The sun shining through bedroom window woke Lisbon up. She grumbled a little and tried to stray away from the light. A chuckle made her open her eyes. This time Jane was popped on one hand looking at her.
„Morning, sleepyhead."
„Morning." she grumbled and tried to cover her eyes with pillow.
„Hungry?" he asked.
„Uhm."
„Okay, why don´t you stay in bed while I start on those pancakes."
„Kay."
Jane got up from the bed and headed into bathroom. Lisbon is not a morning person. He knows that, everybody in the work knows that, but actually seeing her all grumpy and sleepy in the morning is a sight he want to remember.
After finishing his morning routine he changed his clothes again. He will have to stop at his motel to pick up few more things. He then tiptoed around Lisbon´s bed, realizing she has dozed off again and went to prepare those best pancakes he promised her.
Lisbon didn´t wanted to leave her bed. She really didn´t. It was comfy, warm and it was her day off. But the scent from the kitchen was attacking her senses. It smelled sweet and she was kind of hungry. Not that much hungry though. She will lie down just for five more minutes, or maybe ten...
Or maybe not, she thought, as the coffee scent reached her bedroom. Groaning a little she stood up, and went to bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror, her hair was a bit tangled. Grabbing nearest brush she did the best she could in this circumstances, washed her face and teeth and went to drink her coffee. The only thing she liked about morning.
Jane was almost done when Lisbon went downstairs. He knew coffee would sure make her leave the bed. And he was right. He made himself tea they bought yesterday and was sitting at the table, waiting for her.
She went to the table and grabbed the coffee without saying a word. It tasted heavenly.
„Enjoying it?" Jane asked, grinning.
She just nodded and continued drinking.
She was half finished with her cup when Jane presented a plate full of pancakes to her. With ice cream, and whipped cream.
Well, maybe she will have to add pancakes to the list of things she likes in the morning.
„Thank you, Jane."
„My pleasure."
He then grabbed his own plate and they both began eating. He was right, they sure were the best pancakes as he promised it. She ate four, feeling so stuffed like she hadn´t in ages. Being properly fed and caffeinated she started thinking about what to do today. It was beautiful outside, maybe going for a walk would be a good idea.
„So, what do you want to do today?" she asked.
Jane, not knowing what to do, thought about it for a second. Anything. Anything she comes up with he will gladly do it.
„Anything Lisbon, anything you like, but if you let me continue with my stay - he made a pause just to make sure she is fine with that, which she was, because she nodded - „I need a few more things from the motel. Then, I am fine with anything you propose."
„Okay then, we go to that motel of yours and then...maybe the Zoo?"
Oh, the Zoo. He hadn´t been to one for almost eight years. Last time he visited, it was with Angela and Charlotte. They spent their whole day in there, one of those rare days when he was not performing. Free time was not something he had before but it made him able to provide the best for his family.
Until...
No. He can´t think about it. Not right now.
If Lisbon wants to go to the Zoo, they will go to the Zoo.
„Zoo it is then. Why don´t you go get ready while I clean everything up?"
She shook her head and stood up, taking empty plates with her.
„I´ll help you."
„Oh, but Lisbon, there is no need I am perfectly capable of doing it on my own."
„Hush and let me help."
He did.
Lisbon let Jane drive to his motel, enjoying the ride. He rode too fast sometimes, and she swatted him several times which made him grin widely, but still it was nice, letting somebody take care of her. They stopped at the motel parking lot and Jane went inside, leaving Lisbon in the car. She thought about going in, but rather waited not wanting to see the blood stains on the carpet. He returned quickly with some clothes and books. He put the stuff into the trunk and they headed to the Zoo.
„Where did you learn to cook like that?" Lisbon asked him as he drove.
„I was born with it," he said, smiling.
The truth was Angela taught him. When they run away from the carnie life, he was not at all prepared to live in a normal world. The only thing he knew was how to con people. That´s what he´s been doing all his life, that´s what his father trained him to do. Angela on the other hand was doing better. She loved that domestic way they lived. First, in a small apartment, before he became famous psychic, with very little money. When he had free night, which in the start was a lot, they cooked together. He enjoyed it, learnt a lot, and even became better cook than she was.
„You´re lucky," she said, feeling a little ashamed. She and cooking never went along.
„That and my wife taught me a lot."
Lisbon tensed. He rarely talked about his wife. She was curious about her, but never asked. Just like Jane never asked about her past. She didn´t respond to him, not knowing what to say. This was an unsafe territory.
He saw how she tensed up and reached for her hand, squeezing it a little to let her know that it´s fine.
„In fact, we used to cook together when I had free time, which was a lot, in the beginning...I found out I like it. It was a nice distraction in those day when there was nobody to con. And eventually, I mastered cooking in quite little time."
„Of course you did," she said with a light sarcasm in her voice.
„Doubting me, Lisbon?" he said, grinning. „I thought you pretty much enjoyed my meals I served you."
„Maybe I need some more persuasion."
„That can be done."
Lisbon felt a little shocked that he shared this kind of information with her. Gaining up the courage, she started talking too.
„I never learn it. Cooking I mean. My mom was the one who cooked and me...I never found it interesting."
Jane kind of knew that, but listened to her closely.
„And when she was gone, the only thing I could cook were eggs."
They both laughed.
„So I fed my brothers with anything that could be prepared in microwave, a lot of junk really. Their favorite were frozen pizza nights." She had to smile at the memory of her brothers fighting about the last slice of that terribly pizza. It was cheap and easy to made and they loved it.
Jane took a quick look at her, observing her. She was definitely remembering something. He didn´t want to disturb her so he kept quiet. After a while she spoke again.
„Jane?"
„Yes Lisbon?"
„Thanks for sharing."
„Likewise, Lisbon, likewise."
„And Jane?"
„Yes?" he asked smiling,
„Can you make homemade pizza?"
They were at the entrance, paying for their tickets. It was nice outside a bit too hot so he left his jacket in the car and took his vest only. After a while he rolled up his sleeves. Lisbon was dressed in jeans and tight black T-shirt. He had to admit it was a nice view. They headed inside. They walked slowly, observing all the animals and Jane acted as a five year old. He wanted to see everything. Lisbon had to smile at that. She rarely seen him like this and she liked it.
They were watching red pandas, which she thought were the cutest when a little kid came to them.
The little girl was eyeing Jane.
Jane was unaware of her presence until she spoke.
"Why is your hair so messy?" she asked. Lisbon laughed a little as Jane looked down at the kid.
„Well I am at the Zoo and I wanted to look like a lion. Lion is the king of the jungle, you know?"
The kid rolled her eyes as if she knows, of course.
„I like monkeys , she said.
„Monkeys, huh? And did you see any?"
„Yeeees, but my mommy said we should see other animals. But I don´t want to!"
„What about these pandas? My friend Teresa thinks they are the cutest."
The kid looked at Lisbon, as if she was insane.
„I like monkeys, no pandas. Monkeys are funny."
A woman looking worried run to them, holding another child in her hands.
„Oh, I am so sorry, is she bothering you?"
„Not at all," said Jane smiling.
„Molly get over here now, or no ice cream for you! Quick."
The kid sighed.
„Bye Teresa, bye Lion!" She screamed while running to her mother.
„Bye," said both of them.
„So, a lion, huh?" she said grinning.
„Yes Lisbon and you, you are a panther."
„Jeez, thanks."
They spend their day at the Zoo until both of them were hungry. Jane took her to late lunch and then they headed to mall again, so Jane could buy some more ingredients for the homemade pizza. He also bought an expensive wine despite Lisbon´s protests.
They were on their way home and this time it was Lisbon driving.
„It was a nice day, wasn´t it?" she asked.
Jane had to admit that it was. Even though he was worried a little before of going it was not just nice, it was perfect. They had fun.
„It was, thank you," he said smiling.
Jane opened the bottle of wine so they could drink it while eating the pizza he made. Lisbon was already cutting it into slices. It was the most colorful pizza he´s seen. He wanted to make original Italian style, but she liked to have all kinds of stuff on it, so he let her happily.
It reminded him of Angela and the time they spent cooking. Even though he tried to remain happy he started feeling gloomy. All kinds of images flashed through his mind. Angela smiling at him while he washed dishes. That time they got little tipsy and danced around in their small kitchen. His Charlotte pointing at giraffes at the Zoo. The three of them eating animal shaped popsicles...He tried to snap out of it but it is kind of hard when you have everything stored neatly in you memory palace. He tried to watch Lisbon seemed happy. Until she looked at him. Her look turned from happy Lisbon to concern Lisbon in just a second.
„Jane, you alright?"
He did not said a word and kept looking at her.
„What is it"? She put the pizza slicer down, and went to him.
„Patrick?"
He inhaled a shaky breath and took her advice. No more acts. At least not for her.
„I miss them."
It was as good explanation as any. She understood.
„I know."
„I know you do."
This time he hugged her and they stayed like that for a long while.
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Thank all of you for your nice comments, they mean a lot to me :)