I do not own anything about The Mentalist, and no copyright infringement is intended.

AN: Thank you all so much for your comments. I appreciate them immensely. Most folks seem okay with the script format, so that's what I will continue here. Apologies to those who find it problematic, but it's helpful for me to think in visual terms, since I'm dabbling in writing a screenplay, and I can justify my time spent on these as practice. I am the queen of rationalization, if nothing else.

Just to remind everyone, Liam Ramos (30) is one of the new agents on the team. He is a rangy, muscular fellow with plenty of macho, yet quite intelligent. He's still a bit rash and green. Though he is likeable and has a good sense of humor, he secretly thinks he will ultimately be superior to Jane, who isn't even an FBI agent, and he disapproves somewhat of the "equal" status the team affords the consultant.

Kay Branch (mid 30's), the other new agent, is a straight ahead tough cop/career woman. She has earned her position and believes in the chain of command. She's not sure this is the best team for her, but it's where she's been assigned, and she's determined to give it her best shot.

And now for the sneak peek:

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8.02 – Yellow Card

When a soccer referee scheduled to officiate an important international match in Dallas turns up murdered, the team finds themselves navigating the world of international soccer. Patrick and Teresa spar on the subject of baby names.

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INT. AUSTIN FBI HEADQUARTERS – DAY

Jane sits in the bullpen conference area, absorbed in watching one of the large screens that hangs high in the corner of the room. Liam Ramos walks up behind him.

RAMOS: Jane?

Jane ignores Ramos, and reacts with excitement to what he is seeing on the screen, pushing a fist into the air.

JANE: Yessss!

RAMOS: What are you doing?

Jane looks back at him reluctantly, not wanting to miss what is going on onscreen.

JANE: Research.

Jane turns quickly back to his screen.

Ramos is skeptical. Jane, with eyes in the back of his head, explains.

JANE: It's for the case.

Lisbon looks up from her desk across the bullpen and shakes her head with a smile.

LISBON: Good luck, Ramos. Never a peep about sports for twelve years and now I can't tear him away.

RAMOS: Kind of a sissy sport if you ask me.

Jane stands immediately, whips around and gives Ramos a disapproving stare. Lisbon stifles a smile and looks down at her keyboard. Ramos has things to learn.

JANE: Who told you to say that, your high school football coach? Meh, he was just mad because the best place kicker prospect in the school chose to be the soccer goalie instead of going out for football. Admittedly I am late to the party, but I find soccer - at the highest international level anyway - a very elegant game. I'm quite glad this case brought it to my attention.

RAMOS: (defensively, as Jane has apparently hit the mark about his football coach) Yeah? Well while you're watching ballgames we have a case to solve.

JANE: (not through) I have discovered that a referee's decisions – or even his style – can be very important in influencing the outcome of a match. Take the two teams in the match our victim was slated to referee. United is the more physical team. Lots of bumping, harsh challenges. They benefit from a referee who allows the teams to "play." FC, however, is lightning fast and relies on the finesse of their strikers to elude the defense. They benefit from a referee who is more strict, punishing those who throw elbows and hold players.

RAMOS: And how, exactly, does this help our case? (points up to the screen) You're not even watching United or FC play.

JANE: (as if it should be obvious) Noooo, I'm watching games our victim has refereed. To see which kind of ref he is.

RAMOS: (now realizing Jane actually was not ignoring the case) Oh.

The crowd on the TV game cheers behind him and Jane whirls around to catch the action. There is a replay of a soccer player weaving through defenders, cutting back, and sinking a spectacular shot on goal as he falls heavily to the turf.

JANE: Goooaaal!

Jane turns to Ramos, grinning.

JANE: When you can do that, (he motions to the screen) you can tell me it's a sissy game. And, by the way, our victim was a "by the book" ref. So if either team wanted him out of the way, it would be United, not FC that had him whacked. Or he was having an affair and his wife had him killed, I'm not sure yet. But I do think I've efficiently ruled out a number of suspects.

RAMOS: (sees he is beaten this time) Okay.

Ramos sits down at his desk facing away from Lisbon, and she allows herself a broad smile as Jane settles into his chair to watch more soccer. He is quiet for a few moments, then suddenly points up toward the screen, excited all over again.

JANE: (to no one in particular) Did you see that?!

The replay on the screen shows a shot on goal that hits the goal post, narrowly missing its mark.

JANE: That close. (holding his thumb and finger half an inch apart) That. Close.

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INT. ULTRASOUND SUITE – DAY

Jane sits in a chair to the side of the exam table, watching as a technician runs the ultrasound transducer over his wife's poochy, exposed belly. The doctor enters, and stares at the screen.

DOCTOR: Do you all want to know the sex of the baby?

Jane and Lisbon exchange a glance, and nod 'yes' simultaneously.

LISBON: Yes. We want to know.

DOCTOR: Margaret got a great angle, and the baby obliged. Looks like you are expecting a little boy.

Jane and Lisbon look at each other, enchanted and giddy. (this makes it real) Jane reaches over and takes her hand.

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INT. AUSTIN FBI HEADQUARTERS – DAY

The team is gathered in the break room eating closed case pizza, sans Jane. Wylie watches Lisbon in disbelief as she uncharacteristically wolfs down piece after piece. Jane appears, sticking his head inside the door. He holds a paper shopping bag in one hand.

JANE: Teresa, there you are.

LISBON: (with mouth full of pizza) Where have you been?

JANE: I knew you'd take care of my share of the pizza.

Wylie smirks good naturedly. Lisbon shoots him dagger eyes as she wipes her mouth.

JANE: (CONT'D) Besides, I had to pick up something.

LISBON: Which is…?

Jane pulls a tiny toddler sized FC team jersey out of his bag and holds it up so she can see the back. It has a number "7" with JANE lettered above it.

JANE: It's signed by the entire team.

He beams, infinitely pleased.

The FBI team nods their appreciation – even Ramos is impressed. Lisbon catches Jane's eye and they exchange a look of excited anticipation. This is for their son.

FADE OUT

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AN: I've decided to include an entire scene (from 8.02) with the discussion of baby names between Jane and Lisbon as a chapter of my Partners series. So if you're interested, you can look for it soon. Shouldn't be too long, I'm nearly done with it already.

I planned to put two sneak peeks together on this series, but the one for 8.03 is skewing very dark, so I'll pair it with 8.04 in the next installment.

Thanks for reading!

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