The FBI was investigating the murder of a digital cartographer whose job was somehow tied to national security. During the course of today's investigations, Jane had managed to trick Lisbon and Fischer; surprising them by popping up in Fischer's SUV. He was still basking in the fun-loving endorphins from that successful jump-scare when his partner said something that sent alarm bells going off in his head:
"Wait… did you say date?"
"Nothing to worry about Jane - I'll explain later." Teresa's heart went out to her partner; she saw the fear reacting in his eyes. But with Kim in the car, she couldn't reassure the man as fully as she wanted to. Lisbon did have to admit, though: it felt good to be on the other side of the gag for once. She stifled a guilty snort at the thought of her jokester/lover being the one left out of the loop - even for a short moment.
Alone in the back seat of the now-moving vehicle, Jane struggled mightily with uncharacteristic jealousy at the thought of Ardiles flying in on his private jet to Houston and stealing his partner for dinner. Patrick needed more feedback from Lisbon on the matter, so wrapped his anxieties in a tease: "That Ardiles, he always had a crush on you," he sparkled.
"Stop it." She rolled her eyes and craned her neck to see him. "It's no big deal - more like a business meeting."
"If you say so," he grinned.
"I do say so," she raised her eyebrows to punctuate her sincerity on that point. Teresa worried about the underlying anxiety she'd heard in his voice. Nothing could be done about that right now though, so she silenced her concerns by changing the subject. She and Kim discussed the case at hand as the three drove away from the Carnelian lot. Jane was silent, pondering his plan with enough focused effort to mute his heart's panicked fright about 'business meetings' that seemed like 'dates.'
At FBI headquarters, the two partners were huddled closely - as was their longtime custom - on Jane's couch. Teresa continued to reassure the man about her meetup with Ardiles, while Patrick quietly filled her in on a plan he had forming; leaning to her ear with a close whisper right as Abbott and Fischer waved them over to be briefed.
"The spy inside Cartesian is also Whitaker's killer - and I have an excellent plan for their capture," Jane stated with absolute confidence.
"Which is what?" Abbott furrowed his brow questioningly.
"Well, the spy has something to sell, that's why they left the newspaper on the bench. But Whitaker messed that up, so they still have something to sell"
"And they don't know we intercepted their buyer," Teresa chimed in with a proud nod.
"That's right," he beamed a smile at Lisbon, successfully panning to the others, making it seem like a smile to everyone. "Do you want to fill them in on the rest, Lisbon?"
Flustered by the surprised looks she and Jane were now getting from Abbott and Fischer, who'd never known Jane to pass up the spotlight, she passed: "No thanks - you can finish up," she smiled graciously.
Hmm… too soon… the consultant thought to himself... with a quick conciliatory glance at his partner, he explained the details to their colleagues: "Okay, Abbott, here's the gag..."
A day later, the two partners were sitting side by side on a park bench working Jane's crazy plan. This time, he'd planned to ensnare the treasonous informant from Carnelian by planting a newspaper 'message' on a park bench.
With the Ardiles meetup behind them, Patrick's concerns about the lawyer's intentions had subsided; though he did have an uneasy feeling about Osvaldo's claims that he was being spied on. Despite that, Jane was allowing himself to thoroughly enjoy the time he was spending with Lisbon; he lavished his affections on her at every turn when they were alone, and sent her secret notes, sly grins and sparkling winks at the office, when no one was looking.
Lisbon was finding it harder and harder to ignore her partner's charms during the workday. Today she was wearing a makeshift disguise, determined to ignore his flirts by hiding behind dark sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
"Promise me you'll wear this outfit tonight at home?"
"Stop it."
"I won't stop it; you look great in that hat," he beamed.
"I'm getting coffee."
Jane grinned delightedly; he was absolutely enamored with the way he'd just been shut down by his partner. These flirtatious games they played were so enjoyable; even more so, now that he knew the affection was mutual.
A deep sigh escaped him as his eyes scanned the park for the suspect. His heart wanted to whisk Teresa away… anyplace that would allow him to shower her with tender pleasures without the need for him to pull off far-fetched master-plans that usually caused her worry and stress. He was determined to keep his promise to be more open and honest with her, but he was also very cognizant of how important her ignorance of the details might be to her career… deniability and all that… Working intricate plans while also holding his promise and her job stability in his mind was exhausting and oftentimes worrisome.
It was true that he'd been happily surprised to find his penchant for cons actually had a wholesome use; but it's not where his heart was. His heart was with Teresa. He owed her so much, and he yearned to have the time and space to pay her back for all the times she had taken the heat for him, or helped him with plans she wasn't comfortable with; for bearing with him in the worst of times… and most of all, for her friendship and trust - even before there had been love between them.
"Oh my God, it's Avery Shultz," Teresa's voice, as she walked back with her coffee, snapped Jane's wandering thoughts back to the present.
"Cho, we have a winner," he spoke into his wrist microphone, starting the FBI into action surrounding the treacherous corporate assistant.
"I wouldn't have thought it was her," Lisbon wore a puzzled, slightly disappointed look.
"Really? I'm surprised," Jane mused, "you usually have such good people instincts."
"I do?" She shyly smiled.
"I was kidding."
For that jest, Patrick got a handbag-smack to the chest as Teresa smirked and began walking back to the car. "Lisbon," he called out as he stood to quickly follow, "I was actually kidding that I was kidding…"
The two partners continued their bantering chase as bystanders gawked in amazement: at both the FBI activities near the park fountain AND the apparent comedy occurring between Jane and Lisbon whilst they exited the place.
Within days of the arrest being made, Charles Whitaker was being honored posthumously for his service to U.S. Intelligence by outing the spy ring with his final acts in life. His brother Curtis was in attendance, so Jane was hiding to avoid any hard feelings the man may have about being tricked into pale violence by Jane earlier in the investigation.
On her way to the honors ceremony, Fischer noticed Jane hiding on his couch. After telling him that Whitaker was out of sight and the coast was clear, the agent was curious about what he'd said to garner Curtis's anger in the first place.
"So, what did you say to him anyway?"
"It's nothing."
"Tell me," She grinned in a way that made Patrick uncomfortable. Open flirting from other staff was the last thing he needed right now. Hoping it would get rid of the woman, he acquiesced: "I have a fool-proof lie."
"So? What is it?"
With an eyeroll, Jane leaned in and whispered the line in her ear.
Fischer stepped back suddenly, embarrassed by what he'd said. Right as she was flirtatiously swatting Jane's chest, wearing a glowing blush in her cheeks, Lisbon rounded the corner in search of the consultant.
Initially rattled by Kim's behavior near her partner, Lisbon saw the explanation in her lover's eyes. With mock sternness she asked him: "what did you do?"
"Agent Fischer wanted to know the lie I told Whitaker to set him off."
"Oh, not that old rag again. How often have you used that line, anyway?"
With surprise, Fischer gawked at Lisbon. "You mean you've heard it before?!"
Shrugging with a smirk Teresa sighed: "When you work closely with someone, you just know these things."
The two partners shared a chuckle. Of course, Lisbon had heard the line… Of course he'd shared the trick with her… It was clear to anyone in sight that they were quite close. Not as visible, Teresa hoped, was the fact they were together now; there were no more secrets between them.
Jane beamed with delight, relieved to be interrupted from the uncomfortable conversation with Fischer AND pleased to see his beloved Lisbon feeling so freely happy. He was more determined than ever to keep his promise.
Kim blushed again - this time from awkwardness; it was painfully clear that the 'lie' was some sort of inside joke between the longtime partners. She hoped neither of the two had noticed her flirts toward Jane just then and meandered quickly away.
Jane leaned close: "Thanks for rescuing me."
"Any time," Teresa nudged his shoulder.
No sooner had Lisbon rescued her partner from Kim Fischer's flirts, than he found himself right back in the agent's crosshairs. He had already tolerated her attempts to get close during a recent trip to Mexico. The two and Cho had gone down to meet with the Federales about a murder across the border. But today he found himself inexplicably inviting Kim to join him in the Airstream to snoop around Gentry Texas to look for clues. She was not his first choice…
"I could take my Airstream down to Gentry? Care to join me Lisbon?" Jane crowed with glee.
Noticing some snickers from a few of the admin assistants nearby, Teresa worried their reactions were due to suspicions about her and Jane in that Airstream for the weekend. With a quick wink, she spoke louder than usual, so her voice would travel to the suspected gossipers' corner of the bullpen. "In that Silver Bucket?! No thanks!"
Jane had decoded the wink and 'big' voiced answer accurately, so decided to throw suspicion away from where the giggling gossips had gone: "Well, Fischer it is, then!"
Lisbon smirked at her partner, and winked as he took his keys from her desk, 'accidentally' brushing his hand over hers in the process. "Safe travels, Jane," she murmured while he was leaning in for the keys.
"Always, my dear… So much to live for these days," he breathed into her ear before leaving.
Teresa pretended to look intently at the team whiteboard, as she internalized the heart-eyes her throbbing chest was daring her to throw at her gorgeous blonde partner. She was getting more and more impatient for the freedom to be open with him in front of the team; but for now, she was thoroughly enjoying the excitement that came with their currently top-secret romance.
"You okay Lisbon?" Cho was peering at her with concern. "You look a bit flushed…"
Mortified, yet also struggling to not burst into embarrassed schoolgirl-style giggles, Lisbon shook her head quickly, "I'm fine Kimball - went for a run a little earlier and I still haven't completely cooled down," she smiled, fanning herself with a folder.
"Sounds about right; it's a scorcher today… Welcome to Texas, Boss!" Cho smirked as he walked away.
Whew! That was close! Lisbon thought as she shifted gears, focusing hard on the very unromantic paperwork on her desk.
That night, Jane called at about 10:00pm. He had apparently abandoned Kim at the Gentry farmer's market.
"Ugh… Teresa, she was beginning to flirt quite obviously and I could stand no more; It was either tell her about us, pretend to charm her, or make her so angry that I would no longer be of interest."
"Sorry to put you in that position Jane. I was nervous that the secretaries from the fraud unit were on to us. Wish I was there with you - besides, this business with Ardiles is depressing."
"Depressing?"
"According to Grace and Wayne, Osvaldo was indeed being watched… and not just him."
"Who else?" Jane held his breath. He feared what was coming next.
"All of us; the whole CBI."
"Damn…"
"Yeah… creepy for sure."
"You be careful, Lisbon… I'll be back as soon as I find Furloch's killer."
"I will, love. And you be careful too - not just from cell phone surveillance but also from flirtatious Señoritas," she giggled to herself. She couldn't help teasing him after all he'd been getting from Fischer lately.
"Very funny, Teresa," he smiled. "But I only have eyes for you, my dear."
"Jane…"
Patrick's heart thumped hard at the way his beloved cop's throat had closed with emotion almost before she'd gotten his name out. "I adore you, Teresa Lisbon."
His partner struggled to avoid melting into a tearful puddle, managing a coy response: "I know," she sparkled, grinning ear to ear.
"See you soon I hope."
A few seconds after he'd hung up, Patrick chuckled to himself about Lisbon's Señorita comment. He knew she was razzing him about Fischer, but really… As if he'd ever entertain the thought… Heck, he'd stayed true to his wife for over a decade after her death - no way he would ever stray from his Lisbon, not even for a night… not even for a fleeting second… not a single thought strayed from her in his mind when it came to romance. He had been quite single-minded about Teresa Lisbon for so many years, he had no room for any other suitors in his heart. He knew exactly what he had with her and knew not to tempt fate by even thinking about another woman. Kim Fischer was beautiful, but she was no Lisbon. He hoped Kim had gotten the message now, or that at least she'd be so angry she'd leave him alone for a while.
As Jane drove back to Austin the next morning, a conversation kept playing in his mind: the leader of the farm, Alex Mildray, had said to him "You can't stay on the road forever Patrick; gotta let it take you someplace." Mildray's comment struck Jane directly in the heart. Patrick knew precisely where the road of life had taken him and what - or rather who - stood at the end of that road. He couldn't stand not sharing his connection to Teresa with the team; he actually wanted to shout his love for her from the mountaintops… or maybe get a Times Square billboard or something? He hoped beyond hope that she'd be comfortable enough to make their relationship public, sooner rather than later.
Like the showman he was, Jane strode into the FBI with a gleaming smile and a bag of surprises. As he'd expected, Teresa was curious:
"What's with all the wrapping paper?"
"I may have been a bit out of control at the market in Gentry."
"I see…" Lisbon chuckled. "What'd ya get me?" She nudged.
He looked to see the room was still empty, before moving close, resting his hands on her hips. "Your gift is a bit more personal, so I didn't want an audience," he winked.
"Well now I'm gonna be distracted all day," she grinned slyly. "You're a bad influence, Patrick Jane."
Keeping their secret at work would be the death of him. Patrick could barely suppress his instinct to lap her up inch by inch in that moment. With considerable, controlled effort, he countered: "I do hope so, my dear." Glimmering profusely, the contributor to Teresa's delinquency brushed ever so slightly against her as he grabbed his cup of tea and moved back to the bullpen.
Still daydreaming about what her private gift might be, something caught Teresa's eye from the fishbowl: Kim was looking with wonder at a bedazzled princess wand.
"Where'd you get that?" Lisbon asked - knowing the probable answer already.
"Jane gave it to me."
"Jane gave you a wand?"
"I used to think I could solve all the problems in the world with one of these," Kim said dreamily.
"Did it work?"
"Dunno - I never got one… my mom insisted that princesses were stupid fantasies."
"Oh, well hey maybe this is your chance!" Lisbon nudged good-naturedly. She felt for the woman, after learning about her mom squashing her princess dreams. Plus, when Kim wasn't flirting with Jane, Teresa actually liked her. She hoped they could be friends, despite any disappointment about Jane being spoken for… by her, she giggled to herself.
At precisely that moment, as she was looking back at Fischer waving the plastic wand as if it were indeed magic, Lisbon caught her lover's beautiful eyes glistening back at her through the far glass wall. God she was so lucky to have him. She couldn't wait for the day they'd be able to publicly announce their arrangement. She waved as she turned to leave, hoping he wouldn't be far behind. They still were maintaining staggered leaving times for appearance's sake, but Teresa was impatient; she could not wait to open Jane's gift tonight. No matter what it was, she'd already decided that HE would be getting an equally special, equally private gift from HER once they were home alone. Lisbon's steamy daydreams accompanied her for the length of the drive home.