Alright, here we go. Part 2. Thanks to everyone who reviewed part 1. I'm glad you're all liking my little bit of silliness.

xxxxx

Jane waited patiently while Lisbon fished in her coat pocket for the hotel key. He helped her into the room, leading her gently around the cabinet that held the TV so she didn't injure her ankle further.

"I see the lights are conveniently still not working," Lisbon muttered.

"I'll just get you settled and light some candles," Jane told her.

"Jane, I'm perfectly fine."

"Of course you are. But you know as well as I do that you'll be better sooner if you keep off that ankle for a couple of hours. I'll light some candles and then go grab some ice."

"Fine," Lisbon muttered as she grabbed a pillow from the bed and placed it under her ankle to elevate it.

Jane moved quickly around the room placing the complimentary candles in all corners. It lent the room a certain atmosphere, and one that he'd become particularly fond of at the restaurant. He shot her a smile before grabbing a candle, the room key and the ice bucket and set out to find the ice machine.

His trip didn't take long and he was soon back with the ice for her ankle. The sight that greeted him took his breath away. Lisbon was reclining on the bed reading the crime scene report and checking in with Cho, her leg elegantly elevated in the candlelight. "Nah, I haven't killed him yet," he heard her tell her colleague.

There was a pause, "True," she said with a laugh. Jane felt a stab of jealousy at the thought of another man bringing that expression of pleasure onto Lisbon's face. Which was odd, because he'd never really considered himself a jealous person.

"Alright, thanks Cho. And thanks for offering to provide an alibi should the need arise," she added.

She turned to Jane and grinned at him, "That was Cho," she told him unnecessarily. He says things are fine back there. Apparently Rigsby nearly destroyed one of the office computers, but Van Pelt managed to salvage the situation so it's all good." She frowned, Jane still hadn't moved. "Jane?" she asked. "Are you okay?"

Jane shook himself from his silent reverie on the way the colour of the case file she was holding made her skin look positively luminous. "I grabbed your ice," he told her. "I'll just get a cloth from the bathroom so you don't have to put it right against your skin."

"Thanks," Lisbon told him absently before going back to her file.

Jane glanced at himself in the mirror, noting with irritation that he looked nervous. Did that woman even have any idea what she did to him?

xxxxx

They spent the next couple of hours going through case files. Well, Lisbon did. Jane pretended to doze in the chair, while really watching her. It's not like she needed him anyways. They already knew who'd done it. This whole trip was a formality. Not that he was complaining. He was glad of the excuse to spend time with Lisbon. Suddenly he noticed her yawn.

"Lisbon, you're getting tired," he told her. "We both are. Why don't we call it a night? It's dark and who knows how long the candles will last."

Lisbon glanced up at him before acknowledging that he was right. "Alright, I'll use the bathroom first if you don't mind."

"Go ahead."

Jane gulped. Lisbon was changing. Of course she was. He wondered what she usually slept in… Luckily his usual sleepwear consisted of a t-shirt and pajama pants. He knew Lisbon would kill him if he wasn't well covered. The woman'd probably make him sleep in his suit if he tried to tell her he hadn't brought anything to sleep in, and as attached to it as he was it was, the vest was a little confining to sleep in. Oh crap! Which pajama pants had he brought? He hoped it wasn't the pair with the rubber duckies on them. They certainly weren't very manly. He checked his bag. Whew. The plain navy blue ones. He smiled. Nothing wrong with them. He let his mind drift back to what Lisbon slept it. Maybe a lacy little nightgown. No that was far too impractical for his Lisbon. Oooh maybe she slept in a long t-shirt or something equally enticing.

It was something of a disappointment when Lisbon exited the washroom dressed head to toe in flannel. At least it should have been. The woman was even wearing socks for crying out loud. But for some reason Jane couldn't take his eyes off of her. He'd never look at flannel the same way again. The way the bottoms of the pants dragged slightly on the floor... Before he could do something stupid he grabbed his bag and practically ran into the washroom, much to Lisbon's amusement and surprise.

When he'd managed to calm himself down he walked back into the room. "Love the pajamas by the way," he told her. "The sheep are a nice touch."

Lisbon grinned, "I've always had a soft spot for animals on pajamas," she told him.

Damn thought Jane. Maybe the duckies would have been better.

Lisbon glanced at him, "Yours are nice too." She added as an afterthought. "Very… nondescript. Can you blow out that candle over there?"

"Sure," he agreed.

"Goodnight Jane," she told him when she felt him settle into bed beside her.

"Night Lisbon," he replied quietly. "See you in the morning."

xxxxx

Jane was right, he wasn't able to sleep. His insomnia was kicking in full blast. He glanced over at the woman next to him sleeping peacefully, glad they'd decided to use the pillows to sleep on rather than as an impromptu barrier. He tried to concentrate on her breathing, hoping it would lull him to sleep, but that damn piano was playing Frank Sinatra's "In the wee small hours of the morning" outside the window. Jane sighed. He'd never get any sleep this way. He stood up, careful not to wake Lisbon, and walked over to the window. He opened the curtains and made the universal sign for cut at Steve (Jane refused to refer to him by his ridiculous stage name), followed by a gesture that he hoped conveyed to the blasted instrument that if he didn't stop Jane would go out there with a pair of wire-cutters and start snipping. His message must have gotten across. The string instrument started slouching back towards the restaurant, but just to be sure Jane kept glaring out the window until the piano was well out of sight.

Relieved Jane went to lie back down, hoping sleep would be more forthcoming. He tried not to concentrate on the woman next to him. She was so beautiful in the moonlight, her face completely relaxed, not displaying the annoyed expression he was so used to. He wondered if he dared move closer, maybe wrap an arm around her. After all, maybe the added body heat would make him drowsy.

Suddenly Lisbon began to stir in her sleep. Jane froze, afraid any movement would wake her. She rolled slightly closer and began muttering to herself. Jane's ears perked up. Who knew what Lisbon thought about in unguarded moments? This would be the perfect time to find out! He shifted slightly closer and strained to hear what she was saying.

"Oh, that's good," she murmured.

Jane grinned in the darkness. He liked where this was heading.

"Yes I want more…" Jane's grin widened.

"Jane…" she moaned.

Jane went to reach out to her. Maybe he wasn't alone in his feelings.

"You can't have my last cookie, get your own."

Hi hand stilled in midair. What?

"Want more peanut butter chocolate chip…" she muttered into the pillow

With that Lisbon settled back into sleep.

Jane was shocked. She'd been dreaming about baked goods. Baked goods. His life wasn't fair. He let out a huff of frustration, before glancing back at his companion and settled for stroking the hair out of her face. At least she was relaxed. Maybe she'd move over towards him herself. After all, weren't people supposed to seek out body heat in their sleep?

As if on cue Lisbon rolled over quickly. Unfortunately Jane wasn't expecting the sudden move and so was unable to stop her from kneeing him in the groin.

Muffling his curse in his pillow Jane rolled away from her. Best to leave her to her own devices he decided, as he resigned himself to another sleepless night. To his left he heard Lisbon strike up a conversation about skyscrapers.

xxxxx

Several hours later Jane woke up surprised. He guessed he must have dropped off after all, either that or blacked out from the pain. He was turned towards Lisbon who appeared to have settled again, with one hand draped lazily around his waist. Jane smiled softly. This, this was what he'd wanted.

Well, not quite.

She'd stolen all the blankets. He was getting cold.

Trying not to wake Lisbon he attempted to delicately roll her slightly so he could pull one of the blankets out from around her and towards himself.

Unfortunately his plan went south when Lisbon took his subtle suggestion too far, rolling right off the bed.

She was up like a shot, "Wha… What's wrong?" She asked, looking around quickly. She turned to him; he tried valiantly not to laugh. "Jane! What the hell! Why did you push me out of bed?" she demanded.

"Believe me Lisbon, I wasn't trying to push you out of bed; you'd stolen all the blankets," he told her, still smiling.

"You jerk. I was actually sleeping pretty soundly."

"I woke up because I was cold! And I just meant to turn you slightly. It's not my fault you decided to take my suggestion and roll with it." He chuckled as her glare intensified. "Besides, call it payback for kneeing me in the groin in the middle of the night!"

Rather than seeming contrite Lisbon seemed amused by this. "I kneed you in the groin?"

"Yup, direct hit. And it came as no surprise to learn that you hit hard. You're not the easiest of bedfellows by the way. Did you know you talk in your sleep? You said some interesting things." Jane tried to look suggestive to see if she'd fall for it.

Unfortunately she didn't, "Yeah. I've been told that. Drove my last boyfriend nuts."

What? Boyfriend? When? It wasn't until she answered his last two questions that Jane realized he'd asked them out loud.

"Ended about a month ago. Julian. He was an accountant." at Jane's look, she sighed. "We dated for six months but it didn't work out."

"Because he couldn't handle your job and the fact that you're incapable of fully opening up to another human being?" Jane guessed.

"Because he was transferred to Albany," Lisbon corrected.

"Ah."

"So what'd I say?" Lisbon asked, mildly curious. "I talk about architecture? Apparently that's common."

"Skyscrapers," Jane confirmed. "After the baked goods that is. Then you hit on sheep, basketball and the many virtues of trouser jeans. After that I must have dropped off."

"So you did get some sleep?" Lisbon asked, surprised and pleased.

"Yes, about three hours I'd guess; which is rare. Must have had something to do with the company," he said with a flirtatious grin.

Lisbon rolled her eyes, "Despite the fact that I kept you up half the night talking in my sleep after kneeing you in the groin."

Jane shrugged, "Well, I'll admit the physical abuse wasn't ideal, but I guess I just find your voice soothing."

"Uh huh." She was skeptical.

"Plus you smell good," he added.

"It's probably my moisturizer. Come on Jane, we should get ready."

"Didn't you like sleeping with me?" he asked, hoping she'd return the compliment. "I notice you looked pretty comfortable."

"To be quite honest I almost forgot you were there until I was rudely awakened." Lisbon stretched, "Well since I'm up I'm going to go shower and get dressed. Please tell me the power's back on."

"Yeah," Jane acknowledged quietly. He hadn't even really gotten to cuddle with her. Sharing a bed with Lisbon had been something of a disappointment. Ah well, maybe she wasn't quite ready yet. He'd have to ease her into things.

xxxxx

After enjoying their complimentary breakfast (which Lisbon had to admit was pretty good), the pair set out for their victim's house. Lisbon couldn't help noticing that Jane was acting strangely again, being overly solicitous and attentive. It was creepy. She'd gotten rather used to bit-of-a-bastard Jane who seemed to delight in needling her. This was just odd. "Jane, turn the radio on. I need a distraction. It's too quiet," she ordered suddenly.

"Are you sure that's what you want?" he asked her. He'd already scanned through the radio stations while she'd gotten directions from the receptionist.

"Why wouldn't I be?" she wondered, confused.

Jane sighed before explaining, "Well, from what I can tell, there are only five stations that actually work in this town. The first is one that plays "Lovers and Other Strangers" on a continuous loop, which means we're stuck listening to love letters, or worse, poetry sent across the miles followed by something out of the discography of Mariah Carrey, Celine Dion or Luther Vandross. A second plays nothing but power ballads from the eighties and after hearing 'Alone', 'Paradise by the Dashboard Lights' and All I Want To Do is Make Love To You' in rapid succession I'd rather not. Then there's the station that plays nothing but emo music about longing for things one cannot have all day every day, or if you'd prefer, the station dedicated to the hits of one Mr. Marvin Gaye with particular emphasis on "Let's get it On." I suppose we could listen to the twenty-four hour local news channel, but it's been a bit of a slow news day. Top stories include the fact that there's been a very localized power outage inexplicably limited to our hotel and the restaurant we went to last night, a story about a beautiful pair of out-of-towners who stunned the locals at open mike night last night at the aforementioned restaurant and a story about a woman in town who won first prize in the draw at the local bazaar. All in all, I decided silence was better."

"You can't be serious," Lisbon told him.

"Nope, I really would prefer the silence."

"I meant about what was on the radio you idiot!"

"Ah," Jane said. "Yes that makes more sense. And actually I am serious. It's almost as if the universe is trying to tell us something." When he realized Lisbon had no plans to reply he continued. "If you want the silence filled so desperately I'm sure I could entertain you with my fabulous adventures."

"Wonderful," Lisbon said dryly. Then she realized hearing about Jane's adventures wouldn't actually be so bad, when her eye was caught by something outside. "Is that Forte?" she asked.

Jane glanced out the window. "Yup. He's been following you around since yesterday. Serenaded you for most of the night actually, but you were asleep."

"I see," Lisbon muttered. Then she grinned, "Wouldn't that mean that technically he was serenading you?"

Jane smirked back, "Technically yes, I suppose. But his repertoire led me to believe you were the intended target."

"His repertoire?"

"She moves in Mysterious Ways, She's Like a Rainbow, Pretty Woman, Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress… Well, I'm sure you get the picture."

"That's actually kind of sweet," Lisbon mused.

Sweet? She thought a crazy obsessed piano following her around was sweet? He, Patrick Jane, had discovered her favourite song (okay, somewhat against her will) and asked her to dance by candlelight (okay, so technically the candlelight wasn't really there for romance and she'd almost taken a header to the floor during the dance), but it's the damn piano that she thinks is sweet. Jane gritted his teeth. "I suppose," he muttered.

Lisbon seemed to find his annoyance amusing. Luckily for Jane they arrived at their suspect's house before she could ask him about it. "Come on Jane," she told him. "Let's go see if we can find something to tie Jacobs to these murders."

Jane leapt from the car. Yes! That was it! He'd solve the case for her. She was always in a better mood when he solved the case.

xxxxx

Unfortunately (for Jane's plan to impress Lisbon at least) the case was rather easily solved. Things went as they usually did in these situations. Lisbon met with the local sheriff, Jane angered and insulted the man, Lisbon stepped in to protect him. Then they finally entered their suspect's house. Their man, Terrence Jacobs, had been living in Sacramento for the past couple of months where he'd killed three women. Okay, technically he was under arrest for killing three women, nothing'd actually been proven yet, but everyone knew it was him. He hadn't sold his previous residence, in one Harmony, California. Which was why, in the name of a conducting a complete investigation, Lisbon and Jane were currently walking into the house to see what they could see.

The second Lisbon walked in the door Forte materialized out of nowhere to play the theme from Mighty Mouse. He was more or less ignored. Still, with all the pomp associated with their arrival, it came as something of a let-down when they immediately found several pairs of headphones identical to those used for the murders in plain sight. One had even been chopped up in a fit of rage. Of course, it wasn't until Jane found the photo of a woman who was clearly Jacob's ex-significant other wearing similar headphones that he put it all together. She'd obviously just left him, causing him to go on a crazy killing spree. The headphones probably reminded Jacobs of her. Jane was sure that if they asked they'd find that this woman had worked in the music industry.

The local sheriff obligingly confirmed that yes, Jacobs had been dating one Maria Silvers, and yes she worked for one of the local radio stations.

Lisbon figured they should probably talk to her in the name of thoroughness, especially since they'd already driven all the way to Harmony anyways. Jane agreed, as did the sheriff. In order to show his own faith in his favourite CBI agent's ideas Forte decided to strike up a rousing version of "I'm a Believer."

Jane rolled his eyes. The sheriff looked confused. Lisbon just laughed.

xxxxx

They arrived at the local radio station (Jane couldn't resist whispering in Lisbon's ear that it was the one that appeared to be devoted to 80's power ballads) and asked for Maria Silvers. Turned out she was on the air at the moment, but had a break coming up shortly. They waited as she finished queuing up "Love is a Battlefield," before walking over.

"Hi Ms. Silvers," Lisbon said. "I'm Agent Teresa Lisbon from the California Bureau of Investigation. This is Mr. Jane. We were wondering if we could ask you a few questions."

"This is about Terry isn't it?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, it is," Lisbon admitted. We were wondering if you could tell us about your relationship with him."

Jane watched as the woman took a breath and then the whole story just came spilling out. How Terry had started to get jealous of her dedication to her music, how he'd gotten crazier and more possessive every day until she'd ended things. And then he'd just gone nuts, threatened to kill her, or himself. She'd been relieved when he'd moved away.

"I still can't believe he did those horrible things though," the women told them. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Lisbon told her firmly.

Maria nodded sadly. "Well, if that's everything I should get back to work."

"Are you sure you should be working right now?" Lisbon asked. "I mean, you did just hear that your ex-boyfriend is a murderer."

Maria smiled a watery smile, "The music comforts me," she admitted. "But that's Harmony for you," she added.

Lisbon smiled slightly back. "Okay. If we have any other questions we'll let you know."

Maria nodded before going back to her post where she finished a commercial break and proceeded to play "Hungry Like the Wolf."

Jane followed Lisbon out of the station, unable to stop himself from humming the chorus as he walked after her.

In touch with the ground
I'm on the hunt I'm after you
Smell like I sound I'm lost in a crowd.
And I'm hungry like the wolf.
Straddle the line in discord and rhyme
I'm on the hunt I'm after you.
Mouth is alive with juices like wine
And I'm hungry like the wolf

She didn't appear to notice.

"You'd better call Cho," he told her. "Let him know what happened. Then he can grab our friend Terry, interrogate him and get a confession. There we go, case closed."

"Sure," Lisbon told him. "Doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense though. If Terry was jealous of her music why was he using the headphones to kill women? You think he'd want to destroy the symbol of her job as well, not turn them into instruments of power over others."

Jane shrugged, "Maybe he wanted the music to destroy other lives like it'd destroyed his. I wouldn't analyze it too much. It won't matter. Cho'll get a confession anyways."

Lisbon just nodded as she grabbed her phone. Jane waited patiently while she spoke to Cho. When she was done he continued, "Well, we may as well go have lunch now."

"Sure why not," Lisbon told him.

"And then afterwards you can call Cho just to make sure he got a confession and there's nothing else we have to do here. It'd be irritating if we had to come back."

"That's true," Lisbon agreed. "But we're not going to the Perfect Cadence. I think I saw a diner on the way here."

"Anything you like dear," he told her.

"I wish," she told him, laughing good-naturedly.

"You should laugh more Lisbon," Jane remarked.

"What?" she asked him, amused.

"You should laugh more. You're lovely when you laugh," Jane told her. "I'd imagine there's any number of men who'd help you with that."

"Yes, that's definitely been my experience," Lisbon remarked somewhat sarcastically.

"I've been told I've got quite the sense of humour," Jane added. "Quite entertaining Libs," he told her with a suggestive leer.

"Libs?" she questioned, eyebrows raised.

"I thought it could be my cute little nickname for you," Jane explained easily. "Something that's just ours. You know, to show our bond."

"Yeah, no." Lisbon told him with another laugh. "Jane, I'm not sure what you're up to, but whatever it is, the answer's no. Come on, it's almost two. I'm starving and I want a hamburger."

Then with a final laugh and a shake of her head Lisbon stalked towards the car. Jane frowned. This was not going as planned. While he was standing there pondering the setbacks in the plan to woo Lisbon, Forte snuck up on him and began to play "Killer Queen."

"Oh, shut up Forte," Jane muttered as he stalked after her. "I'd like to see you do any better."

Behind him he heard the tinkling laughter of piano keys.

Forte watched in triumph as the other man walked away, shoulders slightly slumped. While the baby grand certainly wasn't making any inroads with the lovely agent with the magical voice, at least his rival didn't seem to be either. Forte wondered if a quick chorus of "Walkin' on Sunshine" was in order. The piano's satisfaction was rather short-lived though. He noticed that the man did seem rather dejected at his lack of success with his pretty colleague. And Forte had seen them dancing the other night; the pair was fairly well suited, well, some of the time. It was clear the blond man cared about his little musical angel. And what could Forte really offer the lovely woman who's first name he didn't even know? Forte shuffled his front legs awkwardly in the dirt. Even if they could get over the obvious barriers resulting from any human/instrument interaction, Forte couldn't follow her when she left, and he doubted she'd be content to stay. He sighed. Maybe he should yield the field to his rival. He really just wanted her to be happy. And if the other man was the one who made her sing…

So be it. He'd have to be content with their one perfect duet, well that and knowing he'd made the blond man jealous. Anyone with hair like that needed to be taken down a peg or two. Forte decided he'd stay out of it from now on.

Or….

Or he could stick around and offer the pair his unique services.

xxxxx

Jane walked into the diner and slid into the booth across form Lisbon, noticing how the cherry red seats set off her raven hair and pale skin to its best advantage. Apparently unaware of her affect on him she grinned at him in welcome, "Hey, what took you so long? I thought you were right behind me."

"I was delayed by your instrumental admirer," Jane told her shortly.

Lisbon glanced at the window, "Forte?" she asked. "He's here? Huh. I don't see him."

"Good." Jane replied, irritated by her continued interest in the dratted piano. "I told him to get lost."

"Aw, he's sweet." Lisbon replied. "Plus, you've got to admit, meeting a sentient piano's been an experience."

"It's been something," Jane answered grabbing a menu.

Lisbon frowned, suddenly concerned. Jane was showing all the usual signs of being actually upset. It was rare that he let it show, meaning that when it did happen it was usually serious. She reached a hand across the table and touched his wrist. "Hey," she said softly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Jane told her quickly, putting on an easy smile. "Why Agent Lisbon, were you concerned about me?" he asked trying to distract her.

"Well, you're acting kinda strange," she admitted with a grin of her own. "For you anyways."

"I guess I'm just not used to having a musical instrument follow me around," Jane told her easily.

"Technically he's following me around," Lisbon replied.

"Well, yes. That's true. But since I'm always with you it pretty much amounts to the same thing," Jane argued.

"Not used to competing for my attention are you?" Lisbon asked with a laugh. Her laughter stopped when she saw the look that flashed across Jane's face before he could stop it. "Oh my god. Jane! You're jealous of a piano!" Lisbon couldn't have kept the amusement out of her voice if she'd wanted to.

Jane scowled. "I am not jealous of a piano."

"Then what would you call it?" Lisbon asked.

"I just find being subjected to a constant soundtrack a little irritating is all," Jane defended. "And I don't see why it doesn't bother you. Normally you'd be annoyed by distractions like this."

Lisbon shrugged, "It hasn't been that distracting. Besides, it's flattering, and kinda sweet."

"I can be sweet," Jane muttered under his breath.

Lisbon felt a bubble of affection rise up in her chest. "Yes Jane, you can," she admitted. "But you can also be annoying as hell, or worse." She sighed, "You know that."

They were interrupted then when the waitress came to take their order. After she left Jane watched as Lisbon began toying with her cutlery. "I still don't know why you won't let me give you a special nickname," Jane mentioned.

Lisbon glanced up at him, "I never said I wouldn't let you give a nickname. I said that I didn't want you calling me 'Libs'," she clarified.

"So I can give you a nickname?" Jane asked hopeful.

"That's not what I meant," Lisbon retorted. "It would depend on how familiar it was, and knowing you you'd start using it in the interrogation room or something."

"What if I promised not to?" Jane asked.

"Depends on if I believed you and if you could think of one I liked," Lisbon told him matter-of-factly.

"Fine," Jane told her. "I'll come up with a better nickname. And you'll like it."

"You do that."

"You know Lisbon, you certainly don't make it easy for people to be nice to you," Jane told her suddenly. "You also never thanked me for serenading you last night. I even picked a song you liked."

"A song you only found out I liked through a gross invasion of my privacy!" Lisbon replied scandalized.

"Well, yes," Jane admitted reluctantly. "But you still like the song! Some people might even think that was charming."

"It's not charming when you abuse the trust someone gives you when they're already vulnerable!" Lisbon exclaimed. "That's the opposite of charming you idiot! I can't believe you honestly expected that to work!"

"I wasn't trying to abuse your trust," Jane explained. "I just wanted to get to know more about you Lisbon." Then he added more softly, "I like you."

And just like that Lisbon's amusement faded, replaced by something much softer. She smiled, "You're not so bad yourself sometimes Jane. And I guess it was kind of sweet when you sang to me." She waited until he met her eyes with a smug smile before continuing, "Even if afterwards you did force me up on stage when I told you expressly not to."

But this time Jane's smile didn't even falter, "But just think Lisbon, if I hadn't you never would have met Forte! And I believe you said you were glad of that experience."

Lisbon was unfazed, "Yes, Jane, that's true. But just think, if I'd never met Forte you wouldn't have a reason to be jealous."

"Woman! I am not jealous!"

Lisbon just laughed. Further conversation was derailed by the waitress bringing their orders.

xxxxx

As a reward for his attempts at being sweet Lisbon let Jane drive back to the hotel. She decided they may as well spend another night in Harmony. They were both tired, it was getting late, they still hadn't heard a confirmation from Cho about the confession, and she didn't feel like making the four hour drive back mostly in the dark. They could leave first thing in the morning. Jane had absolutely no problem with her plan. He decided to take his chances with the radio. He was amused (although not particularly surprised) when Foreigner's "Hot Blooded" began to play. The lyrics meant that Jane couldn't help thinking about the woman sitting next to him. Memories of their kiss came flooding back into his mind. If only she'd give him some sort sign that she thought about it too. He glanced over at her.

Well that was interesting. Lisbon was fidgeting. It appeared as though he wasn't the only person the song was making slightly uncomfortable. He decided to take his chance, "Do you ever think about that day when the team went out for dinner?" He knew he wouldn't have to specify which one.

"Jane…" Lisbon said softly. Why was he doing this? She thought they'd had a silent agreement not to talk about it.

"I want to kiss you again Lisbon," he told her. "It's all I've thought about for the last twenty-four hours."

Lisbon paused.

"Can you honestly tell me you never think about it?" Jane asked.

Lisbon sighed, "No Jane. I can't. I've been thinking about it lately too," she admitted.

"Lisbon," he whispered.

"But it's not a good idea Jane," she told him.

"Why not?" he asked.

"I can think of any number of reasons. But let's start with the fact that we apparently only have these feelings for a day or so at a time, and then they go away for weeks. Don't you find that a little strange?" she asked him.

Jane just shrugged as he pulled into the hotel parking lot. "Maybe it just means that we should be making the most of the days we have," he took her hand and began idly running his thumb over her pulse, pleased when he felt it speed up.

Lisbon paused, and then froze when "Hot Blooded" switched over to "Lovers in a Dangerous Time." Whatever she'd been going to say froze on her lips when she heard the lyrics.

Don't the hours go shorter as the days go by
We never get to stop and open our eyes
One minute your waiting for the sky to fall
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time

Jane shot her a significant look. "Jane," she said. "We can't…"

"Why not?" he asked her.

"We work together. People will talk," she told him.

"Oh come on Lisbon," Jane said, dismissing that particular objection. "People are talking already. There's a reason there's an office pool on whether or not we're sleeping together. And, come to think of it, one on when we'll actually get together if we're not. Besides, given how this relationship has progressed so far, it certainly isn't affecting our working relationship." Which was true. After their last kiss their relationship hadn't suffered (because they'd both completely pushed the kiss from their minds of course, but the relationship still hadn't suffered). He slid his hand from her wrist to her elbow as he moved slightly closer. He could feel the heat between them now. She had to feel it too.

"Exactly Jane. We don't even know if this is real," Lisbon argued.

"Feels pretty real to me," he replied as he brushed her hair out of her face.

But Lisbon wasn't going to give in that easily. "Yeah it's real alright, for a day, maybe two. So what, we kiss one day. Weeks later we sleep together, what's next?"

Jane paused to consider that, "Well, given the temporal parameters you've set up I'm not sure the relationship can progress much farther. After all, moving in together for fourty-eight hours seems like an awful lot of hassle."

"Exactly," Lisbon whispered as she reached for the door knob. "I'm sorry Jane, I… I don't think I can do this." And with that she left the vehicle.

When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime
Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time

Jane slumped back in his seat. A minute later he sat up. Since when did Patrick Jane give up? Never! That's when. He just needed a more insane scheme. He jumped from the vehicle and jogged after his partner.

Lisbon was flying towards the hotel room. She couldn't believe this. Couldn't believe any of it. She'd just considered giving in to that insane side of her brain that cropped up every now and again with its ludicrous suggestions. God, sleeping with Patrick Jane! That would definitely be a mistake. She paused, considering. Okay, so it wouldn't be all bad. I mean, she was sure there'd be pleasurable aspects… She shivered just thinking about it.

Wait, what the hell was she doing? What was wrong with her? She started pacing in the hotel lobby.

In her distraction Lisbon didn't notice Forte hiding in the corner of the room. The piano took a breath. It was now or never. Softly at first, so as not to startle her, he started playing REO Speedwagon's immortal love song "Can't Fight this Feeling."

I can't fight this feeling any longer.
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow.
What started out as friendship,
Has grown stronger.
I only wish I had the strength to let it show.

Lisbon barely noticed the music as she continued to pace. Okay, so Jane was sweet. And he obviously cared about her. And she'd be lying if she said she'd never thought about it. Hell, she'd been thinking about it all weekend too, even if she'd been trying not to. And it couldn't have been easy for Jane to admit that maybe he wanted more from their relationship, even if he hadn't been sure where it would lead. At least he'd been honest with her about that. And Jane being completely honest meant a lot.

And he was so handsome, and charming, and he made her laugh. And she felt good when she was with him (well, some of the time). And she wanted him. There. She'd admitted it. So what?

So… so maybe she didn't need to be quite so responsible, just this once… (Okay, technically it was twice now.)

A small part of her brain was still rebelling, telling her it was a bad idea. But Lisbon told it to shut up. Even if the rest of her brain had gone nuts from overwork and stress, at least the course of action it was recommending should remedy that somewhat.

Lisbon grinned. She wanted Jane. Now she just had to tell him. So where was he?

Suddenly she saw him stalking into the hotel, a determined expression on his face. She grinned.

And even as I wander,
I'm keeping you in sight.
You're a candle in the window,
On a cold, dark winter's night.
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might.

And I can't fight this feeling anymore.
I've forgotten what I started fighting for.
It's time to bring this ship into the shore,
And throw away the oars, forever.

Ah ha! Jane thought. There she was. He'd have thought she'd have gone farther than the lobby, but apparently not. Well that was good. He needed to talk to her, and he wasn't going to let her get away this time. As he got closer he realized that she was smiling. Well, that was unexpected. Good, but unexpected.

Then, to his even greater shock, Jane realized that Lisbon wasn't just smiling, she was walking towards him. As she got closer he opened his mouth to say something, but before he could get the words out she grabbed his vest and pulled him in for a blistering kiss.

Apparently his master plan was completely unnecessary. Looks like Lisbon had already solved the problem without him. In this instance though, especially since he was pretty sure he was feeling what could only be her hands traveling under his vest, Jane had to admit that he didn't mind ceding the floor to her.

Lisbon pulled back slightly, and sent him a mischievous grin that he had no trouble returning. Then without saying a word, she turned and led him towards the hotel room.

Suddenly the receptionist spotted them. "Oh!" he called out. "Agent Lisbon I've been looking for you. A second room has opened up if you're interested," he told her. Then he frowned when she didn't respond. "Agent Lisbon?" he tried again. "Were you interested in that other room or not?"

Lisbon didn't even look at him as she continued to pull Jane vest-wise down the hall. "I don't think we'll be needing it," she called back.

Forte grinned a wide piano-key grin as he watched the couple move towards their room. He started playing Meatloaf's "If this is the Last Kiss, Let's Make it Last all Night" for added inspiration. Before the shut the door behind him, Jane removed one of his hands from around Lisbon's waist to give the anthroporphized piano a thumbs up.

Forte tinkled happily to himself. It seems he'd gotten it right in the end. Because unless he was very much mistaken, that pair wouldn't be leaving the hotel room anytime soon.

He was sure they'd have their troubles of course, but he'd get them off to a good start with one last song.

After all, one should never underestimate the power of love songs played in Harmony.

Day after day, I'm more confused
Yet I look for the light through the pourin' rain
You know that's a game that I hate to loose
And I'm feelin' the strain
Ain't it a shame

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock n roll
And drift away
Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock n roll
And drift away

Beginnin' to think that I'm wastin' time
I don't understand the things I do
The world outside looks so unkind
Now I'm countin' on you
To carry me through

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock n roll
And drift away
Yeah, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock n roll
And drift away -Dobie Gray

xxxxx

The End

Well, that's it. I can only hope you all had as much fun reading it as I did writing it.