A/N: I've never considered writing a fanfic for this ep before. It's perfect already. Go watch it. Semper Fi, Sissy Britches!

But it was randomly selected for this challenge. So I read mamacrime25's response to this prompt and it got me thinking… I wanted to give Jane's perspective to her version of events. Some details are different, but this is a kind of prologue/companion story. Go read Deals with the Devil to see what happens next with Lisbon (mind the rating). They can each be read as a standalone story as well.

Matchmaker Crush: A character starts out trying to help one character hook up with another, but ends up falling in love with the person they were helping, seriously undermining their own efforts.

"Still no blueberry muffin? I hate to break it to you, Lisbon. You might need to try a new bakery." Cold metal bit into Jane's wrist as he spread his hands in greeting. The teasing smile froze at Lisbon's expression.

Hovering in the doorway, her shoulders slumped, her eyes gaunt. Wasn't anyone at the CBI making sure she consumed more than just coffee? Her attention flicked over him, quick, assessing, the only sign of emotion a slight tightening of her mouth. She lingered on his cheek, making it ache.

"Knock when you're ready." The prison guard's polite tone was at odds with the stink eye he cast Jane's way. Jane grinned in response. He would have waved if he could.

Lisbon acknowledged the guard with a slight nod and the door banged shut. The room suddenly felt several degrees colder. Jane moved to disguise a shiver, the chain linking his handcuffs grating against the heavy ring on the table. Lisbon folded into the chair opposite. She perched, rigid, the short distance between them uncrossable.

"They said it wasn't bad." She stared at his face like it was an eye chart, straining to bring the bruise into focus.

He turned his head, hiding as best he could with his hands secured to the table. "It wasn't. It's not. I'm fine."

"What I can't figure out is… How did they get to you in solitary?"

Lisbon's idea of small talk was always a little unconventional. He shrugged. "Must've been a hiccup in security." The kind of hiccup that involved being held down by two prison guards while a third threw a few punches. Jane didn't think it was equal to throwing a mouse at the guy, but at least the guard in question seemed to think it made them even.

"Thing is, the report was a bit vague. It reeks like a cover-up." She cocked her head, in that way she had when she was determined to see through his lies. "Jane? Is there something I need to know?"

He mirrored her. "No."

"Jane—" she warned.

This was below her pay grade. "Lisbon, you can raise hell later. Or not. I don't care. One way or another, I'm out of here tomorrow." He raised his eyebrows, inviting her to respond.

This was her cue to step up and announce that Bosco had relented. That the paperwork was being copied in triplicate and moving through the system. That his transfer to places more secure and more hellish than this would transform into his ride home. That this power play—this grotesque charade—was ending.

She deflated and stared down at the table. "I shouldn't be here."

Talk about vague. And concerning. But if she wanted some coaxing, he would play along. He clasped his hands together and leaned in. "We don't have a lot of time to delve into philosophy, but I'm game. 'Shouldn't?'"

"You should be talking to a lawyer right now. Like the one I sent yesterday?"

"Meh. I don't need a lawyer."

"Yes. You do. A good one." For a brief moment, her eyes met his, then she sniffed and drooped onto the table, hiding her face in her arms.

Something clenched in his gut. Was she crying? About him? Was she not sleeping at all? Was there no one making sure she went home at night? He needed to get out of here.

"Lawyers buy the worst muffins. You can't trust people who buy whole wheat bran. With raisins." He didn't need anyone else in his corner. Lisbon was everything. "It's too late to appeal the transfer. That ship has sailed."

When she sat up, she was steel. "Why couldn't you stay in jail like a normal person?"

"For what? To massage Bosco's ego? I solved the case."

"You weren't on the case. You're in jail. You wanted to poke the bear? Stuff the bureaucracy? Congratulations, you've earned a one-way trip to a high security prison. What did you expect to happen?"

"Bosco thinks I'm a one trick circus clown. He thinks I devalue the team."

"You want to talk about ego? Since when do you care what other people think?"

It was a fair question. All his answers felt petty. He kept his mouth shut.

"He wanted you out of the CBI."

Jane knew that was just a bonus. Bosco wanted him away from Lisbon.

"I understand why you didn't take his ultimatum, but this? It's not a game, Jane. You have new charges and a target on your back. Prison will pulverize you."

"I did all right here."

"This place is a cakewalk. The guys in prison are not going to be impressed by your mind games. The guards will not offer protection—which you were stupid to deny, by the way. They will try to break you. And if you don't like bran muffins, you do not want to get stuck with nutraloaf."

He didn't need convincing. "Bosco is the key here, not legal appeals. Dig deeper. You must have some dirt on him."

There it was, that little flicker as she pulled inward, shielding herself.

"You blackmailed Bosco?" Pride filled him. "I'm touched, Lisbon. Truly."

"Blackmail is such an ugly term," she hedged.

"No. No, this is good. What dirty little secrets does Sam Bosco keep in his closet?" He wished his hands were free so he could fully express himself. This was the best news he'd received in days. "He's not the type to steal or do drugs," he aired his thoughts to gauge her reaction. Her expression shuttered. He always enjoyed a challenge. "My guess... he hurt someone."

Lisbon made an admirable attempt to maintain her poker face. Not good enough.

The more extreme truth tumbled out. "He killed him. He killed a bad guy that he couldn't catch any other way."

"No."

Yes, he had it. "Yes, and you helped him do it." She flinched. "No. You found out after the fact, and you... let him off the hook because the bad guy deserved it."

"No."

He was ninety-five percent sure he was right. "I'm touched that you would risk your career over me. That means a lot." The remaining five percent niggled at him. "But if you already dangled that over his head, why am I still here?"

She was glowering now, that little line forming between her eyebrows.

"You're not one to bluff. He has to know that. Maybe he doesn't care if his own career tanks, but taking yours with it? That's cold." He frowned down at the table, caught up in his musings. Maybe he didn't know Bosco as well as he thought.

"If you are right, and I'm not saying you are," her low voice commanded his attention. "I need you to understand that I have tried everything to get you out. I have broken the trust of people I respect. I have pleaded with Minelli. I have discussed options with the D.A. I would get a hundred character witnesses and edit them in your favor if I thought it would convince a judge. Once you're transferred out of this jail, it's out of my hands. Take the lawyer. Please."

He smiled at her earnestness. That was his Lisbon. If it could be solved by paperwork, Bosco wouldn't stand a chance. His thoughts focused on the older agent. What would it take to turn him? Jane had lost all his leverage with this second incarceration. If his transfer went through, Bosco would win, on all counts.

Unless...

Lisbon had tried blackmail. Maybe she needed to try using honey.

"Not everything." It was so beautiful in its simplicity. Jane felt the warmth of hope spread in his chest.

"Nope. No way."

"I haven't told you the plan yet." He pouted. He was either too transparent or she had already considered and abandoned this line of persuasion. It was foolproof. She had to do it.

"I'm not sleeping with Bosco."

It was a slap in the face. "Of course not. I would never suggest it." Interesting that she had though. He backpedaled the part of his curiosity that wanted to dissect her thought process.

She was turning a very interesting shade of red. Under different circumstances, he might find it cute. He had to reframe this situation, and fast. "He respects you. But there is a history there. You were partners. Who left SFPD first?"

"I did."

"He wanted to stay close."

"It was a good job prospect. He's a good cop."

"A little flirting never hurt anyone."

"Tell that to his wife."

"Nothing so awkward. Flirting doesn't have to mean anything."

"Like how you flirt with me?"

Teresa Lisbon in full interrogation mode was a sight to behold. He felt the burn from the laser beams she was shooting at him. He disguised the urge to defend himself by laying his hands flat on the table and stretching his neck. "That's not flirting." She narrowed her eyes. Yeah, that sounded pathetic to him, too.

"I will confess to a certain amount of teasing between friends. Has it ever been inappropriate or led you on?"

"Yes."

"Oh."

She sighed. "You say outrageous things all the time. Not just to me. It's part of your process. The suspects get the worst of it. Maybe I've gotten used to it. I don't know. But I don't mind so much."

He held his breath. "You don't?"

"I'm your safe place. And, all things considered, I feel safe with you too."

Her unexpected observation left him in a daze. He felt light. He wanted to spill his own truths. That he cared for her. That sometimes he wanted to follow through on the flirting. That the real threat of prison was that he wouldn't see her every day.

"Lisbon… I—"

"No, you're right."

"What?"

She stood and rolled her shoulders. "I've known Bosco a long time. I should be able to work this out with him. One way or another."

Something had shifted. It didn't feel right. "Wait."

"It's gone too far. I know what to do."

She was in full fixer mode and ready for action. Her hand raised to knock on the door.

He stood on impulse, the chain rattling through the loop and drawing him up short. He planted his feet, stuck in an awkward crouch. "Wait."

What if this was it? The last time he saw her? What if he got out, but she had changed? It all felt too unstable, this new plan. The stakes were too high.

She turned slightly, expectant. The words rolled out of him unchecked.

"It's not worth it. I'm not worth it. Don't blackmail Bosco or wear that cute little low-cut blouse around the office that you usually reserve for court days. I'll talk to the lawyer. There have to be other options."

She made her way over to him, so close he was forced to look up at her. Her hand was cool upon his bruised cheek as she traced the mark. "You're family. You're worth it. And I will fix this."

She was so beautiful. Words failed him. He was sending her to the wolves, but she had an axe in her basket. He wished he could hold her in his arms, just for a moment. Or maybe forever.

The door squeaked open.

"No contact with the prisoner."

Lisbon stepped back, holding his gaze with a promise. "I'm ready to go."

He made one last plea. "Don't flirt with Bosco."

She smiled, but there was no warmth in it. Only cold determination. "I'll see you tomorrow."