Author's Note: I would really appreciate any reviews so that I can work on improving my writing! Also, feel free to leave any suggests as to what direction you would like to see this story go. Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I wish...

Patrick Jane walked in to the CBI headquarters early Monday morning hoping that he would be able to catch a nap on his comfortable leather couch before the rest of the team came in for their regular work day, not that any work day was ever regular at the CBI mind you. As he rounded the corner and approached the bullpen he could feel his eyelids drooping and he was really looking forward to some alone time and maybe, just maybe, being able to actually sleep for once.

Ever since his wife and daughter had been killed by Red John he hadn't been able to sleep more than a couple hours at a time because every time he closed his eyes he would revisit the scene where he opened the door and found them butchered and bloody in front of his eyes. He would always wake up in a panic and have to fight to keep the tears at bay; crying wouldn't help them anyways. The only thing that kept him going was the thought of someday catching up with the serial killer and making him pay for what he had done. Jane was starting to lose sight of this objective though because what with all the events that were occurring in the office as of late, he hadn't had much of a chance to review the case files and see if there was anything from one of the previous cases that might help him find the killer, any clue he might have missed. It also didn't help that Red John had chosen this particular time to lay low; Red John hadn't killed anyone since Bosco and his team were found dead inside the CBI building itself. That thought made Jane a little bit wary. It meant that Red John must be planning something- something big and Jane was quite certain that he did not want to know what it was.

Jane shook his head slightly in the attempt to clear it of his thoughts. He meant to be trying to catch up on a little sleep rather than thinking about how best to catch Red John. There would be plenty of time to think about that later. Today he had more important things to think about. Jane removed his jacket and lay down on the couch, using it as a makeshift blanket while he napped. He was just settling in and feeling sleep threaten to envelop him when he heard a rustling sound coming from the hallway. He decided that the safest thing to do would be to keep feigning sleep because he really wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone right now.

The footsteps grew louder as the newcomer approached Jane's couch but he didn't open his eyes to check who it was. His other sense felt a little bit heightened and he thought that he could smell a hint of cinnamon before he heard the footsteps slowly fading away towards the other end of the long room.

'Lisbon is here early,' he thought to himself. He was quite glad that she didn't try to talk to him, not that he doesn't like her- he definitely does, maybe a little more than he lets on even, but today is for him and right now he does not feel like talking to anyone. Even Lisbon.

Jane continued to lie on the couch but sleep seemed to elude him once more and he quickly grew frustrated with trying. He didn't much feel like being at the office today of all days and with a sudden burst of inspiration he stood up, pulled his jacket over his shoulders and made his way over to Lisbon's office.

He thought of just walking right in but he decided that it might be safer to knock first. It was still early and there was no guarantee that Lisbon had had her morning coffee yet; Jane didn't much feel like disturbing an un-caffeinated Lisbon when he knew for a fact she was at her grouchiest in the morning hours. He couldn't risk her mood interfering with his plan. It was too important for that. With that thought in mind he reached up and knocked softly on her office door. He almost smiled a little bit when he saw her jump a little as she looked up from her desk, she clearly didn't realize that he was awake. She motioned for him to come in and so he tentatively pushed open her door and slipped inside.

"Good morning Jane," she started. "I was just about to call everyone in, we have a ca…"

"Please stop right there for a second, Lisbon." He said. "I have a small favour to ask of you." She looked up at him curiously wondering what on earth he could possibly want so early in the morning.

"What is it Jane?" She asked carefully.

"I was wondering if it might be at all possible for you and the team to take the case without me this time. There is something of great importance that I have to attend to." He spoke quietly while looking at her with a neutral expression hiding his emotions quite well. Lisbon could tell that he had put on a mask to hide what he was planning to do and this made her highly suspicious. Nothing good could come from granting his request.

"What is it that is so important that it has to take you away from this case?" She asked sternly.

"I am afraid I cannot tell you that." Jane replied bluntly.

Lisbon had to keep herself from rolling her eyes. How many times had he strategically neglected to tell her things? She had told him in no uncertain terms that she did not need him to protect her and that is always what he was trying to do when he chose not to inform her of his plans.

Jane looked at her intensely and saw her thoughts echoed on her face. "I promise that I am not going to do anything that could even possibly get you or the CBI into trouble," he assured her but she was still not convinced.

"Please Lisbon?"

He looked so serious and almost sad that she gave in. She rarely saw him like this and she found that her curiosity peaked when he said that his plans for the day had nothing whatsoever to do with the CBI. Much like her, he didn't have a huge life outside of the job and so she wondered what he had in mind.

Jane thanked her and exited the office without another word or even a smile. He left the building and headed towards his car just as Van Pelt was heading in to start her day.

"Good morning Jane!" the rookie said cheerfully as she gave him one of her brightest smiles. Jane gave her a little nod as he started to head towards his car but he didn't say anything. Van Pelt's smile faded a little as she turned, clearly confused about his gloomy response, and headed into the confines of the CBI building.

Jane opened the door of his car and climbed in just before a heavy rain started to fall. It wasn't common for it to rain in California, but the change in weather seemed to fit his mood perfectly. He backed out of the parking space and headed off towards the highway, windshield wipers working at full speed as the rain picked up. It was going to be a long drive and there were a couple of things that he had to do before he reached his destination.

T.B.C.