haiii @slowbut-steady - Tumblr Blog

You know, I'm absolutely in love with the fact that Cho is soft for Jane? Like this man will say no 100 times and then Jane walks up and Cho changes his mind after a single back and forth.

Then when Cho says Jane isn't going with him? The next scene we get is Jane in the car as they approach the place they're going.

When Jane gets in hot water with Lisbon and the others? Cho backs up his car and picks him up.

Besties, your honor

#the mentalist #cbi team

afterhyundelight

The Mentalist – Fanfiction rec list! ☕︎

Last update: 05/07/26 ┃ Sources: ArchiveOfOurOwn, Fanfiction.net

Collection of The Mentalist fanfics I’ve enjoyed and would recommend, based on my personal preference. Most of these focus on Jisbon ship, set after the series, canon-compliant, canon-divergent, and alternate universe. Don’t forget to check the ratings and tags as preferences can vary.

[Disclaimer: I did not write any of the stories on this list. All credit goes to the wonderful and creative writers who continue to keep this fandom alive a decade after The Mentalist ended. I do not repost/reupload stories and don't encourage it either. All of the stories on this list are linked to the original posts published on fanfiction sites. + Post is inspired by: everlarkficquestions/masterlists]

Favorites

Fanfics that I've read thousand times and are living in my mind rent free. As always, please check tags first.

Strawberries with Chocolate - kushiro » (G / Angst) ɤ Or also, Lisbon's injury is worse than expected.

The Hunt - lleira » (M / AU) ɤ Patrick Jane is a psychic not touched by any drama, living without family, while Lisbon is an ex-agent, hunting down Red John after he destroyed her life.

Broken - mayzee » (M / Incomplete) ɤ Jane still works at the CBI but Lisbon is living a very different kind of life on the other side of the country after suffering a gruelling ordeal. A case brings them into contact again when Jane asks for her help, hoping by solving it she can banish her demons and he can find the woman he loved once again.

All the Colors the Future May Hold - lurallure » (G / Fluff) ɤ Post Series Lisbon-Jane pregancy stories.

Lavinia – nerwen aldarion » (M / Angst) ɤ When tragedy strikes Jane and Lisbon find their roles are reversed. Lisbon is now the one who is shattered and Jane has to attempt to pick up the pieces.

Forgotten – nic73 » (G / Angst) ɤ Jane forgets and Lisbon tries to help him remember.

The Damaged Rose – heclosescases » (T / Multi Chapter AU) ɤ Jane knew he had crossed a line the moment Lisbon left him in Salton Sea, but he didn't truly grasp what the consequences of that could be until he witnesses her fighting for her life in a pool of her own blood after she is lured by Red John to 5570 West Huron.

#the mentalist #jisbon #fanfics

queeenpersephone

disclaimer: these are my personal favorites, and i am not objective. i tried to keep it to only one rec per author, but that rule does get broken a few times. suffice to say, if i've recced one of their fics, i rec their entire catalogue. i tried to make sure all tumblr @ i know personally are included, but if you see one that i didn't catch, let me know and i will update! there are currently seven categories, and only up to five fics per category. and yes i did include one if my own fics, so please don't fight me.

slowbut-steady

Oh my god this is …. AMAZING

#the mentalist #jisbon #fanfics

bluelisbon

thinking about how when jane tells lisbon that he loves her on the plane and she responds with “it’s too late” he doesn’t try to argue or convince her to be with him, because his love for her is the most unselfish part of him. jane needs to tell lisbon that he loves her if she never reciprocates, if she never wants to see him again, if she moves away and marries someone else, because the important part is actually telling the truth that he’s kept buried for so many years. saying what he truly feels is more important than using any kind of manipulation or convincing, and he holds her happiness and well being above any reward or happiness for himself. loving lisbon and being honest about it is its own reward, but that she loves him in return is his greatest joy

#the mentalist #jisbon #AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

whereyourtreasureis

Jisbon x concert date

For @losenemigos

“Are you having fun?” Jane screamed into her ear over the noise of the crowd.

Her gaze brushed his messy hair and his rolled-up sleeves. It should be illegal to look this handsome.

“What does it look like?” Teresa screamed back, unable and unwilling to hold back the joyous laughter escaping her mouth. Her throat felt sore and her feet hurt from dancing, but she didn’t care.

God, life was good.

Only a week ago, she had hit rock bottom. The thought that she might have killed a person without remembering any of it had felt like walking alone on a frozen lake, the porous ice threatening to break with every step she took.

And now, here she was with Jane, in a crowd of thousands of crazy fans, screaming along to the Spice Girls.

Going to a concert of her guilty pleasure band with her consultant had not been on her bingo card for tonight, and she probably would have brushed the idea off if he had asked her first. But since he had only told her he had a surprise to celebrate that they’d cracked the McTier case and she was back at the CBI, she had gotten into his car. She had been a bit suspicious—of course, it was Jane after all—but never in the world would she have imagined this.

How had he even gotten the tickets on such short notice?

It was probably better she didn’t know.

When Mel C announced Spice Up Your Life, Teresa built a funnel with her hands around her mouth to scream louder.

She saw Jane’s gaze in the corner of her eye. When she turned to him again, there was a warm smile on his face that looked… different. It was far from his usual confident, slightly arrogant grin.

It was kind and genuine.

And his gaze, so soft… like he saw something in her she didn’t see herself.

Teresa felt a tingle in her belly that had nothing to do with the excitement of the concert.

“Thanks for doing this for me,” she said quietly when the crowd had calmed down a bit and the first chords played.

“Anything for you, Lisbon.” Jane brushed her forearm with two fingers, the point of contact sizzling with electricity.

And in that moment, the look in his eyes was enough for her to block out the thought of his old wedding band. Maybe she was drunk on Spice Girls euphoria—or on the tequila shot she’d had—but it didn’t matter. All she wanted to do at this moment was kiss Patrick Jane.

So she flung her arms around him, rose to her tiptoes, and pressed her lips to his.

The sensation of his mouth on hers was electric.

Immediate.

All-consuming.

Jane only hesitated for a split second. Then he embraced her, steadying her with his hands on her hips, and kissed her back more passionately than she ever would have imagined.

Cupping her glowing cheek, he parted her lips with his tongue. He tasted like tequila and mint and forbidden fantasies—but also like home.

Every fiber in her body felt alive. She’d never felt more present in a moment. This wasn’t a dream.

She was really kissing Jane.

Damn, was she really kissing Jane?

Regaining her senses, she pulled back automatically. “S-sorry, that was—”

With gleaming eyes, Jane shook his head and placed a finger on her mouth. “Nuh-uh. Hush.” And with that, he pulled her into him again, kissing her even deeper than before.

#the mentalist #jisbon

queeenpersephone

okay i keep getting to different episodes of the mentalist and going 'omg this is the jibson ep!' 'they're flirting!' 'they care about each other!' 'they stand close together!' 'they hold each other (unfortunately metaphorically) through the red john eps!'

but no. that's not right. 5x12 is the jisbon episode.

okay, it starts in 5x11. jane, after letting lisbon handle volker to her breaking point, KNOWS that she's there. all he has to say is 'lisbon?' and she agrees that she needs help and with the 'mm' and middle distance angry stare we're off to the races.

i have NEVER seen jane more focused and intense (obviously excepting red john) than he is against volker. and it's so clearly not for volker's sake (i mean, this man's whole thing is killing witnesses. he's not particularly interesting, which is how jane likes them). he's furious because lisbon feels guilty and angry and he hates when anyone (but him) puts her through the wringer.

he sits with her to read case files. he puts physical hands on volker. he taunts volker in the bullpen, but he's not doing it for his own pleasure and satisfaction. he's not smiling or smirking. he's doing it for libson. he's angry.

he doesn't go for a complicated con; they catch volker with a straightforward police work plan that ensures they'll have an airtight case. he sprints after her into the zoo, straight into danger at her side. he coaches lisbon along to break some rules but he's very careful not to push her to break rules that will haunt her later.

i just feel like this is the first episode where lisbon takes over in jane's thoughts. he's not there for red john, for his own enjoyment, for anything but lisbon catching her man. he gives himself and his thoughts and ideas over to her. and that's what jane looks like in love.

#the mentalist #jisbon #I LOVE THIS EP TOO #It was so good seeing lisbon shine and have her own litte case obsession

paceypeternathanslawyer

I've been wondering what was on Pike's mind during his relationship with Lisbon.

He had to know that Jane and Lisbon had a thing for each other, right? He kinda had an inkling even before the relationship because he asked Wylie what the deal was with them and if they were a couple.

The cynical part of my mind thinks that the reason he tried to move away with Lisbon and rush the relationship was because he knew it was only a matter of time before Jane and Lisbon's feelings spilled out and became undeniable. And also he wanted to move them away because he was insecure about the fiery heart eyes they were flashing at each other constantly.

There are some scenes where he seems oblivious but then there's also that interesting shot where Pike is explaining the plot of Casablanca and saying how it's about a woman torn between two men and you can see it sink in and hit a little too close to home and then he suggests they change the channel. And there's that scene (I can't recall what episode) where Jane says hello to Lisbon and then just staring daggers at Pike just says "Pike" in greeting and you can kinda see in the corner of the screen... I feel like Pike has a "this son of a bitch" expression on his face.

#the mentalist #jisbon

thechaotickalamari

Lisbon: You can’t just hypnotize a suspect. Jane: I didn’t just hypnotize him. I set the mood first.

Cho: Lighting was nice. Rigsby: Yeah, very romantic. Lisbon: I hate all of you.

#the mentalist

paceypeternathanslawyer

You know what's so great about Abbott shipping Jane and Lisbon? He shipped right from the start. He probably saw them interact once or twice and immediately clocked it! Like the moment he comes on the scene he calls Jane her "boyfriend" to Lisbon's face. Dude had probably read up on their unit and seen them interact a couple times and he already clocked that they had the hots for each other.

And then he spends years hunting down Jane trying to bring him to "justice" for the death of Red John only to find him and then become the biggest wingman and BFF for Jane. He became a dedicated shipping matchmaker and then ultimately offered to pay for their whole wedding!!!

LOL It's so good!!! Prime television!!!

#the mentalist #jisbon

bluelisbon

thinking about jane building his and lisbons house as a promise of permanence and a promise to stay. building a house as a promise that they will always have a safe place to land with each other. building a house as refuge, a place of happiness and and peace for their family. building a house as rebuilding a life that had been destroyed through hate and violence. building a house as a promise to give their child a carefree life that they never had as children. building a house to trust in love again

#the mentalist #jisbon

heclosescases

Obsession (Jisbon Drabble)

He promised himself he would never become obsessed about anything ever again.

The search for Red John, for some means of closure, almost destroyed him, devastating those who were around to care about him in the process. And although he has no regrets in how it ended, when he closed his eyes to sleep while hiding on an island, all he could think about was her.

Her jade green eyes that seem to glimmer whenever she shows any sort of strong emotion whether it's joy or upset or ire. Her dimples around her mouth when she smiles. Her dark hair that he's seen in varying styles over the years but it's when it's tied up he finds most dizzying. Showing her neck, the freckles that decorate it, her pulse point that he can envision feeling beneath his lips as he kisses or... more.

When he was back on US soil he thought maybe there could be something there. Something that they could explore together.

But perhaps naively he wasn't expecting her anger towards him, the walls she has built so high that even a proficient climber would struggle to scale. And he became scared to try to break them down, to see him as anything other than a friend, a professional partner.

Now she's going to leave him. Go to DC with Pike. Maybe - probably - he deserves to be left. He's got away with so much in his life and perhaps this is the punishment he's owed. It's something he understands...

If he truly does understand it though, then why has she become his new obsession? Why is he orchestrating a case in Miami to keep her with him longer? Why is he delaying the inevitable? It's completely unfair and frankly insane.

And yet he can't stop.

He wants to sit in close quarters with her on the plane. He wants her brunette locks to stroke his face as they walk side by side on the beach. He wants, no, needs to see her in those dresses, any of them, all of them, until they drop onto the floor of his hotel room.

Fuck.

It's wrong. To be this obsessed with someone when all she wants to do is leave. There's a niggling thought at the back of his mind to put a stop to it all, to own up to Abbott before the case falls onto his desk.

But then she's walking across the bullpen with two mugs in her hands - a strong coffee for her and an English Breakfast tea for him - and it hits Jane that he can't stop this.

Because he's completely obsessed with Lisbon and he's not ready to let her go.

#the mentalist #jisbon #fanfic

dreamyairy

Mentalist (wonky) timeline

For everyone in this fandom - whether new or long-time members - who need help figuring out when the events of the show happened.

With the help of @profwonderbearthementalista, I created a possible timeline for further use. It may come in handy when writing fics.

Please, remember, the show never sticks to one timeline, so if you have other ideas - what you read below is not the ultimate truth.

The timeline keeps changing, but I will try to sum it up with dates.

If we assume season one happens in 2008 (the start of the show), then the murder of Angela and Charlotte would be somewhere in 2003 (or 2004). The pilot says Jane insulted RJ five years ago.

There is also a "mistake" in 5x05 where Van Pelt’s file is shown as a potential new member of the team. That would make 5x05 only few months before 1x01. You’re welcome to assume what you prefer.

Let’s go from there:

Murder happens in 2003.

From the murder to 5x05 one year passes. Jane spends 6 months in the hospital and then goes directly from the hospital to the CBI.

He joins the CBI in 2004. Season 1 starts in 2008.

Season 1 is one year. Season 2 is one year. Season 3 is one year. Season 4 is a year + six months. It picks up only a few days after s3, whereas s2 and s3 picked up after a summer. Jane spends six months in Vegas. Season 5 and 6a is a year as 6x01 continues directly on from 5x22. Then two-year gap from 6x08 to 6x09. Then Jane spends three months in detention in 6x10. We don’t know how much times passes between 6x10-6x16. For me personally 6x16-6x22 is a month, maybe two. Jane tells Lisbon “a month even!” when they talk about her dating Pike. Season 7 is a mystery. It could be a few months. Kat assumes six months.

We start in 7x01 which is two weeks after 6x22. (I hope I remember correctly and it’s not fanfiction-filled-brain thing.)

Jane celebrates his birthday in 7x06. There are two birth dates in the series – 30th July 1969 and 16th September 1974.

After 7x10 Jane runs away for a week.

We know wedding in 7x13 happens on Saturday. "We're getting married a day after tomorrow" means they invited people on Thursday. On Friday, Jane got the ring and Lisbon got the dress. They might have got engaged on Tuesday or Wednesday. It would mean on Monday - the whole Lazarus mess happened and Jane got hurt.

Depending on the birthday date we can assume maybe month or two from 7x06 to 7x13? So wedding is either in September or November.

Some wiki sources say that 1969 date is more accurate. Also their wedding song is about September, so maybe wedding does happen in September.

The 1969 birthday is Simon's birthday, so we can assume 1974 birthday is actually Jane's - this one is on their wedding certificate. There's also a headcanon that says Jane faked the birth date on his driver's licence by adding 5 years to his age, so he could get it earlier. It would be useful for him as a carnie.

If they used 1974 for Jane (when Simon's birth year is 1969), we can do the same for Lisbon and give her 1977 (Robin's birth year is 1972). That would make Lisbon 27 and Jane 30 in 5x05 (read: 2004).

Lisbon could be one month pregnant in 7x13. Some say they conceived during his birthday after the teacup gift, some blame ‘I love you’ in 7x07. I am on the second team. There are some other choices too, of course. Depending on the date that you use and the event that you choose – we can still assume, the baby would be born somewhere from April to June (maybe July).

That being said, by 6x10 - after the whole two-year gap and detention – we can assume jisbon knew each other for 12 years. Maybe around 13 years by the time they get married.

Timeline year by year: Murder 2003 5x05 aka jisbon first meeting 2004 S1 2008-2009 (a year) S2 2009-2010 (a year) S3 2010-2011 (a year) S4 2011-2013 (a year and a half) S5+6a 2013-2014 (a year) 6x09/6x10 2016 (two years gap plus 3 months detention) S6b 2016 or 2017 S7 2017

Feel free to let me know if you notice something that needs editing!

And let's end this post with another timeline fact - our beloved Lisbon ❤

#the mentalist

queeenpersephone

jane's first marriage is literally my roman empire when it comes to the mentalist. i can't stop thinking about it. i have a whole essay in my drafts. angela jane haunts the entire narrative and we have almost no objective facts about what she was really like. the only time she is described in detail is so general that we all thought it was about lisbon. or maybe it's not general? maybe jane seeks out the same traits in the two loves of his life? but then a woman like lisbon wouldn't have stood for the man that jane so clearly was prior to red john. was their marriage happy? unhappy? was it average? is she remembered as she was, or worse, or better? the show is right for refusing to tell us but it haunts me all the same.

#the mentalist

mentalista-girl24

Minelli is such an underrated character. On the one hand he hates it when Jane gets him and the CBI in trouble, mainly over Jane's own antics, and never hesitates to call him out on it. On the other hand he also acknowledges and respects Jane's intelligence and his value to the team despite him always going against the law and causing chaos. He has a good sense of leadership over the team and is sometimes willing to bend the rules because he knows and trusts that his team is capable in their work. The team themselves also have a lot of respect for him and his leadership too. He is basically the grandfather of the team. I also like how Lisbon looked up to him like a father figure since her own father was abusive and an alcoholic and, in the same way, Minelli kind of saw Lisbon as a daughter who he was often quite proud of. I wish he was at Jane and Lisbon's wedding. I'd like to think that he would've made a funny joke about how he's disappointed that Lisbon didn't shoot Jane all those years ago over Jane's antics but deep down he would've been like a proud dad and would've been genuinely happy for both of them.

#the mentalist #jisbon