FIC: Open Book (1/1)
Title: Open Book
Author: tromana
Prompt #: 6. Book
Prompt table: D
Fandom: The Mentalist
Rating: PG-13
Character/Pairing: Jane/Lisbon
Word count: 528
Disclamer: The Mentalist is not mine.
Summary: Same old argument, different day.
Notes: Written for the dailyfics comm challenge. Day 6.
Open Book
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” Jane whispered into her ear. “You really are like an open book, woman. Was he really that creepy?”
A frown began to knit its way across her pretty features and Jane slowly began to realise just how much that phrase insulted her. He didn’t mean it that way; he appreciated her honesty, the fact that Lisbon didn’t feel the need to hide a secret within a secret within yet another secret. It was refreshing to the man who feels that his whole life is one giant lie and grounded him somewhat. Jane hated it when she looked at him with that little, hurt expression of hers, the one where she obviously felt like she had been wounded.
“I am not…” she started, before shaking her head and walking away. “You know what? I don’t care what you think.”
Truth of the matter was, that they both knew she did. And that was the crux of the problem. Her frown tightened and Jane was fairly certain that it was going to be a permanent feature for the rest of the day. Jane winced as her office door slammed firmly shut but that didn’t stop him opening it and following her in. She was already sitting at her desk, staring angrily at her computer screen, typing furiously. Lisbon didn’t even bother to glance up when Jane walked in; she was used to his invasions of privacy. Perhaps too used to it. Quickly, she disregarded the thought. After all, she doubted she could ever teach him the meaning of the word ‘boundaries’.
“Lisbon, I didn‘t mean to…”
“Didn’t mean to what, Jane?” she snapped while pinching the bridge of her nose to try and ward off the oncoming headache. “You know what? Just forget it.”
“But…”
“I said forget it,” she repeated. “Now, unlike some people, I have work to do. So unless you can think of something useful to say, I suggest you leave.”
Jane sighed and shuffled out. Lisbon’s stubborn streak had obviously stuck in so there was no way she would listen to any apology he could come out with. Come morning, she would forgive him, she always did, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t help matters along. The team didn’t question him as he darted around the bullpen and briefly left the headquarters altogether. Nor did they bother asking about the sly smile that traced across his lips when he was done and back lying on his couch, as if he had been up to nothing at all. When Lisbon left the headquarters that night, she felt significantly calmer than she had during the day. It had helped that Jane had been sensible for a change and avoided her since their disagreement. She wasn’t really angry with him, not anymore anyway.
Jane watched from the window as Lisbon approached her car. He smiled to himself as he saw her whole body language loosen and relax. Obviously, she was happy. At least he was still useful for something. And yes, she definitely was like an open book if he could tell how she was feeling from this far away.
end
Author: tromana
Prompt #: 6. Book
Prompt table: D
Fandom: The Mentalist
Rating: PG-13
Character/Pairing: Jane/Lisbon
Word count: 528
Disclamer: The Mentalist is not mine.
Summary: Same old argument, different day.
Notes: Written for the dailyfics comm challenge. Day 6.
Open Book
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” Jane whispered into her ear. “You really are like an open book, woman. Was he really that creepy?”
A frown began to knit its way across her pretty features and Jane slowly began to realise just how much that phrase insulted her. He didn’t mean it that way; he appreciated her honesty, the fact that Lisbon didn’t feel the need to hide a secret within a secret within yet another secret. It was refreshing to the man who feels that his whole life is one giant lie and grounded him somewhat. Jane hated it when she looked at him with that little, hurt expression of hers, the one where she obviously felt like she had been wounded.
“I am not…” she started, before shaking her head and walking away. “You know what? I don’t care what you think.”
Truth of the matter was, that they both knew she did. And that was the crux of the problem. Her frown tightened and Jane was fairly certain that it was going to be a permanent feature for the rest of the day. Jane winced as her office door slammed firmly shut but that didn’t stop him opening it and following her in. She was already sitting at her desk, staring angrily at her computer screen, typing furiously. Lisbon didn’t even bother to glance up when Jane walked in; she was used to his invasions of privacy. Perhaps too used to it. Quickly, she disregarded the thought. After all, she doubted she could ever teach him the meaning of the word ‘boundaries’.
“Lisbon, I didn‘t mean to…”
“Didn’t mean to what, Jane?” she snapped while pinching the bridge of her nose to try and ward off the oncoming headache. “You know what? Just forget it.”
“But…”
“I said forget it,” she repeated. “Now, unlike some people, I have work to do. So unless you can think of something useful to say, I suggest you leave.”
Jane sighed and shuffled out. Lisbon’s stubborn streak had obviously stuck in so there was no way she would listen to any apology he could come out with. Come morning, she would forgive him, she always did, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t help matters along. The team didn’t question him as he darted around the bullpen and briefly left the headquarters altogether. Nor did they bother asking about the sly smile that traced across his lips when he was done and back lying on his couch, as if he had been up to nothing at all. When Lisbon left the headquarters that night, she felt significantly calmer than she had during the day. It had helped that Jane had been sensible for a change and avoided her since their disagreement. She wasn’t really angry with him, not anymore anyway.
Jane watched from the window as Lisbon approached her car. He smiled to himself as he saw her whole body language loosen and relax. Obviously, she was happy. At least he was still useful for something. And yes, she definitely was like an open book if he could tell how she was feeling from this far away.
end