Author's note: This is the last chapter I have worked on. I'm terrible, I go through periods of intense productivity and then nothing! So three chapters in a week then I become blocked. Hopefully I'll get some drive to write soon. Thanks for all your support, faves, alerts and reviews.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, but my imagination and half the time that doesn't work.
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It was Friday evening and nearing home time for everyone in the bullpen, but not for Jane. The downside of lying to your girlfriend about working late, was it meant you had to hideout there, until it actually got late. Not that Jane minded too much, things were still tense at home and at least he was getting in some quality time with his couch. She had been neglected too.
"Still here Jane. I thought you had plans?" Lisbon questioned on her way to the kitchen, for her fourth cup of coffee in three hours. He was going to have to do something about her little problem.
"They fell through, so no rush on me" he answered, waving to the others as they left.
"Oh I'm sorry, so you could have used your tickets." Lisbon looked torn between offering the tickets back and her desire to go see the gig.
The woman was simply too much. Like any decent person would ask for them back this late in the day. "Alicia has to work, so she still couldn't go." Jesus, Jane thought, the lies just kept coming.
Jane was interrupted before he could add to his story, by a tall, fair haired man, entering the room, and gunning towards his and Lisbon's positions. Lisbon turned to see what he was staring at.
"Dave? Is everything alright, we weren't supposed to meet till seven" Lisbon asked.
So he finally got to meet the elusive 'Dave' he supposed he was attractive enough, a bit bland by Jane's taste, he looked like the type to do his taxes a month in advance. He waved a polite hello, in case Lisbon thought he was being rude to her new friend.
"Em no, unfortunately a case popped up. I'm not going to be able to go tonight." Dave looked more disappointed than missing a band would warrant, friends right not on his part clearly.
Lisbon on the other hand didn't seem too bothered by the man himself, but definitely by the prospect of missing out on her night. Urggh she was probably going to call Dylan, defender of the innocent, to come save her, the bastard.
"It's ok, it's the nature of the job right" she shrugged, oblivious to Jane's less than nice thoughts about her casual boyfriend.
Dave nodded but with nothing more to say and no obvious way to continue the conversation, he just glanced between Jane and Lisbon. He stood in the silence for a moment deciding what to do. Jane watched gleefully as he eventually slunk off. Byyyeeee and stay gone, Jane glared at his retreating back.
"Well that's just crap" Lisbon sighed, turning back to Jane and his couch. She looked thoughtfully at him, a hopeful look, lighting up her face.
"So you said your free, and now I have a ticket to a band you wanted to see. Seems like kismet, so what do you say?" Lisbon looked at him auspiciously.
Jane deliberately paused, pretending to consider her offer, but secretly doing a little dance inside. A whole night with his best friend, who had not only switched from her plan to avoid him, but was now asking him to hang out, oh there was only one answer.
"I'd say that sounds like a plan." He grinned at her relieved expression.
"Great, well I'm going to go home now and grab a quick shower and change, do you want to go home, I can drop you off?"
"No I'm good to go as is", Jane gestured to his immaculate three piece suit, it travels anywhere.
That and he can't exactly head home, he added silently to himself. That would be one very awkward explanation, he would have to deliver to Alicia.
"Oh... well your welcome to wait in my apartment, I'm taxiing to and from the gig, so we can share a cab. It makes more sense than going out of the way to get there, from here." Lisbon motioned with her hand.
"Sure, it's better than waiting here alone." Much, much better, he smiled.
"Yeah this way you can have the cab drop you to your door after. I've wine chilling, so you can have a few drinks or tea if you prefer,...you don't have to drink... if you don't want too?" Lisbon rambled distractedly.
She was practically shoving her stuff into her bag, so that the minute six struck, she was out of there. Jane loved seeing Lisbon excited, especially when he was partially responsible.
"I think a glass of wine sounds perfect, Lisbon." Ha take that Dave, I get a home invite.
They chatted amicably on the way to her place, despite the flow of conversation, Jane was still aware of the differences between now and eight months ago. Still that was what he was doing, fighting for his friendships.
When they arrived Lisbon poured them both some wine and departed, to go and shower. Jane rambled around taking in her space while the shower ran. She had painted, unpacked her boxes, her apartment felt like a home... almost.
He wondered why now, what had her in such a flux. She finished the shower quickly and he could hear her padding to her bedroom. Jane sipped his wine thoughtfully. Thirty minutes later and Lisbon descended the stairs.
Jane felt a jolt of lust bolt through his body and nearly spit out the wine he was sipping, in shock at his body's reaction.
Lisbon was wearing a simple sleeveless red dress with a modest split. The top however did wonders for her cleavage, the sweet heart neckline drew attention to the fact for a small woman, she was not, in any way flat chested. Jane did not know what to do with the fact he was checking out his boss and friend's breasts.
"You look lovely my dear." He said grateful he sounded normal.
She did look lovely, with her soft curls and smoky eyes. He took in a slow breath, this was a normal male reaction he reasoned, he was just not used to having any reaction to anyone, obviously being with Alicia had opened up that door... and left it… wide open.
God, he hoped he didn't become a lecherous pervert, due to his eight years of celibacy. He realised Lisbon was chatting away and he was not focusing on her words.
"Sorry I didn't hear the last bit", he sheepishly admitted.
"I asked was it too much, I've been going out shopping with Van Pelt lately and she encouraged me to try new things, that and we're going out in a few weeks and I wanted to see if this was comfortable. The last dress I wore was more restrictive than our Kevlar vests." She joked.
Seeing how form fitting this dress was, just how tight was the last one? Van Pelt needed to get a big old fruit basket for encouraging Lisbon. He wondered if he would get to see the last dress, maybe they took photos?
"Jane, JANE, hello..." she called, waving her hands in front of his face.
He tried to drag his eyes away but failed miserably.
"Lisbon my dear, I was giving you a carefully considered answer." Jane covered his less than gallant behaviour.
"No definitely not too much, this outfit is very becoming and I bet you looked equally as lovely in the last outfit." He smiled reassuringly at her.
"Thanks Jane" she blushed.
Lisbon wandered into the kitchen to get herself her glass of wine. Jane watched her hips sway, as her long legs gracefully moved through the rooms. Her legs went on forever for a petite woman, her proportions are so askew for her height, not to mention her very pert ass, snug in that red material.
Jane was shocked at the turn his thoughts had just taken. Yep, he was definitely a degenerate now, a horny, dirty middle-aged man. Maybe he should have tried to spend more time with Alicia this week, because he clearly needed to relieve some of his sexual energy.
They both sat down on the couch discussing the band, as they enjoyed the wine. Really though Lisbon did the majority of the chatting, while Jane tried to drag his mind out of the gutter. When Lisbon leaned down to place her wine glass down, giving Jane a clear view of more cleavage and a sexy red bra, he knew it was definitely time to leave, or take a cold shower, really cold, ice if it was possible.
"Shall we go? We can grab a cab on the street" Jane finished his drink with a flourish, hoping to get them out of here fast.
"Lets." Lisbon agreed grabbing her purse. As Jane guided her out the door, he was grateful that at least there was no audible sparks this time, surprising since he was so charged.
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The place was crowded, the band certainly were popular. Jane guided Lisbon to their seats, his hand firmly at her back, shooting warning glances at men throwing her amorous looks. They had seats towards the front, but not close enough to be deafened.
"I'm so excited, I've loved the lead singer and bassist since their early collaborations. They used to play a run down dive near my college. It was all sticky floors and mould in the toilets, but when they played..." Lisbon trailed off, deep in memories.
"Ah sounds... pleasant. My interest was sadly not as dedicated as yours, they played Malibu years ago and my wife and I went to see them, open air, moonlight and love it was perfect." Jane added wistfully.
Lisbon looked shocked at his casual telling of such a personal memory.
"Don't look so worried Teresa, I choose to focus on the good times now and there was many of them", Jane assured her.
"Funny, I remember that concert." Lisbon added, hoping to move on from the awkward moment.
"You were at it?" Jane was shocked at the coincidence.
"Nearly, but no. I was supposed to go with a boyfriend for an anniversary." Lisbon chuckled.
"and?" Jane pressed, he was ecstatic at this interchange of their pasts.
"We broke up two weeks before and he took the tickets, the shit. I knew I would be ok, when I realised I was sadder at not seeing the band play, than never seeing him again." She let out a low chortle that made Jane shiver.
"It would have been strange, having met you before we worked together." Jane could imagine her college self, all angst and attitude, a perfectly delectable mix.
"I doubt we would have met Jane." Lisbon argued, what were the chances.
"Oh I'd have noticed you, the whole bar has noticed you tonight and with my observation skills..." He loved his wife with all his heart, but men were men and a beautiful woman will always catch their attention and Lisbon was intriguing, his favourite type, even back then.
Lisbon felt herself heat up at Jane's gaze, it was sending her mind places she didn't want. She knew it meant nothing to him, he was probably remembering his wife.
"Hush Jane" Lisbon blushed prettily. Calling over the waitress to break the intensity, she placed a drink order, right as the music to started.
Jane spent the majority of the night watching Lisbon. Her enjoyment of the group was a true sight to behold. The notes and flow of the music was ethereal and each shift, reverberation of base or adjustment of tempo, was mirrored in Lisbon face. He could see the music in her emotions as he gazed at her, he didn't need to see the five sweaty men creating it.
When the music ended and the lights went up Jane's heart sank somewhat. The night had been perfect, and as they went to hail a cab he realised he didn't want it to end.
"Are you hungry my dear?" Jane was desperate to have her to himself, for awhile longer.
Lisbon looked torn as she made her decision, her face grew visibly colder as her mask descended.
"No Jane, I'm tired and I've a busy weekend." She jutted her hand out, catching a cab, effectively ending the conversation.
What was that about? They sat in silence while Jane's mind ran with questions, he wanted to know what she was doing this weekend, where she would go, who she would go with.
When the cab pulled up outside his home, Lisbon turned to him, her face softer and warmer.
"Thank you Jane, this was... perfect." She said softly.
"My pleasure." He added as he exited the cab.
He hoped Alicia was asleep. He didn't want to mar the evening with another row. As he approached the door to their apartment, he knew he would have no such luck. The small beam of light that crept out from beneath the gap under the door, told him she was up.
The human condition craved light, it made them feel safe, warm, home, right now all he felt was dread. He unlocked the door, opening into the small hallway. Turning off the hall light, he shuffled into the bedroom.
Alicia sat propped up by one of the numerous throw pillows that overtook the bed, she was dressed in a small pink basque, her hair pulled into a tight bun. No doubt aiming for seduction, well at least a few hours ago she was.
"Hi baby, I stayed up so we could see each other. I can't believe you had to work until two." She got up, wrapping her delicate limbs around him leaning in for a soft kiss. She pulled back sharply, a look of shock registering on her face.
"Have you been drinking" she accused.
"I went out after work for a few, with the boys." Jane lied, better than mentioning he spent the night with a sexy siren.
"We've barely seen each other for weeks and you went out? you have already been out with your friends a lot this week and I hoped..."
'Oh am I forbidden from seeing them now" Jane cut her off.
"I never said that, I just thought we could spend sometime together is all, I've missed you" Alicia defended herself.
"Oh and I haven't missed you is that it?" Jane growled.
"Patrick I'm not saying that, why are you twisting my words. I was worried when you were so late, I would have met you, spent time with your team, anything to be together more than we have." She explained
"How is that my fault, you are the one working late all the time, not me, so I decided to spend time with my friends, big deal. Shit I'm not you little lap dog, here for you to play with whenever you have time." Jane yelled.
"Patrick", Alicia's eyes brimmed with tears, " I would never think that, I like that your spending time with them, I never once asked you to stop. Why are you so angry?" she begged her tears spilling over, streaking the unnecessary make up, that she was wearing.
"I'm sorry Alicia, I guess it has been a long week, look I'm going to sleep on the couch, to cool off."
He hadn't thought it was possible but her face fell more, her tears spilling faster. He grabbed some blankets and moved to the couch. He could hear her sobbing, as he fell into a listless sleep.
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He awoke to the front door slamming. He felt awful, his head was congested and his guilt was rapidly escalating. He didn't know why he was so angry and why he was blaming her, she hadn't done anything wrong.
He felt off. That strange tingle, as your senses tell you something is amiss but you cant see any danger. He hated not knowing, he was the man who knew everything, this was not good, not good at all.