(A/N): Okay, this is set just after the big argument in 6x01. Just some thoughts running through Lisbon and Jane's minds. I do not own the Mentalist.

Hope you enjoy,

HeavenSkye x

Loving Him Was A Curse

Loving him was a curse.

That was the only line running through Teresa Lisbon's head as she practically ran to her car, fuming with none other than one Patrick Jane. That stubborn, arrogant, handsome jackass!

She hadn't meant to snap at him, but he was implying, no, outright chiding her, that she was naïve, incompetent! How dare he?

She reached the car door and yanked it open, ignoring the tears in her eyes and focusing on the anger she felt. Buckling he seatbelt, she started the car, seeing Jane run out after her in the rearview mirror. Oh no! He was not weaseling his way back into her good books! He had compared her to a child!

She set off just as she heard a faint "Lisbon!" and a knocking near the back of the car. Undeterred, she pushed her foot down on the accelerator, feeling a guilty rush of freedom to be away from him. Even if she was pissed at him, it didn't stop her loving him.

She sighed, wiping at her eyes before the traitorous tears had a chance to overflow. Loving him was a curse.

...

Patrick Jane watched the swinging kitchen door, simultaneously angry and fearful. Angry that Lisbon had told Grace, who had no doubt told Rigsby and Cho, when he had told her, told her to tell no-one, and fearful for Lisbon, for her safety. If he lost another woman he- no, he couldn't think like that. One glance at Grace made him rush out of the same door that Lisbon had, yelling a panicked "Wait!" as he did.

Making it out into the parking lot, he saw Lisbon get into her car. He needed to hurry.

"Hey!" He called out, rushing up to the car. "Lisbon!" He reached for the door handle, only for Lisbon to hit the accelerator. He banged on the back of the car, trying desperately to get her to stop. "Lisbon!"

She didn't slow down, instead, she sped up, leaving him in a cloud of dust. He stared helplessly after the car, his feelings extremely clear on his face. He'd managed a glimpse of her face as she'd gotten into the car. There had been anger yes, but he'd also seen the tears, the hurt in her gaze.

It was going to take a lot more than an origami frog to fix this. He sighed. He knew she loved him. She shouldn't, but she did. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. She shouldn't love him. Loving him was a curse.