I don't own anything Mentalist related.. though I wish I did.

Chapter 1

The silence was satisfying.

He lay with his eyes closed, fingers interlocked neatly behind his head. His body moulded perfectly into the leather sofa, into the indent that had taken years to grow and perfect. He could hear the gentle hiss of the coffee machine, the low hum of the hibernating computers. He could feel the morning light begin to hit his face. Outside he could hear the first footsteps along the pavement.

"Jane..."

That voice was so familiar.

"Jane..."

Impatient too. It could only be one person.

"Jane!" It came this time with a hefty kick to the sofa.

"Lisbon," Jane replied with a sleepy smile.

"We've got a case... C'mon"

"Can I … ?"

"You're not driving"

Lisbon turned on her heel and marched swiftly out of the office. Her hand instinctively checking her firearm as she did so.

Patrick Jane watched her leave. The gentle sway of her jacket, along with the contrasting quick march that she so often used.

"Hm," he shrugged collecting his jacket from his desk chair and following her semi-obediently out to the car, "You know," he added over her shoulder, "I'd prefer to drive"

"And I'd prefer that you didn't Jane... Now get in the car. Cho and Rigsby are meeting us there"

He raised his eyebrows, a cheerful and all knowing grin plastered across his lips.

"Good weekend?" he asked clicking his seatbelt in place.

"Jane. Now is not the time to discuss our personal lives. It's unprofessional," she turned the key in the ignition. He shrugged calmly turning his attention outside of the window. Minutes passed. Many, long, minutes. The more the silence between them grew, the more Theresa Lisbon grew uncomfortable, "What? No smart comments? No mocking?" she asked at last hitting her hand against the wheel.

"Hmm. No," he replied with a small grin. It was rare that they shared a silent car ride. It was getting to her. He knew that. The tension was exciting. His grin widened as he turned once more to watch the passing scenery.

Jane strolled cheerfully over to the crime scene, ducking casually under the yellow tape.

"This is all we've got," Cho said stepping towards Lisbon.

"Where's the rest?" she puzzled leaning around him to catch a glimpse of the scene.

"We don't have a lead yet, we're waiting on forensics"

"Right well then. We need to... Jane what are you doing?"

The consultant was pressed flat against the floor, his sharp blue eyes danced over the evidence placed before him. Lisbon found herself marching towards him.

"You know, if you contaminate the evidence I'll have to have you taken off the case," she warned. Her hands pushed her jacket back and rested on her hips, clearly showing off her badge.

Jane paused, his eyes no longer focused on the evidence, "Are you threatening me? Seriously. Lisbon" His crystal clear eyes glanced up at her, "What do you see?"

Choking slightly on her words Lisbon's eyes glossed quickly over everything, "I see, a, a tongue, and ears and... and an eye," by the end she was gagging on her words. The sight was disgusting. She couldn't believe that Jane was almost rubbing noses with the mutilated parts.

"Speak no evil, hear no evil, see no evil," Jane said calmly standing back up, "Not in that order of course. This person. Was being taught a lesson... The ultimate lesson" He added slightly more darkly.

Lisbon frowned at him with her usual suspicion, "A lesson huh? This looks like a lesson to you?"

"Of course," Jane shrugged resting his hands in his pockets, pulling his jacket tightly forward. He grinned smartly at her confused and irritated eyes, "It was personal. Family, friends, work colleagues maybe?"

"We don't have an I.D yet," Lisbon protested. At last, something she had to combat his smugness.

"We've got an I.D boss" Rigsby appeared at her side as if on queue.

Lisbon's eyes rolled, her teeth gritted as she took the piece of paper.

"Daniel Kent," Rigsby told her as they walked away from the mutilated mess, "Owner of the Kent-Wood Leisure Village. Wife, no children. No priors. Business was good. The wife reported him missing last night at eleven forty three. He didn't go home from work last night. His car is still at the Village"

"We're on it. Jane. With me," Lisbon commanded.

"Can I...?"

"No"

"But I have the keys"

Lisbon patted her pockets down in annoyance, "How did you..." His childish grin stopped her in mid sentence, "This once," she agreed reluctantly, "Next time stay out of my pockets"

"Really?" he teased, "Hm"

The awkward silence took over the pair as they drove the long drive to the Kent-Wood Leisure Village. Lisbon tried her best to occupy herself by staring out of the window. She had no idea how Jane had managed to keep himself occupied for so long.

It was boring.

She turned herself around impatiently to glare at the consultant. He calmly raised a hand to prevent the outburst that was boiling up inside of her. She frowned at his hand before turning to face the window again with a huff.

A few more minutes passed.

"Alright what's your problem?" she demanded impatiently.

"Problem? I don't have a problem," he insisted calmly shaking his head. He glanced briefly at her, his blue eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.

"You're never this quiet Jane"

"I haven't been quiet," he grinned.

Scowling, Lisbon turned back to face the window, arms folded tightly.

Jane grinned to himself, his eyes fixed on the oncoming horizon.

He had a feeling, that this was going to be a good one.