Chapter 10 – Back to Work

Lisbon arrived at the campus first. She saw Abbott immediately, talking to Cho, a grim look on his face. Her stomach flipped and she realised how nervous she was to be back at work. The last day or so had been a dream but now she was back amongst her colleagues who must certainly have had plenty of thoughts about her change of mind and the progression of her relationship with Jane.

When she was in D.C. she had asked Jane if people were talking about them around the office to which his response was 'Meh, so what if they are? It'll be old news soon enough.' He wasn't concerned with such matters, of course, and probably enjoyed watching the tittle-tattle going on around him. But she felt self-conscious and embarrassed that her private life had become public knowledge and hated being the butt of such gossip. She took a deep breath, straightened herself and marched over to Abbott and Cho.

'Hey, what's up?' she asked evenly, nodding to Abbott and Cho.

'Hey, Agent Lisbon, welcome back, sorry I had to drag you here today. I know you're not supposed to start back until tomorrow but this is something you need to be in on', Abbott said sternly.

'No problem. Jane mentioned something about a dead girl, why are the FBI investigating?'

'We'll get to that, I need to talk to you about your personal situation first.'

Cho shifted uncomfortably and said 'I'll go round up the friends', obviously looking for a quick getaway, turning around and then back again saying to her. 'Oh, welcome back, Lisbon.' He turned again and she was face to face with Abbott.

She felt her stomach flip again, surely he wasn't going to stop her and Jane working together, why had he tried to get them together if that was the case, she wondered.

Abbott stood for a second looking at her before speaking, making her feel even more nervous.

'Well, I thought we should discuss the elephant in the room before he arrives', he said smiling a little, making her feel a bit better.

'You're not going to stop us working together, are you?' she blurted out, a little angrier than she intended.

He seemed surprised at her directness, smiled again, and then said 'No, I'm not. You two were already acting like a married couple around the office before this...development...so I would have split you up long before now if I had a problem with your closeness.'

'Jane may have had a problem with that if you had tried.'

Abbott nodded, conceding her point. 'True. To be honest, I'm hoping this new...arrangement...may help you keep him in line a little more', he said, eyebrows raised.

She smiled back, blushing slightly. 'You think? I wouldn't pin my hopes on that, sir, no offence.'

'Well, hope springs eternal, Agent Lisbon' he smiled back. 'Just don't let him talk you into too many crazy plans, okay, just because you're in love doesn't mean you have to blind, you're too good an agent to let him ruin your career...again.'

She nodded and decided to change the topic. 'So, this case then?'

Abbott exhaled, looking worried and replied, 'Yes. Let's wait until Jane gets here, I want to talk to you both about it together.'

Jane arrived about fifteen minutes later finding Lisbon back in work mode, dressed in obligatory black and standing at the front of the campus, evidently waiting for him.

'Hey' he said brightly as he got out of the car. 'Were you too afraid to talk to Abbott by yourself?'

She gave him a withering look. 'No, of course not, I've already talked to him but he didn't want to tell me anything about the case until you arrived so let's go', already walking back towards the college.

'What, no kiss first?' he asked, smiling.

'Don't even think about it, I thought you told me you were going to behave?'

'Is that what I said?'

'Jane, stop it. Abbott's already acting mysteriously enough. Why did he want to wait to talk to us both together about the case?'

'Who knows?' Jane replied happily, the two of them walking towards Abbott as he was motioning for them to come over. 'Maybe he wants to get a look at the sexual chemistry between us.'

Lisbon gave him another glare as they arrived at Abbott.

'Hey Dennis, so why the mystery, what's up?'

'Glad you've finally made time in your busy schedule to fit in a spot of work, Jane.'

Jane smiled widely and looked at Lisbon. 'Don't blame me, Dennis, it was all her fault, she wouldn't let me leave, believe me I tried.'

Lisbon closed her eyes, wishing the ground would open up. 'Jane, cut that out!'

'Finished now Jane, can we get to the case?' Abbott responded, unimpressed. Jane, still smirking, nodded.

'Okay, our victim is Kerry Matthews, a criminology student here, here's her class photo.' He handed over the photo to Lisbon, Jane looking at it from over her shoulder.

'Pretty girl' Jane said. He looked up at Abbott who was looking at them both for something else, perhaps recognition of the girl, Jane thought.

'Either of you know her?' he asked.

Lisbon was surprised and replied, 'No, I don't. Why do you think I would? Jane, do you know her?'

Jane's eyes were still on Abbott and there was now seriousness in them, the smirk disappeared from his face.

Lisbon saw the look and asked again, 'Jane?'

Jane came out of his trance and looked at her for a moment before he replied 'No, I've never seen her before either', before looking back at Abbott. 'What's going on here, Dennis? What are you not telling us?'

Abbott glanced down before pulling an evidence bag from his pocket. 'I just wanted to make sure there was no personal connection between either of you and the victim before I showed you this' he replied, handing the bag over to Jane. 'This was found stuffed inside her mouth.'

Inside the bag was a small piece of white paper, a red smiley face drawn on it.