Chapter 11 - Teamwork
Grace was really looking forward to seeing Lisbon again, they had just moved to the Bay area and she had not made many friends her time being taken up with setting up the new business and pre-natal checks. Fortunately the morning sickness had abated; she was positively blooming in her second trimester and fully embraced the changes in her life. Rigsby was pretending to be blasé this being his second child but he had just gone through the motions out of duty with Sarah never really being head over heels in love with her in the way he was with Grace. Being a decent man he would have carried on with Sarah and done his best to provide a happy upbringing for Ben but he was relieved to a degree when she had been the one to call it a day after Jane's ill fated scheme and they had reached an amicable arrangement over Ben.
Business was already going well and being desk based Grace's pregnancy would not be a problem, much as they had enjoyed their time at the CBI it was liberating to work to their timetable free of the petty bureaucracy of a big organisation.
Abbott had made contact with Cho in confidence, who naturally had contacted Rigsby to voice his concerns - Rigsby of course told Grace everything. Lisbon had intended to be very hush hush about everything not wanting to drag anyone else into their problems, so she was more than a bit perplexed by Grace's greeting.
"Hi Boss you ok?" before Lisbon could get a word out Grace continued. "Who would have thought it Walter Mashburn?"
"Honestly I'm going to kill Jane – he knows I didn't want anyone else involved – what on earth made him tell you. So much for secrecy!" She exclaimed.
"It's not Jane –it was Abbott, then Cho and well you can guess the rest. Jane hasn't said a word. How is he coping with it all? Especially the fact that you and Mashburn er… well didn't you and he have a bit of a ….well you know…" Grace faltered.
"Jeez, is there anyone who does not know?" Lisbon shook her head with exasperation choosing to ignore Grace's other question. "Anyhow Grace, great to see you looking so well and that is one of the reasons I don't want you and Wayne involved you have responsibilities now but I would appreciate some technical advice."
They exchanged a warm hug and sat down to talk over some drinks. "Grace it's no secret Mashburn is a master of technology he will know all the tricks in the book – can you give me some tips about what we need to look out for?"
Grace switched to techno speak explaining about mobile phone jamming and showing showed how easily text messages can be intercepted. Lisbon just about kept up with her, acknowledging how much Grace had come on and was now an expert in her field.
With a wicked glint in her eye Grace logged onto a website and input Wayne's mobile number "He does not know you can do this - not that I want to know what he is up to." Wayne's latest texts started to download. "Hey look at this Cho and Wayne still taking stupid bets off each other, is there anything they won't bet on? - Oh perhaps you shouldn't read this one." Grace hastily took the website down; Lisbon just shook her head having seen enough to guess the subject of their latest bet.
"Jane is paranoid about Mashburn seeing straight through me, I know I can't act but I don't want Jane being reckless - it would be typical of him to go in without telling me, is there any way we can track his movements?"
Grace thought for a moment, "Well I assume you both use burners now, they are more difficult to track but it can be done – it may be worth me tracking both of your phones so we can find either one of you in the event of an emergency – just let me know if you change your numbers for any reason."
Lisbon thought the loss of privacy was worth the security of knowing where Jane was, she just hoped Grace would not be tempted to read Jane's texts – a couple had certainly made her blush when she received them.
As Lisbon prepared to leave Grace could not help herself, she smiled knowingly "so Jane – any progress on that front?"
Lisbon grimaced why wouldn't Grace let this drop "Grace it is hardly the time but I promise you will be the first to know unless we elope in the meantime" she added mischievously. Whereupon Lisbon gave her a heartfelt hug, Grace's input had been invaluable. As they parted Lisbon looked pensive "Grace, I know this is putting you on the spot but let me know if the boys decide to do something by themselves please."
"Of course I will, in return promise me you won't do anything rash - your name is top of the list for godparents."
Jane was studying her laptop again when she got home, she detected the trace of a smile playing on his lips but he did not look up at her. "So Teresa, how was the delightful Grace, still as curious as ever?" Jane quirked an eyebrow before adding wryly "It's almost tempting to give them something to talk about - I know Rigsby and Cho have a hundred bucks riding on it."
Feeling the colour rush to her face she quickly turned away from him to compose herself, "actually Grace has been very helpful, however what is disturbing is that courtesy of Abbot they all know about Mashburn."
Jane set his lips in a thin line and shook his head. "Look we are where we are - Abbott meant well but he's as subtle as brick - let's just hope they used secure lines."
Lisbon proceeded to explain about the text interception and signal jammers – omitting anything about the tracking.
"Well you are obviously keeping something from me but I'll let that go for now" Jane said with a smirk. "I'll find out soon enough, though you are better at keeping secrets these days - just not good enough."
"Like you don't keep any secrets Jane, I can see what you are doing working this through in your head, deflecting me with incidental queries thinking I won't notice what you are up to."
Touché Jane thought, she had learned how to read him too well he was going to have to be careful.
Jane's own investigations were not making much progress, in the light of what Grace had told them about texts he phoned Wylie to ask for some more information about Mashburn's childhood and the circumstances of his father's death. Jane suspected Mashburn may have sanitised his records and suggested they needed to rely on more anecdotal evidence to fill the gaps. Blake clearly had tabs on both Jane and Lisbon so they could not do any ground work, so Wylie who had to meet his Boss in Sacramento offered to make a detour to Modesto.
Wylie did not get out much so this was quite a big thing for him; his unassuming manner and lack of guile usually won people round despite his pale geeky looks and he was sure he would get people in the neighbourhood gossiping in no time. Jane could not help but smile at Wylie's excitement at being involved and hoped he had the chance to engage with the young man before long.
Later that evening Cho called Jane for the first time in a while, he had felt awkward not knowing how to approach Jane after his breakdown. Lisbon was decidedly miffed that Cho had called Jane and not her and it all added to her suspicions.
"Jane you OK now?" said the man of few words.
"Straight to the point Cho, yes I'm fine now." In some ways Jane preferred Cho's honest directness to beating about the bush.
"Good. Boss OK?" Jane smiled at Cho's economy with words.
"Yes she's fine and I'm sure she's looking forward to having a long chat with you" Jane added sarcastically.
"When were you going to tell me about Mashburn? I had to find out from Abbott." Cho sounded distinctly put out.
"Truthfully Cho, we weren't going to tell any of you. We had to keep Abbott in the loop; Teresa is still under review and we daren't compromise her situation and Abbott seems a good guy, if not exactly subtle. Teresa did not want the Rigsbys involved for obvious reasons and we don't want to jeopardise your chances at Quantico."
Cho retorted "I've never let the boss down and I'm not going to start now. What can I do?"
"Well I understand you've been uncharacteristically chatty with Wayne - we need to keep this all on the down low."
"No problems we used burners. Do you have a plan yet?" Cho tersely responded, rather insulted that Jane should think they were that stupid.
"Nothing firm still gathering information but we need to sort something out in the next week. We'll let you know when we have something definite."
"Jane - pleased to have you back man."
"Thanks Cho," Jane was touched by Cho's straightforward honesty. "Here Teresa is just itching to speak to you."
"So Kimball how's training - you teaching the trainers yet?" she teased.
Cho pushed her question aside. "You should have told me."
"Ok Kimball, I'm sorry but we really are still coming to terms with the information."
"Boss I understand but don't forget we all have a stake in Red John, we all laid our careers on the line to take him down and if he is still out there I want to be in there when you take him down."
"Kimball forget it." Lisbon said sternly.
"Not your choice Boss - Abbott says he can get me out of here for a few days, so I'm coming like it or not."
"Just wait until we've worked out a plan then we'll call you - thank you Kimball it means so much." Lisbon realised how much she had missed her lieutenant, she was pleased he was moving on and felt he had put his career on hold for her but she would always have a place in her heart for her forthright friend.
Jane had watched and listened attentively. "You miss this don't you? Being in charge, organising things - I'm sorry I've ruined it all for you."
"Tsk, don't be stupid Jane - Red John ruined it not you. Truthfully I think I was addicted to the adrenaline of it all but now I'm off the treadmill I can look at it with a different perspective. If Cho can find himself a new career and Grace and Wayne can branch out for themselves - why can't I do something different. I'm by no means old but the body doesn't heal as fast these days; I'm not going to be able to actively do field work for more than another 5 years - the last few months have pretty much killed off any desire for more of a managerial role, so maybe it's time to re-assess what I do in the future while I'm still young enough to start again."
She spoke with complete candour and without feeling sorry for herself, Jane could never get over how she just accepted things and moved on. He recalled being surprised when she had said one day she would get sacked because of him - he would not have been so sanguine about it all, it would have eaten away at him.
Jane ventured apprehensively. "So does that future include me?"
"If you want it to" she responded cautiously.
"So tell me about Teresa Lisbon in 10 years time - how do you see her?"
"Working of course - possibly self employed or consulting" she said with a quirk of her eyebrow. "Having more time to spend with my family, though they drive me up the wall. Maybe some travel before I settle down - then a dog or two if I can fit them into my lifestyle. Definitely a house with a garden, possibly closer to the coast - there are no ties to Sacramento any more. Maybe brush up on my education at some stage."
He sighed "That is all very 'me' not 'we' - I'm not sure where I fit in all this."
"Well, I don't like to make assumptions; you've not exactly been forthcoming about your intentions. Assuming we escape unscathed, I don't even know whether you are going to stick around afterwards - maybe you would want to finally close that chapter in your life and move on to a fresh start."
"I assure you Teresa, I'm going nowhere I'm home now, took me a long time to realise it but I know I have got to start living in the present at some stage. I'll never forget my past it will always be there but I'm starting to believe in the possibility of having a real life not just one built on anger and revenge. I want everything you said and more, so long as I am with you I'm content."
"I can't help wondering how you feel about me and Mashburn – it freaks me out that I may have slept with Red John so I can't imagine how you feel about it. I can't help noticing that you have been more withdrawn and less affectionate since we came to that conclusion – I couldn't help thinking that maybe you saw me differently, a bit soiled perhaps?" She struggled to get the words out, unsure of the impact they might have.
"Oh Teresa, don't read anything into that – I've just been tense. Look I can't say I'm particularly mad about the idea that Red John may have slept with you but at the time neither of us had an inkling and I was more than happy for you to find some solace with Mashburn, in fact I almost pushed the two of you together." He shook his head in disgust at what he had done. "Even with the benefit of hindsight, I still find it difficult to reconcile that I actually liked Mashburn and yet he is the man capable of such depravity. I'm supposed to be the Mentalist, if I did not see that how could I possibly expect you to? Look I really don't want to pry but perhaps over the next few days you could think back objectively to that time and see whether it throws any clues or insights to Mashburn's character."
Lisbon shuddered at the thought, though she could see the logic behind the request.
"Teresa look at me, this changes nothing about how I feel about you, I still want to be in your life in whatever capacity you will have me."
"Thank you Patrick - I certainly want you in my future if you are ready to start afresh."
The lack of sentimentality may have seemed a bit aloof but they were both so used to being guarded that they did not open up easily to another person anymore. They were adults with a lot of miles under their belt; it was not natural for them to suddenly start behaving like love struck kids.
Jane pulled her towards him, looking intently into her face she returned his stare steadfastly. They both seemed at a loss what to do next feeling strangely shy with each other, although they had enjoyed some intimacy it had happened naturally and had never gone that far. Lisbon dispelled the moment by placing a gentle kiss on Jane's cheek before leading him to the sofa, she prepared some drinks leaving Jane alone with his thoughts while she composed her own.
"I hate to change the mood but you know Cho is coming whether we want it or not?" Lisbon said.
"Jeez woman you choose your moments don't you?" he said with amusement. "It may not be a bad thing - having someone we trust on our side."
"If I know Cho he will have Rigsby riding shotgun despite what I said - they all feel they have a stake in this after everything that has happened to them."
"That and their unfaltering loyalty to you. Despite your badass cop act you've created your own little family - look at Bosco seriously smitten, Minelli looked on you like a daughter - even in his admonishments it was more disappointment than anything. Cho, Rigsby, Van Pelt all repaying your loyalty - knowing you had their backs at all times. Then your annoying consultant who gave you so little back, you were his brave unwavering partner bending your principles at times to protect him and saving his sorry ass on more than one occasion - a man could never ask for a truer friend."
He squeezed her shoulder and gently kissed her hair before lifting her chin up so he could plant a gentle kiss. He was gratified by one of Lisbon's sweetest smiles and returned with one of his own that spread all the way to his eyes and lit his whole face up.
Lisbon took the initiative taking his face in her hands and kissing him gently, he sighed at the feeling of being loved - she stopped and looked at him with concern. "Everything alright Patrick?"
"Never better " he replied before taking the initiative back off her. Feeling their rising ardour Jane stood up and took Lisbon's hand "well?" he said looking upstairs Lisbon nodded in assent and so they made their way to Lisbon's room shyly and slowly getting to know each other. It was not a time for wild abandon, years of uncertainty and doubt made them tentative and cautious but there was no denying their pent up feelings.
Later as they lay together with Lisbon twirling the locks of Jane's hair she felt tears on his cheeks - she realised how momentous this had been for him and hoped she had not rushed him. "Patrick - I'm sorry was this too much?"
He smiled through his tears "I had forgotten what is like to be loved, it's been a long time - I love you Teresa, be in no doubt of that."
"I love you too Patrick." They clung to each other both overwhelmed by their feelings.
When morning came their shyness returned despite having finally moved their relationship on - trying to dispel the awkwardness he asked "So who do you think won - Cho or Rigsby?"
"Rigsby" she replied remembering the text. "Poor Cho is still struggling on that front" she chuckled.
Jane basked in the warmth of Lisbon's embrace refusing to feel any remorse at what had happened between them, it may not have been the best timing but he wanted to dispel any thoughts from Lisbon's mind that she was tainted by Red John. Jane had never intended for this to happen before they had confronted Mashburn but at least if anything went awry, there was some consolation in knowing their true feelings were not unrequited.
The next few days were going to be difficult to handle as Jane still intended to do everything he could to keep Mashburn and Lisbon apart.
A/N I really debated about getting them together at this stage but it seemed unnatural for their feelings not to get the better of them given their proximity and the circumstances.