Author's note: I really wanted to update quickly as, while I wanted to show Jane getting back into everyone's lives again, I also really wanted to bring Lisbon back too. So I've worked on this one quite a bit and forgone the usual uses of my spare time, meaning my poor doggy hasn't gotten her walks but thankfully she's lazy enough that sleeping on the bed makes her equally as happy or so I tell myself. This one just kept getting bigger so apologies for how much is crammed in.
Disclaimer: I got nada, zip, zero, except boundless excitement at the prospect of the stupid hiatus being done tonight. Woop woop.
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Jane and Van Pelt enjoyed the sunshine as they walked to main street. Jane passed comment that it wasn't supposed to last very long and rain was on the way. Van Pelt hummed in agreement, not really listening, she was exhausted and missed Lisbon's presence, even just for a simple stress releasing chat.
"So where do you want to eat," she asked when they arrived at the start of Main street.
"How about 'le chat qui fume?" Jane suggested.
"That's a four star restaurant, I can't afford that." Van Pelt countered.
"Don't worry it's my treat," Jane smoothed over.
"Oh God, how bad is this play that it requires a four star restaurant to convince me? What do you need me to be, girlfriend, sister...daughter?... no costumes." She released a dejected breath, she really didn't have the energy to fight him.
"No there is no game afoot... wait... what...daughter? I'm not that old, that you could be my daughter." Jane replied indignantly.
"Yeah keep telling yourself that...fine there's no scheme and you're paying, but any talk of a plan, I mean any, if I suspect for one second your playing me, then I'm going to throw a drink in your face and storm out so all the people think you're a lecherous jerk, got it?" Van Pelt poked him hard in his chest so he got the message.
"Crystal clear, I must say you are very suspicious these days." Jane put on his best wounded face.
"Yeah that's what comes from working with a con man." Grace scoffed, "remember drink, face, yeah?"
"Of course, now shall we?" Jane held the door open for her to enter. Really though she should know nothing phases him, especially not public humiliation, threatening him actual bodily harm and meaning it is a far more effective measure.
They entered the restaurant and were seated towards the back. Grace looked around at the décor, it was a stunning Rococo inspired room. The pastels stunningly offset by the gold gilding. So beautiful, Jane didn't know how lucky he was to be able to afford these 'treats' as he called them.
Though she guessed with his fussy new girlfriend, this type of place was probably all he frequented these days.
"Grace, your scowling," Jane had watched Van Pelt's thoughts wander with her eyes.
"Sorry I guess I just don't get the menu," she covered.
"That's hardly it, but if you wish to pretend it is by all means do. I recommend the Chestnut soup with crème fraiche and the spinach souffle, I think you'll love it." Jane figured he may as well play along for now.
Imagine he once thought Lisbon was easy to read, well compared to Lisbon's translucency, Grace was glass. Though these days Lisbon had gotten far better at hiding from him and reading him, he was proud.
"As long as it's not a bloody salad" Van Pelt murmured in acquiescence.
Rigsby was right he was focused again. She had had to listen to a twenty minute rant about Jane the other day, but when she had rode with him to a scene, it had been peaceful enough so she had dismissed Rigsby. To her detriment it seemed.
Jane tried to hide the smile twitching about his lips, he wondered if Grace had realised how many of Lisbon's traits she had taken on.
The waiter arrived over and they placed their orders, with Van Pelt following Jane's suggestions.
"So how is your new beau." Jane asked leaning in.
"What new beau?" Grace played innocent.
"Grace, please."
"What?"
"Graaace." Jane dragged her name out, throwing her a withered look. Really? Was she really going to lie to him again.
Van Pelt huffed out an angry breath. "Fine Jane he's good, though after three months he's hardly new."
"Wow three months that's great." Jane smiled.
Van Pelt had enough, his knowing smile, as if he was party to her relationships, this nosiness, the case, the tiredness it was too much.
"What's this really about Jane? this sudden interest in the team again?" she snapped.
"I'm sorry Grace. I know I've been absent but I'm trying now." He paused as their food arrived waiting until the waiter left before he continued.
"I've behaved badly, but truly, it wasn't intentional. I just got distracted and I did try to get everyone out together initially, it just didn't work out, nobody gelled," he explained.
"I wonder why that was."
"If you have something to say Grace by all means say it." Jane was tired of beating around the bush and Van Pelt was completely over-reacting to her slight snub.
"Forget it Jane, our foods getting cold lets just eat, I'm tired from the case and liable to say something I regret." Van Pelt knew she was being a bit irrational and really wanted to just get back to the office. She started to eat after a minute of silence. Jane followed suit but continued to stare at her intently.
Grace let her eyes move around the room, taking in the visual feast while her taste buds rejoiced at the equally rich and wondrous food. She was from a big family, ignoring the person across from you because of an argument was piss easy to her.
Finishing off the last of her food, Van Pelt tried to resist her sudden urge to lick the plate clean. It was amazing. She settled back in her seat and finally met Jane's eyes, that she had been studiously ignoring for twenty minutes.
"I don't have to ask if you enjoyed that" Jane tried to break the ice.
Grace umhum'd her agreement, following the age old adage if you have nothing to say say nothing at all.
"Grace this is crazy I'll just say it for you, you don't like Alicia."
"That's not strictly true."
"Oh please." Jane scoffed.
"Really, really are we going to do this now? Fine." She hissed, all she wanted was food and sleep.
"While your girlfriend is rude, overbearing and generally a bit of a spoiled princess. It's not that I don't like her per se, it's that I don't like who you are with her." Grace finished her rant before it took off, trying to calm herself and squash what else she wanted to say.
Jane was taken aback by Grace's words. He watched the fire in her eyes and her shallow breaths, as she visibly tried to compose herself. He could also tell there was far more to this than he had anticipated.
"Continue... I can see there's more." He asked knowing her guard was down, the exhaustion from the case and stress left her likely to tell him what was on her mind.
"She was your rebound, you idiot. What the hell are you doing choosing your bounce back over your friendships? who does that?"
He was getting angry this was the woman he cared for, that she was so casually ripping through.
"Why Grace I never knew you cared so much."
"Don't make a joke of this Jane, we both know that I'm not talking about me. While I wasn't impressed at the team being replaced so easily, I can't believe what you did to Lisbon." Oh crap she had gone too far. This is why doctor's recommend more that three hours sleep. Stop now, no more. Please let her big trap stay shut.
"Did she say something?" Jane regarded her with a new intensity.
"Of course not. Like Lisbon would ever say anything, she was glad you were happy." Grace shook her head to clear it, mentally repeating the words shut up, shut up, shut up.
Jane could see Grace clamping up, he had to stop her.
"Fine then, what exactly did I do to Lisbon, that had offended you so grievously." He taunted.
"I'm her friend."
"So?" Jane used flippancy to rile her right back up, there is a reason they are called fiery red heads. Boom, he saw her snap again, anger from eyes to mouth in milliseconds.
"You cast her aside Jane. All the years of caring, protecting and supporting you. God not to mention her unrelenting friendship...and as soon as you feel a bit better, as soon as your goal is achieved... she is replaced instantly by Bitch Barbie. As if she never mattered."
Tears of frustration welled in Van Pelt's eyes. Sure Lisbon had never shown the pain and certainly never said anything but she knew, it was there, how could it not be.
"It wasn't like that Grace, I value Lisbon." Jane added softly.
"Funny way of showing it."
"Did she... was she upset?"
"Don't worry as usual she was, and is fine. It genuinely is your loss."
"I haven't lost Lisbon, I'll make it up to her." He stated, silently praying he was correct.
The thought of losing Lisbon made him feel physically sick. "Thank you Grace for your candour, I appreciate what you have said, even if I don't agree with your thoughts on Alicia."
"I'm sorry Jane that was completely without tact, I'm just crabby with exhaustion I'm so sorry." Van Pelt felt awful she wished she could have gone back in time and refused his offer. The expensive dinner was now churning in her stomach.
"Honestly I appreciate your views, it's why I asked you and I will try make it up to Lisbon and you too I hope."
Grace saw the truth in his eyes, she felt awful at snapping at him, but months of seeing him disappear on the team, on Lisbon had built up a lot of resentment. It looked to her as if Jane had been using Lisbon, like Craig had used her, solely for a purpose. She hoped he was going to try right things between them.
"We'll be fine Jane I'm sure." Grace shrugged.
Jane nodded in agreement oh they would be fine no doubt, he was more worried about getting back into Lisbon's good books. Grace's misdirected anger aside she was empathetic, but he hoped she was just over reacting. Her words left him with enough doubt to be worried.
His weekend was most certainly going to be spent plotting.
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Jane was practically bouncing the day of Lisbon's return. He had bought two tickets to a Jazz gig for the Friday two weeks away and he was going to get their friendship back on track. He was humming one of the bands melodies, he loved jazz, she loved jazz, perfect.
"You're awfully cheerful this morning." Alicia came up behind him in the kitchen, snaking her arms around his waist, "any particular reason?"
"Nope, just happy," he answered, stirring his scrambled eggs.
"That's what I like, a satisfied man," she snagged a piece of toast from his plate, leaning up to kiss his cheek. Jane had to cover a sudden desire to move his face away. That was odd he thought, where had that come from.
Alicia sat down chewing the toast and flicking through the paper.
"So, I'm nearly finished up all the craziness, a couple more weeks and I'm all done. So what do you want to do on the weekend of my freedom, I hear there are some good plays starting, or we could have a get reservations for a nice dinner?" she asked, watching as he spooned his breakfast onto a plate.
"Either sounds good but make it the Saturday, I have plans next Friday."
Alicia's eyes narrowed, "Plans? With who? I've been so busy I figured we would spend the whole weekend together."
Jane thought to all the recent outings he had missed, Alicia usually persuaded him to go elsewhere and that wasn't just the team nights, but quite a few of his interests had been sidelined.
He tended to go with whatever made her happy, though she never made him directly, he still felt as if he didn't want to let her down. Added to that she had become uncomfortable regarding his friends as they never properly bonded. He decided it was best not mention the actual truth, it could be misconstrued.
"I have a date with the CBI," he covered smoothly, " I pulled the late shift cover."
"Cant someone else do it for you?" she pouted, "I've barely seen you and I missed you terribly."
"Nope, I have used up all my excuses and its just one evening, you'll cope." Jane finished his breakfast quickly before glancing at the clock, "I'd better go, have a good day, darling."
"You too, I love you." She leaned over kissing him.
"Yeah me too" Jane called, as he practically skipped out the door.
He was far earlier than he needed to be, but he wanted to pick Lisbon up her favourite coffee. A welcome back gift of sorts. The sun shimmered in the cerulean blue sky, he breathed in deep, it really was a beautiful day.
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Lisbon got in early but not as early as two member's of her team, judging by the coat on Van Pelt's chair, or the piping hot coffee on her desk.
She was surprised to see the drink there, a cream paper cup standing out against the dark brown wood of her desk.
She looked at the drink with suspicious confusion. Gourmet and aromatic, the scent of rich cocoa and hazelnut emanated from it. Only one man would go all the way to that pretentious place three streets over and pay a small fortune for someone else's coffee, but why?
Lisbon didn't get to contemplate the drink for long, as a bright red haired blur engulfed her in a hug. Lisbon still wasn't overly comfortable being affectionate, but Van Pelt sure as hell seemed determined to change that.
"Hi boss, how was Chicago? Was it cold? did you see much? how was the family?" Grace fired question after question at her, in excitement.
"Good thanks, it was great seeing everyone... what were the other twenty questions." Lisbon laughed
"Sorry, how was Annie's award ceremony and ...ooh something smells good, an indulgence for the first day back?" Grace asked, her eyes flicking over to the coffee.
"I guess, em Annie's ceremony was wonderful, she looked so lady like, though she'd kill me if she heard me say that."
"Ha... reminds me of someone else I know. You still have time before you start, do you wanna accompany me to the cart outside, your coffee's made me need one. You can give me all the details and photos if you have any?" Van Pelt hinted.
"Sure, I'll probably not get much of a break today so I can put off my e-mails for five minutes." Lisbon smiled at the young woman's enthusiasm.
"Great grab your posh coffee and we'll go get me some sludge," Van Pelt jested.
"You know what Grace, I'm in the mood for plain, old, rocket fuel, so why don't you take this one."
"What, why? Boss I couldn't, plus you went to the effort to pick it up."
"I honestly don't want it, really all I want basic black and a muffin." Lisbon replied firmly.
Grace's eyes flashed to the coffee and back, sorely tempted and Lisbon sure didn't look like she wanted it.
"You positive?... Ok deal but I buy you the muffin and coffee, they're still probably cheaper than your one coffee."
They chatted amicably on the short ride down, Grace humming contently now and then as she sipped the coffee.
"So tell me all bout Chicago?" Van Pelt persisted as they waited in the short que.
"Everything was great. I stayed a few days with everyone. Each house was crazier than the next, hung out with Annie a lot. I even went out one night with all my brother's, they all got along it was unbelievable. Other than that lets see, I ate loads, walked a lot, enjoyed the cold... ate more." Lisbon joked. She gave her order and stepped aside, waving away Van Pelt's offer to pay.
"So enough about me, how was it while I was away? You see Will again while I was gone?" Lisbon teased, thanking the barista for her coffee. Van Pelt smiled and blushed, ducking her head slightly.
"Maybe." She replied shyly holding the door for Lisbon as they re-entered the building.
"And..."
"It was nice, he's nice."
"Oh lord, nice? The kiss of death for a guy, right next to cute." Lisbon mocked as they entered the lift.
"I like nice. I think we see enough nasty in work, that nice is well, nice" Van Pelt defended.
"I know Grace. Cho told me it was a tough case, did it all go ok?"
"Yeah, it was hard, that reminds me boss, see.. eh... Jane." Van Pelt started.
"Oh crap, what did he do now and how big's the paper work pile. Dammit he's been so good lately." Lisbon scowled.
"No, no, it wasn't work related, see..." Van Pelt tried to explain, unfortunately the elevator doors opened revealing their consultant. His eyes lit up as he saw them both.
"I knew you had arrived ,in my brief absence from the bullpen but you disappeared again." Jane smiled warmly.
"I went for coffee Jane." Lisbon indicated to her beverage, raising her cup. His eyes moved to her drink and then to Van Pelts, his face clouding for a second, his eyes questioning Lisbon's.
"Sadly I have work to do so I'll talk to you both later." Lisbon slipped past Jane towards her office.
Jane moved to follow her but she shut her door firmly.
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It took several hours before he could get Lisbon alone. Since arriving that morning, she was on the phone, checking emails and having meetings in a desperate bid to catch up quickly.
Jane watched her through her window as he had been relegated to his own couch earlier. It seemingly didn't look good to the higher ups coming in and out of Lisbon's office, to see him napping on his boss's couch.
Jane personally didn't see the difference, if he was napping here or there, it was all the same, he clearly wasn't working, but she insisted so here he was.
Finally, around four, it all seemed to die down. Jane could see her yoga mat poking out from behind her desk, surmising quickly its implications, he had better go now so. Its presence indicated that she would be leaving at five with Grace for a class.
He sauntered in, sitting opposite her, instead of on her couch. Lisbon looked up and smiled. In the dusky light her eyes were luminous. Something was different, ah she had changed her hair again, slightly shorter and more plum, he liked it.
"Your hair looks nice, the new colour compliments your eyes," he watched as her smile got bigger.
"Thanks Jane, you're the only one who noticed," she blushed.
"Oh I'm sure Grace will at your class," he smiled back.
"Ah yes, and if I want to make it I had better get back to my work, so too what do I owe the pleasure of you gracing a seat like a grown up." She cajoled.
Jane passed over the envelope with the tickets. Watching as Lisbon carefully pulled them out, her brow crinkled as she read the writing.
"Jane these have been sold out for ages, I tried to get tickets myself how did you...?"
" I had a few favours I was owed" he peacocked at the praise.
"Wow are you sure about this, I mean I can pay you?"
"I wouldn't hear of it my dear, I know how much you love Jazz." He reassured her.
"Wow, Dave in Ops is going to be so happy, he was dying to go, he loves Jazz even more than me. So how come you and Alicia can't go?" She asked her eyes scanning the details on the ticket.
"What?" Jane was completely caught off guard by her question.
He mentally kicked himself, Oh no, he was an idiot, how could he be so stupid. He had just made a rookie mistake, of course she wouldn't think he was going with her or be asking her, they didn't do those things any more.
"I got the dates mixed up, Alicia and I already had plans, were going to a friends for dinner." He covered, his good mood gone instantly.
"Wow your loss, my gain, thanks Jane, this is so generous, I'm going to go see if Dave is free." Lisbon beamed at him.
At least he made her smile Jane thought, the whole point was to become friends again not lay claim to her free time.
"So are you and Dave..." Jane wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, hiding how annoyed he was that he neither knew this Dave or knew just how Lisbon suddenly did.
"No were friends," Lisbon rolled her eyes. "We worked a case together when you took Alicia to Palm Springs," she answered back, as she exited her office.
Sure, Jane thought, friends right. Well this had not worked out at all, he really was off his game. He returned to his couch, to await clocking off time.
He sulked until it was time to go, adding a pissed off grimace to his countenance, when Lisbon signalled him a thumbs up, indicating Dave was indeed free. Damn Dave and damn himself for ignoring his friendships.