Socks

Teresa Lisbon browsed the shelves, running her fingers along the many products, scarves, gloves, hats...

The small shop set in the heart of Washington sold a lot of hand-made merchandise, and many were one-off, unique pieces. Lisbon smiled sadly as she saw a small carving of a man holding a little girl's hand. Something Patrick Jane would never get to do again with his little girl, Charlotte.

Lisbon returned to her hunt through the woollen products, though she wasn't sure what she was searching for. All she knew was that she wanted it to be something special, something that would show how much she cared, even after two years apart. Something unique, like him.

She felt odd, as she wandered round the cosy shop. She had quit her position as Police Chief three days earlier, and walking round Washington in clothes that wasn't her uniform felt strange, but in a good way. She hated that uniform, much preferring her skinny jeans and blouses. She even preferred her smart pant suits over that uniform.

Skyler's Trinkets was owned by a woman in her mid-thirties called Skyler Francis, and she'd taken over from her mother, who had also been called Skyler. Lisbon sighed. She'd learnt a lot about the lives of the people in Washington, partly due to Lisbon not having a lot of work to do, and partly due to the town's inability to keep anything secret.

Lisbon looked up as Skyler walked over, her blonde hair pulled up into a tight ponytail and tired circles beneath her eyes. Her toddler mustn't be sleeping well, Lisbon mused, immediately squishing the thought as it sounded a little too much like a Jane thought. Skyler smiled gently as she approached the petite brunette.

"Chief Lisbon," She greeted Lisbon gently. Skyler was a gentle woman, never raising her voice or getting angry with anyone. Lisbon smiled in return.

"Not the Chief anymore, Skyler. Just plain old Teresa Lisbon now." Lisbon corrected her, glancing at the shelf again. Skyler followed her gaze with a serene smile.

"Looking for something special, Teresa?" She asked. Lisbon jumped, shrugging as best she could.

"I... I'm not sure."

Skyler smiled again. She wasn't stupid, far from it. There were several stories surrounding the mystery that was Chief Lisbon. Most of them were idiotic, including the ones that claimed she was gay or a robot. The more realistic ones were that she had a romantic interest that was secret, or she'd lost her love somehow. Skyler had always leant towards the final theory, as the brunette always had a heartbroken glimmer in her eyes. Now, however, she seemed happier, almost giddy, and the heartbroken glimmer had almost completely vanished. Skyler bit her lip, refraining from grinning like an idiot.

"Okay. I'm going to assume its someone special then. Is there something they'd particularly like?"

"Uh..." Lisbon looked a little lost so Skyler decided to help a little more.

"Or... Is there something they need that some people wouldn't notice?"

Lisbon thought hard. Well, what was different about the new Jane? He didn't wear a vest, but she knew he had left it off through choice, so getting him a new one would be pointless. So... What about socks?! He'd looked a little uncomfortable throughout the case, shifting his feet every so often. He didn't have shoelaces either, but this shop didn't sell them. So... socks it was then.

She turned to Skyler, smiling happily. "Uh, do you sell any socks?" She asked, blushing a little. Skyler didn't say a word, just pointed to a selection of handmade woollen socks with another serene smile.

Lisbon looked at the selection carefully. Which ones should she buy? She eyed each option speculatively. Jane was... It wasn't that he was difficult to buy for, just that she wanted something special, something to show she cared. Skyler had helped decide what she should buy, and now she just had to decide on the colour.

Suddenly, she spotted a pair of extremely pale green socks, soft and warm. They matched the colour of Jane's eyes perfectly. She picked them up gently. Yes, she decided, these ones were perfect.

Taking the socks up to the counter, Lisbon smiled. Jane would love them, she was sure of it. Skyler smiled knowingly as she rang it up, and Lisbon payed for it. Skyler placed the socks in a paper bag before handing them over to Lisbon.

"Teresa." She called after Lisbon, making her turn around.

"What?"

"Good luck." Skyler smiled as Lisbon left the shop, stepping out into the cool air of the street.

She placed the purchase in her purse just as a federal SUV pulled up, Abbott in the driver's seat. She couldn't wait to see Jane's face when she gave him them!