It has been like 2 years since I last updated this fix and tbh I don't expect anyone to read it, but my friend encouraged me to finish it and I have a lot of work to do so here goes!

Lisbon had been afraid that a coffee with Grace may be awkward, given the circumstances, but she would admit that she was impressed by the rookie's ability to get her mind off of her missing consultant.

Van pelt knew that Lisbon was worried about Jane, it wan't like it was a mystery - but - knowing Lisbon, she decided to be the distraction friend rather than the prying one.

"As if you could!" Van pelt said, eyes on the road, having successfully brought Lisbon to talk about her highschool talents on the way to the cafe.

"Well times were different when I was in school."

"Teresa Lisbon, the cool, but successful straight-A student, can do a kick-flip on a skateboard." Grace laughed at the thought. "Jane was right, you really are full of sur…" shit. "…prises".

Van pelt had almost made it the whole way to the cafe without mentionin Jane, and immediately regretted the mistake as she witnessed the effect it had on Lisbon. Immediately, Lisbon's eyes transformed from joyful reminiscence into a sad nostalgia, filled with tiredness, and distraction, and her eyes fell from the windscreen to the dash, filling the space with uncomfortable silence.

Great. Lisbon thought eventually, shaking her head. Can't even make it to the cafe without missing him. Toughen up, Rease.

Lisbon perked up, facade now in place, and tried to re-create the mood Van pelt had so skillfully built up before, but it wasn't the same. Nevertheless, Lisbon made sure to look engaged as Van pelt began to list the guys that she had to break the hearts of in highschool, and when.

It wasn't until they had ordered and found a table that the topic became seemingly unavoidable.

Lisbon obviously knew this, but made sure to look as interested in the wallpaper as possible as they sat opposite, to try to avoid the awkwardness of the business which definitely did not belong to Van pelt.

But Van pelt, as usual, couldn't help it.

"Boss," she started in a gentle tone, "I…"

"One flat white and a decaf?" the waitress interrupted.

Grace watched as Lisbon enthusiastically took her decaf, noting how she was avoiding her eye contact.

The rookie took a sip of her coffee, then placed the mug gently down and tried again.

"Lisbon - I, the team… we're worried about you." She was surprised that Lisbon let her get through the entire sentence, but then noticed that Lisbon appeared to not have heard her, looking carefully at a menu. Finally, their eyes met across the table, concerned meeting vulnerable.

Lisbon knew she couldn't ignore Grace forever.

"Look, Grace…" Lisbon said, putting on a smile and grabbing her mug, "I'm fine, okay?" she looksd down at her coffee. "I appreciate the team's concern," she nodded as she spoke, then returned her eyes to Grace's to try to sell, one more time, "I'm perfectly fine."

Lisbon was grateful that Grace had dropped the subject and suggested they get back to the CBI. The car ride back, Lisbon made sure to turn on the radio, "In my veins" beginning to play. She changed the station almost immediately, copping a concerned look from Van pelt, but chose to ignore it and sat back in her seat, looking out the window as she realised, she was not okay.

Short one but a good one, right?