Disclaimer: I don't own "The Mentalist."

Summary: After a surprising comment on an evaluation report, Jane starts taking his usual teasing of Lisbon to new heights. But how much of it is actually a joke? Jisbon. Rated T for overall suggestiveness.

A/N: Hi everyone! After finishing "Love Letters" I felt the need to get some lighter writing in. This story is pretty fluffy, and gives the characters (and me) a break from all the finale-related angst. It'll contain few if any spoilers, and a definite silliness factor. This first chapter is mainly set-up; please let me know what you think.

Under the Rose

Chapter 1: Outside Opinion

Lisbon sat at her desk that Friday afternoon, thinking fondly of the weekend ahead. There were no last-minute cases, and while she loved her work she was looking forward to a couple of days to herself. Especially after the week she and the rest of the team had just had.

This Monday morning had brought with it a small, mousey woman in glasses named Judith Paige. Without warning, she announced that it was her task this week to record the annual evaluation of each member of the Serious Crimes Unit team, and then the team as a whole. She'd followed them to crime scenes, attended witness interviews, and spent time in the bullpen, always quiet and usually writing in her notebook.

Lisbon wasn't thrilled by the woman's presence, but as the Agent-in-charge she tried to be as helpful to Ms. Paige as possible. As she expected, Cho was completely professional, Rigsby was tactfully polite, and VanPelt was downright friendly. Only Jane caused any trouble. In fact, when his antics went particularly haywire one day in the interrogation room, Lisbon was certain he was trying to get them all suspended.

But at last the week was up. Ms. Paige had come into the office with a copy of her report for Lisbon to read over, then left. Lisbon knew she needed to go over it before she went home, but it wasn't until a few hours later that she'd finished her other paperwork.

She opened the file, and began skimming the individual team member evaluations first.

Cho, Kimball: …Professional, highly effective interrogator. Has earned numerous merit citations. Criminal past occasionally results in internal conflict…

Jane, Patrick: …Extremely intelligent, wildly unpredictable consultant. Has been the subject of numerous written complaints. Closed-case ratio main point in his favor…

Lisbon, Teresa: …Hard-working, intelligent team leader. Has earned numerous valor citations. Was promoted young, but has proved worthy of added responsibility…

Rigsby, Wayne: …Knowledgeable former arson specialist. Asks pertinent questions and has been injured multiple times in devoted performance of duty…

VanPelt, Grace: …Newest member of the unit. Shows excellent information gathering skills and utilizes computer resources with high speed and accuracy…

Serious Crimes Unit: Overall, well-balanced and well-led team. Has the highest closed-case ratio in the CBI. Also has the highest number of complaints filed, as well as periodic lawsuits.

So far, nothing in the report had surprised Lisbon. All of the information, positive and negative, was nothing new to her or her superiors, as far as she knew. She was about to sign off on the report, when she saw some text in the "Additional Comments" box. Now that was unusual, so she took a moment to read it.

Additional Comments: Deep, sub-rosa chemistry and sexual tension between Agent Lisbon and Patrick Jane. Taking official punitive action is likely unnecessary, due to Mr. Jane's consultant status, but possible impropriety may eventually occur.

Lisbon was stunned. What the hell was she talking about? She stared at the pair of sentences for a few minutes, then opened her office door and shouted, "Jane! Get in here!"

A few moments later, Jane wandered in and flopped unceremoniously on her couch. "What's wrong, Lisbon? Usually when you want to yell at me you come out in the bullpen so everyone can hear," he said with a smile.

"Shut up and read this, Jane," Lisbon said, shoving the report over towards him.

He glanced at the various pages and shrugged. "Looks pretty standard to me. Almost exactly like last year's evaluation, in fact. What's the problem?"

"The problem? Try reading the additional comments box, Jane. Then you can tell me."

Jane read it and his eyes widened. "Ah. I see what you mean."

"Well, why don't you enlighten me, then. What does 'sub-rosa' mean?" she asked.

"Hm, 'sub-rosa' is a fussy, old-fashioned Latin term. Literally it means 'under the rose,' but it came to refer to something that was hidden or a secret."

"Hidden chemistry and sexual tension? Possible impropriety? Where did she get that idea, Jane? Were you making inappropriate comments when I wasn't around?"

"What? Of course not! Well, maybe… but no more so than usual. Maybe it was something you did," he teased.

"Oh sheep dip. I know this is your fault somehow," Lisbon snapped.

"Come on Lisbon, it takes two to tango," Jane countered, snickering.

"Okay, get out and go home. That's enough of dealing with you for the week. We can address this Monday morning. Because I was certainly not aware of any chemistry or sexual tension between us."

"Seriously, Lisbon? That's what you're going with as your excuse?"

"That's what I was planning on saying to my superiors if questioned, yes. Why, what would you say?"

"I would say that I wasn't aware that it was a secret," Jane said, and darted out of her office door before she could speak.

Lisbon felt her forehead hit her desk. What had she gotten herself into this time?

Jane smiled to himself; this had to wait until Monday, hmm? Oh, Lisbon was in for a week she'd never forget.

To Be Continued…