AN:

A little more of the story of Patrick Jane's mother. Again thanks to tamariskiefor taking the time out of her busy life to beta this story and thanks for reviews and follows.

I was asked if Patrick Jane will show up in this story and yes he will a little bit down the line. Please enjoy and reviews are always welcome and appriciated.

Chapter Two

"I'm telling you, Sean, this girl is beautiful. Soft wavy hair, big green eyes and her lips! Like soft billowy clouds. And the best news, she has a friend all dark hair and blue eyes."

"Alex Jane, you sound like you're in love. And after only one quick meeting."

"It's not that Sean." Alex took a long swig of his beer. "I can't explain it. There's just something about her ….. you know, special."

"Special? I'll tell you what's special. She's a convent girl from the old country. It's the lure of the accent and the excitement of forbidden fruit. You know those nuns keep a tight rein on their charges."

"I told her to come back Saturday ride the Ferris Wheel. I'm sure the friend will be there."

"We'll see, Alex."

"What, the great Sean Barlow doesn't have a vision of how the night will turn out?"

"There you go again making fun of something you don't understand. That's dangerous you know. Fooling with the spirits."

Alex laughed out loud.

"You're a fraud, Sean, from a long line of frauds. There is no such thing as psychics. Or ghost or spirits or any of that old world malarkey."

"Next you'll be telling me there is no such thing as Jesus."

The other man mad a quick sign of the cross.

"Ah I see you're superstitious enough to cross yourself. You're a wicked man Alexander Jane. A wicked man headed for disaster."

"Is that what your spirits are telling you, Mr. Barlow?

"I don't need the spirits to know that you heading down a path of self-destruction."

"Always so dramatic. Do you want in on the Saturday action or not?"

Sean slapped his friend on the back and said, "Of course. One of the girls has to get the handsome one."

Fiona knew her aunt and uncle would not be happy with her going to the Carnival to meet a boy. Especially not a carnie boy. She decided to keep it a secret. Instead, she told them that she and Doreen were going to the movies in town.

"What are you going to see?" Her aunt inquired.

"I can't remember the name. Some romance. You know Doreen, all about the kissing."

Her aunt looked her up and down, tapping her toe and arms folded.

"Where are you going, really? One chance to tell the truth."

Fiona sighed in defeat and looked down at the floor. "I'm going to the carnival over at the fairgrounds." She looked up waiting for repercussions and reprimands.

Instead she got a smile and a shake of the head.

"Fi sweetheart there's no need to lie. I'm disappointed you did but I was young once. Go have fun. And be home by 11:00, young lady, not a minute after."

The young woman threw her arms around her aunt's neck.

"I'm sorry I lied and thank you. I'll be home on time. I promise."

Her aunt kissed her, leaving her with one last warning.

"Stay away from those gypsy boys."

The Fairgrounds looked so different now that the carnival was in full swing. Lights were brighter and the music louder. Maybe it had something to do with being here for the first time unchaperoned. Or maybe it was the possibility of seeing the enigmatic Alexander Jane again.

Doreen's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Are we going to sit in the car all night? Go park. Over there looks good." She pointed to the big empty space toward the back of the lot.

Doreen continued talking as her friend maneuvered the car into the parking space. "Do you think he'll bring a friend or will I be a third wheel? I mean he didn't even notice I was in the car."

"Don't be silly, of course he knew you were there." Fiona sighed.

"No, that dreamy smile was just for you, Fi." Doreen grimaced.

"I got butterflies in my stomach when he looked at me." Fiona confessed giggling her face covered by hands.

A sharp tap on the window startled the girls. They looked up to see the perfect smile of Alexander Jane.

Fiona stepped out of the car and into the arms of the man she had come to see. She wasn't used to such a physical greeting. Especially from a man. In fact in her seventeen years the only man to hold her close was her Da. Even Uncle Thomas kept a respectable distance between them. But this man, this stranger, he took liberties pulling her close to his body and kissing he forehead. And that was just fine with her.

"I'm glad you showed up. I was worried you'd change your mind. You know, have second thoughts." Alex kept beaming at her, making her feel shy and awkward.

"Hello, I'm Doreen." The brunette blurted earning a startled look from the sandy haired man.

"Doreen, sorry I didn't see you there." Jane extended his hand in greeting.

"Told you!" Doreen mouthed.

"Hush." Fiona swatted her friend on the arm.

Alex looked at the two girls with an amused grin on his face.

"Everything all right ladies?" His eyes darted between the two friends.

"We're good." Fiona assured him. "Excited to be here is all."

Jane extended his arms walking towards the carnival with a young lady on either side of him.

"Off to have some fun then. I hope you don't mind, Doreen, I invited my friend Sean to join us."

Fiona looked at her friend with a knowing nod of the head.

The colors, sounds and smells were mesmerizing as the group of three made their way across the fairground. As promised, when they reached the Ferris Wheel, they were met by a handsome young man who did an exaggerated bow to his female company for the evening.

"Sean Barlow at your service." His voice still had the lilt of his homeland.

"Doreen O'Toole." The brunette gave her brightest smile and stuck out her hand.

Sean Barlow surprised his date by taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips.

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss O'Toole."

The usual unflappable Doreen actually blushed under the steady gaze of Barlow.

"Are you ladies hungry?" Alex broke the spell with his low voice.

"I could eat." Doreen answered quickly extracted her hand from the charming Irishman currently caressing it.

"How about you FiFi?"

"FiFi?"

"I think it's the real you. But if you don't like it?" Alex took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Mademoiselle FiFi may be called anything she wishes."

Fiona had never been on a real date and this charming man was making her head spin. What was there about him that made everything and everyone else seem unimportant? Maybe there was such a thing as love at first sight.

"FiFi sounds so French and exotic and I'm just a plain Irish girl from the country. I don't think it suits me."

Alexander Jane placed his hand at the small of her back, turning her to face him. Placing his mouth close to her ear, he whispered, "You are anything but plain. Have you no idea how beautiful you are, my dear?" With that he turned back to his friend, leaving Fiona in a daze.

"I thought we were going to eat? A girl could starve with you two!" Doreen's bellowing broke the spell.

The foursome indulged in corn dogs, kettle corn and coca cola until they were about to pop.

"Do you eat like this all the time Alex?"

"No, usually we eat over at camp. We are lucky to have some very good cooks among the crew."

Fiona felt Alex take her hand as they walked over to the dart throw booth with a promise to win her something big. This was turning into the perfect evening.

So perfect she didn't notice Mrs. Lindstrum, the town busy body and resident gossip.