4.9 Red Shirt
They haven't been happy lately- well, he has stopped being happy a long time ago, but Lisbon, Teresa… it's different with her. Lately, she has been on edge, she has been quiet and with a dark shadow caressing her once shining green eyes, eyes that once seemed made of some kind of magical green fire, an eternal flame that gave others reasons to move on, to keep going, to keep fighting. They were like… they were like some kind of reflection of her inner sanctity, of her inner strength, they were passion, but passion for life and people and beliefs, not lust.
She is happy now, though, sitting on the balcony of their favorite café eating ice cream, and she is in pace. Even if he wonders if it's not just resignation, if she hasn't just give up on the fact that he'll not tell her further more about Carter and Red John and so on. Or maybe…
He wonders if it's not the complete opposite. If it's not hope that is making her going on. He asked her to get some ice cream with him, and now, here they are, sharing ice cream from the same cup, like two corny teenagers, even if she is just his boss- actually, she is his friend, she is his family, but there's no need to let her know she has been right all along. He is supposed to be the one with the ego, but egomaniac Lisbon….. she isn't a good sight. She can be worst than him, at times.
She closes her eyes in bliss as she puts the spoon in her mouth, moaning, and he smiles, he almost laugh, hiding it behind a well placed caught, cherishing the sight of her, so free and young, like she has probably never really been before, too taken aback from responsibilities to fully enjoy life. And it's why he likes being around her-whatever she likes it or not, he brings fun in her life, he makes her smile of that smile he felt on her lips through the touch if his fingertips.
But it doesn't really matter, nothing really matters. Only one thing is central right now: Lisbon is there with him. Lisbon is smiling, the shadow isn't gone, but it will, or at least, it will fade. Because his shadows are everlasting, but he hasn't intention of bringing her down with him. And if reliving his personal hell, if talking with her is the only way to avoid it, then, he'll just do it.
Eventually. For now, there's always time for ice cream.