Playing Jane's Game

Chapter 2

Madeline Hightower was not one to change her tune when it came to opinions of people. All the same, following her interview of Lisbon, she was surprised to the see that the Senior Agent, though driven by her words, was also frightened. Hightower had thought of Lisbon as a strong individual who held confidence in herself for everyone to see. She was the kind of person who could walk on the most gruesome of crime scenes and take charge. Again, Hightower thought Lisbon was not unlike herself.

The fact remained that despite the agent's determination and energy, she had seen a nervousness pass through the younger woman as though she was afraid she could not hold onto Jane's actions at times. This was not the attitude that Hightower had wanted to instill in the SCU Agent. The Special Agent crossed her arms and went to the window to look out. She only had a few minutes to think about Lisbon's response. Clearly the brunette was also surprised by her direct threat to her job. But that didn't clarify the fear. Hightower shook her head in thought. Handling this team would be harder than she'd thought but perhaps that was good. They were the premiere team, and perhaps that was why they came with the deeper emotional bonds between them. No one got in or out.

Jane was no fool; Hightower could tell that from the reports. He'd known the minute he'd sat down in the room that her compliment to him was a prelude to something less that kind. She'd been building up his already sizeable ego, connecting his pride with his friendship and loyalty to Lisbon. It wasn't hard. The man was like a peacock, albeit an intelligent and attractive peacock, but one all the same.

His tone when she'd asked him if he had questions was thinly veiled anger. He did not like having his own game thrown back at him and he did not like someone threatening his dearest friend. The special agent was not surprised at his demeanor and even not surprised to see conflict in his eyes when he answered at well. She thrown a monkey wrench into his plans and the man didn't like it in the slightest. He was very much a creature of his own making, proud to be in control of the situation. Jane was not unlike his boss in that respect.

To her irritation, however, Jane was not as easily cowed by her methods, in fact he seemed almost intrigued by them despite his dislike of her threat. He'd left with a much confidence as when he'd entered the room and Hightower was not surprised to see him make his way straight to the elevator. She'd made her point, but how long her ultimatum, put simply, behave or you get your boss sacked, would last, she didn't know.

Jane was clearly closer to his boss than she'd thought however. That moment of anger she'd seen was nearly animalistic, defensive, as though she were encroaching on his territory. Hightower drew in a deep breath. Whatever existed between the Senior Agent of the Serious Crimes Unit and her wayward consultant was different than any relationship Hightower had run across before. She was quite certain they were not lovers, but their actions did not fully support a simple friendship either. The two protected each other. The term "work wife" came to mind. She smiled slightly and shook her head. In many ways, whether or not Lisbon knew it, she was Jane's work wife. To whatever end, it may lead, Hightower was certain she'd made her point despite the complicated information she had gleaned from her interviews with the two. Settling in her chair and clicking a file on her computer, she delved into a case she knew she'd have to familiarize herself with as quickly as possible. The first thing Special Agent Madeline Hightower saw when she opened the file was the bloody crimson smiley face.

a/n- My first finished fanfiction ever. I'm not big on short works but this came to mind and I just had to write it. Hightower is such an interesting and dynamic character and I truly enjoyed her part on the show.

Let me know what you think,

Wotcher,

Tabitha