Chapter Text
It was ridiculous, Abbott mused, almost a little sad.
The head of the narcotics division was fuming. “What did that clown think he was doing?” Joseph Carlson prompted, pacing in Abbott’s office like a tiger ready to attack.
‘That clown’, of course, meant Jane and Abbott did have a pretty good idea about what he’d thought he’d been doing. But he couldn’t tell Carlson that.
“I apologize for Mr. Jane’s behavior. He is only a consultant and still adjusting to working for the Bureau”, he said calmly, his hands folded on his desk.
“Bullshit!”, Carlson spat and Bullshit it was, but Abbott wouldn’t admit that. Damage control was the key word. “I’ve heard of him. Jane. He’s never played by the rules and I knew that, but I’ve been told he’s efficient - I wasn’t told he’s wrecking havoc like that!”
Carlson gestured wildly and ran a hand through his hair.
Jane had gone overboard on this one and Abbott would really need to have a word with him over that. Right now, though, he needed Carlson to calm down and to save them all a lot of trouble and paperwork.
“Jane’s methods are unconventional, but you got your guy, didn’t you? And the whole organization, too, when he talks.”
“He almost burned the club down!” Carlson hissed.
That was a good point. Jane had orchestrated the grandest scheme Abbott had yet seen him pull off. He’d told none of them what he was up to, naturally - he’d simply told them to cover the exits of the elite club their guy was running, while he had placed himself as the main act on stage (god knew how he’d managed that).
Jane had been marvelous, Abbott had to admit that. Had he not been so on the edge, the uncertainty about the motions of the plan tingling at his back and the amount of trouble Jane could put him in, he would actually have enjoyed the show.
But Jane didn’t care about him or Carlson or the drug dealer they were trying to catch. He didn’t even care about the cheering crowd. Between his shining smiles and the masquerade that was hypnosis and the magic tricks, he was only ever glancing in one direction - making sure Lisbon was still looking at him, still smiling at his antics (despite herself and not as secretly as she’d like).
It was ridiculous how much he was in love with her and how little he could tell her.
Abbott, a romantic at heart, couldn’t help but find it endearing what a show Jane was ready to pull off just to keep her eyes on him, just to make her laugh at him, just to get her attention. He was ready to show her any version of himself (except for the one, that would just talk to her about his feelings) and any version of herself, too.
He had dragged her on stage for one of his tricks, taking her by surprise while showering her with compliments and the affection of the crowd; and she had been reluctant at first, the professional and controlling side of her disliking this change of plans and her place in the spotlight, but she’d come to enjoy it. Soon she was spinning for Jane on stage, while the crowd grew silent in anticipation for the twist of the trick and Abbott grew restless, already fearing what was about to come: Jane was too caught up in his own con that he forgot the initial purpose of it.
“Yes, I’m sorry about that.”
Carlson’s anger slowly seemed to subside. “You should get a hold on your man.”
“That’s not how it works with Jane.” Abbott had come to the realization that Jane needed freedom to operate and - usually - he was most effective at it. Success exceeded damage. That was, apparently, if he wasn’t caught up in another emotional whim.
“Good luck with him, then. And with your career, Dennis. Please never try to help us ever again.”
Abbott smiled thinly.
When he escorted Carlson to the elevator, he saw Jane and Lisbon sitting on the old couch Jane had demanded for the Bullpen. Lisbon was patching up Jane’s split lip and his bruised cheek. She was gently cleaning the blood from his face and pushed an ice pack into his hand. Jane must have been cracking a joke, because she grinned and rolled her eyes and Jane flinched when the smile that spread on his face became so wide it hurt.
Abbott almost rolled his eyes. There was little more absurd than a man - especially a man of Jane’s nature - trying to impress a woman. He’d probably get on a trapeze if he could incorporate that into a case, just to keep her eyes on him. And if he hurt himself in the process, at least she’d be there to take care of him afterwards. He wasn’t sure what it said about Lisbon that she was always there to catch him - probably that she loved him just as much. She even seemed to love the fool he made of himself for her.
“Jane”, Abbott barked, walking over to his couch.
Jane tore his eyes away from Lisbon and glanced up at him. “Hi Abbott”, Jane said lightly.
“In my office.” Abbott jerked his head to the vague direction of the corridor.
Jane sighed dramatically and whispered something in Lisbon’s ear. She bit her lip to hide her grin and punched his arm but Jane seemed happy about it.
Jane stood and followed him into his office. “I know, I know”, he said casually, his hands raised in an innocent gesture, before Abbott had even closed the door. “It got a little out of hand, but we caught a big fish, Carlson got his arrest and nobody was hurt - what else do you need?”
Abbott sat down behind his desk and leaned back in his chair.
“I could do with less paperwork”, he replied.
Jane waved his hand dismissively.
“And Agent Carlson would be a lot happier with less property damage.”
Jane nodded. “Sorry about that. Seems I’m a little rusty with the fire.”
“It seems you’re a little rusty with women.”
“What?” He was satisfied to see that Jane looked perplex if only for a split second.
Abbott leaned forward and folded his hands on his desk again. “Listen, Jane, I tolerate the cons and the lies, because you are the best at what you do and I value your
determination. But burning down a house is not acceptable.”
“Technically I didn’t burn it down.”
“It was a close call.”
“There’s always a small risk.”
“Jane, I need you to be focused on a case.”
“I was completely focused.”
“Not on the case.”
Jane stayed quiet for a moment. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do.”
Jane stared at him and Abbott held his gaze.
“Can I go now?”, Jane asked finally.
Abbott nodded. “Yes, you can go.”
Jane clapped his hands and stood up, when he opened the door, Abbott spoke again: “You’re not too bad with words, you know, maybe you should just talk to her.”