Simple Diversions

A/N: Here is a long-ish chapter, because I felt so bad about the last two... Let me know what you guys think :)

Disclaimer: I don't own the Mentalist or any of the characters or ideas.

Chapter 13

"Let me get this straight," Daniel said as he paced up and down Lisbon's office. "You want us to let Bortaccelli and Bill go and keep them under surveillance until one of them cracks? What if they escape?"

"We won't let that happen." Mia replied angrily as she walked to stand in front of Daniel.

"Oh yeah," Daniel began sarcastically. "Just like 2009."

This seemed to throw Mia a little, but it didn't stop her words from containing a little bit of venom.

"No, not like 2009." Mia fumed. "I promised that would never happen again."

Daniel and Mia locked eyes as they started an epic staring match, but were interrupted by Jane.

"Sorry to interrupt, but what is '2009' exactly?" Jane asked with confusion as he sat on Lisbon's couch.

"Nothing," Mia replied. "Just a stupid mistake."

"That cost people their lives." Daniel interrupted as he raised his voice a little.

"But it won't happen again!" Mia yelled. "Just trust me for once in your life. I'm not some stupid little girl!"

Mia stormed out of Lisbon's office with a few silver tears rolling down her cheeks. Jane immediately shot out of the door after her and Lisbon and Daniel were left in the tense silence.

"That didn't go well," Daniel said mildly as he rubbed a hand over his face.

"Ya think?" Lisbon asked sarcastically. "That was actually a pretty good plan though."

With that Lisbon left Daniel to ponder over what had just happened.

xxxxx

Jane found Mia sitting on a bench at a nearby park. The peaceful sanctuary had a few children running around chasing some birds and a few dogs with their owners enjoying some good exercise.

Jane walked as silently as he could until he was standing almost directly behind the bench.

"I can hear you Patrick," Mia said, her voice thick with tears. "I don't feel like talking."

"Then we won't talk," Jane said as he sat down next to Mia. "We can just people watch if you want."

They sat in silence for awhile until Mia started to let her silent tears fall freely. Jane tugged on Mia's arm until she fell with her head against his chest and he engulfed her in his arms.

Jane ran his hand through Mia's curly hair while he whispered sweet nothings in her ears.

Eventually her tears stopped and she pulled away to look into Jane's sympathetic blue-green eyes.

"I'm sorry," Mia whispered softly.

"Don't be," Jane replied as he ran his hand down Mia's cheek.

"I'm just sorry that I can't tell you yet," Mia said. "I'm just not ready."

"Hey," Jane began. "Take your time, just like I took mine"

Jane lifted Mia's left hand and showed her the golden band that was still perched there. Mia gave a small smile as she remembered how Jane had told her all about his past.

She just wasn't sure if she was ready to do the same.

"I just feel bad that you put all of your trust in me and laid your past down, and I can't return the favor." Mia said sadly a she twirled Jane's golden band round on her finger.

"Hey," Jane said as he tilted Mia's head upwards to face him. "I kept my past to myself for years. You're the only living person that knows the full story."

Mia seemed shocked at this revelation.

"Surely you must've told someone else?" Mia asked with confusion.

"Well yes," Jane began timidly. "But unfortunately she isn't around anymore."

After what seemed like a split second of confusion, Mia knew exactly who Jane was referring to.

"I'm sorry," Mia said softly.

"That's alright," Jane replied with a small smile. "I've made my peace."

They sat in a comfortable silence as they watched two children playing.

Jane chanced a glance in Mia's direction as he heard the little kids laughing.

"How's your biological clock ticking?" Jane asked teasingly as he gave Mia's hand a squeeze.

"It's ticking just fine thank you," Mia replied with a cheeky grin. "Besides, I don't think I would make a good mother."

"Why not?" Jane asked with confusion. "You would make an amazing mother."

"Even if I did," Mia began dejectedly. "I'm not ready."

They sat in silence once again as a cool breeze started to blow around them. The clouds in the sky started to darken as the wind grew stronger.

"I think we should get going." Jane said. "I think it's gonna rain."

"Yep, I can already feel some little drops on my arm," Mia replied as she stood from her seat on the bench.

"Are you sure you're OK?" Jane asked as he took Mia's hand in his and started leading her towards his car.

"I'm going to be fine," Mia replied reassuringly. "Just as long as Daniel keeps his mouth shut, I'll be fine."

Jane stopped and turned to face Mia. He took her face in his hands and leant forward to meet her lips with his own.

He kissed her sweetly, but didn't have time to deepen the kiss as the heavens opened and the rain started pouring.

"Let's go!" Jane yelled over the rain as they stood getting soaked.

"You'll have to catch me first!" Mia yelled playfully as she started running back towards Jane's car.

xxxxx

Jane and Mia arrived back at CBI after heading to Mia's apartment for some dry clothes.

Oddly, it took them an hour to get dressed… But they arrived at CBI nevertheless.

Everyone was in the bullpen getting ready to put Jane and Mia's plan into action.

"I thought you said this was a bad idea?" Mia asked incredulously as she walked into the buzzing bullpen.

"Well, you were right," Daniel began as he walked over to Mia. "I should trust you more. Plus this was majority vote."
Mia had a huge smile on her face that wouldn't disappear.

"Alright," Lisbon began. "Our team is going to watch Bortaccelli and your team will watch Bill."

"Sounds good," Daniel replied simply.

"We should probably organize shifts," Lisbon began. "Who knows how long this will take."

"Right," Daniel replied. "We can organize that on the way. Let's start rolling."

Daniel started walking towards the elevator when he quickly turned to ask, "Who are you going with Mia?"

"Um, I think I'll go with Jane," Mia replied with a small smile.

"OK," Daniel replied. "Let us know if you find anything."

"Will do," Mia said after his retreating figure.

"Alright," Lisbon said. "Who's gonna take first watch?"

"I'm sure Mia and I can take it." Jane replied confidently.

"Jane," Lisbon began with some suspicion. "I'd rather have someone with a gun watching the house."

"Lisbon," Jane replied with a cheeky smile. "I highly doubt that Bortaccelli will make a move just yet."

"Fine," Lisbon replied with a sigh. "But I want you to call if anything happens at all, understood?"

"Yes mother," Jane replied as he and Mia started walking towards the exit.

xxxxx

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." Mia said with a sigh of frustration. "We've been sitting here for two hours."

"Patience my dear," Jane mumbled as he put his hand on Mia's leg.

"Yes, well patience is a virtue I have yet to add to my arsenal." Mia said somewhat angrily.

Jane leaned over and gave Mia a small kiss on the cheek to try and distract her a little.

Mia hummed happily as his lips touched her chilled skin.

It had grown dark and the earlier rain had caused the air to become chilly.

Jane ran his hand up and down Mia's leg a few times as he tried to warm her up a little.

"Do you want my jacket?" Jane asked as he saw Mia close her eyes and lean her head against the window.

"No thanks," Mia replied with a smile. "What I want is for Bortacelli to make a stinking move."

"She will," Jane replied soothingly. "Maybe sooner than you think."

Jane pointed towards Bortaccelli's house where Mia could see a small light going from room to room.

"Do you think someone else is in there?" Mia asked somewhat nervously.

"I can't quite tell," Jane said as he struggled to look out the window.

"Maybe we should call Daniel or Lisbon." Mia said as she reached for her cell phone.

"Meh," Jane said as he stopped Mia from pulling her cell phone out of her jeans. "Rigsby and Van Pelt will be here in about fifteen minutes. If anything happens, they'll be able to help."

"Are you sure?" Mia asked with concern evident in her features.

"Trust me," Jane replied simply as he planted a quick kiss on Mia's cheek before climbing out of the car.

Mia followed behind Jane as he walked quietly to Bortaccelli's front door.

Jane pulled out his trusty lock picking tool and used it to open the door while Mia looked around to see if anyone was watching.

Jane opened the door slowly a his eyes adjusted to the dark room.

Mia grabbed his hand nervously as she felt a small trickle of deja vu gnaw at her flipping stomach.

Jane walked into the dark room with Mia fairly close behind.

Jane looked around as he tried to see the source of the light they had seen from the car.

He was too focused to realise that Mia had let go of his hand and stopped in the hallway.

Mia thought she heard something behind her, but wasn't quick enough as someone grabbed her from behind and put a sharp glinting blade to her throat.

Mia screamed as the lights suddenly came on as Jane spun to see Mia with a knife to her throat.

Jane gasped as he realised who the knife wielder was.

It was none other than Madam Bortaccelli of course, but he was surprised to see Bill standing next to the light switch.

Weren't Daniel and his team supposed to be making sure this guy didn't go anywhere?

But surely if Bill was here, Daniel wasn't far behind.

"This is going to mess up all of our plans." Bortaccelli complained as she looked to her companion.

"Don't worry," Bill replied. "We'll figure something out."

Bill pulled a gun out from behind his back and pointed it at Jane.

"Let's start with Goldilocks." Bill said with an evil grin as he cocked the gun.

"Hold on now," Jane began hastily. "You don't need to do this."

"Oh but I do," Bill replied.

Jane could see that this probably wasn't going to end the way either he or Mia wanted it to.

"OK, how about we make a deal," Jane said as he raised his hands above his head. "You let her go and you can do whatever you want with me."

"Patrick don't!" Mia yelled as she struggled against Bortaccelli's surprisingly strong grip.

"Shut up!" Bortaccelli said as she tightened her grip on Mia and the knife.

"Please," Jane pleaded.

Bill seemed to consider this proposal.

"I don't think so." Bill said evily as he pulled the trigger.

Wow... a new secret, angst, fluff, and a cliffie?! I think this should make up for the last two chapters. Let me know what you think in a REVIEW!