Hightower eyed the couple in front of her. Lisbon was visibly nervous, trying to play it cool while Jane was grinning like a Cheshire cat, as always. Hightower also noticed that Jane´s ring was now placed on Lisbon´s necklace. This is no riddle. She knew exactly what they want to talk about.
„So, Jane, I hope you are feeling better."
Jane smiled at her.
„A lot, thank you for your concern."
„Glad to hear it. Now, how can I help you?"
Lisbon shuddered on her seat. Before she spoke Jane interrupted her.
„You already know, don´t you?"
Hightower gave him annoyed look.
„You two are a couple."
Jane´s grin widened.
„Bingo!"
„Fine, let´s deal with this quickly. Relationships inside the unit are prohibited as you know, but since Jane is a consultant I will place the responsibilities of his actions to Agent Cho. He will be in charge of Jane and his antics. I am sure he will be thrilled. Now, of you go. And send Agent Cho up here so I can give him the great news."
Lisbon, who was visibly pale, was now also shocked.
„That´s it?" she asked.
„Yes, Agent Lisbon, that´s it. Or is there anything else you wanted to talk about?"
Lisbon looked at Jane who was surely enjoying this whole situation.
„Uh, no, not really, thank you."
„Good, now back to work, you two."
Jane stoop up and stretched, still smiling. Hightower watched them leave her office with a little smile on her face. She was happy for both of them. The only person who would be affected negatively by all this is going to be poor Agent Cho.
When Cho returned from Hightower´s office his stoic expression didn´t change. Jane and Lisbon were in Lisbon´s office when he knocked oh her door. Smiling Jane opened them just a little.
„You are my consultant now." he said, calmly.
„Yes, I am. At your service, 24/7."
„Care to tell me why?"
„I will. Or better, we will." Jane opened the door fully so Cho was able to see pale Lisbon sitting on her couch.
„Shall we?" he asked her.
„Boss, you okay?"
„I am fine Cho, we just have something to tell you and the rest of the team."
Cho smiled slightly. He knew too, where this is going. The whole unit saw that Jane was not wearing his ring. The trio walked towards bullpen where the rest of the team waited. Jane could see the curiosity in their faces mixed with almost knowing smiles. He smiled at them too.
„So, what it is?" asked Cho.
„Ehm," was only response Lisbon was capable of. She surely wasn´t ashamed of her and Jane, it was just too hard to say it out loud without making it ridiculous. Jane on the other hand would know what to say. To her dislike he was just standing there with her, grinning, while the whole team eyed them. She could see there is no help from him, now. Well, might as well tell them and get back to work.
„We, I mean, me and Jane are...a couple. Couple seeing each other. Yeah."
Before any of their team members could say anything Jane told them that they are also living together. Few weeks actually. Lisbon expected almost anything after this statement. What she didn´t expect was the hugging, shouting and cheering. And the exchange of money. As it turned out there was a little office pool. Van Pelt, happy beyond words, collected money from Cho and Rigsby with a smirk on her face.
„Good for you guys!"
„Yeah, finally."
„We should go out somewhere and celebrate!"
Jane took Lisbon´s hand in his and nodded.
„That exactly what I was thinking. And therefore I hope you are all free this evening. I made a reservation in a small but nice restaurant for today. No money needed, it´s on me." he said with a cheerful smile.
The trio agreed on a spot and Lisbon had to chuckle at all of this. She was so afraid about letting anybody know, keeping her personal life, well, personal but this...this was amazing. It turned out just fine. Everybody was happy, even Cho, who was now in charge of Jane. She was kind of sad because of it, but Hightower was right. It would be better this way.
„Okay, back to work guys." Lisbon said and she meant it. They all knew she meant it.
„Sure, boss," said Cho.
As Jane and Lisbon left for her office the trio of agents grinned at each other like crazy.
„So, they finally done it." Said Van Pelt. She was truly happy for them. Jane looked like a ghost after they killed Red John. And now...what a difference few weeks make.
„Yeah, they look happy. Good for them."
„And we get free food out of it." Rigsby cheered.
„Oh, Rigsby, is food all you can think about?"
„No, I mean, it´s just one of the advantages..."
„You and your stomach..."
Jane sat at Lisbon´s couch smiling.
„That went well."
„Yeah, better then I expected actually." Lisbon said while she sat down to her desk.
„What did you expect?"
„I don´t know...more trouble? I mean from Hightower at least."
„Well, she needs us. You are a great agent and I am great consultant. Together we are invincible."
Lisbon turned to Jane with a smile.
„Invincible, huh?"
„Yes. Invincible crime fighting duo. Those who stand in our way are doomed."
Lisbon laughed at him.
„Yeah right. But from now on, you and Cho are the crime fighting duo."
„That might be true, but you are out master. Our chief. We merely serve you my dear Lisbon."
„You okay with that?" she asked skipping the master and chief talk.
„With you being my master? Of course."
„I didn´t mean that..."
„Oh, okay. Yes. I am fine with being Cho´s consultant. I think it is better this way. You wont have to deal with my stunts anymore which will lead to anger free home. Cho will be angry in his own quiet way, you will be pleased that I solved another case. It´s perfect."
„Okay then. And what about the dinner?"
Jane expected that this question will show up sooner or later. He wanted it to be a surprise for everyone, including Lisbon.
„I made the reservation while you waited for another coffee. It will be fun, you´ll see."
„Fine...uh, shall we invite Hightower, too?"
Ah, that is a pickle. Inviting her meant people would feel obligated to behave, not inviting her on the other hand might be kind of rude. Jane was sure she will probably refuse. About 80% sure.
„I´ll go and ask her."
„Jane wait!" Lisbon hissed but he was out of the door already.
Jane knocked at Hightower office and then without waiting for her response stormed in. She was going through some papers and only lifted her eyes to see who is interrupting her.
„Yes, Jane?"
„We are having a celebrating dinner this evening and I was wondering if you like to join us."
„I have other plans, but thank you anyway."
„Okay, that´ all," he said walking slowly to the door.
„Jane?"
He turned to her.
„Yes?"
„Don´t screw this up. You both deserve it."
„I´ll try not to."
„Good."
He was out of the door before she could say anything else. They might have a chance if he manage to control himself. If anybody could help him regain any balance it was Lisbon. Only God knows how she did it for all those years.
Hightower sighed and returned to work.
When Jane entered Lisbon´s office he found her pacing around her table.
„She has other plans." he said with a smile.
He could see that Lisbon was relieved thanks to that information.
„Are you still scared of her?" he asked which made her stop pacing around.
„What? No! I was never..."
„C´mon Lisbon you were. Now, you don´t have to be. She likes you, trust me."
She walked to him and gave him a hug even though it was against her own rules. Jane returned it gladly.
„See? It´s okay. You can relax now."
„Yeah. Fine."
„Good. Now we shall return to work mode and then we will have some fun at the dinner." he said with a grin.
The dinner went well. All five of them had a good time remembering the old times, while eating delicious meals which were followed by beer and later various kinds of cocktails. Jane as a driver only drank tea so he was the sober observer of four drunken colleagues. To say the truth, it was way more fun than getting drunk.
„Remember that time when Cho was freaked by the witch? What was her name?"
„Tamzin Dove," said Jane.
„Oooh right, and you gave her Cho´s name, right Jane?" Rigsby said laughing.
„Yeah."
„She might be a real witch. Dark powers exists." said Cho with a frown.
„He´s right. There are things in this world we don´t understand."
„Really, Grace? You believe it too?"
„Sure I do."
„Lisbon was there too, she saw her spell."
„Yeah, it was really scary, right Cho?"
„It was." Cho said still frowning.
Jane was smiling widely at them. He didn´t need to speak at all, this was priceless. Lisbon was more than tipsy and he knew it wont take long for her to fall asleep while sitting. Grace looked the same.
„And when Jane got himself drunk? For the case with the dead Santa?
„Yeah, I remember that," said Lisbon, „he actually told me that he is little home and asked me if I could take him drunk."
„Well I -"
A burst of laughter interrupted his words. Jane liked to be in the center of attention but this was the wrong kind of attention.
„Well, Rigsby, at least I didn´t tried to thrown you down the building."
„Hey! I was hypnotized!" Rigsby said when everyone around stopped laughing.
„Yeah, he had to tell you that there is a shark in the water to stop you."
„Shark, what?"
„That´s exactly the same what you said back then." Lisbon said with a smile. Even though that particular night was scary, looking back at it with some alcohol in her system she was able to laugh at it.
„Fine, we all did some stupid things, right?" Rigsby said, „it´s part of the work, and with Jane on team it´s a daily part."
„Don´t try to blame it on me, you let the woman hypnotize you."
„Oh c´mooon."
The bartender brought them another round, and Jane could see it will be the last one. Although they were having fun they still needed to work tomorrow. So he stood up with his tea and gained everybody´s attention instantly.
„I want to thank you my dear friends for coming to this little dinner party. It´s been a pleasure. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I want to raise our last round to friendship. To loyalty. To all of you who stood by me during those dark times. You are the real heroes in this story. To friends, to all of you."
Jane raised his cup and his colleagues followed him with their drinks.
„To friends." said Van Pelt.
„And free food." said Rigsby with a laugh.
Lisbon eyes were misty all of sudden. They drank their last drinks in silence.
Jane wanted to drive all of them to their homes but they refused. So instead he called everyone a cab. Rigsby and Van Pelt were the first to leave, saying their goodbyes and goodnights both grinning. Cho´s cab was waiting for him but before he sat in he called Jane.
„Jane, one minute."
„Oh, okay."
He followed Cho leaving confused Lisbon leaning over her car.
„I will make this quick. Don´t screw this up. And try not to hurt her."
Jane smiled at his concern. It was not a surprise that Cho wanted to tell him that since his loyalty and respect for Lisbon is as real as it can get.
„You are the second person telling me this today. I love her Cho. I will do anything to keep her from harm."
„Good, take advise from the wise man."
„Or the Ice man?" Jane said with a chuckle.
„From both. Good luck. And Jane...I am happy for you. Both of you."
„Thank you Kimball."
„Yeah, good night."
„Night."
After the little conversation Jane went back to car to find Lisbon already sitting in the passenger seat.
„What did Cho wanted?"
„Oh, you know. The usual." he said while starting the engine.
„Usual what?" Lisbon asked trying to suppress a yawn.
„Usual threat meaning if I hurt you, he will probably broke my leg. Or both of them."
„What? He wouldn´t. Would he?"
„Probably. About 70% sure he would. But don´t you worry. I have no desire to hurt you in any way or to have my legs broken. We´re fine."
„Right..."
Jane chuckled again and drove home. To Lisbon it was the shortest ride she encountered recently. They were at home within a blink of an eye. Her eye. She got up with a loud sigh and they both headed inside. Once inside Lisbon thrown herself at Jane enjoying the surprised look on his face.
„Thank you for beautiful evening Patrick," she whispered into his ear blowing hot breath on his neck.
„Pleasure."
„Yeah, pleasure."
Lisbon started kissing his neck, feeling his pulse quicken.
„Maybe we can have some more of that pleasure, hm? What do you say, Patrick?"
His name always seemed to work like a charm. And Lisbon was sure he would not refuse her anything right now. Not even if he wanted to. Which he clearly didn´t want considering the way he pressed himself at her.
„Well, Teresa," he whispered, „that is a splendid idea."
„I thought so."
She kissed him passionately, tasting like summer and drinks on the beach. He moaned into her mouth, hugging her tightly.
This day really planned out great.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This chapter took longer due to my vacation, but I hope you enjoyed it :) Thanks for your nice comments. :)