Patrick Jane (The Mentalist) - Oneshot
It was naive to think that no one knew about your crush. You did a pretty decent job at hiding it though.
You were a pretty good agent. You did your work efficiently, you stayed away from unnecessary trouble and you had managed to maintain a good relationship with both the FBI and the DA’s office. A perk that really came in handy. Lisbon was never shy with her praise when she asked you to join her team on occasion and you never had a problem because you got to see him.
“Good morning Agent (L/N).”
He looked so peppy and you smiled.
“Good morning Jane, how have you been?”
“Better now that you’re here.”
He flashed one of his smiles and you looked away bashfully.
“Alright break it up, we have a case to solve.” Lisbon came buzzing by and you followed her as she asked you for an update.
Jane was still smiling even when you left, and the team flocked around him.
“When are you going to stop flirting and ask her out?” Cho asked.
“Patience my dear Cho.” Jane tsked.
“Come on Jane, You guys have been doing this for months. It’s obvious you two are into each other, what are you waiting for?” Rigsby urged.
“Well, I’m waiting for her to ask me out. She thinks I’m just being friendly. She respects me and the unit, so she’s been battling whether or not she should risk it. I was about to finally make my move but recently she’s decided that she’ll be more direct, bold.”
“And how exactly do you know that?” Rigsby challenged.
“Because, she’s started to wear more bright colors. She got another piercing and changed her perfume. She’s making small steps out of her comfort zone that she’s always wanted to do. It’s a build up and I’m eagerly anticipating how this will play out because that cute expression that she’ll wear when I say yes is going to be worth it.”
Vanpelt smiled, walking over and giving Jane a kiss on his cheek.
“That’s so sweet.”
He grinned, gesturing to Vanpelt.
“See, ladies like considerate men. Take notes fellas.”
“I think I’m good.” Cho replied, heading back to meet Lisbon. Rigsby’s eyes just followed the redhead.
“In your case, maybe just ask Vanpelt.”
Risgby stumbled over his words at the insinuation before he excused himself. Jane chuckled under his breath, watching as you gave a rundown. From the way Lisbon turned to provide instructions, he knew they were about to head back and do some old fashioned research. Nods were exchanged and they all started moving to the cars.
“We’re heading back to the precinct, turns out our victim had some angry customers at his dealership. We might have to run through a few alibis.” Lisbon explained.
“I understand. Can I have a ride back with you (Y/N)?”
You smiled, nodding eagerly.
“Of course.”
Jane returned the smile and Lisbon rolled her eyes playfully.
“No funny business Jane!” She called.
He made a halo gesture and you giggled as you waved the rest of the team off. You all dispersed to head into your separate cars. Jane jumped into the front seat with you, moving from side to side after he buckled his seatbelt.
“Onward!”
His childish actions always seemed to brighten your day. Pulling out of the driveway, you kept your eyes ahead.
“So what kind of music do you like?” He quizzed.
“I guess I kind of like a bit of everything. I grew up listening to the older Rhythm and Blues, so there might be a bit of bias there. What about you Jane?”
“The classical stuff I would say. Anything soothing.”
“Somehow that’s exactly what I pictured.”
He laughed.
“Really, I seem like the type?”
“Yes. Despite all the craziness I think you try to keep a balance, hence the classical tunes.”
“Hmm, careful, I might get the wrong idea. I might just fall in love with you if you keep reading me like this.”
You blushed despite yourself, playing it off with a laugh.
“You have a beautiful smile (Y/N).”
The comment caught you a bit off guard. With a bashful nod, you tried to stay focused on the road ahead. Because the way things were going, if he delivered anymore compliments you might accidentally crash the car.
“Thank you, Jane.”
“You’re welcome.”
You didn’t have to look over to know he was still smiling at you. Possibly with that little gleaming twinkle in his blue eyes.
A part of you wished the ride back had been longer. Jane tapped your roof with a smile as you dropped him off to follow your own lead on the case. He was smiling all the way inside the building.
When he was finally out of sight you pressed your head on the steering wheel.
“Another missed opportunity.”
You could have asked him then, but you blew it.
This was becoming a recurring thing. Your intention was to pull out, but you glanced at his seat, and the cellphone caught your eyes. It’s clear it had slipped out of his pocket.
“I should return it.”
There’s no way you could just leave it there. You would spend the entire day staring at it if you did.
Parking the car, you grabbed the phone, heading into the building. Pushing past the doors, you head to the elevator. He was standing next to it, waiting.
“Jane!”
He turned at the call.
“Oh, couldn’t get enough of me could you.”
With a shy smile you shake your head, holding out your hand.
“You left your phone in my car.”
He patted his pockets.
“How strange, that usually never happens.”
He was still smiling at you, and there was just something in his tone that hinted at another motive. He took the phone and you shifted on your feet, wondering if maybe you’d been given another chance.
“Jane.”
“Yes.”
He seemed extra attentive, and you opened your mouth to finally own up, but the doors of the elevator parted and Lisbon and the rest of the team came bounding out.
“We just caught sight of the suspect, he’s making a run for it.” Lisbon advised. You shifted into cop mode almost immediately.
“Well I’ll just be here, waiting, all night. Come back when you’re done!!” Jane calls as you all practically sprint out the building. You just had a second to cast him one last look before you were out the door.
He smiled to himself.
The chase took a few hours. The guy was slippery, that was for sure. By the time you made it back to the CBI you were a little exhausted. Lisbon has assured that you didn’t have to worry about the paperwork until the morning. So there really was no reason for you to get back. You just hoped that Jane would be at his couch. You didn’t see the harm in checking. So you trailed up the stairs with the intention to finally propose the question you’d been ducking for the last two months.
The voices of some other agents caused your steps to slow. As you got closer you began to recognize the main one.
Kyle Truman.
“Come on, she has a crush on the guy. No wonder she’s always sucking up to Agent Lisbon.”
You hadn’t planned to walk in on the conversation. Bad blood between units was never unusual. But the man talking badly was someone you’d turned down when he asked you out. Kyle was never really good at handling things without a vicious word or two. Hence your instant decline to his offer. Even if you weren’t sporting a crush for Jane, Kyle would have to be the last man alive on the planet for you to even look in his direction. You knew a red flag when you saw one. You can just imagine who he was bad mouthing now.
“(Y/N) likes the lunatics, that’s why she’s head over heels for Patrick Jane.”
His tone was mocking and your hurt was hard to hide. Your stomach dropped at the laughs from all three men gathered there. You turned to escape the group, but the second you did he was standing right there.
Jane was right behind you.
You sucked up what little dignity you had left, bowing your head as you walked past him.
It was humiliating, being outed like that. Who you had feelings for was none of their business, but you supposed Kyle couldn’t just let it go.
After the encounter you lectured yourself to be professional. It was your fault for being so transparent. You would do better.
The next case you assisted on, you were careful to limit your interactions with Jane. He hadn’t done anything wrong, you were just against seeing a look of pity. It was clear from his expression that night that he knew.
He knew about your feelings, how could he not.
The entire time he was probably just being nice and it just made the situation worse.
“(L/N), thanks for the tip. You really helped us out.”
You’d given some information that caught the convict they were after. With a smile, you nodded.
“No problem, always happy to help.”
Regardless of the situation, getting praised from someone like Lisbon who you look up to always felt nice. Rigsy, Vanpelt and Cho offered their thanks as the SWAT team began to clear out the house and take the criminal away. You holster your gun, reaching over to remove your bulletproof vest. You barely had a chance to remove the velcro. Jane stepped in your line of view and your heart gave a quick stutter. You took an unconscious step back, trying to school your features.
“Jane, good work today.”
You were grateful your voice remained steady. Moving towards your car, you had no intention of exchanging anymore words. He pressed his hand to the door, and you forced yourself to look at him.
“Are you going to avoid me forever?”
“I don’t know what you mean Jane.”
You weren’t about to admit anything, not to him.
“I know that you have feelings for me. I’ve known since the second you did.”
His words caused your jaw to tighten. It was selfish to just cut him off like you did, but rejection wasn’t exactly something you wanted to deal with. You’ve never been a very emotional person, but at that moment, you felt like you would burst into tears.
“I’m sorry if I made you feel like I was being kind out of pity. I was waiting for you to ask me out.”
Your solemn expression changed to confusion.
“What..”
His smile was wide and he stepped closer.
“I wanted to see that look in your eyes when you realized that our feelings were mutual. I could tell that you were building up to it. That’s why I left my phone in your van that afternoon.”
You couldn’t believe it, he must have been messing with you.
“I know that idiot Kyle only spoke up because you turned him down. You probably did it in the nicest way possible because you’re observant and you take special care of respecting others feelings. Even a pig like Kyle.”
You couldn’t help but laugh at the accurate description of the man.
Jane returned your smile.
“He was being petty, and hurtful. I apologize. If I’d just been honest with you maybe your feelings would have been spared. “
You shook your head.
“It’s not your fault, it’s mine for always being a coward.”
You laughed despite yourself, running a hand through your hair. This was not how you thought the day would be going at all. Taking a breath, you straightened your form. Jane’s eyes seemed to light up when he realized what you were about to ask.
“Patrick Jane, would you like to go on a date with me?”
“I would love to, Agent (L/N).”
You couldn’t hide your content, and Jane reached out, pulling you into a hug.
“I was right, you look even more beautiful with that expression.”
The words whispered into your ear had you blushing, as you buried your face into his chest.