Author's Note: So here we go, another chapter. I cant believe I got to over a hundred reviews with the last chapter (100 was Kaoh!). I never ask for reviews because I spent the longest time just reading and not reviewing, but wow does it feel good to get them!
I p'md those I can and a thanks to Kate ( You are too generous and glad you are enjoying it) and me4eva (Thanks and I hope your training goes well, stay safe!) and Ana, (Thank you, sorry I take so long to update, I'll try be faster, I google translated your review so I hope I got the gist!)
Disclaimer: If I owned it, well Lisbon would get way more air time, while having a moral crisis over Jane and her actions of late, lets put it that way... Though I did notice more Lisbon this episode and it had a female director... coincidence?
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Lisbon made her way to where the others were standing, she had not slept at all the night before. Her insomnia had occurred without reason, just one of those things, which made it all the worse, as if you don't know why, then you can't solve it.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She was sorely tempted to check it but knowing who it was from and knowing Jane, she was better off waiting until she was alone. She looked around the group nodding a hello when she arrived.
"So glad you could finally join us Agent Lisbon" Detective Moore commented.
"So glad you have no other work to keep you occupied, so you could join us, Detective." Lisbon snipped back, bringing a scowl to Moore's face.
Good she thought, she was in no mood today for a cantankerous old bull dog like him. She caught one of his underlings trying to conceal his glee at his being put in his place.
"You", she pointed at the sandy haired boy of no more than twenty, "can show us the murder site."
"Excuse me ma'am?", The boy asked startled. Lisbon squinted at his name tag, it stated T. Cole, in bold white letters.
"You heard me, show us the way. I'm sure your boss has better things to do, back at the station." Lisbon let the verbal challenge for Moore to counter her, hang between them.
"Of course I do, Agent, but I plan to make sure you obey the letter of the law, from what I hear you lot aren't great at that." Moore sneered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lisbon growled through clenched teeth.
"Perhaps your using, a biker's son, an ex gang banger, a woman who has killed her own fiance and a well known murderer to catch a killer, leaves me with some doubts." Moore smirked waiting for he reaction.
"You son of a bitch..." Lisbon went to lung at the man. Jane grabbed her placing himself in her path, pressing his body to hers and between Moore.
"Don't" was all he said, communicating her need to calm through his eyes.
Lisbon glanced between Jane's face and Moore and back again. She gave a short sharp nod and walked towards the body's dump site, Grace visibly shaken by the taunt followed too and Rigsby ever faithful, went after her.
"Quite a temper," Moore continued to try rile them up.
Jane turned to the man, eyes blazing, tone icy. "I suppose I too would be intimidated, if I had peaked at thirty, and a woman that embodies all my fantasies from professional to sexual, shows up to show me everything I'll never have and never be..." Jane spoke softly but Moore and his men heard him clearly.
"We may be thugs but she has one thing you'll never have... respect" Cho added.
Moore laughed and rolled his eyes. He wasn't slow enough though, not to notice his teams lack of response in his defence, not to mention half of them wouldn't meet his eyes.
Jane and Cho moved off and Cole started to walk towards them, mumbling about how he needed to show them the exact location.
Jane moved swiftly through the brush, towards Lisbon. He noted the soft crunch of grass and earth below his feet, the canopy above their heads must have prevented much of yesterdays rain from coming through.
He approached Lisbon from the side, using a tree for cover until he was directly behind her while still remaining out of sight.
"When I said tackle him I was joking." He whispered in her ear causing her to start slightly in surprise.
Normally having gotten any reaction, he would move away, instead he kept his mouth close to her ear, his hot breath on her neck. He watched her pulse point quicken from his sudden presence.
Her mouth quirted upwards at his joke, a scare and a smile, mission accomplished, he had made her tension dissipated somewhat. Yet strangely he still did not move. He remained practically unnoticeable to the others, concealed behind the tree, it was just him and Lisbon.
He stepped nearer to her. So close, a mere hairs width was between them, he felt her heat radiate, inhaled her fragrance, his fingers lifted, tingling as his hand approached hers. He could see her still, unsure of what was happening.
"Lisbon, over here", Cho called to her, shattering the moment, jolting Jane back to reality. Lisbon moved towards her second in command, Jane composing himself, followed her a few seconds later.
"You can see by the tracks and the layout of the logs, this place is used often, by someone", Cho pointed out.
"The trees provide excellent cover, both from the elements and prying eyes" Jane added.
"So what was the good doctor doing here?" Lisbon asked.
"Cutting through" Jane said simply.
"That's it... you're telling me his death comes down to bad luck... really?" Lisbon grouched.
"Yeah I am, if you look at the moss on the trees here you can see that that way" Jane pointed for clarification, "is north, the bar is that way", he spun towards a set of trees, "and the hotel is that way." Jane continued, moving his hand in a straight line through the air, between the two points.
"There is a small trail that has been worn over some years by locals and unlucky for our Vic, he chose to not drink and get a taxi, but walk instead." Jane finished.
"So he saw something and it got him killed but what and who, and how would they know he would take a short cut?" Lisbon realised that Jane was probably right, if he had an enemy they would have found something by now.
"Who would be comfortable in the woods at night?" Lisbon asked the group.
"Bears?" Cho dead panned.
"I think its more likely a human." Lisbon tutted.
"Goldilocks she hangs out with bears and has a violent streak" Rigsby pointed out.
"In that case Red Riding Hood is in, wolves are found in the woods too." Van Pelt joked, joining in with the teams attempt to lighten Lisbon's mood. Lisbon shook her head, trying to conceal her grin, she appreciated their efforts.
"Okay funny, but can we focus please, on adult, non fictional suspects with actual motives, talk to the locals again, focusing on those familiar with these woods, Jane your with me, we're headed to the morgue" Lisbon ordered.
"You heard Snow White, go talk to the towns people." Jane winked at the team.
"If I'm Snow White, what's that make you?" Lisbon challenged as they started back to the vehicles
"Why the handsome prince of course" Jane concluded.
"Really I was thinking more like the apple that got stuck in her throat" Lisbon bit back.
"I suppose it was enticing, impossible to resist, magic, bliss when you taste it..." Jane waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"How, how do you get a good spin, on what is essentially a murder weapon." Lisbon looked to the heavens in bewilderment, choosing to remain silent for the rest of their walk.
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The trip to the coroners had revealed little, they reconvened with the others back at Jane's room and after several long hours of going over every aspect of the case, they got no where. Everyone had discussed what they had found and the various theories they had. Hours and hours of back and forth, got them no further, so one by one the team left, to sleep, leaving just him and Lisbon.
They had both kept coming back to Savannah but she had an air tight alibi, she was just so suspicious. Jane was looking through everything again. He knew how important it was to Lisbon to solve this and shove it in Moore's face.
He had insulted her surrogate family today and Jane knew had he not intervened and had there not been so many witnesses, there would have been a second body in those woods. He smiled to himself at momma bear and her instincts.
Her phone buzzed again, drawing him back to the present. She was so tired, she had slept through several texts, Jane figured he better check to see if they were important. He opened the screen, five messages from Dylan. He had to force himself from the delete button, choosing to place the phone on the carpet dulling the noise instead.
He glanced at his softly snoring colleague. She had fallen asleep on his bed reviewing one of the files. Half on the floor, half draped across the foot of the bed. She couldn't stay like that, she would have one hell of an ache tomorrow, leaving her in an unforgiving mood and he was driving with her. He decided to move her into a more comfortable position.
He lifted her easily and draped her down on to the pillows. She was so small, he felt a surge of protectiveness overwhelm him for a second. He looked down at her face, smooth in her restfulness. She looked much younger than her age.
He wasn't even sure if she was wearing make up, not that she needed it, she was stunning and so beautiful inside and out. Like a pixie, an elf, a little fairy... well one filled with ass kicking dust.
He smiled to himself as his hand brushed some of her hair away from her face. He felt that same desire that he had in the woods to touch her, seeing no reason to not indulge his impulse, he allowed his fingers to skim her jaw and her throat. The pads of his fingers barely connected with her skin, but the strength of their joining shot up his arm, a small pleasurable vibration.
A soft sigh escaped her parted lips and he leaned down placing his mouth on hers. He breathed in one breath of hers, languished in the brief union of their lips, felt every powerful nerve ending ignite in desire, before his heart slammed his rib cage, awakening him from his actions, warning him of danger.
He practically flew to the chair at the opposite wall. Shocked and trembling he watched to see if he had awakened Lisbon, but no his enchantress slept on unaware of her successful entrapment.
What the hell was he doing, and what the hell was that? His entire body felt as if it was going to implode from the fleeting occurrence. He wanted her and he wanted her badly. He had not felt that way in years, if ever, his guilty mind taunted.
The fog lifted, a laser beam of clarity dissipated the hazy confusion that had been plaguing him. He had slowly over recent months subconsciously been realising the error of his ways. He had feelings for Lisbon. No, no he loved Alicia, oh God... his girlfriend.
He may have not dated for eight years, but break or no break, he was sure getting to first base with a sleeping co-worker was still a no go. Lisbon shifted in her sleep pulling her shirt tight against her chest, spreading her limbs out, her pose reminiscent of a woman begging to be ravished. Damn woman knew how to push his buttons, even in her sleep.
He forced his biofeedback tricks into play, focusing on his breathing and bringing the blood back to his brain. For several minutes he concentrated, until he was finally human and not a hormone.
He had to wake her up, he was calm now, she wouldn't know anything happened, just send her back to her room, he reasoned. She wouldn't know, couldn't know.
He approached her, like a man nearing an animal with a thorn in its paw. He sat on the bed and went to shake her, his eyes took in her slightly dark circles, she needed this sleep. Damn it so did he.
If he woke her she would refocus on the case, forgoing any rest and she would stay here, to work. Patrick Jane get a hold of yourself, he yelled in his head... for her. He could do this, he had slept beside Lisbon many times, granted usually in the car after a long ride or on a stakeout but still. She needed this.
He placed a blanket over her, before lying straight out on his side, careful to not tough her in any way. He again moved his mind from the now off limit thoughts, for her, he would sacrifice anything. He eventually calmed, as was usual in her presence and let her soft breathing lull him to sleep.
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He awoke to see Lisbon had star fished during the night, so used to a bed to herself. He had remained on his side mostly away from her, apart from her leg, which had snaked across his thigh She had managed to get her foot locked in under his, anchoring him to her. Like always, it amazed him that she could tell he was in danger of fleeing, without any concious reasoning on her behalf.
In the light of morning he tried to justify his previous nights behaviour away. He got up to get coffee for the team, figuring it was best not to be there when Lisbon awoke. He didn't want to deal with that or his feelings on the matter. He passed by the photos, spread out on the desk. One in particular caught his attention, hmm, he now had a hunch too.
Halfway to the coffee shop, he passed 'Hype', he could hear kegs being loaded, perfect. Moving to the side door, Jane leaned in, listening. He moved in further, managing to hear Savannah arguing with some guy. He smiled after a minute, he had just solved the case.
Jane bought the coffees and returned with a spring in his step, he loved giving Lisbon good news. The others had gathered in his absence. He handed everyone there drinks.
"Thanks Jane" Lisbon said staring directly into his eyes, conveying her double meaning as she grasped her cup. His heart lifted at her rested appearance.
"Well you are about to far more grateful my dear. I have a plan..." He smiled.
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Jane had ignored the elephant in the room as they made their arrests. He had Rigsby play his regular lowlife role to convince Savannah that she had been made as aiding drug dealer, a fake bribe later and her partner tried to kill Rigsby in the same spot. Lisbon joked that only Jane could realise that Savannah was a co-conspirator because she hadn't got an ice pick.
Granted her old one, was the weapon 'Kyle', her dealer had ploughed the good doctor with. Savannah had given Kyle up quickly for a deal, explaining she had needed the extra money so she allowed him to deal out of her club, for a split of the profits.
Williams' had seen the signs of drug use and approached Savannah to report it, she told Kyle and he followed and killed him. Case closed.
They had needed to stay another night and Jane had made sure to avoid Lisbon all evening. He even took a seat away from her at dinner, so he could give himself some space. He also made sure they avoided the diner.
He reasoned the whole situation down to exhaustion, frustration and lingering emotions over Alicia. He cared for Lisbon of course, he had missed her, he was confused and transferring, yup that was it.
So he ignored the little voice in the back of his head, put Lisbon and whatever was going on, away. He went to bed, gathered up all his tricks and forced himself to sleep, glad that they were taking off early the next morning.
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It was a bright and cheerful morning, Jane woke up more optimistic. Rounding the corner to the parking lot, he heard the team before he saw them. They were loading their stuff in and waved to him in greeting.
Lisbon was already in the car. He threw his bag in the trunk moving around to pull the door open, revealing a fidgeting Lisbon.
"Hi Jane, you okay..."
"I'm fine thanks and you?", he asked as strapped himself in.
"Em not great, I was up late thinking" she answered honestly.
He turned to look at her in concern, "why?"
"Well firstly, I should say...", she started avoiding his eyes.
"Firstly, good thing I'm sitting down… is this a long list of my faults?" He teased, he hated when she wouldn't look at him.
"No, we'd be here till next week if I started that list... though I could just make you read your complaints file its a close summary." She finally looked at him.
"Ouch, zinger."
"Well you shouldn't interrupt me" She scolded.
"Fiiinne, go ahead." he childishly complained.
"Well I wanted to thank you for all your work, you were efficient and you included the team, without the circus."
"You're welcome."
"You also helped with Moore, and let me crash in your room, with no embarrassing comments on either of those things. All this was despite your earlier distractions and I wanted to apologise, that I never followed up on that." She met his eye guiltily.
"Lisbon you had a case, it's okay." He knew she would have, given the time.
"It's not Jane, you needed to talk and we had time at the diner, on the road... So I wanted to say if you need to talk I'm here..." She hadn't wanted to talk about Alicia, but now she realised that was unfair on him.
"Thanks Lisbon but I'm all right." Jane smiled re-assuredly.
"Jane..." Lisbon warned.
"I will I promise... if I need too." Jane reassured her.
"Okay good" she said as started the engine.
She paused a second, Jane watched as she silently debated with herself. He was surprised when her hand darted over to his giving it a soft, yet strong squeeze. Jane's hand sparked at the contact.
Oh this was not good not good at all. He was supposed to love Alicia, they were together over eight months. He was happy, Lisbon was happy. He was happy right?
He had been blind, so very, very blind. He was attracted to Alicia but what he felt last night and this morning, was like comparing a sparkler to a fire work. He had forgotten what it was like to love a woman.
It was obvious in his recent behaviour, he should have known, he had been pulling away and towards Lisbon. His intense desire to get close, to hang out to touch her. Oh he was screwed.
He glanced at the woman next to him, humming obliviously along to the car radio. She was happy, so much more content than when he was central to her life. He no longer put that smile on her face, her sparkle was nothing to do with him. He was a selfish, selfish man.
He had cast her aside for a new shiny toy and she hadn't gotten mad or hurt, no she had done what she always did when a man in her life, one that she relied on and cared for, cast her aside. She stood up, dusted herself off and thrived.
She was amazing, so much more than he could ever hope to be. He felt he was a better man just being beside her and he had tossed what they had away. She didn't seem to feel the same way, any indication and he would have seen it. That was his job to see what others didn't, but then that was dependant on his looking. Maybe he had missed something...
"Your staring" Lisbon joked in a sing song voice.
"Are you happy?" Jane asked straight out.
"Why what did you do?" she asked exasperated.
"What?"
"Your trying to gauge what my reaction to something is going to be." Lisbon frowned and Jane watched as her sparkle diminished. One question and he could do that she really was better off without him.
"I didn't do anything, Lisbon." He reassured her.
"Then what are you going to do? oh God not Moore."
"No, I've done nothing and I'm going to do nothing either." He clarified.
Lisbon let out a relieved breath, "Good cause we've time in lieu and I don't want to have to come in."
"Oh you have plans?" he watched as Lisbon blushed at his question. Well that answered that.
He leaned in to the radio, turning up a song, not in the mood to talk any more. Plastering a fake smile on his face, he let his mind drift away.