Coffee Break

Grace Van Pelt silently cursed inwards as her cheeks were burning up from embarrassment. It least in the CBI kitchen under the pretence of making a cup of coffee no one else saw her which was the only little ray of sunshine in this whole mess that she had fallen into.

Fallen; now that was the word that was getting her into so much trouble at the moment especially when it is connected to Patrick Jane. Two add two was somehow making five and Grace couldn't do a damn thing about it. Following through the charade, she switch on the coffee machine and put in a new filter and waited grabbing the sides of the sink to contain with her hands to hold herself there instead of what she wanted to do. Run out of the office and hide somewhere until over this, this thing. She would not name it. No, that would be even worse.

Denial was still available to her and it was working. She just got thrown a curve ball. Who would have guessed that Patrick…no Jane would have to change his shirt this morning because Rigsby bumped into him when he was holding his tea and that he had no problem doing said activity in the bull pen with the rest of them there discreetly turning their heads in the semblance of privacy. And could she really be blamed that she saw everything in the reflection of her computer's monitor. No.

Yet it didn't help her in the slightest that the memory was now burned into her mind and every time her eyes closed the image would pop up. God he was hot! Like a sinful angel full of sweetness and temptation. Did she mention hot? Blonde wave hairs that Grace wanted to run her hand threw continuously and see how soft it really was and the eyes! Blue oceanic eyes that were made for drowning in.

For over a year she had worked with Jane and although she noted that he was a very attractive man she had never considered him as a potential something other than a co-worker that had the habit of winding her up on a daily bases with his 'tricks of the trade'. However, a week ago she experienced a weird fluttering in her stomach when he was near by – she put it down to a on-coming cold or flu bug. The sensation persisted so as a trained detective, Grace decided to gather the facts and find where the evidence was pointing too.

Exhibit A – Rigsby dating the recently graduated nurse they had all meet at the local hospital on the last case had turned into a serious relationship. Van Pelt had considered that she might be a bit peeved that Rigsby had clearly moved on when he had made in obvious that he had some affection to towards her. What did she do? Nothing – no righteous anger appeared when his date turned up at work. In fact she remember making Amy a coffee and having a friendly chat until he finished up work. Then whispered a congratulations as they headed out.

Exhibit B – She had been caught staring. Several times. And she could tell it was freaking Jane out which in a way was fun (because it was a taste of his own medicine) but it was leading her into dangerous territory. It was like her own body was not obeying her commands – yes he had a nice backside that should be appreciated especially when he worn his black pair of trousers. Yummy. Or his fingers were the finest she had ever seen and wondered what other tricks they might be used for. It had come to the point when she had categorised each part of his delicious body but her eyes would still not stop staring.

Exhibit C – She basically ran out of the office just now not caring who or what she came into contact to escape the sight of Patrick Jane buttoning up his clean shirt. Van Pelt prayed to God that no one had seen too much of frantic flight. Lisbon was in her office and Cho had his nose in book again plus Rigsby back had been facing her.

A sense of relief filled her and slowly but surely the erratic drumming of her heart began to mellow into a normal beat. She was ninety-nine per cent certain that no one would realise her discomfort. That meant no uncomfortable questions. Especially the ones where Jane would start asking and she would try to be evasive and then pieces of the puzzle would gather and super-hero consultant would fit them together…busting Van Pelt on her secret crush …

Oh no she said crush. Only in her head but still!! The denial route was now closed off to her. Stupid mind!

"Grace, are you ok?"

A hand gently placed on her back made her jump a foot in the air and spin around. Her red hair flying into her face and obscuring the view of a concern Jane looking at her intently.

"What? Oh, yeah…fine…peachy" she quickly stated with a strained voice. "Coffee?" She could feel her face going red once more; it was times like these she hated being fair skinned. Pushing down the butterflies in her stomach, Grace focussed on making her belated coffee.

"No thanks." He smiled at her thoughtfulness but still unsure at her actions. They were jumpy, skittish like a new foal testing out legs for the first time. It intrigued him.

"Sure?"

"Yes Grace." He cocked his head to the side and stared trying to figure it out. The curiosity was bubbling within him. "How are you feeling though?"

With her back towards him Van Pelt scrunch her eyes up in frustration at her bad luck today. If this morning was anything to go by it wasn't going to be a good day. Suck it up detective! You have work to do.

She turned around with a smile that she hope did not look fake or strained and said, "Sorry Jane. Had a bad night sleep and kinda out of it."

Oh god! She hated her brain! The image of her bedroom with Patrick Jane in it was swimming around. Bad, very bad! Her face blushing brightly once more.

"Hmm", Jane agreed with her outwardly but he knew that wasn't the complete true and this new fidgety Van Pelt had captured his wandering attention. There was definitely something lying underneath the surface. His blue eyes stared at her intently and when her guarded green ones met his he found himself lost in them. The colour was striking in this light – like cut emeralds. Fascinating.

"Has Lisbon dealt us our tasks for the day?" Grace asked politely trying to break out of the staring match.

Jane smiled mischeviously. "Yes she has", he said in a cheerful tone and started to head out. This was going to be an interesting day.

Grace shook her head and followed him. Never a straight answer.

He popped his head back into the kitchen and gave a wink in her direction. "You and I have to interview the decease's wife. Find out about any dirty secrets that she might have."

Her smile dropped the moment he was out of the room. Grace glanced at the ceiling and whispered "Do you hate me?"

Xxx

Author's Note - After reading so many good mentalist fanfics I decided to give it a go with my favourite pairing. I apologise for any grammer errors especially lack of commas since my comma buttoning is on strike!