Lisbon did not even noticed how her cart got so full so fast. Jane was putting stuff in it as it was for free.
„ Jane?"
„ Yes, Lisbon? "
„Haven´t I said just the essentials? "
Jane looked down at the cart. There were all sorts of thing, all pretty essential to him.
„ Well, that´s what I am doing. "
He flashed her his Cheshire cat smile.
Lisbon looked down at the cart too. It was filled with fresh vegetables and fruits, different types of pastry, healthy snacks, too many types of cheese, some yogurts, a carton of milk and a lot of meat she did not even know how to cook
Yeah, and lots of pasta.
"This is too much Jane. "
He just shook his head.
„ Lisbon, you are insulting your fridge. I don´t believe it was ever full. You need to start living a little healthier. "
Lisbon huffed.
"Says a man who lives on tea and spent years sleeping on a piece of wood. "
"That is a completely different thing. I always nurtured myself with healthy food. And the tea is good for your system too. In fact it is way healthier then five cups of coffee a day. I am surprised that you did not overdosed yourself to this point."
Lisbon swatted him on his arm.
„ I don´t drink five cups a day...I mean, not everyday. "
Rubbing his arm Jane smiled again.
„ Yes, sometimes it is even more. "
„ Oh hush. "
They continued to walk through the aisles. Jane was still trying to decide what to do. Lisbon seemed fine, slightly irritated, but that was pretty normal. He wanted to breach the subject of oncoming night but did not know how.
After a while Lisbon did it for him.
„ We should also buy some tea you like, I don´t have it stocked at home. "
Jane stopped walking. Lisbon haven´t noticed until she spied that no more items are being put into the cart. She turned and saw Jane looking at her. She could not decrypt his expression.
„ I mean, if you would like to stay at my place, you know. I don´t mind. "
He smiled at her. Feeling a little relieved Lisbon walked towards him and led him to aisle with tea and coffee. He was quiet, but his smile remained at his face for a long time.
They bought a lot of essentials and even more completely unessential things. After Lisbon asked him if he would like to stay with her, his heart felt a little lighter. Like some of the weight was lifted from it. He did not have to spend this night alone.
Feeling better he really started shopping. Lisbon hissed at him, swatted him, tried to take some of the stuff out of the cart but for every one thing she took out, he put two in it, so she stopped. She ended up looking completely desperate and tired when they headed to cashier.
The cashier was a young girl. She greeted them with a smile.
„ Stocking yourself for an apocalypse? Clever. "
Jane smiled at the girl.
„ No, in fact we are just filling one very empty fridge. "
Lisbon´s cheeks turned bright red and she looked away.
„ Jeez, that must be hell of a fridge. "
Jane smiled again.
When every item was put in the bags and back in the cart it was time to pay. Jane knew that Lisbon would insist on paying so he took out his credit card and handed it to the girl. She smiled at him and winked. When the total was announced Lisbon inhaled a shaky breath. It was too much indeed. She never paid that much for groceries. Not even when she was feeding three boys and one drunken father. Looking into her purse she dug out her credit card and handed it to the girl. The girl just smiled at her.
„ I already have one. „
She waved with Jane´s card. Lisbon rolled her eyes. Why she did not think of this sooner? Of course the Jane would insist on paying.
„ Don´t use that one, take mine. "
„ But Lisbon -"
„ No Jane, you won´t be paying for my groceries, okay? "
Jane frowned a little. He got more money than Lisbon, hell, way more. It´s not like he is spending them on anything.
„ I insist - „
"Then stop. "
They were arguing like that for a moment until the girl cut them off.
„ M´dam, let the man be the gentleman. They are dying out, you know? "
She smiled at both of them.
„ Listen to her Lisbon, she speaks the truth. I would very like to demonstrate that I can be a gentleman, rather then just pain in the ass. "
Lisbon knew this fight was over before it even began. Jane has found a partner in crime.
„ Ah, okay then. Thank you Jane. "
He grinned.
„ It´s my pleasure. "
The girl just gave them one last amused look and said her good byes.
„ And have a nice day! "
"You too. "
When they loaded everything in Lisbon´s car, Jane wanted to ask her if she would like to go somewhere where they can eat. But he could see she is rather tired and not in the mood in going anywhere. So instead he dug out some croissants they bought and handed one to Lisbon.
She took it without hesitation and stuffed half of it into her mouth. He have to smile at the sight.
This whole shopping with Lisbon experience was so...domestic. He haven´t been shopping for groceries with anybody for so long. It brought back some old memories of him and Angela going shopping. She never argued with him. He was her rock and bought everything he wanted. He wanted to spoil his wife and then, his child.
When he wanted to buy them anything expensive and totally useless Angela just smiled at him.
When he tried to buy a rather expensive bottle of wine with Lisbon, she swatted him, again, and told him to stop acting as a child.
The weird thing he liked it. Liked how she tried to keep him in line. It was challenging. And that was just what he needed right now. Among other things.
„ So, we should go to my place and put everything away, there is a lot of things that needs to be put in cold. "
Ah, Lisbon, so practical as always.
"Indeed, shall I drive? "
He watched her closely as her face expressions changed. First, he was sure she will refuse. Then her expression turned to tired and he saw she was thinking about letting him drive just this time and a little pity flashed in her eyes. With that, she handed him her keys.
Pity driving is still driving. He sat on the driver seat smiling a little.
As he was driving, Lisbon ate second croissant and seemed content. He was not so sure about himself. He was glad that she offered him to stay, grateful in fact, but he was not in a good state of mind. This whole day helped him a lot. The fact is that he is used to be rather fine during day, putting on his act, but through the night...that´s different. The insomnia and nightmares did a lot of damage to him. He would never admit it by saying, but he could feel it. So, he wondered how Lisbon would cope with it.
Or better, how he is going to cope with it.
The darkness. It stays with you. No matter where you go, it is following, creeping, always in your steps, or worst, by your side. Night and day.
Small hand covered his. Small, warm hand. He did not flinch, no, he entangled his fingers with hers, feeling a little lighter again.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you for all your kind reviews, they make my day :)