Hey Fanfiction! Sorry about the delay and this may come out a little wordy. Sorry about that, but I have a lot of thoughts to portray. And I am sure you do too so REVIEW afterwards, please.

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Disclaimer: I do not own the Mentalist.

In sickness and in health- part 7

It had been four weeks and the rain still hadn't stopped. Lisbon stood by the living room window, a steaming hot mug of coffee cradled in her hands. Looking over the last month, she could recall times when the rain had gotten lighter and almost stopped, almost purposefully. It was like Mother Nature was just trying to play tricks with you, make you think that the rain had stopped for good, so that you'd go outside without an umbrella and immediately get drenched.

The rain was running down the windowpane and hitting the little metal mailbox outside. Lisbon had always loved the rain. From the time she was a little girl it had been her favourite sound. After finally putting her brothers to bed at night, after all the homework was finished and the dinner dishes were put away, when she was tucked up in bed that night, the sound of the rain outside was what finally put her to sleep. On rainy nights it brought a sense of peace, calm and relaxation. Made you feel like everything was going to be all right. Most people felt sad when they thought of rain, but for Lisbon rain only brought happy memories.

Memories like playing in the rain. It was one of her dearest memories, one she was sure would never forget. She could remember that afternoon like it was yesterday. They'd just closed up an arson case and were leaving the family's house. She could remember Jane's hand on the small of her back and then they were out on the porch and it was raining, pouring actually. Just the way it was now. And then they were running in the rain, towards the car. She could remember the huge smile spread across Jane's face, like a child. She adored that smile, mostly because it was just like the one he reserved for her. Her special smile, the one that he only ever shared with her. The one smile that sent butterflies into her stomach and made her heart skip a beat.

"Earth to Lisbon," the sound of Jane's voice interrupted Lisbon's pleasant reverie. She quickly spun around, almost spilling her coffee, and saw Jane standing beside the couch, opposite her window. He had the TV going and was sorting through an interesting looking duffel bag.

"Hmm?"

"Oh nothing dear," his mask of innocence slipping as a teasing smile slowly spread across his face. "I've only been trying to get your attention for the last five minutes. You seemed to have been daydreaming about something happy if the huge smile on your face was anything to go by."

"Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't," Lisbon smiled into her coffee mug smugly.

Jane straightened, raising an eyebrow at her. "Care to share?"

"Nope."

"Interesting. Maybe I'll have to tickle it out of you, then."

"You better not. Anyway what was so urgent that you had to disturb my happy daydream?"

Jane smiled at how he'd been right about the daydream. But as for what it was, he'd have to question her on that later. "Well, I guess you'll have to come over here and see." He gestured to the duffel bag sitting on the floor in front of the couch.

Jane could tell she was questioning what he was about to do. He smiled when he saw her bite her bottom lip, clearly battling her choices between her increasing curiosity and not letting her guard down. She was so cute when she did that.

She stepped forward, putting down her mug, until she was leaning against the back of the couch, peeking over at the bag, still biting her lip. Her gaze flickered to his. "Movies? You brought a bag of movies?"

"Not just movies, but I did bring some."

"Some? It looks like you robbed a video shop!" Her eyes turned serious. "You didn't. Did you?"

"No. But I had to bring enough to last a while considering our deal. Now pick."

Lisbon's eyes scanned the pile of DVD's. Her face looked nervous and unsure like she was embarrassed about her choice. Jane picked up her selection and looked at her:

"What happens in Vegas?"

"What?" she said getting defensive. "Ashton Kutcher is hot."

Jane raised an eyebrow at her girly tone. "Is he? I hadn't noticed." Then he turned to put the disc in. "Sit down." When he had finally turned back to the couch, he found her standing exactly where she had been before.

"You laughed at me," she explained with a pouting face, the very one that he so loved. Jane had to take a few seconds before he said anything, so he could contain his laughter.

"And I am sorry," he said lying down on the couch. "Now come here and I'll make it up to you by honouring you with my presence."

"No," she huffed, crossing her arms and staying frozen where she was.

Stubbornness was certainly one of Lisbon's most adorable traits. Or at least in Jane's eyes. Watching her standing there in her own stubbornness made it impossible for him not to smile. So he couldn't help it when a low chuckle escaped his lips. "You're going to miss the movie, my stubborn little minx."

It took all she had to stop her cheeks from reddening at the sound of one of her (secretly, because she'd never admit it,) favourite nicknames. Unfortunately no matter how hard she tried she could not cease the smile that dangerously crept out from the corners of her mouth. Jane laughed out loud at the sight of Lisbon trying hard not to keep her weakening glare intact. His infectious laugh echoing through the house as Lisbon regained control over her facial expression and scowled at him.

"Shut up Jane. I don't have to listen to anything you say. I'd remember that this my house and my rul—" Jane knew where this was headed, so before she really did miss the movie he reached out, caught her wrist and pulled her over the back of the couch with him. Lisbon landed right on top of Jane, with a soft thud. Lying face down against his chest, foreheads only inches apart, Jane leant forward to whisper in her ear with a voice of mock innocence. "Oops." But Lisbon didn't seem to hear. She was already too wrapped up in the beginning of her choice movie that she didn't even make a move to shift off of her consultant.

Jane looked up at Lisbon, the woman resting comfortably against him. He followed the way her hair was sprawled across her forehead, how the light of the television sent an almost angelic glow across her features and the way her eyes, hypnotized by her favourite movie, sparkled under dark lashes. It made her look lovely.

He hadn't expected this, not at all. Instead he'd fully expected Lisbon to yell and punch him. He had certainly expected her to move off him afterwards. But so she stayed and it was… nice? Jane hadn't been this close to a woman in years. And it scared him a bit. Lying there watching this particular woman subconsciously shifting closer to him, nuzzling her head softly under his chin, to make herself more comfortable, it gave him a strange feeling. Not necessarily a bad feeling, but a strange one. It was something he hadn't felt in a long time and there was a peculiar fluttering in his stomach too. Only he couldn't identify what it was. That normally never happened with Patrick Jane. It intrigued him.

Pulling a fluffy quilt over them, Jane felt an unexpected pang of satisfaction as Lisbon snuggled in closer to Jane's side. He was in awe the way Lisbon was when she was relaxed like this. Watching her, so calm and at peace, happy, Jane liked the sight of a more at ease Lisbon than a stressed one. Although he liked teasing her, he liked seeing Lisbon content and happy more. He had always known that he caused Lisbon stress; that her future wrinkles and her huge piles of paperwork were his fault. Only now was he deciding to do something about it. Yes, he was definitely going to want to see more of this Lisbon.

Carefully resting his chin atop her head, Jane took in the scent of her cinnamon flavoured hair. It was a mystery even to him how after being so sick Lisbon still managed to smell so good. Lisbon needed to relax more often and during her house arrest he was going to get her to do just that.

Comments? Yes, it took longer than I had anticipated to write this one.. Late Christmas present anyone? Please review!

-jamhead