Rubik's Cube

"In exactly three minutes, the toast will be ready." Cobie didn't look up as Lisbon walked into the room.

"Good, but why aren't you dressed yet? You know we have to leave soon if we don't want to be late."

"Time is a human invention, but it isn't defined by anything real," replied Cobie, busy at work on a Rubik's cube.

It was best not to reply, thought Lisbon as she put the kettle to boil. Coffee was definitely needed. She glanced out of the window at the light rain. The weather had been detestable lately, colder than the past winter, and just as wet. The toast popped up with a sproing and Cobie came running in.

"That was two minutes and thirty-three seconds. I timed it. The toaster is faulty."

"The toaster isn't faulty. It's probably just not set to exactly three minutes. Why don't you finish your puzzle whilst I prepare breakfast?"

"The Rubik's cube. I did finish it. Two minutes and thirty-one seconds." Cobie grabbed the pieces of toast from the toaster, and inspected them.

"What are you doing?" asked Lisbon.

"I'm checking to see if both sides are toasted equally," replied Cobie. "Yes, mostly, they are. This toaster is not so bad."

The rain was still lightly drizzling as Lisbon hurried a reluctant Cobie into the car, Rubik's cube in hand. 

"Did you really need to take that thing?" asked Lisbon, as she rustled through her purse to find the car keys.

"Yes."

"Fine, fine.. Make sure your seatbelt is fastened, please. Oh, is that the time already?" She located the keys and started the car just as the rain was letting up. A faint sliver of sunshine was peeking tentatively through the thick, grey mass of clouds, and she thought she just might cheer up a bit if the weather continued to turn in that direction. The car eased through the streets. There was relatively no traffic, and they passed no red lights. Things were perking up somewhat.

"Right, remember what we talked about last night?" asked Lisbon.

"No. At night, we have to sleep. We don't talk."

"In the evening, I meant."

"At what time?"

"Look, I don't know what time exactly. That's not the point. Remember what I told you about how to behave today?"

"Be quiet, and no running around. Except if there's a fire. If there's a fire, I have to tell someone, and pull the alarm, then leave the building. Our teacher told us. If there's a fire, you can shout."

They arrived at the CBI offices and Lisbon parked the car.

"Just remember the important things: no running around, and no asking people lots of questions, understand?" Lisbon got out of the car, and went to open the rear door. 

"Let's go," she said.

"I think maybe I can stay in here. I don't want to go," said Cobie.

"No, no staying in the car. Come on, let's go, I'm late already!" She tried to undo Cobie's seatbelt, but she resisted and fought back.

"I don't want to go in there!"

A voice by her side made her jump. "Having a little trouble, Lisbon?" 

She turned around to face Patrick Jane, who grinned at her most amiably. "I can deal with this, Jane." She turned back to the car, where Cobie was decidedly not moving.

"Right, I'm going to count to three.." 

"What will happen when you reach three?" asked Jane.

"Jane, I don't need your snarky comments."

"I was just wondering, is all. It's usually more effective if there's a consequence involved.."

Lisbon ignored him. "One.."

Cobie was also ignoring them both.

"Two.."

"She's not going to come out. You need a different approach," said Jane.

"Yes, because you're an expert on young-" Lisbon's voice trailed off. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"It's fine." Jane was still smiling, and he seemed unaffected, but Lisbon knew from experience how to detect the small changes in his facial expressions, and he had been hurt.

"Do you want to try and get her out of the car? Please?" 

Jane walked to the other side of the car and got in. "Hi, I'm Patrick Jane. What's your name?"

"Cobie."

"That's a nice name. Can I see that?" Jane asked, gesturing to the Rubik's cube.

"It's a Rubik's cube. Can you solve it?" 

"If I solve it, will you come inside the building?"

"All right. If you solve it."

Lisbon peered inside. "Well? What are you doing? You were meant to help me."

"Lisbon! So little faith. Trust me. We'll be inside in no time."

"Are you playing with her?"

Jane grinned at her as he deftly moved the cube components around. "Trust me, Lisbon." After a few more moves, he triumphantly held the cube up for her to see. "All finished!" 

"And how does that he-" Lisbon's sentence was cut short as Cobie got out of the car.

"Just so you know, I don't want to be here and I'm not happy about this," said Cobie.

"It's just for today, Cobie," replied Lisbon. "You'll be fine."