A/N: A short chapter but hopefully a humorous one (both anomalies for this particular story!) Don't fear the angst will be back in force very soon for those of you who like that side to the story so sit back and enjoy the lightness for now.

Chapter 24 - Running Interference

"I swear, Wainwright loves those Management meetings, his eyes get this look of excitement in them when he starts talking about an increase in his budget," Lisbon said to Jane as she walked back into the bullpen, the only figure left at seven in the evening.

Jane, his eyes glued to a file, replied from his couch, "Well the man doesn't have such of a life outside work." He winked at her. "You remember what that was like."

"As do you," she smiled, flopping beside him.

"Touché," he grinned, his eyes lighting on her for a second. "You should have told him the excuse I gave you."

"Oh, that I had a hot date with a hot man?"

He shrugged, smirking, "He'd never have questioned you about it, would have been much too embarrassed."

"Well it doesn't feel right, lying to my boss about that," she smiled.

He turned his full attention to her. "Oh? So you don't have a hot date with a hot man tonight?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

She shrugged, glancing around the bullpen. "I don't know...haven't seen Jeff from the Mailroom for a few days."

He chuckled lightly. Ensuring they were alone he kissed her quickly. "Trying to make me jealous?"

"Maybe. Why? Is it working?" she chuckled.

He chanced another kiss. "Yes. So stop it," he smiled.

She laughed and tilted her head to see the file he was reading. "What case is that?"

"Edward Norris," he nodded, turning a page. "I figured I'd have a look at it. Now that I'm back to full health and we have some time between cases for a change. Still open, right?"

Lisbon nodded, her breathing quickening as Jane looked into the death of the other man who had been poisoned. She had a feeling of dread that no good was going to come out of this.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked softly, noticing the change in body language.

"Yeah...I'm fine. I just...well it brings it all back, that's all."

Jane nodded. "Teresa, this man wasn't as lucky as I was. He didn't survive the toxin. Plus well perhaps there's a connection between us somehow. We were both targeted after all."

"Jane, we looked at this man and his associates. We talked to everyone we could at the time. You think we didn't do our jobs considering what was at stake for you in tracking down the perpetrator?"

He closed the file and frowned at her. "I'm not saying any of those things. But...well I can't imagine any of you were thinking too clearly either considering the state I was in. I'm sure you all did your best but...well to be completely selfish about it whoever did this may try again with me."

"We have the cure now. There'd be no point."

"Not with that particular toxin but he may be mixing up another batch of some other stuff for all we know."

"Or it might just be a coincidence."

He laughed in amusement. "Coincidence? Lisbon, we were both at death's door within hours of each other. One of us didn't make it. What's the likelihood of us both ingesting this poison where there isn't a connection? Frankly, I'm a little surprised you don't seem to want me to look into it."

She stammered, "It's...it's not that." Truthfully she wasn't worried about whoever did this targeting Jane again. She was more than certain Red John had already taken care of that problem when he'd acquired the cure.

He put the file to the side. "I'm just going to do a little digging in my spare time, okay? If I find anything I'll let you know. I probably won't if you didn't but no harm no foul. You don't need to be involved in this. I know...I know it was a hard time for you. I don't want you to relive it."

Patting her hand he pulled her off the couch as he got up. "Come on, it's getting late. Let me escort you to your hot date," he smiled. "I believe he told me he'd like Chinese tonight."

Jane awoke from his doze on his couch to the sound of Cho and Rigsby arguing. "Come on, man. Help me out," Rigsby sighed.

"No," his partner told him pointedly.

"Can you guys keep it down," Jane remarked, still prone with his eyes closed.

He heard Rigsby shuffling towards him. "Good, Jane, you're awake."

"No, it's merely an optical illusion. He snuggled into the couch further. "Now, if you wouldn't mind."

Realising Rigsby wasn't going anywhere and sensing he was a man in full blown panic mode if the incessant shuffling of his feet were anything to go by he cracked open an eye. He trailed it over Rigsby's frame and closed it again. Crossing his arms in front of him he shook his head. "No. Whatever it is the answer's no."

"Cho?" Rigsby pleaded.

Jane heard the rustling of pages as Cho presumably continued reading his book. "No."

He didn't have to open his eyes to imagine Rigsby's slumped shoulders. Curiosity finally getting the better of him he made a disgruntled noise and slid into a sitting position. Rigsby looked at him like a hopeful overly large puppy. He sighed. "Okay, what's the problem?"

"I have to pick up Grace from her bachelorette party."

Jane frowned. "Isn't the wedding still two weeks away? And why would you be afraid of that?" He'd been with Cho all day on an investigation so had missed this titbit of office gossip.

"She's having it early as her best friend from college is going to be on vacation until near the wedding."

Okay," Jane said slowly, gesturing with his hand for Rigsby to continue.

"Well..." the tall man started. "The thing is..."

"He's afraid of her," Cho finished for him. "Her friend. Clara," he confirmed, turning a page.

"And what about this woman makes a renowned CBI Agent quake in his boots?" Jane smiled.

"Well...when she's had a bit to drink she's a little...-"

"Oh!" Jane interrupted. "A little overly amorous," he grinned.

"Like an octopus," Rigsby finished, shaking his head. "And then Grace gets jealous and I get the blame somehow!"

"I see. So you want Cho here to go with you to keep our aquatic friend's hands to herself."

"That's about it." He paused and was about to speak again when Jane shook his head. "No chance."

"Come on, man." He paused, desperate. "Lisbon's there."

Jane narrowed his eyes at him. "So?"

Stammering, "Well I thought since you two are getting on better these days it might...well it might give you a chance to...progress things between you."

"Oh, so you think I'm the type of man who'd take advantage of Lisbon when she's a few sheets to the wind."

"No!-"

"I wonder what she'd make of that if I told her that was your suggestion to better things between us. I wonder how long you'd be on dumpster duty for-"

"Oh please, Jane! I didn't mean it like that. I just meant-"

Jane sighed, "It's okay. I know what you meant. But Lisbon and I are just trying to be friends again. Nothing more. You and Grace need to get that into your heads. At least Cho realises that."

Cho harrumphed at his desk. "It's just wishful thinking on my part."

Looking at the defeated man opposite him Jane rolled his eyes. "Okay. You buy me lunch for a week."

Rigsby, while momentarily relieved he wasn't walking into the lion's den alone, was fearful of the cash he'd have to spend. "Okay but...nothing too fancy. I'm saving for a wedding."

"Fine," Jane said theatrically as he rose from his couch.

As the two men left together Jane winked at Cho. Cho shook his head and mumbled into his book, "He's going to fleece him."

As they entered the busy bar in the heart of downtown Jane puffed out a breath as what he supposed was considered now popular music blasted in his ears, the beat of the bass almost making talking impossible. Rigsby, towering over him, spotted a section cordoned off that was assumedly assigned to the bachelorette party. Jane nodded as they made their way through the throng of Friday night partygoers. As they approached the section Jane looked for Lisbon, the only reason he'd actually come with Rigsby although his colleague would never know that. She was always fun when a little buzzed on alcohol and it had been quite a while since he'd seen that carefree side to her. Too long his brain added internally. Rigsby tapped his shoulder and pointed at what was presumably Clara. She was a tiny thing about the size of Lisbon and Jane grinned at his old friend, shaking his head. "Really?" he mouthed.

Rigsby's quick nod and rapidly blanching complexion gave him his answer. "I got your back," Jane assured him, to Rigsby's relieved expression.

As Lisbon was nowhere to be seen (presumably in the ladies room) he decided to have a little fun first. Grace, busy talking animatedly to a friend of hers adorned with a pink satin bow with 'bride to be' written on it in flowery text and wearing what appeared to be a plastic tiara on her head didn't see them at first as they entered the section.

Clara, however, immediately bounced up to Rigsby and encircled him in a hug. "Wayne!" she shrieked, her high pitched tone almost deafening Jane for a second time in minutes.

Rigsby removed her hands from his waist and smiled nervously. "Hey, Clara. Good to see you again. I'd...I'd like you to meet my friend Patrick."

Jane nodded as the pint sized terror looked him up and down. "Well, where has Wayne been hiding you, cowboy?" she smiled, her fingers brushing over Jane's chest.

"Prison," Jane said immediately, smiling at the woman in front of him as her face dropped.

"Prison?" she repeated.

Jane nodded, tilting his head towards Rigsby who was standing with his mouth open. "Yeah. Would you believe Wayne here arrested me?"

Clara looked from one man to the other. "Um...well..."

"It's true," Jane continued, "just got out today." He grinned at her. "He told me there'd be some hot pieces here tonight." He looked her up and down appreciatively. "And he was certainly right."

The woman, so confident moments before, faltered for a moment. "What...um...what were you in prison for?"

"Armed robbery." He paused. "Obstruction of justice." Another pause. "Attempted bribery of a police officer." He shoved Rigsby playfully. "We had a right laugh over that one, didn't we?" Turning his attention back to the clearly frightened woman opposite him now he shot her another dazzling smile. "So, you want to get out of here? Go somewhere a little more...private?"

She shook her head wildly. "I...I have a boyfriend," she stated quickly.

Jane sighed. "That's okay. We learn to share in prison. I don't mind if he doesn't."

At this comment she baulked completely, downing the glass of Champagne in her hand and brushing past them rapidly. Jane grinned at Rigsby who was standing open mouthed. "See? How easy was that?" he said calmly. "Tacos tomorrow," he added as he went in search of Lisbon.

Rigsby shook his head. "I should have known better. How the hell am I supposed to explain this to Grace?" he muttered.

A/N: Apologies again for the short chapter but I'm extremely short on time over the next few days so wanted to post something.