"So is this the part where you tell me you've shacked up together?"
Jane's laugh covered the sound of Lisbon's snort as wine sprayed from her mouth.
"See Lisbon? I told you he was in the loop," Jane sported a broad grin, while the shock continued to register on his girlfriend's face.
"I just... How did you figure it out?" She sputtered. "We've been discreet. We've been very, very discreet. And not just about him moving in. About everything."
Cho looked from one to the other with a raised eyebrow.
"Really?" He asked incredulously. "I'm a detective. I detect things. It's my business to know everyone's business. Besides, three trips to the airstream in the past three days and no sign of lover boy. Not hard to make the connection."
"What he's saying," Jane elaborated, "is that we could have just mentioned it as an aside and he would have been fine, right Cho?"
"I don't' know… this way I get what smells like a fairly good meal," his friend replied.
"Speaking of which, I'd better get Jane's pasta. I'll just..." Lisbon trailed off, still a little disconcerted about the whole conversation. She snapped out a quick "stay!" As Jane moved to help her.
The blond consultant shrugged, turning his attention once again to his coworker.
"Well? Are you going to get it over with?"
"I think you know the score, Jane, but just to put things on the record, if you hurt her, I'll hurt you. Badly."
"Got it."
"Never forget I like her more than I like you."
"Who could blame you?"
"You know the other thing that gave you away?"
"What's that?"
"The return of the waistcoat. She has a thing for the waistcoat - it was always obvious. Next thing you know you'll actually start shaving again."
"I wouldn't go that far…"
The two men sat in a semi comfortable silence, waiting for Lisbon's return.
"Just so I know what to expect, you're not going to be all sweetie, honey, baby in the office, are you?" Cho looked disgusted as he uttered the words "Because I think I may have to hit you with a phone book if that happens."
"Cho," Jane eyed his coworker with a cheeky grin. "Do I look like a man who wants to give his girlfriend an excuse to break his nose?"
Tiramisu followed gnocchi, with the meal eventually followed by Cho's departure, and a promise to catch up for coffee on Sunday afternoon.
"Tell me he didn't threaten you," Lisbon insisted as the pair watched Cho drive away.
"Come on, Teresa," Jane replied. "Would it be Cho if he didn't?"
She huffed. "He should know I can take care of myself"
"He does. He's just trying to be the protective friend. Oh, by the way, he's planning to hit me with a phone book if we go all 'sweetie, honey, baby' in the office."
A look of distaste spread across Lisbon's face. "I hate people who do that sort of thing. I hope you told him that."
"I did indeed, my angry little princess."
She smiled at that. "That's your one pass. You utter any of those others and I'll break your nose!"
"Don't I know it." He smiled at her, knowing he wouldn't have her any other way.