Authors Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed, favourite'd and story alerted me! I couldn't believe how many people did. I have been terribly remiss in my replies and even acknowledging the wonderful people who reviewed the story so far, especially those who went chapter by chapter, wow and cheers.
You guys are great so a big big thanks to Brown Eyes Parker Amri91 MeltedChocoButton, Ravenclaw Samurai, Totorsg and AVG18.
I P. M'd those I could but for those I couldn't;
Camille (Glad I'm making you laugh, comedy is not my strong point as I find everything funny. Jane's scene with Lisbon is next!)
Evonna (Glad you feel the characters are realistic, it's hard trying to make them do what you want while remaining true to who they are.)
Bethany (I read that book years ago, I wonder if it was a subconscious decision ;) )
Kate (Thanks for the encouragement)
Lizzy (The pointers were a great help, it's why I'm here to improve!)
MissDonnie (Thank you you're very sweet)
Things are settling down here finally so I'm a bit quicker at updating and I have Lisbon's return next chapter almost done but real life keeps getting in the way!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the mistakes , now on with the fun!
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Rigsby was at his wits end. Lisbon had been gone a week and Jane was driving everyone nuts. Cho had quickly fobbed him off permanently to his care, after a particularly eventful case. Van Pelt had used the excuse that she was needed at base, to avoid Jane, leaving him left holding the proverbial overgrown baby.
Jane kept trying to get him to play along with his games, kept trying to make up for lost time and worse kept trying to make him into Lisbon. He needed a break or he was flying to Chicago and dragging Lisbon back by the hair. What the hell happened? Jane had barely been around for almost a year and bam right as Lisbon leaves, they get a visit from the ghost of Jane past.
He had ditched Jane in the car park and rode the elevator in peace, the first time in a week. He stomped towards Cho's desk.
"Cho we need to talk" Rigsby interrupted.
"Yeah what's up ... you all look stressed" Cho answered barely glancing at Rigsby.
"Its about Jane" he growled, knowing full well Cho knew what was causing him grief.
"What about him? and where is he?" Cho glanced around.
"Dunno, don't care. He is driving me nuts. He keeps asking me questions, really personal questions."
"Like what?" Cho was actually interested now.
"Like everything, Sarah, Van Pelt, he is just short of asking how many times a day I go." Rigsby complained.
"Rigsby it cant be that bad." Cho returned to his work.
"Yeah? cool then, you partner with him so, recap the last eight months of your personal life, work life and the lives of anyone Jane has ever encountered." Rigsby turned to walk away.
"Rigsby, I'm the boss, I paired you with him and it will remain that way until Lisbon returns." Cho was all for the abuse of power if it kept Jane away from him.
"That's next Monday and I want to shoot him or myself, but mostly him. I flipped off my safety earlier, Cho my hand did it separate of my brain." Rigsby waved his hand in front of Cho's face for emphasis.
Cho continued signing his name to the files in front of him, ignoring Rigsby's rant.
"And what's with the radio tuning thing? Just choose a station already" Rigsby whined.
"I don't know and I don't care, I've paperwork." Cho gestured towards his desk.
"Cho I'm your friend, you have to take over." He pleaded.
"Being your boss trumps that."
"He mentioned double dating." Rigsby hissed.
Cho laughed enjoying Rigsby's discomfort, "Go for it then."
"I can't"
"Why not?"
"You know why, Alicia, she is abrupt, condescending and she acts far superior to everyone."
"So?"
"Jane's paying attention again, not just driving to the scene, taking a quick look, reading our notes and then telling us who did it. His scary superpowers are back full force and they've lasered in on me." Rigsby tried to suppress a shudder.
"Again so what?" Cho sighed, quickly growing bored of this conversation.
"I don't get what he sees in her or why he's with her, and he'll know." Rigsby whispered looking around fearful of being overheard.
"Really you can't see what Patrick Jane has in common with an abrupt woman, who belittles people and who thinks she is smarter than everyone else. Are you serious?" Cho snorted incredulously.
"Well when you put it that way, I guess, but still I don't enjoy going out with her, she insults me." Rigsby justified.
"She doesn't get she is being offensive, she is very smart and she does have good qualities." Cho leaned back in his chair.
"Yeah maybe if you're sleeping with her and get to see those qualities naked. Please, you gotta cover for me or something. I don't want to hurt Jane's feeling and Sarah'll rip her a new one. You and Elsie are far more tactful." Rigsby pleaded.
"Hello gentlemen, Rigsby I lost you there, so what has you two so deep in conversation?" Jane perched himself on the desk.
"We were talking bout a guys night out, you in?" Cho lowered his head to the paperwork so Jane couldn't see the lie too easily.
"Sounds great" Jane smiled.
"Oh and tomorrow you're paired with Van Pelt, she needs some field time" Cho informed Jane.
"Thank you" mouthed Rigsby.
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Having successfully caught up with the guys with a couple of evening of beers, pool and chats. Jane turned his attention to Van Pelt. Alicia had been working hard gathering a collection for an over seas buyer so he had had plenty of time to hang around the boys, so now it was her turn. He was going to take her out for a nice lunch and a chat.
He was grateful he had eased back into easy camaraderie with Cho and Rigsby. When he was out with them long before Alicia had come along, he had always felt a bit of a third wheel so their current closeness didn't really bother him.
Lisbon used to joke that if she could ever find a relationship with a man, as strong as their bromance she would be set for a very happy life. He laughed at the memory. Had it not indirectly lead to Van Pelt being shot, he was sure she would have taken to calling them after Sam's underlings nickname of Burt and Ernie, at least to him.
Opting to stay behind during the legwork stage of the case gave him ample time to reconnect with the teams rookie. It wasn't like he wasn't having much fun on cases these days. He tried to goad Cho but all he got for his efforts was a blank face, a slightly furrowed brow and eventually handcuffed to the steering wheel.
Rigsby had been a little more fun, but when it came to back and forth he just couldn't get into the rhythm, also Rigsby tended to ride with Grace so he was delegated to the back seat so she could sit up front.
He felt like a child, watching his parents talk without involving him. He also no longer had the desire to drive by himself any more.
He watched as Grace returned to her desk placing down several files. He hoped he could convince Grace to come to lunch. He was aware that women took more effort when it came to getting back into their good graces, no pun intended.
If he couldn't persuade Van Pelt that he valued all their friendships, then he had no hope of convincing Lisbon. He was really missing Lisbon's company and hoped on her return that he could perhaps take back his seat privileges.
He had a plan to burst the tyre of her SUV, so she would have to catch a ride with him if she didn't offer it to him willingly. He was well aware that they needed two cars and Cho would automatically go back to sharing with the others.
And if he didn't, well he knew how to create a power surge to over heat the seat warmer if, damaging the SUV didn't work.
His phone vibrated again. Alicia was looking to make lunch arrangements. He ignored it, he didn't feel like answering just now, he was engaged in a plan and hated to be distracted.
He wandered over to Grace, sitting on the files on her desk, he forced her to look up at him quizzically.
"Van Pelt my dear, you look positively famished, let me take you out to lunch"
Van Pelt narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"Or if you are to busy I can bring you something back? You need a rest and food, my dear, if only to fuel yourself through what feels to be twenty files. Lisbon would kill me if I let you waste away" Jane added, with his mega watt smile, seeing the moment she mentally consented.
"You know what Jane, lunch sounds great, I am tired. Thanks" Van Pelt returned his smile.