wabi-sabi1090, Jurana Keri, the tardistravels, and guests, thank you so much for your lovely reviews! So sorry this took so long to post but everything will move along faster now. :)

negotiations

Rubbing the sleep from her big green eyes like a little girl, Alice yawned big only to quickly cover her mouth giggling from embarrassment.

"Wow, I can't believe how tired I am, must be the fresh air, sleeping in the barn always did put me out like a light."

Pushing herself up against the slates of the loft she grabbed one of her long auburn braids twisting it around her finger, seemingly completely unaffected by the gruesome events that occurred the night before.

Bright eyed and glowing from happiness just to see her Jimmy kneeling beside her, she reached out for his webbed hand as if it were nothing, because truly to her, he was perfect in every way.

Never in his life had anyone ever treat him this way, not even his own mother, to everyone his 'lobster claw' symbolized something specific.

Whether it be a tool to make money, or an unhappy reminder of a painful past, the people in this life saw those appendages as anything but a just a normal extension of himself, as anything but normal period.

His heart broke as he watched her beaming with the most innocent smile, it was the happiest he had ever seen her, but her behavior scare him, obviously she wasn't acting as if she had just witnessed a brutal murder.

Jimmy worried that her mind had somehow blocked it all out, that her precious kind heart was too big to handle the carnage and trauma of watching her husband get his throat slit directly in front of her.

Knowing Alice she would someone feel responsible for it all, as she did everything, he couldn't imagine what that would do to her, or maybe he could, maybe he was seeing it first hand.

Suddenly her smile widened, leaning over she ran her hand beneath the baggy overalls he was wearing.

"These are my daddy's clothes! Oh Jimmy he must really have taken a shine to you, momma too, they're not usually so kind to strangers. I must say you look very handsome, I think there may be a farmer hidden inside you just waiting to get out."

Laughing as if the world were at her feet, she crawled into his lap to lay her head lovingly on his chest curling her legs like a child inside his much larger frame, as if needing to feel protected and safe.

Closing his eyes he held her close remembering Elsa's hard words back at the bloody scene in the kitchen.

'You tell her that her father killed her mother in a drunken rage, a classic murder/suicide…. you lie to her or she'll be next… '

He knew something was seriously wrong with her, Jimmy feared that telling her about her parents would push her over the edge even further, someplace darker, a place she might never recover from.

He refused to follow Elsa's orders. A dangerous choice for sure, but like his mother told him point blank as she handed him a shovel to dig the graves for Alice's parents, there is always a choice, and Jimmy had made his.

"Speaking of your parents Alice, do they have relatives in Florida or maybe even further away?"

Braiding a few strands of hay together, blissfully unaware of what he was doing, Alice thought for a moment before leaping back out in front of him so she could face him.

His heart clenched even more, he wondered if there was any such girl in the world as wonderful as Alice, her excitement about life was contagious, she made you happy by just being around her.

The way she told a story was vivid, completely animated with her hands and body, she pulled you into her world, made you see things through her eyes, she was completely uninhibited, too sweet for this mess, this nightmare.

"Yes! Actually, my Uncle Billy and Norma Jean live Connecticut. Oh Jimmy you would not believe the snow they get there. Momma and daddy aren't one for traveling now, but when I was little we used to visit them every couple of years."

Jumping to her feet Alice mimicked the scene describing in glorious detail, such joys of making a snowman, building snow forts, how they would go sledding down the steepest of hills, and even having snowball fights with her cousins, three rambunctious boys, that were all young men now.

Laying in the hay she demonstrated how a snow angel was made by waving her arms and legs in the inches of pale yellow straw.

Wincing she tilted her head as she stared at the winged form. "Well it's just like that but you have to imagine pure white snow, I swear Jimmy it's just the most beautiful thing!"

Smiling warmly he became even more convinced that she had completely detached herself from the entire gruesome situation, he wasn't even sure if she was fully aware of what transpired with the fire and her parents 'selling' her to Charles, or worse what her father had done to her.

Seeing only one option he took her hands, looked her directly in her wide innocent eyes, and lied.

"Well now this makes total sense then."

Glancing over her shoulder out the large window that looked out onto the house below, Jimmy reached for her hands pulling her attention back to him.

"You know I should get back Jimmy, I'm sure Momma needs me in the Kitchen."

Giving her a reassuring wide grin he shrugged showing no signs of distress or nervousness.

"That won't be necessary, Eve found a note left by your parents early this morning. Unfortunately she spilled coffee on it before she finished reading it, so some of it wasn't legible, but I think you just filled in the blanks. It seems that someone in your family has taken ill, nothing serious but their help was needed. They said they were taking the first train out and they would write as soon as possible with more details."

Alice's face fell, striking Jimmy hard in the heart worrying that he wasn't convincing or that his story had jogged her memory.

"Jimmy it must be serious, my parents don't leave the farm for anything, they can't. They've gotten very paranoid in their old age, Momma can't even make it to the market anymore. After I left they had to resort to having everything delivered, and daddy, he would never stray far from here. He had this fear that if he did something awful would happen… no, no, this doesn't make sense - "

He was startled at just how quickly she was spinning out of control, she was growing more upset by the second, it was painful to watch.

Pulling her into his arms he gently rubbed her back while whispering softly to her ear, calmly, sweetly.

"Shh Alice, I read the note, I promise there is nothing to worry about. Your parents knew that you were here to watch over the farm, plus I'm here with you. I had a long talk with your father last night while you were asleep. He gave me a bunch of his clothes, and showed me around. I convinced him that we were in love and that I would look after you, I'm sure that's why he felt comfortable leaving. Besides everyone knows the train is very safe, in no time at all they'll be in Connecticut, and they'll send you a letter explaining everything."

Clutching onto him tight she was quiet for a long time just holding him close.

"But Jimmy, why didn't they mention any of this to you last night, if you talk to him?"

Shrugging he thought quickly. "Eve slept in the house, she heard the phone ringing close to the morning hours. I'm sure your Momma just didn't want to wake anyone. They seem like good people Alice, they'd have to be to raise just a beautiful daughter."

Placing a soft kiss on the top of her messy red hair he lifted her chin up so she could see the sincerity in his eyes.

"Trust me baby, I wouldn't never lie to you. I bet we get a letter as soon as next week. I promise there is nothing to worry about."

It was a horrible thing to do, to use those words, to manipulate her, it killed him to know that she trusted him so inexplicably that there was no doubt that his plan would work, at least on her end, he still had to convince the others that it had to be this way.

Instantly her freckled, tan cheeks relaxed raising upwards in another bright smile that just leveled him.

"I'm so happy you're here with me Jimmy, I feel as though nothing bad could ever happen as long as you're near me. I've never felt safer in my life than when I'm in your arms. I hope you know just how much I love you... because I do Jimmy, I love you with all my heart."

As many times as she had said those words, or gazed at him with such intense devotion, he'd never got used it.

It was like the first time, every time with Alice, she was simply special, one too kind for this world.

Gazing down at the angel image in the yellow hay, he wondered if maybe that's what she was, a fallen angel here on Earth to save him from a lifetime of pain and rejection, to give him the only thing he ever really wanted, love.

"I love you my sweet Alice. Listen I was thinking about all the stories you've told me about riding your horses, it's something I've always wanted to do, but never had the chance, do you think we could go for a ride now? Maybe you could teach me, we could go over the hills and through the fields, then after I'll make you lunch and we could settle in the house. What do you think?"

Alice heard nothing beyond him wanting to ride with her.

A well of enthusiasm bubbled up in her like he had just made her dreams come true.

"Jimmy! Nothing would make me happier! Oh Jimmy!"

Throwing her arms around his neck tight she nearly vibrated with happiness.

"Ok listen you get the horses saddled and ready, and I'll go let the others know what's happening, I'll be back soon."

Jumping to her feet she hung over the edge of the loft to look down at the several new horses her father acquired after the fire.

"It's going to take sometime, I have to get to know these sweet darlings, find out their temperaments and such."

Slipping his arm around her waist he leaned down to kiss her cheek as guilt ate away at his insides.

"Alice, just make sure you stay here till I get back, Eve and Paul have been cleaning the house all morning as a surprise for you, a little thank you gesture for letting them stay for awhile."

Leaning into him, folded beneath his chin, she sighed. "Whatever you want, but please tell them not to go to any trouble. I just want everyone to enjoy being here. They've been through so much, I want them to see this as a special vacation."

Drowning in deception he felt almost sick, of course she would feel this way.

It really appeared as if she thought that they were all there for a visit, a happy occasion, had she really erased it all from her mind?

The implications of what that meant terrified him, almost as much as how the others would react to what he was about to demand from them all, especially Elsa.

aJa

Practically running back to the house he came upon Paul first who was rising the blood off his hands in the outside well pump on the side of the house.

"Jimmy - "

"Not now Paul, I need to talk to everyone, where is my mother, and Elsa - "

The front screen door creaked open slowly revealing a very weary Ethel, with Eve, and Elsa sitting around the kitchen table, hardly fazed that just an hour ago held the bodies of two murder victims.

Paul stood behind Jimmy glaring at the three woman with sceptical eyes, knowing that something was up.

Elsa raised a decorative tea cup to her red lips as calm as ever.

"Something tells me that you've failed to execute our little plan Jimmy, may I remind you that the girl is next, she will - "

Furious, he motioned for Paul and his mother to sit with the others.

"Let me put this in very clear terms so everyone here has no misunderstandings of what will happen here."

Rolling her eyes Elsa decided to hear him out of plain exhaustion. "As you wish, we are of all ears."

"Alice has been through too much, she's had some kind of mental break. She doesn't remember anything, nothing that happened last night. She has no idea that Charles is dead."

Reactions went quickly around the sweltering room as the afternoon sun began to pour in the windows.

Eve put her head down on the freshly cleaned table, Paul rolled his eyes, his mother looked immediately to Elsa who clearly not happy and losing patience.

"Listen to me and listen to me good, if anyone touches a hair on her head, I will tear down this plan of yours so fast we all be behind bars before any of you could even think about running."

Tilting her head, Elsa could see that Jimmy had more gumption than she had given him credit for in the past, clearly she had underestimated him, but he was still just a boy, and obviously no match for her.

"Hmm, threats of jail, I have to say I failed to see this coming."

Pacing Jimmy knew he had to give her something, she was shrewd, desperate to be out of the clutches of hateful people holding them to outrageous leases and overpriced rents.

"I know a way, I have a plan where the farm can be our home, and Alice can be protected. I understand I owe you all for Charles, I would be dead right now if it wasn't for you all. That's why I'm willing to negotiate with you, if you'll just hear me out I think we can all reach an agreement where we all get what we want."

Ethel was growing more agitated by the second especially since she had Charles nosy neighbor's death hanging over her head.

"Boy, I don't think you understand … you don't have a say here. You screwed up, bad, and you pulled us all down with ya. You should be on your darn knees thanking Ms. Elsa for saving your lily white ass instead of throwing around ultimatums!"

Waving Ethel down, Elsa sighed deeply while pulling a cigarette out as Ethel rushed towards her with a match eagerly.

It made Jimmy sick, how much Ethel kissed her ass, treating her as if she owed everything to her.

"Bottom line is you need Alice, you need a blood relative's name on the deed, one that is very much alive if anyone should come sniffing around. You need her here, they have neighbors, delivery people, strangers to us but not to Alice. What do you think will happen if someone comes here and sees a bunch of carnie folks, and no sign of the owners. You did away with them, but everyone from around here knows that Alice is their daughter. They may think it's strange that we're around, but as long as Alice is here that will be the end of it."

Taking a long drag, Elsa blew casual rings up into thick air, heightened by the growing tension in the room.

"Well my dear that is why you are to marry the little lamb, you will inherit everything, problem solved."

Jimmy was no fool, he knew that if this did come to pass, and Alice was 'taken care of' that he would be next leaving the farm to his mother, and after that it would only be a matter of time before Elsa would manipulate his mother through guilt or threats, either way she find a way to force her into signing everything over to her.

Which was Elsa's ultimate goal, to own something finally that was hers, this farm and all the hundreds of acres that came with it.

Lifting her tired head Eve chimed in, the only one that truly felt for Jimmy, and his love for this girl.

"Jimmy what is your plan, tell us."

Nodding he turned a chair backwards and sat down hard laying it all out for them.

"I already told Alice that her parents left a note saying that they've left to help a relative. Eve you heard the phone call in the middle of the night and found the note. She told me she has an Aunt and Uncle in Connecticut, she completely trusts me, she believed every word. We'll write letters, explaining their extended visit, and how they need Alice to stay to help take care of the farm. She is so kind, she already told me that you all can stay."

Paul shook his head. "I dunno, it all sounds a bit risky to me, what do we do if the little lady suddenly remembers everything and runs to the coppers?"

Rubbing his temples for a second he looked up them pleadingly. "She won't, Charles threatened her life, and mine, he treated her like hell. He was going to kill me, and do worse than that to her, anyway she wouldn't do it because she knows that I'd be arrested. The kid loves me, she'd never let that happen. We just can't tell her about her parents, she can never know. Listen, I will marry her, very soon, just like you want, because honestly it's what I want… more than anything."

At that point even Ethel felt for Jimmy, it was clear that he had finally found someone that truly cared for him, that looked beyond his deformities to the big empathetic heart that was always inside him.

Clearing her throat Elsa finished her tea. "Fine, it's all cleaned up in here, the bodies are buried in the back by the tall Oak tree. I'm taking Ethel back home with me for now to tie up loose ends, we still have three months paid on the lease, we'll continue to work there until that's up and then the show will be move here."

Standing everyone stared up at Elsa not really believing what she was saying, even when Elsa knew she was wrong she was never that quick to back down, ever. It was more than unsettling, but it would have to be good enough for now.

Ethel tried to help, and for that Jimmy sent a smile warmly her way, something she was never immune to.

"There's a big field over the hill and far away from the house and the barns that would be perfect. It's nice and flat, there's even a dirt path wide enough for cars that leads straight to the road. We can start making plans, this could be a hold new start for us."

"And no one hurts Alice."

Jimmy darkened his voice, showing just how serious he was about this main factor.

Nodding slowly, Elsa reached for her hat and keys.

"No one hurts Alice… at least for now, but Jimmy, if there are any problems - "

Jumping up he eagerly interrupted her. "There won't be, I promise you."

Stepping out into the hot sun Elsa drew the top of her hat down to shield her eyes.

"Promises are nothing but desperate vows made from someone trying to control what cannot be controlled… and I'm afraid if broken, yours will end in bloodshed."

TBC , reviews are greatly appreciated :)