From: Allison Broesder <scully04_99@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 16:05:46 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Breakout (7/10) by Cinnamon Scully
Source: direct

Title: Breakout 7
Author: Cinnamon Scully
Category: SRH DSR Angst, Humor
Rating: NC-17 for language and adult situations
Summary: Sequel to Endings and Beginnings. Takes place ten years
later.
Disclaimer: I do not own the X-files characters, nor do I own anything
that has anything to do with Richard Patrick or Filter, All
information found on Richard Patrick has been documented and is
disclaimed to be the possession of such sites. I also do not own any
rights to Nine Inch Nails or Trent Reznor. All lyrics have been
documented to the album they come from and are as such. All situations
therin are fictional unless documented. Fiction and Reality is
interweaved throughout the story, but the situations therin are
created by the author for entertainment purposes only. Refer to the
website that corrolates with this story to find out the truths and
discern from the fiction. No money has been made off of this story.
Email: richfactwebmistress@yahoo.com
Website:http://muldersprettyladynin.tripod.com/
richfactsafiltersite/


     They arrived to the restaurant in Duluth, shortly after. Mike
sighed. "I'm going to have to wake her up now." He stroked Kathy's
hair, then leaned his head down slightly, whispering, "Kat, wake up.  
We're at the restaurant."

     Kathy opened her eyes slowly, feeling drowsy. She was warm where
she was and didn't feel like moving.  She moaned softly in protest,
not wanting to get up.

     Mike said, "Come on, Kat. We gotta eat."

     Kathy leaned back, stretching.  She tilted her head to either
side, causing an audible crack. She yawned.  "Where are we?"

     "Duluth." Doggett said.

     Kathy climbed over Mike into the aisle. Mike grunted as she got
out to the aisle. She stretched, cracking her back. "I call a bed when
we get back on the bus. This whole sleeping in a twisted position in a
chair is not good."

     Scully shook her head from her seat. "I agree."

     Mike stood up, stretching himself.  He said, "Let's get inside.
I'm famished."

     Jo Jo and Sam were already waking Trent and picking up Richie's
carrier.  Trent grumbled, rubbing his eyes.  He yawned. "I'm hungry."

     Sam laughed. "Well, kiddo, we're here to eat so you're in luck."

     Trent smiled mid yawn. His mother laughed. "You look silly when
you do that. Come on, let's get inside."

     They got off of the bus, making their way into a Country Kitchen.  
Once a waitress had seated them, everyone started looking at their
menus. Jo Jo said while looking at hers, "Sam, did you remember
Richie's baby food?"

     Sam grabbed out of the travel bag the small container of baby
food. "Right here."

     Jo Jo smiled. She said, "Look Richie, Daddy remembered your
food!"

     Richie clapped his hands, giggling from the highchair provided
for him. He gurgled, his hands slapping the highchair table. He then
looked around.

     Sam laughed. "I see Richie's thrilled. It's peas and carrots and
ham. What a deal."

     Mike laughed. "Well, hmm, I think I want something more filling.  
Not that peas and carrots and ham aren't filling. I was thinking more
breakfast like food, I guess."

     Kathy giggled. "I'm just hungry.  Period."

     Jo Jo was feeding Richie his food as they waited for breakfast to
arrive. She was having a bit of trouble getting him to accept the
spoon. She sighed. "Richie! I'm trying to feed you! Let Mommy do that,
please!"

     Sam laughed. "Here, let me feed this bad boy. He seems to be
giving ya trouble." Sam took the jar and spoon from Jo Jo's hand. He
scooped a spoonful of food. He leaned towards Richie, making airplane
noises. Richie opened his mouth in surprise, the spoon going in. Sam
laughed. "That works everytime."

     Mike laughed. "Oh dear God, this is what I have to look forward
to. Feeding the baby."

     Kathy laughed. She took a drink of her water. She said, "Can you
make good airplane noises?"

     Mike snorted. "Airplane noises?  Aw come on. I'm a guy. Of course
I can make airplane noises. Or gun noises, or explosion noises or any
other noise you want."

     Kathy laughed. "Um, Michael, what noises are we talking about in
the end there? Or are those noises for later?" She was giggling as she
saw him blush.

     Mike said, "Kat! Not at the dinner table! Sheesh! There are
children present."

     Sam dropped the spoon onto the table. "Is that Mike Flood
speaking?  Are you a pod? I've never heard you say that in my life!"

     Mike laughed. "But, but Kat was saying. . .aw fuck it. Kids don't
give a shit what I say."

     "That's more like it. I was a little nervous there. Just didn't
sound like you."  Sam went back to feeding Richie. He made another
airplane noise, getting Richie to eat.

     "Yeah, and I never thought I'd see you feeding a baby. So shush
it."  Mike laughed. "I'm hungry. Where's our food?"

     The waitress arrived, setting the food infront of them. She gave
each person their food. Mike laughed after she left. "Apparently I
should bitch more." He took a drink of his milk.

     Kathy shook her head. "Michael, you're terrible. Just eat and be
nice."
 
     Jo Jo laughed. "I see we're all just peachy in the morning." She
started to eat. "Where are we going next?"

     "Well, from here we're going to drive straight to North Dakota.
We'll stop around 1 or so for fast food.  That way we can have
something to eat and hold off till we get settled this evening." Brian
said.

     "Okay."

     "That's when I'm going to check in on some leads and
information."  Brian sipped his glass of water. "If Mulder is still
only two states below us when we get there, we'll start tracking him
more than we are now.  He might not be watching for people searching
for him right now."

     Sam said, "I hope so."



     Once everyone got back on the bus, Mike and Kathy disappeared
into the back area of the bus. Mike shut the door, pulling the sofa
into a bed.  Once he had done that, he sat down on the bed, watching
Kathy. She sat down, lying down on her back. She put her arms behind
her head, yawning. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm just so
sleepy."

     "You've always slept on the tour bus. It's nothing to worry
about. I'm sleepy too. I ate way too much." Mike stretched, yawning.

     Kathy laughed. "I know. You ate about three times as much as me
and I'm the one carrying the baby."

     Mike laughed. He ran a hand through her hair over her cheek.
"Well, I'm sleepy so I'm going to get some sleep." He lay on his back,
placing his arm over his head.

     Kathy nuzzled up to him, placing her arm round him as she got
comfy.

     Mike opened an eye. "Kat, be careful."  He flipped her on her
back, rolling on top of her, straddling her. He kissed her.

     Kathy giggled. "Not on the bus. Besides, I'm too sleepy for
that." She yawned.

     Mike kissed her neck, then rolled over, pulling her ontop of him.
"I didn't say we'd do anything, now did I? I just said be careful."

     Kathy got comfortable. "Okay.  Since you've offered to be my
pillow.."  She lay her head down onto his chest, cuddling up to his
warmth.

     Mike pulled a blanket up around them, wrapping his arms around
her.  "Yeah. I did. Now let's get some sleep."  He ran a hand through
her long hair, trying to get most of it away from his face.

     Kathy giggled into his chest.  "Sorry about my hair." She
snuggled more into him, preparing to sleep.  "You're comfy."

     Mike laughed. "I hope so. God damn it. Your hair is trying to
smother me."  He moved her hair back down, fighting the strands off of
his hands. "There."  He yawned, closing his eyes.

     Kathy giggled, closing her own eyes. She said, "I'm sure we'll be
woken up for lunch at some point."

     "Uh huh. Let's just sleep now."

     Sam and Jo Jo sat down into their chairs after they got onto the
bus. Sam sat back, patting his stomach. "That was good. I'm so
stuffed."

     Jo Jo yawned. "It didn't wake me up, just made me more sleepy.
I'm sure when we get to Fargo we'll be wide awake and I don't know if
that's such a good thing either."

     Sam laughed. He groaned. "Man, I ate just a tad too much." He
burped loudly. "That felt better."

     Jo Jo shook her head. "EWW! That was gross!" She giggled then.
"You're so gross sometimes."

     "Hey, fine, excuse me, sorry."  He smiled mischievously at her.
"It still felt good."

     Doggett groaned from his seat.  "Man, you guys are just the
strangest people I've ever known. And Sam, she's right. That was
gross." He rolled his eyes. "You refuse to grow up."

     Sam burped again. "There. I'm not excusing myself on that one. If
you're all gonna fucking fuss about a burp, man, we gotta find
something else to talk about. It happens. We all burp."

     Jo Jo was giggling uncontrollably in her seat. She said, catching
her breath, "Don't! You're trying to kill me!" She started giggling
harder.

     Sam burped at her, speaking as he did so, "I am not."

     Scully laughed then, especially after Doggett groaned and put his
head in his hands. She said, "Sam, please.  Don't."

     Sam burped, "What?" He laughed then.  "Sorry. I'm just teasin' Jo
Jo here. She started it by giggling."

     "Me??? I'm not the one who burped in the first place! You started
the whole mess by burping at all!" Jo Jo stopped giggling, preparing
to duke it out almost.

     Sam sighed. "Jo Jo, don't get your panties in a bundle. It's not
a big fucking deal who started it or not.  Sheesh. Don't be so
tempermental."

     Jo Jo rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. She giggled then.

     Sam sighed. "I'm gonna nap. Just need to sleep off all this
food." He burped one more time, leaning back in his chair.

     Doggett said, "Don't you dare unbutton them pants. I don't want
you streaking on this bus."

     Sam stuck his tongue out. "My bus, my rules." He unsnapped his
pants.  "What you gonna do about it?"

     Doggett groaned. "Why did I say anything?"

     Brian laughed. "Sam, button your pants up and chill out. You're
gonna make the kids cranky. If you make the kids cranky, your rules
won't mean a thing."

     Sam sighed. "I know." He rebuttoned his pants. "It was fun to
tick off my bro though."



     When they got to Fargo, Sam was asleep in his chair, arms crossed
and mouth hanging open. He was softly snoring, head lying back across
the seat.

     Mike and Kathy stepped out from the back area, holding hands.
Mike let go of Kathy's hand, smacking Sam's head soundly. He said,
"Wake up, fucker. We're in Fargo."

     "Michael, that wasn't very nice." Kathy chided him.

     Sam jumped, rubbing the back of his head.  "Ow, fucker! Don't hit
me!"

     Jo Jo woke up in her seat. "What the hell is going on here?"

     "Mike, that asshole, hit me!" Sam said. He glared at Mike, then
got up.  He kicked Mike in the shin. "That's what you get for that
shit."

     Mike laughed, then grimaced.  "Ow." He shoved Sam.

     "Boys, don't." Scully said from her seat. "I don't want a
wrestling match that ends up getting you two hurt."

     Mike and Sam walked past Scully's seat, stepping off the bus. As
soon as they were outside, Mike jumped on Sam, hitting him, Sam
hitting back. Sam got Mike in a head lock, and began spinning around
as Mike walked in a circle trying to shake Sam off of him. At one
point they fell to the ground, Sam letting go of Mike's head. Mike
started hitting Sam, trying to get him into a head lock.

     Jo Jo stepped off the bus, Kathy not far behind. "You two, knock
it off or I'll kick both of your pasty, white asses."

     Neither stopped as they scuffled on the ground in the snow. Mike
said, "Damn it, Sam. Don't do that."

     Sam said, "Well, fucker, if you hadn't smacked me in the head I
wouldn't be fighting you."

     Mike grunted, feeling Sam's knee go into his stomach. He felt Sam
start rolling them over to get the strong point. Mike stood up,
grabbing Sam by the head as he did. He started to punch him in the
stomach.

     Jo Jo said sharply, "Mike Flood!  If you don't stop, I'm gonna
kick you in the ass."

     Kathy giggled, listening to Jo Jo try to intimidate the wrestling
men.  She sputtered out, "Michael, don't do that."

     Sam grunted, clipping Mike's legs out from under him. He said,
"Damn it.  Don't do that."

     Mike stood up, jumping on Sam's back. "You're gonna pay!"

     Doggett peeled Mike off of Sam.  "Like to see you do that to me.
Now let's be civilized men and go inside and check in. Why must you
act like you're five all the time?"

     Mike and Sam glared at one another, then burst out laughing. Sam
said, "That was so much fun. You thought we were really fighting one
another, didn't you?"

     Scully rolled her eyes. "You two are just boys!"

     Mike yelled from where Doggett held him, "At least I haven't
smashed a whole fucking hotel room in years!"

     Everyone put their stuff into the hotel room, after the big
scuffle between the boys. Sam sat down onto the bed, turning the
televison on. He found the local news on. The weather man came on the
screen, leaning towards the camera, appearing too close on the screen.
The weather man said cherrily, "Hello, I'm Totally Tom and today's
weather is going to be a bit snowy." His eyes were wide and his
expression mildly surprised.

     Sam laughed. "Oh my God. Mike!  Come here!" He was laughing as
the weather broadcast continued.

     Mike walked into the room. "What the fuck is it now? You want
more of a fight?"

     "No. Watch this weather man. Just for a few minutes." Sam
laughed.

     Mike sat down on the edge of the bed, watching. He said, "Ahhh!
What the fuck was that! Did he just like try to come out of the
screen? Dude, that's some scary shit."

     Sam laughed. "But funny. This guy is actually a news caster. Can
you believe that?"

     "No. But here he is. Kat!! Get in here!" Mike said, sitting back.

     Kathy walked in, a pair of socks in her hand. "What is it?"

     "Watch this for a moment."

     She stood, watching. The weather man dipped in towards the
camera, proudly announcing, "This is Totally Tom and stay tuned for
the seven day forcast." Kathy giggled, shaking her head.

     Mike laughed. "I can't believe this. This is the entertainment of
the day. Serious. Our fake fight wasn't even as good. Where do they
find these crazy fucks?"

     Sam laughed. "I dunno."

     Jo Jo walked into the room, disgruntled. "Thanks for helping with
the suitcase."

     Sam said, "Sorry. Check this weather man out!"

     Jo Jo set the suitcase down, watching. Totally Tom leaned in
again, causing Jo Jo to jump, then giggle. "Oh my God. Is this for
real?"

     "That's what we're trying to figure out." Mike said, lounging on
the bed. "This is some really twisted newscasting. I wonder if they
all do this."

     Sam sat up, leaning towards Mike, until his forehead almost
touched Mike's. "I don't know. You tell me."  He lay back down,
laughing hard.

     Mike rolled his eyes. "Dude! Don't!"

     Sam said, "I'm hungry. Let's just get some fast food and not
worry about getting some big meal and shit like that." He stretched.

     Mike said, "Okay. Let's go get some food then. I'll get something
for Kat that isn't too bad though."

     Sam shouted down the hall to Brian, "Dude! Mike and me are going
to get some fast food! It's not far from the hotel.  I saw it from the
window."

     Brian said, "Alright. Just get enough for everyone."

     "Okay, dude." Sam and Mike made their way down the hall, down the
steps and out the door to get to the Hardees only a block away from
the hotel they were staying at. Sam said, "You can help carry drinks,
okay?"

     "Yeah, sure." Mike nodded.

     When they got up to the cash register to order, Sam said, "I'd
like four Monster burgers, one bacon cheese burger, a salad and two
children's meals. All of them with fries and a coke."

     "That'll be six chicken sandwiches, 5 curly fries, and three
shakes." The cashier said back.

     Sam stood, gawking. He could't believe his ears. "No. I want four
Monster burgers, one bacon cheese burger, a salad and two children's
meals. All will have fries and a coke."

     Mike stood, his arms crossed. He hoped that this idiot wouldn't
mess it up again.

     The cashier said, "That'll be six chicken sandwiches, 5 curly
fries and three shakes."

     Sam stood, staring in disbelief again. He held his tongue, trying
not to swear loudly. He said, "No. No. I don't want that. What I do
want is to talk with your manager."

     The cashier stared blankly back.  He made no motion to move.
Instead he repeated the wrong order back at Sam.

     Sam lost it then. "Listen you fucking idiot, you'll take my order
the way I want or I'll have to do something. Now, I'd like four
Monster burgers, one bacon cheese burger, one salad and two children's
meals.  All will have fries and a Coke. Do you think you can handle
that or do I have to do it for you?"

     Mike was trying not to laugh as he watched Sam grow furious. He
found it highly entertaining and was glad he wasn't allowed to order,
especially knowing he'd be a smart ass about it if permitted.

     The cashier nodded. "Six chicken sandwiches."

     "NO! I don't want that, stupid!  Jesus Christ! Do you speak
English?"  Sam was livid. "I never said anything about fucking
chicken! I don't want any chicken!"

     The manager heard the distraught Sam. "What's the problem up
here?"

     "I am trying to order my food.  Everytime I order, he repeats it
back all wrong. I would like to order, get my food and leave." Sam
said, tense from anger.

     Mike was growing just as frustrated at this point, knowing that
it was hard enough on Sam to not have things such as this go on. He
tapped Sam on the shoulder.  "Let me handle it."

     The manager said, "Okay. What would you like?"

     Mike said, "I'd like four Monster burgers, one bacon cheese
burger, one salad and two children's meals. All will have fries and a
regular Coke."

     The manager nodded, punching in the order. He repeated it back to
Mike, correctly. "I'm sorry for your trouble.  We won't charge you for
this."

     Mike nodded. "Thank you."

     When they walked back out, Sam screamed in frustration. "What the
fuck was wrong with that moron?"

     Mike said, "I don't know. He spoke English from what I could
tell. He's just stupid, that's all. Let's just get back to the hotel
and eat, okay?"

     Sam sighed. He carried a bag of food with him. "Mike, I ever get
that confused, fucking kill me, okay?"

     Mike laughed. "I will. Same for me, okay?" He carried a bag and
the drinks.  "I hope we got what we really want."

     "Me too. Jesus. You think I was ordering a special order of
coffee or something." Sam said, opening the hotel door. He let Mike in
first, stepping inside.

     They made their way upstairs, Sam shouting, "Food guys!"

     Doggett, Scully, Kathy, Brian, Jo Jo and the kids all stepped
into the hall. Sam said, "Let's head to my room and I'll hand out
food. I don't know what any of this is, but if it's six chicken
sandwiches eat them and be happy or go fucking hungry."

     Doggett laughed. "Why six chicken sandwiches?"

     "Long fucking story." He handed what appeared to be a Monster
burger according to its wrapper to his brother.  "Good luck finding
out what the hell that is."

     Scully handed the salad to Kathy.  "Well, they got one thing
right so far."

     Sam sighed. "We had the stupidest cashier in all of fucking
America take our orders. He wouldn't listen to a word I said. I had to
get the manager to get any food other than some lousy chicken
sandwiches and I never said chicken."

     Brian laughed. "Sounds like I missed a good chance to see Sam
flip out on someone else. At least you did get the right food in the
end."

     Jo Jo took the children's meals out, handing them to the boys.
"Yeah.  I'm glad I wasn't allowed to order.  Either I'd get mad like
you or I'd start ordering things they don't have."

     "I was thinking of doing that, but then Sam got real mad. I
wanted to see if the cashier would say anything but six chicken
sandwiches, five curly fries and three shakes." Mike said.

     Sam laughed. "You should have, man.  That'd be funnier than
Totally Tom."

     "Oh really." Mike said, leaning in towards Sam to get him back.

     Sam jumped, almost dropping his burger.  "If I would have dropped
that, fucker, you'd pay dearly. I'm not going back to that idiot and
leaving with a fucking chicken sandwich."

     "Nah, he'd give you a pork one this time. You know, so we can
have fond memories of the van days." Mike said, laughing.

     "Shut up, fuck head. Just shut up."

     After they ate their dinner, Sam said, "Now I'm bored. What are
we gonna do now?"

     "Well, we could see what there is to do in the hotel." Mike said,
yawning.

     "Like?"

     "The hot tub." Jo Jo said. "The way my legs are right now, I'm
gonna need it." She got up, unpacking her swimsuit.

     Sam raised his eyebrows, looking over at Jo Jo. He was pretending
to not look her up and down while obviously doing so. He said, "Okay.
Let me get my trunks. . .unless you think we can get a private sit in
the hot tub."

     Mike rolled his eyes. "I figure Kat and I should go sit in it for
awhile too. She's been complaining of the cold herself. Said she'd
love to have a good soak."

     Kathy looked up from the book she was reading in the lounge
chair.  "Sure. I feel up to a swim as well.  Thank god for heated
pools and indoor pools in cold tundras like this."

     Mike's eyebrows shot up this time. He caught Sam's eyes, both of
them full of humor. They seemed to like this idea of swimming and
soaking in the hot tub very much.  Mike got up, whispering in Kathy's
wear, "Wear your green one. I like that one best."

     Kathy giggled. "Michael, you're silly."

     Jo Jo held up her purple suit.  "Well, I only have one so this is
it.  No way is Sam going to pick a color other than purple."

     Sam laughed, grabbing his shorts out of the suitcase. He said,
"Well, I still say we could find out if we get it private like."

     "SAM! Not with Mike and Kathy there.  Lord knows your brother and
Dana might come with as well." Jo Jo said, making her way to the
bathroom to change.

     Kathy sighed. "Alright. I'll wear the green one. But Michael, no
funny business while we're there. Besides, I'm tired and I feel like
going for a light swim so don't think you're getting anything out of
me."

     Mike made a pouty face. He kissed her, then smiled. "I'll go and
get changed myself. Meet you at the tub, Sam." He took Kathy's hand
into his own, leading her out of the room.

     Sam said, "Okay, man."

     Jo Jo stepped out, her hair hanging around her face for a change,
a towell wrapped around her hips.  She said, "Well, shall we go?"

     Sam nodded. He took her hand into his, walking with her. "Should
we get the kids?"

     "Nah. Let's have some adult time, whaddya say?" Jo Jo smiled,
leaning her head onto his shoulder.

     Sam said, "Okay. Sounds like a plan to me."

     When they got to the pool, they found it conveniently empty.
Kathy sat down on the edge of the pool, dangling her legs in first.
Mike ran past her, cannonballing into the pool, splashing water all
over her. She screamed, "MICHAEL!!"

     Mike laughed from the water, splashing her more. "Come on! You
said you wanted to swim!"

     Kathy sighed. "I didn't want to get splashed." She slipped fully
into the water, splashing him.  "You're so mean sometimes. I might go
sit by Sam and Jo Jo in the hot tub. At least he's not splashing Jo
Jo."

     Mike watched as Sam climbed out of the hot tub, running. He
cannon balled as well into the pool, sending a wave over Mike and
Kathy. Mike laughed once the wave passed, while Kathy silently shook
in mock anger.

     Sam shouted, "FUCK! It's cold!"

     Mike laughed. "Well, if you hadn't sat your fat ass in that hot
tub till you turned into a prune, it wouldn't be so fucking cold." He
splashed Sam.

     Sam splashed back. "Knock it off, fucker." He swam to the other
end of the pool.

     Jo Jo said from the hot tub, her eyes closed, "Will you two act
like decent people for a change and not try to get us into trouble. I
swear, I'll hurt you if you're not careful."

     Kathy giggled. She splashed Mike playfully, getting his attention
from Jo Jo's ultimatium.  She said, "Gotcha."

     Mike jumped. He said, "Oh, really.  Are you sure you want to go
splashing me?"

     Kathy giggled. She splashed him again. She swam away from him
before he could grab her. She felt Mike grab her ankle as she swam
away.

     Mike swam up along side her, wrapping her tight into his arms.  
"See you splash me now." He gave her a noogie.

     Sam laughed from the side of the pool he was in. He swam back
with strong strokes. Once back, he splashed them again, stepping out
of the pool to rejoin Jo Jo in the hot tub.

     Sam sunk back into the hot tub next to Jo Jo. He ran his feet up
her legs, making her jump. She said, "Sam, please, don't. I'm trying
to relax."

     Sam pouted. He ran his foot over her leg again, trying to get her
to open her eyes. He said, "I'm sorry, Jo Jo. I'll leave you alone."
He was trying to make her feel guilty.

     Jo Jo opened her eyes. She smiled at Sam. "I'm sorry I'm so
cranky. But my leg is acting up and it hurts."

     Sam leaned forward in the water, lifting her leg up. He set it
down onto his lap, rubbing it under the water. "That make it feel any
better?"

     Jo Jo groaned in pleasure. "Very much. It just hurts way too
much."  She leaned her head back, eyes closing again. She was enjoying
Sam's hands on her leg as he rubbed from her foot over her ankle and
knee.
 
     Sam sighed. He rubbed her leg more, knowing that sometimes her
legs would act up in winter, causing her undue pain. He rubbed down
her leg, moving towards her in the water. He whispered in her ear,
"That feel good?"

     Jo Jo giggled. She opened her eyes. "Sam, if you think you're
getting anything out of this tired body, you're crazy. I just need a
good massage."

     Sam said, "Maybe I can give you one, if you like. I know I
wouldn't mind doing so."

     Jo Jo looked at him. "Oh? I'm sure when we get back to the room
you can give me one of those. I'd like that very much."

     Sam kissed her. "I have a funny feeling you would." He went back
to rubbing her sore legs, trying to make them stop hurting. He looked
up when he heard Kathy squeal.

     Mike had her pinned in a corner, splashing her. Mike said,
"That's what you get for trying to dunk me!"  He laughed.

     Sam shook his head. "Those two seem to be having fun."

     Jo Jo laughed. "Yeah. More than we are. I'm sorry. I'm so tired
and worn out and I just want to soak. I don't feel like playing very
much."

     Sam rubbed her foot. "It's okay.  Not all of us can play all the
time.  I already had my fun splashing Mike anyways. Like you said,
adult time."

     Jo Jo smiled, pulling her foot away from him. She turned over
standing up. She waded through to Sam, kissing him. "I did, didn't I?  
Too bad we got cameras."

     Sam laughed. "And you said I wouldn't get anything out of you."

     Mike had Kathy pinned in a corner of the pool, splashing her.  
He said, "Kat, why do you make me do this?" He laughed when she
splashed back.

     Kathy splashed him, kicking at him under water. "You're so mean
Michael Flood. Did you know that?"

     "I am not!" He swam away from her, splashing her with his kicking
feet. He turned around, standing up in the three feet deep water. It
was up to his waist. Mike gave her his patent stare. "Now what are you
going to do to me?"

     Kathy giggled. She said, "Nothing.  I don't have to do anything."
She swam around him. Mike was staring ahead at where she had been,
trying to figure out what she was up to.

     Mike felt a tug at his swim trunks. Before he could react, he
felt them sink to his ankles. Mike exclaimed, "KAT!"

     Sam could be heard shouting, "What the fuck is the problem now!"

     Mike bent down in the pool, pulling them back up. He turned
around, looking at Kathy. She was smiling at him, a wide toothy grin.  
He said, "I'm not going to do anything to you!" He said it in a voice
higher pitched and whiny.

     Sam was laughing from the hot tub.  "She pantsed ya! Too funny!"

     Mike made a face at Sam, then gave him the finger. "Sit on this,
Sammie! Like to see you try and pants me."

     Sam stuck his tongue out, giving Mike the finger back.  "Aww,
fuck you, Mikey. Don't make me come outta this hot tub to kick your
ass!"

     Mike pointed his finger at the sign. "NO Rough house!" He laughed
then.

     Kathy was giggling. She said, "I think we've gone past that rule
by now."  She waded through the water towards him. When she got there,
she kissed him. "Since we're breaking rules here. . ."

     Mike laughed. "Right. In front of the fucking cameras. I'm not
stupid.  It'll be on fucking MTV and the National News for all I
know."

     Jo Jo could be heard giggling from the hot tub. She shouted to
Mike, "Man, you just can't win!"

     Mike shook his head. He let go of Kat, swimming away from her
before swimming back. "I challenge you to a race from this end to that
end. How about it?"

     Kathy said, "Okay, only if you really want to be beaten."

     "Riiiight." Mike got ready by the wall, watching Kathy get ready.  
He said, "One, two, three." Mike shoved off, Kathy shooting out in
front of him. He grumbled, "Damn it."

     Kathy made it to the wall before Mike could. She smiled wide at
him.  "I told you so."

     "Where did you learn to swim like that and why have I never seen
you do that before?" Mike said, catching his breath.

     "Oh, I don't like to race nearly as much anymore. I sorta like to
float more now a days. I used to be on the swim team in highschool and
I just know how to swim well."

     Mike sighed. "I'm too old for this. Let's go raid the hot tub."

     Mike and Kathy climbed into the hot tub, getting comfortable in
it.  Mike laughed at Sam's crestfallen face. Sam said, "But Jo Jo and
I were enjoying our sit here by ourselves."

     Mike said, "Too bad. Tough. I'm gonna sit here. I'm older than
you so I say I get to sit here."

     "Oh, right. That's logical." Sam snorted.

     Jo Jo waded over towards Sam to make room for Mike and Kathy. She
forced Sam's arms open, cuddling up to him in the hot water. She
turned around, back leaning on Sam's chest, his arms wrapped around
her torso.

     Mike groaned as he sat back in the hot tub. "This feels good on a
tired body like mine. Don't go pantsing me either!"

     Kathy giggled, lying her head onto his shoulder. She kissed his
cheek. "Don't be a baby. I wouldn't have done it if you hadn't
insisted on splashing me in that corner. You brought it all on
yourself."

     Mike snorted, stretching out into the hot tub. He said, "I can
see why Jo Jo's been sitting here all this time and not playing in the
pool."

     Jo Jo smiled. "Yeah. Besides, I did get a massage out of the
whole deal."

     Mike laughed. "That's important."

     Kathy pouted at Mike, "How come you don't give me massages?"

     Mike rolled his eyes. "Now look what you started with your
massages, Jo Jo." He kissed Kathy's cheek. "Fine, fine. I'll give you
a massage when we get back to the room. I'm not going to risk backing
into Sam to do one right now."

     Sam laughed. "Glad to hear it man."

     Jo Jo closed her eyes, lying back into Sam's chest. "I'm so old.  
I say when I get back to the room I'm going straight to bed and to
sleep."

     Sam stuck his lip out in a pout.  "Oh alright. That's what we'll
do.  I'm feeling a little tired myself.  Too much fucking travel."

     Doggett walked into the pool area. He saw the group quietly
talking in the hot tub. "There you are! I was lookin' for you. We got
somethin' you might want to see."

     Sam looked up at his brother.  "What is that?"

     "They found an abandonned car in Nebraska. Mulduh's the one who
stole it. They found his finger prints on the steering wheel. It's one
step closer. Now that we found this car, we can concentrate, hopefully
there. Brian said that we'll be headin' out early so you better get to
bed soon. I'm not dealing with you four cranky."  Doggett said, out of
place in his dress shirt and pants.

     Sam sighed. "Alright, alright."

     "Brian also told me to pass on to you that Trent wants to talk
with you, Sam. He's not feeling good."  Doggett sighed.

     "I'll be right up." Sam tapped Jo Jo to get her to move off of
his lap. He climbed out of the hot tub, drying off with a towel. "He
feeling too bad?"

     "He said that he wasn't feeling good. That's all I know. I'm not
sure if it's physical or if it's emotional.  You'd have to ask him."
Doggett said.

     Sam said, "Jo Jo, let's go. Mike, Kathy, you can stay if you
want. Don't matter to me."

     Mike and Kathy got up out of the tub. "Nah. We better head back
and get to bed. It's 11 and I think I need a shower and so does Kat
before we go to bed. Damn cholorine."

     Sam said, "Okay, see you soon."

     Doggett followed the group out of the pool area. He said, "Sam,
when you finish talkin' to Trent, stop by my room, alright?"

     Sam nodded. "Will do, bro."

     Sam put on pants and a shirt before going to talk to Trent. He
kissed Jo Jo who was on her way to the shower. "I'll be back soon. I
know you want to talk to Trent, but I think it should be a man to man
thing. You know, how you talk to Beth about some things sometimes?"

     "Yeah. I understand. Besides, even though I didn't swim, my hair
was in the hottub with that chlorine.  I'll have green hair if I don't
wash it." She kissed him back. "Hurry back, Sam."

     "I will. Oh, don't forget I've got to stop and talk to my bro for
a bit too." Sam said.

     Jo Jo nodded, stepping into the bathroom. Her voice could be
heard, "I'll be waiting."

     Sam stepped out of the room, making his way to his son's hotel
room. He knocked softly on the door, calling out, "Trent, it's me."

     Trent opened the door slowly, letting his father inside. He sat
down silently onto the bed.

     Sam sat down next to him. "Your uncle told me you weren't feeling
good. Want to tell me about it?"

     Trent looked down at his lap.  He said quietly, "I threw up
awhile ago."

     Sam said, "Oh?" He put his hand onto Trent's forehead, feeling
for a fever. "Well, I think you are just nervous and upset. Did you
dream anything? Although, you do have a fever."

     Trent shook his head. "No. I just don't feel well." He leaned his
head onto his father's shoulder. "Dad, do you think we'll find Bethie
soon?"

     Sam put his arm around his son's shoulders. "I don't know.
Listen, kiddo.  Why don't I get some tynelol for you and a warm bath.
You need to get this fever down. I'll have your aunt Dana make sure
you're okay."

     Trent nodded. "I just felt bad and had to throw up. I don't know
why."

     "Well, I think you might have the flu. If that's the case, I'll
have to get Bri to delay us leaving. I don't want to travel with a
sickie." Sam said, ruffling his son's hair. "It's okay. It happens."

     Trent smiled weakly. He took his shirt off. "I'm going to go get
my bath taken." He hesitated. "Dad, mind if I stay with you and Mom
tonight? I am feeling a little lonely and I'm afraid I might have a
nightmare."

     Sam nodded. "Okay, Trent. You can stay with your mother and me.
Besides, I'll want to keep an eye on your flu symptoms. Don't like it
when you're sick. Go get your bath ready, and I'll have Dana check you
over."

     Trent nodded. "Okay."

     Sam made his way to Doggett and Scully's room. He knocked,
waiting for an answer. Doggett opened the door. "That was quick, Sam."

     Sam stepped into the room. He said, "Dana, he said he got sick.  
I want you to take a look at him and see if he has the flu or not.  
He's not feeling well at all."

     Scully looked up from the book in her lap. She said, "Okay. Is he
running a fever?"

     "Yes. I gave him some tylenol and hopefully that'll reduce his
fever.  He's taking a bath quick. Just thought I'd have you take a
look to make sure he's alright." Sam said. "I'm worried it might be
more than just the flu, myself."

     Scully nodded. "You might be right. When he's finished with his
bath, you just have him stop by our room and I'll make sure he's only
got a bit of the flu. I suppose someone will have to tell Brian so we
can make plans accordingly.  No use dragging a sick child onto the
road."

     Sam nodded. "Just what I was thinking. Bro, you mind going to
tell him? I'm gonna make sure Trent is doing alright. He'll be staying
with Jo Jo and myself tonight. Said he was scared of having
nightmares."

     Scully nodded. "That's a good idea."

     Doggett said, "Sure, I'll tell Brian for you. And I hope Trent
gets better soon. Poor boy."

     "Yeah. He's got it real rough right now. I know he misses his
sister an awful lot." Sam sighed. "I'll be back with Trent in just a
bit. Thanks for doing this for me."

     "It's not a problem, Sam. It's neither of your fault for him
getting sick. It happens. We all get sick sometimes." Scully said, her
arms crossing.

     Sam smiled weakly, making his way back to his son's room. He
walked in, opening the bathroom door. Trent was sitting in the tub,
soaking, almost too tired to bother washing. Sam said, "You feeling
okay?"

     Trent shook his head silently.  He said, I got sick again."

     "It's okay. Here, let me help you and then I'll let Aunt Dana
make sure you're okay." He kneeled down, taking a cup to pour water
over Trent's head to shampoo.

     Trent coughed as the water ran over him. He said, "Dad, do you
think this will upset Mom?"

     "No. I think she'll just mother you to death instead." Sam set
the cup down, getting some shampoo into his hands. He shampooed
Trent's hair for him. "Close your eyes. I'm going to rinse."

     Trent did as told, feeling the water run over him mixed with the
fluffy texture of soap. He opened them again when Sam started to
shampoo his hair again. He said, "Do you think we'll delay finding
Beth because I got sick?"

     "No, no. I've got to talk to Bri, but I'm going to make sure we
keep looking for her while we take care of you. You can't help when
you get sick, okay?" Sam put his hand on Trent's forehead. "Close your
eyes." He poured water over Trent, letting the shampoo wash away. "Do
you think you can wash the rest of yourself, or do you need help?"

     Trent sighed. "I'm too tired."

     "Okay. I'll help you then we'll go see Aunt Dana."

     Sam led Trent down to Doggett and Scully's room. He picked up his
tired son, knocking on the door with his foot. Scully opened the door,
noticing how Trent looked. "Bring him on in."

     Sam walked in, holding Trent.  Trent had his arms wrapped loosely
around his father's neck, his head lying on his father's chest, eyes
closed. Sam sat Trent down onto the bed. "Well, he's tired and he said
he got sick again."

     Scully stepped towards Trent.  She put a hand on his forehead,
feeling his fever. Then she said, "Trent, honey, how long have you
felt sick?"

     Trent opened his tired eyes, his face sick looking, "Since this
morning."

     "Did you eat anything funny yesterday?" Scully asked.

     "No." He coughed. "I think Dad's right. I have the flu." He
closed his eyes, curling up into a ball.

     Scully said, "Trent, I know you're not feeling good, but please
sit up so I can take your temp. Then I'll make sure you get lots of
rest and some crackers with 7Up. Okay, sweetie?"

     Trent groaned, sitting up. He opened his mouth, letting the cold
glass of the therometor go under his tongue. He didn't look very happy
about it.

     Sam crossed his arms. "So, should I order some crackers and
7-Up?"

     "Not yet. Wait. I think you'll want to first let him sleep
tonight before he eats at all. He's just not holding anything down
from what he said tonight." She checked her watch, removing the
therometor. She looked at it. "Just what I thought. High fever. He's
running at 102 right now.  You gave him tylenol already, right?"

     "Yeah." Sam said.

     "Okay. That should kick in later. I'll want to check him over in
the morning. If you need anything at all during the night, just ask.  
I think he got sick because of all the nerves and stress, not to
mention the climate right now."  Scully said.

     Sam nodded. "Okay. We'll keep an eye on him. Thanks for taking a
look at him."

     "No problem. Good luck. It's not fun having a sick boy." Scully
smiled at Trent. "You get some sleep, okay?"

     Trent nodded. He jumped down on his wobbly feet, making his way
to the door with his father.

     Sam picked him up, taking him out of the room. He said, "Good
night. I'll see you later. Oh, bro, what did Bri say?"

     "He said we can't go anywhere until Trent is better." Doggett
said.

     "Thanks. See you later."

     Sam put Trent down onto the floor, running his key card through
the slot. He pushed the door open, hefting Trent back up. Sam stepped
into the room, calling out, "Jo Jo, see if we can get a cot. Trent
wants to stay with us tonight."

     Jo Jo stepped out of the bathroom, toothbrush in her mouth.
"What's wrong?"

     "Flu. He's got a fever of 102 and needs rest. Said he was scared
of nightmares." Sam said.

     "Okay. You will probably have to order that up. Did Dana say much
about how he feels?" Jo Jo called out from the bathroom, where she was
getting ready for bed.

     "She said it was probably his nerves and stress that caused him
to get sick. We'll have to keep an eye on him tonight. We're not going
anywhere till this kiddo is back up on his feet again." Sam said,
setting Trent down onto the bed as he called room service.

     Jo Jo said, "Okay." She stepped out, comb in hand, robe wrapped
around her t-shirt clad body. She sat down next to Trent, feeling his
forehead. "Oo, sweetie, you are burning up. You really don't feel
good, do you?"

     Trent shook his head no, leaning towards his mother, putting his
head down onto her shoulder. "I got sick earlier."

     Jo Jo put her arms around her son, rocking him slowly. "It'll be
okay, sweetie. We'll get you some rest and hopefully you'll feel much
better in the morning, okay?"
 
     Trent nodded.

     Sam said, "They'll be bringing that cot up soon. With extra
blankets and pillows."

     Jo Jo smiled. "You don't worry about a thing. You look so tired."

     Trent groaned softly. "I don't feel well. I just want to go to
sleep."

     "I know you do. They're on their way." She rocked him a bit
again. "Trent, why didn't you tell someone you were sick?"

     "I wanted to tell you guys first."  Trent said.

     "Oh, but Trent, you shouldn't wait for things like this. You have
a nasty fever. Promise me you'll tell someone next time you feel sick
and we're not available." Jo Jo said, smoothing her son's hair.

     Trent nodded. "I will, Mom."  He coughed, sniffling.

     A knock came to the door, Sam getting it. He opened the door,
letting in the room service employees.  Sam set the cot up, on Jo Jo's
side, knowing she'd be more likely to wake if Trent stired than he
would. Sam picked Trent up, lying him down into it, pulling blankets
over his son.  "You get some sleep, okay? Don't worry about waking us
if you don't feel good, okay?" He kissed Trent's forehead, making his
way to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

     Trent burrowed down, getting ready for sleep. Jo Jo pulled back
the covers, climbing in, ready to get some sleep herself. She said,
"Good night, Trent. Just wake me if you need anything."

     "I will, Mom."

     Sam stepped out, in his sweat pants and an old t-shirt. He said,
"Let me go tell Mike and Kathy that we'll have some time to sleep in
tomorrow. I'll be right back." He picked up the key card, exiting into
the hall way. Sam made his way to Mike and Kathy's room. He knocked
softly on the door, waiting for them to answer.

     Mike opened, toweling his hair.  He asked, "What's up, Sam?"

     "Trent's got the flu. We're not going anywhere in the morning. I
just thought I'd let you know so you don't have to go setting alarms
and shit like that. Get some extra sleep."  Sam said, yawning.

     "Okay. I hope Trent feels better soon. Poor kid." Mike yawned
back.  "I could really use some sleep anyways.  I'm pretty tired
myself."

     Sam nodded. "Well, I better get back. See you tomorrow." He
ambled on back to his hotel room, opening the door. The room was dark
all except for one light. Sam made his way over to the bed, climbing
into it. He pulled the blankets over himself, cuddling up to Jo Jo. He
playfully whispered in her ear, "It's too fucking cold in North
Dakota. Too bad we can't actually do something to make more warmth."

     Jo Jo giggled. "Sam, be nice.  It's not Trent's fault he's sick.  
Let's get some sleep." She snuggled up to his chest, wrapping her arms
around him.

     Sam nuzzled her head, his facial hair tickling her. He heard her
giggle into his chest. He sighed, turning the light off. "Good night."

     "Night, Sam." She buried her face into his chest, trying to get
as much warmth from him as possible. Sam had his arms wrapped around
her now.

     Sam said, "Good night, Trent.  Hope you will feel better soon."


     Mike and Kathy were getting ready for bed. Mike sat down, combing
his hair, swearing as he caught the comb in several snarls.  He said,
taking a break, "Kat, don't worry about setting any alarms. Sam just
said that Trent's sick so we're staying for a bit more."

     Kathy stopped trying to set the alarm clock. She said, "Aww, poor
thing. I hope he gets better real soon."

     "Yeah. He's got the flu, Sam said." Mike said, pulling the comb
mercilessly through another tangle.  He said, "Fuck! I'm cutting my
hair!"

     "Michael, you will not. You hate when you have short hair. You
say that now, but I know you." Kathy said from her side of the bed.
"Here, give me that comb. You're doing nothing but tearing your hair."

     Mike handed her the comb, turning to face away. He felt her
gently pull the comb through till she hit a snarl. Instead of puling
on it till the comb made it's way through; she coaxed it through.  
"There, isn't that much better?"

     Mike sighed dejectedly. "Yeah.  I'm just not feeling patient."

     "I noticed." She finished combing his hair for him. "There, all
done and it didn't hurt nearly as much."  She kissed his cheek.
"You're adorable when you're crabby. Now, let's get some sleep. I'm
exhuasted."

     Mike smiled at her. "I am too, actually. I hope tomorrow will be
okay.  I'm sure Sam might not get nearly enough sleep tonight. Poor
Trent. I know how he feels and I was only food poisoned."

     Kathy sighed. "I know. He's probably just nervous and scared so
he managed to catch the flu.  Poor boy. He's had it so rough with all
of this."

     Mike sighed, lying down to go to sleep. "I'm sure that things
will work themselves out. It's hard knowing that Beth is far away.
It's got to be harder on Trent than any of us know."

     Kathy kissed him. "Yes, you're right. Let's get some sleep. We
can only do so much and tomorrow is another day."



     Sam woke to hear his son groan in the night. He sighed, getting
up to check on his son. Trent groaned again, coughing in between. Sam
asked, "You feeling bad, Trent?"

     Trent opened his eyes, trying to focus them on his father. He
said, "Dad, I don't feel good."

     "I can see that. You think you can make it to the bathroom?" Sam
asked, knowing his son might need to get there and soon.

     Trent shook his head. "I'm just dizzy."

     Sam felt his forehead. "Oh my.  You're burning up." He looked at
the clock. It read 4:30 in the morning.  He said, "Well, kiddo, looks
like we'll get you some water and some more tynelol. You're running a
fever."

     Sam looked at Jo Jo who slept peacefully for a change. She hadn't
woken in this and he sighed. Sam poured a glass of water for Trent,
grabbing the tylenol. He handed both to Trent, watching him drink the
pills down.

     Sam said, "You think you'll be okay now?" He smoothed some hair
from his son's forehead. Sam tucked his son back into bed, kissing his
forehead. "You get some rest, and Trent don't hesitate to do anything
you have to, okay?"

     Trent nodded, getting comfortable again. He yawned. "Thanks Dad."
 
     Sam smiled. "No problem, Trent."



     Jo Jo stirred next to Sam as he climbed back into bed. She
mumbled, "What is going on?"

     Sam kissed her forehead. "Trent needed some pills. He was getting
his fever back. He's okay now. Shh, go back to sleep."

     Jo Jo squinted. "Okay." She snuggled back up to him, sighing
softly. Sam shook his head, stroking her hair. He closed his own eyes,
hoping to go back to sleep himself.



     Mulder was thinking back on what he had done recently, feeling
remorse creep over himself. He even contemplated for the briefest of
moments of returning the child and ending everything. Mulder shook his
head, closing his eyes. He saw Sam's smiling face in his mind's eye,
taunting him. His anger was weak and his remorse bitter. Mulder was
certain of his fate, but wished to avoid it till he could no longer do
so.

     He felt bitter for taking Beth, yet he felt entitled to the small
child for some unknown reason.  Mulder firmly believed that he had
been shorted by his sister's disappearance. He knew he could not lie
the blame on Sam, but he still held fast to the belief that it was Sam
who had caused him the pain he was in now, and that was why Sam had to
pay. Beth was Sam's cost for inflicting this on Mulder. As far a s
Mulder was concerned, this was something he had to do.

     Mulder looked at Beth, glancing at her from the bed. He watched
her stare blankly out the window, her face devoid of any emotion at
that moment. He realized how far he had taken the child with him, a
flicker wondering if he had the right to do this to a small child. She
had become different than when he had first taken her that night
months ago. No longer was Beth trusting or innocent. Mulder could tell
that when he looked into her child eyes. They were no longer the
innocent, curious eyes, but rather held a doubt and were void of any
happiness. Mulder felt a fierce pang of guilt strike him that flared
and dispelled an instant later.

     He was about to say something when Beth turned looking at him.  
She stared silently at him, the same expression he'd seen reflected in
the glass. She didn't say a word, but her expression read loudly to
him.  She wanted to go home and she hated him with every part of her
being.  Some how, he realized he had failed, and this too caused
Mulder to feel ever remorseful for taking this child away from those
she loved and those who loved her. He sighed, asking, "What is it,
Samantha?" He was trying to hide his sanity of the moment, so that she
could not talk him out of his actions.

     Beth simply turned back, looking out the window. She whispered,
"Nothing. Nothing at all." Beth seemed to age more in that instant
than any other time since had taken her. It almost pained him to see
this change in her, yet he remembered Sam's taunting face from his
nightmares and his insane ideas of who to blame for where he was now.
His inner self was fighting against each other, both sides grappling
for turf. He could feel the inner struggle almost consume him,
devouring him from the most inner areas of his being outward.  
Realizing that no matter what he did, Sam would win did not help him.

     Mulder planned his next move carefully. He would reach out to Sam
some how, some way and let him know that he was still here. It
saddened him that he had lost, but he was determined to win in the
end. If he could not sway Beth and keep her, no one would have her. No
one.

I'm losing ground You know how this world can beat you down I'm made
of clay I fear I'm the only one who feels this way I'm always falling
down the same hill Bamboo punctering this skin And nothing comes
bleeding out of me just like the waterfall I'm drowning in 2 feet
below the surface I can still make out your wavy face And if I could
just reach you maybe I could leave this place (Nine Inch Nails, Trent
Reznor, I Do Not Want This, Downward Spiral, 1994)

     Mulder was having an inner struggle while Beth was taking an
early bath. He realized he was losing ground and a lot of that ground
was with keeping Beth, he was in a losing battle to win her to his
side.

     Mulder knew he was being beaten down and he had nothing he could
use to prevent the end and what it might bring. He was drowning and he
knew it. An inner battle was raging inside of him.

     Mulder felt that he was nothing but clay, mere human, yet somehow
he had lost that along the way. He was falling down the same hill
repeatedly, his skin pierced and his psyche destroyed beyond repair.
Mulder knew that he was the one who would pay the ulitmate price in
the end.  He also prayed that he could save himself from the final end
that he could tell was coming and closing slowly in on him.

     Maybe if he could reach Beth and create a bond with her, he could
leave the place he found himself in. His damaged psyche, though beyond
repair, had a hope that it was not true and that perhaps it was her
that could save him in the end. It could be the one thing left to save
him from this hell he had created.

     Mulder clamped his eyes shut, feeling a drilling in his head grow
at his temples. All of the inner fighting was beginning to take its
toll on Mulder and cause him to grow frustrated. Mulder wanted to
succeed and have his goals fulfilled, even if they looked less
plausible now.



     The next morning, Jo Jo woke first to check on Trent. She softly
ran her hand against his cheek.  Trent opened his eyes. "Mom?"

     Jo Jo smiled for a moment. "How you feeling this morning?"

     "I'm feeling a bit better. I'm still tired and I don't know if I
could eat anything." Trent said. "My tummy is doing flip flops still."

     Jo Jo smiled at his expression.  She looked back at Sam for a
moment.  He was curled up on the bed, lying on his stomach, his arm in
front of his eyes to block any light out. A muffled snore could be
heard from behind his arm. Jo Jo sighed. "Your father probably won't
want to be woken for awhile. Why don't you let me throw something on
quick and we'll visit Aunt Dana."

     Trent nodded. "Okay. Sounds like a plan to me." He threw his legs
over the edge of the cot, trying to stand up. His small height didn't
allow his short legs to reach the floor. Once he got on to the floor,
he felt a wave of nausea sweep over him.

     Jo Jo came back out, finding him holding onto the cot with his
hands.  Trent's knuckles were white from the grip he had on the cot to
support him.  Jo Jo said, "Trent, you shouldn't have gotten up like
that. Here, let me help you."

    Trent nodded, gulping for a second.  He felt his mother take his
hands off of the cot and guide him by walking slowly. He said, "Mom, I
don't know. . ."

     Jo Jo looked down at him, his face flushed. She sighed. "Think
you can make it to see Aunt Dana?"

     Trent gulped. "I think so."

     Jo Jo said, "Why don't you stay here and I'll go get her. Hell,
your father should be awake now anyways."  She led him back, lifting
him up into the cot once again. Jo Jo then tapped Sam.

     Sam groaned, rolling over and away from Jo Jo. He pulled all of
the blankets with him, twisting them around his torso and legs. He
felt a tap again. Sam jerked up, finding himself entrapped in the web
of blankets. "Fuck. What is it?"
 
     Jo Jo said, "I'm going to get Dana. Will you stay awake long
enough before she gets here?"

     Sam fought with the blankets, trying to get them off. He said,
"Fucking blankets. Yes, I'll stay with Trent. Go get her." He pulled
one that snaked around his right calf till it almost took him off of
the bed. He sighed loudly. "What the hell did I do to myself here?"

     Jo Jo giggled. "I'm not sure.  You seem to be in more trouble
then Trent. I'll be right back." She gave him a kiss while he was in
between struggles.

     Sam muttered, "Yeah, what ever."

     Scully and Jo Jo arrived to find Sam still struggling in his
blankets and Trent half groaning, half giggling in the cot. Sam had
managed to fall onto the floor, the blankets wrapped around his feet
and legs, his hands now tangled in the blankets by his feet. He said,
"Fuck! I can't get out of these God damn mother fucking blankets!"

     Jo Jo giggled, watching him.  She said, "Sam, it's like watching
a dog who got stuck under a blanket try to get out. This is sad. Want
me to help?"

     Sam stopped, glaring up at her.  He said, "Would you be so kind?"

     Jo Jo giggled, bending down to disentangle him from the blankets.  
"You're so cute when you do things like this, you know that?"

     Sam sighed. "I don't care if it's cute. I'm stuck." He got an arm
free, then the other and finally his legs.  Once that was finished, he
stood up.

     Scully was talking quietly with Trent while this was all going
on.  She said, "Are we finished over there?"

     "Yeah." Sam said, dusting himself off. "I swear, them blankets
were out to get me."

     Scully laughed. "Well, Trent seems to be doing better this
morning, but I still think nothing solid for him. Let's get him some
broth and some crackers with 7-up and see if he can hold that down.
I'm sure you know the routine."

     "Yep. Sure do, don't we big guy?" Sam said, softly ruffling his
son's hair. "We've been through many a flu together."

     Trent giggled. "Yep. Dad, do you get tangled in the blankeys like
that every day?" He knew that it wasn't the case, but he was enjoying
teasing his father.

     "No. Don't be silly. Now, let me order that food up for ya and
we'll go from there." Sam sighed.  "So, does Bri want to talk to me or
anything?"

     "He said that he'd stop by to see how Trent is later on." Scully
said.

     "Ah. Okay. I should go bother the hell outta Mike for the hell of
it." Sam said.

     Jo Jo giggled. "Maybe you should."

     Sam said, "I don't know, Miss Giggles.  Should I?"

     Scully shook her head. "It's early. Leave Mike alone. Go back to
sleep or something. It'll do you and everyone else some good."

     "But I'm awake now! I had to fight the blankets and now I'm
staying awake!" Sam said. He smiled at Scully.

     Jo Jo said, "Hmm. Well, let's see, maybe I could provide a reason
for bed. . . but it'd never fly at the moment. She's right though.
You'll be cranky by afternoon."

    Sam laughed, stuck his tongue out and kissed Jo Jo. "Hmm. Maybe."



     Mike felt feather-light kisses on his cheeks. He groaned, his
eyes remaining closed as he rolled over to get away from it and settle
back into the emptiness of sleep.

     A hand lightly pulled hair away from his ear, whispering softly,
"Michael, wake up." More feather light kisses were felt on his ear and
exposed cheek.

     Mike lifted his arm up in his half sleep state, attempting to
deflect these touches. He didn't want to be awake. Mike snuggled down
into the bed further, hoping this would prevent who ever was trying to
wake him.

     A soft giggle was heard from behind his arm and a soft whisper,
"Michael, wake up. You're going to want to see this."

     Mike opened one eye as he rolled over. "What is it? I'm trying to
pretend no one is trying to wake me. Is it important?"

     Kathy giggled. "Michael, I felt the baby kick."

     Mike opened both eyes, sitting up bolt right. "Are you sure?"

     "Yes. It wasn't very big of a kick, but I felt it. I'm almost
four months along now. It's nearly December. Want to feel?" She lay
back, exposing her slightly swelled belly.

     Mike nervously put his hand onto her belly, hoping to feel the
slight kick that would become stronger over the next five months. He
rubbed his hand softly on her stomach. A slight movement caught him
off guard, and his green eyes grew wide. Mike said, "I felt the baby
move!" He smiled at her, wonder and awe in his eyes as the baby moved
a little more. The movements were almost unnoticable, unless one was
paying attention, but they were there.

     Kathy smiled, her face glowing.  "I know. I know they don't move
very much at this stage, but this one is moving a little bit. I can
feel the baby kick me sometimes. Maybe he's hungry."

     "We don't know if the baby is a he." He placed his head gently
down onto her belly.

     Kathy smoothed some hair from his ear again. She said, "Well, I
don't want to call the baby an it."

     Mike laughed, sitting up. "You do have a valid point. We'll have
to think of names soon, you know."

     "I know. Maybe we'll do that later.  I think it's time I get
something to eat though. Before this little one kicks my stomach in
from not listening to him."  Kathy said quietly.

     "I'll order us some breakfast in. Just tell me what you want, and
I'll order it in."

     Kathy kissed him. "You're so sweet. Even though you didn't want
to wake up at first."

     Mike smiled, picking the phone up. "I know."



     Sam heard a knock come to the door, opening it to find Brian on
the other side. He said, "Come on in, man. Don't worry, Trent seems to
be doing much better."

     Brian looked over at Trent and Jo Jo, who were reading a story
quietly.  He whispered, "I've got something I want to talk to you
about."

     Sam crossed his arms, quizzically looking at Brian. "Is it bad or
good?"

     "I'm afraid it's bad. But, I'm not going to hide it from you.  I
think it's best that you tell Jo Jo and not me, so I'll tell you this
alone first." Brian said, quietly.

     Sam's dark eyes grew worrisome.  "Jesus, it's that fucker, isn't
it.  He's done something to my little girl."

     "Just come talk with me." Brian said.

     Sam called out, "Bri and me are gonna go talk for a bit. Be back
in a bit." He followed Brian out of the room quietly.

     Once he arrived in Brian's hotel room, he asked, "Now, will you
please tell me what is going on?"

     Brian said, "A letter was faxed to me at the field office. It's
from Mulder. Sam, this letter is not pretty.  All of the other letters
up to this point have been nothing compared to this one."

     Sam asked, "He killed her, didn't he? He fucking killed my little
girl and I can't do anything about it."

     "Sam, you might be jumping the gun. Read the letter first." Brian
said, drawing it out of the envelope he had. Brian handed it to Sam.

     Sam unfolded it, his face draining of color as he read the
letter. "This fucker. . .he's gone too far this time."

     Sam read the letter again, sitting down.

Dear Sam and Jo Jo,

     It's been awhile since our last letter, eh? I think you should
know what is going on with your little girl. The other night, as she
lay wimpering in the bed next to mine, I got up to console her,
offering my bed as a place to calm down and feel comfortable so she
could forget the nightmare she was having. Though she declined my
offer, I could tell by looking at her, that your daughter would have
enjoyed sharing a bed with me.  She may have acted as if she despised
the idea, but looking deep into her eyes, I could tell that she wanted
to and that makes me very happy.  I've decided something. Though she
represents my sister in many ways, I can't help but find myself
attracted to her. Her nice white skin, her deep blue eyes, her pretty
hair. She's very enticing for her age, no? Don't worry, she's too
precious for me to hurt.  Unless. . .you try to take her away from me.
Understood? If I can't have her, no one will.

Mulder

     Sam howled out in frustration.  "What the fuck do we do now? No
one can tell me when my little girl is coming back home. No one can
tell me if we can nail this bastard's ass to the wall. I want him
dead. I want my girl back safe. Lord knows how long he can hold off on
his fucking urges."

     Brian sighed. "Sam, I know.  It's hard. The things he's said in
this letter are terrible things. I'm sure Beth never wanted to be in
any situation such as he's described.  Mulder's so far gone that he's
flittering back and forth between believing she's Samantha, to wanting
some sick and twisted love affair with a ten year old. I have a funny
feeling he's thought about it, but he won't act on it. No matter what,
his mind subconciously tells him that she is Samantha. That's what is
saving her at the moment."

     Sam sighed. "I know. He's just trying to rile me up, isn't he?"

     "Well, yes. He wouldn't write it if he hadn't thought about it,
but then again, he wouldn't act on it for those reasons I've already
said. Mulder's a taunter. He says these things to rile you up and to
see how far he can go. Now that we have something concrete in our
hands and a possible location, we can start our move in for the kill.
Mulder may have made a mistake by sending this letter."

     "God, I hope so. I just want this to be over and soon. We can't
have this continue for much longer.  Not only for Jo Jo, Beth and
myself, but for Mike and Kathy as well. This fucking travel is hard on
Kathy. She needs rest so she can have that baby."  Sam said, drawing a
cigarette out of his pack with his teeth. He lit it.  "Cause I'm
telling ya, if she loses that baby and I have to watch Mike go through
that again, I don't know what I'll do."



     Kathy looked at Mike as she ate her french toast. He seemed to be
lost in space, and she asked, "Mike, what you thinking about?"

     Mike jumped, surprised out of his thoughts. "I was just thinking,
that's all. How's breakfast?"

     "It's good. But what were you thinking about so hard? It made you
look sad and I don't like when you look sad." Kathy said, wiping her
mouth clean of syrup.

     Mike said, "I was just thinking about how our baby moved, that's
all.  It's, well, I don't know. I was thinking about Angel, I guess. I
know, I know. This baby is different. I just couldn't help. . .but
think perhaps that somehow this one will go wrong too." He didn't look
at her, fearing to see the sadness in her eyes.

     Kathy took his large, weathered hand into her smaller, softer
one.  "Michael, it's normal to feel this way when waiting for a baby.  
Especially since we lost one before this one. But you can't think
you'll be punished for something. You really shouldn't think you
deserve such punishments."

     "You don't, but I guess, I don't know, I just can't help but
think after all the times I've fucked up that I deserve that type of
pain." He got up, staring out the window for a moment.

     Kathy set her breakfast tray down. "Mike, you are not an evil
person. You are not someone who needs to be punished. You're a good
man. Sure, a little stubborn and a little controlling sometimes, but
you have never tried to control me.  Sure, you have a temper and
you're not always the nicest to be around, but you're a human being. I
couldn't ask you to be anything but human."

     Mike turned around. "I suppose so. I don't know. I just feel
guilty about something. It's just stupid, I suppose. You know how I
get sometimes." He sat back down onto the bed. "I sure turned a happy
moment into something else."

     Kathy laughed. "You didn't make it any less special." She kissed
his cheek. "You're so silly sometimes."  Kathy hugged him to herself.
"But I love when you're so silly sometimes.  Come on, let's just be
happy while we can relax. I'm sure something will come up and we'll
have less time to just sit with one another."

     Mike put his hand onto one of hers that was around his torso.
"Yeah, you're right. What do you want to do now?"

     "How about we just lazily lay here and do nothing." She kissed
his neck.  "Unless you have something you want to do."

     "No, that sounds nice. I'm still feeling a little tired." He laid
back down onto the bed after she let him go.  Kathy curled up onto his
chest, snuggling up to him. He sighed. "Kat, do you think that
everything will work out alright?"

     Kathy said, "Michael, don't over analyze everything, okay? It'll
be fine."



     Sam placed his key card into the lock of his hotel door, feeling
the pit in his stomach grow worse.  He sighed, opening the door, to
hear Jo Jo cheerily singing to Trent.  He shut the door quietly,
hoping it would take awhile for her to notice he had come back. No
such luck was with Sam.

     Jo Jo stopped her soft singing, asking, "Well, what did Brian
have to say?"

     Sam looked down, the note clutched in his hand in his pocket.  
He said, "I think we should talk about this somewhere else." He looked
up, his dark eyes swirling with a mixture of emotions, rage battling
with despair mostly.

     Jo Jo froze. "It's about Beth, isn't it? You got some information
about our little girl."

     Sam said, clenching his teeth, "Not here." He didn't want to let
his son know what Mulder had written.  It was hard enough on adults to
let alone allow children to read such filth. He took her hand, albeit
a bit roughly into his, leading her out of the room. He said, "Trent,
stay here. I'll send someone to keep an eye on you. Your mother and I
have things to discuss."

     Jo Jo allowed him to lead her out of the room. He lead her to
Brian's room, knocking. "Bri, let us in. I need to talk to her. Go
keep an eye on Trent for me, okay?"

     Brian nodded, exiting the room.  "Good luck."

     Once Brian had left the room, Sam said, "Sit down. You won't want
to hear this fucking news any other way."

     Jo Jo sat down in the chair by the desk. She said, "Well, what is
it?"

     "Mulder has fallen into the fucking deep end just a bit too far.  
I'm going to be as frank as I can be with you. Mulder, in his latest
letter, has seriously considered fucking our daughter. I know it's not
the nicest way to put it, I know it's not easy to hear, but the way
he's written this latest letter, he's thinking about it."  Sam said,
taking the note out of his pocket to hand to her.

     Jo Jo read it quickly, the color draining from her face. "Oh my
God, Sam. What do we do?" Tears formed in her eyes, as she imagined
several things in front of her eyes.

     "I don't know. I don't know what to fucking do any more. Jo Jo,
I'm so scared. So fucking scared."  He kneeled down in front of her,
looking down. "I don't know what I'll do if he. . .does those terrible
things to our baby girl."

     Jo Jo set the note down, throwing her arms around his neck,
sobbing.  Thinking about the possibilities sent her over the edge.
"I'm scared, too."

     Sam hugged her tightly to himself. "I tell you what. I promise
that we will get her back, okay? I promise."

     Jo Jo sobbed, knowing how difficult this was for him as well as
herself. She ran a hand through his short hair, down his cheeks, then
kissed him, gently. "Sam, what do we tell Trent?"

     "We only tell him that Mulder is expressing wishes to hurt Beth.  
Nothing more. He can not know about this sick twisted plan of Mulder's
to, I can't fucking say it again." Sam said, kissing her back. "Come
on, let's get back to our room and try to explain things as best we
can."

     Sam and Jo Jo reentered their hotel room, trying to compose
themselves enough to talk in front of Trent. Once inside, Trent asked,
"Is everything okay? What is going on?"

     Brian was standing by the door after they entered. He whispered
to Sam, "Becareful what you tell him.  He isn't going to take this
information well. Just don't tell him too much."

     Sam whispered back, "I know. We were going to tell him very
little of what this letter said. We'll be very careful with this
information."

     Brian stepped out of the room, allowing the parents to share the
information privately.

     Sam sat down on the bed across from his son, quietly watching
him.  He was gathering words to say before blurting everything out. He
sighed, then slowly stated, "Trent, we received some news on your
sister. It is not good news, but we are fairly certain she is alive."

     Jo Jo sat down on the cot next to her son. She took him into her
arms, holding him close. She storked his hair softly. "Your sister is
still in danger, but we may be closer to finding her, once we track
her down from this information."

     Trent looked first at his mother, then at his father. "What bad
things does the bad man plan for her?" He wanted to know and could
tell his parents were hiding something from him.

     Sam and Jo Jo's eyes connected, dread filling both of their
stomachs.  They knew how difficult answering this would be. Sam
sighed, speaking before Jo Jo could. "Trent, it's not a good thing,
no. It's something best not said. It's not really as important in
finding her as much. We only need an address and a place to start
looking.  Don't you worry about what he plans to do. You leave that up
to us."

     Trent did not seem satisfied with this answer, but did not argue.  
He realized arguing with his parents over this issue was asking for
trouble.  He sat, hugging his mother more to himself.

     Jo Jo looked at Sam. She sighed.  "Sam, what are we going to do
the rest of the day?"

     "We're going to get some rest, take care of Trent, and try to
relax a bit. We're going to try and not think of what that fucking
animal has said, and we are going to try and just be a family today."
Sam said.

     Jo Jo nodded. "Okay. I agree with that."


     Mike lay awake, listening to Kathy breathe in her sleep. He found
that he couldn't sleep so he lay thinking about things instead. He
felt that so many things were left unanswered and he feared things
could go wrong. He thought about what Kathy had said, about how he
didn't deserve to be punished and how he was a good man. He wasn't so
sure about those things, feeling unsure as always about such things.

     He closed his eyes, attempting to perhaps fall back asleep,
knowing it was futile. He thought about the times he shared with her.
He remembered what it was like when they finally got home and she
moved in with him. It had been awkward and odd. He had been certain
she didn't like living with him.  Now that he had been with her for so
many years, he was certain he wouldn't have it any other way.

     Mike stroked Kathy's hair, his large hand covering her hair. She
softly moaned in her sleep, as if in quiet protest, then snuggled more
into his chest. He smiled. Mike wondered when his life had become so
domesticated. Years ago it was him and his dog and perhaps some band
members here and there. Now it was with her all the time, his dog and
maybe a few other people when they stayed with him. He also remembered
saying he wouldn't do music if he married. He could only laugh now,
realizing Kathy would never allow that to happen.

     Mike thought about what it was like to be waiting for a child. He
remembered thinking about Angel and how anxious he was to be a father.
Now that Angel hadn't made it and they were waiting on this second
child, he worried if he would make a good father. He feared his
strange ideas and ideals would be all wrong for fatherhood. He feared
that he'd mess everything up and the child would be like him. He
didn't wish anyone to be like him.

     Mike sighed. In all of his strange life, he had never imagined
life turning out this way. If someone would have told him ten years
ago where he'd be now, he would have been almost livid if not laughing
hysterically at their suggestions.  As far as he was concerned, the
things he had now were not meant for him, and it amazed him that they
didn't simply disappear. He kissed Kathy's forehead.
 
     A knock startled him out of his thoughts. He wondered if he
should disturb Kathy or not. He ran a hand over her face, whispering,
"Kat, I gotta get up. Someone is at the door."

     Kathy lifted her head up off of his chest slowly, one grey eye
open.  "What, Mike?"

     "I have to go answer the door. I'll only be a moment." Mike said,
running a hand through her hair.

     Kathy said, "Okay. Go answer the door."

     Another knock came to the door and Mike got up, answering it
finally. He found Scully on the other side. "Dana? What is it?"

     "I just thought I'd come visit Kathy for a moment or two. How is
she this morning?" Scully asked, smiling at Mike's obviously shocked
face.

     "Uh, she's okay. We're sorta lazy today." Mike said, smiling. He
ran a hand through his bed hair. "Did you want to take a look?" He
stepped aside, letting her in.

     Scully smiled at his shyness.  Obviously she had interrupted
something.  "Do you want me to come back later? I feel I'm sorta in
the way."

     No. No. We were just being lazy.  Come on in." Mike said, smiling
shyly again, looking at his feet, his hands pushing his hair back from
his face.

     Scully shook her head. Sometimes she could not understand how shy
Mike could really be. "Okay. I'll only be a moment, but tonight, I
want to really check to see how she's doing."

     Mike nodded. "Okay. I'm sure I can find something else to do for
awhile tonight."



     Sam sat with his son on the bed watching television while Jo Jo
was taking a shower. Trent lay in his father's lap, watching
television quietly, his mind foggy from his flu and the medicines he
was taking. He closed his dark eyes, falling asleep.

     Sam noticed his son was no longer awake, and he smiled to
himself. During this trip Trent and Sam had grown closer and he was
glad for that. He wished it hadn't worked out that way to be closer,
but it had. He held his son close, glad he could hold him.

     Jo Jo came out of the bathroom, softly humming a tune under her
breath.  She was in her robe and an old t-shirt of Sam's underneath
that. Jo Jo smiled wide at him when she sat down next to him. She
combed her hair.

     Sam whispered quietly, "I thought you were going to get dressed."

     "I decided I'll wait. I'm not sure what I want to wear today."

     Sam nodded. He looked at Trent whispering, "He's all tuckered
out.  That flu always seems to knock him down and out." He stroked
Trent's hair.

     Jo Jo laughed. "Yes, it does." She ran a hand through Trent's
soft, dark hair. She sighed. "I just hope that we can get a lead to
find Beth back from that letter."

     "Me too. I'm afraid of what will happen if we don't. Beth is so
young and I fear what this is doing to her."  Sam's dark eyes looked
at Jo Jo. He sighed.

     Jo Jo finshed combing her hair, lying back on the bed, her head
going onto Sam's shoulder, her arm around Trent. She said, "I'm just
going to relax and try to think of the good things I have as well. If
I don't, I'll go crazy."

     Sam nodded. "I know. I don't want to focus on the negative today.
It hurts too fucking much to do that. Not only to Trent, but to you."

     Jo Jo sighed next to him. "Sam, you can't forget how much it
hurts you too. You seem to think it doesn't affect you when it really
does. Please, I hate when you hide from me."

     Sam said, "I know you do. I'm just saying, I shouldn't focus on
negative things today. It's just not fair to you or anyone else.
Including me."



     Sam was napping next to Trent later that afternoon, when he began
to dream.  <It was as if everything was in slow motion, and he was
moving towards something as if he was floating. He looked around, the
place he was in full of blues and greys, shadowing everything around
him. He looked to his left and to his right, attempting to figure out
what was going on and where he was.

     He walked through the long hallway he found himself in, alone. He
reached a door, opening it. Sadness filled his heart when he saw what
was on the other side, yet he couldn't react with anything but quiet
sadness. Beth lay on the floor, dead.

     Sam bent down, lightly touching his daughter's face. A tear
trickled down his cheek, his dark eyes darker than usual as tears
welled up in his eyes. It was the ending he had been dreading all
along. He took Beth's dead hand into his, lightly holding it.  It was
over and his only consildation was that she was finally at peace. He
kissed her forehead before exiting the strange room where he had found
her, walking back down the hall way, the same sense of floating
following him.>

     Sam woke with a start. He looked over noticing that Jo Jo was
with Trent in a recliner that was in their hotel room. She was reading
softly to him.  He had startled her from what she was doing when he
woke suddenly.

     Jo Jo said, "I didn't want to wake you. Trent woke up awhile ago
and I started to read to him. Is everything okay?"

     Sam shook his head, blinking tears back. His dream was still
vividly in his mind and he was having a hard time shaking it. Sam
said, "I'll be fine."

     Jo Jo bent down to whisper something to Trent. She said, "Sam, I
think it is something. I want to talk to you."

     Sam sighed. "Somehow I knew you would say that."

     Trent jumped down gingerly from his mother's lap. He said, "I'm
gonna go see what Uncle John is doing, okay? I'll be back in a bit."

     Sam watched as Trent stepped out of the room. He laid back on the
bed, his palms going over his eyes. He sighed. "Alright, talk, Jo Jo."

     Jo Jo asked, "What did you dream, Sam? I could tell you were when
you woke up suddenly."

     Sam moved his hands down to his lap. He looked away from her. "It
was about Beth."

     Jo Jo sat down next to him. "Want to talk about it?"



     Doggett opened the door when he heard a soft knock on the door.
He was surprised when he saw Trent standing there, his tired little
boy face looking up at him, his eyes asking if he could enter the room
or not.  Doggett asked, "What can I do for you, Trent?"

     "Mom and Dad want to talk. Can I stay with you and Aunt Dana for
a bit?" Trent asked, his voice tired.  He sounded younger than his ten
years as well.

     Doggett said, "Sure you can. How are you feelin'? Aunt Dana is
visitin' Uncle Mike and Aunt Kathy at the moment."

     "Okay, I guess. Mom was reading a story to me when Dad woke up
and she said she wanted to talk to him. I don't know what it's about,
but I think it's about Beth." Trent said, climbing up onto the bed to
sit down.

     Doggett sat down next to him.  "Well, your cousin is nappin' at
the moment, otherwise I'd let you talk to him and have some fun while
you're waitin' for your parents to have you back."

     Trent yawned. "I don't know. I'm just worried about Beth."

     Doggett put his arm around the boy's shoulders. "I know ya are.
We all are.  It's hard havin' your sister away like this. But, I tell
you what, your parents are strong people. Though, sometimes they think
they're stronger than they really are. But, you know what, they know
that anytime they can come to one of us and we'll help them through
it.  They know they are not alone and that is what is important."

     Trent leaned into Doggett's chest.  "Do they really know that for
sure?"

     "Yes. They do, deep down they do.  They may resist that a lot,
because they feel it is their problem, but they know they can turn to
others around them when needed. You see Trent, Beth is very important
to all of our lives.  We're not like other families in some ways. A
lot of the time, only intermediate family are involved with this type
of thing." Doggett sighed.  "What I'm trying to say is, your parents
have a support system that may not be there for other parents who have
abducted children. Your parents not only have your aunt Dana and me,
they have Brian, Mike and Kathy. Many other parents might have very
little of that support."

     Trent sighed. "I know. I just worry about them sometimes. They
haven't been themselves in months. I miss Mom and Dad being Mom and
Dad. I miss Dad laughing and having fun; I miss Mom being happy and
singing a lot and spending time with Beth and me."

     "I know you do. Listen, kiddo, when your aunt gets back, I'll
have her take a look at you real quick and we'll stop by your parents
to see what is going on, how does that sound?"



     Sam turned looking at her. He sighed. "I suppose so. I don't
really have a choice. I know you, you'll drag it out of me." He had
his hands in his lap. He looked down at them, then back
 up with a slight smile on his face.

     Jo Jo smiled back at him. She sighed then. "Was it a bad dream?"

     Sam's smile faded. "Yes. It wasn't a terrible dream, but almost
seemed to be more sad." He looked away. "I was wandering this hall way
until I came upon a door. I opened it and Beth lie dead on the other
side. That was the dream. Nothing more."

     Jo Jo hugged him. "That's sad, Sam." She kissed him, her tongue
playfully pushing into his mouth.

     Sam kissed back, running his hands through her hair. He felt her
kiss his neck as she straddled him. Sam didn't mind this attention. He
closed his eyes, allowing her to do so.

     Jo Jo ran her hands underneath his shirt, kissing his neck
slowly.  She wanted to make him feel better, possibly by showing her
love for him instead of talking would work better.

     Sam ran a hand through her long hair, enjoying her attention. It
caused him to forget the dream and allow him to enjoy being with his
wife. He lifted her face up, kissing her playfully, his tongue finding
entrance.

     Jo Jo broke it off. "Sam, we can't go any further, you know.
Trent will be back any time."

     Sam sighed. "Damn it. You're right."  He kissed her again. "Too
bad, huh? Just when we were having fun." He kissed her neck. "Though,
making out with you isn't that bad either. . ."

     Jo Jo laughed. "You're so goofy sometimes."  She ran her hands
through his hair.

     Sam whispered in her ear before kissing it, "You like me goofy.
Admit it. You wouldn't want me any other way."

     Jo Jo giggled. "Don't! That tickles!"  She squirmed off of his
lap.

     Sam grabbed her before she could get across the room. He wrapped
his arms around her, blowing into her ear. "Fine, if you're gonna go
doing that I'll tickle you!"

     Jo Jo squealed. "NO! SAM!" She giggled loudly then.

     Sam held onto her with one arm around her torso while his other
hand tickled her stomach. "See what you make me do?"

     Jo Jo giggled, squirming. She tried to get away, but found
herself pinned.

     Sam laughed, letting her go. "That was fun."

     Jo Jo startled Sam when she jumped back on him, straddling him.
She giggled at his shocked expression.  She kissed him, playfully. She
said, "You tickle me and I'll get you for it."

     Sam's dark eyes were wide after she let him up for air. He
sputtered, "Jo Jo!"

     Jo Jo giggled, her arms wrapped around his neck. "Yes, Sam?"

     Sam sighed. He laughed then. "Jo Jo, what has gotten into you
today?"

     Jo Jo kissed his cheek. "I dunno. I'm just so bored and there is
nothing to do and it was fun to make you make that surprised face of
yours. It's so goofy."  She giggled again.

     Sam groaned. "You're so goofy sometimes, Jo Jo. You do the
silliest things." He kissed her before she could respond.

     Jo Jo locked her arms behind his neck. She pushed slightly with
her body as she kissed him. This caused Sam to lie back. Jo Jo kissed
his neck. She lifted her head up. "So, now who has who pinned,
mister!"

     Sam laughed. He flipped them over.  "You are!" He kissed her
neck. "Two can play your game."

     Jo Jo giggled. She sighed. "You know, someone is going to knock
on that door soon and they will want to talk to us or they'll need
something." She made a pouty face.

     Sam laughed at her. He kissed her. "Well that's just too damn
bad, now isn't it?" He kissed her neck, rubbing his hands down over
her. He whispered in her ear, "If they don't like it, then they can
leave."

     Jo Jo giggled, then sighed. "Sam, really, we can't. She looked at
the clock for a moment from where it sat on the night stand. "It's
almost six! You know your brother will show up any moment telling us
it's time to go for supper."

     Sam hung his head down onto her shoulder. His complaint was
muffed.  "Aw damn it. Just when we were having fun." He lifted his
head up, kissing her again. "Oh well. At least we got to make out." He
laughed again. "I could always tell John. He lives for those details."

     "He does not and you are just mean."  Jo Jo laughed. "Now, come
on, let's see what your brother is doing and what's going on with
Trent."

     "Alright, alright. But next time you starting being all playful,
I'm not letting you get away again." He lifted up, kissing her. Sam
made his way to the door.



     Later that afternoon, Mike and Kathy were watching television.
Kathy was snuggled up to Mike, her arm around his torso, her head in
his lap. She yawned. "What time is it?"

     "It's nearly 6. I'm assuming we'll go out to supper and then
we'll get back and Dana will give you a look over."  Mike said,
smiling.

     Kathy sat up, pulling out the city guide. "I'm so sick of eating
fast food or hotel food. Let's go out to eat." She flipped through it,
looking at the food lists. She remarked, "Look, Michael, they have a
Mexican restaurant!"

     Mike laughed. "I don't know. I'm not a doctor. Can you eat that
and be okay?"

     "Michael, don't be silly. Of course I can eat Mexican food. Let's
muscle everyone else to Paradisos. It sounds so romantic." Kathy
smiled at him.  "Besides, I feel like dressing up, too."

     Mike shook his head. When Kathy asked for something he gave in to
her, simply because she rarely asked for anything. He took her hand
into his.  "Okay. We'll ask them. I'm not going to say they will agree
and as for dressing up, Sam and Jo Jo will put up quite the fight on
that."

     Kathy sighed. "I know. But aren't you sick of the same things
over and over again? I'm so sick of Burger King or bland hotel room
food. I want something with some spice."

     Mike laughed again. "You've sold me already. I'm not going to
argue. It's the rest of the group you're going to have to sell, Kat."

     Kathy blushed then. "I'm sorry, Mike. I didn't mean to be pushy."  
She looked away then.

     Mike hugged her. "Kat, Kat, Kat.  It's okay to be pushy
sometimes. Lord knows I'm pushy a lot." He laughed.

     Kathy said, "I know, I know."

     "Besides, I like it when you're excited." Mike said, kissing her
neck.  "Let's go see what is going on for supper so you can pitch this
sales pitch of yours."

     Kathy said, "Okay."

     Mike and Kathy arrived at Doggett's door just as Sam and Jo Jo
did. Mike laughed. "We were just going to see what was going on for
supper."

     "Same here." Sam laughed. "Any ideas?"

     Kathy took an aprehensive breath, looked at Mike who nodded his
encouragement, then blurted, "I want to go to Paradisos."

     Sam laughed. "I'm sure we can do that. What type of restaurant is
that?"

     "Mexican." Mike said.

     Jo Jo said, "Sounds good to me."

     Sam sighed. "Alright. Sounds fancy to me. Sounds like one of
those dress up type of things, too.  But, since Kathy wants to go,
we'll go. I'll muscle my bro and Bri into going there."

     Kathy was so excited that she startled Sam by hugging him. "Thank
you." She looked down at her feet afterwards, looking shy. Sometimes
she just couldn't help herself.

     Mike laughed at Sam's expression.  "She does that sometimes."

     Sam said, "Jesus Christ! You women ought to worry me before you
go doing things like that. First Jo Jo, now you."  His expression was
startled and his eyes were wide.

     Jo Jo laughed. "Well, I do have a dress I can wear. How about
you, Sam? Do you have a suit you can wear?"

     Sam sighed. "I do. I packed it awhile back. Don't really know
why.  Oh, I remember. You said I had to."  He laughed at her.

     Jo Jo put her hands on her hips, glaring at him. "Samuel. Be
nice."

     Sam laughed. "Oh, sure. Do you think that scares me?" He flinched
when he felt her hand connect with the back of his head.

     "There. Now let's let your brother know and we'll get ready." Jo
Jo said, feeling triumphant.

     Mike laughed. "You two are just comical sometimes."

     "Glad we could provide you entertainment, Mike." Sam said,
rubbing the back of his head gingerly.

     Doggett opened the door, looking back at Scully for a moment,
remarking, "We ought to get supper soon." He turned, finding the group
enmass in front of him. "I was just goin' to look for you guys. What
brings you all here right now?"

     Sam blurted, "We're hungry, dumbass. Oh, and Kathy has the
restaurant picked."

     Doggett shook his head at his brother's rude announcement. He
asked, "Where is that, by the way?"

     Kathy said softly, "Paradisos."  She squeezed Mike's hand
instinctively.

     Doggett laughed softly. "It's okay, Kathy. You don't have to be
shy. We can go out to eat where you want to eat. I don't think we'll
have a problem with it."

     Mike said, "Yeah, well, it's one of them dress up places and
since I have to squeeze myself into a suit, we better go get ready for
it, don't you think?"

     Doggett burst out laughing then.  "No wonder Sam was so cranky.
He doesn't like getting dressed up all that often."

     Sam laughed. "Well, it'll be okay, as long as when I get back I
can get back into my usual clothes. It'll be okay."

     Jo Jo said, "Besides, it might be nice to get dressed up for a
change."
 
     Doggett said, "Go, go get dressed up and we'll see you when it's
time to get to dinner. I'll make the reservations and we'll be on our
way before you know it."

     "Okay, bro. See you soon." Sam said, taking Jo Jo's hand into his
own.

     Sam grumbled when he got back to the room. He said, "Now how did
we get involved with this? You know I hate getting dressed up." He
opened his suitcase, taking out his suit and dress shirt. "And will I
have to wear a fucking tie?"

     "Oh quit complaining. At least what you wear doesn't hike up your
butt or threaten to fall off. Who ever invented pantyhose should die.  
Really, I'm not kidding." She took out her pantyhose, showing the
offensive garment to Sam.

     "Then don't fucking wear it if it's so uncomfortable. I don't
understand why women wear things that are so obviously uncomfortable
anyways. I don't wear ties because they are uncomfortable." Sam said,
stripping his t-shirt off over his head. He tossed it into the laundry
bag.

     Jo Jo groaned. "You don't get it! Women wear it because it makes
our legs look better. It hides the imperfections so our legs look more
attractive." She took her pants off, throwing them in the direction of
the laundry bag as well. Then, she sat down onto the bed, taking her
right foot and placing it on her left knee as she started to slip on
the pantyhose.

     "That's rediculous. I like your legs. They're your legs. They
don't have to be perfect. Who ever thought people had to be perfectly
airbrushed creatures should be drug out and shot to be put out of
their misery." He put on a button shirt, buttoning the buttons as he
spoke.

     Jo Jo sighed. She stood up, tugging on the tops of her pantyhose
to get them to smoothen out. She took out the dress she was going to
wear, a shortsleeve Grecian style dress, maroon in color. She took off
her own t-shirt, tossing it into the pile of growing clothes. Clad
only in her bra and pantyhose, she made her way into the bathroom to
clean up her face and apply make up. She remarked from the bathroom,
"Maybe sometimes, Sam, I like to feel pretty for a change and not
plain. I almost never dress up just to dress up. It'll be nice for a
dinner to be at least dressed nice."

     Sam looked dsigruntled. "But Jo Jo, you're already pretty. Why
don't you think you're pretty?" He was only in his dress shirt and
underwear, standing in the door way as he asked this.

     Jo Jo turned, a mascara wand in her hand. "Because sometimes,
Sam, I just don't. I, unlike you, sometimes enjoy dressing up to look
pretty and a bit different than everyday."

     Sam sighed. "Okay, suit yourself, but I think you're already
pretty and don't need to change a thing." He stepped back into the
main area, grabbing his suit pants to put on.



     Mike and Kathy entered their hotel room, Kathy smiling at Mike
shyly. She said softly, "Mike, thanks for doing this. I know you don't
like to do this dressing up thing very much."

     Mike shrugged. "It's not that big of a deal, really. I do have
dressy clothes for some photo shoots after all.  I can live. Sam on
the other hand. . . he'll give Jo Jo more grief than he should and
she'll get mad at him. You know how those two are." He tugged his
shirt up over his head.

     Kathy sighed. "I know. I'm sure it will be fine." She grabbed
some clothing, heading for the bathroom.  She had over her arm a long
dress, low cut in front, emerald in color.  She placed her garments in
a neat pile in the corner of the bathroom on the corner of the
counter.

     Mike joined her in the bathroom, buckling his dress pants. He
watched Kathy as she started to wash her face and set out her make up.
He startled her by kissing her on the neck. He asked quietly, "Do you
want me to do your hair for you, or do you want to deal with that? I'm
going to comb my and leave it alone after that, unless you think I
ought to tie it back."

     Kathy flinched, relaxing after a moment. "Don't tie it back,
Mike. Please, will you braid my bangs and form a crown with them
leaving the rest of my hair loose?"

     "Okay. I'll do that for you after you're dressed. No sense in
messing up your hair." He took a brush and began brushing his hair as
he talked.

     Kathy turned, looking at him. He was dressed in a dark suit and
white dress shirt underneath. She smiled appreciatively, even though
she did enjoy his usual fashion sense. She asked, "Do you think I
should wear my shawl with my dress? It's long sleeved to begin with,
and I'm going to wear a coat anyways."

     "It's up to you. I don't think you really need it myself." He
placed the brush down, tucking his hair behind his ears. "How do I
look? I hope not like a dork."

     "Michael, you never look like a dork." She undressed, taking her
pants off first to get into pantyhose. Then, she took her shirt off,
pulling the dress down over her head and getting it positioned right.
She adjusted the bosom of the dress, then the arms.

     Mike watched her quietly.  "Alright. Want me to braid your hair
now or after your make up?"

     "Now, please." She grabbed some thin hair ties, handing them to
him.

     Mike combed her hair through, then braided one side. He then
braided the other, tying them together in a crown in the back. "There.
I'm going to get my dress shoes and grab yours and we'll go join John
and Dana so we can get to supper."

     "Okay." She kissed his cheek.



     Sam sat down onto the bed, waiting for Jo Jo to come out. He
looked at the clock, then back. Then he figured he should check on
Trent. He walked past the bathroom. "Jo Jo, I'm going to go look in on
Trent to make sure he's getting dressed."

     "Okay." Jo Jo didn't open the door.  "I'll be here. I only have a
bit more to do."

     Sam stepped out of the room, making his way down to his son's
room. He rapped lightly on the door, waiting for an answer.  "Trent,
it's me."

     Trent opened the door, struggling with a tie. He looked moody and
irritated about his tie. "Dad, will you tie my tie for me?"

     "Oh don't bother with the pesky thing.  I didn't. I really don't
think it's a requirement and if it is, too bad. I suppose we should
bring it along with us just incase. Here, I'll put it in my pocket,
okay?" He took the blue tie from his son's hand.

     "Why do we have to do this?" Trent asked, his expression full of
irritation.

     "Because Aunt Kathy wants a nice evening out with us and would
like to dress up for a change. For some reason your mother agrees with
her so we're doing this to keep them happy. Besides, it might be
nice." He took his son's hand into his. "You got your shoes on and
everything in place, kiddo?"

     "Yep." He stuck his feet out, showing them to his father. The
shiny black of his shoes shined from the florescent lighting over
head.

     "Looking sharp. Let's get back to see how much longer your mother
will take. She seems to take ages in getting ready for stuff like
this.  Maybe she should do it more often."  He sighed. "Who knows, I
may like it."

     Trent laughed. "Dad, you don't care what Mom looks like as long
as she's Mom. I'm not stupid."

     Sam smiled ruefully at his son.  "Now how did you come by that,
kiddo?"

     "I don't know. But I do see how you and Mom look at each other.
It's different than when you look at Aunt Kathy or Aunt Dana and it's
different when she looks at Uncle Mike or Uncle John or Uncle Brian. I
don't know what it is, but it's different."  Trent said, looking up at
his father.

     Sam laughed. "I don't know where you picked up observation like
that but you did. Let's get back before your mother is cranky with me
for taking too long."

     Sam and Trent walked back into the room, taking a spot on the
bed.  Sam called out, "Jo Jo! We're hungry!  Hurry up!" He sighed,
looking down at Trent.

     The door opened, Jo Jo entering the room. "Sam, I'm ready, let's
go."

     Sam was looking away at first.  "Okay. . ." He stopped what he
was going to say when he looked up. He wasn't sure what to think of
how she was dressed.

     Her long dress went down to her ankles, hugged her hips
appreciatively and bared her shoulders nicely. Her hair was done a bit
differently so that her hair was pulled to one side hanging in her
eyes with her right ear uncovered. Her face was made up to look
natural, accentuating her eyes and lips.

     Jo Jo caught him staring. She snapped her fingers. "Sam, let's
go.  You were in such a big rush and now you're glued to the bed. Get
up off of your ass and let's go!"

     Sam jumped. "Wh-what? Oh right.  Let's go." He got up, taking
Trent's hand into his. He looked Jo Jo up and down again, especially
as she turned her back on him to exit. The dress fit her frame
perfectly.

     Trent whispered, "I told you so, Dad." He smiled slightly.

     Jo Jo called out as she exited the room, "Don't forget Richie's
baby food."

     Sam stuttered for a moment, "Uh, uh okay. I won't." He made his
way back to the baby bag, grabbing a bottle of food and a spoon. He
placed them into a suit pocket, then exited the room.  He was still
amazed by how Jo Jo looked.

     Trent shook his head from the door way. He didn't understand
these things about his parents, but he knew that there was something
going on. He said, "Let's go, Dad."

     Sam nodded, silently taking his son's hand. They found Jo Jo
standing by Mike and Kathy who were waiting for Doggett, Scully and
Brian. Kathy and Jo Jo were complimenting one another on the side
while Mike stood aloof.  Sam choked out, "Hi Mike."

     Mike looked up at Sam's expression.  He noticed how Sam's eyes
were wide and his face had drained of color. Mike laughed. "Hey Sam.
I'm not keen with the ladies' talk here. I'm assuming you're a little
stunned by Jo Jo's appearance by the look on your face just now."

     Sam gulped for a moment. He said, "You can say that." He sighed.
"She usually doesn't dress up like that.  It's been a long time since
she's done that and I sorta forgot how it makes her look."

     "I can tell." Mike checked his wrist watch. "You think people who
dress up like this everyday would be first to be ready."

     Sam laughed. "I know. Must be having a bit of a time getting
ready, I guess."

     "Must be." He ran a hand through his hair, looking over at Kathy.
She appeared younger than usual and he smiled. Her eyes sparkled as
she cooed over how Jo Jo looked. He shook his head. "I'm just glad
Kat's happy with this."



     Mulder and Beth were traveling down a stretch of road to their
next destination. Beth was sleeping in the passenger seat, while
Mulder sped down the highway, towards Nevada.  He was sure that
sending that letter had been a mistake, but if he played his cards
right he could escape the obvious capture attempt. He turned the radio
up slightly, hearing a song he liked.

     Beth stirred in the seat next to him. She sat up, looking around
quietly, her blue eyes squinted from the glaring sunlight. It was
evening and Mulder was driving into the sunset. She grumbled, the
sunlight piercing into her eyes causing her to rub them.

     Mulder looked over at the small girl. He said, "You want a pair
of sunglasses?" He had a pair on himself.

     Beth shook her head, closing her eyes again. She asked quietly
then, "Where are we?"

     "We're heading towards Nevada.  I'm going to make a pit stop
soon.  You can get some candy and what ever when we get there." He
turned back to the road, his speed increasing.

     Beth looked at the spedometer, noticing that Mulder was driving
at about sixty five miles per hour. She hoped that he'd go too fast
and get caught. Then she would make her escape.  She fantasized a lot
about escape routes when she was with Mulder especially.

     Mulder turned the radio up a little more. He looked at Beth. "I
like this song. It's got a good beat."  His smile was twisted almost.

     Beth sighed. She looked out the window. It was one of Uncle
Mike's songs being played and it was on an alternative rock station
that Mulder had picked up as he drove along. She wished she could be
with her family so much.

     Mulder saw a gas station up ahead.  "Do you have to use the
bathroom?"

     "No." Beth quietly replied back, never lifting her head up from
the window. She said, "I don't want anything."

     "Are you sure? I'll get you something atleast. It'll be awhile
before we get supper." Mulder said, turning the engine off. "You stay
here. I'll get you a Coke and some sweettarts."

     Beth sighed. "Okay." Beth wished that she could desparetly run,
but Mulder had the doors locked and the powerlocking system disabled.
He also had her ankle cuffed to the seat bar just to make sure she
couldn't escape. She watched him, then fished around for the key.


     They arrived at the restaurant, segregating into separate tables.
Sam and Jo Jo took one with Trent and Richie, Mike and Kathy sat at a
table, and Doggett, Scully and William shared one.

     Sam, feeling mildly nervous, pulled Jo Jo's chair out for her
before he sat down. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to do so, but
he did. The way Jo Jo looked made her almost like a different person.  
He smiled shyly as he sat down across from her.

     Jo Jo shook her head at her husband's behavior. He seemed to be
acting strangely, though she enjoyed the way he was treating her.  
She smiled demurely from her seat, looking at him over her menu. She
noticed a slight shake in his hand as he held his menu. She looked
around slightly, then whispered, "What is the matter?"

     Sam set his menu down. "Nothing.  I'm, uh, I'm fine. Why do you
think anything is wrong?"

     "Your hand is shaking for one thing and your eyes are still wide
and you're acting funny. What is it?"  Jo Jo asked.

     Sam sighed. "I'm just shocked at how you look, I guess. You don't
look like this very often. I'm just trying to adjust, I guess."

     Jo Jo shook her head. "You silly man. And you said that I was
just fine."  She picked her menu up, looking it over.  "I still can't
believe I'm wearing heels.  The damn things make me clumsy and I'm
likely to take an ankle out."

     Sam laughed nervously. "I certainly hope not." He looked over the
menu slightly. "Do you want a drink with dinner? I know you don't
drink often, but I know you like strawberries. They have a strawberry
daiquiri here."

     Jo Jo said, "I suppose it couldn't hurt anyone. Besides, I don't
drink all that much." She looked over the menu for their meal
selections. "Trent, what are you thinking of having?"

     Trent asked, "Where are the tacos and burritos?"

     Sam laughed, this time more natural. "It's a real Mexican
restaurant, not Taco Bell. Here it's real food not that processed shit
that everyone buys."

     Jo Jo sighed. "Oh dear. I can't take you out anywhere. Hmm, I'll
help you out with your supper, okay Trent?  I don't recognize some
choices myself, so I know how confused you are. I know what's for
dessert though! Fried ice cream! It's the best."

     Sam laughed, feeling more comfortable. He was beginning to think
that deep down under the fancy dress and makeup was his Jo Jo and not
some strange creature. He said, "Well, I think we can arrange that."

     Jo Jo smiled. "I hope so. It's like nothing else."



     Mike and Kathy sat alone at their table, almost as if it was a
date. Mike watched her over the candle flame in the center of the
table, his green eyes turning black with a flame dancing in them from
the reflection.  He was silent.

     Kathy looked up from her menu, seeing how he looked. She jumped.  
"Michael, don't do that!"

     He jumped. "Do what?"

     "Stare at me like that. Your eyes looked like they belonged to
Satan or something." She giggled.  She put her hand on his across the
table. "What were ya thinking about?"

     Mike cleared his throat, calculating his thoughts. "I guess how
pretty you are. I know you like blue a lot, but green is more your
color, you know."

     "That's only because you like green so much. I know you. I'm just
glad black isn't your color of choice for me. I'd look like some
puffed up black widow about now." She smiled slightly, shyly looking
at her menu.

     Mike laughed. "You would not.  You look great." He took her hand
into his large one, rubbing a thumb over the back of it. "Besides,
black wouldn't suit you at all. That's much more my color anyways."

     Kathy sighed. "Michael, you should wear more color sometimes.
Black makes you look so foreboding and depressed."  She sighed.

     "Isn't that the idea? I'm Mike Flood, depressed for a living.
Besides, if I didn't look foreboding, too many crazy fucks would try
to accost me.  I'm not that big if you haven't noticed." He cracked a
toothy smile at her. "Besides, what would you do with me if I started
to wear colors?"

     Kathy giggled. "I don't know.  I guess you are right on that size
thing. I sorta like that size though.  Now, what do we want for
supper?"

     "I dunno how to prounounce half the damn names of the food here.
Hmm, let me look." He looked through it slowly, trying to decide if he
wanted a single dish or a dish they could share.

     Kathy said, "Too bad I'm pregnant.  They have an excellent
alcohol selection."

     "Oh goody. More for me!" He laughed softly.

     "Come on, be nice!" She lightly tapped his hand.

     Mike looked guilty, then laughed.  "I thought I was!"

     Kathy rolled her eyes. "Now you're just being a goof ball."



     Jo Jo excused herself to go to the bathroom awhile later. She
entered the bathroom, did her business and stepped out, noticing a
little blond girl about the age of Beth. Her back was turned to Jo Jo.
Jo Jo felt her breath hitch in her throat. The little girl turned
around, her blue-grey eyes locking on Jo Jo.  Jo Jo looked away
quickly, blinking back tears.

     She stepped back into the stall she had just exited, locking the
door and putting the lid back down on the seat to sit and cry. She bit
her lip to silence her crying so others would not intrude upon her.
The little girl reminded her sharply of how much she missed her little
girl, fearing that she was dead already. Jo Jo looked at the locket
watch around her neck, realizing she had been ten minutes and Sam
would start to worry soon if she did not return.

     She heard the little girl ask, "Mommy, can we go eat yet? I'm
hungry!"

     A soft female voice answered sternly, "Mommy has to fix her make
up first. Be patient, honey."

     Jo Jo bit her lip, her eyes closing.  It was too painful and she
wished she had stayed in the dining area. She heard the door close and
the bathroom fall silent. Jo Jo sobbed audibly then, unable to be
silent any longer.

     The door opened, and Jo Jo heard a voice ask, "Jo Jo, are you
alright? Sam asked me to come and see what was taking so long." Jo Jo
recognized the voice as belonging to Scully.

     "Go away. I want to be left alone right now." She refused to get
up and let someone see her like this. By now her mascara was running
and her make up had been smeared all over.

     Scully said, "I'm not going to let you stay here and deal with
what
 ever you're dealing with alone. Now come on out."

     Jo Jo heaved herself up, pulling the bathroom lock, eyes cast
down.  She asked, "Are you happy now?"

     Scully asked, "What's the matter?"

     "I, I saw a little girl who looked almost exactly like Beth. I
guess it brought it all back to me that she's not here and that we're
not any closer to bringing her back." Jo Jo said, her hand on her left
arm. "What am I going to tell Sam? I look awful."

     "Jo Jo, here," Scully said, handing her some tissue, "blow your
nose and wipe that run mascara off of your face. I'll lend you my make
up for the time being."

     Jo Jo nodded, smiling through her sniffles. "Thanks."

     "You're going to have to tell Sam what happened here. He'll only
get grumpy and irritable because he's not sure why you're hurting.  
At least not directly why." Scully said, digging in her purse for her
make up.

     "I know, but if I do it now, I'll only make a scene and it'll be
dismal. I can't do that to Trent or Sam." She wiped her eyes, taking
mascara off.

     "I know. But promise me, you will talk to him and soon." Scully
said.

     Jo Jo nodded. "I will. I promise.  But just not right now."

     Jo Jo rejoined the table, smiling shyly at Sam. She hoped he
didn't notice the redness in her eyes nor the shake in her voice. She
lied, for the sake of Trent, "Sorry, there was a massive line for the
stalls."

     Sam nodded, satisfied with her explanation. "I hate lines."

     Jo Jo smiled weakly at him, picking at what was left of her food.  
She looked up and around, finding the little blonde girl sitting at a
table not far from theirs, with her mother. Jo Jo bit her lip,
abruptly exiting the table. She knew she had to get out of there and
now before causing a scene.

     Sam called out, "Wait! Jo Jo, where you going?"

     Jo Jo didn't look back or stop.  She walked straight out of the
restaurant, heading for the bus. Once she was safe there, she could
let go of her emotions and allow herself to be vulnerable, but not
here; not in public.

     Sam grabbed her arm, spinning her around. "Where are you going?"

     Jo Jo looked away. "The bus."

     "Why?" Sam was perplexed to what was happening with his wife.  
She had been happy only twenty minutes ago.

     Jo Jo choked out, "I saw a little girl who looked almost like
Beth while I was in the bathroom. There was no line. I, I broke down
and didn't want you to know. It'd cause a scene." She looked away from
him, not wishing to see the hurt in his eyes.

     "But why?" Sam said.
 
     "Sam, it's been four months since our little girl went away.  
We're not close to finding her. You promised me we'd find her alive. I
don't have much hope left. Mulder has no reason to keep her alive. I
think he disappeared because he killed her. It's futile to look for
her anymore." Jo Jo was hysterical now.

     Sam said, "Wait a minute! Are you blaming this on me?"

     Jo Jo shook her head yes, hysterics fully set in now. "I can't
help it. I want answers. I want my baby girl back."

     "Well thanks a lot Jo Jo. I'm glad it's all my fault Beth is
missing." He stomped past her into the bus. Anger was flooding him and
he didn't want to say anything else damaging.

     Jo Jo ran after him, crying. "Sam.  Sam, listen to me."

     Sam stonewalled her. He didn't want to say anything more
damaging.

     Jo Jo wailed, Sam! I, I'm sorry."  She snuck into the back of the
bus leaving him alone, her sobs heard loudly from where Sam was
sitting.  Each sob was like a knife in his heart.

     Sam started sobbing silently as he thought about what his wife
had just admitted to him. He felt it was a knife shoved deep into his
heart, and her own sobs were the twists of death for him.

     A hand brushed his shoulder, and Sam opened his eyes, finding his
brother standing over him. "Sam, what's goin' on?"

     "Jo Jo, Jo Jo blames me for Beth's disappearance. I, I don't know
what to do." Sam looked out the window, his shoulders shaking as he
began to sob again.

     Doggett looked up to where Jo Jo could be heard. "Sounds like
she's in pain, Sam. People in pain say some awful things. I'm sure she
doesn't mean it. She probably doesn't blame you, but felt the need to
lash out.  Don't hold that against her."

     Sam turned, looking at him. "I'm in pain, too. What about me?" He
sighed.

     "Yes, yes you are. But Sam, Jo Jo needs you now more than ever.
Let her get her emotions out of her system and then talk to her. If
you push her now, she'll only get angry. I think that's part of the
reason she said those horrible things to you. She wants to be left
alone."  Doggett said, sitting down next to him.

     Sam threw his arms around his brother, sobbing. "Hearing her
sound like this is killing me. To have her hold me accountable? That
just adds to the injury."

     Doggett rubbed Sam's back, rocking his little brother slightly.
He knew both of them were in tough spots under high stress. "I know it
is. I know it is. You two love each other so much.  Don't let a
comment hurled in pain ruin that. You'll only regret it."

     Sam sobbed, unable to speak any longer. He couldn't believe how
much pain he was in or how much pain she was in. He hugged his brother
tight, wishing he could make it all go away.  Make everything stop
hurting and bring her back home. Suddenly, he wondered if it was
really truly his fault.


     Jo Jo flopped herself on the bed, sobbing loudly. She was pushed
beyond the limits of the human spirit now and she only wished she
could turn back time. Most of all, she wanted to take back the comment
she had hurled at Sam. She couldn't believe she blamed him for
something so terrible.

     She buried her face in a pillow, wailing in grief. Somehow, she
knew that it was going to be a hurt that could possibly tear her
marriage apart and then she'd be facing this all alone.  Selfish as it
was, she knew she couldn't face it alone, yet unselfishly, she knew
neither could Sam.

     Jo Jo got up, still sobbing. She found a picture of Beth that Sam
had placed in the bus back area. It was an old photo, but it still
made her feel closer to Beth. She picked it up, her shoulders shaking.
Beth in the photo smiled up at her so innocently and Jo Jo knew her
daughter was no longer innocent.

     She put it back down, before she could hurl it against a wall and
smash its glass and frame. She fell back onto the bed, wrapping her
arms tightly around herself, wishing desperately that she could have
someone hold her and tell her things would be alright, but she had
alienated the one person who would do that. Sam. She knew she had
stabbed in the heart, and that made her cry that much harder.

     She closed her eyes tight, trying to dispel the image of the
little girl she had seen tonight, as well as the photo of Beth she had
just looked at. She sighed, trying to regain composure, only to begin
sobbing again. Seeing that little girl had brought up all the pain and
fear she had been harboring since the abduction had occurred.

     She worried about Sam and how he was holding up, especially after
she had dropped her bomb shell. Jo Jo said to herself, through her
tears, "Good going. You probably have killed anything you have with
him. Lord knows it's not his fault. It's probably yours."

     She finally fell asleep, her energy drained. Jo Jo was finally in
peace as she slept, her mind and body dead to the world for all
intents and purposes. Finally, she was resting, the ticking time bomb
in her had finally exploded and now it was time to rest.



     Mike and Kathy snuck onto the bus to sit down. Mike looked over
at Doggett and Sam, worried about why Sam was sobbing the way he was
and why he could hear Jo Jo's cries.  He wondered why Sam wasn't in
there with her. Mike whispered to Kathy, "I hope everything is alright
with those two. Tension all around has not been good."

     Scully and the boys sat down not far from Mike and Kathy. Scully
whispered, "Jo Jo saw a little girl tonight that resembled Beth.
That's why she got upset at all, but she has accused Sam of Beth's
whole abduction.  I don't really believe she does deep down, she's
just hurting right now.  She's hurting a lot from the sounds of it."

     Mike closed his eyes, leaning back. "Shit. I was afraid they'd
have a blow up like this some time.  They both have been pretending
like nothing was happening for a very long time now. I wish there was
something I could do."

     Kathy said quietly, "Do you think they'll fight over this blame
game issue?  It'd be terrible to see them break up over something so
foolish as a blame game."

     "No. I don't know. I just know Sam and Jo Jo are in bad places
right now." Scully said, looking at the boys.

     Trent asked, "Are Mom and Dad going to be okay?" He wanted to
know if things were alright or not and what could be done. He looked
at his father, noticing the anguish.

     Sam's sobs were as loud as the ones heard from Jo Jo. Both Sam
and Jo Jo were suffering and could not withstand much more. Sam's arms
were thrown around Doggett's middle and Sam cried onto his older
brother's shoulder with so much pain that watching it was too painful
for others.

     Sam finally spoke. He hadn't noticed anyone else enter, so he
spoke directly to his brother. "John, I'm so scared.  What if Jo Jo
really meant that? What if it is really all my fault? If I hadn't gone
on tour. . .Beth would be with us now."

     Doggett responded quietly.  "Sam, you can't blame yourself.  Jo
Jo is hurtin' right now, as are you. When you are hurt, you say
hurtful things and so does Jo Jo.  You can't hold this against her.  
Right now, you two must be united or I'm afraid there won't be the two
of you anymore."

     Sam stopped crying, running his arm under his nose. He asked,
"Whaddya mean no more the two of us? I love Jo Jo.  I'm not going to
leave her."

     "No. But Sam, unless you fix this division between the two of you
and soon, you may be facing more hurtful incidents like this. Go, go
talk to her."

     Sam realized he couldn't hear Jo Jo any longer. He looked to the
back of the bus. "I, I'll try. Do you think she wants to see me?"

     "Sam, you have to try."

     Sam quietly opened the door to the back room of the bus. He shut
it quietly, looking at Jo Jo sleeping on the bed. He knelt down,
brushing a strand of hair from her mussed face.  He kissed her temple,
feeling the anger flood out of him. No matter how strong Jo Jo
appeared, deep down she was hurting. He only wished she hadn't waited
until it caused her to explode.

     Sam took her hand into his, absent mindedly running a thumb over
the back of it. He kissed it, wishing this could have all been
avoided. He whispered, "Jo Jo, wake up. We need to talk." He smoothed
more hair from her face.

     Jo Jo whimpered, opened her eyes and quickly moved away from Sam
after she saw him. Her muffled voice could be heard saying, "I don't
deserve you. I'm a terrible person for even thinking of blaming you.
I'll understand if you don't love me anymore."

     Sam felt another knife go into his heart and twist. He sat down
behind Jo Jo, running a hand on her back. "No, Jo Jo. I couldn't stop
loving you if I tried. I know I've fucked up enough times to make you
want to do the same. But, Jo Jo, what happened out there, that was
pain and it was raw. You exploded because you've been bottling it up
again."

     Jo Jo turned, looking up into his eyes. "Sam, I'm still a
terrible person. How could what happened to our child be your fault?
You've done all you can to return our daughter to us.  I probably
shouldn't be with you if I'm capable of blaming you for where she is
right now."

     Sam bent down, kissing her temple softly. "Silly, silly woman.  
I love you. I couldn't blame you for blaming me if I tried. Sure, I
was pissed and I had a million retorts running through my mind, but I
knew I couldn't say them. Why?  Because you were hurting. It hurt me
more and made me more angry that you didn't let me know."

     Jo Jo sat up, her hair falling into her face. "I'm still sorry,
Sam.  I never meant it. It's not your fault.  It's probably mine."

     "NO! No, Jo Jo. It's not your fault either. It's no one's fault
but Mulder's.  He's the one who took her; he's the one to blame. None
of us on this side could have predicted our little girl would
disappear. Jo Jo, don't think for a second it's your fault. It's not."
He wrapped his arms around her now tiny form.

     Jo Jo wept silently, her energy spent to do much more. She threw
her arms around his solid, strengthening form. Through her tears, she
choked out, "I love you, Sam."


     Mike burst out, "Damn it! There has got to be something we can do
for those two. I sorta thought Jo Jo was acting funny for awhile, ya
know?  Seemed like she was pretending too much and faking way too much
happiness for my tastes. I'm sure she thought it was protecting, but
obviously it just caused a huge explosion."

     Scully sighed. "Yes. Yes, it did. It's really too bad that even
after all these years Jo Jo feels the need to hide from those who love
her, especially Sam. I can't think of anyone who loves her more. But,
the real problem lies with the fact that Beth is still missing."

     Mike sighed. "I know. But what do we do about that? I know,I
know.  Brian stayed at the hotel to trace a lead. Will it lead to
anything, or will it be a fucking waste of time?"

     Doggett shook his head. "Mike, you gotta calm down. If they hear
you, we could see another explosion. We all want that little girl to
come back.  We're doing all we can, but if we start tracking Mulduh
ourselves and throw caution to the wind, it could get Beth killed, and
maybe more of us killed."

     Mike crossed his arms, eyes squinted and his head turned down to
stare at the back of the seat in front of him. He muttered, "I don't
know what the else we can do."

     Kathy said, "Well, John, why don't you talk to Brian when we get
back to the hotel. Maybe he knows something, or he's stuck and you
could help him. You too, Dana. The sooner we can find Beth, the sooner
things will calm down. It's just my opinion, you don't have to take my
suggestions at all."

     Scully smiled, then remarked, "She's on to something, John. If
the three of us devise a plan and talk about what leads we do have, we
may be able to nab him. What is today's date?"

     Doggett lifted his wrist up, looking at his watch. "December
11th, why?"

     "I was just wondering. That sets our search at about four months.
I'm just thinking aloud. Why don't we go over what we've learned in
the past four months and see if we can figure something out that way.
Listen, nothing else has worked, and I don't know about you, but I do
not want to see that again if I can help it." Scully said, brushing
some hair from her face.

     Doggett nodded. "And, it would be the best Christmas gift if we
could pull it off in time. Alright, we'll look into it and see if we
can at least track him down."


     Sam gently lifted Jo Jo's face to look up at him. He said, "Jo
Jo, when I had that dream and told you about it, did you get all
playful to distract yourself because you were afraid of something like
this?"

     Jo Jo pulled away from him, brushing the last tears from her
eyes. She sniffed, nodding silently. She then remarked, "I feared if I
actually reacted to your dream, it would make me so upset that, well,
we'd have a blow up like we just had. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done
it."

     Sam sighed. "I was worried, that's all. It just didn't seem like
you. I didn't say anything because you seemed so happy. I didn't
understand why you reacted the way you did. I do now. Jo Jo, you have
to stop doing that." He put his hands on her cheeks, moving her face
back and forth for emphasis as he spoke. "Please, don't hide from me.
What happened tonight, I don't like seeing at all. I was so upset and
you were so upset."

     Jo Jo moved away from him. She stood up, moving to the back seat
of the back area. She looked out the tinted window, realized they were
still parked. She whispered, "I just couldn't take hearing it, I
guess.  It's selfish and wrong, but I couldn't do it." She bit her
lip, trying to hold back a fresh wave of tears. "Can you forgive me
for being such an insensitive person?"

     Sam got up from the small bed, making his way to where Jo Jo sat.  
He kneeled down in front of her, taking her hands into his. "Please,
you weren't insensitive. You were hurting and coping the only way you
knew how, by trying to make me happy. I'm just lucky enough to have
you."

     She looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes. She sighed,
gathering enough control to speak coherently. "But Sam, I still
shouldn't have ignored what you told me. It makes me feel bad that you
may have felt slighted by not getting a serious reaction. Something
just clicked in me when you said you saw Bethie dead in your dream."

     Sam sat down next to her, gently holding her hand. "Don't be
silly, Jo Jo. You did what your instincts told you, and I can't blame
you." He hugged her. "Let's just forget about it now. What is done is
done.  When we get back to the hotel, I want you to take a good, long
hot bath and relax. I'll even figure a way to put music into there
that you can listen to as you bathe. How's that sound?"

     Jo Jo pulled back from his shoulder.  She sniffed, nodding.
"Okay. It sounds good. Sam, you spoil me."

     "No, not really. If I were to spoil you, I'd make sure you could
have anything you wanted all night. I'm tempted, you know." He smiled,
kissing her cheek.  "Come on, let's tell everyone we can head back.
Sooner we get back, sooner I can get back into comfy clothes."

     Jo Jo smiled wide. She sighed, taking his hand into hers. "Thank
you for understanding, Sam."

     "I only would hope the same from you, Jo Jo." He leaned in,
kissing her.  "Come on, let's go."

     The door to the back of the bus opened, Sam and Jo Jo stepping
out holding hands. Doggett said, "It's about time you two came back
out here. I was beginnin' to wonder what you two were doin' in there."

     Sam glared for a moment, then smiled wide. "Now, now. John, I
wouldn't have expected that one from you. That's something Mike would
tease me about."  He held onto Jo Jo's hand tightly, leading her back
to their seats.

     Jo Jo climbed into her seat, getting comfortable for the ride
back to the hotel. As soon as Sam sat down, she placed her head onto
his shoulder.  She giggled when Sam made a mock protesting sound.

     Mike said, "It's good to see the two of you together again, ya
know? At least you didn't go to bed mad. What you two planning on
doing when you get back?"

     "Jo Jo's going to take a bath and I'm going to change back into
regular clothes. From there, I dunno.  Maybe go to bed early. I'm
sorta tired."  Sam said.

     Mike nodded. He yawned. "I dunno.  I need to be distracted for
awhile while Dana checks over Kat. Why don't we all get together for a
bit while the ladies are busy to hang out for a little bit.  I know
that the agents have to talk, but they'll have to probably wait until
Kat's been checked."

     Scully gasped, smacking her forehead.  "I almost forgot all about
that! Right, that's exactly what we'll do. You boys can do your man
stuff while Kathy and I do some girl stuff and Jo Jo can soak in peace
and quiet for awhile."

     Sam laughed. "Hmm, what do you say, bro? Should Mike and I bother
the hell out of you while the ladies do their thing?"

     Doggett rolled his eyes. "It won't be nearly long enough for me
to see you two get into trouble, and I don't really have a choice, so
fine."

     Mike laughed quietly. "John, don't make it sound like a death
sentence. I'm the one who's supposed to be all morbid.  That's my job.
Besides, you never know, you just might have fun."

     Doggett rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright. We'll see."


     When they arrived to the hotel, Jo Jo headed straight into the
bathroom.  She kissed Sam once, then stepped inside, filling her tub
first. She then placed shampoo and conditioner into the holder.  Jo Jo
grabbed the bubble bath, dumping in the correct amount.

     Sam stood in the door way, watching her. "What the hell is all of
that?" He held a tape deck in his hands. Sam plugged it in, pressing
play. Loud guitar screamed out and a loud screech came from the
singer. He blushed in embarrassment when he saw Jo Jo put her hands on
her hips. "Sorry about that. Don't know what's in there."

     Jo Jo sighed. She walked back out of the bathroom, digging
through her cassette tape collection. She grabbed a tape of quiet
songs and padded back into the room. "Here.  And that is my bath
water." She turned the facets off, disrobing.

     Sam put it into the tape deck, pressing play for her. He sighed,
reading the tape. "Oops, I left my Ministry tape in the player.
Sorry."

     Jo Jo shook her head, climbing into the bubble bath. She sunk
down, till the bubbles were up to her neck.  Soft piano was playing in
the back ground and she smiled.

     Sam shook his head. "Happy bathing.  I'm going to go bug the hell
out of Mike and John." Sam stripped down, pulling a t-shirt over his
head and jeans on. He took his socks off, deciding to go barefoot. He
poked his head back into the bathroom.

     Jo Jo giggled. "Sounds almost like a Bible meeting to me. Michael
and John, which you can pick from, and Samuel. Wonder what other Bible
notables you'll have joining you."

     Sam rolled his eyes. "Funny. And Jesus Christ will be there too,
I'm sure."

     "You never know. Ted Neeley could show up at any moment." She
smiled devilishly at him.

     Sam rolled his eyes. "You're so mean to me sometimes." Sam closed
the door, shaking his head. He heard soft humming go along with the
music and smiled. Sam then exited the room, making his way down to see
Mike and John in his brother's room.

     Sam knocked on the door, waiting for an answer. Doggett opened
it, revealing Mike lounging in a chair, beer in hand. Mike asked, "You
want a beer, man?"

     "Sure." Sam said.

     Mike grabbed one out of the cooler next to him. He handed it to
Sam. "So, what took you so long?"

     "I had to set up a tape deck for Jo Jo. She wanted music."

     "Oh." Mike said. "Wait, Kat said that we didn't have any plug
ins."

     "You guys don't? It's under the counter, over by the door. Did
you guys look there?" Sam said, opening his beer.

     Doggett laughed. "I guess he didn't." Doggett grabbed his own
beer, opening it. "I'm glad the boys are already relaxing in their
room right now."

     "Me too." Sam said after a drink.

     Mike sighed. "Damn. I'll have to tell Kat there is a plug in in
the bathroom. She loves music during her baths."

     "Oh? Jo Jo does when she does that bubble shit." Sam said.

     "No, it's an everyday thing with Kat.  Must be a girl thing. I
sorta make my own music in the shower sometimes, sorta like when I try
to figure out where a song is going, that type of thing." Mike said.

     "I bet. I do too, sometimes."  Sam said.


     Jo Jo lounged in the tub quietly, thinking about the blow up they
had this evening. Even though she had explained what had happened to
Sam, she still felt guilty for not doing so sooner. She knew that it
hurt Sam when she hid from him.

     Jo Jo focused on the music, trying to simply relax away a lot of
her day's tension. She closed her eyes, floating in the tub for a bit.
The aromas of the bubble bath were a good distraction to accompany the
music.

     Jo Jo sat up, grabbing the hose that was attached to the faucet.
She rinsed her hair of the bubbles so she could shampoo. Jo Jo enjoyed
bubble baths, but rarely took them since she almost had no time to
really enjoy them as she liked.

     She shampooed, humming a little.  Jo Jo wondered what the men
were talking about while they waited for Scully to finish checking
over Kathy. It was probably guy things that she preferred not knowing.
Jo Jo rinsed the shampoo out of her hair, repeating the process.

     She conditioned, then sat back, relaxing for a bit. It felt
comfortable to simply relax and not worry about anything for the time
being, although she knew deep down she had plenty to worry about. She
sighed, bubbles floating away from the air movement.  She giggled
softly, sitting up to prepare her legs for shaving.

     Jo Jo enjoyed simple baths by herself like this when she was
allowed to simply enjoy without interruption.  With Sam gone for
awhile, she knew that was possible. She hummed more with the piano
music, quietly shaving her left leg first.

     Relaxing baths such as this always restored some type of serenity
in Jo Jo that other activities did not. She wasn't sure what it was
that caused this effect, but she suspected it allowed her to clear her
head and think about what she would do next in peace and without
stress.

     She started to shave her other leg when she heard the door of the
room open and Sam shout, "I'm back. The agents are talking. I'm going
to watch television so you'll be left alone. Oh, Trent feels fine and
is in bed for the night."

     Jo Jo sighed, replying to the muffled voice, "Okay! I'll see you
in a little bit then!"



     While the men had been hanging out, Scully checked Kathy's
physical condition over. She took out her kit with a few tools out and
placed them onto the table. First, she took a thermometer and placed
it into Kathy's mouth. "Sit for a few minutes while I set up these
other things."

     Kathy nodded, holding the thermometer in her mouth. She almost
felt impatient waiting for it to be removed. It always felt mildly
uncomfortable waiting for it to register a temperature.

     Scully prepared to take Kathy's blood pressure. When the
thermometer beeped, signifying it was finished taking Kathy's
temperature, she removed it, setting it down to look at. Then, she
placed on Kathy's arm the Velcro arm holster to take blood pressure.  
Scully read off the temperature to Kathy. "You're right on target for
temperature. Let's see if we can say the same for blood pressure."

     Scully pumped the machine till she got her reading. "Pressure is
fine too.  Now, Kathy, have you had any aches or pains?" Scully knew
that Kathy was going to have a harder time carrying the extra weight,
being the size she was. She looked over her ankles, noticing minor
swelling. "Any back pains?"

     Kathy nodded. "Yeah. I do sometimes.  But only when I stand for
far too long.  And my ankles throb sometimes from wearing shoes. I
think my feet have swollen to be too big for my tiny size four."

     Scully smiled. "Well, we'll have to resize your feet to a
different size for now. I'm sure Mike won't have a problem with
getting you a larger size of shoe."

     "No. His shoes are almost three times the size of mine, but then
they always have been." She wiggled her feet around. "Oh, and my
wedding ring is getting a bit tighter lately. I don't know what to do
about that, but I know that if it's starting to bother me now it'll
only get worse."

     Scully nodded. "Yes. I'm sure we can get that enlarged later.  
Wear it unless it feels uncomfortable and then I suggest you put it on
a chain."

     "Alright."

     "Have you been tired lately?"  Scully asked.

     "A little, but Mike makes sure I get to bed right on time and
lets me sleep in late when we can. He's also been making sure I get
naps throughout the day when he thinks I look tired and those have
helped a great deal." Kathy said, smiling slightly.

     "Alright. Sounds like Mike's keeping a good eye on you. Hmm, how
about appetite or does Mike force feed you just to make sure you eat,
too?" Scully said, softly laughing.

     "Oh, Mike makes sure I eat, but he doesn't force feed me. Not
yet. Don't suggest it to him or he will." Kathy said, laughing. "When
should we have my next ultra sound, you think?"

     "Oh, not until after Christmas.  By then we'll actually have
significant growth to see. Unless you have a scare like you did
before, I don't see any reason to have an ultrasound." Scully said,
smiling wide at Kathy. "You seem to be doing very well, but we'll have
to monitor your habits and keep things going so well. Have you noticed
any spotting lately?"

     "No. Not at all. Mike watches that too. He's so scared it could
happen again."  Kathy said. She sighed. "But, so far so good. No
spotting besides that other incident. I'm going to have to bug him
over the next few days to start looking at names again. I want a new
set than our last."

     "That's understandable. Good luck with that. I'm sure it'll be
one of your many upcoming discussions." Scully said, smiling wide.
"Well, if everything is in order, as it appears to be, I must head
back and talk with the agents. If I were you, I'd coddle your doting
husband into a foot massage."

     "Oh, that sounds like an excellent idea." She smiled, as Scully
exited.