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Kimball Cho didn’t share about his personal life. It was his business, and his alone. That didn’t mean that he didn’t know about his coworker’s lives, however. He was observant. He knew that Lisbon enjoyed Jane’s company and antics, no matter what she said. He knew Rigsby was falling in love with Van Pelt, even before Jane said anything. Finally, he knew that Jane was haunted by his past, didn’t sleep because of it, and stayed in the office a lot of nights to avoid going home to a house where his family was murdered.
Cho may be quiet and often seem dismissive, but he’d come to enjoy Jane’s antics as well, at least to an extent. He was definitely fascinated by what Jane could do and found himself observing the man more than he observed his other teammates. That’s how he knew the different signs of Jane’s exhaustion, which were apparent now as they finished the Red John copycat case. Jane’s smile didn’t reach his eyes, he was slightly on edge, and he avoided touch, which was rare for him. Jane loved that personal connection with people.
Sure, they were all irritated with Jane at the moment, since he went after the real suspect while the rest of the team had interrogated and tore apart the victim’s family, when they were all innocent. They didn’t like being left in the dark. Cho didn’t let his irritation cloud his observations though.
As they went on through the day, doing paperwork and finishing off the case, he noticed something change in Patrick Jane. Jane became tense, closed off, and his smile became strained, though barely. Cho knew this meant he was building himself up to going home. He knew this because when Jane became this way, he never stayed in the office, but then he still came into the office looking like he never got sleep. Meaning only one thing – he went home to where his family died and the nightmares likely haunted him all night.
Cho knew it was all an assumption, and he didn’t know for sure if Jane went home. He never followed him. It was an educated guess. And with this whole case, Jane was already dealing without any sleep. The last thing the team needed was a Patrick Jane who didn’t sleep for another night. They all needed Jane on his top game.
This is what gave Cho the idea to invite Jane over to his own apartment for a couple drinks. He knew if he mentioned drinks, the whole team would get involved and Jane would reject the offer because he was in the mindset he was in. So he had to make it a private offer. Cho also knew that adding on the invite to his apartment would draw Jane’s interest, because no one had ever been to Cho’s apartment, no one on the team even knew where he lived except Lisbon. This would definitely pique Jane’s interest and draw him in.
Cho was hoping if he got a few good drinks into Jane, the man would sleep. A drunken sleep was better than nothing, even if it wasn’t ideal.
This was how Jane and Cho ended up in Cho’s apartment with a bottle of scotch. Jane immediately started looking around, and Cho forced himself not to stop him, even if Cho felt exposed watching Jane’s intense gaze.
The living room was straight ahead and simple, there’s a couch and chair, as well as a book shelf full of books. In the dining area, there’s a desk instead of table. The bedroom was down a small hallway that also held the laundry and bathroom. To the right was the kitchen which had dark cabinets and a simple white backsplash. It was organized and pristine.
What drew Jane’s eye was the wall of photos above the desk. They were photos of Cho’s family throughout the years. When Cho was young, when he left for the army, and when he joined the CBI.
Jane didn’t say much, which shocked Cho as he got two glasses and headed to the couch. Jane seemed to still be in an off mood and his exhaustion was obvious. Cho sat on the couch and watched Jane observe his life in photos. He knew Jane could probably tell a lot more from those photos than most people.
Jane eventually made his way over and sat down on the other end of the couch. He took his drink from Cho with a smile.
“Y’know, I didn’t think you drank much.” Jane stated.
“I don’t.”
“Then why tonight?”
“This case left me needing a drink.” Cho decided, not wanting to explain to Jane that he was trying to help the man out.
“Hm.” Jane didn’t ask anything else, instead directed the conversation to the photos on the wall.
Cho downed his drink in two gulps. If he was going to discuss his personal life, he needed to be more inebriated.
They talked about Cho’s family, briefly, then Cho moved the conversation on to their last case, wanting to know the logic behind Jane’s deduction of the guilty party. Jane was more than happy to show off.
Cho was nursing his fifth drink and Jane his fourth. As they had chatted, Jane had scooted closer in his enthusiasm and Cho had leaned forward with interest as Jane talked. They were within inches of each other, but neither noticed.
Jane took both their drinks and set them on the coffee table. He turned back to Cho, ready to give an example, when he stopped. They had become so close that Cho could feel Jane’s breath on his face. He doesn’t know what went through his mind, but his eyes dropped to Jane’s lips. The next thing he knew was he leaned in, and those lips were on his. Soft, moist, perfect.
They’re kissing, slow at first, but then it became deep and desperate. They’re hands are all over each other and top buttons are quickly undone on both their shirts. But their clothes stayed on as hands lowered and groans and moans filled the room. Neither lasted long and soon they were laying on the couch, a pile of limbs, and panting chests.
They didn’t say a word as they both fell asleep, exhaustion and alcohol helping them along.
When Cho woke up, Jane was gone.