A/N: Apologies for the delay, had real trouble getting a handle on this chapter. And thank you to my new twitter friends (yes, I have at last entered the social media world...tentatively, my profile page has the details if you're interested in following me there) brooklynn315 & Hannie1993 for some much needed inspiration during a conversation about pizza... You'll know the scene when you come to it.

Chapter 22 – Breaking In

"You broke into my office?!" Lisbon stomped up to Jane who was sitting on his couch, one leg crossed over the other and a teacup on the table to his side. He looked up from the file he was reading and gave her his most dazzling smile. She frowned immediately at the gesture, stopping her in her tracks.

"Oh, hey Lisbon. How was your weekend?"

He smiled at her again and took a sip of tea. He studied her for a second, trying to read how her date Mashburn had gone but decided she was too mad to get a good read.

Shrugging, "Yes. I broke into your office. But only to help you." He passed her two files that sat beside him. "I've made some notes. You suspect the wife in the Harwood case and I think I've found enough inconsistencies in her statement to bring her back in for questioning. And I think the son should be questioned again in the Finkler case. Something about his statement appears...off somehow. Only child. Spoilt. Didn't want to wait for the inheritance I assume. Get them both in here and I'll see what I can get."

She frowned at the files he was offering before taking them off him, her eyes scrutinising him warily.

He smiled amiably at her and went back to the file in his lap. "Should be done with this one soon. I'll let you know what I find."

Ignoring him she placed the files on Cho's and Rigby's desks who had witnessed the scene between them. "Bring them both back in as Jane suggested." She looked back in his direction. "Don't break into my office again, whatever the reason."

As she closed the door to her office he puffed out a breath. This was going to be a little more difficult than he had imagined.

"What are you playing at?" Van Pelt asked quietly.

"Nothing," he said, writing a note. "It's called working." He glanced up at her from under his eyelashes, "Maybe you should try it sometime." Instead of the coldness she had come to hear in his tone over the past week in comments he'd made like that she heard amusement in it instead, backed up by the smile and the twinkle in his eyes.

She grinned back. "I knew you'd come around."

"I wouldn't go as far as that but I'm trying," he admitted as the smile fell and he sighed, glancing at Lisbon's office quickly. "You think she will?"

"Well you have acted like a jerk since you've been back, never mind leaving her the way you did."

He nodded thoughtfully. "I know."

"So, you all set?" Lisbon asked as they stood inside the door of her condo. Rigsby had grabbed the last of Jane's belongings and was waiting in the car for him.

"Yeah," he sighed, taking hold of her waist. He kissed her softly. "I'm going to miss you tonight."

"Well you could always come back later after you get settled in."

"Better I don't. I just move out and then come back the same evening. May look a little suspicious."

She nodded, kissing him. "I guess you're right."

He smiled wickedly. "Besides, I think I better get some rest after what you put me through last night and this morning."

Blushing she laughed, "I don't recall you having any complaints at the time. And this morning was your fault."

He kissed her again, deepening it as he pulled her towards him, his body instinctively beginning to react to her proximity as the kiss became more heated. As a horn sounded outside she pulled back, smiling. "You better go, you promised Rigsby nachos."

"We'll work this out, okay?" he said. "How we carry this on."

"I know we will," she agreed. "See you tomorrow. Sleep well."

He rolled his eyes, pecking her lips just before he opened the door. "Somehow I doubt I will."

He felt he should hold a white flag up as he went to her office a little later. He drew the handkerchief out of his pocket and studied it for a long second before deciding it was too soon for humour. She had barricaded herself in her office all morning, only driven to coming out of it due to her caffeine addiction. And when she did she made no attempt to look in his direction.

She frowned when he entered and he slid a file onto her desk. "This one was a little trickier but I think I have a plan-"

"Why are you doing this?" she interjected as she leaned back in her chair. "Why are you suddenly helping on cases, suddenly being...nice?"

He couldn't stop a small smile. "Something wrong with being nice?"

Her expression unaffected by it she replied, "Because it normally means you're up to something. So, what is it? Not that I expect a straight answer."

He took a long breath and sat in the seat opposite her. "If you must know I'm trying to make amends. For...for how I was when I came back here. It was...it was difficult for me to...let go of what you did."

"And now you have all of a sudden?"

He shrugged, "Not completely, no. But...I'm willing to try-"

"I see. So now you've decided you want to be what...friends again and I'm supposed to just give in, is that it? Let bygones be bygones-"

"You were the one who said you wanted us to salvage our friendship when I came back here," he countered, raising his voice to match hers. "I thought you'd be pleased that I'd make an effort to that effect."

"Yeah well that was a week ago. I'm supposed to be pleased by you pulling the same crap you've done a hundred times before? Breaking into my office-"

"To help-"

She raised her voice a little louder to quiet his interruption. "Breaking into my office and believing I'd be grateful for the crumbs you throw at my feet by doing the job you're supposed to be doing anyway!"

He raised his again in return. "What would you rather I do to make things right? Throw away two hundred dollars on flowers like Mashburn? Fly you to Napa for dinner-"

"Oh my God. Seriously?!" As she got up from her desk to yell back their conversation was interrupted by Van Pelt entering the office. They both glared at her, still in the heat of the argument for a second and the redhead's face turned the colour of her hair. "Sorry, I knocked but...well I guess you didn't hear me."

Lisbon breathed heavily for a moment before sitting down again. "Sorry, Van Pelt, what is it?"

"Actually, it's Jane I came to see. I delved a little deeper into some of Janet Walker's clients like you asked and I've come up with something strange. Man by the name of Henry Jacobs. I think it's an alias. Records only go back a year or so. He seems to have sprung up from nowhere."

"Did you ever meet him?" Lisbon asked Jane, focussed on the case again and not their argument.

Jane shook his head, saw the look of distrust on her face and shook it again. "No, I never met him," he replied pointedly in her direction. She eased back into her chair, suspicion still written over her face. "Then you should check out his address."

"I will." He raised himself from the seat and bit the inside of his mouth, trying another tack. "Do you want to come with me?" he asked, his tone gentle again.

He noticed her expression turn soft for a split second before she turned back to her screen, hardening it again. "Take Van Pelt with you. I have too much to do here."

As Jane and Van Pelt drove to Henry Jacobs' house he ran over the background she'd got for him. She was correct in bringing the information to him; Jacobs seemed impossibly above board, not even a parking ticket to blemish his spotless record.

"So...I'm guessing your little charm offensive back there didn't exactly go according to plan," Van Pelt stated as she drove.

"Oh? What makes you think that?" he replied with an eye roll.

"Did you actually apologise?"

"Hmm?" he replied, turning a page.

"To Lisbon. Did you actually apologise or did you just act the way you used to and expect her to go along with it?"

His silence was deafening and gave her the answer. "Apologise to her. And mean it. She'd want that more than you trying to impress her with your mind."

He had moved out a week ago and Lisbon was surprised by how much she missed his presence still even though he'd only lived with her for a few days. He had come over every other night and they had inevitably fallen into bed together as soon as he'd arrived, the first flush of passion burning strong, turning a gentle kiss into a heavy make out session against the inside of her front door, often not making it to the bedroom before they had divested each other of clothing.

Unfortunately a case that took them three days to solve meant they had to work long hours so they hadn't had much time for anything but work two weeks into their relationship. Finally a break had been made at the end of the third day.

"Case closed pizza," Cho announced, putting the box on the conference table. Rigsby was at his side in a heartbeat, as usual the first to grab a slice. Mouth full he laughed, "Jane was in rare form with this one. How the hell did he manage to persuade that mariachi band to provide the distraction?"

Van Pelt laughed as she took a delicate bite. "It's good to have him back, that's for sure. Never a dull moment."

Lisbon came out of her office and looked around. "Where's Jane?"

A part of her had wondered if working together and sleeping together would impact their work but Jane was the same as he usually was, impetuous, unapologetic and conniving. Except that he smiled a whole lot more there was no real difference in how they worked together. In fact there was a renewed energy from him on how he focused on cases, perhaps to ensure that she would leave the office in a timely fashion so they could have time for more amorous activities. Despite that, this one had taken them a little longer. She was somewhat surprised he hadn't dragged her out of her office and back to her place when this one was closed to make up for lost time.

Cho removed a piece of pineapple from the pizza, tutting as he did so, and replied, "He said he was going upstairs."

Van Pelt rolled her eyes. "Guess he's getting reacquainted with his thinking room."

Lisbon, worried that he was pulling himself away again from her and the team, shrugged, "I'll go tell him the food's here." She glared at Rigsby. "Leave two slices for us. Won't be long."

A sheepish Rigsby stopped his hand from touching the third slice he was going for.

"Come in Lisbon," Jane said as she was about to tap on the door to the attic.

She pulled the metal bar across and entered, closing the door behind her. He was lying with his jacket off, his eyes closed and his hands resting peacefully on his stomach. "There's pizza downstairs."

"Hmm." He opened his eyes lazily and gestured with his head for her to come closer. She smiled, her heart rate picking up as she approached. "I can think of a better way to celebrate the closing of a case," he smiled, a suggestive twinkle in his eyes.

She laughed, "Later when we get back to my place."

He held out his hand to get some help off the bed but as soon as she took his he pulled her towards him and kissed her firmly on the lips. His other hand moved to the back of her head as he deepened it. She giggled, kissing him for a few seconds before pulling back. Keeping his lips close to hers he raised himself to a sitting position before he wound his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, kissing her passionately as his hands moved under her blouse.

Between kisses she gasped, "Jane, we can't do this here!" Then her body made a liar out of her as it arched into him as he ran his tongue across her neck.

"I'm pretty sure we can," he breathed, surprising her by lifting her onto his lap so she straddled him.

"Oh god!" she panted as she felt how much he wanted her. "Okay, but...the team's downstairs waiting for us. We'll have to be quick about it."

He grinned as he began to unbutton her blouse swiftly. Between open mouthed kisses on her cleavage he replied, "Those are magic words to a man, Lisbon."

"Is it me or are we getting better at that?" he asked fifteen torrid minutes later.

"I was already good enough, you're just catching up."

"Touché," he smiled.

She pulled her boots back on, blushing furiously. "Although I can't believe we just did that in here."

Jane laughed as he buttoned up his shirt. "I can't believe it took me this long to think of it." He tilted his head at the makeshift bed. "Even more surprised that that thing could take the pair of us without breaking. Maybe I should add another board, make it a little sturdier for next time."

"We are not making a habit out of this; we're still in the CBI, for god's sake."

His smile grew wilder. "Fun living on the edge, isn't it?"

She pulled herself to her feet. "With you that happens every day anyway."

He wrapped his arms around her as she buttoned the top buttons on his vest. "Well I'd never want you to become bored with me."

"Chance would be a fine thing," she smiled as she smoothed down the fabric afterwards.

"I love you," he said softly.

Her head shot up immediately at his words and her mouth opened in surprise.

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Okay, that was obviously too soon."

She went to object but the words stuck in her throat. "Um...no...well-"

He kissed her gently. "It's okay, Teresa. I don't expect to hear it back. I know you have a problem being that emotionally open. I can wait."

She nodded, her eyes thanking him for not pushing her.

He kissed her quickly again, releasing her from his arms. "You go first; I'll be there in a few minutes."

She was still shaken from what he'd said to her when she reached the team again. They were chatting amiably around the table, finishing off some sodas.

"Where's Jane?" Van Pelt smiled.

"Oh...he'll be down in a few minutes. We got um...talking."

The redhead nodded and then frowned slightly. "You okay, boss? You look a little...flushed."

"Fine," she said, breathing a little rapidly. She grabbed a slice of pizza. "I'll...I'll...be in my office if anyone needs me."

She walked briskly back there, mortified that they may suspect she just had sex. With Jane. She shook her head, sitting down. She was being paranoid, right?

As soon as the door closed Van Pelt's eyes went to her hairline. "Oh my god, do you think-"

"Yeah," Cho interrupted, shaking his head, his heart heavy at the thought of another ill fated romance happening before his eyes again.

"What?" Rigsby asked, clueless.

"Boss and Jane are sleeping together," Cho replied.

"You knew?!" Van Pelt whispered.

He shook his head. "Not until just now. When you asked if she was okay she checked her blouse buttons immediately without even realising she did."

Van Pelt began to laugh. "You mean they were just...in the attic?!" She shrugged, "Well good for them."

"What's good for who?" Jane asked loudly as he entered the bullpen, stopping the conversation.

"Nothing...for nobody," Van Pelt replied immediately, embarrassed at both being caught on gossiping and the images occupying her mind of her boss and the consultant she worked with in flagrante delicto.

Jane scrutinised her before moving on to Rigsby and Cho. While Cho stared at him blankly, Rigsby was barely able to contain a snigger. He sighed loudly before he announced, "Okay, so I guess as the say the gig is up. Yes, it's true. Myself and Lisbon are...together. In the romantic sense."

He was immediately embraced by Van Pelt and he pushed her away gently. "And we're being discreet about it," he added quietly, staring into her eyes.

"Of course," she replied, a grin covering her face.

"I mean it, Grace." He looked to all of them, his face entirely serious. "It doesn't go outside the team. It has to be that way or...well we might have to stop."

"No problem," the redhead replied. She glanced at Rigsby. "We understand completely."

"Thank you." He smiled again. "And...um...Lisbon would be uncomfortable with you all knowing so...I wouldn't mention it to her directly."

He entered her office a few minutes later. "That pizza was stone cold. Want to grab something a little better?"

"Sure, sounds good. I'll be five minutes." A pause followed. "Jane, did the team seem okay to you? You don't think they suspect-"

"Of course not," he replied casually, shrugging.

She relaxed her shoulders. "Good."

"Is it all right if I come over to yours tonight?" he asked in a conversational tone. He'd tell her about the team knowing about them when she was relaxed at home and would have time to overcome her awkwardness by morning.

"You still want to...after...before?"

"Well a quickie's all well and good, Lisbon." His eyes darkened with renewed lust. "But certainly not enough for one night."

When Jane and Van Pelt arrived at Henry Jacobs' house, a small ramshackle property with paint peeling off the front and sides, dry dirt dredged up from their footsteps as they made it to the front door. "Looks deserted," Van Pelt said, a rusted car parked to the side of the property.

"And not somewhere someone who attends Art Galleries would live," Jane confirmed. He nodded to her gun. "Just in case."

Van Pelt nodded and put her hand on her gun as a precaution before knocking on the door. They listened for noises from inside but none came. "Well it seems like it's an alias, that's for sure."

"Hmm," Jane said, peering into the windows that were covered with dust laden curtains. He retrieved his lock pick set and Van Pelt touched his hand. "Jane!"

"I'm just going to have a look inside. I won't touch a thing. I promise."

She sighed. "Okay. You better not."

He opened the door and pushed it past fliers stacked against the door. Van Pelt had a look at the dates on coupons that she drew apart with her foot as Jane walked around the property. "The early ones here look about a year old."

"Interesting," he replied as he walked into the kitchen.

"Jane, we should go," Van Pelt said moments later. "There's no one here."

Jane came back from the kitchen and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Nothing to be found here." He tucked the piece of paper he'd found on the kitchen table into his jacket surreptitiously.

As they got back into the car she exhaled. "Sorry it was a wild goose chase."

"It wasn't. You were right about it being an alias. Most probably this Henry Jacobs murdered Janet."

"Yeah but we have no leads." After a beat she added, "But we can ask the other clients, right? See if they ever met him?"

"Precisely."

She found him in his attic perch, leaning against the door to the balcony outside, his golden curls illuminated by the sun tousled by the light breeze on his face, jacket lying on his makeshift bed. He looked melancholic, a slight frown as he concentrated, too lost in his thoughts to notice her presence.

Or so she thought.

"Hey Lisbon," he said softly, not moving from his position. "I take it Van Pelt told you about Henry Jacobs."

She came a step closer but remained close to the open door, her mind filled with passion filled thoughts as she glanced at the bed he'd set up again. And sadness overcame her of how far they were from that now. "Yeah," she replied despondently.

He turned to face her and their eyes locked. Even steps away from each other both their heart rates picked up. "You want to know if I think he's Red John," he stated, placing his hands in his pockets.

"Is he?"

"I thought you were going to leave that alone."

"And I thought you wanted to make amends." Her expression told him she'd accept nothing but the truth.

He nodded. "Yes. I believe he very well may be."

She nodded and sighed. "And I'm guessing that's all I'm going to get out of you on the matter."

"For now," he asserted, effectively placing them at stalemate again.

"Because you don't trust me with the full story yet."

"Yes."

"Okay."

He frowned, surprised by her acquiescence. "Okay?"

"Yeah, okay. Because I don't trust you enough to tell me the truth in any case."

He looked to his shoes then back at her. "I'm sorry. For how I treated you when I came back. For leaving without allowing you time to explain. I wasn't ready to hear it. I...I don't think I still am."

"Fair enough. And I'm sorry for yelling at you this morning. I know you were only trying to make things better-"

"And instead I made them worse," he smiled.

"Well we're talking now. So I suppose it wasn't all bad in the end."

He took a few steps closer, "I'm willing to try if you are. See if we can get back to friends."

"Let's not run before we can walk. Let's see if we can at least work together first. Properly. Means you doing the same as you did before, mind you. Work on all cases I want you too, not just the ones you want. And we have to be able to be at a crime scene together, interview witnesses or suspects without having to have a go between."

After a moment he nodded. "Fine. Let's start again then, shall we?"

A/N: So a tentative step forward but with Jane still keeping secrets how much further can they progress...