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Jane and Lisbon were outside Bertram's office, waiting. Jane hated waiting. He fidgeted and glanced around, did a read on the receptionist, had a chat. Lisbon just watched him to make sure he didn't cross a line. She knew that the night was rough for both of them but they had made it out of the darkness and neither had gotten much sleep. Her ribs were still a bit sore but hoped Jane didn't notice the finger marks there. He had hurt enough last night with that adding to his guilt so she had stayed covered this morning. He didn't know that he had marked her in his night terrors.
She heard the receptionist's phone buzz signaling that the Director was ready to meet with them.
Entering the office, Bertram fixed them both with one of his patented smiles that never truly reached his eyes. Lisbon started to get nervous and Jane reached for her hand and gave it a little squeeze.
"Welcome again Agent Lisbon, Mister Jane. Would you like a coffee or a cup of tea? I can have Karen get you one," Bertram asked with an oily sheen of manners.
"No I'm good," Jane responded.
"No thank you, Director."
"Well since the pleasantries are dispensed with, I will get to the unpleasant business. Mister Jane, Agent Lisbon, it has come to my attention that you two are involved in a romantic relationship. Is this correct?"
"Why Gale, are you congratulating us? That is so very kind of you," Jane replied with more than a hint of snark that wasn't lost on the occupants of the room.
"Actually I was going to ask you both to cease and desist in your dalliance so you can keep working together. I'm sure that your feelings for each other are quite strong, I do remember various conversations with both of you where the main concern wasn't yourselves but the other. I knew it was only a matter of time before you crossed the line into impropriety. And how would it look for the bureau if its top agent and prodigal son were caught out by the press? They would have a field day with this sort of salacious gossip."
Lisbon just looked at him and stated the obvious. "He isn't an agent."
"My dear Lisbon, he is a full time employee of the CBI that works in close proximity with you and your team. If he is to continue working with the CBI, he would be moved to another unit. I do hear that the offices in San Diego are looking for a consultant for their serious crimes unit."
Bertram just sat there, with a smug satisfied smile. He finally had the upper hand on the consultant. San Diego wouldn't know what hit them or he would leave the CBI. The Director was a good study of character and knew what buttons to push knowing that Jane would rather quit than give up Lisbon. He knew that the diminutive agent was Jane's lifeline. Bertram didn't make it this far without having a few people reading skills of his own. He had the consultant right where he wanted him and it felt good to have the upper hand once where Jane was concerned.
"Lisbon, can you give me some time with the director please?" Jane stated while giving her a knee a squeeze.
"Why do I have to go?" Lisbon asked with questions in her eyes.
"Plausible deniability."
They looked at each other, talking in their silent language to each other and she nodded slowly. She trusted him.
After Lisbon exited the office, Jane leaned back and studied Bertram, with that calm and cold facade on his face that Bertram didn't like one bit.
"It seems to me Gale, that we have reached an impasse. I have no desire to leave the CBI or be moved to San Diego. And giving up Teresa, not possible."
Jane's cold calculating manner making Bertram squirm slightly.
"Well then I will have to terminate Agent Lisbon's employment with the CBI. I'm sure that wouldn't come between you at all. Her job seems to be quite important to her but I don't see how she could ever resent you for that," the Director coldly countered.
"Do you really want me to start digging, Bertram? I'm sure that there are some bones in one of your closets just begging to get out into the light of day. In fact I think one of the skeletons sits at your reception desk."
Bertram eyed him warily. Karen wouldn't have told Jane about their affair. Bertram had political aspirations and that was something that wouldn't sit well in the conservative community that he was allied with politically. Karen was discreet and had no desire to end her marriage either. Jane couldn't have proof that would be damaging but this was Jane, and nothing would be surprising anymore.
"I would like to know how you came to that conclusion, Patrick."
"She looked slightly ashamed when she saw Teresa and me holding hands. Wouldn't look us in the eye as if she was guilty for something similar. Then I went and had a chat to her. She referred to you as "Gale" once and kept playing with her wedding ring when she mentioned you. I may be a bit off my game today but that was too obvious. As you said, the press loves salacious and what could be more salacious than a married pillar of the community in a grubby little affair? Far more salacious than two unattached co-workers, don't you think?"
Bertram's face took on a red appearance as he reigned in his ire at the man before him.
"Now Gale, I do believe that Lisbon and I will be heading back to the CBI to work. There will be no interference from you, the Director, or your staff. Teresa is above such tactics as blackmail but I'm far more ambiguous in my morality and I have no problem protecting what is mine using whatever means are at my disposal. Are we clear?" Jane's tone of voice didn't waver from calm, his eyes looking as cold as his threat, making the effect of his words slightly more chilling to the ambitious man in front of him.
"And how do I explain that I'm aware of your affair but do nothing about it? You have left me in a precarious position."
"I'm sure you will think of something as PR is your forte, mine is helping the SCU close cases which we do quite efficiently. I'm glad we had a little chat, Director. It's always nice to get things out on the table and dealt with, don't you think?"
Jane rose from his chair and extended his hand to the Director, who ignored it completely. Jane just shrugged and left the office, grinning.
No one threatens what was his.
Lisbon was waiting outside, talking on the phone when she looked to see Jane coming toward her. She said a quick goodbye and hung up.
"So what did you do?"
"Nothing that he didn't deserve. Do we have a case?"
"Do I have a consultant?"
"Yes, and you will for a good long time. I promise you that," Jane said pulling her close and kissing her gently.
"That is good to hear, I think I wouldn't have enjoyed going to work nearly as much if I was leaving you every morning naked in bed," Lisbon whispered as she pulled away and started to head back to her vehicle.
Jane just smiled at her swaying backside and trotted to catch up with her.
"So where are we heading Dear Lisbon?"
"Small town north of here. A body dropped and that was Cho on the phone they will meet us there."
Jane grabbed her fingers before she put the Chevy in gear and kissed her fingertips. She just grinned and held his hand as they headed out of the parking lot to their first case as an "Us".