Since it's march break and I have an excess amount of time on my hands, I've started this multi-chapter fic. Updates for this story should be more frequent than my usual, thank goodness. :)

Spoilers for 4x17 so don't read on unless you've seen the episode!

Sententious Subterfuge

"These past two days have confirmed something for me. I think Patrick Jane is a cunning, manipulative, sociopath."

Lisbon froze in place, not sure if she' heard correctly. With her coffee cup forgotten in her hand, she inched closer to Wainwright's office.

"I think he's working hand-in-hand with Red John."

It was at this point that Lisbon remembered her coffee, having almost lost her grip on it completely. She grabbed hold of it with two hands, trying to steady the shaking.

"If it's true we're taking him down. And you can help or you can go down with him. I'm sorry to be so blunt but that's the FBI perspective. You deserve full disclosure"

Oh no. Oh no, no, no, Lisbon thought. How could Jane have been so naïve as to think that Darcy wouldn't go after this as hard as she could? Lisbon could only hope that Wainwright would stand by his employee, wouldn't give in to such blatant coercion.

"Yes I see. Well you can count on my full cooperation."

His full cooperation. Wainwright would be cooperating fully with the FBI. In their investigation of Jane. Lisbon really did drop her coffee then. The loud clatter of her mug hitting the hardwood floor alerted everyone nearby to her presence. She picked up her mug, blessedly intact, and hurried off in search of a mop.

xxx

How was she going to fix this? Lisbon sat behind her desk, staring ahead but not seeing that Jane had entered her office. He walked languidly over to her couch and sat down, eyeing her curiously. She said nothing, she did nothing. How was she going to fix this?

Should she tell him? Surely that would be the best thing to do; he'd know what to do. But he never took anything for what it warranted. And this warranted concern. She could hear him now: Not to worry dear Lisbon, she won't be able to prove a thing. Lisbon wasn't so sure. All those things he'd done in an attempt to get closer to Red John could be easily twisted around and used as evidence to prove that he was already there.

"Lisbon?" Jane asked. His intonation suggested that he'd been trying to get her attention for quite some time.

"Huh?" Lisbon muttered, stirring from her reverie. "Jane, when did you get here? I thought I locked the door…"

"No, you didn't," Jane said. His concern showed in his eyes as he got up from his couch and sat in one of the chairs in front of her desk. "Lisbon, why don't you tell me what's bothering you? It would make my job a lot easier."

"No, nothing's bothering me," Lisbon said. She mentally pulled herself together, drawing a mask of calm to her features. "So what can I do for you Jane?"

"You can stop avoiding my question," Jane said, a frown beginning to set up shop along his brow.

"Seriously Jane," Lisbon said. Grabbing some files and straightening them, she tried to look busy and impatient. It nearly worked too. "I don't have time for your games right now. Either say what you came to say or go do something productive, like you job perhaps?"

"Snarky, I see. Okay Lisbon, you win this round," Jane said as he got up from his chair. "But I will find out what's going on. I always do."

Lisbon just grimaced. It was true. With that, he left her office and her thoughts swirled faster in her mind. It felt like there was a hurricane in her head, going a mile a minute. She wouldn't be able to keep this from Jane that much she knew. Would it be better for him to figure it out on his own or for her to tell him? She didn't think it would really make a difference. But it wouldn't do for them to talk about it here. For all she knew, Darcy had already bugged the bullpen and tapped their phones. Okay, maybe she was being slightly paranoid but better safe than sorry. Besides, it's not paranoia if they're really after you. Or in this case, Jane.

xxx

"Jane?" Lisbon asked softly. She was half hoping that he really was sleeping on his couch. Her coat was draped over her forearm, shielding her from his scrutiny.

"Why Lisbon, ready to share?" Jane asked, his eyes still shut.

"Come to dinner with me," Lisbon spluttered. It came out rushed and hushed, as if she didn't really want to say those words out loud. If she were being honest, she really didn't.

"Pardon?" Jane asked. At this, he opened his eyes and sat up straight. Upon opening, his eyes squinted again, looking for signs of deception and fraud.

"Come. To. Dinner. With. Me," Lisbon said slowly. She looked at the ground for a moment, taking strength from it before taking his stare in a stronghold. "I'm not taking no for an answer, now get up and grab your coat. We have reservations."

"I think I like this new side of you Lisbon," Jane said with a grin. "Now, not that I'm not looking forward to you trying to seduce me over a meal, but I'm not that easy Lisbon."

"So you think," Lisbon teased. "But you haven't been seduced by me before."

"No, you're right," Jane admitted. "Well, I'm looking forward to it."

"Good," Lisbon said. She put her coat on and started walking away without him. "Let's go."

The drive to the restaurant was a long one, Lisbon didn't want any tails. She was sure to take the most indirect route to the restaurant. They had time before the reservations she'd set up earlier. This didn't go unnoticed by Jane, who spent the entire car ride trying to get into her head and figure out what her plan was. It didn't work. For every manipulation tactic, she had a breezy comment ready to go. He didn't stand a chance; she'd been planning it all afternoon.

"Okay Jane, enough with the twenty questions, we're here," Lisbon said as she took her keys out of the ignition. "This isn't an interrogation."

"Then what is it?" Jane asked. Lisbon had asked herself this very question and so, without skipping a beat, she replied.

"A date."

Thoughts? I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I happen to be really excited for this story. Leave a review? It would make up for the lack of snow on the ground outside. Sigh. That stuff's the best. :)