Sequel to my fics "Food For Thought" and "A Mockingbird In A Fir Tree".

It starts immediately, where the last story stopped and won't make much sense without knowledge of the previous stories. This applies at least to "A Mockingbird In A Fir Tree".

This is the third part of a bigger story arc, I'm currently working on.

"Making A Night Of It" will turn into Jane/Lisbon romance in later chapters with explicit sexual content.

Mentions of child abuse.

It's rather fluffy at time, angsty at other… and maybe a bit OOC, though I try...

AU after "Blood Feud".

I really appreciate reviews. They tell me, whether I'm going in the right direction or not. I'm open to both praise and constructive critisism.

I'm neither Bruno Heller, nor William Shakespeare – a pity really, but the truth. Therefore, I do not own their works or characters either. My use of their works however is an expression of my deepest respect.

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The course of true love never did run smooth – William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act1, Scene 2.

Making a night of it

To unpathed waters, undreamed shores. - William Shakespeare, The Winter's Tale, Act 4, Scene 4.

Once inside the Citroën Teresa said, "Well, that was an interesting evening, Jane. Strange, but interesting. You have some very nice friends there. I hope you know that."

He started the engine before he answered fondly, "I sure do, Lisbon. I know how to pick'em. Just look at my present company, if you need any more confirmation."

She shook her head in mock exasperation. "Just drive me home now, hotshot. I'm tired and maybe a tiny bit tipsy as well. My bed sounds like the place to be right now."

"You could be there a lot sooner, if you'd just let me drive the way I usually do, you know," he teased.

"Jaaaaane..." she drawled his name in her usual way, when slightly exasperated at him. "Don't you dare. Can't you behave for once and just do things the way you're supposed to?"

"I was just making a suggestion, Lisbon. No reason to get all worked up, dear. Your wish is my command. I'll crawl at a snail's pace, don't worry. Anything to make you happy." He grinned.

He switched on the radio and found a station playing relaxing classical music. On the way back to the steering wheel he rested his hand on her thigh for a moment and gave it a gently squeeze. "Thanks for coming with me tonight. I hope, it was really alright with you and didn't make you too uncomfortable. I think Andy and Sheila like you."

"Don't worry. Everything's fine and I like them, too," she said and put her hand over his stroking the back of it lightly. She realized that she was really tipsy at that point, because she doubted she would have allowed herself to make such an intimate gesture otherwise. But she'd had the intense urge to touch and comfort him the whole evening and it was very liberating to be able to finally act on it. He didn't seem to mind. On the contrary, he intertwined their fingers and kept his hand in her lap like that for the rest of the drive while she continued her gentle petting.

What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet and hose and leaves off his wit! – William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act 5, Scene 1.

When they arrived at the parking lot outside of Lisbon's appartment complex Teresa got out of the car immediately and went ahead for her door. A moment later she realized with confusion that Jane wasn't by her side or even behind her for that matter. She turned around and saw him still sitting in his car watching her. She frowned and returned to his side, where she opened the door impatiently. "I told you, I'm tired. What the hell are you still doing in that car?"

"Oh, I was just waiting for you to get inside savely before I, you know, drove off again. Just making sure you get home alright," he explained nonchalantly.

"Jaaaane... What's that supposed to mean? Where did you intend to go to in the middle of the night?" she asked angrily.

"Lisbon, please. Let's be honest here. We both know, that I won't catch much sleep tonight. There's no reason, why you should lose yours as well because of it." He cast her a reassuring look. "I'll just go to headquarters, maybe do something productive like figuring out Lorelei's whereabouts or, I don't know, take a look at some of the cold cases again. Doesn't really matter. I'll be fine. You just go inside and sleep. You said you were tired and you do look exhausted."

"Have YOU looked in a mirror lately? No way I'll allow you to be alone tonight in that stupid man-cave of yours. You already spent the whole of last night up solving our case. You will get out of that damn car now and get your ass inside my appartment or help me god, I'll force you to at gunpoint if necessary." She was truly pissed at his obvious disregard for his own well-being, and in her slightly intoxicated state she allowed herself to express her irritation much more clearly than usual.

"You drive a hard bargain there, Lisbon. But let's stay reasonable here. What's the point in both of us having a miserable night?" He tried to reason with her, using a calm, almost mesmeric voice.

"Don't give me that crap, Patrick. Get out of that car right now," she demanded in a tone normally reserved for suspects. For emphasis she opened her purse as if to get out her gun.

He complied, holding his hands up in capitulation. "Sheesh, Lisbon, calm down. No need to turn to violence. And please, keep that gun where it is. You know how I hate those things. Maybe you should sign up for more of those anger management classes. I just wanted you to get a good night's sleep, for heaven's sake. And considering how grumpy you are, you sure need it."

"That's a lie and you know it. You just want to scram because you're afraid of the emotional backlash from the nightmares you expect to have tonight. And you don't want me to witness, what you consider a weakness. But let's not talk about it outside here, where anyone could listen. Let's get inside. And don't you dare try and make a break for it. I still have my purse open, mister. You go ahead. I hope, you have your keys ready. I'll bring up the rear – less chance for you to try anything." Her look was stubborn and full of determination.

"Whatever you want, Agent. You're the one with the gun," he conceded and they made their way into Lisbon's place.

"Now you'll go to the bathroom and get ready for bed. Afterwards you'll come into my bedroom. You got that?" she ordered.

"I get you loud and clear, Lisbon. But don't you think you're going a bit overboard here? And what do you want me in your bedroom for?" he asked baffled.

She glared at him. "I don't trust you further than I can throw you and we both know how far that is. I'll not let you out of my sight tonight. You'll sleep in my bed. It's easily big enough for two. That way you won't be able to dash away the second I fall asleep. I'm a very light sleeper, so chances are slim that you'll get past me," she explained with determination. "Now, off with you – don't forget to brush your teeth."

He rolled his eyes and made a resigned face. "Yes, ma'am. I'll be a good boy and floss as well if that's what you want. But Lisbon, do you really think it approbriate for me to share your bed? Doesn't sound very professional to me, I'm just saying…" He cast her a suggestive look, trying to deter her from her plans that way.

"This stopped being professional a long time ago, Patrick. This isn't about Agent Lisbon and her consultant. This is about Teresa making sure her best friend isn't alone after a tough time this evening." Her eyes flashed stubbornness. "We'll get through this night together, whether you like it or not. And aside from that we have the next two days off anyway, so I don't mind to lose some sleep. I can always take a nap in the afternoon." Her gaze turned warmer, when she added, "Patrick, I care about you. You better get used to it."

"I could always scram, while you're in the bathroom, you know? Or do you intend to invite me to watch you doing your ablutions as well now in the name of friendship?" he asked spitefully, not ready to give up his fight.

"If you think for a second, you'll deter me from my plan by being crass – think again. I know your tricks. You're trying to make me angry, so I'll throw you out. But you won't succeed. So just forget it and spare us both the trouble, alright?" she dared him.

He looked rather defeated and made his way to the bathroom. She waited in her bedroom for him and about ten minutes later he came back, wearing boxer shorts and a t-shirt - his usual attire for the night, when they weren't sleeping out of town during a case. In a hotel-setting he seemed to prefer actual pjs. It warmed her heart, that he was comfortable enough in her immediate presence to forego the more formal sleepwear. Nevertheless she didn't fully trust him not to make a break for it, while she got ready for bed. So she ordered him to sit down on the bed on the side furthest from the door and before he really knew, what was happening, she'd handcuffed him to the head board.

"Teresa, really. That's completely unnecessary. Please stop this nonsense now. I promise, I won't go anywhere," he pleaded. He couldn't believe, she'd actually done that.

"You where the one who started it, Patrick. You threatened to scram while I was in the bathroom. Now live with the consequences. I'll be back in a few minutes. In the meantime make yourself comfortable," she told him in a determined tone.

"Haha, Lisbon, very funny. Come on now. You've proven your point. You're in charge here. I get it. But those things are painful. Do you really want to hurt me?" he whined, trying to appeal to her sympathy.

Completely unimpressed she went to the door and in leaving she said, "You're such a drama-queen, Jane. Don't be such a wussy. I'm sure you'll survive a few more minutes. It'll teach you not to provoke me again."

TBC