The Bucket List (The Mentalist)

6.

6. Get A Tattoo

Since the day Teresa Lisbon learned how to juggle, her team noticed the thing that was going on between their boss and her consultant. Of course they have noticed before, they have been pretty obviously in love with each other, at least in the eyes of Grace Van Pelt, Wayne Rigsby and Kimball Cho. But from that particular day on they weren't as secretive anymore. There was a lot of teasing going on. Exchanged glances that lasted just a few seconds too long to be meant in a friendly way. Innocent touches, hands on backs or bumps with shoulders that happened just a slight bit too often to be as innocent as they were meant to be. All in all, they flirted with each other and everyone who had eyes and at least some sense for the human mind could see that.

Jane and Lisbon, however, despite of the obvious signs they were sending each other, did not quite dare to believe that the other one might feel the same way yet. That was why when Jane whispered a "Tonight. 5 pm. Your place." in her ear she tried her best to ignore the shiver that ran over her whole body and told herself that this was just about her list and nothing else. He was just doing his duty, giving her the best birthday present she has every received. As soon as that list ends he'll go back to his problems, his thoughts again and will only spend half as much of the time with her as he did currently. Lisbon swallowed hard and forced that thought to grow bigger in her head. She had to make sure not to get her hopes up, she knew how horribly wrong that could go. But all this focusing on building up her guard meant nothing as soon as she risked one look at him, standing there. He was glowing,  his hair was shining in the light, his face was beaming and so were his eyes. And then his eyes found hers and for a matter of a second the right corner of his mouth rose and everything she ever told herself not to do was forgotten.

Lisbon couldn't help but smile back and then looked down on the ground, cursing herself mentally for being such a child. Patrick noticed her behaviour and smirked, his boss was extremely adorable and if he could, all he would do would be watching her. While examining the cold, dead body on the ground in front of them she had a hard time to focus on her work because of that gorgeous set of hair bouncing around and that charming smile knocking her out everytime it was directed at her. And deep inside her mind Teresa was shaking her head at herself, surprised about how much she let a man control her head.

~°~

Teresa Lisbon was trying very hard to read a book but couldn't quite make her mind concentrate on reading and understanding the words on the pages. Her eyes constantly flickered over to the watch on the wall and every time they did so she shook her head in disappointment of herself. She would never admit that to herself or to anyone but deep inside she was excited and very happy to see him again. Teresa couldn't wait to see what he had planned and she just wanted to be in his presence again. Being near him made her feel a certain way she hadn't been feeling for a long time. Butterflies started to do sommer saults in her stomach and her body tingled when he touched her. The way he talked and moved and simply the way he behaved made her smile and time always passed way too fast when spent with him.

Of course, those feelings didn't develop during the last few days. She knew him for about 8 years now and she would lie if she'd say that his charm haven't had any effect on her in the years she worked with him. Jane knew what he, his words and actions could do to a woman and he certainly knew what they could do to his boss and it was only because she actually started to show signs of liking him back, that he thought and sometimes even got anxious about his actions. Basically, before both of them realised their feelings for the other one, flirting was so much easier.

A familiar knock on the door startled her and made her snap out of her thoughts. Teresa shook her head while she got up. She even knew him by the way he knocked on her door, this was getting ridiculous. "Hello Jane." she greeted him after she opened the door and her consultant smiled back at her, a paper bag in his right hand. "What a wonderful day, Lisbon." was all the man sighed as he stepped into his partner's house. Immediately, he walked into her living room, behaving just like he has moved around this house for ever. Lisbon had to surpress a smile upon seeing him like that. She closed the door behind him and then followed Jane into her living room where he currently was taking out things from his bag.