Chapter 23 – Baiting & Ballet

"Thanks for your help with the interviews," Lisbon said as she and Jane exited the interrogation room. "Two closed cases in one day. Been a while since we've had that."

"Hmm. Probably over a year I'm guessing," Jane replied smugly.

It was a week after their agreement to get along better and so far things were rolling along nicely between them.

She shook her head at him but smiled. "Not quite that long-"

"Close though I'm guessing," he continued as they walked back towards her office.

Van Pelt stopped them on the way there carrying a garment bag. "Hey boss. Dress has just been delivered from the tailors. Can you try it on, make sure it fits?"

Lisbon nodded politely, "Sure, Grace, will do." She saw Jane out of the corner of her eye as he narrowed his eyes in interest.

"Invitation's still open, Jane," Van Pelt added. "To the wedding. Since you're back now...permanently...?" she attempted.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and swayed on his toes for a second. "Ah...well...I'm not really a wedding person, Grace. And well I still don't really know how long I'll be back for."

He saw the young agent's face fall and he shrugged. "I'll think about it, okay?"

She nodded and smiled. "Okay. We'll save you a seat just in case."

She turned to leave and Jane gestured to the garment bag Lisbon was holding. "You're bridesmaid again?" he asked, a quizzical eyebrow raised.

"Well if you recall I never actually got to be bridesmaid the first time."

"Hmm. Well hopefully this time the groom to be won't shoot you before the wedding." He paused and added, "Or get shot by the bride to be himself." He smiled, thoroughly enjoying himself now. "Although Grace does have a temper underneath that sweet exterior. That red hair is a giveaway. And you know what Rigby's like if he doesn't eat."

"Hilarious," Lisbon replied with an eye roll.

"Is it the same dress?" he asked as they reached her office door.

"No, thank god," she said as she went to open it.

"Pity. I always liked that dress."

Her hand on the handle she turned to face him. "You only liked that dress because you knew I hated it."

"Not entirely although I admit that was part of it. I liked it because you looked absolutely adorable in it. Especially with that pout you wore."

Before they got together she would have laughed off a comment like that but now it inflamed her cheeks and rendered her almost speechless. As she glanced up at him she saw he was faring not much better, the delight gone from his features replaced by awkwardness instead. For a few moments they had relaxed in each other's company and put their perplexing history to the back of their minds. Then all of a sudden they were back to where they were now. Two people trying to rebuild the shattered fragments of a relationship.

"Do you want to hear how I think we should handle the Dressler case?" he asked, serious again after a lengthy pause between them.

"Yeah, sure," she replied as she opened the door to her office.

They were greeted by Walter Mashburn sitting on the couch there with a smile on his face. "Ah, my two favourite crime fighters are back from seeing justice done!" he exclaimed happily, his eyes lingering on Lisbon.

Jane stalled at the door for a moment before coming in. "Walter, good to see you again," he said evenly.

"What are you doing here?" Lisbon asked, a touch of annoyance in her tone. "And how did you get into my office?"

"I bumped into your boss." He frowned for a moment before nodding. "Luther I think he said his name was. Told me it wouldn't be a problem. Nice chap. Little young to be in charge but...seems a nice enough fellow. Told me I could wait in here for you for as long as I liked."

"I'm sure the contribution you offered to the CBI coffers helped," Jane remarked without humour.

Mashburn narrowed his eyes at Jane and for a second both men stared at each other, silently sizing the other one up. Lisbon, standing in between them cleared her throat. "So, what can I do for you?" she asked Mashburn.

He raised himself from the couch and produced the book he was reading when they entered. He nodded to the garment bag. "Here, let me take that for you, Teresa." Handing it over to him he laid it on the couch and she frowned as she ran her fingers over the hard backed rectangular book he'd given, titled "Ballet" by Alexey Brodovitch. "Looks old," she nodded.

"It's a first edition. Signed by the author. Quite rare I'm led to believe. Thought you might like it," he said softly, smiling at her.

"Walter, I can't accept it," she replied, shaking her head. "It looks much too expensive."

"Nonsense, Teresa. Call it an apology for me overstepping the mark that Saturday night," he shrugged, still smiling.

Jane stood watching the scene unfold in front of him and jealousy surged within him. He parted his lips and felt his hand turn into a fist. His eyes questioned Lisbon and she shook her head, silently telling him not to start anything that wasn't his business. He relaxed his fist but his face was thunderous as Mashburn turned back to him.

"So, Patrick," he said cheerfully, ignoring the dirty look Jane was giving him, "I hear you were on somewhat of a sabbatical for a while."

Jane eased his face back into a smile. "You should try it yourself sometime, Walter. I believe Bali can be very relaxing."

"If I didn't know better I'd think you were trying to get me out of the country."

Jane laughed as if joking with him, "Who says I'm not?"

Walter joined in for a moment before he turned serious. "Terrible news about Janet. I believe you two were quite close."

Jane's eyes flicked to Lisbon's for a second before he set them on Mashburn again. "I knew her, yes. As did you."

"Well my relationship with her was certainly nowhere near as intimate as yours I believe."

Jane stared at him blankly in return, making sure he gave the man nothing for his efforts to unsettle him.

He continued, "How is the investigation into her death going, anyway, Patrick?"

"We don't divulge those details to members of the public," Jane smiled. "But I would ask why you're so interested?"

Mashburn shrugged. "No reason. Curiosity. Just making idle conversation."

"Tell me, Walter, did you ever meet a man by the name of Henry Jacobs? He was a client of hers." So far all clients Jane interviewed had said they'd never met a man by that name. Staff who worked in the Gallery concurred.

Mashburn frowned for a long moment then shook his head. "No...don't think so but then I meet a lot of people," he smiled. "I'll have my assistant check-"

"There's no need-"

"Nonsense," he smiled, glancing at Lisbon for a second, "Any chance to pop my head in and help out on an investigation."

Jane nodded and smiled amiably at him. "Well we know how busy you are, wouldn't like to put you out on such a trivial matter. Just have your assistant call with the information, no point trudging all the way here."

"Believe me it's no problem."

"So Walter, since the last time I've seen you, how many wives have you wed? Hit double figures yet?" Jane grinned.

"None actually." Mashburn looked at Lisbon sideways, his eyes twinkling. "Well no more just yet."

The smile dropped from Jane's face immediately and he nodded, conceding the other man had just won the point. "Well we should let you get on. Have work to do." He turned to Lisbon. "You want to go through the details of the plan I have in mind for Dressler?"

Caught between a rock and a hard place she said, "Um...give me a minute with Walter first, will you, Jane?"

"Of course, Lisbon," he said politely after a split second pause but his eyes spoke of annoyance. "Goodbye Walter."

"See you soon, Patrick," Mashburn grinned.

XXX

Jane went to fetch himself some tea in the break room. To say he was aggravated would have been an understatement. He slammed the kettle onto the stove as Cho walked in to fetch a coffee. "Mashburn, huh?" Cho stated, as he poured out a mug with his back turned to Jane.

"Pompous ass," Jane muttered, flinging a teabag into his cup.

Cho turned and raised an eyebrow in his direction.

Jane rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'm a hypocrite. Happy?"

"Not particularly," Cho remarked as he passed him on the way back out. "One of these days this place will get back to being a place where police work is done and not a soap opera. Between the wedding talk and you and Lisbon up and down like an elevator I'm thinking of asking for a transfer."

"Can't say I blame you," Jane sighed as he stood alone at the island counter, pouring the boiling water into his cup. As he took a calming breath he closed his eyes, allowing the aroma of his favourite brew to waft into his senses. Then the pungent smell of expensive cologne infiltrated them instead. He opened his eyes to find Mashburn standing in front of him.

"I feel we left things on bad terms, Patrick-" he started.

"What are you playing at, Walter?" he said irritably.

"Me? Nothing? I like you, Patrick. I was hoping we could clear the air. Obviously I've said something to upset you."

Controlling his hostility he replied, "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not upset. You're mistaken. Have my mind on other matters. I apologise if you thought I was short with you."

"Well that's good to hear. I hope whatever happens between Teresa and I we can remain friends."

"I wasn't aware we were," frowned Jane. "Besides what happens between you and Lisbon is none of my business."

"I'm pleased you see it that way. I couldn't help but think you were being a little...territorial in there."

"Again you're mistaken. But I think you're wasting your time if you want my opinion on the matter."

Mashburn grinned, "Oh, you do, do you?"

"It's obvious she not interested," Jane stated, serenely taking a sip of his tea.

The other man shrugged. "Perhaps not yet but I rarely fail when I put my mind to something, Patrick."

"So, what? You see Lisbon as some kind of business acquisition-"

"I see her as a beautiful, intelligent and strong woman. Are you disagreeing with any of that? Who wouldn't want that in their life?"

Jane wasn't about to be pulled into whatever game this was any longer. "What's your point?"

"My point is that I let her out of my hands once before. I don't intend on making the same mistake twice." He paused for a moment and smiled. "You'd have to be an idiot to do that, wouldn't you?"

As Mashburn strolled off Jane put his cup and saucer down on the counter, his fingers lingering over its handle, smiling as he remembered how she'd kept it safe for him.

Idiot just about summed him up.

XXX

Ten minutes later and fortified by his tea he dropped by Lisbon's office. Absentmindedly he entered immediately and déjà vu struck him as she stood in a bridesmaid's dress in front of him. Fortunately (for her and not for him) she was fully enrobed in it, battling with a clip at the back.

"Are you kidding me?" she said, rolling her eyes. "Seriously? Twice you've done this now you know. Will you ever learn to knock when the door's closed?!"

His eyes lingered over her small frame encased in a long midnight blue gown, spaghetti straps leading to a fitted bodice and a soft flowing skirt in satin.

"Shut the damn door, will you? And lock it," she glowered. "Before everyone comes in here and starts gawking."

Smiling he shut it behind him, putting his back to it, afraid to take a step closer right away in case his willpower gave out. "That's...you look beautiful, Teresa."

Blushing she nodded, "It's better than the first one, I guess" she shrugged. He noticed her still fumbling with the clasp at the back and he took a step forward. "Here, allow me" he said softly.

"I'm...I'm okay" she stuttered. "I can get it."

Ignoring her he did the clasp up, quickly running the tips of his fingers over her exposed skin. He had an urge to kiss her shoulder and his breathing sped up at the thought. Before he had time to follow through she pulled away from him and turned around. "Fits okay, right?" she asked. "Only there's no mirror in here."

He didn't mind the question. It gave him another excuse to trail his eyes over her body. He nodded, deciding to press his luck. "Turn around again."

She shot him a knowing look and shook her head. "Nice try."

He grinned cheekily in return, his annoyance with Mashburn forgotten until he saw the book he'd bought her on the edge of her desk. He came closer to it and studied the cover. "Why did Mashburn buy you a book on ballet?"

"I'll tell you another time. Now...I need to get changed back into my clothes."

"I'm not stopping you" he smiled.

"Jane-"

"You think I've forgotten what you look like naked?" he teased. He tapped his temple. "All up there, Lisbon. A roomful of images." He closed his eyes and grinned.

"Stop that!" she chastised but then began to laugh. It was so long since he'd heard that noise his heart broke a little. Seeing a flickering of regret in his eyes she said softly, "Turn around at least."

He did so dutifully.

"And look towards the floor. You'd only peek in the glass."

He laughed softly. She still knew him so well. He dropped his head as she asked. "So...the book?" he asked to the rustling of clothes, only really interested in pursuing the question to stop his mind wandering to the nakedness going on just behind him.

"Right," she stated. "He took me to the ballet Saturday night a week ago. So guess he thought I'd like the book. I'm not going to keep it but he wouldn't take it back. I'll mail it to his assistant or something."

Jane nodded, relieved that no further plans appeared to have been made between them. "You never told me you liked the ballet," he replied.

He heard a growl behind him, the sound of struggling. "You okay there?" he asked.

"That damn clasp again. Can you open it?"

"That will mean I'll have to turn around, you understand."

"Open the damn clasp, will you?"

He turned around to see her standing in her jeans with the dress hitched up to her waist. Smiling he gestured for her to turn around. As she did so he cleared the hair from her back to rest on her shoulder. He really didn't require any need to do so to get at the clasp but it gave him a better view of her back dotted with freckles, a memory coming to him of trying to count them on a number of occasions. He'd never made it all the way through regrettably, passion always taking over instead. He finished with the clip and began to pull the zipper down slowly.

She turned around quickly and whacked his hands away.

"Sorry, I thought you wanted help with the zipper too," he smiled.

"Yeah, right," she responded, rolling her eyes.

"So ballet?" he asked again.

She nodded, her pulse rate picking up as his fingers had dwelled on her skin for a second time. "Um...right. My mom used to enter all these radio contests when I was a kid. I dunno, I was about eight or nine I guess. It didn't matter what it was for but it was her thing, you know. She loved the excitement of entering them, hoping for a win."

Jane sounded agreeably in return.

She twirled her finger for him to turn around again. He did so with an eye roll and he heard the dress drop to the floor as she continued, "Well she won one finally-"

"Tickets to the ballet."

"Yeah. Well it wasn't my dad's thing so she took me." She slipped her bra and top on quickly. "You can turn around now. I'm decent again."

"Shame," he smiled as he turned as she picked up the dress and began to put it back in the bag.

"So, how was it, the ballet? The first time?"

She stopped what she was doing and her eyes lit up at the memory. "It was like a different world, you know. Like I'd entered this secret universe that I never knew existed." She smiled wistfully at the memory, her gaze off to the side. She sat on the couch and put her boots back on. "Anyway, that was it really. I've only been a couple of times since but it makes me feel close to her still I suppose when I go. I always think of that first time."

"And you told Mashburn this?" he frowned, upset that he'd never figured this out about her before.

"No. He guessed. Saw me looking at a poster and took a chance I'd enjoy it."

He nodded slowly, angry with himself that he'd wasted the opportunity he'd had with her. "I would have taken you," he said quietly, swallowing a lump in his throat. "I mean...even before we...well you know. We could have gone as friends."

She nodded, standing up. "Well maybe if we work up to that again we can do that sometime," she replied in a whisper.

"I'd like that. To go to the ballet. Been quite a while for me too."

"Did you and Angela go?"

"Couple of times. She didn't really enjoy it. Used to fall asleep if I remember correctly." He smiled at the recollection of his wife dozing on his shoulder while he was enraptured with what was happening on stage.

He hadn't realised how much he missed sharing times in his life with her...or well with anyone really...until this moment. He couldn't stop himself continue. He didn't want to. "Charlotte was learning before..."

He sighed then beamed. "She wasn't very good. Quite terrible actually but...well she liked the tutus." His smile grew as he remembered.

Lisbon grinned as a stray tear fell down her cheek as they stared at each other in silence, the few steps between them still too difficult to cross.

XXX

A/N: So this was a little bit of a detour chapter I guess as only the present time in this one and not much on the case. But I hope you liked it anyway. It kind of grew organically and has a melancholy edge to it in the end. It's a little bit strange I think but I kinda like it so went with it. There will be action coming up soon so hope you'll keep reading.