(okay, so I wanted to give Jane & Lisbon a chance to do some of the normal 'couple' things in this fic. So, they're gonna spend some time getting to know each other, and each other's pasts. There will be sharing, and realizations, and family time, and healing, and ironing-out-of-things-I'd-have-liked-to-have-seen-more-in-depth on the show ;))

THE CARNY CHAPTER

Jane was beside himself with anticipation. He bounded into the living space of the under-construction Malibu house as he and Lisbon went about the business of clearing out the suitcases and bags they'd brought back from Seattle, putting the souvenirs and precious memories from their first "couples trip" into safe storage. Laundry was in full swing, and they were both busy with restocking of personal items and such.

Seattle by train (and ferry) had been a smashing success! They had both had a wonderful time, and Lisbon's surprise reservation at the Sky City restaurant (atop the Space Needle) went off without a hitch. Jane had seemed truly surprised, and very touched by it.

Today, though, Lisbon was unusually quiet - deep in some apparently serious thoughts. As she wrestled with her silent worries, she folded shirts and jeans (and some special items Jane had surprised her with, on their last night in Seattle).

"Why the long face, Teresa?" Jane asked, looking puzzled.

"I'm sorry, Patrick," she said, snapping her thoughts back to the present. "I guess I'm just a bit nervous about our next stop."

He frowned a bit and looked concerned. "What is there to be nervous about? It's just a carnival? I promise I won't make you ride anything too scary. And I promise to be on my best behavior- no tricks - honest!" He finished with his best "innocent" look - eyebrows up and a big smile.

She couldn't keep from giggling quickly at the sight of him like that, before her face returned to its previous somber gaze.

"Pete and Sam will be there." She explained. "I don't think they like me very much - The cop thing and all…"

"Do you really believe that, Lisbon?" His exasperated look showed that he did not agree. "They ask about you every time we talk!" He insisted.

"Maybe…" she pondered, "But that just means they've accepted that we're partners at work - maybe even that we're good friends. But now that we're together, it's different. I feel like I'll be walking on eggshells around them."

"Nonsense!" He smiled, "I promise you that is patently false! Do you honestly believe that, after all those months of delivering my 'letters from exile' to you, they thought I had no serious intentions for us? Why would they have helped us in that way if they thought you were wrong for me?"

"We'll see." Lisbon wanted to change the subject. And she really was trying to be at least a little bit excited for his sake. After all, this was basically his chance to show her around his old hometown… Take her to meet the family… All that stuff that real couples do… She smiled at the thought.

"Okay, Patrick. I know how important this is to you. I want to make it clear that I really am thrilled to get the chance to share this with you. I love that I'll get to see you in your element, and I bet you're going to light up in a way I haven't seen before - I'm really quite excited for that, by the way" she moved over and put her arms around his neck, looking deeply into his baby blue eyes. "I'll get over my case of nerves, so let's pack and plan and get this show on the road!"

"See - you've even got the lingo down! You're a natural, my dear! Plus, you'll get to see Daisy the elephant again!" He smiled, wiggling his eyebrows.

After giving her a quick squeeze, and a peck on the nose, Jane perked up and went back to packing.

Lisbon took a deep breath, shook her head at how nervous she was getting, and refused to let it show, from that point forward. She wanted Jane to have this happy time to reminisce with her - and she had always wanted to be allowed the privilege of knowing about his past. Of his childhood. Of his ragtag band of friends and family-by-choice. Of all the crazy jobs he'd had with the carnival. Of all the ingredients that had gone into making him the man she loved so much today. And honestly, the thought that she was going to be offered that privilege through an on-site, personal tour with him made her heart race, in a good way.

Jane was at work in the front yard. The doors to the Airstream were all open as he arranged things here and there, carrying supplies in from the house. He had just cleaned it out, having had it completely detailed and brought back to its former glory. There was no need for Teresa to be subjected to any hints or shadows of his previous bout of self-pity, he reasoned. She didn't deserve the guilt or the worry.

Right on cue, Lisbon exited the front door of the house just then, and dropped her jaw at how the silver bucket shined in the California sun. "WOW! She really cleans up nice!" She exclaimed - with equal parts sincerity and jest.

"Only the best carriage for you, my love," he crooned, hand extended to help her into the royal vehicle.

"Why thank you, handsome prince," she purred, sneaking in a kiss and not so subtly brushing against his frame (prompting a grin) as she walked past and climbed into the passenger seat.

They drove for the better part of a day, chattering about this and that - snacking more than eating - stopping at random when something interesting popped into view - and telling stories about their lives from before they'd known each other.

Lisbon had a few tales of family trips to the Illinois state fair. One especially happy one from before her Mom died, that ended with her dad somehow getting a pie in the face; one hilarious one where she tried to keep her 3 brothers in check without either parent present (Jane chuckled to himself and thought that must be where her cop instincts began) and a few stories from her teens, including friends and crushes (much to Jane's delight).

Jane shared some childhood stories, like how his mother was so wonderful with kids that all the carny children followed her like the pied piper; and a story he told with great joy about the time he and Angela had taken Charlotte to see her first carnival - and how they both had delighted at seeing her find all the magical things around every corner - and how so many of the carnies recognized them both, and treated Charlotte with extra loving care (after all she was a descendant of carny royalty).

He was quiet for awhile after that. Lisbon thought she saw tears reflecting on his face when they passed streetlights. She reached over and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

Just as they both began yawning and rubbing their eyes, the carnival appeared in their sights. Jane found an out of the way parking spot for the Airstream, not wanting to draw undue attention after hours (Plus he knew how much work had to be done behind the scenes each night, and didn't want to be a disruption either).

They made a simple dinner, before cuddling into bed for the night. Lisbon was grateful for the Airstream's lack of guest rooms, which meant she was all but guaranteed to fall asleep in Patrick Jane's arms every night of this trip. She could sense that he was equally happy for the perfectly logical excuse to share a bed the next few nights. Despite her underlying nerves, and his excitement for the adventures of tomorrow, they both had their best night of sleep in recent memory.

The next morning, they were up with the sun. Jane cooked some of his trademark omelets while Lisbon gathered the coffee and tea. He thought to himself that he would never tire of mornings with her, as he snuck over for a kiss & hug. She moved her hands behind his neck and spent a few moments getting lost in his sparkling eyes. He was especially beautiful this morning, and she could hardly wait to see him dance through the midway like a kid in a candy shop.

After awhile, music began to play in the air - a carousel, she supposed - and cars began streaming into the parking lot. Jane gathered a few items he'd brought with him for the day, and reminded Lisbon to put on sunscreen - "We don't want any sun damage to come to those adorable freckles," he flirted, prompting a grin. With everything ready to go, they walked to the entryway, arm in arm.

"So what should we do first?" He asked, nearly jumping up & down with excitement.

Laughing through a small eyeroll, she answered "no thrill rides just yet - I'm not completely awake and I'm still full from that delicious breakfast!"

He suddenly steered them in a new direction, walking into her somewhat awkwardly.

" Jane!? What the?!" Lisbon was part confused and part annoyed at being nearly knocked off her feet by the sudden turn.

"Nothing to see that direction - move along." He answered cryptically, inciting her curiosity - and her stubbornness.

"We'll just see about that," she challenged, walking back the way they came, until she stopped dead in her tracks, mouth agape. "Oh my God, Patrick - is that YOU?!" She stood frozen, in rapt attention at an "historic marquis banner" just beside the "World of Wonder" section of the carnival.

Jane responded with resignation, amusement, and some embarrassment to the enshrined poster advertising: "The Boy Wonder - can he really see inside your mind?" The cartoon-colored portrait was the spitting image of what Teresa imagined a young Patrick Jane might look like.

Sensing his conflicting emotions, Lisbon turned to humor and flirting. "Well, you're no longer a boy, but you are a wonder!" She punctuated her statement with a flirtatious nudge and a wink.

Allowing him to steer them back toward 'safer waters,' then, she agreed to a ride on the Ferris wheel - figuring the coffee still jostling in her stomach wouldn't be too agitated by such a calm ride. As they approached the line, he jokingly had her stand by the height chart, to determine if she was tall enough to ride. With a playful glare, she pushed past him to the boarding area, as he chuckled gleefully. While they awaited their turn, he breathed in deeply, arms outstretched to his sides, and exhaled happily - soaking in the atmosphere that had been so familiar to him all those years ago. He never regretted leaving, but still had a soft spot for the good parts of the carny life - and the laughs, smiles, music, and wafting smells of 'deep-fried-everything' were definitely on that list.

When their gondola floated down from the sky, he was delighted to see that it was green! "Just like your eyes, my love!" She smiled, blushing a little, as they boarded together. Within seconds of sitting down, they felt the propulsion of the wheel, moving them upward - drawing a giggle from Lisbon and a look of delight from Jane, in response.

"Wow that Seattle wheel was ultra modern but this one is beautifully old fashioned!" Jane marveled. "It's nearly identical to the one I used to ride as a kid! I actually remember my dad having me practice cold reading people from gondolas just like this" he said with an eyeroll.

Then his eyes sparkled, "But it also reminds me of the time when Angela and I…" his voice trailed off as his focus meandered, and his expression changed.

After a moment's silence, Lisbon leaned over to him. "Are you okay, love? I'm happy with quiet cuddling, but you know that you can tell me anything, right? I promise I can handle whatever is troubling you and I'm not going anywhere - I love you." She gently kissed his neck.

"It's just that - this Ferris wheel is identical to the one Angela and I played on together when we were still kids. It became our not-so-secret date spot & was where we really got to know each other… where we fell in love with each other… where we hatched our plan for escape." He smiled at the memory.

"I've come so far these past few years, have healed in so many ways, and I am indescribably happy to be sharing a life with you - I absolutely love and adore you Teresa," he assured, as they exchanged knowing smiles, "But being here, in this spot," his voice broke a little,

"I miss my Angie so fiercely… I had no idea it would be so hard…" He ended in sobs, though he tried like hell to control them.

Lisbon knew fully well how much she meant to Jane, but her heart was crumbling for him as he fought against tears. She disliked feeling so helpless - especially when he was aching so heavily.

Not knowing how else to respond, she pulled him as close as the gondola would allow, held him tightly, and simply stated the truth: "I'm so sorry you're hurting, Patrick. I wish I could make the pain go away."

He thanked her with a squeeze, answering, "there really are some things you just can't fix," with a sad smile. "But you do make things better in so many wonderful ways, Teresa. I want you to know that"

"I do know, and I also understand how you miss her - never hold back those feelings around me, okay? I am not hurt or bothered by it in the least. My only concern is your well-being, so don't worry you'll scare me off." She winked and smiled softly at him, before gathering him in, once more.

They were silent for the rest of the ride, but healing and thanks moved from her arms to his waist, and from his cheek to her shoulder, as they held each other.

His face still shiny with tears, Jane slowly regained his smile… which slowly morphed into a grin… which suddenly turned into a tickle when Lisbon least expected it. She squealed and laughed before playfully slapping his arm in retaliation.

Back in control of his emotions, Jane continued the flirting as they exited the ride, much to Lisbon's delight and relief.