Chapter 22 - Proposals

Jane and Lisbon drove to a park nearby after buying a couple of takeaway sandwiches, a tea and a coffee.

Jane took her hand as they walked to a nearby bench. It felt strange to her to be doing this with him despite the last few days. This was pretty much the first time they had seen the light of day together away from work or her place as a proper couple and she felt a little nervous and excited.

They sat down, Jane withdrawing his hand to use both to take a bite of his sandwich. They sat there for a few minutes, both eating in silence before Jane spoke.

'Why don't you ever seem to get tired of it? The death and damage that surrounds us every day doing this job?'

Lisbon shrugged. 'I do sometimes, sure, of course it gets to me but it's what we do and every time we solve a case another scumbag gets what he deserves so that makes it worth it.'

Jane smiled and moved his arm around her back, eating the sandwich with one hand now.

'You're just feeling down because you're not having fun on this case like you normally do by setting up some elaborate plan to catch the killer' she added, smiling.

Jane smiled and stroked her back. 'Mmm, well, hopefully we'll get it wrapped up this afternoon anyhow. And that's not why I'm feeling down, it's just my priorities have changed somewhat in the last few days. I'd much rather spend the day in bed with you now than wasting time talking to some loser.'

'Well, of course I'd much rather do that too but talking to that loser has made sure he'll never do that to another student.'

Lisbon then turned around and kissed him lightly. 'So you're telling me you're not depressed about work then? just feeling lustful, huh? Besides if we spent every moment in bed together you would soon get bored of that too.'

Jane smiled and caressed her face. 'I'm not so sure about that if the last couple of days are anything to go by. And well, I have a lot of years to make up for being out of action as it were. It's entitely your fault I'm feeling this way. You've given me such a wonderful taste of what I've been missing that I'm craving it more and more. You know once I get something in my head I can become quite obsessive about it.'

'I don't know whether to be anxious or pleased by that comment' she smiled.

Jane grinned and put his sandwich down, pulling her into him. He kissed her now laughing lips and replied, 'I think we both know the answer to that.'

She put her head on his shoulder and exhaled happily.

'We should take a trip somewhere' he said after a few moments.

Lisbon looked up at him. 'A trip? I've just got my job back, I don't think Abbott would be too happy about me taking time off, never mind you after the trouble you caused with the TSA in Florida.'

'Meh, don't worry about that, I'll handle Abbott. I'll tell him we're both emotionally traumatised by this case and need a break, or something like that. Besides I'm not talking for long, just a long weekend or something like that so we can enjoy this new start to our lives together away from the office.'

Lisbon laughed softly, enjoying the idea. 'So where would we go?'

'Somewhere with a beach.'

Lisbon shook her head. 'You and your beaches. You're still thinking about us frolicking in the sand, huh?'

'You forgot naked' he grinned, kissing her on her head.

He added, 'We could go back to the Islamorada. We could spend a night or two at the Blue Bird. Last time I spent a fortune on two rooms that were never even slept in, three dresses and all I got in return was a glass of water thrown in my face for the trouble.'

She laughed at the memory now, her anger at him then a distant thought.

'Maybe, we'll talk about it after the case' she replied, adding, 'I kept the dresses by the way so you may get a better look at them if we do go back.'

Jane looked at her. 'You kept the dresses? I thought you despised me so much you would have wanted nothing to do with them.'

Lisbon shrugged. 'Well they were beautiful, just because I was mad at you there was no point in cutting off my nose to spite my face.'

He laughed and pulled her nearer before noticing a slight tension in her body.

'What is it?' he asked.

'I did something else when I was mad at you that night' she said nervously.

'Go on.'

'Before he went to D.C. Marcus had asked me to marry him' she said, looking at Jane for a reaction.

He nodded. 'Oh that. I thought he had, I wondered when you were going to get round to telling me.'

'How did you know? I didn't mention it to a soul!'

'Well, when we were in Miami Beach, I joked with you about getting married, your voice turned so high in denying it I knew he must have asked you. He really was a fast mover, I'll certainly give him that.'

'Well, that evening when I got into the cab to go to the airport, I rang him and told him I'd marry him.'

Jane looked at her, unable to hide his amusement. 'Gee, you really were angry with me, weren't you?'

'Don't Jane. As soon as I'd said it I knew it was wrong. I'm a terrible person for doing that and you shouldn't look so smug about it either.'

He laughed softly, attempting to look appropriately told off but couldn't keep the grin from his face. 'You know you're not a terrible person and if I can't be smug now, then when can I be?' He added, 'Although, that's now two fiancés that I know about that you dumped, I hope when I ask you to marry me you're not going to back out of it.'

The words came out from him so casually it took a moment for them to sink in.

She stood up from the bench, deciding the best course of action was to try to forget she heard them, even though her heart was fluttering in her chest. 'We better get back to work, Julia's going to be coming in soon' she said in the coolest tone she could muster.

Jane remained on the bench for a moment, smiling, then stood up and took her hand again as they walked back to the car, his heart beginning to race with a flurry of excitement too.