A/N: Thank you to all of you who reviewed and sent me words of encouragement after the last chapter. They really did bring me out of my writing funk and those of you who also write know what that's like and how a few nice words can make all the difference.

Chapter 26 - Arguments

Jane rolled over to the other side of the bed away from the warmth of Lisbon's body beneath him, his breathing ragged from their lovemaking. He grinned, the whiteness of his teeth illuminating the darkness of her bedroom.

Lisbon turned on her side towards him, her fingertips absentmindedly untangling the small patch of matted hair at the centre of his chest as it glistened with perspiration. "Care to share what's so funny?" she smiled.

"Hmm? Oh nothing," he replied, placing his hand on top of hers and caressing the back of it, his lips still formed into a wide smile.

"Jane!" she laughed, patting his chest playfully. "Don't make me hurt you," she warned with another smile.

"For once that sounds like it might be fun," he chuckled. "Although you may need to give me ten minutes first."

"Ten minutes, huh? More like half an hour at least," she giggled. "Come on, spill."

He laughed again, moving on the bed to take her in his arms. "I was just thinking that I love the days we close cases."

"Oh? Why, because of the pizza?" she asked, feigning innocence.

He kissed the top of her head. "So you already know that you are little more exuberant on days like these? All that adrenalin pumping its way through your system that makes you defile me as soon as we get through the door."

She turned her face to him and raised an eyebrow. "Defile you? Seriously?"

He kissed her gently as he ran his fingers down her cheek. "Hmm. And it was absolutely wonderful," he smiled against her mouth.

"Well of course it's the only reason I keep you around," she replied.

He began to nibble on her earlobe. "To have your wicked way with me?"

"No. To close cases of course."

"You're still sticking to that old story, are you?" he said, turning to hover over her body and nuzzle her neck as his fingers ghosted over her breast.

"Hmm," she moaned lightly, tilting her head so he could kiss the spot at the side of her neck.

"See, less than ten minutes," he said as she felt him harden against her thigh. "Biofeedback can be trained to work in a number of ways, Teresa."

She moaned again, her hand trailing down his body to feel him, fondle him. "Thank god," she breathed.

After another round of lovemaking they lay together again, completely sated and spent.

"You haven't mentioned the Norris case in a while," she said, yawning. Part of her hoped that he'd given up on it, as unlikely as that was.

"Nothing much to report lately," he said, mirroring her yawn. "After confirming tea boxes were definitely switched I'm still interviewing people at the scene. So far nada." He draped an arm across her waist. "And as you keep me busy day and night I haven't had much time to look into it. And when I do have some time I need to catch up on my sleep." He kissed her shoulder. "Not that I'm complaining."

He straightened up again and glanced at the clock on the nightstand beside him. "As we closed that case today, I'll interview some more people tomorrow."

"Unless we get a call out," she countered.

"Hmm, indeed."

She placed her head on his chest and an arm across his stomach. "Did you hear about Rigsby and Van Pelt?"

"You mean about their meeting with Wainwright?"

"Yeah."

"No."

She frowned, looking up at him. He smiled at her in response. "I knew they were working up to meeting with him about their relationship. And when you mentioned them-"

"You guessed they had."

"Precisely. So how did it go?"

She arched both eyebrows. "Don't you know already?"

He narrowed his gaze at her, studying her expression that she was trying to keep neutral. "It went well. He put up a fuss about keeping it out of the office but relented in the end."

She rolled her eyes. "Know it all."

He laughed and responded, "Well good for them. Took them long enough to get round to it. They've been trying to keep things under wraps for what...more than three months now?"

She nodded. "Yeah, something like that." She knew exactly how long it was since she and Jane had been having a relationship and keeping it a secret (outside the team) not long after her agents had started seeing each other again. While she'd been happy for them that they'd been approved to both work and have a romantic personal relationship she couldn't help herself wanting more out of her own. Not much had changed since she'd got together with Jane and he seemed more than happy for things to stay as they were between them.

"I suppose they wanted to make sure it was going to work this time before they went to the trouble," he continued as he discussed Rigsby and Van Pelt. "As the last time it broke them up."

"Yeah, I guess so," Lisbon replied.

He kissed the top of her head and glanced at the clock again. She knew this routine like the back of her hand now. "I better go soon," he said softly, kissing her head again. "It's gone eleven."

"You could just stay," she said quietly. Until now she had said nothing when he'd made his midnight flits from her bedroom but tonight she wanted more from him. While she knew he wasn't ready to go public with their relationship for fear of a reprisal from Red John she felt she deserved more than she was getting. She wanted some kind of commitment, some kind of a promise that things wouldn't always be the way they were now, even just by staying with her simply because she asked him.

Immediately though she felt him tense immediately at her words. "But my car's outside," he replied softly. "So I...I can't stay tonight, Teresa."

She bristled immediately and huffed, thrusting herself back to the other side of the bed. "Then you may as well just go now."

He turned towards her, "Come on, Lisbon. Don't be like that. I'll stay tomorrow night if you want. You think I wouldn't rather be tucked up here with you than in that sad motel room?"

Angrily, "I don't know, Jane. I think if you really wanted to be here then you would be."

"I'm trying to keep you safe-"

"I don't need you to protect me, Jane. I never have."

As she was getting increasingly annoyed he sighed wearily and moved off the bed, dressing himself. "We'll talk about this when you're feeling a little more rational tomorrow," he said soberly.

His calmness only agitated her more. "Do you have any idea what this feels like? When you leave like this after we have sex?" She caught sight of his wedding ring, still firmly planted on his left hand. "It makes me feel like we're having a goddamned affair, that's how it feels!"

He raised his eyes to the ceiling as he pulled his jacket on. "Well I was perfectly happy to stay another hour, have something to eat together, watch some TV before I left-"

"Oh I'm honoured," she spouted, her voice thick with sarcasm.

He rolled his eyes and came round to her side of the bed. He bent down and went to kiss her but she stubbornly turned her lips from him. He cupped her cheek and brought them forcefully to his. He pecked her once, twice but she didn't respond. He sighed again, kissed her softly for a final time. "And you say I'm stubborn." He kissed her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said quietly, kissing her cheek again. As he reached the bedroom door he whispered, "I love you."

She woke as sunlight filtered through her living room curtains, the warmth of Jane's body replaced by a throw from the back of the couch he must have placed over her before he left. Parched she took a long sip of the fresh glass of water on the table beside her. She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling for a few moments, reliving the comfort she'd felt from his arms around her the night before then cursing herself for allowing even that. But she could hardly say he took advantage of her either, she had wanted that embrace just as much as he had.

She wasn't surprised he was gone when she woke; she would have been more surprised if he'd stayed. Unlike when they were together she was relieved he had. She felt awkward enough that she'd let down her guard as much as she had although she had been sober enough to deflect his questioning on the progress of their peacemaking. For now at least.

As he drove to work he sighed as he recalled waking up with Lisbon tucked up against him. He hadn't meant to fall asleep for long at all but a catnap had turned into four blissful hours of oblivion. He'd allowed himself five minutes to savour the feeling as he watched her sleep soundly, her soft breaths tickling his neck then his face as he moved to observe her better. The first time he'd been able to watch her so serene for more than a year, her face unclouded by anger, resentment, disappointment, hurt. He'd brushed a hair from her cheek, smiled as she crinkled her nose as he did so and kissed her cheek so softly his lips hardly made contact. Tears had pricked at his eyes as a rush of longing overcame him and he'd been off the couch quicker than a startled cat a moment later.

Parking in his normal spot at the CBI he heard the thunderous noise of a sports car as he exited his car. He rolled his eyes as Walter Mashburn pulled into a visitor's spot in a silver Ferrari. He ambled over to him and nodded to his vehicle as Walter got out, taking off his designer sunglasses. "Well it's a better colour than that yellow monstrosity," Jane said amiably, remembering with fondness now wrecking the car in question.

Walter grinned, "Patrick! What are you doing here on a Saturday?"

"Well we don't work nine to five in this job, Walter. Criminals don't keep to a timetable. Speaking of which, what are you doing here?" he smiled.

As the two men made their way into security Walter replied, "Well I'm sure you have a pretty good idea why I'm here."

"Hmm," Jane replied noncommittally as he retrieved his keys, phone and wallet from the plastic tray. As they arrived at the elevator Jane added, "Well she had a late one last night so you might be waiting a while." He knew it was childish but he couldn't help himself continue. "She was exhausted by the time I got her back to her place."

Unaffected Mashburn replied cheerfully, "Oh? You sure it wasn't the company she was bored by?"

Jane bit back a smile at his quick retort. If the man wasn't so blatant in his pursuit of Lisbon he was sure they could be friends. As they made it to the break room Jane glanced at her office, blinds closed and door locked. "See? Not in yet," he said, nodding to Cho who was already at his desk.

"I don't mind waiting," Mashburn replied as they went to the kitchen area.

"Tea?" Jane offered politely.

As both men sat at the table in silence Mashburn suddenly said, "By the way, I asked my assistant about Henry Jacobs. No appointments with him so I presume I never met him unless we were in a crowd. What does he look like?"

"Hard to say," Jane replied. "He's a ghost."

"Well that sounds intriguing."

Jane shrugged. "Not as much as you'd think."

Just then Rigsby entered the kitchen and immediately shook his head at Jane. "Thanks a bunch for last night, man."

"My pleasure," Jane grinned.

Rigsby rolled his eyes at him and then noticed it was Mashburn sitting opposite him. "Oh, sorry, Mr-"

"Walter, please, Wayne. Don't be so formal. We've met before," Mashburn said, standing up to shake the other man's hand. "And I believe congratulations are in order," he smiled.

Rigsby glanced at Jane nervously for a moment. "Um...yeah. Thanks. How did you know?"

Mashburn grinned. "Oh you know, word gets about," he dropped another smile in Jane's direction.

Jane held his teacup handle a little tighter. So he and Lisbon were obviously still in communication. "I wouldn't ask Walter for any tips, Rigsby," Jane smiled. "Not really the settling down type, are you Walter?"

"Oh I don't know, Patrick. The right woman can change any man's mind."

Rigsby glanced from one man to the other, suddenly feeling like he was in the middle of a cock fight. He cleared his throat, picked up the pace of him making his coffee only for Mashburn to place an envelope beside him. "My gift to you and your beautiful bride."

Rigsby frowned at the envelope, confused why this relative stranger was giving them a wedding present. "What...what is it?"

"Well you won't know until you open it, will you?"

Jane watched with fascination as Rigsby opened the envelope. After taking out a sheet of paper and reading it for a few seconds Rigsby's eyebrows hit his hairline. "A honeymoon! Anywhere in the world?!" A second later he offered back the letter, "Thank you but...I can't accept that...it's...it's too much. You hardly know us."

Mashburn grinned with satisfaction. "Don't be ridiculous, Wayne. It's nothing. Just call my travel agent at the number at the top of the page there when you decide where you both want to go. All expenses will be covered. I'd recommend Paris. The Shangri La there has magnificent views of the Eiffel Tower. Very romantic."

Rigsby grinned, "Really?"

Mashburn mirrored his grin. "Really," he confirmed.

Jane got up suddenly, the scraping of the chair against the floor gaining both men's attention. Rigsby dropped his gaze, ashamed he'd been conversing with the enemy.

"Take it, Rigsby. You and Grace deserve it." Jane knew Mashburn had only presented the gift to ingratiate himself with Lisbon's team but there was no reason why his two co-workers shouldn't profit from his extravagance.

"You think?" Rigsby asked, his eyes asking Jane the real question on his mind. You sure?

Jane smiled softly at his old friend, humbled by the other man's loyalty to him despite his abandonment of the team. "Absolutely."

Rigsby relaxed his shoulders, drew Mashburn into an awkward hug. "Thank you! Wow, this should help Grace's hangover!" he laughed as he left the room.

As soon as he left them the smile fell from Jane's lips. "You're an idiot if you think that's how to win her around. Don't you know her at all? She isn't impressed by your money, Walter."

"I'm just doing a nice thing for a young couple in love, Patrick."

"Of course you are," he replied with an eye roll.

"Don't be so bitter, Patrick. Just because you couldn't make things work with Teresa-"

"What happened between us is none of your damn business," Jane came back with sharply. Although he had intimated he knew about their history on his last visit this was confirmation of the fact. It riled him to think that Lisbon had discussed their relationship with the man standing in front of him. Not helped by the fact he was also her ex-lover.

"Hey, calm down. I know things ended badly-"

"You know nothing about it," Jane bit back.

Mashburn leaned against the counter. "Don't I? I know enough. You left her heartbroken-"

"Shut the hell up!" Jane said through gritted teeth, his hands turning into fists at his sides as he invaded Ashburn's personal space with menace.

"What the hell is going on?!" Lisbon said as she eyeballed both men. "Jane!" she added, wide eyed as she saw him bear down on the other man.

He pulled away immediately then shot her a look of contempt before shaking his head and storming out of the kitchen.

Wide eyed she looked at Mashburn. "What on earth happened?"

He shrugged, "Nothing really. Just told him a few home truths. Suppose he didn't take too kindly to them."

She rolled her eyes. "Walter, we need to talk."

He tapped on her office door the next morning before he stuck his head in. She looked up from her desk and he noticed the extra makeup she'd applied to hide the dark shadows beneath her eyes from a lack of sleep. She'd obviously had as much of a restless night as he had after their tiff. "Is it safe to enter?" he smiled.

She nodded and bit her lip. "Yeah," she said softly. "Come on in."

He grinned and entered, closing the door behind him and sat in the chair opposite her. They both spoke at the same time. "I'm sorry."

They laughed and Jane breathed out a sigh of relief. Lisbon said, "I'm sorry about last night. I was...-"

"Upset. I know. You see Rigsby and Van Pelt moving their relationship forward and you want some manner of commitment from me too," he finished for her.

"I guess," she replied. "But it wasn't right to push you like that. You've always been honest with what you could offer me the way things stand currently." She shrugged, "I know what I signed up for. Forget about what I said. I'm fine with how things are." She knew there was no point arguing about Red John with him as he was clearly nowhere near ready to be swayed on the subject.

"No, you're not," he said softly with a sigh. "Nor should you be." He puffed out a breath and asked, his voice wavering as he fiddled with his wedding band, "I understand if this is too hard for you, Teresa. A relationship but...not a relationship. It's hard for me too but...well I'm too selfish and in too deep to let you go. But if you want out-"

"I don't," Lisbon interjected quickly. Softer, "I don't. But...yeah, it's hard sometimes. And normally the good times make up for those times it's difficult. It's just that lately we've been working so much the good times have been in short supply. And the news about Grace and Wayne was a catalyst I suppose."

He smiled, thanking a god he didn't believe in that she didn't want to end things between them, unrepentant about his selfishness. "So then how about we tip the scales the other way?"

"And how do you propose we do that?"

"We're not working or on call next weekend, correct?"

"Yeah. Team has the highest closure rates so we get the holiday weekend off."

"How about we go away somewhere?"

"Together?"

He rolled his eyes and laughed. "Yeah, that would be the general idea."

"I'm supposed to be visiting my brothers in Chicago," she countered.

"I know and you're dreading it. And will probably not go through with it and volunteer to work instead."

"Smart ass," she replied. Getting excited by the notion of a weekend away together she grinned, "So, where would we go?"

"Somewhere outside California. Somewhere beautiful, romantic. Somewhere...somewhere we can be like every other couple in love," he answered with sincerity, imagining being able to touch her freely in public, walk with her hand in hand on a beach with no fear of prying eyes.

"So not Vegas then?" she smirked.

He rolled his eyes in return. "Way to ruin a touching moment," he smiled.

She laughed and he breathed deeply as it lit up her face. "Allow me to plan it. You'll love it."

"Okay," she grinned.

He leaned back in the chair and smiled seductively at her. "You know after a couple have an argument and have made up I believe there's some kind of...formal process for sealing the deal," he said vaguely, waving his hand around. He tapped his index finger to his lips. "Can't seem to recall what the term is."

"Make up sex?" Lisbon frowned.

Jane was off his chair in a shot. "If you insist. I'd hate to fly in the face of such a tradition. Meet me in the attic in five minutes," he grinned.

She raised an eyebrow and then opened a file on her desk. "Nice try," she smiled.

When she entered her office she jumped slightly. The blinds still closed Jane sat on her couch, his expression grim. "What have I told you about breaking in here?" she said without much vigour, shoving off her jacket. After their loosely compromising position the night before she was a little embarrassed to look him in the eye. "And what is it with you and Walter and this juvenile pissing contest you both seem intent on?" she muttered. She went over to open the blinds and Jane barked, "Leave them closed."

For the first time since she entered she looked him in the eye, saw the anger in his face. She turned fully towards him and crossed her arms over her chest. "What the hell is the matter with you? And why don't you want me to open the blinds?"

"I'll answer your second question first. Unless you want the team to witness another argument between us then I'd suggest you keep them closed."

"So you're mad with me? Why? If anything I should be the one who's angry. Practically coming on to me last night when my defences were lowered-"

"I did no such thing. If I'd really wanted to seduce you I would have," he said bitterly but with assurance.

"Jesus, your ego really knows no bounds. So, what is it? What have I done this time? Snored too loudly?" she offered, rolling her eyes. Her head began pounding and she took a sip of the coffee she'd brought in with her. She was in no mood to have this conversation. After her rather pleasant awakening it had turned into the morning from hell already.

He stood up and faced her. "What did you tell Mashburn about us?" he asked, stony faced.

"Oh my god, seriously? Him again? Jane for the tenth time-"

"What did you tell him?" he reiterated, stepping closer still so their faces were mere inches apart.

She shrugged, "Nothing really. I don't know what the hell your problem is but don't think you can intimidate me, Patrick Jane!"

He took a step back but his expression remained stern. "Well he seemed to know all about our history. And our break up. Sounded like you poured your heart out to him."

"Well you're mistaken. All he knows that we were together and that we broke up after a falling out. And he guessed we were together that way. I didn't just tell him."

"But you confirmed it."

She rolled her eyes again. "Yeah, I did. What of it?!"

"I'd rather you didn't go round discussing our sex life for one. And certainly not with him!"

"Oh for pity's sake, Jane. You know I didn't do that." She regarded him closely. "Sounds like he was right, though. He got right under your skin," she said with a smirk.

She walked round her desk and began to search it for some headache tablets, the conversation over as far as she was concerned.

"Did you mention what happened with Red John?" he persevered.

She looked to the heavens. "So that's why you're really mad, huh? Not because of jealousy or to protect your modesty. I'm an idiot. I should have known it was about him." The banging in her head intensified and she raised her voice to compensate. "Of course, when the hell is it ever not!"

"Well, did you?" he glared, approaching her desk, his eyes dark and unforgiving.

"No!" she screamed, her hand still in the drawer and rifling for the pills furiously.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Are you sure?"

"Jesus! Yes, I'm sure! I'm sure! Okay!" she yelled at him, picking up what she thought was the pill bottle from her drawer again and launching it at him in a fit of anger. It was only when the object hit him squarely on his left temple that she realised she'd mistakenly thrown a silver wine bottle stopper that bore the word "BOSS" on it, a secret Santa gift from Rigsby the previous Christmas, instead. He stumbled backwards a couple of steps, placed his hand up to the welt on his head, his face contorted in confusion and pain.

"Oh my god!" Lisbon panted, at his side a moment later. She took his arm, lowering him gently onto the couch behind him. She placed a hand on the small cut and he flinched away from her touch immediately. "I'm fine," he said gruffly, taking out a handkerchief to pat the leaking blood from his wound.

Her hands began to tremble and she jumped off the couch, searching through her drawers again for her first aid kit. "Let me clean it for you," she said softly when she returned as she attempted to take his head in her hands, the heat of their argument forgotten.

"I'm okay," he said harshly, pulling his head away from her.

"Please, Patrick," she whispered.

He frowned at her use of his first name and the softness of her tone and he took in her appearance beside him. Her legs were shaking as were her hands as she held an antiseptic wipe in one of them. Reproachful eyes could barely look at him. "Okay," he relented, turning his voice gentle.

She nodded and knelt in front of him as he sat on the couch, her eyes glassy. She took his head in her hands and carefully cleaned the wound as gently as she could, her eyes focused there and not on the rest of his face. He watched her make her ministrations, a pout on her lips as she concentrated. Her chest rose and fell quickly, telling him she was more upset than her expression was letting on.

"It's not the first time you've walloped me," he smiled. "And I had it coming. I baited you from the get go."

She shook her head, turned to get a plaster. "Don't make excuses," she said quietly. "I was out of line." She looked him in the eye as she knelt back down again. "I'm sorry," she said with a ragged breath as she placed the plaster over the cut. "Maybe you should go to hospital, get checked out-"

"Haven't you hurt me enough already today, woman?" he joked, hoping to help her out of her sudden melancholic mood.

"Please don't make jokes, Jane." She shook her head as a tear fell from her eyes. "Not about this."

He furrowed his brow. "Why are you so upset about this, Teresa?" he asked quietly. "I more than deserved it-"

"Stop saying that!" she said as another tear fell.

Suddenly he realised what this was about and he relaxed his expression. Her father. He brushed the tears from her cheek with the pad of his thumb and stared in her eyes. Quietly, "You're not him, Teresa." He shook his head, brushed her cheek with his thumb again. "You could never be him."

A few more tears fell as she barely held onto control. "I was so mad, Jane. It was like blind rage. It wasn't even about what we were arguing about. I hardly remember throwing that thing. It wasn't like I just wanted to get a punch in. I really wanted to hurt you-"

He tilted his head to the side, smiled softly at her. "Well I have that affect on people. Don't beat yourself up about it."

She let out a small laugh and took a breath. Then she noticed he was still looking at her, his hand was still placed on her cheek. She saw his eyes flicker to her lips and her heart raced of its own accord. As if in slow motion she watched him lick his lips, heard his breathing quicken. As he caressed her cheek and he brought his lips towards hers, her eyes fluttered closed in anticipation. She felt his lips a split second later, soft and warm on her own as he kissed her tenderly, pressing two small kisses to her mouth. Then nothing for a moment. As she was about to open her eyes he delved in again, his kiss more insistent. She moaned and parted her lips and he took advantage immediately as his tongue darted inside as both his hands took hold of her face. She knelt up straighter and reciprocated fiercely, her hands bunching in his vest. He groaned and pulled her against him, angling his head so he could deepen the kiss once again. His hands were on her back, one dragging the material of her shirt upwards to bare her flesh as the other kneaded into the soft skin uncovered. Breathless he moved his kisses to her jawline, desperate need overtaking slow seduction as she tangled her hands in his hair and twirled her fingers through his curls. As he began to nuzzle her neck she opened her eyes, closing them again briefly as he expertly nipped at the base of her neck. Then with a semblance of sense she wasn't sure she still possessed she pulled away from him, staggering back to her feet and away from his grasp.

"No," she said, hardly able to breathe. She shook her head, as much to make the point to herself as to him. "No. We both know that would be a mistake." She took a deep breath. "Jesus, we have enough problems as it is without adding sex into the mix."

Before he could answer her the desk phone sounded. She picked it up and answered it, listening for a few moments. Then her eyes went as wide as saucers. She gripped the edge of her desk, nodded into the handset. She shot Jane a look of horror. "No...No I'm still here," she stuttered. "Yeah, I'm sure you're right," she added but shook her head at Jane who was now standing opposite her, puzzled and increasingly worried. "Yeah, my team and I will leave immediately." Jane heard the line go dead but she held the receiver in her hand and was staring into space. He took the phone from her hand, replacing it on the base unit, his mind now focused on the phone call that had affected her and not at what had been going on between them before that.

Concerned, "Lisbon?"

She found his eyes and whispered, "God, Jane. It's Red John."

A/N: Yeah, a cliffie! RJ has nice timing, doesn't he? I seem to be in the mood for them nowadays. Next chapter will be full on!