Chapter 3: Negotiations
Verbatim dialog from the "My Blue Heaven" episode is marked with an asterisk (*).
Lisbon
Cho escorted Lisbon to a conference room and left. She sat at the table in the empty room and tried to think despite a maelstrom of confusion. Her issues with Jane could wait. It was critical not to interfere with whatever plan he had in motion. For sure, Abbott isn't on my side – or Jane's. Oh, God, Jane's back and now what? Once again she was in the familiar, loathed position of stumbling around in the dark following her wily more-than-friend.
Jane
The same three agents were back to escort Jane to the meeting. One glance told him two were just curious, stretching the assignment in hopes of garnering juicy details. Dusty memories informed him they were among the newbies Abbott brought for the CBI take down seemingly an eternity ago.
Jane exited the SUV and paused to look at the looming FBI building. Hard, slick surfaces. Impersonal. Impervious. Physical embodiment of government power. The antithesis of the weathered, historic CBI building that was part of the city. His lips quirked. Or maybe I'm nervous.
Jane's first surprise met him inside.
"Jane."* Cho rose, taking in the man before him. Healthy. Happy - no, happier. Tense, but hiding it. Beach bum chic combined with upper-crust conservative.
"Cho. Ha! You never cease to amaze me,"* Jane said, voice high and breaking slightly.
"I got him from here, guys."* The three agents left, disappointed not to see more of the famous – infamous – figure from the Blake case they had worked their entire 24-month careers.
"So you joined the FBI, huh?"* he asked. Cho was more controlled and reserved than ever, which was saying something.
"Yeah. Finished training at Quantico five months ago."*
"Wow. Look at you. Congratulations."* Jane's move to embrace awkwardly transformed into a pat on the arm. Not comfortable with a hug. Not comfortable period. It's not me. What then? Jane's relief at encountering a friend as he bearded the lion's den morphed into fascination with the unknown Cho story.
"Thanks."*
"Yeah."*
"It's this way."*
"Okay."* Jane set aside further cold reading. Not knowing the lay of the land he wouldn't unwittingly undermine Cho's situation.
They mounted the imposing, graceless staircase. "Where are your socks?"*
Jane was unsettled at the utter insignificance. Two years. Murder charges. Voluntary return. And socks are your question? "Uh, I don't know."* Jane couldn't resist any longer. "Did they put a chip in your neck?"*
"Not that I know of. Why do you ask?"*
"Ah, you just don't seem too happy to see me."*
"I am happy to see you."* Jane read that as true. "I just wish it was under different circumstances."* Emphatically true.
"Why is that?"*
"I don't think you and the FBI are gonna get along very well. I don't think they really understand how you operate."*
And there it is. Cho has doubts about the whole bureau, not just me. Feels he's in enemy territory. Interesting. "Ah. They'll loosen up once they get to know me."*
"Mm‑hmm. Second door on the left."* As Cho walked away he couldn't suppress a tiny grin. Despite uncertainty about everything, Jane's brand of brilliance could only brighten the cheerless, murky bureau atmosphere. Abbott would discover that Jane and chaos were a package deal.
Lisbon and Jane
Jane opened the door. A grin split his face. The reason for his return sat before him, reality far surpassing his fevered island dreams. "Hey."*
Lisbon turned and rose, pleasure bubbling up. "Hello."* She chuckled, "Nice beard,"* even as she looked dubious.
"Thank you,"* he said. They moved toward each other, uncertain for a moment how to reconnect.
Bottom lip caught in her teeth, "Thank you for the letters,"* she said tenderly, eyes shining.
Joy drew them into a tight embrace, nothing held back. "Oh, I missed you,"* he said softly, fervently, deeply breathing in the scent of her hair.
"I missed you, too,"* she said, equally overwhelmed.
Drawing back a bit, "What's going on, huh? Why am I here?"*
He smiled as they moved to sit, "You'll see. It's gonna be great."*
"What?"*
"Trust me."* She blinked. A decade with Jane taught her to dread those words.
Lisbon, Jane and Abbott
Lisbon sat silently as Jane and Abbott warily circled, probing and feinting to test for weakness. Abbot laid out the possible charges: Homicide, obstruction of justice, aggravated assault, grand theft auto. It was a partial list. Her breath caught when he said, "You're looking at 20-to-life."* Then Abbott detailed his terms. All Jane would have to do was knuckle under for five years of servitude. She swallowed painfully. Jane couldn't knuckle under for five hours if his life depended on it. Her alarm was checked only by her confidence in Jane. Always gets what he wants. He has to this time.
She took a deep breath and turned back to the negotiation. Jane thinks Abbott agreed to the terms on that napkin. Free man. And I work with him?! –Damn his high-handedness!
She broke in. "I have a job, okay? I'm not gonna drop everything just because you suddenly decided to come back!"*
"W‑we'll talk,"* Jane said hurriedly, returning full attention to Abbott. Jane resumed listing his demands until Abbott calmly interrupted.
"-I don't think you're hearing me, Jane. You are on US soil now. I am the Federal government, and I am telling you that that is a napkin. This is the deal. Take it or leave it."*
Lisbon waited, not breathing.
"I'll leave it."* No room for discussion.
The door behind Abbott opened.
"Kim?"* Jane asked, surprised. Lisbon swallowed, mouth suddenly dry. Jane knows her!
"Agent Fischer,"* she corrected formally.
"Agent Fischer,"* Jane repeated mechanically, looking stunned.
Abbott sighed. "Mr. Jane will be going to a detention suite."*
"I'm sorry to hear that,"* Fischer said, unconcerned. "I'll make the arrangements."*
And the meeting was over. Jane blustered, all bravado. Lisbon's, "Who is she? And what is a detention suite?"* went unanswered.
"Don't worry, Lisbon. It's all under control,"* Jane said with a wink. Fischer stepped outside. A guard appeared, cuffed Jane and led him away.
Lisbon stared at Abbott. "What happens next?"
"That's up to Jane," Abbott replied smugly.
"Can I talk to him?"
"No." Abbott gathered his papers and left.
Lisbon sat staring at the empty table. Two years. A five minute meeting and he's locked up. What – What the–
"Lisbon."
She looked up. Cho.
"He turned them down." It wasn't a question.
"Yeah." Lisbon ground out, fighting for composure.
"What next?"
She picked up her bag and rose, suddenly exhausted even though it was only mid‑morning. "Fly home, I guess."
Cho took her carry-on bag to the SUV. He didn't have a case since Fischer had just returned. His boss gave him the personal time he requested, more than happy to get Lisbon out of Austin, out of the way of her plans.