar smile. 'So do I, my dear. So do I.'

Their sparkly glasses clinked in the soft moonlight as they exchanged smiles.

Once their plates were emptied thoroughly into their stomachs, Patrick and Teresa sighed happily and sat back in their seats. The moon now hung high in the sky, the beach now a twinkling show of light as the damp sand sat in the soft glow. The waves lapped gently at the pebbles at the top of the beach, and the sound of chinking stones and foamy breakers could be heard distantly from the restaurant.

'Well, thank you, Patrick. For everything.'

Patrick nodded modestly, paused for a moment and reached over the table, placing a kiss on her lips. He loved the way the gentle pink rose into her cheeks as he sat again. Smiling softly, he ran his thumb gently over her hand as his lay over it, encasing it.

'Ready to go?'

'Yeah,' Lisbon replied absently. She was obviously frustrated at the blush that would insistently flare up on her cheeks every time Patrick came near her.

Patrick waved at Robbie the waiter to bring them the bill.

'I'll take-'

'No you won't Lisbon.'

'I won't what?'

'Pay the bill. Don't be silly.'

'What if I want to?'

'Then I refuse to let you.'

Robbie was now stood at the table side, the bill presented on a small dish with a couple of delicately wrapped mints.

'I trust you enjoyed your meal?' he asked, a soft smile bringing the corners of his mouth up. He handed over the dish, allowing Patrick to see the receipt, and Lisbon to take her mint.

'We certainly did,' Patrick replied, fishing in his wallet for the necessary money, plus tip. Pushing a couple of twenty dollar bills into the dish, a throwing in a few extra dollars, he smiled warmly at Robbie. 'Thank you very much. Spectacular.'

Robbie nodded to both and smiled, before carrying the dish away with him.

Patrick stood and took Lisbon's hand as she came to his side before taking her from the steady noise of quiet conversation and chinking of cutlery, out into the fresh air of the evening.

Patrick took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill his lungs.

'So...'

'So,' Lisbon replied, looking up at him through her emerald eyes.

'I guess I better get you home,' Patrick smiled softly.

As they stood beside the Citroen in the customer car park, Patrick turned fully to Lisbon and pulled her towards him, his arms lacing around behind her. He looked into her eyes for a single moment, before arching his neck and leaning down to meet her lips. Another moment, and Patrick turned her, pushing her softly against the car, his hands travelling upwards to sit either side of her neck, feeling her strengthening pulse just about reach through her neck to his palms. Patrick felt his own pulse rampage in his veins. He might not have looked it as he held Lisbon against the car, but he was as nervous as anything. His tongue braved the edge of Lisbon's lip, his muscles quivering. Lisbon was just as surprised to feel Patrick going further as he was.

A second later, Patrick pulled away, resting his forehead gently against Lisbon's.

'Um...you could come back to mine...if you want?' Lisbon asked, shocking herself with the words pouring from her confused mouth.

Patrick simply looked into her eyes.

'Uh...maybe...'

'Just for a coffee.'

Patrick considered for a moment, considered what he was doing, and gently pressed his lips to hers once more before nodding.

'Ok.'

A/N: Ok, so I can't really tell whether that was much good or not, but please do tell. And can I have some opinions on how you think I should end the story please? Just getting my wonderful readers involved! xxx I've also started up a collection of one shot/drabble thingies if you're interested ^_^